JP2005078472A - Device and program for supporting input of character string - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To avoid locking of process due to input error of character strings. <P>SOLUTION: When a password is input in an input column 62A while displaying a password input image (refer to (C)) on the display section of a terminal device, the input characters are stored in a storage part and displayed by replacing the characters to specific characters (*) (refer to (D)). When a button 62D is selected and the confirmation of the input password is indicated, a number for confirmation with the same number of characters as the input password is displayed (refer to (E)). When a specific figure in the number for confirmation (the figure at the same position as the character to be confirmed in the password: for example, the second figure '3' in the number for confirmation '93652147' when the second figure in the password is to be confirmed) is input, the character to be confirmed is recognized on the basis of the input figure and a dummy character string of which the character to be confirmed is at the same position as the password and the rest of characters are determined by random numbers is generated and displayed on the display section (refer to (G)). Thereby, a person having input the password confirms whether there is an input error in the input password. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a character string input support device and a program, and in particular, in a state where an input screen is displayed in which a character string input to an input field is converted into another character string and displayed. The present invention relates to a character string input support device that supports column input, and a program for causing a computer to function as the character string input support device.

  In recent years, mobile phones have become highly functional and multi-functional, and along with this, there are increasing opportunities for operating keys of mobile phones to input important information such as passwords and passwords. For example, in Patent Document 1, in a mobile phone in which a secret can be set for a phone number registered in the phone book, when the password is input at the time of reading the phone book, the match / mismatch of the password is confirmed, There has been disclosed a technique for canceling a secret setting of a telephone number and displaying a telephone number registered in a telephone directory when the passwords match.

By the way, important information such as a password or password may be misused if it is leaked to a third party. For this reason, when important information is input to the input field, each character of the character string input as important information is generally replaced with a specific character (for example, a symbol such as “*”) and displayed. Also, in Patent Document 2, in order to prevent a personal identification number from leaking to a third party from the movement of a finger while entering the personal identification number, the number display position (array) when the personal identification number is input is changed for each user. Technology is disclosed.
JP-A-11-355417 JP 2001-282376 A

  However, when inputting important information in the input field, the method of replacing individual characters in the character string input as important information with specific characters and displaying them is highly effective in preventing leakage of important information. Since the input person cannot confirm the character string himself, there is a problem that the input error of the character string is likely to occur. In recent years, in order to improve security, the number of types of characters that can be used in character strings as important information has been increasing. However, cellular phones and PDAs (Personal Digital) are limited in the number of keys for input. In (Assistant), the input operation of characters other than frequently used characters (for example, numbers) is complicated, so that an error in inputting a character string as important information is more likely to occur.

  In general, when a character string is repeatedly input by a malicious third party, it is important to avoid the accidental matching of the input character string with a legitimate character string. At the time of input, when a character string different from a regular character string is input more than a predetermined number of times, it is often configured to reject the input of the input character string and lock the process. On the other hand, the method of displaying individual characters in the character string input as important information by replacing them with specific characters is likely to cause an error in inputting the character string as important information as described above. Even if it is a legitimate user who recognizes the error, it is often caused that the acceptance of the character string is rejected and the process is locked because the input of the regular character string is mistaken repeatedly. It was.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above facts, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a character string input support device and program capable of avoiding processing being locked due to an input error of a character string.

  In order to achieve the above object, a character string input support device according to the invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that an input screen in which a character string input in an input field is converted into another character string and displayed in the input field is a terminal. A character string input support device that supports the input of a character string into the input field, which is performed by operating the input device of the terminal device in a state displayed on the display device of the device, to the input field A character string confirmation assisting means for displaying a part or all of the already input character string on the display device when an instruction to display the already input character string has been given is provided.

  In the character string input support device according to the first aspect, the character string input in the input field is a different character string (for example, a specific symbol (for example, “*”) by the same number of digits as the input character string). The input screen displayed on the terminal device (for example, a mobile phone, PDA, PC (Personal Computer), etc.) is input to the terminal device. The device supports the input of a character string into the input field performed by operating the device. For example, the terminal device itself can function as the character string input support device according to the present invention. When the input screen displayed on the display device of the terminal device is supplied from a server computer connected to the terminal device via a communication line, the server computer is used as the character string input support device according to the present invention. It is also possible to function.

  In the invention described in claim 1, when the display of the already input character string already input to the input field is instructed, a part or all of the already input character string is displayed on the display device by the character string confirmation assisting means. It has become so. Whether or not the display of the input character string has been instructed is determined by, for example, the character string confirmation assisting unit displaying a button for performing the instruction (for example, a button denoted as “confirm”) on the display device. Can be determined based on whether or not is selected. Thus, if the input person who entered the character string in the input field of the input screen indicates display of the already input character string, a part or all of the already input character string is displayed on the display device. Before confirming the character string, display part or all of the input character string on the display device and check the content of the input character string. If an input error is recognized, confirm the input character string after correcting it. It is possible to perform operations such as

  Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the processing from being locked due to an input error of the character string. In addition, since the process can be prevented from being locked due to an input error, the input of various characters is compared as important information even when a mobile phone or PDA with a limited number of keys for input is used as a terminal device. It is possible to use the same character string as in the case of using an easy-to-use PC as a terminal device, and it is possible to improve user convenience.

  Further, in the first aspect of the present invention, the display method for displaying all of the already input character strings includes a display method for displaying all of the already input character strings at once, and a portion of all of the already input characters. Although there is a display method that displays in divided, even if it is a display method that displays all of the input character string at once, compared with the case where it is displayed without converting the character entered in the input field to another character Since the input character string is not displayed on the display device while the character string is being input, the time for the already input character string to be displayed on the display device can be shortened, and the already input character string is leaked to a third party. The possibility can be reduced.

  Specifically, the character string confirmation assisting means according to the invention described in claim 1 can be configured as follows, for example. That is, the character string confirmation assisting means according to the invention described in claim 2 allows the position of the character to be confirmed to be specified in the already input character string when the display of the already input character string is instructed. Generate a dummy character string by replacing characters other than the character existing at the specified position with another character, and display the generated dummy character string on the display device, so that a part of the input character string is displayed. It is characterized by that.

  In general, character input operations differ from character to character, so the likelihood of an input error also varies from character to character. Which character in the input character string is likely to have an input error? In many cases, the input person itself is aware. By utilizing this, in the invention according to claim 2, the position of the character to be confirmed is specified in the already input character string, and the character other than the character existing at the specified position in the already input character string is changed to another character ( Since this another character is generated and displayed as a dummy character string replaced with a random character or a predetermined character (for example, “*” or the like) as described in claim 4, It is possible to efficiently check whether or not an input error has occurred in the already input character string without increasing the possibility of the already input character string being leaked to a third party.

  In addition, in the invention described in claim 2, to specify the position of the character to be confirmed is, for example, as described in claim 3, whether the number of characters from the character to be confirmed to the beginning or the end of the input character string is input. Or, display the confirmation character string with the same number of digits as the input character string on the display device, and in the confirmation character string existing at the same position as the character to be confirmed on the input character string This can be done by inputting specific characters.

  Further, in the invention described in claim 1, the character string confirmation assisting means, as described in claim 5, for example, when the display of the already input character string is instructed, via the input device of the already input character string. Generates and displays a dummy character string in which characters that are relatively easy to input (for example, only the number if the main key provided on the input device is a key for entering numbers) are converted to certain characters By doing so, a part of the already input character string may be displayed. In this case, since it is not necessary for the input person to specify the position of the character to be confirmed in the already input character string, it can be more easily confirmed whether or not an input error has occurred in the already input character string.

  Further, in the invention described in claim 1, the character string confirmation assisting means, as described in claim 6, for example, when a display of the already input character string is instructed, a predetermined number of the already input character strings. Select a character and generate and display a dummy character string in which characters other than the selected character in the input character string are converted to a certain character and display them. However, it may be configured such that all of the already input character strings are displayed in a time-sharing manner by repeating the process. Also in this case, since it is not necessary for the input person to specify the position of the character to be confirmed in the already input character string, it is possible to more easily confirm whether or not an input error has occurred in the already input character string. In addition, since all of the already entered character strings are displayed by displaying the already entered character strings in a time-sharing manner part by part, without increasing the possibility that the already entered character strings will be leaked to a third party. It is possible to reliably check whether an input error has occurred in the input character string. In the invention described in claim 6, the predetermined number of characters may be selected in order from the beginning or the end of the already input character string, as described in claim 7, for example. You may make it select at random.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program comprising a display device and an input device, wherein an input screen on which the character string input in the input field is converted into another character string and displayed in the input field is displayed on the display device. In the displayed state, the input device is operated to input a character string to the input field, or a server computer connected to the terminal device via a communication line, It is characterized by functioning as character string confirmation assisting means for displaying a part or all of the already input character string on the display device when the display of the already input character string already instructed in the input field is instructed. .

  The program according to the invention described in claim 8 includes a display device and an input device, and an input screen in which a character string input in the input field is converted into another character string and displayed is displayed on the display device. A terminal device in which a character string is input to the input field by operating the input device, or a server computer connected to the terminal device via a communication line is caused to function as a character string confirmation assisting unit. Therefore, when the terminal device or the server computer executes the program according to the eighth aspect of the invention, the terminal device or the server computer functions as the character string input support device of the eighth aspect. Therefore, similarly to the first aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent the processing from being locked due to a character string input error.

  As described above, according to the present invention, when display of an already input character string already input to the input field is instructed, a part or all of the already input character string is displayed on the display device. It has an excellent effect that it is possible to prevent the processing from being locked due to a column input error.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a computer system 10 according to the present embodiment. The computer system 10 includes a server computer 14 connected to a network 12. As the network 12, for example, a computer network such as the Internet can be applied.

  The server computer 14 includes a control unit 16 including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The control unit 16 includes a storage unit 18 including a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a CRT, or an LCD. Are connected to each other, a display unit 20 composed of, etc., an operation input unit 22 composed of a keyboard, a mouse and the like, and a communication control unit 24. In the present embodiment, the server computer 14 accepts an online financial transaction execution instruction from a predetermined website (for example, a customer, and implements online financial transaction by transferring the received execution instruction to a financial institution. Functioning as a web server for operating a website for online financial transactions, etc., and information on each web page constituting the predetermined website is stored in the storage unit 18, and a web for operating the predetermined website is stored. A site management program is also installed.

  In addition, a terminal device 28 owned by the customer is connected to the network 12. The terminal device 28 includes a PDA and a PC, and includes a control unit 30 configured to include a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The control unit 30 includes a storage unit 32, a display unit 34, an operation input unit 36, and a communication control unit 38. Each is configured to be connected. When the terminal device 28 is a PDA, for example, a nonvolatile memory is used as the storage unit 32, an LCD is used as the display unit 34, a touch panel is used as the operation input unit 36, and the terminal device 28 is a PC. For example, an HDD is used as the storage unit 32, an LCD or CRT is used as the display unit 34, and a keyboard or mouse is used as the operation input unit 36.

  The customer also has a portable terminal 42 (for example, a portable telephone having a function of performing communication via the network 12). The portable terminal 42 includes a control unit 44 configured to include a CPU, ROM, and RAM. The control unit 44 includes a storage unit 46 including a nonvolatile memory, a display unit 48 including an LCD, and an operation input unit including a numeric keypad. 50 and the communication control unit 52 are connected to each other. The network 12 is connected to a wireless network in which a large number of base stations 40 are connected to each other (FIG. 1 schematically shows only a single base station 40). By performing wireless communication with (the nearest base station 40), communication with any computer (for example, server computer 14) connected to the network 12 is enabled.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The predetermined website according to the present embodiment is a website that provides a predetermined service only to users who have concluded a use contract in advance, and each user who has concluded a use contract has a contractor number and a password. Each number is given. Each user's contractor number and personal identification number are stored in the storage unit 18 of the server computer 14 as a user database (DB). When a predetermined website is accessed by a customer via the portable terminal 42 or the terminal device 28, the server computer 14 is shown in FIG. 3A as an example in order to identify the customer who has accessed the predetermined website. Contractor number input screen data representing a contractor number input screen (web page) as shown is read from the storage unit 18 and transmitted to the access source mobile terminal 42 or terminal device 28 via the network 12.

  When this contractor number input screen data is received by the mobile terminal 42 or the terminal device 28 as the access source, an input field 60A for inputting the contractor number is provided as shown in FIG. 3A as an example. A button for instructing transmission of the contractor number input in the input field 60A (button indicated as “execution”) 60B, and a button for clearing the number input in the input field 60A (notation “clear”) The contractor number input screen provided with the button 60 </ b> C is displayed on the display unit 48 of the portable terminal 42 or the display unit 34 of the terminal device 28. When the customer who confirms the displayed contractor number input screen operates the operation input unit 50 of the portable terminal 42 or the operation input unit 36 of the terminal device 28 and inputs a predetermined contractor number, FIG. ), The entered contractor number is displayed as it is in the input field 60A. For this reason, the customer confirms the contractor number displayed in the input field 60A, and if there is an input error or the like, clears the entered contractor number by selecting the button 60C, and then inputs the contractor number again. .

  When it is confirmed that the entered contractor number is correct, the customer selects the button 60B. As a result, the contractor number input by the customer is transmitted to the server computer 14 from the mobile terminal 42 or the terminal device 28 that is the access source. When the contractor number is received from the mobile terminal 42 or the terminal device 28 as the access source, the server computer 14 uses FIG. 3 as an example in order to confirm that the customer who has accessed the predetermined website is an authorized user. The personal identification number input screen data representing the personal identification number input screen (web page) as shown in (C) is read from the storage unit 18 and transmitted to the mobile terminal 42 or the terminal device 28 that is the access source via the network 12. A program (for example, a password input program composed of a script or the like) for causing the access source mobile terminal 42 or the terminal device 28 to perform a password input process described below is added to the password input screen data. After the personal identification number input screen data and the personal identification number input program are received by the mobile terminal 42 or the terminal device 28 of the access source, the personal identification number input program is the control unit (if the portable terminal 42 is the control unit 44, the terminal device 28 For example, the password input process is performed by the control unit 30). The personal identification number input program corresponds to the program according to the present invention, and the portable terminal 42 or the terminal device 28 functions as the character string input support device according to the present invention by executing the personal identification number input program. Hereinafter, the password input process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step 100, a personal identification number input screen is displayed on the display unit (display unit 48 if the device executing the personal identification number input process is the portable terminal 42, and display unit 34 if the device is the terminal device 28). As shown in FIG. 3C, on the password input screen according to the present embodiment, an input field 62A for inputting a password and a button (instruction for transmitting the password entered in the input field 62A) A button (labeled “execute”) 62B, a button (button labeled “clear”) 62C for clearing the number (character string) entered in the input field 62A, and a number (character string) entered in the input field 62A ) Button (button labeled “Confirm”) 62D is provided.

  In the next step 102, the operation input unit (the operation input unit 50 if the device executing the password input process is the portable terminal 42, the operation input unit 36 if the device is the terminal device 28) is operated to operate the character. It is determined whether or not is input. If the determination in step 102 is negative, the process proceeds to step 106, and it is determined whether or not clearing of the input character has been instructed. If this determination is also negative, the routine proceeds to step 110, where it is determined whether transmission of the input character string has been instructed. If this determination is also negative, the routine proceeds to step 112, where it is determined whether confirmation of the input character string has been instructed. If this determination is also negative, the process returns to step 102, and steps 102, 106, 110, and 112 are repeated until the determination of any of steps 102, 106, 110, and 112 is affirmed.

  When a character corresponding to the password is input by operating the operation input unit by the customer, the determination in step 102 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 104, and the input character is stored in the storage unit (password input process). If the executing device is the portable terminal 42, the storage unit 46 stores the terminal device 28, and the storage unit 32) stores the specific character (for example, “*” etc.) in the input field in the password input screen. After the display on 62A, the routine proceeds to step 106. Since the determination in step 102 is affirmed every time a character corresponding to the password is input, the characters sequentially input by the customer operating the operation input unit are sequentially stored in the storage unit as a character string corresponding to the password. As well as being stored, as shown in FIG. 3D, the input field 62A displays the same number of specific characters as the number of input characters.

  If the customer selects the button 62C to instruct clearing of the input characters, the determination in step 106 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 108, where it is stored in the storage unit as a password. The process proceeds to step 110 after clearing all the character strings and deleting all the specific characters displayed in the input field 62A. Instead of clearing all stored character strings, each time the button 62C is selected by the customer, the characters may be cleared one by one from the end of the stored character string.

  By the way, in the predetermined website according to the present embodiment, it is possible to use English characters or the like in addition to numbers as a personal identification number. It is likely to occur. On the other hand, since the character string input by the customer operating the operation input unit is converted into a specific character and displayed in the input field 62A, the number of input characters can be recognized even by referring to the display of the input field 62A. , The entered character string itself cannot be confirmed.

  For this reason, when it is desired to confirm whether or not there is an input error in the character string input as the password, the customer confirms the input character string by performing an operation of selecting the button 62D in the password input screen. Instruct the execution of processing for. When the operation of selecting the button 62D is performed, the determination in step 112 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 114, and a confirmation number having the same number of characters in the input character string is generated by a random number or the like (however, For example, as shown in FIG. 3E, the generated confirmation number is displayed on the display unit. Further, the confirmation number display screen is provided with an input field 62E for the customer to input numbers. In the next step 116, any of the numbers included in the displayed confirmation number is input field 62E. And step 116 is repeated until the determination is affirmative.

  When the confirmation number is displayed on the display, the customer determines the number of the character to be confirmed from the beginning of the character string entered as the password, and specifies the position of the character to be confirmed. The characters located at the same position on the displayed confirmation number are input via the operation input unit. For example, if the personal identification number is the character string “xabc1234” and the character to be confirmed is the second character “a” from the beginning of this personal identification number, the customer will be the second of the displayed confirmation numbers. Enter a number (for example, if the displayed confirmation number is “93652147”, the second number “3” from the top). Note that the numbers input by the customer are displayed in the input field 62E after being replaced with specific characters (for example, “*”, etc.) as shown in FIG.

  When a number is input by the customer, the determination in step 116 is affirmed and the process proceeds to step 118. Based on the number input by the customer, the character to be confirmed is determined from the beginning of the character string input as the password. Recognize the second character. Then, a dummy character string is generated in which a character to be confirmed exists at the same position as the character string input as the password, and the remaining characters are determined by random numbers. In the next step 120, the generated dummy character string is displayed on the display unit. Thereby, it can be confirmed whether or not there is an input error in the character to be confirmed. Steps 112 to 120 correspond to the character string confirmation assisting means described in claim 1 (specifically, claims 2 to 4).

  For example, if the PIN is the string “xabc1234”, the confirmation number is “93652147”, and the number entered by the customer is the second number “3” from the beginning of the confirmation number, the confirmation target character is the PIN Can be determined as the second character “a” from the beginning of the character string input as, as shown in FIG. 3G, for example, the character “a” exists second from the beginning, and the remaining characters A dummy character string “bacefxyz” in which characters are determined by random numbers is displayed. Then, by referring to the displayed dummy character string, the customer can confirm that the second character from the top of the character string previously input as the personal identification number is “a”.

  Note that the number of digits that can be entered by the customer is not limited to one, and if there are a plurality of characters to be confirmed, a plurality of digits corresponding to each character to be confirmed may be input. . For example, if the PIN is the character string “xabc1234”, the confirmation number is “93652147”, and the numbers entered by the customer are the second and eighth numbers “37” from the beginning of the confirmation number, the characters to be confirmed Can be determined to be the second character “a” and the eighth character “4” from the beginning of the character string input as the personal identification number, so that the character “a” is present second from the beginning, and 8 from the beginning. The character “4” exists in the second place, and a dummy character string “bacefxy4” in which the remaining characters are determined by random numbers is displayed. Then, by referring to the displayed dummy character string, the customer has “a” as the second character from the top of the character string previously input as the personal identification number, and “4” as the eighth character from the top. Can be confirmed at the same time.

  Further, the remaining characters in the dummy character string may be replaced with specific characters (eg, “*”) instead of being determined by random numbers. In the above example, the dummy character string “* a ******” is replaced with the dummy character string “bacefxyz”, the dummy character string “* a ****” is replaced with the dummy character string “bacefxy4”. * 4 "may be displayed. In addition, as described above, instead of inputting the character to be confirmed on the personal identification number and the number located at the same position on the confirmation number, the position of the character to be confirmed on the personal identification number (Number of characters from the beginning or end) may be entered (for example, instead of entering the second number “3” from the beginning of the confirmation number “93652147”, it should be the second from the beginning. Enter “2” for

  On the dummy character string display screen, in addition to the button 62C for clearing the input character string, a button for instructing the return to the state in which the personal identification number input screen is displayed (represented as “return”). Button F) is provided, and in the next step 122, it is determined whether or not an instruction to return to the state in which the personal identification number input screen is displayed is given. If the determination is negative, the routine proceeds to step 124, where it is determined whether or not an instruction for clearing the character string has been issued. If this determination is also negative, the routine returns to step 122, and steps 122 and 124 are repeated until either determination is affirmed.

  As a result of referring to the dummy character string displayed on the display unit, when it is confirmed that there is no input error in the character to be confirmed, the customer selects the button 62F to display the password input screen. Instruct to return. As a result, the determination in step 122 is affirmed, and the process proceeds to step 126, where the display unit again displays the password number input screen, and characters already input as password numbers in the input field 62A of the password number input screen. After displaying the same number of specific characters (for example, “*”) as the number of characters in the column (see FIG. 3D or H), the process returns to step 102. In this case, by performing the operation of selecting the button 62D again, other characters of the character string input as the personal identification number are displayed as a part of the dummy character string, and whether or not there has been an input error in the other characters is renewed. It is also possible to confirm.

  On the other hand, as a result of referring to the dummy character string displayed on the display unit, when recognizing that there is an input error in the character to be confirmed, the customer inputs the password by performing an operation of selecting the button 62C. Instructs clearing of the character string. In this case, the determination in step 124 is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 128, where all the character strings stored in the storage unit as passwords are cleared and all the specific characters displayed in the input field 62A are deleted. After the personal identification number input screen is displayed again on the display unit (see FIG. 3C), the process returns to step 102. In this case, it is necessary to input the character string as the personal identification number again, but it is possible to prevent the personal identification number in which an input error has occurred from being transmitted to the server computer 14.

  When the customer confirms that the input character string has not been input error by checking the input character string as necessary, the customer performs the operation of selecting the button 62B to change the password. Instruct to send. As a result, the determination in step 110 is affirmed and the routine proceeds to step 130, where the character string stored in the storage unit as the password is transmitted to the server computer 14 as the password, and the password input process is terminated.

  When the server computer 14 receives a password (character string) from the mobile terminal 42 or terminal device 28 that is the access source, the server computer 14 uses the contractor number already received from the same mobile terminal 42 or terminal device 28 as a key. The user DB is searched, and the personal identification number stored in the user DB is extracted in association with the contractor number. Then, it is determined whether or not the customer who accesses the predetermined website is a legitimate user by determining whether or not the extracted password is coincident with the received password.

  When the personal identification number received from the access source portable terminal 42 or the terminal device 28 does not match the personal identification number stored in the user DB, the server computer 14 The error information is transmitted to the device 28, and the above-described password number input process is repeated, so that the password number is input a plurality of times, and a password number different from the password number stored in the user DB is predetermined. If it is received consecutively, the process of locking the use of the predetermined website by the customer is performed, but as described above, in the password input process according to this embodiment, the character string input as the password is confirmed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation where an authorized user of a predetermined website cannot use the predetermined website due to an incorrect input of a password. It is possible.

  In addition, when setting a password that may be input via a PDA that is a kind of mobile terminal 42 or terminal device 28 with a limited number of keys for input, processing is locked due to an input error, etc. It is not necessary to consider the possibility of inconvenience, and a personal identification number can be used as it is based on the assumption that various characters can be input via a PC that is relatively easy to input. Therefore, user convenience can be improved.

  In the above, the customer specifies the position of the character to be confirmed in the character string input as the password, and the character to be confirmed is the same position as the character to be confirmed on the character string input as the password. Although the example of displaying the dummy character string existing in the display part has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the display of the character string input as the password is instructed, the password is input as the password. Among the received character strings, dummy characters obtained by converting characters that are relatively easy to input on the mobile terminal 42 or the terminal device 28 of the access source (that is, characters that are unlikely to cause an input error) into specific characters (for example, “*”). A column may be generated and displayed on the display unit. As an example, since the mobile terminal 42 is generally provided with a numeric keypad as the operation input unit 50, the access source is the mobile terminal 42, and the character string “xabc1234” is input as a personal identification number. Alternatively, a dummy character string “xabc ****” obtained by converting only a number in the character string into a specific character may be generated and displayed. In this aspect, since it is not necessary for the customer (input person) to specify the position of the character to be confirmed, the operation becomes easy. This aspect corresponds to the invention described in claim 5.

  In addition, when the display of the character string input as the personal identification number is instructed, a predetermined number of characters are selected from the character string input as the personal identification number, and characters other than the selected character in the character string are selected. Creating a dummy character string converted into a specific character (for example, “*”) and displaying it on the display unit is automatically repeated while sequentially selecting characters that have not been displayed as dummy character strings. You may make it display all the character strings input as a number by a time division part by part. Specifically, when the character string “xabc1234” is input as the password, each time the confirmation button 62D is selected, for example, the dummy character strings “* a ** 1 ***”, “x ** c **” “**”, “** b *** 3 *”, “***** 2 * 4” may be displayed in order. Although the above is an example of displaying two characters at a time, the number of characters displayed at one time may be one character or three or more characters. The above is an example of randomly determining the character string to be displayed. For example, dummy character strings “xa *****”, “** bc ****”, “**** 12 **”, “ A predetermined number of characters may be displayed in order from the beginning (or the end) of the character string, for example, ****** 34 ". In this aspect, it is not necessary for the customer (input person) to specify the position of the character to be confirmed, and the entire character string is displayed by displaying the character string input as a password in a time-sharing manner. Therefore, it can be surely confirmed whether or not an input error has occurred in the character string input as the password. This aspect corresponds to the invention described in claim 6 (specifically, claim 7).

  Further, when the display of the character string input as the password is instructed, all of the character strings input as the password may be displayed at once. Even in this mode, compared to the case where the characters entered in the input field are displayed without being converted into specific characters, the entered character string is not displayed in the middle of inputting the character string. The time displayed on the device can be shortened. For example, after confirming that there is no third party trying to steal the character string entered as the password, the character string entered as the password is displayed. Or the like, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the character string input as the password is leaked to a third party.

  Further, in the above, the password input program is transmitted from the server computer 14 to the portable terminal 42 or the terminal device 28, and the password input program is executed by the control unit of the portable terminal 42 or the terminal device 28. Although the aspect which makes the terminal device (the portable terminal 42 or the terminal device 28) function as the character string input support device according to the present invention has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and the input field of the personal identification number input screen Each time a character is input to 62, the input character is converted into a specific character and displayed, and when the display of the character string input as a password is instructed, a dummy character string or the like is displayed. By executing a program for performing the above operation on a server computer connected to the terminal device according to the present invention via a communication line, the server computer It is possible to function as a character string input support device according to the present invention.

  Moreover, although the example which applied this invention to the input of the PIN code for utilizing a predetermined website was demonstrated above, it is not limited to this. At present, there are very many opportunities to enter a PIN number or important information similar to it (for example, to enter a PIN number when performing a financial transaction via ATM (Automatic Teller Machine) or to use a specific function of a mobile terminal). It goes without saying that the present invention is applicable when inputting arbitrary important information.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the computer system which concerns on this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the content of the PIN code input process performed with a portable terminal. It is an image figure which shows an example of the screen displayed on the display part of a portable terminal by the PIN code input process of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Computer system 12 Network 14 Server computer 28 Terminal device 30 Control part 34 Display part 36 Operation input part 42 Portable terminal 44 Control part 48 Display part 50 Operation input part

Claims (8)

The input device of the terminal device is operated in a state in which the character string input in the input field is converted into another character string and the input screen displayed in the input field is displayed on the display device of the terminal device. A character string input support device for supporting the input of a character string into the input field performed in
Character string confirmation assisting means for displaying a part or all of the already input character string on the display device when the display of the already input character string already input to the input field is instructed. To support character string input.   When the display of the already input character string is instructed, the character string confirmation assisting means designates the position of the character to be confirmed in the already input character string and exists at the specified position in the already input character string. A dummy character string in which a character other than a character is replaced with another character is generated, and the generated dummy character string is displayed on the display device, thereby displaying a part of the input character string. The character string input support device according to 1.   The character string confirmation assisting means causes the display device to input the number of characters from the character to be confirmed to the beginning or end of the already inputted character string or the same number of digits as the already inputted character string. Displaying and inputting a specific character in the confirmation character string that is present at the same position as the character to be confirmed on the already entered character string, thereby allowing the position of the character to be confirmed to be designated. The character string input support device according to claim 2, wherein:   3. The character string input support device according to claim 2, wherein the another character is a random character or a predetermined constant character.   When the display of the already input character string is instructed, the character string confirmation assisting means converts only characters that are relatively easy to input through the input device out of the already input character strings into fixed characters. 2. The character string input support device according to claim 1, wherein a dummy character string is generated, and the generated dummy character string is displayed on the display device so that a part of the already input character string is displayed.   The character string confirmation assisting unit selects a predetermined number of characters from the already input character string when the display of the already input character string is instructed, and characters other than the selected character among the already input character strings. By generating a dummy character string converted into a fixed character and displaying the generated dummy character string on the display device by sequentially selecting characters that have not been displayed as dummy character strings. 2. The character string input support device according to claim 1, wherein the entire character string is displayed in a time-sharing manner part by part.   The character string confirmation assisting unit selects the predetermined number of characters in order from the beginning or the end of the input character string, or randomly selects the predetermined number of characters from the input character string. Item 6. The character string input support device according to Item 6. A display device and an input device are provided, the character string input in the input field is converted into another character string, and the input device is operated while the input screen displayed in the input field is displayed on the display device. A terminal device in which a character string is input to the input field, or a server computer connected to the terminal device via a communication line,
When the display of an already input character string that has already been input to the input field is instructed, a part or all of the already input character string is caused to function as a character string confirmation assisting unit that is displayed on the display device. Program to do.

Images