Abstract: A device for monitoring a space by changing a sequence of a serial interconnection of closing contacts, in particular of cover switches in a security housing, having a series circuit variation apparatus, a security cover, at least two closing contacts, and a protective circuit, wherein said at least two closing contacts each have an open, electrically nonconductive state and a closed, electrically conductive state, wherein said security cover is set up to put each of said at least two closing contacts in a closed, electrically conductive state, wherein said protective circuit is set up to detect an opening of at least one of said at least two closing contacts, wherein said series circuit variation apparatus serially interconnects said at least two closing contacts, wherein the sequence of the serial interconnection of said at least two closing contacts can be changed by said series circuit variation apparatus.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a wagering game system includes at least one wagering game computer program operative on the wagering game platform to detect a wager. A persistent state manager software component is operative to read or write persistent state data to and from the wagering game computer program and persistent state media. In one embodiment, the persistent state media is a bar-coded ticket, and in another embodiment an electronic data storage device such as a RFID device. A messaging system allows persistent state media devices to interact with the wagering game.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for operating a gaming device of a casino gaming network. In at least one embodiment, the gaming device includes a tournament manager and a first meter. In at least one embodiment, the first meter is operable to perform one or more of the following (or combinations thereof): receive a first meter update request for changing meter state information and/or meter data associated with the first meter; determine whether at least one condition exists for denying the first meter update request; and/or prevent execution of the first meter update request in response to a determination that at least one condition exists for denying the first meter update request.

Abstract: An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records. The machine includes a sheet dispensing mechanism including at least one currency note picking member. Rotation of a picking member causes an end note to be picked from a stack of currency notes. The picking member includes an outer surface portion that has a thickness including a built in physical wear indicator. The indicator includes material surface layers of different colors. Each color indicates a different surface wear state.

Abstract: An automated banking machine includes a card reader operative to read data from user cards and to use the data read by the card reader in operation of the machine. Status messages are received from automated banking machines operating in a network. The messages are received by an event management system operating at least one computer in operative connection with a data store. The data store includes information representative of the banking machines in the network, status messages generated by the banking machines and actions to be taken including entities to be notified of conditions which cause status messages to be sent by the various banking machines.

Abstract: A method of connecting a card to a terminal including the following steps: a) on receiving corresponding respective commands from the terminal, it modifies the contents of the card memory by provisionally recording in the card memory each of said interdependent items of information without losing prior values corresponding to said items; and then b) the modifications are finalized either by all of them being confirmed or by all of them being discarded.

Abstract: A system operates to receive status messages from banking machines operating in a network. The messages are received by an event management system operating at least one computer. The computer is in operative connection with a data store. The data store includes information representative of the banking machines in the network, status messages generated by the banking machines and actions to be taken including entities to be notified of conditions which cause status messages to be sent by the various banking machines. A device status processing program in the computer resolves an action to be taken responsive to the status message. Responsive to the action resolved by the device status processing program the computer causes a notification message to be dispatched by a multimedia reporter to an entity who is to be notified of the condition at the banking machine which caused the status message.

Abstract: To change a bill storage box for deposit/withdrawal in a bill handling machine to a bill storage box for withdrawal only, a recycling box has conventionally been exchanged with a withdrawal-only box. That is, an extra withdrawal-only box exchanged with a recycling box must be prepared. The present invention provides a bill handling machine processing bills under various condition without preparing an extra bill storage box. The bill handling machine comprises a deposit/withdrawal port, via which bills are deposited or withdrawn, and a plurality of recycling boxes each of which stores bills of each denomination and dispenses deposited and stored bills. An operation of a recycling box, deposit-only box, and withdrawal-only box are set up for each recycling box and operation information on the recycling box is stored in the recycling box for use in checking consistency with the machine to prevent a malfunction in the recycling box.

Abstract: An automated banking machine (10) includes a lockable first fascia portion (20) which when unlocked enables access to a chest lock input device (104), inputs to which enable opening a chest door (18) of the machine. Opening the first fascia portion also enables access to an actuator (116) which enables moving a second fascia portion (22) for conducting service activities. A controller (72) in the machine selectively illuminates light emitting devices (118, 126) for purposes of facilitating user operation of the machine. Sensing devices (128) adjacent a card reader slot (28) on the machine enables the controller to detect the presence of unauthorized card reading devices. Servicing the machine is facilitated through use of a portable diagnostic article (98) which enables the controller to access diagnostic data stored in memory and which provides data indicative of the significance of the diagnostic data.

Abstract: A diagnostic server software component for an automated banking machine is provided. The diagnostic server is operative to periodically retrieve diagnostic messages from a nonvolatile memory of the machine and store the diagnostic messages on the hard drive of the machine. The software is further operative responsive to communication from an external computing device to send diagnostic messages stored on the hard drive to an external computing device. The software may further be operative to route transaction diagnostic messages between the machine and a remote host banking system. The software may retrieve the diagnostic messages directly from a specified memory address of the nonvolatile memory. The software may periodically communicate with terminal control software of the machine to cause the terminal control software to retrieve the diagnostic messages from the nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: A method of testing operation of an automated banking machine system is provided. The method may comprise storing in a data store data representative of a simulated automated banking machine, at least one condition which occurs at the machine and at least one action to be carried out responsive to the condition. The method may further comprise inputting an input representing the condition at the machine and indicating through a display, responsive to the stored data, the at least one action being carried out responsive to simulating the condition at the machine. The method may also include carrying out the at least one action responsive to operation of the computer. The method may include simulating responsive to the input, that the machine has generated a message indicative of the condition. The method may include providing a further input which prevents performance of the carrying out step.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-checkout terminal having input and output devices for performing a self-checkout process. The input and output devices are controlled and monitored by system software that determines, based on its monitoring of the input and output devices, whether intervention by store personnel is necessary. The system software further controls a voice modem that provides a digital audio signal output to a store intercom system, and has access to digital audio files containing announcements to be played on the store intercom system. When the system software determines that intervention by store personnel is necessary, it selects an appropriate digital audio file and plays the digital audio file over the store intercom system by means of the voice modem.

Abstract: A subsystem and method, employed within an electronic check presentment (“ECP”) system and executable on a computer system having volatile and nonvolatile memory and a processor coupled thereto. The subsystem and method establish and maintain a datastore for processing items within the ECP system.

Abstract: A machine data acquisition system connected to a machine, for acquiring data on an internal status of the machine, and for use with an IC card having storage. The machine data acquisition system comprises an IC card accepting device which accepts the IC card, a machine data acquisition device which acquires data on the internal status of the connected machine, and a card writer which writes data acquired by the machine data acquisition device into the storage in the IC card.

Abstract: Failure information and cash reserve information for each automatic transaction machine 5 are collected at a monitoring center 5. In a dispatch condition table, criteria for making decisions such as a dispatch standby being required when a specific number of automatic transaction machines are not operating at a given point in time are displayed. A dispatch decision making portion references the dispatch condition table to display the necessity for a dispatch, the necessity for a dispatch standby and the like on the display. Since the decision making criteria in regard to whether or not a service person should be placed on standby for dispatch or whether or not a request for dispatch should be issued are clearly defined in correspondence to the number of operating machines and the state of the cash reserve, suitable measures can be taken in correspondence to the state of each automatic transaction machine, thereby reducing the responsibility of the operator at the monitoring center.

Abstract: A reconciling circuit for, and method of, reconciling a first database with a second database, the first database containing first item data arranged in records and fields, the second database containing second item data arranged in records and fields. The reconciling circuit includes: (1) a matching circuit for comparing the records of the first database with the records of the second database, the matching circuit placing a designation on mismatching ones of the records of the first and second databases, (2) at least one field mismatch tolerance rule indicating, by field, an allowed extent of mismatch and (3) a mismatch tolerance circuit for applying the at least one field mismatch tolerance rule to the fields of the mismatching ones, the mismatch tolerance circuit removing the designation when the fields of the mismatching ones fall within the mismatch tolerance rules.

Abstract: A business system including at least one transaction terminal such as an automated teller machine ATM (10) and an interface device (12) for use by an operator in carrying out maintenance of the ATM (10) or replenishing consumable items used during its operation. The interface device (12) is separate from the ATM (10) and two-way communication between the interface device (12) and the ATM (10) is arranged to take place in a contactless manner. Preferably communication is enabled by the use of a radio frequency technique. The interface device (12) provides the operator with a sequence of instructions and is arranged to await the receipt of a confirmation signal from the ATM (10) prior to displaying the next instruction in the sequence. The ATM (10) provides the confirmation signal only when a sensor (22-44) within the ATM (10) detects that the previously displayed instruction has been carried out by the operator.

Abstract: An automatic transaction apparatus for dealing with cash or the like operates by being accessed by the user through the use of a user specific transaction medium card, which is inserted to the apparatus so that information recorded on it is read. In the event of some trouble of the apparatus, if the card cannot be ejected and returned to the user, a receipt slip of the card with information specific to the user being printed thereon is issued to the user in response to the ejection failure signal.

Abstract: A data transmission arrangement for a portable data storage medium, in which messages are transmitted between an external device and a portable data storage medium at a plurality of times in response to one readout command output from the external device. When malfunction occurs during the processing in the portable data storage medium, the portable data storage medium outputs an abnormality response to the external device, and then receives a continuous data demand command from the external device. Thereafter, a status data different from the status data included in the first message is sent from the portable data storage medium to the external device. The external device recognizes this sent status data. Thereafter, the data transmission started in response to one readout command is not discontinued and additional data continuous to be transmitted.

Abstract: A paper document transacting apparatus for storing and extracting a paper document into and out of storages through a transporting unit. The apparatus comprises a detector for detecting a transporting condition of the paper document, an indicator for indicating an abnormal transport position of the document, a control switch for controlling a transporting unit, and a controller for controlling the indicator such that, when the abnormal transport position is detected, at least a leading abnormal transport position in a transporting direction out of abnormal transport positions is indicated as well as driving the transporting unit at a low speed according to a signal from the control switch.