WO2001088862A1

WO2001088862A1 - Funds transaction terminal

Info

Publication number: WO2001088862A1
Application number: PCT/AU2001/000248
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrew R. Jamieson
Original assignee: Mcom Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2000-05-17
Filing date: 2001-03-08
Publication date: 2001-11-22
Also published as: AUPQ756100A0

Abstract

A funds transaction terminal is disclosed which includes casing parts (12 and 14) which are secured together by releasable connection means. The transaction device includes a card reader (110) and input keys (96) for inputting information. A wireless communication section (82, 84 and 90) is provided for transmission and receipt of data to and from the terminal. A sealed section (58) is arranged within the casing (12) and is closed by a plate (54). The plate (54) includes a connector (27) which couples the components in the casing (12) with other components of the terminal. The sealed section houses security processing devices and software and prevents access to those components when the first and second casing parts are separated.

Description

FUNDS TRANSACTION TERMINAL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a funds transaction terminal, and in particular to a hand held eftpos funds transfer terminal which communicates with a remote financial institution by wireless communication, the invention also relates to such terminals which communicate by way of hardwire such as the PSTN telephone network rather than by over the air communication.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Funds transfer terminals are known and generally comprise a card reader for reading information from a credit card or debit card held by a purchaser, and a keypad for inputting information relating to a transaction such as the cost of the transaction. The terminal also usually includes data relating to the merchant so that data read from the card and input into the keypad together with the merchant data can be transmitted to a financial institution so that payment for goods or services can be made such as by immediate transfer of funds from the purchaser's bank account to the merchant's bank account or by way of a credit transaction. Such terminals generally include security processing components which include sensitive data which needs to be maintained secure as well as other processing components such as printers, transmitters and the like which do not have the same security requirements. Generally, when it is necessary to maintain or repair such a terminal, the casing of the terminal is opened by a repair man and access is immediately provided to all circuitry within the terminal. This can represent a security risk because it may enable tampering with security sensitive componentary and the extraction of data from the componentary. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention is to overcome the above problem.

The invention, in the first aspect, may be said to reside in a funds transaction terminal including; reader means for reading a user card to obtain data from the card; input means for manual input of data into the terminal; communication means for transmitting data to a remote facility; a casing for housing the reader means, the input means and the communication means, the casing having a first casing part and a second casing part; releasable connection means for releasably securing the first casing part to the second casing part; a security processing section and a non-secure processing section for processing data received by the reader means, input means and for supplying data to the communication means for transmitting the data; a sealed section within the first or second casing part for containing the security processing section so that the security processing section is not accessible when the first and second casing parts are separated from one another; and the non-secure processing section being located in the first or second casing part and assessable when the first and second casing parts are, separated from one another so that access can be obtained to the non-secure processing part upon separation of the first and second casing parts.

Since the security section is sealed within the sealed section and is therefore not assessable when the casing parts are separated, repair or maintenance can be performed on non-secure processing parts which are the components generally requiring repair or maintenance without access being provided to the secure processing section. Thus, the likelihood of tampering or obtaining data from the security processing section is greatly reduced.

Preferably the security processing section includes a security processor for performing banking encryption of data, and memory for storing security data. The security data may include PIN numbers, security keys and like information for ensuring secure use of the terminal by both a user and a merchant and secure processing of data relating to the merchant, and the user for supply to the communication means for transmission.

The communication means may include an over the air transmitter for wireless transmission of data.

The communication means may comprise a connection for coupling to a fixed telephone line for transmission of data over the telephone line.

Preferably the non-secure processing section includes the communication means, a printer and a printer controller.

Preferably the communication means includes an over the air transmitter including a modem.

The modem may be a global satellite modem for processing information for over the air transmission by way of the global satellite network.

Preferably the input means includes a keypad having keys for the input of data.

Preferably the reader means is a card reader for reading a magnetic strip on a card. Preferably the non-secure processing section is contained within the other of the first or second casing part which does not include the sealed section.

Preferably the sealed section is defined by the first casing part and a partition coupled to the first casing part .

Preferably the partition includes a transverse wall formed integral with the first casing part and a closure plate coupled to the first casing part by secure fasteners.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT. A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;

Figure 1 is a side view of a terminal embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of a bottom casing part of the terminal of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view along the line 3-3 of Figure 2 which forms a plan view of the casing part shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view through an upper casing part of the embodiment of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a plan view along the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is an underneath view of the top casing part shown in Figure 4 along the line 6-6 of Figure 4; and

Figure 7 is a block circuit diagram of the embodiment of Figure 1.

With reference to Figure 1 a side of view of a funds transaction terminal is shown. The terminal 10 is preferably hand held and communicates with a host central financial facility by way of wireless communication. However, fixed land line communication via the fixed PSTN telephone network may also be utilised. The terminal 10 has a first casing part 12 which forms an upper casing part and a second casing part 14 which forms a bottom casing part. The casing parts 12 and 14 are secured together by screws schematically shown by reference 18 which pass through bosses or openings formed in the casing parts to releasably connect the casing parts 12 and 14 together. The screws can be released by any conventional tool . such as a screw driver or the like so that the parts 12 and 14 can be readily separated to gain access to the interior of the terminal 10.

Figures 2 and 3 show the bottom casing part 14 separated from the top casing part 12. The bottom casing part 14 is generally a rectangular in configuration as best shown in Figure 3 and of dish shaped contour defining a cavity 22. The cavity 22 includes a printed circuit board 24 on which non-security processing componentary is mounted so that access can be gained to that componentary upon separation of the casing parts 12 and 14. The circuit board 24 includes a connector 26 for connection to the upper casing part 12 as will be described in more detail hereinafter. The casing part 14 also includes a printer section 28 for the printing of receipts relating to the financial transaction conducted by the terminal 10.

The printed circuit board 24 will normally include a printer controller 30 for controlling the printer 28, a GMS modem 32 for processing data for over the air transmission via the global satellite system to a host facility such as a bank or other financial institution. Alternatively, the GSM modem 32 can be replaced by another communication device or modem for transmission of data via a different over the air network or for transmission of data via the fixed telephone network over the PSTN telephone system. The circuit board 24 also includes external serial connectors 34 and 36 for providing additional connections into the terminal 10. The board 24 also includes a power supply circuitry 38 for supplying power to the terminal 10, a battery charger 40 which is connected to a battery 44. The battery 44 is not mounted on the board 24 but is contained within the casing part 14. An external power source connector 46 is also connected to the power control circuitry 38 for enabling external power such as mains power or external battery power to supply to the terminal 10 should that be necessary or desired.

Parts of the terminal 10 which are most likely to require repair and which require routine maintenance include the printer 28 and the modem or transmitter 32 together with the battery 44 and battery charger 40. Since the components are readily accessible upon separation of the casing parts 12 and 14, the necessary repair or maintenance can be readily attended to simply by separating the casing parts 12 and 14.

Figures 4 to 6 show the upper casing part 12. The casing part 12 includes a cover portion 49 which overlies the printer 28 when the casing parts 12 and 14 are connected together. The portion 49 can generally house a roll of paper which is to be printed by the printer 28 and the printed paper can pass through an opening 50 at the end of the portion 49 to enable a receipt to be provided to a user. A slot 51 for receiving a card is provided in the upper casing part 12 so that the card can be passed through the slot to enable data on the card to be read by a card reader. A transverse wall 52 is formed in the casing part 12 and extends from one side of the casing part 12 to the other. A plate 54 is coupled to the casing part 12 by secure fasteners 56 so that the casing part 12, the wall 52 and plate 54 define a sealed section 58. The security fasteners 56 are generally in the nature of fasteners which cannot be readily removed without use of a special tool so that the plate 54 cannot be readily released from the casing part 12. The sealed section 58 contains security processing circuitry which includes sensitive data or sensitive processing equipment relating to the financial institution with which the device is intended to communicate, the merchant who uses the device and also from time to time, information relating to a user who is using the device to complete a transaction with the merchant.

The plate 54 includes a connector 27 which couples with the connector 26 of the casing part 14 when the casing parts 12 and 14 are connected together so that communication can take place between the security processing section contained within the sealed section 58 and the non-secure processing section contained within the casing part 14.

The security processing section arranged within the sealed section 58 includes a button printed circuit board 60, pin pad printed circuit board 62 and a terminal printed circuit board 64 which is formed by or mounted on the plate 54. The section 58 also includes a display 66.

As shown in Figure 7, the circuit board 64 includes a processor 70 which communicates with an analogue to digital converter 72 a read time clock 74 memory 76 and 78 battery memory 80, serial communication controllers 82 and 84 and full size smart card 90 for facilitating over the air transmission of data. A small sized smart card 31 may also be located in the casing part 12 if desired.

The circuit board 60 and 62 include processor 94 which couples to key pad 96 together with memory 98 and 100, and a digital signal processor 102 for fast encryption of data. The boards 60 and 62 also include card reader circuitry 110 which reads to user card swiped through slot 51. The processor 70 and 94 are connected together by a serial connection 106.

The processing of data within the terminal device according to the embodiment of the invention is conventional and therefore the full operation and interaction of the componentary shown in Figure 7 need not be described. The componentary is shown in order to illustrate that which is included within the sealed section 58 and which is regarded as security processing circuitry, and that which is non- secure processing componentary which may be included in the casing part 14 or outside the sealed section 58.

The circuit boards 60 and 62 may be formed in accordance with the disclosure in our concurrently filed provisional application entitled Circuit Board Arrangement and Funds Transaction Device, the contents of which is incorporated into this specification by this reference.

Since modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention may readily be effected by persons skilled within the art, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described by way of example hereinabove.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A funds transaction terminal including; reader means for reading a user card to obtain data from the card; input means for manual input of data into the terminal; communication means for transmitting data to a remote facility; a casing for housing the reader means, the input means and the communication means, the casing having a first casing part and a second casing part; releasable connection means for releasably securing the first casing part to the second casing part; a security processing section and a non-secure processing section for processing data received by the reader means, input means and for supplying data to the communication means for transmitting the data; a sealed section within the first or second casing part for containing the security processing section so that the security processing section is not accessible when the first and second casing parts are separated from one another; and the non-secure processing section being located in the first or second casing part and assessable when the first and second casing parts are separated from one another so that access can be obtained to the non-secure processing part upon separation of the first and second casing parts.

2. The terminal of claim 1 wherein the security processing section includes a security processor for performing banking encryption of data, and memory for storing security data. The security data may include PIN numbers, security keys and like information for ensuring secure use of the terminal by both a user and a merchant and secure processing of data relating to the merchant, and the user for supply to the communication means for transmission.

3. The terminal of claim 1 or 2 wherein the communication means includes an over the air transmitter for wireless transmission of data.

4. The terminal of claim 1 wherein the non-secure processing section includes the communication means, a printer and a printer controller.

5. The terminal of claim 1 wherein the communication means includes an over the air transmitter including a modem.

6. The terminal of claim 5 wherein the modem is a global satellite modem for processing information for over the air transmission by way of the global satellite network. „

7. The terminal of claim 1 wherein the input means includes a keypad having keys for the input of data.

8. The terminal of claim 1 wherein the reader means is a card reader for reading a magnetic strip on a card.

9. The terminal of claim 1 wherein the non-secure processing section is contained within the other of the first or second casing part which does not include the sealed section.

10. The terminal of claim 1 wherein the sealed section is defined by the first casing part and a partition coupled to the first casing part.

11. The terminal of claim 1 wherein the partition includes a transverse wall formed integral with the first casing part and a closure plate coupled to the first casing part by secure fasteners.

Dated this 7th day of March 2001

MCOM SOLUTIONS INC

By their Patent Attorneys

GRIFFITH HACK Fellows Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys of Australia