AU2020223774A1 - A module for reading a document, and an associated stand and an associated terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

A MODULE FOR READING A DOCUMENT, AND AN ASSOCIATED STAND AND AN ASSOCIATED TERMINAL ABSTRACT The invention provides a module suitable for being removably inserted in a stand, the module forming a single unit comprising a board incorporating at least: - a document reader including at least one camera (4, 5) arranged at a bottom end of the board and facing outwards from the module; and - a lighting device comprising at least one light-emitting element (7a, 7b, 7c) arranged on the bottom end of the board in the proximity of the camera; the module including a box (15) for protecting at least the light-emitting element and the camera. The invention also provides an associated stand and an associated terminal. 3/3 112 112 1-25 101 101 2 2 Fig. 4a Fig. 4b 112 111 101 -25 102 Fig. 4c

Description

3/3

112 112

1-25

101 101 2 2

Fig. 4a Fig. 4b

112

111 101 -25

102

Fig. 4c

A MODULE FOR READING A DOCUMENT, AND AN ASSOCIATED STAND AND AN ASSOCIATED TERMINAL

Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a module for reading a document.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a stand including such a module.

[0003] The present invention also relates to a terminal for analyzing a document and including such a stand.

Background

[0004] Bookmakers have gaming machines for facilitating the recording of bets.

[0005] Such a gaming machine usually includes a compartment for receiving documents that are to be analyzed, the compartment being provided with lighting means to make it easier for a camera arranged vertically in register with the compartment to take pictures of documents.

[0006] Typically, the bookmaker takes a betting ticket that has been manually filled in by a player, inserts said ticket into the machine, and causes it to be analyzed. As a result, the machine delivers a receipt based on its analysis, and the bookmaker can then give the receipt to the player. For example, the receipt might indicate which boxes on the ticket were checked by the player.

[0007] Such gaming machines are relatively bulky. This makes them inconvenient to handle, in particular for questions of maintenance.

Summary of Invention

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more disadvantages described above. Some embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide a solution that mitigates the above-specified problem, at least in part.

[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a module suitable for being removably inserted in a stand, the module forming a single unit comprising a board incorporating at least: a document reader including at least one camera arranged at a bottom end of the board and facing outwards from the module; and a lighting device comprising at least one light-emitting element arranged on the bottom end of the board in the proximity of the camera; the module including a box for protecting at least the light-emitting element and the camera, the box being secured to the board in such a manner that the light-emitting element is adapted to emit light through the box and the camera is adapted to receive light through the box.

[00010] Some aspects of the present disclosure provide a module suitable for being removably inserted in a stand, the module forming a single unit comprising a board incorporating at least:

[00011] - a document reader including at least one camera arranged at a bottom end of the board and facing outwards from the module; and

[00012] - a lighting device comprising at least one light-emitting element arranged on the bottom end of the board in the proximity of the camera;

[00013] the module including a box for protecting at least the light-emitting element and the camera, the box being secured to the board in such a manner that the light-emitting element emits light through the box and the camera receives light through the box.

[00014] As a result, the present disclosure is directed to an all-in-one module directly incorporating both the document reader and the lighting device. Thus, for maintenance purposes, there is no need to remove the entire stand, but only the module that contains the more sensitive portions. The present disclosure also makes it possible to remove the module from the stand when it is not in use, in order to protect the module or to avoid theft. It is also possible to envisage having a single module of the disclosure that is moved from one stand to another.

[00015] Also, the box serves to provide good protection for the more sensitive portions of the module.

[00016] In the present application, the terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", ... should naturally be understood relative to the in-service position of the module, i.e. when the module is in position in the stand, itself having its compartment standing on a stable support with the module in the top portion of the stand.

[00017] Optionally, the camera is arranged at the center of the board.

[00018] Optionally, the module includes at least two cameras suitable for operating in different wavelength ranges.

[00019] Optionally, the light-emitting element is suitable for emitting light in different wavelength ranges.

[00020] Optionally, the module includes at least four light-emitting elements arranged at the four corners of the face of the board to which they are secured.

[00021] Optionally, the box includes at least one window through which the light emitting element emits light, said window being configured to encourage outward diffusion of light from the lighting device.

[00022] Optionally, the box includes a housing for housing at least one camera, the housing being closed at one end by a window and at another end by the board.

[00023] Optionally, in order to close the housing hermetically, the box includes at least one sealing gasket between the window and the housing.

[00024] Optionally, the module includes a heatsink arranged vertically in register with the board.

[00025] Optionally, the board is a printed circuit card.

[00026] Optionally, the board includes diffusers made of electrically conductive material passing through the board so as to be in contact both with at least a respective one of the components arranged on the bottom face of the board and also with the heatsink.

[00027] The disclosure also provides a stand for receiving such a module.

[00028] Optionally, the stand includes a system dedicated to accelerating the rate at which documents can be installed in the stand.

[00029] Optionally, the system includes at least one lighting means of color that changes depending on whether the stand is or is not ready to receive a new document.

[00030] Optionally, the stand includes thermal protection arranged vertically in register with the module.

[00031] The disclosure also provides a document analysis terminal including such a stand.

[00032] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention appear on reading the following description of a particular, nonlimiting embodiment of the invention.

Brief Description of Drawings

[00033] The invention can be better understood in the light of the following description given with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[00034] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a module in a particular embodiment of the invention;

[00035] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the underside of the module shown in Figure 1;

[00036] [Fig. 3a] Figure 3a is a perspective view of the rear of a stand including the module shown in Figure 1;

[00037] [Fig. 3b] Figure 3b is a perspective view of the front of the stand shown in Figure 3a;

[00038] [Fig. 4a] la Figure 4a shows the rear of the stand shown in Figure 3a, without its cover;

[00039] [Fig. 4b] Figure 4b is a view similar to the view of Figure 4a, the module being shown while it is being removed from the stand; and

[00040] [Fig. 4c] Figure 4c is a view similar to the view of Figure 4a, the module being shown removed from the stand.

Description of Embodiments

[00041] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, there follows a description of a module in a particular embodiment of the invention.

[00042] The module is in the form of a cartridge, given overall reference 1, and forming a single unit.

[00043] In this example, the cartridge 1 is generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped and thus has a top main face, a bottom main face, and four flanks extending between the two main faces, i.e. two side flanks, a front flank, and a rear flank.

[00044] In order to be able to mount the module in a stand 101, and as explained below, the cartridge 1 is provided with right and left side tongues for sliding in corresponding slideways in the stand 101. To improve guidance of the module, on each of its right and left sides, the cartridge possesses both a bottom tongue and a top tongue, each tongue thus being slidable in a respective one of four slideways of the stand 101.

[00045] On its front flank, the cartridge 1 is provided with a male or female member 2 of a locking mechanism suitable for co-operating with the respective female or male member 102 of the locking mechanism carried by the stand 101, for locking the cartridge 1 temporarily in the stand 101. Preferably, the locking mechanism can be activated and deactivated without using a tool, e.g. by pressing the male member into the female member and then turning it in order to block it in a position for temporarily locking the cartridge 1 in the stand 101.

[00046] In this example, the male or female member of the locking mechanism is arranged at the bottom end of the cartridge 1.

[00047] In this example, the cartridge 1 includes a board 3 arranged in the top portion of the cartridge 1. In this example, said board 3 is in the shape of a plate. Specifically, said board 3 is rectangular in section. In the present example, the board 3 is a printed circuit card.

[00048] The cartridge 1 also includes a document reader mounted on the bottom face 6 of the board 3.

[00049] The document reader includes at least one camera, and in the present example it includes both a first camera 4 and a second camera 5. Both cameras 4 and 5 are thus mounted on the bottom face 6 of the board 3 so as to look towards the bottom of the cartridge 1.

[00050] Preferably, both cameras 4 and 5 are arranged substantially at the center of the bottom face 6 of the board 3, in the immediate proximity of each other. By way of example, the cameras 4 and 5 are aligned in parallel with one of the flanks of the cartridge 1. Optionally, the cameras 4 and 5 are aligned in parallel with the side flanks of the cartridge 1. Both cameras 4 and 5 are thus arranged on a line that is parallel to the side flanks of the cartridge 1, which line divides the cartridge 1 in two.

[00051] Preferably, the first camera 4 is a camera operating at least in the visible and in the ultraviolet, and the second camera 5 is a camera operating at least in the infrared, and preferably only in the infrared.

[00052] This makes it possible to read a document in different wavelength ranges. Advantageously, the second camera 5 presents definition in the infrared that is very good (in comparison with a camera operating both in the visible and in the infrared, which would thus present definition that is averaged over those two ranges), thereby making it easier to read any characters that might be present on the document.

[00053] The cartridge 1 also includes a lighting device mounted on the bottom face 6 of the board 3.

[00054] Preferably, the lighting device comprises at least four light-emitting elements that are mounted on the bottom face 6 of the board 3 so as to emit light towards the bottom of the cartridge 1, and each arranged in a respective one of the corners of said bottom face 6.

[00055] In the present example, the lighting device comprises twelve light-emitting elements 7a, 7b, and 7c mounted on the bottom face 6 of the board 3 so as to emit light towards the bottom of the cartridge 1 and distributed uniformly around the cameras 4 and 5, at least four light-emitting elements being arranged in respective comers of said bottom face 6.

[00056] As explained below, this makes it possible to illuminate the darkest zones in a compartment 103 of the stand 101.

[00057] Typically, the bottom face 6 of the board 3 is subdivided into three strips that are parallel to the side flanks of the cartridge 1: the central strip 8 includes the two cameras 4 and 5 arranged at the center of the central strip 8; while the right and left side strips 10 and 9 include the light-emitting elements 7a, 7b, and 7c, which light-emitting elements are distributed in symmetrical manner between the two side strips 9 and 10 and in uniform manner within each side strip. In the present example, the side strips 9 and 10 are wider than the central strip 8, with both side strips 9 and 10 nevertheless being identical in width.

[00058] By way of example, each light-emitting element 7a, 7b, and 7c comprises at least one light-emitting diode (LED). Preferably, each light-emitting element 7a, 7b, and 7c comprises a package of three LEDs: a first LED for emitting light in the visible, a second LED for emitting light in the ultraviolet, and a third LED for emitting light in the infrared.

[00059] In the present example, all of the light-emitting elements 7a, 7b, and 7c are identical with one another.

[00060] In a preferred embodiment, and as can be seen better in Figure 2, the light emitting elements 7a, 7b, and 7c form groups. For example, the light-emitting elements are grouped together in threes, and thus form four groups 11, 12, 13, and 14. Two groups 11 and 12 are associated with the right strip, and two groups 13 and 14 are associated with the left strip.

[00061] Within any one group, the light-emitting elements 7a, 7b, and 7c are arranged as a triangle so that each light-emitting element 7a, 7b, or 7c is arranged at a respective one of the vertices of the triangle. The triangle is preferably substantially equilateral.

[00062] The positioning of the light-emitting elements 7 in a triangle within each of the groups 11, 12, 13, and 14 is such that for each group 11, 12, 13, or 14:

[00063] - a first light-emitting element 7a is arranged in one of the corners of the bottom face 6 of the board 3;

[00064] a second light-emitting element 7b is arranged in alignment with the first light emitting element 7a in the proximity of the central strip 8, the first light-emitting element 7a and the second light-emitting element 7b thus being arranged on one of the edges of the bottom face 6 of the board 3; and

[00065] - a third light-emitting element 7c is arranged substantially in the center of the associated right or left side strip 10 or 9 so as to form the triangle.

[00066] As a result, and as can be seen more clearly in Figure 2, when looking at the bottom face 6 of the board 3, the two cameras 4 and 5 occupy the center of said bottom face 6 and they lie between a front-left first group 14, a rear-left second group 13, a front-right third group 12, and a rear-right fourth group 11. Furthermore, there are four light-emitting elements 7a, 7b respectively in the four corners of the right side strip 10, four light-emitting elements 7a, 7b respectively in the four corners of the left side strip 9, two light-emitting elements 7c in the center of the right side strip 10 in alignment parallel with the side flanks of the cartridge 1, and two light-emitting elements 7c in the center of the left side strip 9 in alignment parallel with the side flanks of the cartridge 1.

[00067] The module also includes a box 15 for protecting the document reader and the lighting device.

[00068] In this example, the box 15 is mounted to project from the bottom face 6 of the board 3.

[00069] The box 15 is generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having an attachment face 16 for attaching to the bottom face 6 of the board 3, an opposite bottom face 17, and four walls 18 extending between said two faces 16 and 17. Thus, in the present embodiment, the bottom face 17 forms the bottom main face of the cartridge 1 and the walls 18 form practically all of the flanks of the cartridge 1.

[00070] The bottom face 17 of the box 15 includes at least one window through which the light-emitting elements 7a, 7b, and 7c emit light and through which the cameras receive light.

[00071] In the present example, the bottom face 17 of the box 15 has a central window 19 through which the cameras 4 and 5 receive light, a right window 20 through which the light- emitting elements 7a, 7b, and 7c on the right emit light, and a left window 21 through which the light-emitting elements 7a, 7b, and 7c on the left emit light.

[00072] Preferably, the box 15 is dust-proof.

[00073] Thus, the box 15 includes a central closed housing 22 containing the two cameras 4 and 5, which housing is closed at its bottom end by the central window 19 and at its top end by the board 3. The box 15 also includes a left closed housing 23 for the left light-emitting elements, which housing is closed by the left window 21 at its bottom end and by the board 3 at its top end. In the same manner, the box 15 also includes a right closed housing 24 for the right light-emitting elements, which housing is closed by the right window 20 at its bottom end and by the board 3 at its top end.

[00074] In a preferred embodiment, the central window 19 is arranged at least in part under the right and left windows 20 and 21, which thus overlie the central window 19, at least in part. This improves the sealing of the central housing 22.

[00075] Preferably, the box 15 includes at least one respective sealing gasket firstly between the central window 19 and the central housing 22 and secondly between the board 3 and the central housing 22. This improves the sealing of the central housing 22.

[00076] This serves to keep the cameras well isolated from the outside and in particular from dust.

[00077] In a preferred embodiment, the box 15 also includes respective sealing gaskets firstly between the left window 21 and the left housing 23, and secondly between the board 3 and the left housing 23. Furthermore, the box 15 also includes respective sealing gaskets firstly between the right window 20 and the right housing 24, and secondly between the board 3 and the right housing 24.

[00078] The box 15 is preferably configured to improve the quality of the pictures taken of documents by the cameras 4 and 5.

[00079] For this purpose, the right window 20 and the left window 21 are configured to encourage outward diffusion of light from the lighting device, i.e. diffusion towards the outside.

For this purpose, the right window 20 and the left window 21 are configured to make uniform the light generated by the lighting device. For this purpose, each of the right and left windows and 21 includes a respective diffusing film and/or is self-colored and/or is textured.

[00080] In a preferred embodiment, an inside face of at least one of the walls 18 of the box 15 (i.e. a face facing towards the inside of the box 15) is also configured to encourage outward diffusion of light from the lighting device. Preferably, all of the inside faces of the walls 18 of the box 15 are configured to encourage outward diffusion of light from the lighting device.

[00081] For this purpose, the inside faces are configured to make uniform the light generated by the lighting device. For this purpose, and optionally, the inside faces are reflective, e.g. they are white. As an alternative or in addition, the inside faces may be textured. For example, said inside faces may be grained, typically with graining measured in "Charmilles".

[00082] The module also includes module control means. By way of example, the control means comprise one or more calculation means, one or more microcomputers, one or more microprocessors, ... , which are integrated in the board 3.

[00083] The control means are configured in particular to control the document reader and the lighting device. In particular, the control means control the document reader in such a manner as to generate a video stream that is processed internally by the control means and/or that is transmitted to outside the module. If the video stream is processed internally, the control means may optionally communicate information obtained from the video stream to the outside.

[00084] Also, the control means control the lighting device so as to emit light in the visible, in the ultraviolet, or in the infrared (by activating the corresponding LEDs).

[00085] In a particular embodiment, the control means control the lighting device so as to be capable of activating and/or deactivating each of the groups 11, 12, 13, and 14 in a different manner, independently of the others. As a result, it is possible to illuminate using only a fraction of the light-emitting elements 7a, 7b, and 7c.

[00086] This is found to be useful in particular when reading a document that is sensitive to reflections. Typically, when taking a first picture of a document, the control means control the lighting device so that all of the groups 11, 12, 13, and 14 are active and are illuminating the document. In the event of a reflection preventing the document being read, the control means control the lighting device in such a manner that some of the groups are deactivated when taking a second picture in order to limit any risk of reflection on the document and facilitate taking of the second picture (with taking of the first picture then serving at least to establish the position of the document and how the lighting needs to be organized).

[00087] In a preferred embodiment, the cartridge 1 has a heatsink.

[00088] For this purpose, the heatsink comprises a heatsink plate 25. The plate 25 is made of thermally conductive material, and for example it is made of metal.

[00089] Said plate 25 is carried by the top face 26 of the board 3. In this example, the plate 25 is arranged to cover substantially the entire top face 26 of the board 3.

[00090] In this example, the top face of said plate 25 forms all or most of the top main face of the cartridge 1.

[00091] Because the plate 25 is carried by the board 3, this serves to enhance discharging heat from the cartridge 1 in an upward direction.

[00092] Preferably, the board 3 includes diffusers of electrically conductive material passing through the board 3 so as to be in contact both with respective components arranged on the bottom face 6 of the board 3 and also with the plate 25 (which is arranged on the top face 26 of the board 3). By way of example, the diffusers may be made of metal, and in particular of copper.

[00093] This particular arrangement serves to facilitate upward diffusion of heat from the cartridge 1, i.e. away from the box 15 having the document reader and the lighting device arranged therein.

[00094] Preferably, said diffusers connect at least each light-emitting element 7a, 7b, 7c to the plate 25.

[00095] This is particularly advantageous because the light-emitting elements 7a, 7b, and 7c are the main generators of heat within the cartridge 1.

[00096] The module further includes an input/output interface 27. Thus, the interface 27 has one or more input ports and one or more output ports for enabling the module to communicate with the outside and for powering it. The ports may be of any type, such as a universal serial bus (USB) port, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port, a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS), a serial port, a power supply port, ....

[00097] By way of example, the interface 27 is carried by the bottom face 6 of the board 3 outside the box 15 (unlike the lighting device and the document reader, which are carried by the bottom face 6 of the board 3 inside the box 15). In this example, the interface 27 is arranged on the front face of the cartridge 1 between the plate 25 and the male or female member 2 of the locking mechanism.

[00098] The module as described thus comprises an optical portion (the document reader), a lighting portion (the lighting device), a processor portion (the control means), and a portion for connection with the outside (the interface 27).

[00099] The module thus forms a single unit that is quite complete, requiring connection only to a power supply and to a general control member.

[000100] The module as described is also compact, thereby enabling it to be handled easily without danger to the user or to the module, since the sensitive members and in particular the cameras 4 and 5 are arranged inside the box 15.

[000101] With reference to Figures 3a and 3b, and also to Figures 4a to 4c, the module forms part of a document analysis terminal such as a gaming machine.

[000102] The terminal is thus designed to be capable of analyzing documents of the betting ticket type. The terminal is also designed to be capable of analyzing documents of size up to A5 format.

[000103] Typically, the terminal comprises a stand 101.

[000104] The stand 101 preferably includes an interface 104 for connection with the outside of the stand 101, which interface 104 is therefore not carried by the module. Nevertheless, the interface 104 is connected to the interface 27 of the module 1 by a wired or wireless connection. By way of example, said interface 104 comprises at least an external USB port and an internal USB port for wired connection to the interface 27 of the module 1.

[000105] The terminal also includes at least one processor unit connected to the interface 104 of the stand 101, and thus to the interface 27 of the module 1, in order to process the information transmitted by said module 1 and in order to control the module 1 and the stand 101. By way of example, the processor unit comprises one or more calculation means, one or more microcomputers, one or more microprocessors, ....

[000106] Furthermore, the processor unit also powers the module 1 via the interface 104 and the interface 27 by means of a communication port and/or a power supply port. The processor unit is itself connected to an electricity network and/or includes one or more batteries for powering the module 1 and possibly also the stand 101.

[000107] By way of example, the processor unit may be a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet, or indeed a telephone connected to the interface 104.

[000108] Information transmitted by the module 1 is thus processed not within the stand 101, but rather in the remote processor unit. In the same manner, the stand 101 is powered via the remote processor unit.

[000109] In this example, the stand 101 is thus not self-contained, and in particular it does not serve to power or to control the module 1. In this example, the stand 101 is merely a shell for receiving the module.

[000110] It should be observed that it is very simple for a user to use the module 1. Specifically, the user need only insert the module 1 into the stand 101 by causing it to slide, and then connect the computer or other processor to the stand 101 via the interface 104.

[000111] Advantageously, once the module 1 has been removed, the stand 101 no longer contains any sensitive member such as the cameras. A user can thus easily leave the stand behind, while storing the module in a safe location while it is not in use.

[000112] Alternatively, or in addition, the stand 101 may be in wireless communication with the outside, e.g. in Wi-Fi communication.

[000113] The stand 101 comprises a structure having a compartment 103 arranged therein for receiving documents. The interface 104 of the stand is carried by the structure, as is the control member.

[000114] In this example, the compartment 103 is covered on two sides in order to facilitate positioning documents in the compartment 103.

[000115] The compartment 103 is thus shaped substantially as a bridge, having a ceiling 105 extended by two legs 106 and 107. The compartment 103 is thus generally U-shaped.

[000116] The compartment 103 is preferably shaped in such a manner that its two floor attaching legs 106 and 107 do not extend vertically, but slope slightly so as to come closer together towards the ceiling 105 of the compartment 103.

[000117] Furthermore, the structure includes a container 108 above the compartment 103 and a document-positioning panel 109 arranged between the two free ends of the legs 106 and 107 of the compartment 103, the panel 109 thus forming a base of the structure.

[000118] The container 108 also includes a housing 110 for receiving the module, the container 108 and the ceiling 105 of the compartment 103 including at least one opening giving access to the inside of the compartment 103 so that in service, when the module is received in the housing 110, the module can scan a document arranged on the panel 109 by using the cameras 4 and 5 of the module, and its light-emitting elements 7a, 7b, and 7c. The slideways in which the module slides are thus arranged inside the housing 110, as is the other member 102 of the locking mechanism.

[000119] In this example, the housing 110 is closed by a cover 111. Once the cover 111 is in place, the module cannot be seen from the outside.

[000120] Preferably, the structure includes thermal protection 112, the thermal protection 112 being made of a thermally insulating material. By way of example, said protection 112 may be in the shape of a plate.

[000121] The protection 112 extends inside the housing 110 vertically in register with the module.

[000122] As a result, the protection 112 covers the plate 25 when the module is in place in the housing 110, thereby serving to protect the user from the plate 25, which may become very hot.

[000123] In its top portion, the structure also includes at least one display 113 for interacting with the user.

[000124] Preferably, the display 113 is adjustable in position and/or in inclination relative to the structure.

[000125] The display 113 is of the liquid crystal screen type. Preferably, the display 113 is touch sensitive.

[000126] The structure is also configured to improve the quality of the pictures of documents taken by the cameras 4 and 5.

[000127] For this purpose, an inside face 114 of at least one of the legs 106 and 107 of the compartment 103 is configured to make uniform the light generated by the lighting device (i.e. a face 114 facing towards the inside of the compartment 103). Preferably all of the inside faces 114 of the legs 106 and 107 of the compartment 103 are configured to make uniform the light generated by the lighting device.

[000128] For this purpose, and optionally, the inside faces 114 are reflective, e.g. they are white. As an alternative or in addition, the inside faces 114 may be textured. For example, said inside faces 114 may be grained, typically with graining measured in "Charmilles".

[000129] Preferably, the panel 109 is also configured to improve the quality of the pictures of documents taken by the cameras 4 and 5.

[000130] For this purpose, and optionally, the inside face 115 of the panel 109 (i.e. its face facing towards the inside of the compartment 103) is not reflective, e.g. it is gray. As an alternative or in addition, the inside face 115 of the panel 109 is textured. For example, the inside face 115 is grained, typically with graining measured in "Charmilles".

[000131] In a particular embodiment, the stand 101 includes a system dedicated to accelerating the rate at which documents can be installed in the compartment 103.

[000132] For this purpose, the system includes at least one lighting means of color that changes depending on whether the stand 101 is or is not ready to receive a new document. For example, the lighting means are red if the stand 101 cannot receive a new document (e.g. because it is already analyzing a document) or green if the stand 101 is ready to receive a new document.

[000133] In particular manner, the lighting means comprise at least one light strip 116 extending along the panel 109. In this example, the light strip 116 extends substantially across one of the two entrances giving access to the compartment 103 so as to be clearly visible from the outside.

[000134] Preferably, the lighting means comprise two light strips 116, each extending at a respective one of the entrances to the compartment 103. In this example, the light strips 116 are identical to each other. The light strips 116 are typically straight, each extending parallel along a respective one of the free edges of the panel 115.

[000135] With reference to Figure 4a, if it is desired to remove the module from the stand 101, it is necessary to remove the cover 111. The various cables connecting the stand 101 to the module are then disconnected, the locking mechanism is then released, and finally the module is pulled outwards, as can be seen in Figure 4b. The module then needs to be caused to slide along the housing 110 in order to be extracted from the stand 101, as shown in Figure 4c.

[000136] In order to arrange the module in the stand 101, the reverse operations are performed.

[000137] It is thus very easy to install the module in the stand 101 and to remove it therefrom, and this can be done without any need to make use of tools.

[000138] Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described, but covers any variant coming within the ambit of the invention as defined by the claims.

[000139] The module may be of a shape that is different from that described. The module could thus have only one camera, or it could have more than two cameras, e.g. three cameras (one in the infrared, one in the ultraviolet, and one in the visible). If the module has only one camera, that camera could acquire images equally well in a single range of wavelengths or in a plurality of ranges of wavelengths. Under all circumstances, a single camera should be capable of acquiring images in the visible and/or the ultraviolet and/or the infrared. When there are two cameras, one camera could work in the ultraviolet and the other could work in the visible.

[000140] The module could have some number of light-emitting elements other than that described, and for example it could have at least eight elements. Preferably, the module has at least four light-emitting elements arranged at the four comers of the face of the module to which they are secured.

[000141] The control means could control the lighting device in unitary and undifferentiated manner only. Although in this example the differentiated control applies solely to varying control in terms of geographical area, it is possible, alternatively or in addition, for the differentiated control to comprise control by type of lighting (by way of nonlimiting example, one group emitting light in the visible while the others emit light in the ultraviolet).

[000142] Although in this example each light-emitting element is in the form of a package having a plurality of different LEDs, each light-emitting element could comprise only a single LED (or more generally a single lamp) and/or a package of LEDs (or more generally of lamps) all emitting light in the same wavelength range. It would thus be possible to have light-emitting elements operating in the visible only. The light-emitting elements could be adjustable in brightness.

[000143] The box could have a single window only.

[000144] The board could be of some other shape, for example it need not be in the shape of a plate and/or it need not be constituted by a printed circuit card. By way of example, the board could be arranged in the center of the cartridge instead of at the top.

[000145] Although the terminal described herein is a gaming machine, the terminal could be used in any other application, such as identity checking at a border crossing, or for giving access to a given place, and more generally any application involving optically reading a document.

[000146] Similarly, the document being analyzed could be of any kind, such as a banknote, a betting ticket, a security document (passport, identity card, ... ), and the document may be physically on paper or on some other medium such as a mobile telephone, a tablet, or any other object.

[000147] Furthermore, the document could be of various sizes, and in particular its size could be less than or greater than the A5 format.

[000148] The module could incorporate a power supply (of battery type) directly, or it could be attached to a power supply (by a cable). In the same manner, the module could incorporate a control member directly serving to analyze the documents (instead of merely reading them). The module could thus constitute directly the document analysis terminal.

[000149] Although the above-described stand is not self-contained, it could be partially or fully self-contained. The stand could thus constitute directly the document analysis terminal. As a replacement for, or in addition to, the interface with the remainder of the terminal, the stand could include a control member, e.g. comprising one or more calculation means, one or more microcomputers, one or more microprocessors ... for processing the information transmitted by the module and/or for controlling the stand and/or the module. As a replacement for, or in addition to, the interface with the remainder of the terminal, the stand could be connected to an electricity network and/or could include one or more batteries for powering the stand and/or the module.

[000150] The compartment in the stand could be open on one side only.

[000151] The stand could have at least two displays.

[000152] The stand could include some other system dedicated to accelerating the rate at which documents can be installed in the compartment, such as lighting means emitting light with some other number of colors (only one color or three colors, for example) and/or a sound system for emitting a sound to indicate that a new document can be inserted.

[000153] The module and/or the stand and/or the terminal could include means for connection to a network of Wi-Fi type. The module and/or the stand and/or the terminal could include a contactless reader of the radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader type.

Claims (20)

1. A module suitable for being removably inserted in a stand, the module forming a single unit comprising a board incorporating at least:

- a document reader including at least one camera arranged at a bottom end of the board and facing outwards from the module; and

- a lighting device comprising at least one light-emitting element arranged on the bottom end of the board in the proximity of the camera;

the module including a box for protecting at least the light-emitting element and the camera, the box being secured to the board in such a manner that the light-emitting element is adapted to emit light through the box and the camera is adapted to receive light through the box.

2. A module according to claim 1, wherein the camera is arranged at the center of the board.

3. A module according to either preceding claim, including at least two cameras suitable for operating in different wavelength ranges.

4. A module according to any preceding claim, wherein the light-emitting element is suitable for emitting light in different wavelength ranges.

5. A module according to any preceding claim, including at least four light-emitting elements arranged at the four corners of the face of the board to which they are secured.

6. A module according to any preceding claim, wherein the box includes at least one window through which the light-emitting element emits light, said window being configured to encourage outward diffusion of light from the lighting device.

7. A module according to any preceding claim, wherein the box includes a closed housing for housing at least one camera, the housing being closed at one end by a window and at another end by the board, the lighting device being arranged outside the housing.

8. A module according to claim 7, wherein the box includes at least one sealing gasket between the housing and the window closing the housing, the gasket enabling the housing to be closed hermetically.

9. A module according to any preceding claim, further including a heatsink arranged vertically in register with the board.

10. A module according to any preceding claim, wherein the board is a printed circuit card.

11. A module according to claim 9 and claim 10, wherein the board includes diffusers made of electrically conductive material passing through the board so as to be in contact both with at least a respective one of the components arranged on the bottom face of the board and also with the heatsink.

12. A module according to any one of claims 1 to 11, including an input/output interface.

13. A module according to claim 12 wherein the interface has one or more input ports and one or more output ports for enabling the module to communicate with the outside and for powering it.

14. A module according to any preceding claim, including at least one closed housing for housing the at least one light-emitting element, the housing being closed at one end by a window and at another end by the board, the document reader being arranged outside the housing containing the at least one light-emitting element.

15. A module according to claim 14, wherein the window of the housing containing the at least one light-emitting element is arranged at least in part above a window of another housing containing the at least one camera.

16. A module according to any preceding claim, including a plurality of light-emitting elements so as to surround the at least one camera.

17. A module according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one light-emitting element is an LED package.

18. A stand including a module according to any preceding claim.

19. A stand according to claim 18, including thermal protection arranged vertically in register with the module.

20. A terminal for analyzing a document and including a housing according to claim 14 or claim 15.

Idemia Identity & Security France Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON & FERGUSON