JP7809598B2 - Input device and its program - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an input device and a program therefor.

For example, there is an input device with 10 numeric keys, each assigned a number from "0" to "9," for entering a personal identification number required for credit card payments. Most conventional input devices of this type are hard-key type input devices, in which the numeric keys are arranged in a regular pattern.

Hard key input devices can be used by visually impaired people by providing a tactile protrusion on the number key, for example the "5". However, there is a concern that hard key input devices may allow a third party to guess the string of numbers entered by the operator, i.e., the PIN number, from the movement of the operator's fingers.

In recent years, softkey-type input devices that use touch panels have been developed. Softkey-type input devices allow the arrangement of the numeric keys to be changed as needed. Changing the arrangement of the numeric keys eliminates the regularity, making it impossible for a third party to guess the PIN number from the operator's finger movements. However, if the arrangement of the numeric keys is irregular, visually impaired people cannot use them because they do not know which numeric key is located where.

JP 2014-006710 A JP 2012-238267 A

The problem that embodiments of the present invention aim to solve is to provide a soft key type input device that can be used by visually impaired people to input PIN numbers and the like.

In one embodiment, the input device includes a display unit having a screen, a first display control unit, a first detection unit, a second display control unit, a second detection unit, a third display control unit, a third detection unit, and a reception unit. The first display control unit displays a soft keyboard for a first mode on the screen of the display unit. The first detection unit detects a first operation on the screen on which the soft keyboard for the first mode is displayed. The second display control unit, in response to the detection of the first operation, displays an image on the screen of the display unit that suggests the center of the screen. The second detection unit detects a second operation on the screen on which the image suggesting the center of the screen is displayed. In response to the detection of the second operation, the third display control unit displays a soft keyboard for a second mode based on the position on the screen where the second operation was detected. The third detection unit detects a third operation on the screen on which the soft keyboard for the second mode is displayed. The reception unit receives input of a key located at the position where the third operation was detected.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of an input device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the main steps of information processing executed by the processor of the input device in accordance with a control program. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of transition of screens displayed on a display serving as a display unit of the input device. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the second screen. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the second screen. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the second screen.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the input device will be described with reference to the drawings.
In this embodiment, an input device used to input a personal identification number required when making a payment for a commercial transaction using a payment card such as a credit card or a debit card is exemplified.

[Configuration of input device]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of an input device 1 according to this embodiment. The input device 1 includes a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, a communication interface 14, a touch panel 15, a card reader 16, a speaker 17, and a system bus 18. The system bus 18 includes an address bus, a data bus, and the like. The input device 1 constitutes a computer by connecting the processor 11 to the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, and the communication interface 14 via the system bus 18. The input device 1 is then constituted by connecting devices such as the touch panel 15, the card reader 16, and the speaker 17 to this computer. Note that the devices connected to the input device 1 are not limited to the touch panel 15, the card reader 16, and the speaker 17. Other devices may also be connected to the input device 1. While the touch panel 15, which serves as a display unit, is essential, the card reader 16 or the speaker 17 may be omitted.

The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 11 controls each part to realize the various functions of the input device 1 in accordance with an operating system or application program. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

The main memory 12 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores an operating system or application programs in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores data required for the processor 11 to execute processes to control each component in the volatile memory area. This type of data may also be stored in the non-volatile memory area. The main memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data can be rewritten by the processor 11 as appropriate. An example of a non-volatile memory area is ROM (Read Only Memory). An example of a volatile memory area is RAM (Random Access Memory).

The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to the auxiliary memory portion of the computer. The auxiliary storage device 13 may be a well-known storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive), HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), either singly or in combination. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores data used by the processor 11 when performing various processes, data generated by the processes performed by the processor 11, and the like. The auxiliary storage device 13 may also store application programs.

The communication interface 14 is an interface for sending and receiving data signals with a host machine. In this embodiment, the host machine is a payment device such as a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal or accounting machine. For example, a data signal from a payment card read by the card reader 16 is output to the payment device via the communication interface 14. In addition, a data signal from a PIN number input via the touch panel 15 is output to the payment device via the communication interface 14.

The touch panel 15 is an input/output device that combines a display 151 as a display unit and a touch sensor 152 as a detection unit. The display 151 has a screen for displaying images for accepting input from the operator. The touch sensor 152 detects the position on the screen touched by the operator. The touch panel 15 acquires the data entered by the operator from the position on the screen detected by the touch sensor 152 and information about the image displayed at that position.

The card reader 16 is an input device for reading data recorded on payment cards such as credit cards and debit cards. The card reader 16 is an IC card reader compatible with contact or contactless IC cards. The card reader 16 may also be a magnetic card reader compatible with magnetic cards.

The speaker 17 is an output device that plays electronic sounds such as operation sounds and warning sounds, or sounds synthesized by a voice synthesizer.

The input device 1 configured as described above displays a soft keyboard on the display 151 of the touch panel 15 and accepts the input of a PIN. The soft keyboard is an image of a keyboard on which the numeric keys "0," "1," "2," "3," "4," "5," "6," "7," "8," and "9" required for inputting a PIN are arranged. There are two types of soft keyboards: a soft keyboard for the first mode in which the numeric keys are arranged in a random arrangement, and a soft keyboard for the second mode in which the numeric keys are arranged in a regular arrangement.

An irregular arrangement is one in which the numeric keys "1" through "9" are not arranged in that order, in other words, the numeric keys are arranged randomly. By arranging the numeric keys in an irregular arrangement, third parties will be unable to guess the PIN from the operator's finger movements or the location of the operator's fingerprint when typing. However, if the numeric keys are arranged randomly, visually impaired people will not be able to use the keyboard because they will not be able to recognize the location of the numeric keys. Therefore, the soft keyboard for the second mode has a regular arrangement of the numeric keys so that even visually impaired people can enter their PIN numbers by touch typing.

Here, a regular arrangement refers to an arrangement in which the number keys "1" to "9" are arranged in order from "1" to "9," with the number key "0" placed in a fixed position. For example, if the number keys "1" to "9" are arranged in a 3x3 matrix, the arrangement from the top left horizontally is "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9", the arrangement from the top left vertically is "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9", the arrangement from the top right horizontally is "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9", the arrangement from the top right vertically is "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9", the arrangement from the top right vertically is "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9", the arrangement from the top right vertically is "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9", the arrangement from the top right vertically is "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9", the arrangement from the top right horizontal ... The following can be said to be regular arrangements: an arrangement with "9", an arrangement with "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9" arranged horizontally from the bottom left, an arrangement with "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9" arranged vertically from the bottom left, an arrangement with "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9" arranged horizontally from the bottom right, an arrangement with "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9" arranged vertically from the bottom right.

In this way, by selectively using the soft keyboard for the first mode and the soft keyboard for the second mode as the soft keyboard for entering a PIN, the versatility of the input device 1 can be significantly improved. To enable such selective use, the processor 11 has the functions of a first display control unit 111, a first detection unit 112, a second display control unit 113, a second detection unit 114, a third display control unit 115, a third detection unit 116, a reception unit 117, a fourth detection unit 118, and an output unit 119.

The first display control unit 111 is a function that displays the soft keyboard 33 for the first mode on the screen of the display 151. The first display control unit 111 can also be referred to as a first display control means. In FIG. 3, screen 30 is an example of a screen on which the soft keyboard 33 for the first mode is displayed. Hereinafter, screen 30 will be referred to as the first screen 30. As shown in the figure, the first screen 30 is divided into a first area 31 and a second area 32. The first area 31 and the second area 32 do not overlap. The soft keyboard 33 for the first mode is displayed in the first area 31. The second area 32 displays the payment amount 34, the input PIN 35, etc. The payment amount 34 is the amount of the commercial transaction to be paid using the payment card read by the card reader 16. The amount data is obtained from a payment device connected to the communication interface 14. The input PIN 35 is a collection of numbers entered by tapping the soft keyboard 33. Numbers are displayed as obscured numbers, for example by replacing them with the symbol "*".

The first detection unit 112 has a function of detecting a first operation on the first screen 30 in cooperation with the touch sensor 152. The first detection unit 112 can also be referred to as a first detection means. The first operation is an operation other than a tap operation used when entering a PIN on the soft keyboard 33 for the first mode. The first operation is, for example, a long press operation on the second area 32 on the first screen 30. The first operation may also be, for example, a triple tap operation, a flick operation, a swipe operation, a pinch operation, etc. on the second area 32. The first operation is an operation on the second area 32. An operation on the first area 31 is not considered a first operation. Note that a double tap operation is likely to occur when entering a PIN, so it is preferably excluded from the first operations.

The second display control unit 113 has a function of displaying an image indicating the center of the screen on the display 151 in response to the first operation being detected by the first detection unit 112. The second display control unit 113 can also be referred to as a second display control means. In FIG. 3, screen 40 is an example of a screen on which image 41 indicating the center of the screen is displayed. Hereinafter, screen 40 will be referred to as the second screen 40. As shown, image 41 on second screen 40 consists of a cross image 411 and a double circle image 412. Second screen 40 also displays text data indicating the mode name, e.g., "Blind Touch Mode," indicating that this is a screen for the second mode. The mode name is not limited to "Blind Touch Mode." It may be another mode name, such as "Accessibility Mode." Image 411 is displayed so that the intersection of the cross is located at the center of screen 40. Image 412 is displayed so that the center of the double circle is located at the intersection of the crosses in image 411. The inner circle of the double circle is filled in red, for example. Incidentally, the second screen 40 may be displayed by switching screens with respect to the first screen 30, or may be superimposed on it in a semi-transparent state.

The second detection unit 114 has a function of detecting a second operation on the second screen 40 in cooperation with the touch sensor 152. The second detection unit 114 can also be called a second detection means. The second operation is an operation suitable for visually impaired people to indicate the center position of the second screen 40. The second operation is, for example, a long press operation on the second screen 40. The second operation may be, for example, a tap operation, a double tap operation, or a triple tap operation on the second screen 40.

The third display control unit 115 has a function of displaying the soft keyboard 51 for the second mode based on the position on the screen of the touch panel 15 where the second operation was detected by the second detection unit 114, in response to the detection of the second operation by the second detection unit 114. The third display control unit 115 can also be referred to as a third display control means. In FIG. 3, screen 50 is an example of a screen on which the soft keyboard 51 for the second mode is displayed. In this embodiment, the soft keyboard 51 arranges the numeric keys "1" through "9" horizontally from the upper left in a 3x3 matrix: "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", and "9". The soft keyboard 51 also arranges the numeric key "0" below the numeric key "8", the function key "←" below the numeric key "0", the function key "X" to the left of the function key "←", and the function key "V" to the right of the function key "←". The "←" function key is a declaration key for canceling the previous operation, the "X" function key is a declaration key for canceling input, and the "V" function key is a declaration key for confirming input. Hereinafter, screen 50 will be referred to as the third screen 50.

As shown in the figure, the third screen 50 displays the soft keyboard 51 so that the number "5" key is located at the position where the second operation was detected. Similarly to the second screen 40, the third screen 50 also displays text data of the mode name, such as "blind touch mode," indicating that it is the soft keyboard 51 for the second mode. This mode name may also be "accessibility mode," as mentioned above. The third screen 50 may be displayed by switching screens over the second screen 40, or may be displayed opaquely and overlaid. The third screen 50 may have a white background, with the numeric keys displayed in white letters within black circle buttons, for example.

To reiterate, the soft keyboard 51 has numeric keys arranged in a regular pattern. Therefore, even a visually impaired person can easily guess the locations of the other numeric keys and function keys if they know the location of the number "5" key, and can therefore input the desired keys. Note that the numeric key arrangement is not limited to the arrangement shown in Figure 3. It can be any of the various regular arrangements mentioned above. It goes without saying that the location of the function keys is also not limited to the location shown in Figure 3.

Note that when the third display control unit 115 detects an operation input for detecting the second operation through the action of the second detection unit 114, the third display control unit 115 may change the display mode of the second screen 40 while detecting a touch operation on the second screen 40. For example, if the second operation is a long press, the third display control unit 115 changes the display color of the second screen 40 while detecting the touch operation. As an example, assume that the display color of the second screen when no touch operation is detected is such that image 411, which is displayed with the intersection of a cross located at the center of the screen 40, is displayed in white, and image 412, which is displayed with the center of a double circle located at the intersection of the crosses of image 411, is displayed with the inner circle in red, the outer circle in the same white as image 411, and the remaining background area is displayed in black. Here, while a touch operation on the second screen 40 is being detected, the display mode is changed so that the background area is displayed in a different color. Furthermore, the display mode returns to its original state when the operator releases his or her finger from the touch panel. In this way, by changing the display mode of the second screen 40 while a touch operation on the second screen 40 is being detected, the operator can intuitively know that the device has detected a touch operation on the second screen 40.

Furthermore, the third screen 50 may be displayed superimposed on the second screen 40 in a semi-transparent or transparent state, for example. When the third screen 50 is displayed superimposed on the second screen 40 in a semi-transparent or transparent state, the third display control unit 115 may perform the above-mentioned display mode change process for the second screen 40 displayed behind the superimposed third screen 50 while detecting a touch operation on the third screen, which is the operation input for detecting the third operation. Incidentally, for example, if the second operation and the third operation are long press operations, the touch operations for detecting the second operation and the third operation are detected consecutively. For this reason, the display mode change process for the second screen 40 continues until the touch operation is no longer detected, in other words, until the third operation is detected.

The third detection unit 116 has a function of detecting a third operation on the third screen 50 in cooperation with the touch sensor 152. The third detection unit 116 can also be referred to as a third detection means. The third operation is an operation performed by a visually impaired person who has identified the location of the number "5" key to input a number key or function key on the soft keyboard 51. The third operation is typically an operation of lifting a fingertip touching the third screen 50. By performing the second operation on the second screen 40, the visually impaired person recognizes that the soft keyboard 51 with the number "5" key located at the operation position has been displayed. In other words, the visually impaired person recognizes that the third screen 50 has been displayed. Here, when inputting the number "5" key from the third screen 50, the visually impaired person lifts their fingertip from the third screen 50. When inputting a number key or function key other than "5," the visually impaired person slides their fingertip to the position where they estimate the desired key is located without lifting their fingertip from the third screen 50. The visually impaired person then removes their fingertip from the third screen 50 at the desired position. The third detection unit 116 has a function to detect such a third operation. Note that, as long as the touch sensor 152 can detect pressure, the third operation may be an operation of pressing the third screen 50 firmly with a finger.

The reception unit 117 has a function of receiving key inputs located at the position where the third operation was detected by the action of the third detection unit 116. The reception unit 117 can also be referred to as a reception means. For example, if the third operation is detected at the position where the number "5" key is located, the reception unit 117 processes it as if the number "5" key was input. For example, if the third operation is detected at the position where the function key "V" is located, the reception unit 117 processes it as if a declaration key for input confirmation was input. Note that if the third operation is detected at a position where no key is located, the reception unit 117 does not receive the key input.

The fourth detection unit 118 has a function of detecting a fourth operation on the second screen 40 in cooperation with the touch sensor 152. The fourth detection unit 118 can also be called a fourth detection means. The fourth operation is an operation suitable for visually impaired people to instruct the completion of PIN entry. The fourth operation may be any operation different from the second operation. For example, if the second operation is a long press operation, the fourth operation may be a double tap operation, triple tap operation, flick operation, swipe operation, pinch operation, etc.

The output unit 119 has a function of outputting the key input data accepted by the acceptance unit 117 in response to the fourth operation being detected by the fourth detection unit 118. The output unit 119 can also be referred to as output means. The input data is output to a payment device connected to the communication interface 14. The payment device processes the data output from the input device 1 as a PIN for credit card payments.

The functions of the first display control unit 111, first detection unit 112, second display control unit 113, second detection unit 114, third display control unit 115, third detection unit 116, reception unit 117, fourth detection unit 118, and output unit 119 are realized by information processing executed by the processor 11 in accordance with a control program installed in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13. There are no particular limitations on the method for installing the control program in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13. The control program can be installed in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage device 13 by recording it on a removable recording medium or by distributing it via communication over a network. The form of the recording medium is not important as long as it can store a program and is readable by the device, such as an SD memory card or USB memory.

[Operation description of input device]
Fig. 2 is a flow chart showing the main steps of information processing executed by the processor 11 of the input device 1 in accordance with a control program. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of screen transitions displayed on the display 151, which is the display unit of the input device 1. The operation of the input device 1 will be explained below using Figs. 1 to 3. Note that the operation described below is an example. The procedure and content can be changed as appropriate as long as the same function can be achieved. Furthermore, the screen layout, text, etc. are also examples and needless to say are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

When the control program starts, the processor 11 initializes the device in ACT 1. This initialization causes an initial screen 20 (see Figure 3) to be displayed on the display 151 of the touch panel 15. The initial screen 20 is a screen that displays an arbitrary image, such as "Welcome," as shown in Figure 3. The initial screen 20 may also be a screen that displays no image.

After completing initialization, the processor 11 waits in ACT 2 for a predetermined signal to be received via the communication interface 14. The predetermined signal is, for example, a PIN request signal output from the payment device. When credit card payment is declared as the payment method for the commercial transaction, the payment device outputs the PIN request signal to the input device 1.

When a PIN request signal is received via the communication interface 14, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT 2 and proceeds to ACT 3. In ACT 3, the processor 11, functioning as the first display control unit 111, switches the display 151 of the touch panel 15 from the initial screen 20 to the first screen 30 (see Figure 3). Then, in ACT 4, the processor 11 checks whether the first operation has been performed.

As mentioned above, the first operation is an operation other than a tap operation used when entering a PIN on the soft keyboard 33 for the first mode displayed on the first screen 30. The soft keyboard 33 is a keyboard in which numeric keys are arranged in an irregular pattern. Therefore, operators who enter PINs by touch, such as visually impaired persons, cannot use the soft keyboard 33. Such operators perform the first operation on the first screen 30.

Conversely, an operator who does not need to enter a PIN by touch typing can enter the PIN using the soft keyboard 33. By entering the PIN using the soft keyboard 33, even if a third party sees the movement of the fingers, the PIN cannot be guessed. If the processor 11 detects an operation on the soft keyboard 33 as an operation other than the first operation, it determines NO in ACT 4 and executes another process. The other process is typically a process of outputting the PIN entered by operating the soft keyboard 33 to the payment device. The other process may be a process other than the processes described above.

When the processor 11, functioning as the first detection unit 112, detects that a first operation has been performed on the first screen 30, it determines YES in ACT 4 and proceeds to ACT 5. In ACT 5, the processor 11, functioning as the second display control unit 113, switches the display 151 of the touch panel 15 from the first screen 30 to the second screen 40 (see FIG. 3). At this time, the processor 11 emits a first alert sound from the speaker 17. The first alert sound is a sound that notifies the operator that the screen of the display 151 has switched from the first screen 30 to the second screen 40. The processor 11 of the input device 1, in which the second screen 40 is displayed on the display 151, waits for the second operation to be performed in ACT 6 or the fourth operation to be performed in ACT 7.

As mentioned above, the second operation is an operation to indicate the center position of the second screen 40. The second operation is an operation to instruct the second screen 40 to finish entering the PIN number. An image 41 indicating the center of the screen is displayed on the second screen 40. Not all visually impaired people are completely blind. In fact, many visually impaired people can see the circle filled in red in the double circle image 412. Such visually impaired people can accurately indicate the center of the second screen 40. Note that visually impaired people who are completely blind can indicate the approximate center position by checking the size of the screen, for example by tracing their finger across the screen of the touch panel 15.

In the standby state of ACT 6 and ACT 7, when the processor 11, functioning as the second detection unit 114, detects that a second operation has been performed on the second screen 40, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT 6 and proceeds to ACT 8. In ACT 8, the processor 11, functioning as the third display control unit 115, switches the display 151 of the touch panel 15 from the second screen 40 to the third screen 50 (see FIG. 3). At this time, the processor 11 emits a second alert sound from the speaker 17. The second alert sound is a sound for notifying the operator that the screen of the display 151 has switched from the second screen 40 to the third screen 50. The second alert sound may be different from the first alert sound, or may be the same as the first alert sound. The processor 11 of the input device 1, in which the third screen 50 is displayed on the display 151, waits for a third operation to be performed in ACT 9.

As mentioned above, the third operation is, for example, an operation in which the operator lifts his or her finger from the screen to input a numeric key or function key on the soft keyboard 51. The soft keyboard 51 is a keyboard for the second mode in which numeric keys are arranged in a regular pattern. The numeric key "5" is located at the position indicated by the operator as the center of the second screen 40. Therefore, even if the operator is visually impaired, he or she can determine the positions of other numeric keys or function keys by using the position of the numeric key "5" as a reference. The operator slides the finger indicating the center to the position of the desired key and then lifts the finger. When this operation is detected by a signal from the touch sensor 152, the processor 11 recognizes that the third operation has been performed.

When the processor 11, functioning as the third detection unit 116, detects that a third operation has been performed on the soft keyboard 51 of the third screen 50, it determines YES in ACT 9 and proceeds to ACT 10. In ACT 10, the processor 11, functioning as the reception unit 117, accepts the data input of the key on which the third operation has been performed. For example, when the third operation is performed on the screen on which the numeric key "1" on the soft keyboard 51 is located, the processor 11 accepts the input of data "1." For example, when the third operation is performed on the screen on which the numeric key "5" on the soft keyboard 51 is located, the processor 11 accepts the input of data "5." The same applies when the third operation is performed on an image on which other numeric keys or function keys are located.

When the processor 11 receives data input from one key, it returns to ACT 5. That is, the processor 11 switches the display 151 of the touch panel 15 from the third screen 50 to the second screen 40. At this time, the processor 11 emits a third alert sound from the speaker 17. The third alert sound is a sound that notifies the operator that the screen of the display 151 has switched from the third screen 50 to the second screen 40. The third alert sound may be a different alert sound from the first alert sound or the second alert sound, or may be the same alert sound. The processor 11, with the second screen 40 displayed on the display 151, enters a standby state for ACT 6 and ACT 7.

If it is detected that the second operation has been performed again during the standby state of ACT 6 and ACT 7, the processor 11 executes the processes of ACT 8 to ACT 10 in the same manner as described above. Therefore, for example, when the third operation is performed on the third screen 50 on which the numeric key "9" on the soft keyboard 51 is located, the processor 11 accepts the input of the data "9." The processor 11 then switches the display 151 of the touch panel 15 from the third screen 50 to the second screen 40, and the standby state of ACT 6 and ACT 7 is entered. Therefore, when the operator enters a PIN, the second operation and the third operation are repeated a number of times according to the number of digits in the PIN; for example, four times for a four-digit PIN.

As mentioned above, the fourth operation is an operation to indicate the end of PIN entry. After performing the second operation on the second screen 40 and the third operation on the third screen 50 for each digit of the PIN, the operator completes the entry of the required number of digits of the PIN and then performs the fourth operation on the second screen 40.

In the standby state of ACT 6 and ACT 7, when the processor 11, functioning as the fourth detection unit 118, detects that a fourth operation has been performed on the second screen 40, the processor 11 determines YES in ACT 7 and proceeds to ACT 11. In ACT 11, the processor 11, functioning as the output unit 119, controls the data accepted as input by the third operation on the soft keyboard 51 to be output to the payment device. Through this control, the PIN entered by one or more third operations on the soft keyboard 51 is output to the payment device via the communication interface 14.

The payment device determines the validity of the PIN. If it determines that the PIN is valid, it outputs a reset signal to input device 1. On the other hand, if it determines that the PIN is invalid, for example because the number is incorrect or the number of digits is insufficient, it outputs an error signal to input device 1.

After outputting the PIN to the payment device, the processor 11 of the input device 1 waits to receive an error signal in ACT 12 or a reset signal in ACT 13. If an error signal is received during the standby state in ACT 12 or ACT 13, the processor 11 proceeds from ACT 12 to ACT 14. In ACT 14, the processor 11 clears the data of the key that accepted the input. At this time, the second screen 40 is displayed on the display 151 of the touch panel 15. The processor 11 then issues a voice from the speaker 17 notifying the operator to re-enter the PIN, for example, a voice saying "Please enter your PIN again." The processor 11 then returns to ACT 6. Therefore, an operator who has entered the wrong PIN can re-enter the PIN by pointing to the center of the second screen 40 and displaying the soft keyboard 51.

Meanwhile, upon receiving the reset signal, the processor 11 ends the information processing procedure shown in the flowchart of Figure 2. The processor 11 then resumes processing from ACT 1 in preparation for the next operator. The processor 11 initializes the device. This initialization causes the display 151 of the touch panel 15 to return from the second screen 40 to the initial screen 20.

[Explanation of the effects of the input device]
As described above in detail, when a first operation is performed on the first screen 30 displaying the soft keyboard 33 for the first mode, the screen of the touch panel 15 switches to the second screen 40 displaying the image 41 indicating the center of the screen. When a second operation is performed on the second screen 40, the screen of the touch panel 15 switches to the third screen 50 displaying the soft keyboard 51 for the second mode.

Visually impaired people have difficulty entering a PIN from the soft keyboard 33 for the first mode, which has numeric keys arranged in an irregular pattern. However, many visually impaired people can recognize the center of the second screen 40 from the image 41 displayed on the second screen 40. Therefore, for example, a visually impaired operator performs a second operation at the center of the second screen 40 indicated by the image 41. When the second operation is performed, the soft keyboard 51 for the second mode is displayed on the touch panel 15. The numeric keys on the soft keyboard 51 for the second mode are arranged in a regular pattern. Therefore, even a visually impaired person can estimate the position of each numeric key based on the position where the second operation was performed. In other words, the operator can enter numbers as a PIN from the soft keyboard 51. Furthermore, while the second operation is being performed on the second screen 40, the display format, such as the display color of the second screen 40, is changed. This allows visually impaired people who are not completely blind to recognize that the second operation on the second screen 40 is being correctly detected.

When a single digit is entered from the soft keyboard 51, the screen of the touch panel 15 returns from the third screen to the second screen 40. The operator then performs the second operation again at the center of the second screen 40, and then performs the third operation using the position where the second operation was performed as the reference point. By repeating these operations, the operator can enter the numbers of the PIN one digit at a time from the soft keyboard 51.

Once the operator has entered the required number of digits for the PIN, they perform operation four on the second screen. By performing operation four, the PIN is output to the payment device of the higher-level machine.

Thus, this embodiment provides a soft-key type input device 1 that can be used by even visually impaired people to input PIN numbers and the like.

Furthermore, when a first operation is performed in the second area 32 of the first screen 30, which is separate from the first area 31 where the soft keyboard 33 for the first mode is displayed, the input device 1 switches the screen of the touch panel 15 from the first screen 30 to the second screen 40. However, even if a second operation is performed in the first area 31, the input device 1 does not switch the screen of the touch panel 15. Therefore, even if the operator performs a long press operation corresponding to the first operation in the first area 31 when entering a PIN number from the soft keyboard 33, the screen of the touch panel 15 does not switch to the second screen 40. In other words, according to this embodiment, it is possible to prevent the screen of the touch panel 15 from unintentionally switching to the second screen 40.

[Modification]
The use of the input device is not limited to inputting a personal identification number required when making a payment for a commercial transaction using a payment card. For example, an input device having the functions of this embodiment can be applied when a user inputs a personal identification number into an automatic teller machine (ATM) at a financial institution, or when a user inputs a personal identification number into an information terminal such as a smartphone.

Furthermore, the input device is not limited to a device for inputting numbers such as a PIN. When inputting characters such as the alphabet, hiragana, or katakana, a soft key type input device can be provided that can be used for character input even by visually impaired people by arranging one key as a reference among the character keys at the position where the second operation is detected and arranging the remaining keys in a regular arrangement.

The first operation does not necessarily have to be an operation on the second area 32 of the first screen 30. Even if it is an operation on the first area 31 of the first screen 30, it may be defined as the first operation as long as it is an operation that is significantly different from the tap operation used to enter a PIN on the soft keyboard 33 for the first mode.

The image indicating the center of the screen is not limited to image 41 on the second screen 40 shown in Figure 3. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the center of the screen may be indicated by just a double circle image 412. Even in this case, many visually impaired people will be able to recognize the center of the screen by filling the inner circle of the double circle with a conspicuous color such as red. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the center of the screen may be indicated by just a cross image 411. Even in this case, many visually impaired people will be able to recognize the center of the screen by displaying the lines of the cross image 411 in a conspicuous color such as red. Of course, the center of the screen may be indicated by an image of a shape other than a double circle, or by an X image instead of a cross.

In the above embodiment, an example was shown in Figure 2 where the process returns to the process of ACT 6 after the process of ACT 14. In this regard, the processor 11 may return to the process of ACT 3 after the process of ACT 14.

In the above embodiment, the range of the second operation on the second screen 40 is not particularly limited. In this regard, areas on the second screen 40 where the second operation is possible and areas where it is not possible may be set. An area where the second operation is possible is an area on the third screen 50 where the soft keyboard 51 for the second mode can be deployed. For example, if the second operation is performed outside a certain range from the center of the screen, the soft keyboard 51 for the second mode cannot be deployed on the third screen 50. Therefore, the second screen 40 is divided into areas on the third screen 50 where the soft keyboard 51 can be deployed and areas where it cannot be deployed. Then, if the second operation is performed in an area where it cannot be deployed, an error sound is emitted.

In addition, visually impaired people typically check the external shape of the input device 1 or the position on the touch panel 15 screen by tracing it with their fingertips. For this reason, it is easy to accidentally touch the edge of the touch panel 15 screen. If an error sound is emitted in this case, it will be difficult to use.

As shown in FIG. 6, the area along the periphery of the second screen 40 is designated as the touch-disabled area 42. The area inside the touch-disabled area 42 is then divided into a key-disabled area 43, where the soft keyboard 51 for the second mode cannot be expanded, and a key-displayable area 44, where the soft keyboard 51 can be expanded. By dividing the areas of the second screen 40 in this way, the usability of the input device 1 can be improved.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope of the invention and the scope of the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims.
The inventions described in the original claims of this application are set forth below.
[1] An input device comprising: a display unit having a screen; a first display control unit that displays a soft keyboard for a first mode on the screen; a first detection unit that detects a first operation on the screen on which the soft keyboard for the first mode is displayed; a second display control unit that displays an image on the screen suggesting the center of the screen in response to the detection of the first operation; a second detection unit that detects a second operation on the screen on which the image suggesting the center of the screen is displayed; a third display control unit that displays a soft keyboard for a second mode based on the position on the screen where the second operation was detected in response to the detection of the second operation; a third detection unit that detects a third operation on the screen on which the soft keyboard for the second mode is displayed; and a reception unit that receives input of a key located at the position where the third operation was detected.
[2] An input device as described in appendix [1], further comprising: a fourth detection unit that detects a fourth operation on a screen on which an image suggesting the center of the screen is displayed; and an output unit that outputs key input data accepted by the acceptance unit in response to the detection of the fourth operation.
[3] An input device as described in Appendix [1], wherein the first display control unit displays a soft keyboard for the first mode in a first area that is part of the screen, and the first detection unit detects a first operation on a second area that does not overlap with the first area of the screen.
[4] The input device described in Appendix [1], wherein the second display control unit further causes an image suggesting the center of the screen to be displayed again on the screen when the third operation is detected on the screen on which the soft keyboard for the second mode is displayed.
[5] An input device described in any one of appendices [1] to [4], wherein the soft keyboard for the second mode is a keyboard in which multiple keys are arranged in a regular arrangement, and the third display control unit displays the soft keyboard for the second mode by placing one reference key among the multiple keys at the position where the second operation is detected and arranging the remaining keys in a regular arrangement.
[6] A program for causing a computer of an input device having a display unit with a screen to function as a first display control means for displaying a soft keyboard for a first mode on the screen, a first detection means for detecting a first operation on the screen on which the soft keyboard for the first mode is displayed, a second display control means for displaying an image on the screen suggesting the center of the screen in response to the detection of the first operation, a second detection means for detecting a second operation on the screen on which the image suggesting the center of the screen is displayed, a third display control means for displaying a soft keyboard for a second mode based on the position on the screen where the second operation was detected in response to the detection of the second operation, a third detection means for detecting a third operation on the screen on which the soft keyboard for the second mode is displayed, and a reception means for receiving input of a key located at the position where the third operation was detected.

1...input device, 11...processor, 12...main memory, 13...auxiliary storage device, 14...communication interface, 15...touch panel, 16...card reader, 17...speaker, 18...system bus, 20...initial screen, 30...first screen, 40...second screen, 50...third screen, 111...first display control unit, 112...first detection unit, 113...second display control unit, 114...second detection unit, 115...third display control unit, 116...third detection unit, 117...reception unit, 118...fourth detection unit, 119...output unit, 151...display, 152...touch sensor.

Claims (6)

a display unit having a screen;
a first display control unit that displays a soft keyboard for a first mode on the screen;
a first detection unit that detects a first operation on the screen on which the soft keyboard for the first mode is displayed;
a second display control unit that displays an image suggesting a center of the screen on the screen in response to the first operation being detected;
a second detection unit that detects a second operation on the screen on which an image suggesting the center of the screen is displayed;
a third display control unit that, in response to the detection of the second operation, displays a soft keyboard for a second mode, in which a plurality of keys are arranged in a regular array , based on the position on the screen where the second operation is detected;
a third detection unit that detects a third operation on a screen on which the soft keyboard for the second mode is displayed;
a receiving unit that receives an input of a key that is located at a position where the third operation is detected;
An input device comprising: a fourth detection unit that detects a fourth operation on the screen on which the image suggesting the center of the screen is displayed;
an output unit that outputs key input data accepted by the acceptance unit in response to the fourth operation being detected;
10. The input device of claim 1, further comprising: the first display control unit displays a soft keyboard for a first mode in a first area that is a part of the screen;
The input device according to claim 1 , wherein the first detection unit detects a first operation on a second area of the screen that does not overlap with the first area. The input device of claim 1, wherein the second display control unit further, when the third operation is detected on a screen displaying a soft keyboard for the second mode, causes an image suggesting the center of the screen to be displayed again on the screen. 5. The input device according to claim 1, wherein the third display control unit displays the soft keyboard for the second mode by arranging one reference key among the plurality of keys at a position where the second operation is detected, and arranging the remaining keys in a regular arrangement. a computer having an input device equipped with a display unit having a screen,
a first display control means for displaying a soft keyboard for a first mode on the screen;
a first detection means for detecting a first operation on the screen on which the soft keyboard for the first mode is displayed;
a second display control means for displaying an image indicating the center of the screen on the screen in response to the detection of the first operation;
a second detection means for detecting a second operation on the screen on which an image suggesting the center of the screen is displayed;
a third display control means for displaying a soft keyboard for a second mode, the soft keyboard having a plurality of keys arranged in a regular arrangement , based on the position on the screen where the second operation is detected, in response to the detection of the second operation;
a third detection means for detecting a third operation on a screen on which the soft keyboard for the second mode is displayed; and
a receiving means for receiving an input of a key located at a position where the third operation is detected;
A program to function as a