System for the tactile input of a code intended for visually impaired persons

Abstract

The invention relates to a code input system (1) comprising: - a touchpad (2) that generates a contact detection signal (20) in response to detection of a tactile input gesture; - a processing unit (3) configured to operate in an input mode in order to select digits from a series comprising all or some of the digits "0" to "9", by carrying out the following steps: - identifying that the tactile input gesture is carried out in the form of a main drag (4) that corresponds to at least one finger being dragged over the touchpad from a main starting location (41) to a main end location (42); - determining a drag vector (40) of the main drag; - selecting a digit from the first series on the basis of said drag vector, independently of the main starting location.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Touch code entry system for visually impaired people

[0003] [Technical field]

[0004] The invention relates to an input system for entering a code on a touch screen.

[0005] It relates more particularly to an input system adapted for visually impaired or blind people.

[0006] The invention finds a preferred, and non-limiting, application for a secure access control reader requiring the entry of a code to authorize access to a secure space, but can also find an application in other sectors such as electronic payment terminals, self-service distribution terminals (for example, ATM, food dispenser, drinks dispenser, etc.) and more generally terminals equipped with a touch screen such as telephones, touch tablets and computers or computer terminals.

[0007] [State of the art]

[0008] As is known, devices requiring the entry of a code comprising a series of characters, and in particular including numbers, have a keyboard equipped with several keys assigned to respective characters including numbers, and possibly also alphabetic characters and / or special characters, such as for example the characters “*” and “#”, and / or functional characters, such as for example a validation key for validating the code once entered, or a backspace or correction key for correcting an error in entering the code, or even a cancellation key for canceling the complete entry.

[0009] Each key typically has a visual representation of a symbol informing the user of its functionality: indication of the number for entering the number; indication of the alphabetical character; indication of the special character; indication of the functional character (or the function of the key), for example by a color, such as a green key for validating the code and a red key for canceling the entry; etc.

[0010] Typically, a keyboard can be a mechanical keyboard or a touch keyboard. The technologies differ between the two keyboard models, but the principle remains common, namely that the keyboard includes a plurality of discrete keys, and the user presses the keys to enter the associated characters. In a mechanical keyboard, the keys are mechanical keys or push keys; in a touch keyboard, the keys are formed of discrete detection surfaces (usually hollow), each associated with a tactile sensor based on a technology for capturing a press or touch on the detection surface, such as capacitive technology, inductive technology or infrared technology.

[0011] It is also known, in particular from EP1271295, to use a virtual keyboard displayed on or under a touch screen associated with a display screen; we generally speak of a touch screen, conventionally used in mobile phones and tablets, and operating for example with capacitive technology, resistive technology or infrared technology. The advantage of such a touch screen is to be able to detect the movements or sliding of a finger on the touch screen, and also to be able to detect a finger contact at any location on the touch screen, or even to detect several simultaneous contacts (multipoint detection) on the touch screen.

[0012] In EP1271295, it is proposed that keys be associated with at least two characters, namely a main character visible in the center of the key, and at least one secondary character visible in a corner of the key. A simple press on such a key triggers the entry of the main character, while a press on this same key followed by a slide towards the corresponding corner triggers the entry of the secondary character concerned. Although suitable for minimizing the display size on a small screen, this solution is however unsuitable for a visually impaired person because it necessarily requires a visualization of the key to be pressed, whether for the main character or for the secondary character.

[0013] Generally speaking, visual representations (marking on a mechanical or tactile keyboard, and display of a virtual touchscreen keyboard as described for example in EP1271295) are difficult to access for people with visual impairments, and are completely inaccessible to blind people.

[0014] Solutions have been designed to make keyboards accessible to the visually impaired.

[0015] In accordance with European standard EN 13332-306-1999, the "5" key on mechanical and tactile keyboards is provided with a tactile marker so that by moving their finger over the keyboard, the visually impaired person can identify this key by touch and use it as a reference point to locate the other keys; the "2" key is located above the "5" key, the "4" key to the left, the "6" key to the right, etc. Similarly, for mechanical keyboards of electronic payment terminals, embossings in the shape of an "O" and an "X" respectively are used so that the visually impaired person can locate the validation and cancellation keys.

[0016] However, such a solution is difficult to envisage for a touch screen of a touch screen, because such a touch screen is designed to be smooth in order to be able to freely slide one's finger and allow the detection of slides, and it is therefore not possible to provide a relief marking which would hinder such slides. Furthermore, if such a relief marking were nevertheless added to the smooth touch screen, there remains a difficulty which is that when the visually impaired person places a finger on the touch screen to look for this relief marking, the finger will inevitably slide on the touch screen and lead to unwanted entry of numbers and therefore to the entry of an incorrect code.

[0017] [Summary of the invention]

[0018] The invention aims to address the problem posed by providing a solution for entering a code on a touchscreen that is more accessible and ergonomic for visually impaired people. The solution can also be used by a sighted person.

[0019] Thus, the invention relates to an input system for entering a code comprising a sequence of characters including at least numbers, said input system comprising:

[0020] - a touch screen configured to generate a contact detection signal in response to a detection of a touch input gesture performed by a user on the touch screen, said contact detection signal being indicative of contact of one or more fingers on the touch screen during the touch input gesture;

[0021] - a processing unit configured to acquire the contact detection signal generated by the touch screen and to select a unique character based on the contact detection signal corresponding to the detected touch input gesture.

[0022] This input system is remarkable in that the processing unit is configured to operate in an input mode for selecting digits from a first series of characters comprising all or part of the digits "0" to "9", by performing the following steps:

[0023] - identify that the touch input gesture is executed in the form of a main swipe which corresponds to the sliding of at least one finger on the touch pad from a main start location to a main end location where the main swipe is interrupted by removal of the at least one finger, depending on the contact detection signal;

[0024] - determine a slip vector of the main slip, as a function of the contact detection signal;

[0025] - select a digit from the first series of characters based on said main swipe drag vector, regardless of the main starting location on the touchscreen.

[0026] In other words, the input system is based, when it operates in the input mode mentioned above, on recognition / interpretation by the processing unit of the presses and swipes, carried out with one or more fingers on the touch screen. This input mode is therefore suitable for visually impaired people, because it does not require viewing and aiming at a location on the touch screen to enter one of the numbers in the first series of characters. It should be noted that this input mode can of course also be used by sighted people.

[0027] It should be noted that this input mode may be the only input mode implemented by the processing unit, or it may be a special mode among several input modes, and for example among two input modes, the other input mode may be a conventional mode adapted for sighted people. According to one option, these two input modes may be superimposable, so that there would be two ways of entering the same number on the touch screen.

[0028] It should be noted, for the purposes of this description, that the selection of a character by the processing unit means that the processing unit transmits this character as an input for the validation of the code. Each character selected by the processing unit forms a sequence of characters which is compared to the stored code, for example to authorize access, validate a payment, etc. This comparison of the sequence of characters selected by the processing unit can be done within the processing unit, or within a host system which receives the selected characters from the processing unit and then compares them with the stored code.

[0029] In the case where the processing unit can operate in two input modes, this process of selecting a character varies depending on whether the processing unit is in one mode or the other.

[0030] As indicated, the touch input gesture performed on the touchscreen by the person, whether visually impaired or not, generates a contact detection signal which is transmitted to the processing unit. This contact detection signal corresponds to the signal generated by the means implemented to detect contacts (in other words touches) on the touchscreen, such as means based on one of the following technologies: capacitive technology, resistive technology or infrared technology.

[0031] Based on its analysis of the contact detection signal, the processing unit will then trigger a specific functionality. Each touch gesture (press or slide with one or more fingers) is associated with a specific functionality, such as selecting a number between "0" and "9".

[0032] To determine the sliding vector, recognition is based on a main starting location corresponding to a point on the touchpad on which the visually impaired person presses, then on the direction and direction of sliding of the finger to a main ending location corresponding to a point on the touchpad from which the visually impaired person lifts (or removes) their finger; the contact of the finger (or at least one finger) being maintained throughout the sliding. To be able to slide the finger in any direction from the main starting location, it is still preferable to have the main starting location substantially in the center of the touchpad, which is easily accessible for a visually impaired person who can appreciate the dimensions of the touchpad by touch and thus place themselves more or less in the center.

[0033] Thus, the slip vector can be established based on the main start location and the main end location.

[0034] In a first embodiment of the invention, the contact detection signal is generated following a delay during which the user presses on the screen with his or her finger(s), or during which he or she slides it(them).

[0035] In a second variant embodiment of the invention, the contact detection signal is generated if, after pressing or sliding, the user lifts his or her finger(s).

[0036] Advantageously, the invention allows visually impaired users to enter their code by performing simple touch gestures on the touch screen.

[0037] Another advantage of the invention for enhancing the ergonomics of the input system and further improving the user experience for visually impaired people is that the main starting location does not correspond to a specific area of ​​the front face of the touchscreen. Indeed, the processing unit considers as the main starting location any area of ​​the touchscreen on which the user presses with his or her finger(s), before sliding it(them) according to the sliding direction associated with the desired number. Thus, the visually impaired person only needs to locate the housing of the input system in his or her environment (and possibly the edges of the touchscreen if the touchscreen does not cover the entire surface of the input system presented to users). Once the visually impaired person has located the touchscreen in space, he or she can “tactile” enter his or her code on any part of it.Such a context of use, which does not depend on the starting location of the finger, is therefore particularly practical and ergonomic for the visually impaired person.

[0038] A final advantage of the invention is to optimize the management of codes by the processing unit, by preventing it from having to process too many occurrences of erroneous numbers.

[0039] According to one possibility, the processing unit is configured to determine the drag vector of the main drag as corresponding to a vector from the main start location to the main end location (which, as a reminder, corresponds to the location where the user lifts or peels off the at least one finger).

[0040] So, it doesn't matter if the sliding is in a straight line or a curved line, what matters is the main end location to establish the sliding vector; which is advantageous for a visually impaired person.

[0041] Alternatively, the primary swipe is the swipe of a single finger across the touchscreen from the primary starting location.

[0042] In other words, the processing unit is configured to determine that a single finger is placed on the touchpad (no matter where, at the main start location), and that this single finger slides to the main end location, to infer that it is a main slide, and then to infer the slide vector to select the associated digit.

[0043] According to a particular embodiment, the processing unit is configured to identify that the touch input gesture is executed as the main drag under the condition that a distance between the main start location and the main end location is greater than or equal to a given minimum main distance.

[0044] Thus, the slide must be long enough in terms of distance to be considered a main slide; otherwise it is not a main slide and the processing unit does not select a digit based on a slide vector.

[0045] In an advantageous embodiment, the first series of characters comprises N digits, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to 10, and the processing unit is configured to establish N main angular sectors distributed around the main starting location and oriented radially according to N distinct main selection directions with a given main center angle, each of the N main angular sectors being associated with a digit of the first series of characters; and wherein the processing unit is configured to determine whether the sliding vector of the main sliding is contained in one of the N main angular sectors, and to select the digit of the first series of characters which is associated with said main angular sector.

[0046] In this way, there is a margin defined by the angle at the main center, to properly aim at the main selection direction. Indeed, the angle at the main center corresponds to the angle at the center of the main angular sector; the center corresponding to the main starting location. In other words, the sliding vector of the main sliding may not be exactly coincident with the main selection direction aimed at, it may in fact be angularly offset by more or less half of the angle at the main center.

[0047] Furthermore, the processing unit is configured to determine whether the sliding vector of the main sliding is contained in one of the N main angular sectors, by detecting in which main angular sector the at least one finger is lifted; in other words by detecting in which main angular sector the main end location is located.

[0048] Advantageously, the N main angular sectors are contiguous and distributed over 360 degrees around the main starting location, so that the slip vector of the main slip is always contained in one of the N angular sectors.

[0049] Thus, there is no dead sector that would not be associated with a number; and in this case, the angle at the principal center corresponds to 360 / N degrees.

[0050] According to a characteristic of the invention, the first series of characters comprises eight digits, N then being equal to 8, which are the digits “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “6”, “7”, “8” and “9”, and by placing itself in a reference frame defined by a horizontal axis and a vertical axis:

[0051] - the primary selection direction associated with the number “1” is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees to the horizontal axis, upwards and to the left from the primary starting location;

[0052] - the main selection direction associated with the number “2” is a vertical direction parallel to the vertical axis, upward from the main starting location; - the main selection direction associated with the number “3” is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees to the horizontal axis, upward and to the right from the main starting location;

[0053] - the main selection direction associated with the number “4” is a horizontal direction parallel to the horizontal axis, to the left from the main starting location;

[0054] - the main selection direction associated with the number “6” is a horizontal direction parallel to the horizontal axis, to the right from the main starting location;

[0055] - the primary selection direction associated with the number “7” is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees to the horizontal axis, downward and to the left from the primary starting location;

[0056] - the main selection direction associated with the number “8” is a vertical direction parallel to the vertical axis, downward from the main starting location;

[0057] - the primary selection direction associated with the number "9" is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees to the horizontal axis, down and to the right from the primary starting location.

[0058] Thus, the main starting location virtually corresponds to the location of the number "5" in a conventional keyboard, and the visually impaired person will slide their finger (or fingers in a multi-finger variant for the main slide) towards the numbers "1", "2", "3", "4", "6", "7", "8", or "9" positioned virtually around the number "5". This procedure thus leads to a natural entry of these numbers, simply by sliding their finger.

[0059] In other words, the tactile gestures made by the visually impaired person on the touchscreen and recognized by the processing unit for these numbers correspond to the gestures that they would make on a conventional keyboard.

[0060] The starting location (called the main starting location) on which the user presses his or her finger(s) is equivalent to having located the "5" key in the center of the keyboard on a conventional keyboard.

[0061] With one or more fingers, the sliding gesture performed from the starting location in the 8 possible directions amounts to searching for and then selecting the keys corresponding to the numbers "1" to "4" and "6" to "9". In other words, for example, the keys "2" and "6" being on a keyboard respectively above and to the right of the key "5", the user slides his finger from the starting location upwards and to the right respectively.

[0062] In this case, since N is equal to 8, if the eight principal angular sectors are contiguous, then each principal angular sector has an angle at the principal center of 45 degrees; therefore each principal angular sector corresponds to a sector having an angle of plus or minus 22.5 degrees around the corresponding principal selection direction.

[0063] According to a characteristic of the invention, in the input mode, the processing unit is configured to select digits in a second series of characters comprising at least digits distinct from the digits of the first series of characters, by carrying out the following steps:

[0064] - identifying that the touch input gesture is executed as a secondary gesture among several secondary gestures, based on the contact detection signal, said several secondary gestures being distinct from the main swipe;

[0065] - select a number from the second series of characters based on the detected secondary gesture.

[0066] In the case where the first series of characters does not contain all the digits "0" to "9", it is therefore advantageous to provide other types of touch input gestures, namely secondary gestures, which are just as ergonomic or intuitive, in order to be able to select these other digits not covered by the first series of characters.

[0067] According to one possibility, one of the several of the secondary gestures is a secondary gesture called centralized gesture which is characterized by a pressing of at least one finger (and for example a single finger) on a central starting location and by a removal of the at least one finger on a central ending location interrupting said centralized gesture, where the central ending location is located in a circular central area centered on the central starting location and having a radius corresponding to a predefined limiting distance; and in which the processing unit is configured to select a digit from the second series of characters in response to the identification of said centralized gesture, independently of the central starting location on the touch screen.

[0068] Thus, the processing unit is configured to identify such a centralized gesture based on the contact detection signal, and to select one digit, and only one digit, which is associated with such a centralized gesture, regardless of where the user presses at the start of the centralized gesture, as long as he removes (or peels off) the finger at a distance from the central starting location which is less than the limit distance.

[0069] According to one characteristic, the limit distance is less than or equal to the minimum main distance; which is advantageous for clearly distinguishing a main slide from a centralized gesture.

[0070] Advantageously, the second series of characters includes the number “5” which is associated with the centralized gesture.

[0071] As seen in the previously described embodiment, the number "5" (virtually in the center of the conventional keyboard) is not accessible by the main swipe, and it is therefore advantageous to provide a specific touch input gesture for entering this number "5", which is not a swipe to avoid confusion with the other numbers "1", "2", "3", "4", "6", "7", "8" and "9". In the present case, this specific touch input gesture is in the form of a centralized gesture in which the finger is placed and then removed almost in the same place (or even exactly in the same place), regardless of the location of the place where the finger is placed on the touch screen.

[0072] In other words, and in order to prevent the processing unit from selecting the number "5" incorrectly and causing an error in the entry of the code, when the user presses the central starting location, the actual selection of the number "5" can be made after the user has lifted his or her finger(s) almost to the central starting location for a predefined duration; the term "almost" being characterized by the limit distance, which allows a certain margin between the place where the finger is placed and the place where the finger is removed.

[0073] Thus, this centralized gesture can be defined by a comparison between the distance between the central starting location and the central ending location where the support is interrupted by removal of the at least one finger, and this predefined limit distance. In other words, this limit distance reflects a certain tolerance to assess whether a touch input gesture is a centralized gesture or not. If this distance is less than the limit distance, then the touch input gesture is considered a centralized gesture; which is the case if the distance is zero. On the other hand, if this distance is greater than the limit distance, then the touch input gesture is not considered a centralized gesture.

[0074] Advantageously and as seen above, this limit distance is equivalent to the minimum main distance described previously. Thus, if the distance (between pressing and lifting) is less than the minimum main distance, then the touch input gesture is considered a centralized gesture, and if this distance is greater than the minimum main distance, then the touch input gesture is considered a primary swipe or a secondary swipe (described later) depending on the number of fingers.

[0075] Advantageously, the processing unit is configured to identify the touch input gesture as the centralized gesture under the condition that a time interval between pressing the at least one finger on the central starting location and removing the at least one finger from the central ending location is greater than a minimum pressing delay.

[0076] According to a first variant, the centralized gesture is a centralized support characterized by maintaining at least one finger inside the circular central zone between the central starting location and the central ending location, so that the at least one finger remains inside said circular central zone during the centralized support.

[0077] So, in this first variant, the at least one finger remains in the central circular area, and for example remains at the central starting location.

[0078] According to a second variant, the centralized gesture is a back and forth swipe characterized by an exit of the at least one finger outside the circular central zone between the central starting location and the central ending location, such that the at least one finger exits said circular central zone and returns inside the circular central zone during the back and forth swipe.

[0079] Thus, in this second variant, the at least one finger slides on the touch screen, leaving the central circular zone then returning to the interior of the central circular zone before being lifted off; this back and forth sliding thus forming a sliding in the form of a closed loop, with a back and forth from the central circular zone.

[0080] In a particular embodiment, one of the several secondary gestures is a secondary swipe that corresponds to the swiping of at least one finger on the touchpad from a secondary start location to a secondary end location where the secondary swipe is interrupted by removal of the at least one finger, said secondary swipe being distinct from the main swipe in that the main swipe corresponds to the swiping of a first number of fingers between 1 and 4 (and preferably between 1 and 3), and the secondary swipe corresponds to the swiping of a second number of fingers between 1 and 4 (and preferably between 1 and 3) and distinct from the first number of fingers; and wherein the processing unit is configured to: - determine a swipe vector of the secondary swipe, as a function of the contact detection signal;

[0081] - select a digit from the second series of characters based on said secondary drag vector, regardless of the secondary starting location on the touchscreen.

[0082] So, in the case where the first series of characters does not contain all the digits "0" to "9", it is advantageous to select / search for the other digits not covered by the first series of characters (or even non-encrypted characters as described later), again based on a slide, but this time on a secondary slide which is distinguished from the main slide by the number of fingers involved in the slide. The principle therefore remains the same, but it is just the number of fingers which differs.

[0083] According to one possibility, the processing unit is configured to determine the slip vector of the secondary slip as corresponding to a vector from the secondary start location to the secondary end location.

[0084] Alternatively, the first number of fingers is 1 and the second number of fingers is 2.

[0085] In other words, the main slide is associated with the slide of a single finger to search for / select the numbers in the first series of characters, while the secondary slide is associated with the slide of two fingers to search for / select the number(s) in the second series of characters (or even non-numbered characters); preferably always referring to a classic keyboard as seen below.

[0086] Alternatively, the processing unit is configured to identify that the touch input gesture is executed as the secondary drag under the condition that a distance between the secondary start location and the secondary end location is greater than or equal to a given minimum secondary distance.

[0087] Advantageously, this minimum secondary distance is equivalent to the minimum main distance described previously.

[0088] Advantageously, the second series of characters comprises the number "0" and the processing unit is configured to determine whether the slip vector of the secondary slip is contained in a secondary angular sector associated with the number "0", centered on the secondary starting location and oriented radially in a secondary selection direction with a given secondary center angle, and to select the number "0" which is associated with said secondary angular sector.

[0089] In a special embodiment, the second character series also comprises K unencrypted characters, K being an integer greater than or equal to 2, and the processing unit is configured to establish (K+l) secondary angular sectors distributed around the secondary start location and radially oriented according to (K+l) distinct secondary selection directions with the given secondary center angle, one of the (K+l) secondary angular sectors being associated with the digit "0" and the others of the (K+l) secondary angular sectors being associated with the respective K unencrypted characters of the second character series; and wherein the processing unit is configured to determine whether the slip vector of the secondary slip is contained in one of the (K+l) secondary angular sectors, and to select the digit "0" or the unencrypted character of the second character series which is associated with said secondary angular sector.

[0090] Advantageously, the secondary direction of selection of the secondary angular sector associated with the number "0" is, when placed in a reference frame defined by a horizontal axis and a vertical axis, a vertical direction parallel to the vertical axis, downwards from the secondary starting location.

[0091] Conventionally, a conventional keyboard includes, below the line formed by the keys corresponding to the numbers "7", "8", and "9", another line comprising, from left to right, the keys "*", "0" and "#". In terms of positioning, the "0" key is therefore arranged below the "8" key, which is itself arranged below the "5" key.

[0092] In order for the processing unit to be able to dissociate the selection of a “0” from an “8”, the user, instead of performing a vertical downward slide with a first number of fingers (for example a single finger) to be in the case of a main slide from a location on the touch screen (regardless of the location of this location) and then performing a downward slide (which amounts to selecting an “8”), performs the same touch gesture (vertical downward slide) but with a second number of fingers (for example two fingers) to select the “0”.

[0093] According to a characteristic of the invention, the K unencrypted characters comprise at least a first unencrypted character and a second unencrypted character, and by placing themselves in a reference frame defined by a horizontal axis and a vertical axis:

[0094] - the secondary selection direction associated with the first unencrypted character is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees to the horizontal axis, downward and to the left from the secondary starting location;

[0095] - the secondary selection direction associated with the second unencrypted character is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees to the horizontal axis, down and to the right from the secondary starting location.

[0096] Advantageously, the first unencrypted character is the special character "*" or a first letter (such as "A"), and the second unencrypted character is the special character "#" or a second letter (such as "B").

[0097] The characters "*" (or the first letter) and "#" (or the second letter) are selected by swiping with the second number of fingers (e.g. two fingers) respectively from the bottom left and bottom right, thus respecting the format of a conventional keyboard.

[0098] In this way, the classic keyboard is “reproduced” in its entirety, and each number or symbol is easily accessible to the visually impaired person, by using the appropriate main swipe or secondary gesture (for example, centralized press, back and forth swipe or secondary swipe).

[0099] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, in the case where the input system is provided for a secure payment terminal, for which the keyboard generally comprises from left to right under the keys "*", "0" and "#", a red key (cancellation of the payment transaction), an orange key (backspace in the entry of the PIN code of the bank card), and a green key (validation by the user of the code for verification by the card issuer), it is possible for the processing unit to recognize contact detection signals generated in response to sliding on the touch screen carried out with three fingers at the bottom left (red key), at the bottom (orange key), at the bottom right (green key).

[0100] According to a feature of the invention, in the special mode, the processing unit is configured to generate vibratory feedback on the screen and / or audible feedback when the number is selected.

[0101] Advantageously, the feedback (whether sound and / or vibration) that the visually impaired user will hear or feel when their finger is placed on the touch screen will alert them that they have selected a number.

[0102] One possibility is that in input mode, the touchscreen does not display any numbers, and possibly nothing.

[0103] According to a characteristic of the invention, the input system comprises a display screen positioned behind the touch screen, and the input system is configured to operate in another input mode, distinct from the input mode, in which dedicated locations for entering numbers are displayed by means of the display screen on or under the touch screen, with one dedicated location per number, and in this other input mode, the processing unit is configured to identify that the touch input gesture is performed in the form of pressing one of the dedicated locations on the touch screen, and to select the single number associated with said location.

[0104] Advantageously, and as mentioned previously, the input system can also be intended for sighted people, in a mode called other input mode (or sighted mode), while the input mode (or visually impaired mode) described so far is suitable for visually impaired people. In this other input mode, the input system is conventional and displays a usual representation of a keyboard on or under the touch screen for entering the code, with dedicated locations for each digit. The representation may possibly differ in variant embodiments depending on whether the input system is for example intended to be used in an access control reader, or in a secure payment terminal. As indicated, in this other input mode, the processing unit is configured to select the unique digit associated with a location when the user presses his finger on this location.

[0105] According to a characteristic of the invention, the input system comprises at least one sensor connected to the processing unit which is configured to switch from the other input mode to the input mode upon receipt of at least one detection signal from the at least one sensor.

[0106] Advantageously, the at least one sensor is distinct from the means implemented by the touch screen for detecting the touch input gesture made by a user on the touch screen.

[0107] This way, there is no risk of erroneous switching.

[0108] In a first embodiment, the at least one sensor comprises a radio identification sensor in order to be able to detect an approach of a radio identification badge.

[0109] Thus, the visually impaired person brings their badge close to the touch screen to switch to the input mode that is appropriate for them; this badge can be a card, a token, or integrated into a mobile terminal such as a telephone.

[0110] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the at least one sensor comprises at least one lateral approach sensor shaped to detect an approach or contact of a user's hand on at least one side of the touch screen. Thus, the input system can switch from the other input mode (or sighted mode) to the input mode (or visually impaired mode) when a user touches or brings his hand closer to one side of the touch screen, to the right, to the left, above or below the front face of the touch screen on which the input is made; this approach or this contact of the hand being detected by the lateral approach sensor (or one of the lateral approach sensors).

[0111] It should be noted that the side of the touch screen means, within the meaning of this description, a lateral part extending next to the front face of the touch screen; in other words, this front face of the touch screen is clearly excluded from the definition of the side of the touch screen. Furthermore, when the touch screen is embedded in a locker and / or is integrated into a secure access control reader, then the side of the touch screen may correspond to the side of this locker and / or to the side of this reader.

[0112] Since a visually impaired person uses touch to navigate, there is a high probability that they will touch the box (or at least bring their hand close to it) in order to locate it in space. Advantageously, this operating principle allows the input system to be switched to the input mode adapted to the visually impaired person before they begin entering their code.

[0113] According to one possibility, the at least one lateral approach sensor is selected from a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor such as a camera, an accelerometer and a mechanical sensor.

[0114] In a particular embodiment, the at least one lateral approach sensor comprises at least one side sensor which is positioned on the at least one side of the touch screen.

[0115] By placing this sensor sideways on one side of the touchscreen, it is easy to detect a hand approaching this side (or coming into contact with this side), as long as this hand approaches this sensor from the side.

[0116] As explained previously, this side sensor can be placed directly on the side of the touchscreen, and can also be placed on the side of the locker and / or the reader.

[0117] According to one possibility, the at least one side sensor is selected from a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an accelerometer, a camera and a mechanical sensor.

[0118] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one side sensor comprises several side sensors arranged on several sides of the touch screen, or a peripheral sensor extending on several sides of the touch screen. Thus, the hand can approach on several sides, or even on any side, of the touch screen, to activate the input mode adapted to the visually impaired.

[0119] In another embodiment, the at least one lateral approach sensor comprises at least one front sensor which is positioned on the front face of the touch screen on which the touch keys are arranged, such a front sensor having a detection field making it possible to detect the approach or contact of the user's hand on at least one side of the touch screen.

[0120] Thus, in this variant, the lateral approach sensor is not positioned on the side of the touchscreen (as is the case with the side sensor), but is positioned on the front face of the touchscreen, while being able to detect the approach or contact of the user's hand on the side of the touchscreen thanks to a wide detection field.

[0121] Alternatively, the at least one facade sensor is selected from a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a camera.

[0122] In one embodiment, the processing unit, when in an input mode, is configured to automatically switch from the input mode to the other input mode once the sequence of digits forming the code has been selected.

[0123] So this other input mode (or seeing mode) is the default mode.

[0124] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the input system switches from the input mode (or visually impaired mode) to the other input mode (or sighted mode) according to the same operating principle as that described above, or alternatively after a time period has passed during which the processing unit does not detect a tactile gesture on the touch screen (for example, a time period of a few seconds), or even after the visually impaired person has validated their code and it is correct.

[0125] In a third embodiment, in order to improve the ergonomics and user experience of the input system for visually impaired people, the transition from the other input mode (or sighted mode) to the input mode (or visually impaired mode), and vice versa, may be accompanied by vibratory feedback / haptic feedback when they touch the touch screen and / or an audible signal to warn them of the switch. If also an audible signal is provided to warn the user that a digit has been selected, it is conceivable that the audible signal provided for the mode switch is the same as that used for the selection of a digit, or else is different (in the case of an application context where it would be necessary to distinguish them).

[0126] The invention also relates to a secure access control reader comprising an input system as previously described. The invention also relates to an input method for entering a code comprising a sequence of numbers on a touch screen, said input method being carried out on an input system according to the invention, and comprising the following steps:

[0127] - generating a contact detection signal in response to a detection of a touch input gesture made by a user on the touch screen, said contact detection signal being indicative of contact of one or more fingers on the touch screen during the touch input gesture;

[0128] - acquire by a processing unit the contact detection signal generated by the touch screen;

[0129] - selecting by the processing unit a single character as a function of the contact detection signal corresponding to the detected touch input gesture; said input method comprising an input mode for selecting digits in a first series of characters comprising all or part of the digits “0” to “9”, and in which the processing unit carries out the following steps:

[0130] - identify that the touch input gesture is executed in the form of a main swipe which corresponds to the sliding of at least one finger on the touch pad from a main start location to a main end location where the main swipe is interrupted by removal of the at least one finger, depending on the contact detection signal;

[0131] - determine a slip vector of the main slip, as a function of the contact detection signal;

[0132] - select a digit from the first series of characters based on said main swipe drag vector, regardless of the main starting location on the touchscreen.

[0133] Of course, all the features previously mentioned for the input system also apply to the input process.

[0134] [Brief description of the figures]

[0135] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear on reading the detailed description below, of a non-limiting example of implementation, made with reference to the appended figures in which:

[0136] [Fig 1] is a schematic view of an input system in an input mode adapted for the visually impaired, illustrating a main slide from a main start location to a main end location allowing the selection of the digit '3' belonging to a first series of characters; [Fig 2] is a schematic view of the input system with an illustration of eight main angular sectors centered on the main start location of Figure 1 and associated with the respective digits '1', '2', '3', '4', '6', '7', '8' and '9' of the first series of characters;

[0137] [Fig 3] is a schematic view equivalent to that of Figure 2, where a main slide is illustrated allowing the selection of the number “9”;

[0138] [Fig 4] is a schematic view equivalent to that of Figure 2, where a main slide is illustrated allowing the selection of the number “4”;

[0139] [Fig 5] is a schematic view equivalent to that of Figure 2, but with a different main starting location;

[0140] [Fig 6] is a schematic view of the input system in the input mode adapted for the visually impaired, showing a centralized press at a central starting location and allowing the selection of the number "5" belonging to a second series of characters;

[0141] [Fig 7] is a schematic view equivalent to that of Figure 2, showing a central area centered on the central starting location of Figure 6 and associated with the selection of the number "5";

[0142] [Fig 8] is a schematic view equivalent to that of Figure 7, where a centralized support is illustrated allowing the selection of the number “5”;

[0143] [Fig 9] is a schematic view equivalent to that of Figure 7, where a back and forth slide is illustrated allowing the selection of the number “5”;

[0144] [Fig 10] is a schematic view of the input system in the visually impaired input mode, illustrating a secondary slide from a secondary start location to a secondary end location allowing selection of the special character "*" belonging to the second series of characters;

[0145] [Fig 11] is a schematic view of the input system with an illustration of three secondary angular sectors centered on the secondary start location of Figure 10 and associated with the special characters "*" and "#" and the digit "0" of the second series of characters;

[0146] [Fig 12] is a schematic view equivalent to that of Figure 11, where a secondary slide is illustrated allowing the selection of the number “0”;

[0147] [Fig 13] is a schematic view of the input system in a version with a display screen and in the other input mode adapted for LEDs in which the keys of a virtual keyboard are displayed; [Fig 14] is a schematic view equivalent to that of Figure 13, where a press is illustrated allowing the selection of the number "7" in this other input mode adapted for LEDs;

[0148] [Fig 15] is a schematic view of a secure access control reader integrating the entry system, with a user entering a code.

[0149] [Detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention]

[0150] With reference to the Figures, an input system 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention comprises a touch screen 2 having a completely flat and smooth front face on which a user U (illustrated in Figure 15) can place one or more fingers. This touch screen 2 is configured to generate a contact detection signal 20 in response to detection of a touch input gesture made by the user U on the touch screen 2 (and more precisely on its front face). The front face of the touch screen 2 extends in a plane defined by a horizontal axis H and a vertical axis V; these two axes H, V defining a reference frame for establishing coordinates on the touch screen 2.

[0151] This contact detection signal 20 is indicative of contact of one or more fingers on the front face of the touch screen 2 during the touch input gesture, and it integrates information as to the number of fingers which come into contact with the front face (for example based on a contact surface), the location of the initial location on which the finger(s) come into contact with the touch screen 2 at the start of the touch input gesture, the location of the final location on which the finger(s) are detached and break contact with the touch screen 2 at the end of the touch input gesture. This contact detection signal 20 may optionally also include information as to the location of one or more points of passage of the finger(s) which would slide on the touch screen 2 from the initial location to the final location.

[0152] This input system 1 further comprises a processing unit 3 which is connected to the touch screen 2 to acquire the contact detection signal 20 generated by the touch screen 2 and which is configured to select a single character according to the contact detection signal 20 corresponding to the detected touch input gesture. In other words, the processing unit 3 selects a character according to the contact detection signal 20 which is representative of the touch input gesture made by the user U on the touch screen 2. This processing unit 3 can be a processor, a controller, an electronic card or a computer terminal.Thus, the input system 1 makes it possible to input a code comprising a sequence of characters including at least numbers, and the processing unit 3 is configured to operate in an input mode adapted for the visually impaired, and subsequently called visually impaired mode, to select the characters by means of dedicated tactile input gestures adapted for the visually impaired.

[0153] With reference to Figure 15, this input system 1 can be integrated with a secure access control reader 11 for entering an access code authorizing access to a secure area, for example for opening a door 12 or an access barrier.

[0154] In the example described, the characters are divided into two sets of characters in the visually impaired mode, which are:

[0155] - a first series of characters comprising eight digits which are the digits “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “6”, “7”, “8” and “9”; and

[0156] - a second series of characters including the numbers “5” and “0”, and also optionally the special characters “*” and “#”.

[0157] With reference to Figures 1 to 5, in the visually impaired mode, the processing unit 3 is configured to select digits from the first series of characters, by performing the following steps:

[0158] - identify, based on the contact detection signal 20, that the touch input gesture is executed in the form of a main slide 4 which corresponds to the sliding of a single finger 10 on the touch screen 2 from an initial location, called the main start location 41, to a final location, called the main end location 42, where the main slide 4 is interrupted by removing the finger 10

[0159] - determine a sliding vector 40 of the main sliding 4, as a function of the contact detection signal 20;

[0160] - select a digit from the first series of characters based on this sliding vector 40 of the main sliding 4, independently of the main starting location 41 on the touch screen 2.

[0161] In the example of Figure 1, two examples of main slip 4 are shown diagrammatically as two dotted lines, with a first line that is straight from the main start location 41 to the main end location 42 indicating that the main slip 4 is in a straight line, and a second line that is curved from the main start location 41 to the main end location 42 indicating that the main slip 4 is in a curved line. More specifically, the processing unit 3 is configured to determine the slip vector 40 of the main slip 4 as corresponding to a vector from the main start location 41 to the main end location 42.

[0162] Thus, in the case where the main slide 4 is in a straight line then the slide vector 40 is superimposed on this straight line, and in the case where the main slide 4 is in a curved line then the slide vector 40 is not superimposed on this curved line; what counts to determine the slide vector 40 is therefore the relative position of the main end location 42 with respect to the main start location 41, regardless of the path of the finger 10 to go from the main start location 41 to the main end location 42. In Figures 3 and 4, only the slide vector 40 is illustrated.

[0163] Furthermore, the processing unit 3 is configured to identify that the touch input gesture is executed in the form of the main drag 4 under the condition that a distance D4 between the main start location 41 and the main end location 42 is greater than or equal to a given minimum main distance DM.

[0164] Thus, by analyzing the contact detection signal 20, the processing unit 3 determines the coordinates of the main start location 41 and the main end location 42, then calculates the distance D4 to compare it with the minimum main distance DM, deduces the sliding vector 40 of the main sliding 4, and finally determines the digit of the first series of characters according to this sliding vector 40 of the main sliding 4.

[0165] For this determination of the figure and with reference to Figures 2 and 5, the processing unit 3 is configured to:

[0166] - establishing eight main angular sectors 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59 contiguous, distributed around the main starting location 41 and oriented radially according to eight distinct main selection directions 510, 520, 530, 540, 560, 570, 580, 590 with a given main center angle 50, each of the eight main angular sectors 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59 being associated with a number “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “6”, “7”, “8”, “9” of the first series of characters; and

[0167] - determining whether the sliding vector 40 of the main sliding 4 is contained in one of the eight main angular sectors 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, and to select the digit of the first series of characters which is associated with said main angular sector.

[0168] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 5, the minimum main distance DM can be characterized by a central zone 55 of circular shape centered on the main starting location 41 and whose radius corresponds to the minimum main distance DM. Thus, when the user U places his finger 10 on the touch screen 2 and wants to enter one of the numbers “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “6”, “7”, “8”, “9”, his finger 10 must slide to leave this central zone 55 and reach one of the eight main angular sectors 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59. Also, these eight main angular sectors 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59 are distributed around this central zone 55.

[0169] For the last sub-step, the location of the sliding vector 40 in one of the eight main angular sectors 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57 can be determined simply by determining in which of the eight main angular sectors 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59 the main end location 42 is located, in other words in which of the eight main angular sectors 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59 the user U lifts his finger 10. In the example of Figure 3, the main end location 42 is located in the main angular sector 59 associated with the number "9", so that the processing unit 3 selects this number "9". In the example of Figure 4, the main end location 42 is located in the main angular sector 54 associated with the number "4", so that the processing unit 3 selects this number "4".

[0170] It is recalled that the construction of these eight main angular sectors 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59 is done around the main starting location 41, regardless of the location of this main starting location 41 on the touch screen 2, as seen in Figure 2 with a main starting location 41 substantially in the center of the touch screen 2 and in Figure 5 with a main starting location 41 offset from the center of the touch screen 2.

[0171] Figures 2 to 5 illustrate the construction lines of the main angular sectors 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, the lines of the main selection directions 510, 520, 530, 540, 560, 570, 580, 590, as well as the numbers “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “6”, “7”, “8”, “9” associated with them and represented within circles in broken lines; however, in use, these lines and numbers are not visible or displayed on or under the touch screen 2, in other words nothing is displayed or visible on the touch screen 2 as illustrated in Figure 1 which schematically illustrates a main slide 4 which allows the selection of the number “3”.

[0172] To be more precise on the main angular sectors 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, the angle at the main center 50 is 45 degrees, and the main selection directions 510, 520, 530, 540, 560, 570, 580, 590 are uniformly distributed every 45 degrees around the main starting location 41, so that: - the main selection direction 510 associated with the number "1" is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees relative to the horizontal axis H, upwards and to the left from the main starting location 41;

[0173] - the main selection direction 520 associated with the number “2” is a vertical direction, parallel to the vertical axis V, upwards from the main starting location 41;

[0174] - the main selection direction 530 associated with the number “3” is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees relative to the horizontal axis H, upwards and to the right from the main starting location 41;

[0175] - the main selection direction 540 associated with the number “4” is a horizontal direction, parallel to the horizontal axis H, towards the left from the main starting location 41;

[0176] - the main selection direction 560 associated with the number “6” is a horizontal direction, parallel to the horizontal axis H, to the right from the main starting location 41;

[0177] - the main selection direction 570 associated with the number “7” is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees relative to the horizontal axis H, downwards and to the left from the main starting location 41;

[0178] - the main selection direction 580 associated with the number “8” is a vertical direction, parallel to the vertical axis V, downwards from the main starting location 41;

[0179] - the main selection direction 590 associated with the number “9” is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees relative to the horizontal axis H, downward and to the right from the main starting location 41.

[0180] Thus, and as visible in Figure 2, this distribution of the main angular sectors 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59 is equivalent to the distribution of the keys “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “6”, “7”, “8”, “9” in a conventional keyboard, so that the visually impaired person can naturally perform a main slide 4 to select one of these numbers.

[0181] With reference to Figures 6 to 12, in the visually impaired mode, the processing unit 3 is configured to select the digits “0” and “5” in the second series of characters, by performing the following steps:

[0182] - identify that the touch input gesture is executed in the form of a secondary gesture among several secondary gestures, according to the contact detection signal 20, these several secondary gestures being distinct from the main swipe 4 which is, as a reminder, a one-finger swipe beyond the central zone 55 described previously; - select a number “0” or “5” from the second series of characters according to the detected secondary gesture.

[0183] With regard to the selection of the number “5”, the secondary gesture may be a touch input gesture with a single finger, called centralized gesture 6, 7, and which is such that the final location (location where the user U lifts his finger 10) is located inside the central zone 55; it being recalled that the central zone 55 is a circle centered on the initial location (location where the user U places his finger 10) and whose radius corresponds to the minimum main distance DM. Thus, this central zone 55 is associated with the number “5”, as illustrated in Figure 7.

[0184] In other words and with reference to Figures 6 to 9, this centralized gesture is characterized by pressing the finger 10 on a central starting location 61, 71 and by withdrawing the finger 10 on a central end location 62, 72 interrupting said centralized gesture, where the central end location 62, 72 is located in the circular central zone 55 centered on the central starting location 61, 71 and having a radius corresponding to a predefined limit distance less than or equal to the minimum main distance DM; where in the examples illustrated the limit distance is equal to the minimum main distance DM.

[0185] In this case, the processing unit 3 is configured to select the number “5” from the second series of characters in response to the identification of such a centralized gesture 6, 7, independently of the central starting location 61, 71 on the touch screen 2.

[0186] Two variants are possible for this centralized gesture 6, 7 allowing the selection of the number “5”.

[0187] In a first variant illustrated in Figures 6 and 8, the centralized gesture is such that the finger 10 does not leave the central zone 55, and this centralized gesture is called centralized support 6; in other words, this centralized support 6 is characterized by maintaining the finger 10 inside the circular central zone 55 between the central starting location 61 and the central ending location 62, so that the finger 10 remains inside this circular central zone 55 during the centralized support 6. Thus, the processing unit 3 is configured to select the number “5” in response to the identification of such a centralized support 6, independently of the central starting location 61 on the touch screen 2.

[0188] The processing unit 3 may be configured to identify the touch input gesture as being the centralized press 6 under the condition that a time interval between placing the finger on the central starting location 61 and removing (or detaching) the finger is greater than a minimum press delay. Thus, the centralized press 6 may be pressing on the central starting location 61 without moving the finger before detaching it after a time greater than this minimum press delay.

[0189] As illustrated in Figure 6, the processing unit 3 is configured to identify the touch input gesture as the centralized press 6 under the condition that a distance D6 between the central starting location 61 and the central ending location 62, where the centralized press 6 is interrupted by removing the finger, is less than the predefined limit distance which is, as a reminder, less than or equal to the minimum main distance DM. In the illustrated example, this limit distance is equal to the minimum main distance DM.

[0190] In a second variant illustrated in Figure 9, the centralized gesture is such that the finger leaves the central zone 55 and returns to the central zone 55 where the finger 10 is lifted off, and this centralized gesture is called back-and-forth sliding 7; in other words, this back-and-forth sliding 7 is characterized by an exit of the finger 10 outside the central zone 55 between the central starting location 71 and the central ending location 72, so that the finger 10 leaves the central zone 55 and returns inside the central zone 55 during the back-and-forth sliding 7. In other words, the back-and-forth sliding 7 corresponds to the sliding of the finger on the touchpad 2 from the central starting location 71 (where the finger is placed) until a return to the central ending location 72 which is the same as or close to the central starting location 71, where the back-and-forth sliding 7 is interrupted by removing the finger.

[0191] Thus, the processing unit 3 is configured to identify the touch input gesture as the back and forth swipe 7 under the condition that a distance between the central starting location 71 and the central ending location 72, where the pressing is interrupted by removing the finger, is less than a predefined limit distance which is less than or equal to the minimum main distance DM. In the illustrated example, this limit distance is equal to the minimum main distance DM.

[0192] With reference to Figures 10 to 12, in the visually impaired mode, the processing unit 3 is configured to select the number “0”, and optionally also the special characters “*” and “#”, in the second series of characters, by performing the following steps:

[0193] - identifying, based on the contact detection signal 20, that the touch input gesture is executed in the form of a secondary slide 8 which corresponds to the sliding of two fingers 10 on the touch screen 2 from an initial location, called secondary start location 81, to a final location, called secondary end location 82, where the secondary slide 8 is interrupted by removing the two fingers 10; - determining a sliding vector 80 of the secondary slide 8, based on the contact detection signal 20;

[0194] - select a character from the number “0” and the special characters “*” and “#” of the second series of characters according to this sliding direction of the secondary sliding 8, independently of the secondary starting location 81 on the touch screen 2.

[0195] In the example of Figure 10, two examples of secondary slip 8 are shown diagrammatically as two dotted lines, with a first line that is straight from the secondary start location 81 to the secondary end location 82 indicating that the secondary slip 4 is in a straight line, and a second line that is curved from the secondary start location 81 to the secondary end location 82 indicating that the secondary slip 8 is in a curved line. In Figure 12, only the slip vector 80 is shown.

[0196] More specifically, the processing unit 3 is configured to determine the drag vector 80 of the secondary drag 8 as corresponding to a vector starting from the secondary start location 81 and the secondary end location 82. Furthermore, the processing unit 3 is configured to identify that the touch input gesture is executed as the secondary drag 8 under the condition that a distance D8 between the secondary start location 81 and the secondary end location 82 is greater than or equal to a given minimum secondary distance which, in the illustrated example, is equivalent to the minimum main distance DM.

[0197] Thus, by analyzing the contact detection signal 20, the processing unit 3 determines the coordinates of the secondary start location 81 and the secondary end location 82, then calculates the distance D8 to compare it with the minimum main distance DM, deduces therefrom the sliding vector 80 of the secondary sliding 8, and finally determines the character “0”, “*” or “#” of the second series of characters according to this sliding vector 80 of the secondary sliding 8.

[0198] For this determination of the character and with reference to Figure 11, the processing unit 3 is configured to:

[0199] - establishing three contiguous secondary angular sectors 90, 91, 92, distributed around the secondary starting location 81 and oriented radially according to three distinct secondary selection directions 900, 910, 920 with a given secondary center angle 99, each of the three secondary angular sectors 90, 91, 92 being associated with a character “0”, “*” or “#” of the second series of characters; and - determining whether the sliding vector 80 of the secondary sliding 8 is contained in one of the three secondary angular sectors 90, 91, 92, and to select the character which is associated with said secondary angular sector.

[0200] As illustrated in Figure 10, the minimum main distance DM can be characterized by the central zone 55 previously described. Thus, when the user U places two fingers 10 on the touch screen 2 and wants to enter one of the characters “0”, “*” or “#”, his two fingers 10 must slide to leave this central zone 55 and reach one of the three secondary angular sectors 90, 91, 92. Also, these three secondary angular sectors 90, 91, 92 are distributed around this central zone 55.

[0201] For the last sub-step, the location of the sliding vector 80 of the secondary sliding 8 in one of the three secondary angular sectors 90, 91, 92 can be determined simply by determining in which of the three secondary angular sectors 90, 91, 92 the secondary end location 82 is located, in other words in which of the three secondary angular sectors 90, 91, 92 the user U takes off his two fingers 10. In the example of Figure 10, the secondary end location 82 is located in the secondary angular sector 91 (not shown in this Figure 10) associated with the special character “*”, so that the processing unit 3 selects this special character “*”. In the example of Figure 12, the secondary end location 82 is located in the secondary angular sector 90 associated with the number “0”, so that the processing unit 3 selects this number “0”.

[0202] It is recalled that the construction of the three secondary angular sectors 90, 91, 92 is done around the secondary starting location 81, regardless of the location of this secondary starting location 81 on the touch screen 2.

[0203] Figures 11 and 12 illustrate the construction lines of the secondary angular sectors 90, 91, 92, the lines of the secondary selection directions 900, 910, 920, as well as the characters “0”, “*” and “#” associated and represented inside circles in broken lines; however, in use, these lines and these characters are not visible or displayed on or under the touch screen 2, in other words nothing is displayed or visible on the touch screen 2 as illustrated in Figure 10 which schematically illustrates a secondary slide 8 which allows the selection of the special character “#”.

[0204] To be more precise on the secondary angular sectors 90, 91, 92, the secondary center angle 99 is 45 degrees, and the secondary selection directions 900, 910, 920 are uniformly distributed every 45 degrees around the secondary starting location 81, so that: - the secondary selection direction 910 associated with the special character “*” is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees relative to the horizontal axis H, downwards and to the left from the secondary starting location 81;

[0205] - the secondary selection direction 900 associated with the number “0” is a vertical direction, parallel to the vertical axis V, downwards from the secondary starting location 81;

[0206] - the secondary selection direction 920 associated with the special character “#” is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees relative to the horizontal axis H, downward and to the right from the secondary starting location 81.

[0207] Thus, and as visible in Figures 11 and 12, this distribution of the secondary angular sectors 90, 91, 92 is equivalent to the distribution of the keys “0”, “*” and “#” in a conventional keyboard, so that the visually impaired person can naturally perform a secondary slide 8 to select one of these characters.

[0208] In a particular embodiment illustrated in Figures 13 and 14, the input system 1 comprises a display screen 25 positioned behind the touch screen 2, thus forming a touch screen, and the control unit 3 is connected to this display screen 25 to control the display on this display screen 25.

[0209] In this embodiment, the control unit 3 is configured to operate in another input mode called sighted mode, distinct from the visually impaired mode described previously. In this sighted mode, the control unit 3 controls the display screen 25 to display on or under the touch screen 2 locations 21 dedicated to entering the numbers “0” to “9”, and optionally also special characters such as “*” and “#”, with a dedicated location per number and per character. For each location 21, the number or character concerned is displayed. These locations 21 together form a virtual keyboard displayed on or under the touch screen 2, and visible from the front face of the touch screen 2.

[0210] In this sighted mode, the processing unit 3 is configured to identify that the touch input gesture is performed in the form of a press on one of the dedicated locations 21 of the touch screen 2, and to select the single digit or character associated with said location 21. In the example of Figure 14, a user U presses the location 21 dedicated to the number “7” with a finger, so that the processing unit 3 selects the number “7”. In this sighted mode, the location of the digits and characters is essential for making the selection, unlike the visually impaired mode where the selection can be made regardless of the initial location. Also, in this sighted mode, it is necessary to see the dedicated locations 21 of the touch screen 2, whereas in the visually impaired mode it is not necessary to see.

[0211] Advantageously, the input system 1 comprises at least one sensor 22 connected to the processing unit 3 which is configured to switch from sighted mode to visually impaired mode upon receipt of a detection signal 23 from the sensor 22. During this switch, the processing unit 3 can cut off the display of the virtual keyboard.

[0212] This sensor 22 is distinct from the means implemented by the touch screen 2 for detecting the touch input gesture made by the user U on the touch screen 2: thus a contact on the touch screen 2 will not cause the processing unit 3 to switch to the visually impaired mode. By way of non-limiting example, this sensor 22 is chosen from: a radio identification sensor in order to be able to detect an approach of a radio identification badge, a proximity or contact sensor positioned on at least one side of the touch screen 2 in order to be able to detect an approach or a contact of a hand of a user U on the at least one side of the touch screen 2.

[0213] In the case of integration of the input system 1 into the secure access control reader 11, illustrated in Figure 15, this proximity or contact sensor 22 can be positioned on at least one side of the secure access control reader 11, the touch screen 2 being on the front.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Input system (1) for entering a code comprising a sequence of characters including at least numbers, said input system (1) comprising: - a touch screen (2) configured to generate a contact detection signal (20) in response to a detection of a touch input gesture performed by a user (U) on the touch screen (2), said contact detection signal (20) being indicative of a contact of one or more fingers (10) on the touch screen (2) during the touch input gesture; - a processing unit (3) configured to acquire the contact detection signal (20) generated by the touch screen (2) and to select a single character as a function of the contact detection signal (20) corresponding to the detected touch input gesture; said input system (1) being characterized in that the processing unit (3) is configured to operate in an input mode for selecting digits in a first series of characters comprising all or part of the digits "0" to "9", by carrying out the following steps: - identifying that the touch input gesture is executed in the form of a main swipe (4) which corresponds to the sliding of at least one finger (10) on the touch screen (2) from a main start location (41) to a main end location (42) where the main swipe (4) is interrupted by removal of the at least one finger (10), depending on the contact detection signal (20); - determining a sliding vector (40) of the main sliding (4), as a function of the contact detection signal (20); - selecting a digit from the first series of characters according to said sliding vector (40) of the main sliding (4), independently of the main starting location (41) on the touch screen (2).

2. Input system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit (3) is configured to determine the sliding vector (40) of the main sliding (4) as corresponding to a vector from the main starting location (41) to the main ending location (42).

3. Input system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the main slide (4) corresponds to the sliding of a single finger (10) on the touch screen (2) from the main starting location (41).

4. Input system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit (3) is configured to identify that the touch input gesture is executed in the form of the main drag (4) under the condition that a distance (D4) between the main start location (41) and the main end location (42) is greater than or equal to a given minimum main distance (DM).

5. Input system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first series of characters comprises N digits, N being an integer greater than or equal to 2 and less than or equal to 10, and the processing unit (3) is configured to establish N main angular sectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59) distributed around the main starting location (41) and oriented radially according to N distinct main selection directions (510, 520, 530, 540, 560, 570, 580, 590) with a given main center angle (50), each of the N main angular sectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59) being associated with a digit of the first series of characters;and wherein the processing unit (3) is configured to determine whether the sliding vector (40) of the main sliding (4) is contained in one of the N main angular sectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59), and to select the digit of the first series of characters which is associated with said main angular sector.; 6. A gripping system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the N main angular sectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59) are contiguous and distributed over 360 degrees around the main starting location (41), so that the sliding vector (40) of the main sliding (4) is always contained in one of the N main angular sectors (51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59).

7. Input system (1) according to claim 5 or 6, in which the first series of characters comprises eight digits, N then being equal to 8, which are the digits “1”, “2”, “3”, “4”, “6”, “7”, “8” and “9”, and by placing itself in a reference frame defined by a horizontal axis (H) and a vertical axis (V): - the main selection direction (510) associated with the number "1" is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees relative to the horizontal axis (H), upwards and to the left from the main starting location (41); - the main selection direction (520) associated with the number “2” is a vertical direction parallel to the vertical axis (V), upwards from the main starting location (41); - the main selection direction (530) associated with the number “3” is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees relative to the horizontal axis (H), upwards and to the right from from the main starting location (41); - the main selection direction (540) associated with the number “4” is a horizontal direction parallel to the horizontal axis (H), to the left from the main starting location (41); - the main selection direction (560) associated with the number “6” is a horizontal direction parallel to the horizontal axis (H), to the right from the main starting location (41); - the main selection direction (570) associated with the number "7" is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees relative to the horizontal axis (H), downwards to the left from the main starting location (41); - the main selection direction (580) associated with the number “8” is a vertical direction parallel to the vertical axis (V), downwards from the main starting location (41); - the main selection direction (590) associated with the number “9” is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees to the horizontal axis (H), downward to the right from the main starting location (41).

8. Input system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the input mode, the processing unit (3) is configured to select digits from a second series of characters comprising at least digits distinct from the digits of the first series of characters, by performing the following steps: - identifying that the touch input gesture is executed as a secondary gesture among several secondary gestures (6, 7, 8), depending on the contact detection signal (20), said several secondary gestures (6, 7, 8) being distinct from the main slide (4); - select a number from the second series of characters based on the secondary gesture (6; 7; 8) detected.

9. Input system (1) according to claim 8, wherein one of the several secondary gestures (6, 7, 8) is a secondary gesture called centralized gesture (6; 7) which is characterized by a pressing of at least one finger (10) on a central starting location (61; 71) and by a removal of the at least one finger (10) on a central ending location (62; 72) interrupting said centralized gesture (6; 7), where the central ending location (62; 72) is located in a circular central area (55) centered on the central starting location (61; 71) and having a radius corresponding to a predefined limit distance; and wherein the processing unit (3) is configured to select a digit from the second series of characters in response to the identification of said centralized gesture (6; 7), independently of the central starting location (61; 71) on the touch screen (2).

10. Input system (1) according to claims 4 and 9, wherein the limit distance is less than or equal to the minimum main distance (DM).

11. Input system (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the second series of characters comprises the number “5” which is associated with the centralized gesture (6; 7).

12. Input system (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the processing unit (3) is configured to identify the touch input gesture as being the centralized gesture (6; 7) under the condition that a time interval between the pressing of the at least one finger (10) on the central starting location (61; 71) and the removal of the at least one finger (10) from the central ending location (62; 72) is greater than a minimum pressing delay.

13. Input system (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the centralized gesture is a centralized press (6) characterized by maintaining the at least one finger (10) inside the circular central zone (55) between the central starting location (61) and the central ending location (62), so that the at least one finger (10) remains inside said circular central zone (55) during the centralized press (6).

14. Input system (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the centralized gesture is a back and forth swipe (7) characterized by an exit of the at least one finger (10) outside the circular central area (55) between the central starting location (71) and the central ending location (72), so that the at least one finger (10) exits said circular central area (55) and returns inside the circular central area (55) during the back and forth swipe (7).

15. Input system (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein one of the several secondary gestures is a secondary slide (8) which corresponds to the sliding of at least one finger (10) on the touchpad (2) from a secondary start location (81) to a secondary end location (82) where the secondary slide (8) is interrupted by removal of the at least one finger (10), said secondary slide (8) being distinct from the main slide (4) in that the main sliding (4) corresponds to the sliding of a first number of fingers (10) between 1 and 4, and the secondary sliding (8) corresponds to the sliding of a second number of fingers (10) between 1 and 4 and distinct from the first number of fingers (10); and in which the processing unit (3) is configured to: - determining a sliding vector (80) of the secondary sliding (8), as a function of the contact detection signal (20); - selecting a digit from the second series of characters according to said sliding vector (80) of the secondary sliding (8), independently of the secondary starting location (81) on the touch screen (2).

16. Input system (1) according to claim 15, wherein the processing unit (3) is configured to determine the sliding vector (80) of the secondary sliding (8) as corresponding to a vector from the secondary start location (81) to the secondary end location (82).

17. Input system (1) according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the first number of fingers (10) is 1 and the second number of fingers (10) is 2.

18. Input system (1) according to any one of claims 15 to 17. 17, wherein the processing unit (3) is configured to identify that the touch input gesture is executed in the form of the secondary drag (8) under the condition that a distance (D8) between the secondary start location (81) and the secondary end location (82) is greater than or equal to a given minimum secondary distance.

19. Input system (1) according to any one of claims 15 to 17. 18, wherein the second series of characters comprises the number "0" and the processing unit (3) is configured to determine whether the slip vector (80) of the secondary slip (8) is contained in a secondary angular sector (90) associated with the number "0", centered on the secondary starting location (81) and radially oriented in a secondary selection direction (900) with a given secondary center angle (99), and to select the number "0" which is associated with said secondary angular sector (90).

20. Input system (1) according to claim 19, wherein the second series of characters also comprises K unencrypted characters, K being an integer greater than or equal to 2, and the processing unit (3) is configured to establish (K+1) secondary angular sectors (90, 91, 92) distributed around the starting location secondary (81) and radially oriented along (K+l) distinct secondary selection directions (900, 910, 920) with the given secondary center angle (99), one (90) of the (K+l) secondary angular sectors being associated with the number “0” and the others (91, 92) of the (K+l) secondary angular sectors being associated with the respective K unencrypted characters of the second series of characters; and wherein the processing unit (3) is configured to determine whether the sliding vector (80) of the secondary sliding (8) is contained in one of the (K+l) secondary angular sectors (90, 91, 92), and to select the number “0” or the unencrypted character of the second series of characters which is associated with said secondary angular sector.

21. Input system (1) according to claim 19 or 20, in which the secondary selection direction (900) of the secondary angular sector (90) associated with the number “0” is, when placed in a reference frame defined by a horizontal axis (H) and a vertical axis (V), a vertical direction parallel to the vertical axis (V), downwards from the secondary starting location (81).

22. Input system (1) according to claim 20, in which the K unencrypted characters comprise at least a first unencrypted character and a second unencrypted character, and by placing themselves in a reference frame defined by a horizontal axis (H) and a vertical axis (V): - the secondary selection direction (910) associated with the first unencrypted character is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees relative to the horizontal axis (H), downward and to the left from the secondary starting location (81); - the secondary selection direction (920) associated with the second unencrypted character is a diagonal direction at 45 degrees to the horizontal axis (H), downward and to the right from the secondary starting location (81).

23. An input system (1) according to claim 22, wherein the first unencrypted character is the special character "*" or a first letter, and the second unencrypted character is the special character "#" or a second letter.

24. Input system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing unit (3) is configured to generate vibratory feedback on the screen and / or audible feedback when the digit is selected.

25. An input system (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein the input system (1) comprises a display screen (25) positioned behind the touch screen (2), and the input system (1) is configured to operate in another input mode, distinct from the input mode, in which dedicated locations (21) for entering numbers are displayed on or under the touch screen (2), with one location (21) dedicated per number, and in this other input mode, the processing unit (3) is configured to identify that the touch input gesture is performed in the form of pressing one of the dedicated locations (21) of the touch screen (2), and to select the single number associated with said location (21).

26. Input system (1) according to claim 25, comprising at least one sensor (22) connected to the processing unit (3) which is configured to switch from the other input mode to the input mode upon receipt of at least one detection signal (23) from the at least one sensor (22).

27. Input system (1) according to claim 26, wherein the at least one sensor (22) is distinct from the means implemented by the touch screen (2) for detecting the touch input gesture made by the user (U) on the touch screen (2).

28. Input system (1) according to claim T1, wherein the at least one sensor (22) comprises a radio identification sensor in order to be able to detect an approach of a radio identification badge.

29. Input system (1) according to claim T1 or 28, wherein the at least one sensor (22) comprises at least one lateral approach sensor shaped to detect an approach or contact of a hand of the user (U) on at least one side of the touch screen (2).

30. Input system (1) according to claim 29, wherein the at least one lateral approach sensor is selected from a capacitive sensor, an inductive sensor, a radar sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor such as a camera, an accelerometer and a mechanical sensor.

31. Input system (1) according to claim 29 or 30, wherein the at least one lateral approach sensor comprises at least one side sensor which is positioned on the at least one side of the touch screen, or at least one front sensor which is positioned on a front face of the touch screen, such a front sensor having a detection field making it possible to detect the approach or contact of the user's hand on the at least one side of the touch screen.

32. Input system (1) according to any one of claims 25 to 31, in which the processing unit (3), when in input mode, is configured to automatically switch from the input mode to the other input mode once the sequence of digits forming the code has been selected.

33. Secure access control reader (11) comprising an input system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

34. Input method for entering on a touch screen (2) a code comprising a sequence of characters including at least numbers, said input method operating on an input system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 32, and comprising the following steps: - generating a contact detection signal (20) in response to a detection of a touch input gesture made by a user (U) on the touch screen (2), said contact detection signal (20) being indicative of contact of one or more fingers (10) on the touch screen (2) during the touch input gesture; - acquiring by a processing unit (3) the contact detection signal (20) generated by the touch screen (2); - selecting by the processing unit (3) a single character as a function of the contact detection signal (20) corresponding to the detected touch input gesture; said input method comprising an input mode for selecting digits in a first series of characters comprising all or part of the digits “0” to “9”, and in which the processing unit (3) carries out the following steps: - identifying that the touch input gesture is executed in the form of a main swipe (4) which corresponds to the sliding of at least one finger (10) on the touch screen (2) from a main start location (41) to a main end location (42) where the main swipe (4) is interrupted by removal of the at least one finger (10), depending on the contact detection signal (20); - determining a sliding vector (40) of the main sliding, as a function of the contact detection signal (20); - selecting a digit from the first series of characters according to said sliding vector (40) of the main sliding (4), independently of the main starting location (41) on the touch screen (2).

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