Abstract: A method of downloading or uploading data via a client-server communications network, which network comprises a plurality of clients (A, B, 8, 9, 10) each having a local cache storing data downloaded via the network. The method comprises responding to a data request made to the network by a first client (A, 8) by uploading data from the cache of a second client (B, 9, 10) and transmitting that data across the network to the first client (A, 8). Also disclosed are client-server networks operating in accordance with the method and to the related servers (3), client terminals (A, B, 8, 9, 10), browsers loaded on client terminals, and plug-ins for such terminals and browsers.

Abstract: A three-dimensional check image viewer comprises a display device and a processing unit. The processing unit includes means for (i) displaying on the display device an image of a first check, and (ii) displaying on the display device an image of a second check such that the images appear three-dimensional relative to each other. An input device is provided for allowing an operator to manipulate the images such that any relative movement between the images on the display device appears three-dimensional to the operator.

Abstract: A self-service terminal has a wireless communication port for communicating with a user's portable electronic device. The self-service terminal loads an executable transaction application program via the wireless communication port to a user's portable electronic device when the user's portable electronic device moves into the vicinity of the wireless communication port. The self-service terminal receives transactional data from a user's portable electronic device when an executable transaction application program which has been loaded to the user's portable electronic device is executed.

Abstract: A detector (10) for detecting an object (42) in a media item (40), such as a check or banknote is described. The detector (10) comprises first electrically conducting means (14), such as a roller, disposed on one side of a media path (32); second electrically conducting means (16), such as another roller, disposed on an opposing side of the media path (32); insulating means (30a,b) for electrically insulating the first and second conducting means (14,16); and impedance measuring means (38) for measuring the impedance between the first and second electrically conducting means (14,16). By measuring the impedance between the conducting means (14,16) it is possible to determine if an electrically conducting object (42) is being carried by a media item (40).

Abstract: A method is provided of an operator who is other than a check depositing customer handling a fault condition in an image-based check depositing terminal. The method comprises inserting a non-customer identification card into a card reader of the terminal to allow the card reader to read from the card data which is associated with a financial institution, removing a check along a check transport path which extends between a check input slot and an image capture device of the terminal, and inserting the removed check into the check input slot to allow the check to be transported along the check transport path past the image capture device to capture an image of the check so that the image of the check can be electronically transmitted together with the data which is associated with the financial institution. The method may further comprise verifying that the check is transported into a check storage bin after the check has been transported past the image capture device.

Abstract: A check processing system comprises an image capture module including a controllable image capture device disposed along a first side of the document track. The image capture device captures an image of a document item moving from an upstream end of a document track to a downstream end of the document track. An energizeable first light source is disposed on a second side of the document track and faces the image capture device and is provided for, when energized, illuminating the document item to allow the image capture device to detect a leading edge of the document item as the document item moves from the upstream end to the downstream end. An energizeable second light source is disposed on a second side of the document track and is provided for, when energized, illuminating a document item in the document track to allow the image capture device to capture an image of the document item as the document item moves from the upstream end to the downstream end.

Abstract: A method of processing image data elements derived from lifting an image of an item to reorient the image data elements comprises the steps of (a) selecting a first portion of the image data elements, (b) reorienting the first portion of the image data elements selected in step (a), (c) selecting a second portion of image data elements after the first portion of the image data elements has been reoriented in step (b), and (d) reorienting the second portion of the image data elements selected in step (c). Preferably, each of the selected first and second portions of image data elements is copied only once into level one cache memory.

Abstract: A self service terminal (10) and method of operating a self-service terminal (10) having a user interface (14) for interacting with a user (12). The terminal (10) includes a sensing device (18, 20, or 22) for sensing physiological data associated with a user, an analyzing device (74) for analyzing the physiological data to deduce the user's emotional state, and a controlling device (72) responsive to the analyzing device (74) for adapting the terminal's interaction with the user in response to the user's emotional state.

Abstract: A network of interconnected self-service machines (SSMs), wherein each of the SSMs executes a relational database management system (RDBMS) that maintains a relational database stored on the SSM. The relational databases are partitions of a global relational database and each partition stores information for only those customers that frequent the SSM that executes the RDBMS. The relational databases are used to more effectively serve the customer at the SSM and to market products and services to the customer at the SSM.

Abstract: A method of operating an electronic check presentment with image interchange system comprises the steps of creating a number of electronic bundle files based upon captured MICR data associated with items, processing cash letter files and captured image data associated with the items to create a first temporary list, processing the cash letter files and the electronic bundle files to create a second temporary list, and merging the first and second temporary lists to create a merged list for creating an image presentment file. An image presentment file is created in a predefined format structure suitable for sending from a sending bank to a receiving bank based upon the merged list.

Abstract: A method of downloading or uploading data via a client-server communications network, which network comprises a plurality of clients (A, B, 8, 9, 10) each having a local cache storing data downloaded via the network. The method comprises responding to a data request made to the network by a first client (A, 8) by uploading data from the cache of a second client (B, 9, 10) and transmitting that data across the network to the first client (A, 8). Also disclosed are client-server networks operating in accordance with the method and to the related servers (3), client terminals (A, B, 8, 9, 10), browsers loaded on client terminals, and plug-ins for such terminals and browsers.

Abstract: Businesses typically have large amounts of data about customer transactions and other customer information which is not fully utilized. The present invention provides a means of using this information to make predictions about future customer behavior, for example by estimating the probability that a customer will leave a bank. Using these predictions the business is able to take action in order to improve its performance. Using customer data a Bayesian statistical model is generated and this model used to generate statistical estimators of customer behavior. The statistical model is formed using hidden Markov model techniques by clustering customer data and attributes (e.g. Age, sex, salary) into a finite number of states. The number of states is unobserved and considered random. Bayesian prior probability distributions are specified and combined with the data to produce Bayesian posterior probability distributions.

Abstract: A method of creating an image replacement document (IRD) during two passes of a sheet material through a printing apparatus including building a first print file portion based upon IRD data, building a second print file portion based upon IRD data, printing with non-magnetic ink onto the sheet material at least some information based upon the first print file portion to create a front portion of the IRD during a first pass of the sheet material through the printing apparatus, printing with non-magnetic ink onto the sheet material a machine-readable code which is associated with a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) codeline to be encoded onto the IRD, printing with non-magnetic ink onto the sheet material at least some information based upon the second print file portion to create a back portion of the IRD during the first pass of the sheet material through the printing apparatus, and printing with magnetic ink onto the sheet material the MICR codeline based upon the machine-readable code which has been

Abstract: An image replacement document (IRD) is created in a single feed of sheet of material through a feeder. A print file having a MICR portion and a non-MICR portion is built based upon IRD data. The IRD data used to build the print file may be from an external application. At least some information is printed with magnetic ink onto a first portion of the sheet of material based upon the MICR portion of the print file. At least some information is printed with non-magnetic ink onto a second portion of the sheet of material based upon the non-MICR portion of the print file. The first portion of the sheet of material and the second portion of the sheet of material are on the front side of the IRD. Also, at least some information may be printed with non-magnetic ink onto a third portion of the sheet of material based upon the non-MICR portion of the print file. The third portion of the sheet of material is on the back side of the IRD.

Abstract: A document diverter apparatus is provided for use in a self-service terminal at which a self-service user can deposit a document to conduct a self-service transaction. The document diverter apparatus comprises first and second roller members. The document diverter apparatus further comprises a movable diverter roller member disposed between the first and second roller members and movable between the first and second roller members such that the diverter roller member and the first roller member co-operate to define at least a portion of a first document transport path of the self-service terminal when the diverter roller member and the first roller member are moved to a first position and the diverter member and the second roller member co-operate to define at least a portion of a second document transport path of the self-service terminal when the diverter roller member and the second roller member are in a second position which is different from the first position.

Abstract: An endorser is disposed along a document transport path and includes a printhead for printing an endorsement onto a document along the document transport path. The printhead can move through an opening to print an endorsement onto a document along the document transport path. A door covers the opening and is slidable between an open position in which the printhead is able to move through the opening to print an endorsement onto a cheque and a closed position in which the door prevents the cheque from being jammed into the printhead when the cheque is transported along the cheque transport path. The door includes a major surface and a plurality of finger-like projections disposed on the major surface. The plurality of finger-like projections are provided for engaging a cheque when the cheque moves into a position along the cheque transport path for the printhead to print an endorsement onto the cheque.

Abstract: An optical detector is disclosed, which is adapted to measure the opacity of media. The detector comprises a light means and a light sensor, arranged so as to have a media path there between. The light source has a drive means, which is actively adjustable, during use, for detecting media of different opacities, so as to maintain a substantially constant sensor output.

Abstract: A transaction system is provided for a merchant and a consumer to conduct a point-of-sale (POS) transaction. The transaction system includes a host, a consumer transaction processor, and a merchant transaction processor. The host provides a merchant authorization key and a consumer authorization key which co-operates as a pair with the merchant authorization key. The consumer transaction server receives the consumer authorization key from the host, and communicates the consumer authorization key to a portable wireless client of the consumer to allow the consumer to send the consumer authorization key to a POS terminal of the merchant. The merchant transaction server receives the merchant authorization key from the host, and compares the merchant authorization key with the consumer authorization key when the consumer authorization key is received from the POS terminal of the merchant.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag comprises RFID circuitry, an antenna, and a detector responsive to electromagnetic radiation of a predetermined frequency and for controlling cooperation between the RFID circuitry and the antenna when electromagnetic radiation of the predetermined frequency is detected. The detector may be responsive to light of the predetermined frequency to enable cooperation between the RFID circuitry and the antenna when light of the predetermined frequency is detected. Alternatively, the detector may be responsive to light of the predetermined frequency to disable cooperation between the RFID circuitry and the antenna when light of the predetermined frequency is detected.

Abstract: An evaluation system (10) for evaluating media is described. The system is particularly suitable for evaluating banknotes to determine their suitability for use in an ATM. The system comprises sensing means (12) for sensing properties of media (18) including the location of any imperfection in the media, and an evaluation module (16) for evaluating imperfections in the media(18). The evaluation module (16) includes a classifier (52) comprising an artificial neural network (60) and fuzzy logic (66). The evaluation module (16) may include a plurality of classifiers (52), and a second level classifier (56) for generating a suitability index (20) from the outputs of the first level classifiers (52). A method of evaluating media is also described.