Method and apparatus for an encrypting keyboard
View Patent ↗A method and keyboard for protecting data generated by the keyboard by reading data from a keypad of the keyboard, encrypting the read data, and transmitting the encrypted data from the keyboard to a computer. A method for protecting by the computer data generated by a keyboard where the keyboard is connected to the computer by receiving encrypted data from the keyboard by the computer, and decrypting the encrypted data. A method for protecting by a server the data generated by a keyboard where the keyboard is connected to the server via a network and a computer by receiving encrypted data from the keyboard by the server, and decrypting the encrypted data.
1. A method for protecting data generated by a keyboard, comprising the steps of:
reading data from a keypad of the keyboard;
reading an encryption seed from a device reader directly connected to the keyboard;
encrypting the read data using the encryption seed; and
directly transmitting the encrypted data from the keyboard to a computer wherein the encrypted data is not transmitted via the device reader to the computer and the computer and the device reader are different devices.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprises the steps of receiving the transmitted encrypted data by the computer; and
decrypting the received encrypted data by the computer.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting comprises the step of using a wireless link over which the encrypted data is transmitted.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of reading the encryption seed comprises the step of enabling the device reader with a personal identification number.
5. A method for protecting data generated by a keyboard, comprising the steps of:
generating a start signal by at least one of a special key on a keypad of the keyboard or multi-actuation of a number of keys on the keypad;
reading data from the keypad following generation of the start signal wherein the read data and the start signal are distinct;
encrypting the read data in response to the start signal;
transmitting the encrypted data from the keyboard to a computer;
receiving a unique stop signal from the keypad;
stopping the encryption of the read data and transmission of the encrypted data from the keyboard to the computer in response to the stop signal.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of receiving the stop signal comprises the step of generating the stop signal by at least one of a special key on keyboard or multi-actuation of a number of keys on the keypad.
7. A keyboard for encrypting data before transmission to a computer directly connected to the keyboard via a link, comprising:
an interface connected to the link;
a memory;
a keypad for generating the data;
a device interface for reading a directly connected device reader to obtain a seed for an encryption routine wherein the device reader and the computer are different devices;
a processor for encrypting using the seed from the device reader the generated data from the keypad by execution of the encryption routine stored in the memory; and
directly transmitting the encrypted data to the computer via the interface and link bypassing the device reader and device interface.
8. The keyboard of claim 7 wherein the link is a wireless link.
9. The keyboard of claim 7 comprises a special key which when actuated causes the processor to at least start executing the encryption routine or stop executing the encryption routine.
10. A processor-readable medium for protecting data generated by a keyboard, comprising processor-executable instructions configured for:
reading data from a keypad of the keyboard;
reading an encryption seed from a device reader directly connected to the keyboard;
encrypting the read data using the encryption seed; and
directly transmitting the encrypted data from the keyboard to a computer wherein the encrypted data is not transmitted via the device reader to the computer and the computer and the device reader are different devices.
11. The processor-readable medium of claim 10 wherein the transmitting comprises using a wireless link over which the encrypted data is transmitted.
12. The processor-readable medium of claim 10 wherein the reading the encryption seed comprises enabling the device reader with a personal identification number.
13. A processor-readable medium for protecting data generated by a keyboard, comprising processor-executable instructions configured for:
generating a start signal by at least one of a special key on a keypad of the keyboard or multi-actuation of a number of keys on the keypad;
reading data from the keypad following generation of the start signal wherein the read data and the start signal are distinct;
encrypting the read data in response to the start signal;
transmitting the encrypted data from the keyboard to a computer;
receiving a unique stop signal from the keypad;
stopping the encryption of tile read data and transmission of the encrypted data from the keyboard to the computer in response to the stop signal.
14. The processor-readable medium of claim 13 wherein the stop signal generated by at least one of a special key on keyboard or multi-actuation of a number of keys on the keypad.