GB2449668A - Keypad with security cover and distinguishable keys - Google Patents

Abstract

A keypad device has a cover 7 which conceals the keypad so that the keypad cannot be viewed by a user or any external viewer such that the user must rely on the sense of touch to enter data using buttons of the keypad. The buttons are adapted so as to be uniquely distinguished from each other by sense of touch. The cover may allow a hand to access the keypad or only one or more fingers. The keypad may include alarm keys 4 as well as data entry keys and is used in, for example, the entering of PINs in ATMs or chip and pin terminals.

Description

A KEYPAD DEVICE

The present invention relates to a keypad device for data entry, in particular to a keypad device for entering data of a sensitive and secure nature.

Keypads for entering alphabetic or numerical data are widely available, and are typically used for providing security details and/or personal information to electronic systems, such as security systems, automatic teller machines (ATMs), and chip and pin terminals.

Identity theft and cash machine crime has risen despite banks investing millions of pounds in security technology. Cases have been reported where banks have had to place accounts on hold and blocked PIN-based transactions due to the suspicion of fraud, at the inconvenience of many customers.

There are many methods that fraudsters use to obtain security details and/or personal information when a person enters such details into a keypad. Such methods include shoulder surfing, hiding cameras and skimming information.

The method of shoulder surfing comprises watching a user enter data into a keypad without the user knowing, for example by looking over the user's shoulder from behind. This method is a problem not only at ATM points, but also at any data entry terminals, for example, retail outlets, petrol stations and even restaurants that have portable chip and PIN data entry units. Hidden cameras may also be employed to watch data being entered into a system by a user.

Skimming employs a cover containing a memory chip. The cover is placed over the card-entry slot of an ATM and the cover scans banking cards to ascertain information stored on the card. By combining hidden camera technology with skimming, the PIN of the card can be obtained as it is entered into the ATM and the ascertained information can be used to create a crone of the user's card, which can then be used with obtained PIN.

Because many people have problems remembering lots of different personal information and security details, such as PINs, many people use the same PIN or security codes for more than one of their banking cards. Consequently, a fraudster is often able to make use of ascertained details to commit further fraud.

Thus, there is a need to prevent or restrict the common and simple ways of obtaining a persons security details and/or personal information when entered on a keypad.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a keypad device that has a cover which conceals the keypad so that the keypad cannot be viewed by a user or any external viewer such that the user must rely on the sense of touch to enter data using buttons of the keypad, wherein the surfaces of the buttons are adapted so as to be uniquely distinguished from each other by sense of touch, Embodiments may therefore indirectly prevent skimming methods being used due to the fact that the security information entered into the keypad is usually needed to complete the fraud. By having a cover over the keypad which completely hides the keypad from an external viewer, data entered into the keypad cannot be seem from outside of the cover. The cover of the keypad may have an entrance big enough for one or more fingers, part of a hand or the whole of a hand to be inserted into.

A cover shaped with an entrance for only an index finger may be used. The cover may also be designed so that there are no gaps around the hand for anyone to see inside the cover, and this will block out light from inside the cover. On stationary or portable PIN-pads possibly the thumb would be a more comfortable choice when using portable PIN-pads (as in restaurants).

One or more additional alarm buttons may be provided at either side of the keypad to be used when the user is in or anticipates a threatening situation.

The way in which the user selects buttons is by relying on remembering the number sequence, and by using the sense of touch, thus making the machine usable by people of all levels of sight, even people who are blind. Blind people may use this more effectively than sighted people as their sense of touch may be more developed.

A picture that replicates the keypad may be provided on the top surface of the cover, thereby providing guidance as to the location of the buttons of the keypad. Also, an alarm button may be clearly displayed to instil confidence in the user and deter potential criminals.

Embodiments may prevent anyone seeing which keypad buttons are pressed, therefore allowing only the user to know what has been pressed.

Thus, embodiments of the invention may help to regain a user's confidence in using Chip and PIN data entry systems and ATMs. Many people, and a great deal of elderly people do not feel they are safe using ATMs and feel that their security is not well looked after. The invention may provide the extra feel of security. This can help to deter criminals from attempting to attack users and further help to prevent dishonest staff observing users entering security details into portable data entry units.

Accordingly, embodiments may have an arrangement of buttons which are enclosed with an access aperture, but no viewing aperture. The cover may have an entrance that is large enough preferably for one or more fingers, part of the hand or the whole hand to be inserted into the concealed area about the keypad.

The cover or its entrance may be made of some material or some sort of structure that matches the shape of the part of the hand, or whole hand that's been inserted in order to completely conceal the keypad. The entrance preferably has a door at external Chip and PIN locations that opens after the correct card is inserted and read, and the closes after it has been taken out, it will be made of a durable material and be securely fastened shut to withstand vandalism attempts or unauthorised entry. The key pad may comprise buttons preferably raised at different levels, slant angles preferably slanting towards the entrance and raised characters or shapes, to differentiate one button from the other to increase accuracy of button selection and to increase accessibility and comfort.

Preferably, the platform that the buttons are on will have a gradient less than that of the entrance surface and surrounding surface gradient to increase security and comfort. The design can be ergonomically designed to improve comfort and ease of use so that the cover is not restricting and hardly noticed by the user. Preferably there will be pictures of the cover on all faces of the cover that will show what you would see if the cover was see through (or not there). The top surface picture will show the buttons and will possibly be a magnified picture of the PIN pad (especially at till points or at the checkout,) to make the cover seem see-through or maybe even invisible. When the person inserts a hand or part of a hand, the picture will aid sighted people when selecting buttons to get used to the layout, and see what they are feeling, I.e.

see the raised shapes and different slants and heights that they can feel whilst giving the effect that their hand is invisible inside the cover. Possibly, the cover could be transparent when out of use, so that any attempts of installing cameras inside the cover will be seen by the user. As soon as the correct card is inserted the cover will turn opaque (i.e. not see-through).

The cover may be made of a durable material, preferably metal for the ATM5 and external terminals, which preferably will be deeply imbedded into or/and securely joined to the machine (to prevent attempts of replacement or vandalism). The cover may be shaped for only one finger (preferably the index finger) to be inserted into at one time, or a few fingers, part of the hand or the whole hand. The buttons, including the alarm may be on a negative gradient, leaning into the machine to increase security and comfort. The buttons may be made preferably of hard plastic or softer material such as soft plastic or rubber.

Each button will have raised shapes probably triangles either extruded or tapered towards the 5' button across the top button from on edge or corner to the other.

Preferably the middle raised lines will be raised highest and of a slightly bigger scale with smaller scaled ones other either side so that the button is covers and anywhere that is touched on the button, the lines can be felt. Such lines may be on its top surface to give greater differentiation between buttons, and if the buttons are made of a soft material these shapes will be made of a harder material to enhance fingertip recognition. For example, a number five button may have large semi-sphere at the centre of the top surface with smaller semi-spheres all over the button. A possibility may be that the bumps are arranged in brail formation for the satisfaction of the blind users.

An alarm button for ATMs and external Chip and PIN points, or points in areas not as secure as in shops e.g. ticket machines in car parks may also be present inside the cover. Such an alarm button may have much more surface area, so that they are easier to find in a threatening as rushed situation. They can be much lower and preferably separated from the rest of the keypad buttons by a hanging wall that can easily be pushed aside to reach the alert/alarm button(s), this will prevent users from pressing it accidentally.

The door to the cover may be adapted so that it cannot be opened without a correct card being inserted to prevent vandalism, and when the card has been inserted, the door may be pushed easily by the finger and will fold upwards into the cover's roof.

Each button may be designed to produce a sound having the same tonality when pressed so to avoid the buttons pressed being worked out. The tone, however, can inform the user the button has been registered as pressed', which can be beneficial to the blind users.

Peferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 shows a drawing of the interior of a covet according to an embodiment of the invention, with door and back wall; FIGURES 2 to 4 show perspective views of the bubble's shape and symmetry; FIGURE 5 shows a picture of the button formation inside the finger bubble and the detail on the buttons' top surfaces; FIGURE 6 shows more detail inside the bubble of the slant angles and varied heights of the button; FIGURE 7 shows an index finger of a right hand operating the pad to show proportion of bubble to an average sized male hand; FIGURE 8 shows the external look and shape of the finger bubble on a scaled ATM machine to show proportions; FIGURE 9-10 show views (top, front and angled side view respectively) of a keypad device according to an embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 11 shows an alternative embodiment, with bigger buttons; FIGURE 12 shows another embodiment of a keypad device; FIGURE 13-15 shows the gradient of the buttons less than that of the surrounding ATM surface; FIGURE 16 shows a left hand accessing a keypad device according to an embodiment of the invention; FIGURES 17-19 shows the hand of Figure 16 feeling the buttons surfaces to navigate over the keypad; FIGURE 20 shows the mechanics of the rotating side wall according to an embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 21 shows a keypad device according to yet another embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 22 shows a keypad device according to yet another embodiment of the invention FIGURE 23 shows a modification of the keypad device of Figure 22; and FIGURE 24 is a 2D drawing of the device of Figure 23 being accessed by a hand.

Figure 1 shows inside one embodiment of the device which allows only a finger, preferably an index finger to enter. The buttons are arranged in the same standard way of this type of numbered keypad [1], with three rows, 123 at the back row, 456 in the middle row and 789 and the front row, with button 0 on its own in front of button 8. Each button has its unique slant, the buttons have varying heights and raised characters [3] on each button, possibly brail, to help the user distinguish between buttons. Alert/alarm buttons [4] are present (at Chip and PIN locations where necessary preferably quiet, external and secluded areas) on either side with larger slanting top surfaces towards the entrance. With larger surface area and at a very low level, these buttons are designed this way to reduce users accidentally pressing them and to greatly differential themselves from the other buttons. A back wall [5] is present to prevent fingers from going to far back and users getting confused of the buttons' locations. At Chip and PIN locations where necessary, a door [6] blocks the entrance when the device/machine is inactive to prevent vandalism and fraudulent activity.

This keypad arrangement has a cover [7] that prevents external viewing (only half the cover is shown here to give a clear view of inside).

In figure 2 it can be seen from the side that the buttons' plafform [8] has a slightly lower gradient compared to the surrounding area [9] of the device it will be attached to, to allow easier access to buttons and reduce the ease of viewing the keypad externally. This version shows how the buttons' heights increase the further back they are.

Figure 3 shows from the top view, the symmetry [10] illustrated by the broken line of this device for ambidextrous purposes. The cover [7] widens considerably to allow the finger access to all buttons, and the symmetry [10] of the device allows it to be used just as easily by left or right handed people.

Figure 4 shows the front view of the device with symmetry [10]. This cover is almost hemispherical. It can be noticed that the entrance is narrow enough not to see the alarm/alert buttons [4] from outside Figure 5 shows the layout of the keypad [1] in this version of security device.

The numbers keypad from 0-9 are located in the centre with the alarm/alert buttons [4] to either side, hidden from the entrance, and the back wall [5] at the back to help the user know when they have reached the back of the enclosed area. The back wall [5] in this device has curves that slightly mimic the shape of fingers if they pressing the back buttons, to account for large hands or long finger nails. The back waIl [5] is shaped at each side in a way to allow quick and easy access to the alarm/alert buttons [4] from the back buttons. This angle shows the detail on the top surface of the buttons [3], which are in brail in this case. In this image the brail bumps have different shapes.

Figure 6 looks at this version of the security device front ways without the cover to clearly show the varying slants and heights. Great symmetry [10] is shown in the buttons including the alarm/alert buttons [4] and the back wall [5] in this angle. For example buttons land 3 are mirror images of each other (excluding the raised characters), and so are 4 and 5, 7 and 9. The middle buttons slant in a straight direction towards the entrance, and the side buttons slant in two directions, towards the middle and towards the entrance in a diagonal direction.

Figure 7 shows this version of the device being employed in a PIN pad device [11] being accessed by the index finger of a hand [12]. This device is relatively small as it allows only one finger to enter where the rest of the hand can rest on the palm rest [13] provided. The clear [14], cancel [15] and enter [16] buttons are on the outside of the cover and to the right in this picture.

The platform [8] that the buttons are on is on a gradient less than that of the surrounding top surface of the PIN pad.

Figure 8 shows this version of the security device positioned on an ATM terminal [17]. Its shape will be aesthetically and ergonomically designed to allow the finger (preferably the index finger) of different dimensions adequate space to manoeuvre around to access the whole keypad [1] easily, whilst making it comfortable for the user. Preferably a photography replica [18] of the interior of this security device, as shown in this figure will be in clear view on the ATM to aid users and deter potential criminals of the alert/alarm system. A door [61 will be present to block the opening of the device when it is not in use.

Figure 9 shows the top surface of another version of the keypad security device. This allows the whole hand to access the buttons. There is symmetry in this figure and in figure 10. The cover [7] is much larger and it is longer to account for the increase of the entrance's size to keep the keypad [1] hidden. It can be noticed that the buttons are much larger also, and are more square shaped. The concept of the slants and varying heights are similar to the previous version where they slant towards the entrance.

Figure 11 gives a clearer view of the interior of this device. The buttons though bigger are closer together and the back buttons are up against the back of the cover [7]. The major change from the previous version is the detail on the top of the buttons. The centre button 5' [19] has a large hemisphere [20] at it's centre, and the tops of the buttons 1,2,3,4,6,7,8 and 9 have raised lines [21] which extend over the length of the surface, and cover the whole surface, and which point towards the centre button [19]. Button 0 has only a raised 0' on it, and has two black platforms either side of it.

Figure 12 is an enlarged image of another version of the keypad [1], showing the detail of the buttons raised lines [21] which in this case are extruded triangles for buttons 1,2,3,4,6,7,8 and 9. This is preferably the modified version of the previous keypad structures. The centre button [19] has one large hemisphere [201 at its centre and is covered by smaller hemispheres [20a] (to let the user know what button they press no matter which part of that button they touch). The raised lines which in this version are preferably extruded l0 triangles, having a large line running down the centre and the rest of the buttons' surface are covered with smaller lines. The 0 button has a raised zero in the centre and smaller raised 0's covering the surface.

Another feature is that the edge of one buttons' surface is attached directly to the edge of another button of a lower level's surface edge by a slope [22], and the corners of buttons next to and diagonally from each other are joined by another slope [23]. This is to make the keypads surfaces more continuous for the user to drag their fingers easily from one button to another.

Figure 13 shows a close up of the top surface of button number 3, with protruding triangular lines [21] of varying heights, with the biggest running down the centre on the surface.

Figure 14 and 15 show the inside of another version, highlighting how the buttons are on a platform [8] below the surrounding surface [9] of the machine of device in which it would be placed. The side walls [23] can be seen here hiding the alert/alarm buttons [4].

Figure 16 shows the exterior of this version, which has a much more square shaped cover [7], and an opening for a hand [12] to enter.

Figure 17 demonstrates how a hand [12] can feel over the keypad [1] and raised lines [21] to navigate around the device Figure 18 shows the interior of this version, which have side waIls [24] on either side to separate the alert/alarm buttons [4] from the rest of the keypad. The alert/alarm buttons [4] therefore can be much higher than the other buttons so they can be easily reached in a threatening situation. They are slanted towards the centre and to the entrance of the device, and decrease in height the closer they are to the entrance.

Figure 19 shows a hand [121 pushing the side wall [24] out of the way to access the alert/alarm button [4]. The side walls [241 can slide or rotate out of the way into the roof of the device.

Figure 20 shows detail of the side walls [24]. The walls [24] are held in place by medium strength magnets [25] that hold it against the metal strip [26] side buttons [27] in case they where accidentally nudged by user whilst using the keypad [1]. In this example the wall can rotate slightly into the top of the device and gravity [28] can bring it back down until it joins back to the side buttons.

The side walls are attached to guides [29] that keep the walls in place.

Figure 21 shows another version of the square shaped security device with the 0-9 keypad [1] and the clear [14], cancel [15], enter [16] buttons all inside the cover [7] with the alert/alarm buttons [4] at either side, isolated by the sidewalls [24]. This is at an ATM point [17], and when inactive the entrance is blocked by a secure door [6].

Figure 22 shows another version of the square shaped security device on a PIN pad device [11] which is similar to figure 16, but scaled down. The cover [7] covers everything except the clear [14], cancel [15], enter [16] buttons which are to the left of the cover. These three external buttons have similar shape to the 0-9 keypad [1], with varying heights, the top surfaces slant forwards and towards the cover [7] and the have slopes [22] which make the surfaces continuous.

Figure 23 shows another version for this invention on a PIN pad device [11] similar to that in figure 20 but scaled down. The 0-9 keypad, and the clear [14], cancel [15], enter [16] buttons are all inside the cover [7].

Figure 24 shows a top view of figure 23 to clearly show the keypads layout.

The keypad alone can be used for blind or partially sighted people to better navigate over such home appliances like telephone keys, or even house alarms. Ten million people in the UK wear glasses. Many of them need separate pairs for long distance and reading. The retailers were interested in improving transaction times while increasing security Due to there being a cover over the pad in addition to the buttons formation, a pad cover would be extremely difficult to install, external hidden cameras would be useless, internal cameras would have difficulty seeing due to lack of light inside the pad cover skimming would be greatly reduced due to the need for the PIN to complete the fraud. Due to it not being necessary to look at the keypad when typing, users has use there eyes to become more aware of there surrounds, I.e. notice skimming devices, suspicious characters etc. With PIN-feel it may be possible for everyone to have the same PIN safely due to the high security of what the PIN is. The increased security will attract more people to use Chip and PIN more frequently, which will counteract the fact that people forget due to lack of frequent use. Meaningless numbers are hardest to remember, with PIN-feel people will improve there sense of touch and thus remember the sequence or pattern the number makes because it is not necessary to look at the keypad numbers when typing.

The keypad and cover may be ergonomically designed so that it is comfortable and easy to use by every or most hand dimensions and abilities and the cover is as unnoticeable and unrestricting to the hand or part of the hand as possible.

While specific embodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications will be apparent to a person skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (15)

1. A keypad device that has a cover which conceals the keypad so that the keypad cannot be viewed by a user or any external viewer such that the user must rely on the sense of touch to enter data using buttons of the keypad wherein the buttons are adapted so as to be uniquely distinguished from each other by sense of touch.

2. A keypad device according to ctaim 1, wherein the cover comprises an image indicating the location of at least one button of the keypad.

3. A keypad device as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein an entrance to the keypad formed in the cover is sized to let in only one finger of the user.

4. A keypad device as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein an entrance to the keypad formed in the cover is sized to let in no more than a few fingers of the user.

5. A keypad device as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein an entrance to the keypad formed in the cover is sized to let in no more than one whole hand of the user.

6. A keypad device as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the cover is formed so as to match the size and shape of an inserted objects circumference in order for the inside of the cover to substantially hide the inserted object from external view.

7. A keypad device as claimed in any proceeding claim that has a door which is arranged to block an entrance to the keypad when the keypad device is not being used, and to open the entrance when the keypad device is in use.

8. A keypad device as claimed in claim 7 wherein the door opens in response to a first signal, and closes in response to a second signal..

9. A keypad device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the door is adapted to automatically close after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed from when the door is opened.

10. A keypad device as claimed in any preceding claim comprising one or more alarm buttons.

11. A keypad device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the buttons are formed at different heights, levels and/or slant angles so as to be uniquely distinguished from each other.

12. A keypad device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the surfaces of the buttons are formed with raised characters, symbols, or shapes so as to be uniquely distinguished from each other.

13. A keypad device as claimed in any preceding claim where the upper surface of the buttons are formed with raised, extruded or tapered lines on pointing towards a centrally located button.

14. A keypad device as claimed in any preceding claim where the buttons will be covered with their allocated shapes and will have one of the shapes bigger than the other, or all the shapes on the button being substantially the same size.

15. A keypad device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein at least the cover can be rotated about an axis.