Nathan C Crawford

US Patent:

20100017621, Jan 21, 2010

Filed:

Jun 20, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/142932

Inventors:

Nathan J. Crawford - Palatine IL, US

Assignee:

GENERAL INSTRUMENT CORPORATION - Horsham PA

International Classification:

G06F 21/00

US Classification:

713189

Abstract:

An encryption device includes a system processor having a first key for encrypting information. The system processor periodically generates random data strings that are also encrypted using the first key. The encryption device also includes a first output for communicating the encrypted information to an external location and a tamper detection module for receiving on a periodic basis the random data strings generated by the system processor. The tamper detection module includes a second key that is the same as the first key, an encryption engine for encrypting the random data strings using the second key, and a second output for communicating the encrypted data strings to the system processor. The tamper detection module is configured to alter the second key upon detection of a tampering event so that the second key is different from the first key.