Keypad

Abstract

In a keypad device where a dummy code is entered before a personal identification code can be entered, the risk of the personal identification code being stolen through peeking is reduced. [Solution] The system comprises a keypad unit 10 capable of illuminating different numbers arranged in predetermined positions, and a control unit 20 that controls the keypad unit 10. Before accepting input of a PIN, the control unit 20 determines a dummy code, illuminates each number that does not correspond to the dummy code, and simultaneously or sequentially flashes or turns off the numbers corresponding to the dummy code to make them unlit. The control unit 20 controls the keypad unit 10 to switch the illuminated number each time an unlit number is entered, and after the input of the dummy code from the keypad unit 10 is complete, the system transitions to a state where input of a PIN is accepted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a numeric keypad device used for entering a password.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, when authenticating the unlocking / locking switching of an electric lock, the startup of system equipment, etc., a password consisting of a combination of predetermined numbers is input from a numeric keypad device, and authentication is performed based on whether the verification is successful or not. Generally, this type of numeric keypad device has a numeric keypad section in which the numbers 0 to 9 are assigned one-to-one to ten numeric key pads.

[0003] When the same password is used over a long period of time, touch input operations such as touching and pushing with a finger are repeatedly applied to each numeric key pad corresponding to the password, and surface abnormalities such as sweat and rubbing appear on each corresponding numeric key pad, and there is a risk that a third party may detect the password from these surface abnormalities. To eliminate this risk, there is a numeric keypad device configured to adopt a numeric key pad that can be lit and display, and to input a dummy code before inputting the password (Patent Document 1).

[0004] In the numeric keypad device disclosed in Patent Document 1, a control unit that controls the numeric keypad section determines a dummy code based on a predetermined rule before receiving the input of the password from the numeric keypad section, and shifts to a state where the input of the password is accepted when the dummy code is input from the numeric keypad section. At this time, the control unit turns off the display of each number that does not correspond to the dummy code and maintains these turned-off displays until the verification process is entered. On the other hand, each number corresponding to the dummy code is lit and displayed simultaneously or one by one, and when each number corresponding to the dummy code is input, the numeric keypad section is controlled so that all the numbers are lit and displayed. Thereby, the operator who is required to authenticate can be informed of the dummy code to be input by the lit display of each corresponding number, and can be informed that the state where the password can be received has been reached by the lit display of all the numbers.

Prior Art Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-45283 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] However, in the keypad device disclosed in Patent Document 1, each uncorresponding number is displayed unlit during the dummy code input stage, and all numbers are displayed lit when the dummy code input is completed. As a result, the keypad becomes particularly bright at the moment it transitions to a state where it accepts the input of a PIN. Therefore, for a third party observing the series of input operations from a distance, it is easy to distinguish whether dummy codes are being entered or whether the input of a PIN is about to begin by the moment the keypad becomes particularly bright, and there is room for improvement in terms of weak protection of the PIN. For example, when confirming the locking and unlocking authority at the entrance of each individual room in accommodations, apartment buildings, etc., using a PIN, generally, a keypad device of the same specifications is installed in each individual room, and the keypad is installed facing a corridor or other passageway. There may be third parties, such as passersby, who know how to use the keypad, in the passageway away from the legitimate person who is inputting into the keypad. If the legitimate person inputs dummy codes and PINs without noticing the third party, there is a possibility that the PIN could be stolen by that third party.

[0007] In light of the above background, the problem that this invention aims to solve is to reduce the risk of a PIN being stolen by someone peeking at it, in a keypad device that becomes capable of accepting a PIN after a dummy code has been entered into the keypad. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this invention adopts a keypad device comprising a keypad section capable of illuminating and displaying different numbers arranged in predetermined positions, and a control unit that controls the keypad section, wherein the control unit determines a dummy code before accepting input of a PIN code, and transitions to a state where input of a PIN code is accepted after the input of the dummy code from the keypad section is completed, characterized in that the control unit illuminates each of the numbers that do not correspond to the dummy code before accepting input of the PIN code, and simultaneously or in a predetermined order flashes or turns off each of the numbers that correspond to the dummy code to make them unilluminated, and controls the keypad section to switch to illuminating the number that was entered each time an unilluminated number is entered.

[0009] According to the above configuration, each number that does not correspond to a dummy code is illuminated, and each number that corresponds to a dummy code is blinking or turned off simultaneously or in a predetermined order, and dummy code input begins. Each time a number that is not illuminated is entered, that number is switched to illuminated. As dummy code input progresses, the number of remaining dummy codes that should be turned off decreases, and the number of illuminated numbers increases, until all numbers are illuminated at the same time as dummy code input is completed. Therefore, the entire keypad does not become particularly bright at the moment it transitions to a state where PIN code input is accepted. As a result, even if a third party is peeking at the series of input operations from a distance, it becomes difficult to distinguish from the overall change in brightness of the keypad whether dummy codes are being entered or PIN code input is about to begin, thus reducing the risk of PIN code theft through peeking.

[0010] Furthermore, in the above configuration, the non-illuminated indicator can be changed to a flashing indicator. By changing the non-illuminated indicator to a flashing indicator, the operator can be notified of the numbers corresponding to the dummy code by the flashing indicator, while at the dummy code input stage, all numbers can be illuminated at the same time, and these moments can be repeatedly mixed in, making it even more difficult to distinguish the moment when the user moves from the dummy code input stage to the PIN input stage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] As described above, by adopting the above configuration, this invention makes it possible to reduce the risk of the PIN being stolen by someone peeking at it in a keypad device in which a dummy code can be entered on the keypad before a PIN can be entered. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] A flowchart illustrating the control contents of a keypad device according to an embodiment of this invention. [Figure 2] (a) is a front view showing the keypad section of the keypad device according to the embodiment, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of line bb in figure (a). [Figure 3] Functional block diagram of the numeric keypad device according to the embodiment [Figure 4] (a) is a front view showing the number display status of the keypad at the start of Figure 1, (b) is a front view showing the number display status of the keypad at step S1 of Figure 1, and (c) is a front view showing the number display status of the keypad at step S2 of Figure 1. [Figure 5] (a) is a front view showing the number display on the keypad when the first number corresponding to the dummy code is entered from the state shown in Figure 4(c), (b) is a front view showing the number display on the keypad when the second number corresponding to the dummy code is entered from the state shown in Figure 4(a), and (c) is a front view showing the number display on the keypad when the third number corresponding to the dummy code is entered from the state shown in Figure 4(b). [Figure 6] (a) is a front view showing the number display on the keypad when the fourth number corresponding to the dummy code is entered from the state in Figure 5(c), (b) is a front view showing the number display on the keypad at step S4 in Figure 1, and (c) is a front view showing the number display on the keypad at the end of Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] A keypad device (hereinafter referred to as "this keypad device") according to an embodiment of this invention will be described based on the attached drawings.

[0014] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, this numeric keypad device comprises a numeric keypad section 10 having 10 numeric keypad sections for "0" to "9" arranged in a matrix, and a control unit 20 that controls the numeric keypad section 10. After inputting a dummy code into the numeric keypad section 10, it becomes possible to input a personal identification code. Here, "arranged in a matrix" means that there are two or more rows of arrangement regions, each consisting of two or more placement targets, along a second linear direction that intersects (orthogonal in the illustrated example) the first linear direction, and the position of each of these placement targets is fixed.

[0015] The ten numeric keypads are assigned a one-to-one correspondence between the numbers "0" and "9". The numeric keypad unit 10 can illuminate and display the corresponding number for each numeric keypad, and can convert input operations for each numeric keypad into a predetermined electrical signal. The correspondence between each numeric keypad and its corresponding number is fixed, and the same number is always displayed on the same numeric keypad in the same position.

[0016] The illustrated numeric keypad section 10 includes a symbol panel 11 having a matrix arrangement of 4 rows x 3 columns of display windows formed in the shape of various symbols such as numbers from "0" to "9", a number input section 12 covering the front of the symbol panel 11, a light-emitting section 13 positioned behind the symbol panel 11, an activation switch 14, and light-shielding partitions 15 that shield adjacent symbols from light.

[0017] Each display window of the symbol panel 11 may be a through-hole or a transparent section. The panel portion of the symbol panel 11 that separates adjacent display windows is an opaque section that does not transmit light.

[0018] The number input unit 12 has a matrix of transparent switch units that face the display windows of each number on the symbol panel 11 one-to-one. The number input unit 12 is electrically connected to the control unit 20. By a predetermined input operation on the transparent switch unit, a predetermined electrical signal is generated in the transparent switch unit. The number input unit 12 transmits input information indicating the number corresponding to the operated transparent switch unit to the control unit 20. The number input unit 12 is a touch panel, and the predetermined input operation is, for example, a touch input operation by touching with a finger in the case of a capacitive type, and a push input operation by pressing the transparent switch unit with a finger in the case of a pressure-sensitive type.

[0019] The light-emitting unit 13 has a matrix of backlights 13a that face the display windows of each number on the symbol panel 11 one-to-one. The light-emitting unit 13 is electrically connected to the control unit 20. The backlight 13a is, for example, a light-emitting diode. Each backlight 13a can be switched between lighting and extinguishing by the control unit 20 individually and at an arbitrary timing.

[0020] During the lighting of the backlight 13a, since the point light of that point passes through the corresponding display window and the transparent switch unit of the symbol panel 11, the corresponding number is lit and displayed. During the extinguishing of the backlight 13a, the corresponding number is extinguished and displayed. During the blinking (repeated lighting and extinguishing) of the backlight 13a, the corresponding number is blinked and displayed.

[0021] Note that the numeric keypad unit 10 also has a keypad unit for enter input (the part with the letter "E" in FIG. 2), a keypad unit for clear input (the part with the letter "C" in FIG. 2), a display unit for indicating the remaining amount of the power battery of the numeric keypad unit 10 and the control unit 20, a keypad unit for displaying and inputting the switching between locking and unlocking of the electric lock under the control of the control unit 20, etc.

[0022] The start switch 14 is a button switch electrically connected to the control unit 20. By a push input operation of pressing the start switch 14 with a finger, a predetermined electrical signal is generated in the start switch 14.

[0023] The control unit 20 is a microprocessor equipped with hardware resources such as a memory device and a central processing unit. By executing various software resources stored in the memory device with the central processing unit, it realizes the various functional units 21 to 28 shown in Figure 3. The various functional units 21 to 28 are connected by the internal bus of this numeric keypad device.

[0024] The control unit 20 includes a switch press detection means 21 for determining whether or not there is input from the start switch 14, a storage unit 22 for accumulating the usage history of dummy codes, a dummy code determination means 23 for determining a dummy code, an input control means 24 for controlling the number input unit 12, a display control means 25 for controlling the light-emitting unit 13, an input mode switching means 26 for assigning numbers entered from the keypad unit 10 and determining input mode transitions, a password input detection means 27 for determining whether or not the input of a password to the number input unit 12 has been completed, and a verification control unit 28 for comparing the entered password with passwords previously registered in the control unit 20.

[0025] The switch-press detection means 21 monitors whether a predetermined electrical signal has been input from the activation switch 14. If the predetermined electrical signal has been input from the activation switch 14 to the switch-press detection means 21, it determines that the conditions for starting the determination process to accept the input of a password have been met. The switch-press detection means 21 transmits to the storage unit 22 and the dummy code determination means 23 that the conditions for starting the determination have been met.

[0026] The memory unit 22 manages the usage history of dummy codes and PIN codes. The dummy code usage history stores dummy codes that have been used in the past and the number of times each number has been used as a component of a dummy code. The memory unit 22 also stores PIN codes registered by the user on this keypad device. When the memory unit 22 receives confirmation from the switch press detection means 21 that the determination start condition has been met, it transmits the dummy code usage history from the time of reception to the dummy code determination means 23.

[0027] The dummy code determination means 23 performs the process of determining the dummy code to be used this time based on the usage history and predetermined rules passed from the storage unit 22, and the process of transmitting the determined dummy code to the storage unit 22, the input control means 24, the display control means 25, and the input mode switching means 26, respectively. The predetermined rules may involve extracting multiple numbers from the numbers "0" to "9" in order of the number of times they have been used as components of the dummy code, and determining a dummy code consisting of a combination of these extracted numbers.

[0028] The input control means 24 controls the number input unit 12 according to the control content set in advance for each input mode, such as the dummy code input mode and the password input mode. Here, since the number input unit 12 consists of a touch panel, the input control means 24 switches between an active state in which input operations can be detected and a sleep state in which they cannot be detected by controlling the supply and cutoff of drive power to the transparent switch unit. The input control means 24 determines which transparent switch unit to supply drive power to according to the aforementioned input mode. When the input control means 24 receives a dummy code from the dummy code determination means 23, it activates the dummy code input mode and supplies drive power to each transparent switch unit corresponding to each number that is a component of the dummy code. Also, when the input control means 24 receives a command to switch to the password input mode from the input mode switching means 26, it supplies drive power to predetermined transparent switch units, including each transparent switch unit corresponding to each number from "0" to "9".

[0029] The display control means 25 controls the display state of each number on the light-emitting unit 13 according to the control content set in advance for each input mode, dummy code input mode and password code input mode. Here, since the light-emitting unit 13 has a backlight 13a corresponding to each number, the display control means 25 switches the backlight 13a on and off by controlling the supply and interruption of driving power to the backlight 13a. When the display control means 25 receives a dummy code from the dummy code determination means 23, it activates the dummy code input mode. In the dummy code input mode, the display control means 25 lights up each number that does not correspond to the dummy code, and simultaneously or in a predetermined order turns off each number that corresponds to the dummy code. After this, each time the display control means 25 receives number information from the input mode switching means 26, it switches the number indicated in the number information to light up, and controls the light-emitting unit 13 to maintain the lighting of the aforementioned non-corresponding numbers and the switched lighting. As the turning off display, either a blinking display or an off display, whichever is set in advance in the display control means 25, is displayed. When the display control means 25 receives a command from the input mode switching means 26 to switch to the password input mode, it switches to the password input mode. In the password input mode, the display control means 25 continues to illuminate the numbers 0 to 9 from the dummy password input mode state, and controls the light-emitting unit 13, etc., to illuminate other predetermined display units such as the clear key and enter key on the numeric keypad 10. In the dummy password input mode, it is up to the user to decide whether to use a control that simultaneously turns off all the numbers corresponding to the dummy password, or to turn them off in a predetermined order, and if a control that turns them off in a predetermined order is used, how to determine the order, and whether to use a blinking display or an off display for the unlit display.

[0030] When the input mode switching means 26 receives a dummy code from the dummy code determination means 23, it activates the dummy code input mode. In the dummy code input mode, each time the input mode switching means 26 receives input information from the number input unit 12, it stores number information indicating the corresponding number to that input information, transmits that number information to the display control means 25, and determines whether the input of the dummy code has been completed based on the stored number information. If the input of the dummy code is completed, it transitions to the password input mode. When the input mode switching means 26 transitions to the password input mode, it commands the input control means 24 and the display control means 25 to transition to the password input mode, and after this command, it transmits the number information corresponding to the input information received from the number input unit 12 to the password input determination means 27.

[0031] The PIN input determination means 27 determines whether or not the PIN input has been completed based on the information received from the input mode switching means 26. For example, if the system is designed so that input operations on the Enter keypad of the numeric keypad 10 are not required to complete the procedure for inputting a PIN to the number input unit 12, the PIN input determination means 27 can be configured to store the number information each time it is received, determine whether or not it has received the number information corresponding to the number of digits constituting the PIN, and, if it determines that it has received the number information corresponding to the number of digits, transmit that number of digits of number information to the verification control unit 28. Furthermore, if the system is designed so that input to the Enter keypad section of the numeric keypad section 10 is required to complete the procedure for entering a PIN into the number input section 12, the input mode switching means 26 for the PIN input mode is configured to transmit input completion information to the PIN input discrimination means 27 when it receives input from the Enter keypad section. The PIN input discrimination means 27, upon receiving number information from the input mode switching means 26, can start a process to store subsequent number information including this information, and a process to monitor whether input completion information has been received. If input completion information is received, the system can be configured to transmit the number information stored from this start to the reception to the verification control unit 28.

[0032] The verification control unit 28 verifies the number information received from the password input discrimination means 27 with the password pre-registered in the storage unit 22, and controls the subordinate slave device according to the success or failure of the verification. For example, if the slave device is an electric lock, the control is to switch the electric lock on and off.

[0033] The control unit 20 monitors the time when there is no input operation on the numeric keypad 10, and when this time reaches a set time, the control unit 20 automatically switches to sleep mode. During sleep mode, the numbers "0" through "9" on the numeric keypad 10 are displayed unlit.

[0034] Figure 1 shows the control flow of this keypad device from the input of a dummy code to the operation corresponding to whether or not the password is matched, and Figures 4 to 6 show the display status of the keypad section 10 at each step shown in Figure 1.

[0035] This keypad device (see Figures 1, 3, and 4(a)) starts in sleep mode at the beginning, during which time the numbers "0" through "9" are turned off. An operator requesting verification of a PIN code from this keypad device must first perform a trigger input operation on the keypad unit 10 to activate the dummy code input mode. The trigger input operation on this keypad device is to push the activation switch 14.

[0036] When this keypad device is activated from sleep mode, it continuously monitors for input to the activation switch 14 (step S1), maintains the off indicator for each number from "0" to "9" until an input is made to the activation switch 14 (see Figure 4(b)), and when a push operation is made to the activation switch 14, it switches to dummy code input mode (step S2).

[0037] When this keypad device switches to dummy code input mode, it determines a dummy code and, as shown in Figure 4(c), simultaneously or in a predetermined order, turns off the lights on each number corresponding to that dummy code (in the same figure, "4", "5", "7", "8") (in the same figure, simultaneous flashing is shown as an example), while simultaneously turning on each number that does not correspond to that dummy code (in the same figure, "0", "1", "2", "3", "6", "9") (step S2).

[0038] In dummy code input mode, this keypad device monitors whether a number corresponding to the dummy code has been entered. As shown in Figures 5(a) to 6(a), each time a corresponding number is entered, the corresponding number (4 in Figure 5(a), 5 in Figure 5(b), 7 in Figure 5(c), and 8 in Figure 6(a)) is switched to a lit indicator (step S3). When it is determined that each of the corresponding numbers (4, 5, 7, 8) has been entered, the device transitions to PIN code input mode (step S4). During this transition, the lit indicators for each number from 0 to 9 continue to be displayed as shown in Figure 6(b). In addition, during this transition, the keypad device also lights up predetermined indicators such as the enter keypad and clear keypad.

[0039] In the PIN input mode, this keypad device monitors whether a PIN has been entered. When it determines that the PIN has been entered (step S5), it compares the entered PIN with a pre-set PIN (step S6) and performs a predetermined display and operation according to the comparison result (step S7). After this, the keypad device terminates the series of processes from the trigger input operation of the start switch 14, switches each of the illuminated indicators that were used in steps S1 to S7 to an off indicator as shown in Figure 6(c), and enters sleep mode.

[0040] As described above, this keypad device (see Figures 2 and 3) comprises a keypad section 10 capable of displaying different numbers illuminated at predetermined positions, and a control unit 20 that controls the keypad section 10. The control unit 20 determines a dummy code before accepting input of a PIN (steps S1 to S2 above), and after the input of the dummy code from the keypad section 10 is completed (step S3 above), it transitions to a state in which it accepts input of a PIN (steps S4 to S5 above).

[0041] In particular, the control unit 20 illuminates each number that does not correspond to a dummy code before accepting input of a PIN code, and simultaneously or sequentially flashes or turns off each number that corresponds to the dummy code to make it not illuminated (see step S2 above, Figure 4(c)), and controls the keypad section to switch to illuminated status each time a number that was not illuminated is entered (see steps S3 to S4 above, Figures 4(c) to 6(a)), so that each number that does not correspond to a dummy code is illuminated. The input of dummy codes begins with the indicator lights on and each number corresponding to the dummy code being blinking or off (see Figure 4(c)). Each time a number that was not lit is entered, that number is switched to being lit (see Figures 5(a) to 5(c)). As the input of dummy codes progresses, the number of remaining dummy codes that should not be lit decreases, and the number of lit indicators increases. Upon completion of dummy code input, all numbers are lit, resulting in a fully lit state (see Figure 6(a)). Therefore, the entire keypad does not become particularly bright at the moment of transitioning to a state that accepts PIN code input. As a result, even if a third party were to peek at the series of input operations (steps S2 to S5 above, see Figures 4(c) to 6(b)) from a distance, it would be difficult to distinguish from the overall change in brightness of the keypad 10 whether dummy codes are being entered or whether PIN code input is about to begin. Therefore, this keypad device can reduce the risk of PIN code theft through peeking.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in the illustrated example, this keypad device uses flashing displays for non-illuminated displays (see Figure 4(c)), allowing it to repeatedly mix flashing displays to inform the operator of the numbers corresponding to the dummy code while simultaneously illuminating all the numbers during the dummy code input stage. This makes it even more difficult to distinguish the transition from the dummy code input stage to the PIN input stage.

[0043] In this numeric keypad device, an example was shown in which the push operation of the activation switch 14 was used as the trigger input operation. However, instead of the activation switch 14, it is also possible to use an input operation on an appropriate keypad section of the numeric keypad section 10, such as the numeric keypad section or the enter keypad section, as the trigger input operation.

[0044] Furthermore, while this keypad device demonstrates an example where dummy codes are determined based on usage history and predetermined rules, referring to usage history is not mandatory when determining dummy codes. They can be determined solely by predetermined rules; for example, a predetermined number of numbers can be randomly selected from the numbers "0" to "9".

[0045] Furthermore, while this numeric keypad device shows an example where the 10 numeric keypad sections from "0" to "9" are arranged in a matrix, a matrix arrangement is not mandatory; any arrangement is acceptable as long as the keys are placed in the designated positions. For example, in Figure 2(a), the letter "E" could be removed, "C" could be placed between the rows of "1", "4", and "7" and the rows of "2", "5", and "8", and "0" could be placed between the rows of "2", "5", and "8" and the rows of "3", "6", and "9". Other arrangements, such as a ring shape or an irregular arrangement with unequal pitches, are also possible.

[0046] Furthermore, although the diagram illustrates a case in step S2 where all the numbers corresponding to the dummy code are simultaneously displayed as flashing lights, if the numbers corresponding to the dummy code are to be displayed as unlit lights in a predetermined order, the numbers that do not correspond to the dummy code are displayed as lit lights, and one or two of the numbers corresponding to the dummy code are displayed as flashing lights, while the remaining other corresponding numbers are displayed as either unlit or lit lights. Subsequently, each time a flashing number is entered, the entered number is switched to a lit light display. Next, one or two of the corresponding numbers that have not yet been entered are displayed as flashing lights, while the remaining other corresponding numbers are displayed as either unlit or lit lights. This process is repeated sequentially until all corresponding numbers are finally displayed as lit lights. As a concrete example, consider the case where the four numbers "4", "5", "7", and "8" corresponding to the dummy code shown in Figure 4(c) are controlled in a predetermined order, flashing one by one in ascending order of their numbers. In the stage shown in Figure 4(c), the youngest "4" is flashed and the remaining "5", "7", and "8" are either off or on. In the stage shown in Figure 5(a) when "4" is input, "4" is on, "5" is flashing, and the remaining "7" and "8" are either off or on. In the stage shown in Figure 5(b) when "5" is input, "4" and "5" are on, "7" is flashing, and the remaining "8" is either off or on. In the stage shown in Figure 5(c) when "7" is input, "4", "5", and "7" are on and "8" is flashing.

[0047] Furthermore, the "predetermined order" is not necessarily limited to "in ascending order of numbers," but may be in reverse order, or in the order of random numbers generated by the microprocessor, etc.

[0048] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is indicated by the claims and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 10. Numeric keypad section 11 Symbol Panel 12 Number input section 13 Light-emitting part 13a backlight 14. Start switch 15 Shade bulkhead 20 Control Unit 21 Switch Press Detection Method 22 Memory section 23 Dummy code determination means 24 Input control means 25 Display control means 26 Input mode switching means 27. PIN input discrimination means 28 Matching Control Unit

Claims

[Claim 1] It comprises a keypad section capable of illuminating and displaying different numbers arranged in predetermined positions, and a control unit that controls the keypad section. In a keypad device in which the control unit determines a dummy code before accepting input of a PIN code, and transitions to a state where input of a PIN code is accepted after the input of the dummy code from the keypad unit is completed, A keypad device characterized in that the control unit illuminates each of the numbers that do not correspond to the dummy code before accepting the input of the PIN code, and unilluminates each of the numbers that correspond to the dummy code by blinking or turning off simultaneously or in a predetermined order, and controls the keypad section to illuminate each time an unilluminated number is entered.

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