EP2721551A1

EP2721551A1 - Input means for a touchscreen

Info

Publication number: EP2721551A1
Application number: EP12732570.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sven Hofmann; André KREUTZER
Original assignee: Printechnologics GmbH
Current assignee: T-TOUCH INTERNATIONAL S.A R.L.
Priority date: 2011-06-16
Filing date: 2012-06-15
Publication date: 2014-04-23
Also published as: CN103946852A; US20150199039A1; JP2014519667A; WO2012172047A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an input means which comprises at least one electrically non-conductive substrate, an electrically conductive surface that is present on the substrate, an electric conductor, a control unit for electrically connecting the surfaces, and an energy source. At least one electrically conductive surface is electrically connected to the control unit via at least one conductor. The invention further relates to a system comprising the input means and a touchscreen. The invention also relates to a method for inputting data on a touchscreen and to the use of the input means for authenticating purposes, authorizing purposes, and/or inputting data.

Description

Input means for a touch screen

The invention relates to an input means, comprising an electrically non-conductive substrate, an electrically conductive surface present on the substrate, an electrical conductor, a control unit for the electrical connection of the electrical surfaces and a

Energy source. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system consisting of an input means and a touch screen.

To secure data or electrical equipment from unauthorized access, numerous techniques and techniques have been described in the art. For example, access to a personal computer may be restricted with a password to protect important data or prevent the computer from being used by unauthorized persons. These passwords are used in conjunction with encryption and encryption

Used identification verification keys that are used to secure

Introduce messaging between computers. It is possible today to install a program on the computer that encrypts sensitive data so that this data can not be read by anyone who does not have the unlock key. However, it is necessary to keep the key somewhere, and if this key is not complex, it will be found.

Despite the constant evolution of new techniques, passwords are still the most commonly used security tools; they are also the most abused and often the easiest to break for an unauthorized person. Passwords are a kind of security paradox. The best passwords are the hardest to guess: long and random. Unfortunately, these are the hardest to remember. In addition, most experts strongly recommend that you use different passwords for each e-mail, e-commerce, or other account and change them regularly. As a result, most people choose either easy-to-guess passwords or write-downs so they can be copied or stolen.

The average consumer thus uses several preferably different passwords or passwords. The prior art describes special programs that store and manage passwords. These programs provide an area to store long, complex, or random passwords, and then encrypt them so they can not be stolen. Some of these so-called password safes even generate random passwords for the user. But they are often on your personal hard drive and also require a password to activate the software. The disadvantage here, however, is that a hacker can also gain access to the program or the location of the passwords.

Furthermore, it is disclosed in the prior art that portable data carriers can be equipped with a chip and on this data carrier or person-individual data are storable. However, the writing of the data is only via an appropriate data communication connection from an outside of the data carrier

Writing device to the embedded chip possible. In this context, it is known to provide contact areas on the outside of portable data carriers via which data carrier or person-specific data (eg personalization data) can be written into the chip of the data carrier. Such data carrier individual or

Personal data relate to individualizing data of a person or a person

Disk configuration or the like, which is not already in the initialization of

Data carrier can be recorded, since they are in particular no suitable for a variety of media volumes and / or person-independent data. For this purpose, the data carrier or person-specific data is written into the fully embedded in a plastic substrate (already initialized) chip via a contact field of the data carrier.

Such contact fields are visually striking and create over the entire life of the data carrier a basic access to the sensitive data in the chip, which could be exploited for manipulation and spying. In addition, they reduce the life of the chip, since external influences such. B. voltages can get directly into the chip. Likewise, the difficulty arises that such electronically personalized, d. H. subsequently provided with personalization data storage medium not readily optical visualization - d. H. a visible, individualizing label or embossing - can be assigned, since the written in the chip personalization data in the optical personalization can be difficult to read.

For example, DE 195 00 925 A1 discloses a chip card for contactless

Data transmission, however, which is provided on one of its outer sides with contact surfaces, so that also occur here the above-mentioned disadvantages in connection with the personalization.

Furthermore, the use of a one-time password is described in the prior art. A one-time password (OTP) is an authentication method in which a password can be used only once for a session. This prevents an attacker from listening to a password and using it again. The method is also referred to as a rolling code method. In principle, there are two options for implementation. Either you use pre-generated lists that must have been previously transmitted to the user via a secure channel. This happens, for example, with the TANs of the PIN / TAN method. Or one uses cryptographic hash functions for the generation of only one-time valid one-time passwords. Examples are SecurID or S / Key.

In order to make an input to a capacitive screen or touch screen, special styluses are described in the prior art. The capacitive

touch-sensitive screen detects the position of the stylus that the

Transcapacitance coupling between row and column electrodes changes. On a capacitive touch-sensitive screen, the input is often done by the finger or a user. However, the user's finger may obscure a portion of a control surface of the capacitive touch screen. Due to this, no position-accurate input can be made by means of the user's finger. Further, a conventional capacitive touch screen input stylus has a stylus tip with a certain touch area for contacting the capacitive touch screen. However, the conventional stylus pen is incapable of accurately indicating a position corresponding to a target pattern having a smaller area than the touch area.

A disadvantage of the input means disclosed in the prior art is that they are simple and thus do not allow complex and secure data entries. In addition, no rapid inputs can be made with the disclosed means.

The object of the invention was to provide a means that an input to a

Touch screen allows and does not have the disadvantages or shortcomings of the prior art.

The problem is solved by the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments emerge from the subclaims.

It was completely surprising that an input means comprising at least

a. an electrically nonconductive substrate,

b. an electrically conductive surface present on the substrate,

c. an electrical conductor

d. a control unit for the electrical connection of areas according to b. and e. an energy source

can be provided, which does not have the disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art and allows a portable (mobile) input of data, such as passwords, preferably one-time passwords. In the input device according to the invention, at least one electrically conductive surface is electrically connected to the control unit via at least one conductor track. By means of the input means, it is advantageously possible to generate a password by touching the means, which can then be passed on to a receiver, for example to an evaluation unit of a device containing a touchscreen. There is thus provided a secure and mobile input means with which on the one hand an authorization / authentication can be achieved, but which on the other hand can be used as a means of payment and / or for the identification of the payee. The input means can be used universally and is preferably by

Mass production process can be produced, which in turn results in a low Purchase price of the input device. For the purposes of the invention, the terms "code", "password" or "password" are used analogously.

Data, in the sense of the invention, denotes entities of characters or continuous functions that represent information on the basis of known or imputed agreements, primarily for the purpose of processing and as a result thereof. The data or information is (machine) readable and editable and can be used for communication, interpretation or processing. The term "data" is known to those skilled in the computer science The terms data and information are used interchangeably in the sense of the invention For the purposes of the invention, an evaluation unit designates electrical and electronic means which are present in a touch screen or the electrical device. which includes the touch screen, is present and is for interpretation and processing of the touch screen inputs.

The input means comprises an electrically non-conductive substrate on which at least one electrically conductive surface is applied. It may also be preferable to arrange a plurality of electrically conductive surfaces in the form of one or more arrays on the substrate, so that an array or a plurality of arrays of electrically conductive surfaces not connected to one another are provided. For the purposes of the invention, an array denotes an arrangement of electrically conductive surfaces on an electrically non-conductive substrate. These electrically conductive surfaces have a derivative in the form of conductor tracks or conductors to a

Control unit. That is, all derivatives are stored in the control unit, e.g. one

Controller chip merged. The surfaces are thus electrically connected to each other only via the control unit, wherein preferably there is no direct electrical connection between the surfaces (except via the control unit).

The input means may advantageously be brought into contact with one

Touchscreen cause a capacitive interaction, which triggers an input on the touch screen. This will display on the touch screen

Touch events (or touch events) are generated, which in turn trigger an event in the electrical device included in the touch screen.

Furthermore, it is preferred that a user activates the input means and a code is transmitted via the electrically conductive surfaces of the input means. The code may be compared to an expected value, where the user is considered authorized, if any

Match is detected. This can restrict access to an electrical device or program. It may also be advantageous to have a sequential

By switching several codes is performed, which include the destination information, so that a larger amount of data to the evaluation of the touch screen is transferable.

The substrate is preferably selected from the group comprising plastic, paper, cardboard, wood-based material, foil, composite material, glass, ceramics, printed circuit board material, textiles, leather or a combination thereof. The substrate is in particular an electrically non-conductive substance, the preferably has a low weight. It can be translucent or

opaque substrates are used. Preferred plastics include

in particular PVC, PETG, PV, PETX and PE, synthetic papers in particular being preferred.

At least one electrically conductive surface is applied to the substrate. It is also preferred that the electrically conductive surfaces are arranged individually, in pairs or in functional groups on the substrate. For the purposes of the invention, individual surfaces arranged in pairs or as functional groups designate in particular an arrangement of surfaces which serve, in particular, to influence the interaction with the surface

Touch screen or the device containing the touch screen targeted to change. These include, for example, shrinking, enlarging, generating, vibrating, switching back and forth, moving, or advancing interactions that surprisingly trigger touch events, i. E. Generate, delete and / or modify touch points. Extinguishing in the sense of the invention means in particular that the conditions for displaying a touch point are no longer met, e.g. by falling short of one

Threshold. Surprisingly, these touch events render the interactions for the touch screen or the touch screen-containing device evaluable in the form of data and / or signals. The interaction between touch screen and input means is electronically controlled under the same external influences (e.g., outer positioning and spacing are not significantly altered).

The shape of the surface is arbitrary and can be designed in different designs. Thus, for example, round, angular or oval surfaces or combinations such as in particular circular rings can be present on the substrate. It is also possible to realize complex geometrical shapes or to combine several individual surfaces. It may be preferred that a plurality of electrically conductive surfaces are applied to a substrate.

Advantageously, the shape, orientation, number, orientation, spacing and / or position of the surfaces can vary. A person skilled in the art will also be aware of surfaces created with a certain layout as structured surfaces. The structuring of the surfaces takes place in each case

Production method.

It may also be preferred to apply tactile, visual, acoustic or haptic elements to a layer of the input means or the electrically conductive surface to one

User to give feedback. As a result, the operation of the input means can be considerably simplified. For example, a visual element, such as an LED, may be disposed on the input means to signal the user, for example, if the

Input device is active (correct operation). That is, the visual element can be used as a status indicator, for example. You can also use such display elements to indicate the remaining battery life or a simple

Remaining lifetime estimate of the input means to make. The electrically conductive layer is preferably a metal layer, a layer containing metal particles, a layer containing electrically conductive particles, electrically conductive layers

Polymer layer or a layer of at least one combination of these layers. In general, any material that is electrically conductive can be used. Furthermore, organometallic materials consisting of a compound of metal and carbon can also be used. For the purposes of the invention, metals denote in particular chemical

Elements which, in contrast to the non-metals in the periodic table, are to the left of the diagonal dividing line, starting with the element beryllium (2nd group) up to the polonium (16th group), as well as their alloys and intermetallic compounds (comprising Laves phases, Heusler phases, Zintl phases, Hume-Rothery phases, NiTi, Co5, Nb3Sn or ΝΪ3ΑΙ) with characteristic metallic properties. Metals include u. a. Aluminum, lead, chromium, iron, gold, indium, cobalt, copper, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, sodium, nickel, silver, titanium, tungsten, zinc or tin. Furthermore, metal oxides such as

Indium tin oxide can be used. This is particularly advantageous because it is electrically conductive, but also transparent. Thus, with the use of transparent metal oxides, in particular indium tin oxide in combination with a transparent substrate, no area on the touch screen is optically covered. It can be such. For example, the user may be presented with instructions on the touch screen while using the preferred input means. Also alloys such. Ni / Au (Ni: nickel, Au: gold) or gold-plated copper may be used. Also, several metal layers can be combined.

In a preferred embodiment, a previously named layer is combined with a material having a high relative permittivity. It is known to the person skilled in the art that the term "dielectric constant" applies to permittivity, but is to be regarded as obsolete. <br/> Within the meaning of the invention, polymers designate, in particular, a substance which is chemically uniformly built up from a collective but generally with respect to

Degree of polymerization, molecular weight and chain length of different macromolecules

(Polymer molecules). The polymers are preferably electrically conductive. In such polymer-unitary substances, all macromolecules are preferably of identical construction and differ only in their chain length (degree of polymerization). Such polymers can be referred to as polymer homologs. Polymers may be selected from the group consisting of inorganic polymers, organometallic polymers, fully or partly aromatic polymers, homopolymers, copolymers, biopolymers, chemically modified polymers and / or

synthetic polymers are selected. Particularly preferred are polymers selected from paraphenylene, polyacetylene, polypyrrole, polythiophene, polyaniline (PANI) and PE-DOT.

Electrically conductive substances are furthermore, in particular, carbon black or graphite particles. Carbon black describes a manifestation of carbon that forms with incomplete combustion or thermal cracking of vaporous carbonaceous substances. Soot can be used in the form of powder or granules. It is also possible to use carbon black preparations, for example as liquid, pasty or solid carbon black solvent concentrates in which the carbon black is uniformly dispersed. Depending on the method of production and the raw material, carbon black can contain hydrogen, nitrogen or oxygen in addition to carbon. Carbon black has excellent pigment property as well as insolubility in all solvents, resistance to most chemicals, lightfastness, high color depth and the like. Color strength on. In the context of the invention, graphite refers in particular to a stable modification of the carbon. Due to its layered structure graphite is a good conductor.

The electrically conductive surfaces can advantageously be applied by means of additive processes such as printing processes, stamping processes, PVD and CVD processes, electroplating processes or subtractive processes such as laser structuring, brushing processes, milling processes, etc. Also, semi-additive methods such as e.g. Etching be advantageous.

In one embodiment, the electrically conductive surfaces are applied to the substrate by means of a transfer process. Here, in particular, a film transfer method, especially a thermal transfer method is preferred. The person skilled in the art knows such methods. Of course, all other methods for applying an electrically conductive surface can be used.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the input means has at least one layer and / or at least one further substrate layer. The substrate with the applied electrically conductive surfaces may be covered or surrounded by at least one further layer or substrate layer. In this case, it is preferred that the further layer or substrate layer consists of the same material as the substrate layer, it also being possible for a different material to be preferred. The further layer or the substrate layer may cover the electrically conductive surfaces and / or the substrate. This may be, for example, a top layer or a passepartout. The further layer or substrate layer is preferably made of paper, cardboard, wood materials, composite materials, metal, laminates and / or plastics and can be printed or coated with a color and / or lacquer layer. The further layer or substrate layer can also be an adhesive layer, a resin layer, a wax layer, a paper layer, a color layer, a lacquer layer and / or a film. Of course, it is also conceivable to apply combinations of the aforementioned. The adhesive layer designates in the context of the invention, in particular an electrically non-conductive adhesive, which is applied so that it surrounds the electrically conductive surfaces. Due to the further layer and the substrate layer, a compact construction of the input means is possible, whereby it is also protected against external forces and contamination. The control unit of the input means preferably comprises at least one digital and / or analog circuit. A digital circuit is preferably a microcontroller, but may also be an ASIC, an FPGA or a discrete digital circuit of logic gates,

Semiconductor devices, electromechanical or mechanical components or a Combination of it. The digital circuit is used to generate the data / codes to be transmitted and the conversion of these into digital or analog signals, which are forwarded either directly or via the analog circuit via the electrically conductive connections to the electrically conductive surfaces (electrodes). An analog circuit is used for signal shaping and may, for example, a high pass, a low pass, a member for

DC decoupling, an operating point (bias) or a

Charge pump included. For each of the electrically conductive connections to in each case one of the electrically conductive surfaces, similar analog circuits preferably exist, however, different designs of the analog circuit for the individual connections to the electrically conductive surfaces may also exist. It is also preferable to mount a mechanical arrangement on the control unit, which itself is controlled by a higher authority, such as a user, and opens and closes electrical bridges between the conductor tracks (relay construction).

The electrically conductive surfaces, in particular the electrodes can be configured in any shape, geometry or width, height and depth.

It may be advantageous if the digital circuit of the control unit is an electronic, electromechanical or mechanical circuit.

The input means preferably comprises a power source to ensure autonomous operation of the input means. The energy source may be, for example, a battery, an accumulator, a solar cell, a piezo element, a capacitor, or a combination thereof. The power source is electrically connected to the control unit and supplies it with energy. It may be preferred that the energy source is rechargeable, replaceable or replaceable by means of an external mains connection. For this purpose, the energy source has corresponding connection connections. Advantageously, the energy source can be configured as a solar cell, which uses artificial or natural light sources. It may also be preferable to use an "energy harvesting" method to power the input means, for example, the energy could be provided from the touch screen that is in contact with the input means

advantageously be powered by induction (eg., An induction coil) with energy. The input means preferably comprises at least one key and / or a switch. On the input means, a switch or a button can be arranged, are bridged by which contacts between the interconnects, ie, an electrical connection can be established. The switch or pushbutton can preferably be used for switching on the supply voltage, ie for producing a conductive connection between the energy source and the control unit. It is also possible to connect one or more buttons or switches as an input option to the control unit in order to trigger associated functions on the control unit. For example, the button can be configured as a snap-action disc, which allows easy and quick operation. The invention further relates to a system comprising an input means and a touch screen, wherein the touch screen is operatively connected to the input means. The touchscreen-containing device is preferably selected from the group comprising smartphones, mobile phones, displays, tablet PCs, notebooks, touchpad devices,

Graphics tablets, televisions, PDAs, MP3 players and capacitive input devices. On

For example, touchscreen may also be part of input devices.

Touch screens are also known as touch screens, touch screens or touch screens. Such input devices are used, inter alia, in smartphones, PDAs, touch displays or notebooks.

It was completely surprising that the input means for a variety of different

Touch screens can be used. Experiments have shown that, in particular, capacitive touch screens are particularly well suited. Here, an input means is operatively connected to the touch screen. Operationally referred to in the sense of the invention in particular means that the input means is at least temporarily connected or linked to the touch screen in such a way that a touch event can be triggered on the touch screen by an operator via the activated input means.

Activation in the sense of the invention particularly describes an approach of the user to the input means and / or touching of the input means by the user and / or

Press a button or switch without being limited to it.

By touching and / or pressing a button or switch by the user, for example, the power source is switched on.

However, it can also be advantageous that the input means is or is activated independently of the user, for example by using a solar cell as the energy source in a switchless configuration. In this regard, it is preferable that the contact between control unit and

Energy source, z. B. a solar cell, is closed. The energy source is available only when pre-defined conditions are met, e.g. can a solar cell as

Energy source can be used, which provides sufficient voltage only at a certain brightness.

In a further embodiment it is preferred that the touch screen has visual, acoustic, tactile, haptic or mechanical positioning means which allow optimal positioning of the input means on the touch screen. For example, an edge can be displayed visually on the screen or the edge of the screen can be used as a means for positioning. The correct or incorrect positioning can be conveyed to the user simply by visual, auditory, tactile or haptic means.

Furthermore, the input triggered by the input means can be displayed on the touch screen by means of a progress bar. This allows the user to be easily and quickly taught how far the input has progressed. The input means enables wireless communication / data transmission between mobile or stationary terminals with a touch screen. The input means transmits data via the touch screen to the terminal. The activation of the

Touch screen is preferably done by means of a capacitive coupling between the touch screen and the input means. The input means is on the

Touch screen placed or brought near it, so between

Touch screen and input means an electric field is generated. In this case, it is preferred that the input device is activated before or after being brought into contact so that the placement of one or more fingers on the touchscreen is simulated and a touch input is generated on the terminal. The input on the terminal can be static and / or sequential.

As an example of a preferred data rate, the following may be mentioned: For example, 5x2 conductive surfaces could be used for data transfer by moving touch points, with two conductive surfaces each forming a functional group. After contacting the input device with the touch screen, one touch event per functional group is triggered, one touch point each being generated. The input means is activated, whereupon the position of each touch point is changed according to the data to be transmitted, the respective touch point is pushed back and forth and can thus the

Transfer information "0" or "1" ("0" corresponds to one position, "1" corresponds to the other when moving the touch point back and forth). Each functional group can therefore be coded 1 bit. At intervals, so sequential information / data can be transmitted.

At a sampling rate of the touch screen of, for example, 60 Hz, the maximum data rate to be transmitted is 30 Hz, taking into account the sampling theorem, and the maximum physical data rate is 5 bits * 30 Hz = 150 bits / s or 30 bits / s per functional group. This opens up to the person skilled in the scalability of data transmission by increasing or decreasing the functional groups. It is also possible to extend the digital state 0 or 1 and to allow other states or intermediate states. Thus, trinary (tristate) states can also be generated, for example, whereby the data rate can be further increased. For a data transmission via the generation and deletion of touch points, the touch points can, for example, in a defined coordinate system, eg. B. a virtual 4x4 matrix, are arranged on the touch screen. In this case, 16 positions would be available

Selection to arrange the touch points. This results in 4368 different

Possibilities to distribute 5 touch points to 16 positions (statistics principle) "5 out of 16", regardless of the order), which corresponds to a data depth of around 12 bits, which means that the maximum physical data rate is 12 bits * 30 Hz = 360 bits / s taking into account the sampling theorem. The input means is preferably placed in close proximity to the input

Touch screen arranged. In the sense of the invention, spatial proximity refers in particular to direct contact or indirect contact and the input means being in functional interaction with the touch screen. This interaction can be achieved by various physical principles or combinations of these, e.g.

capacitive, inductive, electromagnetic, electronic or mechanical. The respective

Interaction depends on the actual type of touch screen available, i. H. from touchscreen technology. The function of the input means is preferably to trigger at least one touch event on the touch screen (i.e.

preferably generating, deleting and / or modifying touch points) in order to transmit specially encoded data, wherein encoded data can be evaluated, in particular in the context of an application. In the sense of the invention, a touch event or also called touch event designates, in particular, a triggering of an event on the touch screen.

A projected touch input of the input device on the touch screen can, for example, transmit a one-time password generated in the input device to the touch screen, which can preferably be used for authentication and / or authorization or for data input. Thus, the invention also relates to the use of an input means for authentication, authorization and / or data input. Furthermore, it is preferred that the input means is used to generate a one-time password, password or code. This may, for example, a device having a touch screen or a

Program will be unlocked. It was completely surprising that the input means can be used preferentially for applications in many areas of business. These include, for example, game characters, identification, loyalty cards, immobilizer,

Access authorization for car / bike sharing, access authorization, random number generator, chip cards, car keys, keys, playing cards, trading cards, goods logistics,

Goods tracking, digital ordering systems, cataloging, digital file card system, admission, tickets, access to closed areas both real and virtual, virtual content, marketing applications, customer loyalty, lotteries and sweepstakes,

Membership cards, season tickets, payment applications, certificates of authenticity, certificates,

Anti-counterfeiting, copy protections, signatures, delivery notes, items within computer games, music / video / ebook downloads, bonus brands / programs,

Device controls or gift cards, without being limited thereto.

In a preferred embodiment, the input means can be operatively connected to the touch screen such that it is only applied to the touch screen and, in particular, contact between the touch screen and the input means is established by the gravitational force. However, it may also be preferred that the input means by means of a temporary

Affixed to or on the touch screen, so that the substrate, with the electrically conductive surfaces in contact with the touch screen or at least spatial approach and allows an interaction with the touchscreen. It is preferable to connect the input means by means of positive, force and / or material-locking connections to the touch screen, preferably reversibly. That is, the state before the connection is established can be restored without the input device or the touch screen or its environment undergoing lasting changes. In a further embodiment, the input means is attached to the touchscreen according to the sticky note principle (eg post-it notes) or with other adhesive adhesives. Furthermore, it may be advantageous that only the conductive surfaces of the input means with the

Touch screen connected or brought into preferential contact.

It is also conceivable that further elements for temporary or permanent fixation of the input means are used on the touch screen. Conceivable are all forms of adhesive (electrically conductive and electrically non-conductive) or glues, rubbers, banderoles, insertion aids, brackets, etc. There are also devices, cases, etc. for the

Touchscreen-containing device conceivable. As a result, slipping or shifting of the input means can be prevented.

The input means may preferably be a card for the payment of goods and services or integrated into one. The card may be an electronic cash card or credit card or other card usable in payment transactions. A credit card is a card made of plastic (e.g., PVC) in the format of a credit card (ISO 7810). On the front of the credit card, the card data embossed embossed (so-called embossing). However, there are also known cards that have no embossing. Such prepaid cards have a prepaid balance. On the reverse, each card bears the signature of the cardholder and often a card verification number (KPN). Furthermore, a magnetic strip is arranged on the back of the card, on which the card data are stored. In addition, chips can be mounted on the card. Advantageously, the cards have an EMC chip in order to achieve SEPA compatibility. The corresponding specification is called EMV (Europay, MasterCard, Visa). In addition, credit cards are also known which enable contactless payment according to the ISO / IEC 14443 procedure. Another

A novelty, to increase security, is the hologram magnetic stripe.

However, it may also be preferred that the input means be designed as a voluminous body, such. B. a game character is designed or integrated into a game character or attached to this. It is known to those skilled in the art that the input means can be changed in shape so that it optimally cooperates with and adapts to the specific shape of a toy character. Thus, the input means can be mounted substantially at any point of the game character, so that the electrodes are preferably arranged at the bottom of the game character.

The input means may in one embodiment be integrated in a greeting card. This allows the greeting card to interact with a touch screen and expand over the limited content of the card. The input means is preferably integrated into the card or voluminous body so as not to affect the original function of the card or body. Rather, the card can be used as an additional means of generating a code or as part of the PIN / TAN authorization / authentication process. As a result, in particular the security of electronic payment transactions can be considerably increased, since in addition to the security features of the card now another security barrier is inserted, which makes the copying of the card impossible. In addition to the original security gates, a user must also generate a one-time password, but this is only possible with the input device on the card. As a result, a high safety standard can be produced. This is particularly relevant for payments on the Internet.

The input means may physically interact with a smart phone or a touch device-equipped electrical device and generate a code for authentication, whereby payment traffic on a website can be safely handled. The physical interaction or interaction between input means and

Touch screen is bidirectional, while the data transmission is preferably unidirectional, d. H. preferably only in one direction, namely vorzusweise of the

Input means to the touch screen.

The input means may be embodied as part of such a card, wherein it may also be configured as an independent card for the payment of goods and services. By means of the input means, a password can preferably be generated by which an authorization and / or authentication takes place. The input means may for example identify a consumer and / or unlock a payment.

The invention also relates to a method for inputting data to a touchscreen

a. an input means comprising at least

i. an electrically nonconductive substrate,

ii an electrically conductive surface present on the substrate, iii an electrical trace,

iv a control unit and

v an energy source

vi and / or a button and / or a switch,

wherein at least one electrically conductive surface over at least one

Track is electrically connected to the control unit

b. and a touch screen, wherein the input means is operatively connected to the touch screen, whereby the surfaces interact with the touch screen, thereby affecting touch events on electrically activated surfaces, and data entry on the touch screen

Touch screen is achieved. These can now be interpreted, decoded or otherwise processed. Here, the input data may advantageously be randomly generated or determined data. That is, the input means may advantageously generate a one-time password or password, which was previously determined and compared to an expected value. Furthermore, however, it is preferred that the input means generate a password which is random. In this case, the password has parameters that enable a unique authentication.

The data input may preferably take place over the entire area of the touch screen, wherein the data input may differ by location, arrangement and / or number of points preferably as follows:

• Number of points can be either fixed or variable.

· Activation of one or more surfaces.

In the context of the invention, a data input designates in particular that a

Touch event or touch event is enabled and disabled by means of one or more surface (s) (e.g., capacitive coupling on / off or more / less), preferably with no movement between touch screen and input means. In particular, if the surfaces are designed as a circular ring, even a reduction of the activated area of the ring can cause that no touch event is triggered, whereas when the activated area is increased triggering is achieved (capacitive

Coupling more / less).

It may also be preferred that the data entry on the touch screen is static and / or dynamic. A static input specifically designates exactly one

Condition from a combination of the touch points in the sense of a snapshot. A chronological sequence of different static states characterizes, in particular, a dynamic input.

Between input means and device having the touch screen, one can

Agreement that details the timing of a dynamic

Input describes. It is also preferred that one or more electrical conductive surfaces of the input means be used as clocks for the data transmission, the remaining electrical conductive surfaces are used for the transmission of the actual data.

The use of multiple electrical conductive surfaces may serve to transmit a parallel data stream.

It may also be preferred that the areas for generating the touch events are moved or influenced. It is further preferred that the data generated by the input means can be assigned to a data record in a data processing system and the data record remains constant. In a preferred embodiment, the data generated by the input means is assigned to a data record in a data processing system, wherein the data record changes. This can happen, for example, by using the input means or the codes generated by the input means and / or by time, without being limited thereto.

Advantageously, the input means can be used such that the input means in conjunction with a touch screen on the influence of one or

a plurality of touch events or the generation of a code or one-time password of an action of a data processing system can be assigned or triggers. This action applies in particular to non-networked data processing systems, and more preferably to networked data processing systems.

The input means or system comprising the input means and the touch screen may be used to trigger events or actions associated with a touch screen-containing device. The associated events or actions are system-typical or system- and application-related.

The invention will be explained below with reference to examples and figures, but without being limited to these. Show it:

Fig. 1A-D structure of an input means

Fig. 2A, B sectional view of an input means

Fig. 3A-D analog circuits of the control unit

Fig. 4A-C digital circuits of the control unit

Fig. 5A-C interaction zw. An input means and a touch screen

Fig. 6A-C Wirkverbindung zw. An input means and a touch screen

Fig. 7A, B input means with digital / analog circuit

8 shows a block diagram of a data transmission to a touchscreen by means of input means

Fig. 9-12 Preferred embodiments of the input means Fig. 13 u. Fig. 14 Dynamic / static input

Fig. 15 u. 16 embodiment of an input means with solar cell

Figs. 1A-D show a structure of a preferred input means, Figs. 2A, B a

3A-D analog circuits of the control unit and Fig. 4A-C show digital circuits of the control unit. The input means 1 has

Preferably, an electrically non-conductive substrate 6, which, for example, from

Plastic is made. On the substrate 6 at least one electrically conductive surface 4 is applied, which is connected via an electrically conductive conductor 5 with a control unit 3. The electrically conductive surface 4 may in particular be a metal layer, a layer containing metal particles, a layer containing electrically conductive particles or an electrically conductive polymer layer. In essence, any electrically conductive material may be used as surface 4. The conductor track 5, which connects the surface 4 to the control unit 3, is also made of an electrically conductive material, for example of the same material as the surface 4. It may also be preferable to apply a plurality of electrically conductive surfaces 4 on the substrate 6 ( see Fig. 1 B, C). The electrically conductive surfaces 4 are connected via conductor tracks 5 to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 is in turn connected to a power source 2, for example a battery, an accumulator, a solar cell, a piezoelectric element, a capacitor or a combination thereof. The energy source can also be an "energy harvesting" energy source, so that the input means 1 obtains its energy by extracting energy from a further energy source For the purposes of the invention, the terms energy supply and energy source can equally be used and refer in particular to one another Means that that

Input means supplied with electrical energy. This may, for example, to

Luminous energy of a touch screen 9 act. The input means 1 can also have connections, for example to connect it to a mains connection. It may also be preferred wireless charging techniques for charging the power source 2 of the input means 1. In a particularly preferred structure of the input means 1 (see FIG. 1 D), the normally open electrical connection between the energy source 2 and the control unit 3 is closed by means of a push-button 19 or switch, whereby the control unit 3 is activated to generate data and these to transmit to a touch screen device 10.

The input means 1 has at least one electrically conductive surface 4, which is applied to an electrically non-conductive substrate 6. The surface 4 can be applied to the substrate 6 by means of additive or subraktivverfahren known in the art such as printing or etching. The surface 4 is connected via an electrically conductive conductor 5 with the

Control unit 3 is connected, which in turn is connected to the power source 2. In one embodiment, the input means 1 next to the substrate 6, a further layer or Have layer that is configured as an intermediate layer 8 (see FIG. 2B) or cover layer 7. The cover layer 7 may consist of the same electrically nonconductive material as the substrate 6 and preferably serves to protect the elements of the input means 1

Force effects or impurities. The cover layer 7 may also be a lacquer layer or film layer, which is attached, for example, on at least one intermediate layer 8 and can be printed with motifs or characters. The intermediate layer 8 may be a filling material. For example, an adhesive layer, preferably an electrically non-conductive adhesive layer, can serve as the filling material. However, it is also possible to integrate a passe-partout as an intermediate layer 8 into the input means 1. Using the liner, the elements of the

Stabilized input means 1 and also protected from force. The at least one intermediate layer 8 also ensures a homogeneous, uniform and level product structure, which is produced by further method steps, e.g. Printing can be further refined.

It may be advantageous to guide the digital signals, which are generated in particular in the digital circuit 17 of the control unit 3, via an analog circuit 18 and the track 5 to the electrically conductive surfaces 4 in order to change the signal characteristics such that the capacitive coupling between the conductive surfaces 4 of the input means 1 and the

Electrodes of the touch screen 9 is amplified or attenuated. The analog circuit may include, for example, a signal amplifier, a signal attenuator, a high pass, a low pass, an operating point setting, a DC decoupling, a

Signal termination or a combination of such elements include, but are not limited to. A particularly preferred circuit of a signal amplifier is the charge pump. The person skilled in the corresponding analog circuits for the listed elements are known. For each of the electrically conductive connections to in each case one of the electrically conductive surfaces 4, similar analog circuits preferably exist, but it is also possible for different interpretations of the analog circuit to be used for the individual ones

Connections to the electrically conductive surfaces exist.

The digital circuit 17 is used to generate the data / codes to be transmitted and the conversion of them into digital or analog signals, which are forwarded either directly or via the analog circuit 18 via the electrically conductive connection 5 to the electrically conductive surface 4. Particularly preferably, the digital circuit 17 generates a plurality of electrical signals, each individually with an analog circuit 18 or directly with in each case one electrically conductive connection 5 to an electrically conductive surface 4, respectively

to get redirected. A digital circuit 17 is preferably a microcontroller, but may also be an ASIC, an FPGA or a discrete digital circuit of logic gates,

Semiconductor devices, electromechanical or mechanical components or a combination thereof. In FIGS. 5A-C and FIG. 15, a physical interaction between an input means 1 and a touch screen 9 is shown. The input means 1 may physically interact with a touch screen 9. The touch screen 9 is preferably part of an electrical device 10 comprising smartphones, cell phones, displays, tablet PCs, notebooks, touchpad devices, graphics tablets, televisions, PDAs, MP3 players, and capacitive input devices. A touch screen 9 may also be part of an input device. The input means 1 is brought into contact with the touch screen 9. For the purposes of the invention, this may mean that the input means 1 is contacted or brought near the touch screen 9, so that an effect on the touch screen 9 or on the touch screen device 10 can be achieved if the input means is activated. For the purposes of the invention, bringing into contact means that in particular there is preferably no free space between the input means 1 and the touch screen 9. That is, the input means 1 is preferably in touching contact with the touch panel 9. However, it may also be preferred that between the input means 1 and the

Touch screen 9 is no direct contact, but there is only an approximation, which is sufficient to trigger an input on the touch screen 9 with activated input means. When approaching, there is a preferred distance of, in particular, 0 cm to 2 cm between input means 1 and touch screen 9.

The input means 1 may interact with the touch screen 9 in any orientation. For example, it can be placed all over on the touch screen 9 or only partially. Advantageously, however, it is brought into contact with the touch screen 9 so that at least one electrically conductive surface 4 is in contact with the touch screen 9. The touch screen 9 may also be part of a laptop or computer. Through the interaction of the input means 1 with the touch screen 9, a data entry can be made, for example, the authorization or authentication is used.

In the event that the input means 1 comprises a solar cell, it may be advantageous for the input means 1 to be brought into contact with the touch screen 9 in a specific orientation so that the solar cell can utilize the radiant energy of the touch screen 9 for energy production.

Fig. 6A-C shows an operative connection between an input means 1 and a

Touch screen 9. For the purposes of the invention, an operative connection 1 1 denotes a connection between the input element 1 and the touch screen 9, so that on the touch screen 9 influencing touch events by the input means 1 can be generated by an evaluation of the touch screen 9 and / or the touch screen having device O is evaluable. Actively connected means in the simplest sense in particular that something is mechanically connected to each other at least temporarily. Furthermore, it may be connected - eg electronically - so that energy and / or information is transmitted (for example, without a mechanical connection is present); ie two elements are arranged or linked together in such a way that the desired effect is realized. This interaction is dependent on the operation of the touch screen 9 and can be achieved by various physical principles of action or combinations of these, for example capacitive, inductive, electromagnetic or electronic. In particular, energy can then be transferred from the touch screen to the

Input means are transmitted when the input means has corresponding components (such as a solar cell, Fig. 15) and the radiation emitted by the touch screen is used. The solar cell 22 may be arranged on the input means 1 on the device side facing as well as on the opposite side. Depending on which energy is used (energy from a screen or from a radiation source in the environment), it is advantageous if the solar cell 22 has the corresponding orientation and is aligned accordingly. FIG. 6B shows an example of an operation of a capacitive touch screen 9. Here, electric field lines 14 exist between the two

Sensor lines 13 (or sensor electrodes) and the driver lines 15 (or

By the contact of the input means 1, more precisely the electrically conductive surfaces 4 of the input means 1 with the surface of the touch screen 12, there is a change in the electric field lines 14 between the drive line 15 and the sensor line 13 and the capacitive coupling 16 . The

Influence of the electric field lines 14 is essentially by the on the

Input means present electrically conductive surfaces 4 and their control causes. Further elements of the input means 1, such as printed conductors 5 or control unit 3 advantageously have no effect on the touch screen 9, or the electric field lines 14. The change of the electric field lines 14 can by an evaluation of the

Touch screen 9 and / or the touch screen device having O are evaluated and processed.

7A, B represent a schematic representation of the functional connection of the control unit 3, consisting of digital circuit 17 and / or analog circuit 18, active connection 1 1 and touch screen 9 or the device 10 having the touch screen. The control unit 3 is preferably for generating electrical signals passing over the

Conductor 5 are passed to the leifähige surface 4. Via the operative connection 1 1 between the conductive surface 4 and at least one sensor line 13 of the touch screen 9, the electrical signals are transmitted to the touch screen 9 or the touch screen device 10, which interprets the signals as touch inputs. For better illustration, the electrically conductive surface 4, the electrically non-conductive substrate, the conductor track 5 and the sensor line 13 have been dispensed with in this view. However, it may also be preferred that external (outside the control element arranged) analog and digital circuits are used, as well as their combinations.

Fig. 8 shows a block diagram of a data transmission to a touch screen by means of input means 1. Once the input means 1 is activated by a user, what For example, by pressing a button 19 and / or switch can be done, the control unit 3 generates data. The control unit 3 is powered by the power source 2 with energy and can thus operate independently. The data is converted by the control unit 3 in a serial or parallel data stream, which in turn as an electrical signal via the

Conductor tracks 5 is forwarded to the electrically conductive surfaces 4. These are in operative contact with a touch screen 9 and generate a touch input on the touch screen 9. The touch input is preferably based on a capacitive coupling 16 that is evaluable by the evaluation unit of the touch screen or the touch screen device 10. As a result, an authorization or authentication by means of the input means 1 can be effected simply and quickly. The input means 1 can for example be integrated into a credit card and thus serve as a means of payment or another control element.

Figs. 9-12 show preferred embodiments of the input means. The input means can be designed differently. So it may be z. B. as a card but also be shaped as a voluminous body, which represent the application of the input means as almost unlimited. It can, for. B. can be used as a game character by having the shape of a character in a game. This can be particularly advantageous if the character z. B. a digital content should be unlocked. For example, a co-player who has acquired the character in-game may bring an electronic device with a touch screen into contact with the character, and digital content, such as a video game. B. unlock vouchers.

For this purpose, the figure preferably has electrically conductive areas or areas (electrodes 4) which are controlled by a control unit 3 after the figure has been activated by a user. As a result, one or more touch events are effected on the touch screen, so that an action or an event is triggered on the touch screen, or the electrical device. In particular, the game piece has one or more buttons 19, printed conductors 5, at least one energy source 2, at least one control unit 3 and at least one electrode 4. Of course, the arrangement of the components can be adapted to the size and shape of a game character and is indicated in the figures only by way of example. It should be pointed out with reference to FIGS. 9-12 that the input means can be designed not only as a card but also as a voluminous body and thus can be used universally.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a static and dynamic input on the

Touch screen by means of the input means. The data entry on the

Touch screen can be static and / or dynamic. A static input designates in particular exactly one state from a combination of the touch points in the sense of a snapshot, as shown by way of example in FIG. 13A. A chronological sequence of different static states characterizes, in particular, a dynamic input. An example of a sequence for a dynamic input are shown in the diagrams AC of FIG. 13. The touch points 23 generated by the input means 1 in chronological order undergo a change. so that a dynamic data entry takes place. A static and / or dynamic

Data input can also be done as shown in FIG. 14. A user 21 brings the input means 1 in operative contact with a touch screen 9, wherein he the input means 1 z. B. via the touch screen 9 moves.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 input means

2 energy source

3 control unit

4 conductive surface

5 trace

6 electrically non-conductive substrate

7 top layer

8 liner

9 touch screen

10 touch screen device

1 1 active connection between touch screen and input device

12 Surface of the touch screen

13 Sensor line of the touch screen

14 electric field lines

15 Driver line of the touch screen

16 capacitive coupling

17 digital circuit of the control unit

18 analogue circuit of the control unit

19 buttons / switches

20 character

21 users

22 solar cell

23 generated touchpoints

Claims

claims

1 . Input means comprising at least a. an electrically nonconductive substrate, b. an electrically conductive surface provided on the substrate, c. an electrical conductor d. a control unit for the electrical connection of areas according to b. and e. an energy source, characterized in that

at least one electrically conductive surface is electrically connected via at least one conductor track to the control unit.

2. input means according to claim 1,

characterized in that

the surfaces are arranged individually, in pairs or in functional groups on the substrate.

3. input means according to one or more of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the input means comprises at least one layer and / or at least one further substrate layer.

4. input means according to one or more of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the control unit comprises at least one digital and / or analog circuit.

5. input means according to one or more of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the digital circuit of the control unit is an electronic, electromechanical or mechanical circuit.

6. input means according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that

the energy source is a battery, an accumulator, a solar cell, a piezo element, a capacitor, or a combination thereof.

7. input means according to one or more of the preceding claims,

characterized in that

the input means comprises at least one key and / or a switch.

8. A system comprising an input means according to one of claims 1 to 7 and a touch screen,

characterized in that

a touch screen is operatively connected to the input means.

9. System according to claim 8,

characterized in that

the input means is connected to the touch screen with a positive, force and / or material connection or is held thereon by gravitational force.

10. System according to claim 8 or 9,

characterized in that

the touch screen has visual, acoustic, tactile, haptic or mechanical positioning means.

1 1. A method for inputting data to a touch screen comprising a. an input means comprising at least i. an electrically nonconductive substrate, ii. an electrically conductive surface provided on the substrate, iii. an electrical trace, iv. a control unit and v. an energy source, vi. and / or a button and / or a switch, wherein at least one electrically conductive surface is electrically connected via at least one conductor track to the control unit b. and a touch screen, wherein the input means is operatively connected to the touch screen, whereby the surfaces interact with the touch screen, thereby effecting touch events on electrically activated surfaces and achieving data entry on the touch screen.

The method of claim 1 1, wherein the input data is randomly generated or determined data.

13. The method of claim 1 1 or 12, wherein the data input on the

Touch screen static and / or dynamic.

14. Use of an input means according to claims 1 to 7 for authentication, authorization and / or data input.

15. Use according to claim 14, wherein a one-time password, password or code

is generated.

16. Use of the input means according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the input means is a card for the payment of goods and services or is integrated into one.

17. Use according to one or more of the preceding claims for applications selected from the group comprising game characters, identification, loyalty cards,

Immobilizer, access authorization for car / bike sharing, access authorization, random number generator, chip cards, car keys, keys, playing cards,

Trading cards, goods logistics, goods tracking, digital classification systems,

Cataloging, digital index card system, admission, tickets, access to closed areas both real and virtual, virtual content,

Marketing applications, customer loyalty, lotteries and sweepstakes,

Membership cards, season tickets, payment applications, certificates of authenticity, certificates, tamper-evident, copy protections, signatures, delivery notes, items within computer games, music / video / ebook downloads, bonus brands / programs, device controls or gift cards.

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