EP3244377B1 - Waterproof terminal for chip cards - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of terminals for cards or comprising a contact, contactless or magnetic chip card reader and their use in automated payment or cash withdrawal terminals or security terminals or automatic machines. of sale.

PRIOR ART

It is known from the prior art, in particular from the document JP2013156839 , smart card reader devices. Smart card devices, generally automatic payment or cash withdrawal terminals, generally consist of an outer casing provided with a slot into which the user introduces his smart card and performs manipulations on a screen.

These devices can be placed outside and are in this case subject to weather conditions and in particular rain. It is therefore essential to prevent the infiltration of water into the device which could damage the electronic components, in particular the control boards.

To prevent water infiltration, it is known to use rainscreens above the slots and/or openings in order to prevent water from entering the openings. Another solution used is to arrange evacuation channels in the openings in order to divert the water present in the device.

However, these solutions are no longer effective in extreme conditions such as floods, storms, or malicious acts. Indeed, the water is introduced in too large quantities, it is no longer blocked or evacuated by the channels, thus reaching the main electronic components such as the control boards.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is therefore to propose a sealed terminal, making it possible to overcome at least some of the drawbacks of the prior art.

To this end, the invention relates to a terminal according to claim 1.

Other features and advantages are defined in the other claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

• la figure 1, représente une vue extérieure d'un mode de réalisation selon l'invention du dispositif étanche (1)
• la figure 2 représente un gros plan d'un schéma en coupe d'un mode de réalisation selon l'invention du dispositif étanche (1), le gros plan étant focalisé sur les fentes (21,31) permettant l'introduction d'une carte à puce dans le terminal
• La figure 3 représente une vue en coupe longitudinale du dispositif (1) selon l'invention
• Les figures 4a et 4b, représentent des vues schématiques du moyen d'étanchéité (33)
• La figure 5 représente une vue schématique d'une tête de lecture (61) d'un moyen de lecture de carte à bandes magnétiques utilisé dans un mode de réalisation du terminal (1) selon l'invention.
• La figure 6 représente une vue schématique d'un écran (5) utilisé dans un mode de réalisation du dispositif (1) selon l'invention.
• La figure 7 représente un gros plan de la fente (31) du premier compartiment (3)

Other characteristics, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate:

• the figure 1 , represents an external view of an embodiment according to the invention of the waterproof device (1)
• the picture 2 shows a close-up of a sectional diagram of an embodiment according to the invention of the waterproof device (1), the close-up being focused on the slots (21,31) allowing the introduction of a smart card in the terminal
• The picture 3 shows a view in longitudinal section of the device (1) according to the invention
• The figure 4a and 4b , represent schematic views of the sealing means (33)
• The figure 5 shows a schematic view of a reading head (61) of a magnetic stripe card reading means used in one embodiment of the terminal (1) according to the invention.
• The figure 6 represents a schematic view of a screen (5) used in one embodiment of the device (1) according to the invention.
• The figure 7 shows a close-up of the slot (31) of the first compartment (3)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Many combinations can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention; the person skilled in the art will choose one or the other depending on the economic, ergonomic, dimensional or other constraints that he will have to respect.

• un carénage extérieur (2) muni d'au moins une fente (21) adaptée au passage d'une carte à puce et pouvant contenir tous les éléments du dispositif,
• un premier compartiment (3) muni d'une fente (31) adaptée au passage d'une carte à puce. Le compartiment (3) est adapté à recevoir un moyen de lecture de cartes à puce (32), de préférence ce moyen de lecture de cartes à puce (32) résistant à l'eau, c'est-à-dire que celui-ci continue de fonctionner même s'il a été exposé à l'eau,

More particularly, according to one mode of the invention illustrated by the figure 1 , the device (1) comprises at least:

• an outer fairing (2) provided with at least one slot (21) suitable for the passage of a smart card and able to contain all the elements of the device,
• a first compartment (3) provided with a slot (31) suitable for the passage of a chip card. The compartment (3) is adapted to receive a smart card reading means (32), preferably this smart card reading means (32) resistant to water, that is to say that this ci continues to work even if it has been exposed to water,

• un second compartiment (4) adapté à recevoir au moins une carte électronique configurée pour piloter ledit moyen de lecture de cartes à puce (32) et communiquer avec un système informatique. Le système informatique pouvant être un autre dispositif électronique par exemple une caisse enregistreuse, un serveur informatique, un automate de vente, une borne de paiement ou tout autre système informatisé connu de l'homme du métier. La communication avec le système informatique peut se faire de manière filaire ou sans fil (wifi, GPRS, 3G, 4G, Bluetooth, LiFi, infrarouge, radiofréquence).

Once the terminal is assembled, the slots (21 and 31) coincide so that a smart card can be inserted into the smart card reader (32) as shown in the figure 2 .

• a second compartment (4) adapted to receive at least one electronic card configured to drive said smart card reading means (32) and communicate with a computer system. The computer system may be another electronic device, for example a cash register, a computer server, a vending machine, a payment terminal or any other computerized system known to those skilled in the art. Communication with the computer system can be wired or wireless (wifi, GPRS, 3G, 4G, Bluetooth, LiFi, infrared, radiofrequency).

The compartments (3 and 4) are arranged so that they can accommodate, through their respective walls, at least one means of electronic connection between the electronic card and the smart card reading means (32). Such an electronic connection means can be in the form of a cable, a printed circuit, preferably impermeable and flexible, or any other means known to those skilled in the art, more advantageously, the electronic connection means between all the terminal elements are flat, in particular the connecting means electronics which allows the microprocessor on the electronic board to control the chip card reading means (32).

The electronic connection means passes through a sealing means (33) placed in at least one wall of the first and/or second compartment(s) so that water cannot pass from the first compartment to the second compartment .

Thus, according to the embodiments, when the device comprises a first and a second compartment having a common wall (by "common wall" is meant: two walls juxtaposed to one another, or a single wall having for each outside surface a different compartment), a single sealing means (33) can be used in the common wall to allow the electronic connection means to pass from one compartment (3) to the other compartment (4) while maintaining the compartment (4), which comprises at least one electronic card, waterproof. When the device comprises more than two compartments, it is possible to choose to put more than one sealing means (33) in order to ensure the sealing of all the compartments through which the electronic connection means passes.

The sealing means (33) can be a joint or any other element known to those skilled in the art making it possible to prevent water from passing but allowing the passage of the electronic connection means. Such a means (33) can be compressed between the two juxtaposed walls of the compartments (3 and 4) forming the common wall or be integrated into the single wall during manufacture thereof.

In one embodiment, the sealing means (33) is made of elastic material and comprises a slot (331) provided with at least two lips (332 and 333) which overlap so that the lips (332 and 333) marry the surface of the electronic connection means thus allowing a perfect seal. Such a configuration makes it possible to obtain perfect sealing even when the electronic connection means moves. Indeed, the lips (332 and 333) perfectly match the periphery of the electronic connection means whatever its position, in particular when the latter is flat.

In a preferred embodiment, the sealing means is EPDM rubber foam with a closed cell structure providing better durability and the greatest weather resistance than all general purpose rubbers. Such a foam can be coupled with an adhesive in order to secure it with the elements that surround it. By way of example, the adhesive can be butyl and/or synthetic resin. By way of example only, a material usable in order to obtain the invention may be the EPT SEALER No.6800 Series from NITTO, in particular the reference 6801 and more particularly with a thickness of 2mm and needing a compression of 25% or less to obtain a waterproof seal.

The figure 4a and 4b illustrate a particular embodiment of the sealing means (33). This comprises a triangular abutment, making it possible to wedge the smart card reading means (32) in the first compartment (3). Furthermore, as illustrated in the figure 4a and 4b , the sealing means (33) may comprise a groove (334) making it possible to give the electronic connection means the space necessary for its deployment in order to connect the smart card reading means (32) to the electronic card.

In another embodiment, the sealing means (33) is provided with at least one lug cooperating with at least one wall of the first compartment (3) and/or of the second compartment (4), for example by the intermediary of a hole or blind hole, in order to allow its maintenance, in particular during assembly and to obtain a more robust construction.

According to the chosen embodiment, the chip card reading means (32) is oriented so that the introduction of the chip card into the slots (21 and 31) is carried out at an angle between 0° and 90°, relative to the ground, preferably between 20° and 60°, more preferably between 30° and 45°. Thus, the chip card is introduced in a direction substantially from bottom to top. This configuration makes it possible to limit the introduction of water, in particular rainwater or runoff water into the chip card reader (32). Furthermore, with such a configuration, the electronic connection means preferably pass through the sealing means (33) in its upper part of the first compartment (3) further limiting the risk of water getting into the second compartment (4) as shown in the picture 3 .

In one embodiment illustrated by the figure 2 and 7 , the slot (31) of the compartment (3) is provided on its periphery with a sealing means (34), so that when the device is assembled, the sealing means (34) is in contact with the periphery of the slot (21) of the outer fairing (2) making it possible to produce a sealed connection. Such a means (34) can be a seal or any other element known to those skilled in the art making it possible to prevent water from passing through.

According to another feature, the outer fairing (2) is provided with an opening capable of receiving a screen (5). The screen (5) is preferably a touch screen.

The use of a touch screen allows the device (1) to have an outer surface of the screen promoting sealing and a virtual keyboard function, thus making it possible to dispense with mechanical buttons likely to facilitate the entry of water in the terminal (1).

According to another embodiment illustrated by the figure 6 , the touch screen (5) is provided on its periphery with a sealing means (51), so that when the terminal (1) is assembled, the sealing means (51) is in contact with a on the one hand with the periphery of an opening, the size of the display area of the screen, made in the outer fairing (2) and on the other hand with the periphery of the screen making it possible to produce a sealed connection with the inner side of the fairing.

According to another embodiment, the sealed device (1) comprises a means for reading the magnetic stripe(s) of a card is composed of at least one sealed reading head (61), stressed elastically towards the outside of the fairing and whose size is adapted to another opening formed on the side of the outer fairing (2).

According to one embodiment, when the device is provided with a magnetic reading head, the reading head is provided on its periphery with a sealing means so that the sealing means (62) cooperates with the surface interior of the outer fairing (2) in order to make the connection between the reading head (61) and the outer fairing (2) sealed. Such a means (62) can be a seal or any other element known to those skilled in the art making it possible to prevent water from passing through.

In a particular embodiment, an electronic connection means (63) between the reading head (61) and the magnetic tape reading means (which can be integrated into the electronic card) can pass through the said sealing means ( 62) to ensure complete sealing of the reading head and its communication with the electronics, as shown in the figure 5 .

According to another embodiment, the outer fairing (2) can be provided with a guide (23) adapted to guide the movement of the magnetic card along the reading head (61) of the magnetic tape reading means. Such a guide (23) can be in the form of a gutter in which the card is slid all the way in order to remain in contact with the magnetic reading head (61) and to read the information from the magnetic stripe(s). In the absence of a card in the terminal, the head projects into the groove and leaves between the guide and the head a space less than the thickness of the magnetic card.

In another embodiment, the device further comprises an NFC antenna, preferably placed behind or at the level of the screen around the opening of the fairing. Thus a contactless card can enter into communication with the antenna and the electronic circuit incorporated in the box to manage the NFC cards and authorize a transaction displayed on the screen or carry out an authentication or a signature.

In another embodiment, the terminal further comprises a camera, and/or a proximity sensor, making it possible to identify or detect the presence of a user in order, for example, to illuminate the touch screen (5) and trigger the display of the first usage messages. The outer shroud (2) includes a transparent material at the location of the camera and/or the proximity sensor. Preferably, said transparent material has been included in the outer fairing (2) during the molding of the latter in order to obtain a sealed connection between the outer fairing (2) and the transparent material.

In one embodiment, the supply to the contact smart card reading means (32) is cut off by the microprocessor when the camera and/or the proximity sensor does not detect the presence of a user. This function makes it possible to avoid the destruction or damage of the contact smart card reading means (32) by a short-circuit in the event of the presence of water in the first compartment.

Finally, the camera can either carry out proximity detection or surveillance of the area near the terminal or even contribute to morphological authentication, by face, retina, fingerprint or other.

In one embodiment, in particular when the device is intended to be used as a payment or cash withdrawal or control terminal, the device comprises a means for detecting an opening or tampering with said compartments. Such detection means can be in the form of a sensor, or a film or any other means known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the detection means is located between the compartments and the fairing, more particularly on the outer periphery of at least some of the compartments.

The various elements of the terminal, contact card reader, touch screen, NFC antenna, camera, proximity detector, magnetic card reader are all connected to a set of electronic cards for managing and controlling these elements, these electronic cards being arranged in the sealed compartment (4) of the terminal.

It will be easily understood from reading the present application that the particularities of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged and designed according to a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the description of the present invention and the accompanying figures are not intended to limit the scope of the invention but merely represent selected embodiments.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the technical characteristics of a given embodiment can in fact be combined with characteristics of another embodiment unless the reverse is explicitly mentioned. or it is obvious that these characteristics are incompatible. Moreover, the technical characteristics described in a given embodiment can be isolated from the other characteristics of this mode unless the reverse is explicitly mentioned.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention permits embodiments in many other specific forms without departing from the scope defined by the scope of the appended claims, such embodiments should be considered as of illustration and the invention should not be limited to the details given above.

Claims (12)

1. Card terminal (1) having a virtual keyboard and display function and comprising at least:

   - a touchscreen (5) configured to display information and be used as a virtual keyboard

   - a first compartment (3) adapted to receive a contact smart card reading means (32) and provided with a slot (31),

   - a second compartment (4) adapted to receive at least one circuit board,

   - a contact smart card reading means (32),

   - a circuit board configured to manage said contact smart card reading means (32) and the touchscreen (5) as well as to communicate with a computer system,

   - a means of electronic connection between the circuit board and the smart card reading means (32),

   characterised in that:

   - the electronic connection means is flat, waterproof and flexible and the terminal is arranged so that water cannot pass from the first compartment (3) to the second compartment (4) upon complete immersion of the terminal to a depth of less than 30 cm for an unlimited time;

   - the terminal comprises a single outer envelope (2) capable of receiving at least the first (3) and second (4) compartments and provided with at least one slot (21) which is adapted to the passage of a smart card and coincides with the slot (31) of the first compartment (3);

   - the terminal comprises a sealing means (33) of elastic material, through which the connection means passes, in at least one wall of the first (3) and/or second (4) compartments, said sealing means (33) comprising a slot (331) provided with at least two lips (332 and 333) which overlap each other so that said lips (332 and 333) fit snugly against the surface of the electronic connection means whatever the position of said electronic connection means;

   - said sealing means comprises a triangular stop for wedging the contact smart card reading means (32) in the first compartment (3).
2. Card terminal according to claim 1, characterised in that the touchscreen (5) is provided with a sealing means (51) at its periphery and held against the envelope so that the sealing means (51) cooperates with the outer envelope (2) in order to make the connection between the outer envelope (2) and the touchscreen (5) watertight.
3. Card terminal according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterised in that the slot (31) of the first compartment is provided with a sealing means (34) at its outer periphery so that the sealing means (34) cooperates with the outer envelope (2) in order to make the connection between the first compartment (3) and the outer envelope (2) watertight while enabling the insertion of a smart card through said slots (31 and 21).
4. Card terminal according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the contact smart card reading means (32) is oriented in such a way that insertion of the card in the slots (21, 31) is effected at an angle of between 0° and 90°, relative to the ground, preferably between 20° and 60°, more preferably between 30° and 45°.
5. Card terminal according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that it further comprises a magnetic card reading means, the magnetic card reading means comprises a read head (61) disposed in an opening in one longitudinal side of the outer envelope (2), and held in abutment with the outer envelope by elastic means, the read head (61) is provided at its periphery with a sealing means (62) so that the sealing means (62) cooperates with the inner face of the outer envelope so as to make the connection between the read head (61) and the outer envelope (2) watertight.
6. Card terminal according to claim 5, characterised in that the outer envelope (2) comprises a guide (23) adapted for guiding a card with magnetic strip over the read head (61) of the magnetic strip reading means.
7. Card terminal according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that it further comprises an NFC antenna, preferably placed at the level of the screen (5) to permit reading of a contact smart card.
8. Card terminal according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the virtual keyboard makes it possible to carry out authentication with the card used, whether it is a contact, magnetic or contactless card.
9. Card terminal according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that it further comprises a camera disposed behind a transparent surface that produces watertightness with the envelope, the camera serving to monitor the environment of the terminal or to generate images that can be superimposed on the animations provided on the touchscreen, or to record morphological data to be used in the authentication.
10. Card terminal according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that it further comprises a proximity sensor making it possible to activate one of the card readers and the display of the terminal.
11. Card terminal according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that it further comprises, between the compartments (3, 4) and the envelope (2), more particularly at the outer periphery of at least a part of the compartments (3, 4), a means of detection of opening or breach of said compartments (3, 4).
12. Use of the terminal according to one of claims 1 to 11, at a terminal for payment, withdrawal of money or checking.

Images