Data encrypted touchscreen

• US 5,970,146 A
• Filed: 03/24/1997
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wayne Fueling Systems LLC (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Dresser Industries Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: McCall, Don Charles, Biedermann, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swann, Tod R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Callahan, Paul E.
• Application Number:
  US08/822,068
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 380/24, 380/9, 380/4, 380/23, 380/7, 705/7
• US Class Current: 713/194
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/72 in cryptographic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/74 operating in dual or compartmented mode, i.e. at least one secure mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/84 output devices, e.g. displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/85 interconnection devices, e.g. bus-connected or in-line devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2211/007 Encryption, En-/decode, En-/decipher, En-/decypher, Scramble, (De-)compress
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2105 Dual mode as a secondary aspect
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2143 Clearing memory, e.g. to prevent the data from being stolen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/206 comprising security or operator identification provisions, e.g. password entry

Abstract

A secure touchscreen is provided, comprising a touchscreen and touchscreen controller for receiving inputs, a system controller, an encryption module and two external buses. The controller, system controller and encryption module are embedded in a mass of material to prevent unauthorized access of the inputs. Furthermore, the first external bus is used to operate and communicate with an external system in an encrypted mode, while the second external bus is used to operate and communicate with the external system in a normal mode.

Claims

1. A secure touchscreen system, comprising;

a touchscreen for receiving user inputs;

tamper resistant means including a system controller and an encryption module for processing the user inputs, the touchscreen being securely connected to the system controller for passing the user inputs from the touchscreen to the system controller;

a first bus connectable to the system controller for receiving the user inputs in a normal mode; and

a second bus connectable to the system controller for activating the encryption module and for receiving the user inputs in an encrypted mode.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the connection between the system controller and the touchscreen utilizes a stainless steel bus.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the first bus is also connectable to the system controller for receiving the user inputs in an encrypted mode.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the system controller includes a touchscreen controller.

4. A secure touchscreen system, comprising;

a touchscreen for receiving user inputs;

a system controller securely connected to the touchscreen so that a user input coming from the touchscreen can not be easily intercepted;

an encryption device securely connected to the system controller so that the user input can be transferred from the system controller to the encryption device without being easily intercepted; and

a bus connectable to the system controller for receiving the user inputs in either a normal mode or an encrypted mode.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the system controller and the encryption device are secured with an epoxy mass.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the system controller and the encryption device are secured with stainless steel.

7. The system of claim 4 wherein the system controller and the encryption device are secured with tamper-evident label.

8. The system of claim 4 wherein the system controller and the encryption device are secured by an erase input of the system controller that is activated whenever the system is altered.