Terminal

Abstract

Interaction terminal with a housing unit (G) comprising a rear wall section (1) and a door element (2), wherein: - the door element (2) forms a front and an inner door side facing away from the front, - a display unit is provided which is connected to the door element (2) in the area of ​​the inner door side, - the front of the door element (2) represents the interaction side facing the user in the operating state of the interaction terminal, - the door element (2) and the rear wall section (1) define an interior space of the device and the door element (2) can be moved from a closed position in which the interior space of the device is sealed off from the environment to an open position in which the interior space of the device and a rear area of ​​the door unit are accessible, - the door element (2) has side panels (2a, 2b),which extend vertically downwards in a left and a right side area of ​​the door element (2) and surround the rear area of ​​the door element (2), - a roof structure (4) is provided in an upper area of ​​the door element (2), - the roof structure (4) is made of a translucent material, and - the roof structure (4) is connected to the door element (2) in such a way that the roof structure (4) can be moved as a unit with the door element (2) when the door element (2) is opened and closed.

Description

The invention relates to an interaction or point-of-sale terminal in the form of a free-standing column, a stable, a pelon or else on the wall side or ceiling side and alternatively also on lateral arms, in particular a box-like housing element which provides a front side via which interaction components such as, for example, a preferably large-area display, in particular in the form of a vertically or horizontally oriented touchscreen, printer, scanner, payment equipment, coin inputs and coin outputs and other input and / or output equipment items can be used in a manner opposite a user.Such interaction terminals are used in particular for handling selection processes, accounting processes and payment processes, for handling the generation of proofs of authorisation, for the output of tickets or also identification cards, in particular in the form of printed cards and in this case provided in particular with a light image of a user, which optionally contain electronic storage media whose data content is matched by the interaction with the terminal. The front side of the interaction terminal is formed by a door element, wherein illuminable zones are formed in this door element and the defined illumination of those zones serves, for example, to visually support an interaction of a user with the system mentioned and / or also initially only to locate the system and to detect the functional area of the latter.EP 3 494 551 B1 discloses an interaction terminal or pay machine of the above-mentioned type. This pay machine comprises a door element which is covered over the entire surface and in this case with a high-strength glass plate as far as into its marginal edge region. The glass plate is printed on the rear side and a wide variety of operating modules, such as touchscreen displays, are arranged on this rear side, with which interactions can be carried out by selective touching of the glass plate. Apertures for forming passages can also be formed in the glass plate by cutting methods, through which card readers, printers, cashing systems and change hand dispensing mechanics are sufficiently accessible. This unitary front design provides an overall professional appearance and also offers advantages from the point of view of device maintenance.Furthermore, US 2023 / 0237884 A1 discloses a self-service terminal which can be used in the exterior and is equipped with a roof for this purpose. The terminal comprises a box-like housing element provided with a door-like cover. Furthermore, the terminal housing is arranged on a pillar-like structure. The terminal is equipped with a printer, a payment device and a scanner. Furthermore, a lateral light strip is provided.The object of the invention is to provide solutions by means of which it is possible to create an interaction terminal of the type mentioned at the beginning which is distinguished by a robust construction which is insensitive to environmental influences, which offers advantages with regard to assembly and maintenance and whose presence and functional readiness can be perceived in an advantageous manner.This object is achieved according to the invention by an interaction terminal having a housing device which has a rear wall part and a door element, wherein:the door element forms a front side and a door inner side facing away from the front side,a display device is provided which is connected to the door element in the region of the door inner side,the front side of the door element represents the interaction side facing the user in the state of use of the interaction terminal,the door element and the rear wall part delimit an appliance interior space and the door element can be displaced from a closed position in which the appliance interior space is sealed off from the environment into an open position in which the appliance interior space and a rear side region of the door device are accessible,the door element has side walls which extend vertically downward in a left and a right side region of the door element and surround the rear side region of the door element,a roof structure is provided in an upper region of the door element,the roof structure is manufactured from a translucent material, andthe roof structure is connected to the door element in such a way that the roof structure is displaceable as a unit with the door element when the door element is opened and closed.This advantageously makes it possible to create an interaction terminal in which the door element carries an assembly which can be exposed via the door element and in this state is accessible for service work such as a cash withdrawal, refilling with printing paper or card blanks. The roof structure provided on the door element ensures that in this pivoted-open state the components connected to the door element are shielded from above, so that, in particular when the terminal is set up outdoors, there is extensive protection of the interior of the door element from the effect of weathering. The cheeks further surround the components connected to the door element and vertically support the roof element. The side cheeks are preferably connected by transverse walls in the region of their upper ends and in the region of their lower ends, with the result that the side cheeks and the transverse walls form a frame. This approach provides a high degree of strength of the door element against the action of a lateral force and the position of a closing gap between the door element and the rear wall part migrates to the rear with respect to the front side of the door element. In the event of any force acting on the door element, the risk of damage to the edge region of the display is reduced.The depth of the lateral cheeks measured normally to the front-side plane is preferably in the range from 20 to 50% of the total depth of the housing element, which depth is likewise measured normally to the front-side plane. The depth or "width" of the cheeks may vary in their course in the vertical direction. Thus, in particular at the height of the display or in the region close to the roof structure, the width or depth of the respective cheek can be dimensioned so large that it corresponds to the depth of the roof structure measured normally to the front surface plane. In the region lying further down, the depth of the cheeks can be dimensioned to be smaller. This results on the one hand in a high strength and a greater trough depth of the door element in its upper region and, associated therewith, in a better shielding of the inner region of the terminal from above, without the door element overall forming a trough structure which is deep over its entire circumferential edge. This approach also gives an appealing visual appearance in that the upper region of the door element in which the display is also arranged corresponds to the head of the terminal and, as a result of the reduction of the side walls in the region of the lower half of the door element or below the first third measured from above, the door element appears as a slender or flat structure as viewed from the side. Overall, the terminal can comprise design features which are based on the form of the smartphones. In the transition zone between the upper region of a large cheek depth and the region of reduced cheek depth, a so-called hofeister knee can be realized. Below this bend, a zone takes its beginning which can be used for arranging light structures. These light structures can underline the edge contour of the cheeks and the course of the joint which is thereby present, including the region of the bend between the door element and the rear wall part, and further emphasize the slenderness and the vertical lines of the terminal.According to a particular aspect of the present invention, the interaction terminal is designed in such a way that a lighting device is provided for coupling light into the roof structure. This illumination device can advantageously be realized in such a way that it comprises LED elements, wherein these LED elements can preferably be controlled in an addressed manner. This approach advantageously makes it possible to vary the color of the light injected into the roof structure in a controlled manner in accordance with a data processing process. This color can, for example, on the one hand support the finding of the terminal and then also visualize the operating status. When the roof structure is illuminated, for example, in the color light green, a user is signalled that the terminal is available for an interaction. If the roof structure is illuminated in the yellow color in a pulsed manner, this can signal to the user that the terminal is currently occupied by another user, but is ready for functioning. When the roof structure is illuminated in the color red, the user can signal that the terminal is currently not available. The lighting structures in the side region are recognizable to remote users and do not, however, impair the interaction of the user currently operating on the terminal with the terminal.The roof structure is preferably made of a plastic material and forms a water-guiding structure, by means of which any water impinging on the roof structure is guided onto the side cheek region of the door element. The roof structure is connected to the door element in a sealing manner, so that any water flowing off via the roof structure cannot penetrate into the inner shell of the door element, at least not in the closed position of the door element.The roof structure provided on the door element can be dimensioned in such a way that it also protrudes beyond the upper region of the rear wall part. It is also possible to provide on the rear wall part its own roof structure which adjoins the roof structure of the door element as an extension having the same contour in vertical section to the roof structure of the door element. This roof structure can also be made of a translucent material and can optionally be illuminated by lighting means in a color-controlled manner, in time-controlled manner and with regard to brightness. The lighting means provided for this purpose can still be arranged on the door element and, in the closed position of the door element, emit light into the roof structure of the rear wall part. The roof structure of the rear wall part can also be manufactured from a non-light-transmissive material; it can in particular be an integral component of the rear wall part.According to a further particular aspect of the present invention, a respective light bar structure is provided on the user terminal both in the left and in the right side region of the rear wall part or of the door element, which light bar structure extends in the vertical direction in an end edge region of the side walls in the closed position of the door element. This light bar structure is preferably illuminated via successive and addressed drivable LED elements. Color, brightness and illumination location can each be adjusted by control technology, so that certain dynamic illumination effects such as moving light effects can also be realized on the illumination bar structure.The door element can be constructed in such a way that it forms, with the electronic components connected thereto, a module which can be configured in the manner of an independent module in a state of a unit separated from the rear wall part. This makes it possible, during the mounting of the interaction terminal, to mount the rear wall part, for example in the form of an open column, on a floor surface first. In the rear wall part, a connection section, in particular a terminal box, is preferably provided, in which the electrical base connection of the rear wall part can be made by an electrician without the door element having to be already available on site in this case. The coupling of the door element to the rear wall part can be reset, for example, until shortly before the terminal is put into operation, so that the door element can be stored in a otherwise protected manner or still packaged manner.According to a further aspect of the present invention, the object indicated at the beginning is also achieved by an interaction terminal having a housing device which has a rear wall part and a door element, wherein:the door element forms a front side and a door inner side facing away from the front side,a display device is provided which is connected to the door element in the region of the door inner side,the front side of the door element represents the interaction side facing the user in the state of use of the interaction terminal,the door element and the rear wall part delimit an appliance interior space and the door element can be displaced from a closed position in which the appliance interior space is sealed off from the environment into an open position in which the appliance interior space and a rear side region of the door device are accessible,the door element has side walls which extend vertically downward in a left and a right side region of the door element and surround the rear side region of the door element, and,a light bar structure is provided which extends in the vertical direction in an end edge region of the side walls in the closed position of the door element.This advantageously makes it possible to facilitate locating the user farther away and not facing the terminal frontally and, if necessary, to support user guidance by means of special lighting effects. For this purpose, the terminal is preferably designed such that the light bar structure is illuminated by LED elements that can be controlled in an addressed manner. The light bar structure can be connected to the door element, so that it can also be tested and configured in a structural unit with the door element. The light bar structure can also be connected to the rear wall part in a stationary manner. It is possible, when the terminal is not in use, to cover or replace the door element and then to operate the light bar structure without a door element, in particular in a color which signals that the terminal is currently passive.According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the object indicated at the beginning is also achieved by an interaction terminal having a housing device which has a rear wall part and a door element, wherein:the door element forms a front side and a door inner side facing away from the front side,a display device is provided which is connected to the door element in the region of the door inner side,the front side of the door element represents the interaction side facing the user in the state of use of the interaction terminal,the door element and the rear wall part delimit an appliance interior and the door element can be displaced from a closed position in which the appliance interior is sealed off from the environment into an open position in which the appliance interior and a rear side region of the door device are accessible, and,the door element and the organs of the terminal connected thereto form a module which can be electronically configured in a state separated from the rear wall part.This advantageously makes it possible to mount the rear wall part beforehand by an installer configured for this purpose and to perform the electrical connection of the terminal without the more complex, sensitive and also data-technology-sensitive electronic components already having to be available on site. The configuration can be carried out at the installation site or preferably still in the area of a system provider. A test of the door element before it is attached to the rear wall part is also possible in this case.Preferably, the components accommodated in the door element are operated with voltage at low current level and the power supply component of the terminal is then preferably accommodated in the rear wall part.The terminal can also be equipped with a battery device, by means of which an at least temporary energy-autonomous operation of the terminal is made possible. The terminal may be equipped with data transfer means which enable data transfer wirelessly.It is possible to use the rear wall part of the terminal as a support or column for a gate device with a door or blocking element, so that a passage through a travel path is enabled or blocked in accordance with an interaction carried out at the terminal.According to a particular aspect of the present invention, the coupling of the door element and the rear wall part is preferably effected by a hinge device, in particular a hinge device. The door element is preferably pivotable about a vertical pivot axis. This pivot axis preferably extends in a left or right side region of the rear wall part. Preferably, by installing the hinge device, it is possible to select whether the door element is pivotable as a door that is hinged to the left or right.The door element and the rear wall part are preferably matched to one another such that the door element and the rear wall part close sealingly. By means of folding structures and optionally additional engagement structures, a high-strength coupling of the door element and of the rear wall part in the closed position can be achieved. The folding structures are preferably designed such that any water penetrating into a closing gap, in particular rain, is caught in the folding structure and discharged.The door element and the rear wall part can preferably be locked to one another via a lock device. The lock device can be designed such that it can be locked and unlocked by a mechanical key. It is also possible to configure the lock device such that it can be electronically unlocked. The corresponding code input can be effected via the interaction interfaces of the door element; special interfaces can also be provided for this purpose. It is possible to configure the hinge device such that the door element can first be pivoted into the closed position and can be lowered vertically in this closed position. During the lowering, hook structures provided complementarily on the door element and the rear wall part can engage with one another, so that a high-strength mechanical coupling of the door element with the rear wall part is achieved. The vertical position of the door element relative to the rear wall part is then secured by a mechanical locking member. The mechanical blocking element can be moved via an electric drive in conjunction with an authorization process. The vertical raising and lowering of the door element and, if appropriate, the pivoting open can also be supported by electromechanical drives.It is possible to provide an electronic circuit, in particular a transmitter for an electronic key, in the region of the rear wall part, by means of which it is achieved that the terminal can only be put into operation when the door element is closed. This prevents manipulated operations from being carried out with the terminal in the open state.The door element is preferably designed as a relatively highly loadable metal construction, in particular as a stainless steel welded part. The front side of the door element can be designed as a metal or glass plate. The display is preferably "on edge", i.e. bound into the door element in a vertical orientation, and preferably extends in the region of the upper half of the front side. The display is preferably a touchscreen. The lighting effects in the area of the roof structure and optionally of the side walls can correlate with colors that are used in the display for user guidance.The rear wall part can be designed as a steel component, an aluminum extrusion or a non-corrosive material and in particular as a galvanized or powder-coated weather-resistant and distinctly stationary mounted pillar element. The appearance of the rear wall part can be determined by its colour in addition to its shape. The door element can be manufactured from high-quality materials, so that its appearance is characterized, for example, by the combination of stainless steel and glass. The rear wall part primarily gives the impression of high mechanical strength.In the interaction terminal according to the invention, roof structures which take up relatively space, in particular lighting cubes, are fixedly integrated in the door element and in this case in turn in the upper region of the latter. These roof structures allow operation of the terminal with additional color features and delicate light spot control by addressing the LED elements. The housing cheek lighting supports the discoverability of the terminal and offers multifunctionality such as signaling for improved perception and visualization of the status. The inventive concept enables a design with separate material designs through the 2-part housing construction. The concept according to the invention enables integration of selected components, in particular the more robust components, into the base and the more sensitive components into the door element. The concept according to the invention enables modular separation of the tasks installation and startup.With regard to the further structure of a user terminal, reference is made to EP 3 494 551 B1, which is mentioned at the beginning and which is based on the applicant and the content of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety into the present application.Further details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the drawings. It shows: FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of an interaction terminal according to the invention with a roof element which is connected to the door element and can be illuminated in a controlled manner from the inside by means of LED elements; FIG. 2 shows a perspective detailed illustration of the upper region of the interaction terminal according to the invention; FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of the interaction terminal according to the invention in the open position;The illustration according to FIG. 1 shows an interaction terminal according to the invention having a housing device G which has a rear wall part 1 and a door element 2, wherein the door element 2 forms a front side and a door inner side facing away from the latter, and a display device 3 is provided which is connected to the door element 2 in the region of the door inner side.The front side of the door element 2 represents the interaction side facing the user in the illustrated state of use of the interaction terminal. The door element 2 and the rear wall part 1 delimit an appliance interior space and the door element 2 can be displaced from a closed position shown, in which the appliance interior space is sealed off from the environment, into an open position (cf. FIG. 3 ), in which the appliance interior space and a rear side region of the door device 2 are accessible.The door member 2 has side walls 2 a, 2 bthat extend vertically downward in left and right side portions of the door member 2 and surround the rear side portion of the door member 2. The side walls are connected in their end regions by front walls, so that the door element forms a vertically suspended trough.In an upper region of the door element 2, a roof structure 4 is provided. This roof structure 4 is made of a translucent material. This roof structure 4 is connected to the door element 2 in such a way that the roof structure 4 can be displaced as a unit with the door element 2 when the door element 2 is opened and closed.In the door element 2, an illumination device is provided for coupling light into the roof structure 4. These LED elements can be controlled in an addressed manner. According to the control of the LED elements, the color of the light coupled into the roof structure 4 in a controlled manner can be varied in accordance with a data processing process.A roof structure 4a is likewise provided on the rear wall part 1, which is connected to the roof structure 4 of the door element 2 as an extension having the same contour in vertical section to the roof structure 4 of the door element 2.In the interaction terminal according to the invention, a light bar structure 5 a, 5 b(reference numeral 5 b compare FIG. 2 ) is provided, which extends in the vertical direction in an end edge region 2 cof the side walls 2 a 2 bin the closed position of the door element 2.The door element 2 forms, with the electronic components connected thereto, an assembly which can be configured as a unit in the manner of an independent module in a state separated from the rear wall part 1. In this exemplary embodiment, the door element 2 carries, in addition to the touchscreen 3, an EC card reading device and a PIN input device 6, an EC card support 7 and a document printer 8.The rear wall part 1 is designed as a stationary pillar or stelene body, the door element 2 is pivotably articulated to the latter and carries its own roof structure 4 which can be illuminated under controlled light from the inside.The illustration according to FIG. 2 further illustrates the structure of the interaction terminal according to the invention. This illustration once again further illustrates the three-dimensional shape of the roof structure 4. The roof structure is manufactured as a hollow body from a translucent material and can be illuminated from the inside in a defined manner. The roof structure here forms a rectangular rectangular rectangular cap which is rounded laterally by radii. The radii here correspond to the height of the roof structure. The door element 2 has side walls 2 a, 2 bwhich extend vertically downward in a left and a right side region of the door element 2 and laterally delimit and frame the rear side region of the door element. A light bar structure 5 bis provided on the terminal, which extends in the vertical direction in an end edge region 2 cof the side walls when the door element 2 is in the closed position. The light bar structure 5 bis made of a translucent material. The light bar structure is illuminated by addressedly drivable LED elements. The light bar structure 5 bis connected to the rear wall part 1 in this exemplary embodiment, but it can also be connected to the door element 2.The illustration according to FIG. 3 shows the interaction terminal according to the invention in a state with the door element 2 pivoted open. In this open position, the interior of the rear wall part 1 is accessible and the components mounted on the inner wall of the door element 2 are also accessible in this open position. The door element 2 and the organs of the terminal connected thereto form a module which, if necessary, can also be electronically configured in a state separated from the rear wall part 1. The components accommodated in the door element 2 are operated with voltage at low current level and the power supply component is accommodated in the rear wall part 1.The articulation of the door element 2 to the rear wall part 1 is effected using hinges 8a, ab, 8c. These hinges 8 a, ab, 8 cform a mounting parting point via which the door element can be easily attached to the rear wall part and removed therefrom.In this exemplary embodiment, the rear wall part 1 is designed as a hollow pillar with a rectangular cross section. This pillar is at least partially open in the region in which the door element 2 interacts with the latter. The bearing and the door element each form receiving spaces per se. By closing the door element 2, these receiving spaces are sealed off from the environment. The rear wall part here forms a rectangular tube shaft below the door element and a trough facing the door element at the height of the door element. The side walls 2 of the door element 2 are flush with the side walls of the rear wall element 1 in the closed position of the door element (cf. FIG. 2 ). The light bar structure 5 blies from the inside against this common plane of the side walls 2 of the door element and the lateral sides of the rear wall element 1. The light bar structure 5b is thereby optically seated in the joint between the side walls of the door element 2 and the side walls of the rear wall element 1.The rectangular tube shaft of the rear wall part 1 is placed on a base which carries a positioning pin which penetrates the rectangular tube shaft with close play. The rear wall part 1 is secured to the base by fastening means which are accessible when the door element 2 is open. The closing effect of the door element 1 thus also extends to the partitioning of the fastening means, pins, bolts, latches or closures used for fixing the rear wall element 1 at its installation location.In the example shown here, the rear wall part is designed as a vertical hollow post with a partial wall section. It is also possible to keep the door element at the height by means of two post-like beams spaced apart from one another and then to mount the door element such that it can be pivoted upwards or downwards, if appropriate about a horizontal axis. The display can then be located in the central region of the horizontal door element and the mechanics requiring space can penetrate from the door element into the spaces formed by the posts and accessible through partial openings or project from the posts into the door element.

Claims

Interaction terminal having a housing device (G) which has a rear wall part (1) and a door element (2), wherein: - the door element (2) forms a front side and a door inner side facing away from the latter, - a display device is provided which is connected to the door element (2) in the region of the door inner side, - the front side of the door element (2) represents the interaction side facing the user in the state of use of the interaction terminal, - the door element (2) and the rear wall part (1) delimit an appliance interior and the door element (2) can be displaced from a closed position in which the appliance interior is sealed off from the environment into an open position in which the appliance interior and a rear side region of the door device are accessible, - the door element (2) has side walls (2a, 2b), which extend vertically downward in a left and a right side region of the door element (2) and surround the rear side region of the door element (2), - a roof structure (4) is provided in an upper region of the door element (2), - the roof structure (4) is manufactured from a translucent material and - the roof structure (4) is connected to the door element (2) in such a way that the roof structure (4) can be displaced as a unit with the door element (2) when the door element (2) is opened and closed.Interaction terminal according to Claim 1, characterized in that a lighting device is provided for coupling light into the roof structure (4).The interaction terminal according to claim 2, characterized in that the illumination device comprises LED elements.Interaction terminal according to Claim 3, characterized in that these LED elements can be controlled in an addressed manner.Interaction terminal according to at least one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the colour of the light coupled into the roof structure (4) in a controlled manner can be varied in accordance with a data processing process and / or in that a roof structure (4) is provided on the rear wall part, said roof structure adjoining the roof structure (4) of the door element (2) as an extension of the same contour in the vertical section to the roof structure (4) of the door element (2), and / or in that a lighting strip structure (5b) is provided which extends in the vertical direction in an end edge region (2c) of the side walls (2a, 2b) in the closed position of the door element (2).The interaction terminal according to at least one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the door element (2) with the electronic components connected thereto forms an assembly which can be configured in the manner of an independent module in a state separated from the rear wall part (1).Interaction terminal having a housing device (G) which has a rear wall part (1) and a door element (2), wherein: - the door element (2) forms a front side and a door inner side facing away from the latter, - a display device is provided which is connected to the door element (2) in the region of the door inner side, - the front side of the door element (2) represents the interaction side facing the user in the state of use of the interaction terminal, - the door element (2) and the rear wall part delimit an appliance interior and the door element can be displaced from a closed position in which the appliance interior is sealed off from the environment into an open position in which the appliance interior and a rear side region of the door device are accessible, - the door element (2) has side walls (2a, 2b), which extend vertically downwards in a left and a right side region of the door element (2) and surround the rear side region of the door element (2), and - a light strip structure (5b) is provided which, in the closed position of the door element (2), extends in the vertical direction in an end edge region (2c) of the side walls (2a, 2b).Interaction terminal according to Claim 7, characterized in that the lighting strip structure (5b) is produced from a translucent material and / or in that the lighting strip structure (5b) is illuminated by LED elements which can be controlled in an addressed manner and / or in that the lighting strip structure (5b) is connected to the door element (2).

Images