Device provided with means for maintenance against a communication surface of a contactless data medium

• US 7,699,224 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2004
• Issued: 04/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Parkeon
• Original Assignee: Parkeon
• Inventors: Molé, Julien
• Primary Examiner(s): ST CYR, DANIEL
• Application Number:
  US10/547,662
• Publication Number:
  US 20070080777A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,213 Days
• Field of Search: 235/439, 235/441, 235/443, 235/444
• US Class Current: 235/439
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/341 Active cards, i.e. cards including their own processing means, e.g. including an IC or chip
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/20 Automatic teller machines [ATMs]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/201 Accessories of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 19/205 Housing aspects of ATMs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/084 Additional components relating to data transfer and storing, e.g. error detection, self-diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/1008 Active credit-cards provided with means to personalise their use, e.g. with PIN-introduction/comparison system

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) comprising a housing wherein a communication station is accommodated, said communication station comprising an inner antenna (12), wherein the housing comprises a wall (14) which has a transversal outer communication surface (16) which is generally vertical and which is fitted close to the inner antenna (12) and which is permeable in relation to electromagnetic waves, wherein the inner antenna (12) can communicate electromagnetically (E) in a remote manner with a data medium (18), more particularly in the form of a card, when a user places the data medium (18) against the outer communication surface (16), characterized in that the communication surface (16) comprises means (22) for maintaining the data medium (18) in a pressed position in relation to the communication surface (16).

Claims

1. Device comprising:

a housing wherein is accommodated a radio-frequency contactless communication station having an antenna for communicating electromagnetically in a remote manner with a data medium, in the form of a card, carried by a user, said housing having a communication area close to the antenna which is permeable to electromagnetic waves, the user being required to bring the data medium close to the communication area to enable communication between the station and said medium, wherein the communication area comprises an external surface inclined to a horizontal plane, said communication surface cooperating with an arrangement for holding the data medium against the communication surface, wherein said arrangement for holding the data medium has a lower transverse retaining surface that extends forward from the communication surface to prevent the data medium from sliding downward, said arrangement for holding data medium further includes provision for evacuating liquids via gravity.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the communication surface cooperates with a transverse rim that extends longitudinally and perpendicularly from the communication surface and whose upper face forms the lower retaining surface.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the communication surface is slightly inclined relative to a vertical plane so that the data medium is held pressed against the communication surface by its own weight (P).

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement for holding the data medium includes two parallel lateral uprights that project from the communication surface and extend perpendicularly upward from each of the edges of the retaining surface, the uprights being spaced by a distance substantially equal to a transverse dimension of the data medium to delimit, with the retaining surface, a receiving location intended to receive the data medium and encompassing at least a portion of the communication surface.

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein said device includes an arrangement for preventing objects significantly more bulky than the data medium from being placed on the retaining surface.

6. Device according to claim 5, wherein the angle (α

) of inclination of the communication surface to the vertical direction is less than a limiting angle so that an object whose center of gravity (G) is substantially offset longitudinally forward relative to the center of gravity (G) of the data medium tilts relative to the retaining surface.

7. Device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining surface has a longitudinal width substantially equal to the longitudinal thickness of the data medium.

8. Device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining surface has liquid evacuation orifices at least at its edges.

9. Device according to claim 8, wherein the retaining surface has a transverse declivity to encourage the flow of liquid toward the evacuation orifices.

10. Device according to claim 8, wherein the arrangement for evacuating liquids comprises the communication surface being domed at the intersection with the retaining surface so that liquid can flow by gravity toward the evacuation orifices.

11. Device according to claim 1, wherein the retaining surface is formed by at least two lugs that extend perpendicularly forward from the communication surface wherein the arrangement for evacuating liquids comprises the lugs being placed transversely by a distance.

12. Device according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement for evacuating liquids comprises channels through the arrangement for holding the data medium, wherein an upper orifice and a lower end discharges to the outside of the device.