GB2446066A

GB2446066A - Data Entry Protection Device and Method of Use Thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2446066A
Application number: GB0801377A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Abu Zafar; Hisako Nakajima
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-01-26
Filing date: 2008-01-25
Publication date: 2008-07-30
Also published as: GB0801377D0; GB0701508D0

Abstract

A data entry protection device 102 includes a housing having a first opening 120 for location with or over at least part of data entry apparatus, at least a second opening 128 for allowing removable location of at least part of a user's hand or digit therein, and viewing means 118 for allowing a user to view an interior of the housing. At least one of the surfaces 112 of the housing is sloped or provided at an acute angle to the horizontal in use and the viewing means is defined in or associated with said at least one surface. The viewing means may comprise a transparent screen or lens and may exhibit magnification qualities. The viewing means may have closure means, as may the second opening. An illuminating means may be positioned upon the interior of the housing which may be removably detachable to the ATM by means including clips, screws and/or hook and loop fastenings.

Description

Data Entry Protection Device and Method of Use Thereof This invention

relates to a data entry protection device and method of use thereof.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to a data entry protection device for protection against third party copying and/or fraud when inputting a pin number, such as for example a credit card pin number, into a credit card payment device or an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM), it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention can be used to protect any data entry device, such as a door entry device, computer keyboard, touch screen display, e-voting apparatus and/or the like.

* *, Use of personal identification numbers (PINs) or codes are used for a number of different applications to allow a user to identify I...

themselves to a pre-determined party or apparatus to allow a transaction or function to be undertaken. A unique PIN is * typically given to each user and is kept confidential by the user *** so as not to allow any unauthorised third party to find it out and :.:::. fraudulently take on the identify of the user. However, a large . percentage of fraud cases are caused as a result of unauthorised parties obtaining details relating to the user's PIN. This can result from, for example, a third party observing a user inputting their PIN into an ATM or credit card payment device, which may be particularly easy to do if the third party is stood behind or adjacent the user in a queue at a bank or retail outlet checkout.

A known example of a portable data entry security aid is disclosed in EP1607916. The aid can take the form oi a collapsible box. Score marks are provided on the side walls and roof to allow the box to be foldable into a smaller size when not in use. An elongate aperture is provided in a side wall of the box to receive a user's finger in use. A window is provided in the top of the box so that the user can see which keys they are to depress using their inserted finger.

An example of a fixed data entry device for concealing a keypad is disclosed in W000/66859. The device includes a U-shaped border member having a top wall and two opposing side walls depending therefrom and an open bottom. A user inserts their fingers or hand through the open bottom in use to depress buttons on the keypad. The border member obscures the view of the keypad from unauthorised third parties.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an alternative device which allows the input of data by a user to be *:*::* substantially protected.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method *:*. of using an alternative device which allows the input of data by * a user to be substantially protected.

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According to the present invention there is provided a data . entry protection device, said device including a housing having a first opening for location with or over at least part of data entry apparatus, at least a second opening for allowing removable location of at least part of a user's hand or digit therein, and viewing means for allowing a user to view an interior of the housing, wherein at least one of the surfaces of the housing is sloped or provided at an acute angle in use and the viewing means is defined in or associated with said at least one surface.

By providing the device with the viewing means in a sloped or acute angled surface of the housing (relative to the horizontal or a remaining portion of the housing), this significantly limits the angle or angles at which a third party can see the viewing means or through the viewing means, thereby increasing the security of the device, whilst increasing the ease with which a user of the device can see the interior of the housing. The viewing means allow a user to view the position of their hand part or digit when located in said device relative to said data entry apparatus part.

Preferably the data entry protection device is detachably located on the data entry apparatus, thereby allowing the device to be portable. The device is therefore portable and can be carried and transported easily by a user and used on any data entry apparatus as and when some form of data protection is required, such as if the user is inputting data in a public location on a cash machine for example. In one embodiment the data entry * , protection device can be attached to or integrally formed with the data entry apparatus. S... * * *

*:*. The data entry apparatus typically includes data input means and * the device is located over at least part of the data input means in use to prevent third parties from viewing the data input means :.:::. which are to be selected or actuated by a user.

S * *.

Preferably the device can be moved from a first substantially erect condition to a second partially or substantially collapsed and/or folded condition. By allowing the device to be moved between erect and collapsed conditions, the device can be easily stored and/or transported when not in use. The device is used to protect data entry input means when in the substantially erect condition.

In one embodiment the device has similar dimensions to a credit card when in the folded and/or collapsed condition to allow the device to be easily carried in a user's pocket, wallet, purse and/or the like.

Preferably the viewing means includes at least one viewing window, or aperture defined in the housing via which the user can see into the interior of the device.

Preferably the at least one viewing window or aperture is provided with a viewing screen, cover, lens and/or located therewith. The viewing screen, cover, lens and/or the like is substantially or partially transparent to allow a user to clearly view the interior of the housing, at least at one or more pre-determined angles of viewing.

In one embodiment the viewing screen, cover or lens can * include or have magnification means associated therewith to allow the interior of the device to be magnified when viewed by **** a user through said screen or lens. ** * * * S

* * Preferably the viewing screen, cover, lens and/or the like is ** formed such that the interior of the device can only be clearly : ** viewed when a user's eye is substantially aligned with said screen . or lens at a suitable pre-determined angle. As such, any unauthorised third party trying to look through the viewing screen or lens from an angle other than said pre-determined angle, such as for example if the third party is standing to the side of the user, will not be able to see into and/or focus on the interior of the device.

Preferably the user's eye is required to be substantially perpendicularly or vertically aligned with an upper surface of the viewing screen, cover, lens and/or the like in order to see clearly through said screen or lens.

In one embodiment closure means can be provided with or associated with the viewing means which can move be.tween open and closed positions. In the closed position, the closure means closes the viewing means, obscures or at least partially obscures the viewing means in use of the device. Preferably the closure means includes one or more movable flaps. The flaps can be moved to any suitable position to allow the user to see through the viewing means but which limit an unauthorised third party from looking through the viewing means.

In one embodiment the walls of the housing are substantially continuous with the exception of said at least first and second openings and/or said viewing window. The housing typically comprises a base, top, side walls and end walls.

The walls of said device are typically formed from non-* ** transparent or opaque material so that an unauthorised third **** party cannot view the interior of the housing simply by looking through the walls of said housing.

S S..

Preferably the first opening is defined in the base of the ::::. housing.

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The second opening can be defined in any suitable surface of the housing.

Preferably the second opening is defined in a sloped or angled wall of said housing.

In one embodiment the second opening is defined in a top wall of said housing.

The second opening can be defined in the same sloped or angled wall as the viewing means or can be provided in a separate wall.

Further preferably the separate wall in which the second opening is provided is also sloped or angled.

In one embodiment, a top wall panel of said housing is divided into at least two sections, each section sloping in a substantially opposite direction to the other section. The viewing means is preferably provided on one top wall section and the second opening can be defined in the other top wall section.

In one embodiment the second opening is defined in a side or end wall of said housing. In one example, the second opening is defined in a side or end wall of said housing which is foldably moved when collapsing the device.

Closure means can be associated with the second opening to allow closure of the second opening when not in use and/or to at least partially obscure or restrict the second opening when a user's finger, digit or hand part is located through the second *:*. opening.

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In one embodiment the closure means can be resilient biased to :.:::. bias the closure means to a closed position from an open . position when not in use.

Preferably the closure means includes one or more flaps. The flaps are typically movably mounted and/or substantially flexible to allow movement of the same between a closed and open position.

Preferably the viewing means is located in a top of said housing to allow a user to view the interior of housing through the same.

Further preferably at least part of the top of said housing is provided at an acute angle or sloped relative to the base of the housing.

The closure means can be hingedly, pivotably, slidably, foldably and/or removably located with respect to said at least second opening in use.

In one embodiment lighting means are provided on or associated with said device to allow the interior of said device to be illuminated when said lighting means are actuated. Actuation of the lighting means can take place on manual activation of user actuation means, such as for example, as a result of a user depressing a switch and/or can take place automatically on moving the device from a folded/collapsed condition to an erect condition, on placing the device on a suitable surface, on location of a user's hand part or digit through said at least second opening and/or the like. * **

The lighting means are preferably located internally of said S".. device. Means for actuation of said lighting means can be located internally and/or externally of said device.

In one example the lighting means includes a small battery powered bulb and/or lamp located in the device. S..

The device can be formed from any suitable material, such as board, plastic, metal, leather and/or the like.

In one embodiment the device is formed from board or paper based material.

Preferably the device is constructed from a single blank of material, a plurality of panels defined on said blank being assembled together in a pre-defined arrangement.

The housing of the device can be integrally formed or can be formed by attachment of one or more wall panels together.

In one embodiment a case is provided in which the device is removably located when in the collapsed out of use condition to protect the device from damage.

In one embodiment engagement means are associated with said device to allow detachable engagement of said device to said data entry apparatus. The engagement means can include any or any combination of one or more clips, screws, Hook and Loop Fastening (VELCRO), ties, friction fit, inter-engaging members and/or the like. * .a * . S * S. S...

* * In a preferred embodiment, the housing includes a base, top, side walls and end walls. Preferably the top panel or panels of the housing are sloped or provided at an acute angle to the *.* . . * horizontal. The viewing means is preferably located in the top : **** sloped panel.

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* Preferably one or more of the side walls and/or end walls are provided with at least one fold line to allow the device to folded along said at least one fold line. In one embodiment the fold line is provided substantially centrally of said side or end wall.

Further preferably the fold line extends between a base and top wall panel of the housing. Yet further preferably the fold line extends substantially vertically or parallel to the side or end walls. In use, a side or end wall is pushed inwardly of said housing and said wall folds about said fold line, thereby allowing said wall to collapse. Preferably opposite side or end walls are provided with said folding mechanism to allow opposite sides or ends to move inwardly of each other to move the device from the erect condition to the folding condition.

The at least second opening can be provided a spaced distance apart, adjoining or substantially continuous with the first opening means and/or the viewing means.

Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides a secure protection device for data entry input means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using data entry protection device, said device including a housing and said method including locating a first opening defined in said housing with or over at least part of data entry apparatus, a user inserting at least part of their hand or digit through a second opening, the user viewing the interior of the housing through viewing means defined in the housing to determine the location of their hand or digit relative S...

to said part of the data entry apparatus, wherein at least one surface of the housing is sloped or provided at an acute angle to * . . . . * the horizontal in use and the viewing means is defined in or : ** associated with said at least one surface.

* According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a data entry protection device, said device including a housing having a first opening for location with or over at least part of data entry apparatus and at least a second opening for removable location of at least part of a user's hand or digit therein.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using data entry protection device.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a data entry protection device in a substantially erect condition; Figure 2 is a perspective of the device in figure 1 in a substantially folded condition; Figure 3 illustrates the device in figures 1 and 2 in use; and Figures 4 and 5 show alternative embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to the figures 1-3, there is illustrated a data entry protection device 2 including a housing having a base 4, side walls 6, 8, end walls 10, 12 and top wall panels 14, 16. Device 2 * * is movable between a substantially erect condition as shown in : figure 1, and a substantially folded condition, as shown in figure * . 2

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: *** In the erect condition, the base 4 is open ended to provide a I...

* first opening to the device. The dimensions of the first opening I..

are such so as to allow the opening to be located around data input means of data entry apparatus, such as for example, to be located around a keypad of a cash point machine. Engagement means can be provided on the data entry apparatus and/or device 2 to allow detachable engagement of the device to said apparatus. However, in the illustrated example, the base 4 of the device is simply removably located or placed around the data input means.

Viewing means in the form of a window 18 is provided in top wall panel 14. Window 18 is provided with a transparent magnification lens to allow a user to view the interior of device 2. The lens can be attached by any suitable means, such as welding, staples, adhesive and/or the like.

Top wall panels 14, 16 are typically joined along fold line 20 and each panel 14, 16 slants at an acute angle towards base 4. The panels 14, 16 slant away from each other to form a pyramid type roof. This allows window 18 to be located at an angle facing the user to increase the ease with which a user can see through window 18 and to reduce or prevent an unauthorised third party from looking through the window. However, it will be appreciated that device 2 can take any suitable size, shape and/or dimensions and the top wall panels can be substantially perpendicular and/or at any other suitable angle to said side wall panels if required.

Second opening means are defined in end walls 10, 12 to allow a user to insert a finger 22 of their hand 24 therethrough in use, . : as shown in figure 3. More particularly, each end wall 10, 12 * includes two lower panels 26, 28 and closure means in the form of two upper flaps 30, 32. The lower panels 26, 28 are joined to : *** each other along fold line 34. Panel 26 is joined to side wall 6 **** * along fold line 36 and panel 28 is joined to side wall 8 along fold *** line 38. Upper flap 30 is joined to lower panel 26 along fold line and upper flap 32 is joined to lower panel 28 along fold line 42. Upper flaps 30, 32 are not joined to top panels 14, 16 to allow the flaps 30, 32 to be moved between open and closed positions in use. Flaps 30, 32 can be joined to each other and can be moved together between the open and closed positions.

Alternatively, flaps 30, 32 can be separate and therefore independently movable, thereby reducing/limiting the size of the second opening means in use which reduces the likelihood of an unauthorised third party viewing the interior of the device when the flaps 30,32 are in an open position.

With device 2 in an erect condition, a user can push flaps 30, 32 inwardly of device 2 about fold lines 40, 42 from a closed position to an open position using their finger. The user can then insert their finger into the interior of the device to allow a PIN to be input into the data entry apparatus without any third parties seeing what the PIN is. The viewing window 18 helps the user to determine which data entry keys they are depressing using their finger inserted in device 2. When the user has finished inputting their confidential PIN into the apparatus, the user simply withdraws their finger from the device and flaps 30, 32 return to their closed position. Closure of flaps 30, 32 can take place under gravity, due to the natural resilience of the material from which the flaps 30, 32 are formed or as a result of resilient biasing means, such as a spring and/or the like being associated with said flaps.

When the user has their finger inserted in device 2, the user can * * use one or more of their adjacent fingers to grip or support the device to maintain the same in position relative to a required * surface. * ** * * * S.

* Movement of the flaps 30, 32 inwardly of the device 2 to an S..

open position can actuate a light located in the device, thereby illuminating the interior of the device and increasing the ease with which a user can view where they are locating their finger relative to a data entry keypad in use. Closure of the flaps can switch the light to an off condition. However, the light actuation means can be located anywhere on the device, such as a user actuable switch on the exterior of the device.

When the user has finished with device 2, the user can simply depress end walls 10, 12 inwardly of the device, causing lower panels 26, 28 to fold inwardly of device 2 along fold line 34 and for flaps 30, 32 to fold inwardly of device 2. This in turn causes the interior surfaces of top wall panels 14, 16 and the interior surfaces of side walls 6, 8 to move together to form a substantially flattened condition shown in figure 2. The user erects device 2 by pushing end walls 10, 12 outwardly via inserting their fingers through open ended base and pushing outwardly on the interior surface of end walls 10, 12 or by pushing top wall panels 14, 16 towards base 4, thereby forcing end walls 10, 12 in an outwardly direction.

The device can be formed from any suitable lightweight and inexpensive material, such as board, plastic, leather, metal and/or the like. It can be any suitable dimension, size and/or shape to allow location on any suitable area of an item of apparatus, such as for example, a data entry keypad. When the device is not in use it can be easily stored with a user's credit card in a wallet or pocket.

S * S S...

Second opening means and the closure means can be provided at both ends of the device to allow use by both left handed and/or S.. . * right handed users. Alternatively, second opening means/closure : i., means can be provided at one end of the device only.

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Referring to figures 4 and 5, alternative embodiments of data entry protection devices 102, 103 are shown. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that any or any combination of the features described herein can be used in a data entry protection device according to the present invention.

Data entry protection device 102 includes a housing having a end walls 104, 106, side walls 108, 110 a front top wall panel 112 and a rear top wall panel 114. The walls of the housing define a cavity therein. The device is movable between a substantially erect condition, as shown in figure 4 to a substantially folded condition (not shown).

First opening means are defined in a base 120 of the device as previously described with figures 1-3 to allow the device to be located over a data entry input means, keypad, buttons, touch sensitive display screen and/or the like so that access to said data entry input means can be obtained via the interior of the device.

The front and rear top wall panels 112, 114 are provided at an acute angle and slope downwardly away from a substantially fold line 116. However, front and/or rear top wall panels could be provided substantially horizontal in the erect condition if required. With the top wall panels provided in a sloped or angled condition, the top edge of the side or end walls of the *:*::* housing are shaped so as to be positioned adjacent the sloped or angled edges (i.e. in one embodiment a top edge of the side or *::. end walls is an inverse V-shape).

* Viewing means in the form of a window 118 is provided in the : *. front top wall panel 112. This window 118 can be an uncovered **** aperture or can be a covered aperture as required. The cover could include substantially transparent material, such as for example substantially transparent acetate material, plastic material, glass, a lens and/or the like. The window typically allows a viewer to see the data entry keypads or other input means which the device is obscuring from third party viewing.

Since the window is provided on a sloped surface facing the user, only the user can see into the window.

Second opening means in the form of an aperture 122 is provided in the rear top wall panel 114. In the illustration, substantially flexible flap means 124 are provided over the aperture 122 to substantially cover the same. The flap means are preferably resiliently biased to a substantially closed position. In use, a user inserts their finger or digit through aperture 122, as shown by arrow 126, thereby pushing flaps 124 apart against the resilient bias of the same top open said flaps. A user is then able to access the data input means being covered by the device whilst still substantially obscuring aperture 122 from view via the flaps 124. The user can see their finger and data input means via window 11 8, thereby ensuring the correct data input means are actuated. Once the user removes their finger from aperture 122, the flap means 124 return to a closed position.

The flap means 124 can be provided in any suitable material, such as fabric, plastic, board, paper, rubber and/or the like. For example, slits could be made in a sheet of material to form the flap means. Any suitable number of slits could be provided, such *... as four and/or the like. * . S...

Recessed sections 128 can be defined in end walls 104, 106 and/or side walls 108, 110 to reduce the amount of material S..

* required to make the device and to increase the ease with which : *..* the device can be folded. S...

S **.

The device 102 can be folded by pushing side walls 108, 110 inwardly of the device, thereby allowing the side walls to fold inwardly about substantially central fold line 130 defined on each side wall between the top panels and base. The outer half of each side wall 108a, 108b moves into engagement with the other opposite half of said side wall 108a, 108b to substantially collapse the device.

The data entry protection device 103 shown in figure 5 is similar to that in figure 4 but closure flaps 132 are provided over window 118 and a further closure member 134 (shown in dotted lines for clarity purposes) is provided over second aperture 122 and flaps 124.

More particularly, closure flaps 132 can be moved between a closed position, wherein they substantially close window 118, to an open position, as shown in figure 5. In the open position, the closure flaps 132 are moved outwardly of window 118, as shown by arrows 136, to a substantially upright position protruding outwardly of top wall panel 112. In this position, the flaps 132 at least partially obscure side views of window 118 to an unauthorised third party standing to the side of the user. The flaps 132 are moved to a closed position by pushing the flaps inwardly of each other towards window 118.

Further closure member 134 is typically foldable of pivotable in use about fold line 138, thereby allowing member 134 to be * .S moved from a closed position, wherein member 134 substantially covers aperture 122 and flaps 124 and an open *. : position, wherein member 134 is moved a spaced distance apart * from aperture 122 to allow insertion of a user's finger through S..

* aperture 122, as shown by arrow 140. * .* * . S

* The upper portion 108c of side wall could be removed so that S..

top wall panels 112, 114 are moved into engagement with the top of side wall sections 108a, 108b, thereby allowing top wall panels 112, 114 to sit substantially flat or perpendicular to the side walls of the housing in the erect condition.

Claims

Claims 1. A data entry protection device, said device including a

housing having a first opening for location with or over at least part of data entry apparatus, at least a second opening for allowing removable location of at least part of a user's hand or digit therein, and viewing means for allowing a user to view an interior of the housing, wherein at least one of the surfaces of the housing is sloped or provided at an acute angle to the horizontal in use and the viewing means is defined in or associated with said at least one surface.
2. A device according to claim I wherein the device is ***,** detachably located on data entry apparatus in use to allow the device to be portable.
3. A device according to claim I wherein the device is moved : ***, from a first substantially erect condition to a second partially or substantially collapsed or folded condition.
4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the viewing means includes a window or aperture defined in the housing.
5. A device according to claim I wherein the window or aperture is provided with a substantially transparent cover, screen or lens.
6. A device according to claim 5 wherein the cover, screen or lens includes magnification means.
7. A device according to claim I wherein closure means are provided with or associated with the viewing means and said closure means can be moved between open and closed positions.
8. A device according to claim 7 wherein said closure means includes one or more flaps which are movable relative to the viewing means.
9. A device according to claim I wherein the sloped or angled surface in which the viewing means is located is provided on a top of the housing.
10. A device according to claim 1 wherein the at least * second opening is defined in a sloped or angled surface of the housing. **** * * ****
11. A device according to claim 1 wherein a top of the housing has a top wall with a first part sloping in one * direction and a second part sloping in an opposite : *. direction.

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12. A device according to claim 11 wherein the viewing means is defined in the first sloping part and the at least second opening is defined in the second sloping part.
13. A device according to claim I wherein the first opening is defined in a base of the housing.
14. A device according to claim 1 wherein the at least second opening is defined in a side wall or end wall of the housing.
15. A device according to claim I wherein closure means are associated with the at least second opening which can be moved between open and closed positions.
16. A device according to claim 15 wherein the closure means are resiliently biased to the closed position.
17. A device according to claim 15 wherein the closure means includes one or more flaps.
18. A device according to claim I wherein lighting means are provided on or associated with the device to allow the interior of the device to be illuminated when said lighting means are actuated.
19. A device according to claim I wherein engagement * ** I..,.. means are associated with said device to allow detachable **.* engagement of said device to said data entry apparatus in ** * use. * * * * ** * ***

*
20. A device according to claim 19 wherein the : *. engagement means includes any or any combination of one S..

or more clips, screws, Hook and Loop Fastenings, ties, friction fit or inter-engaging members.
21. A device according to claim 1 wherein one or more of the side or end walls of the housing are provided with a fold line substantially centrally of said wall which extends between the base wall and top wall of the housing.
22. A device according to claim 1 wherein the device is formed a single blank of material, a plurality of panels defined on said blank and movable to form a housing of the device.
23. A method of using data entry protection device, said device including a housing and said method including locating a first opening defined in said housing with or over at least part of data entry apparatus, a user inserting at least part of their hand or digit through a second opening, the user viewing the interior of the housing through viewing means defined in the housing to determine the location of their hand or digit relative to said part of the data entry apparatus, wherein at least one surface of the housing is sloped or provided at an acute angle to the horizontal in use and the viewing means is defined in or associated with said at least one surface. * ** * * * * *. **** * * S... * . * 0* * S*

S *.* * * *. * S * S...

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