Granted Patent B1

US 7,896,228 · App. 11/825,269 · Granted Mar 1, 2011

Abstract

Claims (76)

1. Apparatus comprising:

an automated banking machine including:

a card reader;

a keypad including a plurality of keys;

an indicator;

a display;

a cash dispenser;

at least one processor in operative connection with the card reader, the keypad, the indicator, the display and the cash dispenser,

wherein the keypad is operative responsive to the at least one processor to selectively encrypt through operation of the keypad user inputs to the keypad, and

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the indicator to indicate when inputs to the keypad are encrypted.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the display to output first instructions that instruct a user of the automated banking machine to input a Personal Identification Number (PIN),

wherein the at least one processor is operative

to cause the keypad to encrypt the PIN and provide encrypted outputs corresponding thereto, and

to cause the indicator to indicate that the keypad is operative to encrypt inputs at a time while the first instructions are output.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the at least one processor is operative to receive encrypted outputs from the keypad corresponding to the PIN.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the first instructions include an instruction to provide an end input when input of the PIN is complete,

wherein the at least one processor is operative responsive to receipt of the end input by the banking machine

to cause the keypad to cease encrypting further inputs and

to cause the indicator to indicate that inputs to the keypad are not encrypted.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the display to output second instructions,

wherein the second instructions instruct the user of the banking machine to input at least one numerical value through the keypad,

wherein the at least one processor is operative

to cause the keypad not to encrypt the at least one numerical value, and

at least while the second instructions are displayed, to cause the indicator to indicate that inputs to the keypad are not being encrypted.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein at least one processor is operative to receive signals corresponding to the not encrypted at least one numerical value input through the keypad.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the keypad includes at least one data store, wherein the data store includes at least one public key and at least one private key.

8. The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the banking machine includes a user interface, wherein the user interface includes the keypad and the indicator.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the indicator comprises an illuminating device, and wherein the keypad includes the illuminating device.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 and further comprising a keypad cover overlying at least some of the keys of the keypad,

wherein the cover bounds an opening transversely disposed of at least some of the keys of the keypad, and

wherein the cover is configured such that the keypad is not clearly visible through the cover except from a point of view of a user operating the banking machine.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10

wherein the keypad cover comprises flexible material, and

wherein the keypad cover is changeable between a collapsed condition and an operative condition responsive to the at least one processor, and wherein

in the operative condition all of the keys of the keypad are digit accessible and

in the collapsed condition of the keypad cover at least one key of the keypad is not digit accessible.

12. A method comprising:

(a) operating at least one processor in a cash dispensing automated banking machine including a card reader, a keypad, and a visual indicator,

to conduct a transaction through operation of the machine,

wherein conducting the transaction includes:

(i) receiving first user inputs through the keypad, and

(ii) receiving second user inputs through the keypad; and

(b) operating the at least one processor to

(i) cause the visual indicator to indicate during at least a portion of (a)(i), that user inputs to the keypad will be encrypted, and

(ii) cause the keypad to encrypt through use of at least one encryption key, the first user inputs received in (a)(i).

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein (b) further includes operating the at least one processor to

(iii) cause the visual indicator to indicate during at least a portion of (a)(ii) that user inputs to the keypad will not be encrypted, and

(iv) cause the keypad to not encrypt the second user inputs received in (a)(ii).

14. The method according to claim 13 wherein in (a)(i), at least one first user input comprises a customer Personal Identification Number (PIN).

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein in (a)(ii), at least one second user input comprises at least one numerical value.

16. The method according to claim 15 wherein in (a) the at least one processor is operative to cause a display of the machine to output first instructions to a user of the machine to input the PIN, wherein the first instructions are output during at least a portion of (a)(i).

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein in (a) the at least one processor is operative to cause the display to output second instructions to input at least one numerical value, wherein the second instructions are output during at least a portion of (a)(ii).

18. The method according to claim 12 wherein the keypad includes the visual indicator, wherein in (a)(i) the visual indicator is illuminated,

wherein the machine includes a cover overlying at least some of the keys of the keypad, and wherein (a) includes changing the properties of visibility to at least one portion of the keypad responsive to operation to the at least one processor.

19. The method according to claim 12

wherein the keypad includes the visual indicator, wherein in (a)(i) the visual indicator is illuminated,

wherein the banking machine includes a cover overlying at least some keys of the keypad, and

wherein (a) includes changing the cover between an operative condition, wherein all keys of the keypad are digit accessible, and

a collapsed condition, wherein at least one key of the keypad is not digit accessible,

responsive to operation of the at least one processor.

20. A method comprising:

(a) operating an automated banking machine to activate an encryption indicator,

wherein the machine includes at least one computer, a keypad, and the indicator,

wherein the keypad is operable in both

an encrypting condition in which user input to the keypad is encrypted by the keypad, and

an non-encrypting condition in which user input to the keypad is not encrypted by the keypad,

wherein the indicator when activated provides an indication to a user of the machine that the keypad is operating in the encrypting condition;

(b) subsequent to (a) and while the indicator remains activated, receiving user input through the keypad; and

(c) subsequent to (b) and while the indicator remains activated, causing the keypad to encrypt through use of at least one encryption key, the user input received in (b).

21. The method according to claim 20 and further comprising:

(d) operating the machine to deactivate the encryption indicator,

wherein the indicator when deactivated provides no indication to a user of the machine that the keypad is operating in the encrypting condition;

(e) subsequent to (d) and while the indicator remains deactivated, receiving user input through the keypad; and

(f) subsequent to (e) and while the indicator remains deactivated, causing the keypad to not encrypt the user input received in (e).

Assignments (20)