Module for reading a document, associated housing and terminal
The modular design of a gaming terminal with a closed housing for the camera and lighting device addresses the bulkiness issue by enabling easy maintenance and protection of sensitive components, enhancing usability and handling.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2020192978
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2019-08-29
- Filing Date
- 2020-08-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-02
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-08-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing gaming terminals at tobacconists are bulky, making maintenance and handling impractical, especially due to the need to move the entire housing for servicing sensitive components.
A modular design with a closed housing for the camera and lighting device, where the housing is closed at one end by a window and another by a plate, allowing the module to be easily removed and replaced, providing protection and simplifying maintenance.
The modular design simplifies maintenance by allowing only the sensitive parts to be handled, reduces bulk, and enhances protection of the components, while enabling easy installation and removal of the module from the housing.
Smart Images

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Abstract
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a module for reading a document.
[0002] The present invention also relates to a housing comprising such a module.
[0003] The present invention also relates to a document analysis terminal comprising such a box. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] At tobacconists, there are gaming terminals that make it easier to record bets.
[0005] These gaming terminals usually include a niche intended to receive documents to be analyzed, the niche being provided with lighting means to facilitate the taking of pictures of the documents by a camera arranged directly above the niche.
[0006] Typically, the tobacconist inserts a game ticket manually completed by a player into the terminal and orders the ticket to be analyzed. The terminal then issues a receipt based on this analysis, which the tobacconist can then give to the player. For example, the receipt indicates the boxes that were checked by the player on the ticket.
[0007] These gaming terminals are relatively bulky.
[0008] This is not very practical for handling them, especially for maintenance reasons.
[0009] Document KR 2019 0036901 describes a document according to the preamble of claim 1. SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An aim of the invention is to provide a solution which at least partially overcomes the aforementioned problem. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] With a view to achieving this aim, the invention proposes a module of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the box comprises a closed housing for housing the at least one camera, the housing being closed at one end by a window and at another end by the plate, the lighting device being arranged outside the housing.
[0012] In this way, the invention is an all-in-one module directly incorporating the document reader and the lighting device. Thus, in the event of maintenance, it is not necessary to move the entire housing but only the module containing the most sensitive parts. The invention also makes it possible to remove the module from the housing when it is not in use, to protect the module or prevent theft. It is also possible to envisage having a single module according to the invention that is moved from one housing to another.
[0013] In addition, the box provides good protection for the most sensitive parts of the module.
[0014] For the present application the terms "front", "rear", "upper", "lower" ... must of course be understood according to the position in service of the module, i.e. when the module is in place in the housing, the niche of which itself rests on a stable support with the module in the upper part of the housing.
[0015] Optionally, the camera is arranged in the center of the plate.
[0016] Optionally, the module includes at least two cameras capable of working in different wavelength ranges.
[0017] Optionally, the light element is capable of illuminating in different wavelength ranges.
[0018] Optionally, the module includes at least four light elements arranged at the four corners of the face of the plate to which they are attached.
[0019] Optionally, the box comprises at least one window through which the light element illuminates, said window being configured to promote the diffusion of light from the lighting device towards the outside.
[0020] Optionally, the box includes at least one seal between the glass and the housing to hermetically seal the housing.
[0021] Optionally, the module includes a heat sink arranged directly above the board.
[0022] Optionally the board is a printed circuit board.
[0023] Optionally, the plate comprises diffusers made of electrically conductive materials passing through the plate so as to be in contact on the one hand with respectively at least one of the components arranged on the lower face of the plate and the heat sink on the other hand.
[0024] The invention also relates to a housing intended to receive such a module.
[0025] Optionally, the box includes a dedicated system to speed up the rate at which documents can be installed in the box.
[0026] Optionally, the system includes at least one light whose color changes depending on whether or not the box is able to receive a new document.
[0027] Optionally, the case includes thermal protection arranged directly above the module.
[0028] The invention also relates to a document analysis terminal comprising such a housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The invention will be better understood in light of the following description with reference to the appended figures, among which: [ Fig. 1 ] there figure 1 is a perspective view of a module according to a particular embodiment of the invention, [ Fig. 2 ] there figure 2 is a perspective view of the bottom of the module illustrated in figure 1 , [ Fig. 3a ] there figure 3a is a rear perspective view of a housing comprising the module illustrated in figure 1 , [ Fig. 3b ] there figure 3b is a front perspective view of the case shown in figure 3a , [ Fig. 4a ] there figure 4a represents the back of the case illustrated in the figure 3a without its hood, [ Fig. 4b ] there figure 4b is a view similar to that of the figure 4a , the module being shown being removed from the case, [ Fig. 4c ] there figure 4c is a view similar to that of the figure 4a , the module being shown removed from the case. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] In reference to the figures 1 et 2 , a module according to a particular embodiment of the invention will be described. The module is in the form of a box, generally designated 1, forming a unitary assembly.
[0031] The box 1 here has a generally parallelepiped shape and thus has an upper main face, a lower main face and four sides extending between the two main faces, namely two lateral sides, a front side and a rear side. In order to be able to mount the module in a housing 101, as we will see later, the box 1 is provided with right and left lateral tabs for sliding in corresponding slides of the housing 101. To ensure better guidance of the module, the cassette has on each right and left side a lower tab and an upper tab therefore sliding respectively in one of the four slides of the housing 101.
[0032] On its front side, the box 1 is provided with a male or female member 2 of a locking mechanism, capable of cooperating respectively with the female or male member 102 of the locking mechanism carried by the housing 101, for the temporary locking of the box 1 in the housing 101. Preferably, the locking mechanism can be activated / deactivated without tools, for example by pressing and turning the male member in the female member to block it in a position for temporarily locking the box 1 in the housing 101.
[0033] The male or female member of the locking mechanism is here arranged at the lower end of the box 1.
[0034] The box 1 here comprises a plate 3 arranged in the upper part of the box 1. Said plate 3 is here shaped as a plate. Said plate 3 is in particular of rectangular section. In the present case, the plate 3 is a printed circuit board.
[0035] In addition, the box 1 comprises a document reader mounted on the lower face 6 of the plate 3.
[0036] The document reader comprises at least one camera and in this case comprises a first camera 4 and a second camera 5. The two cameras 4, 5 are thus mounted on the lower face 6 of the plate 3 so as to be directed towards the bottom of the box 1.
[0037] Preferably, the two cameras 4, 5 are arranged substantially in the center of the lower face 6 of the plate 3 in the immediate vicinity of one another. For example, the two cameras 4, 5 are aligned parallel to one of the sides of the box 1. Optionally, the two cameras 4, 5 are aligned parallel to the lateral sides of the box 1. The two cameras 4, 5 are thus arranged on a line parallel to the lateral sides of the box 1, a line cutting the box 1 in two.
[0038] Preferably, the first camera 4 is a camera working at least in the visible and ultraviolet ranges and the second camera 5 is a camera working at least in the infrared and preferably only in the infrared.
[0039] This makes it possible to read a document in different wavelength ranges. The second camera 5 advantageously has very good definition in the infrared (compared to a camera working in both the visible and the infrared and which would therefore have an average definition for these two ranges) which facilitates reading of characters possibly present on the document.
[0040] Furthermore, the box 1 comprises a lighting device mounted on the lower face 6 of the plate 3.
[0041] Preferably, the lighting device comprises at least four light elements mounted on the lower face 6 of the plate 3 so as to be directed towards the bottom of the box 1 and each arranged in one of the respective corners of said lower face 6.
[0042] In the present case, the lighting device comprises twelve light elements 7a, 7b, 7c mounted on the lower face 6 of the plate 3 so as to be directed towards the bottom of the box 1 and distributed homogeneously around the cameras 4, 5, at least four light elements each being arranged in one of the respective corners of said lower face 6.
[0043] This makes it possible to illuminate the darkest areas of a niche 103 of the box 101 as we will see later.
[0044] Typically, the lower face 6 of the plate 3 is divided into three strips parallel to the lateral sides of the box 1: a central strip 8 comprises the two cameras 4, 5, arranged in the center of the central strip 8; a right lateral strip 10 and a left lateral strip 9 comprise the light elements 7a, 7b, 7c distributed symmetrically between the two lateral strips 9, 10 and homogeneously within the same lateral strip. In the present case, the lateral strips 9, 10 are of a greater width than the central strip 8, the lateral strips 9, 10 however being of an identical width.
[0045] Each light element 7a, 7b, 7c comprises, for example, at least one light-emitting diode (also called LED). Preferably, each light element 7a, 7b, 7c comprises a block of three LEDs: a first LED intended to illuminate in the visible, a second LED intended to illuminate in the ultraviolet and a third LED intended to illuminate in the infrared.
[0046] The different light elements 7a, 7b, 7c are all identical to each other in this case.
[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, and as more visible in the figure 2 , the light elements 7a, 7b, 7c form blocks. For example, the light elements are grouped three by three and thus form four blocks 11, 12, 13, 14. Two blocks 11, 12 are associated with the right strip and two blocks 13, 14 are associated with the left strip.
[0048] Within a block, the light elements 7a, 7b, 7c are arranged in a triangle such that each light element 7a, 7b, 7c is arranged at one of the respective vertices of the triangle. The triangle is preferably substantially equilateral.
[0049] The triangular positioning of the light elements 7 within the same block 11, 12, 13, 14 is such that for each block 11, 12, 13, 14: a first light element 7a is arranged in a corner of the lower face 6 of the plate 3, a second light element 7b is arranged in alignment with the first light element 7a near the central strip 8, the first light element 7a and the second light element 7b thus being arranged on one of the edges of the lower face 6 of the plate 3, a third light element 7c is arranged substantially in the center of the right 10 or left 9 side strip associated so as to form the triangle.
[0050] In this way, it is more visible to the figure 2 , if we look at the lower face 6 of the plate 3, the two cameras 4, 5 occupy the center of said lower face 6 and are framed in front on the left by a first block 14, at the rear on the left by a second block 13, in front on the right by a third block 12 and behind on the right by a fourth block 11. We also have: four light elements 7a, 7b at the four corners of the right side strip 10 respectively, four light elements 7a, 7b at the four corners of the left side strip 9 respectively, two light elements 7c in the center of the right side strip 10 aligned with each other parallel to the lateral sides of the box 1, two light elements 7c in the center of the left side strip 9 aligned with each other parallel to the lateral sides of the box 1.
[0051] Furthermore, the module includes a protective box 15 for the document reader and the lighting device.
[0052] The box 15 is here mounted on the lower face 6 of the plate 3 so as to extend it.
[0053] The box 15 has a generally parallelepiped shape with an attachment face 16 to the lower face 6 of the plate 3, an opposite lower face 17 and four walls 18 extending between said two faces 16, 17. Thus, in the present embodiment, the lower face 17 forms the lower main face of the box 1 and the walls 18 form almost all of the sides of the box 1.
[0054] The lower face 17 of the box 15 comprises at least one window through which the light elements 7a, 7b, 7c illuminate and the cameras view.
[0055] In the present case, the lower face 17 of the box 15 comprises a central window 19 through which the cameras 4, 5 view, a right window 20 through which the right-hand light elements 7a, 7b, 7c illuminate and a left window 21 through which the left-hand light elements 7a, 7b, 7c illuminate.
[0056] Preferably, the box 15 is dustproof. Thus, the box 15 comprises a closed central housing 22 in which the two cameras 4, 5 extend, housing closed at its lower end by the central window 19 and at its upper end by the plate 3. The box 15 also comprises a closed left housing 23 for the left light elements closed by the left window 21 at its lower end and by the plate 3 at its upper end. In the same way, the box 15 also comprises a closed right housing 24 for the right light elements, closed by the right window 20 at its lower end and by the plate 3 at its upper end.
[0057] According to a preferred embodiment, the central window 19 is arranged at least partly under the right 20 and left 21 windows which thus at least partly cover the central window 19. This reinforces the sealing of the central housing 22.
[0058] Preferably, the box 15 comprises at least one seal between the central window 19 and the central housing 22 on the one hand and between the plate 3 and the central housing 22 on the other hand. This reinforces the sealing of the central housing 22.
[0059] This allows the cameras to be well insulated from the outside and in particular from dust.
[0060] According to a preferred embodiment, the box 15 also comprises a seal between the left window 21 and the left housing 23 on the one hand and between the plate 3 and the left housing 23 on the other hand. Furthermore, the box 15 also comprises a seal between the right window 20 and the right housing 24 on the one hand and between the plate 3 and the right housing 24 on the other hand.
[0061] Preferably, the housing 15 is configured to improve the quality of document shooting by the cameras 4, 5.
[0062] For this purpose, the right window 20 and the left window 21 are configured to promote the diffusion of light from the lighting device towards the outside.
[0063] For this purpose, the right window 20 and the left window 21 are configured to homogenize the light generated by the lighting device. For this purpose, the right window 20 and the left window 21 each comprise a diffusing film and / or are colored in the mass and / or are textured.
[0064] According to a preferred embodiment, an internal face of at least one of the walls 18 of the box 15 is also configured to promote the diffusion of the light coming from the lighting device towards the outside (i.e. the face facing the inside of the box 15). Preferably, all the internal faces of the walls 18 of the box 15 are configured to promote the diffusion of the light coming from the lighting device towards the outside.
[0065] For this purpose, the internal faces are configured to homogenize the light generated by the lighting device. For this purpose and optionally the internal faces are reflective and for example white. As a replacement or in addition, the internal faces are textured. For example, said internal faces are typically grained by a graining called Charmille.
[0066] Furthermore, the module comprises means for controlling the module. The control means comprise, for example, one or more calculators, one or more microcomputers, one or more microprocessors, etc., which are integrated into the board 3.
[0067] The control means are configured to control in particular the document reader and the lighting device. In particular, the control means control the document reader so as to generate a video stream which is processed internally by the control means and / or which is transmitted outside the module. If the video stream is processed internally, the control means can optionally communicate information obtained from the video stream to the outside.
[0068] In addition, the control means control the lighting device in order to require lighting in the visible, ultraviolet or infrared range (by activating the corresponding LEDs).
[0069] According to a particular embodiment, the control means control the lighting device so as to be able to activate / deactivate in a differentiated manner each block 11, 12, 13, 14 independently of the others. In this way, it is possible to illuminate with only a part of the light elements 7a, 7b, 7c.
[0070] This is particularly useful for reading a document sensitive to reflections. Typically, during a first photograph of a document, the control means control the lighting device so that all the blocks 11, 12, 13, 14 are active and illuminate the document. In the case where a reflection prevents the reading of the document, the control means control the lighting device so that certain blocks are deactivated for the second photograph to limit a risk of reflection on the document and facilitate the second photograph (the first photograph then having at least made it possible to establish the position of the document and which lighting must be stopped accordingly).
[0071] According to a preferred embodiment, the box 1 is provided with a heat sink.
[0072] For this purpose, the heat sink comprises a heat dissipation plate 25. The plate 25 is made of thermally conductive material, for example metallic material.
[0073] Said plate 25 is carried by the upper face 26 of the plate 3. The plate 25 is here arranged to cover substantially the entire upper face 26 of the plate 3.
[0074] The upper face of said plate 25 here forms in whole or in major part the upper main face of the box 1.
[0075] Because the plate 25 is carried by the turntable 3, this helps to promote the evacuation of heat from the box 1 from the top.
[0076] Preferably, the plate 3 comprises diffusers made of electrically conductive material passing through the plate 3 so as to be in contact on the one hand with respectively components arranged on the lower face 6 of the plate 3 and the plate 25 on the other hand (arranged on the upper face 26 of the plate 3). The diffusers are for example made of metallic material and in particular copper.
[0077] This particular arrangement makes it easier to diffuse heat from the top of the box 1, that is to say opposite the box 15 where the document reader and lighting device are arranged.
[0078] Preferably, said diffusers connect at least each light element 7a, 7b, 7c to the plate 25.
[0079] This is particularly advantageous because the light elements 7a, 7b, 7c are the main heat generators within the box 1.
[0080] Furthermore, the module includes a 27 input / output interface. Thus, the 27 interface includes one or more input ports and one or more output ports for the module's communication with the outside and its power supply. The ports can be of any type, such as a USB port, an HDMI port, an LVDS port, a serial port, a power port, etc.
[0081] The interface 27 is for example carried by the lower face 6 of the plate 3 outside the box 15 (unlike the lighting device and the document reader which are carried by the lower face 6 of the plate 3 inside the box 15). The interface 27 is here arranged at the level of the front face of the box 1 between the plate 25 and the male or female member 2 of the locking mechanism.
[0082] The module thus described therefore comprises an optical part (the document reader), a lighting part (the lighting device), a processing part (the control means) and a connection part with the exterior (the interface 27).
[0083] The module forms a very complete unitary assembly requiring only connection to a power supply and a general control unit.
[0084] The module described is also compact, which allows it to be handled easily and without danger for the user as well as for the module, the sensitive organs and in particular the cameras 4, 5 being arranged inside the box 15.
[0085] In reference to the figures 3a et 3b as well as to figures 4a à 4c , the module is part of a document analysis terminal such as a gaming terminal.
[0086] The terminal is thus designed to be able to analyze game ticket type documents. The terminal is also designed to be able to analyze documents up to A5 size.
[0087] Typically the terminal has a 101 box.
[0088] Preferably, the housing 101 comprises an interface 104 with the exterior of the housing 101, interface 104 which is therefore not carried by the module. On the other hand, this interface 104 is connected to the interface 27 of the module 1 by wired or wireless connection. For example, said interface 104 comprises at least one external USB port and one internal USB port for a wired connection to the interface 27 of the module 1.
[0089] The terminal also comprises at least one processing unit connected to the interface 104 of the box 101, and therefore to the interface 27 of the module 1, to process the information transmitted by said module 1 and to control the module 1 and the box 101. The processing unit comprises, for example, one or more calculators, one or more microcomputers, one or more microprocessors, etc.
[0090] Furthermore, the processing unit also supplies power to the module 1 via the interface 104, and the interface 27 via a communication port and / or a power supply port. The processing unit is itself connected to an electrical network and / or comprises one or more batteries for supplying power to the module 1 and possibly to the box 101.
[0091] The processing unit is, for example, a laptop, a desktop computer, a tablet or a telephone connected to the interface 104.
[0092] The processing of the information transmitted by module 1 is therefore not done within the box 101 but in the remote processing unit. In the same way, the box 101 is powered via the remote processing unit.
[0093] The box 101 is therefore not autonomous here and in particular does not allow the module 1 to be powered or controlled. The box 101 is here only a receiving shell for the module.
[0094] It is noted that it is very simple for a user to use module 1. In fact, he simply has to insert module 1 into the box 101 by sliding it and then connect his computer or other device to the box 101 via the interface 104.
[0095] Advantageously, once the module 1 is removed, the housing 101 no longer includes any sensitive components such as cameras. A user can thus easily leave the housing and store the module in a safe place when not in use.
[0096] As an option or in addition, the 101 box communicates wirelessly with the outside world, for example via Wi-Fi.
[0097] The housing 101 comprises a frame in which a niche 103 is provided for receiving documents. The interface 104 of the housing is carried by the frame as well as the control member.
[0098] Niche 103 is here open on two sides to facilitate the positioning of documents in niche 103.
[0099] The niche 103 is therefore shaped substantially like a bridge with a ceiling 105 extended by two legs 106, 107. The niche 103 is therefore generally shaped like a U.
[0100] The niche 103 is preferably shaped so that its two legs 106, 107 for attachment to the ground do not extend vertically but slightly inclined so as to approach the ceiling 105 of the niche 103. Furthermore, the frame comprises a chest 108 overhanging the niche 103 and a document positioning tray 109 arranged between the two free ends of the legs 106, 107 of the niche 103, the tray 109 thus forming a base for the frame.
[0101] The box 108 further comprises a housing 110 for receiving the module, the box 108 and the ceiling 105 of the niche 103 comprising at least one opening giving access to the interior of the niche 103 so that in service, when the module is received in the housing 110, the module can study a document arranged on the plate 109 by means of the cameras 4, 5 of the module and the light elements 7a, 7b, 7c of the module. The slides in which the module slides are thus mounted inside the housing 110 as well as the other member 102 of the locking mechanism.
[0102] The housing 110 is closed here by a cover 111. Once the cover 111 is in place, the module is invisible from the outside.
[0103] Preferably, the frame comprises a thermal protection 112, the protection 112 being made of a thermally insulating material. Said protection 112 is for example shaped as a plate.
[0104] The protection 112 extends into the housing 110 directly above the module.
[0105] In this way, the protection 112 covers the plate 25 when the module is in place in the housing 110, which makes it possible to protect the user from the plate 25 which can be very hot.
[0106] The frame also comprises in the upper part at least one display 113 for interaction with a user. Preferably, the display 113 is adjustable in position and / or inclination relative to the frame. The display 113 is of the liquid crystal screen type. Preferably, the display 113 is touch-sensitive.
[0107] The frame is further configured to improve the quality of document shooting by cameras 4, 5.
[0108] For this purpose, an internal face 114 of at least one of the legs 106, 107 of the niche 103 is configured to homogenize the light generated by the lighting device (i.e. the face 114 facing the inside of the niche 103). Preferably, all the internal faces 114 of the legs 106, 107 of the niche 103 are configured to homogenize the light generated by the lighting device.
[0109] For this purpose and optionally, the internal faces 114 are reflective and for example white. As a replacement or in addition, the internal faces 114 are textured. For example, said internal faces 114 are grained typically by a graining called Charmille. Preferably, the plate 109 is also configured to improve the quality of the document shooting by the cameras 4, 5.
[0110] For this purpose and optionally, the internal face 115 of the plate 109 (i.e. the face facing the inside of the niche 103) is not reflective and is for example gray. As a replacement or in addition, the internal face 115 of the plate 109 is textured. For example, the internal face 115 is typically grained by a so-called Charmille graining.
[0111] According to a particular embodiment, the box 101 comprises a system dedicated to accelerating the rate at which the documents can be installed in the niche 103.
[0112] For this purpose, the system comprises at least one light whose color changes depending on whether the box 101 is able to receive a new document or not. For example, the light is red if the box 101 cannot receive a new document (for example because it is already analyzing a document) or green if the box 101 can receive a new document.
[0113] In particular, the light illumination comprises at least one light strip 116 extending over the plate 109. The light strip 116 extends here substantially at the level of one of the two access entrances to the niche 103 to be clearly visible from the outside.
[0114] Preferably, the light illumination comprises two light strips 116 each extending to one of the respective entrances of the niche 103. The light strips 116 are here identical to each other. The light strips 116 are typically rectilinear and each extend parallel along one of the respective free edges of the tray 115.
[0115] In reference to the figure 4a If you wish to remove the module from the box 101, you must remove the cover 111. You then disconnect the various cables connecting the box 101 to the module, then you release the locking mechanism and finally you pull on the module as seen in the figure. figure 4b . It then remains to slide the module along the housing 110 in order to extract the module from the box 101 as illustrated in figure 4c . To arrange the module in the box 101, the reverse operations are carried out.
[0116] The module can therefore be easily arranged and removed from the 101 box without the need for tools.
[0117] Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described but encompasses any variant falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
[0118] The module may have a different shape than that described. The module may therefore have only one camera or more than two cameras, for example three (one in the infrared, one in the ultraviolet and one in the visible). If the module has a single camera, it may acquire in a single wavelength range as well as in several wavelength ranges. In all cases, a single camera may acquire in the visible and / or ultraviolet and / or infrared. In the case where there are two cameras, one camera may work in the ultraviolet and another work in the visible.
[0119] The module may include a different number of light elements than indicated, for example at least eight elements. Preferably, the module will include at least four light elements arranged at the four corners of the face of the module to which they are attached.
[0120] The control means may control the lighting device in a unitary and non-differentiated manner only. Although here the differentiated control only concerns control by geographical area, the differentiated control may, as a replacement or in addition, be control by type of lighting (one block illuminating in the visible while the others illuminate in the ultraviolet as a non-limiting example).
[0121] Although here each light element is formed from a block of several different LEDs, each light element may comprise a single LED (or lamp in general) and / or a block of LEDs (or lamps in general) all illuminating in the same wavelength range. This will allow for light elements working only in the visible range. The light elements may be adjustable in intensity.
[0122] The box may have only one window.
[0123] The board may be shaped differently and, for example, not be shaped like a plate and / or not be made of a printed circuit board. The board may be arranged in the center of the box and not at the top, for example.
[0124] Although the terminal described here is a gaming terminal, the terminal can be used for any other application such as identity checks when crossing a border or to access a given location and, in general, any application for optical reading of a document.
[0125] In the same way, the document analyzed can be of any kind such as a banknote, a game ticket, a security document (passport, identity card, etc.) whether the document is on physical paper or on another medium such as a mobile phone, a tablet or any other object.
[0126] Furthermore, the document may be of various sizes and in particular smaller or larger than A5 format.
[0127] The module can directly integrate a power supply (battery type) or a connection to a power supply (by a cable). In the same way, the module can directly integrate a control device allowing the analysis of documents (instead of simply reading them). The module can thus directly form the document analysis terminal.
[0128] Although the box described here is not autonomous, the box may be partially or totally autonomous. The box may thus directly form the document analysis terminal. As a replacement or in addition to the interface to the rest of the terminal, the box may include a control unit comprising, for example, one or more calculators, one or more microcomputers, one or more microprocessors, etc. to process the information transmitted by the module and / or to control the box and / or the module. As a replacement or in addition to the interface to the rest of the terminal, the box may be connected to an electrical network and / or include one or more batteries to power the box and / or the module.
[0129] The housing niche can only be opened on one side.
[0130] The box may include at least two displays.
[0131] The box may or may not include another system dedicated to accelerating the rate at which documents can be installed in the niche, such as an optical system illuminating in a different number of colors (one color or three colors, for example) and / or a sound system emitting a sound to indicate that a new document can be inserted.
[0132] The module and / or the box and / or the terminal may include means of connection to a Wi-Fi type network. The module and / or the box and / or the terminal may include a contactless reader of the RFID reader type.
Claims
1. A module suitable for being removably inserted in a stand, the module forming a single unit comprising a board (3) incorporating at least: - a document reader including at least one camera (4, 5) arranged at a bottom end of the board and facing outwards from the module; and - a lighting device comprising at least one light-emitting element (7a, 7b, 7c) arranged on the bottom end of the board in the proximity of the camera; the module comprising a box (15) for protecting at least the light-emitting element and the camera, the box being secured to the board in such a manner that the light-emitting element is adapted to illuminate through it and the camera is adapted to view through it, the box (15) comprising a closed housing for accommodating the at least one camera (4, 5), the housing being closed at one end by a window and at another end by the board, characterized in that the lighting device is arranged outside the housing.
2. A module according to claim 1, wherein the camera (4, 5) is arranged at the center of the board.
3. A module according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least two cameras (4, 5) suitable for operating in different wavelength ranges.
4. A module according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the light-emitting element (7a, 7b, 7c) is suitable for illuminating in different wavelength ranges.
5. A module according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least four light-emitting elements (7a, 7b, 7c) arranged at the four corners of the face of the board to which they are secured.
6. A module according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the box (15) includes at least one window through which the light-emitting element illuminates, said window being configured to encourage outward diffusion of light from the lighting device.
7. A module according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the box (15) comprises at least one sealing gasket between the housing and the window closing the housing, the gasket enabling the housing to be closed hermetically.
8. A module according to any of the preceding claims, further including a heatsink (25) arranged perpendicular in register with the board.
9. A module according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the board (3) is a printed circuit card.
10. A module according to claim 8 and claim 9, wherein the board (3) comprises diffusers made of electrically conductive material passing through the board so as to be in contact both with at least a respective one of the components arranged on the bottom face of the board and also with the heatsink (25).
11. A module according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising an input / output interface, wherein the interface has one or more input ports and one or more output ports for the module's external communication and power supply.
12. A module according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one closed housing for housing the at least one light-emitting element, the housing being closed at one end by a window and at another end by the board, the document reader being arranged outside the housing comprising the at least one light-emitting element.
13. A module according to claim 12, wherein the window of the housing comprising the at least one light-emitting element is arranged at least in part above a window of another housing comprising the at least one camera.
14. A module according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of light-emitting elements so as to surround the at least one camera.
15. A module according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one light-emitting element is an LED package.
16. A stand including a module according to any of the preceding claims.
17. A stand according to claim 16, comprising a thermal protection arranged perpendicular with the module.
18. A terminal for analyzing a document and comprising a stand according to claim 16 or claim 17.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Media recognizing apparatus and financial device
KR1020180003357A