Protective film for the touchscreen of an electronic payment terminal and a set including such a protective film and an electronic payment terminal

Abstract

Protective film for the touch screen of an electronic payment terminal and assembly comprising such a protective film and an electronic payment terminal. The present invention relates to a protective film (14) for the touch screen (16) of an electronic payment terminal (12), the protective film (14) comprising a first surface and a second opposing surface, the first surface being configured to be arranged on a touch screen (16) of an electronic payment terminal (12), the second surface comprising a plurality of primary bumps, each primary bump having a specific shape configured to tactilely indicate the location of at least one functional button (22A-C) for the implementation of a dedicated function defined on the screen (16) of the electronic payment terminal (12).Each functional button (22A-C) is distinct from a numeric button (24A-J) corresponding to a digit on a numeric keypad (25) of the electronic payment terminal (12). Figure for abbreviation: Figure 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Protective film for the touchscreen of an electronic payment terminal and assembly comprising such a protective film and an electronic payment terminal

[0001] The present invention relates to a protective film for the touch screen of an electronic payment terminal, as well as an assembly comprising such a protective film and an electronic payment terminal.

[0002] In points of sale, it is increasingly common to use electronic payment terminals (also called POS terminals) with a touch screen for payment by payment cards.

[0003] Such electronic payment terminals generally do not have physical buttons. For example, for entering the confidential code, also called a PIN (from the English "Personal Identification Number"), touch buttons, such as a numeric keypad, are displayed on the screen.

[0004] However, these electronic payment terminals pose difficulties for certain types of users, such as visually impaired or blind users.

[0005] One of the aims of the invention is to propose a means improving the use of electronic payment terminals with a touch screen.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to a protective film for the touchscreen of an electronic payment terminal, the protective film comprising a first surface and a second opposing surface,

[0007] the first surface being configured to be arranged on a touch screen of an electronic payment terminal,

[0008] the second surface comprising a plurality of primary bosses, each primary boss having a specific shape configured to tactilely indicate the location of at least one functional button for the implementation of a dedicated function defined on the screen of the electronic payment terminal, each functional button being distinct from a numeric button corresponding to a number on a keypad of the electronic payment terminal.

[0009] Said protective film allows visually impaired users to more easily recognize the buttons on a touch screen of an electronic payment terminal.

[0010] Indeed, thanks to the primary bumps of the protective film according to the invention, a visually impaired user can identify by touch the location of the buttons displayed on the touch screen.

[0011] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the protective film comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0012] - the plurality of bosses comprises at least three primary bosses, each button functional being preferably chosen from a first validation button for the implementation of a validation, a second cancellation button for the implementation of a cancellation and a third back button for the implementation of a back;

[0013] - the second surface further comprises at least two secondary bosses, of preferably ten secondary bosses, each secondary boss being configured to tactilely indicate the location of a respective digital button;

[0014] - the secondary bosses include a first secondary boss and at least a second secondary boss, the first secondary boss being configured to tactilely indicate the location of a predefined numeric keypad button, preferably the location of the number "5";

[0015] - each secondary boss has a circular shape;

[0016] - each second secondary boss has a shape configured to define the outline of the corresponding numeric keypad button;

[0017] - the film is made of glass or plastic, the glass preferably being a glass soaked;

[0018] - each primary boss has a thickness between 0.05 mm and 0.2 mm.

[0019] The invention also relates to an assembly comprising:

[0020] - an electronic payment terminal comprising a touch screen configured for define at least one functional button for implementing a dedicated function, and

[0021] - a protective film as described above, each primary boss having a specific shape indicating tactilely the location of a respective functional button.

[0022] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0023] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a schematic perspective view of an assembly according to the invention comprising an electronic payment terminal and a protective film according to a first embodiment;

[0024] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a schematic perspective view of the protective film of the [Fig. 1] ; and

[0025] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a view analogous to that of [Fig.2], according to a second mode of the realization of the invention.

[0026] Fig. 1 illustrates an assembly 10 comprising an electronic payment terminal 12 and a protective film 14.

[0027] The electronic payment terminal 12 is, for example, an electronic device configured to carry out secure financial transactions by payment card.

[0028] The electronic payment terminal 12 includes a touch screen 16 and preferably at least one card reader 18.

[0029] Advantageously, the electronic payment terminal 12 also includes a controller 19.

[0030] More specifically, the 16-inch touchscreen is configured to combine display and pointing functionalities.

[0031] The touch screen 16 is for example connected to the controller 19.

[0032] In particular, the touch screen 16 defines a display area 20.

[0033] The display area 20 is preferably configured to display information generated by the controller 19, such as operating instructions, the price or an error message.

[0034] The touchscreen 16 is configured to define at least one function button 22A-C for the implementation of a dedicated function. For each function button 22A-C, a touch press by a user on the respective function button 22A-C triggers the dedicated function associated with said function button 22A-C, in order to implement, i.e., perform, said function. In other words, the user's touch press on a respective function button 22A-C activates, or actuations, the dedicated function associated with said function button 22A-C.

[0035] In other words, the touch screen 16 is configured to display each function button 22A-C, in particular on the display area 20. Furthermore, the touch screen 16 is configured so that pointing at the function button 22A-C, for example by a touch press, results in the implementation of a dedicated function by the controller 19.

[0036] Preferably, at least one functional button comprises a first button 22A, a second button 22B and / or a third button 22C.

[0037] The first button 22A is for example a validation button, in particular the dedicated function being the validation of an action, such as the entry of the confidential code.

[0038] The second button 22B is for example a cancellation button, in particular the dedicated function being the cancellation of an action, such as the entry of the confidential code for example.

[0039] The third button 22C is for example a button associated with a back button function, i.e. cancelling the entry of the last digit.

[0040] A person skilled in the art will then understand that when the dedicated function is the cancellation of an action, this corresponds to a cancellation of the action globally, such as the entering the PIN in its entirety, that is, entering all the digits that make up the PIN; and when the dedicated function is backspace, this corresponds to canceling only the entry of the last digit, but not canceling the entire PIN.

[0041] As illustrated in [Fig.1], the touch screen 16 is further configured to define at least one numeric button, preferably ten numeric buttons 24A-J together defining a numeric keypad 25.

[0042] In particular, each numeric button 24A-J corresponds to a digit between 0 and 9. In particular, pointing to one of the numeric buttons 24A-J results in the entry of the corresponding digit.

[0043] Preferably, the numeric buttons 24A-J are positioned in a conventional manner for numeric keypads, that is to say in three rows of three buttons in ascending order from 1 to 9 and one row with only one numeric button 24J corresponding to the number "0".

[0044] For example, the numeric button 24E associated with the number "5" is substantially in the center of the numeric keypad 25.

[0045] A person skilled in the art will then observe that each function button 22A-C is distinct from a numeric button 24A-J corresponding to a number on the numeric keypad 25. In other words, the dedicated function implemented by each function button 22A-C is distinct from the entry of a number, the function of entering a number being reserved for the numeric buttons 24A-J.

[0046] Preferably, the card reader 18 is connected to the controller 19 of the electronic payment terminal 12.

[0047] The card reader 18 includes, for example, a card insertion slot as illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0048] The card reader 18 preferably includes an RFID chip (from the English "Radio Frequency IDentification" meaning radio frequency identification), an NFC chip (from the English "near-field communication" meaning near-field communication) and / or a magnetic reader.

[0049] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the protective film 14 comprises a first surface 28 and a second surface 30 opposite each other.

[0050] The protective film 14 has for example a shape substantially of a rectangular prism with a thickness, measured between the first surface 28 and the second surface 30, much less than the other two dimensions.

[0051] In particular, the protective film 14 has a thickness of between 0.3 mm and 1.5 mm, and preferably between 0.5 mm and 1.1 mm.

[0052] The protective film 14 is preferably transparent, in particular so that the display area 20 of the touch screen 20 is clearly visible when the protective film 14 is arranged on the screen 16.

[0053] Alternatively, the protective film 14 is translucent.

[0054] Alternatively, the protective film 14 has variable opacity. In other words, the opacity of the protective film 14 varies, for example, depending on the light intensity received by the protective film 14.

[0055] The protective film 14 is for example made of glass, preferably tempered glass.

[0056] Even more preferably, the protective film 14 is made of tempered alkali-aluminosilicate glass, for example from the Gorilla Glass™ brand.

[0057] Alternatively, the protective film 14 is made of plastic, for example of an impact-resistant polymer.

[0058] Preferably, each of the first surface 28 and the second surface 30 of the protective film 14 has a substantially rectangular shape with advantageously dimensions corresponding to those of the touch screen 16 of the payment terminal 12.

[0059] The first surface 28 of the protective film 14 is configured to be arranged on the touch screen 16 of the electronic payment terminal 12.

[0060] In other words, the first surface 28 of the protective film 14 is configured to be arranged or positioned in contact with the touch screen 16 of the electronic payment terminal 12.

[0061] Preferably, the first surface 28 is configured to be fixed to the touch screen 18, in particular by gluing.

[0062] For example, the first surface 28 is covered with an adhesive.

[0063] As illustrated in [Fig. 1], the second surface 30 of the protective film 10 defines preferably the surface visible to a user and the touch pointing surface for a user when the protective film 14 is arranged on the screen 16 as illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0064] In particular, when the protective film 14 is arranged on the screen 16, a touch press on the second surface 30 of the protective film 14 at the level of one of the touch buttons 22A-C, 24A-J results in pointing said button.

[0065] As can be seen in [Fig.2], the second surface 30 of the protective film 14 comprises a plurality of bosses, including a plurality of primary bosses 32A-C, preferably also at least two secondary bosses 34A-J, and / or advantageously at least one tertiary boss 36.

[0066] In particular, each boss 32A-C, 34A-J, 36 extends perpendicularly outwards from the second surface 30 of the protective film 14.

[0067] Each boss 32A-C, 34A-J, 36 has, for example, a thickness between 0.05 mm and 0.2 mm, and preferably between 0.07 mm and 1.2 mm.

[0068] Preferably, each boss 32A-C, 34A-J, 36 is defined on the second surface 30 of the protective film 14 by molding.

[0069] Each primary boss 32A-C has a specific shape configured to tactilely indicate the location of at least one of the functional buttons 22A-C displayed on the screen 16 of the electronic payment terminal 12.

[0070] Preferably, the plurality of bosses comprises at least three primary bosses 32A, 32B, 32C, each of the primary bosses 32A, 32B, 32C having a specific shape configured to tactilely indicate the location of one of the first, second and third buttons 22A, 22B, 22C.

[0071] For example, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the plurality of bosses includes a first primary boss 32A having a specific shape configured to tactilely indicate the location of the first button 22A corresponding for example to a validation button.

[0072] For example, the first primary boss 32A has an annular or notch shape.

[0073] For example, the plurality of bosses also includes a second boss primary 32B having a specific shape configured to tactilely indicate the location of the second button 22B corresponding for example to a cancel button.

[0074] For example, the second primary boss 32A has a cross shape.

[0075] For example, the plurality of bosses also includes a third primary boss 32C having a specific shape configured to tactilely indicate the location of the third button 22C corresponding for example to a back button.

[0076] For example, the third primary boss 32C has an arrowhead shape.

[0077] Advantageously, the plurality of bosses includes at least two secondary bosses 34A-J, preferably ten secondary bosses 34A-J.

[0078] In particular, each of the secondary bosses 34A-J is configured to tactilely indicate the location of a numeric button 24A-J corresponding to a number on the numeric keypad 25.

[0079] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the secondary bosses preferably include a first secondary boss 34E, configured to indicate the location of a predefined numeric button 24E of the numeric keypad 25. Preferably, the predefined numeric button 24E corresponds to the number "5".

[0080] The first secondary boss 34E has, for example, a circular shape, for example with a diameter between 4 mm and 6 mm.

[0081] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the secondary bosses advantageously comprise at least one second secondary boss, and preferably nine second secondary bosses 34A-D, 34F-J.

[0082] In the first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, each second secondary boss 34A-D, 34F-J has a shape configured to define the contour of the corresponding numeric button 24A-J of the numeric keypad 25.

[0083] In particular, each second secondary boss 34A-D, 34F-J has a rectangular shape with rounded corners.

[0084] For example, the second surface 30 of the protective film 14 also includes at least one tertiary boss 36.

[0085] The tertiary boss 36 is preferably configured to tactilely indicate the orientation of said screen 16. For example, the tertiary boss 36 is located at one of the edges of the screen 16.

[0086] For example, said tertiary boss 36 represents a logo, a braille indication or a tactilely recognizable shape, such as an arrow or a wave.

[0087] A method of using the assembly 10 as described above by a visually impaired user will now be described.

[0088] Initially, a set 10 is provided.

[0089] In particular, the protective film 14 is arranged on the screen 16 of the payment terminal 12. More specifically, the first surface 28 of the protective film 14 is glued onto the touch screen 16.

[0090] By touching the second surface 30 of the protective film 12, and in particular the first secondary bump 34E and / or the tertiary bump 36, the user locates the orientation of the payment terminal 12, and therefore the location of the card reader 18.

[0091] For example, the user then inserts his payment card into the insertion slot of the card reader 18.

[0092] The payment terminal 12 reads the user's payment card and instructs the user to enter their PIN.

[0093] The user then identifies by touch the numeric keypad 25 and the location of each of the numeric buttons 24A-J, in particular thanks to the secondary bosses 34A-J.

[0094] More specifically, thanks to the first secondary boss 34E, the user can tactilely identify the center of the numeric keypad 25, in particular the numeric button 24E corresponding to the number "5", which advantageously serves as a reference point for identifying the location of the other numeric buttons 24A-D, 24F-J of the numeric keypad 25.

[0095] Then, the user enters their payment card PIN by pressing each of the 24A-J numeric buttons identified by means of the secondary boss 34A-J corresponding. Then, the user validates it by pressing for example the first button 22A identified by the first primary boss 32A.

[0096] If necessary, the user can cancel or go back by pressing for example the second button 22B or the third button 22C identified by the corresponding primary boss 32B, 32C.

[0097] Such a protective film 14 thus allows a visually impaired user to more easily recognize the location of buttons 22A-C, 24A-J on the touch screen 16 of the payment terminal 12.

[0098] Indeed, thanks to each of the bumps 32A-C, 34A-J, a visually impaired user can identify by touch the location of each of the buttons 22A-C, 24A-J displayed on the touch screen 16.

[0099] Moreover, such a protective film 14 can be easily adapted to all types of electronic payment terminal 12 and arranged on payment terminals 12 already in use.

[0100] Moreover, such a protective film 14 has the advantage of not altering the use for sighted users.

[0101] The invention is not limited to the embodiments and variants described above.

[0102] In particular, a protective film 14 according to a second embodiment of the invention illustrated in [Fig.3] is described below.

[0103] Unlike the first embodiment, each second secondary boss 34A-D, 34H-J has a circular shape.

[0104] Preferably, the protective film 14 comprises nine secondary secondary bosses 34A-D, 34H-J of circular shape of identical diameter, for example between 2 mm and 3 mm.

[0105] Preferably, the diameter of each second secondary boss 34A-D, 34H-J is sufficiently different from that of the first secondary boss 34E, so that it is possible to differentiate them by touch.

[0106] For example, the diameter of the circle of each second secondary boss 34A-D, 34H-J is half that of the first secondary boss 34E.

Claims

Demands

1. Protective film (14) for touch screen (16) of an electronic payment terminal (12), the protective film (14) comprising a first surface (28) and a second surface (30) opposite, the first surface (28) being configured to be arranged on a touch screen (16) of an electronic payment terminal (12), the second surface (30) comprising a plurality of primary bumps (32A-C), each primary bump (32A-C, 34A-J) having a specific shape configured to tactilely indicate the location of at least one function button (22A-C) for the implementation of a dedicated function defined on the screen (16) of the electronic payment terminal (12), each function button (22A-C) being distinct from a numeric button (24A-J) corresponding to a digit of a numeric keypad (25) of the electronic payment terminal (12).

2. Protective film (14) according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of bosses comprises at least three primary bosses (32A-C); each functional button (22A-C) being preferably selected from a first enable button (22A) for implementing an enable, a second cancel button (22A) for implementing a cancel and a third back button (22C) for implementing a back.

3. Protective film (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second surface (30) further comprises at least two secondary bumps (34A-J), preferably ten secondary bumps, each secondary bump (34A-J) being configured to tactilely indicate the location of a respective digital button (24A-J).

4. Protective film (14) according to claim 3, wherein the secondary bumps comprise a first secondary bump (34E) and at least a second secondary bump (34A-D, 34F-J), the first secondary bump (34E) being configured to tactilely indicate the location of a predefined numeric button (24E) on the numeric keypad (25), preferably the location of the digit “5”

5. J”. Protective film (14) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein each secondary boss (34A-J) has a circular shape.

6. Protective film (14) according to claim 4, wherein each second secondary boss (34A-D, 34F-J) has a shape configured to define the contour of the corresponding numeric button (24A-D, 24F-J) of the numeric keypad (25).

7. Protective film (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the film (14) is made of glass or plastic; the glass preferably being tempered glass.

8. Protective film (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each primary boss (32A-C) has a thickness between 0.05 mm and 0.2 mm.

9. Assembly (10) comprising: - an electronic payment terminal (12) including a touch screen (16) configured to define at least one function button (22A-C) for the implementation of a dedicated function, and - a protective film (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, each primary boss (32A-C) having a specific shape tactilely indicating the location of a respective function button (22A-C).

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