POS Terminal Enclosure with RF Absorber Panels

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Solution Overview

Problem

Point-of-sale (POS) transactions using contactless communication, such as near field communication (NFC), are vulnerable to eavesdropping, allowing identity thieves to capture financial information and commit fraud.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a point-of-sale terminal with a contactless communication transceiver and an enclosure or absorber panels to confine and attenuate the contactless communication signals, reducing the propagation of confidential information beyond the terminal and minimizing the risk of eavesdropping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If contactless communication is used for POS transactions, then transaction speed and convenience are improved, but vulnerability to eavesdropping and identity theft increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransaction speedVSAvoideavesdropping risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies RF absorber materials that convert harmful RF eavesdropping signals into harmless heat energy through electromagnetic absorption. The absorber panels are positioned to intercept RF signals containing confidential information and dissipate their energy, thereby converting the harmful eavesdropping threat into a benign thermal effect while maintaining contactless transaction functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces RF absorber panels as intermediary elements between the contactless communication transceiver and potential eavesdroppers. These panels act as a mediating barrier that selectively absorbs RF energy, allowing legitimate contactless transactions to proceed while blocking unauthorized interception of confidential information by positioning the absorbers around the terminal's RF emission zones

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If RF absorber panels are added to block confidential information, then security against eavesdropping is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesecurityVSAvoidterminal structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs thin RF absorber panels that can be integrated into the terminal's existing enclosure structure. These thin film absorbers provide effective RF blocking without requiring bulky additional components, thereby enhancing security while minimizing increases in device complexity and maintaining a sleek terminal design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes composite RF absorber materials that combine multiple properties (electromagnetic absorption, structural integrity, and aesthetic appearance) into a single integrated component. These composite panels can be directly mounted on the terminal housing, providing security enhancement without requiring complex assembly procedures or multiple separate parts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Substantially blocks access to contactless communication links, effectively reducing the risk of eavesdropping and identity theft by confining the exchange of confidential information within the terminal's vicinity.

Implementation Method 1

at least one RF absorber panel positioned to substantially reduce propagation of the RF signal containing financial information beyond the RF absorber panel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRF absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS8719102B1Method and system for blocking confidential information at a point-of-sale reader from eavesdropping

Publication Date: 2014.05.06 T MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

A point-of-sale terminal comprises a contactless communication transceiver configured to receive an emission containing confidential information from a portable electronic device, and an enclosure having an aperture to promote at least partial insertion of the portable electronic device. The enclosure is constructed to promote substantially confining the emission within the enclosure to reduce eavesdropping on the confidential information while promoting the transceiver receiving the emission.