Method and apparatus for inhibiting diversion of devices using an embedded accelerometer

According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a sensing device comprising an accelerometer configured to monitor acceleration of the sensing device and provide acceleration information including a value of the acceleration of the sensing device, and an Integrated Circuit (IC) coupled to the accelerometer, the IC configured to receive the acceleration information from the accelerometer and render the sensing device permanently inoperable in response to the value of the acceleration of the sensing device exceeding a threshold indicative of a military application of the sensing device.

BACKGROUND

Various attempts have been made to prevent certain leading edge commercial technologies (e.g., such as imaging or electro-optical devices) from being adapted for military uses (e.g., such as weapons sights or fire control systems), since diversion of these technologies from the civilian market place to military applications may raise national security concerns. The attempts have included placing restrictions on the sale of night vision technology, including end user certification and tracking, for example. Additionally, the frame rate for general-use night vision equipment has been limited to ≦9 Hz, with the software required to increase the frame rate also being subject to United States (US) government export control regulations. In another example, requirements for some vehicular applications have been put in place to render a restricted unit inoperable when removed from a vehicle. However, these restrictions have encouraged the development of off-shore sources of the restricted technologies, which can undermine the effectiveness of the intended restrictions and/or erode the technological superiority of the US armed forces.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments are directed to methods and mechanisms that allow technology to proliferate freely in the civilian marketplace, but render the technology inoperative should it be diverted to a high shock military environment. For example, a device, such as a thermal imager, laser, camera, electronics associated with night-vision equipment, or another electronic device, may be disabled, preferably permanently, upon detection of shock levels associated with a military application. According to one embodiment, the accelerometer (or other shock-sensing sensor) is embedded into the device hardware, particularly into integrated packages, such as Redistributed Chip Packaging (RCP), Multi-Chip System in a Package (MCSiP), or System on a Chip (SoC) packages in some examples, making it difficult to defeat the accelerometer function as attempts to do so may destroy the device hardware. In addition, the use of programmed unique identification numbers may also provide additional security, as discussed further below. Thus, aspects and embodiments may provide a simple and reliable mechanism for preventing diversion of high technology devices from the civilian marketplace into military applications, while still allowing the technology to be freely distributed within the civilian marketplace.

At least one aspect described herein is directed to a sensing device comprising an accelerometer configured to monitor acceleration of the sensing device and provide acceleration information including a value of the acceleration of the sensing device, and an Integrated Circuit (IC) coupled to the accelerometer, the IC configured to receive the acceleration information from the accelerometer and render the sensing device permanently inoperable in response to the value of the acceleration of the sensing device exceeding a threshold indicative of a military application of the sensing device.

According to one embodiment, the threshold is defined as a value of the acceleration greater than 100 g. According to another embodiment, the threshold is defined as a value of the acceleration in a range of approximately 50 to 1000 g.

According to another embodiment, the IC comprises a port coupled to the accelerometer, a flash memory module, and a processor coupled to the port and the flash memory module, wherein the processor is configured to receive the acceleration information from the accelerometer and transmit an erase command to the flash memory module, to render the sensing device permanently inoperable, in response to the value of the acceleration of the sensing device exceeding the threshold. In one embodiment, the processor is further configured to monitor a number of times that the value of the acceleration of the sensing device exceeds the threshold and to transmit the erase command to the flash memory module, to render the sensing device permanently inoperable, in response to the value of the acceleration of the sensing device exceeding the threshold at least a predefined number of times.

According to one embodiment, the accelerometer comprises a register that includes a first programmed Unique Identification Number (UIN), wherein the IC further comprises a memory module coupled to the processor, the memory module including a second programmed UIN, and wherein the processor is further configured to compare the first UIN with the second UIN and, in response to a determination that the first UIN and the second UIN are not identical, transmit the erase command to the flash memory module to render the sensing device permanently inoperable.

According to another embodiment, the optics module, the IC and the accelerometer are located within an integrated product housing. In another embodiment, the IC and the accelerometer are integrated within a high density package. In one embodiment, the IC and the accelerometer are integrated within a Redistributed Chip Package (RCP). In another embodiment, the IC and the accelerometer are integrated within a Multi-Chip System in a Package (MCSiP). In one embodiment, the IC and the accelerometer are integrated on a printed wiring board, and wherein the IC, the accelerometer and the printed wiring board are encapsulated within a housing.

According to one embodiment, the sensing device is an image sensor. In one embodiment, the image sensor is an infrared image sensor. In one embodiment, the infrared image sensor is sensitive to wavelengths in a range between 8 and 12 microns. In another embodiment, the infrared image sensor is sensitive to wavelengths in a range between 1.5 and 1.7 microns. In one embodiment, the image sensor is a visible image sensor. In another embodiment, the image sensor is a visible image sensor sensitive to wavelengths in a range between 400 nm and 800 nm.

Another aspect described herein is directed to a method for inhibiting an electronic device from being adapted for military uses, the method comprising monitoring acceleration of the electronic device with an accelerometer coupled to the electronic device, determining whether the acceleration of the electronic device monitored by the accelerometer exceeds a predetermined threshold indicative of a military application of the electronic device, and in response to a determination that the acceleration of the electronic device exceeds the threshold, permanently rendering the electronic device inoperable.

According to one embodiment, determining includes determining whether the acceleration of the electronic device exceeds a predetermined threshold of at least 100 g. In another embodiment, permanently rendering includes transmitting an erase command to a flash memory module within the electronic device.

According to another embodiment, the method further comprises monitoring a number of times that the acceleration of the electronic device exceeds the predetermined threshold, and in response to a determination that the acceleration of the electronic device has exceeded the predetermined threshold at least a predefined number of times, transmitting the erase command to the flash memory module within the electronic device to permanently render the electronic device inoperable.

According to one embodiment, the method further comprises comparing a Unique Identification Number (UIN) stored within the accelerometer to a UIN stored within the electronic device, and in response to a determination that the UIN stored within the accelerometer does not match the accelerometer, transmitting the erase command to the flash memory module within the electronic device to permanently render the electronic device inoperable. In one embodiment, comparing includes comparing a factory programmed serial number stored within the accelerometer to the UIN stored within the electronic device.

According to another embodiment, monitoring acceleration of the electronic device with an accelerometer includes monitoring acceleration of the electronic device with an accelerometer embedded in a high density package of the electronic device. In one embodiment, monitoring acceleration of the electronic device with an accelerometer embedded in a high density package of the electronic device includes monitoring acceleration of the electronic device with an accelerometer embedded in one of a Redistributed Chip Package (RCP) or Multi-Chip System in a Package (MCSiP) of the electronic device. In another embodiment, monitoring acceleration of the electronic device with an accelerometer includes monitoring acceleration of the electronic device with an accelerometer mounted on a printed wiring board of the electronic device and encapsulated within a housing.

One aspect as described herein includes an electronic device comprising an Integrated Circuit (IC), and means, coupled to the IC, for rendering the electronic device permanently inoperable in response to a shock level consistent with military application of the electronic device.

According to one embodiment, the electronic device further comprises means for inhibiting removal of the means for rendering without damage to the IC. In another embodiment, the electronic device further comprises means for determining whether the means for rendering has been removed and rendering the electronic device inoperable in response to a determination that the means for rendering has been removed.

Still other aspects, embodiments, and advantages of these exemplary aspects and embodiments, are discussed in detail below. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing information and the following detailed description are merely illustrative examples of various aspects and embodiments, and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the claimed aspects and embodiments. Any embodiment disclosed herein may be combined with any other embodiment in any manner consistent with at least one of the objectives, aims, and needs disclosed herein, and references to “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “an alternate embodiment,” “various embodiments,” “one embodiment” or the like are not necessarily mutually exclusive and are intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of such terms herein are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As the rate of technology proliferation increases, there is a concurrent risk of leading edge technology targeting the civilian market being diverted to military applications. For example, leading edge civilian technology from the United States may be acquired in the US, sent overseas, and diverted to military applications abroad. This diversion may negatively impact national security and the safety of US armed forces. As discussed above, prior attempts to address the issue of diversion have been limited to restricting the sale of technology to civilian markets, or implementing controls that tie the technology permanently to a specific platform. However, these restrictions may not be effective to deter diversion. Aspects and embodiments described herein are directed to methods and mechanisms that allow technology to proliferate freely in the civilian marketplace, but render the technology inoperative should it be diverted to a high shock military environment.

Certain embodiments are directed to the use of an embedded accelerometer to deter the diversion of advanced technology from the civilian marketplace to military applications. In one example, the advanced technology is rendered inert or inoperable when subjected to shock levels associated with a military application. In particular, some aspects and embodiments described herein are directed to preventing civilian electro-optic devices, such as cameras, imaging devices, or lasers, from being diverted to military applications such as weapons sights or fire control systems, by rendering the civilian electro-optics devices inoperable when subjected to shock levels associated with a military application.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that shock levels associated with or indicative of a military application (e.g., the firing of a weapon) are typically associated with acceleration levels far greater than acceleration levels associated with non-military use. For example, non-military applications such as walking or shaking may register an acceleration level of less than 3 g (where 1 g is the acceleration due to gravity at the Earth's surface); while a military application, such as the firing of a rifle, for example, may register an acceleration level of more than 1000 g. Thus, according to one embodiment as described herein, an accelerometer embedded into the sensor electronics is used to cause an imaging device, such as an uncooled camera core or other sensor or thermal imager, to immediately cease to function upon being exposed to shock levels, and/or repetition rates of high shock levels, above a certain threshold that is indicative of a military application (e.g., such as firing a weapon).

In one embodiment described herein, a low cost Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) accelerometer (such as an airbag sensor, for example) is used to perform this function, as discussed further below. According to certain embodiments, the accelerometer has a unique serial number or identification number which may be verified at power-on (or at some other time) to inhibit any attempt to defeat this function by removing, replacing, or disabling the accelerometer, as discussed further below. Additionally, according to certain embodiments, the accelerometer is embedded into a high density package (e.g., such as a RCP, MCSiP, or SoC) of the imaging device to inhibit its removal from the device. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the accelerometer is encapsulated with a conventional printed wiring board.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of one embodiment of an electro-optic device100that includes an embedded accelerometer102. The electro-optic device100also includes an optics module104, a detector sensor106, a Read-Out Integrated Circuitry (ROIC)108, an interface Printed Wiring Board (PWB)110, a Ball Grid Array (BGA)112and an Integrated Circuit (IC)113. According to one embodiment, the IC113is a SoC IC; however, in other embodiments, the IC may be configured differently. The SoC113includes a processor114, a memory unit116and a power management unit118.

The optics module104is coupled via the detector sensor106to the ROIC108. The ROIC108is coupled to the BGA112via the interface PWB110. The accelerometer102is mounted on the interface PWB110with the z-axis120in line with the optics module104.

The optics module104, detector sensor106, and ROIC108provide sensed imaging data from the area surrounding the electro-optic device100to the SoC113via the PWB110and the BGA112. According to one embodiment, the optics module104is a Long-Wavelength Infrared (LWIR) optics module; however, in other embodiments, any other type of optics module may be utilized. According to one embodiment, the detector sensor106is implemented in Wafer-Level Packaging (WLP); however, in other embodiments, the detector sensor106is configured differently. Also, according to one embodiment, the BGA112is a Redistributed Chip Packaging (RCP) BGA; however, in other embodiments a different type of BGA or conventional PWB based electronic packaging may be utilized.

The embedded accelerometer102is configured to prevent the electro-optic device from being adapted to military use by rendering the electro-optic device100inert or inoperable when subjected to shock levels associated with a military application. The embedded accelerometer102senses g-forces (i.e. acceleration) of the electro-optic device100and provides acceleration data to the SoC113(e.g., to the processor114). When the accelerometer102senses acceleration associated with normal civilian use (e.g., less than 5 g), the SoC113operates the device100in normal operating mode. When the accelerometer102senses acceleration associated with a weapons application (e.g., more than 100 g), the SoC113renders the electro-optic device100inoperable.

According to one embodiment, the accelerometer102is configured to have a sensitivity that is matched to a military environment, so as to reduce “nuisance” tripping of the device, or “false alarms.” For example, in one embodiment, the SoC113may be configured to “ignore” sensed acceleration forces from the accelerometer102of fewer than 100 g, or a similar threshold. In other embodiments, the acceleration threshold at which the SoC113disables the device100may be defined differently. For example, in some embodiments, the acceleration threshold is be defined as 50 g, 100 g, 500 g, 1000 g, or any other appropriate acceleration value that, if exceeded, indicates a military application of the device100. In other embodiments, the acceleration threshold is defined in a range of 50 g-1000 g, 1000 g-5000 g, 100 g-1500 g, or any other appropriate range of acceleration values.

According to another embodiment, to reduce “nuisance tripping, the SoC113is also configured to require the acceleration of the optics device100to exceed the threshold a certain number of times before disabling the device, as discussed in more detail below.

According to one embodiment, in response to the output of the accelerometer102indicating acceleration associated with a military application (e.g., acceleration above a certain threshold level), the SoC113is configured to permanently disable the electro-optic device100. For example, in one embodiment, the SoC113is configured to erase at least a portion of the electro-optic device's flash memory when a shock above a threshold level (indicating military application) is detected, thereby rendering the unit inoperable. For example, according to one embodiment, the SoC113is configured to erase the electro-optic device's flash memory containing image normalization terms. In another embodiment, the SoC113is configured to erase the electro-optic device's flash memory containing image array configuration terms. According to another embodiment, the SoC113is configured to erase the electro-optic device's flash memory containing Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or SoC program instructions.

According to another embodiment, in response to the output of the accelerometer102indicating acceleration associated with a military application, the SoC113is configured to send a signal to a portion of the electro-optic device100that permanently destroys the device. For example, in one embodiment, the SoC113is configured to send a signal to a switch within the electro-optic device100that, when closed, shorts the internal power of the device100. In another embodiment, the SoC113is configured to send a signal to a switch within the electro-optic device100that, when closed, connects the device100to a power source that results in the destruction of the device100.

According to one embodiment, normal operation of the electro-optic device100may be restored be returning the device100to the manufacturer.

According to one embodiment, the accelerometer102may be an automotive-grade accelerometer used for collision detection to deploy airbags, for example, as certain events associated with military applications and/or environments, such as weapons fire acceleration and shock profiles are consistent with automobile collisions. In one example, the accelerometer is a collision detection accelerometer commonly used for automotive airbag deployment and available from Freescale Semiconductor of Austin, Tex. under part number MMA5148KWR2. This example accelerometer may be rated to measure and report acceleration and shock profiles up to approximately 480 g. However, in other embodiments, any other type of accelerometer or similar shock sensing device may be utilized.

According to one embodiment, the accelerometer102is also configured to prevent a user from removing the accelerometer102from the electro-optic device100to defeat the accelerometer function. In one embodiment, the accelerometer102is packaged with the electro-optic device100using a high density packaging technology to prevent removal of the accelerometer102absent destruction of the device100. For example, in one embodiment, the accelerometer102is embedded into an RCP of the electro-optic device100to inhibit removal of the accelerometer102from the device100. Due to the dense and integrated nature of components within the RCP, attempts by an individual to remove the accelerometer from the RCP will likely result in the destruction of other hardware within the electro-optic device100, rendering the device100inoperative.

According to one embodiment, the accelerometer102is embedded into an RCP using MCSiP technology. In a MCSiP, a plurality of integrated circuit dies, and optionally other discrete components, are positioned on a wafer and encapsulated using an epoxy encapsulate. Various semiconductor processing steps may be applied to the resulting wafer, for example, to interconnect the dies and other discrete components. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/164,432, titled “USING A MULTI-CHIP SYSTEM IN A PACKAGE (MCSiP) IN IMAGING APPLICATIONS TO YIELD A LOW COST, SMALL SIZE CAMERA ON A CHIP” filed Jun. 20, 2011, describes embodiments of an MCSiP included in a camera and configured to provide imaging and processing functions associated with the camera.

Embodiments of an electro-optic device100implemented using an MCSiP, as discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/164,432, may be well-suited to incorporate the embedded accelerometer102since many camera functions are implemented using dies that are integrated in a wafer package and interconnected using established semiconductor processing technologies. In addition, the encapsulate of the MCSiP will inhibit removal of the accelerometer102from the device100as attempts by an individual to remove the accelerometer102from the MCSiP encapsulate will likely result in the destruction of other hardware within the electro-optic device100, rendering the device100inoperative.

In addition to physically inhibiting the removal of the accelerometer102through the use of a high density packaging technology, the electro-optic device100may also verify that the accelerometer102has not been removed or replaced by checking a unique identification number of the accelerometer102. For example, according to one embodiment, a unique identification number, such as a unique 32 bit serial number, for example, is applied as an OTP (One Time Programmable) factory setting that is programmed and stored in encrypted memory in both the accelerometer102, and in encrypted memory116within the electro-optic device100.

Upon startup of the electro-optic device100(or at some other determined time), the processor114queries the accelerometer102and compares the accelerometer's programmed serial number to the serial number stored in encrypted memory116. If the serial number received from the accelerometer102matches the expected serial number in memory116, then the device enters into (or continues in) normal operational mode. If the processor114detects a mismatch between the serial number received from the accelerometer102and the expected serial number from memory116, or if the accelerometer has been removed from the system (e.g., no accelerometer102serial number is detected), a flash memory erase command (e.g., as described above) is executed rendering the electro-optic device inoperable.

FIG. 2is a more detailed block diagram of one embodiment of an electro-optic device200that includes an embedded accelerometer102. The electro-optic device200includes the SoC113, the embedded accelerometer102, the detector sensor106, and the ROIC108. The SoC113includes a processor114, an Image Processing Unit (IPU)207, a memory unit116, a power management unit118, a Serial Parallel Interface (SPI) port204, a flash memory module206, and a memory management module (MMU)208.

The detector sensor106and the ROIC108are coupled to the IPU207of the SoC113. The IPU207is coupled to the MMU208. The embedded accelerometer102is coupled to the SoC113via the SPI port204. The SPI port204is coupled to the MMU208. The processor114, flash memory module206and the memory unit116are each also coupled to the MMU208. According to one embodiment, the memory unit116includes a Cryptographic Acceleration and Assurance Module (CAAM)117. The power management module118is coupled to the SoC113.

In normal operation, the detector sensor106and ROIC108provide sensed imaging data received from the optics module104(as shown inFIG. 1) to the IPU207for processing. As discussed above, the embedded accelerometer102is configured to prevent the electro-optic device200from being adapted to military use by rendering the electro-optic device200inert or inoperable when subjected to shock levels associated with a military application. The embedded accelerometer102senses g-forces (i.e. acceleration) of the electro-optic device200and provides acceleration data to the SoC113(e.g., to the processor114). When the accelerometer102senses acceleration associated with normal civilian use (e.g., less than 5 g), the SoC113operates the device200in normal operating mode. When the accelerometer102senses acceleration associated with a weapons application or triggering circuitry (e.g., more than 100 g), the SoC113renders the electro-optic device200inoperable. As described above, in one embodiment, the accelerometer is a collision detection accelerometer commonly used for automotive airbag deployment and available from Freescale Semiconductor of Austin, Tex. under part number MMA5148KWR2.

According to one embodiment, the accelerometer102provides continuous acceleration data of the electro-optic device200to the processor114via the SPI port204and the MMU208. The processor114is configured to monitor the acceleration data provided by the accelerometer102and determine whether the acceleration data exceeds a predetermined acceleration threshold. According to one embodiment, the predetermined acceleration threshold programmed into the processor is at least 100 g; however, in other embodiments, the acceleration threshold may be defined differently. If the processor114determines that the acceleration data has exceeded the predetermined acceleration threshold, then the processor114renders the electro-optic device200inoperable by sending a signal to the flash memory206via the MMU208to clear at least a portion of the flash memory206(e.g., as described above).

According to one embodiment, the processor114also monitors the number of times that the acceleration data received from the accelerometer102exceeds the predetermined acceleration threshold and will not transmit the erase command to the flash memory206until the acceleration data received from the accelerometer102has exceeded the predetermined acceleration threshold at least a predefined number of times. According to one embodiment, the predefined number of times that the acceleration threshold must be exceeded to render the electro-optic device200inoperable is defined as one. According to another embodiment, the predefined number of times that the acceleration threshold must be exceeded to render the electro-optic device200inoperable is defined as two, three or more, to reduce potential for a “false positive” indication of military application of the electro-optic device200. In other embodiments, the predefined number of times that the acceleration threshold must be exceeded to render the electro-optic device200inoperable may be defined as any number. If the processor114determines that the acceleration data has exceeded the predetermined acceleration threshold at least the predefined number of times, then the processor114renders the electro-optic device200inoperable by sending a signal to the flash memory206via the MMU208to clear at least a portion of the flash memory206(e.g., as described above).

According to one embodiment, once the electro-optic device200is rendered inoperable, it is permanently destroyed. According to another embodiment, once the electro-optic device200is rendered inoperable, it can be reactivated by returning the unit to the manufacturer.

As discussed above, according to one embodiment, in an attempt to prevent interference with the accelerometer function, the accelerometer102is physically inhibited from being removed from the electro-optic device200without damaging the electro-optic device200. In one embodiment, the accelerometer200and SoC113are embedded together into a high density package (e.g., a RCP, MCSiP, or SoC) of the electro-optic device200.

As also discussed above, in addition to preventing the physical removal of the accelerometer102from the electro-optic device200, the electro-optic device200may also check a Unique Identification Number (UIN) of the accelerometer102to confirm that the accelerometer102has not been removed or replaced from the electro-optic device. For example, according to one embodiment, a UIN, such as a unique 32 bit serial number, for example, is applied as an OTP (One Time Programmable) factory setting that is programmed and stored in encrypted memory in both the accelerometer102, and in the CAAM117of the memory unit116within the electro-optic device200. According to one embodiment, the UIN is stored within a Unique Identification Register (UIR) of the accelerometer102.

Upon startup of the electro-optic device200(or at some other determined time), the processor114queries the accelerometer102and compares the accelerometer's programmed serial number in the UIR to the stored serial number in the CAAM117. If the processor114detects a mismatch between the serial number stored in the accelerometer102and the serial number from the CAAM117, or if the accelerometer102has been removed from the system (e.g., no accelerometer serial number is detected), the processor114sends a command to the flash memory206via the MMU208to erase at least a portion of the flash memory206(e.g., as described above), rendering the electro-optic device200inoperable. Therefore, removal or replacement of the accelerometer102originally associated with the electro-optic device200upon manufacture will result in the disabling of the electro-optic device200.

According to one embodiment, the electro-optic device200is provided in an integrated product housing300, an example of which is illustrated inFIG. 3.

FIG. 4is a flow diagram400of one embodiment of a method of using an embedded accelerometer102to disable an electro-optics device200, such as a thermal imaging device, for example, upon detection of a military application.

At step402, a UIN, such as a unique 32 bit serial number, for example, is applied as an OTP (One Time Programmable) factory setting that is programmed and stored in encrypted memory in both the accelerometer102, and in the memory unit116of the SoC113during factory calibration and final test for each electro-optics device200. According to one embodiment, the UIN is stored in the UIR of the accelerometer102.

At step404, the electro-optics device200startup and initialization process is begun. At step406, the processor114queries the accelerometer's UIN and compares it to the stored UIN in the memory unit116of the SoC113. At step408, in response to a determination that the accelerometer's UIN does not match the UIN stored in the SoC113, or if the accelerometer102has been removed from the electro-optics device200(i.e. no accelerometer UIN is detected), the processor114sends a flash memory erase command to the flash memory206to clear the calibration coefficients (or other operational information as described above) within the flash memory206. At step410, in response to the flash memory206being erased, the electro-optics200device is inoperable.

At step412, in response to a determination that the accelerometer's UIN matches the UIN stored in the SoC113, the electro-optics device200enters normal operational mode. Upon entering normal operational mode, the processor114monitors the acceleration data provided by the accelerometer102via the SPI port204.

At step414, a determination is made by the processor114whether the acceleration data received from the accelerometer102exceeds a predetermined threshold. At step416, in response to a determination by the processor114that the acceleration data received from the accelerometer102does not exceed the predetermined threshold, the electro-optics device200continues to operate normally.

At step417in response to a determination by the processor114that the acceleration data received from the accelerometer102exceeds the predetermined threshold, a determination is made whether the acceleration data received from the accelerometer102has exceeded the predetermined threshold at least a predefined number of times. At step416, in response to a determination by the processor114that the acceleration data received from the accelerometer102has not exceeded the predetermined threshold at least the predefined number of times, the electro-optics device200continues to operate normally.

At step418, in response to a determination by the processor114that the acceleration data received from the accelerometer102has exceeded the predetermined threshold at least the predefined number of times, the processor114sends a flash memory erase command to the flash memory206to clear the calibration coefficients (or other operational information as described above) within the flash memory206. At step420, in response to the flash memory206being erased, the electro-optics200device is inoperable.

As discussed above, a device, such as a thermal imager, camera, electronics associated with night-vision equipment, sensing device, or another electronic device, may be disabled upon detection of shock levels associated with a military application. As discussed above, since the accelerometer (or other shock-sensing sensor) may be embedded into the device hardware, particularly into RCP, MCSiP or SoC packages in some examples, defeating the accelerometer function may be difficult, and attempts to do so may destroy the device hardware. In addition, the use of unique identifiers as discussed above may provide additional security. Thus, aspects and embodiments may provide a simple and reliable mechanism for preventing diversion of high technology devices from the civilian marketplace into military applications, while still allowing the technology to be freely distributed within the civilian marketplace.