JP2014200098A - Input device and mobile phone apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile phone apparatus capable of easily inputting a password.SOLUTION: In a mobile phone apparatus, a touch-sensing sensor allowing a user to input characters by tracing with a finger is disposed in an area where numerical keypads of the mobile phone are arranged. In registering a password to release key lock, when the user traces a shape of a character without lifting the finger from a surface on the touch-sensing sensor as shown in Figs. 5(a) to 5(d), the shape is stored in a memory and registration of the password is completed. When the user releases the key lock, the user traces the touch-sensing sensor so as to be the registered shape, thereby the key lock is released.

Description

  The present invention relates to an input device for inputting a personal identification number and the like and a mobile phone device including the input device, and more particularly to a mobile phone device provided with a contact detection sensor on the surface of an operation unit.

  ATMs in banks are usually withdrawn cash by entering a PIN after inserting the card. However, when entering a personal identification number, the personal identification number is easily known to others by looking from the side or the back.

  Various techniques have been proposed in order to avoid such a problem. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-99801 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technique for randomly changing the position of each numeric key of a numeric keypad. ing.

JP 2000-99801 A

  However, even if such a technique is used, when a user inputs a personal identification number, it is possible to know which number has been pressed by seeing the number displayed on the panel by another person.

  Similarly, when releasing the key lock function of the mobile phone, it is possible for another person to know the key lock number by seeing the operation of pressing the key lock number.

  In order to solve such a problem, the applicant proposed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-306785 a device for inputting a personal identification number by tracing a finger on a contact detection sensor. However, this technology saves the traced data and cancels the prohibited function if a matching shape is entered. Therefore, if a complicated shape is registered as a PIN, it can be easily done. You may not be able to cancel a prohibited function.

  The invention of the present application is to solve such a problem, and the input device according to claim 1 includes a touch detection sensor, and a storage means for storing the shape of a stroke drawn on the touch detection sensor. An input means for receiving an instruction to release the key lock; and after receiving the instruction via the input means, the one-stroke writing form that is the same as the one-stroke writing stored in the storage means is the contact Control means for controlling the key lock to be released when it is determined that the input from the sensor is detected, and when the shape is stored in the storage means, one of the traces on the touch sensor is traced. The book line is stored with a margin area, and the control means determines whether or not the same stroke shape input from the touch sensor is stored in the storage means. When It said contact line input from the detection sensor is determined whether the entered into the margin area, and cancels the key lock if entered.

According to the present invention, since it is possible to cancel the prohibition of execution of a specific function by simply tracing the touch sensor, the user can easily input a password as compared to the conventional password input using a numeric keypad. can do. In addition, a single stroke requires fewer input errors than a configuration that requires two or more touches to input one password.

It is a perspective view of the Example apparatus formed by applying this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the usage condition of a present Example apparatus. It is a block diagram of a present Example apparatus. It is sectional drawing which shows the contact detection sensor 56 vicinity. It is a display form of a present Example apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a present Example. It is a figure for demonstrating collation of a shape. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a present Example.

  Next, a mobile phone device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile phone device which is the device of this embodiment. The apparatus of this embodiment is equipped with a contact detection sensor 56 that can be operated by a user touching with a finger in addition to a normal key operation unit such as a numeric keypad 48. The contact detection sensor 56 includes a numeric keypad 48 and a numeric keypad. It is arranged in a region around 48.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a usage pattern of this embodiment. The user can perform an input operation by tracing the numeric keypad 48 and the contact detection sensor 56 (portion surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 2) with its finger.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile phone device 10 includes a communication unit 12 connected to an antenna 16. The communication unit 12 transmits a signal from a baseband unit 14 to be described later to the base station via the antenna 16 or receives a radio wave from the base station via the antenna 16.

  The communication unit 12 is connected to the baseband unit 14. The baseband unit 14 includes a CDMA processing circuit 18 and an audio codec 20. Here, the CDMA processing circuit 18 performs code division multiple access, scrambling, error control, and timing detection. The audio codec 20 compresses (encodes) and decompresses (decodes) the audio, performs analog and digital conversion, and changes the received sound volume and microphone sensitivity by an internal amplifier circuit (not shown). .

  In addition, a switching circuit 22 is connected to the baseband unit 14. A first speaker 26 is connected to the switching circuit 22 via an amplifier circuit 24. The first speaker 26 converts the electric signal of the baseband unit 14 amplified by the amplifier circuit 24 into sound. This first speaker 26 is applied to the user's ear and used for a call.

  Further, the microphone 30 is connected to the switching circuit 22 via the amplifier circuit 28. The microphone 30 is used for a call and converts sound into an electrical signal. The electrical signal output from the microphone 30 is amplified by the amplifier circuit 28 and output to the baseband unit 14.

Further, a second speaker 34 is connected to the switching circuit 22 via an amplifier circuit 32. The second speaker 34 converts the electric signal of the baseband unit 14 amplified by the amplifier circuit 32 into sound. The second speaker 34 is a loudspeaker for listening to the surrounding people of the received sound. The second speaker 34 also sounds an incoming call notification. Note that the gains of these three amplifier circuits 24, 28, and 32 are fixed, and the volume of the first speaker 26 and the second speaker 34 and the sensitivity of the microphone 30 cannot be changed.

  The switching circuit 22 is connected to the baseband unit 14 on the side of the amplifier circuit 24 for the first speaker 26 and the amplifier circuit 28 for the microphone 30, or the amplifier circuit 32 for the second speaker 34 for loud sound. And switching to the amplifying circuit 28 side for the microphone 30.

  A control circuit (control unit) 36 is connected to each of the communication unit 12, the baseband unit 14, and the switching circuit 22. Switching by the switching circuit 22 described above is performed under the control of the control circuit 36. The control circuit 36 controls the audio codec 20 of the baseband unit 14, and the audio codec 20 changes the volume of the first speaker 26 and the second speaker 34 and the sensitivity of the microphone 30. A ROM 38 is connected to the control circuit 36 and controls each part based on a system program stored in the ROM 38.

  An input unit 44 is connected to the control circuit 36. The input unit 44 includes a numeric keypad 48 for inputting a telephone number, a call key 50 for operating the start of a call, a cut key 52 for operating the end of the call, an OK key 54, and a clear key 55. Have.

  Here, the numeric keypad 48 includes input buttons 1 to 9, a # button, and an * button (12 buttons in the present embodiment). As shown in FIG. 4, contact detection sensors 56 that detect that the user has touched are provided on the surfaces of all the numeric keys 48 and the casing surface around the numeric keys 48. The contact detection sensor 56 is conventionally known, and for example, a transparent electrode or the like is used. The contact detection sensor 56 is electrically connected to a wiring pattern formed on the circuit board 58 (not shown), and the circuit board 58 is electrically connected to the control circuit 36. Therefore, a signal indicating that the user has touched the contact detection sensor 56 is input to the control circuit 36 via the contact detection sensor 56 and the circuit board 58.

  In the present embodiment, the contact detection sensor 56 is disposed on the surface of the housing, but may be disposed inside the housing, such as the back surface of the housing and the key 48. For example, if it is a capacitance detection type contact detection sensor, it can be arranged inside the housing.

  The control circuit 36 is connected to an illumination unit 46 having a predetermined color LED element. The display (display unit) 42 is given a predetermined color by the light emission of the LED elements of the illumination unit 46. The RAM 40 stores four digits of password number data.

  The control circuit 36 has a first buffer 71 and a second buffer 72 for temporarily storing the password entered from the contact detection sensor 56. Detailed operation description will be described later.

  The apparatus of this embodiment has such a configuration. Next, the operation of the embodiment of the cellular phone device configured as shown in FIG. 3 will be described below.

  In the present embodiment, the key lock can be turned on (or off) when the user inputs a four-digit password using the contact detection sensor 56. For example, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a usage pattern of the contact detection sensor 56. As shown in FIG. 5, the user inputs a personal identification number (for example, 1234) by tracing over the contact detection sensor 56. .

  Next, an operation when registering a personal identification number will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation when registering a personal identification number.

  In step S1 of FIG. 6, when the control circuit 36 determines that there is an instruction to start the password registration operation from the input unit 44, the process proceeds to step S2.

  In step S2, the control circuit 36 initializes information. For example, the first buffer 71 mounted in the control circuit 36 is cleared, and the process proceeds to step S3.

  In step S3, when it is determined that there is an operation of the input unit 44, the control circuit 36 proceeds to step S6, and when it is determined that there is an input operation from the contact detection sensor 56, the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S <b> 4, the stroke shape (for example, the shape of lines or numbers) traced on the contact detection sensor 56 by the user is temporarily stored in the first buffer 71 of the control circuit 36. Specifically, the control circuit 36 inputs data of a shape traced on the contact detection sensor 56 from the first point touched by the contact detection sensor 56 until the finger is released, and stores the data in the first buffer. .

  For example, if it is determined that the number “1” as shown in FIG. 5A is traced, the data of the shape of the character “1” written in one stroke is stored in the first buffer 71 of the control circuit 36. In the subsequent step S5 for storing, the control circuit 36 causes the display 42 to display the shape of the one-stroke drawing stored in the step S4 (for example, the shape of a line or a number), and then the one-digit shape is displayed by the user's key operation. Registration is completed, and the process returns to step S3.

  As described above, every time the steps S3 to S5 are repeated, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, one-stroke data (for example, the shape of a line or a number) is input one digit at a time. Further input shape data (for example, the shape of lines and numbers) displayed on the display 42 one by one is stored in the first buffer 71. For this reason, when the steps S3 to S5 are repeated four times, the data in the shape of four strokes (for example, a four-digit password) is stored in the first buffer 71.

  In step S6, if it is determined that the key input in step S3 is the clear key 55, the control circuit 36 returns the process to step S2, and otherwise proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, if the control circuit 36 determines that the key input in step S3 is the OK key 54, the process proceeds to step S8, and if it is determined that the key is a key other than the clear key 55 and the OK key 54, The key press is invalidated and the process returns to step S3. It should be noted that a configuration for detecting a numeric keypad may be adopted in steps S3 and S6 to S7.

  As described above, by repeating the steps S1 to S7 (by tracing the contact detection sensor 56 four times by the user), the four-digit one-stroke shape data (for example, the shape of a line or number) is obtained. It is temporarily stored in the first buffer 71.

  In step S8, the control circuit 36 initializes information. For example, the second buffer 72 mounted in the control circuit 36 is cleared, and the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S9, when it is determined that there is an operation of the input unit 44, the control circuit 36 proceeds to step S12, and when it is determined that there is an input operation from the contact detection sensor 56, the process proceeds to step S10.

  In step S10, data of the shape of a single stroke drawn by the user on the contact detection sensor 56 is temporarily stored in the second buffer 72 of the control circuit 36, and the stroke drawn in the first buffer 71 stored in the steps S1 to S7. Check with the data of the shape. Specifically, the control circuit 36 inputs data of a shape traced on the contact detection sensor 56 from the first point where the finger touches until the finger is released from the contact detection sensor 56, and stores the data in the second buffer 72. To do. For example, if it is determined that the number “1” as shown in FIG. 5A is traced, the data of the shape of the character “1” written in one stroke is stored in the second buffer 72 of the control circuit 36. Stored and collated with shape data stored in the first buffer 71.

  In the subsequent step S11, the control circuit 36 stores the data obtained as a result of the collation in step S10 in the second buffer 72, and advances the process to step S9.

  As described above, in steps S9 to S11, for example, as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5D, when a code number is input one digit at a time, one stroke is stored in the first buffer 71 one digit at a time. The data is collated with the shape data (matched with the shape data input in steps S3 to S5), and the collation result is stored in the second buffer 72.

  In step S12, if it is determined that the clear key 55 has been input from the input unit 44, the control circuit 36 returns the process to step S8, and if not, advances the process to step S13.

  In step S13, if the control circuit 36 determines that the OK key 54 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S14. If not, the process returns to step S9.

  In step S14, if the control circuit 36 determines that all four digits of the matching results stored in the second buffer 72 (matching results stored in steps S9 to S11) match, four digits are used. The password is stored in the ROM 38 and the registration of the password is completed. On the other hand, if it is determined that even one digit does not match, an error is displayed on the display 42, and the process ends as a registration failure.

  As described above, in the password registration operation of the present embodiment, when a 4-digit shape is input in units of one stroke by the user tracing on the contact detection sensor 56 in steps S1 to S7, data of the shape is obtained. Is temporarily stored in the first buffer 71. Subsequently, in steps S8 to S15, when the user inputs a 4-digit shape by tracing the contact detection sensor 56 again, the data of the one-stroke shape is temporarily stored in the second buffer 72. The stroke data stored in the first buffer 71 and the stroke data stored in the second buffer 72 are collated.

  When all four digits match as a result of the collation, the data of the one-stroke shape stored in the first buffer 71 (or the second buffer 72) is stored in the rewritable ROM 38 as the storage means, and the registration is completed. In this way, by inputting the same shape twice (for example, a password), it is possible to confirm whether the password once input is accurately recognized.

  If the same password is entered twice and is not recognized as the same number, the password is a number that is difficult for the mobile phone device to recognize (for example, 5 and 6). Can register other easy-to-recognize numbers as passwords.

  Here, the registration shape stored in the first buffer 71 and the input shape stored in the second buffer 72 can be collated as follows, for example.

  That is, when the user first traces the character “2” with his / her finger, the finger has a width, so the contact detection sensor 56 does not detect a thin line contact but has a certain width (finger width). Detect line contact. Therefore, it is determined that a line is drawn at the center of the finger width, that is, it is determined that the drawn line is M1 (L1) shown in FIG. 7A. However, if this line is registered, it is difficult for the user to draw the line again with exactly the same trajectory. For this reason, the line has a certain margin area (A1 in FIG. 7A). The margin area has a width of about 10 to 20% of the width of the user's finger. As shown in FIG. 7B, the margin area (A1) has a center of the user's finger width (M2 (L2)). When the user draws a line to enter, it is determined that the same character has been input.

  Further, even when the user inputs a shape similar to the registered shape (for example, “2” obtained by enlarging or reducing the number “2” in FIG. 7A), it is determined that a matching shape has been input. can do. For example, when the enlarged number “2” is input, the registered line (M1 in FIG. 7A) and the margin area (A1 in FIG. 7A) are expanded, and the input number (of the user's finger width) is expanded. By looking at the coincidence with the number drawn at the center, it is possible to determine whether or not a coincident shape has been input. On the other hand, when the reduced number “2” is input, the registered line (M1 in FIG. 7A) and the margin area (A1 in FIG. 7A) are reduced, and the input number (of the user's finger width) is reduced. By looking at the coincidence with the number drawn at the center, it is possible to determine whether or not a coincident shape has been input.

  In addition, the shape at the time of registration may be stored in the first buffer 71 as a shape traced with a finger, that is, a line that is as wide as the width of the finger. May be stored. In this case, the shape at the time of input is similarly stored in the second buffer with the outer shape connecting the vertices of the input shape, and the degree of coincidence is determined. In this case as well, a method of determining the degree of coincidence by determining the degree of similarity of the outer shape can be adopted.

  The collation method between the registered shape stored in the first buffer 71 and the input shape stored in the second buffer 72 is not limited to this, and other known character recognition methods may be employed. For example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-34998, an input line characteristic is obtained by obtaining a binary pattern of an input line and thickening the binary pattern by a thickening process. There are a method of extracting, a method of connecting the start point and end point of a writing stroke with a virtual line segment and recognizing what the inputted character is, as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-76381.

  Next, an operation for inputting a personal identification number after setting the apparatus in the key lock state will be described below.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an operation when inputting shape data (for example, a number) for releasing the key lock.

  In step S51 of FIG. 8, when the control circuit 36 determines that there is an instruction to start the password input operation for releasing the key lock from the input unit 44, the process proceeds to step S52.

  In step S52, the control circuit 36 initializes information. For example, the first buffer 71 mounted in the control circuit 36 is cleared, and the process proceeds to step S53.

  In step S53, if it is determined that there is an operation of the input unit 44, the control circuit 36 proceeds to step S56, and if it is determined that there is an input operation from the contact detection sensor 56, the process proceeds to step S54.

  In step S <b> 54, data (for example, a number) in a shape traced on the contact detection sensor 56 by the user is temporarily stored in the first buffer 71 of the control circuit 36. Specifically, when the control circuit 36 determines based on the signal input from the contact detection sensor 56 via the circuit board 58 that, for example, one character as shown in FIG. The shape data of one character is stored in the first buffer 71 of the control circuit 36, and the stored shape data is compared with the one-stroke shape data stored in the ROM 38 to determine whether or not they match. Yes (verify). In this way, the determination is made with a single stroke.

  The coincidence determination between the shape input when the key lock is released and the shape stored in the ROM 38 is stored in the second buffer 72 and the shape at the time of registration stored in the first buffer 71 at the time of registration. This can be performed in the same manner as the matching method with the shape at the time of input.

  In the subsequent step S55, the control circuit 36 stores the collation result determined in step S55 in the first buffer 71, and returns the process to step S53.

  In step S56, if the control circuit 36 determines that the key input in step S53 is the clear key 55, the process returns to step S52, and if not, the process proceeds to step S57.

  In step S57, if the control circuit 36 determines that the key input in step S53 is the OK key 54, the control circuit 36 proceeds to step S58 and determines that the key input is other than the clear key 55 and the OK key 54. The key input is invalidated, and the process returns to step S53.

  In step S58, if the control circuit 36 determines that all four digits of the verification results stored in the first buffer 71 (the verification results stored in steps S53 to S55) match, the personal identification number , The key lock is released, and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that even one digit does not match, an error is notified in step S59, and the process is terminated.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the user can input the personal identification number by tracing over the contact detection sensor 56. For this reason, compared with the conventional method of inputting a password by numeric keypad operation, the password can be easily input, which is particularly convenient for a user who is not familiar with the numeric keypad operation. In addition, a single stroke requires fewer input errors than a configuration that requires two or more touches to input one password.

  In this embodiment, the traced shape detected by the contact detection sensor 56 is stored. However, the traced shape detected by the contact detection sensor 56 is stored in data such as approximate characters, numbers, and symbols. It is good also as a structure which converts and memorize | stores as data, such as a character, a number, and a symbol. In such a configuration, when a password is input by the contact detection sensor 56, the input shape is converted into data such as a number, and it is determined whether or not it matches a previously stored number. If they match, the key lock can be released.

Further, in the present embodiment, what is input using the contact detection sensor 56 is limited to a number. However, whether the input is through a numeric keypad operation or the contact detection sensor 56, the key is input by entering a password. In the case of a configuration for unlocking, for example, the user often registers his / her date of birth, car number or consecutive number as a 4-digit password, and the key lock is easily released. There is a possibility that. In order to solve such a problem, for example, as a personal identification number, a figure such as a triangle, a circle, or a square that can be written with a single stroke, or a character, a line, a point, or the like may be used.

  Furthermore, it is good also as a structure which does not determine the magnitude | size of the number written in one stroke, a figure, etc. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to avoid the problem that it is difficult to input an accurate personal identification number.

  Further, in this embodiment, the key lock is released when the shapes match, but even if the input shape and the shape stored in the ROM 38 do not completely match, as long as they are approximated or similar to each other as described above. A configuration may be adopted in which it is determined that a normal password has been input. Further, even if the input shape size or the panel position is different, a configuration may be adopted in which it is determined that a normal password has been input. Further, a sensor for detecting contact detection may be provided in the liquid crystal display unit.

  In the present embodiment, the present invention is implemented by a mobile phone device, but it can also be implemented in the same manner by a bank ATM (AUTOMATIC TELLER MACHINE), a PDA (PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANCE), or the like.

10 Mobile phone device 36 Control circuit 40 ROM
44 Input unit 48 Numeric keypad 56 Touch detection sensor 71 First buffer 72 Second buffer

Claims (4)

A contact sensor;
Storage means for storing the shape traced on the touch sensor;
An input means for receiving an instruction for starting the operation of releasing the key lock;
Control means for controlling to release the key lock when it is determined that the shape stored in the storage means has been input from the touch sensor after receiving the instruction via the input means; Have
The storage device stores the shape when it is determined that the same shape is continuously traced on the touch sensor.   In the case where it is determined that the external shape connecting the vertices of the shape traced on the touch sensor matches the external shape connecting the vertices of the shape traced on the touch detection sensor immediately before The input device according to claim 1, further storing the outer shape.   3. The input device according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays each shape when the shape is traced on the touch sensor when the storage unit stores the shape. 4.   A mobile phone device comprising the input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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