ATM Anti-Fraud System Using Radiation Jamming and Segmented Sensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated banking machines face challenges in detecting and preventing unauthorized card reading devices, which can intercept user data, leading to potential fraud and security breaches.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of radiation emitting and sensing devices around the card reader slot to detect changes in radiation patterns, combined with oscillation sensors and image capture systems, to identify and prevent unauthorized card reading devices and other fraud attempts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If radiation emitting and sensing devices are installed around the card reader slot to detect unauthorized devices, then the security capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The security system is divided into multiple independent sensing zones around the card reader slot, with each zone containing radiation emitting and sensing devices. This segmentation allows the system to detect unauthorized devices at different locations without requiring a single complex system, thereby improving security coverage while managing complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The radiation emitting and sensing devices serve multiple functions: detecting unauthorized card reading devices, identifying fraud attempts, and maintaining security monitoring during normal operations. This multi-functionality allows a single system component to address multiple security concerns, improving overall security capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If oscillation sensors and image capture systems are added to detect fraud devices, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The oscillation sensors and image capture systems are merged with the existing radiation sensing infrastructure to form an integrated security system. By combining multiple detection methods (radiation detection, oscillation sensing, and image capture) into a unified system, the patent achieves higher detection accuracy while managing complexity through centralized control and coordinated operation of the sensing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If interference signals are output to jam unauthorized card readers, then the prevention effectiveness is improved, but the use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention effectivenessVSAvoiduse of energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The interference signals are transmitted periodically rather than continuously, with the system activating the jamming function only when unauthorized devices are detected. This periodic action maintains prevention effectiveness by being ready to counter fraud attempts while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from oscillation sensors and image capture systems to trigger interference signal transmission only when necessary. The feedback mechanism allows the system to distinguish between normal operations and fraud attempts, activating energy-intensive jamming functions only when prevention is required, thus balancing effectiveness with energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the security of automated banking machines by effectively detecting and preventing unauthorized card reading devices, reducing the risk of data interception and fraud, while allowing legitimate transactions to proceed.

Implementation Method 1

radiation emitting devices positioned to emit radiation and radiation sensing devices positioned to sense the reflected radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

oscillation sensors positioned within a housing of the automated banking machine in a vicinity of the card reader slot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOscillation: Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS9564985B2Automated banking machine that outputs interference signals to jam reading ability of unauthorized card reader devices

Publication Date: 2017.02.07 DIEBOLD NIXDORF INCORPORATED

AI summary

A banking system is controlled responsive to data read from data bearing records. The system comprises an automated banking machine. The machine includes at least one type of data reader, which includes a card reader. The machine also includes an anti-fraud arrangement that can deter effective operation of unauthorized devices attached to the machine. Such unauthorized devices may include a fraudulent card reader placed adjacent to a card entry slot that leads to the card reader. The arrangement can sense a fraudulent card reader installed on the machine. The arrangement can additionally emit jamming signals that interfere with an ability of a sensed fraudulent card reader to accurately read card data.