Password input device

Abstract

This invention primarily discloses a password input device, applied in an electronic device, comprising a password input unit, a position detection unit, a microcontroller chip, a storage unit, and a prompting unit. The microcontroller chip includes a processing unit for implementing a password input program specifically for the blind. Notably, when a visually impaired user uses the password input device of this invention, the password input program for the blind instructs the processing unit to perform a first processing on a current displacement value using a default distance value. Based on the result of this first processing, the prompting unit issues a prompt signal and simultaneously updates the current value. Through this method, both general users and visually impaired users enjoy high security and convenience when inputting passwords using the password input device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of password input, and more particularly to a password input device suitable for visually impaired individuals. Background Technology

[0002] With the advancement of technology, various touchscreens and touch devices have emerged to improve the convenience and efficiency of people's lives; in contrast, traditional physical keypad password input devices are gradually being phased out. However, visually impaired users typically rely on the raised dots on physical keys to determine the value represented by each key. It is conceivable that the phasing out of physical keypad input devices will significantly increase the difficulty for visually impaired users when entering passwords.

[0003] A password input device suitable for visually impaired individuals has been proposed. When a key on the existing password input device is pressed, the device emits a voice prompt corresponding to that key, allowing the visually impaired user to know the value of each key. However, it's easy to understand that the visually impaired user must press each key on the existing device one by one, while simultaneously memorizing each key and its corresponding number and position. Furthermore, while the visually impaired user is inputting their password, their input is easily spied on by bystanders. In summary, existing password input devices suffer from drawbacks such as being time-consuming, inconvenient, and having low security.

[0004] As can be seen from the above description, existing password input devices still have room for improvement for visually impaired individuals. In view of this, the inventors of this invention have devoted themselves to research and development, and have finally completed the development of a password input device according to this invention. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide a password input device, which is applied in an electronic device and includes a password input unit, a position detection unit, a microcontroller chip, a storage unit, and a prompting unit. The microcontroller chip has a processing unit for implementing a password input program specifically for the blind. It is worth noting that when a visually impaired person uses the password input device of this invention, the password input program for the blind instructs the processing unit to perform a first processing on a current displacement value using a default distance value, thereby causing the prompting unit to issue a prompt signal based on the result of the first processing, and simultaneously updating a current value. Through the above method, both general users and visually impaired users have the advantages of high security and convenience when inputting passwords using the password input device.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an embodiment of the password input device, applied in an electronic device, and including a password input unit, a position detection unit, a microcontroller chip, a storage unit, and a prompting unit; wherein, the microcontroller chip has a processing unit for implementing a password input program specifically for the blind, and the password input program specifically for the blind includes the following steps:

[0007] (1) When a finger performs a password input on the password input unit, the password input unit receives a trigger position, a current position, and a current movement direction of the finger;

[0008] (2) The position detection unit provides a current displacement value and a current direction vector based on the trigger position, the current position and the current movement direction;

[0009] (3) The calculation unit performs a first processing on the current displacement value with a default distance value, thereby causing the prompting unit to issue a prompt signal based on the result of the first processing, and updating a current value at the same time;

[0010] (4) Use the position detection unit to detect whether the current position of the finger has stopped changing; if yes, then execute step (5); if no, then repeat the aforementioned step (3);

[0011] (5) Use the position detection unit to detect whether the finger has double-tapped the password input unit. If yes, proceed to step (7); if no, proceed to step (6).

[0012] (6) Use the position detection unit to detect whether the finger touches a confirmation key or a cancel key. If the confirmation key is touched, play a confirmation signal and repeat step (1); if the cancel key is touched, play a cancel signal and repeat step (1); if not, repeat step (1).

[0013] (7) Use the arithmetic unit to detect whether the current value has been updated. If yes, record the current value in a password sequence and repeat step (1); if no, then proceed to step (8).

[0014] (8) The microcontroller chip outputs the password sequence.

[0015] In one embodiment, steps (3) and (4) further include the following steps:

[0016] (31) The calculation unit performs the first processing on the current displacement value with the default distance value, thereby prompting the prompting unit to issue a prompt message based on the result of the first processing, and updating a current value at the same time; the first processing is to divide the current displacement value by the preset distance value to obtain a quotient value;

[0017] (32) When the quotient is equal to one, the operation unit is set to the first value as the current value, and the prompting unit is set to issue the prompting signal before proceeding to step (41);

[0018] (41) Use the position detection unit to detect whether the current position of the finger has stopped changing; if yes, after recording the current value as the password sequence, proceed to step (5); if no, proceed to step (33);

[0019] (33) The calculation unit performs the first processing on a variable displacement value with the default distance value, thereby obtaining a variable quotient value of the variable displacement value divided by the preset distance value;

[0020] (34) The operation unit performs a second process on a changing direction vector with a direction vector of a previous action; the second process is to dot product the changing direction vector with the direction vector of the previous action to obtain a dot product value;

[0021] (35) The operation unit determines whether the variable quotient is equal to or greater than one. If yes, then execute step (36); if no, then repeat step (1).

[0022] (36) When the variable quotient is equal to one, the operation unit determines whether the inner product value is greater than or equal to zero; if so, the operation unit moves the current value forward by one value according to a preset value table, and the prompting unit issues a prompt signal; if not, the operation unit moves the current value backward by one value according to the preset value table, and the prompting unit issues a prompt signal; then step (41) is repeated.

[0023] In feasible embodiments, the electronic device is any of the following: a smartphone, a tablet computer, a computer, a smartwatch, an access control device, and a payment device.

[0024] In feasible embodiments, the password input unit may be any of the following: a touch screen, an LCD screen with a mouse, an infrared touch screen, or a large touch billboard. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 A perspective view of a password input device according to the present invention is shown;

[0026] Figure 2 A block diagram of the password input device of the present invention is shown;

[0027] Figure 3 This invention displays a first flowchart of a password input program specifically for the blind;

[0028] Figure 4 This shows a second flowchart of the password input program for the blind according to the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 This invention displays a third flowchart of a password input program specifically for the blind.

[0030] Figure 6 This shows the fourth flowchart of the password input program for the blind according to the present invention;

[0031] Figure 7 This shows the fifth flowchart of the password input program for the blind according to the present invention;

[0032] Figure 8 This invention displays a sixth flowchart of a password input program specifically for the blind; and

[0033] Figure 9 This shows the seventh flowchart of the password input program for the blind according to the present invention.

[0034] 1: Password input device

[0035] 2: Electronic devices

[0036] 11: Password Input Unit

[0037] 12: Location Detection Unit

[0038] 13: Microcontroller chip

[0039] 14: Storage Unit

[0040] 15: Prompt Unit

[0041] 131: Arithmetic Unit

[0042] S1~S8: Steps

[0043] S41: Steps

[0044] S31~S36: Steps

[0045] S71~S73: Steps Detailed Implementation

[0046] To more clearly describe the password input device proposed in this invention, the following will describe the invention in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] Preferred embodiment.

[0048] Figure 1 A perspective view of a password input device according to the present invention is shown, and Figure 2 This shows a block diagram of the password input device of the present invention. (See diagram below.) Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the password input device 1 is applied in an electronic device 2 and includes: a password input unit 11, a position detection unit 12, a microcontroller chip 13, a storage unit 14, and a prompting unit 15. It is worth noting that the microcontroller chip 13 has a processing unit 131, which is used to implement a password input program specifically for the blind. Please also refer to... Figure 3 This displays the first flowchart of the password input program for the blind according to the present invention. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the special password input program for the blind first executes step S1: when a finger performs a password input on the password input unit 11, the password input unit 11 receives a trigger position, a current position, and a current movement direction of the finger. For example... Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the password input unit is a touch screen; furthermore, the password input unit 11 can be any of the following: a touch screen, an LCD screen with a mouse, an infrared touch screen, or a large touch-screen billboard. Furthermore, the electronic device 2 can be any of the following: a smartphone, a tablet computer, a computer, a smartwatch, an access control device, or a payment device.

[0049] Following the above, step S2 is executed: the position detection unit 12 provides a current displacement value and a current direction vector based on the trigger position, the current position, and the current movement direction, and then step S3 is executed. In other words, when the user touches or operates the password input unit 11, the position detection unit 12 records the first point triggered by the user as the trigger position. Then, after the user moves their finger on the touch screen, the position detection unit 12 records the distance and direction of the finger movement as the current displacement value and the current direction vector, respectively. It should be noted that the calculation unit 131 stores the trigger position, the current displacement value, and the current direction vector in the storage unit 14.

[0050] Continue reading Figures 1 to 3 Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5The second and third flowcharts of the password input program for the blind according to the present invention are shown. After completing step S2, step S3 is executed; in step S3, the calculation unit 131 performs a first processing on the current displacement value with a default distance value, thereby causing the prompting unit 15 to issue a prompt signal based on the result of the first processing, and simultaneously updating a current value. Then, step S4 is executed, and step S4 is: using the position detection unit 12 to detect whether the current position of the finger has stopped changing; if yes, then step S5 is executed; if no, then the aforementioned step S3 is repeated. Continuing to describe the present invention, step S5 is: using the position detection unit 12 to detect whether the finger has double-tapped the password input unit 11; if yes, then step S7 is executed; if no, then step S6 is executed.

[0051] Continue reading Figures 1 to 6 Please also refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The fifth and sixth flowcharts of the password input program for the blind according to the present invention are shown. Next, the technical features of steps S6, S7, and S8 are explained. Step S6: The position detection unit 12 detects whether the finger has touched a confirmation key or a cancel key. If the confirmation key is touched, a confirmation signal is played, and step S1 is repeated; if the cancel key is touched, a cancel signal is played, and step S1 is repeated; otherwise, step S1 is repeated. Furthermore, in step S7, the arithmetic unit 131 detects whether the current value has been updated. If so, the current value is recorded in a password sequence, and step S1 is repeated; otherwise, step S8 is executed. Step S8 is the output of the password sequence by the microcontroller chip 13. It should be noted that the confirmation key and the cancel key are buttons displayed on a touchscreen of the electronic device 2. In other words, in this embodiment, the confirmation key and the cancel key are virtual buttons displayed by the electronic device 2. In other words, after the microcontroller chip 13 outputs the password sequence, the user completes the password input process. Then... Figure 6 This shows the fourth flowchart of the password input program for the blind according to the present invention. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, steps S3 and S4 further include: steps S31, S32, S33, S34, S35, S36, and S41. Next, in step S31, the calculation unit 131 performs the first processing on the current displacement value using the default distance value, thereby causing the prompting unit 15 to issue a prompt signal based on the result of the first processing, and simultaneously updating a current value; the first processing involves dividing the current displacement value by a preset distance value to obtain a quotient.

[0052] Continue reading Figures 2 to 6 After completing step S31, step S32 is executed. In step S32, when the quotient is equal to one, the calculation unit 131 sets a first value as the current value, and the prompting unit 15 issues the prompt signal before proceeding to step S41. More specifically, the first process divides the preset distance value by the current displacement value to obtain the quotient. Furthermore, when the quotient is equal to one, the calculation unit 131 records a first value as the current value. That is, whenever the current displacement value equals the preset distance value, the calculation unit 131 records the first value as the current value, and the prompting unit 15 issues a prompt message. It is further noted that the prompt message can be any of the following: a prompt sound signal, a vibration signal, or a combination of both. More specifically, the user can set the prompt message to a prompt sound and / or a prompt vibration through the microcontroller chip 13. For example, when the prompting unit 15 issues the prompting information, the payment device (the electronic device 2) issues the prompting sound, generates vibration, or issues the prompting sound and vibrates simultaneously.

[0053] Continue reading Figures 2 to 6 After completing step S32, step S41 is executed. In step S41, the position detection unit 12 detects whether the current position of the finger has stopped changing. If yes, after recording the current value as the password sequence, step S5 is executed. If no, step S33 is executed. Step S33 involves having the calculation unit 131 perform the first processing on a variable displacement value with the default distance value, thereby obtaining a quotient value of the variable displacement value divided by the preset distance value. Then, step S34 is executed. In step S34, the calculation unit 131 performs a second processing on a variable direction vector with a direction vector of the previous action. The second processing involves doubling the variable direction vector with the direction vector of the previous action to obtain an inner product value. After completing step S34, step S35 is executed. In step S35, the calculation unit 131 determines whether the quotient value is equal to or greater than one. If yes, step S36 is executed. If no, step S1 is repeated. Next, in step S36, the operation unit 131 determines whether the inner product value is greater than or equal to zero; if so, the operation unit 131 moves the current value forward by one value according to a preset value table, and the prompting unit 15 issues a prompt signal; if not, the operation unit 131 moves the current value backward by one value according to the preset value table, and the prompting unit 15 issues a prompt signal; then step S41 is repeated.

[0054] More specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the preset value table is a value table consisting of repeated arrangements of 0, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 9, 8, 7... That is, the first value is 0, and moving the first value forward by one value results in 9, while moving the first value backward by one value results in 1. For example, if the current value is 5, moving it forward by one value results in 4, and moving it backward by one value results in 6, and so on. It is easy to understand that the preset value table can be customized by the user according to actual usage. For example, the user can change the order of the preset value table according to their habits. That is, the user can also add or delete values ​​in the preset value table. In other words, the preset value table can be arranged alphabetically or in a numerical order set by the user, such as: 2, 4, 6, 8, 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 2, 4, 6... This setting, according to the design of the present invention, further enhances the security of the input password. On the other hand, the inner product of the direction vector of the previous action and the direction vector of the change is used to determine whether the user's previous action and the current change action are in the same direction. In this way, the user can move the current value forward or backward by operating the direction.

[0055] Figure 9 To illustrate the eighth flowchart of the blind-specific password input program of the present invention, further explanation is provided. Step S7 further includes step S71, whereby the arithmetic unit 131 detects whether the current value has been updated. If not, step S72 is executed; if so, the current value is recorded in the password sequence, and step S1 is repeated. Step S72 uses the position detection unit 12 to detect whether the current position overlaps with the confirmation key of the password input unit 11. If so, step S8 is executed; if not, step S73 is executed. Step S73 uses the position detection unit 12 to detect whether the current position overlaps with the cancel key of the password input unit 11. If so, the blind-specific password input program ends; if not, step S1 is repeated. The confirmation signal is any one of the following: a confirmation sound signal, a vibration signal, or a combination of the above. The cancel signal is any one of the following: a cancel sound signal, a vibration signal, or a combination of the above. It is worth noting that the aforementioned sound signals, prompt sounds, password error sounds, confirmation sounds, and cancellation sounds are each set to different specific sounds, such as beeps, jingles, or piano sounds. In this way, when visually impaired users operate the password input device of this invention, they can clearly understand the operation actions and status.

[0056] Thus, the embodiments and flowcharts of the password input device and its special password input program for the blind of the present invention have been fully and clearly described above; and, as can be seen from the above, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0057] (1) Conventional password input devices typically use real-time voice prompts to allow visually impaired users to know the value of each key on the touchscreen. However, conventional real-time voice prompt methods have obvious drawbacks such as being time-consuming, inconvenient, and having low security. Therefore, this invention proposes a password input device. The device of this invention and its password input program specifically for the blind detect the user's hand gestures, and a position detection unit detects the user's actions to obtain the corresponding input value. In other words, the password input of this invention improves upon the disadvantages of conventional password input devices, such as the possibility of password theft, time consumption, and inconvenience. On the other hand, according to the design of this invention, the prompt signal can be set to vibrate and / or sound when the user is inputting a password. In this way, the user has the advantages of high security and convenience when using the password input device.

[0058] It must be emphasized that the above detailed description is a specific description of feasible embodiments of the present invention. However, the embodiments are not intended to limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent implementations or modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention should be included in the patent scope of this case.

Claims

1. A password input device, applied in an electronic device, comprising a password input unit, a position detection unit, a microcontroller chip, a storage unit, and a prompting unit; wherein, The microcontroller chip has a processing unit for implementing a password input program specifically for the blind, and the password input program specifically for the blind includes the following steps: Step (1) When a finger performs a password input on the password input unit, the password input unit receives a trigger position, a current position, and a current movement direction of the finger; Step (2) instructs the position detection unit to provide a current displacement value and a current direction vector based on the trigger position, the current position and the current movement direction; Step (3) Instruct the calculation unit to perform a first processing on the current displacement value with a default distance value, thereby causing the prompting unit to issue a prompt signal based on the result of the first processing, and at the same time update a current value; Step (4) Use the position detection unit to detect whether the current position of the finger has stopped changing; if yes, then execute step (5); if no, then repeat the aforementioned step (3). Step (5) Use the position detection unit to detect whether the finger has double-tapped the password input unit. If yes, proceed to step (7); if no, proceed to step (6). Step (6) Use the position detection unit to detect whether the finger touches a confirmation key or a cancel key. If the confirmation key is touched, play a confirmation signal and repeat step (1); if the cancel key is touched, play a cancel signal and repeat step (1); if not, repeat step (1). Step (7) Use the arithmetic unit to detect whether the current value has been updated. If yes, record the current value in a password sequence and repeat step (1); if no, proceed to step (8). Step (8) The microcontroller chip outputs the password sequence; Steps (3) and (4) further include the following steps: Step (31) The calculation unit performs the first processing on the current displacement value with the default distance value, thereby causing the prompting unit to issue a prompt message based on the result of the first processing, and at the same time updating a current value; the first processing is to divide the current displacement value by a preset distance value to obtain a quotient value; In step (32), when the quotient is equal to one, the operation unit is set to the first value as the current value, and the prompting unit is set to issue the prompting signal before step (41) is executed. Step (41) uses the position detection unit to detect whether the current position of the finger has stopped changing; if yes, after recording the current value as the password sequence, step (5) is executed; if no, step (33) is executed. Step (33) Instruct the calculation unit to perform the first processing on a variable displacement value with the default distance value, thereby obtaining a variable quotient value of the variable displacement value divided by the preset distance value; Step (34) instructs the arithmetic unit to perform a second processing on a changing direction vector with a direction vector of a previous action; the second processing is to dot product the changing direction vector with the direction vector of the previous action to obtain a dot product value; Step (35) Instruct the arithmetic unit to determine whether the variable quotient is equal to or greater than one. If yes, then execute step (36); if no, then repeat step (1). Step (36) uses the arithmetic unit to determine whether the inner product value is greater than or equal to zero; if so, the arithmetic unit moves the current value forward by one value according to a preset value table, and the prompting unit issues a prompt signal; if not, the arithmetic unit moves the current value backward by one value according to the preset value table, and the prompting unit issues a prompt signal; then step (41) is repeated.

2. The password input device according to claim 1, characterized in that, Step (7) further includes the following steps: Step (71) uses the arithmetic unit to detect whether the current value has been updated. If not, step (72) is executed. If so, the current value is recorded in the password sequence, and step (1) is executed again. Step (72) uses the position detection unit to detect whether the current position overlaps with the confirmation key of the password input unit; if yes, then proceed to step (8); if no, then proceed to step (73). Step (73) uses the position detection unit to detect whether the current position overlaps with the cancel key of the password input unit. If yes, the blind-specific password input program ends; otherwise, step (1) is repeated.

3. The password input device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electronic device is any of the following: a smartphone, a tablet computer, a computer, a smartwatch, an access control device, and a payment device.

4. The password input device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The password input unit can be any of the following: a touch screen, an LCD screen with a mouse, an infrared touch screen, or a large touch billboard.

5. The password input device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first value is 0, and the preset value table includes 0, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

6. The password input device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The prompt signal is any one of the following: a sound signal, a vibration signal, or a combination of the two.

7. The password input device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The confirmation signal is any one of the following: a confirmation sound signal, a vibration signal, or a combination of the above; the cancellation signal is any one of the following: a cancellation sound signal, a vibration signal, or a combination of the above.

Images