SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROTECTING AT LEAST ONE ELEMENT OF AN UNATTENDED TRANSACTION TERMINAL

1 . A system for protecting at least one element of an unattended transaction terminal, referred to as the element to be protected, wherein said system comprises:

means for protecting said at least one element to be protected, delivering at least one means of interaction with at least one user of said unattended transaction terminal; and

means for detecting an abnormality according to said at least one means of interaction.

2 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein said protection means comprise:

means for controlling at least one parameter for backlighting of at least part of said at least one element to be protected;

means for emitting at least one signal carrying at least one message, relating to said backlighting parameter, intended to be displayed on a screen of said unattended transaction terminal, said at least one message corresponding to said at least one interaction means,

and said means for detecting an abnormality deliver an alert if no response to said displayed message is received before the expiry of a predetermined time or if a response received to said displayed message is negative.

3 . The system according to claim 2 , further comprising means for checking a detected abnormality, comprising:

means for controlling a light source external to said protection system;

means for analysing a light intensity, delivering a decision to validate said detected abnormality if said light intensity analysed is not in accordance with a reference light intensity.

4 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein said means for protecting comprise:

means for controlling a light source external to said protection system, a switching on of said external light source corresponding to said interaction means;

means for analysing a light intensity,

and said means for detecting an abnormality deliver an alert if the light intensity analysed is not in accordance with a reference light intensity.

5 . The system according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one element to be protected is a keypad or a card reader.

6 . The system according to claim 1 , comprising means for receiving at least one triggering command to trigger said means for protecting, coming from a module for protecting said unattended transaction terminal.

7 . The system according to claim 6 , wherein said means for receiving a triggering command and/or said means for protecting are implemented in said at least one element to be protected.

8 . The system according to claim 2 , wherein said means for controlling at least one backlighting parameter belong to the group consisting of:

means for activating one or more colours emitted by at least one light source internal to said at least one element to be protected;

means for intermittent activation of at least one light source internal to said at least one element to be protected;

a combination of said means for activating and said means for intermittent activation.

9 . The system according to claim 1 , comprising means for backlighting at least part of said at least one element to be protected, said means for backlighting belonging to the group consisting of:

a light guide around at least part of said element to be protected;

a structure composed of a plastic part, connected to at least one light source internal to said at least one element to be protected, placed on an impact-resistant white part;

a structure composed of a light-diffusing part, connected to at least one light source internal to said at least one element to be protected, a light-diffusing frosted film and an impact-resistant protective part;

a light source disposed under at least one key of said element to be protected, when the latter is a keypad.

10 . A method for protecting at least one element of an unattended transaction terminal, referred to as the element to be protected, wherein said method comprises:

protecting said at least one element to be protected, delivering at least one interaction with at least one user of said unattended transaction terminal;

detecting an abnormality according to said at least one interaction.

11 . (canceled)

12 . A computer-readable and non transitory storage medium, storing a computer program product thereon, which when executed by a processor of a protection system configure the protection system to perform acts comprising:

protecting at least one element of an unattended transaction terminal, referred to as the element to be protected, wherein protecting comprises:

protecting said at least one element to be protected, delivering at least interaction with at

least one user of said unattended transaction terminal;

detecting an abnormality according to said interaction.