CH716763A1 - Mechatronic device for destroying the data of an electronic component or of the electronic component of a portable connected object. - Google Patents

Abstract

A mechatronic device is arranged in a portable connected object such as a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop or a timepiece, said portable object comprising an electronic component (2) and the data therein, a destruction device of the electronic component (2), and a control member of the destruction device. Said control member, in particular a watch bezel (4), a push-button, a winding crown or a dial (5), is arranged to actuate the destruction device from outside the portable object in order to destroy the device. electronic component (2) and data therein irremediable, by the action of the control member by a user or automatically following a sequence of mechanical, electronic or computer instructions.

Description

The present invention relates to a connected object such as a portable device provided with smart function (s) of the smartphone, tablet, laptop, timepiece, in particular of the connected watch type, or other object that can be part of the Internet of Things, comprising a mechatronic device for destroying an electronic component or the data it contains.

The Internet of Things is the interconnection between objects having their own digital identity, the objects being connected to each other or to the Internet and being able to communicate with each other.

[0003] Such portable devices provided with intelligent function (s) are part of the Internet of Things.

Said objects, being integrated into the Internet of Things, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, as well as timepieces of the connected watch type, are likely to contain sensitive (private) (computer) data , financial, or other), therefore, the issue of securing this data is one of the essential pillars in the deployment of these objects.

[0005] In addition, connected watches are more and more in vogue and all the players in watchmaking are busy making the watch more interactive. For example, some watches include an electronic module, the module comprising functions annexed to the watch, such as payment solutions in particular.

[0006] As a result, connected watches must include security solutions to block access to this method of payment to unauthorized persons.

[0007] For example, WO2017006162A2 proposes a wristwatch comprising an electronic module comprising a contactless payment device secured by a fingerprint, for example a fingerprint affixed by the holder of the wristwatch.

There is a multitude of security solutions, by software (for example data encryption) or hardware (for example biometrically) to respond to so many threats. The major drawback in most security solutions is that if the hardware is compromised (stolen for example), there is a good chance that once in the hands of a malicious and competent person, it will be possible to extract the data, the auxiliary channel attack being one of the most common and effective.

[0009] The aim of the present invention is to provide a mechatronic assembly which can be integrated into a connected object comprising an electronic component and a device for destroying the component and the computer data that it contains so as to increase the security of the object. connected and minimize the risk of loss or theft of sensitive data.

According to the invention, a mechatronic device is arranged in a portable object such as a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop computer or a timepiece, said portable object comprising an electronic component, a device for destroying the electronic component , and a control member of the destruction device, said control member, in particular a watch bezel, a push-button, a winding crown or a dial, arranged to actuate the device from outside the portable object. destruction to destroy the electronic component irreparably, by the action of the control member by a user or automatically following a sequence of mechanical, electronic or computer instructions.

In one embodiment, the destruction device comprises a hammer or a striker, the hammer or the striker moving from a rest position towards the electronic component to strike on said electronic component with a view to damage it irreparably, especially in a specific location where sensitive data is stored.

According to this embodiment, the hammer or the striker is tensioned by means of a return spring on the one hand and retained on the other hand by a pin or a safety catch, a lateral translation of the axis or a release of said notch allowing the release of the tension of the return spring. The lateral translation of the axis can be moved for example by means of an electromagnet, to cause the release of the tension of the return spring.

Still according to this embodiment, the force necessary for the destruction of the component is in latent reserve via the return spring. The return spring is loaded when the device is assembled in the form of a tensioned spring, held in pressure by an axis, which axis requires only a low force to release the percussion force of the mobile hammer or the hammer. striker.

In one embodiment, the destruction device comprises a supporting structure comprising at least one hammer rotatably mounted through an axis of rotation.

Preferably, the geometry of the mobile hammer is such that its mass is maximized but that its impact surface on the component is minimized.

In another embodiment, the data stored in the electronic component is made inaccessible by the destruction device further operating by multiple erasure and rewrite of the data.

In another embodiment, the data stored in the electronic component are made inaccessible by the destruction device comprising means for applying an energy discharge, in particular a surge, rendering the electronic component unusable.

According to this other embodiment, the overvoltage causes, within the electronic component itself, either a large current which will raise the temperature of a point of the circuit until it reaches its thermal destruction by melting, or the rupture of 'a dielectric or the conduction by avalanche of a junction in silicon. In all cases, said electronic component will be irreparably destroyed and the data contained therein will be destroyed.

In another embodiment, the watch bezel, a push button, a winding crown or a dial is arranged to actuate the destruction of the electronic component or the data stored in the electronic component following a sequence of actions on these control units. By sequence of actions, it is necessary to understand a succession of manipulations on the control members.

[0020] Furthermore, in order to ensure the deletion / destruction of the data contained in the electronic component and the destruction of this component, a sequence of destruction means is provided including formatting, erasure and multiple rewritings, by overvoltage on the electronic component and / or by mechanical destruction such as an action of the hammer or mobile striker on the component. The destruction sequences can be broken down as follows: Formatting, then surge, then mechanical destruction; or Formatting, then power surge; or Formatting, then mechanical destruction; or Overvoltage, then mechanical destruction; or Formatting or surge or mechanical destruction.

The destruction device of the present invention can be energetically independent of the device in which it is integrated, for example by a spring pressurized for mechanical destruction or with the aid of energy storage, for example by means of a capacitor, to ensure a power supply allowing formatting or overvoltage.

According to one embodiment, the destruction device is independent and autonomous of a watch movement incorporated in the watch case.

In another embodiment, the destruction device is dependent on a watch movement or a horological complication incorporated in the watch case.

The characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the description of several embodiments given solely by way of example, in no way limiting with reference to the schematic figures, in which: FIG. 1 represents a sectional view of a watch case comprising the destruction device of the present invention; FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of an example of a device for destruction by hammer; FIG. 3 represents a perspective view of another device for destruction by hammer; FIG. 4 represents a side view of this other device when the hammer strikes on the electronic component; and FIG. 5 represents a side view of this other device when the hammer is cocked to strike, on demand, on the electronic component.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the timepiece comprises a watch case (1) in which is arranged an electronic component (2) supplied by an energy source, a destruction device (3) (figure 3) of the electronic component (2) or of the data contained in said electronic component (2), and a control member of the timepiece, in particular a rotating watch bezel (4), a push-button or a watch crown. winder (5) or a dial, arranged to actuate the destruction device (3) to destroy irreparably the electronic component (2) or the data contained in said electronic component (2), by the action of the external component by a user. In a variant, the destruction action is controlled by an automatic, mechanical, electronic or computer instruction sequence, independent of the intervention of the user.

In this example, the watch bezel (4) is arranged to control the destruction of the electronic component (2) or the data stored in the electronic component (2) following a sequence of rotations of the watch bezel (4 ).

In a variant, the winding crown (5) is arranged to destroy the electronic component (2) or the data stored in the electronic component (2) following a sequence of rotations of the winding crown (5).

As illustrated in Figure 2, the destruction device (3) comprises a hammer (6) arranged in a capsule (not shown), the hammer (6) moving from a rest position towards the electronic component (2) to strike said electronic component (2).

As illustrated in Figure 3, the destruction device is arranged in a capsule. This device comprises a hammer (6) stretched by means of a return spring (10), retained by a pin (9) whose lateral translation being effected by means of an electromagnet (8), releases the tension of the spring. reminder. As illustrated in Figure 3, the destruction device (3) comprises a hammer (6) arranged in a movement of the timepiece (Figures 1 and 2), the hammer (6) moving from a rest position towards the electronic component (2) to strike said electronic component (2).

In another embodiment, the data stored in the electronic component (2) are made inaccessible by the destruction device (3) operating by multiple erasure and rewrite of the data.

In yet another embodiment, the data stored in the electronic component (2) are made inaccessible by the destruction device (3) comprising means for applying a discharge of energy, in particular a surge, making the component (2) unusable and destroying the data stored therein.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the destruction device is arranged in a capsule. This device comprises a hammer (6) stretched by means of a return spring, retained by a pin (9) whose lateral translation by means of an electromagnet releases the tension of the return spring.

The force necessary for the destruction of the component is in latent reserve through the return spring. The return spring is loaded when the device is assembled in the form of a tensioned spring, maintained in pressure by a pin, which pin requires only a low-intensity force to release the percussion force of the mobile hammer.

The geometry of the mobile hammer is such that its mass is maximized but that its impact surface on the component is minimized.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a hammer (6), in a position where it strikes against the electronic component (2) and in a second armed position to strike, at the request of a user or by an automatic sequence , on the electronic component

The electronic component (2) is powered by a source of energy independent of the watch movement.

The destruction device (3) is independent and autonomous of a watch movement incorporated in the watch case 1.

In a variant, the destruction device (3) is dependent on a watch movement incorporated in the watch case (1).

Claims (10)

1. Mechatronic device arranged in a portable object such as a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop or a timepiece, said portable object comprising an electronic component (2), a destruction device (3) of the electronic component (2) , and a control member of the destruction device (3), said control member, in particular a watch bezel (4), a push-button, a winding crown or a dial (5), arranged to operate from the outside the portable object the destruction device (3) to destroy the electronic component (2) and the data stored therein irremediable, by the action of the control unit by a user or automatically thereafter a sequence of mechanical, electronic or computer instructions. 2. Mechatronic device according to claim 1, wherein the destruction device (3) comprises a hammer or a striker (6), the hammer or striker (6) moving from a rest position towards the electronic component (2). ) to strike on said electronic component (2). 3. Mechatronic device according to claim 2, wherein the hammer or striker is tensioned by means of a return spring (10), retained in its position by an axis (9) or a safety catch, a lateral translation of the 'axis (9) or a release of said notch allowing the release of the tension of the return spring. 4. Mechatronic device according to claim 3, wherein the force necessary for the destruction of the electronic component (2) is in latent reserve by means of the return spring (10), said return spring being armed when the assembly of the device in the form of a tensioned spring, maintained in pressure by an axis (9), which axis requires only a force of low intensity to release the percussion force of the mobile hammer or striker. 5. Mechatronic device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein data stored in the electronic component (2) are made inaccessible by the destruction device (3) further operating by erasing and rewriting multiple data. 6. Mechatronic device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the data stored in the electronic component (2) are made inaccessible by the destruction device (3) comprising means for applying an energy discharge, in particular a overvoltage, rendering the electronic component (2) unusable and destroying the data therein. 7. Mechatronic device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a watch bezel (4), a push button, a winding crown or a dial (5) is arranged to actuate the destruction of the electronic component (2) and data found there following a sequence of actions on these control units. 8. Mechatronic device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the deletion / destruction of the data contained in the electronic component and the destruction of this electronic component is provided by a sequence of destruction means including formatting, erasure and rewritings. multiple, by overvoltage on the electronic component and / or by mechanical destruction such as an action of the hammer or mobile striker on the component, the destruction sequence breaking down by formatting, then an overvoltage, then mechanical destruction, or formatting, then a surge, or a formatting, then a mechanical destruction or a surge, then a mechanical destruction or a formatting alone or a surge alone or a mechanical destruction alone. 9. Mechatronic device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the destruction device (3) is independent and energetically and / or mechanically autonomous of the object in which it is arranged. 10. Mechatronic device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the destruction device (3) is energetically and / or mechanically dependent on the object in which it is arranged or on a horological complication incorporated in a watch case ( 1).