Abstract:
The disclosure provides an apparatus and method for secure code entry in public places. The code entry apparatus includes a display for displaying a code character, the display having a structure that assures that only the user of the apparatus can view the code character; a character selector for selecting the code character; and an input device for confirming selection of the code character.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    This disclosure relates to the field of code entry, more specifically, to secure code entry in public places. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Code entry is used in many varied situations and locations. For example, personal identification number (PIN) code entry is a common example of a code that needs to be entered at an automatic teller machine (ATM) in order to withdraw money from a bank account. In this case, the code or secure code is entered through a numeric keypad to identify the individual and authorize the transaction, in combination with the bank card. Secure codes are also used in many other situations such as, store cashier machines, building entry door locks, and office safe boxes. 
         [0003]    Generally, the secure code entry is performed by a person in a public space with or without other people around. Existing PIN code entry pads generally consist of a grid of numbered buttons, e.g. the numbers 0 to 9, along with confirmation and correction buttons. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one broad aspect, a code entry apparatus includes a display for displaying a code character, the display having a viewing angle adjustable by a user; a character selector for selecting the code character; and an input device for confirming selection of the code character. The code entry apparatus may include an adjustable tunnel surrounding the display for restricting the display of the code character only to the user, or for restricting the viewing angle of the display. The display may have a polarizing cap for restricting the display of the code character only to the user. The code entry apparatus may further include a light control film covering the display for restricting the display of the code character only to the user. 
         [0005]    In another broad aspect, provides a method for securely entering a code includes the steps of providing a display for restricting the display of a code character only to the user; viewing the displayed code character on the display; using a character selector to select the displayed code character; and selecting the displayed code character with an input device. The method for securely entering a code may also include the step of providing a display with an adjustable viewing angle, or, surrounding the display with an adjustable tunnel for restricting the viewing angle of the display, or, providing a light control film covering the display for restricting the viewing angle of the display, or, a combination of the above. 
         [0006]    In another broad aspect, a code entry apparatus includes a display for displaying a code character, the display having a structure that assures that only the user of the apparatus can view the code character; a character selector for selecting the code character; and an input device for confirming selection of the code character. 
         [0007]    The described apparatus and method improve the security of code entry by allowing for secure code entry in public places by restricting viewing of the code character only to the user who inputs the code character. The described apparatus and method thus substantially prevent others from viewing the code as it is being entered or to record the secure code during entry, either overtly or covertly, which would compromise the security of the secure code. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    In the accompanying drawings: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary implementation of a code entry apparatus; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary implementation of a tunnel and a display of an exemplary implementation of a code entry apparatus as depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3 and 3A  are exploded views of an exemplary implementation of a code entry apparatus; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4 and 4A  are top perspective views of an exemplary implementation of a code entry apparatus as depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 3A , with the code shielded; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5 and 5A  are top perspective views of an exemplary implementation of a code entry apparatus as depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 3A , with the code in view only to the user who entered the code; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a drawing of another implementation of the layout of the electronics on the mounting plate and an electrical bill of materials for an implementation of a code entry apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    For clarity, the term “code character” can encompass an arbitrary set of characters depending on the implementation. Generally, in most implementations, the code character consists of a set of alphanumeric characters. The act of incrementing or decrementing a code character means going to the next code character in the sequence. 
         [0016]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , one implementation of a code entry apparatus  100  is shown. The code entry apparatus  100  includes a display  101  that is surrounded by a tunnel  102 . The display  101  is preferably located within the tunnel  102  and is structured and arranged for displaying a code character to only to the user of the apparatus  100 . The hollow area of the tunnel  102  is wide enough to view the code characters displayed on the display  101 . The display  101  may be located anywhere within the tunnel  102 , but is preferably located near the base of the tunnel  102 . The display  101  has a viewing angle that is adjustable by the user, that is, so the code character is visible only to the user when the direct field of vision or viewing angle of the user is within the viewing angle of the display  101 . Additionally, the tunnel  102  can be manipulated to change the viewing angle of the display  101  by, in one implementation, allowing the user manually to tilt the display  101 , and thereby to change the viewing angle relative to the user. It is understood that the viewing angle of the display  101  is also referred to as the viewing direction and may be defined by both an azimuth and inclination angle. It is also understood that the multitude of viewing angles or viewing directions creates a viewing cone. 
         [0017]    The viewing angle of the display  101  is established by adjusting the tunnel  102  or a light control film  203  (see  FIG. 2 ) or both, and generally provides further security by making it more difficult for other observers outside the viewing angle of the display  101  to view the code characters displayed in the tunnel  102 . The light control film  203  may be applied to the surface of the display  101  as seen by the user, and works to restrict the range of the viewing angle of the display  101 . The tunnel  102  or film  203  or both would be used, or not used, with the display  101  depending on the specific application of the implementation. For example, an implementation used in a safe deposit box (which may not been seen by other members of the public) may not require the tunnel to be adjustable, or, due to manufacturing of a cost sensitive implementation, the film may not be applied to the display. 
         [0018]    The display  101  may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) or light emitting diode (LED) display or other electronically controllable display. For example, in cost-sensitive implementations, a seven segment LCD or LED display could be used. 
         [0019]    In use, the character selector  105  provides for selecting or scrolling the displayed code character. In some implementations, the character selector  105  is a scroll wheel, similar to those found on a computer mouse. The code character displayed on the display  101  is either incremented or decremented according to how the character selector  105  is used. For example, the user may select or scroll “up” or “down” towards the next code character in the sequence. Other implementations of the character selector  105  could be implemented among other obvious variations, e.g., using a touch screen type surface, trackball, or buttons. 
         [0020]    Once the desired code character is displayed on the display  101  only to the user, by the user adjusting the tunnel  102 , the display  101  located in the tunnel may or may not have a light control film  203  (see  FIG. 2 ) applied to it, following the use of the character selector  105 , then the user can confirm their selection by activating an input device indicated generally by reference number  107 . The input device  107  may be a button, such as an “enter” key  108 . The code entry apparatus  100  may also include a reversing device, such as a “revert” key  109  for reversing confirmation of a selected code character. The “revert” key  109  is used to clear the confirmation of a code character that was previously selected by the user. For example, in an implementation, when the user incorrectly confirms a code character, then the confirmation could be cleared by using the “revert” key  109 . The “revert” key  109  may be a button. Either the “enter” key  108  or the “revert” key  109  or both could be implemented using a touch screen type surface, trackball, clickable scroll wheel, or other obvious variation. 
         [0021]    In the implementation illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a processor for controlling the display  101  and output device in response to input from the character selector  105 , “enter” key  108  or the “revert” key  109  is preferably located within the casing  111 . The casing  111  is optional depending on the implementation of the code entry apparatus  100 . For example, if the implementation is part of a system such as an ATM then the casing  111  is not required, since all other essential elements are located within, or are part of, the ATM. 
         [0022]    The processor can be a low-cost microprocessor with associated software code but is understood to include alternatives such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or an electronic circuit, or combination of the above, among other obvious alternatives. The processor controls the display  101  and updates the displayed code character in response to input. If the character selector  105  is used then the processor will cause the display  101  to display an incremented or decremented code character as appropriate. If the input device  107  is used then the processor will cause the display  101  to display a response to indicate to the user that the code character was confirmed. For example, in an implementation, upon using the “enter” key  108  the displayed code character, such as a number, is replaced with a “*”. Analogously, if the “revert” key  109  is used then the processor will cause the display to indicate to the user that the previously confirmed code character is no longer confirmed. For example, in another implementation, upon using the “revert” key  109 , the confirmation character “*” is replaced with a code character, such as a number. 
         [0023]    In the use of the code entry apparatus shown and described in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a user of the code entry apparatus begins using the apparatus by adjusting a viewing angle of a display  101 , so that only the user can view the code character on the display due to the limited viewing angle of the display either because of the tunnel or light control film or combination used to restrict or narrow the viewing angle of the display. Only the user should be able to view a displayed code character on the display  101 . Next, the user scrolls or uses the character selector  105  to change the displayed code character. Then the user selects the displayed code character with an “enter” key  108 , which is part of the input device  107 . In an implementation, the user also can incorporate the step of reversing confirmation of a selected code character. The use also includes the step of generating an output signal with an output device in response to input from the character selector  105 , the “enter” key  108 , and/or the “revert” key  109 . 
         [0024]    As noted above, in use, the processor can also control an output device to generate an output signal in response to inputs from the character selector  105 , the “enter” key and/or the “revert” key  109 . Depending on the implementation, the processor can cause the output device to generate various output signals to indicate, for example, the code character currently displayed to another component in a system such as an ATM, or to emulate the output signals of another type of input device, or any other required electrical signals that a skilled person would understand as being required to interface an implementation of the code entry apparatus within an encompassing or existing system. 
         [0025]    In the exploded view of  FIGS. 3 and 3A , the code entry apparatus  300  includes a top housing  311  and a bottom housing  312  which, between them, house all elements, to be described hereinafter constituting this implementation. The top housing includes a button bezel  307  that encompasses an “enter” key  308  or an “accept” button, which is connected to button switch  320 , and a “revert” key  309  or “cancel” button, which is connected to button switch  321 . 
         [0026]    While not shown in  FIGS. 3 and 3A , but which will be described hereinafter, the code entry apparatus includes a processor connected to an “enter” key  308  and to a “revert” key  309 . The processor may also be connected to a wireless transmitter (not shown), the wireless transmitter may be WI-FI or BLUETOOTH compatible, or other variation known to a skilled person. 
         [0027]    The top housing  311  includes an opening slot  313  having arcuate outer edges  314  through which tunnel display housing  315 , which is provided with display rotator wheels  316  at outer edges thereof, projects when secured to the top housing  311  by means of longitudinally-extending cylindrical treaded connectors  317 . The tunnel display housing  315  may also include an optional polarized cap  303  to act as a light control film, if needed. In an example implementation, the slot opening  313  is provided with a manually-rotatable, arcuate shield  318  for selectively showing or hiding entry codes that have been manually-entered on the entry code display wells  319  of the tunnel display housing  315 , which are manually rotatable by means of selector wheel  329 . In another example implementation, the shield  318  may be fixed and not rotatable. In this alternative implementation, the display tunnel housing  315  is rotatable. A skilled technician would understand that alternate ways to selectively show or hide entry codes could be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure. For example, the display tunnel housing  315  may also have baffles or individual tunnels separating each character to further limit the angle of vision. The entry code is displayed on an LED screen  322 , which is located behind the entry code display wells  319 . The display tunnel housing  315  and the LED screen  322  are secured by LED backing plate  323 , mounting plate  324  and display rotator backing shield  330  to provide a housing for those elements. 
         [0028]    The mounting plate  324 , as shown in detail in  FIGS. 3 and 3A , has mounted thereon, a display wheel rotator diode and sensor  325 , a selector potentiometer  326 , a power converter  327  and unit master power button (not shown). The power converter  327  is covered by a protective shield  328  secured to the top housing. A battery pack  331  is secured to the interior of the bottom housing  312 . 
         [0029]    Another example implementation of a mounting plate  324  with associated electrical component layout is provided in  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  also lists the electrical and PCB bill of materials associated with this implementation. 
         [0030]    When the top housing  311  and the bottom housing  312  are secured together, they provide the entry code display apparatus  300  as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 4A  and  FIGS. 5 and 5A . 
         [0031]    In the use of the code entry apparatus shown and described in  FIGS. 3 and 3A  and  FIGS. 5 and 5A , a user of the code entry apparatus can start using the apparatus by manually-rotating the housing  315  and screen  322  so that only the user can view entered code characters on the display wells  319 . A user may also rotate the tunnel display housing  315  to adjust the viewing angle of the display  322  by using display rotator wheels  316 . Next, the user scrolls the selector wheel  329  to change the displayed code character. Then the user selects the displayed code character with an “input” key  308 . In an alternative implementation, the use also could incorporate the step of reversing confirmation of a selected code character by using the “revert” key  309  for reversing confirmation of a selected code character. The use may also include step of generating an output signal with an output device in response to input from the characters on the selector wheel  329 , the “input” key  308 , and/or the “revert” key  309 . 
         [0032]    As noted above, in use, the processor can also control an output device to generate an output signal in response to inputs from the characters on the selector wheel  329 , the “enter” key  308  and/or the “revert” key  309 . Depending on the implementation, the processor causes the output device to generate various output signals to indicate, for example, the code character currently displayed to another component in a system such as an ATM, or to emulate the output signals of another type of input device, or any other required electrical signals that a skilled person would understand as being required to interface an implementation of the code entry apparatus within an encompassing or existing system. 
         [0033]    Although the implementations are described in terms of viewing, scrolling, selecting, and clearing a code character, that there is no limitation as to the number of code characters that could viewed, scrolled, selected or cleared, other than the specific limitations that certain implementations impose, for example, displaying a limited amount of code characters due to the size of a display or the amount of memory available to the processor. 
         [0034]    The program used by the processor to increment or decrement, or scroll, the code characters is not limited to simply displaying the next code character in the sequence. For example, the code characters could be incremented or decremented by an arbitrary numbers of code characters in the sequence depending on the specific implementation. Also, it is not a limitation of the system to display the same code character upon initial use by a user. For example, in an implementation, the processor could cause a random code character to be initially displayed to the user, and then the user could use the character selector to scroll to the desired code character. 
         [0035]    A mechanical equivalent of the disclosed manipulation of the tunnel could be the substitution of the tunnel by a slidable shroud over the display; the slidable shroud can be longitudinally moved over the display to change the viewing angle over the display. 
         [0036]    The disclosure herein has been described with reference to specific exemplary implementations; however, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.