Detachable tamper resistant security module

Claim 2

A data entry module, comprising; a keypad responsive to manual activation for generating electrical signals; a mass of material having a processor encapsulated therein for encrypting said generated signals, said keypad being connected to said processor for passing said generated signals from said keypad to said processor; and rivets for detachably securing said mass to said keypad so that said connection between said keypad and said processor is maintained.

Claim 3

The module of claim 1 wherein said rivets extend through said mass and said keypad.

Claim 4

The module of claim 1 further comprising a housing for receiving said mass of material, wherein said keypad and said housing define holes, and said rivets extend through said keypad holes and said housing holes for securing said keypad to said housing and said mass of material within said housing.

Claim 5

The module of claim 1 wherein said material comprises shaped epoxy.

Claim 6

The module of claim 1 wherein said material comprises shaped plastic.

Claim 7

The module of claim 1 further comprising control logic, executable by said processor, for encrypting said generated signal.

Claim 8

The module of claim 1 wherein said keypad comprises keys which may be activated by depression.

Claim 9

The module of claim 1 wherein said keypad comprises keys which may be activated by predetermined thermal conditions.

Claim 10

The module of claim 1 wherein said processor further comprises means for passing said processed signals externally of said module.

Claim 11

The module of claim 9 wherein said passing means is a connector onto which said processed signals are output, said connector being connectable to a network for transmitting said processed signals thereto.

Claim 12

A module for entering data into a system, comprising: a keypad having a connector and a plurality of keys disposed thereon, said keypad being responsive to activation of said keys for generating onto said connector electrical signals indicative of said activated keys; a shape mass of material having a processor embedded therein for encrypting said generated signals, said processor having a first connector connected to said keypad connector for passing said generated signals from said keypad to said processor, said processor further having a second connector onto which said processed signals are output; a housing, wherein said housing and said keypad define corresponding holes which align when said keypad connector and said first connector are connected; and rivets extending through said aligned holes for detachably securing said mass to said to said keypad so that connection is maintained between said keypad connector and said first connector.

Claim 13

A module for entering data into a system, comprising: a keypad having a connector and a plurality of keys disposed thereon, said keypad being responsive to activation of said keys for generating onto said connector electrical signals indicative of said activated keys; a shape mass of material having a processor embedded therein for encrypting said generated signals, said processor having a first connector connected to said keypad connector for passing said generated signals from said keypad to said processor, said processor further having a second connector onto which said processed signals are output; a housing, wherein said housing and said keypad define corresponding holes which align when said keypad connector and said first connector are connected; and rivets extending through said aligned holes for detachably securing said mass to said to said keypad so that connection is maintained between said keypad connector and said first connector.

Claim 14

The module of claim 11 wherein said material comprises shaped epoxy.

Claim 15

The module of claim 11 wherein said material comprises shaped plastic.

Claim 16

The module of claim 11 wherein said keys are activated by depression.

Claim 17

The module of claim 11 wherein said keys are thermally activated.

Claim 18

The module of claim 11 wherein said second connector is connectable to a network for transmitting said processed signals to said network.

Claim 21

The method of claim 17 wherein said step of detachably securing said mass comprises extending rivets through said mass and said keypad.

Claim 22

The method of claim 17 wherein said step of detachably securing said mass comprises enclosing said mass in a housing, and riveting said housing to said keypad.

Claim 23

The method of claim 17 wherein said processor comprises control logic for encrypting signals input from said keypad.

Claim 24

The method of claim 17 further comprising connecting said processor to a network.

Claim 25

A data entry module, comprising; a keypad responsive to manual activation for generating electrical signals; a processor for encrypting said generated signals and generating output signals; means for encapsulating said processor; electrical signal transmission means for electrically connecting said keypad to said processor for passing said generated electrical signals from said keypad to said processor; and rivets for detachably securing said encapsulating means to said keypad so that said connection between said keypad and said processor is maintained.

Claim 26

A data entry module, comprising; a keypad responsive to manual activation for generating electrical signals; a processor for encrypting said generated signals and generating output signals; means for encapsulating said processor; electrical signal transmission means for electrically connecting said keypad to said processor for passing said generated electrical signals from said keypad to said processor; and rivets for detachably securing said encapsulating means to said keypad so that said connection between said keypad and said processor is maintained.

Claim 27

The module of claim 22 wherein said encapsulating means comprises an epoxy material in which said processor is encapsulated.

Claim 28

The module of claim 22 wherein said encapsulating means comprises a plastic material in which said processor is encapsulated.

Claim 29

The module of claim 22 wherein said rivets extend through said mass and said keypad.

Claim 30

The module of claim 22 wherein said securing means comprises a housing, and said keypad and said housing define corresponding holes, and said securing means further comprises rivets extending through said holes.

Claim 31

The module of claim 22 further comprising control logic, executable by said processor, for encrypting said generated signal.

Claim 32

The module of claim 22 wherein said keypad comprises keys which may be activated by depression.

Claim 33

The module of claim 22 wherein said keypad comprises keys which may be activated by predetermined thermal conditions.

Claim 34

The module of claim 22 further comprising electrical signal transmission means for passing said output signals from said processor externally of said module.

Claim 35

The module of claim 22 wherein said transmission means comprises a connector onto which said processed signals are output, said connector being connectable to a network for transmitting said processed signals thereto.