MXPA99007554A - Card, in particular chip card, reading device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a card (7) reading device (1) comprising a housing (10) equipped with a keyboard (5), a display unit (4), a slotfor inserting (8) the card (7) inside the housing (10) and a cover (2) protecting the keyboard and the display unit (4), when it is closed. A flap (6) is provided, integral with the cover (2) and fixed to the housing (10) by an element (3) enabling it to pivot and be brought underneath said housing (10). The flap (6) covers the insertion slot (8) when the cover (2) is closed, and serves as support base to incline the housing (10) when the cover (2) is open.

Description

CARD READER DEVICE, PARTICULARLY INTELLIGENCE CARD.

The present invention concerns a card reader device, particularly an intelligence card reader.

In the context of the invention, the term "card" must be understood in its most general sense: magnetic track card, memory card ("CAM"), "intelligence" card, etc. It should also be understood that the term "card reader" is generic: it concerns any device that can read and / or write on cards of the types mentioned above.

Also, the applications of these cards are very diverse: banking or similar applications, electronic wallets, security badges, etc. In France, it is particularly envisaged to provide in the short or medium term all beneficiaries of social security for an "intelligence" card that stores a certain number of medical and / or administrative information.

REF. 31085 For the last twenty years or so, these various types of cards, and particularly the cards provided with an "electronic intelligence", that is to say a controller or a microprocessor, associated with memory circuits, have become generalized and take a place each time most important in the daily life of individuals.

Conventional standards govern the different parameters associated with the cards: dimensions, placement of magnetic tracks, "intelligence" and input-output interfaces (connections). Finally, the computing power of the electronic circuits, as well as the amount of information stored, has increased greatly.

The input-output connections allow bidirectional transmissions between the card and different types of card readers, even card readers associated with fixed devices (bank or DAB bank tellers, automatic bank tellers or GAB, devices incorporated into a cash register or a micro-computer, etc. or laptops-, such as a payment terminal (restaurant, various magazines) or health.

All these apparatuses have a common feature, namely, a slot or introduction window in which the card is inserted in view of a writing or reading operation. Or this groove is directly on the outer medium and is wide enough to allow small metallic objects such as clips, or very simply particles or dust, to penetrate into the interior of the card reader compartment. The introduction of such elements is therefore facilitated, and therefore more frequent, that the card reader is a portable terminal, susceptible to being moved to different places, a priori, not protected.

Or a card reader contains very miniaturized electronic circuits and mechanical organs. Objects or polluting particles are then liable to create malfunctions, even damaging certain of these organs or circuits.

Devices of the type mentioned above, particularly portable devices, or at least transportable, present other drawbacks First, . the general ergonomics of these apparatuses is not optimized, in particular the card readers of the type that can be placed in the pocket of a dress must be as thin as possible and are evidently presented in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped. When they are placed on a table, it is relatively difficult to insert the card into the slot and access to the keys of the keyboard is not optimized either.

Secondly, it happens relatively frequently that the user forgets to take his card again after use, particularly after he has entered his confidential code with the help of the keyboard. The card can remain inside the card reader without the cardholder noticing, particularly if the card reader is provided with a cover.

The object of the invention is to establish a card reader device, in particular an intelligence card, which mitigates the defects of known devices of the specialty, some of which have been mentioned.

To do this, the card reader, according to the invention, which comprises a cover for protecting the keys of the keyboard and its fastening element, is provided with a flange integral with the cover covering the insertion window when the apparatus does not It is used, which prevents the introduction of unwanted elements inside the device, even if the device is moved in a contaminated environment.

In a preferred variant of the invention, the card reader is provided with a configuration such that it can be presented inclined to a user, which facilitates the manipulation and, particularly, the capture of a confidential code.

Also in a preferred embodiment variant, provisions are contemplated so that the flap can not be in the closed position while the card is present in the apparatus, which prevents closing the apparatus without removing the card.

The object of the invention is therefore a card reader device, in particular an intelligence card, comprising a compartment provided with means for capturing and fixing data, a slot for inserting said card into the compartment 'and of a cover -which allows the protection of these means for capturing and fixing data, in a so-called closed position, characterized in that it comprises a flange integral with said cover and arranged to cover said insertion slot when the cover is in the mentioned closed position.

The invention will be better understood and other features and advantages will appear on reading the following description with reference to the appended figures, among which; Figure 1 shows, in a view above, an embodiment of a card reader according to the invention, in closed position.

Figure 2 represents, in perspective and in view of three quarters above, this same card reader in a semi-open position; - Figure 3 shows a back view of the card reader, in open position, as well as an intelligence card in the process of insertion; - figure 4 shows a back view of the card reader of figure 1, in closed position; Figure 5 is a side view of the card reader, in open position, placed on a flat surface; - Figures 6 and 7 illustrate, in perspective and seen from the rear, a variant embodiment of the card reader according to the invention; and Figure 8 is a view illustrating a working detail of the card reader according to the invention.

An example of "embodiment of a card reader according to the invention is now to be described with respect to figures 1 to 5.

Figure 1 illustrates the card reader 1 in closed position (seen from above) and figure 2 (perspective view of three quarters from above), this same card reader in position that will be called semi-open. In effect, the compartment 10 of the card reader is provided with a cover or protective cover 2. The latter is fastened to the compartment 10 with the aid of a hinged joint 3 disposed along one of the walls of this compartment 10. More precisely, this articulation comprises a double hinge, 30 and 31, whose functioning and performance will be detailed below.

A card reader usually comprises a fixing member 4, frequently liquid crystals and a data collection device consisting of a 5-key keyboard 50 (alphanumeric keys and function keys). The protective cover 2, in the described example, completely covers the keyboard 5 and the fastener 4, when it is in the closed position.

As indicated, the joint 3 contains, two hinges: a first hinge 30, which mechanically couples the compartment 10 on a first edge of an intermediate piece 32, and a second hinge 31, which mechanically couples a second edge of this intermediate piece 32 to protection cover 2.

The intermediate piece 32 is in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped, whose amplitude is equal to the half width of the wall (right on FIG. 2) of the compartment 10 in which it is held via the hinge 30. The hinge 30 is attached to the compartment 10 following an axis?, parallel to the side edge of the compartment 10, and located at the half height of the fixing wall.

These arrangements allow, on the one hand, a rotation of the intermediate piece 32 around the axis? L, and on the other hand, a rotation of the protective cover 2 around a second axis? 2 parallel to the first. As a result, the protective cover 2 can be closed below the compartment 10 of the card reader 1, in the fully open position. A bolt (not shown) keeps the cover 2 in the closed position (figure 1).

Specifically, the cover 2 can be made of rigid plastic material. The intermediate band 32 is advantageously in rigid materials, for example also in plastic materials.

According to a first variant embodiment (not illustrated), the cover 2 is mechanically coupled to the compartment 10 by an articulated member consisting of a band of plastic material containing zones of embrittlement (grooves for example) that allow it to be folded in these areas. This band thus plays the role of the double hinge 3 described above and allows the cover 2 to be folded and closed below the compartment 10, as above.

According to a second variant embodiment (not illustrated), the double hinge 3 is replaced by an articulated member consisting of a simple band of soft material. From this fact, this band also performs the role of the double hinge 3 described above and allows the cover to fold and close below the compartment 10, as above.

According to a first important characteristic of the invention, the card reader 1 is provided with a movable cover or flap 6, of flat configuration, on figure 2, the fin shape 6 is perceived. The cover 2 is also evidently flat. The planes formed by the cover 2 and the fin 6 are substantially perpendicular between them.

Figure 3 represents (rear perspective view) the card reader 1, in the fully open position. There is also, on this figure 3, a card 7 containing an intelligence 70, of a classic model per se, which can be used within the framework of the invention. A window or insertion slot 8 of the card 7 inside the compartment 10 is also perceived on this figure 3, to be read and / or written. To facilitate the aforementioned insertion, the compartment 10 can be extended rearwards by a lower tray 11, which acts as a conductor for this insertion operation and which holds the card 7 once inserted.

Figure 4 illustrates the card reader in rear view, with the protection cover 2 being completely closed. In this position, it covers and protects the board 5 and the viewing organ 4. It is also observed that, according to an important feature of the invention, the flap 6 completely covers the groove 8 and prevents / from this fact, any introduction of object and of various particles.

A priori, the flap 6 is in rigid material such as a plastic material, but it can also be made of soft material such as rubber that conforms to the exact shape of the wall containing the insertion groove 8.

We now go on to detail other advantageous features of the invention.

First of all, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, in fact particular arrangements adopted for the hinge system, or of the articulated member that performs this function in the supplementary embodiments, the protective cover 2 can be completely closed under the compartment 10, which results, as it is perceived on figure 3, but also still more clearly on figure 5 (side view), although the flap 6 is integral with the cover 2, accompanies its course when the latter completely opens. It is also under the compartment 10 and, of this fact, doubles the thickness of the compartment 10 of the card reader 1 at the level of the reading slot 8. ' if the card reader 1 is placed on a plane (box B of the practitioner for example), it serves as a seat at the level of the slot 8. the compartment 10 of the card reader 1 rests inclined (angle a of the order of "15") at 20 degrees with the box plane B), which facilitates the insertion of card 7 in slot 8 (backwards in the example described) and access to keyboard 5 (for example for the patient to capture his confidential code) A better perception of data fixation is also obtained (improved incidence).

Secondly, when the card 7 is present in the slot 8, it becomes impossible to close the cover 2. in fact, in a preferred embodiment, the depth of the insertion slot 8 is less than the maximum length of the card of intelligence 7, it turns out that the card 7 exceeds the compartment 10, also if it is normally inserted in the reading slot 8, which does not prevent normal reading and / or writing operations. To fix the ideas, the exceeding length is approximately 2 cm. in the presence of the intelligence card 7, the user of the card reader 1 can not close the card reader 1, since the cover rests on the card 7. It must therefore be withdrawn, to be returned to its owner.

In the variants that have just been described, the double hinge 3, or the organ that performs the function, are arranged on the right or left side of the compartment 10. This arrangement leaves a disadvantage, illustrated schematically by Figure 8. effect, when the cover 2 is closed, and if the card 7 remains inserted in the slot 8, the cover 2 exerts a cutting force on the edge 71 thereof, since it is a kind of blade.

Also, in a supplementary variant, illustrated by figures 6 and 7, instead of arranging the double hinge joint on the larger side of the card reader compartment, this is located on what has been called "front" of the compartment 10, that is, on one of the small sides.

On these figures 6 and 7, the card reader has been referenced 1 'and the double hinge joint 3'. The elements common to the preceding figures bear the same references and will not be redescribed unless they are necessary.

This arrangement is advantageous since, if the double hinge joint 3 'is located on the front of the compartment 10, when the fin 6 is to be closed, despite the presence of the card 7 (as shown more particularly in figure 6). ) in the reading slot 8, the flap 6 collides with the full width of the card 7, it turns out that it can not break it or even force it.

Finally, it is advantageous to provide 1 compartment 10 for a switch or a similar device 9, operated by the flap 6. This switch 9 is arranged on the wall provided with the slot 8 for inserting the card 7 and cuts off the power supply of the electronic circuits present in the compartment 10 (not shown) when the flap 6 is in the fully closed position and automatically resets this supply when the cover 2 is opened, and then when the flap 6 is activated Naturally this advantageous arrangement is compatible with the first embodiment described with respect to FIGS. 1 to 3, even if the switch 9 has not been explicitly represented on these figures.

Finally, for certain applications it is not necessary to return the card 7 after use to its owner and this could remain without inconvenience in the reading slot 8. For this type of application, it may be, on the contrary, advantageous to keep it inside the reading slot 8. To do this, a slot 8 deep enough to "swallow" the card 7 is provided. In other words, the length of the slot 8 must be at least equal to the maximum length of the card 7, then this it thus remains protected in the reading slot 8. in effect, it is blocked by the flap 6, when the cover 2 is closed, the compartment 10 then serves as a protective case.

With the reading of what precedes, it is easily verified that the invention achieves the objectives that were set.

The presence of the flap prevents, when the card reader is out of service and the cover closed, any introduction of undesirable elements, particularly of small metallic objects such as clips, or even of various powders and particles, and more generally of all dangerous element for its proper functioning.

In addition, the fact of the "seat" function performed by the flap when the cover is fully open, allows better ergonomics, since the compartment is in an inclined position.

Finally according to a first variant, the flap prevents leaving the card inside the compartment when the cover is closed, or quite the opposite, according to a second variant, when the reading slot is sufficiently deep so that the card can be inserted completely in the interior of the compartment, the flap prevents the introduction of dangerous elements equally for the card (particularly for its intelligence), and contributes, with the compartment, to form a protective case for this card.

It should be clear, however, that the invention is not limited only to the embodiment examples explicitly described, particularly in relation to figures 1 to 8.

The usable materials are essentially related to the specific application planned and participate in a simple technological selection available to the expert in the field.

Also, the denominations relative to the compartment "down", "above", "forward", "sides" or "back", are purely arbitrary.Finally, the card insertion slot can be, not placed on the back as described, but on any side wall, it suffices that the flap be positioned in relation to the cover in order to obstruct this slot when the cover is closed.

The invention is also not limited to applications that implement intelligence cards. On the contrary, the card can be of any type: magnetic card, mixed card (intelligence and magnetic tracks), card with piezo effect, etc.

In addition, the card reader can be attributed to additional functions calculator, electronic calendar, etc. accessible thanks to the keys of the keyboard and of fixation.

It is noted that in relation to this date the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Having described the invention as above, it is claimed as property in the following,

Claims (10)

1. Card reader device, particularly intelligence card, which is characterized in that it comprises a compartment provided with means for capturing and fixing data, a slot for inserting said card into the interior of the compartment and a cover that allows the protection of the data acquisition and fixation means, in a so-called closed position, which is characterized in that it comprises a flange integral with said cover and arranged to cover the aforementioned insertion slot when the cover is in the closed position.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said cover that can be folded under said compartment when it is in an open called position, the aforementioned fin serves as a seat when the compartment is placed on a support surface, at the level of said slot of introduction, so that the compartment is present inclined to a user, in relation to said support surface.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said flap and said cover are substantially planar, and in that the planes formed by the flap and the cover are substantially pendicular to each other.

4. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that said cover is mechanically coupled to said compartment by an articulated member that allows it to cover the compartment, in said closed position, and to be folded over the compartment, in said open position, in a manner that the aforementioned fin forms said seat.

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said articulated member is a double hinge constituted of a rectangular parallelepiped element, of determined width, provided, on a first edge, of a first hinge and, on a second edge, parallel to the first, of a second hinge, and in that the first hinge mechanically couples the cover to said rectangular parallelepiped element, and the second hinge couples the latter to the mentioned compartment.

6. device according to claim 5, characterized in that said compartment is also substantially rectilinear parallelepiped, said rectangle parallelepiped is a band of rigid material whose width is equal to half the width of the wall that constitutes this side, and in that said first hinge is fixed along this wall in its means, so as to be able to fold the aforesaid cover under the compartment, when it is in said open position and because the aforementioned fin serves as a seat on a supporting surface.

7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said introduction slot has a depth less than the maximum length of said card so that said wing is blocked and said cover can not be placed in said closed position, while the card remains inside the insertion slot.

8. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said introduction slot has a depth at least equal to the maximum length of said card, so that its presence in the insertion slot does not prevent the closure of said cover and that the said compartment can serve as a protective case for this card, when said compartment and flap are in said closed position.

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said compartment is extended, on the wall provided with said introduction slot by a guide tray of said card, by inserting it into the insertion slot.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compartment contains a switch on the wall provided with said insertion slot, and because this switch is operated by the aforementioned fin, to cut or restore the electrical power supply of the device. electronic circuits present in the compartment.