Cryptographically Keyed Unit for Fuel Pump Encryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current credit card payment systems at fuel pumps lack secure transmission of credit card information between devices, as existing deployed devices often use unsecured connections and are not equipped with encryption protocols, making them vulnerable to fraud.
Innovation Solution
Implementing cryptographically keyed units (CKUs) to encrypt and decrypt credit card information, ensuring secure transmission between fuel pump devices and remote devices, while also monitoring for tampering using sensors to disable operations if unauthorized access is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing deployed devices are used at fuel pumps, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but security of credit card information transmission deteriorates as devices lack encryption protocols and use unsecured connections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary encryption device that sits between the existing fuel pump device and the remote computing device. This intermediary handles all encryption and decryption operations, allowing the original fuel pump device to remain simple while achieving secure communication. The intermediary device translates between the simple communication protocol of the existing device and the encrypted protocol required for secure transmission.
2Reliability
If modern fuel pumps with encryption capabilities are deployed, then security of credit card information transmission is improved, but cost and deployment time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the security function from the fuel dispensing function. Instead of requiring complete replacement of expensive modern fuel pumps, it separates the encryption/decryption functionality into a distinct intermediary device. This allows the existing fuel pump hardware to be retained while adding security capabilities through a separate, more affordable component.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary encryption device serves as a cost-effective solution that can be deployed alongside existing equipment rather than requiring expensive replacement of the entire fuel pump system. This approach uses simpler, more affordable hardware to achieve the security function without the high cost of modern fuel pumps.
3Ease of operation
If long cables are used to connect fuel pump devices to in-store systems, then ease of operation is improved and device placement flexibility is increased, but security deteriorates as cables create vulnerable transmission paths
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary encryption device is positioned at the fuel pump location and encrypts data before it travels through the long cable to the in-store system. This maintains the operational flexibility of using long cables for device placement while neutralizing the security vulnerability of the cable transmission through encryption.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention are drawn to systems and methods for securing information using cryptographically keyed units. Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, a system is provided for securing information that uses two cryptographically keyed units to encrypt information flowing between a fuel pump device and a remote device. Thus, even if the information is intercepted, it could not be used to perpetrate fraud.