One apparatus embodiment includes a patterned electrically conductive layer, a power source, and an actuator. The power source provides an electrical signal to the electrically conductive layer. The monitoring unit monitors the electrical signal and initiates an action based upon a change in the electrical signal.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to anti-tamper structures. And, in particular, the present disclosure relates to protecting objects through use of an anti-tamper apparatus.

BACKGROUND

There are many contexts and technological fields that involve information, materials, systems, and/or devices that should not be tampered with. For example, in some situations, if an item is interacted with, such as by touching or moving the item, the item may be damaged. For instance, sterile materials, when touched, may become contaminated based upon their interaction with an individual or object coming in contact with the materials.

In other instances, the interaction with the item may cause harm to an individual or object interacting with it. For example, in some instances an individual can come in contact with a chemical, biological, or radioactive substance that can damage the object or individual.

Additionally, in some military and/or business contexts, certain information, materials, systems, and/or devices should not be viewed or obtained by unauthorized personnel. For example, in a business context, software, firmware, biological materials, and the like, may be proprietary or contain proprietary information that may be useful to a competitor. In a military context, captured vehicles or armaments may include information, materials, systems, and/or devices that may benefit an opposing force.

In many instances, a secured enclosure is used to keep unauthorized individuals away from such items. For example, vaults and lock boxes having reinforced walls have been used to deter unauthorized individuals from accessing the contents of these enclosures. However, in some situations, such measures may not be sufficient to deter these individuals. For instance, when a vehicle is captured by an opposing force, the force may be able to take a long period of time and have tools on hand to overcome such security measures. Additionally, in these situations, the occupants have been restrained such that they cannot destroy the sensitive items being protected. Therefore, if the opposing force overcomes the security measures, the items will likely still be intact for study and/or use.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a number of anti-tamper apparatus embodiments. For example, in one embodiment an apparatus includes an electrically conductive layer, a power source, and an actuator. The electrically conductive layer can be uniformly patterned. In some embodiments, such as some embodiments having a uniform patterned electrically conductive layer, the layer can be constructed such that the layer has a predictable resistance and/or capacitance across the layer. These embodiments can be beneficial, for example, because the resistance and/or capacitance of the patterning can be calculated and used to locate a breakage in the conductive layer or contact made with the layer.

In some embodiments, the electrically conductive layer is provided in the form of a grid. For example, the uniform patterned electrically conductive grid can be a mesh. In some embodiments, the mesh can have conductive paths that are organized in a predictable pattern. In such embodiments, the resistance and/or capacitance of the layer can be predictable and, therefore, the location of a point of contact with or a point of breakage of the conductive layer can be determined.

The power source provides an electrical signal to the electrically conductive layer. The power source can be of any type including, but not limited to, battery, solar, wired electrical, and/or atomic power sources and can include various types of alternating current and/or direct current power sources. Additionally, in various embodiments, an apparatus can have multiple power sources and can include a primary and backup power source.

In some embodiments, the power source for providing an electrical signal to the electrically conductive layer can provide an irregular electrical signal. Such embodiments can be beneficial in instances where an unauthorized individual attempts to bypass the electrically conductive layer, or a portion thereof.

The actuator can be used to initiate an action based upon a change in the electrical signal passing through the electrically conductive layer. For example, a change in the electrical signal can include a change in the voltage and/or the current. For instance, in various embodiments, the resistance and/or capacitance of the electrically conductive layer or a portion thereof can be monitored and when a change occurs, the change can be identified and an action can be initiated.

In various embodiments, a number of actions can be taken by an anti-tamper apparatus. Actions that can be initiated in various embodiments can include recording information about the change. The recorded information, for example, can include date, time, atmospheric conditions, quantity of the change, duration of the change, whether the change was due to contact or breakage of the conductive layer.

Another action that can be provided is initiating an alert signal such as an audible, physical, or visual signal. Signals can include voice, text, images, light, other audible sounds, vibrations, and the like.

The initiating of an action can also include a mechanism to indicate damage to the electrically conductive layer. In some embodiments, the mechanism can indicate the location of the damage on the electrically conductive layer. Such embodiments can be beneficial, for example, when used in a vehicle to indicate where the vehicle has been damaged. For instance, one or more anti-tamper apparatuses can be positioned within a vehicle. (e.g., one or more portions or all of the skin of a vehicle can include an electrically conductive layer).

In embodiments having one electrically conductive layer, various numbers of connections to the monitoring device can be used to identify the position of damage or contact on the electrically conductive layer. In embodiments where multiple electrically conductive layers are used, each electrically conductive layer can represent a position and, therefore, a change identified with respect to a particular electrically conductive layer can indicate damage or contact at the position of the particular electrically conductive layer. Such embodiments can also use various numbers of connections to a monitoring unit in order to pinpoint the location of the damage or contact.

In various embodiments, the actions that can be initiated are to alter the item being protected with the anti-temper apparatus. Examples of actions can include, but are not limited to, erasing computer executable instructions, supplying an electrical charge to the item, mixing of a chemical solution, and the spraying of a chemical solution on the item being protected, among others. Such actions can be used to disable, destroy, and/or damage the item being protected.

These actions can, therefore, be useful when the item is being accessed by an unauthorized individual and where the item being protected should not be accessed by the individual in an operational condition, for example. Such actions can be used for the protection of biological items, chemical items, electrical items, and radioactive items, to name a few.

Apparatus embodiments can come in various forms. For example, apparatus embodiments, can be in the form of a container for one or more items, a portion of a container, or attached to a container or an item, among others.

In various embodiments, the electrically conductive layer forms a periphery within which an item to be protected can be positioned. In some embodiments, the power source, monitoring unit, and actuator can be oriented within the periphery. Such an arrangement can be beneficial in that these components, that an individual may try to access in order to disable the anti-tamper apparatus, are located within the periphery of the electrically conductive layer.

In some embodiments, the power source, monitoring unit, and actuator can be provided within a housing. The housing can also include anti-tamper measures thereon. In such embodiments, the housing can be provided within the periphery of the electrically conductive layer or outside the periphery.

The electrically conductive layer, in some embodiments, can be encapsulated within a sheet of material. The sheet of material can be a wall of a container, a sheet of material with the electrically conductive layer formed therein, or a laminate sheet, for example, and can be rigid or flexible, in some embodiments.

A container can include structures having one or more walls that surround an object to an extent of 90 degrees around the object in one dimension, for example. By forming or placing the electrically conductive layer into a wall of a container, the container can be manufactured with the anti-tamper functionality already available when an item is stored within the container. Additionally, such embodiments may be more difficult for an unauthorized individual to compromise because the anti-tamper apparatus is positioned within a wall and may be difficult to access.

Embodiments where the sheet of material is a laminate sheet or other type sheet, the sheet embodiments can be inserted into a container protecting an item or around an item. Such embodiments can be beneficial, for example, in situations where the container has already been fabricated, where manufacturing the anti-tamper apparatus within a wall of the container is difficult or not cost effective, or when an anti-tamper apparatus is to be added to a structure that does not have an anti-tamper functionality, among others.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of an outer surface of the sheet of material can include an attachment medium for attachment of the sheet of material to a surface. For example, the medium for attachment can be a hook or loop type surface for hook and loop attachment to a container or an item. The medium for attachment can also be a type of adhesive. The adhesive can be a permanent adhesive or a releasable adhesive. Holes or loops, for tying down the material, or magnetic attachment mechanisms are other examples, of mediums that can be used for attachment. Such embodiments can thereby be applied to the surfaces of containers or to items to be protected.

Various embodiments can also include a monitoring unit for monitoring the electrical signal. For example, the monitoring unit can compare an electrical signal sent through the electrically conductive layer with the original electrical signal value. In various embodiments, the resistance and/or capacitance of the electrically conductive layer can be monitored for changes.

The monitoring unit can be used in conjunction with an actuator for initiating an action based upon information received from the monitoring unit. For example, computer executable instructions can be used to determine when to signal the actuator to initiate an action. In such embodiments, the actuator can initiate an action based upon information received from the monitoring unit. In some embodiments, the functionalities of the monitoring unit and the actuator can be provided by one component of the apparatus.

Monitoring units can be provided to monitor current and/or voltage of the electrical signal. The monitoring unit can also take into account a number of variables that may affect the electrical signal. The variables can include temperature, humidity, atmospheric salt content, electromagnetic field, and age of the materials used to fabricate the anti-tamper apparatus, for example. In embodiments where an irregular electrical signal is provided, the changes in the signal can be provided to the monitoring unit such that the unit can account for such changes.

This can be accomplished, for example, by circuitry and/or by having a processor and memory within or attached to the monitoring unit. Computer executable instructions can be provided in the memory and executable by the processor to communicate with the power source to obtain the irregular electrical signal. In such embodiments, the power source can also include circuitry and/or a processor and memory with computer executable instructions for changing the electrical signal in an irregular manner. Some embodiments can include tables or algorithms for identifying the changes in the irregular electrical signal.

In some embodiments, the circuitry and/or computer executable instructions for determining when to signal the actuator to initiate an action can include logic to allow an authorized user to disable the anti-tamper apparatus. In this way, the apparatus can be disabled in situations where an authorized individual has to access the protected item. For example, firmware or software within the item may have to be updated or installed, a chemical or biological item may have to be removed without its destruction, a protected item has to be repaired or undergo maintenance, and other such instances.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure includes a number of anti-tamper apparatus embodiments. Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in relation to the accompanying drawings, which will at least assist in illustrating the various features of the various embodiments.

FIG. 1is an illustration of an embodiment of an anti-tamper apparatus. The embodiment shown inFIG. 1illustrates an anti-tamper apparatus100having an electrically conductive layer110connected to a control unit111.

In the embodiment shown in this figure, the electrically conductive layer110is formed from a number of conductive paths112. The conductive paths112can be formed in any manner. For example, the conductive paths112can be wires or cables; stamped, etched, or deposited conductive layers; and/or other such conductive paths. In some instances, the various conductive paths112can overlap. In such instances, the conductive layer110can be thicker in some areas than in others.

The control unit111includes a monitoring unit114, a processor113, memory115, an actuator117, and a power source119. Although shown as one unit, the monitoring unit, processor, memory, actuator, and power source can all be provided as one or more separate units.

The monitoring unit114can be used to monitor the electrical signal passing through the electrically conductive layer110as will be discussed in more detail below. Processor113can be used to execute computer executable instructions that are stored in memory, such as in memory115. Memory115provides storage for computer executable instructions and data, such as data used in executing the computer executable instructions. Memory can include ROM, RAM, and flash memory types, among others. In various embodiments, a processor and/or memory can be provided within the monitoring unit114, actuator117, and/or power source for providing one or more of the various functions described herein.

The connection of between electrically conductive layer110and the control unit111can be accomplished in any manner. For example, inFIG. 1, the connection is accomplished through the use of wires116and118. However, in various embodiments, the connection can be accomplished in other suitable ways, such as by other types of conductive paths.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the connection can be wireless. For example, the control unit can be part of a supermarket checkout system and can include a scanner, where the scanning action or other voltage/current source can send voltage and/or current through the electrically conductive layer. The resistance and/or capacitance, for example, can then be measured and compared to a value stored in memory. Radio frequency identification (RFID) signals are one example of a type of wireless signal that may be used in such embodiments. Such embodiments can be used to identify if a product has been opened or otherwise tampered with, for instance.

Additionally, the electrically conductive layer110and the control unit111can be connected various numbers of times. For example, inFIG. 1, the electrically conductive layer110and the control unit111are connected twice (i.e., once by116and once by118).

Different numbers of connections can be beneficial, for example, in embodiments where the location of the contact or breakage of the electrically conductive layer is to be identified. In such embodiments, different numbers of connections can change the accuracy of the location identified by the monitoring unit.

For example, in the embodiment ofFIG. 1, the two connections are made with two corners of the electrically conductive layer110. Since the pattern of the electrically conductive layer110is uniform (i.e., a mesh formed of conductive paths oriented at 90 degree angles forming square apertures), the resistance and/or capacitance can be determined across the electrically conductive layer. In various embodiments, other uniform and non-uniform patterns having predictable resistance and/or capacitance.

When contact or breakage occurs at a location, the proximity to each of the connection points of116and118can be determined. With two connection points oriented at two of the corners of the sheet, the location of the contact or breakage can be identified by a general proximity to each of the connection points, but the exact location may be difficult to determine. If connections are made to three of the corners or to all of the corners of the electrically conductive layer, then the accuracy of the location identified by the monitoring unit would increase.

When each of the conductive paths is connected to the control unit, the accuracy of the location identified by the monitoring unit can be even higher. Additionally, in some embodiments, such as that shown inFIG. 1, the electrically conductive layer can include edges121that bound the electrically conductive layer110(e.g., in contrast to the electrically conductive layers illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3). In such embodiments, the connections with the control unit can be made to the edges121of the electrically conductive layer, rather than to the individual conductive paths or the corners or other contact points on the electrically conductive layer.

FIG. 2is an illustration of another embodiment of an anti-tamper apparatus. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 2, the anti-tamper apparatus200includes an electrically conductive layer210connected to a monitoring unit214. In the embodiment shown in this figure, the electrically conductive layer210is formed from a number of conductive paths212. The connection between the electrically conductive layer210and monitoring unit214is accomplished by conductive paths216and218.

In such embodiments, the monitoring unit214can include the functionality of providing the power source for the anti-tamper apparatus200to the electrically conductive layer210. For example, an electrical signal can travel through conductive path216, through electrically conductive layer210via conductive paths212, and through conductive path218, back to the monitoring unit214.

The monitoring unit214can compare the voltage and/or current that has returned to the monitoring unit214via conductive path218to the original voltage and/or current of the electrical signal sent via conductive path216to the electrically conductive layer210. The function of comparing the voltage and/or current can be provided by circuitry, computer executable instructions, or a combination thereof. In this way, the electrically conductive layer can be monitored for changes that occur, such as those due to contact with the electrically conductive layer or from breakage of a conductive path, such as paths212,216, and/or218, as will be discussed in more detail below with respect toFIG. 3.

FIG. 3is an illustration of the anti-tamper apparatus ofFIG. 2that has been compromised by a hole being formed therein. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 3, the anti-tamper apparatus includes an electrically conductive layer310connected to a monitoring unit314. The electrically conductive layer310is formed from a number of conductive paths312. These components are similar to the components shown inFIG. 2.

In this example, a hole320has been formed in the electrically conductive layer310. The hole320changes the characteristics of the electrically conductive layer310. For example, the resistance of the electrically conductive layer310with the hole is larger than that of the electrically conductive layer310without the hole. By using a monitoring unit314that can identify such changes, tampering with the electrically conductive layer can be detected.

The characteristics of the electrically conductive layer310also change when an object contacts the electrically conductive layer310. For example, if a drill or a chemical solution, such as acid, where used to form the hole320, the contact of the drill or acid with the electrically conductive layer310, could be detected based upon the change in the characteristics of the electrically conductive layer310, and by having a monitoring unit314used that could identify such changes in the characteristics of the electrically conductive layer310. Additionally, in some embodiments, the monitoring unit314can identify changes in the characteristics of the electrically conductive layer based upon contact by an individual with the electrically conductive layer310.

FIG. 4is an illustration of an embodiment of an anti-tamper appliqué. The appliqué embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4is an anti-tamper apparatus410in the form of a sheet of material. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 4, a laminated sheet of material is illustrated and includes an upper laminate layer422, a lower laminate layer426, conductive paths424, spaces430, and an attachment medium428.

The structure shown inFIG. 4can be formed in various ways. For example, the layers can each be formed separately and then assembled into a laminated sheet410. In some embodiments, the layers can be formed together or created using a deposition process, such as chemical vapor deposition, or other such processes.

As stated above, the attachment layer428can include adhesive, hook and loop, magnetic, and/or apertures, among other suitable attachment mediums, for attachment of the appliqué410to an object such as a container or an item that is to be protected. In various embodiments, the appliqué410can be connected via conductive paths424to a monitoring unit, such as monitoring unit314illustrated inFIG. 3. The appliqué410can also be connected to an actuator for initiating an action based upon changes to the electrical signal passing through the appliqué410via conductive paths424. In various embodiments, the appliqué410can be connected to a monitoring unit that can also include the actuator functionality.

FIG. 5is an example of an anti-tamper sheet, such as the appliqué410illustrated inFIG. 4, in use. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 5, two sheets510-1and510-2are positioned within container534. In the embodiment shown, a number of items to be protected536are located within the container534.

Additionally, in the example shown inFIG. 5, the items536are positioned within a second container532that is positioned within the first container534. This example allows for the sheets510-1and510-2to be shown in two different positions. For example, the sheet510-1is positioned on the inside of container532. In this way, an unauthorized individual would not be able to ascertain whether an anti-tamper apparatus had been provided to this security system.

The sheet510-2is positioned on the outside of container532. Such positioning may act as a deterrent to an unauthorized individual by allowing the individual to see the anti-tamper apparatus510-2. In various embodiments, the sheets510-1and510-2can be attached to the container532.

Another benefit to the use of appliqués or other sheet type embodiments is that the anti-tamper functionality can be applied to selected areas, thereby potentially saving costs. For example, if container534where only accessible through the left and right walls of the container534shown inFIG. 5, then an anti-tamper apparatus having one or more sheets of material or multiple anti-tamper apparatuses in the form of sheets of material could be positioned in front or behind those walls, as apparatuses510-1and510-2are illustrated as being positioned inFIG. 5, instead of surrounding the items536with one or more anti-tamper apparatuses on all sides or surrounding the item to be protected.

FIG. 5also illustrates an embodiment having a control unit511that is connected to the electrically conductive layer of the apparatus510-1and connected to a power supply540via wire539. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 5, the items536are electrical components and the power supply540provides power to the items536. In this embodiment, the control unit511includes actuator functionality and when a change in the resistance of the electrically conductive layers of the apparatuses510-1or510-2is detected, the actuator can signal the power supply540, via wire539, to send an electrical charge to the items536to disable or destroy the items536.

In various embodiments used for protecting computer executable instructions or data, the control unit can be connected to the items such that when signaled, the items can delete the computer executable instructions and/or data that are being protected. This can be accomplished by computer executable instructions within the control unit, within the components of the anti-tamper apparatus, within one or more of the items being protected, or computer executable instructions located in a combination of these locations. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the actuator functionality can be provided by the control unit, monitoring unit, actuating unit, another apparatus provided within a container (e.g., power supply540), and/or one or more of the items being protected.

FIG. 6is another illustration of an embodiment of an anti-tamper apparatus. In the embodiment ofFIG. 6, the anti-tamper apparatus610is a sheet or bag of material that can be used to surround an item632. This allows for the item632to be surrounded without the positioning and/or attachment of a number of sheets of material such as those shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 5. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 6, the sheet or bag is constructed of a number of conductive paths612such as from wires, cables, or other such suitable materials.

The sheet or bag can also be constructed from a laminated sheet such as that shown and described with respect toFIG. 4. The monitoring unit614is positioned within the periphery formed by the conductive paths612of the electrically conductive layer610. Such an embodiment can make it difficult for an unauthorized individual to have access to the monitoring unit614without contacting or breaking the conductive paths612. Additionally, the connections between the monitoring unit614and the electrically conductive layer610are also positioned within the periphery of the electrically conductive layer610.

FIG. 7is an illustration of another embodiment of an anti-tamper apparatus.FIG. 7illustrates a container that can be manufactured with an anti-tamper apparatus710formed therein. In this embodiment, the container734can be fabricated having a number of walls with the conductive paths712formed therein. The conductive paths can be formed in any suitable manner. In various embodiments, such containers can be formed around an item such that the item cannot be accessed unless the electrically conductive layer710is compromised.

In some embodiments, the container can include an aperture to allow for an item to be placed within the container734. In such embodiments, the aperture can then be secured against a surface such that access through the aperture cannot be made by an unauthorized individual.

FIG. 8is an illustration of another embodiment of an anti-tamper apparatus. In this embodiment, an aperture is provided in the container834. The container834also includes a cover838that is to be secured to the body of the container836. The container834also includes conductive paths formed in the walls of the container834. In this embodiment, the conductive paths812are constructed such that once the cover is positioned in the aperture, the conductive paths on the body of the container836connect with those on the cover838to surround the entire periphery of the container834including the cover838.

In this way, a cover can be used to access the interior of the container, but once in place, the cover does not allow for access to be made by unauthorized individuals. Additionally, in this embodiment, the monitoring unit814is provided within the container834making it difficult for an unauthorized individual to gain access to the monitoring unit814without contacting or breaking conductive paths812.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same techniques can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover adaptations or variations of various embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the above description has been made in an illustrative fashion, and not a restrictive one.

Combination of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various embodiments of the invention includes various other applications in which the above structures and methods are used. Therefore, the scope of various embodiments of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.