Transaction terminal with privacy shield for touch-screen pin entry

• US 6,543,684 B1
• Filed: 03/28/2000
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: White, Daniel F., Chasko, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Caputo, Lisa M.
• Application Number:
  US09/537,034
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 235/379, 235/382, 705/76
• US Class Current: 235/379
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/83 input devices, e.g. keyboards, mice or controllers thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/205 Housing aspects of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/10 together with a coded signal , e.g. in the form of personal identification information, like personal identification number [PIN] or biometric data

Abstract

A transaction terminal includes a touch-screen display and various peripherals in electronic communication with and under the control of a processing unit. A PIN entry area is generated by the processing unit that includes a video keypad. The video keypad, in conjunction with the touch-screen, allows entry of a PIN, ID, or the like. A shield or barrier is provided adjacent at least a portion of the video keypad of the PIN entry area that aids in the prevention of eavesdropping by a third party during PIN entry. In one form, at least one shield extends over and above the video keypad for extra privacy. In another form, walls are situated adjacent sides of the video keypad. Preferably, the PIN entry area is also labeled as such on the display independent of the display region in order to indicate the only proper place for PIN entry to the user. This aids in preventing Trojan horse applications that can show a false PIN entry area on another part of the display region in order to fraudulently obtain a user'"'"'s PIN.

Claims

1. A transaction terminal comprising:

a processing unit;

a display in electronic communication with said processing unit and having a display area, said display area including a plurality of information display sections;

a touch-screen overlaying at least part of said display area and in electronic communication with said processing unit;

memory in electronic communication with said processing unit and containing a plurality of instructions, which, when executed by said processing unit causes said display to depict a PIN entry area within one of said plurality of information display sections, and allows entry of a PIN via said PIN entry area in conjunction with said touch-screen;

a privacy shield configured to inhibit viewing of said one of said plurality of information display sections; and

a legend situated on said display adjacent said one of said plurality of information display sections, said legend providing an indication of the only authentic place to enter a PIN.

2. The transaction terminal of claim 1, wherein said privacy shield comprises:

a first barrier on a first side of said PIN entry area; and

a second barrier on a second side of said PIN entry area.

3. The transaction terminal of claim 1, wherein said privacy shield is attached to and extends from a bezel of said touch-screen.

4. The transaction terminal of claim 2, wherein said second side is diametrically opposite said first side.

5. The transaction terminal of claim 1, wherein said privacy shield comprises:

a barrier having a vertical component extending from a side of said one of said plurality of information display sections and a substantially horizontal component depending from said vertical component and situated over at least a portion of said one of said plurality of information display sections.

6. The transaction terminal of claim 5, wherein said barrier is comprised of a translucent plastic.

7. The transaction terminal of claim 1, wherein said indication is a written indication.

8. The transaction terminal of claim 1, wherein said indication is a graphic indication.

9. A transaction terminal comprising:

a processing unit,

a display in electronic communication with said processing unit and having a display region, said display region including a plurality of information display sections;

a touch-screen overlaying at least a portion of said display region and in electronic communication with said processing unit;

memory in communication with said processing unit and containing a plurality of instructions, which, when executed by said processing unit causes said display to show a PIN keypad in one of said plurality of information display sections below said touch-screen and, in conjunction with said touch-screen, allows PIN entry by a user;

a barrier disposed around said touch-screen and adapted to inhibit viewing of said one of said plurality of information display sections by a third party; and

a legend disposed on said display adjacent said one of said plurality of information display sections indicating the only authorized area for PIN entry.

10. The transaction terminal of claim 9, wherein said display is an LCD.

11. The transaction terminal of claim 9, wherein said barrier comprises:

a wall adjacent a first side of said one of said plurality of information display sections.

12. The transaction terminal of claim 9, wherein said barrier comprises:

a first wall adjacent a first lateral side of said PIN keypad; and

a second wall adjacent a second lateral side of said PIN keypad.

13. The transaction terminal of claim 12, wherein said first and second walls are attached to and extend from a frame of said touch-screen.

14. The transaction terminal of claim 12, wherein said first and second walls extend at least the length of the sides of said PIN keypad.

15. The transaction terminal of claim 9, wherein said barrier comprises:

a barrier having a vertical component extending from a side of said one of said plurality of information display sections and a substantially horizontal component depending from said vertical component and situated over at least a portion of said one of said plurality of information display sections.

16. The transaction terminal of claim 15, wherein said barrier is comprised of a translucent plastic.

17. A retail terminal comprising:

a microprocessing unit;

a display in electronic communication with said microprocessing unit and having a display area, said display area including a plurality of information display sections;

a touch-screen overlaying at least a portion of said display and in electronic communication with said microprocessing unit;

memory in electronic communication with said microprocessing unit and containing a plurality of instructions, which, when executed by said microprocessing unit causes said display to show a PIN keypad within one of said plurality of information display sections, and allows entry of a PIN by a user via said PIN keypad in conjunction with said touch-screen;

a privacy shield disposed adjacent said one of said plurality of information display sections and configured to inhibit view of said PIN keypad by a third party; and

a label permanently disposed adjacent said one of said plurality of information display sections, said label indicating said PIN keypad as the only authorized area for PIN entry.

18. A transaction terminal comprising:

a processing unit;

a display in electronic communication with said processing unit and having a display area, said display area including a plurality of information display sections;

a touch-screen overlaying at least part of said display area and in electronic communication with said processing unit;

memory in electronic communication with said processing unit and containing a plurality of instructions, which, when executed by said processing unit causes said display to depict a PIN entry area within one of said plurality of information display sections, and allows entry of a PIN via said PIN entry area in conjunction with said touch-screen; and

a legend located adjacent to said one of said plurality of information display sections, said legend configured to instruct a user to enter a PIN only in said PIN entry area.

19. The transaction terminal of claim 18, wherein said legend includes a written indication which instructs said user to enter said PIN only in said PIN entry area.

20. The transaction terminal of claim 18, wherein said legend includes a graphic indication which instructs said user to enter said PIN only in said PIN entry area.

21. The transaction terminal of claim 18, wherein said legend is printed on a label which is located adjacent to said one of said plurality of information display sections.

22. The transaction terminal of claim 18, further comprising a privacy shield configured to inhibit viewing of said one of said plurality of information display sections,

wherein said privacy shield extends over at least a portion of said one of said plurality of information display sections.