Secure payment card interface

摘要

The invention relates to a smartcard reader, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods of creating a card input/output interface that allows the smartcard reader to couple to a smartcard within a secure cavity. The secure cavity is mounted on an internal side of a system housing, i.e., a smartcard socket, included in the smartcard reader. An interface chip is further attached inside the secure cavity. When the smartcard is inserted to a designated position or depth inside the system housing, the secure cavity encloses the interface chip and its contact area with the smartcard. Mechanical contacts on the interface chip are thus aligned to and physically contact electrical connectors on the inserted smartcard, so as to electrically couple the interface chip and the smartcard. As a result, sensitive data within the smartcard may be protected from exposure to any tamper attempt and processed with an enhanced security level.

主权项

1. A smartcard reader, comprising:
a system housing that comprises an open slot at one side for receiving a smartcard; a secure cavity, mounted on one internal side of the system housing, the secure cavity enclosing an interface chip and its contact area with the smartcard when the smartcard is inserted to a designated position within the system housing; the interface chip, attached inside the secure cavity, the interface chip facing towards the smartcard, processing a data extracted from the smartcard and generating a processed data; a plurality of mechanical contacts, formed on a top side of the interface chip, the plurality of mechanical contacts being aligned to and physically contacting a plurality of electrical connectors on the inserted smartcard such that the interface chip is electrically coupled to the smartcard; a data line, coupled to the interface chip, the data line coupling the processed data out of the system housing for further processing, and a plurality of tamper detection leads, the plurality of tamper detection leads electrically connecting the interface chip to the system housing to create at least one tamper detection loop.