Electronic payment terminal with optimised drainage of unwanted liquid

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic payment terminal comprising a housing body (24) in which means for reading a payment data medium are housed, the housing body (24) being at least partially covered with a tamper-detection coating, and comprising an opening (50) for draining unwanted liquid to the outside of the housing body. The housing body (24) comprises a security partition (58) internal to the housing body (24), at least partially covered with a tamper-detection coating, the security partition being positioned between the drainage opening (50) and a protected space of the housing body (24), such that the security partition (58) forms an obstacle to the insertion of a tampering tool into the protected space.

Description

Electronic payment terminal with optimized unwanted liquid drainage

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of electronic payment terminals, more particularly to assemblies comprising self-service electronic payment terminals.

[0002] An electronic payment terminal is already known in the state of the art, comprising a housing body in which are housed means for reading a payment data medium, for example a card equipped with an electronic chip or a magnetic stripe or both, these chip and stripe enabling data exchanges.

[0003] The housing body usually comprises a bottom extending between peripheral walls. One of the peripheral walls at least partially delimits an insertion slot in the housing body of the payment data carrier.

[0004] In order to protect the terminal against malicious break-ins, it is known to at least partially cover the housing body with a tamper-detection coating. Such a coating comprises, for example, a sheet forming a flexible printed circuit, designated in particular by the English acronym FPC corresponding to the English terms "Flexible Printed Circuit". In this type of sheet, a dense network or lattice of fine conductors printed on the sheet is connected to an electronic circuit triggering an alarm as soon as damage to a conductor is detected, in particular by destruction or short-circuiting.

[0005] Typically, the printed circuit tamper detection sheet has an outer portion covering an outer surface of the housing body and at least one inner portion, folded inwardly of the housing body, at least partially covering inner surfaces of the peripheral walls.

[0006] The tamper-detection coating thus makes it possible to detect any malicious drilling of the housing body intended to allow fraudulent access to sensitive information conductors.

[0007] It is known to place an assembly comprising a self-service electronic payment terminal. In certain cases, in particular when the payment terminal is in the open air, this terminal may be subject to unwanted splashes of liquid, particularly if it is placed near a facility that sprays water, for example a car wash facility. Thus, unwanted splashes of liquid may penetrate inside the housing body by passing through the slot for inserting the payment data medium.

[0008] However, it is advisable to remove any unwanted liquid that has accidentally penetrated inside the housing body as far as possible. Indeed, this liquid, if it is allowed to stagnate in the housing body, can damage the electronic circuits it contains, particularly an internal part of the burglar detection sheet, which can trigger an untimely alarm.

[0009] Some payment terminals include one or more drainage channels. However, when the drainage device has a channel, it regularly tends to become clogged, for example due to the accumulation of mud and / or dirt, degrading or even completely preventing the drainage of unwanted liquid into the housing.

[0010] To facilitate the drainage of unwanted liquid, the housing body generally has an unwanted liquid drainage port to the outside of the housing provided in a bottom of this housing body.

[0011] However, the dimensions of the drainage hole must remain limited to prevent a protected space in the housing from being reached by inserting a break-in tool through the drainage hole.

[0012] However, it is observed that the more the dimensions of the drainage hole are limited to promote safety, the more difficult it is to evacuate an unwanted liquid that has involuntarily penetrated the housing body.

[0013] The invention aims in particular to promote the evacuation of an unwanted liquid which has penetrated into the housing body of an electronic payment terminal, without reducing the security of this housing with regard to malicious break-ins.

[0014] To this end, the invention relates to an electronic payment terminal comprising a housing body in which are housed means for reading a payment data medium, the housing body being covered at least partially with a tamper-detecting coating, and comprising an orifice for draining unwanted liquid towards the outside of the housing body. The housing body comprises a security partition internal to the housing body, covered at least partially with a tamper-detecting coating. The security partition is interposed between the drainage orifice and a protected space of the housing body, such that the security partition forms an obstacle to the introduction of a tamper-evident tool into the protected space.

[0015] The obstacle formed by the internal security partition of the housing body, which is at least partially covered by the burglary detection coating, very effectively limits the introduction of a burglary tool into the protected space. Thus, the undesirable liquid drainage hole can be made large enough to ensure effective liquid drainage.

[0016] Depending on other optional features of the electronic payment terminal, taken alone or in combination:

[0017] - An unwanted liquid passage hole is provided through the safety partition, and the drainage and passage holes are offset from each other. The unwanted liquid passage hole further facilitates the discharge of unwanted liquid. However, to ensure that the passage hole does not reduce the effectiveness of the safety partition, the drainage and passage holes are offset from each other.

[0018] - The profile of the edge of the orifice chosen from the drainage orifice and the passage orifice has a flared shape limiting the retention of unwanted liquid drops.

[0019] - At least one unwanted liquid channeling ramp is provided in an inner surface of the housing body. An unwanted liquid is thus channeled towards the drainage orifice, by gravity when the payment terminal is in a normal position of use.

[0020] - The housing body comprises a base extending between peripheral walls, the safety partition forming a console substantially parallel to the base, connected to at least one of the peripheral walls and comprising at least one free edge.

[0021] - The drainage hole is provided at the junction of the bottom and one of the peripheral walls.

[0022] - The tamper detection coating intended to cover an element chosen from the housing body and the security partition comprises a sheet forming a flexible printed circuit, called a tamper detection sheet, preferably a single tamper detection sheet covering the housing body and the security partition.

[0023] - The tamper detection sheet at least partially covering the housing body comprises an outer portion at least partially covering an outer surface of the housing body and at least one inner portion, folded towards the inside of the housing body, at least partially covering at least one of the peripheral walls.

[0024] - At least one of the peripheral walls comprises a free edge for supporting a rigid assembly comprising a printed circuit, the free supporting edge comprising at least one so-called hooking projection forming both a support stop for the rigid assembly and a hooking button on the housing body of the sheet forming a tamper detection element, this hooking projection cooperating by fitting with a buttonhole provided in the tamper detection element. It is easier to mold the hooking projection on the free edge of a peripheral wall of the housing body than on an inner surface of this peripheral wall. Indeed, it is not necessary to provide in the mold a movable part forming a wedge or drawer to demold the hooking projection formed on the free edge. It is thus possible to limit in a mold for manufacturing the housing body the number of movable parts forming wedges or drawers allowing the demolding of the housing body.The free edge of a peripheral wall forming a support for the rigid printed circuit assembly, the height of the hooking projection is preferably limited. However, despite the low height of the hooking projection, in the event of traction exerted on the tamper-evident sheet with a view to fraudulently extracting part or all of this sheet, there is no risk of the hooking projection coming out of the slot in which it is fitted without damaging the tamper-evident sheet. Indeed, the tamper-evident sheet is sandwiched between the rigid printed circuit assembly and the free edge of the peripheral wall, so that it is not possible to separate the tamper-evident sheet without destroying the slot through which the hooking projection extends.

[0025] - The hooking projection comprises a bearing face of the rigid assembly comprising the printed circuit substantially flush with an external surface of the tamper-evident sheet. Thus, both the tamper-evident sheet, sandwiched between the rigid assembly comprising the printed circuit and the free edge of the peripheral wall of the housing body, and the hooking projection prevent any introduction of a fraudulent tool between the free edge and the rigid assembly mounted to bear against the free edge. Furthermore, despite the low height of the hooking projection, in the event of fraudulent traction on the sheet, there is no risk of the hooking projection coming free from the corresponding slot without damaging the sheet. Indeed, this sheet is sandwiched between the rigid assembly and the free edge, so that it is not possible to extract the sheet without destroying a slot.

[0026] - The safety partition has a first face facing the drainage hole and a second face, opposite the first face, and located facing the protected space of the housing body.

[0027] – The safety partition is arranged so that the drainage hole allows the drainage of unwanted liquid into the housing body by providing sufficient drainage space between the drainage hole and the first face of the safety partition.

[0028] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a self-service electronic payment terminal, in which the electronic payment terminal is as defined above. Brief description of the figures

[0029] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0030] is a perspective view of an assembly according to the invention comprising an electronic payment terminal;

[0031] is a perspective view from above of a part of the electronic payment terminal according to the invention showing a rigid assembly comprising a printed circuit covering a housing body of the terminal in which are housed means for reading a payment data medium;

[0032] is a perspective view from below of the portion of the electronic payment terminal shown in the;

[0033] is a perspective view of the portion of the electronic payment terminal shown in the, in which the housing body has been removed;

[0034] is a perspective view of the interior of the housing body;

[0035] is a perspective detail view of the interior of the housing body showing an unwanted liquid passage hole provided through a safety partition;

[0036] is a detailed perspective view of the rigid printed circuit assembly covering the terminal housing body, showing hooking projections each forming both a support stop for the rigid assembly and a hooking button on the housing body for a tamper detection sheet forming a printed circuit. Detailed description

[0037] An assembly according to the invention, designated by the general reference 10, comprising an electronic payment terminal 12, has been shown. This assembly 10 comprises a fixed support of which a wall 14 has been shown separating a space EI inside the support, generally not visible to a user of the payment terminal 12, from a space EE outside the support.

[0038] In a manner known per se, the payment terminal 12 comprises a plate 16 for fixing to the wall 14 of the support carrying an interface 18 for a user accessible from the external space EE. The interface 18 comprises in particular a keyboard 20 and an opening 22 for the introduction into the payment terminal 12 of a conventional payment data medium, for example a card provided with an electronic chip or a magnetic strip or both. The electronic chip as well as the magnetic strip allow data exchanges.

[0039] The part of the payment terminal 12 intended to extend into the interior space EI comprises a housing body 24 in which conventional means for reading the payment data medium are housed.

[0040] More particularly, the means for reading the payment data medium, as well as other sensitive electronic means, are arranged in a protected space extending inside the body of the housing 24.

[0041] As can be seen in Figures 2 to 4, the part of the payment terminal 12 extending into the interior space EI also comprises a conventional rigid assembly, comprising a printed circuit, called a rigid assembly 26 with printed circuit.

[0042] The housing body 24 is manufactured by molding from a material preferably comprising plastic. As can be seen in particular in FIGS. 5 and 6, the housing body 24 preferably has a generally flattened shape and comprises a bottom 28 extending between peripheral walls. These peripheral walls comprise first 30 and second 32 opposite side walls, connected together by first 34 and second 36 opposite end walls.

[0043] It will be noted that the opposite side walls 30, 32 are substantially straight and parallel to each other. Similarly, the opposite end walls 34, 36 are substantially straight and parallel to each other.

[0044] The first end wall 34 delimits, at least in part, a slot 38 for insertion into the housing body 24 of the payment data carrier.

[0045] As can be seen in particular in Figures 3, 5 and 6, the housing body 24 is at least partially covered with a tamper-evident coating. Preferably, this tamper-evident coating is formed by at least one sheet forming a flexible printed circuit, designated in particular by the English acronym FPC corresponding to the English terms "Flexible Printed Circuit". In this type of sheet, a dense network or lattice of fine conductors printed on the sheet is connected in a manner known per se to an electronic circuit triggering an alarm as soon as damage to a conductor is detected, in particular by destruction or short-circuiting.

[0046] In the example described, the tamper detection coating is formed by a single sheet 40 forming a flexible printed circuit.

[0047] This sheet 40 comprises an outer portion 40E at least partially covering outer surfaces of the housing body 24, namely outer surfaces of the bottom 28 and peripheral walls, more particularly side walls 30, 32 and end walls 34, 36 (see in particular). The sheet 40 also comprises an inner portion 40I, folded towards the inside of the housing body 24, at least partially covering inner surfaces of the housing body 24, namely inner surfaces of the bottom 28 and peripheral walls, more particularly side walls 30, 32 and end walls 34, 36 (see in particular).

[0048] The rigid printed circuit assembly 26 is mounted in a manner known per se, bearing on free edges 30L, 32L, 36L of the side walls 30, 32 and at least of the second end wall 36, for example by screwing.

[0049] In order to detect in particular a break-in tending to separate the rigid assembly 26 from the housing body 24, at least one deformable connector 39 known per se, comprising conductive layers extending in an elastomer matrix, is arranged slightly in compression between the housing body 24 and the rigid assembly 26 with printed circuit. The payment terminal 12 may comprise, for example, two deformable connectors 39 (see), each connector 39 being electrically connected to an electronic break-in detection circuit by conventional electrical connection means 39R as visible on the.

[0050] The rigid printed circuit assembly 26 comprises a support 26P in the general shape of a plate, the faces of which are preferably covered at least partially with a tamper-evident coating formed by at least one sheet of the same type as the sheet 40.

[0051] As can be seen in the, the payment terminal 12 may comprise an additional rigid assembly 41, comprising a support 41P in the general shape of a plate whose faces are also covered at least partially with a tamper-evident coating of the same type as the sheet 40.

[0052] The supports 26P and 41P of the rigid assemblies 26 and 41 are substantially parallel to each other. The protected space inside the housing body 24 comprises the space extending between the supports 26P and 41P. The means for reading the payment data medium are housed between the supports 26P and 41P, so as to extend into the protected space.

[0053] In order that any attempt to extract the tamper detection sheet 40 causes the degradation of a conductor of this sheet 40 and thus the triggering of an alarm, the inner part 40I of the sheet 40 is hooked onto the housing body 24 in particular by means of hooking projections, made of the same material as inner surfaces of the housing body 24, cooperating with buttonholes provided in the inner part of the sheet 40. These buttonholes are formed by orifices provided in the inner part of the sheet 40 through which the hooking projections are fitted. The traction fraudulently exerted on the sheet 40 causes the tearing of at least one buttonhole and therefore the destruction of at least one conductor of the sheet, which leads to an alarm being triggered.

[0054] Thus, referring in particular to figures 5 and 6, it can be seen that a free edge of at least one side wall, preferably the free edge 30L, 32L of the two side walls 30, 32, is provided with three hooking projections 42.

[0055] Each hooking projection 42 forms both a hooking button on the housing body 24 of the sheet 40 forming the printed circuit (see figures 5 and 6) and a support stop for the rigid printed circuit assembly 26 (see). Each hooking projection 42 cooperates by fitting with a buttonhole 44 formed in the sheet 40 forming the printed circuit (see).

[0056] Of course, it is possible to provide, for each free edge 30L, 32L of the side wall, a number greater or less than three of hooking projections 42. Where appropriate, each free edge 30L, 32L may comprise a single hooking projection 42.

[0057] Referring in particular to Figures 5 to 7, it can be seen that each hooking projection 42 comprises a face 42F for bearing the rigid assembly 26 against the free edges 30L, 32L of the side walls of the housing body 24.

[0058] It will be noted that the bearing face 42F of each attachment projection 42 has a generally rectangular shape delimited by large sides substantially parallel to the opposite side walls 30, 32.

[0059] The free edges 30L, 32L of the side walls 30, 32 forming supports for the rigid printed circuit assembly 26, the height of the hooking projections 42 is preferably limited. This height is advantageously substantially equal to the thickness of the tamper detection sheet 40. Thus, the support face 42F of each projection 42 is substantially flush with an external surface of the sheet 40 forming the printed circuit.

[0060] It will therefore be noted that both the sheet 40, sandwiched between the rigid assembly 26 and the free edges 30L, 32L of the side walls 30, 32, and the projections 42 prevent any introduction of a fraudulent tool between the free edges 30L, 32L and the rigid assembly 26 mounted to bear against these free edges 30L, 32L.

[0061] Furthermore, despite the low height of the hooking projections 42, in the event of fraudulent traction on the sheet 40, there is no risk of a hooking projection 42 coming out of the corresponding buttonhole 44 without damaging the sheet 40. Indeed, this sheet 40 is clamped between the rigid assembly 26 and each free edge 30L, 32L, so that it is not possible to extract the sheet 40 without destroying a buttonhole 44.

[0062] Even if one imagines that a malicious action manages to separate the rigid assembly 26 from the free edge 30L, 32L of at least one side wall 30, 32, this in order to allow hooking projections 42 to disengage from their corresponding slots 44 without damaging the sheet 40, at least one deformable connector 39 arranged between the housing body 24 and the rigid assembly 26 with printed circuit would detect the break-in, which would trigger an alarm.

[0063] It will be noted that the payment terminal 12 may include means other than the hooking projections 42 for hooking the inner part 40I of the sheet 40 onto the housing body 24. Thus, for example, as can be seen in the, hooking projections 46, forming studs substantially perpendicular to an inner face of the first end wall 34 and integral with this wall 34, cooperate with slots 48 formed in the inner part 40I of the sheet 40.

[0064] With respect to tamper detection, the hooking projections 46 and the buttonholes 48 have functions similar to those of the hooking projections 42 and the buttonholes 44.

[0065] The assembly 10 comprising the payment terminal 12 may be installed, for example, in a space accessible to the public, in a self-service manner. In particular, if the assembly 10 is placed in the open air, it may be subjected to unwanted liquid splashes, for example water splashes. When unwanted liquid splashes penetrate into the housing body 24, passing through the opening 22 and the slot 38 for inserting the payment data medium, it is appropriate to allow the drainage of this unwanted liquid outside the housing body.

[0066] To this end, with particular reference to Figures 3, 5 and 6, it can be seen that the housing body 24 comprises an orifice 50 for draining unwanted liquid towards the outside of the housing body 24.

[0067] Preferably, the drainage orifice 50 is provided at the junction of the bottom 28 and one of the peripheral walls, namely, in the example illustrated, the second end wall 36.

[0068] Also preferably, at least one ramp for channeling the unwanted liquid is provided in an inner surface of the housing body 24. Thus, as can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, a channel 52 delimited by ramps 54, 56, of appropriate inclinations, provided in the inner surface of the bottom 28, makes it possible to channel an unwanted liquid towards the drainage orifice 50, this by gravity when the payment terminal is in a normal position of use.

[0069] In order to very effectively limit the introduction of a break-in tool into the protected space extending inside the housing body 24, this housing body 24 comprises a security partition 58 internal to the housing body 24, interposed between the drainage orifice 50 and the protected space of the housing body 24. In this example, the security partition 58 has a first face facing the drainage orifice 50 and a second face, opposite the first face, and located facing the protected space of the housing body 24, and it is arranged so that the drainage orifice 50 allows the drainage of unwanted liquid into the housing body 24 by providing a sufficient drainage space between the drainage orifice 50 and the first face of the security partition 58. The security partition 58, extending inside the housing body 24, is covered, at least partially, with a detection coating of burglary.Thus, the security partition 58 forms an obstacle to the introduction of a break-in tool into the protected space.

[0070] Preferably, the tamper detection coating covering the security partition 58 is formed by at least one sheet forming a flexible printed circuit, of the same type as the sheet 40. Also preferably, it is a single sheet 40 which covers the housing body 24 and the security partition 58. Indeed, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, it can be seen that it is the inner part 40I of the sheet 40, folded towards the inside of the housing body 24, which covers both the inner surface of the second end wall 36 and the security partition 58.

[0071] Referring more particularly to the, it can be seen that the safety partition 58 forms a console substantially parallel to the bottom 28, connected to at least one of the peripheral walls. In the example illustrated, the safety partition 58 is connected to the second end wall 36 and to the two side walls 30, 32 and comprises a free edge 58L extending between two side walls 30, 32.

[0072] To participate in the attachment of the inner part 40I of the sheet 40 to the safety partition 58, attachment projections 46, forming studs substantially perpendicular to a face of the safety partition 58 delimiting the protected space and made of the same material as this partition 58, cooperate with slots 48 formed in the inner part 40I of the sheet 40 (see figures 5 and 6).

[0073] With regard to burglary detection, the hooking projections 46 carried by the security partition 58 and the corresponding slots 48 have functions similar to those of the hooking projections 42 and the slots 44.

[0074] To further facilitate the evacuation of an unwanted liquid, having accidentally penetrated into the housing body 24, to the outside of this body 24, an orifice 60 for the passage of unwanted liquid is provided through the safety partition 58. However, so that this passage orifice 60 does not reduce the effectiveness of the safety partition 58, the drainage orifices 50 and passage orifices 60 are offset from each other.

[0075] Preferably, the profile of the edge of the drainage orifice 50 and the profile of the edge of the passage orifice 60 each have a flared shape limiting the retention of unwanted liquid drops. Where appropriate, only the drainage orifice 50 or the passage orifice 60 has an edge whose profile has a flared shape.

[0076] The invention is not limited to the embodiment presented and other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art. List of references

[0077] 10: Assembly comprising a payment terminal12: Electronic payment terminal14: Wall of the fixed supportEI: Interior space of the supportEE: Exterior space of the support16: Mounting plate on the support18: Interface for a user20: Keyboard22: Opening for inserting the payment data medium24: Housing body26: Rigid printed circuit assembly26P: Support for the rigid printed circuit assembly28: Bottom of the housing body30: First side wall30L: Free edge of the first side wall32: Second side wall32L: Free edge of the second side wall34: First end wall34L: Free edge of the first end wall36: Second end wall36L: Free edge of the second end wall38: Slot for insertion into the housing body39: Deformable connector39R: Connection means40: Tamper-proof coating sheet40E : Outer part of the covering sheet40I : Inner part of the covering sheet41: Additional rigid assembly41P: Support for the additional rigid assembly42: Hooking projection42F: Support face of the hooking projection44: Slot46: Hooking stud48: Slot for the hooking stud50: Drainage hole52: Channel54, 56: Ramp58: Safety partition58L: Free edge of the Safety partition60: Passage hole

Claims

Electronic payment terminal (12) comprising a housing body (24) in which are housed means for reading a payment data medium, the housing body (24) being covered at least partially with a tamper-detecting coating (40), and comprising an orifice (50) for draining unwanted liquid towards the outside of the housing body (24), characterized in that the housing body (24) comprises a security partition (58) internal to the housing body (24), covered at least partially with a tamper-detecting coating (40), the security partition being interposed between the drainage orifice (50) and a protected space of the housing body (24), so that the security partition (58) forms an obstacle to the introduction of a tamper-detecting tool into the protected space.… Electronic payment terminal (12) according to claim 1, in which an orifice (60) for the passage of unwanted liquid is provided through the security partition (58), the drainage orifices (50) and passage orifices (60) being offset from each other. Electronic payment terminal (12) according to claim 2, wherein the profile of the edge of the orifice chosen from the drainage orifice (50) and the passage orifice (60) has a flared shape limiting the retention of unwanted liquid drops. Electronic payment terminal (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one ramp (54, 56) for channeling unwanted liquid is provided in an interior surface of the housing body (24). Electronic payment terminal (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the housing body (24) comprises a bottom (28) extending between peripheral walls (30, 32, 34, 36), the security partition (58) forming a console substantially parallel to the bottom (28), connected to at least one (30, 32, 36) of the peripheral walls and comprising at least one free edge (58L). Electronic payment terminal (12) according to claim 5, in which the drainage orifice (50) is provided at the junction of the bottom (28) and one of the peripheral walls (36). Electronic payment terminal (12) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the tamper detection coating (40) intended to cover an element chosen from the housing body (24) and the security partition (58) comprises a sheet (40) forming a flexible printed circuit, called a tamper detection sheet, preferably a single tamper detection sheet (40) covering the housing body (24) and the security partition (58). Electronic payment terminal (12) according to claims 5 and 7 taken together, wherein the tamper detection sheet (40) at least partially covering the housing body (24) comprises an outer portion (40E) at least partially covering an outer surface of the housing body (24) and at least one inner portion (40I), folded towards the inside of the housing body (24), at least partially covering at least one of the peripheral walls (30, 32, 34, 36). Electronic payment terminal (12) according to claim 8, in which at least one of the peripheral walls (30, 32) comprises a free edge (30L, 32L) for supporting a rigid assembly (26) comprising a printed circuit, the free supporting edge (30L, 32L) comprising at least one projection (42) called a hooking projection forming both a support stop for the rigid assembly (26) and a hooking button on the housing body (24) of the tamper-evident sheet (40), this hooking projection (42) cooperating by fitting with a buttonhole (44) formed in the tamper-evident sheet (40). Electronic payment terminal (12) according to claim 9, in which the hooking projection (42) comprises a support face (42F) of the rigid assembly (26) comprising the printed circuit substantially flush with an external surface of the tamper detection sheet (40). Assembly comprising a self-service electronic payment terminal (12), characterized in that the electronic payment terminal (12) is according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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