Deliberate destruction of integrated circuits
US8149012B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 24, 2010 |
| Grant date | Apr 3, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 24, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY04S40/20
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method is provided for intentionally permanently disabling a target device. The target device comprises an integrated circuit having one or more electronic devices, where the target device is disabled by destroying at least one or more electronic devices. The method comprises charging at least one capacitor in an integrated circuit disabling device, detecting when at least one capacitor is charged, and selecting at least one target signal path associated with the target device for disabling. The method further includes connecting the integrated circuit disabling device to the target signal path and rapidly discharging at least one capacitor to the selected target signal path. The discharging step may apply a high energy impulse to destroy the one or more electronic devices of the target device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.