Magnetic Head with Split Demodulation and Encryption for Skimming Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional magnetic heads used in card readers are vulnerable to skimming attacks, and their large size due to the integration of demodulating and encrypting circuits within the control unit hinders further miniaturization.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic head design where the demodulating electronic component is placed inside the case body, and the encrypting electronic component is outside, with a substrate configuration that includes a multilayer board and resin covering to prevent unauthorized access to the signal before encryption, making it difficult for criminals to extract the magnetic information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control unit with demodulating and encrypting circuits is stored inside the case body, then skimming prevention is achieved, but the magnetic head becomes large-sized
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit is divided into two separate electronic components: a demodulating electronic component placed inside the case body and an encrypting electronic component placed outside the case body. This segmentation allows the magnetic head to maintain security (with the demodulating component inside) while reducing overall size by moving the encrypting component externally.
Solution Approach 2:
The encrypting electronic component is extracted from the case body and mounted on the outer surface. This extraction removes bulk from the case body while maintaining the security function, as the encrypting component can still access the demodulated signal through the substrate connection.
2Volume of stationary object
If the encrypting electronic component is placed outside the case body, then the magnetic head is downsized, but security may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate acts as an intermediary between the demodulating electronic component inside the case body and the encrypting electronic component outside. It provides a secure connection path for the signal, allowing the encrypting component to be externally mounted while maintaining security through the controlled signal routing via the substrate.
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
This design effectively prevents skimming attacks by securing the signal within the case body and allowing for the downsizing of the magnetic head, making it more secure and compact.
Implementation Method 1
a coil wound on the core; terminals to which ends of the coil are connected
Implementation Method 2
a core in which a magnetic gap is formed for reading magnetic data recorded in a card
Data Source
AI summary
A magnetic head which includes a core, a coil wound on the core, terminals to which ends of the coil are connected. The magnetic head also includes a substrate on which mounted are a demodulating electronic component for demodulating an analog output signal output from the terminals to create a digital demodulated signal, and an encrypting electronic component for encrypting the demodulated signal to create an encrypted signal. A cable electrically connects the demodulating electronic component and the terminals. A case body stores the core, the coil, the terminals, and the cable. The demodulating electronic component is mounted on one side of the substrate, and the encrypting electronic component is mounted on the other side of the substrate. The substrate is fixed to the case body so that the demodulating electronic component is placed inside the case body while the encrypting electronic component is placed outside the case body.