METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROTECTING AN INPUT TERMINAL FROM VIDEO SURVEILLANCE

摘要

An Automated Teller Machine (ATM) (1) has a card reader (2) into which a credit card can be inserted by a user and a keypad (3) via which a user can enter a Personal Identification Number (PIN) associated with the card. Mounted inside the ATM (1) is an anti-surveillance device (9). The device (9) has an antenna (10) adapted to pick up radio signals over wide frequency range, e.g. between around 50 MHz and 6 Hz, and a signal processor (12) for determining whether it is likely that the radio signals represent video data transmitted from the vicinity of the ATM (1). Upon such determination, an output unit (13) is adapted to prevent use of the ATM (1) by switching off power to the ATM (1) from a power supply (8); alerting a central controller (6) via a communication network (7); and/or commanding the ATM (1) to stop dispensing cash and to display a warning on its display (4). Video surveillance of the ATM (1) and, more specifically, of entry of PINs via the keypad (3) is prevented. The invention can equally be applied to Chip and PIN units or such like.