Electronic payment terminal

Abstract

Disclosed is an electronic payment terminal comprising: - a display screen (24), - an outer casing having an opening capable of generating electrostatic discharges in the direction of the screen (24), - a screen (24) support (28) comprising a recess (30) for receiving the screen (24). The recess (30) includes a discharge plate (32) disposed between the screen (24) and the opening, the discharge plate (32) being configured to intercept an electrostatic discharge occurring between the opening and the screen (24).

Description

Electronic payment terminal

[0001] The invention relates to an electronic payment terminal.

[0002] A payment terminal is already known in the prior art. Such a terminal comprises an outer casing containing, inside it, at least one electronic card connected to various peripheral components ensuring the operation of the terminal. In general, such an electronic card is connected to an input keyboard, a display screen, a chip or magnetic card reader, etc. Usually, the electronic card is located at least partly under the input keyboard. Other peripheral components, such as a printer, a wireless communication module, etc., may also be provided. In general, the display screen is carried by a screen support. The outer casing comprises openings allowing the keys of the input keyboard to pass through. Due to these openings, and the contact of these openings with the user's skin, the display screen may be subjected to electrostatic discharges, which is harmful to the screen.Indeed, electrostatic discharges release energy that can damage the screen if it is in the path of the current at the time of the discharge, which can be the case if the electrostatic discharge occurs at an opening located near the screen. More specifically, when passing for example through a liquid crystal display, or "LCD" display, such discharges can affect a dot matrix, and generate white lines that appear on the screen. To protect the screen from electrostatic discharges, it is known to completely envelop it in a shield, that is to say a metal casing, allowing the screen to resist electrostatic discharges. A screen equipped with a shield is said to be shielded. The shielded screen is carried by the screen support. Shielding is however associated with an increase in the cost of the screen.

[0003] The invention aims in particular to provide an electronic payment terminal with a lower manufacturing cost, and in which the screen is nevertheless protected from electrostatic discharges.

[0004] To this end, the invention relates to an electronic payment terminal comprising: - a display screen, - an external casing provided with an opening capable of generating electrostatic discharges in the direction of the screen, - a screen support comprising a housing for receiving the screen, characterized in that the housing comprises a discharge plate arranged between the screen and the opening, the discharge plate being configured to intercept an electrostatic discharge occurring between the opening and the screen.

[0005] The presence of the discharge plate allows the screen to resist electrostatic discharges, without requiring the screen to be shielded. This limits the use of metal, as shielding is generally made of metal, therefore providing a less expensive payment terminal and using less metal.

[0006] Furthermore, thanks to the discharge plate, and although the screen is not shielded, it is not necessary to provide a minimum distance between the screen and the opening in order to isolate the screen from electrostatic discharges. Such a terminal is therefore free of screen shielding without being bulky.

[0007] Furthermore, in the case of contactless payment terminals equipped with a communication antenna, it is known that the screen shielding can produce significant interference at the antenna level when it is used. The fact of being able to use a payment terminal without requiring screen shielding is therefore very interesting in a contactless context and makes it possible to improve the contactless function. This configuration, which does not require shielding, also avoids disturbing other electronic components.

[0008] An "opening likely to generate electrostatic discharges" is generally understood to mean an opening likely to come into contact with the user's skin, such as, for example, an opening for receiving a button located next to the screen.

[0009] The term "the discharge plate being configured to intercept an electrostatic discharge occurring between the aperture and the screen" generally means that the discharge plate is configured to intercept an electrostatic discharge generated by the aperture and which would pass through the screen in the absence of the discharge plate.

[0010] Depending on other optional features of the electronic payment terminal taken alone or in combination:

[0011] - The display screen is unshielded. "Shielding" means a metallic discharge envelope that runs all the way around the screen.

[0012] - The screen receiving housing is delimited in particular by a plastic wall and the discharge plate is attached to this plastic wall. A pre-existing screen support is thus used, which also serves as a support for the discharge plate.

[0013] The plastic wall is advantageously arranged perpendicular to a main surface of the screen support, in an area arranged between the screen and an input keyboard provided with at least one button passing through the opening arranged on the outer housing. The plastic wall comprises a surface located on the screen side and a surface opposite this surface on the screen side. Advantageously, the relief plate is arranged on the opposite surface. Thus, it is not necessary to modify the housing in order to be able to insert the relief plate therein.

[0014] - The display screen is located at a distance from the opening of less than or equal to 15 mm. Thanks to the invention, the electronic payment terminal can be used when the air is very dry. Indeed, to protect the screen when the air is very dry, it is necessary to withstand electrostatic discharges of up to 15 kV. This corresponds to a distance between the opening and the screen of 15 mm.

[0015] - The display screen is located at a distance from the opening less than or equal to 8 mm. Thanks to the invention, the electronic payment terminal complies with the IEC-61004-2 standard (Testing and measurement technique - Electrostatic discharge immunity tests), which stipulates that electronic components must not be subjected to an electrostatic discharge greater than 8 kV, which corresponds to a distance of 8 mm between the generation of an electrostatic discharge and the electronic component.

[0016] - The discharge plate is a metal part, connected to ground. The discharge plate diverts electrostatic discharges, thus preventing them from passing into the screen. The discharge plate is, for example, a solid plate. It can also be perforated. It is understood that the discharge plate is made of a conductive metal. Advantageously, it is made of stainless steel. ½ H stainless steel has a particularly suitable hardness, because it must be sufficiently flexible and deformable to establish the connection with ground.

[0017] - The grounded discharge plate is connected to a shield on the circuit board. The circuit board shield is connected to ground, thus ensuring the connection between the discharge plate and ground. This configuration is simple since the circuit board shield is located in the display support, between the circuit board and the display. Thus, the discharge plate is connected to a grounded element, located near the discharge plate. Alternatively, the discharge plate can be connected to the circuit board, which has the same advantage.

[0018] - The discharge plate comprises a tab intended to establish contact with the ground. Contact with the ground is established via the tab. The tab extends from the discharge plate so as to establish contact. It is thus possible to establish a connection to the ground at a site offset from the plate. Advantageously, the tab is movable relative to the discharge plate and is deformable. Preferably, the tab has elasticity so that the elastic restoring force tends to establish contact. Thus, contact is ensured, whatever the manufacturing and assembly tolerances of the parts. Advantageously, the tab starts from a lower edge of the discharge plate, when the latter is positioned in the electronic payment terminal, and occupies a central position relative to the lower edge of the discharge plate.Thus, the tab allows the connection with an element connected to ground, located in the direction of the electronic card.

[0019] - The plastic wall comprises a surface located on the screen side and a surface opposite this surface on the screen side, and the discharge plate is arranged on the opposite surface, and the plastic wall comprises a passage for the tab. Thus, the tab can pass through the plastic wall to ensure the ground contact of the discharge plate. This configuration makes it possible to make the ground connection on the other side of the plastic wall, on the screen side. It is thus possible, for example, to connect the discharge plate to a shield of the electronic card.

[0020] - The discharge plate has a thickness ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 mm, preferably close to 0.1 mm. Such a thickness is compatible with the function of the discharge plate, and allows the tab to have sufficient flexibility to establish contact with the ground. It is advantageous for the plate to have a thickness close to 0.1 mm to reduce the quantity of metal.

[0021] - The discharge plate is fixed to the plastic wall by riveting. This method of fixing is particularly suitable for fixing a metal part to a plastic part. It is used to fix other components to the screen support, such as an antenna when the payment terminal can be used contactless. It is therefore advantageous to use the same fixing technique for the discharge plate. Alternatively, the discharge plate could be fixed by gluing, clipping, or screwing or any other fixing method known to those skilled in the art.

[0022] - The payment terminal is equipped with a communication antenna for contactless use. Brief description of the figures

[0023] 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:

[0024] is an exploded perspective view of a payment terminal according to the invention;

[0025] is a detail view of the circled portion of the, showing in particular the display screen and the screen support;

[0026] is a detail view of the, in a different orientation from that of the, in which the relief plate has been removed;

[0027] is a perspective view of the payment terminal screen of the;

[0028] is a perspective view of the assembly formed by the electronic card, its shielding and the discharge plate of the payment terminal of the;

[0029] is a rear view of the discharge plate of the payment terminal of the;

[0030] is a side view of the whole. Detailed description

[0031] There is shown a payment terminal according to the invention, designated by the general reference 10. The terminal 10 comprises an outer casing 12 consisting of an upper part 14, a rear part 16, and a lower part 18. The terminal 10 comprises inside the casing 12 an electronic card 20 connected to components ensuring the operation of the terminal 10, such as an input keyboard comprising keys, not shown, and openings 22 of the casing 12. The openings 22 are located in the upper part 14 of the casing 12, next to the screen 24. The terminal 10 also comprises, inside the casing 12, a display screen 24, also connected to the electronic card 20. The electronic card 20 is located partly under the input keyboard and under the screen 24.

[0032] The display screen 24, visible in particular on the, is an LCD screen. It is made up of electronic components allowing the display, and an envelope which goes all the way around the screen 24, and allows the electronic components to be held. The envelope comprises several layers of plastic material. The screen 24 is not shielded, that is to say that the electronic components of the screen 24 are not in a metal discharge envelope.

[0033] The screen 24 is protected by a glass pane 26, located above the screen 24. The display screen 24 is carried by a screen support 28, shown in particular in FIGS. 2 and 3. The screen support 28 is made of plastic material, more particularly ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene). The screen support 28 comprises a housing 30 for receiving the screen 24. The housing 30 comprises a discharge plate 32, visible in FIGS. 2, and 5 to 7.

[0034] Each opening 22 in the housing 12 is capable of generating electrostatic discharges towards the screen 24. Indeed, the opening 22 is capable of being in contact with the user's skin. The discharge plate 32 is disposed between the screen 24 and the opening 22. The discharge plate 32 is configured to intercept an electrostatic discharge occurring between the opening 22 and the screen 24.

[0035] The housing 30 for receiving the screen 24 is delimited in particular by a wall 34 made of plastic material, visible in particular on the, in which the discharge plate 32 has been removed, and the discharge plate 32 is attached to this wall 34 made of plastic material, as visible on the. The wall 34 made of plastic material is arranged perpendicular to a main surface of the screen support 28, in an area arranged between the screen 24 and an input keyboard provided with at least one button, not shown, passing through the opening 22 arranged on the outer housing 12. The wall 34 made of plastic material comprises a surface 36 located on the side of the screen 24 and a surface 38 opposite this surface 36 on the side of the screen 24 (shown in particular on the). The discharge plate 32 is arranged on the opposite surface 38.

[0036] The display screen 24 is located at a distance from the opening 22 of less than 15 mm, also less than 8 mm.

[0037] The discharge plate 32 is a metal part, connected to ground. The discharge plate 32 is a solid plate. It could also be perforated. It is made of a conductive metal, more precisely 1 / 2 stainless steel, but another conductive metal could be suitable.

[0038] The terminal 10 also includes a shield 40 of the electronic card 20, visible in Figures 5 and 7. The discharge plate 32 is connected to the shield 40, which ensures its connection to ground. The discharge plate could be connected to another component connected to ground, such as for example the electronic card 20.

[0039] As seen in Figures 6 and 7, which the discharge plate 32 comprises a tab 42 intended to establish contact with the ground. The tab 42 extends from the discharge plate 32 so as to establish contact with the ground. The tab 42 is movable relative to the discharge plate 32 and is deformable. The tab 42 has elasticity so that the elastic restoring force tends to establish contact. Thus, contact is ensured, regardless of the manufacturing and assembly tolerances of the parts. The tab 42 starts from a lower edge of the discharge plate 32, when the latter is positioned in the electronic payment terminal 10, and occupies a central position relative to the lower edge of the discharge plate 32.

[0040] The plastic wall 34 comprises a passage 44, visible on the, for the tab 42. Thus, the tab 42 can pass through the plastic wall 34 to ensure contact with the ground of the discharge plate 32. This configuration makes it possible to make the connection to the ground on the other side of the plastic wall 34, on the side of the screen 24. It is thus possible to connect the discharge plate 32 to the shielding 40 of the electronic card 20.

[0041] The discharge plate 32 has a thickness of approximately 0.1 mm.

[0042] The discharge plate 32 is fixed to the plastic wall 34 by riveting. This method of fixing is used to fix other components to the screen support 28, such as for example an antenna, not shown, when the payment terminal 10 can be used contactless. It is therefore advantageous to use the same fixing technique to fix the discharge plate 32. Alternatively, the discharge plate 32 could be fixed by gluing, clipping, or screwing or any other method of fixing known to those skilled in the art.

[0043] The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and other embodiments will become clear to those skilled in the art. It is in particular possible that the opening capable of generating electrostatic discharges is an opening distinct from an opening for receiving a button, since said opening is capable of generating electrostatic discharges towards the screen. List of references

[0044] 10: electronic payment terminal12: outer casing14: upper part of the casing16: rear part of the casing18: lower part of the casing20: electronic card22: opening24: display screen26: glass28: screen support30: screen receiving housing32: discharge plate34: housing delimiting wall36: surface of the wall on the side of the screen38: surface opposite the surface on the side of the screen40: electronic card shielding42: discharge plate tab44: passage in the wall

Claims

Electronic payment terminal (10) comprising:- a display screen (24),- an outer casing (12) provided with an opening (22) capable of generating electrostatic discharges towards the screen (24),- a support (28) for the screen (24) comprising a housing (30) for receiving the screen (24), characterized in that the housing (30) comprises a discharge plate (32) arranged between the screen (24) and the opening (22), the discharge plate (32) being configured to intercept an electrostatic discharge generated by the opening (22) and which would pass through the screen (24) in the absence of the discharge plate (32). Electronic payment terminal (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the display screen (24) is not shielded. Electronic payment terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the housing (30) for receiving the screen (24) is delimited in particular by a wall (34) made of plastic material and the discharge plate (32) is attached to this wall (34) made of plastic material. Electronic payment terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display screen (24) is located at a distance from the opening (22) less than or equal to 15 mm. Electronic payment terminal (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the display screen (24) is located at a distance from the opening (22) less than or equal to 8 mm. Electronic payment terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the discharge plate (32) is a metal part, connected to ground. Electronic payment terminal (10) according to claim 6, wherein the discharge plate (32) connected to ground is connected to a shield (40) of the electronic card (20). Electronic payment terminal (10) according to any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein the discharge plate (32) comprises a tab (42) intended to establish contact with the ground. Electronic payment terminal (10) according to the preceding claim taken in combination with claim 3, wherein:- the plastic wall (34) comprises a surface (36) located on the side of the screen (24) and a surface opposite (38) to this surface on the side of the screen (24), and the discharge plate (32) is arranged on the opposite surface (38), and- the plastic wall (34) comprises a passage (44) for the tab (42). Electronic payment terminal (10) according to any one of claims 8 and 9, wherein the discharge plate (32) has a thickness ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 mm, preferably close to 0.1 mm. Electronic payment terminal (10) according to the preceding claim taken in combination with claim 3, the discharge plate (32) being fixed to the wall (34) made of plastic by riveting. Electronic payment terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, the payment terminal (10) being equipped with a communication antenna for contactless use.…

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