Patent · US Active

Enhanced packaging for PC security

US7979721B2 · kind B2 · utility

21Cited by
1References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 18, 2006
Grant dateJul 12, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 28, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH05K2201/10674
  • WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A pay-per-use computer, or other electronic device that uses local security, may use a security module or other circuit for monitoring and enforcement of a usage policy. To help prevent physical attacks on the security module, or the circuit board near the security module, a second circuit may be mounted over the security module to help prevent access to the security module. Both circuits may be mounted on a interposer and the interposer mounted to the circuit board, creating a stack including the first circuit, the interposer, the security module, and a main PC board. When the PC board includes dense signal traces under the security module a three dimensional envelope is created around the security module. When the first circuit is a high value circuit, such as a Northbridge, the risk/reward of attacking the security module is increased substantially and may deter all but the most determined hackers.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.