Abstract:
An apparatus useful in facilitating commercial transaction payments as a secured electronic payment terminal and a thin keyboard cover. The keyboard cover is adjustably attached to the electronic payment terminal so that the keyboard cover can alternatively serve to cover the keyboard or to swing away from the keyboard to provide a security panel. The keyboard cover is “active,” in that it incorporates a data communicator for transmitting or receiving data from an outside source. In one embodiment, the data communicator includes a signature pad. The keyboard cover is removable from the electronic payment terminal for maintenance and/or replacement without having to access the internals of the electronic payment terminal, including its electronic circuitry.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to secured electronic payment terminals and similar equipment.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Electronic payment terminals have become very common as tools in most banking and retail transactions. Many such electronic payment terminals require a keypad so that the payor can enter his or her “PIN” number.  
         [0003]     Security for such electronic payment terminals is extremely important. Recently, several trade associations, including EMVCo, LLC, have proposed protocols for electronic payment terminals which incorporate stringent security procedures. One such security procedure requires that each electronic payment terminal go through a rigorous certification procedure to certify the security features built into the electronic payment terminal. Additionally, such security procedures typically require that all secure information within the electronic payment terminal be automatically erased upon any breaching of the electronic payment terminal housing or its internal electronic circuitry. The erasure of such proprietary internal information requires that the electronic payment terminal go through a time consuming and expensive recertification procedure.  
         [0004]     In addition to the use of electronic payment terminals, banks and retail establishments are increasingly moving towards the use of electronic signature devices. An electronic signature device has an electronic screen or a sheet of paper disposed over an electronic screen. The customer is asked to sign his or her signature on the screen or on a sheet of paper which overlays the screen. The screen automatically picks up the customer&#39;s signature and relays it to a central location for authentification.  
         [0005]     A problem with electronic signature devices is that the electronic screen is easily scratched and/or quickly wears out. For these reasons, the screen needs to be frequently replaced.  
         [0006]     Banking and retail establishments often find it cumbersome to use both an electronic payment terminal and a separate electronic signature device, because the use of the two separate devices frequently takes up an undue amount of precious counter space. Accordingly, there have been several attempts to incorporate an electronic signature device with an electronic payment terminal. However, such attempts have been less than wholly successful. One problem with combining electronic signature and electronic payment terminals is that the electronic signature screen tends to be at an awkward angle with respect to the signator. This often leads to signatures which do not closely match the ink-on-paper signature of the signator, so that the electronic signature is rejected as false.  
         [0007]     Another problem with combined electronic signature and electronic payment terminal units is that the face of such units is unduly large and, again, takes up an undue amount of counter space.  
         [0008]     Finally, a problem with combined electronic signature and electronic payment terminal units is that, when the signature screen of the electronic signature device has to be replaced, the internals of the housing, which include the electronic payment terminal, must be breached. Under the new industry group protocols, such breaching of the electronic payment terminal housing will require the electronic payment terminal portion to go through an expensive and time-consuming recertification process.  
         [0009]     Accordingly, there is a need for a combined electronic signature and electronic payment terminal unit which avoids these problems with the prior art.  
         [0010]     Additionally, many forms of biometric data, such as hand geometry, fingerprints and iris scans, and many forms of informational data, such as passwords, PIN numbers and maiden names, can be used to verify the identity of an individual engaged in a transaction, either together with or instead of the individual&#39;s signature. The input of biometric data typically requires a flat surface having biometric sensors incorporated therein. The input of informational data also typically requires a flat surface. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a small, compact terminal having a flat surface into which can be entered biometric data and/or informational data.  
         [0011]     Moreover, for terminals adapted to enter informational data, it is desirable to shield the keypad from observation by third parties, so that the individual&#39;s information is not compromised and is kept secret.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0012]     The invention is an apparatus comprising (a) a secured electronic payment terminal having a housing, a keyboard and electronic circuitry; and (b) a thin keyboard cover adjustably attached to the electronic payment terminal such that the keyboard cover can be adjusted between (i) a first keyboard cover position wherein the keyboard cover is disposed proximate to and generally parallel with the keyboard and wherein the keyboard cover at least partially covers the keyboard, and (ii) a plurality of stable second keyboard cover positions wherein the keyboard cover is disposed not generally parallel with the keyboard and wherein the keyboard cover does not cover the keyboard, the keyboard cover comprising a data communicator for transmitting or receiving data from an outside source other than the electronic payment terminal, the keyboard cover being removable from the electronic payment terminal without having to access the housing of the electronic payment terminal and without having to access the electronic circuitry of the electronic payment terminal.  
         [0013]     In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the keyboard cover comprises one or more side wings adapted to shield the keypad from observation by third parties. 
     
    
     DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an apparatus having features of the invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of the apparatus in  FIG. 1 , showing the keyboard cover in a raised position;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a side view in partial cross section of the apparatus illustrated in  FIG. 2 , taken along line  4 - 4 ; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 5A  is a front view of an alternative embodiment having a telescoping portion, shown with a telescoping portion in a retracted position;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5B  is a front view of an alternative embodiment having a telescoping portion, shown with a telescoping portion in an extended position;  
         [0021]      FIG. 6A  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the invention having side wings, the side wings being shown disposed in a retracted position;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6B  is a front view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6A  showing the side wings in an extended position;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7A  is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the invention having accordion portions, shown in a retracted position; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 7B  is a front view of the alternative embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7A , shown with the accordion portion in an extended position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention and several variations of that embodiment. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well.  
         [0026]     The invention is an apparatus  10  for facilitating commercial transaction payments. The apparatus comprises a secured electronic payment terminal  12  and a unique keyboard cover  14 .  
         [0027]     The secured electronic payment terminal  12  can be any one of the wide variety of secured electronic payment terminal designs. The secured electronic payment terminal  12  comprises a housing  16 , an external keyboard  18  protruding above the housing  16  and internal electronic circuitry (not shown) for gathering information provided by the operation of the keyboard  18  and for exchanging information with external, remotely located computers.  
         [0028]     A typical secured electronic payment terminal  12  is illustrated in the drawings. In this embodiment, the housing  16  has a generally rectangular upper surface  20 . The upper surface  20  comprises the keyboard  18 . In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the upper surface  20  further comprises a digital information screen  22  for conveying information and instructions to the user.  
         [0029]     The secured electronic payment terminal  12  is generally about the size as a small electronic calculator, so as to minimize the amount of counter space necessary to retain the payment terminal  12 .  
         [0030]     The keyboard cover  14  is adjustably attached to the payment terminal  12  such that the keyboard cover  14  can be adjusted between (i) a first keyboard cover position wherein the keyboard cover  14  is disposed proximate to and generally parallel with the keyboard  12 , and wherein the keyboard cover  14  at least partially covers the keyboard  12 , and (ii) a plurality of stable second keyboard cover positions wherein the keyboard cover  14  is disposed not generally parallel with the keyboard  12  and wherein the keyboard cover  14  does not cover the keyboard  12 .  
         [0031]     Typically, the keyboard cover  14  is as thin as practical, typically between about 0.1 inches and about 0.5 inches.  
         [0032]     In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the keyboard cover  14  is attached to the payment terminal  12  by a hinge  24  which allows the keyboard cover  14  to be raised or lowered. When the keyboard cover  14  is raised above the keyboard  12 , it can be stably retained in any number of an infinite number of positions above the keyboard  12 .  
         [0033]     In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the keyboard cover  14  completely covers the keyboard  12  in the first keyboard position. Typically, the keyboard cover  14  abuts the keyboard cover  14  in the first keyboard cover position.  
         [0034]     The keyboard cover  14  comprises a data communicator  26  for transmitting or receiving data from an outside source other than the electronic payment terminal  12 . The data communicator  26  can comprise a signature tablet, touch pad, pointing device, LCD display, fingerprint scanner, audio speaker, microphone, wireless or wired interface, motion sensor or other appropriate data communications device. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the data communicator  26  is a signature touch pad  28 .  
         [0035]     Where the data communicator  26  comprises an LCD display or similar data display screen, the data communicator  26  can be used to display instructions, information, content of the transaction requiring approval and/or advertising.  
         [0036]     The data communicator  26  is electrically connected with the electronic circuitry within the housing  16  of the payment terminal via one or more cables  30 .  
         [0037]     The keyboard cover  14  is attached to the payment terminal  12  such that the keyboard cover  14  is removable from the payment terminal  12  without having to access the interior of the housing  16  of the payment terminal  12  and without having to access the electronic circuitry within the payment terminal  12 . In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, this is accomplished by disconnecting each of the cables  30  at an externally located cable disconnect  32  and then opening the externally located hinge  24 .  
         [0038]     In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the keyboard cover  14  further comprises a pair of opposed side wings  34 . Such side wings  34  provide additional privacy to a user using the keyboard  18 .  
         [0039]     The side wings  34  can be adapted to be extendable by standard techniques including wing extension panels, auxiliary folded wing extension members, or telescoping extension members. Additionally, the side wings  34  can be made of cloth or other material so that the wings are not obtrusive when the keyboard cover  14  is in the down position, but which are effective in shielding all view of the keypad (or biometric sensor pad) to provide additional privacy protection to the apparatus  10 .  
         [0040]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein the keyboard cover  14  has a telescoping portion  36  which can be extended upwardly when the keyboard cover  14  is in the open position to provide the keyboard cover  14  with additional height, and to thereby provide the user with additional privacy.  
         [0041]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein the keyboard cover  14  has side wings  34  of extended width. The side wings  34  are made from a flexible material so that they can be conveniently stored within pockets  38  surrounding the secured electronic payment terminal  12 . However, when the keyboard cover  14  is placed in the open position, the side wings  34  are extendable to provide additional width, and to thereby provide the user with additional privacy.  
         [0042]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein the keyboard cover  14  comprises a pair of opposed accordion suctions  40 . As illustrated, the accordion sections  40  can be folded when the keyboard cover  14  is in the down position. However, when the keyboard cover  14  is in the up position, the accordion sections  40  can be extended flat so as to provide the keyboard cover  14  with additional area, and to thereby provide the user with additional privacy.  
         [0043]     In operation, a commercial establishment locates the apparatus  10  of the invention proximate to the point of sale or transaction, such as on a countertop next to a cash register or at a teller window, new account desk or sales desk. Because the data communicator  26  is disposed in the keyboard cover  14 , and because the keyboard cover  14  is attached to the payment terminal  12 , the device is a relatively small “footprint,” and takes up little area on the countertop. The user can be instructed in the use of the apparatus  10  via the digital information screen  22 . When so instructed, the user can enter his or her PIN number in privacy by precisely positioning the keyboard cover  14  such that no one can see the buttons on the keyboard  18  which he or she pushes. Afterwards, the user may be instructed to sign his or her signature on the touch pad  28  which is built into the keyboard cover  14 . Because the touch pad  28  in the keyboard cover  14  can be made to be approximately horizontal, the user does not have difficulty in making a true signature.  
         [0044]     When the touch pad  28  in the keyboard cover  14  becomes scratched or otherwise damaged, the owner of the apparatus  10  can easily replace the touch pad  28  by disconnecting and replacing the keyboard cover  14 . Because the keyboard cover  14  can be easily replaced without having to access the interior of the payment terminal housing  16 , the security of the payment housing  16  is not breached and the owner does not have to incur loss of time and money to recertify the payment terminal  12 .  
         [0045]     Having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerous structural modifications and adaptations may be resorted to without departing from the scope and fair meaning of the instant invention as set forth hereinabove and as described hereinbelow by the claims.