GB2450333A - Security screen for use when entering a PIN - Google Patents

Abstract

A security screen (1) which can be attached to any device (2) which requires a personal identity number to be input by way of a keypad (3) in secrecy by means of restricting the line of sight (4) to a targeted area.

Description

Page 1 Personal identity number security screen This invention

relatates to any device that requires a personal identity number to be input in a public or monitored area.

When inputting a personal identity number in at cash point, alarm keypad or handheld validation device it is easy for any person or camera to easily observe the numbers being entered this can mean that they can use these numbers (personal identity numbers) for their own advantage.

To overcome this the present invention propose to fit a screen over the number key pad that only allows the person inputting the numbers to see the number key pad and any person or camera wanting to observe could not do so. The screen has a restricted viewing range that only allows it to be seen through if it is viewed from almost directly on and not from the sides, back or front so any person trying to observe would have to place their head directly in front of or beside the person : inputting their personal identity number and any camera trained to see the keypad would see a blank screen or the back of the imputers head. The amount of vision field restriction can be controlled in the manufacture of the screen depending on the security required.

The invention will now show solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: S. ** : Figure 1 shows various views of the security screen. S..

Figure 2 shows the security screen mounted to a hand held personal identity validation device.

Figure 3 shows the security screen mounted to an atm (cash point). Page

In Figure 1 a cross section through the security screen (1) and the arrows (2) show the line of sight from which any object behind the screen needs to be viewed. The front view (3 not to scale) can be made in conjunction to the thickness of the screen to give a varying line of sight, the greater the thickness and the smaller the holes give greater security and the shape of holes can be adjusted as required.

In Figure 2 a hand held validation device (I) with the screen fitted (3) with 50mm sides moulded to the security screen (2) to access for input to the keypad with the line of sight (4).the screen can be mounted to any hand held device requiring security when inputting personal identity numbers.

Figure 3 shows an atm (cash point) (2) with the screen (1) fitted over the key pad (3) and the arrows (4) show the line of sight from which the keypad can be seen, Because the screen is fixed to a static base and does not need to be lifted as in figure 2 the screen can be made thicker which will give a greater security. * S S... * S. * * S * .* *S *S S S *

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Claims (2)

1. Page 3 Claims 1. A security screen that can be attached by means of a

   moulded or fabricated mounting that limits the view to a restricted area.
2. 2. A security screen according to claim 1 in which the field of vision can be made to suit the level of security required by changing the thickness to hole diameter and shape ratio. * * * I*. **** * * * .* * * * * ** S..

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