Encrypted PIN Pad
Encyclopedia
An Encrypted PIN Pad is the apparatus and methods for encrypting
an identifier such as a PIN entered on a keypad.
the pad and a link coupling the pad and the encrypting circuit. The pad is for entering an identifier, and the circuit for encrypting the entered identifier. The pad may be a physical touch pad such as an N-wire technology touch pad. Alternatively, the pad may be a virtual touch screen
. The encrypting circuit may be a CPU along with a memory coupled to the CPU and programmed to encrypt. The CPU and programmed memory
may be the first CPU programmable to encrypt the entered identifier
, through which the identifier passes. The encrypting circuit may be a micro controller programmed to encrypt. In still another variation, the encrypting circuit may be an application-specific integrated circuit
(ASIC
). The apparatus may include a housing that encloses the encrypting circuit and link. The housing would be resistant to access, tampering or tapping
. The housing may be at least partially of chip-on-glass technology. The encrypting circuit may be embedded
in the housing, as may the link. A method for encrypting an identifier includes placing a pad for entering an identifier, a circuit for encrypting an identifier and a link communicative coupling the pad and the circuit adjacent in an access-resistant housing. An identifier is entered on the pad and communicated to the encrypting circuit
. The encrypting circuit encrypts the identifier. The encrypted identifier may be forwarded for verification
.
Encryption
In cryptography, encryption is the process of transforming information using an algorithm to make it unreadable to anyone except those possessing special knowledge, usually referred to as a key. The result of the process is encrypted information...
an identifier such as a PIN entered on a keypad.
Apparatus
The apparatus includes a pad, an encrypting circuit that is adjacentAdjacent
Adjacent is an adjective meaning contiguous, adjoining or abuttingIn geometry, adjacent is when sides meet to make an angle.In graph theory adjacent nodes in a graph are linked by an edge....
the pad and a link coupling the pad and the encrypting circuit. The pad is for entering an identifier, and the circuit for encrypting the entered identifier. The pad may be a physical touch pad such as an N-wire technology touch pad. Alternatively, the pad may be a virtual touch screen
Virtual Touch Screen
A virtual touch screen is a user interface system that displays images in thin air. The screen uses a rear projector system to create images that look three dimensional and appear to float in midair. The images are interacted with your hands and no specialized equipment is needed....
. The encrypting circuit may be a CPU along with a memory coupled to the CPU and programmed to encrypt. The CPU and programmed memory
Memory
In psychology, memory is an organism's ability to store, retain, and recall information and experiences. Traditional studies of memory began in the fields of philosophy, including techniques of artificially enhancing memory....
may be the first CPU programmable to encrypt the entered identifier
Identifier
An identifier is a name that identifies either a unique object or a unique class of objects, where the "object" or class may be an idea, physical [countable] object , or physical [noncountable] substance...
, through which the identifier passes. The encrypting circuit may be a micro controller programmed to encrypt. In still another variation, the encrypting circuit may be an application-specific integrated circuit
Integrated circuit
An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit is an electronic circuit manufactured by the patterned diffusion of trace elements into the surface of a thin substrate of semiconductor material...
(ASIC
ASIC
ASIC may refer to:* Application-specific integrated circuit, an integrated circuit developed for a particular use, as opposed to a customised general-purpose device.* ASIC programming language, a dialect of BASIC...
). The apparatus may include a housing that encloses the encrypting circuit and link. The housing would be resistant to access, tampering or tapping
Tapping
Tapping is a guitar playing technique, where a string is fretted and set into vibration as part of a single motion of being pushed onto the fretboard, as opposed to the standard technique being fretted with one hand and picked with the other...
. The housing may be at least partially of chip-on-glass technology. The encrypting circuit may be embedded
Embedded system
An embedded system is a computer system designed for specific control functions within a larger system. often with real-time computing constraints. It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts. By contrast, a general-purpose computer, such as a personal...
in the housing, as may the link. A method for encrypting an identifier includes placing a pad for entering an identifier, a circuit for encrypting an identifier and a link communicative coupling the pad and the circuit adjacent in an access-resistant housing. An identifier is entered on the pad and communicated to the encrypting circuit
Electronic circuit
An electronic circuit is composed of individual electronic components, such as resistors, transistors, capacitors, inductors and diodes, connected by conductive wires or traces through which electric current can flow...
. The encrypting circuit encrypts the identifier. The encrypted identifier may be forwarded for verification
Authentication
Authentication is the act of confirming the truth of an attribute of a datum or entity...
.