Abstract: A self-service terminal (12) for connection to a network (30) is described. The terminal (12) has means for receiving payment from a user (58), such as a check deposit module and/or a cash receiving module. The terminal (12) also includes an electronic payment mechanism (82) for creating an electronic financial instrument for paying for an item purchased via the network (30). The electronic financial instrument created is independent of the payment from the user. The terminal (12) may use a credit card for the electronic financial instrument, and the terminal may have a credit card number associated with it, so that the terminal uses this credit card number as part of the electronic financial instrument. The terminal may be an ATM.

Abstract: A self-service terminal for reading wireless tags incorporated into media items is described. The terminal comprises a media acceptor for receiving media items, such as banknotes incorporating an RFID tag, and a wireless tag reader for reading received media items incorporating wireless tags. The terminal may also include a wireless tag reader for reading wireless tags in media items that are being transported to determine if multiple superimposed media items are present. The terminal may include a wireless tag reader for reading wireless tags in media items presented as a bunch, and subsequently retracted, to determine if any of the presented media items had been removed.

Abstract: A method is describe of predicting the probable future condition of one or more components within an apparatus comprising a plurality of sensors arranged to monitor the operation of components of the apparatus and a control means arranged to receive said information from said plurality of sensors. The method comprises receiving said sensor information; analyzing the information to ascertain sensor patterns from said sensor information; comparing said sensor patterns with detectors, which are predefined patterns, indicative of the future condition of said one or more components within the apparatus; and classifying said sensor patterns as being indicative of future failure of a component or not based upon a comparison of sensor patterns with said detectors.

Abstract: A self-service terminal, such as an automated teller machine (12), is described. The terminal (12) has a display (52), and includes means (44,84) for accessing a mobile portal (30), whereby the terminal (12) is operable to retrieve information adapted for viewing on a portable device, and to present at least some of the retrieved information to a user on the display (52). The terminal (12) may also include a printer (56) for providing a user with a printed version of some of the information presented on the display (52). A network of self-service terminals is also described.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and software are disclosed for configuring an ATM. The ATM receives one or more configuration messages in an XML-based format. The ATM interprets the one or more configuration messages. The ATM restricts one or more ATM operations based on at least a portion of the one or more configuration messages.

Abstract: A system for authenticating a document, D. A trusted party applies an algorithm to D, for example, by treating each byte of data within D as a number, and treating the numbers as inputs to the algorithm. The trusted party obtains a result from the algorithm, termed a Message Authentication Code, MAC. The trusted party gives a courier both (1) D and (2) the MAC, as by loading both into a portable computer carried by the courier. The courier delivers both D and MAC to a recipient, who is equipped with the identical algorithm. The recipient applies the algorithm to D. If the recipient obtains the MAC, the recipient concludes that no tampering of D occurred. The reason is that successful tampering requires the courier to replace MAC with a fabricated MAC(fab). MAC(fab) must possess the characteristic that the algorithm would produce MAC(fab) when applied to the tampered document D.

Abstract: A sensing arrangement (11) for sensing objects at a plurality of sensing sites (64) is described herein. In one embodiment the arrangement comprises: an imaging device (60) having an array of light-detecting elements; a light guide arrangement (62) extending from the sensing sites (64) to the imaging device (60); a mount (79) for maintaining the light guide arrangement (62) and the imaging device (60) in a fixed spatial relation so that each sensing site (64) illuminates a zone (60a,b) of different elements on the array; and a processor (72), in communication with the imaging device (60), for analyzing image data captured by each zone. A method of sensing an object is also described herein.

Abstract: An advertising terminal (12) and a network of advertising terminals are described. The advertising terminal may be an ATM (12b). The ATM (12b) comprises a transceiver (80) for wireless communication with portable devices (26,28) in the vicinity of the ATM (12b). The ATM (12b) is operable to create a profile of persons in the vicinity of the ATM (12b) by detecting portable devices such as PDAs (26) and cellphones (28) that have a wireless communications facility (26a,28a) and identifying the owners of the portable devices. The ATM is also operable to display an advertisement appropriate for the created profile of persons.

Abstract: A self-service terminal, such as an ATM (Automated Teller Machine). The ATM has a communication port for interfacing with a user's portable electronic device. The ATM is operable to receive a transaction authorization from the user's portable electronic device, to examine the transaction authorization, and to dispense an item to fulfil a requested transaction associated with the transaction authorization, without the terminal preparing an authorization request to a remote computer.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (14) is described The terminal is associated with an organization (18) having individuals (36) under its supervision, each individual having a sponsor, whereby the terminal provides the individuals with access to financial services provided by a financial institution in accordance with rules established by the sponsor and the organization. A method of providing financial transactions via a self-service terminal (14) is also described, the method comprising the steps of: maintaining a financial account for an organization, providing a self-service terminal in premises used by the organization, maintaining a financial account for an individual under the supervision of the organization, allowing a sponsor and/or the organization to establish rules governing use of the financial account by the individual, and only fulfilling a transaction requested by the individual at the terminal if the transaction is consistent with the established rules for that individual.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (10) is described. The terminal (10) includes a plurality of modules (14) arranged in a network (16) so that the modules are operable to communicate using the network (16). Each module (14) has storage means (34) for storing data and cipher means (32) for encrypting and decrypting communications, whereby the cipher means (32) is operable to encrypt data prior to sending or receiving a communication, and subsequently to decrypt a received encrypted communication by applying a Boolean function to the encrypted data and to the received encrypted communication. A module (14) for use in an SST (10) and a method of encrypting a communication for transmission between interconnected modules (14) in a self-service terminal (10) are also described.

Abstract: A process is defined by HTML pages (406 to 408) called and executed by a browser control. Operations are implemented via dynamically linked operational objects (441) that are called by a control object (417) and a called object may return an event back to the calling control object (417). The HTML pages are selectively displayed and executed by a controlled browser (407) that is itself controlled by a controlling container object (410). Active control objects (411 to 417) for calling the operational objects (411) are contained within the container object (410). A single passthrough object (431) is created and each of the HTML pages includes a page embedded control object (423). An initiating object within a page calls its embedded object. An initiating embedded object (423) calls the passthrough object (431) and passes to the passthrough object output information detailing a desired call to a specified operational object (441).

Abstract: A system and method for providing a receipt (20) to a user involving receiving at a host terminal receipt information from a point of sale or self-service terminal, and using this to create an image of a receipt (20). This can be done in any suitable image format or layout. The receipt image (20) is then included in a customer bank or account statement (18), together with conventional statement information (22).

Abstract: A self-service terminal (14 or 114 or 214) and a system (10, 100, 200) including a plurality of networked self-service terminals are described. Each terminal (14, 114, 214) has a simple user interface. In one type of terminal (114 or 214), the user interface consists of a dispense area. In another type of terminal (14), the user interface consists of a dispense area (40) and a communication port (38). In one of the systems (10) a user is able to execute a transaction using a portable communication device (24 or 26) implementing a local wireless technology. In the other systems (100 or 200) a user is able to execute a transaction using a cellular network.

Abstract: A method of validating machine components in a self-service terminal is disclosed which comprises providing at least one machine component with a machine readable identifier and reading identity data from the machine readable identifier using a processing unit. The identity data is compared with identity data stored in the memory of the processing unit to determine if the identity of a component has changed. If the identity has changed, the processing unit compares the identity data with source data to determine if the component is from a trusted source. In one embodiment, the self service terminal is an ATM and the components are an encrypting Personal Identification Number (PIN) pad, a cash dispenser unit and a card reader.

Abstract: A communications network can comprise a plurality of network sites, to each of which a transaction terminal, a maintenance terminal, or a server may be connected. Each transaction terminal (which may be an ATM or a point-of-sale terminal) may have at least one service element, such as a card transport or currency bin, which is to be maintained in operation. Intelligent agent programs may move between terminals collecting information from or imparting information to each terminal visited. The information that is collected or imparted may be used for facilitating efficient servicing or maintenance of the transaction terminals.

Abstract: A portable terminal (10) for encrypting information is described. The terminal (10) generates a new key for each transaction, where the new key is generated using one or more properties of the terminal (10). The one or more properties are variable and may include the history of usage of the terminal, and/or the date and time settings. The terminal (10) may generate a unique challenge in addition to the new key so that a unique challenge can be issued for each transaction. A method of encrypting information in a portable terminal, a method of communicating encrypted information between a portable terminal and a self-service terminal, and a transaction system comprising a self-service terminal (52) and a portable terminal (10) are also described.

Abstract: A self-service terminal includes at least one electromechanical hardware component (e.g., a display monitor, a card reader, a cash dispenser, a cash acceptor, and a statement printer) configured to interact physically with a human user of the self-service terminal as the user engages in a financial transaction between the user and a financial-services institution. A self-service component is configured to control operation of the electromechanical hardware component as the electromechanical hardware component interacts physically with the user during the financial transaction, and a client component is configured to interact with the electromechanical hardware component at least once while the financial transaction is in progress.

Abstract: A self-service terminal system (10) is described. The system (10) has a plurality of terminals (14 or 214), each terminal comprising a user interface (30) and a terminal application (38) for controlling the user interface (30). Each terminal (14 or 214) has a link (16) to a remote server (12 or 212) storing a server application (104 or 260) for issuing to the terminal application (38) requests for using the user interface (30). A user of one of the terminals (14 or 214) is able to access the server application (104 or 260) from the terminal (14 or 214). The server application (104 or 260) is able to use one or more of the facilities (50, 56, 58) provided by the user interface (30). Each terminal is operable to select between presenting the terminal application or the server application to a user. A method of hosting a third party application on a self-service terminal is also described.

Abstract: A process for correcting bank checks which are in transit to destination banks in a check clearing process. Specific patterns of errors in the MICR lines on the checks are sought and, if they are found, a technician is prompted to correct the MICR line. In addition, a display is generated which (1) is convenient for technicians to view for extended periods of time and (2) provides assistance to the technicians in making the corrections.