AR Overlay for Keypad Security Against Visual Compromise

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional numeric keypads, such as those on ATMs and credit card processing devices, are vulnerable to visual compromise, as attackers can observe or record the user's input, potentially exposing personal information like PINs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an augmented reality system using a head-mounted display to overlay randomly arranged digits on blank keypad keys, secured through a secure connection and encryption, ensuring only the user with the AR device can correctly input information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional numeric keypads are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but security is compromised due to visual observation attacks

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

An augmented reality display acts as an intermediary between the user and the keypad, projecting the numeric layout onto the keypad surface. This mediator enables the user to see the correct key positions without exposing the information to attackers, thus maintaining both security and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The augmented reality display uses visual projection (analogous to color/visual changes) to overlay numeric values on the keypad. The projected visual information changes the appearance of the keypad surface, guiding the user's finger to the correct keys without revealing information to observers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

2Reliability

If augmented reality display is implemented, then security is improved by preventing visual compromise, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The augmented reality display device serves multiple functions: it provides security by preventing visual compromise, guides user input on keypads, and can potentially be used with various types of input devices. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing broad security benefits across different applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If secure connection and encryption are implemented, then security is enhanced, but processing time and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The secure connection and encryption protocols are established before the actual key input process begins. By performing the security setup in advance, the system minimizes the time impact during the critical key entry phase, thus enhancing security while reducing processing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9904808B2Numeric keypad encryption for augmented reality devices

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for numeric keypad encryption using an augmented reality device. The method may include establishing a secure connection to an augmented reality device. A random keypad layout is generated and sent to the augmented reality device. The random keypad layout is displayed in the augmented reality view over a real-world numeric keypad.