GB2449445A

GB2449445A - A keypad with random assignment of numbers and a limited viewing angle

Info

Publication number: GB2449445A
Application number: GB0709749A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anita Roberts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-05-22
Filing date: 2007-05-22
Publication date: 2008-11-26
Also published as: GB0709749D0

Abstract

A numeric keypad and associated software, which accepts customer pin numbers for credit or debit card onto a. standard size and shape numeric keypad. The allocation of each number against a key on the pad is randomly changed between transactions. Thus customers with the same pin number would appear to be pressing different keys when typing in their pin numbers. The numbers allocated for the transaction may only be viewed through a limited viewing angle by using a Fresnel.. When the customer has completed their transaction the numbers will disappear to provide maximum security for the public. When the next customer inserts their card and this card is validated, a different random pattern of numbers will allocate across the keypad.

Description

DESCRIPTiON PAGE 1 OF 1

JUGLR KEY PAD

Background

Entering your pin number into a cash machine or supermarket keypad is not necessarily secure. It would be far better to offer complete secrecy about which buttons you are pressing. This invention was conceived from my personal desire to input my pin numbers in an inviolable way.

As well as the risk of an overseer at the pin number keypad, there is also the proven risk of a hidden camera capturing both your card details electronically, and your pin number visually, via the camera.

Features of a Juglr Keypad This invention is a keypad and associated software. The new style keypad would be made to the same dimensions as existing keypads. This would enable it to be inserted into existing cash machine keypad slots. It would fit into or replace pin number keypad units at supermarket checkouts, It would look identical in size and shape to a normal keypad, apart from the keys themselves being blank.

When not in use the keypad would be blank. When activated, black standard numbers would each sit at the base of a small transparent plastic block (approx 0.5 cube), fitted over each key.

Numbers underneath the keypad, when visible, would be viewed through an LCD Fresnel. This would only allow the person keying in their pin number to view numbers from a particular, restricted angle.

This angle, would relate to the normal approximate angle of a persons head while standing over a cash machine keypad. Therefore only the person keying in the pin number would be able to read the keys.

Once the transaction is in progress, the customers eyes would be at approximately 60 degrees to the machine, the head of the customer would block any overseer. The viewing angle of a hidden camera would only ever see blank keys. Any illegal hidden camera unit would be at a significantly differing degree of vision angle from the customer. Two lines of sight are not available with Fresnel viewing.

When a cash card is proffered the system will validate it, in the same way existing software does.

After the card is validated, activation of the keypad is triggered immediately. The activation will allocate numbers 1,2, 3,4, 5,6,7, 8,9,0 randomly acrossthepacl. Iuewable only via the Fresnel.

These numbers will only appear in this one position for this one customer transaction. A software program within the Juglr well ensure that the numbers are allocated differenfly each time the keypad is used on an ongoing basis. The customer will then type in the same pin number for each transaction but pressing different keys on the pad each time. This may take slightly longer per transaction at first while customers get used to this new concept.

Whichever keys the customer presses will be totally obscured because of the Fresnel. Any onlooker or hidden camera will be completely unable to see which number has been allocated to that particular key.

When the pin number is completed the customer presses the Enter key. Existing software already validates the pin number against the card at this point, before proceeding with the transaction. This will still happen with the Jugir.

When the transaction is completed, the keypad numbers will no longer be needed and will disappear again back to the de-activated state. Blank keys will show until the ned card validation takes plaoe and the Enter key is pressed again. The second customer will be shown the numbers in a completely different position on the keypad, randomly generated by the Juglr.

Several transactions by the same customer are currently done fran one pin number request so the software will be similar in this respect.

As the keys are blank in between customers, the previous number allocations remain completely secret.

END

Fig 1 Customer goes to cash machine Fig 2 All keys are blank Fig 3 Customer inserts card as normal Fig 4 When card is validated numbers appear randomly viewable only from a limited angle Fig 5 Customer types in pin number then presses enter key Fig 6 Enter key resets the keypad to blank between customers

Claims

CIJJMSPAGE1OFI

JUGLR KEY PAD

Main Claim This keypad and associated software uld allow customers to type their pin numbers into public cash machines and supermarket checkout machines in complete secrecy.

Dependent claim This keypad uId protect customers from hidden cameras at the cash machine.

This keypad iuld make the public feel more secure when using their debit and credit cards.

Technoi gy The technology to produce this irwention already either eidsts or is in the public forum, albeit in embryo. A Russian company have recently launched a keyboard extension which allows the user to allocate various icon syTnbds to particular keys (there are only 3 keys available on this product) to use as a quick reference mini keypad. Purchasers buy the keypad itself and a software program Which allows you to select the personal preference of icon for quick reference. For example you mey chose to select quick links to; n, wsather and sport. The softe will then install the icon symbol of your choice onto the chosen key. This item plugs into your eidsting computer keyboard.

The Fresnel is an established invention, which us available already.

Although not identical, this technology could be adapted to run Juglr software for the benefit of the public in any country.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as fOII CLAIMS PAGE 1 OF I 4-

JUGLR KEY PAD

Main Claim This keypad and associated sofiware would allow customers to type their pin numbers into public cash machines and supermarket checkout machines In complete secrecy.

Dependent claim This keypad would protect customers from hidden cameras at the cash machine stealing their pin numbers.

Th keypad would make the public teal more secure when using their debit end credit cards.

This keypad would reduce the amount of money written off to ATM fraud by the banldng industry.

Thus keypad would fit Into the existing ATM estate, reducing cost of Implementation for the Industry.

This keypad would combat crime as cash usage increased in any credit crunch situation.

Technology The technology to produce this invantlon already either exists a is in the public forum, albeit in embryo. A Russian company have recently launched a keyboard extension which al1s the user to allocate various icon symbols to particular keys (there are only 3 keys avalleble on this product) to use as a quick reference mini keypad. Purchasers buy the keypad Itself and a software program which allows you to select the personal preference of icon far quick reference. For example you may chose to select quick linke to; news, weather and sport. The software will then install the icon symbol of your choice onto the chosen key. This item plugs into your existing computer keyboard.

The Fresnel lens and the diffraction grating are already available.

Although the keypad item noted above is not identical, this technology could be adapted to run Juglr software for the benefit of the public in any country. * *S * * * * ** *.** * * ***. **,I * S .5. * . * ** * . . * . * * .