Abstract: A barcode imaging apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic radiation and an image acquisition device. The acquisition device is configured to be sensitive to a wavelength of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source of electromagnetic radiation. In use, a bar code to be read is illuminated by the source of electromagnetic radiation and an image of the barcode is captured by the image acquisition device at the wavelength of that radiation. The source of electromagnetic radiation includes a Light Emitting Diode (LED), a Current Source, a Driver for the current source, a Clock Pulse Generator, and a Monostable. The LED is powered by the Current source which is in turn driven by the Driver which is controlled by the Clock Pulse Generator through the Monostable.

Abstract: A method is provided of a bank processing a check in a check stock verification system. The method comprises receiving a check image having at least one pre-printed element, extracting the at least one pre-printed element from the check image, comparing the extracted pre-printed element with a reference pre-printed element, providing a confidence value based upon the comparison of the extracted pre-printed element with the reference pre-printed element, selecting one of a plurality of confidence threshold values based upon amount of the check, and comparing the confidence value with the selected confidence threshold value to determine if payment of the check amount is approved.

Abstract: A self-service terminal comprises a fascia defining an aperture through which a receipt or other type of media items is dispensible to a customer. The fascia comprises a protrusion located immediately beneath the aperture in a generally central location. The protrusion comprises a lower surface against which a customer's finger may rest and an upper surface for guiding an exiting receipt or other type of media item. The protrusion extends outwardly from the fascia to ensure that even if the customer places a finger on the protrusion, opposing edges of the receipt or other media item exit a sufficient distance from the aperture to allow the receipt or other media item to be visible to and removed by the customer.

Abstract: A self-service terminal comprises a plurality of devices, each device having a unique device identifier. The terminal also has a fascia including a plurality of apertures, each aperture having a corresponding indicator and being associated with a device in the self-service terminal. The terminal executes a control application for identifying and energizing an indicator corresponding to an aperture to be used by a customer. The terminal also includes a mapping component for allowing an authorized user (i) to display the current mapping of indicators to device identifiers, and (ii) to modify the current mapping to associate an indicator with a different device identifier.

Abstract: A method is provided of a financial institution presenting an image of a bank document in a check truncation environment. The method comprises determining security permission level associated with a person to be presented with the image of the bank document, determining type of the bank document, locating a first sensitive area associated with the bank document, and presenting on a screen of a monitor the image of the bank document with the first sensitive area in the image being selectively blanked out based upon the security permission level associated with the person to be presented with the image of the bank document.

Abstract: A method of operating a distributed image capture proof-of-deposit system having a central processing site and a number of branches connected via a network with the central processing site comprises the steps of (a) capturing images of items at a branch without use of physical tracer items at the branch, and (b) transferring the images captured at the branch via the network to the central processing site. At least some images at the central processing site are processed using logical tracer items which have been inserted at the central processing site.

Abstract: A method of operating an image-based self-service check depositing terminal having an optical character recognition (OCR) reader comprises the steps of (a) receiving from a self-service depositor a check to be deposited, (b) illuminating the check with infrared radiation, (c) capturing a first image of the check while the check is illuminated with infrared radiation, (d) processing the first check image to provide an enhanced image of the check, and (e) applying OCR techniques to read a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) codeline from the enhanced check image.

Abstract: A storage device (10) for storing valuable media is described. The device has a rotary storage compartment (14) for storing media items (100) in a fixed order. The items are held in place by one or two tapes (16 and/or 18) wound around the rotary storage compartment. The device includes a memory (16 and/or 18) for storing the order in which the items are stored and details of transactions associated with the stored items, so that each stored item can be linked to a transaction. In a preferred embodiment, one of the tapes (16 or 18) serves as the memory so that transaction details for a stored media item (100) can be read as the stored media item (100) is dispensed from the storage device (10).

Abstract: A photoconductive device (2) comprises a plurality of photoconductive layers (6, 8, 10, 12), each photoconductive layer comprising photoconductive material (4) and a respective plurality of electrodes (16, 18), wherein the photoconductive layers (6, 8, 10, 12) are electrically connected together.

Abstract: A financial document item processing system processes checks transported from an upstream end of a check transport path to a downstream end of the check transport path. Endorsement data is transmitted to an RFID tag of a check transported along the check transport path from the upstream end to the downstream end. Alternatively, encoded data is transmitted to an RFID tag of a check transported along the check transport path from the upstream end to the downstream end. In some financial document item processing applications, both endorsement data and encoded data are transmitted to an RFID tag of a check transported along the check transport path from the upstream end to the downstream end.

Abstract: To enable the payment of charges, for example those for mobile telephones, with cash there is provided an automated terminal for receiving payments including an input for currency notes, an acceptor for such currency notes and an input for information on an account for charges to which payment is required together with a control arrangement to record said account information and the value of acceptable currency notes fed in, to relate said information to said value as payment to said account and to hold said related information and value and acceptable currency notes available for retrieval. In this way a user need not have a bank account to make a payment to an account with a service provider.

Abstract: A self service terminal having a casing with a selectively releasable display. The display is secured to the casing using a fastener (75) that can only be unfastened from inside the casing.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (20) for displaying advertisements is described. The terminal comprises a display (52) and a network connection (32). The terminal further comprises means for accessing an advertisement database (18) to retrieve an advertisement associated with the terminal (20), and means for incorporating the retrieved advertisement in a screen (130) for displaying on the display (52). The terminal (20) may be an ATM. A method of supplying an advertisement for displaying on a self-service terminal, and a system for controlling presentation of advertisements on a self-service terminal are also described.

Abstract: A method of operating a self-service terminal is described in which a stack of media is presented to a customer. If it is detected that at least some of the stack remains within the terminal, the remaining media is advanced out of the self-service terminal.

Abstract: A system for handling files containing digitized images, such as digitized bank checks. Four digitized image-files are obtained for each check: front and back at the beginning of a process, and front and back at the end of the process. Four digital signatures are generated, one for each image-file. The four image-files are to be consolidated into a single composite file. However, for technical reasons, the content of the image-files must be altered somewhat. Thus, if the image-files are later extracted from the composite file, the extracted files will not correspond to the original image-files, and will produce different digital signatures. The invention allows the original image-files to be accurately extracted from the composite file.

Abstract: A method of upgrading a self-service terminal (SST), such as an ATM. An SST is first identified which has (1) a screen for displaying withdrawal options usable by a customer and (2) a touch input mechanism for receiving user commands. Then the SST is modified so that it can receive user commands from a wireless telephone. The modifications may include retro-fitting the SST with a transceiver adapted to receive signals directly from a wireless telephone. Alternately, or additionally, the modifying step may include retrofitting the SST and/or a network system host with a program for enabling the SST to receive a transaction from a remote source.

Abstract: A method of operating a self service terminal (SST) (12) is described, in which the SST (12) detects characteristics of a mobile computing device held by a user (16), and configures the user interface dependent on the detected characteristics. The characteristics may include features of the mobile device, such as communication facilities, or may include user identification information. Where the user is identified, a user profile may be retrieved from a remote SST operator (14). Certain embodiments of the invention may detect devices held by a second or subsequent user (18), and retrieve the relevant user profile prior to the second user (18) interacting with the SST (12).

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided of processing a substitute check which has been made from an original check. The computer-implemented method comprises (a) reading from the substitute check a printed magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) codeline, (b) reading from the substitute check an imaged MICR codeline, and (c) comparing the printed MICR codeline of step (a) and the imaged MICR codeline of step (b) to determine if the printed MICR codeline and the imaged MICR codeline match.

Abstract: A check processing system comprises an image lift device which is provided for lifting an image of a check as the check is being transported along a check feed path. A MICR reader is provided for reading a MICR codeline from the check as the check is transported along the check feed path past the MICR reader. The image of the check is reoriented when the MICR reader is unable to read a MICR codeline from the image of the check due to misorientation of the check along the check feed path.