Electrical computers: arithmetic processing and calculating – Electrical digital calculating computer – Having specialized input
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-04
2001-08-28
Mai, Tan V. (Department: 2121)
Electrical computers: arithmetic processing and calculating
Electrical digital calculating computer
Having specialized input
C345S156000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282553
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a security device for a secure area such as a limited access building or for a public service-providing mechanism such as for a public telephone, an automated teller machine (ATM), fuel service stations, voting booths, kiosks, course registration areas, and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a structure in which data (e.g., telephone numbers, personal identification numbers (PIN) or the like) are enterable by a user such that it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for an unwanted observer to obtain the data.
2. Description of the Related Art
Public touch-tone telephones (e.g., non-rotary telephones) are often spied for telephone credit card numbers by thieves remotely watching with a video camera, binoculars or the like. By watching the sequence of numbers pressed on the keypad buttons, a thief can determine (and subsequently use or pass on) the telephone credit card number or other data. Similar problems exist at ATMs.
Currently, telephone credit cards and ATM cards with magnetic strips or the like are provided in an attempt to avoid such a problem. However, such a procedure works only if the telephone and the card (or the bank's system and the card) are compatible. As a practical matter, such compatibility is sometimes a problem, and, at the very least, difficulties arise if the magnetic strip becomes damaged or worn, or if the card is unavailable to the user at the time the user requires it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing and other problems of the conventional systems and methods, it is an object of the present invention to provide a security system for a public service-providing mechanism such as for an automated teller machine (ATM), a fuel service station, a voting booth, a kiosk, course registration area, and the like.
Another object is to provide a system which makes it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for an unwanted observer to obtain the data enterable by the user.
In a first aspect of the present invention, a system for secure data entry, includes a virtual keypad having a plurality of keys, a mechanism for determining to which virtual key of said virtual keypad a user is looking, and an actuator, operable by the user, for confirming key selection.
In a second aspect, a security system for a service-providing mechanism, includes a virtual keypad including a plurality of keys, an eye tracker for tracking eye movement of a user, and for receiving a coded input from an eye movement of the user gazing upon at least a selected one of the keys of the keypad, and an actuator for being selectively actuated by the user upon confirmation of the coded input.
In a third aspect of the present invention, a computer-implemented method for eye gaze-assisted number generating includes operating a gaze tracking apparatus to monitor eye orientation of a computer operator as the operator views a virtual keypad having a plurality of keys thereon, according to the operator's eye orientation, determining a key of the virtual keypad being gazed at by the operator, and highlighting said key on the virtual keypad for confirmation by the operator.
In a fourth aspect of the present invention, A signal-bearing medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform a method for computer-implemented eye gaze assisted number generating, the said method including operating a gaze tracking apparatus to monitor eye orientation of a computer operator as the operator views a virtual keypad a plurality of keys thereon, according to the operator's eye orientation, determining a key of the display being gazed at by the operator, and highlighting the key on the virtual keypad.
In a fifth aspect of the present invention, a computer-driven eye gaze assisted number displaying system, includes a gaze-tracking apparatus for monitoring eye orientation of an operator as the operator views a virtual keypad having a plurality of keys, and a computer, responsive to the monitored eye orientation, for computing a selected key of the plurality of keys according to the monitored eye orientation, and for providing an output to highlight the selected key on the virtual keypad.
With the unique and unobvious aspects and features of the present invention, telephone numbers or any data can be entered from a user in a public place in a manner that makes spying virtually impossible.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5689619 (1997-11-01), Smyth
patent: 5864544 (1998-12-01), Kahn et al.
Flickner Myron Dale
Lu Qi
Morimoto Carlos Hitoshi
International Business Machines - Corporation
Mai Tan V.
McGinn & Gibb PLLC
Tran, Esq. Khanh Q.
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