GB2422353A

GB2422353A - Privacy shield for use when entering a PIN

Info

Publication number: GB2422353A
Application number: GB0501217A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Greg Collier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-01-21
Filing date: 2005-01-21
Publication date: 2006-07-26
Also published as: GB0501217D0

Abstract

A shield 1 is provided for partially masking the screen of a touch pad 3 or a keyboard used for inputting a pin number or other security code or data into an electronic data entry device or system. The shield is open at at least one end to allow entry of a users hand and has opaque side members which support an opaque upper member 2. The upper member includes at least one opening 4 from one side of which is upstanding an inclined shielding member 5. The shielding member projects upwardly from the side edge and towards the opposed side edge of the opening and is inclined at an angle thereby to prevent viewing of the screen other than by a person whose line of vision is aligned with the shielded opening(s). The shielding member may pivot such that its angle is adjustable.

Description

MASKING SHIELDS

This invention relates to shields for partially masking a screen of a keyboard or touch pad of an electronic appliance for inputting a pin number, code or other security data.

Use of keyboards and touch pads for inputting personal pin numbers, codes or other security data for credit or debit card transactions to withdraw money from an in-wall cash dispenser or to authorise the collection of funds from a bank account for purchases made by the account holder, is becoming more prevalent. To avoid unauthorised use of a credit or debit card it is essential that the allocated security pin number or code is maintained secret.

It has been found that the security of a pin number or code is particularly vulnerable when a user is entering the pin number or code at a cash dispenser or at a cash desk of, for example, a supermarket.

Presently, the screen of a touch pad or data entry keyboard can relatively easily be seen in use by persons nearby which means that a discerning user needs to shield the touch pad screen or keyboard with his or her body when inputting a pin number or security code. This is not always easy or practical to do when purchasing, for example, goods in a busy supermarket, particularly when the user is at the head of a queue at one of several closely adjacent cash desks.

This invention sets out to provide a relatively inexpensive, simple and easy to use shielding device which prevents, or at least alleviates, the problem of an unscrupulous bystander noting a pin number, code or security data as it is being introduced into a data entry device.

According to the present invention in one aspect is provided a shield for partially masking the screen of a touch pad or a keyboard used for inputting a pin number or:Ohe1-.sec&frty.code b ta into an electronic data entry device or system, Lh2 ielding opci.at.t least one end and comprising opaque side members which support an opaque upper member which includes at least one opening from one side of which is upstanding an inclined shielding member, the shielding member projecting upwardly from the side edge and towards the opposed side edge of the opening and being inclined at an angle thereby to prevent viewing of the screen other than by a person whose line of vision is aligned with the shielded opening(s).

The shielding members may be set at fixed angles relative to the plane of the upper surface of the upper member or may be adjustable with respect to that plane. In the latter case, the angle of inclination of the or each shielding member may be altered by a user to vary the field of vision through which the screen of a touch pad or key of an electronic data entry device positioned within the shield can be viewed.

The open end of the shield enables a user to place his or her hand over the electronic device to input a pin number or code.

In another aspect, the invention provides a shield for partially masking the screen of an electronic touch pad or keyboard for inputting a pin number or other security code or data into an electronic data entry device or system, the shield comprising opaque side members on which is supported an opaque upper member, the upper member including a plurality of Iouvres upstanding from its surface each to one side of a plurality of slots, each louvre being inclined and projecting partially over the respective slot to restrict the field of vision to a touch pad or keyboard positioned between the side members and below the upper member.

By "louvre" is meant an upwardly and forwardly inclined slat which partially overlies the or each opening formed in the upper member of the shield.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanyipj.di rariihiatLc dranis in which:- Figure 1 is a side view in section of a shield in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view from above of the shield illustrated in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the shield illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.

The shield illustrated in the drawings comprises two opaque side members 1 on which is supported an opaque upper member 2. The shield as illustrated is open ended and is positioned with its side members 1 alongside the sides of an electronic device 3 for inputting a pin number, code or other security data when authorising access to a bank account. In an alternative un-illustrated embodiment, the shield also includes a floor on which the electronic device 3 is seated; additionally, an opaque rear panel to the right of the device 3 as shown in Figure 1 may be provided.

The front end of the shield is open and is of sufficient size to enable someone inputting a pin number, code or other security data into the device 3 to place his or her hand into the shield and operate the touch pad or keyboard to input the required data. Even this open end may be partially closed if required.

The upper member 2 is formed with one or more slots 4 (two being shown in the drawings)through which the screen of the touch pad or the keyboard of the device 3 can be viewed. Upstanding from the right hand side of each slot 4 is a louvre 5 which is inclined at an angle to the plane of the surface of the upper member 2 and which projects partially over the openings 4 to limit eye access to the shield interior. The sides of the louvres are closed by opaque side members. As will be seen from Figure 1, the screen of the touch pad or keyboard of the electronic data entry device 3 can only be viewed by someone viewing the screen having a field of vision A as shown in Figure 1.

In an unillustrated embodiment, slots and associated louvres extend over a major or the eti.ti.lenqtI of the iitd. The height of the louvres and the width of the ic shown.

In use, the shield is positioned around the data entry device 3 as shown in the drawings. When a user is required to input his or her pin number via the touch pad or keyboard of the data entry device 3, he or she simply places a hand within the shield interior and enters the appropriate number when viewing the screen or keyboard of the device through the openings 4. The presence of the louvres 5 prevents anyone who is not correctly positioned (i.e. within the field of vision A) having sight of the touch pad or keyboard. The opaque waIls 1 and upper member 2 of the shield also prevent a bystander from accurately guessing the inputted pin number, code or other security data by viewing the positions of the user's fingers when he/she is inputting the required data.

In an unillustrated embodiment, the inclination of one or each louvre can be varied by the user to aid viewing of the touch pad or keyboard. Thus, the louvres may be mounted for pivotal movement relative to the upper member 2, the angular settings being varied through a knob or by finger pressure.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary of shields in accordance with the invention and that various modifications can readily be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the Invention. Thus, the louvres may comprise generally plane surfaced slats or may be at least partially arcuate along their length.

Claims

1. A shield for partially masking the screen of a touch pad or a keyboard used for inputting a pin number or other security code or data into an electronic data entry device or system, the shield being open at at least one end and comprising opaque side members which support an opaque upper member which includes at least one opening from one side of which is upstanding an inclined shielding member, the shielding member projecting upwardly from the side edge and towards the opposed side edge of the opening and being inclined at an angle thereby to prevent viewing of the screen other than by a person whose line of vision is aligned with the shielded opening(s).

2. A shield as claimed in claim 1 wherein the shielding members are set at fixed angles relative to the plane of the upper surface of the upper member.

3. A shield as claimed in claim 1 wherein the angle of inclination of each shielding member is adjustable with respect to the plane of the upper surface of the upper member.

4. A shield as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the open end of the shield is dimensioned to enable a user to place his or her hand over the electronic device to input a pin number or code.

5. A shield for partially masking the screen of an electronic touch pad or keyboard for inputting a pin number or other security code or data into an electronic data entry device or system, the shield comprising opaque side members on which is supported an opaque upper member, the upper member including a plurality of louvres upstanding from its surface each to one side of a plurality of slots, each louvre being inclined and projecting partially over the respective slot to restrict the field of vision to a touch pad or keyboard positioned between the side members and below the upper member.

6. A shield substantially as herein described and as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.