Patents by Inventor Michael J. Fisher

Michael J. Fisher has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10264665
    Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies and methods of fabrication are provided which include at least one tamper-respondent sensor having unexposed circuit lines forming, at least in part, one or more tamper-detect network(s), and the tamper-respondent sensor having at least one external bond region. The tamper-respondent assembly further includes at least one conductive trace and an adhesive. The conductive trace(s) forms, at least in part, the one or more tamper-detect network(s), and is exposed, at least in part, on the tamper-respondent sensor(s) within the external bond region(s). The adhesive contacts the conductive trace(s) within the external bond region(s) of the tamper-respondent sensor(s), and the adhesive, in part, facilitates securing the at least one tamper-respondent sensor within the tamper-respondent assembly. In enhanced embodiments, the conductive trace(s) is a chemically compromisable conductor susceptible to damage during a chemical attack on the adhesive within the external bond region(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William L. Brodsky, James A. Busby, Zachary T. Dreiss, Michael J. Fisher, David C. Long, William Santiago-Fernandez, Thomas Weiss
  • Patent number: 10257924
    Abstract: Tamper-proof electronic packages and fabrication methods are provided which include a glass enclosure enclosing, at least in part, at least one electronic component within a secure volume, and a tamper-respondent detector. The glass enclosure includes stressed glass with a compressively-stressed surface layer, and the tamper-respondent detector monitors, at least in part, the stressed glass to facilitate defining the secure volume. The stressed glass fragments with an attempted intrusion event through the stressed glass, and the tamper-respondent detector detects the fragmenting of the stressed glass. In certain embodiments, the stressed glass may be a machined glass enclosure that has undergone ion-exchange processing, and the compressively-stressed surface layer of the stressed glass may be compressively-stressed to ensure that the stressed glass fragments into glass particles of fragmentation size less than 1000 ?m with the intrusion event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. Busby, Silvio Dragone, Michael J. Fisher, Michael A. Gaynes, David C. Long, Kenneth P. Rodbell, William Santiago-Fernandez, Thomas Weiss
  • Patent number: 10251288
    Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies, electronic packages and fabrication methods are provided which incorporate a vent structure. The tamper-respondent assembly includes an electronic enclosure to enclose, at least in part, an electronic component(s) to be protected. The electronic enclosure includes an inner surface, and an air vent. A tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure is provided which includes a tamper-respondent sensor disposed to cover, at least part, the inner surface of the electronic enclosure, and define, at least in part, a secure volume about the electronic component(s). The vent structure includes at least one air passage coupling in fluid communication the secure volume and the air vent of the electronic enclosure to allow air pressure within the secure volume to equalize with air pressure external to the tamper-respondent assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. Fisher, David C. Long, Michael T. Peets, Robert Weiss, Thomas Weiss, James E. Tersigni
  • Publication number: 20190037686
    Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies and methods of fabrication are provided which include at least one tamper-respondent sensor and a detector. The at least one tamper-respondent sensor includes conductive lines which form, at least in part, at least one tamper-detect network of the tamper-respondent sensor(s). In addition, the tamper-respondent sensor(s) includes at least one interconnect element associated with one or more conductive lines of the conductive lines forming, at least in part, the tamper-detect network(s). The interconnect element(s) includes at least one interconnect characteristic selected to facilitate obscuring a circuit lay of the at least one tamper-detect network. In operation, the detector monitors the tamper-detect network(s) of the tamper-respondent sensor(s) for a tamper event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: James A. BUSBY, John R. DANGLER, Michael J. FISHER, David C. LONG
  • Publication number: 20190037687
    Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies and methods of fabrication are provided which include at least one tamper-respondent sensor and a detector. The at least one tamper-respondent sensor includes conductive lines which form, at least in part, at least one tamper-detect network of the tamper-respondent sensor(s). In addition, the tamper-respondent sensor(s) includes at least one interconnect element associated with one or more conductive lines of the conductive lines forming, at least in part, the tamper-detect network(s). The interconnect element(s) includes at least one interconnect characteristic selected to facilitate obscuring a circuit lay of the at least one tamper-detect network. In operation, the detector monitors the tamper-detect network(s) of the tamper-respondent sensor(s) for a tamper event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: James A. BUSBY, John R. DANGLER, Michael J. FISHER, David C. LONG
  • Patent number: 10178818
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating tamper-respondent assemblies are provided which include an electronic enclosure, a tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure, and at least one security element. The electronic enclosure encloses, at least in part, at least one electronic component to be protected, and includes an inner surface. The tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure includes a tamper-respondent sensor covering, at least in part, the inner surface of the electronic enclosure, and the at least one security element overlies and physically secures in place, at least in part, the tamper-respondent sensor covering, at least in part, the inner surface of the electronic enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael J. Fisher, David C. Long, Michael T. Peets, Thomas Weiss
  • Patent number: 10172232
    Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies and fabrication methods are provided which incorporate enclosure to circuit board protection. The tamper-respondent assemblies include a circuit board, and an electronic enclosure mounted to the circuit board and facilitating enclosing at least one electronic component within a secure volume. A tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure facilitates defining the secure volume, and the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure includes a tamper-respondent circuit. An adhesive is provided to secure, in part, the electronic enclosure to the circuit board. The adhesive contacts, at least in part, the tamper-respondent circuit so that an attempted separation of the electronic enclosure from the circuit board causes the adhesive to break the tamper-respondent circuit, facilitating detection of the separation by a monitor circuit of the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William L. Brodsky, James A. Busby, Edward N. Cohen, Silvio Dragone, Michael J. Fisher, David C. Long, Michael T. Peets, William Santiago-Fernandez, Thomas Weiss
  • Publication number: 20180235081
    Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies and methods of fabrication are provided which include an enclosure, an in-situ-formed tamper-detect sensor, and one or more flexible tamper-detect sensors. The enclosure encloses, at least in part, one or more electronic components to be protected, and the in-situ-formed tamper-detect sensor is formed in place over an inner surface of the enclosure. The flexible tamper-detect sensor(s) is disposed over the in-situ-formed tamper-detect sensor, such that the in-situ-formed tamper-detect sensor is between the inner surface of the enclosure and the flexible tamper-detect sensor(s). Together the in-situ-formed tamper-detect sensor and flexible tamper-detect sensor(s) facilitate defining, at least in part, a secure volume about the one or more electronic components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: William L. BRODSKY, James A. BUSBY, John R. DANGLER, Silvio DRAGONE, Michael J. FISHER, David C. LONG
  • Patent number: 9999124
    Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies with regions of increased susceptibility to a tamper event are provided, which include one or more tamper-detect sensors, one or more conductive traces, and an adhesive. The tamper-detect sensor(s) facilitates defining a secure volume about one or more electronic components to be protected, and the conductive trace(s) forms, at least in part, a tamper-detect network of the tamper-respondent assembly. The conductive trace(s) is disposed, at least in part, on the tamper-detect sensor(s). The adhesive contacts the conductive trace(s) on the tamper-detect sensor(s), and is disposed, at least in part, between and couples a surface of the tamper-detect sensor(s) to another surface of the assembly. Together, the tamper-detect sensor(s), conductive trace(s), and adhesive are a subassembly, with the subassembly being configured with multiple regions of increased susceptibility to breaking of the conductive trace(s) with a tamper event through the subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. Busby, Michael J. Fisher, Michael A. Gaynes, David C. Long, Thomas Weiss
  • Publication number: 20180124915
    Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies with regions of increased susceptibility to a tamper event are provided, which include one or more tamper-detect sensors, one or more conductive traces, and an adhesive. The tamper-detect sensor(s) facilitates defining a secure volume about one or more electronic components to be protected, and the conductive trace(s) forms, at least in part, a tamper-detect network of the tamper-respondent assembly. The conductive trace(s) is disposed, at least in part, on the tamper-detect sensor(s). The adhesive contacts the conductive trace(s) on the tamper-detect sensor(s), and is disposed, at least in part, between and couples a surface of the tamper-detect sensor(s) to another surface of the assembly. Together, the tamper-detect sensor(s), conductive trace(s), and adhesive are a subassembly, with the subassembly being configured with multiple regions of increased susceptibility to breaking of the conductive trace(s) with a tamper event through the subassembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: James A. BUSBY, Michael J. FISHER, Michael A. GAYNES, David C. LONG, Thomas WEISS
  • Publication number: 20180110165
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating tamper-respondent assemblies are provided which include an electronic enclosure, a tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure, and at least one security element. The electronic enclosure encloses, at least in part, at least one electronic component to be protected, and includes an inner surface. The tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure includes a tamper-respondent sensor covering, at least in part, the inner surface of the electronic enclosure, and the at least one security element overlies and physically secures in place, at least in part, the tamper-respondent sensor covering, at least in part, the inner surface of the electronic enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. FISHER, David C. LONG, Michael T. PEETS, Thomas WEISS
  • Publication number: 20180110142
    Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies, electronic packages and fabrication methods are provided which incorporate a vent structure. The tamper-respondent assembly includes an electronic enclosure to enclose, at least in part, an electronic component(s) to be protected. The electronic enclosure includes an inner surface, and an air vent. A tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure is provided which includes a tamper-respondent sensor disposed to cover, at least part, the inner surface of the electronic enclosure, and define, at least in part, a secure volume about the electronic component(s). The vent structure includes at least one air passage coupling in fluid communication the secure volume and the air vent of the electronic enclosure to allow air pressure within the secure volume to equalize with air pressure external to the tamper-respondent assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. FISHER, David C. LONG, Michael T. PEETS, Robert WEISS, Thomas WEISS, James E. TERSIGNI
  • Patent number: 9949357
    Abstract: The embodiments relate to a method for integrating a venting system in a circuit board. Three or more interconnected accesses (VIAs) are formed in a printed circuit board (PCB). The VIAs are interconnected by routing a bi-planar channel spanning through the VIAs. The channel includes at least two sections, including a first channel section at a first plane extending from the first VIA to the second VIA and a second channel section at a second plane extending from the second VIA to the third VIA. The first and second sections are at different planar levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Fisher, Roger S. Krabbenhoft
  • Publication number: 20180103538
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating tamper-respondent assemblies with bond protection are provided which include at least one tamper-respondent sensor having unexposed circuit lines forming, at least in part, one or more tamper-detect network(s), and the tamper-respondent sensor having at least one external bond region. The tamper-respondent assembly further includes at least one conductive trace and an adhesive. The conductive trace(s) forms, at least in part, the one or more tamper-detect network(s), and is exposed, at least in part, on the tamper-respondent sensor(s) within the external bond region(s). The adhesive contacts the conductive trace(s) within the external bond region(s) of the tamper-respondent sensor(s), and the adhesive, in part, facilitates securing the at least one tamper-respondent sensor within the tamper-respondent assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: William L. Brodsky, James A. Busby, Zachary T. Dreiss, Michael J. Fisher, David C. Long, William Santiago-Fernandez, Thomas Weiss
  • Publication number: 20180103537
    Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies and methods of fabrication are provided which include at least one tamper-respondent sensor having unexposed circuit lines forming, at least in part, one or more tamper-detect network(s), and the tamper-respondent sensor having at least one external bond region. The tamper-respondent assembly further includes at least one conductive trace and an adhesive. The conductive trace(s) forms, at least in part, the one or more tamper-detect network(s), and is exposed, at least in part, on the tamper-respondent sensor(s) within the external bond region(s). The adhesive contacts the conductive trace(s) within the external bond region(s) of the tamper-respondent sensor(s), and the adhesive, in part, facilitates securing the at least one tamper-respondent sensor within the tamper-respondent assembly. In enhanced embodiments, the conductive trace(s) is a chemically compromisable conductor susceptible to damage during a chemical attack on the adhesive within the external bond region(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: William L. BRODSKY, James A. BUSBY, Zachary T. DREISS, Michael J. FISHER, David C. LONG, William SANTIAGO-FERNANDEZ, Thomas WEISS
  • Publication number: 20180098424
    Abstract: Tamper-proof electronic packages and fabrication methods are provided which include a glass enclosure enclosing, at least in part, at least one electronic component within a secure volume, and a tamper-respondent detector. The glass enclosure includes stressed glass with a compressively-stressed surface layer, and the tamper-respondent detector monitors, at least in part, the stressed glass to facilitate defining the secure volume. The stressed glass fragments with an attempted intrusion event through the stressed glass, and the tamper-respondent detector detects the fragmenting of the stressed glass. In certain embodiments, the stressed glass may be a machined glass enclosure that has undergone ion-exchange processing, and the compressively-stressed surface layer of the stressed glass may be compressively-stressed to ensure that the stressed glass fragments into glass particles of fragmentation size less than 1000 ?m with the intrusion event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: James A. BUSBY, Silvio DRAGONE, Michael J. FISHER, Michael A. GAYNES, David C. LONG, Kenneth P. RODBELL, William SANTIAGO-FERNANDEZ, Thomas WEISS
  • Publication number: 20180098423
    Abstract: Tamper-respondent assemblies and fabrication methods are provided which incorporate enclosure to circuit board protection. The tamper-respondent assemblies include a circuit board, and an electronic enclosure mounted to the circuit board and facilitating enclosing at least one electronic component within a secure volume. A tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure facilitates defining the secure volume, and the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure includes a tamper-respondent circuit. An adhesive is provided to secure, in part, the electronic enclosure to the circuit board. The adhesive contacts, at least in part, the tamper-respondent circuit so that an attempted separation of the electronic enclosure from the circuit board causes the adhesive to break the tamper-respondent circuit, facilitating detection of the separation by a monitor circuit of the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: William L. Brodsky, James A. Busby, Edward N. Cohen, Silvio Dragone, Michael J. Fisher, David C. Long, Michael T. Peets, William Santiago-Fernandez, Thomas Weiss
  • Patent number: 9930768
    Abstract: The embodiments relate to a method for integrating a venting system in a circuit board. Three or more interconnected accesses (VIAs) are formed in a printed circuit board (PCB). The VIAs are interconnected by routing a bi-planar channel spanning through the VIAs. The channel includes at least two sections, including a first channel section at a first plane extending from the first VIA to the second VIA and a second channel section at a second plane extending from the second VIA to the third VIA. The first and second sections are at different planar levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machine Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Fisher, Roger S. Krabbenhoft
  • Patent number: 9913362
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating tamper-respondent assemblies with bond protection are provided which include at least one tamper-respondent sensor having unexposed circuit lines forming, at least in part, one or more tamper-detect network(s), and the tamper-respondent sensor having at least one external bond region. The tamper-respondent assembly further includes at least one conductive trace and an adhesive. The conductive trace(s) forms, at least in part, the one or more tamper-detect network(s), and is exposed, at least in part, on the tamper-respondent sensor(s) within the external bond region(s). The adhesive contacts the conductive trace(s) within the external bond region(s) of the tamper-respondent sensor(s), and the adhesive, in part, facilitates securing the at least one tamper-respondent sensor within the tamper-respondent assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: William L. Brodsky, James A. Busby, Zachary T. Dreiss, Michael J. Fisher, David C. Long, William Santiago-Fernandez, Thomas Weiss
  • Patent number: 9913370
    Abstract: Tamper-proof electronic packages and fabrication methods are provided which include a glass enclosure enclosing, at least in part, at least one electronic component within a secure volume, and a tamper-respondent detector. The glass enclosure includes stressed glass with a compressively-stressed surface layer, and the tamper-respondent detector monitors, at least in part, the stressed glass to facilitate defining the secure volume. The stressed glass fragments with an attempted intrusion event through the stressed glass, and the tamper-respondent detector detects the fragmenting of the stressed glass. In certain embodiments, the stressed glass may be a machined glass enclosure that has undergone ion-exchange processing, and the compressively-stressed surface layer of the stressed glass may be compressively-stressed to ensure that the stressed glass fragments into glass particles of fragmentation size less than 1000 ?m with the intrusion event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. Busby, Silvio Dragone, Michael J. Fisher, Michael A. Gaynes, David C. Long, Kenneth P. Rodbell, William Santiago-Fernandez, Thomas Weiss