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US 9,430,675 B2Granted
Encrypting pin pad
AssigneeNCR Corporation
InventorGrant A. McNicoll
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for protecting an Encrypting PIN Pad (EPP) against tampering. The apparatus provides an EPP comprising a first layer comprising at least two spaced apart electrode elements, and a second layer comprising at least one bridge element for electrically bridging a space between the at least two electrode elements when the first layer and the second layer are urged together.
Claims10
An Encrypting PIN Pad (EPP) comprising:
- a keyboard body for supporting a plurality of keys including at least one actuator member extending inwardly from the keyboard body;
- a first layer comprising at least two electrode elements separated by a space;
- a second layer between the first layer and the keyboard body comprising at least one bridge element;
- wherein the actuator member applies pressure to the bridge element in a normal state, causing the bridge element to electrically bridge the space between the at least two electrode elements, wherein the bridge element fails to electrically bridge the space during a tamper state resulting from unauthorized separation of the keyboard body from the first layer;
- and
- a controller for detecting the tamper state by monitoring resistance of the bridge element wherein a failure of the bridge element to electrically bridge the at least two electrode elements is identified when the resistance increases above a threshold resistance.
3 more elements
An Encrypting PIN Pad (EPP comprising:
- a housing defining (i) a plurality of key apertures and (ii) a plurality of pins extending from a lower surface;
- a plurality of keys, each key being located within a respective one of the plurality of key apertures;
- a support plate mounted to the lower surface of the housing and defining (i) a plurality of key apertures, each key aperture being disposed in registration with a respective one of the plurality of keys and (ii) a plurality of pin apertures, each aperture being disposed in registration with a respective one of the plurality of pins;
- an elastomeric mat mounted to the support plate;
- a multi-layer keyboard printed circuit board comprising a plurality of key domes, each key dome being disposed in registration with a respective key, and a plurality of separation switches, each separation switch being activated by pressure from a respective one of the plurality of pins during a normal mode of operation and being deactivated during a tamper mode of operation when the housing is separated from the multi-layer keyboard printed circuit board;
- a backplate mounted on the multi-layer keyboard printed circuit board and secured to the housing;
- a cryptographic printed circuit board coupled to the keyboard printed circuit board via an elongate connector;
- and
- a cover mounted on the cryptographic printed circuit board and secured to the housing to maintain the keys, the support plate, the elastomeric mat, the keyboard printed circuit board, the backplate, and the cryptographic printed circuit board in position as an integrated unit.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.