Touchscreen terminal and security system
A flexible printed circuit board in electronic terminals maintains security without increasing thickness by establishing electrical connections between disjoint tracks, addressing the bulkiness issue of existing systems.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-12-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-13
AI Technical Summary
Existing security systems in electronic terminals increase the bulk and thickness, which is undesirable for thinner, more elegant, and easily transportable devices, especially those handling confidential data.
A flexible printed circuit board is used in conjunction with a conductive element to establish electrical connections between disjoint tracks, allowing the security system to occupy less space and maintain terminal thickness without additional components connected to the electronic board.
The security system ensures operational reliability and detects unauthorized access without increasing the terminal's thickness, maintaining a compact design.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Touchscreen terminal and security system technical field
[0001] The invention, which belongs to the field of electronic terminals, relates in particular to a particular architecture of a touch electronic terminal enabling the detection and prevention of an untimely detachment of at least some of the constituent elements of such a terminal. Preamble
[0002] Generally, an electronic terminal, of the communication terminal or payment terminal type, consists of a number of electronic devices assembled together, at least some of which are fully enclosed in a protective case comprising a front cover and a rear cover capable of cooperating with each other so as to allow secure closure of the protective case.
[0003] These various electronic devices, some of which are at least electrically connected to each other, include in particular a touch device capable of receiving touch inputs, a display device, and an electronic board on which are arranged at least some of the electronic components necessary for the operation of the electronic terminal.
[0004] The various electronic devices constituting such a terminal, which generally all have a substantially parallelepiped shape of low or even negligible thickness, extend mainly in a principal plane defined by their length and width.
[0005] During the manufacture of such a terminal, these various electronic devices are generally stacked one on top of the other so that their principal planes are parallel, and then arranged between the front and rear covers of the protective housing, or, for some of them, affixed at least partially to an external face of the front cover. An electronic terminal assembled in this way also has a substantially parallelepiped shape and a thickness which, although small, is not negligible.
[0006] Thus, when the protective case is closed, some of the electronic devices, such as the electronic board, are entirely located inside the protective case, while others, such as the touch device and the display device, are located at least partly outside the protective case, and in particular arranged on the external face of the front cover so as to be visible and / or directly accessible by a user of the electronic terminal.
[0007] An electronic terminal thus assembled extends in a principal plane defined by a length and a width of electronic terminal, and therefore also has a substantially parallelepiped shape and a thickness which, although small, is not negligible.
[0008] Certain types of electronic terminals, intended to collect or transmit confidential data, are required to operate in restricted environments and to offer functionalities of a sensitive nature.
[0009] Thus, such terminals must exhibit a high degree of operational security and high reliability, and in particular include additional electronic elements designed to ensure their proper functioning and to prevent any fraud or intrusion.
[0010] Compared to others, a terminal of this type generally includes a security system capable of immediately detecting any opening, even partial, of its protective housing and preventing any use which would take place while the protective housing is not properly closed.
[0011] Such security systems generally include various elements arranged inside the terminal's protective housing, some of which ensure an electrical connection between at least some of the terminal's electronic devices or components only when the protective housing is properly closed, said connection being intended to break if the protective housing is opened, or if at least some of the terminal's electronic devices are detached.
[0012] However, known security systems include rigid elements that occupy a significant amount of space within electronic terminals and, in some cases, extend perpendicularly to the main plane of the terminals, that is, in a direction parallel to their thickness. Furthermore, some of these rigid elements bear against certain electronic devices of the terminal, and in particular against the electronic board to which they are generally connected.
[0013] Thus, the constituent elements of known security systems necessarily contribute to increasing the distance between some of the electronic devices that make up these systems, and for example the distance between the touch device and the electronic board, which has the undesirable consequence of making these terminals larger, and in particular thicker.
[0014] Existing solutions are therefore not satisfactory in that they present a high level of bulk within the terminal and have the effect of considerably increasing the thickness of electronic terminals, which is in particular contrary to the expectations of users looking for ever thinner, more elegant and easily transportable terminals. Summary of the invention
[0015] The present invention aims to remedy all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks. In particular, the invention aims to provide an electronic terminal comprising a simple and highly reliable security system without increasing the thickness of the terminal.
[0016] To this end, and according to a first aspect of the invention, the present application relates to an electronic terminal comprising:
[0017] - A touch display device;
[0018] - An electronic card comprising a front face of the electronic card and a face back of electronic board;
[0019] - A protective housing in which the electronic board can be placed and including at least:
[0020] - A first part of a protective housing and
[0021] - A second protective housing part, the first housing part of protection and the second part of the protective housing being configured to be joined in a closed position of the protective housing, the touch display device being attached to the first part of the protective housing;
[0022] - At least one security system configured to detect an attempt to open of the protective casing and / or a separation of the touch display device, at least one security system including:
[0023] - A first element of a safety system housed in the protective casing and comprising at least one conductive element;
[0024] - A second security system element comprising a printed circuit flexible connected to the touch display device and comprising at least two disjoint conductive tracks;
[0025] The at least one safety system occupying, when the protective housing occupies the protective housing closed position, a first safety system position in which the relative position between the first safety system element and the second safety system element allows the at least one conductive element of the first safety system element to establish the electrical connection of said at least two disjoint conductive tracks of the second safety system element.
[0026] According to the invention, the first safety system element and the second safety system element cooperate so that, when the protective housing occupies the protective housing closed position, the first safety system element establishes the junction of said at least two disjointed conductive tracks of the second safety system element.
[0027] Thanks to the special cooperation between the first security system element and the second security system element, and in particular thanks to the fact that the second security system element includes a flexible printed circuit board, it is possible to obtain a compact electronic terminal security system, and in any case less bulky than known electronic terminal security systems.
[0028] Indeed, the second element of the security system, being flexible in nature, is able to occupy a position which advantageously reduces the space within the protective housing.
[0029] Thanks to its flexibility, the second safety system element is, for example, able to extend at least partially parallel to the electronic board, which has an advantage over existing solutions in which the main safety system element, which is rigid, extends exclusively in a plane perpendicular to the electronic board to connect the latter to the touch display device and has a sufficient length so that any attempt to open the protective housing, even a minimal one, immediately causes a disconnection of the touch display device and the electronic board.
[0030] Thus, in the prior art, the relative distance between the touch display device and the electronic card is necessarily at least equal to the length of said main element of the security system.
[0031] Compared to existing solutions, the security system therefore makes it possible to ensure the security of the electronic terminal without significantly increasing its thickness.
[0032] Furthermore, neither of the aforementioned first and second security system elements needs to be connected to the electronic board. Indeed, it is solely the relative position of the first and second security system elements that allows the security system to occupy the first security system position.
[0033] Compared to existing solutions, the electronic terminal of the invention therefore includes an autonomous security system, in that its constituent elements are not electrically connected to the electronic board of the terminal.
[0034] According to one possibility, the electronic terminal includes an electronic payment terminal, and for example a mobile type electronic payment terminal.
[0035] According to another possibility, the electronic terminal includes a communication terminal of the type of smart phone (smartphone in English terminology).
[0036] According to one possibility, the electronic board comprises at least two electronic components, necessary for the operation of the electronic terminal, which are connected to each other by at least one conductive track arranged on the electronic board.
[0037] According to one possibility, the electronic board comprises a rigid non-conductive structure on which said at least two electronic components and said at least one track are printed.
[0038] The electronic board generally includes the electronic components essential to the operation of the electronic terminal, and in particular its central processing unit, which must be connected to the touch display device, and in particular to the touch panel and the display screen, in order for the electronic device to function.
[0039] According to one possibility, the electronic board is entirely disposed within the protective housing of the electronic terminal, which in particular ensures protection of the electronic components essential to the operation of the electronic terminal.
[0040] According to one possibility, the electronic card has a substantially parallelepiped shape, and in particular a length, a width and a thickness negligible compared to the length and the width.
[0041] Thus, the front face of the electronic card and the rear face of the electronic card have substantially a rectangular shape.
[0042] According to one possibility, the thickness of the electronic board is between 0.800 and 0.900 millimeters (mm).
[0043] Thus, the front face of the electronic card and the rear face of the electronic card have substantially a rectangular shape and extend respectively in two planes substantially parallel to each other and spaced at a distance of 0.800 to 0.900mm.
[0044] According to one possibility, the second safety system element extends at least partially parallel to the electronic board when the protective housing is in the protective housing closure configuration and the safety system is in the first safety system position. In this configuration, the second safety system element therefore extends in at least one plane parallel to the front and rear faces of the electronic board.
[0045] According to one embodiment, the first part of the protective housing comprises a front cover including an inner face of the front cover against which the front face of the electronic card is disposed, and an outer face of the front cover on which the touch display device is disposed.
[0046] The invention relates in particular to an electronic terminal with a touchscreen in which the touchscreen is affixed directly to the outer face of the front cover of the protective housing. Thus, the touchscreen display device includes, in particular, an assembly comprising a display screen and a transparent touchscreen panel.
[0047] Furthermore, a transparent protective glass covers at least partially the display screen and / or the touch panel. Typically, the display screen is affixed, and for example glued, to the outer face of the front cover, then the transparent touch panel is placed on the screen and is itself covered by the protective glass.
[0048] According to one possibility, the flexible printed circuit of the second security system element is connected to the touch display device in such a way that any attempt to pull off or peel off the touch display device results in a break in the electrical junction established between the two disjoint electrical tracks of the second security system element.
[0049] According to one possibility, the second security system element is welded to the touch display device.
[0050] According to one possibility, the inner face of the front cover extends substantially parallel to the rear face of the electronic board and to the front face of the electronic board when the latter is positioned against the inner face of the front cover.
[0051] According to one possibility, the outer face of the front cover extends substantially parallel to the inner face of the front cover. Thus, the touch display device extends in a plane substantially parallel to the front face of the electronic board and the rear face of the electronic board.
[0052] According to one possibility, the front hood further includes front hood closing elements adapted to cooperate with at least a part of the second part of the protective housing so as to allow the latter to occupy the protective housing closing position.
[0053] According to one embodiment, the second part of the protective housing comprises a rear cover including an inner face of the rear cover and an outer face of the rear cover, the rear cover being able to cooperate with the front cover so as to allow the protective housing to occupy the protective housing closed position in which the inner face of the rear cover faces the rear face of the electronic board.
[0054] According to one possibility, when the protective housing occupies the protective housing closed position, the inner face of the rear cover extends substantially parallel to the front face of the electronic board and to the rear face of the electronic board.
[0055] According to one possibility, the external face of the rear cover extends substantially parallel to the internal face of the electronic board, and therefore substantially parallel to the front face of the electronic board and to the rear face of the electronic board.
[0056] According to one possibility, the rear hood further comprises rear hood closure elements adapted to cooperate with at least a part of the first part of protective housing so as to allow the protective housing to occupy the closed position of the protective housing.
[0057] According to one possibility, at least one of said rear hood closing elements is complementary to at least one of said front hood closing elements.
[0058] According to one embodiment, the first safety system element is at least partially housed in the first part of the protective housing.
[0059] According to this provision, the first element of the safety system extends at least partly into the thickness of the first part of the protective housing, and therefore not directly inside the protective housing.
[0060] This results in a security system that takes up less space inside the terminal's protective housing compared to existing security systems in which all elements extend entirely inside the terminal's protective housing.
[0061] According to one possibility, a first part of the first safety system element is at least partially housed in the front hood, and a second part of the first safety system element emerges from the inner face of the front hood, that is to say, it extends from the inner face of the front hood into the protective housing when the latter occupies the protective housing closure configuration.
[0062] According to one embodiment, the first part of the protective housing comprises at least one opening, the second element of the safety system being able to pass through said at least one opening.
[0063] Thus, the second safety system element, which is connected to the touch display device attached to the first part of the protective housing, and in particular located on the external face of the front cover, is able to pass through the first part of the protective housing so that at least a part of the second safety system element extends inside the protective housing when the latter occupies the protective housing closure configuration.
[0064] It is therefore understood that the cooperation between the first safety system element and the second safety system element takes place mainly in the thickness of the first part of the protective housing and / or inside the protective housing.
[0065] According to one possibility, the second security system element has a length, a width and a thickness, the thickness of the first security system element being between 0.110 and 0.150mm and being in particular negligible compared to its length and width.
[0066] According to one embodiment, when the protective housing is in the closed position and at least one safety system is in the first safety system position, the second part of the protective housing relies at least partially against at least part of the second security system element.
[0067] Thanks to this arrangement, the relative position of the first safety system element and the second safety system element corresponding to the first safety system position is secured by means of a support made by the second part of the protective housing, and for example by the rear cover, against a part of the second safety system element.
[0068] In other words, this ensures that the second safety system element, which is mobile by nature since it is flexible, will not move, which would result in breaking the electrical connection established between the said at least two disjointed conductive tracks of the second safety system element.
[0069] Furthermore, even a slight, unexpected movement of the rear hood relative to the front hood will immediately alter the relative position of the first and second safety system elements, thus breaking the electrical connection between the at least two separate conductive tracks of the second safety system element. Such an action will therefore be directly detected by the safety system.
[0070] According to one embodiment, at least one safety system occupies, when the protective housing is not in the protective housing closed position, at least one second safety system position in which the relative position between the first safety system element and the second safety system element does not allow the junction of said at least two disjointed conductive tracks of the second safety system element to be established.
[0071] According to one possibility, the safety system occupies at least a second safety system position as long as the protective housing does not occupy the protective housing closing position.
[0072] In addition, as soon as the protective housing leaves the protective housing closed position, the safety system occupies at least a second safety system position.
[0073] When the protective housing is not in the closed position of the safety housing, the relative position of the first safety system element and the second safety system element is such that the electrical connection of said at least two disjoint conductive tracks of the second safety system element is not established.
[0074] In other words, any attempt to move the protective housing from the closed position results in the immediate rupture of the electrical connection of said at least two disjointed conductive tracks of the second element of the security system. This means that the security system detects any attempt to open the case, however minor.
[0075] According to one possibility, the first security system position allows a first mode of operation of the electronic terminal, while at least a second security system position allows a second mode of operation of the electronic terminal.
[0076] According to one possibility, the first operating mode of the electronic terminal corresponds to normal operation, while the second operating mode of the electronic terminal corresponds to a restricted operation of the electronic terminal, which offers limited functionalities compared to the first operating mode. For example, the touch functionalities of the touch display device are disabled in said second operating mode.
[0077] According to another possibility, the second operating mode of the electronic terminal corresponds to an alert mode, in which an alert message is for example displayed on the touch display device.
[0078] According to yet another possibility, at least a second security system position prevents any operation of the electronic terminal.
[0079] In particular, at least one second safety system position prevents any operation of the touch display device. According to this possibility, if the electrical connection is not established between said at least two disjoint conductive tracks of the second safety system element, then the touch display device does not function.
[0080] According to one possibility, the second safety system element is electrically connected to the touch display device when at least one safety system is in the first safety system position. Indeed, when at least one safety system is in the first safety system position, the first safety system element and the second safety system element cooperate to establish a connection between said at least two disjoint conductive tracks of the second safety system element, thus enabling normal operation of the touch display device.
[0081] According to one embodiment, the electronic terminal includes at least two security systems.
[0082] According to one possibility, the electronic terminal includes a first security system, and a second security system located at a distance from the first security system.
[0083] According to this possibility, the first security system element belonging to the first security system is located at a distance from the first security system element belonging to the second security system.
[0084] For example, the first safety system element belonging to the first safety system is at least partially housed in the front hood near a first corner of the front hood, and the first safety system element belonging to the second safety system is at least partially housed in the front hood near a second corner of the front hood located opposite said first corner of the front hood.
[0085] Furthermore, the second security system element belonging to the first security system is located at a distance from the second security system element belonging to the second security system.
[0086] For example, the second security system element belonging to the first security system is mounted on the touch display device near a first corner of the touch display device, and the second security system element belonging to the second security system is mounted on the touch display device near a second corner of the touch display device located opposite said first corner of the touch display device.
[0087] According to these provisions, the distance between the first security system and the second security system of the electronic terminal is maximized, which has the advantage of making any attempt to open the electronic case and / or to remove the touch display device immediately detectable.
[0088] According to one embodiment, the electronic card includes at least one electronic card opening, the first safety system element comprising a non-conductive portion at least partially housed in the front cover, and a conductive portion emerging at least partially from the inner face of the front cover and capable of passing through at least one electronic card opening when the front face of the electronic card is disposed against the inner face of the front cover.
[0089] Thus, the first safety system element, at least partially housed in the thickness of the front hood, extends partly outside the front hood in a direction substantially perpendicular to the electronic board and passes entirely through it via an opening so as to emerge beyond the rear face of the electronic board facing the inner face of the rear hood.
[0090] Furthermore, the conductive element of the first safety system element is formed by the conductive portion of the first safety system element which is therefore intended to establish the electrical connection of the two disjoint electrical tracks of the first safety system element.
[0091] According to one embodiment, when the safety system occupies the first safety position, the second safety system element passes through at least one opening in the first part of the protective housing in order to come to contact of the conductive portion of the first element of the safety system passing through at least one opening of the electronic card.
[0092] Thus, the second safety system element, mounted on the touch display device, passes through an opening in the first part of the protective housing and then, thanks to its flexibility, folds down onto a part of the back face of the electronic board as well as onto the first safety system element.
[0093] In this embodiment, the conductive portion of the first safety system element allows the electrical connection of the at least two disjoint conductive tracks of the second safety system element to be established.
[0094] According to this provision, the cooperation between the first security system element and the second security system element takes place mainly inside the protective housing.
[0095] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the electronic board is advantageously at least partially wedged between the first part of the protective housing and the second safety system element. Any attempt to lift or move the electronic board will therefore be immediately detected by the safety system, since it will result in a change in the relative position between the first safety system element and the second safety system element corresponding to the first safety system position.
[0096] According to one possibility, the second security system element extends mainly in a plane substantially parallel to the front face of the electronic card and to the rear face of the electronic card.
[0097] Given its minimal thickness, between 0.110 and 0.150mm, and its extension direction included in a plane parallel to the electronic board, this arrangement of the second security system element does not result in a considerable increase in the thickness of the electronic device.
[0098] Furthermore, it is the only element of the safety system that rests against the electronic board. The first element of the safety system, by passing through said electronic board, does not increase the distance between the touch display device and the electronic board, allowing the latter to rest directly against the inner face of the front hood.
[0099] According to one embodiment, the non-conductive portion of the first safety system element is made of a compressible material.
[0100] Thus, when the protective housing of the electronic device is in the closed position of the electronic housing, the pressure exerted by the second part of the electronic housing, and for example by the rear cover, against at least a part of the second element of the safety system results in compressing the portion non-conductive of the first element of the security system, which allows for a further reduction in the overall thickness of the electronic terminal.
[0101] According to one possibility, the non-conductive portion of the first safety system element is made of silicone.
[0102] According to one embodiment, the first safety system element comprises at least one conductive track and extends mainly through the thickness of the front hood, the second safety system element establishing with at least one conductive track of the first safety system element, in the first safety system position, a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact spaced apart from each other.
[0103] In this embodiment, the conductive track of the first safety system element allows the electrical connection of the at least two disjoint conductive tracks of the second safety system element to be established.
[0104] According to this provision, the cooperation between the first safety system element and the second safety system element takes place mainly in the thickness of the front hood.
[0105] This embodiment is particularly advantageous in or for electronic terminal and / or electronic board configurations where the second safety system element cannot come into contact with the electronic board. In these configurations, the first safety system element also does not pass through an opening in the electronic board, and it is a specific arrangement of the protective housing, and in particular the front cover, and of the safety system that allows the latter to detect any separation of the front cover from the rear cover.
[0106] Furthermore, this embodiment does not include any security system elements bearing against or supporting the electronic board, which is advantageous from the point of view of the thickness of the resulting electronic terminal. Indeed, the security system is not interposed between the front face of the electronic board and the inner face of the front cover on the one hand, nor between the rear face of the electronic board and the inner face of the rear cover on the other.
[0107] Since in this embodiment, the cooperation between the first safety system element and the second safety system element takes place mainly within the thickness of the front hood, any displacement of the latter relative to the rear hood, even a minimal one, will therefore be immediately detected by the safety system, since it will result in a change in the relative position between the first safety system element and the second safety system element corresponding to the first safety system position, and thus break the electrical junction between the at least two disjoint electrical tracks of the second safety system element.
[0108] Even if, in this embodiment, the electronic card is not wedged between the first part of the protective housing and the second safety system element, any attempt to access the electronic card will necessarily entail a relative movement between the first part of the protective housing and the second part of the protective housing, and therefore a change in the relative position between the first safety system element and the second safety system element.
[0109] Similarly, an attempt to remove or detach the touch display device will also have the immediate consequence of causing a change in the relative position between the first safety system element and the second safety system element, and in particular of breaking the electrical connection of the at least two disjoint electrical tracks of the second safety system element. Brief description of the figures
[0110] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description, which is given below in relation to the figures, among which:
[0111] [Fig. 1] represents an example of an embodiment of a touch display device of an electronic device on which are mounted two second elements of the electronic terminal security system and a main connector of the touch display device to the central unit of the electronic device.
[0112] [Fig.2] represents an example of an embodiment of a first part of a protective housing for an electronic terminal conforming to a first example of an embodiment of the invention, on which the touch display device of [Fig.1] is affixed.
[0113] [Fig.3] represents the first part of the protective housing of [Fig.2], on which is placed an example of an embodiment of an electronic card of the electronic terminal conforming to the first example embodiment of the invention.
[0114] [Fig.4] represents a first view of a part of the electronic terminal conforming to the first embodiment of the invention.
[0115] [Fig.5] represents a second view of the electronic terminal part of [Fig.4],
[0116] [Fig.6] represents a first view of an example of the realization of a first element of an electronic terminal security system.
[0117] [Fig.7] represents a second view of the first security system element of [Fig.6].
[0118] [Fig.8] represents an example of an embodiment of a first part of a protective housing for an electronic terminal according to a second embodiment of the invention, on which is arranged an example of an embodiment of a card electronics of the electronic terminal conforming to the second embodiment of the invention.
[0119] [Fig.9] represents a part of the electronic terminal conforming to the second example of an implementation of the invention.
[0120] [Fig. 10] shows a detailed view of an example of an arrangement between the first security system element and the second security system element belonging to a security system of the electronic terminal of [Fig. 9]. Detailed description
[0121] The electronic terminal 10, shown in part in Figures 4 and 5, is of the electronic terminal type with a touch screen and includes in particular a touch display device 20 protected by a protective glass 29, shown elsewhere in [Fig.1], an electronic card 30 comprising a front face of electronic card 31 and a rear face of electronic card 32, which is notably visible in [Fig.3], and a protective housing 40 in which the electronic card 30 is suitable for being placed.
[0122] The electronic board 30, or PCB (for Printed Circuit Board), is a rigid board that includes a plurality of electronic components necessary for the operation of the electronic terminal, some of which are connected by a plurality of conductive traces arranged on the electronic board. In particular, the electronic board 30 includes the central processing unit of the electronic terminal 10.
[0123] The protective housing 40 comprises a first part of a protective housing 50 and a second part of a protective housing 60 configured to be joined together in a closed position of the protective housing (as can be seen in Figures 4 and 5).
[0124] Moreover, and as can be partially seen in [Fig.2], the touch display device 20 is reported on the first part of the protective housing 50.
[0125] The electronic terminal 10 further includes a first security system configured to detect an attempt to open the protective housing 40 and / or a detachment of the touch display device 20, the first security system comprising a first security system element 70 housed in the protective housing, which includes a conductive element as will be described further in relation to Figures 6 and 7 and a second security system element 80 mounted on the touch display device 20.
[0126] The second security system element 80 comprises a flexible printed circuit connected to the touch display device 20 and comprising at least two disjoint conductive tracks.
[0127] When the protective housing 40 occupies the protective housing closed position visible in Figures 4 and 5, the first safety system occupies a first safety system position in which the relative position between the first safety system element 70 and the second safety system element 80 allows the conductive element of the first safety system element 70 to establish the electrical connection of said at least two disjoint conductive tracks of the second safety system element 80.
[0128] The electronic terminal 10 also includes a second security system also configured to detect an attempt to open the protective housing 40 and / or a detachment of the touch display device 20, the second security system also including a first security system element 70' housed in the protective housing, which includes a conductive element and a second security system element 80' mounted on the touch display device 20.
[0129] The second security system element 80' also includes a flexible printed circuit connected to the touch display device 20 and comprising at least two disjoint conductive tracks.
[0130] When the protective housing 40 occupies the protective housing closed position visible in Figures 4 and 5, the second safety system occupies a first safety system position in which the relative position between the first safety system element 70' and the second safety system element 80' allows the conductive element of the first safety system element 70' to establish the electrical connection of said at least two disjoint conductive tracks of the second safety system element 80'.
[0131] The first part of the protective housing 50 includes a front cover 51, which includes an inner face of the front cover 52 against which the front face of the electronic card 31 is disposed, as can be seen in [Fig.3], and an outer face of the front cover 53 on which the touch display device 20 is disposed.
[0132] The second part of the protective housing 60 includes a rear cover 61, which includes an inner rear cover face 62 and an outer rear cover face 63, the rear cover 61 being able to cooperate with the front cover 51 so as to allow the protective housing 40 to occupy the protective housing closed position in which the inner rear cover face 62 faces the rear face of the electronic card 32.
[0133] As can be seen in [Fig. 2], the first safety system element 70 belonging to the first safety system is partially housed in the front hood 51, i.e., it extends partly into the thickness of the front hood. Similarly, the first safety system element 70 belonging to the second system safety is also partially housed in the front hood 51 and therefore also extends partly into the thickness of the front hood.
[0134] Furthermore, the first security system element 70' is similar to the first security system element 70, which is shown in detail in Figures 6 and 7.
[0135] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the first part of the protective housing 50 includes a first opening 54 through which the second safety system element 80 of the first safety system is able to pass.
[0136] The first part of the protective housing 50 also includes a second opening 54' through which the second safety system element 80' of the second safety system is able to pass.
[0137] Finally, the first part of the protective housing 50 includes a third opening through which a main connector 25 of the touch display device is suitable for passing to the central unit of the electronic device.
[0138] As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, when the protective housing 40 is in the closed position of the protective housing and the second safety system is in the first safety system position, a part of the second part of the protective housing 60 rests against a part of the second safety system element 80' of the second safety system.
[0139] Similarly, and not visible in the figures, when the protective housing 40 is in the closed position and the first safety system is in the first safety system position, a portion of the second part of the protective housing 60 rests against a portion of the second safety system element 80 of the first safety system. In this way, the second part of the protective housing 60 provides counter-support, securing the positioning of each of the first and second safety systems in their respective first safety system positions.
[0140] It is emphasized here that only the closed position of the protective cover, visible in Figures 4 and 5, allows the first safety system to occupy the first safety system position and the second safety system to occupy the second safety system position, respectively. Thus, as soon as the protective housing 40 leaves the closed position, for example following an attempt to open the protective housing 40 in order to access the electronic board 30, the position of the first safety system and / or the position of the second safety system will be modified, and in particular the relative position of the first safety system element and the second safety system element of one or both of said first and second safety systems.
[0141] Furthermore, the first security system and the second security system of the electronic terminal 10 are sufficiently far apart from each other so that any Attempting to move the protective housing 40 results in a change in the position of one or the other of the first and second safety systems. Indeed, as can be seen in Figures 1 to 3, the components of the second safety system and the components of the first safety system are positioned so that the distance between the two safety systems is maximized.
[0142] Thus and as shown in [Fig. 1], the second security system element 80, belonging to the first security system of the terminal 10, is welded to the touch display device 20 near a first corner of the touch display device 21, while the second security system element 80', belonging to the second security system of the terminal 10, is welded to the touch display device 20 near a second corner of the touch display device 22 located diagonally from the first corner of the touch display device 21.
[0143] Furthermore, the main connector 25, capable of connecting the touch display device 20 to the central unit of the electronic terminal 10, is also soldered onto the touch display device, said central unit being included on the electronic board 30 of the electronic terminal 10.
[0144] Both the main connector 25 and the said first safety system elements 80, 80' are flexible, and each include in particular a flexible printed circuit FPC (FPC for Flexible Printed Circuit in English).
[0145] When the electronic terminal 10 is assembled, the touch display device 20 is glued to the outer face of the front cover 53 as is partially visible in [Fig.2] which represents the front cover 51 of the electronic terminal 10 on which the touch display device 20 is arranged, and in particular offers a view of the inner face of the front cover 52. Thus, the touch display device 20, which is glued to the outer face of the front cover 53, is not visible in [Fig.2], on which are however visible the main connector 25, the first second of the security system 80 and the second element of the security system 80'.
[0146] Fig. 2 shows how the main connector 25, the second safety system element 80 and the second safety system element 80', thanks to their shape and flexibility, pass respectively through an opening 57, 54, 54' in the front cover 51 of the electronic terminal 10.
[0147] Similarly, the first safety system element 70 of the first safety system and the first safety system element 70' of the second safety system are separated from each other by being housed respectively in two slots in the front hood located diagonally to each other. Furthermore, each first safety system element 70, 70' extends partially outside the front hood 51 by emerging from the inner face of the front hood 52.
[0148] It is emphasized that, in the electronic terminal 10, the elements 70 and 70' are identical and only the first security system element 70 will therefore be described in more detail below, in relation to figures 6 and 7.
[0149] Thus and as shown in figures 6 and 7, the first safety system element 70 has a substantially cylindrical shape and extends along a longitudinal axis of the first safety system element over a length of the first safety system element.
[0150] The first safety system element 70 comprises a non-conductive portion 72, substantially cylindrical in shape, and a conductive portion 71 also substantially cylindrical in shape.
[0151] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the non-conductive portion 72 extends along the longitudinal axis of the first safety system element over a first length, and the conductive portion 71 also extends along the longitudinal axis of the first safety system element over a second length shorter than said first length.
[0152] The conductive portion 71 is made of carbon and includes an external face 73 intended to come into contact with the second safety system element 80 when the first safety system occupies the first safety system position.
[0153] The non-conductive portion 72 is made of silicone, which is a compressible material, which advantageously allows the said first length, and therefore the length of the first safety system element, to be reduced when the latter is compressed by the front cover 51 on the one hand and by the second safety system element 80 and the rear cover 61 on the other hand.
[0154] In [Fig.2], the first safety system element 70 is arranged within the front hood 51 so that the non-conductive portion 72 is fully housed within the thickness of the front hood 51, in a housing provided for this purpose, and so that the conductive portion 71 extends perpendicularly to the internal surface of the front hood 52. It should be noted in passing that the arrangement of the first safety system element 70' is identical, and will not be described in further detail.
[0155] When the electronic card 30 is arranged within the protective housing 40, and in particular when the front face of the electronic card 31 is arranged on the inner face of the front cover 52, as can be seen in [Fig.3], the first safety system element 70 of the first safety system, and in particular its conductive portion 71, is able to pass through an opening in the electronic card (not visible in the figures).
[0156] Similarly, the first safety system element 70' of the second safety system, and in particular its conductive portion, is able to pass through an opening in an electronic card 33' as shown in [Fig.4].
[0157] Thus, when the second safety system element 80 of the first safety system is folded down, thanks to its flexibility, to extend mainly parallel to the rear face of the electronic card 32, as can be seen in [Fig.3], it folds down not only on a part of the electronic card 30 but also on the first safety system element 70 of the first safety system so as to come into contact with the external face 73 of the latter.
[0158] Similarly, when the second safety system element 80 of the second safety system is folded down, thanks to its flexibility, to extend mainly parallel to the rear face of the electronic card 32, as can be seen in [Fig.3], it folds down not only onto a part of the electronic card 30 but also onto the first safety system element 70' of the second safety system so as to come into contact with the outer face of the latter.
[0159] When the protective housing occupies the protective housing closed position, the second part of the protective housing 60, and in particular a part of the rear cover 61, provides counter-support against each of said second safety system elements 80, 80', as shown in particular in figures 4 and 5 for the second safety system of the electronic terminal 10.
[0160] Figures 8 to 10 relate to a second embodiment of an electronic terminal according to the invention. The electronic terminal 10', a part of which is shown in [Fig. 9], is like the electronic terminal 10 also of the type electronic terminal with a touch screen and includes in particular a touch display device 20', similar to the touch display device 20 of the electronic terminal 10, and protected by a protective glass 29' similar to the protective glass 29 of the electronic terminal 10.
[0161] The electronic device 10' also includes an electronic card 30' comprising an electronic card front face 31' and an electronic card rear face 32', which is notably visible on [Fig.8], and a protective housing 40' in which the electronic card 30' is suitable for placement.
[0162] The protective housing 40' comprises a first part of the protective housing 50' and a second part of the protective housing 60' configured to be joined together in a closed position of the protective housing (as can be seen in [Fig.9]).
[0163] In addition, the 20' touch display device is reported on the first part of the 50' protective housing as can be seen [Fig.9].
[0164] The electronic terminal 10' further includes a first security system configured to detect an attempt to open the protective housing 40' and / or a detachment of the touch display device 20', the first security system comprising a first security system element (not visible in the figures) housed in the protective housing, which includes a conductive element, and a second security system element 80" mounted on the touch display device 20'.
[0165] The second 80" security system element comprises a flexible printed circuit connected to the 20" touch display device and comprising at least two disjoint conductive tracks.
[0166] When the protective housing 40' occupies the protective housing closed position visible in [Fig.9], the first safety system occupies a first safety system position in which the relative position between the first safety system element and the second safety system element 80' allows the conductive element of the first safety system element to establish the electrical connection of said at least two disjoint conductive tracks of the second safety system element 80'.
[0167] The electronic terminal 10' also includes a second security system also configured to detect an attempt to open the protective housing 40' and / or a detachment of the touch display device 20', the second security system comprising a first security system element 90 housed in the protective housing, which includes a conductive element and a second security system element 80' mounted on the touch display device 20'.
[0168] The second security system element 80' ' ' comprises a flexible printed circuit connected to the touch display device 20' and comprising at least two disjoint conductive tracks.
[0169] When the protective housing 40' occupies the protective housing closed position visible in Figures 4 and 5, the second safety system occupies a first safety system position in which the relative position between the first safety system element 90 and the second safety system element 80' allows the conductive element of the first safety system element 90 to establish the electrical connection of said at least two disjoint conductive tracks of the second safety system element 80'.
[0170] The first part of the protective housing 50' comprises a front cover 51', which includes an inner front cover face 52' against which the front face of the electronic board 31' is disposed, as can be seen in [Fig.8], and an outer front cover face 53' on which the touch display device 20' is disposed as shown in [Fig.9].
[0171] The second part of the protective housing 60' comprises a rear cover 61', which includes an inner rear cover face 62' and an outer rear cover face 63', the rear cover 61' being able to cooperate with the front cover 51' so as to allow the protective housing 40' to occupy the protective housing closure position in which the inner rear cover face 62' faces the rear face of the electronic board 32'.
[0172] The first security system of the electronic terminal 10', which is similar to the first and second security systems of the electronic terminal 10, will not be described in further detail. In particular, the second security system element 80" passes through a first opening 54" in the front cover 51' and, thanks to its flexibility, extends parallel to the electronic board so as to cover a portion of the latter as well as the conductive portion of the first security system element.
[0173] Similar to the electronic terminal 10, and as can be seen in [Fig.8], the first security system and the second security system of the electronic terminal 10' are arranged so that the distance between them is maximized.
[0174] The second security system of the electronic terminal 10' is different in that, as can be seen in [Fig.8], the second security system element 80'” does not cover a portion of the electronic card 30' when it extends mainly parallel to the latter thanks to its flexibility.
[0175] The second security system of the electronic terminal 10' is a variant embodiment of a security system which makes it possible to respond to particular shapes of electronic card having in particular smaller electronic card areas, and in particular smaller than the area of the inner face of the front cover.
[0176] According to this embodiment, the first safety system element 90 comprises at least one conductive track 91 (visible in [Fig.10]) and extends mainly through the thickness of the front hood 51, as can be seen in [Fig.9], and the second safety system element 80" establishes with the at least one conductive track 91 of the first safety system element 90, in the first safety system position, a first electrical contact 95 and a second electrical contact 96 spaced apart from each other as can be seen in Figures 9 and 10.
[0177] In addition, the second part of the protective housing, and in particular the rear cover, provides counter-support against the second safety system element 80' ”, which secures the relative position between the first safety system element 90 and the second safety system element 80''.
[0178] In this configuration, the second security system does not come between the electronic board and the front cover on the one hand and the rear cover on the other hand, which makes it possible to minimize the impact of the security system on the thickness of the electronic terminal.
[0179] Compared to existing solutions, the security system solutions implemented in the electronic terminal 10 and the electronic terminal 10' have made it possible to reduce the distance between the front face of the protective glass of the touch display device and the rear face of the electronic board. In particular, it is demonstrated that the solutions of the invention advantageously make it possible to reduce the thickness of electronic terminals with touch screens equipped with security systems by approximately 2.1 mm.
[0180] Obviously, the invention is not limited to the embodiment examples shown in Figures 1 to 10, and encompasses all the variants conceivable to a person skilled in the art.
Claims
1. Demands Electronic terminal (10, 10') comprising: - A touch display device (20, 20'); - An electronic card (30, 30') comprising a front face of an electronic card (31, 31') and a rear face of an electronic card (32, 32'); - A protective enclosure (40, 40') in which the electronic board (30, 30') can be placed and comprising at least: • A first part of the protective casing (50, 50') and • A second part of the protective housing (60, 60'), the first part of the protective housing (50, 50') and the second part of the protective housing (60, 60') being configured to be joined together in a closed position of the protective housing, the touch display device (20, 20') being attached to the first part of the protective housing (50, 50'); - At least one security system configured to detect an attempt to open the protective housing (40, 40') and a detachment of the touch display device (20, 20'), at least one security system comprising: • A first security system element (70, 70', 90) housed in the protective housing (40, 40') and comprising at least one conductive element; • A second security system element (80, 80', 80”, 80'”) comprising a flexible printed circuit connected to the touch display device (20, 20') and comprising at least two disjoint conductive tracks; At least one safety system occupying, when the protective housing (40, 40') is in the closed position of the protective housing, a first safety system position in which the relative position between the first safety system element (70, 70', 90) and the second safety system element (80, 80', 80”, 80'”) allows at least one conductive element of the first safety system element (70, 70', 90) to establish the electrical connection of said at least two disjoint conductive tracks of the second safety system element (80, 80', 80”, 80'”).
2. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to claim 1, wherein the first part of the protective housing (50, 50') comprises a front cover (51, 51') comprising an inner face of the front cover (52, 52') against which the front face of the electronic board (31, 31') is disposed, and an outer face of the front cover (53, 53') on which the touch display device (20, 20') is disposed.
3. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to claim 2, wherein the second part of the protective housing (60, 60') comprises a rear cover (61, 61') comprising an inner rear cover face (62, 62') and an outer rear cover face (63, 63'), the rear cover (61, 61') being able to cooperate with the front cover (51, 51') so as to allow the protective housing (40, 40') to occupy the protective housing closure position in which the inner rear cover face (62, 62') faces the rear face of the electronic board (32, 32').
4. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the first security system element (70, 70', 90) is at least partially housed in the first part of the protective housing (50, 50').
5. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first part of the protective housing (50, 50') comprises at least one opening (54, 54', 54”, 54'”), the second element of the security system (80, 80', 80”, 80”') being able to pass through said at least one opening (54, 54', 54”, 54'”).
6. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein, when the protective housing (40, 40') is in the closed position of the protective housing and at least one safety system is in the first safety system position, the second part of the protective housing (60, 60') rests at least partially against at least a part of the second safety system element (80, 80', 80”, 80”').
7. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one security system occupies, when the protective housing (40, 40') does not occupy the protective housing closure position, at least a second safety system position in which the relative position between the first safety system element (70, 70', 90) and the second safety system element (80, 80', 80”, 80”') does not allow the junction of said at least two disjoint conductive tracks of the second safety system element (80, 80', 80”, 80’”).
8. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to any one of the preceding claims, which includes at least two security systems.
9. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the electronic card (30) comprises at least one electronic card opening (33'), the first security system element (70, 70') comprising a non-conductive portion (72) at least partially housed in the front cover (51), and a conductive portion (71) emerging at least partially from the inner face of the front cover (52) and capable of passing through at least one electronic card opening (33') when the front face of the electronic card (31) is disposed against the inner face of the front cover (52).
10. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to claim 9, wherein, when the safety system occupies the first safety position, the second safety system element (80, 80', 80") passes through at least one front hood opening (54, 54', 54") in order to come into contact with the conductive portion (71) of the first safety system element (70, 70') passing through at least one electronic card opening (33').
11. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the non-conductive portion (72) of the first security system element (70, 70') is made of a compressible material.
12. Electronic terminal (10') according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein at least one conductive element of the first safety system element (90) comprises at least one conductive track (91) and extends principally through the thickness of the front hood (51'), the second safety system element (80'”) establishing with at least one conductive track (91) of the first safety system element (90), in the first system position of safety, a first electrical contact (95) and a second electrical contact (96) spaced apart from each other.