Abstract: A travel kiosk with improved document delivery. The travel kiosk includes a first section containing a touch screen, and a second section adjacent the first section including an aperture and a document delivery tray within the aperture. The document delivery tray includes a first portion including a document slope for receiving a document at an upper end from a printer, the document falling to a lower end of the document slope, the document slope including ribs oriented generally downwardly to minimize friction between the document and the document slope. A second portion coupled to the first portion at the lower end includes first and second tabs which form a landing zone for the document after it has fallen from the document slope.

Abstract: An optical code recognition station comprises a fixed optical code scanning station and an optical code imager, the optical code imager being operable in both a hand held and a fixed configuration. In the fixed configuration the optical code imager is mounted on the fixed optical code scanning station. Communication between the fixed optical code scanning station and the optical code image is wireless and the optical code imager operates without a wired connection to the fixed optical code scanning station when in the hand held configuration.

Abstract: A system for detecting fraudulent documents comprises a barcode reader and a sensor arrangement. The output from the barcode reader and the sensor arrangement are used in conjunction to increase the accuracy of determining if a document is fraudulent.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are presented for identifying produce. Multiple images of a produce item captured using five different types of illumination. The captured images are processed to determine parameters of the produce item and those parameters are compared to parameters of known produce to identify the produce item.

Abstract: A modular print system which includes media cartridges instead of manually loaded feed trays. The print system includes a print module including a keyed entrance, and sealed cartridge containing media and including a keyed exit corresponding to the keyed entrance. The cartridge is removably attached to the print module.

Abstract: A produce data collector which collects internal produce information. The produce data collector includes a sonograph for directing acoustic energy in the form of sound waves into a produce item, for receiving return sound waves from the produce item, for converting the return sound waves into electrical signals, and for sending the electrical signals to a computer that identifies the produce item.

Abstract: A self-service kiosk apparatus is presented that has a plurality of secure service areas. Access to the plurality of secure service areas and the components of the kiosk system contained within each area is controlled. Authorization to access each secure service area is based on a person's level of training and security level.

Abstract: A printer comprises a moveable print head such that print elements of the print head are able to print to two streams of media having different physical locations.

Abstract: A method of controlling thermal printing based upon print density. The method includes receiving pre-formatted data representing information to be printed on two sides of a thermal print media from a computer by a processor of a thermal printer, analyzing the pre-formatted data by the thermal printer to determine different types of data to be printed with different print densities by the processor, determining an average print density of the different print densities by the processor, determining that the average print density is greater than a predetermined average print density by the processor, determining a power level required to print the data, and directing first and second thermal print heads to print the data based upon the required power level by the processor.

Abstract: A media storage unit for a media recycler is described. The media storage unit comprises: a first rotary storage device; a second rotary storage device aligned with the first rotary storage device; and storage tape wound around each of the first and second storage devices and including calibration marks disposed along one side of the storage tape. The media storage unit also comprises a sensor for detecting the calibration marks; an entry/exit port between the first and second rotary storage devices through which media items can be inserted or removed; and a controller operable to rotate the first and/or second storage devices to move the storage tape forwards or backwards while sensing the calibration marks to locate either (i) a media item of the desired type for a dispense transaction, or (ii) a space on the storage tape of the required type for a deposit transaction.

Abstract: There is provided a rental item return apparatus including an opening to receive returned rental items, a store area for returned items and a chute arranged to connect the opening to the store area. The apparatus further includes a device arranged within the chute to uniquely identify and log each returned rental item.

Abstract: A self-checkout system, particularly for retail areas of constrained floor space, has a small to zero footprint while being fully functional. In one form, the self-checkout comprises a unit mountable to a wall, pillar, or other support. In another form, the self-checkout has or is part of a columnar support. The self-checkout system has security in the form of video and weight verification. A visual and/or audio indicator provides indicia of modes of use of the self-checkout. The self-checkout further includes an interactive customer interface terminal, a scanner, and a scale. The self-checkout provides an open visual area that allows easy viewing by store personnel of transactions being performed on the self-checkout system.

Abstract: A device and method of coupling a processor to an RFID tag which creates new applications for the RFID tag. The device includes an RFID tag which includes a memory, an antenna coupled to the RFID tag, and a processor coupled to the RFID tag in parallel with the antenna.

Abstract: A media presenter configurable for use in either a front access or a rear access dispenser is described. The media presenter comprises a chassis including a central track defining a central handle end and a central pick end. A nose is coupled to the chassis at the central pick end, and includes (i) a presenting end distal from the chassis and (ii) a nose track arranged to couple to the central track. A removable track is coupled to the chassis and extends from a handle end of the chassis to the central handle end. The nose track, the central track, and the removable track combine to provide a presenting track extending from the handle end to the presenting end. The presenter can present media items to a customer in a rear access dispenser, or can be reconfigured by exchanging the positions of the nose and removable track to present media items in a front access dispenser.

Abstract: A bunch sheet depository is described. The depository comprises: a pressure plate for pressing on a bunch of sheets; a picker aligned with the pressure plate and arranged to remove sheets individually from the bunch of sheets; a link arm including (i) a pivot, (ii) an urging portion coupled to the pressure plate and (iii) a resilient member; and an actuator coupled to the resilient member. The actuator is operable, when actuated, to move the resilient member to rotate the link arm about the pivot and thereby cause compression of the bunch of sheets by the pressure plate using a force from the resilient member that reduces as the resilient member relaxes in response to the pressure plate moving as sheets are removed from the bunch of sheets.

Abstract: A media cassette includes a body having a removable lid. The media cassette comprises a housing defining a closeable pick window; an urging plate biased towards the pick window for urging a stack of media items towards the pick window; a detent located distal from the pick window for limiting movement of the urging plate; and a detent moving mechanism operable to move the detent. The detent moving mechanism may be operated by engaging the removable lid or by insertion of the cassette into a media handler. The media cassette allows the urging plate to exert less force on the stack of media items by expanding the space available for media items located within the cassette by activating the detent moving mechanism.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for initiating corrective actions for a terminal, such as an ATM. A method of initiating corrective actions for a terminal comprises, monitoring a fault status of a first component, detecting a fault status of the first component with a first trigger plug-in, activating a first action plug-in based upon the detected fault status of the first component, and recycling the first component.

Abstract: Techniques for managing data received from devices in a point of sale system are described. A point of sale system is operated utilizing independent software objects including a device sequence manager. The device sequence manager communicates with each device producing data for which proper sequencing must be maintained. Upon receiving a data event from a device, the device sequence manager creates a data object and stores the data object in an output queue. Upon receiving a request for data from an executive application, the device sequence manager retrieves the data object from the output queue and transfers it to the executive application, maintaining the sequence in which the data objects were received from the devices.

Abstract: An entertainment media rental and return system comprises a rental terminal at which a customer can either rent entertainment media or return entertainment media which has been previously rented from the rental terminal, a return terminal at which a customer can only return entertainment media which has been previously rented from the rental terminal, and a removable storage bin interchangeable between the terminals and arranged to (i) receive entertainment media which has been returned by a customer at the return terminal when the bin is installed in the return terminal, (ii) receive entertainment media which has been returned by a customer at the rental terminal when the bin is installed in the rental terminal, and (iii) provide entertainment media which is available to be rented to a customer at the rental terminal when the bin is installed in the rental terminal.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (SST), such as an ATM, comprises a processor, and two functionally similar devices, for example cash dispense units, and an input/output (IO) port. The processor receives status data from each of the similar devices and determines which set of status data to communicate to a remote host via the IO port dependent upon device status and health parameters contained within the status data.