Fuel Dispenser Input Device Tamper Detection Arrangement

Abstract

Systems and methods for detecting unauthorized removal or tampering. A system comprises an input device comprising a secure area and a circuit assembly coupled with the exterior of the input device. The circuit assembly comprises a plurality of flexible dielectric substrates. The circuit assembly further comprises at least one switch and at least one tamper-responsive conductor circuit, the at least one switch and the at least one tamper-responsive conductor circuit in electrical communication with the secure area of the input device. The at least one switch is in electrical communication with the secure area of the input device via a conductive path, and the at least one tamper-responsive conductor circuit covers the conductive path on at least one side thereof. The secure area of the input device is operative to detect whether the input device has been removed from a structure based on the position of the switch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, comprising:
 an input device comprising tamper-response electronics and memory;   a circuit assembly coupled with the exterior of the input device, the circuit assembly comprising a plurality of flexible dielectric substrates; and   a switch disposed within the circuit assembly, the switch in electrical communication with the tamper-response electronics of the input device;   wherein at least one of the flexible dielectric substrates comprises a tamper-responsive conductor circuit, the tamper-responsive conductor circuit in electrical communication with the tamper-response electronics of the input device;   wherein the switch is operative to selectively complete a removal detection circuit based on whether the input device is mounted to a structure.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the input device is selected from the group consisting of a card reader, a keypad, and a touch screen device. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cable coupled with the circuit assembly and operatively connected to the tamper-response electronics of the input device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the tamper-responsive conductor circuit is at least partially disposed within the cable. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the switch is a membrane switch. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is a fuel dispenser bezel. 
     
     
         7 . They system of  claim 1 , wherein the tamper-response electronics are operative to monitor at least one electrical characteristic of each of the removal detection circuit and the tamper-responsive conductor circuit. 
     
     
         8 . A system, comprising:
 an input device comprising a secure area;   a circuit assembly coupled with the exterior of the input device, the circuit assembly comprising a plurality of flexible dielectric substrates; and   the circuit assembly further comprising at least one switch and at least one tamper-responsive conductor circuit, the at least one switch and the at least one tamper-responsive conductor circuit in electrical communication with the secure area of the input device;   wherein the at least one switch is in electrical communication with the secure area of the input device via a conductive path;   wherein the at least one tamper-responsive conductor circuit covers the conductive path on at least one side thereof;   wherein the secure area of the input device is operative to detect whether the input device has been removed from a structure based on the position of the switch.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a normally open foreign conductor detection circuit. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the secure area is operative to disable the input device when the foreign conductor detection circuit is closed. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one tamper-responsive conductor circuit comprises more than one tamper-responsive conductor circuit. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the secure area comprises a processor and tamper-response electronics. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the secure area is operative to monitor at least one electrical characteristic of the at least one tamper-responsive conductor circuit. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one copper plane disposed between the at least one tamper-responsive conductor circuit and the conductive path. 
     
     
         15 . A method, comprising:
 providing a circuit assembly comprising a plurality of flexible dielectric substrates, at least one switch, and at least one tamper-responsive conductor circuit,   coupling the circuit assembly with the exterior of an input device, the input device having a secure area;   providing electrical communication between the secure area of the input device, the at least one switch, and the at least one tamper-responsive conductor circuit;   mounting the input device to a structure such that the switch is actuated to complete a removal detection circuit; and   monitoring at least one electrical characteristic of the removal detection circuit.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising monitoring at least one electrical characteristic of the tamper-responsive conductor circuit. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the secure area comprises a memory. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising erasing the memory upon detection of a change in the at least one electrical characteristic of the removal detection circuit. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising setting a flag indicating that tampering has occurred upon detection of a change in the at least one electrical characteristic of the removal detection circuit. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the electrical communication between the secure area of the input device, the at least one switch, and the at least one tamper-responsive conductor circuit is provided via a cable.