DETECTION OF THE OPENING OF A DATA INPUT DEVICE

• US 20180068135A1
• Filed: 05/09/2016
• Published: 03/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Banks And Acquirers International Holding
• Original Assignee: Ingenico Group
• Inventors: Roux, Julien, Barneron, Sylvain
• Granted Patent: US 10,402,596 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/006 Bank automat; Cash register; Vending machine
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2239/032 Anti-tamper
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/16 adapted for actuation at a limit or other predetermined position in the path of a body, the relative movement of switch and body being primarily for a purpose other than the actuation of the switch, e.g. for a door switch, a limit switch, a floor-levelling switch of a lift
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0208 Interlock mechanisms; Means for avoiding unauthorised use or function, e.g. tamperproof

Abstract

A security element for a data input device. The security element has a shape suited to closing contacts via each of its two extremities respectively on two printed-circuit boards of the data input device when the data input device is in the closed position. The extremities are not electrically connected to each other.

Claims

1. A security element for a data input device, the security element comprising:

a shape adapted to closing contacts via each of two extremities respectively on two printed-circuit boards of the data input device when said data input device is in a closed position, said extremities being not electrically connected to each other.

2. The security element according to claim 1, wherein said adapted shape corresponds to a cylinder that is ridged on at least a part of a height of its external surface.

3. The security element according to claim 1, wherein the security element has a cylindrical protrusion at each extremity, said protrusions providing contacts with each of the printed-circuit boards.

4. The security element according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning fin that extends laterally on a part of its height to provide for positioning and holding of the security element in at least one housing provided on one of the two printed-circuit boards.

5. A data input device, which comprises:

first and second printed circuit boards;

at least one housing provided on one of said first or second printed-circuit boards; and

at least one security element taking a position between the first and second printed-circuit boards of said data input device in the at least one housing, the security element closing contacts via each of two extremities respectively on said first and second printed-circuit boards when said data input device is in a closed position, said extremities being not electrically connected to each other.

6. A method for detecting an intrusion in a data input device, the method comprising:

providing the data input device in a closed position, wherein the data input device comprises;

first and second printed circuit boards;

at least one housing provided on one of said first or second printed-circuit boards; and

at least one security element taking a position between the first and second printed-circuit boards of said data input device in the at least one housing, the security element closing contacts via each of two extremities respectively on said first and second printed-circuit boards when said data input device is in the closed position, said extremities being not electrically connected to each other; and

detecting intrusion when at least one contact between one of the two extremities of said security element and one of said first and second printed-circuit boards is open.