Communication device in which an unauthorized removal of an electrical connector is detected

A method for detecting removal or an attempted removal of an electronic component from an electronic device, comprising:

• disposing the electronic component on the electronic device such that a conductive surface of the electronic component contacts a ground conductor disposed on a first surface of an internal circuit board;
• using an electro-mechanical member to mechanically couple the electronic component to the internal circuit board and to create an electrical path from the ground conductor to a sensing conductor disposed on a second surface opposed from the first surface of the internal circuit board;
• and
• sensing a break in the electrical path;
• wherein the electro-mechanical member is a screw which breaks under a first tensile load which is lower as compared to a tensile load needed for breaking a coupler used to mechanically couple the electronic component to a housing of the electronic device.

An electronic device, comprising:

• a housing;
• a circuit board disposed inside the housing;
• at least one electronic component externally mechanically coupled to the housing and having a conductive surface contacting a ground conductor disposed on a first surface of the circuit board having perforations formed thereon;
• an elongate electro-mechanical member mechanically coupling the electronic component to the circuit board and having a conductive surface forming an electrical path from the ground conductor to a sensing conductor disposed on a second surface opposed from the first surface of the circuit board;
• and
• a detector circuit disposed inside the housing and electrically connected to the sensing conductor such that a breaking of the electrical path is detectable when an application of a force to the elongate electro-mechanical member causes shearing of a portion of the printed circuit board at least partially surrounded by the perforations.

An electronic device, comprising:

• a housing;
• a circuit board disposed inside the housing;
• at least one electronic component externally mechanically coupled to the housing and having a conductive surface contacting a ground conductor disposed on a first surface of the circuit board;
• an elongate electro-mechanical member mechanically coupling the electronic component to the circuit board and having a conductive surface forming an electrical path from the ground conductor to a sensing conductor disposed on a second surface opposed from the first surface of the circuit board;
• and
• a detector circuit disposed inside the housing and electrically connected to the sensing conductor such that a breaking of the electrical path is detectable;
• wherein the elongate electro-mechanical member is a screw which breaks under a first tensile load which is lower as compared to a tensile load needed for breaking a coupler used to mechanically couple the electronic component to the housing.