Point of sale (POS) terminal security system
US6917299B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 28, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jul 12, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 5, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY04S40/20
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A security system for electronic circuits (e.g. electronic circuits contained within a secure POS terminal) is provided that is both more tamper resistant, and tamper responsive and less expensive than the prior art epoxy potting. This is achieved by inserting an electrical connector between a first and a second circuit board contained within a case of the POS terminal. The first and the second circuit boards are any type of circuit board known in the art, including both not limited to, rigid circuit boards, flexible circuit boards, printed circuit boards, etc. If the case is opened the connector no longer provides an electrical connection between the first and the second circuit boards, triggering a tamper detection circuit. In some embodiments of the invention, a flexible conductive film is wrapped around the circuit boards and the connector. If a tamperer attempts to penetrate the case of the POS terminal to disable the tamper detection circuit, the circuit on the flexible security film is interrupted, in turn triggering the tamper detection circuit. As a result, the secure POS terminal of the present invention overcomes the limitations of prior art potted terminals. By eliminat…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.