Anti-tamper Mechanism Using Optical Assembly Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices lack effective mechanisms to prevent unauthorized access and tampering, as existing security measures are inadequate in detecting and responding to physical interference and data hacking.
Innovation Solution
An anti-tamper mechanism is integrated into the electronic device, comprising a main circuit board, light sources, sensors, light guiding members, optical members, a cover, and a magnetic member, which sets an initial password based on light signals and requires a specific assembly order to function, preventing unauthorized access by ensuring only correct assembly can activate the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional protection mechanisms are used, then the device structure remains simple, but the security against unauthorized access and tampering is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-tamper mechanism is divided into multiple independent components including optical members, light guiding members, light sources, sensors, and a cover. Each component performs a specific function in the security verification process, allowing the system to achieve high security through modular design while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical members are received within receiving spaces in the base, and the cover is positioned over the optical members to enclose them. This nested arrangement integrates multiple functional components into a compact structure, enhancing security without significantly increasing the overall device footprint or complexity.
2Reliability
If no anti-tamper mechanism is used, then the device is easy to assemble and operate, but it is vulnerable to physical interference and data hacking
Solution Approach 1:
The optical members are pre-arranged in specific receiving spaces within the base, and the light sources and sensors are pre-positioned to align with corresponding light guiding members. This preliminary arrangement ensures that only correct assembly in the predetermined sequence will establish the proper optical paths for password verification, thereby enforcing security without requiring complex user operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guiding members act as intermediaries that transmit light signals from light sources to sensors only when the optical members are correctly positioned. This intermediary mechanism ensures that unauthorized assembly cannot establish functional optical paths, providing security while maintaining ease of operation for authorized users following the correct assembly sequence.
3Reliability
If a complex anti-tamper mechanism with multiple components is implemented, then security against unauthorized access is enhanced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each optical member is designed with specific local optical properties (translucent, transparent, or light-absorbing materials) that enable it to perform its specific function in the password verification sequence. The light guiding members have precisely formed light guiding passages with specific geometries to control light transmission paths. This localized functional design allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently with controlled precision requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-tamper mechanism uses optical copying principles where light signals are transmitted through the optical members and light guiding members to create verifiable optical paths. The specific arrangement and optical properties of the components create a unique optical signature that verifies correct assembly, allowing for manufacturing tolerances while maintaining security through the overall system configuration rather than requiring extreme precision in individual components.
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
The anti-tamper mechanism effectively prevents unauthorized access by requiring a specific sequence of assembly, ensuring that only authorized individuals can activate the device, thereby enhancing the security of electronic devices against physical interference and data hacking.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light guiding members 50. Each light guiding member 50 includes a first light guiding portion 51, a light reflective surface 52, and a second light guiding portion 53
Implementation Method 2
a light reflective surface 52, configured to reflect light emitted from a light source 20 to change a propagating direction of the light
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of optical members 60... configured to change a wavelength of light emitted from a light source 320
Data Source
AI summary
A mechanism to prevent unauthorized physical use of an electronic device includes a main circuit board, a plurality of light sources, a plurality of sensors, a base, a plurality of optical members, and a magnetic member. The base comprises a base body and a plurality of guiding members. Each optical member comprises a main body and a magnetic portion. The main body of each optical member can change either a direction of propagation of light or a wavelength of light emitted from a light source, or both, and can propagate such light to a sensor which can forward to a control unit electrical signals representing a password input. When the electronic device is detached, the magnetic member attracts the magnetized optical members into random disorder on the cover, thereby destroying the predefined order.