GB2422135A

GB2422135A - Privacy shield for use when entering a PIN

Info

Publication number: GB2422135A
Application number: GB0500823A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Everett
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-15
Filing date: 2005-01-15
Publication date: 2006-07-19
Anticipated expiration: 2025-01-15
Also published as: GB0500823D0; GB2422135B

Abstract

The present invention provides a privacy shield 2 for screening a numeric keypad of the sort often found on cash machines, telephones and security systems. The shield 2 is substantially planar and has an aperture 4 for receiving a finger of the user. The finger that is received though the aperture 4 can then be used to enter a personal identification number (PIN), a private telephone number or a security code while the keypad is screened from casual inspection by the shield. The privacy shield (2) may be made from a plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Description

TITLE

Privacy shields

DESCRIPTION

Teclmjcaj Field

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The present invention relates to privacy shields, and in particular to privacy shields that an individual can use to screen a keypad whilst entering a personal identification number (PIN), a private telephone number, a security code or the like.

Background Art

When an individual wants to withdraw money from a cash machine (sometimes called an automatic teller machine or ATM) it is normal for them to have to enter a four- digit personal identification number (PIN) into a keypad to verify that they are the legitimate owner of the bank, debit or credit card that is being used.

It is also becoming necessary for individuals to have to enter their PIN when using their bank, debit or credit card to purchase goods in shops, restaurants and the like.

Until recently, all transactions in the United Kingdom have been verified by asking the individual to provide a signature and then comparing this with the specimen signature on the back of the card. However, this system is currently in the process of being replaced by the so-called "chip and PIN" system. In the "chip and PIN" system the individual is asked to insert their card into a small card reader unit that includes a display screen and a keypad. When prompted by a message on the display screen, the individual must enter their PIN using the keypad and once this has been verified against their account details then the transaction is complete and the card can be removed. The "chip and PIN" system is supposed to be more secure because it is impossible for a criminal to use a bank, debit or credit card that has been stolen or "skimmed" to withdraw cash from a cash machine or purchase goods in person without knowing the associated four-digit PIN. It is therefore important that the individual's PIN is kept confidential.

A problem with the "chip and PEN" system is that the PIN must be entered using a keypad that is often on public display. For example, when the individual is withdrawing cash from a cash machine it is not inconceivable that a person standing close by might be able to see the keypad and make a note of the press buttons that are pressed as the PIN is entered. This is also true when the PIN is entered into the keypad of the card reader unit in a shop, restaurant or the like.

In more sophisticated illegal activities the PIN can actually be recorded as it is entered into the keypad using a camera located in the recess of the cash machine. It is also usual in such instances for the account details of the bank, debit or credit card to be recorded or "skimmed" by an illegal card reader that is located in a false or dummy panel positioned in front of the fascia of the cash machine. * S. * . * .. a

Other instances where a person might want to screen a keypad is if they want to enter * * 15 a private telephone number or the security code needed to activate or deactivate an * alann system, for example. 4.

* .: .* Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a method of screening a keypad using a portable privacy shield, the shield being substantially planar and having an aperture for receiving a finger of the user, the method comprising the step of inserting a finger of the user through the aperture such that the keypad is at least partially screened by the privacy shield while it is being operated by the user's finger.

The purpose of the privacy shield is therefore to screen the keypad from casual inspection by any person standing close by, or from a camera located in the recess of the cash machine, for example. Jn this way, any personal identificatjoi number (PIN), private telephone number, security code or the like that is entered using the keypad will remain confidential.

It is generally preferred that the privacy shield is provided in the form of a planar rectangular sheet that can be made the same size as a conventional bank, debit or credit card (about 8.5 cm long, about 5.5 cm wide and with negligible thickness).

This enables the privacy shield to be conveniently stored in a wallet or purse until it is needed. However, it will be readily appreciated that the privacy shield can be made any suitable size and shape. For example, the privacy shield may be stored in a folded configuration and then unfolded to a larger size for normal use or in situations where a greater degree of screening is needed.

Advertising and promotional material may be printed on one or both sides of the privacy shield.

The privacy shield is preferably made of a plastics material, although other materials can be used. A suitable plastics material would be polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that is already used to make conventional bank, debit and credit cards.

The aperture can be any shape (although a circular or elliptical shape is generally preferred) The size of the aperture must be sufficient to comfortably receive a finger of the user.

To use the privacy shield the user simply inserts one of their fingers (normally their middle finger or index finger) through the aperture. The remaining fingers of the user will lie on top of the shield and it can be supported from below by the user's thumb.

The user then uses the finger that passes through the aperture in the shield to operate or manipulate the press buttons of the keypad. The keypad can be part of a cash machine, telephone, security system or the like and will usually be a conventional numeric keypad with nine press buttons representing each of the digits 1 to 9, ten press buttons representing each of the digits 0 to 9 or twelve press buttons representing each of the digits 0 to 9 plus two command buttons such as "cancel", "enter", "" or "#". However, it will be readily appreciated that the privacy shield can be used with any keypad having any number of press buttons arranged in any suitable configuration.

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a privacy shield in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 2 is a side view showing how the privacy shield of Figure 1 is used to screen a keypad.

With reference to Figure 1, a privacy shield 2 is fomed from a semi-rigid sheet of polyviny' chloride (PVC). For convenience, the shield has the same dimensions as a conventional bank, debit or credit card. An elliptical aperture 4 is located in a centre region of the shield 2.

The use of the privacy shield will be explained with reference to Figure 2. When a user wishes to withdraw cash from a cash machine they must enter their four-digit personal identification number (PIN) using a keypad. One press button 6 of a conventional numeric keypad is shown. To screen the keypad from casual inspection when the PIN is being entered, the user inserts their middle finger 8 (other fingers, in particular the index finger 10, can be used instead) through the aperture 4 from above.

The remaining fingers 10 and the user's thumb 12 are also used to support the shield 2. The user can then enter their PIN by pressing the appropriate press buttons of the keypad with their middle finger 8. In practice, the shield 2 may be angled slightly away from the user so that the user can see exactly which of the press buttons to press.

However, this does not reduce the screening capability of the shield to any signific degree.

Claims

I. A method of screening a keypad using a portable privacy shield, the shield being substantially planar and having an aperture for receiving a finger of the user, the method comprising the step of inserting a finger of the user through the aperture such that the keypad is at least partially screened by the privacy shield while it is being operated by the user's finger.

2. A method according to claim I, wherein the privacy shield is a planar rectangular sheet 8.5 cm long and 5.5 cm wide.

3. A method according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the privacy shield is made of a plastics material. * I. 1 I

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Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows /,

A privacy shield for screening a keypad, the shield being substantially planar and having an apeure for receiving a finger of the user such that the keypad is at least partially screened while it is being operated by the user's finger.
2. A privacy shield according to claim 1, being in the form of a planar rectangular sheet about 8.5 cm long and about 5.5 cm wide.
3. A privacy shield according to claim I or claim 2, being made of a plastics material.
4. A privacy shield substantially as herein described and with reference to the drawings.