Abstract: A self service terminal (10) including a human iris identification system is described. The iris identification system comprises a camera (30) for recording an image of a human iris via a lens (32), a processor (54) for processing the recorded image, and a plurality of visual indicators (72,74,76 or 82,84,86) associated with the lens (32) for directing a user's eye towards the lens (32) of the camera (30), thereby enabling the camera (30) to record a clear image of the user's eye. A method of directing a user's eye towards a lens (32) of a camera (30) used in a human iris identification system is also described.

Abstract: An educational banking apparatus is provided comprising a compartment for storing money, an aperture to allow money to be deposited into apparatus and an outlet to allow money to be withdrawn from the apparatus, balance determination means for determining the amount of money stored in the apparatus and communication means to allow transmission of balance information over a network to a remote location. The apparatus may be in a form that appeals to children such as a piggy bank and allows a child to save and become familiar with the concept of a bank account without out having to physically part with his or her money.

Abstract: A system within a self-service deposit terminal is arranged to recognize different denominations of bank notes. The system scans each side of a deposited note and produces a diffraction pattern of first one side and then the other side of the note. The diffraction pattern is compared against reference matched spatial filters associated with different denominations that are loaded into a Vander Lugt optical correlator. If the diffraction pattern and the matched spatial filter match then a correlation dot is produced, and if this occurs for both sides of a note then a denomination value can be assigned to that note. Reference matched spatial filters for all denominations of notes to be expected are first produced on a recording system and stored in a storage device which the self-service deposit terminal can access.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for managing resources, which can take the form of (a) computer-compatible information, such as data files and programs, and (b) non-computer-compatible information, as data contained on microfiche, and (c) physical objects. The resources are located at graphically diverse sites.The invention contains a descriptive profile for each resource, and allows any user to search all profiles, and to search the profiles according to "fields" (a database term), such as by location of the resources, or by category of the resources. The user can order delivery of a selected resource, and the system causes delivery of the resource to be executed, irrespective of the form (eg, physical object) of the resource.The invention allows a provider of a new resource to limit access to the resource, by identifying users who are authorized to obtain access to the resource. Non-authorized users cannot obtain access to the profiles of these resources.

Abstract: A customer (80) can request and receive a financial service through any of a number of channels (82,83,84,85,86,87), each connected to channel-specific hardware, respectively a digital telephone (92), an ATM (93), a branch office (94), a branch sales office (99), a self service sales terminal (95), a home banking PC (96) and an interactive television (97). Each service channel is connected through an integrated channel manager (100) to business operations means including a transaction processing host computer (112), a cheque processor (113), a relationship database manager (114), a financial call center (115), and an external financial database (111).

Abstract: A customer (80) can request and receive a financial service through any of a number of channels (82,83,84,85,86,87), each connected to channel-specific hardware, respectively a digital telephone (92), an ATM (93), a branch office (94), a branch sales office (99), a self service sales terminal (95), a home banking PC (96) and an interactive television (97). Each service channel is connected through an integrated channel manager (100) to business operations means including a transaction processing host computer (112), a cheque processor (113), a relationship database manager (114), a financial call center (115), and an external financial database (111).

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for managing resources, which can take the form of (a) computer-compatible information, such as data files and programs, and (b) non-computer-compatible information, such as data contained on microfiche, and (c) physical objects. The resources are located at geographically diverse sites.The invention contains a descriptive profile for each resource, and allows any user to search all profiles, and to search the profiles according to "fields" (a database term), such as by location of the resources, or by category of the resources. The user can order delivery of a selected resource, and the system causes delivery of the resource to be executed, irrespective of the form (eg, physical object) of the resource.The invention allows a provider of a new resource to limit access to the resource, by identifying users who are authorized to obtain access to the resource. Non-authorized users cannot obtain access to the profiles of these resources.

Abstract: A computer memory system connectable to a processor and having programmable operational characteristics based on characteristics of the processor. The memory system includes several caches and a main memory connected to a bus. One cache can be programmed to store only code data. Another cache can be programmed to buffer data writes to the main memory only from the processor. The main memory supports fast page mode and can be programmed to selectively reopen either code or non-code data pages.

Abstract: The invention concerns using multiple computers to hold a conference. Under the invention, an application program can run on a single computer, yet remote participants can issue commands to the program. Remote participants can watch the program operate, because the invention replicates the display window of the running program onto the displays of the remote computers. Any participant can make annotations on the participant's own computer display. The invention copies the annotations to the displays of the other participants.

Abstract: A method and system for remote collaboration is disclosed, wherein a host program running on a host computer is distinct from a remote program running on remote computers. The host program provides an output, and the remote program, which is distinct from the host program, presents the output on the display of the computers, provides input to the host program, annotates the display of the computers, replicates the display of one computer to another computer, and selectively blocks inputs to the program and annotations to the display.

Abstract: A system in which multiple computers engage in a collaborative video conference. One computer generates a common image which is distributed to the other computers. The invention allows the users of the other computers to annotate (that is, mark up, by drawings and text) the image at their respective computers. The invention replicates the annotations at the other computers.One type of annotation allowed is "highlighting," wherein a user drags a cursor across a display, and the invention leaves a colored trail behind the cursor, which is transparent, and does not obscure the underlying images.

Abstract: A video conferencing system, wherein multiple parties at different locations can view, and modify, a common image on their computer displays. The invention also provides a video camera at each computer, which takes a video picture of each party.The invention distributes data to all computers involved in the conference from which each computer can generate a display containing the common image, the modifications, and the video pictures.

Abstract: The invention concerns using multiple computers to hold a conference. Under the invention, an application program can run on a single computer, yet remote participants can issue commands to the program. Remote participants can watch the program operate, because the invention replicates the display window of the running program onto the displays of the remote computers. Any participant can make annotations on the participant's own computer display. The invention copies the annotations to the displays of the other participants.

Abstract: The invention concerns using multiple computers to hold a conference. Under the invention, an application program can run on a single computer, yet remote participants can issue commands to the program. Remote participants can watch the program operate, because the invention replicates the display window of the running program onto the displays of the remote computers. Any participant can make annotations on the participant's own computer display. The invention copies the annotations to the displays of the other participants.

Abstract: A statistically fast, high performance computer memory system including a system memory for storing code and non-code data accessible by at least two bus masters, a bus connecting the memory with the bus masters, and a plurality of caches connected to the bus. An internal cache holds data selected solely on the basis of memory accesses by the host processor, a pre-fetch cache pre-fetches code from the memory, and a write buffer cache connected to the bus for buffering data written to the memory.

Abstract: The invention concerns using multiple computers to hold a conference. Under the invention, an application program can run on a single computer, yet remote participants can issue commands to the program. Remote participants can watch the program operate, because the invention replicates the display window of the running program onto the displays of the remote computers. Any participant can make annotations on the participant's own computer display. The invention copies the annotations to the displays of the other participants.

Abstract: The invention concerns using multiple computers to hold a conference. Under the invention, an application program can run on a single computer, yet remote participants can issue commands to the program. Remote participants can watch the program operate, because the invention replicates the display window of the running program onto the displays of the remote computers. Any participant can make annotations on the participant's own computer display. The invention copies the annotations to the displays of the other participants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using a passive telephone monitor to control collaborative systems comprising one or more local computers connected to one or more remote computers, wherein an image displayed on the local computer is substantially simultaneously displayed on the remote computer.

Abstract: The invention concerns placing an exploratory telephone call to a party, using a first telephone channel, in order to inquire whether the party wishes to hold a video conference. If the party does, the caller then actuates the invention, which establishes an initial video conference on a second data channel, without disrupting the existing telephone call. Then, after the video conference has been established, the exploratory telephone call is terminated, and the first channel is used to carry the video conference data, along with the second channel.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for managing resources, which can take the form of (a) computer-compatible information, such as data files and programs, and (b) non-computer-compatible information, such as data contained on microfiche, and (c) physical objects. The resources are located at geographically diverse sites. The invention contains a descriptive profile for each resource, and allows any user to search all profiles, and to search the profiles according to "fields" (a database term), such as by location of the resources, or by category of the resources. The user can order delivery of a selected resource, and the system causes delivery of the resource to be executed, irrespective of the form (eg, physical object) of the resource. The invention allows a provider of a new resource to limit access to the resource, by identifying users who are authorized to obtain access to the resource. Non-authorized users cannot obtain access to the profiles of these resources.