DE29613938U1 - Code entry system for credit card payment systems and ATMs - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION Code entry system for credit card payment systems

and ATMs 10

The present invention relates to a PIN input system for check card payment systems and cash machines, in which a person manually enters a PIN code. Usually, the personal PIN code is compared in conjunction with another security system, e.g. using another PIN code stored on a magnetic card, with another PIN code stored in the verification system of the cash machine or payment system. If the verification is positive, the desired payment transaction is released; if the verification is negative, the transaction remains blocked.

This code entry system is generally known.

The high level of security of this code entry system against unauthorized access is due to the coding in two separate ways. Firstly, a secret number is stored in a data carrier, e.g. a magnetic card. The secret number can consist of a large number of characters, and additional control characters can be arranged within the secret number. Secondly, a personal secret number (PiN code) is announced to the authorized person, but no other people are informed. The personal secret number may only consist of a few characters, usually in the form of a short series of numbers, since the person entering the code only has a limited memory.

Code entry system / P. Menne

financial assets can be expected.

The security of the PIN stored on the data storage device is guaranteed as long as the data storage device does not fall into unauthorized hands. In addition to theft, there is also the risk of unauthorized copying using data storage device copying systems. If the PIN stored on the data storage device is decrypted by unauthorized third parties, the only protection left for the person concerned is the personal PIN.

The security of the personal identification number, in turn, depends on a PIN code entry that is protected from view. With check card payment systems and ATMs, the entry is usually made using a keypad with a fixed key assignment. To protect against optical recognition of the PIN code when it is entered, a certain security area should be kept free for the person entering the code, within which no other person should be present.

However, this provision is often not possible in normal business transactions. The risk of detection increases significantly, which leads to a feeling of insecurity in the person entering the PIN code and to a fear for their personal bank account, even if this is often unfounded.

It is therefore the object of the invention to improve the code system in such a way that the entry of the personal secret number is protected much more securely against spying by third parties.

The invention solves this problem by selecting the input characters required for entering the PIN code from an operating field, e.g. a 10-key keyboard, in such a way that the input characters can be arranged in a variable order in the operating field, with the current order being visible only to the person entering the code.

Code entry system / P. Menne

This means that no association can be made between the observed local keystrokes of the person entering the code and the corresponding code number; the PIN code cannot be recognized by third parties.

The order in which the input characters are arranged in the control field can be changed using a mathematical calculation scheme. In addition, a random number generator can be integrated into the calculation scheme, which influences the order of the input characters.

The order of the input characters in the control field can also be determined directly by a random number generator.

The current key assignment can be displayed using, for example, changeable illuminated symbol elements that consist of a series of illuminated elements, e.g. LED elements. 7-segment LED elements are particularly suitable. It is also possible to use LCD (liquid crystal display) elements, whereby the background of the LCD elements can be illuminated for better visibility.

The display of the key assignment can be protected from view by a special arrangement of the display elements. The viewing angle of a keypad that is essentially aligned horizontally is greatly restricted if the distance to the keypad is large. It is practically impossible for third parties to recognize the display elements if the display elements are arranged in recesses on the key surface. The display elements can then only be recognized by the person entering the code at a very steep viewing angle, while other observers, even those in the immediate vicinity of the person entering the code, have practically no view of the display elements.

The display elements can be arranged next to, above or below the input keys. The arrangement of the display elements is particularly convenient.

Code entry systems / P. Menne

elements within the keys, whereby each key has a key surface made of a translucent material and the side surfaces of the key are protected from view, whereby either the material covering the side surfaces of the key in which the key is embedded consists of an opaque material and largely covers the side surfaces of the key, or the side surfaces of the key themselves consist of an opaque material or are coated with an opaque material, e.g. a layer of tarnish. For sufficient visual protection, the distance between the display element and the key surface should be approximately 10 mm.

The PIN code can also be entered using a buttonless control panel that is designed as a display. The input characters are shown on the display. The PiN code is entered by touching the display at the point where the input character corresponding to the code character is shown.

Another way of entering the code is to create a control panel using a computer, whereby the display elements are created using software and displayed on a computer screen. Here too, the PIN code is conveniently entered by touching the computer screen at the point where the display element corresponding to the code symbol is displayed.

In order to achieve an optimal arrangement of the display elements that is protected from view, a separate operating surface, e.g. a pane of glass, can be arranged at a certain distance from the display elements in relation to the display or computer screen. In order to only allow the display elements to be recognized from a steep viewing angle, a grid-shaped mask made of an opaque material can be arranged between the display elements and the operating surface. With the help of the grid-shaped mask, a separate

Code entry system / P. Menne

shaft-shaped display space, the base of which is formed by the display element and the cover surface by part of the operating surface and the side surfaces are closed off by the grid-shaped mask. Depending on the size of the display elements, in many cases a distance of just 10 mm between the display element and the operating surface will provide optimal protection.

Usually, at the beginning of the payment or withdrawal process, a magnetic card with a PIN stored on it is inserted into the ATM or payment system. This process can be used as a start condition. After the magnetic card has been recognized, the order of the input characters in the control panel can be redefined and shown on the display elements so that the PIN code can be entered directly.

After entering the PIN code, it is advantageous if the display elements that show the input characters in the control field are switched off briefly and the input characters in the control field are arranged in a standard layout that is then shown again by the display elements. The commands for payment or withdrawal instructions can then be carried out using the usual standard layout.

In this way, the current order of the input characters in the control field is only retained for the duration of the PIN code entry. If only the magnetic card is inserted and removed without entering the PIN code, the order of the input characters in the control field changes when a magnetic card is inserted again. If the PIN code is entered incorrectly, the order of the input characters is retained when the magnetic card is inserted, so that any confusion that may occur due to the unusual order of the input characters when entering the code for the second time is avoided.

Code entry systems / P. Menne

Once the payment or withdrawal process is completed, e.g. by removing the magnetic card, the display elements should be switched off.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments.

Show it

Figure 1 shows a control panel for PIN code input with an arrangement of the input characters generated according to this invention with the aid of a random generator;
Figure 2 shows a control panel with an arrangement of the input characters in the form

a standard occupancy;

Figure 3 an alternative to Figure 1 with input characters in the form of book

staben;

Fig. 4a, possible embodiments of keys with a display element arranged within the key 4b, 4c;

Figure 5 a control panel for PIN code entry in the form of a display with a separate user interface;

Figure 6 a control panel for entering the PIN code in the form of a computer screen with a separate user interface;

Figure 7 shows a privacy screen in the form of a grid-shaped mask, which creates a shaft-shaped space for each display element of Figures 5 or 6.

Unless otherwise stated below, the following description always applies to all figures.

The figures show a code entry system for check card payment systems and ATMs, in which a personal PIN is entered via a control panel 1 using input characters 2.

Code entry system / P. Menne

It is now important that the arrangement of the input characters 2 in the control field 1 is variable and is redefined before each PIN code entry.

Figures 1 to 3 show a control panel 1, Y ₁ 1" in plan view with input characters 2, 2', 2", the display elements of which are arranged within the input characters 2, 2', 2". The display elements in Figures 1 and 2 are designed as LCD elements, while in Figure 3 the display elements can be created using a computer screen.

Figure 1 shows an arrangement of the input characters 2 generated using a random number generator. Numbers from "0" to "9" are selected as input characters 2.

Figure 2 shows the arrangement of the input characters 2' in the form of a standard layout. It is advisable to switch directly to a standard layout after entering the PIN code, as this makes it easier to enter the other commands for payment transactions.

Figure 3 differs from Figure 1 in that the input characters 2" consist of letters. In the variant shown, the letters A to Q are displayed.

Figures 4a, b and c show sectional views of different types of buttons with a display element arranged inside the button. In Figure 4a, the button 3 consists of a translucent button surface 8, opaque button side surfaces 9, a display element 4 arranged inside the button at a distance 10 from the button surface 8 with an associated base 5 and a power supply 6, as well as a contact mechanism 7 which, when the button 3 is pressed, transmits a signal to the verification system of the ATM or the payment system. The button 3 is surrounded by a button border 11 which positions and guides the button 3 in the control panel 1.

Code entry system / P. Menne

I Λ ·

The display element 4 arranged at a distance 10 from the key surface 8 can only be recognized within a narrow viewing angle, since the key side surfaces 9 are made of an opaque material. With a sufficiently large distance 10, adequate visual protection is guaranteed, so that the display elements 4 are essentially only visible to the person entering the PIN code. Depending on the size of the display element 4, a distance of 10 mm should be sufficient in most cases.

In contrast, Figure 4b shows a key 3' whose key surface 8 and key side surfaces 9' are made of a translucent material. This has the advantage that the key outer shell, consisting of key surface 8 and key side surfaces 9', can be manufactured as one part and in one operation. In this case, the privacy screen is achieved by coating the key side surfaces 9' with an opaque material 12.

In Figure 4c, in contrast to Figure 4b, a key 3" is shown which also has a key surface 8 and key side surfaces 9' made of a translucent material, but which does not have a coating 12 on the key side surfaces 9", but rather ensures that the display element 4 is protected from view by providing a sufficiently large overlap 10" between the key side surfaces 9" and the key border 11, with the key border 11 being made of an opaque material.

Figures 5 and 6 show sectional views of buttonless control panels. In Figure 5, the PIN code is entered via a display control panel 13, in which a display 14 with display elements 15 and a power supply 16 is arranged at a distance from the translucent control surface 17, which is embedded in an outer control panel border 19, where each display element 15 is arranged so as to be hidden from view within a shaft-shaped space, the upper cover surface of which is covered by a portion of the control surface 17 that corresponds to the area of an input character 2.

Code entry system / P. Menne

and whose lower cover surface is formed by the display element 15, wherein the side surfaces 18 of the shaft-shaped space consist of an opaque material.

In this way, an effective visual barrier is created that allows the person entering the PIN code to look at the display elements unhindered, but prevents other people in the immediate or wider area from seeing.

Figure 6 shows a control panel with a computer screen 20. The display elements 22 generated by the computer screen 21 can be seen on a translucent control surface 17'. Each display element 22 is arranged in a way that is protected from view within a shaft-shaped space that is formed from a part of the control surface 17', a part of the computer screen 21 on which the display element 22 is shown, and from side surfaces 18' that consist of an opaque material. The control surface 17' is embedded in a control panel outer border 19'.

Since the display elements 22 in Figure 6 are displayed using a computer screen 21, there are a wide range of design options for the display elements 22. On the one hand, numbers and letters can be displayed in very good display quality, and on the other hand, color changes are possible, so that, for example, the display elements 22 can be displayed in a different color during the PLN code entry than after the PIN code entry, when the commands for the payment or withdrawal process are entered via the user interface 17'.

In Figures 5 and 6, the combination of old side surfaces 18 and 18' to form a one-piece grid-shaped mask 23 shown in plan view in Figure 7 is particularly advantageous.

Code entry system / P. Menne

The selection of a specific input character 2 of the control fields 1 of Figures 5 and 6 is activated by touching the user interface 17 or 17' at the point where the input character 2 is displayed by a display element 15 or 22. The recognition mechanism here is not shown and is not the subject of the invention. It can be an optical recognition method, such as light barriers or brightness sensors, a recognition method with pressure sensors or a touch recognition method based on the "touch screen" principle.

10 Code entry system / P. Menne

^f1 *

REFERENCE SIGN LAYOUT

1, 1', 1" control panel

2, 2', 2" Input character 3,3', 3" Enter key

4 Display element

5 feet of the display element

6 Power supply

7 Contact mechanism with return spring 8 Key surface

9, 9', 9" key side surfaces

10, 10' Distance between display element and key surface 10" Coverage of key side surfaces and key border 11 Key border

12 Coating of the key side surfaces

13 Control panel with display

14 Display elements

15 Display base

16 Power supply 17, 17' User interface

18, 18' Side surfaces of the shaft-shaped space between display elements

ment and user interface

19, 19' Control panel outer border

20 Control panel with computer screen

21 Computer screen

22 Computer Screen Display Elements

23 grid-shaped mask

11 Code entry system / P. Menne

Claims (20)

&psgr; rl ·» j» .« ♦» ^PATEWtCLAIMS 1. Code entry system for the personal identification number (PIN code) for cheque card payment systems and cash machines, in which a code consisting of a character sequence that can contain numbers and letters is entered by manually selecting individual input characters (2) is entered from a control field (1) which contains all input characters (2) possible for the code input, characterized in that
the order of the input characters (2) arranged in the control field (1) can be changed and the current order of the input characters (2) arranged in the control field (1) is essentially only recognizable to the person entering the code. 2. Code input system according to claim 1,
characterized in that the change in the order of the input characters (2) in the control field (1) is generated by means of a mathematical calculation scheme that includes a random number generator. 3. Code input system according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the input characters (2) in the control field (1) consist of the numbers 0, 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. 4. Code input system according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the display of the current sequence of input characters (2) arranged in the control field (1) only within a certain viewing angle 12 Code entry system / P. Menne Menr cle area, which is essentially only usable by the person entering the code, is visually recognizable. 5. Code input system according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the display of the current sequence of input characters (2) arranged in the operating field (1) only occurs after a control query regarding the registration of the person entering the code, e.g. whether a magnetic card is inserted, has been answered positively. 10 6. Code input system according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that after entering the PIN code, the display of the current sequence of the input characters (2) arranged in the control field (1) is switched off and the sequence can no longer be recognized. 7. Code input system according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that after entering the PIN code, the order of the input characters (2) arranged in the control field (1) is changed in such a way that the Input characters are arranged in the form of a standard layout (1'), so that further manual input commands for payment transactions are carried out using the input characters (2') arranged in the control field in the standard layout (1').
25 8. Code input system according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that Illuminated symbol elements are used as display elements (2, 4, 15).
30 9. Code input system according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that Code entry systems / P. Menne LCD (liquid crystal display) elements are used as display elements (2, 4, 15), whereby the background of the display surface of the LCD elements can be illuminated. 10. Code input system according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that 7-segment LED elements are used as display elements (2, 4,15). 11. Code input system according to claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in the control panel (1) there is a key for each input character (2) and the input character (2) is displayed in the immediate vicinity of the key by means of a changeable display element, e.g. an LCD element, wherein the display element is arranged so that it is hidden from view and essentially only visible to the person entering the code. 12. Code input system according to claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in the control panel (1) there is a key (3) for each input character (2) and the input character (2) is displayed by means of a changeable display element (4) arranged within the key, e.g. an LCD element, whereby the key surface (8) consists of a translucent material so that the display element (4) can be seen from the outside. 13. Code input system according to claim 12,
characterized in that the display element (4) is arranged at a certain distance from the key surface (8) consisting of a translucent material and the side surfaces (9) of the cuboid-shaped cavity, the lower cover surface of which is surrounded by the display element (4) and the 14 Code entry system / P. Menne upper cover surface is formed by the key surface (8), made of an opaque material so that the display element (4) can only be seen within a certain viewing angle range, 14. Code entry system according to claim 13, characterized in that the side surfaces (9') of the cuboid-shaped cavity consist of the same material as the key surface (8) and the opacity of the side surfaces (9') is achieved by covering the side surfaces (9') with a thin-walled opaque material (12), e.g. a layer of lacquer. 15. Code entry system according to claim 13,
characterized in that the side surfaces (9") of the cuboid-shaped cavity consist of the same translucent material as the button surface (8) and the visual protection of the display element (4) is achieved by the fact that the material (11) surrounding the side surfaces (9") of the button (3"), in which the button (3") is embedded in the control panel (1), is opaque and largely covers the side surfaces (9") of the button (3"). 16. Code input system according to claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the control panel (1) is designed in the form of a display (13) with a substantially smooth and seamless control surface and each input character (2) in the control panel (1) is displayed via a display element (15), e.g. an LCD element, whereby the selection of a specific input character (2) is made by touching the control surface at the point at which the input character (2) is displayed, 17. Code input system according to claim 16, 15 Code entry system / P. Menne characterized in that the display elements (15) are arranged at a certain distance from the operating surface (17) and each display element (15) is arranged within a shaft-shaped space, the upper cover surface of which is formed by a portion of the operating surface (17) that corresponds to the surface portion of an input character (2) in the operating field (1), and the lower cover surface of which is formed by the display element (15), the side surfaces (18) of the shaft-shaped space being made of an opaque material, so that the display elements (15) are only visible within a certain viewing angle. 18. Code input system according to claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the operating field (1) is designed in the form of a computer screen (21) and each input character (2) in the operating field (1) is displayed via a display element (22) which is generated on the computer screen by software, wherein the selection of an input character (2) takes place by touching the screen at the point (22) at which the input character (2) is displayed.
20 19. Code entry system according to claim 18,
characterized in that the computer screen (21) with the display elements (22) is arranged at a certain distance from an operating surface (17') consisting of a translucent material and each display element (22) is arranged within a shaft-shaped space, the upper cover surface of which is formed by a portion of the operating surface (17') that corresponds to the area portion of an input character (2) in the operating field (1), and the lower cover surface of which is formed by the computer screen area on which the display element (22) is shown, wherein the side surfaces (18') of the shaft-shaped space consist of an opaque material, so that the display elements (22) only 16 Code entry system / P. Menne are visible within a certain viewing angle. 20. Code input system according to one of claims 13, 14, 15, 17 or 19, characterized in that the clear distance between the display element (4,15, 22) and the operating surface (8, 17, 17') is approximately 10 mm. Code entry system / P. Menne