Device for analyzing information media with an elastically mounted image sensor

An analysis device for reading and processing information media. The device includes a medium feeder, an optical reader, and an information processor for processing, converting, and transmitting the information as digital data. The optical reader comprises an image detector (15) of elongate shape suspended in a casing (1,2,3) and having, at its ends, mounting ribs (20) interacting with complementary inclined mounting furrows (21) provided in the corresponding end walls (2,3) of the casing, elastic members (23) interposed between the image detector (15) and the casing (1,2,3); and an entrainer for moving the information medium past the image detector (15). The entrainer includes a roll (17) and an electric motor (50) for rotating the roll (17). The roll (17) is mounted in the end walls (2,3) of the casing (1,2,3) by latches (37,38), holding the image detector (15) in the casing (1,2,3). The elastic members (23), in turn, apply the image detector (15) against the surface of the roll (17).

The present invention relates to devices for analysing documents, and 
concerns more particularly, although not exclusively, devices for 
analysing gaming slips or receipts handed out to players by way of 
justification for the gaming slips which they have submitted, and for the 
totals of the stakes which they have deposited. 
Some games, particularly lottery games, consist in having the player fill 
in a slip comprising a grid formed of boxes in which the player places 
signs so as to form a combination on which he bets. 
These gaming slips are handed in by the players at gaming shops equipped 
with terminals and receipts are handed out to them in return for the 
slips, and in return for payment of a corresponding stake. 
The gaming terminals are generally equipped with analysis devices or slip 
and receipt readers which make it possible to formulate coded signals 
transmitted to a central unit in which the games of the players are stored 
in memory until the draw. 
The invention aims to improve the document-analysis devices with a view to 
offering them up and filing them past under the best conditions in order 
to ensure reliable reading. 
Its subject is therefore a device for analysing an information medium, 
particularly gaming slips or receipts and comprising means for inserting 
the medium, means for reading the information on the medium, means for 
processing the information read from the medium with a view to converting 
it into digital data and to transmitting it, characterized in that the 
reading means comprise an image detector of elongate shape suspended in a 
casing and having, at its ends, mounting means interacting with 
complementary mounting means provided in the corresponding end walls of 
the casing, elastic members interposed between the image detector and the 
casing, means for entraining the information media past the image 
detector, comprising a roll and an electric motor for rotating the roll, 
the said roll being mounted in the end walls of the casing by means of 
latches and holding the image detector in the said casing, the elastic 
members applying the image detector against the surface of the roll either 
in the presence of an information medium between the image detector and 
the roll, or when it is empty.

The device for analysing information media or documents, represented in 
FIG. 1, includes a casing 1 in the form of a channel of overall U-shaped 
cross-section with flared edges, produced from sheet metal, and closed at 
its ends by flanges 2 and 3 made of plastic, for example fixed to the 
casing 1 for example by screws 3a. 
The flared edges 4 and 5 of the casing 1 include, as can be seen clearly in 
FIG. 3, inclined portions 6,7 each one extending a vertical leg 8,9 of the 
casing, and horizontal rims 10,11. 
This flared form of casing 1 makes it easier to mount the device into a 
larger assembly such as, for example, a gaming terminal or the like. 
In the casing thus constituted, is arranged an image detector 15 of 
elongate parallelepipedal form, extending over the entire length of the 
casing and consisting of a linear light source (not shown), means for 
focusing the light emitted by the source onto a transparent wall 16 
located facing a roll 17 for entraining documents, and photo-sensitive 
elements (not shown) for detecting the light beams coming from the linear 
source when they are reflected by a document placed between the 
transparent wall 16 and the roll 17. 
The image detector 15 includes, at its ends, mounting plates 18,19, which, 
as seen on the plate 18, each include a projection 20 interacting with an 
inclined furrow made in each of the end flanges 2,3 of the casing and of 
which only the furrow 21 of the flange 3 is visible, for allowing the 
image detector 15 to be mounted in the casing 1. 
As is seen clearly in FIG. 3, at the lower part of each end flange 2,3 of 
the casing, close to the bottom 22, is fixed a hairpin spring 23 mounted 
on a stud 24 secured to the corresponding flange 3, and including a 
bent-over branch 25 held in abutment against a peg 26 and intended to come 
into contact with one edge of the corresponding mounting plate 19 of the 
image detector 15 in order thus to suspend the detector 15 in the casing 1 
or give it a floating mounting therein. 
The image detector 15 is held in place in the casing by the entrainment 
roll 17, the periphery of which is coated, as known per se, with a layer 
of cellular rubber 28 or the like. 
At each of its ends, the roll 17 includes spindles 29,30 provided with 
corresponding bearings 31,32 intended to be received in respective notches 
33,34 made in the upper edges 35,36 of the end flanges 2 and 3 of the 
casing 1. 
The bearings 31,32 are each provided with a latch 37,38 for immobilizing 
the roll 17 with respect to the casing 1. 
These latches are identical, so that only the one which is more visible in 
the drawing, namely the latch 38, will be described. 
It includes a rod 39 secured to a hub 40 forming one of the components of 
the corresponding bearing and provided with flats 40a for engaging the 
bearings in the corresponding notches 33,34 of the flanges 2,3 when the 
latches are in the unlatched position. 
At the end of the rod 39 which is opposite the hub is provided a hole 41 
which interacts with a locking stud 42 provided on the corresponding end 
flange of the casing 1. 
After installing the ends of the roll 17 in the corresponding notches 33,34 
of the casing 1, the device is latched by rotating the latches 37,38 and 
engaging the locking studs such as the stud 42 in the corresponding holes 
such as the hole 41 of the latches. 
The elasticity of the latches 37,38 allows them to deform slightly towards 
the inside of the casing to allow their engagements over the locking studs 
42. 
A tongue 43 provided at the end of each latch facilitates the unlocking 
manoeuvre for the purpose of disengaging the roll 17. 
As represented in FIG. 4, when the roll 17 is in place in the casing 1, it 
bears against the transparent face 16 of the image detector 15 and gives 
rise to the tensioning of the suspension springs of the image detector 
which thus permanently apply the detector 15 against the roll 17 by virtue 
of the sliding mounting of the detector 15 in the inclined guide furrows 
21 of the casing. 
Thus, a permanent contact between the detector and the roll is obtained, 
whether this be in the presence of a document to be analysed interposed 
between these two elements, or when empty. 
The end spindle 29 of the roll 17 carries a pinion 45 for rotationally 
entraining the roll and which meshes with the output pinion 46 of a 
reduction gear 47 having two pinions 46 and 48 rotationally mounted on 
spindles fixed to the flanges 2 of the casing 1. The input pinion 48 of 
the reduction gear is wedged onto the output shaft 49 of an electric 
stepper motor 50 for entraining the roll, and which is fixed to the 
flanges 2 by means of integrally formed spaces 51 which between them leave 
sufficient space to house the pinions of the reduction gear 47. 
The bearing 32 mounted at the end of the roll 17 opposite the entrainment 
pinion 45, includes, interposed between the component 40 forming a hub for 
the latch 38 and a washer 55 bearing on a circlip 56 engaged in an end 
furrow 57 of the spindle 30 of the roll 17, a crinkle washer 58 the 
elasticity of which ensures that the bearing 32 is mounted tightly against 
a corresponding shoulder 59 of the spindle 30 of the roll, the bearing 32 
thus forming a brake intended to damp out the vibrations due to the 
stepwise entrainment of the roll 17, the vibrations being transmitted to 
the roll 17 by the pinion 45 for entraining it. 
In a similar way, as represented in FIG. 2, the output pinion 46 of the 
reduction gear 47 is also mounted on its spindle by means of a crinkle 
washer 60, the spindle of the pinion 46 consisting of a threaded rod 61 
including a smooth part 62 for receiving the pinion 46 and a head 63 for 
axially retaining this pinion. 
When the threaded rod 61 is screwed into a corresponding tapped hole made 
in the flange 2 of the casing 1, the crinkle washer 60 is compressed and 
rotationally brakes the pinion 46 and thus damps out the vibrations which 
are transmitted to it by the stepper motor 50. 
In the casing, there is further arranged a swinging flap 65 for receiving 
the documents after they have been read by the device. The swinging flap 
65 has a profile which is more or less in the form of an angle bracket and 
itself also extends over the entire length of the casing between its 
flanges 2 and 3. It includes a longitudinal excess thickness 66 in which 
are made housings 67 for receiving rollers 68 mounted so that they can 
rotate on spindles 69 engaged removably by clipping into slits 70 provided 
on either side of the housings 67. The rollers 68 are four in number and 
are evenly distributed along the length of the swinging flap 65. 
The longitudinal excess thickness 66 of the swinging flap 65 has a concave 
face 71 in the form of a portion of a cylinder which is coaxial with the 
roll 17 in order to promote the passage of the documents. 
The flap 65 is mounted so that it can swing on the end flanges 2 and 3 of 
the casing 1, by means of forks 72 which each interact with the spindle 73 
which can be seen on the flange 3, pointing towards the inside of the 
casing 1. The flap 65 is held in position by hairpin springs 74, one 
branch 75 of which is bent over and fastened onto a stud 76 provided on 
the end edge of the flap and the opposite end 77 of which is straight and 
comes into abutment with a peg such as 78 arranged beside the spindle 73 
on the flange 3 of the casing 1. 
Thus, the springs 74 permanently apply the rollers 68 against the roll 17. 
The rollers 68 have the role, on the one hand, of accompanying the 
documents entrained by the roll 17, as far as the rear edge of the 
document and, on the other hand, when a document is released by the roll 
17, of returning it against the flap in interaction with a stop piece 
which will be described with reference to FIG. 5. 
Of course the corresponding elements are provided on the flange 2 to make 
sure the flap 65 is mounted so that it can swing at both its ends. 
As can be seen in FIG. 4, the device is supplemented by a guide 80 fixed by 
spacers 81 (FIG. 1) into the casing 1, and which is intended to facilitate 
the insertion of the documents between the roll 17 and the image detector 
15. 
Sensors 82, for example infrared sensors, are furthermore arranged along 
the guide 80 so as to detect the presence of a document at the inlet to 
the device. 
Advantageously, these sensors are two in number and their distance is 
designed so as to allow the nature of the document offered up to the 
device to be determined on the basis of the width of this document. 
Such a configuration is described in French Patent Application No. 92 10 
642 filed on Sep. 7, 1992 by the Applicant Company and entitled "Device 
for analysing information media, particularly gaming slips". 
Instead of being mounted so that it can swing, the flap for guiding and 
receiving the information media may be mounted so that it is fixed into 
the casing of the device and the rollers which it carries may be applied 
against the roll 17 by elastic members. 
Such a variant is represented in FIG. 5. 
According to this variant, the guide flap 83, fixed into the casing (not 
shown) of the device, includes, like the swinging flap 65 of FIG. 1, an 
excess thickness 84 having a concave face 85 in the form of a portion of a 
cylinder and, in this excess thickness, housings 86 for rollers 87 whose 
role is the same as that of the rollers 68. 
The rollers 87 are each mounted on a spindle 88. 
In that face of the flap 83 which is opposite the excess thickness 84 are 
made recesses 89 provided at the locations of the rollers 87 and opening 
out into the corresponding housings 86. 
A spindle 88 of a roller 87 is engaged in grooves 90 hollowed out of the 
end wall of each recess 89 on either side of the housing 86 and is pressed 
to the bottom of the said grooves by a leaf spring 91 fixed into the 
bottom of the recess by a screw 92 and having one branch 93 bent at right 
angles and having the form of a fork, in contact with the ends of the 
roller 86 which project with respect to it. 
Thus, each roller 86 is forced by its spring 91 into an "out" position with 
respect to the curved face 85, and consequently forced against the roll 
17. 
Finally, in FIG. 5, a stop piece 94 is represented which may also be 
provided in the embodiment of FIG. 1, and which serves, in interaction 
with the rollers 87, to allow the sheets F of processed documents to be 
stacked as they leave the device. 
To this end, the stop piece 94 includes an inclined edge against which the 
front edges of the sheets F abut so as then to be pushed against the stack 
of sheets F already formed against the flap. 
The device for analysing documents which has just been described also 
includes means for processing the information read by the image detector 
and means for commanding the electric stepper motor 50 to allow the 
document to be explored by successive line by line scanning. 
These means, which do not actually form part of the present invention, are 
also described in the aforementioned patent application. 
In the present embodiment, since the device according to the invention is 
essentially applied to analysing gaming slips and receipts, the image 
detector 15 consists of an optical reader which is blind to at least one 
colour in which the fixed information is printed on the document to be 
examined and sensitive to other colours so as to take into account only 
the variable gaming information and the fixed information for framing the 
document and for denoting the type of game to which it belongs, which are 
printed in these other colours. 
This image detector is also described in French Patent Application No. 92 
10642 mentioned above. 
It will, however, be understood that the device for analysing information 
media according to the invention may include an image detector of 
different construction provided, nevertheless, that it is of a linear type 
allowing an exploration of the documents which are submitted to it, by 
filing past. 
For example, it is possible to envisage substituting, for the image 
detector described above, an analyser with overall reading, for analysing 
a document box by box and for positively recognizing the signs carried by 
the document, such as those used for example in facsimile machines. 
With reference to FIGS. 6 to 11 there will now be described a device for 
analysing information media in which the image detector is provided with 
an anti-soiling device. 
According to this embodiment, the image detector, denoted by the overall 
reference 115, consists, represented in more detail in FIG. 6, of a light 
source comprising light-emitting diodes 116 with which are associated 
members 117 for focusing and filtering the light which are intended to 
focus the beams 118 onto a transparent wall 119 or screen of the casing of 
the detector against which the face of a document to be analysed (not 
shown) is to be applied. 
Facing the zone 120 for focusing the beams emitted by the light-emitting 
diodes 116, are arranged light conductors 121 for transmitting the beams 
towards photosensitive elements 122. 
The transparent wall 119 of the image detector 115 and a roll 123 for 
entraining the documents corresponding to the roll 17 of FIG. 1 are in 
contact with one another in a zone which is slightly offset with respect 
to the optical axes of the light conductors 121. 
The transparent wall 119 and the external surface of the roll 123 thus 
define a wedge-shaped space 130 which makes it easier to insert the 
documents, but which has the drawback of accumulating dust which may fall 
from outside the device, for example accompanying the documents inserted 
into this device. 
Moreover, the processed documents often come to receive ink or some other 
product which risks spreading out over the transparent wall by this wall 
rubbing against the document. 
The accumulation of dust, ink and the like in the space 130 entrains the 
formation of a deposit in the zone 120 for focusing the light emitted by 
the sources 116, thus deteriorating the properties of transmitting images 
illuminated by the sources on the documents analysed towards the 
photosensitive elements 122 which are intended to convert these images 
into signals capable of then being processed by digital means (not shown). 
In order to overcome this drawback, the transparent wall or screen 119 of 
the image detector 115 has, in the region of the focusing zone 120, a 
cutout 132, in the form of a step made in the thickness of the substance 
of the said transparent wall. 
The cutout 132 forms, along the entrainment roll 123, an axial furrow which 
has one wall 133 of steep slope and one wall of gentle slope 134 more or 
less in the middle of which the focusing zone 120 is located. 
It can therefore be seen that by virtue of this configuration, the external 
wall of the roll 123 is moved slightly away from the surface of the 
transparent wall 119 in the region of the focusing zone 120. 
Thus, the dust has a lesser tendency to accumulate in this zone and the 
transmission of the light coming from the source 116 towards the 
photosensitive elements 122 is thereby enhanced. 
FIGS. 7 and 8 represent another embodiment of the invention in which the 
transparent wall 119 of the image detector 115 is covered by a cover 135 
of opaque material which also forms, in the region of the focusing zone 
120, a step 136 with the part 137 of the uncovered surface of the 
transparent wall 119. 
The effect of the step 136 obtained by covering a part of the transparent 
wall 119 using the opaque cover 135 is the same as that obtained by 
hollowing out the furrow 132 of the embodiment described with reference to 
FIG. 6. 
In particular, from FIG. 8, it can be seen that the screen 135 extends over 
practically the entire length of the transparent wall 119 of the detector 
device 115. 
The embodiment represented in FIGS. 7 and 8, in which an opaque cover 135 
is bonded onto the surface of the transparent wall 119 furthermore has the 
advantage of preventing parasitic light from reaching the photosensitive 
elements 122. This makes it possible to obtain more accurate signals 
coming from the documents to be analysed. 
The cover 135 is fixed onto the transparent wall by bonding. 
FIG. 9 is a view in section on a larger scale of another embodiment of the 
transparent wall 119 of the image detector device 115 of FIG. 6, in which 
a longitudinal furrow in the form of a step 140 similar to the furrow 132 
of the device of FIG. 6 is made along one of the longitudinal edges of the 
wall 119. 
FIG. 10 shows a transparent wall similar to the one of FIG. 9, along one of 
the longitudinal edges of which is made a step 141 with walls which are 
respectively parallel to the sides and to the faces of the plate 119 
constituting the transparent wall. 
FIG. 11 is a view on a larger scale of the transparent wall of the image 
detector device represented in FIG. 6, in which the stepped furrow 132 is 
made in an intermediate zone of the surface of the transparent wall 119 in 
contact with the entrainment roll 123, the edge of gentle slope 134 of 
this step extending on either side of the focusing zone 120 (FIG. 6). 
The description which will follow, made with reference to FIGS. 12 to 16A, 
relates to a device for protection against dust and external particles 
which device may equip the image detector of the analysis device according 
to the invention. 
With reference to FIG. 12, it can be seen that the invention is applied to 
an image detector device which forms part of a device for analysing 
information media forming a component part of a gaming terminal such as 
the one described in French Patent Application No. 92 11 275 filed on Sep. 
22, 1992 by the Applicant Company. 
This image detector includes a series of light sources, means for focusing 
the light emitted by the sources onto a transparent wall 216 of the casing 
of the detector, and photosensitive elements for receiving the signals 
emitted by the light sources. 
The transparent wall 216 of the detector 215 is in contact with a roll 217 
for entraining documents. 
The image detector 215 is arranged in the casing 201 in an inclined 
fashion. 
The transparent wall 216 of the image detector 215 and the roll 217 for 
entraining the documents are in contact with one another and thus define a 
wedge-shaped space 220 which makes it easier to insert documents, but 
which was the drawback of accumulating dust which may fall from outside 
the device, for example accompanying the documents inserted into it. 
The accumulation of dust in the space 220, entrains a deposit of this dust 
in the zone for focusing the light emitted by the sources of the image 
detector, thus deteriorating the properties of transmitting images 
illuminated by the sources on the documents analysed towards the sensitive 
elements of the detector which are intended to convert the images into 
signals capable of then being processed by digital means (not shown). 
In the embodiment represented in FIG. 12, the analysis device is protected 
at its upper part by a cover 222 which has slits 223 and 224 for the inlet 
and outlet of the processed documents as well as a central zone 225 from 
which there extend evenly spaced fins 226. The fins 226 have a profile 
which matches the shape of the entrainment roll 217 making it possible to 
prevent a document conveyed by the roll 217 from tending to turn back 
towards the inlet to the device. 
On the image detector 215 is mounted, in the extension of the inlet slit 
223 of the cover 222, a device 230 for protecting against dust, which is 
represented in more detail in FIGS. 13 to 15. 
In FIG. 13, it can be seen that the device 230 for protection against dust 
comprises a section 231 in the shape of an elongate angle bracket, a first 
leg 232 of which carries a series of transverse fins 233 which define 
passages 234 intended to promote the falling of particles of dust which 
penetrate into the document reading device via the inlet 223. The 
particles of dust fall into the passages 234 by gravity along one wall 235 
of the image detector which is perpendicular to its transparent wall 216. 
The section 232 includes another leg 236 applied onto the edge of the 
transparent wall 216 of the image detector 215 and on which there are 
provided ribs 237 whose height decreases between the inlet 223 to the 
device and the surface of the transparent wall 216 of the image detector, 
these ribs, each of which extends a transverse fin 233 extending parallel 
to the direction of travel of the documents thus guiding the documents 
towards the space 220 formed between the transparent wall 216 and the 
entrainment roll 217. 
The device for protection against dust also serves as a support for a 
printed circuit 238 for detecting the presence of a document and which 
carries photodiodes 239,240 arranged at a given distance from one another 
so as to detect the presence of a document offered up to the inlet to the 
device. 
The printed circuit 238 is fixed on the device 230 for protection against 
dust by split elastic fingers 241 formed integrally with transverse fins 
233 secured to the leg 231 of the section 230. The split fingers 241 
interact by engagement with holes 242 made in the printed circuit 238. 
In order to receive the printed circuit 238, the fins 233 include cutouts 
243 which together constitute a housing for the printed circuit. 
The photodiodes 239 and 240 are mounted on the edge of the printed circuit 
238 and are each arranged between two neighbouring fins 233 as emerges 
clearly from FIG. 15. 
The housing for the printed circuit 238 defined by the cutouts 243 of the 
transverse fins 233, forms, together with the leg 231 of the section 230, 
an accurate angle making it possible to position the diodes 239 correctly 
with respect to the direction of penetration of the documents into the 
analysis device. 
The device for protection against dust is fixed to the casing of the image 
detector 215, or more precisely to the wall 235 of the latter for example 
by means of clips (not shown) and which are engaged in orifices 245 
located facing corresponding orifices provided in the wall 235 of the 
casing of the image detector (not shown). 
As can be seen in particular in FIG. 16, the upper edges of the transverse 
fins 233 and of the ribs 237 which extend them have a curved convex 
profile 246 intended to make it easier for particles of dust to fall on 
each side of each of the fins 233 into the passages 234. 
According to the variant represented in FIG. 16A, the convex profile 247 of 
the fins 233 is a profile with two slopes also making it possible to make 
it easier for the particles to fall into each passage 234 defined between 
two neighbouring fins 233. 
Referring again to FIG. 12, it can be seen that the bottom of the casing 
201 of the device for analysing documents is occupied by a body 250 made 
from a foam for absorbing dust and liquids which fall along the path 
defined by the passages 234 of the protection device 230 after having 
passed around the casing of the image detector 215. 
FIG. 12 also shows that the walls of the cover 222 which define the slit 
223 include an extension 251 which extends to the immediate vicinity of 
the protection device 230, so that the particles of dust penetrating the 
inlet 223 are conveyed directly into the passages 234 made between the 
transverse fins 233 of the protection device 230. 
By virtue of such a configuration, the particles of dust, to all practical 
purposes, do not reach the transparent wall 216 of the image detector 215, 
so that the space 220 between this transparent wall and the entrainment 
roll 217 remains free of dust, the transmission of the data illuminated on 
the processed documents by the light sources of the image detector thereby 
being considerably enhanced.