WO1996017334A1

WO1996017334A1 - Device for storing personal identification numbers

Info

Publication number: WO1996017334A1
Application number: PCT/EP1995/004625
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edison Fatehpour
Original assignee: Edison Fatehpour
Priority date: 1994-12-01
Filing date: 1995-11-23
Publication date: 1996-06-06
Also published as: DE4442755C1

Abstract

The device proposed is a purely mechanical one and consists of several number-wheels (2) mounted next to each other so that they can rotate independently, each wheel having spaces located at regular intervals round the wheel and designed to be individually numbered. The spaces can be numbered by attaching numbered plates to them, for instance.

Description

Device for storing personal identification numbers

The invention relates to a device by means of which personal identification numbers (PIN) can be stored.

In today's society, PINs have become indispensable for modern banking services. In other areas, e.g. B. in communication technology (mobile phones), the PIN is also used more and more often. The purpose of these PINs is basically to prevent misuse by unauthorized third parties.

In order to ensure optimum protection, each owner of an object which is protected by a PIN is requested to remember his PIN without notification to a third party and then to destroy the secret newsletter. Memorizing a PIN is still relatively easy for many people, but most are able to memorize all of their PINs, e.g. B. for EC, priva¬ te and business credit cards, cell phone and car radio code, hopelessly overwhelmed. This leads to the fact that some users increasingly violate the principle of not recording their PINs anywhere and that the security against misuse is thereby extremely reduced.

EP 0 382 410 A2 describes a device for the encrypted storage of PINs. It consists of several number carriers arranged immovably next to one another on a carrier. Another mechanical marking device is known from DE 92 00 109 U1, in which the tabular data carrier can be individually is writable. DE 43 03 888 C1 describes a coding / decoding card in which the two number carriers are detachably attached to the common base body in a form-fitting manner. With all of these memory devices, the user must remember a coding in order to be able to determine his PIN in a more or less cumbersome manner.

Known PIN markers are also designed as electronic devices in a form similar to small pocket calculators and indeed allow secret numbers to be encrypted, but only with battery or solar operation and the secret number being typed in. Taking these electronic devices with you is not comfortable because of their size, and they are also relatively sensitive to impact.

The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a space-saving, shock-insensitive, very safe device of the type mentioned, and this object is achieved according to the invention by the combination of the features specified in claim 1.

The object of the invention is purely mechanical and z. B. in the form of a keychain easy and space-saving. It is only necessary to impress a single, freely definable number, the so-called CODE number, with the help of which the corresponding PINs can then be read off. This CODE number can e.g. B. the birth date of the favorite actor (eg 4862 is the CODE number for the date 04.08.1962). The secret, freely definable code number can be set in a matter of seconds, and then several PINs can be easily read. Since it is a purely mechanical object, use is independent of battery energy or other energy source with optimum robustness guaranteed at all times.

The principle of the invention is based on the possibility of being able to define sequences of numbers on movable objects, so-called number carriers, the number carriers having to be adjustable relative to one another. The number of these movable number carriers determines the max. possible number of digits of the PINs. In general, 4-digit PINs are used, so that the PIN flag should also be executed with 4 number carriers. To read the PINs, the individual number carriers only have to be set so that the CODE no. appears on a row. Now the PINs are easy to read on the following rows.

The PIN flag can e.g. B. in the manner of a combination lock z. B. for bicycle locks, but with the essential difference that the numbers from 1 - 10 are noted in the usual order (0-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9) and also with the There is no mechanical unlocking of the PIN marker, only numbers are read.

The numbers are freely definable by the user on the PIN marker. If e.g. B. 12 digits can be provided for the application of numbers, a personal CODE number and max. eleven PINs are encrypted. The sequence on each individual payment medium is to be defined, starting with the personal CODE number and then the PINs in sequence, whereby the sequence on the individual number carriers must remain the same. If there are still places left (e.g. if there are twelve places on a number carrier, a CODE number and four PINs, there are seven places left), these must be filled with numbers that do not yet exist to ensure optimum security to ensure. It should be noted that the numbers are not used in order, but randomly. For security reasons, the number of digits on a number carrier should therefore also be more than ten digits, since it cannot be ruled out that the same number will occur at two or more secret numbers in the same place. In such a case, if there are only ten digits, not every number is present on a number carrier. In the cases in which the corresponding digit of the CODE number corresponds to the digit of a PIN, which should be avoided, however, it must also be noted which digit follows the corresponding digit of the CODE number. However, this is not difficult, as it will be very easy to remember the correct setting with a maximum of two options.

If the number carriers are now adjusted against each other, an unauthorized third party cannot recognize the personal combination with the PIN flag. As with the four-digit secret number, at least 10,000 combinations (0000, 0001, 0002, ..., 9998, 9999) are possible, provided that every number is present on every number carrier. With a twelve-digit number carrier, even more combinations are possible, since at least two numbers appear twice and result in different numbers when they are set. Since there is at least the same number of possibilities with the PIN marker as without a PIN marker, misuse by third parties is absolutely impossible.

Some exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing. Show it: 1 shows an exploded view of a PIN flag with ring-shaped number carriers;

2 shows an exploded view of a PIN marker with number loop-shaped number carriers;

3 shows an exploded illustration of a PIN flag with rod-shaped number carriers;

4 shows a plan view of a PIN marker with number disk-shaped ring disks;

5 shows a side view of a modification of the PIN flag according to FIG. 1;

6 shows a perspective illustration of a number chain to be applied to the PIN marker according to FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a perspective illustration of two number plates of the number chain according to FIG. 6 during different stages in their connection.

In the exemplary embodiment of a PIN flag according to FIG. 1, a rotational adjustment of the number carriers is provided. Pos. 1 is a shaft for receiving number carriers 2 and intermediate rings 4. The number carriers 2 and intermediate rings 4 are designed as rotating parts that can rotate on the shaft 1. This achieves the necessary adjustment of the combination. In the version shown, the individual numbers applied to the 12-square faces of the number carriers. Since the sequence of the numbers has to be determined by the user, it is expedient to have the numbers applied by the user himself. This can be done by writing, engraving, wrapping, scratching off scratch numbers, inserting numbers, sticking on stick numbers, etc. The 12-edge in the variant shown therefore has 12 digits, the 12-edge being chosen only for optical reasons and to simplify the application of numbers. A round part is also conceivable, on which individual fields are marked, or one without any marking. In addition to the 12-point, a knurled ring is provided on each number carrier 2, with the aid of which the twisting of the individual number carriers 2 is to be facilitated. This knurled ring, which is firmly connected to the 12-edge or can be produced in one piece with the 12-edge, is expediently larger in diameter than the outer edges of the 12-edge in order to facilitate twisting. To protect the numbers, protective rings 3 made of transparent material, e.g. B. transparent plastic rings, are applied.

The intermediate rings 4 are provided for safety and optical reasons. Since a rasterization of the number carriers makes it easier to read the PINs, the number of latching positions having to correspond to the number of digits on each number carrier, this is preferably used. Without intermediate rings, an imprint could form between one number carrier and the next number carrier in the most frequently used setting, namely the setting for reading the PINs, and could then be recognizable. Therefore, the locking position is defined from one number carrier to the next via the intermediate rings. Since the intermediate rings are not connected to the number carriers, there is none clear locking position given with your own combination.

The screening can be carried out in the form of elevations on the intermediate rings and depressions in the number carriers or similar variants. In order to achieve smooth operation, balls can also be used. These balls could be seated in holes in the intermediate rings, the thickness of the intermediate rings being somewhat less than the diameter of the balls. Wells should then be present in the number carriers into which the balls snap. In all variants with rastering, the use of one or more resilient elements is necessary so that the necessary relative movement between the elements to be latched can take place. These resilient elements can be disc springs, spring washers for screw locks, as shown in the drawing at 5, coil springs, elastomer springs, resilient plastic parts, an elastic receiving shaft, elastic number carriers, elastic intermediate rings, protruding elastic protective rings or other resilient elements. All elements are then applied to the common shaft 1 and then connected to a terminating part 6 to form a unit which can be screwed onto a threaded end of the shaft 1 provided with a head at the other end and with a hole in the exemplary embodiment is provided with a key ring for connection. Letters distributed over the circumference can be applied to the head of the shaft 1, which can also be designed as a 12-edge, the order of which (eg A for car, T for telephone, etc.) corresponds to the order of the PINs and their assignment easier.

Of course, other variants are also conceivable for the PIN flag. Fig. 2 shows z. B. number carriers in the form of self-contained, endless bands 7, which are applied to a rounded, prismatic carrier body 8 and then shifted all the way around and thereby adjusted or adjusted.

According to FIG. 3, a variant with a translatory displacement of rod-shaped number carrier 9 is also conceivable, for example: B. in a similar form to a slide rule. Since in this variant, in contrast to the other variants, there is a beginning and an end for each number carrier 9, for security reasons the number sequences should appear on each number carrier 9 several times and with a different beginning.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, annular disk-shaped, rotatable number carriers 10 are not arranged axially next to one another, as in the embodiment according to FIG. 1, but rather are arranged concentrically.

5 represents a modification of the embodiment according to FIG. 1. In this case too, four annular number carriers 12 with a polygonal cross section are rotatably mounted on a shaft 11, but the shaft 11 is not integral with a head formed, but pressed non-releasably into a bore in a head part 13. Between two number carriers 12, an intermediate ring 14 is again rotatably arranged on the shaft 11, and there is also such an intermediate ring 14 and again a spring between the last number carrier 12 shown on the right in FIG. 5 and a closing part 16 15, this time in the form of a coil spring. 1, the end part 16 is also permanently pressed onto the shaft 11 with a bore, whereby a Part of the coil spring 15 is received in an enlarged outer region of the bore in the end part 16. The shaft 11, the head part 13, the end part 16 and the intermediate rings 14 are made of steel in the example, the number carrier 12, however, made of plastic.

In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the twelve-sided number carriers in the example are each provided on their axial side with twelve cone-shaped projections evenly distributed over the circumference, with which they engage in twelve matching holes in the intermediate rings 14 . As a result, a number carrier 12 is rotatably connected to an intermediate ring 14. On the axial side opposite the projections, the number carriers 12 are each provided with three blind holes distributed uniformly over the circumference, which lie on the same radius as the projections and the depth of which is dimensioned such that they do not completely accommodate matching balls 17 in diameter, so that a part of each ball 17 protrudes beyond the left end face of the number carrier 12 with reference to FIG. 5 and into which bores of the adjacent intermediate ring 14 receiving the pin-shaped projections of the adjacent number carrier can snap.

5 does not need to be removable, in contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, because of the application of the numbers to the number carrier 12 described below with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, so that there is also no risk of There is loss of individual parts. The numbers are not "written" directly on the number carriers 12, but rather number plates 18 are placed on their number fields, which are connected to one another to form a self-contained chain, each spanning a number carrier 12. There is a number tiles 18 on one of the twelve digit fields in the example.

The number plates 18 are made of plastic and are provided with permanent numbers or embossed numbers during their manufacture. The buyer of a PIN flag receives e.g. B., coherently injected, twelve plates each with the same numerical imprint, ie twelve plates with a "0", twelve plates with a "1", etc. Because the number plates are only connected to one another via predetermined breaking points, the user can Break off any number plates and combine them into a chain with twelve number plates as shown in FIG. 6.

The shape of the individual number plates is best shown in FIG. 7. They each have a number on their top. From its one lower edge, on which a molded-on film hinge 19 is located, projects a flat tongue 20, which is shaped with two upwardly projecting, cone-shaped projections 21. At the other end, the undersurface of the number plate 18 is provided with a cutout 22 corresponding to the size of the tongue 20, from which two blind holes 23 indicated by dashed lines extend even further into the interior of the number plate. The arrangement is such that the peg-shaped projections 21 of a number plate 18 can be pressed into the bores 23 of another number plate 18, the tongue 20 fitting snugly into the recess 22, as can be seen in the bottom illustration in FIG. 7. The projections 21 are very firmly or slightly engaged in the correspondingly fitted or slightly undercut holes 23. Because the chain of number plates 18 forms a ring, in the case of parallelepiped-shaped plates relatively large intermediate gaps would result on the outside. In order to obtain an externally essentially closed ring, a longitudinal web 24 is formed on the number plate 18 at the end opposite the tongue 20 on the upper edge, which, according to FIG. 7, bottom illustration, bears against the upper edge of the adjacent number plate 18. This results in an angular position corresponding to the length of the web 24 between the two number plates, and accordingly the tongue 20 in the film hinge 19 forms a kink with the remaining part of the associated number plate, which corresponds to the angle between adjacent number fields of the number carriers 12.

5 and 6, the user puts together four number chains from number plates 18, the number sequence in each chain corresponding to the desired sequence of PINs. The chains are then placed around the respectively assigned number carriers 12 and, as can be seen from FIG. 6, closed. Because of the polygonal cross-section of the number carriers 12 that matches the dimensions of the chain links, the chains cannot slip in the circumferential direction. Their axial position on the number carriers 12 is secured by the intermediate rings 14 and in one case by the head part 13, the diameter of the intermediate rings 14 acting in this embodiment at the same time as the knurled edge of the number carriers 12 non-rotatably connected to them being so large that that they protrude a little radially beyond the outer surfaces of the number plates 18. If PINs change or new ones are added, it is not difficult to open the number chains, to replace individual or all number plates 18 of a chain and to change them in new ways. again to place and close the assigned number carrier. The protective rings 3 according to FIG. 1 are not required in the embodiment according to FIGS. 5 to 7. The inscription there on the head part 13 with letters A to L is expediently attached from the outset, just like on the number plates, and is permanent in nature.

The materials used in other versions of the PIN marker can be metallic or other suitable materials such as minerals, wood or plastics.

Claims

claims

1. Device for storing personal identification numbers, characterized in that it consists of a plurality of individually moveable number carriers (2, 7, 9, 10, 12), each of which has the same division with individually labeled Zif¬ far fields are provided.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by an annular number carrier rotatable about a common axis (2, 12).

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the annular number carriers (2, 12) are arranged axially next to each other and the number fields are on their U flat surface.

4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that the annular number carriers (2, 12) in cross section form a regular polygon with at least ten number fields.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that a radially projecting knurled edge (14) is attached to the ring-shaped number carriers (2, 12) axially next to the number fields.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that adjacent annular number carriers (2, 12) can be connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a certain torque by releasable, form-fitting or frictional engagement.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the annular number carriers (2, 12) are rotatably connected by fitting projections or balls (17) and depressions, which are releasably engaged by spring means (5, 15) are held.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that axially between adjacent ring-shaped number carriers (2, 12) an intermediate ring (4, 14) is arranged, which with at least one number carrier (2, 12) is limitedly non-rotatably connectable by releasable positive or frictional engagement.

9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that the intermediate ring (14) with a number carrier (12) is permanently connected in a rotationally fixed manner and is provided with bores into which balls (17) mounted in the other adjacent number carrier (12) can be latched.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the annular number carrier (2, 12) and the intermediate rings (4, 14) on a common shaft (1, 11) between axial stops (6, 13, 16) are rotatably mounted.

11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that an additional rotatable ring-shaped body or a stop (13) on the shaft (1, 11) is labeled on the circumference or provided with fields for individual labeling.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the number carriers are endless belts (7) which in sit displaceably in its longitudinal direction on a supporting body (8).

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the number carriers are linearly guided slide (9) with numerical fields of the same longitudinal division on at least one side.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the number carriers are concentrically superimposed on one another disks (10) with numeric fields of the same angle on at least one axial end face.

15. The device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that number plates (18), which are each provided on the outside with a number, can be attached to the number fields.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the number plates (18) via connection means (21, 23) formed on them can be connected in a chain-like manner and the chain can be closed in contact on the circumference of an annular number carrier (2, 12).

17. The apparatus of claim 15 or 16, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that for the flat contact of the number plates (18) on the number fields of a cross-section polygonal number carrier (2, 12), the number plates (18) each with a film hinge (19) are provided, which is in the assembled state on one of the corners of the number carrier (2, 12).

18. The apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the number plates (18) are formed on one side with a projecting from its lower edge, flat tongue (20) which carries pin-shaped connecting means (21) on its top , which can be inserted into matching holes (23) in the underside of another number plate (18).

19. Device according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the cuboid number plates (18) are formed on a top edge facing the adjacent number plate (18) in the chain with a projecting web (24).