Abstract: A method of operating a sensor 112 having a first transmit plate 114, a second receive plate 115 and a dielectric material between the two plates 114, 115. The method comprises the steps of: applying an alternating across the transmit and receive plates 114, 115, thereby to create an alternating electric field, which applied voltage results in a current Iz flowing through the two plates 114, 115; producing a voltage signal corresponding to the resultant current Iz; determining the average value of the product of the corresponding voltage signal and a reference voltage signal Vref3; and adjusting the phase of the reference voltage Vref3 until a null condition is achieved, at which condition the average value is approximately zero. A sensor 112 is also disclosed.

Abstract: A touch screen unit comprises a touch sensitive layer, a display and a processor. The processor is arranged to receive a signal indicative of a parallax error between a user's view of the touch sensitive layer and the user selectable objects displayed on the display and to correct for this parallax error.

Abstract: A method of operating a sensor 112 having a first transmit plate 114, a second receive plate 115 and a dielectric material between the two plates 114, 115. The method comprises the steps of: applying an alternating across the transmit and receive plates 114, 115, thereby to create an alternating electric field, which applied voltage results in a current Iz flowing through the two plates 114, 115; producing a voltage signal corresponding to the resultant current Iz; determining the average value of the product of the corresponding voltage signal and a reference voltage signal Vref3; and adjusting the phase of the reference voltage Vref3 until a null condition is achieved, at which condition the average value is approximately zero. A sensor 112 is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of wirelessly downloading digital media items which automatically downloads the digital media items to portable communication devices in environments where users are engaged with other activities. An example system includes a network including a wireless network defining a zone of coverage, and a server. The server stores locked digital media items, establishes an account for a digital media customer, automatically downloads selected locked digital media items to a portable communication device of the customer when the customer has brought the portable communication device within the zone of coverage and the portable communication device is connected to the server through the wireless network, processes payment from the customer for a number of downloaded locked digital media items, and provides keys for unlocking the number of downloaded locked digital media items.

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 card reader device has a card entrance for receiving a card and a card enclosure in registration with the card entrance. The card enclosure defines an area in which the card is read. The card reader also has a card transport mechanism for drawing a card into the card enclosure and for ejecting the card from the card enclosure. A sensor is provided for sensing displacement of part of the card transport mechanism in a direction transverse to the plane of transport of the card, and a control circuit ascertains if the displacement of the card transport mechanism fulfills an alarm criterion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for media characterization in a self-service terminal are described. The media us characterized in the self-service terminal by passing it by two electrodes and measuring the impedance across those two electrodes. The media is characterized by analyzing the measured impedance. The impedance may be measured by applying a modulated reference signal to one electrode and detecting the current on the second electrode. In an embodiment, the detected current may be converted into a voltage signal and mixed with a phase shifted version of the modulated reference signal.

Abstract: A touch screen unit comprises a touch sensitive layer, a display and a processor. The processor is arranged to receive a signal indicative of a parallax error between a user's view of the touch sensitive layer and the user selectable objects displayed on the display and to correct for this parallax error.

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 identifying a source of a substance incorporating one or more luminescent markers comprises illuminating the substance to stimulate emission from at least one of the luminescent markers. A luminescent signature is generated from the detected luminescent emission. The source of the substance is identified based on a match between the generated luminescent signature and a pre-defined luminescent signature.

Abstract: A method of identifying a source of a substance incorporating one or more luminescent markers comprises illuminating the substance to stimulate emission from at least one of the luminescent markers. A luminescent signature is generated from the detected luminescent emission. The source of the substance is identified based on a match between the generated luminescent signature and a pre-defined luminescent signature.

Abstract: A card reader device has a card entrance for receiving a card and a card enclosure in registration with the card entrance. The card enclosure defines an area in which the card is read. The card reader also has a card transport mechanism for drawing a card into the card enclosure and for ejecting the card from the card enclosure. A sensor is provided for sensing displacement of part of the card transport mechanism in a direction transverse to the plane of transport of the card, and a control circuit ascertains if the displacement of the card transport mechanism fulfils an alarm criterion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for media characterization in a self-service terminal are described. The media us characterized in the self-service terminal by passing it by two electrodes and measuring the impedence across those two electrodes. The media is characterized by analyzing the measured impedence. The impedance may be measured by applying a modulated reference signal to one electrode and detecting the current on the second electrode. In an embodiment, the detected current may be converted into a voltage signal and mixed with a phase shifted version of the modulated reference signal.

Abstract: A method is provided of operating a card reader having a substantially planar delivery path which lies in a first plane and which extends between a mouth region of the card reader and a data reader portion of the card reader. The method comprises projecting light across the planar delivery path and in a second plane which is substantially parallel to the first plane, detecting light which has been projected across the planar delivery path and in the second plane which is substantially parallel to the first plane, and generating a signal which is indicative of a foreign object being disposed in the planar delivery path in response to the amount of detected light being attenuated.

Abstract: Housings are typically used to protect sub-assemblies in self-service equipment such as key-pad assemblies in automated teller machines (ATMs), self-service kiosks, pay-as-you-go photocopiers and the like. There is a need to secure those housings to prevent access to and tampering of the equipment within. In addition, when replacement sub-assemblies are used, for example, for maintenance or upgrade, then it is necessary to authenticate those sub-assemblies. By providing markers fixed in sub-assembly housings and sensors in the housings or self-service equipment, it is possible to overcome these problems. The markers and sensors are brought into alignment when the sub-assembly housing is fully assembled. The markers and sensors are arranged to detect when a particular physical relationship between the markers and sensors is lost or altered. For example, the markers provide spectral signatures and comprise rare earth metals such as lanthanides.

Abstract: A method of identifying a source of a marking fluid applied to a person or an object comprises applying a marking fluid including one or more security markers to a person or an object and illuminating the applied marking fluid to excite the security markers. Photoluminescent emission from the security markers in response to the excitation is measured and compared with one or more pre-defined photoluminescent signatures associated with the source of the marking fluid. The source of the marking fluid is identified based on a match between the detected photoluminescent emission and at least one of the pre-defined photoluminescent signatures.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (22) that includes an optical system (28) for detecting a terminal overlay or artifact.

Abstract: A card reader comprises an entry slot to allow access for a card into the interior of the card reader along a predetermined passage. The card reader further comprises a controller and an image capture device arranged so as to monitor the interior of the card reader.

Abstract: A penetration screen is disclosed which comprises a substantially planar substrate with, at least, one electrical circuit disposed thereon. The electrical circuit is configured such that, at least, one section of the circuit is electrically isolatable from the remainder of the circuit without causing a fault condition in said remainder of the circuit.

Abstract: The invention provides for a card reader, and a self-service terminal employing the same. The reader comprises a card receiving means (14) for receiving a card having stored data to be read and card reading means (12) for reading the stored data. The reader is arranged to deliver a card received at the card receiving means (14) to the card reading means via a delivery path. The path (30) is arranged to maintain the card in a predetermined plane during transportation. A signal source (28) is arranged to produce an output signal (26) which is projected across the delivery path (30) in the plane which a card passes when in use. Detecting means (32) are also arranged to receive the output signal (26) and to detect the presence of an object in the path (30) in response to the object interfering with the signal.