Abstract: A self-service terminal (12) having a wireless communication port (28) for interacting with a user's portable device (60 or 70) is described. The terminal (12) may be an ATM, and includes a biometric device (35) for capturing biometric data from a user at the terminal (12). The terminal (12) is operable to receive biometric data from portable devices (60 or 70) within the vicinity (76) of the terminal (12), and compares the received biometric data with data captured by the biometric device (35) to determine which portable device (60 or 70) is associated with the user at the terminal (12). A method of executing a transaction at a self-service terminal (12) having a wireless communications port (28) is also described.

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 self-service terminal (12) having a wireless communication port (28) for interacting with a user's portable device (60 or 70) is described. The terminal (12) may be an ATM, and includes a biometric device (35) for capturing biometric data from a user at the terminal (12). The terminal (12) is operable to receive biometric data from portable devices (60 or 70) within the vicinity (76) of the terminal (12), and compares the received biometric data with data captured by the biometric device (35) to determine which portable device (60 or 70) is associated with the user at the terminal (12). A method of executing a transaction at a self-service terminal (12) having a wireless communications port (28) is also described.

Abstract: An optical media detection system (10) is described. The system (10) comprises a light source (16), a transmitted light detector (18), and a reflected light detector (20). The source (16) and the detectors (18,20) are mutually arranged and oriented such that the reflected light detector (20) detects light reflected from a portion of a media item (14) irradiated with light from the source (16), and the transmitted light detector (18) detects light transmitted through the portion of the media item (14) irradiated with light from the source (16). When a substantial amount of light is transmitted and reflected from a portion of the media item (14) then this indicates that the portion of the media item (14) irradiated is an optically transparent window, thereby enabling the system (10) to distinguish between a transparent window and a void.

Abstract: An automatic teller machine has not only a main store comprising a number of cassettes (38, 40, 42, 44, 46 and 48) holding stacks of banknotes but also faster operating auxiliary stores (4 and 5) which hold limited numbers of the most popular denominations of banknote. A request for cash is met, if possible, from the auxiliary stores (4 and 5). This enables the machine to provide a service at a faster rate than the rate of dispensing from of the main store. The auxiliary stores are replenished from the main store, preferably at times during which the machine is not in the process of dispensing notes to a customer.

Abstract: A monitoring system for use with a self-service terminal (25) having a user interface is described. The system comprises: image capture means (30) for capturing images of at least part of the user interface; image storage means (34) for storing at least one image captured by the image capture means (30); image processing means (32) for comparing the at least one stored image with a subsequently captured image of the part of the user interface so as to detect the addition of an alien device to the part of the user interface; and alarm means (38) for generating an alarm signal if the image processing means (32) detects the addition of an alien device.

Abstract: In an ATM, bank notes remaining within currency cassettes 40 of the cash dispenser 18 are transferred to an auxiliary storage device 54 before the cassettes 40 are removed from the ATM and replaced by full cassettes during a replenishment sequence, so as to avoid handling of non-empty cassettes and to improve the efficiency of the replenishment procedure. The transfer of notes may take place during the actual replenishment sequence, the cassettes 40 containing the highest denomination bank notes and those containing the least number of notes having precedence. Alternatively, the transfer of notes may occur automatically during normal operation of the ATM, when the number of notes within a cassette 40 reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: An automatic teller machine has an input hopper (20) into which checks and banknotes for deposit can be put. An imaging and sorting device (22) separates the banknotes and checks from each other. The banknotes are fed to a temporary banknote storage device (24) and the checks are fed to a temporary check storage device (26). A receipt for the number of items of each kind deposited is issued to the depositor. A further imaging device (28) may be provided for subsequent more detailed examination and further sorting of the deposited items. The subsequent examination preferably takes place when the machine is not being used by a customer.