Electromagnetic Tamper Detection for Mounted Circuit Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Third-party components are often installed in systems, leading to performance issues and potential damage, as existing anti-tamper mechanisms fail to prevent the removal and reuse of electronic devices like x-ray tubes, causing mismatched tube-specific information and image quality issues.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of anti-tamper circuitry that disables functionality of devices when removed from their designated components, using mechanisms such as sealed housings, switches, and electromagnetic couplings to detect tampering and erase memory or disable functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If anti-tamper circuitry is added to disable functionality when devices are removed, then system integrity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem integrityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The anti-tamper circuitry is integrated within the housing of the external component, with the electromagnetic coupling mechanism nested between the housing and the device. This nesting approach allows multiple functional elements (housing, coupling mechanism, circuitry) to be compactly arranged without significantly increasing the overall device footprint or complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

An electromagnetic coupling mechanism serves as an intermediary between the device and the external component. This intermediary provides a detectable signal that enables tamper detection without requiring direct physical contact or complex mechanical linkages, thereby maintaining system integrity while minimizing added complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If electromagnetic coupling mechanisms are used to detect tampering, then tamper detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetamper detection capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical tamper detection mechanisms with an electromagnetic coupling system. Instead of using mechanical switches, contacts, or physical linkages that would require precise alignment and robust construction, the electromagnetic field provides a non-contact detection method that is both sensitive to tampering and simpler to implement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electromagnetic coupling mechanism detects tampering by monitoring changes in electromagnetic field characteristics (such as field strength, frequency, or phase) rather than relying on complex mechanical state changes. This parameter-based detection approach simplifies the overall system while maintaining high detection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If memory erasure functionality is implemented upon tamper detection, then security is improved, but loss of information occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidloss of information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements preliminary anti-action by erasing sensitive information stored in the external component's memory upon detection of tampering. This preemptive measure ensures that unauthorized users cannot access or extract sensitive data even if they successfully remove or compromise the device, thereby maintaining security without requiring additional protective measures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Prevents the reuse of unauthorized components by disabling critical functions, ensuring system integrity and reducing performance issues and safety risks.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor configured to detect a magnetic field generated by a source disposed within the external component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field detection: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

an electromagnetic coupling between the device and the external component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic coupling: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20250324521A1Systems and methods for tamper detection

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 VAREX IMAGING CORP

AI summary

Embodiments include a device, comprising: a mounting structure configured to mount the device to an external component; first circuitry; and anti-tamper circuitry configured to monitor an electromagnetic coupling between the device and the external component and to disable at least one function of the first circuitry in response to detection of a tamper event pertaining to the electromagnetic coupling.