Abstract: A touchscreen input device providing a predetermined pattern of “touches” on a touchscreen provides proximity authentication to a mobile device communicating with a terminal such as a vending machine or the like. A “point configuration” generated on the mobile device by the touchscreen input device ma be communicated to a coordinating computer that matches the point configuration to the point configuration of the terminal to determine that the mobile device is proximate to the terminal. This proximity may be used as a requirement to complete the vending machine transaction or further data communication between the mobile device and the terminal.

Abstract: An input device for a touchscreen provides simulated finger touches on the touchscreen that may dynamically change to produce a spatial and temporal pattern. In one embodiment mechanically constrained movable touch points may move into and out of contact with the screen while maintaining registration with respect to the other touch points within the dimension of the touch screen.