Method and apparatus for touch screen data entry

• Main Authors: McIntyre, Keith Eric, Sheets, John Foxe, Gougeon, Dominique Andre Jean, Watson, Curtis W, Morlang, Keven Paul, Faoro, Dave
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 07.10.2003

This invention relates generally to security of data terminals which utilize touch screens for data entry. This invention also relates to secure terminal systems which utilize a security processor to control access to data entry on a touch screen. Data entry apparatus comprising a display screen device, a touch pad mounted over the display screen device, and an application processor coupled to the touch pad and to the display screen device. The application processor has an application program processing module and a touch pad controller module. The application program processing module displays on the display screen a predefined data entry screen having a prearranged set of functional components and sends to the touch pad controller module a hot spot command defining a plurality of touch pad hot spots corresponding in area and location to the set of functional components. The touch pad controller module senses a touch event on the touch pad corresponding to one of the touch pad hot spots and sends to the application processor a touch event message identifying the touch pad hot spot corresponding to the touch event. PIN entry commands are issued by the application processor module and processed in the touch pad controller for secure PIN entry on the touch screen.