Improvements in or relating to an anti-tamper device

• Main Authors: ALAN MOREY, TONY WOODFORD, MARTIN WALLACE EDMONDS
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 02.03.2016
• Subjects: CALCULATING; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; COMPUTING; COUNTING; ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING; ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRICITY; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS; PHYSICS; PRINTED CIRCUITS

A multi-layered electronic system 10 is provided comprising: a support substrate 12 which supports at least a primary conductive track 22 and a conductive shorting element 18, the primary conductive track 22 and conductive shorting element 18 being in electrical isolation from one another. A security layer 16 is also provided, including at least a conductive security connection 42 and a flexible switch element 50 providing an electrical interruption to the conductive security track, the conductive security connection 42 being in electrical engagement with the primary conductive track 22, and the flexible switch element 50 being at least in part coplanar with the conductive security connection 42. A dielectric substrate 20, to which the security layer 16 is affixed, is also provided, and is directly or indirectly secured to the support substrate 12. The electrical interruption of the conductive security connection 42 is bridged by the switch element 50 contacting the conductive shorting element 18 under an actuation force provided from the direction of the dielectric substrate 20, the switch element 50 being biased away from the conductive shorting element 18 in the absence of said actuation force.