FR3120973A1 - Built-in transaction card reader - Google Patents

Abstract

Built-in transaction card reader The invention relates to a built-in transaction card reader comprising a fixing plate (PF) of the reader to an automatic terminal; a rear portion (AR) extending rearwardly of the fixing plate; and a front portion (AV) extending forward of the fixing plate, comprising an insertion slot (FI) for a transaction card. The front portion (AV) comprises a card insertion block (BIC) of "U" shape, comprising a left block (BG) and a right block (BD) substantially rectangular parallelepipedic each extending at least three centimeters forward of the fixing plate, on each side of a recessed central zone (ZC). The insertion slot, arranged in a middle zone of the card insertion block, extends over the entire width of the central zone and over at least part of each of said left and right blocks. Abstract Figure: Figure 1

Description

Built-in transaction card reader

The invention lies in the field of transaction card readers. More particularly, the subject of the invention is a built-in transaction card reader, intended to be mounted in an automatic terminal such as for example an automatic teller machine or an automatic sales machine.

Prior art

Various devices exist for reading an information-carrying card, referred to herein as a transaction card, depending on the communication technology(ies) supported by the card.

For example, a transaction card may include a magnetic stripe on its surface. The data carried by the transaction card is then written onto the magnetic strip by alternating the orientation of magnetic particles embedded in the strip. This data is usually transmitted to a reading device by swiping the card through a magnetic stripe reader on the device. A transaction card can also take the form of a smart card or integrated circuit card, which can be contact or contactless. In this case, the transaction card comprises an integrated circuit capable of processing information. Such a transaction card can receive an input which is processed via the integrated circuit or chip with an application based on it, and then provide an output. A contact chip card comprises a contact zone made up of several contact pads. When the contact chip card is inserted into a card reader, these contact pads come into contact with the reader's electrical connectors, which make it possible to read information from the chip and possibly write it back. A contactless smart card (also called a contactless interface card, or simply a contactless card) contains a chip that communicates with a card reader via RFID induction technology. A contactless smart card only requires the proximity of an antenna for the implementation of a transaction, and generally does not need to be introduced into a reader.

A single transaction card can embed several communication technologies. For example, the same transaction card can include a magnetic stripe and a contact chip, or a contact chip and a contactless interface, or even a magnetic stripe, a contact chip, and a contactless interface. A transaction card comprising a magnetic stripe and at least one chip (with and/or contactless) is sometimes referred to as a hybrid transaction card.

To accommodate the differences that may exist between transaction card technologies, manufacturers provide different transaction card readers. Typically, a transaction card reading system comprises at least one transaction card reader comprising a slot for inserting a transaction card, so as to make the system compatible with smart card type transaction cards with contact, widespread. To meet specific constraints, manufacturers can also offer hybrid readers. A hybrid reader is, like a hybrid transaction card, a reader that supports at least two different communication technologies. It is for example a reader comprising means for reading a chip of a contact chip card and means for reading a magnetic stripe of a magnetic stripe card. For reasons of compactness and ease of use, a hybrid reader generally has only one insertion slot, which can be used either for inserting a contact chip card or a magnetic stripe card: such a reader is in fact designed to recognize a contact chip card from a magnetic stripe card and to be able to switch to one or the other of these technologies depending on the transaction card inserted in the slot insert. Hybrid readers can for example be integrated into automatic vending machines (of the gas station pump type, various vending machines) or even into automatic ticket vending machines (DAB/ATM). A large number of these automatic devices, also called automatic terminals, are accessible in self-service, unsupervised, and/or installed in unprotected environments. For example, it is common for an automatic machine for selling tram or train tickets to be available on a station platform, outside, in order to allow a user to buy a transport ticket even at late or in stations with little traffic and no dedicated sales staff. Such automatic terminals must therefore meet significant constraints. For example, they must be robust, because they are susceptible to acts of vandalism. They must also remain functional even in degraded weather conditions (bad weather, temperature variations, etc.). They must also incorporate means aimed at limiting the possibilities for a malicious person to alter the terminal with the aim of stealing a user's bank details without their knowledge. This involves, for example, implementing means facilitating the detection of the potential presence of hacking devices, known as " skimmer " in English, at the level of the transaction card reader, such devices being designed to read and fraudulently capture the confidential data of the transaction cards inserted in the reader.

Taking these various constraints into account is often done to the detriment of the ergonomics of the automatic terminal, and more specifically of the transaction card reader. Indeed, a common solution for accommodating the constraints listed above generally consists in exposing the transaction card reader as little as possible. In other words, a reader of the prior art is generally designed to be embedded as much as possible in the automatic terminal, so that the reader protrudes as little as possible out of the terminal. In addition, in order to limit the risks of " skimming ", such a reader is also generally configured in such a way that the transaction card inserted therein only comes out of the insertion slot very little (whether during the transaction, or after the transaction is completed). These various measures, however, make it difficult to grasp the transaction card, in particular when the user wishes to remove it from the reader. Optionally, in order to provide increased physical protection, the reader insertion slot can be positioned in a recess in the reader, or the reader as a whole in a recess in the automatic terminal. However, access to the transaction card within such a recess is not always easy. Furthermore, it is not uncommon in this case for some users to forget to retrieve their transaction card after having used the automatic terminal, since the angle of view on the card inserted in the reader is limited by the edges of the recess.

There is therefore a need for a transaction card reader of a different design, which does not have at least some of the disadvantages previously presented of readers of the prior art, in particular when this reader is intended to be embedded in an automatic terminal.

The present technique makes it possible to partly solve the problems posed by the prior art. The present technique indeed relates to a built-in transaction card reader comprising:

- a fixing plate for fixing said reader to an automatic terminal;

- a rear portion, extending towards the rear of said fixing plate;

- a front portion, extending forward of said fixing plate, comprising a slot for inserting a transaction card.

According to the general principle of the proposed technique, the front portion comprises a card insertion block of generally "U" shape, comprising a left block and a right block substantially rectangular parallelepipedic each extending by at least three centimeters towards the front of said fixing plate, on either side of a recessed central zone. The insertion slot is also provided in a middle zone of said card insertion block, and extends over the entire width of said central zone and over at least a part of each of said left and right blocks of said insertion block menu.

In a particular embodiment, at least one of said left and right blocks comprises at least one recess above and/or below said insertion slot, open towards said central zone.

In a particular embodiment, said central zone comprises a front face of concave shape, forming a concavity oriented towards the rear of said card insertion block, said insertion slot extending, at the level of said central zone, at bottom of said concavity.

In a particular embodiment, said card insertion block is in one piece, and the transitions between the different surfaces of said card insertion block are implemented by means of rounding and fillets.

In a particular embodiment, said card insertion block is tilted forward at an angle of between 1 and 3 degrees relative to a direction normal to said fixing plate.

In a particular embodiment, the reader according to the proposed technique comprises, in said rear portion, a liquid evacuation tank extending over a major part of a lower part of said rear portion, said evacuation tank comprising a bottom inclined towards the rear at an angle of between 2 and 10 degrees with respect to a direction normal to said fixing plate, said bottom comprising in its rear part at least one orifice opening onto a liquid evacuation gutter.

In a particular embodiment, the card insertion block comprises a magnetic reading head allowing the reading of a magnetic stripe of a transaction card during its insertion into said insertion slot, said magnetic reading head being positioned within one of said left or right blocks, in the vicinity of a front face of said block.

In a particular embodiment, said reader comprises a protrusion on a front face of at least one of said left and right blocks, in the vicinity of said insertion slot.

In a particular embodiment, said reader comprises at least one light source and a light guide housed at least in part in said card insertion block, said light guide comprising one end matching the contours of said insertion slot over its entire length. periphery, set back slightly from said insertion slot, said light guide being shaped and sized to guide the light emitted by said at least one light source towards said end.

In a particular embodiment, the reader comprises a backlit logo on a front face of at least one of said left and right blocks, in the vicinity of said insertion slot.

The different embodiments mentioned above can be combined with each other for the implementation of the invention.

tricks

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings, among which:

presents a perspective view of a built-in transaction card reader, in a particular embodiment of the proposed technique;

shows a side view of the flush-mounted transaction card reader of the , in a particular embodiment;

shows a front view of the card insertion block of the flush-mounted transaction card reader of the , in a particular embodiment;

shows a perspective view of the card insertion block and the mounting plate of the flush-mounted transaction card reader of the , seen from the front, in a particular embodiment;

shows a perspective view of the card insertion block and the mounting plate of the flush-mounted transaction card reader of the , seen from the rear, in a particular embodiment;

presents a profile view of the flush-mounted transaction card reader of the , in which many elements of the rear portion are not shown, in order to make visible the evacuation tray located in the rear portion of the reader, in a particular embodiment;

shows a perspective view of the recessed transaction card reader partially shown in , seen from below, in a particular embodiment;

shows a perspective view of the recessed transaction card reader partially shown in , seen from above, in a particular embodiment;

shows a perspective view of the card insertion block and the mounting plate of the flush-mounted transaction card reader of the , seen from the front and from above, in which the magnetic reading head and the light guide are represented, in a particular embodiment;

shows a perspective view of the card insertion block and the mounting plate of the flush-mounted transaction card reader of the , seen from the front and from below, in which the magnetic reading head and the light guide are represented, in a particular embodiment;

shows a perspective view of the card insertion block and the mounting plate of the flush-mounted transaction card reader of the , seen from the rear, in which the magnetic reading head and the light guide are represented, in a particular embodiment of the proposed technique.

Detailed description of the invention

In what follows, the descriptions of the figures are made with respect to an orthonormal reference frame of type (O, x, yz) represented for example in . The elements qualified as “upper” or “high” have, with respect to this frame of reference, an altitude (z) greater than the elements qualified as “lower” or “low”. The notions of left and right, and front and back are also to be understood as referring to this mark (O, x, yz). Thus an element situated to the “right” of the reader or of a part of this reader has, with respect to this reference frame, an ordinate (y) greater than an element situated to the “left”. Similarly, an element situated at the “front” of the reader or part of this reader has, with respect to this frame of reference, an abscissa (x) greater than an element situated at the “rear”.

Throughout the description, elements of the same nature are identified by the same reference in the figures.

The present invention relates to a built-in transaction card reader as illustrated in connection with the (perspective view) and the (profile view), in one embodiment of the proposed technique. Such a transaction card reader comprises:

- A fixing plate PF for fixing said reader to an automatic terminal;

- a rear portion AR, extending towards the rear of the fixing plate PF;

- a front portion AV, extending forward of the fixing plate PF, the front portion AV comprising an insertion slot FI for a transaction card.

According to the proposed technique, the transaction card reader is intended to be installed in an automatic terminal. More particularly, the reader is adapted to be held in a housing provided for this purpose in an automatic terminal, by securing the fixing plate PF to the automatic terminal (for example by screwing and/or gluing, or any other means of fixing appropriate). When the reader is thus positioned within an automatic terminal, the rear rear portion of the reader is embedded in the automatic terminal (i.e. it is located inside the terminal), while its front front portion extends towards the outside of the automatic terminal and forms the visible part of the reader for a user of the terminal.

According to the general principle of the proposed technique, the front portion AV comprises a BIC card insertion block of generally “U” shape. More particularly, the BIC card insertion block comprises a left block BG and a right block (ie on the right) BD substantially rectangular parallelepipedic each extending at least 3 centimeters forwards of the fixing plate (ie along a direction substantially normal to the substantially planar fixing plate PF, that is to say along the direction of the axis x), on either side of a recessed central zone ZC (hence the configuration in a "U" shape of the card insertion block seen from above, with the central zone ZC which forms the "base" of the "U" and the left blocks BG and right BD the two "legs" of this "U"). The insertion slot FI is arranged in a middle zone of the BIC card insertion block, and extends horizontally over the entire width of said central zone ZC and over at least a part of each of the left BG and right BD blocks of the card insertion block, as shown for example in the which shows the BIC card insertion block represented alone and seen from the front. “Recessed central zone” means that the central zone ZC extends a maximum of 1.5 centimeters forward of the fixing plate. According to a particular characteristic, the central zone ZC extends a maximum of 1 centimeter towards the front of the fixing plate, thus further accentuating the withdrawal of this zone vis-à-vis the left and right blocks BG and BD of the block insert card.

The BIC card insertion block forms a hollow box, the outer surface of which constitutes, possibly with the front face of a cover (not shown) arranged on the fixing plate, the visible and exposed part of the front AV portion of the reader transaction card. According to a particular characteristic, the BIC card insertion block and the fixing plate PF are formed from one and the same piece, in one piece, made of a solid and robust material such as a metal alloy of the Zamak type for example. Such a part is for example illustrated in relation to the (in a perspective view, from the front) and the (in a perspective view, from the rear). On the , a transaction card CT is also represented, as it would be positioned in normal conditions of use, ie during a transaction abutting in the reader, in a configuration which allows the chip of this card to be read by the reader and/or at the end of a transaction awaiting its withdrawal. For reasons of simplification, the rear rear portion of the reader is not represented on the , which explains why the rear part of the transaction card remains visible in this figure.

This particular design of the transaction card reader, and more particularly the particular shape of the BIC card insertion block in the front AV portion of the reader, offers several advantages.

Firstly, the fact that the left blocks BG and right BD extend at least 3 centimeters forward from the fixing plate PF makes it possible to bring out the transaction card more significantly than the flush-mounted readers of the prior art, as can be seen in particular in the . More particularly, with the proposed technique, access to a relatively large surface of the transaction card is released inside the "U", that is to say in the space located between the left blocks BG and right BD of the card insertion block. Such an objective is achieved even when the reader is configured in such a way that the transaction card, once inserted into the reader, does not come out beyond the front faces of the left BG and right BD blocks of the card insertion block (which corresponds to the configuration proposed in this technique). This facilitates access to the card, as well as its gripping to remove it from the reader, once the use of the automatic terminal is finished. According to a particular characteristic, the front face of the central zone ZC has a concave shape, ie rounded towards the rear in its middle part, so that the portion of the central zone ZC in which the slot extends insertion FI is further set back with respect to the front faces of the left blocks BG and right blocks BD of the card insertion block, thus further increasing the gripping surface available on the transaction card (ie inside the " U”) for a user.

Secondly, the "U" shape of the card insertion block also has the effect of leaving an open side at the top COH (visible in particular on the top of the ) and a bottom open side COB (visible in particular on the bottom of the ), at the level of the central zone ZC, respectively in the upper and lower parts of the BIC card insertion block. These open sides reduce the risk of forgetting the transaction card in the reader. Indeed, the transaction card reader of an automatic kiosk is most often integrated in a zone of the kiosk which is located approximately at mid-height, ie in an easily accessible zone for the hands of a user standing in front of the automatic terminal, but also for the hands of a user seated in a wheelchair (in the case of people with reduced mobility) or seated on board a vehicle (when the terminal is for example located at the exit of paid parking, and is intended for the payment of parking). It is therefore common for users to see the transaction card reader of the automatic kiosk from above or below, depending on the use case. The COH and COB open sides of the transaction card reader according to the proposed technique therefore allow users to constantly keep a good view of their transaction card in all circumstances, including when it is inserted into the reader (which does not is generally not the case with the flush-mounted readers of the prior art, in particular those in which the insertion slot is arranged in a recess which often obstructs good visibility of the card).

Thirdly, the fact that the card insertion block takes the form of a box which extends towards the front of the fixing plate also makes it possible to reduce the space occupied by the reader inside the automatic terminal. Indeed, as shown below, various components of the transaction card reader according to the proposed technique can now be arranged in one or more internal compartments formed by this box (ie within the left and right blocks and behind the area centre), i.e. in the front front portion of the player. The depth of the rear portion AR (ie of the recessed portion, in the direction of the axis x ) can thus be reduced, compared to readers of the prior art. This makes it possible to provide a shallower housing within the automatic terminal, for the reception of the transaction card reader. The space thus freed up can then be used, for example, to integrate new functionalities into the automatic terminal, or to allow the implementation of more compact automatic terminals.

In a particular embodiment of the proposed technique, one or more recesses can be provided in one or the other of the left block BG and of the right block BG of the card insertion block, or both in these two blocks . Such recesses modify the shape of the block in which they are arranged, even if this shape is still substantially part of a rectangular parallelepiped. These recesses are advantageously positioned above and/or below the insertion slot FI, and are open towards the central zone ZC. According to a particular characteristic, it is also provided that:

- when such a recess is positioned above the insertion slot, it is also open at the level of the upper part of the card insertion block;

- when such a recess is positioned below the insertion slot, it is also open at the level of the lower part of the card insertion block.

In the particular embodiment shown in the figures, presented purely by way of illustration and not limitation, two recesses EV1 and EV2 have been arranged in the right block BD of the card insertion block BIC: a recess EV1 positioned above the insertion slot FI, and open towards the central zone ZC and towards the upper part of the card insertion block; and a recess EV2 positioned below the insertion slot FI, and open towards the central zone ZC and towards the lower part of the card insertion block. These recesses EV1 and EV2 are particularly clearly visible in FIGS. 3 and 4a.

Such recesses offer various additional advantages, the main one being to make it even easier for the user to grasp the transaction card in order to remove it from the reader. Indeed, these recesses create spaces where certain fingers of the user are naturally positioned when the latter seeks to enter his transaction card. For example, a natural gesture for removing a transaction card inserted in a reader most often consists of grasping the card between the thumb and at least the index finger of one hand. In the readers of the prior art, this gesture is often made difficult because the fingers which are not used to grasp the card tend to abut against the front of the reader. Arranging one or more recesses in the blocks on either side of the central zone makes it possible to remedy this problem. For example, in the configuration illustrated in the figures and in particular in , if a user wishes to remove his CT card from the reader by pinching it between the thumb and the index finger of his right hand, palm facing down, his other fingers will naturally position themselves in the recess EV1. The user may also be in the habit of removing his card from the reader by pinching it between the thumb and index finger, palm facing upwards. In this case, he will be able to use his left hand, and his other fingers will naturally position themselves in the recess EV2. In any case, the user's movements, whether to insert his card into the reader or to remove it from the reader, will not be hindered or hampered by any part of the reader, contrary to what can happen with prior art readers.

Another advantage of these recesses is to create an asymmetry between the right block BD and the left block BG of the card insertion block. Such asymmetry is useful in particular for visually impaired people, in that it allows these people to obtain, by touch, useful information to help them insert and remove their transaction card more easily. For example, in the particular embodiment illustrated in the figures, the two recesses EV1 and EV2 which have been arranged in the right block BD (giving it a lying "T" shape), do not have corresponding recesses in the left block BG (in this particular, non-limiting embodiment, no recess has been made in the left block BG).

According to a particular characteristic, the transitions between the different surfaces of the card insertion block are implemented by means of roundings and fillets visible for example on the . In addition to making the reader more user-friendly, these roundings and fillets make it possible to limit the fouling of the front portion of the reader. They also participate in reinforcing the robustness of the card insertion block, which is thus more strongly boxed. Additionally, these roundings and fillets can also contribute to guiding the user for use by touch of the reader (in particular when the user is a visually impaired person).

In a particular embodiment, the card insertion block is inclined forwards by an angle of between 1 and 3 degrees relative to a direction normal to the fixing plate (ie relative to the direction of the x- axis). This slight inclination, which concerns more particularly the upper faces of the card insertion block, makes it possible to promote the flow of water, if the transaction card reader becomes wet (for example when it is installed in a automatic bollard located outdoors, and therefore likely to be subject to bad weather). According to a particular characteristic, this inclination is not limited to the upper faces of the card insertion block. Thus, the front faces of the card insertion block can also have a slight inclination of 1 and 3 degrees with respect to the vertical (ie with respect to the direction of the axis z ). The same goes for the front side of the mounting plate. According to a particular characteristic, the slight forward inclination of the upper surfaces mentioned above is not limited to the front front portion of the reader, but also relates to its recessed rear portion. This avoids having perfectly horizontal surfaces within the reader, even inside this reader, when the latter is integrated into an automatic terminal. Thus, the risks of the presence of stagnant water in the reader are limited, in its exterior front front portion as well as in its interior rear rear portion at the automatic terminal. In a complementary manner, in a particular embodiment, the rear portion AR of the transaction card reader comprises, in its lower part and extending over a major part in width (along the y axis) and in depth (along the axis x ) of this rear rear portion, a water collection and evacuation tank towards the rear of the reader. As illustrated from different viewing angles in relation to Figures 5a, 5b and 5c (in which all the other elements of the rear rear portion of the reader – the majority of which (motherboard, card guide rails, smart card connector, etc.) are located in an area above tray F – have been masked for simplification purposes) this tray B, open in its upper part, comprises a bottom F inclined towards the rear (at an angle between 2° and 10°, for example 4°, with respect to the direction of the axis x ) framed by lateral edges, so as to cause any liquid collected in the tank to flow towards an evacuation gutter G arranged in part rear of tray B, at the bottom of the inclined bottom F. Thus, the water which falls into the tray, whether it comes from rainwater infiltrating into the reader or from the phenomenon of condensation, is evacuated from the reader. According to a particular characteristic, a protective mesh can extend over the different faces of tray B (bottom and/or side edges), so as to trigger appropriate protective measures (eg alarm, blocking of the reader, etc.) in case of detection of an attempted intrusion of a tool from the rear of the reader. This typically involves detecting the introduction, by a malevolent person, of a probe seeking to reach an area of the reader where sensitive data is exchanged (such as the smart card connector for example).

In various particular embodiments which can be implemented in a complementary or alternative manner, the transaction card reader according to the proposed technique also comprises various means of protection aimed at protecting the user from attempts at “ skimming ”. As a reminder, this fraud technique consists of the addition to the reader, by a malicious person, of an illegitimate magnetic reading head in order to recover, without the knowledge of the user, the data from the magnetic strip of their transaction card when it is inserted into the reader. For the fraud to succeed, a challenge for the fraudster is to ensure that the addition of this fraudulent device is discreet enough for the user not to notice it, or that he believes at the very least to have to do to a legitimate reader. The embodiments described below are intended to make it more difficult to install such a fraudulent device (" skimmer ") on the reader, or, failing that, to facilitate its detection if such a fraudulent device is present on the reader. .

In a particular embodiment, which corresponds to a first protection means, the magnetic reading head allowing the reading of a magnetic stripe of a transaction card during its insertion into the insertion slot of the card reader is positioned within one of the left BG or right BD blocks, in the vicinity of a front face of the block within which it is installed. It goes without saying that the reading head is also positioned in the vicinity of the insertion slot FI, since it must allow the reading of the magnetic stripe of the transaction card which is inserted therein. Such a configuration is for example illustrated in relation to FIGS. 6a and 6c, which show a magnetic read head TL positioned in the hollow compartment formed by the right block BD of the card insertion block. This particular positioning of the magnetic read head in the front portion of the reader, which is made possible by the particular shape of the card insertion block presented above, offers the advantage of making this component clearly visible to the user. In particular, as shown in the , the magnetic read head TL is visible through the insertion slot FI, not only by the front face, but also by an internal side face (ie oriented towards the central zone) of the block in which it is installed. It is thus easier to make the user aware of what a legitimate reader should look like, for example by communicating information to him about the positioning and the expected shape of the magnetic reading head. The user is thus better equipped to detect the possible presence of a “skimmer” on the reader.

In a particular embodiment, which corresponds to a second means of protection, and as visible for example in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transaction card reader comprises at least one protuberance PT present on a front face of at least one left and/or right blocks of the BIC card insertion block, in the vicinity of the FI insertion slot. Such a protuberance PT makes it possible to break the flatness of the front face of the card insertion block, which makes it more complex for a fraudster to install a “ skimmer ” on the reader. In particular, a generic " skimmer " which has not been specifically designed to be installed on a reader according to the proposed technique will in all probability not be suitable for being positioned on such a reader, since the presence of this protuberance PT does not will not have been foreseen by the fraudster.

In a complementary or alternative manner, it is also possible, as a third means of protection, to provide a backlit zone, for example a backlit logo, on a front face of at least one of said left and right blocks, in the vicinity of the insertion slot. In such a particular embodiment, the LG logo visible on the constitutes for example such a backlit area. Such a feature aims to promote the detection of a "skimmer" on the reader, for example by means of a message displayed on a screen of the reader or the automatic terminal warning the user of the potential presence of a fraudulent device. if the logo in question is not visible or if it is not backlit, and inviting him in this case not to insert his transaction card into the reader. In addition to this message, a graphic representation (photo or drawing) of the reader as it normally appears when it has not been altered can also be presented to the user, so that he can check the conformity of the reader of the automatic terminal with its expected representation.

According to another particular embodiment which can also be implemented alternatively or additionally to the previous ones, as a fourth means of protection, it is the entire insertion slot which is backlit. To this end, the reader comprises at least one light source and a light guide housed at least partly in the card insertion block. An example of such a light guide is visible in Figures 6a, 6b and 6c. This light guide GL comprises one end matching the contours of the insertion slot FI over its entire periphery, and it is shaped and dimensioned to guide the light emitted by at least one light source (not shown) towards this end, so as to obtain a uniform backlight along the entire length of the slit. More particularly, as can be seen in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the lighting is obtained over the entire periphery of the insertion slot FI, ie over the bottom, the top and the sides of this slot. According to a particular characteristic, this end of the light guide is positioned slightly set back from the insertion slot, for example half a millimeter or one millimeter set back from this slot, which makes it possible to protect the light guide in the event of impact on the front face of the card insertion block. In a manner similar to what has been described in relation to the implementation of a backlit logo, the presence of such a light guide makes it possible to promote the detection of a possible " skimmer " installed on the reader. However, it has several advantages over backlighting a simple logo. Firstly, while the backlighting of a logo is likely to cause undesired localized fragility of the card insertion block at the level of this logo (the latter having to be at least partially perforated to allow light to pass ), the backlighting of the insertion slot does not cause additional fragility (the insertion slot being an opening already present in the reader, by nature necessary). Secondly, the insertion slot extends over a major part of the width of the card insertion block, that is to say over an area larger than that occupied by a simple logo. This insertion slot also has a contour of a very particular shape, since it consecutively extends over part of the width of the front face of the left block BG, over the entire depth of the internal lateral face (ie oriented towards the central zone ZC) of the left block BG, over the entire width of the central zone ZC, over the entire depth of the internal side face (ie oriented towards the central zone ZC) of the right block BD, and finally over part of the width of the front face of the right block BD. Designing and installing a “ skimmer ” discreet enough to deceive a user – eg which would present an insertion slot with a backlight similar or very close to that implemented in a legitimate unaltered reader – turns out to be even more complex under these conditions. to do for a fraudster.

A built-in transaction card reader according to the proposed technique therefore has many advantages over readers of the prior art. More particularly, as described in relation to the various embodiments presented previously, such a reader offers optimal access to the transaction card which is inserted therein, without however making any concessions in terms of security, and in particular on the means of protection making it possible to counter attempts at fraud of the " skimming " type, for example.

Claims (10)

Built-in transaction card reader including:
- a fixing plate (PF) for fixing said reader to an automatic terminal;
- a rear portion (AR), extending towards the rear of said fixing plate (PF);
- a front portion (AV), extending forward of said fixing plate (PF), comprising an insertion slot (FI) for a transaction card;
said reader being characterized in that said front portion (AV) comprises a card insertion block (BIC) of generally "U" shape, comprising a left block (BG) and a right block (BD) substantially rectangular parallelepipedic each extending at least three centimeters forward from said fixing plate (PF), on either side of a recessed central zone (ZC), said insertion slot being arranged in a middle zone of said card insertion block, and extending over the entire width of said central zone and over at least a part of each of said left and right blocks of said card insertion block. Reader according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of said left and right blocks comprises at least one recess above and/or below said insertion slot, open towards said central zone. Reader according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said central zone comprises a front face of concave shape, forming a concavity facing the rear of the said card insertion block, the said insertion slot extending, at the level of the said zone central, at the bottom of said concavity. Reader according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said card insertion block is in one piece, and in that the transitions between the different surfaces of the said card insertion block are implemented by means of rounded edges and fillets. Reader according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said card insertion block is inclined forwards by an angle of between 1 and 3 degrees with respect to a direction normal to the said fixing plate. Reader according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises, in the said rear portion, a liquid evacuation tank B extending over a major part of a lower part of the said rear portion, the said evacuation tank comprising a bottom F inclined towards the rear at an angle of between 2 and 10 degrees with respect to a direction normal to said fixing plate, said bottom comprising in its rear part at least one orifice opening onto a liquid evacuation gutter G . Reader according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said card insertion block comprises a magnetic reading head TL enabling the reading of a magnetic stripe of a transaction card during its insertion into the said insertion slot, the said head magnetic reading being positioned within one of said left or right blocks, in the vicinity of a front face of said block. Reader according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a protrusion PT on a front face of at least one of said left and right blocks, in the vicinity of said insertion slot. Reader according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one light source and a light guide GL housed at least in part in the said card insertion block, the said light guide comprising one end matching the contours of the said insertion slot over its entire periphery, set back slightly from said insertion slot, said light guide being shaped and sized to guide the light emitted by said at least one light source towards said end. 0 Reader according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a backlit logo on a front face of at least one of the said left and right blocks, in the vicinity of the said insertion slot.