DEVICE FOR PREVENTING UNAUTHORISED USE OF DATA CARRIERS

Abstract: Device for preventing unauthorised use of data carriers, such as disc storages, magnetic tape reels or cassettes etc., comprising a cover- or case-shaped device (1) or the like having at least one compartment or the like adapted to receive at least one data carrier, actuators arranged in said compartment and control means (4) adapted to control said actuators, said control means preferably being code-activatable. The novelty of the invention resides in that said actuators comprise means (6) which are activatable when an attempt at gaining access is made without proper actuation of said control means and which, in the event of such an attempt at unauthorised access, are adapted to permanently damage the data carrier etc. and/or the data carried thereon.

Description: DEVICE FOR PREVENTING UNAUTHORISED USE OF DATA CARRIERS -t The present invention relates to a device for pre- .;. venting unauthorised use of data carriers, such as disc storages, magnetic tape cassettes etc., comprising a cover- or case-shaped device or the like which has at 5 least one compartment or the like adapted to receive at least one data carrier, actuators and control means arranged in said compartment, said control means being adapted to control said actuators and preferably being code-activatable. 10 Data carriers, such as disc storages, magnetic tape reels and cassettes etc., may contain information which, if it falls into wrong hands, can cause severe damage both economically and otherwise. Data carriers with delicate contents are often sent by mail or in 15 some other way between different places of employment, and in such cases, but also through burglary, data car¬ riers may become accessible to unauthorised persons. With data carriers, there is a further element of danger in that the data carrier can be copied or made to reveal 20 its contents and also be tampered with intent to defraud without the correct receiver noticing this on receipt of the data carrier. A further object of the invention thus is to provide a device which prevents unauthorised access to the information stored on a data carrier or 25 the like. The main characteristic feature of the new device is that the actuators comprise means which are activatable * when an attempt at gaining access is made without proper actuation of the control means and which, in the event 30 of such an attempt at unauthorised access, are adapted to permanently damage the data carrier etc. and/or the data carried thereon. An embodiment of the device according to the present invention will be described in more detail below, re- ference being had to the accompanying schematic drawing in which: Fig. 1 shows, partly in section and as seen from above, an embodiment intended for disc storages, magnetic tape reels etc., and Fig. 2 shows, partly in section, the same embodiment, however as seen from one end. The embodiment shown in the drawing comprises a case-shaped container 1 with a lid 2. The container accommodates suitably designed seats 3 for one or more disc storages, magnetic tape reels or the like. According to the invention, the device is provided with means which can destroy or permanently damage data carried on the data carrier. In the preferred embodiment, this means comprises loops 4 which are arranged in connection with the position of the data carrier and which include a capacitor 5 and a suitable number of coils 6 forming the actuators proper, as well as an operating or triggering device 7 by which the loop can be connected with the capacitor. The operating or triggering device is controlled by a unit 10 serving as a key and provided with an encoding unit 8 and a source of current 9. The unit 10 preferably is separated from the rest of the device and is carried by the persons who are authorised to have access to the data carriers. When the container is to be opened, the key unit 10 is connected in a suitable manner, for example via contact means 11, 12, with the device 1, 2, and the proper code is entered, whereupon the container can be opened and its contents removed. The triggering device 7 may be controlled by per se known sensing means 13 at the lock and at the hinge or the like, and by means of a protective winding or protective net 14 integrated with the walls of the container 1 and the lid 2. When an attempt at opening or cutting open the container is made, a control circuit opens or closes and activates the triggering device 7 and thus said actuators. The rush of current through the loops 4 and the coils 6, which is generated by the capacitor, results in a magnetic or current impulse which renders the information stored on the data carrier useless. A person who has been dispossessed of a data carrier rendered useless in the manner described above, is of course assumed to have data material available which makes it possible to produce a copy of the data carrier destroyed in the above manner. The invention is not restricted to the above dis¬ closure but can be modified in several ways within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A device for preventing unauthorised use of data carriers, such as disc storages, magnetic tape reels or cassettes etc., comprising a cover- or case- shaped device (1) or the like which has at least one compartment or the like adapted to receive at least one data carrier, actuators and control means (4) arranged in said compartment, said control means being adapted to control said actuators and preferably being code- activatable, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that said actuators comprise means (6) which are activatable when an attempt at gaining access is made without proper ■ actuation of said control means and which, in the event of such an attempt at unauthorised access, are adapted to permanently damage said data carrier etc. and/or the data carried thereon. 2. Device as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i s e d in that said actuators comprise at least one magnet or the like which, in the event of an attempt at removing said card without proper actuation of said control means, is adapted to negatively affect the in¬ formation magnetically stored on said card or disc. 3. Device as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c ¬ t e r i s e d in that said control means are adapted to control electronically operating actuators (6) which, when activated, will damage the information available on said card.

Inventors: HERTZEN KRISTER, LINDSTRAND YNGVE, SJOEBLOM HANS, SVENSSON LARS, HERTZEN, KRISTER, LINDSTRAND, YNGVE, SJOEBLOM, HANS, SVENSSON, LARS
Applicants: HERTZEN KRISTER, LINDSTRAND YNGVE, SJOEBLOM HANS, SVENSSON LARS, HERTZEN, KRISTER, LINDSTRAND, YNGVE, SJOEBLOM, HANS, SVENSSON, LARS
Application year: 1986
Main classification: G07C11
IPC codes: E05G1, G06F3, G06F12, G06F21, G07F7