Smart card reader terminal / smart card reader

Abstract

An electronic terminal (10) comprising a touch display device (11), a smart card reader (12), a protective housing within which the smart card reader is adapted to occupy a first smart card reader position, a security mechanism configured to detect a displacement of the smart card reader (12) toward a second smart card reader position distinct from the first smart card reader position, the security mechanism comprising: a first security element (15) provided on the smart card reader (12) and comprising a conductive portion (151), a second security element (16) provided on the touch display device (11).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] TITLE: Z Smart Card Reader Terminal

[0003] technical field

[0004] The present invention, which belongs to the field of electronic terminals for smart card readers, relates more specifically to a particular architecture of electronic terminal enabling the detection and prevention of unintentional detachment and / or movement of at least some of the constituent elements of a touch terminal with smart card reader.

[0005] State of the art

[0006] In general, an electronic smart card reader terminal, such as an electronic payment terminal, comprises a number of electronic devices cooperating with each other, some of which are partially or fully arranged within a protective housing for the electronic terminal.

[0007] These various electronic devices, some of which are at least electrically connected to each other, include in particular a smart card reader module with or without contact, a touch panel capable of receiving touch inputs, a display screen, at least one electronic board on which are placed some of the electronic components necessary for the operation of the electronic terminal.

[0008] In particular, an electronic terminal with a contact smart card reader includes a physical smart card reader integrated into the terminal, generally disposed in whole or in part inside the protective housing, the latter also including an opening allowing the insertion of a smart card into a smart card reception range belonging to the physical smart card reader.

[0009] Within the protective casing of such an electronic terminal, a dedicated space or compartment is typically provided to house the physical smart card reader, which is therefore entirely contained within the protective casing. This type of electronic terminal is also designed to offer sensitive functionalities, particularly for collecting and / or transmitting confidential encrypted data that must remain secret. Consequently, they are susceptible to attacks aimed at retrieving or decrypting confidential data, and these attacks can take various forms.

[0010] Thus, an electronic terminal of this type must exhibit a high degree of operational security and high reliability, and in particular include security mechanisms designed to ensure its proper functioning and to detect and prevent any attempt at fraud or intrusion.

[0011] For example, an electronic terminal with a contact smart card reader includes a first security system configured to detect any attempt to remove or even forcibly displace the physical smart card reader inside the electronic terminal.

[0012] A terminal of this type generally includes a second security system configured to detect any unauthorized intrusion attempt into the physical smart card reader, and therefore in particular any attempt to open the protective casing of the electronic terminal.

[0013] Some modern electronic terminals also offer touchscreen functionality to their users, and therefore include a display screen with a touch panel configured to receive touch input. Such a touchscreen is usually glued to the outer surface of the front cover of the terminal's protective casing, and a malicious individual could attempt to detach the touchscreen from the casing in order to access and / or decipher sensitive information transmitted on the terminal.

[0014] A touchscreen electronic terminal with a physical smart card reader therefore necessarily includes a third security system configured to detect an unintentional detachment of the touchscreen from the protective casing.

[0015] Thus, the increasing number of features offered by smart card reader terminals leads to a greater number of security mechanisms required for their proper operation, thereby complicating their internal structure. These security mechanisms typically comprise various components housed within the terminal's protective casing. Furthermore, some existing security mechanisms have the undesirable effect of generating false fraud detections, for example, when the terminal is subjected to impacts or dropped.

[0016] Existing solutions are therefore unsatisfactory because they present a high level of complexity and bulk inside the electronic terminal, without guaranteeing effective and reliable protection of the electronic terminal.

[0017] Summary of the invention

[0018] The present application aims to remedy all or some of the aforementioned drawbacks, and in particular to provide a simple, reliable and compact mechanism for securing a touch terminal with a smart card reader.

[0019] To this end, the present invention relates to an electronic terminal comprising:

[0020] - a touch display device;

[0021] - a smart card reader;

[0022] - a protective housing in which the smart card reader is able to occupy a first smart card reader position, the protective housing comprising at least a first part of a protective housing and a second part of a protective housing, the first part of a protective housing and the second part of a protective housing being configured so as to be able to be joined together in a closed protective housing position, the touch display device being attached to the first part of the protective housing so as to occupy a first position of a touch display device;

[0023] - a security mechanism configured to detect movement of the smart card reader to a position distinct from the first smart card reader position, the security mechanism comprising:

[0024] - a first security element provided on the smart card reader and including a conductive portion;

[0025] - a second safety element provided on the touch display device; the safety mechanism occupying, when the smart card reader and the touch display device occupy respectively the first smart card reader position and the first touch display device position, a first safety mechanism position in which the first safety element and the second safety element establish an electrical contact between them.

[0026] Compared to existing solutions, the security mechanism of the invention simplifies the structure of the electronic terminal.

[0027] In particular, the fact that a first security element provided on the smart card reader and a second security element provided on the touch display device make it possible to effectively reduce the bulk within the protective housing of the electronic terminal.

[0028] According to one possibility, the smart card reader is capable of allowing the electronic terminal to read a smart card, and for example an electronic payment card such as a bank card.

[0029] According to a non-limiting possibility, the electronic terminal includes an electronic payment terminal, and in particular an electronic payment terminal including a physical smart card reader into which the smart card can be inserted in order to allow it to be read.

[0030] Depending on the scenario, the electronic terminal includes a contactless or contactless electronic payment terminal. In this scenario, the electronic terminal can read the smart card either by inserting it into the smart card reader (contact transaction) or by simply holding it near the electronic terminal (contactless transaction), thus offering two possible transaction modes.

[0031] In another scenario, the electronic terminal includes a contactless electronic payment terminal. In this scenario, the electronic terminal can only read the smart card when it is physically inserted into the smart card reader.

[0032] In one possibility, the first part of the protective housing comprises a front cover with an inner face opposite which the smart card reader is located, and an outer face on which the touch display device is located. In another possibility, the touch display device, when it occupies the first position of touch display device, is affixed directly to the outer face of the front cover of the protective housing.

[0033] According to one possibility, any position other than the first touch display position corresponds to an abnormal position of the touch display device.

[0034] The touchscreen display system includes an assembly comprising a display screen and a transparent touchscreen. Furthermore, a transparent protective glass covers the entire assembly of the display screen and the transparent touchscreen, extending into a protective glass plane.

[0035] According to one possibility, the electronic terminal has a main facade facing a user in a usage situation, said main facade extending in a main facade plane.

[0036] According to one possibility, the protective glass plane is coincident with the main facade plane, particularly when the touch display device occupies the first touch display device position.

[0037] Typically, the display screen is affixed, and for example glued, to the external face of the front cover, the transparent touch panel being placed on the screen and itself covered by the transparent protective glass on which a user places at least one finger to interact with the electronic terminal.

[0038] According to one possibility, the second part of the protective housing includes a rear cover comprising an inner rear cover face opposite which the smart card reader is positioned, and an outer rear cover face.

[0039] According to one possibility, the touch display device has a substantially parallelepiped shape, and extends along a longitudinal extension direction of touch display device over a length of touch display device, and extends along a transverse extension direction of touch display device over a width of touch display device.

[0040] In one possibility, the first position of the smart card reader corresponds to its normal operating position. In another possibility, the smart card reader, in its first position, is entirely enclosed within the protective housing of the electronic terminal.

[0041] According to one possibility, any position other than the first smart card reader position corresponds to an abnormal operating position of the smart card reader.

[0042] According to one possibility, the first position of the safety mechanism allows a first mode of operation of the electronic terminal, while any other position occupied by the safety mechanism results in a second mode of operation of the electronic terminal.

[0043] According to one possibility, the first operating mode of the electronic terminal corresponds to normal operation, while the second operating mode corresponds to a restricted operation, offering limited functionality compared to the first operating mode. For example, the touch functionality of the touchscreen display is disabled in this second operating mode.

[0044] According to another possibility, the second operating mode of the electronic terminal corresponds to an alert mode, in which an alert message is displayed, for example, on the touch display device.

[0045] According to yet another possibility, any position other than the first position of the safety mechanism prevents the electronic terminal from functioning.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the second safety element comprises a flexible printed circuit board electrically connected to the touch display device embodiment.

[0047] One possibility is that the flexible printed circuit (FPC) is attached to the touch display device, for example soldered or glued to the touch display device.

[0048] Thanks to its flexibility, the flexible printed circuit board, while remaining attached to the touch display device, is able to extend at least partially inside the protective housing. For example, the flexible printed circuit board includes a tab of approximately rectangular shape that extends inside the protective housing. Alternatively, the second safety element is positioned at least partially on a wall of the protective housing, for example, on an internal wall of the protective housing that forms part of the first section of the protective housing.

[0049] According to one possibility, the first safety element has a cylindrical shape, a circular cross-section, and extends mainly along an axis of the first safety element between a first end and a second end of the first safety element.

[0050] According to one possibility, the conductive portion is disposed at one of the said first and second ends of the first safety element, and for example at the first end of the first safety element.

[0051] According to one possibility, the contact surface between the first safety element and the second safety element has a circular shape corresponding to the circular section of the first safety element.

[0052] According to this possibility, the conductive portion is at least included on the circular section of the first safety element.

[0053] According to one embodiment, the second safety element comprises at least two disjoint conductive tracks, and wherein the electrical contact established in the first position of the safety mechanism between the first safety element and the second safety element allows the electrical connection of said at least two disjoint conductive tracks to be established.

[0054] According to this embodiment, when the smart card reader and the touch display device occupy the first smart card reader position and the first touch display device position respectively, the first security element and the second security element cooperate so that the conductive portion of the first security element establishes the junction of the two disjoint conductive tracks of the second security element.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the security mechanism is configured so that a movement of the smart card reader to a position distinct from the first smart card reader position causes the security mechanism to occupy a position distinct from the first security mechanism position.

[0056] The first security element on the smart card reader is fixed to the reader, and any movement of the smart card reader necessarily results in a movement of the first security element. Therefore, when the smart card reader moves to a position other than its initial position, the relative position between the first and second security elements is altered due to the movement of the first element, and the security mechanism is thus moved to a position other than its initial position.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the safety mechanism is configured so that a movement of the touch display device to a position distinct from the first position of the touch display device causes the safety mechanism to occupy a position distinct from the first position of the safety mechanism.

[0058] The second safety element provided on the touch display device, and for example welded to the touch display device, is integral to the touch display device, and any movement of the touch display device therefore necessarily entails a movement of the second safety element.

[0059] Thus, when the touch display device moves to a position other than the first touch display device position, the relative position between the first safety element and the second safety element is changed because of the movement of the second safety element, and the safety mechanism is therefore driven to a position other than the first safety mechanism position.

[0060] The safety mechanism is therefore also configured to detect a movement of the touch display device to a position distinct from the first position of the touch display device, such a movement being caused for example by an attempt to pull off and / or peel off the touch display device.

[0061] Indeed, any attempt to remove and / or detach the touch display device results in a break in the electrical contact between the first safety element and the second safety element, and therefore a break in the electrical junction established between the two disjoint electrical tracks of the second safety element.

[0062] Thus, the security mechanism of the electronic terminal of the invention optimizes the number of security mechanisms within the terminal, since a single security mechanism detects both abnormal movement of the smart card reader and abnormal movement of the touchscreen display. Furthermore, reducing the number of security mechanisms required within the terminal decreases the number of false positive attack detections, which is directly proportional to the number of security mechanisms capable of causing such undesired detections.

[0063] Compared to existing solutions, the security mechanism of the invention therefore reliably ensures the security of the electronic terminal while simplifying its internal structure.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the safety mechanism is configured so that a movement of the protective housing to a position distinct from the closed position of the protective housing causes the safety mechanism to occupy a position distinct from the first position of the safety mechanism.

[0065] According to this particularly advantageous provision, the safety mechanism is further configured to detect a movement of the protective housing to a position distinct from the protective housing closing position.

[0066] In other words, the safety mechanism is capable of detecting an opening or attempted opening of the protective housing, and in particular a partial or total separation of the first part of the protective housing and the second part of the protective housing.

[0067] This advantageous feature further simplifies the structure of the electronic terminal and reduces its size within the protective casing, since an additional security mechanism specifically dedicated to detecting fraudulent opening of the electronic terminal's protective casing is no longer necessary.

[0068] According to one possibility, the smart card reader is kept in the first smart card reader position as long as the protective case occupies the protective case closing position.

[0069] According to one possibility, the smart card reader, which is substantially parallelepiped in shape, is held in the first smart card reader position by the relative position of the first part of the protective housing and the second part of the protective housing, when both are joined in the closed position of the protective housing.

[0070] According to this design, the smart card reader is not fixed to the protective housing, but is simply held in its initial smart card reader position as long as the protective housing is in its closed position. Therefore, any relative movement of the first and second parts of the protective housing, and thus any attempt to open the protective housing even partially, results in the smart card reader moving to a position other than its initial smart card reader position, thereby breaking the electrical contact between the first and second security elements.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the electronic terminal includes a support element disposed at least partially inside the protective housing and along which the second security element extends at least partially.

[0072] In one possibility, the support element is attached to the protective housing, and for example to the first part of the protective housing.

[0073] In one scenario, the second safety element is also attached to the support element. In this scenario, the second safety element is attached to both the touch display device and the support element.

[0074] According to one possibility, the support element includes a support wall against which the second safety element extends at least in part.

[0075] According to one possibility, the second safety element is partly fixed directly, for example glued or welded, onto said support wall of the support element.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the second safety element is at least partially disposed between the first safety element and the support element when the protection mechanism occupies the first position of the protection mechanism.

[0077] According to one possibility, when the protective mechanism occupies the first position of protective mechanism, the second safety element is at least partially included between the conductive portion of the first safety element and at least part of the support wall of the support element.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the electronic terminal comprises a main electronic card of substantially rectangular shape extending in a main electronic card plane, the smart card reader comprising a reader electronic card of substantially rectangular shape extending in a reader electronic card plane, the reader electronic card being connected to the main electronic card via a connection element at least partially disposed between the smart card reader and the support element when the smart card reader occupies the first smart card reader position.

[0079] According to one possibility, the connection element is entirely disposed between the smart card reader and the support element when the smart card reader occupies the first smart card reader position.

[0080] According to this possibility, any access or attempted access to the connection element is impossible as long as the smart card reader occupies the first smart card reader position.

[0081] This aspect of the invention is all the more advantageous as sensitive data generally passes through the connection element, such as confidential information like a security code associated with a smart card.

[0082] The main circuit board of the electronic terminal includes at least some of the electronic components necessary for the terminal's operation. However, the protection mechanism does not include any protective elements located on the main circuit board.

[0083] According to one possibility, the main electronic board plane, in which the main electronic board extends mainly, is substantially parallel to the protective glass plane in which the transparent protective glass extends when the touch display device occupies the first touch display device position and when the main electronic board occupies a first main electronic board position.

[0084] In one scenario, the safety mechanism is configured to detect a movement of the main circuit board to a position other than its initial position. According to this scenario, any movement of the main circuit board to a position other than its initial position will cause the safety mechanism to occupy a position other than its initial position.

[0085] The electronic reader board includes at least some of the electronic components that enable the smart card reader to function.

[0086] In one possibility, the reader's electronic board layout is substantially parallel to the main electronic board layout when the smart card reader occupies the first smart card reader position. In another possibility, the smart card reader includes a first security element housing configured to receive at least part of the first security element, with the conductive portion protruding outside the first security element housing.

[0087] The conductive portion includes at least one conductive material, for example carbon.

[0088] According to one possibility, the first safety element also includes a non-conductive portion, for example made of silicone.

[0089] According to one possibility, the first security element is arranged so that the axis of the first security element is parallel to the reader's electronic card plane.

[0090] According to one possibility, the wall of the support element against which the second security element extends at least in part extends in a plane substantially orthogonal to the electronic reader card plane.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the reader electronic card plane is intersecting with the main electronic card plane when the smart card reader occupies the first smart card reader position.

[0092] According to this embodiment, the reader electronic board is not parallel to the main electronic board.

[0093] In particular, when the smart card reader occupies the first smart card reader position, the reader's electronic card plane forms an angle of at least 20 degrees with the main electronic card plane, and for example between 3 and 30 degrees.

[0094] According to one possibility, the support wall extends in a plane substantially orthogonal to the electronic card reader plane when the smart card reader occupies the first smart card reader position.

[0095] According to one embodiment, the smart card reader includes a smart card slot into which a smart card can be inserted, the smart card extending, when inserted into the smart card slot, in a plane substantially parallel to the electronic card reader plane.

[0096] In one possibility, the plane in which the smart card extends when inserted into the smart card slot intersects with the plane of the main electronic card. In another possibility, the plane in which the smart card extends when inserted into the smart card slot intersects with the plane of the protective glass.

[0097] Thus, the smart card slot is configured to allow the smart card insertion direction to be not parallel but inclined relative to the plane of the protective glass and / or the plane of the main electronic board, which makes it easier for the user to both insert and remove the smart card.

[0098] Brief description of the figures

[0099] The invention will be better understood from the following detailed description, which refers to the figures, among which:

[0100] Figures [Fig.1a] and [Fig.1b] offer two perspective views, respectively of a front face and a rear face of an electronic terminal conforming to an embodiment of the invention integrated within a merchant's kiosk.

[0101] Figures [Fig.2a] and [Fig.2b] provide cross-sectional, profile views of the electronic terminal shown in Figure 1a.

[0102] Figures [Fig.3a] and [Fig.3b] provide two views, respectively a general view and a detailed view, of a rear face of an example embodiment of the touch display device of the electronic terminal shown in Figure 1a.

[0103] Figure [Fig.4] provides a perspective view of an example of the realization of a component of the electronic terminal shown in Figure 1a.

[0104] Figure [Fig.5] provides a perspective view of an example embodiment of the smart card reader of the electronic terminal shown in Figure 1a.

[0105] Figures [Fig.6a] to [Fig.6c] provide perspective views of the interior of the electronic terminal shown in Figure 1a.

[0106] Detailed description

[0107] The electronic terminal 10 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 1a and 1b as being integrated into a kiosk 50 of a merchant, which may for example correspond to a self-service purchase terminal with integrated electronic payment solution.

[0108] The electronic terminal 10 is an electronic payment terminal, in particular for contactless bank card payments.

[0109] In contrast to contactless payment, contact payment requires the insertion of an electronic payment card or bank card, i.e. a chip card 40, into the electronic terminal 10, and more particularly into a chip card slot 17 of a chip card reader 12, said chip card slot 17 being intended to receive the chip card 40 and to allow it to be read by the chip card reader 12 of the electronic terminal 10.

[0110] The electronic terminal 10 includes a touch display device 11 arranged on a front face of the electronic terminal 10, which is visible and accessible by a user of the electronic terminal 10, who may, for example, be a customer of the merchant who owns the kiosk 50.

[0111] The front face of the electronic terminal 10 (visible in Figure 1a) has a substantially rectangular shape, and extends mainly over an electronic terminal length L in a longitudinal extension direction of the electronic terminal, and over an electronic terminal width I in a transverse extension direction of the electronic terminal.

[0112] The electronic terminal 10 also has an electronic terminal thickness e (see figure 2a).

[0113] The electronic terminal 10 also includes a rear face (visible in Figure 1b), which is generally neither visible nor accessible by the user of the electronic terminal 10. In other words, this rear face of the electronic terminal 10 is located inside the kiosk 50.

[0114] The electronic terminal 10 includes a protective housing comprising a passage opening 18 (visible in figure 6a) for the smart card 40 allowing the smart card 40 to be inserted into the smart card slot 17 of the smart card reader 12.

[0115] The protective housing of the electronic terminal 10 includes a first part of the protective housing 13, visible in particular in Figure 1a and comprising a front cover of the electronic terminal 10, and a second part of the protective housing 14, visible in particular in Figure 1b and comprising a rear cover of the electronic terminal 10.

[0116] The touch display device 11 is an assembly consisting of a display screen, a transparent touch panel allowing a user to make touch inputs on said display screen, and a protective glass also transparent.

[0117] The transparent protective glass, substantially rectangular in shape, extends in a protective glass plane and defines an external surface of the touch display device 12 on which at least one finger of the user rests when the latter interacts with the electronic terminal 10.

[0118] The touch display device 11 is attached to the first part of the protective housing 13 so as to occupy a first position of touch display device (shown in figures 1a and 2a) which in fact corresponds to a correct or normal position of the touch display device.

[0119] More specifically, the touch display device 11 is, in the first position of the touch display device, glued onto a portion of the first part of the protective housing 13 corresponding to a portion of an external face of the front cover of the electronic terminal 10.

[0120] As can be seen for example in figure 2a, the first part of the protective housing 13 and the second part of the protective housing 14 are configured so that they can be joined together in a protective housing closure position, which corresponds to a correct or normal position of the protective housing.

[0121] The electronic terminal also includes a main electronic board 21 which includes at least some of the electronic components necessary for the operation of the electronic terminal.

[0122] The main electronic board 21 has a rectangular shape and extends in a main electronic board plane substantially parallel to the protective glass plane in which the external surface of the touch display device 11 extends when the touch display device occupies the first touch display device position and when the main electronic board occupies a first main electronic board position (represented for example in Figure 2a).

[0123] The main electronic board 21 extends between a first end of the main electronic board 21.1 and a second end of the main electronic board 21.2 in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the electronic terminal.

[0124] The smart card reader 12 is arranged within the protective housing of the electronic terminal 10, and occupies a first smart card reader position (visible in Figure 2a for example) when the protective housing occupies the closed protective housing position.

[0125] The first smart card reader position corresponds to a correct or normal position of the smart card reader 12.

[0126] The smart card reader 12 includes an electronic reader card 22 which includes at least some of the electronic components enabling the smart card reader to function.

[0127] The reader electronic card 22 has a rectangular shape and extends, when the electronic card reader 12 occupies the first smart card reader position, in a reader electronic card plane intersecting with the main electronic card plane.

[0128] More specifically, in the first smart card reader position, the reader electronic card plane forms an angle of approximately 20 degrees with the main electronic card plane, and therefore with the protective glass plane.

[0129] When the smart card 40 is inserted into the smart card reader 12, being at least partially positioned in the smart card slot 17, the smart card 40 extends in a plane substantially parallel to the reader's electronic card plane, which means that the smart card 40 is, when inserted and once inserted into the smart card reader 12, inclined relative to the protective glass plane and the main electronic card plane.

[0130] The electronic terminal 10 includes a security mechanism configured to detect any movement of the smart card reader 12 to a position other than the first smart card reader position. Specifically, the security mechanism is configured to detect any movement of the smart card reader 12 to a position other than the first smart card reader position.

[0131] Indeed, the first position of the smart card reader corresponds to the correct or normal position of the smart card reader 12, any other position of the smart card reader is considered an abnormal and therefore unsecure position of the smart card reader 12. The security mechanism includes a first security element 15 provided on the smart card reader 12, said first security element, particularly visible in figure 6b, comprising a conductive portion 15.1.

[0132] The conductive portion 15.1 comprises carbon. In addition, the first safety element also includes a non-conductive portion made of silicone.

[0133] The first safety element 15 has a cylindrical shape, a circular cross-section, and extends mainly along an axis of the first safety element between a first end and a second end of the first safety element, the conductive portion 15.1 being disposed at the level of the first end of the first safety element and covering in particular the circular cross-section of the first safety element.

[0134] The smart card reader 12 includes a first security element housing 25 in which the first security element 15 is partially disposed, the conductive portion 15.1 of the first security element protruding outside said first security element housing 25.

[0135] When the first security element is placed in the first security element housing, the axis of the first security element is substantially parallel to the reader's electronic board plane.

[0136] The safety mechanism also includes a second safety element 16 provided on the touch display device 11. The second safety element 16 includes a flexible printed circuit electrically connected to the touch display device 11, and secured to the latter by means of a weld.

[0137] The touch display device also includes a flexible printed circuit 23 for electrically connecting the touch display device to the main electronic board 21.

[0138] Due to its flexibility, the second security element 16, while being attached to the touch display device, is able to extend inside the protective housing of the electronic terminal 10.

[0139] The safety mechanism occupies, when the smart card reader 12 and the touch display device 11 are respectively in the first smart card reader position and the first touch display device position, a first safety mechanism position in which the first safety element 15 and the second safety element 16 cooperate to establish an electrical contact between them.

[0140] In this first position of the protection mechanism, the circular section of the first safety element, covered by the conductive portion 15.1, forms the contact surface between the first safety element and the second safety element.

[0141] Furthermore, the second safety element 16 comprises at least two disjoint conductive tracks (not visible in the figures), and the electrical contact established in the first position of the safety mechanism between the first safety element 15 and the second safety element 16 makes it possible to establish the electrical connection of said two conductive tracks through the conductive portion 15.1 of the first safety element.

[0142] The second security element 16 is partially disposed against a support wall 19.1 of a support element 19 (visible in Figure 4). The support wall 19.1 extends in a plane substantially orthogonal to the electronic card reader plane when the smart card reader occupies the first smart card reader position.

[0143] In addition to being attached to the touch display device 12, the second safety element 16 is also attached to the support wall 19.1 of the support element 19.

[0144] The support element 19 is fixed to the first part of the protective housing 13, and includes in particular a beam which extends transversely inside the protective housing of the electronic terminal 10, i.e. in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of transverse extension of the electronic terminal.

[0145] The electronic terminal 10 further includes a connection element 24 electrically linking the main electronic board 21 and the reader electronic board 22.

[0146] When the smart card reader 12 occupies the first smart card reader position, the connection element 24 is arranged between the smart card reader 12 and the beam of the support element 19, which prevents any access to the connection element 24 and therefore any attempt to recover sensitive and / or confidential data that passes through the connection element 24.

[0147] As long as the smart card reader 12 and the touch display device 11 occupy the first smart card reader position and the first touch display device position respectively, the safety mechanism occupies the first safety mechanism position, which corresponds to a secure position of the safety mechanism in which the second safety element 16 is at least partially disposed between the conductive portion 15.1 of the first safety element 15 and the support wall 19.1 of the support element 19.

[0148] The safety mechanism is configured so that a movement of the smart card reader 12 to a position distinct from the first smart card reader position causes the safety mechanism to move to a position distinct from the first safety mechanism position, and thus causes the safety mechanism to occupy a position in which the electrical contact between the first safety element 15 and the second safety element 16 is broken, and therefore the junction between the two disjoint electrical tracks of the second safety element 16 is broken.

[0149] Indeed, since the first security element 15 is attached to the smart card reader 12, any movement of the latter necessarily causes a movement of the first security element 15 and therefore a break in contact between the latter and the second security element 16.

[0150] The safety mechanism is also configured so that a movement of the touch display device 11 to a position distinct from the first position of the touch display device causes the safety mechanism to move to a position distinct from the first position of the safety mechanism, and thus causes the safety mechanism to occupy a position in which the electrical contact between the first safety element 15 and the second safety element 16 is broken, and therefore the junction between the two disjoint electrical tracks of the second safety element 16 is broken.

[0151] Indeed, since the second safety element 16 is attached to the touch display device 16, any movement of the latter necessarily causes a movement of the second safety element 16 and therefore a break in contact between the latter and the first safety element 16.

[0152] The security mechanism is therefore capable of detecting, in addition to a movement of the smart card reader 12 to a position distinct from the first smart card reader position, a movement of the touch display device 11 to a position distinct from the first touch display device position. For example, any attempt to detach and / or remove the touch display device 11 will result in such a movement of the touch display device 11, and therefore detection of such an event by the security mechanism.The safety mechanism is further configured so that a movement of the protective housing 10 to a position distinct from the protective housing closing position causes the safety mechanism to move to a position distinct from the first safety mechanism position, and thus causes the safety mechanism to occupy a position in which the electrical contact between the first safety element 15 and the second safety element 16 is broken, and therefore the junction between the two disjoint electrical tracks of the second safety element 16 is broken.

[0153] Thus, the safety mechanism is also capable of detecting a movement of the protective housing 10 to a position of the protective housing 10 distinct from the closed position of the protective housing, caused for example by a malicious attempt to open the protective housing of the electronic terminal 10, or an accidental separation of the first part of the protective housing 13 and the second part of the protective housing 14.

[0154] Indeed, the smart card reader 12, of substantially parallelepiped shape, is held in the first smart card reader position by the cooperation of the first part of the protective housing 13 and the second part of the protective housing 14 when both are joined in the protective housing closing position.

[0155] In other words, the smart card reader 12 is not fixed, but is simply held in the first smart card reader position by the cooperation of said first part of protective housing 13 and second part of protective housing 14.

[0156] Thus, any relative movement of the first part of the protective housing 13 and the second part of the protective housing 14, and therefore in particular any attempt to open even partially the protective housing, will result in the movement of the smart card reader 12 to a position distinct from the first smart card reader position, and therefore a break in the electrical contact between the first safety element 15 and the second safety element 16.

[0157] As can be seen in Figure 2a, the length of the main electronic board is less than the length of the electronic terminal L.

[0158] In particular, the main electronic card does not extend over the entire length of the electronic terminal, but in such a way that, in the first position of the main electronic card, the second end of the main electronic card 21.2 is disposed near the housing of the first security element 25. Thus, the main electronic card 21 is, in the first position of the main electronic card, disposed in the protective housing in such a way that a displacement of the main electronic card to a position other than the first position of the main electronic card causes a displacement of the smart card reader 12 to a position distinct from the first position of the smart card reader, and by extension a displacement of the security mechanism to a position distinct from the first position of the security mechanism.

[0159] Thus, the security mechanism is also configured to detect a movement of the main electronic board to a position distinct from the first position of the main electronic board, which could for example come from an attempt to extract the main electronic board 21 from the protective housing of the electronic terminal 10.

[0160] Other embodiments of the invention than that shown in figures 1a to 6b are obviously possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

22 DEMANDS 1. Electronic terminal (10) comprising: A touch display device (11); A smart card reader (12); A protective housing in which the smart card reader (12) is capable of occupying a first smart card reader position, the protective housing comprising at least: • A first part of the protective casing (13) and • A second part of the protective housing (14), the first part of the protective housing (13) and the second part of the protective housing (14) being configured so as to be able to be joined together in a closed position of the protective housing, the touch display device (11) being attached to the first part of the protective housing (13) so as to occupy a first position of touch display device; A security mechanism configured to detect a movement of the smart card reader (12) to a position distinct from the first smart card reader position, the security mechanism comprising: • A first security element (15) provided on the smart card reader (12) and comprising a conductive portion (15.1); • A second security element (16) provided on the touch display device (11); The safety mechanism occupying, when the smart card reader (12) and the touch display device (11) occupy respectively the first smart card reader position and the first touch display device position, a first safety mechanism position in which the first safety element (15) and the second safety element (16) establish an electrical contact between them.

2. Electronic terminal (10) according to claim 1, wherein the second security element (16) comprises a flexible printed circuit electrically connected to the touch display device (11).

3. Electronic terminal (10) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the second safety element (16) comprises at least two disjoint conductive tracks, and wherein the electrical contact established in the first position of the safety mechanism between the first safety element (15) and the second safety element (16) makes it possible to establish the electrical connection of said at least two disjoint conductive tracks.

4. Electronic terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the security mechanism is configured so that a movement of the smart card reader (12) to a position distinct from the first smart card reader position causes the security mechanism to occupy a position distinct from the first security mechanism position.

5. Electronic terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the safety mechanism is configured so that a movement of the touch display device (11) to a position distinct from the first position of the touch display device causes the safety mechanism to occupy a position distinct from the first position of the safety mechanism.

6. Electronic terminal according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the safety mechanism is configured so that a movement of the protective housing to a position distinct from the closed position of the protective housing causes the safety mechanism to occupy a position distinct from the first position of the safety mechanism.

7. Electronic terminal (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a support element (19) disposed at least partially inside the protective housing and along which the second security element (16) extends at least partially.

8. Electronic terminal (10) according to claim 7, wherein the second safety element (16) is at least partially disposed between the first safety element (15) and the support element (19) when the protection mechanism occupies the first protection mechanism position.

9. Electronic terminal (10) according to claim 7 or claim 8, the electronic terminal (10) comprising a main electronic card (21) of substantially rectangular shape and extending in a main electronic card plane, the smart card reader (12) comprising a reader electronic card (22) of substantially rectangular shape and extending in a reader electronic card plane, the reader electronic card (22) being connected to the main electronic card (21) via a connecting element (24) at least partially disposed between the smart card reader (12) and the support element (19) when the smart card reader (12) occupies the first smart card reader position.

10. Electronic terminal (10) according to claim 9, wherein the reader electronic board plane is secant with the main electronic board plane when the smart card reader (12) occupies the first smart card reader position.

11. Electronic terminal (10) according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the smart card reader (12) comprises a smart card slot (17) into which a smart card (40) can be inserted, the smart card (40) extending when it is inserted into the smart card slot (17), in a plane substantially parallel to the electronic reader card plane.

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