Electronic payment terminal

Abstract

Electronic payment terminal comprising: - a display screen (24), - an outer casing provided with an opening 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). The housing (30) comprises a discharge plate (32) arranged 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). Figure for the abstract: figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: 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 smart 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 precisely, passing for example through a liquid crystal type screen, or "LCD" screen, 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 having 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 with an opening likely to generate electrostatic discharges towards 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, shielding generally being made of metal, therefore providing a less expensive payment terminal 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 devoid of screen shielding without being bulky.

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

[0008] The term “opening capable of generating electrostatic discharges” generally means an opening capable of being in contact with the user's skin, such as for example an opening for receiving a button arranged next to the screen.

[0009] According to other optional characteristics of the electronic payment terminal taken alone or in combination:

[0010] - The display screen is not shielded. "Shielding" means a metallic discharge envelope, which goes all the way around the screen.

[0011] - The screen receiving housing is delimited in particular by a wall in plastic material and the discharge plate is attached to this plastic wall. This uses a pre-existing screen support, which also serves as a support for the discharge plate.

[0012] 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 discharge plate is arranged on the opposite surface. Thus, it is not necessary to modify the housing in order to be able to insert the discharge plate therein.

[0013] - The display screen is located at a distance from the opening 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 advisable to withstand electrostatic discharges up to 15kV. This corresponds to a distance between the opening and the screen of 15 mm.

[0014] - 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.

[0015] - The discharge plate is a metal part, connected to ground. The discharge plate diverts electrostatic discharges, 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. Stainless steel / 2 H has a particularly suitable hardness, because it must be sufficiently flexible and deformable to establish the connection with the ground.

[0016] - The discharge plate connected to ground is connected to a shield of the electronic card electronics. The PCB shield is connected to ground, thus ensuring the connection between the discharge plate and ground. This configuration is simple since the PCB shield is located in the display support, between the PCB and the display. This connects the discharge plate to a grounded element, located near the discharge plate. Alternatively, the discharge plate can be connected to the electronic board, which has the same advantage.

[0017] - The discharge plate comprises a tab intended to establish contact with the mass. 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, regardless of 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 by 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.

[0018] - 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 includes a passage for the tab. This allows the tab to pass through the plastic wall to provide ground contact for the discharge plate. This configuration allows the ground connection to be made on the other side of the plastic wall, on the screen side. For example, the discharge plate can be connected to a shield on the electronic board.

[0019] - 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 amount of metal.

[0020] - The discharge plate is fixed to the plastic wall by riveting. This method of attachment is particularly suitable for attaching a metal part to a plastic part. It is used to attach other components to the display support, such as an antenna when the payment terminal can be used contactless. It is therefore advantageous to use the same attachment technique for the discharge plate. Alternatively, the discharge plate could be attached by gluing, clipping, or screwing or any other attachment method known to those skilled in the art.

[0021] - The payment terminal is equipped with a communication antenna for use contactless reading. Brief description of the figures

[0022] 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:

[0023] [Fig-1] is an exploded perspective view of a payment terminal according to the invention;

[0024] [Fig.2] is a detail view of the circled part of [Fig. 1], showing in particular the display screen and the display stand;

[0025] [Fig.3] is a view of the detail of [Fig.2], in an orientation different from that of [Fig.2], in which the relief plate has been removed;

[0026] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the screen of the payment terminal of [Fig.l];

[0027] [Fig.5] is a perspective view of the assembly formed by the electronic card, its shielding and the discharge plate of the payment terminal of [Fig.l];

[0028] [Fig.6] is a rear view of the discharge plate of the payment terminal of the [Fig.l];

[0029] [Fig.7] is a side view of the whole of [Fig.5]. Detailed description

[0030] [Fig. 1] shows 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.

[0031] The display screen 24, visible in particular in [Fig. 4], 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.

[0032] The screen 24 is protected by a window 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.

[0033] 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 arranged 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.

[0034] The housing 30 for receiving the screen 24 is delimited in particular by a wall 34 made of plastic material, visible in particular in [Fig. 3], 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 in [Fig. 2]. 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 in [Fig. 3]). The discharge plate 32 is arranged on the opposite surface 38.

[0035] The display screen 24 is located at a distance from the opening 22 of less than 15 mm, also less than 8 mm.

[0036] 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 stainless steel / 2, but another conductive metal could be suitable.

[0037] The terminal 10 also comprises a shield 40 of the electronic card 20, visible in FIGS. 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.

[0038] 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 return 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.

[0039] The plastic wall 34 comprises a passage 44, visible in [Fig. 3], 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.

[0040] The discharge plate 32 has a thickness of approximately 0.1 mm.

[0041] The discharge plate 32 is fixed to the plastic wall 34 by means of a bolt- rolling. This method of attachment is used to attach 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 attachment technique to attach the discharge plate 32. Alternatively, the plate

[0042]

[0043] discharge 32 could be fixed by gluing, clipping, or screwing or any other method of fixing known to those skilled in the art. 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 in the direction of the screen. List of references 10: electronic payment terminal 12: outer casing 14: upper part of the case 16: rear part of the case 18: lower part of the case 20: electronic card 22: opening 24: display screen 26: window 28: screen support 30: screen reception housing 32: discharge plate 34: wall delimiting the accommodation 36: surface of the wall on the screen side 38: surface opposite the surface on the screen side 40: shielding of the electronic card 42: discharge plate tab 44: passage in the wall

Claims

Claims

1. 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 occurring between the opening (22) and the screen (24).

2. Electronic payment terminal (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the display screen (24) is not shielded.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Electronic payment terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the discharge plate (32) is a metal part, connected to ground.

7. 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).

8. 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.

9. Electronic payment terminal according to the preceding claim taken in combination with claim 2, in which: - the plastic wall comprises a surface located on the side of

10.

11.

12. the screen 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. Electronic payment terminal according to any one of claims 8 and 9, in which the discharge plate has a thickness ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 mm, preferably close to 0.1 mm. Electronic payment terminal according to the preceding claim taken in combination with claim 2, the discharge plate being fixed to the plastic wall by riveting. Electronic payment terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, the payment terminal being equipped with a communication antenna for contactless use.

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