Patent ID: 12189741

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

To more clearly describe a password input method disclosed by the present invention, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings hereinafter.

With reference toFIG.1, there is shown a schematic stereo diagram of a touch sensitive password input device that is applied with a password input method according to the present invention. AsFIG.1shows, the touch sensitive password input device1has a touchscreen11and a microprocessor12. In one practicable embodiment, the touch sensitive password input device1is integrated in an electronic device like point-of-sale payment terminal, smartphone, tablet computer, all-in-one computer, door station, or keyless electronic door lock. The password input method of the present invention is applied in the touch sensitive password input device1, so as to be conducted by the microprocessor11. During the conduction of the password input method, the touch sensitive password input device1is controlled to guide a visually impaired person to successfully complete a password input operation with high security.

FIG.2AandFIG.2Bshow a complete flowchart of a password input method according to the present invention. Moreover,FIG.3A,FIG.3B,FIG.3C,FIG.3D, andFIG.3Eshow diagrams for describing a password input operation applied to the touch sensitive password input device. When being conducted by the microprocessor12, asFIG.1,FIG.2AandFIG.3Ashow, the password input method firstly proceeds to step S1. In step S1, the microprocessor designates a virtual numeral 5 to be selected after a finger2taps the touchscreen11at a tap position21, and then controls the touch sensitive password input device1to show an indication. An example of the indication may be a sound indication. However, in practicable embodiments, the indication can be a sound indication, a vibration indication, or a sound/vibration complex indication.

It needs to particularly mention that, asFIG.3Ashow, before conducting the step S1, the microprocessor12delimits a first touching region1R1and a second touching region1R2that falls within the first touching region1R1from the touchscreen11, and then controls the touch sensitive password input device1to show an indication for informing a visually impaired person that a password input password input operation can be started. Therefore, during the conduction of the step S1, the microprocessor12determines whether the tap position21falls within the second touching region1R2or not. If yes, the method flow is then proceeded to step S2; otherwise, the microprocessor12controls the touch sensitive password input device1to produce an indication like sound indication, vibration indication, or sound/vibration complex indication, and then repeats the step S1 again. As explained in more detail below, if the tap position21makes by the finger2in the step S1 not falls within the second touching region1R2, it is difficult or may be impossible for the finger2to conducts at least one swing operation on the touchscreen11in order to select another one virtual numeral that is different from the forgoing virtual numeral 5. For this reason, during the conduction of the step S1, the microprocessor12is configured to determine whether the tap position21falls within the second touching region1R2or not, and controls the touch sensitive password input device1to produce the indication to inform the visually impaired person that his finger tap does not fall within the second touching region1R2.

In one embodiment, when the tap potion21falls within the first touching region1R1and is adjacent to a right boundary of the second touching region1R2, the touch sensitive password input device1produce the indication to inform the visually impaired person that, he needs to move the finger2rightward so as to touch the touchscreen for making the tap position21fall within the second touching region1R2. Moreover, when the tap potion21falls within the first touching region1R1and is adjacent to a bottom boundary of the second touching region1R2, the touch sensitive password input device1produce the indication to inform the visually impaired person that, he needs to move the finger2upward so as to touch the touchscreen for making the tap position21fall within the second touching region1R2. On the other hand, when the tap potion21falls within the first touching region1R1and is adjacent to a left boundary of the second touching region1R2, the touch sensitive password input device1produce the indication to inform the visually impaired person that, he needs to move the finger2rightward so as to touch the touchscreen for making the tap position21fall within the second touching region1R2. Furthermore, when the tap potion21falls within the first touching region1R1and is adjacent to a top boundary of the second touching region1R2, the touch sensitive password input device1produce the indication to inform the visually impaired person that, he needs to move the finger2downward so as to touch the touchscreen for making the tap position21fall within the second touching region1R2.

It should be known that, one kind of physical numeric keypad commonly comprises four rows of buttons. In which, first button row consists of button printed with numeral 1 thereon, button printed with numeral 2 thereon and button printed with numeral 3 thereon. Moreover, second button row consists of button printed with numeral 4 thereon, button printed with numeral 5 thereon and button printed with numeral 6 thereon. On the other hand, third button row consists of button printed with numeral 7 thereon, button printed with numeral 8 thereon and button printed with numeral 9 thereon. Furthermore, fourth button row consists of button printed with one command word (e.g. cancel) thereon, button printed with numeral 0 thereon and button printed with another one command word (e.g. confirm) thereon.

Moreover, it is worth mentioning that there is another one kind of physical numeric keypad also comprises four rows of buttons. In which, first button row consists of button printed with numeral 7 thereon, button printed with numeral 8 thereon and button printed with numeral 9 thereon. Moreover, second button row consists of button printed with numeral 4 thereon, button printed with numeral 5 thereon and button printed with numeral 6 thereon. On the other hand, third button row consists of button printed with numeral 1 thereon, button printed with numeral 2 thereon and button printed with numeral 3 thereon. Furthermore, fourth button row consists of button printed with one command word (e.g. cancel) thereon, button printed with numeral 0 thereon and button printed with another one command word (e.g. confirm) thereon.

According toFIG.2AandFIG.3B, the method flow subsequently proceeds to the step S2, so as to determine whether the finger2conducts a swing operation on the touchscreen in order to select another one virtual numeral that is different from the forgoing virtual numeral 5. As described in more detail, the finger2is at a tap position21on the touchscreen11, the microprocessor12designates a virtual numeral 5 to be selected, and controls the touch sensitive password input device to show an indication (e.g. sound indication). If this designated numeral (i.e., 5) is not the numeral visually impaired person want to input, the visually impaired person needs to conducts at least one swing operation on the touchscreen11for selecting another one virtual numeral. For example, as illustration (a) ofFIG.3Bshows, in case of the finger2completing an upward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation just one time, the microprocessor12designates a virtual numeral 2 or 8 to be selected. Subsequently, as illustration (b) ofFIG.3Bshows, the visually impaired person can decide a designated numeral to be inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1by utilizing his finger2to conduct an input operation on the touchscreen11. An example of the input operation may be consecutively tapping the touchscreen11twice. However, in practicable embodiments, the input operation can be consecutively tapping the touchscreen11twice or thrice.

In other words, after creating a tap position21on the touchscreen11(i.e., completing step S1), as illustration (a) ofFIG.3C, the visually impaired person is able to designate a virtual numeral 6 to be selected by utilizing his finger to complete a rightward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation just one time. In such case, as illustration (b) ofFIG.3C, the visually impaired person can decide the designated numeral (i.e., 6) to be inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1by utilizing his finger2to consecutively tap the touchscreen twice thereby completing the input operation on the touchscreen11.

Moreover, after creating a tap position21on the touchscreen11, as illustration (a) ofFIG.3D, the visually impaired person is able to designate a virtual numeral 2 or 8 to be selected by utilizing his finger to complete a downward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation just one time. In such case, as illustration (b) ofFIG.3D, the visually impaired person can decide the designated numeral (i.e., 2 OR 8) to be inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1by utilizing his finger2to consecutively tap the touchscreen twice thereby completing the input operation on the touchscreen11.

Furthermore, after creating a tap position21on the touchscreen11, as illustration (a) ofFIG.3E, the visually impaired person is able to designate a virtual numeral 4 to be selected by utilizing his finger to complete a leftward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation just one time. In such case, as illustration (b) ofFIG.3E, the visually impaired person can decide the designated numeral (i.e., 4) to be inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1by utilizing his finger2to consecutively tap the touchscreen twice thereby completing the input operation on the touchscreen11.

According toFIG.2A, in case of a determination result of the step S2 is “Yes”, the method flow next proceeds to step S3 so as to control the touch sensitive password input device1to show an indication (e.g., sound or vibration), and then the method flow proceeds back to the forgoing step S2. Therefore, according toFIG.3A,FIG.3B,FIG.3C,FIG.3D, andFIG.3E, it is understood that, when the visually impaired person want to input a specific numeral into the touch sensitive password input device1, it is required for the visually impaired person to firstly utilizes his finger to create taps position21that falls within the second touching region1R2on the touchscreen11, subsequently to designate the specific numeral to be selected by utilizing his finger to conduct at least one swing operation (e.g., upward/downward/leftward/rightward displacement) on the touchscreen11, and consequently to input the specific numeral into the touch sensitive password input device1by utilizing his finger to conduct an input operation (e.g., consecutively tapping the touchscreen11twice) on the touchscreen11. Briefly speaking, after completing the creation of the tap position21, at least one swing operation and the input operation, numeral 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 0 can be designated to be inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1.

It is worth particularly explaining that, the touch sensitive password input device1is controlled to show a first indication after the tap position21is created, and further show a second indication (e.g., voice prompt) after the finger2subsequently completes a first downward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation one time. In such situation, in case of the finger2further completing a second downward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation one time, the microprocessor12designates a virtual numeral 0 to be selected. In other words, if the numeral the visually impaired person want to input is 0 instead of 5, it needs to conduct the step S2 and the step S3 twice after completing the step S1, thereby designating a virtual numeral 0 to be selected. Consequently, the designated numeral 0 is therefore inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1after completing the step S4.

In addition, the touch sensitive password input device1is controlled to show an indication after the tap position21is created, and further show another one indication again after the finger2subsequently completes an upward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation one time. In such situation, in case of the finger2further completing a rightward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation one time, the microprocessor12designates a virtual numeral 3 or 9 to be selected. Consequently, the designated numeral 3 or 9 is therefore inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1after the finger2consecutively tapping the touchscreen11twice thereby completing the input operation on the touchscreen11.

Moreover, the touch sensitive password input device1is controlled to show an indication after the tap position21is created, and further show another one indication again after the finger2subsequently completes an upward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation one time. In such situation, in case of the finger2further completing a leftward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation one time, the microprocessor12designates a virtual numeral 1 or 7 to be selected. Consequently, the designated numeral 1 or 7 is therefore inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1after the finger2consecutively tapping the touchscreen11twice thereby completing the input operation on the touchscreen11.

According toFIGS.3A-3E, the touch sensitive password input device1is controlled to show an indication after the tap position21is created, and further show another one indication again after the finger2subsequently completes an downward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation one time. In such situation, in case of the finger2further completing a rightward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation one time, the microprocessor12designates a virtual numeral 9 or 3 to be selected. Consequently, the designated numeral 9 or 3 is therefore inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1after the finger2consecutively tapping the touchscreen11twice thereby completing the input operation on the touchscreen11.

As described in more detail below, the touch sensitive password input device1is controlled to show an indication after the tap position21is created, and further show another one indication again after the finger2subsequently completes an downward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation one time. In such situation, in case of the finger2further completing a leftward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation one time, the microprocessor12designates a virtual numeral 7 or 1 to be selected. Consequently, the designated numeral 7 or 1 is therefore inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1after the finger2consecutively tapping the touchscreen11twice thereby completing the input operation on the touchscreen11.

In one embodiment, the touch sensitive password input device1is controlled to show an indication after the tap position21is created, and further show another one indication again after the finger2subsequently completes completing a first downward displacement, a second downward displacement and a rightward displacement in turns on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation three times, the microprocessor12designates a virtual confirm button or a virtual cancel button to be selected. Consequently, a confirm command or a cancel command is therefore inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1after the finger2consecutively tapping the touchscreen11twice thereby completing the input operation on the touchscreen11.

In one embodiment, the touch sensitive password input device1is controlled to show an indication after the tap position21is created, and further show another one indication again after the finger2subsequently completes completing a first downward displacement, a second downward displacement and a leftward displacement in turns on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation three times, the microprocessor12designates a virtual cancel button or a virtual confirm button to be selected. Consequently, a cancel command or a confirm command is therefore inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1after the finger2consecutively tapping the touchscreen11twice thereby completing the input operation on the touchscreen11.

According to above descriptions, it is understood that, if the numeral the visually impaired person want to input is 2, 4, 6, or 8 instead of 5, it needs to conduct the step S2 and the step S3 one time after completing the step S1, thereby designating a virtual numeral 2, 4, 6, or 8 to be selected. Consequently, the designated numeral 2, 4, 6, or 8 is therefore inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1after completing the step S4. Moreover, if the numeral the visually impaired person want to input is 0, 1, 3, 7, or 9 instead of 5, it needs to conduct the step S2 and the step S3 one time after completing the step S1, thereby designating a virtual numeral 0, 1, 3, 7, or 9 to be selected. Consequently, the designated numeral 0, 1, 3, 7, or 9 is therefore inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1after completing the step S4.

According toFIG.2A, a specific virtual numeral is selected in case of a determination result of the step S2 is “No”. In such situation, the method flow next proceeds to step S4 so as to determining whether the finger2conducts an input operation (e.g., consecutively tapping the touchscreen twice) on the touchscreen11or not. In case of a determination result of the step S4 is “No”, the method proceeds to step S5. In the step S5, the microprocessor12controls the touch sensitive password input device1to show an indication in case of the finger2not touching the touchscreen11for a period of time. Then, the method flow proceeds back to the forgoing step S1. On the contrary, the method flow proceeds to step S6 in case of a determination result of the step S4 is “Yes”. In the step S6, the microprocessor12records the designated numeral, and then controls the touch sensitive password input device1to show an indication. Eventually, the method flow proceeds to step S7. During the conduction of the step S7, the forgoing steps (1)-(6) are repeated until a confirm command or a cancel command is inputted into the touch sensitive password input device by utilizing the finger2to conduct at least one swing operation and the input operation.

FIG.4A,FIG.4B,FIG.4C,FIG.4D, andFIG.4Eshow diagrams for describing a password input operation applied to the touch sensitive password input device. For example, as illustrations (a) and (b) ofFIG.4Ashows, the touch sensitive password input device1produces an indication after a tap position21is created on the touchscreen11, and then the visually impaired person is able to designate a numeral 5 to be inputted into the touch sensitive password input device by utilizing his finger2to consecutively tap the touchscreen11twice.

After the numeral 5 is inputted, as illustrations (a) and (b) ofFIG.4Bshows, the touch sensitive password input device1produces an indication after the visually impaired person creates a new tap position21on the touchscreen11, and then a virtual numeral 6 is be selected after the finger2completes a rightward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation one time. Consequently, the visually impaired person is able to designate the numeral 6 to be inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1by utilizing his finger2to consecutively tap the touchscreen11twice.

After the numeral 6 is inputted, as illustrations (a) and (b) ofFIG.4Cshows, the touch sensitive password input device1produces an indication after the visually impaired person creates a new tap position21on the touchscreen11, and then a virtual numeral 9 is be selected after the finger2consecutively completes a downward displacement and a rightward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation two times. Consequently, the visually impaired person is able to designate the numeral 9 to be inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1by utilizing his finger2to consecutively tap the touchscreen11twice.

After the numeral 9 is inputted, as illustrations (a) and (b) ofFIG.4Dshows, the touch sensitive password input device1produces an indication after the visually impaired person creates a new tap position21on the touchscreen11, and then a virtual numeral 1 is be selected after the finger2consecutively completes an upward displacement and a leftward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation two times. Consequently, the visually impaired person is able to designate the numeral 1 to be inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1by utilizing his finger2to consecutively tap the touchscreen11twice.

The inputted numerals 5, 6, 9, and 1 are respectively recorded by the microprocessor12in each numeral inputting procedure consisting of the creation of the tap position21, at least one swing operation and the input operation, and the then microprocessor12controls the touch sensitive password input device1to show an indication (i.e., step S6). As illustrations (a) and (b) ofFIG.4Eshows, the touch sensitive password input device1produces an indication after the visually impaired person creates a new tap position21on the touchscreen11, and then a virtual confirm button is be selected after the finger2consecutively completes a first downward displacement, a second downward displacement and a rightward displacement on the touchscreen11thereby achieving the swing operation three times. Consequently, the visually impaired person is able to input a confirm command into the touch sensitive password input device1by utilizing his finger2to consecutively tap the touchscreen11twice. As a result, a password consisting of four numerals 5691 are therefore inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1with high security.

It is worth further explain that, during the numeral inputting procedure being on going, one numeral previously inputted would be canceled after a return command is inputted into the touch sensitive password input device1by utilizing the finger2to conduct a virtual return button pressing operation. In one embodiment, the virtual return button pressing operation is conducted by completing a finger action on the touchscreen11, and the finger action can be consecutively tapping the touchscreen thrice or consecutively tapping the touchscreen twice.

Moreover, it is understood that, the first indication, the second indication, the third indication, the fourth indication, the fifth indication, and the sixth indication are all selected from a group consisting of sound indication, vibration indication, and combination of sound/vibration complex indication. Each of the indications are produced by the touch sensitive password input device1for informing a visually impaired person that he has been successively complete the creation of the tap position21, the swing operation or the input operation.

Therefore, through the above descriptions, all embodiments of the password input method according to the present invention have been introduced completely and clearly. Moreover, the above description is made on embodiments of the present invention. However, the embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, and all equivalent implementations or alterations within the spirit of the present invention still fall within the scope of the present invention.