GB2419209A

GB2419209A - PIN security attachment

Info

Publication number: GB2419209A
Application number: GB0423122A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Imrie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-18
Filing date: 2004-10-18
Publication date: 2006-04-19
Also published as: GB0423122D0

Abstract

Before visiting a 'Chip & Pin' Terminal a Personal Identification Number (PIN) is keyed into a hand held device 1, and locked electronically into a memory. A further number, (the unlocking key) is then added. The system is programmed so that the PIN number data can only be released with the use of the 'unlocking key.' At the point of use, when the 'unlocking key' is used, the PIN data is transmitted from an infra red port 3 to an infra red port 9 on a Pin Security Attachment 8. The data-carrying signal is received by the Attachment 8 and converted to instructions to the Terminal keyboard 14, equal to normal physical keyboard depressions.

Description

24 1 9209

PIN SECURITY ATTACHMENT

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a Personal Identification NumberIP^) SecuritvAttachment Chip and Pin' technology is recognized by many to be a marked improvement on the use of signatures for identification purposes. There is however a weakness to me Pin Number usage, in that the 'keyingin'of the number can often be intrusively viewed by omer people.

This Headless could lead to consequences if the owner of a credit/debit card is targeted by someone who has seen me code being entered and has access to the card later. A devious friend or workmate could be two examples of many possibilities. Recent cases of concealed miniature cameras have revealed mat PIN codes have been Worded at Points of use' for illicit purposes. Accessibility is another problem where some elderley or infirm people are unable to reach or cope wim me keyboards.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

To overcome mis, me present invention proposes that before visiting a'Chip & PIN' Sales Point (or BankATM the PIN number is keyed into a hand held device and locked electronically into its memory. A further (nominated) digit number is then added and the system is programmed in such a way that the PIN number can only be unlocked' wim me use of me second (nominated) digit number(unlocking key).

Thus at me point of use When the PIN is released by using me 'unlocking key', me PIN data can men be transmitted,by pointing me hand held device in me direction of me Sales Terminal and pressing a button. A datacarrying signal Using infra red connectivity, will be transmitted to a Receiver Attachment on me Sales Terminal ( or Bank ATM) .The keyboard on me Sales Terminal receives electrical instructffons similar to normal keyboard depressions and in line wim, me PIN data from me hand held device. The PIN number is therefore never on view at me 'point of use' ADVAN,l'AGl(S The advantages being mat me number used in public areas the 'unlocking key'will be different to me actual PIN and therefore no use to onlookers wim wrongful intentions.

The procedure at the 'point of use' will be more user friendly and more accessable to elderb or disabled people who may experience difficulties whilst using me present system. This invention is intended as an optional extra attachment to the existing Chip and Pin system and not a replacement. The Chip & Pin Terminal will be operable in me normal way.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example with reference to me accompanying drawings in which: Description 1. Outlines me use of a purpose-built hand held device with which to process and transmit me data.

Description 2. Outlines the use of an infra red compatible mobile phone to use as a means of processing and transmitting the PIN data.

Description 3 Outlines me use of an infra red compatible, hand held PC wim which to use as a means of processing and transmitting the PIN data DESCRIPTlON 1. UsinE DurDose built hand held device FiEure 1 shows a protective outer case housing a keypad, electronic circuit board, an infra-red port, an LCD display and a battery compartment Figure 2. Shows a side elevation of Figure 1 and an example of a layout of the components.

Figure 3. Shows me hand held device and an example of a Terminal, wim an Illustration of an infra red link between me device and me l erminal FiEure 4. Shows an example of a current type of Chip & Pin Terminal as used in Sales outlet, with an external attachment as provided by mis invention Electronic circuit boards, an infra-red port, a SCART type connecter socket and a Terminal keyboard.

In figure 1 The keyboard 6 is used to enter the PIN number followed by the locking key' number, with me aid of LCD diplay S. The electronic processor locks the PIN number data in in memoq in such a way that only the second 'locking key' number can be used to free me PllS number data. Therefore at me 'point of use'(Le a Sales Terminal or a Bank ATM}, when the 'locking key'code is entered at me keyboard 6. and the PIN number data is released by me processors memoq ready for transmission. The device is men pointed toward the Receiver box 8 (see fig 4) and an activation button on me keyboard is pressed. This initiates the transmission of the PIN dam via me infra red port 3 to me infra red port 9 (Fig.4)at the receiver box.

On completion of me of me transmission me PIN is automatically re-locked by me processor. The PllY number is not in view at me point of use.

In Fig 4 The attached receiving box 8 is fitted to me case of the sales Terminal 7 and contains an infra-red port 9 also an electronic processor board 10 which converts me incoming signal data from me hand-held PIN data transmission device into required 'keyboard conditions' ,in line with me correct PIN sequence.

Using the following method: The receiving box 8 is fitted wim a scart type (male)socket 11 which is plugged into a scart(female) socket 12 located in me case of me TerminaLThe female socket is linked 13. electronically to me keyboard keys of me Terminal (or a pick-up point on me circuit board of me TerminaL). This link to the keyboard From me receiver Allows for appropriate signals to be entered at the Terminal keyboard which mimic normal physical keying by a card user. A comparable low voltage supply is provided from me Terminal power supplies via the start connector to power me receiver.

Whilst figure 4 shows an externally fitted example of the receiving box 8, me component parts of the receiver can be added to me design of me Terminal (or ATM land fitted inside me case with me infra red port 9 only, exposed.

see fig. S DESL'RIPTION 2. UsinE a Mobile Dhone with modifications as reauired bv this invention Figure C. illustrates how a mobile phone and a Chip and Pin Terminal will be linked via infra red connectivity at the time of activation Figure 4 Shows an example of a current type of Chip & Pin Terminal as used in Sales outlets, with an external attachment as provided by mis invention having Electronic processor,circuit boards, an infra-red port, a connecter socket and a Terminal keyboard.

(Use figures 6 a & fib) In figure 6a The keypad 6 is used to enter the PIN number followed by the locking key' number, wim me aid of LCD diplay 5. The mobile phone processor locks the PIN number data in the memory in such a way mat only the second entered locking key' number can be used to free the PIN number. Therefore at me 'point of use'(i.e a Sales Terminal or a Bank ATM}, the 'locking key'number is entered into the mobile keypad and the PIN number data is released by the processor memory ready for transmission. The mobile infra-red port 3 is then pointed toward the Receiver box 8 and an activation button on the mobile keypad is pressed. l his initiates the transmission of the PIN data via me infra red port 3 to the infra red port 9 at the receiver box. On completion of me transmission the PIN is automatically re-locked by me mobile phone processor.

In FiE 6 b The attached receiving box 8 is fitted to the case of me sales Terminal 7 and contains an infra-red port 9 also an electronic processor board 10 which converts the incoming signal data from me mobile phone into required keyboard conditions' in line wim the comet PIN sequence.

Using the following means: The receiving box 8 is fitted wim a scarf type (male)socket 11 which is plugged into a scart(female) socket 12 located in me case of me TerminaLThe female socket is linked 13. electronically to me keyboard keys of the Terminal (or a pick-up point on me circuit board of the TerminaL). This link to the keyboard, from the receiver Allows for appropriate signals to be entered at the Terminal keyboard which mimic normal physical keying by a card user. A computable low voltage supply is provided from the Terminal power supplies via the scarf connector to power the receiver. Note.

Whilst figure 3 shows an externally fitted example of the receiving box 8, the component parts of me receiver can be added to me design of me VI erminal (or A1 M land fitted inside me case with the infra red port 9 only, exposed.

see fig.5

-A

DESCRIPTION 3. Using a Hand Held P.C wim modifications as required by this invention Figure 7a illustrates how a Hand Held PC and a Chip and Pin Terminal will be linked via infra red connectivity at me time of activation Figure 7b Shows an example of a current type of Chip & Pin Terminal as used in Sales outlets, with an external attachment as provided by this invention having Electronic processor,circuit boards, an infra-red port, a connecter socket and a Terminal keyboard.

(Use Figure 7a& Fig 7b) In figure 7a The keypad 6 is wed to enter me PIN number followed by the locking key' number, with me aid of LCD diplay 5. The Hand-Held PC processor locks the PIN number data in the memory in such a way that only the second 'locking key' number can be used to release the PIN number. Therefore at the point of use'(i.e a Sales Terminal or a Bank ATM}, the 'locking key'code is entered into the If and- Held PC keypad and the PIN number data is released by the processor memory ready for transmission. The Hand-Held PC infra red port 3 is then pointed toward the Receiver box 8 and an activation button on the keypad 6 is pressed. This initiates the transmission of the PIN dam via the infra red port 3 to the infra red port 9 at the receiver box.(15 illustrates infra red paw). On completion of me transmission me PllY is automatically re-locked by the mobile phone processor.

In F;E 7 b The attached receiving box 8 is fitted to the case of me sales Terminal 7 and contains an infra-red port 9 also an electronic processor board 10 which converts me incoming signal data from me Hand-Held PC into required keyboard conditions' in line wim the correct PIN sequence.

Using me following means: The receiving box 8 is fitted with a scart type (malesocket I 1 which is plugged into a scart(female) socket 12 located in the case of the TerminaLThe female socket is baked 13. electronically to the keyboard keys of the Terminal (or a pick-up point on the circuit board of the TerminaL). This link to me keyboard From me meiver,allows for appropriate signals to be entered at the Terminal keyboard which mimic normal physical keying by a card user. A comparable low voltage supply is provided from the Terminal power supplies via me scart connector to power me receiver. Note.

Whilst figure 3 shows an externally fitted example of the receiving box 8, the component parts of the receiver can be added to me design of the Terminal (or ATM land fitted inside the case with the infra red port 9 only, exposed.

see fig.5

Claims

l.An attachment to a 'Chip & Pin' Sales Terminal mat receives, from a hand held device,a signal containing data in-line win a Personal Identification Number, using infra-red connectivity, then processes me data into electrical impulses which activate me Terminal's keyboard as if physically operated with me right code
2. An attachment according to claim 1 which is attached to a Bank ATM machine as an alternative to a Chip & Pin Terminal
3 A purpose built 'hand held device' according to claim 1, which has a facility to accept entry of a Personal Identity Number and secure it as data, in a processor memory wim me aid of an additional entered number as an unlocking key, also a means of transmitting me data on its release,wim me use of the unlocking key to an attachment according to claim 1
4 A modification to a Mobile Phone which creates a hand held device, according to claim 1, which has a facility to accept entry of a Personal Identity Number and secure it as data, in a processor memory win me aid of an additional entered number as an unlocking key, also a means of transmitting the data on its release,wim me use of the unlocking key to an attachment in accordance wim claim 1 A modification to a hand held PC Which creates a hand held device, according to claim 1, which has a facility to accept entry of a Personal Identity Number and secure it as data, in a processor memory with me aid of an additional entered number as an unlocking key, also a means of transmitting me data on its release, wim me use of the unlocking key to an attachment in accordance wim claim I 6.An attachment according to claim 1 which is fitted inside a Sales Terminal or Bank ATM with the, infrn red port only, exposed to me outside.

7. An attachment which is connected to a digital electronic keyboard, and processes numericalb based incoming data via infra red connectivity from a hand -held device to operate the keyboard as if physically operated wim an aumorised code.

. e.: c: c: ce. :. . .

. . c . . . . ...

.. ... . . Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. An attachment to a 'Chip & Pin' Sales Terminal that incorporates a processor, an infra red port,a connection to the Terminal keyboard circuitry and power supply,wherein the attachment on receiving a remote signal, has the means to electronically operate the keypad independent of the normal physical keying-in function of the existing system 2. An attachment according to claim 1 which is fitted to a Bank ATM instead of a Chip and pin terminal 3. An attachment according to claim 1, that has the means to receive a numerical code in the form of electronic data passed via infra red connectivity from a remote hand held device 4. An attachment as according to claim 3 wherein the remote hand held device has means with which to memorise inserted numerical codes as well as a method with which to secure the numerical codes by use of an additional locking number or key.

5. An attachment according to claim 4 wherein the remote hand held device is created by a mobile phone modification that has means to memorise inserted numerical codes as well as a method with which to secure the numerical codes by use of an additional locking number or key.
5. An attachment according to claim 4 wherein the remote hand held device is created by a hand-held PC modification that has means to memorise inserted numerical codes as well as a method with which to secure the numerical codes by use of an additional locking number or key.
6. An attachment according to claim I which is integrated with the existing Chip and Pin Terminal circuitry and where the infra red port is recessed into the outer case.