ENCRYPTING PIN PAD

• US 20140351959A1
• Filed: 05/21/2013
• Published: 11/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NCR Atleos Corp.
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: McNicoll, Grant A.
• Granted Patent: US 9,430,675 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/74 operating in dual or compartmented mode, i.e. at least one secure mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/2055 Anti-skimming aspects at ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1033 Details of the PIN pad
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/704 characterised by the layers, e.g. by their material or structure H01H13/703 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2209/052 elastomeric
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/006 Bank automat; Cash register; Vending machine
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/002 Conductive track to monitor integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/032 Anti-tamper
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/20 Information technology specific aspects, e.g. CAD, simulation, modelling, system security

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for protecting an Encrypting PIN Pad (EPP) against tampering. The apparatus provides an EPP comprising a first layer comprising at least two spaced apart electrode elements, and a second layer comprising at least one bridge element for electrically bridging a space between the at least two electrode elements when the first layer and the second layer are urged together.

Claims

1. An Encrypting PIN Pad (EPP) comprising:

a first layer comprising at least two spaced apart electrode elements; and

a second layer comprising at least one bridge element for electrically bridging a space between the at least two electrode elements when the first layer and the second layer are urged together.

2. The EPP as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second layer comprises a composite layer, comprising electrically conductive particles combined with an elastomeric binder, to provide the at least one bridge element.

3. The EPP as claimed in claim 2, wherein the composite layer comprises Quantum Tunnelling Composite (QTC™

) material.

4. The EPP as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second layer further comprises a rubber layer for supporting the composite layer.

5. The EPP as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two spaced apart electrode elements comprise a first electrode surrounding a second electrode.

6. The EPP as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises a plurality of electrical tracks printed on a flexible support, wherein a first and further track of the plurality of tracks each comprising a respective one of the two electrode elements.

7. The EPP as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one actuator member for urging the first layer and the second layer together.

8. The EPP as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

a keyboard body for supporting a plurality of keys, wherein the at least one actuator member extends inwardly from the keyboard body towards the first layer.

9. The EPP as claimed in claim 7, further comprising an intermediate layer located between the at least one actuator member and the first layer.

10. The EPP as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

a controller for detecting unauthorised separation of the first layer and the second layer.

11. The EPP as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second layers are urged together when the first layer is urged towards the second layer, or the second layer is urged towards the first layer, or the first layer and the second layer are both urged towards each other.

12. A Self-Service Terminal (SST) comprising an EPP as claimed in claim 1.

13. A method of detecting tampering at an Encrypting PIN Pad (EPP), comprising the steps of:

in a normal mode of operation, providing an electrically conductive bridge via a layer in an EPP between at least two spaced apart electrode elements on a further layer of the EPP; and

in a tamper mode of operation, removing the bridge between the electrode elements.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising:

monitoring an electrical resistance across the at least two spaced apart electrodes.

15. An Encrypting PIN Pad (EPP) comprising:

a housing defining (i) a plurality of key apertures and (ii) a plurality of pins extending from a lower surface;

a plurality of keys, each key being located within a respective one of the plurality of key apertures;

a support plate mounted to the lower surface of the housing and defining (i) a plurality of key apertures, each key aperture being disposed in registration with a respective one of the plurality of keys and (ii) a plurality of pin apertures, each aperture being disposed in registration with a respective one of the plurality of pins;

an elastomeric mat mounted to the support plate;

a multi-layer keyboard printed circuit board comprising a plurality of key domes, each key dome being disposed in registration with a respective key, and a plurality of separation switches, each separation switch being disposed in registration with a respective one of the plurality of pins;

a backplate mounted on the multi-layer keyboard printed circuit board and secured to the housing;

a cryptographic printed circuit board coupled to the keyboard printed circuit board via an elongate connector; and

a cover mounted on the cryptographic printed circuit board and secured to the housing to maintain the keys, the support plate, the elastomeric mat, the keyboard printed circuit board, the backplate, and the cryptographic printed circuit board in position as an integrated unit.