Systems and methods for authentication code entry in touch-sensitive screen enabled devices

Abstract

Systems and methods for authentication code entry in touch-sensitive screen enabled devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for entering data to a data entry device comprising at least one computer processor and a touch-sensitive screen may include (1) the touch-sensitive screen displaying an input interface; (2) the touch-sensitive screen sensing a first input comprising at least one finger touch; (3) the touch-sensitive screen sensing a release of the first input; (4) the at least one computer processor determining a number of finger touches in the first input; and (5) the at least one computer processor using the number of finger touches in the first input to identify at least a first portion of a value in an authentication code.

1 . A method for entering data to a data entry device comprising at least one computer processor, a memory, and a touch-sensitive screen, comprising:
 the touch-sensitive screen providing an input interface comprising a plurality of virtual keys;   the touch-sensitive screen sensing a first touch on the touch-sensitive screen;   the touch-sensitive screen sensing a release of the first touch and a location of the first touch at the time of release;   the at least one computer processor determining a corresponding virtual key based on the location of the first touch at the time of release;   the touch-sensitive screen receiving an entry gesture; and   the at least one computer processor identifying the corresponding virtual key as a value in an authentication code.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the entry gesture is received at any position on the touch-sensitive screen. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the entry gesture comprises a double tap or a checkmark-shaped touch. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the at least one computer processor causing feedback to be provided in response to the touch-sensitive screen being touched in a touch-sensitive area of the touch-sensitive screen.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the feedback is haptic feedback. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the feedback is a sound. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the feedback changes to indicate proximity to a first virtual key of the plurality of virtual keys. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the at least one computer processor causing feedback to be provided in response to one of the plurality of virtual keys being touched.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first touch traverses more than one of the plurality of virtual keys; and
 the at least one computer processor causes feedback to be provided as the first touch traverses from a first virtual key to a second virtual key.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the feedback is haptic feedback. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the feedback is a sound. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a first subset of the plurality of virtual keys are aligned along a first edge of the touch-sensitive screen, and a second subset of the plurality of virtual keys are aligned along a second edge of the touch-sensitive screen, and the first subset of virtual keys and second subset of virtual keys comprise virtual keys that represent values of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the data entry device comprises a point of sale device. 
     
     
         14 . A data entry device comprising:
 a touch-sensitive screen;   a memory; and   at least one computer processor;   wherein:
 the touch-sensitive screen provides an input interface comprising a plurality of virtual keys; 
 the touch-sensitive screen senses a first touch on the touch-sensitive screen; 
 the touch-sensitive screen senses a release of the first touch and a location of the first touch at the time of release; 
 the at least one computer processor determines a corresponding virtual key based on the location of the first touch at the time of release; 
 the touch-sensitive screen receives an entry gesture; and 
 the at least one computer processor identifies the corresponding virtual key as a value in an authentication code. 
   
     
     
         15 . The data entry device of  claim 14 , wherein the entry gesture is received at any position on the touch-sensitive screen. 
     
     
         16 . The data entry device of  claim 14 , wherein the entry gesture comprises a double tap or a checkmark-shaped touch. 
     
     
         17 . The data entry device of  claim 14 , wherein the data entry device provides feedback in response to the touch-sensitive screen being touched in a touch-sensitive area of the touch-sensitive screen. 
     
     
         18 . The data entry device of  claim 17 , wherein the feedback comprises haptic feedback. 
     
     
         19 . The data entry device of  claim 14 , further comprising an audio output device that provides audible feedback in response to the touch-sensitive screen being touched. 
     
     
         20 . The data entry device of  claim 14 , wherein a first subset of the plurality of virtual keys are aligned along a first edge of the touch-sensitive screen, and a second subset of the plurality of virtual keys are aligned along a second edge of the touch-sensitive screen, and the first subset of virtual keys and second subset of virtual keys comprise virtual keys that represent values of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. 
     
     
         21 . The data entry device of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a bezel surrounding the touch-sensitive screen.   
     
     
         22 . The data entry device of  claim 21 , wherein the bezel is raised relative to a surface of the touch-sensitive screen. 
     
     
         23 . The data entry device of  claim 21 , wherein the bezel comprises at least one orientation mark. 
     
     
         24 . The data entry device of  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the virtual keys represents a value, and at least one of the orientation marks comprises the value. 
     
     
         25 . The data entry device of  claim 14 , wherein the data entry device comprises a point of sale device. 
     
     
         26 . The data entry device of  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the at least one computer processor comprises a touch-sensitive screen controller.