Touch-sensitive terminal and security system

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic terminal (10, 10') comprising a touch-sensitive display device (20, 20'), an electronic board (30, 30'), a protective housing (40, 40') within which the electronic board (30, 30') can be arranged and at least one security system configured to detect an attempt to open the protective housing (40, 40') and to disconnect the touch-sensitive display device (20, 20'), the 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 and a second security system element (80, 80', 80'', 80''') comprising a flexible printed circuit connected to the touch-sensitive display device (20, 20') and comprising at least two separate conductive tracks, the at least one conductive element of the first security system element (70, 70', 90) being able to establish an electrical junction of the at least two separate conductive tracks of the second security system element (80, 80', 80'', 80''').

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Touch terminal and security system

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The invention, which belongs to the field of electronic terminals, relates in particular to a particular architecture of a touch-sensitive electronic terminal making it possible to detect and prevent untimely detachment of at least some of the constituent elements of such a terminal.

[0005] Preamble

[0006] Generally speaking, an electronic terminal, such as a communications terminal or payment terminal, consists of a certain number of electronic devices assembled together, at least some of which are fully enclosed in a protective casing comprising a front cover and a rear cover capable of cooperating with each other so as to allow secure closure of the protective casing.

[0007] 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 card on which are arranged at least some of the electronic components necessary for the operation of the electronic terminal.

[0008] 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 main plane defined by their length and their width.

[0009] When manufacturing such a terminal, these different electronic devices are generally stacked together so that their main planes are parallel, then arranged between the front cover and the rear cover of the protective housing, or for some of them affixed at least in part to an external face of the front cover. An electronic terminal thus assembled also has a substantially parallelepiped shape and has a thickness which, although not high, is not negligible.Thus, when the protective casing is closed, some of the electronic devices, such as the electronic card, are located entirely inside the protective casing, while others, such as in particular the touch device and the display device, are located at least partly outside the protective casing, and in particular arranged on the external face of the front cover in order to be visible and / or directly accessible by a user of the electronic terminal.

[0010] An electronic terminal thus assembled extends in a main plane defined by an electronic terminal length and width, and therefore also has a substantially parallelepiped shape and a thickness which, although not high, is not negligible.

[0011] Certain types of electronic terminals, intended to collect or transmit confidential data, are required to operate in restricted environments and offer sensitive functionalities.

[0012] Thus, such terminals must have a high degree of operational security and high reliability, and in particular include additional electronic elements aimed at ensuring their proper functioning and preventing any fraud or intrusion.

[0013] Compared to others, a terminal of this type generally includes a security system capable of immediately detecting any opening, even partial, of its protective casing and preventing any use that occurs when the protective casing is not properly closed.

[0014] Such security systems generally comprise different elements arranged inside the protective casing of the terminal, some of them making it possible to ensure an electrical connection between at least some of the electronic devices or components constituting the terminal only when the protective casing is properly closed, said connection being intended to break in the event of opening of the protective casing, or of separation of at least some of the electronic devices of the terminal.

[0015] However, known security systems comprise rigid elements which occupy a significant amount of space within the electronic terminals and some of which extend perpendicularly to the main plane of the terminals, i.e. in a direction parallel to their thickness. Furthermore, some of these rigid elements bear against some of the electronic devices of the terminal, and in particular against the electronic card to which they are generally connected. Thus, the constituent elements of known security systems contribute to necessarily increasing the distance between some of the electronic devices constituting them, and for example the distance between the touch device and the electronic card, which has the undesirable consequence of making these terminals larger, and in particular thicker.

[0016] We also know document US 2014 / 211107 A1 which describes an electronic terminal equipped with a security system capable of detecting a tearing off or damage to the touch screen of the electronic terminal, but not an opening or attempted opening of its protective casing.

[0017] 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 particularly contrary to the expectations of users looking for ever thinner, more elegant and easily transportable terminals.

[0018] Summary of the invention

[0019] The present invention aims to overcome 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.

[0020] To this end and according to a first aspect of the invention, the present application relates to an electronic terminal comprising:

[0021] - A touch display device;

[0022] - An electronic card comprising an electronic card front face and an electronic card rear face;

[0023] - A protective casing within which the electronic card can be placed and comprising at least:

[0024] - A first part of protective casing and

[0025] - A second protective housing part, the first protective housing part and the second protective housing part being configured to be secured in a closed position of the protective housing, the touch display device being attached to the first protective housing part;

[0026] - At least one security system configured to detect an attempt to open the protective housing and a detachment of the touch display device, the at least one security system comprising: - A first security system element housed in the protective housing and comprising at least one conductive element;

[0027] - A second security system element comprising a flexible printed circuit connected to the touch display device and comprising at least two disjointed conductive tracks; The at least one security system occupying, when the protective housing occupies the protective housing closing position, a first security system position in which the relative position between the first security system element and the second security system element allows the at least one conductive element of the first security system element to establish the electrical junction of said at least two disjointed conductive tracks of the second security system element.

[0028] According to the invention, the first security system element and the second security system element cooperate in such a way that, when the protective housing occupies the protective housing closing position, the first security system element establishes the junction of said at least two disjointed conductive tracks of the second security system element.

[0029] Thus, the electronic terminal of the invention has the advantage of being equipped with a security system capable of detecting both an attempt to open the protective casing and a disconnection of the touch display device.

[0030] Due to the special cooperation between the first security system element and the second security system element, and in particular due to the fact that the second security system element comprises a flexible printed circuit, it is possible to obtain a compact electronic terminal security system, and in any case less bulky than known electronic terminal security systems.

[0031] In fact, the second element of the security system, which is flexible by nature, is able to occupy a position which advantageously reduces the space requirement within the protective housing.

[0032] Thanks to its flexibility, the second security system element is for example able to extend at least partially parallel to the electronic card, which presents an advantage compared to existing solutions in which the main security system element, rigid, extends exclusively in a plane perpendicular to the electronic card to connect the latter to the touch display device and has a sufficient length so that any attempt to open the protective housing, however minimal, immediately causes a disconnection of the touch display device and the electronic card.

[0033] 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.

[0034] Compared to existing solutions, the security system therefore ensures the security of the electronic terminal without significantly increasing its thickness.

[0035] Furthermore, neither of said first and second security system elements need be connected to the electronic board. Indeed, it is only the relative position of the first security system element and the second security system element that allows the security system to occupy the first security system position.

[0036] Compared to existing solutions, the electronic terminal of the invention therefore comprises an autonomous security system, in that its constituent elements are not electrically connected to the electronic card of the terminal.

[0037] According to one possibility, the electronic terminal comprises an electronic payment terminal, and for example a mobile type electronic payment terminal.

[0038] Alternatively, the electronic terminal includes a communication terminal of the smartphone type.

[0039] According to one possibility, the electronic card 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 card.

[0040] According to one possibility, the electronic card comprises a rigid non-conductive structure on which said at least two electronic components and said at least one track are printed.

[0041] The electronic card generally comprises 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 screen and the display screen, so that the electronic device can operate. According to one possibility, the electronic card is arranged entirely within the protective casing of the electronic terminal, which ensures in particular protection of the electronic components essential to the operation of the electronic terminal.

[0042] 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.

[0043] Thus, the front face of the electronic card and the rear face of the electronic card have a substantially rectangular shape.

[0044] According to one possibility, the thickness of the electronic card is between 0.800 and 0.900 millimeters (mm).

[0045] Thus, the front face of the electronic card and the rear face of the electronic card have a substantially rectangular shape and extend respectively in two planes which are substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart by a distance ranging from 0.800 to 0.900 mm.

[0046] According to one possibility, the second security system element extends at least partially parallel to the electronic card when the protective housing occupies the protective housing closing configuration and the security system occupies the first security system position. In this configuration, the second security system element therefore extends in at least one plane parallel to the electronic card front face and the electronic card rear face.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the first protective housing part comprises a front cover comprising an internal front cover face against which the electronic card front face is arranged, and an external front cover face on which the touch display device is arranged.

[0048] The invention relates in particular to an electronic terminal with a touch screen in which the touch screen is affixed directly to the external face of the front cover of the protective housing. Thus, the touch display device comprises in particular an assembly comprising a display screen and a transparent touch panel.

[0049] Furthermore, a transparent protective glass at least partially covers the display screen and / or the touch screen. Typically, the display screen is affixed, and for example glued, to the external face of the front cover, then the transparent touch screen is arranged on the screen and is itself covered by the protective glass.

[0050] 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 tear off or detach the touch display device results in a break in the electrical connection established between the two separate electrical tracks of the second security system element.

[0051] Alternatively, the second security system element is welded to the touch display device.

[0052] According to one possibility, the internal face of the front cover extends substantially parallel to the rear face of the electronic card and to the front face of the electronic card when the latter is arranged against the internal face of the front cover.

[0053] 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 card and to the rear face of the electronic card.

[0054] According to one possibility, the front cover further comprises front cover closing elements capable of cooperating with at least a portion of the second protective housing portion so as to allow the latter to occupy the protective housing closing position.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the second protective housing part comprises a rear cover comprising an internal rear cover face and an external rear cover face, the rear cover being able to cooperate with the front cover so as to allow the protective housing to occupy the protective housing closing position in which the internal rear cover face faces the rear face of the electronic card.

[0056] According to one possibility, when the protective housing occupies the protective housing closing position, the rear cover inner face extends substantially parallel to the electronic card front face and the electronic card rear face.

[0057] According to one possibility, the external face of the rear cover extends substantially parallel to the internal face of the electronic card, and therefore substantially parallel to the front face of the electronic card and to the rear face of the electronic card. According to one possibility, the rear cover further comprises rear cover closing elements capable of cooperating with at least a portion of the first portion of the protective housing so as to allow the protective housing to occupy the protective housing closing position.

[0058] 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.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the first security system element is at least partially housed in the first protective housing part.

[0060] According to this arrangement, the first safety system element extends at least partly into the thickness of the first protective housing part, and therefore not directly inside the protective housing.

[0061] This results in a security system that takes up less space inside the terminal's protective housing compared to existing security systems, all of whose elements extend entirely inside the terminal's protective housing.

[0062] According to one possibility, a first part of the first security system element is at least partially housed in the front cover, and a second part of the first security system element emerges from the front cover inner face, i.e., it extends, from the front cover inner face, inside the protective housing when the latter occupies the protective housing closing configuration.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the first protective housing part comprises at least one opening, the second security system element being able to pass through said at least one opening.

[0064] Thus, the second security system element, which is connected to the touch display device attached to the first protective housing part, and in particular arranged on the external face of the front cover, is able to pass through the first protective housing part in such a way that at least a part of the second security system element extends inside the protective housing when the latter occupies the protective housing closing configuration. It is therefore understood that the cooperation between the first security system element and the second security system element takes place mainly in the thickness of the first protective housing part 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 0.150 mm and being in particular negligible compared to its length and its width.

[0066] According to one embodiment, when the protective housing occupies the protective housing closed position and the at least one safety system occupies the first safety system position, the second protective housing portion bears at least partially against at least a portion of the second safety system element.

[0067] By means of 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 protective housing part, 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 security system element, which is mobile by nature since it is flexible, will not move, which would have the consequence of breaking the electrical connection established between said at least two separate conductive tracks of the second security system element.

[0069] Furthermore, an untimely separation, even minimal, of the rear hood from the front hood will have the immediate consequence of modifying the relative position of the first safety system element and the second safety system element and therefore of breaking the electrical connection established between said 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, the at least one security system occupies, when the protective housing does not occupy the protective housing closed position, at least one second security system position in which the relative position between the first security system element and the second security system element does not allow the junction of said at least two separate conductive tracks of the second security system element to be established.

[0071] According to one possibility, the safety system occupies the at least one second safety system position as long as the protective housing does not occupy the protective housing closing position.

[0072] Furthermore, as soon as the protective housing leaves the protective housing closing position, the safety system occupies the at least one second safety system position.

[0073] When the protective housing does not occupy the safety housing closing position, the relative position of the first safety system element and the second safety system element is such that the electrical junction of said at least two separate conductive tracks of the second safety system element is not established.

[0074] In other words, any attempt to cause the protective housing to leave the protective housing closed position results in the immediate breaking of the electrical connection of said at least two separate conductive tracks of the second security system element. This has the effect that the security system detects any attempt to open the housing, however small.

[0075] According to one possibility, the first security system position allows a first mode of operation of the electronic terminal, while the at least one second security system position allows a second mode of operation of the electronic terminal.

[0076] According to one possibility, the first mode of operation of the electronic terminal corresponds to normal operation, while the second mode of operation of the electronic terminal corresponds to a restricted operation of the electronic terminal, which offers limited functionalities compared to the first mode of operation. For example, the touch functionalities of the touch display device are deactivated in said second mode of operation.

[0077] Alternatively, the second operating mode of the electronic terminal corresponds to an alert mode, in which an alert message is, for example, displayed on the touchscreen display device.

[0078] According to yet another possibility, the at least one second security system position prevents any operation of the electronic terminal. In particular, the at least one second security 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 disjointed conductive tracks of the second security system element, then the touch display device does not operate.

[0079] According to one possibility, the second security system element is electrically connected to the touch display device when the at least one security system occupies the first security system position. Indeed, when the at least one security system occupies the first security system position, the first security system element and the second security system element cooperate so as to establish the junction between said at least two disjointed conductive tracks of the second security system element, which allows normal operation of the touch display device.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the electronic terminal comprises at least two security systems.

[0081] According to one possibility, the electronic terminal comprises a first security system, and a second security system located remotely from the first security system.

[0082] 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.

[0083] For example, the first security system element belonging to the first security system is at least partially housed in the front hood near a first corner of the front hood, and the first security system element belonging to the second security system is at least partially housed in the front hood near a second corner of the front hood located opposite said first front hood corner.

[0084] Further, the second security system element belonging to the first security system is located remotely from the second security system element belonging to the second security system.

[0085] For example, the second security system element belonging to the first security system is mounted on the touchscreen display device near a first corner of the touchscreen display device, and the second security system element belonging to the second security system is mounted on the touchscreen display device near a second corner of the touchscreen display device located opposite said first corner of the touchscreen display device.

[0086] According to these provisions, the distance between the first security system and the second security system of the electronic terminal is maximum, which has the advantage of making any attempt to open the electronic housing and / or to tear off the touch display device immediately detectable.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the electronic card comprises at least one electronic card opening, the first security 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 internal face of the front cover and capable of passing through the at least one electronic card opening when the front face of the electronic card is arranged against the internal face of the front cover.

[0088] Thus, the first security system element, at least partially housed in the thickness of the front cover, extends partly outside the front cover in a direction substantially perpendicular to the electronic card and passes entirely through it through an opening so as to emerge beyond the rear face of the electronic card facing the internal face of the rear cover.

[0089] Furthermore, the conductive element of the first security system element is formed by the conductive portion of the first security system element which is therefore intended to establish the electrical junction of the two separate electrical tracks of the first security system element.

[0090] According to one embodiment, when the security system occupies the first security position, the second security system element passes through the at least one opening of the first protective housing part in order to come into contact with the conductive portion of the first security system element passing through the at least one electronic card opening.

[0091] Thus, the second security system element, mounted on the touch display device, passes through an opening in the first protective housing part and then, thanks to its flexibility, folds back onto a part of the rear face of the electronic card as well as onto the first security system element. In this embodiment, the conductive portion of the first security system element makes it possible to establish the electrical junction of the at least two separate conductive tracks of the second security system element.

[0092] According to this arrangement, the cooperation between the first safety system element and the second safety system element takes place mainly inside the protective housing.

[0093] Furthermore, the electronic card is, in this embodiment, advantageously at least partly wedged between the first protective housing part and the second security system element. Any attempt to lift or move the electronic card will therefore be immediately detected by the security system, since it will have the consequence of modifying the relative position between the first security system element and the second security system element corresponding to the first security system position.

[0094] According to one possibility, the second security system element extends mainly in a plane substantially parallel to the electronic card front face and to the electronic card rear face.

[0095] Given its minimal thickness, between 0.110 and 0.150 mm, and its direction of extension included in a plane parallel to the electronic card, this arrangement of the second security system element does not have the consequence of considerably increasing the thickness of the electronic device.

[0096] Furthermore, it is the only element of the security system that bears against the electronic card. The first element of the security system, by passing through said electronic card, does not increase the distance between the touch display device and the electronic card, allowing the latter to bear directly against the internal face of the front cover.

[0097] According to one embodiment, the non-conductive portion of the first security system element is made of a compressible material.

[0098] Thus, when the protective casing of the electronic device occupies the electronic casing closing position, the support provided by the second part of the electronic casing, and for example by the rear cover, against at least one part of the second security system element has the consequence of compressing the non-conductive portion of the first security system element, which makes it possible to further reduce the overall thickness of the electronic terminal.

[0099] According to one possibility, the non-conductive portion of the first security system element is made of silicone.

[0100] According to one embodiment, the first security system element comprises at least one conductive track and extends mainly through the thickness of the front cover, the second security system element establishing with the at least one conductive track of the first security system element, in the first security system position, a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact spaced apart from each other.

[0101] In this embodiment, the conductive track of the first security system element makes it possible to establish the electrical junction of the at least two separate conductive tracks of the second security system element.

[0102] According to this arrangement, the cooperation between the first safety system element and the second safety system element takes place mainly in the thickness of the front cover.

[0103] This embodiment is particularly advantageous in or for electronic terminal and / or electronic card configurations for which the second security system element cannot come into contact with the electronic card. In these configurations, the first security system element also does not pass through an electronic card opening and it is a particular arrangement of the protective housing, and in particular of the front cover, and of the security system which allows the latter to detect any separation of the front cover from the rear cover.

[0104] Furthermore, this embodiment does not include any security system element resting on or against the electronic card, which is advantageous from the point of view of the thickness of the electronic terminal obtained. Indeed, the security system is not interposed between the front face of the electronic card and the internal face of the front cover on the one hand, nor between the rear face of the electronic card and the internal face of the rear cover on the other hand.

[0105] Since in this embodiment, the cooperation between the first security system element and the second security system element takes place mainly in the thickness of the front cover, a movement of the latter relative to the rear cover, even minimal, will therefore be immediately detected by the security system, since it will have the consequence of modifying the relative position between the first security system element and the second security system element corresponding to the first security system position, and therefore of breaking the electrical junction between the at least two separate electrical tracks of the second security system element.

[0106] And even if the electronic card is not, in this embodiment, stuck between the first part of the protective housing and the second element of the security system, any attempt to access the electronic card will necessarily lead to a relative movement between the first part of the protective housing and the second part of the protective housing, and therefore a modification of the relative position between the first element of the security system and the second element of the security system.

[0107] Similarly, an attempt to tear off or detach the touch display device will also have the immediate consequence of causing a modification of the relative position between the first security system element and the second security system element, and in particular of breaking the electrical junction of the at least two separate electrical tracks of the second security system element.

[0108] Brief description of the figures

[0109] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description, which is given below in relation to the figures, among which:

[0110] [Fig.1] represents an exemplary embodiment of a touch display device of an electronic device on which are mounted two second electronic terminal security system elements and a main connector of the touch display device to the central unit of the electronic device.

[0111] [Fig.2] represents an exemplary embodiment of a first part of the protective casing of an electronic terminal according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention, on which the touch display device of FIG. 1 is affixed.

[0112] [Fig. 3] represents the first part of the protective housing of Figure 2, on which is arranged an exemplary embodiment of an electronic card of the electronic terminal according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention. [Fig. 4] represents a first view of a part of the electronic terminal according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0113] [Fig.5] represents a second view of the part of the electronic terminal of figure 4.

[0114] [Fig.6] represents a first view of an exemplary embodiment of a first element of an electronic terminal security system.

[0115] [Fig.7] represents a second view of the first element of the security system of Figure 6.

[0116] [Fig.8] represents an exemplary embodiment of a first part of a protective housing of an electronic terminal according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention, on which is arranged an exemplary embodiment of an electronic card of the electronic terminal according to the second exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0117] [Fig.9] represents a part of the electronic terminal according to the second exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0118] [Fig.10] represents a detailed view of an exemplary embodiment 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 figure 9.

[0119] Detailed description

[0120] The electronic terminal 10, shown in part in Figures 4 and 5, is of the touchscreen electronic terminal type and comprises in particular a touchscreen display device 20 protected by a protective glass 29, also shown in Figure 1, an electronic card 30 comprising a front electronic card face 31 and a rear electronic card face 32, which is notably visible in Figure 3, and a protective housing 40 within which the electronic card 30 is able to be arranged.

[0121] The electronic card 30, or PCB (for Printed Circuit Board, in English) is a rigid card which comprises a plurality of electronic components, necessary for the operation of the electronic terminal, connected for some of them by a plurality of conductive tracks arranged on the electronic card. In particular, the electronic card 30 comprises the central unit of the electronic terminal 10. The protective housing 40 comprises a first protective housing part 50 and a second protective housing part 60 configured to be secured in a closed position of the protective housing (as can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0122] Furthermore, and as is partially visible in FIG. 2, the touch display device 20 is attached to the first part of the protective housing 50.

[0123] The electronic terminal 10 further comprises a first security system configured to detect an attempt to open the protective housing 40 and 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 comprises a conductive element as will be described further in relation to FIGS. 6 and 7 and a second security system element 80 mounted on the touch display device 20.

[0124] The second security system element 80 comprises a flexible printed circuit connected to the touch display device 20 and comprising at least two disjointed conductive tracks.

[0125] When the protective housing 40 occupies the protective housing closing position visible in Figures 4 and 5, the first security system occupies a first security system position in which the relative position between the first security system element 70 and the second security system element 80 allows the conductive element of the first security system element 70 to establish the electrical junction of said at least two disjointed conductive tracks of the second security system element 80.

[0126] The electronic terminal 10 also comprises a second security system also configured to detect an attempt to open the protective housing 40 and a detachment of the touch display device 20, the second security system also comprising a first security system element 70' housed in the protective housing, which comprises a conductive element and a second security system element 80' mounted on the touch display device 20.

[0127] The second security system element 80' also comprises a flexible printed circuit connected to the touch display device 20 and comprising at least two disjointed conductive tracks.

[0128] When the protective housing 40 occupies the protective housing closing position visible in Figures 4 and 5, the second security system occupies a first security system position in which the relative position between the first security system element 70' and the second security system element 80' allows the conductive element of the first security system element 70' to establish the electrical junction of said at least two disjointed conductive tracks of the second security system element 80'.

[0129] The first protective housing part 50 comprises a front cover 51, which comprises an internal front cover face 52 against which the electronic card front face 31 is arranged, as can be seen in FIG. 3, and an external front cover face 53 on which the touch display device 20 is arranged.

[0130] The second protective housing part 60 comprises a rear cover 61, which comprises a rear cover inner face 62 and a rear cover outer 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 closing position in which the rear cover inner face 62 faces the electronic card rear face 32.

[0131] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the first security system element 70 belonging to the first security system is partially housed in the front cover 51, i.e. it extends partly into the thickness of the front cover. Similarly, the first security system element 70 belonging to the second security system is also partially housed in the front cover 51 and therefore also extends partly into the thickness of the front cover.

[0132] Additionally, 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.

[0133] As seen in Figure 2, the first protective housing portion 50 comprises a first opening 54 through which the second security system element 80 of the first security system is able to pass.

[0134] The first protective housing portion 50 also includes a second opening 54' through which the second security system element 80' of the second security system is adapted to pass.

[0135] Finally, the first protective housing portion 50 comprises a third opening through which a main connector 25 of the touch display device to the central unit of the electronic device is able to pass. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the protective housing 40 occupies the protective housing closing position and the second security system occupies the first security system position, a portion of the second protective housing portion 60 bears against a portion of the second security system element 80' of the second security system.

[0136] Similarly and not visible in the figures, when the protective housing 40 occupies the protective housing closing position and the first safety system occupies the first safety system position, a portion of the second protective housing portion 60 bears against a portion of the second safety system element 80 of the first safety system. In this way, the second protective housing portion 60 provides a counter-support making it possible to secure the positioning of each of said first and second safety systems in their respective first safety system position.

[0137] It is emphasized here that only the protective cover closed position, visible in Figures 4 and 5, allows respectively the first security system to occupy the first security system position and the second security system to occupy the second security system position. Thus, as soon as the protective housing 40 leaves the protective housing closed position, for example following an attempt to open the protective housing 40 aimed for example at accessing the electronic card 30, will have the consequence of modifying the position of the first security system and / or the position of the second security system, and in particular the relative position of the first security system element and the second security system element of one and / or the other of said first and second security systems.

[0138] In addition, the first security system and the second security system of the electronic terminal 10 are sufficiently distant from each other so that any attempt to move the protective housing 40 apart results in a modification of the position occupied by one or other of said first and second security systems. Indeed, and as can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 3, the constituent elements of the second security system and the constituent elements of the first security system are located so that the distance between the two security systems is maximum.

[0139] 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 onto the touch display device 20 near a first touch display device corner 21, while the second security system element 80', belonging to the second security system of the terminal 10, is welded onto the touch display device 20 near a second touch display device corner 22 located diagonally from the first touch display device corner 21.

[0140] Furthermore, the main connector 25 is also welded onto the touch display device, capable of connecting the touch display device 20 to the central unit of the electronic terminal 10, said central unit being included on the electronic card 30 of the electronic terminal 10.

[0141] Both the main connector 25 and said first security system elements 80, 80' are flexible, and each comprise in particular a flexible printed circuit FPC (Flexible Printed Circuit in English).

[0142] When the electronic terminal 10 is assembled, the touch display device 20 is glued to the external 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 internal face of the front cover 52. Thus, the touch display device 20, which is glued to the external face of the front cover 53, is not visible in FIG. 2, in which the main connector 25, the first second security system element 80 and the second security system element 80' are however visible.

[0143] Figure 2 makes it possible to appreciate how the main connector 25, the second security system element 80 and the second security system element 80', thanks to their shape and flexibility, pass respectively through an opening 57, 54, 54' of the front cover 51 of the electronic terminal 10.

[0144] Similarly, the first security system element 70 of the first security system and the first security system element 70' of the second security system are spaced apart from each other by being respectively housed in two housings of the front cover located diagonally with respect to each other. In addition, each first security system element 70, 70' extends partly outside the front cover 51 by emerging from the inner face of the front cover 52.

[0145] 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 FIGS. 6 and 7. Thus and as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first security system element 70 has a substantially cylindrical shape and extends along a longitudinal axis of the first security system element over a length of the first security system element.

[0146] The first security system element 70 comprises a non-conductive portion 72, of substantially cylindrical shape, and a conductive portion 71 of also substantially cylindrical shape.

[0147] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the non-conductive portion 72 extends along the longitudinal axis of the first security system element over a first length, and the conductive portion 71 also extends along the longitudinal axis of the first security system element over a second length less than said first length.

[0148] The conductive portion 71 is made of carbon and comprises 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.

[0149] The non-conductive portion 72 is made of silicone, which is a compressible material, which advantageously makes it possible to reduce said first length, and therefore the length of the first security system element, when the latter is compressed by the front cover 51 on the one hand and by the second security system element 80 and the rear cover 61 on the other hand.

[0150] In Figure 2, the first security system element 70 is arranged within the front cover 51 in such a way that the non-conductive portion 72 is fully housed in the thickness of the front cover 51, in a housing provided for this purpose, and so that the conductive portion 71 extends perpendicular to the internal surface of the front cover 52. It is noted in passing that the arrangement of the first security system element 70' is identical, and will not be described in more detail.

[0151] When the electronic card 30 is arranged within the protective housing 40, and in particular when the electronic card front face 31 is arranged on the internal face of the front cover 52, as can be seen in FIG. 3, the first security system element 70 of the first security system, and in particular its conductive portion 71, is able to pass through an electronic card opening (not visible in the figures). Similarly, the first security system element 70' of the second security system, and in particular its conductive portion, is able to pass through an electronic card opening 33' as shown in FIG. 4.

[0152] Thus, when the second security system element 80 of the first security 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 security system element 70 of the first security system so as to come into contact with the external face 73 of the latter.

[0153] Similarly, when the second security system element 80 of the second security system is folded down, due 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 security system element 70' of the second security system so as to come into contact with the external face of the latter.

[0154] When the protective housing occupies the protective housing closing position, the second protective housing part 60, and in particular a part of the rear cover 61, provides counter-pressure against each of said second security system elements 80, 80', as shown in particular in FIGS. 4 and 5 for the second security system of the electronic terminal 10.

[0155] Figures 8 to 10 relate to a second exemplary embodiment of an electronic terminal according to the invention. The electronic terminal 10', part of which is shown in Figure 9, is like the electronic terminal 10 also of the touchscreen electronic terminal type and comprises in particular a touchscreen display device 20', similar to the touchscreen 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.

[0156] The electronic device 10' also comprises an electronic card 30' comprising an electronic card front face 31' and an electronic card rear face 32', which is notably visible in FIG. 8, and a protective housing 40' within which the electronic card 30' is able to be arranged. The protective housing 40' comprises a first protective housing part 50' and a second protective housing part 60' configured to be secured in a closed position of the protective housing (as is visible in FIG. 9).

[0157] Furthermore, the touch display device 20' is attached to the first part of the protective housing 50' as can be seen in Figure 9.

[0158] The electronic terminal 10' further comprises a first security system configured to detect an attempt to open the protective housing 40' and 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 comprises a conductive element, and a second security system element 80” mounted on the touch display device 20'.

[0159] The second security system element 80” comprises a flexible printed circuit connected to the touch display device 20' and comprising at least two disjointed conductive tracks.

[0160] When the protective housing 40' occupies the protective housing closing position visible in Figure 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 junction of said at least two disjointed conductive tracks of the second safety system element 80”.

[0161] The electronic terminal 10' also comprises a second security system also configured to detect an attempt to open the protective housing 40' and 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 comprises a conductive element and a second security system element 80'” mounted on the touch display device 20'.

[0162] The second security system element 80'” comprises a flexible printed circuit connected to the touch display device 20' and comprising at least two disjointed conductive tracks.

[0163] When the protective housing 40' occupies the protective housing closing position visible in Figures 4 and 5, the second security system occupies a first security system position in which the relative position between the first security system element 90 and the second security system element 80"' allows the conductive element of the first security system element 90 to establish the electrical junction of said at least two disjointed conductive tracks of the second security system element 80'".

[0164] The first protective housing part 50' comprises a front cover 51', which comprises an internal front cover face 52' against which the electronic card front face 31' is arranged, as can be seen in FIG. 8, and an external front cover face 53' on which the touch display device 20' is arranged as shown in FIG. 9.

[0165] The second protective housing portion 60' comprises a rear cover 61', which comprises a rear cover inner face 62' and a rear cover outer 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 closing position in which the rear cover inner face 62' faces the electronic card rear face 32'.

[0166] 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 more detail. In particular, the second security system element 80” passes through a first opening 54” that the front cover 51' has and extends, thanks to its flexibility, parallel to the electronic card so as to cover a portion of the latter as well as the conductive portion of the first security system element.

[0167] In a similar manner 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 maximum.

[0168] 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.

[0169] The second security system of the electronic terminal 10' is an alternative embodiment of a security system which makes it possible to respond to particular shapes of electronic card having in particular smaller electronic card surfaces, and in particular less than the surface of the internal face of the front cover. According to this alternative embodiment, the first security system element 90 comprises at least one conductive track 91 (visible in FIG. 10) and extends mainly through the thickness of the front cover 51, as can be seen in FIG. 9, and the second security system element 80'” establishes with the at least one conductive track 91 of the first security system element 90, in the first security system position, a first electrical contact 95 and a second electrical contact 96 spaced apart from each other as can be seen in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0170] In addition, the second protective housing part, and in particular the rear cover, provides counter-support against the second security system element 80'”, which makes it possible to secure the relative position between the first security system element 90 and the second security system element 80'”.

[0171] In this configuration, the second security system is not interposed between the electronic card 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.

[0172] 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 card. In particular, it is demonstrated that the solutions of the invention advantageously make it possible to reduce the thickness of touchscreen electronic terminals equipped with security systems by almost 2.1 mm.

[0173] Obviously, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in Figures 1 to 10, and encompasses all the variants conceivable for those skilled in the art.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Electronic terminal (10, 10') comprising: A touch display device (20, 20'); An electronic card (30, 30') comprising an electronic card front face (31, 3T) and an electronic card rear face (32, 32'); A protective housing (40, 40') within which the electronic card (30, 30') can be arranged and comprising at least: o A first protective housing part (50, 50') and o A second protective housing part (60, 60'), the first protective housing part (50, 50') and the second protective housing part (60, 60') being configured to be secured in a closed position of the protective housing, the touch display device (20, 20') being attached to the first protective housing part (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'), the at least one security system comprising: o A first security system element (70, 70', 90) housed in the protective housing (40, 40') and comprising at least one conductive element; o 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 disjointed conductive tracks; The at least one safety system occupies, when the protective housing (40, 40') occupies the protective housing closing position, 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 the at least one conductive element of the first safety system element (70, 70', 90) to establish the electrical junction of said at least two disjointed conductive tracks of the second safety system element (80, 80', 80”, 80'”).

2. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to claim 1, wherein the first protective housing part (50, 50') comprises a front cover (51, 51') comprising an internal front cover face (52, 52') against which the electronic card front face (31, 3T) is arranged, and an external front cover face (53, 53') on which the touch display device (20, 20') is arranged.

3. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to claim 2, wherein the second protective housing part (60, 60') comprises a rear cover (61, 61') comprising a rear cover inner face (62, 62') and a rear cover outer face (63, 63'), the rear cover (61, 6T) being able to cooperate with the front cover (51, 5T) so as to allow the protective housing (40, 40') to occupy the protective housing closing position in which the rear cover inner face (62, 62') faces the electronic card rear face (32, 32').

4. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to one of claims 2 or 3, wherein the first security system element (70, 70', 90) is at least partially housed in the first protective housing part (50, 50').

5. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first protective housing part (50, 50') comprises at least one opening (54, 54', 54”, 54'”), the second security system element (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 one of claims 3 to 5, wherein, when the protective housing (40, 40') occupies the protective housing closed position and the at least one security system occupies the first security system position, the second protective housing part (60, 60') bears at least partially against at least a part of the second security system element (80, 80', 80”, 80'”).

7. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one security system occupies, when the protective housing (40, 40') does not occupy the protective housing closed position, at least one second security system position in which the relative position between the first security system element (70, 70', 90) and the second security system element (80, 80', 80”, 80'”) does not allow the junction of said at least two disjointed conductive tracks of the second security system element (80, 80', 80”, 80'”) to be established.

8. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises at least two security systems.

9. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to 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 internal face of the front cover (52) and capable of passing through the at least one electronic card opening (33') when the front face of the electronic card (31) is arranged against the internal face of the front cover (52).

10. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to claim 9, wherein, when the security system occupies the first security position, the second security system element (80, 80', 80”) passes through the at least one front cover opening (54, 54', 54”) in order to come into contact with the conductive portion (71) of the first security system element (70, 70') passing through the at least one electronic card opening (33').

11. Electronic terminal (10, 10') according to 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 one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the at least one conductive element of the first security system element (90) comprises at least one conductive track (91) and extends mainly through the thickness of the front cover (5 T), the second security system element (80'”) establishing with the at least one conductive track (91) of the first security system element (90), in the first security system position, a first electrical contact (95) and a second electrical contact (96) spaced apart from each other.

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