EP2838073A1 - Device for carrying out a financial transaction - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (1) for carrying out a financial transaction comprises a reading device (10) for reading data of an identification device (4) of a user, at least one magnetic field coil (20, 21) for generating an alternating magnetic field (H) in a detection range on the reading device ( 10) and a control and evaluation device (2) which is designed to control the at least one magnetic field coil (20, 21) for generating the alternating magnetic field (H) and at least one of the generated magnetic alternating field (H) dependent characteristic (Z) to monitor the at least one magnetic field coil (20, 21) in order to detect an object (3) approximated to the reading device (10) on the basis of the parameter (Z). It is provided that the magnetic alternating field (H) generated by the at least one magnetic field coil (20, 21) has a frequency greater than 100 kHz. In this way, an apparatus for carrying out a financial transaction is created in which the risk of a false alarm is reduced.

Description

The invention relates to a device for carrying out a financial transaction according to the preamble of claim 1 and a method for protecting a device for carrying out a financial transaction.

Such a device may be, for example, an ATM, in which a user makes a financial transaction, for example in the form of a lift-off operation. However, the device can also be a device for carrying out a general bank transaction, for example a transfer transaction or the like, a payment terminal or a ticket vending machine.

Such a device comprises a reading device for reading data of an identification device of a user, at least one magnetic field coil for generating an alternating magnetic field in a detection area on the reading device and a control and evaluation device, which is designed to drive the at least one magnetic field coil for generating the alternating magnetic field and at least one dependent on the generated magnetic alternating field characteristic to monitor the at least one magnetic field coil to detect an object in the detection range based on the characteristic.

In particular at ATMs, there is the problem that third parties fraudulently attach so-called skimming modules ("skimmers") in the area of a reader, for example in the area of a card slot of a reader for reading a magnetic stripe card such as a credit card or debit card, the purpose of which is to read data from the magnetic stripe card, in this way to obtain knowledge about user information and possibly also an identification number (the so-called PIN) tap. If relevant card information is known and the relevant identification number is also available, third parties may fraudulently withdraw money from the account to which the data refer.

Skimming modules can for example be designed as readers, which are preset to the actual readers. Thus, for example, a foreign reader in the form of a plastic frame can be attached to a card slot of an ATM, so that upon insertion of a magnetic stripe card into the card slot, the foreign reader reads out data from the magnetic stripe card.

For this reason, so-called anti-skimming modules are used in ATMs, whose purpose is to detect a manipulation of a reader. For example, such antiskimming modules should detect when an additional reader has been attached to a card slot.

As part of such an anti-skimming module, an electrical or magnetic alternating field is generated within a detection range on the reading device. When introducing an object into this alternating field, for example, when attaching a foreign body in the form of an additional reader to the card slot of an existing reader, the alternating field changes, so that changes a characteristic at the antenna, for example, the input impedance of the antenna. The change can be detected and evaluated to generate an alarm based on the change or to put the device out of service.

Conventionally, capacitive sensors are used to generate an alternating electric field or magnetic field coils for generating an alternating magnetic field. From the DE 10 2008 012 231 A1 is the example Use of a metal detector is known which generates an electromagnetic field in the region of a card slot to determine whether a foreign reading device has been installed based on the properties of the electromagnetic field. One from the US 2006/169764 A1 Known device uses a capacitive proximity sensor at an ATM. And from the WO 2010/123471 A1 For example, an ATM antiskimming unit with a capacitive sensor operating at 32 kHz is known.

Current devices that use magnetic field coils to monitor a region upstream of a reader have the disadvantage that often the detection range in which an object can potentially be detected is large. This can lead to a false alarm, for example, when a sun visor is moved at an ATM and the detection range of the magnetic field coil extends to the sun visor.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for carrying out a financial transaction and a method for protecting such a device, in which the risk of a false alarm is reduced.

This object is achieved by an article having the features of claim 1.

Accordingly, it is provided that the magnetic alternating field generated by the at least one magnetic field coil has a frequency greater than 100 kHz.

The present invention is based on the recognition that in order to reliably detect a foreign body, in particular a foreign reader, in the region of a reading device on a device for carrying out a monetary transaction, the detection range of a magnetic field coil may be small in size and should even be small. Skimming modules, ie fraudulently mounted on a reader proper third-party readers, are usually in close proximity to the actual reader of the device, such as the ATM. It is therefore only necessary to monitor an area in the immediate vicinity of the reader. The magnetic field coil can thus be controlled in such a way that it generates an alternating magnetic field predominantly in a detection area located in the vicinity of the reading device and the detection area is thus limited to an area in the immediate vicinity of the reader of the device.

The fact that the detection range is chosen small by reducing the range of the magnetic field coil, the risk of a false alarm can be reduced. Only those objects are detected which are directly approximated to the actual reading device of the device, for example by attaching a third-party reader ("skimmer") to the reading device.

The reduction of the range of the magnetic field coil is achieved by operating the magnetic field coil for generating an alternating magnetic field at a comparatively high frequency. Traditionally, magnetic field coils are operated in the low kilohertz range. Characterized in that according to the invention the generated alternating magnetic field has a frequency greater than 100 kHz, preferably greater than 1 GHz, for example in a range between 2 and 6 GHz, preferably between 2.3 and 2.5 GHz, for example at 2.45 GHz , the near field region of the magnetic field coil is reduced in volume. Since a detection of approximated objects preferably takes place in the near field region of the magnetic field coil, the range for the detection of a foreign body is thus reduced.

This is based on the finding that the size of the near field of a magnetic field coil changes with the wavelength (which is inversely proportional to the frequency). In an electromagnetically small magnetic field coil (whose radius is smaller than the wavelength), the alternating magnetic field passes into the far field, for example at a distance between one wavelength and two wavelengths. For example, at a frequency of 1 GHz, the free space wavelength is 30 cm, at 2 GHz 15 cm. The near field is correspondingly small at these frequencies.

The evaluation device is preferably designed to monitor the characteristic impedance of the input impedance of the at least one magnetic field coil. The recognition of a foreign body approximated to the reading device then takes place by detecting a change in the characteristic variable, ie the input impedance, and if the characteristic variable changes by more than a predetermined amount, eg compared to a reference value (in the case of a non-manipulated device), ie, for example Input impedance exceeds or falls below a threshold, an alarm is generated and / or initiated a suitable countermeasure, such as any financial transaction suppressed.

In an advantageous embodiment, the device has two magnetic field coils, one of which generates a first alternating magnetic field having a first frequency greater than 100 kHz and of which a second magnetic alternating field having a second frequency which is lower than the first frequency. In this way, a first magnetic field coil can generate a high-frequency alternating field and a second magnetic field coil can generate a low-frequency alternating field. For example, the first magnetic field coil can generate an alternating field between 2 and 3 GHz, for example at 2.45 GHz, while the other magnetic field coil generates an alternating field with a frequency in the kilohertz range, for example between 10 and 50 kHz.

An additional, second detection may be performed by means of the second, low-frequency magnetic alternating field in order to be able to reduce the risk of a false alarm due to moisture (rain, dew) in the region of the reader. Moisture due to e.g. Rain in the area of the reader could possibly lead to a misinterpretation in the evaluation of the parameter obtained due to the first alternating magnetic field, e.g. the input impedance, so that by evaluating a dependent of the second alternating magnetic field characteristic, e.g. the input impedance of a second magnetic field coil, a second detection signal can be obtained, which in addition to determining whether a harmful foreign body is present or not, can be used.

However, the second magnetic field coil operated at a different frequency for generating a low-frequency magnetic alternating field can also be used to generate an interference field such that a data signal read out by a foreign reader is superimposed with noise, so that data contained in the signal can not be detected. The first magnetic field coil thus serves to detect a third-party reader, while the second, low-frequency magnetic field coil for noise of a signal and thus serves as a defense countermeasure against reading data from an identification device such as a credit card or debit card by a foreign reader.

For example, the control and evaluation device may be configured to generate an alarm only when a parameter associated with the first magnetic field coil, as well as a parameter associated with the second magnetic field coil, respectively Change experiences, which exceeds a respective assigned, predetermined amount. An alarm is therefore only triggered if a (significant) change in the conditions is detected both at the first magnetic field coil and at the second magnetic field coil. If only a magnetic field coil detects a relevant change in the parameter, no alarm is triggered.

• ein Lesegerät Daten einer Identifikationseinrichtung eines Nutzers eingibt,
• mindestens eine Magnetfeldspule ein magnetisches Wechselfeld in einem Erfassungsbereich an dem Lesegerät erzeugt und
• eine Steuer- und Auswerteeinrichtung die mindestens eine Magnetfeldspule zum Erzeugen des magnetischen Wechselfeldes ansteuert und zumindest eine von dem erzeugten magnetischen Wechselfeld abhängende Kenngröße der mindestens einen Magnetfeldspule überwacht, um anhand der Kenngröße ein Objekt in dem Erfassungsbereich zu erfassen.

The object is also achieved by a method for protecting a device for carrying out a financial transaction, in which

• a reader inputs data to an identification device of a user,
• at least one magnetic field coil generates an alternating magnetic field in a detection area on the reading device and
• a control and evaluation device which controls at least one magnetic field coil for generating the alternating magnetic field and monitors at least one of the generated magnetic alternating field dependent characteristic of at least one magnetic field coil to detect an object in the detection range based on the characteristic.

It is provided that the magnetic alternating field generated by the at least one magnetic field coil has a frequency greater than 100 kHz.

The advantages and advantageous embodiments described above for the device are analogously also applied to the method.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Ansicht einer Vorrichtung mit einem Lesegerät und einem Antiskimming-Modul umfassend eine Steuer- und Auswerteeinrichtung sowie mindestens eine Magnetfeldspule;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Ansicht eines durch eine Magnetfeldspule erzeugten quasistatischen magnetischen Feldes; und

Fig.3A-3C

schematische Ansichten der hochfrequenten magnetischen Felderzeugung an einer Magnetfeldspule.

The idea underlying the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a device with a reading device and an anti-skimming module comprising a control and evaluation and at least one magnetic field coil;

Fig. 2

a schematic view of a generated by a magnetic field coil quasi-static magnetic field; and

3A-3C

schematic views of high-frequency magnetic field generation on a magnetic field coil.

Fig. 1 shows in a schematic arrangement a device 1, which is designed to carry out a financial transaction. The device 1 may be, for example an ATM, where money can be withdrawn, or a terminal to effect a bank transaction, e.g. As a transfer or the like act. However, the device 1 can also be embodied, for example, as a ticket machine or as a payment terminal to which, for example, a payment transaction in a business environment can be carried out by means of a credit card or a debit card.

The device 1 comprises a reading device 10 with a card slot into which an identification device 4 in the form of, for example, a magnetic stripe card can be inserted. The identification device 4 is used to identify and authorize a user and contains, for example, on a magnetic strip, stored information that can be read by the reader 10 and optionally in connection with the entry of an identification number (so-called PIN) to authorize the user to make a financial transaction serve.

In such devices 1, the problem exists that third parties fraudulently set up, for example, objects 3 in the form of foreign readers to the reading device 10 in order to read information from a magnetic stripe card, for example, when a user attaches them to the reading device 10. Such foreign readers, which are used fraudulently, may for example have the form of a plastic frame, which is attached to a card slot of the reader 10 and through which the identification device 4 in the form of the magnetic stripe card is guided on insertion into the reading device 10. If, in addition, an identification number of the user is tapped, the information read out enables a third party to carry out transactions such as payment transactions and withdrawals using the information.

In order to detect whether a foreign object 3 has been attached to the reading device 10, a control and evaluation device 2 is provided in the device 1, which is connected to magnetic field coils 20, 21. The magnetic field coils 20, 21 serve to generate an alternating magnetic field H in the region of the reading device 10, so that an object 3, which is located in a detection range on the reading device 10, interacts with the alternating magnetic field H and the inductance or input impedance of the magnetic field coils 20th , 21 changes what can be evaluated by the control and evaluation device 2, if necessary, an alarm or to initiate an appropriate countermeasure, for example, a financial transaction stop.

The magnetic field coil 20, 21 are driven by the control and evaluation unit 2 to generate a magnetic alternating field with a frequency greater than 100 kHz. The detection area in which an object 3 can be detected essentially corresponds to the near field of the magnetic field coils 20, 21, in which predominantly a magnetic field H is generated.

The magnetic field H interacts in particular with objects 3 which have a material with a high permeability or conductivity. In particular, parasitic, foreign objects 3 can be detected in the form of reading devices, which have, for example, a battery for electrical supply.

Conventionally, magnetic field coils 20, 21 are operated on such devices 1 with a comparatively low frequency in the kilohertz range, for example between 20 and 30 kHz. This has the result that the range of the near field is comparatively large, which possibly leads to other objects 3 interacting with the magnetic field H, although they are arranged neither in particular spatial proximity to the reader 10 nor fraudulently the device 1 be approximated. For example, the device 1 may have a sun visor, which can be adjusted. When adjusting such a sun visor, no signals may be detected at the control and evaluation device 2, which would falsely indicate the presence of a harmful object 3.

Will, as shown schematically in Fig. 2 shown, a magnetic field coil 20, 21 fed with a low-frequency current I, the result is a quasi-static alternating magnetic field H .. The fact that the magnetic field H is low frequency, resulting in a very far-reaching near field, in which also objects 3 at a great distance to the magnetic field coil 20, 21 can still lead to a signal at the magnetic field coil 20, 21.

If the magnetic field coil 20, 21 is supplied with a high-frequency current I (t), as shown schematically in FIG Figs. 3A to 3C is shown, the result is a magnetic field H (t) in the high frequency range. For example, an alternating magnetic field having a frequency greater than 1 GHz, for example in a frequency range between 2 and 6 GHz, preferably between 2.3 and 2.5 GHz, for example, around 2.45 GHz generated become. In such operation of the magnetic field coils 20, 21, the range of the near field N is comparatively small and is for example of the order of the wavelength of the generated magnetic field H. Objects 3, such as a sun visor, which are arranged in the far field of the magnetic field coil 20, 21 point In this case, a comparatively small interaction with the magnetic field H of the magnetic field coil 20, 21, which can be explained in a highly simplified representation that detach magnetic waves H1, H2 from the magnetic field coil 20, 21 and only after detachment with the object 3 interact in the far field. This is schematically in Figs. 3B and 3C shown.

By exciting the magnetic field coils 20, 21 with a high-frequency current I (t) for generating a high-frequency magnetic field H, the detection range in which the magnetic field coil 20, 21 reacts sensitively to an object 3, thus in its extension, ie its volume, reduced become. The detection range corresponds approximately to the near field of the magnetic field coil 20, 21.

At the in Fig. 1 illustrated embodiment of the device 1, two magnetic field coils 20, 21 are provided, one of which is a high frequency for generating a high-frequency magnetic field H and the other low-frequency to generate a low-frequency magnetic field H.

The two magnetic field coils 20, 21 may have different functions in combination.

For the first, it is conceivable to detect with the high-frequency-operated, first magnetic field coil (eg magnetic field coil 20) by means of a change of the parameter (eg the input impedance), whether a foreign body, in particular a foreign reader, is present. With the other, second magnetic field coil (eg magnetic field coil 21), however, an interference field can be generated, which - optionally in response to detection by the first magnetic field coil 20, superimposed by a foreign reader data signals with noise and thus makes unusable.

Secondly, it is also conceivable to carry out two independent detections by means of the two magnetic field coils 20, 21 and to separately evaluate signals at the magnetic field coils 20, 21, whereby the presence of an object 3 in the immediate region of the reading device 10 is closed only if the signal combination is suitable Alarm is generated. Thus, for example, if neither an object is detected by means of the high-frequency magnetic field coil 20, 21 nor by means of the low-frequency magnetic field coil 20, 21, it can be concluded that no harmful object is present. If only the high-frequency magnetic field coil 20, 21 detects an object, this may indicate that e.g. due to moisture in the region of the reader 10, the input impedance of the high-frequency magnetic field coil 20, 21 is changed, but in itself no harmful object 3 is present. If only the low-frequency magnetic field coil 20, 21 changes its input impedance, this can indicate a foreign body at a great distance, but not a harmful object 3 in the immediate vicinity of the reader 10. Recognize both the high-frequency magnetic field coil 20, 21 and the low-frequency magnetic field coil 20 , 21 a foreign body, this may indicate a harmful object 3, so a "skimmer" in the immediate area of the reader 10, so that an alarm is issued accordingly.

The evaluation of the signals generated by the magnetic field coils 20, 21 is carried out by the control and evaluation 2. The control and evaluation 2, for example, the input impedance Z of the magnetic field coils 20, 21 evaluate to a change in the input impedance and for example a comparison with a reference value (corresponding to a value at unmanipulated device 1) to conclude the presence of an object 3. For example, if the input impedance Z changes by more than a predetermined amount and exceeds or falls below a threshold value, this may indicate a harmful object 3. Accordingly, the control and evaluation unit 2 evaluates this, wherein the control and evaluation unit 2 optionally only with a suitable combination of signals at two magnetic field coils 20, 21 on the actual presence of a harmful object 3 in the region of the reader 10 closes. The input impedance Z represents insofar a characteristic of the magnetic field coil 20, 21, which is evaluated by the control and evaluation unit 2 in order to conclude the presence of a harmful object 3.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

10

Reader (magnetic stripe card reader)

2

Control and evaluation device

20.21

magnetic field coil

3

object

4

identification device

H

Magnetic alternating field

H1, H2

wave

I

electricity

N

near field

Z

input impedance

Claims (8)

Device (1) for carrying out a financial transaction, with a reading device (10) for reading data from an identification device (4) of a user, - At least one magnetic field coil (20, 21) for generating an alternating magnetic field (H) in a detection area on the reading device (10) and - A control and evaluation device (2) which is adapted to control the at least one magnetic field coil (20, 21) for generating the alternating magnetic field (H) and at least one of the generated magnetic alternating field (H) dependent characteristic (Z) of the at least to monitor a magnetic field coil (20, 21) in order to detect an object (3) in the detection area on the basis of the parameter (Z), characterized,
that the light generated by the at least one magnetic coil (20, 21) alternating magnetic field (H) having a frequency greater than 100 kHz. Device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the alternating magnetic field (H) generated by the at least one magnetic field coil (20, 21) has a frequency greater than 1 GHz. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the of the at least one magnetic field coil (20, 21) generated alternating magnetic field (H) in a frequency band between 2 and 6 GHz, preferably between 2.3 and 2.5 GHz , lies. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the evaluation device (2) is designed to monitor as a parameter the input impedance (Z) of the at least one magnetic field coil (20, 21). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control and evaluation device (2) is adapted to generate an alarm when the characteristic changes by more than a predetermined amount. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least two magnetic field coils (20, 21), of which at least a first alternating magnetic field (H) having a first frequency greater than 100 kHz and of which a second magnetic alternating field (H ) at a second frequency lower than the first frequency. Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the control and evaluation device (2) is adapted to generate an alarm when one of the first magnetic field coil (20) associated characteristic (Z) and one of the second magnetic field coil (21) associated Characteristic variable (Z) in each case change by more than a predetermined amount. Method for protecting a device (1) for carrying out a financial transaction, in which a reader (10) reads in data of an identification device (4) of a user, - At least one magnetic field coil (20, 21) generates an alternating magnetic field (H) in a detection range on the reading device (10) and a control and evaluation device (2) which activates at least one magnetic field coil (20, 21) for generating the alternating magnetic field (H) and at least one characteristic (Z) of the at least one magnetic field coil (20) dependent on the generated alternating magnetic field (H) 21) in order to detect an object (3) in the detection area on the basis of the parameter (Z), characterized,
that the light generated by the at least one magnetic coil (20, 21) alternating magnetic field (H) having a frequency greater than 100 kHz.

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