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.

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

Abstract: A portable credit card reader. A portable terminal reads a credit card, and accepts a keyed-in monetary amount. The terminal communicates with a credit card verification service, which accepts or rejects the monetary amount. The communication is done in a wireless manner. The terminal is self-teaching, allowing persons unfamiliar with its operation to successfully execute a credit card transaction without previous training.

Abstract: A plinth is disclosed for the support of an attached object. The plinth has a fixing portion for embedding into a secure foundation. The plinth also has a base plate for support of the object, through support means, which are arranged to crumple under an impact, without the object becoming detached from the plinth.

Abstract: A system and method for depositing a cheque at a self-service terminal such as an automated teller machine. The method comprises the steps of: transporting the cheque from an entrance slot to a process zone; determining whether to accept or reject the document; and electronically acquiring an image of the document. Thereupon the system identifies an electronic or telecommunications address of a device associated with the user; and in the event of accepting the document, transmits the acquired image of the cheque to the device address.

Abstract: A card reader for reading magnetic stripe cards which are manually inserted, and withdrawn, by a user. The card is constrained to follow a path which displaces the card laterally while the card is outside the reader, and before the magnetic stripe reaches a magnetic sensor within the reader. The lateral displacement prevents an illicit magnetic sensor, positioned externally to the reader by a hacker, from reading the magnetic stripe, since the stripe is moving in an incorrect direction while the card is external to the reader.

Abstract: A self service terminal comprises a keyboard including a plurality of separate, individually operable keys having user engageable surfaces. Each key includes a display having an image thereon which is produced by electronic ink. The terminal further comprises a central processing unit (CPU) connected to the keyboard and arranged to control each display to control the image displayed by each respective display.

Abstract: A method of operating Automated Teller Machines, ATMs. An ATM dispenses currency, thereby depleting its supply, and requiring replenishment. Replenishment currently involves humans who (1) measure the currency content of an ATM, (2) compute an amount to be replenished, and (3) report the amounts replenished, when replenishment occurs. These human actions are error-prone. The invention eliminates all three steps. Under the invention, no actual measurement is made of currency content, for replenishment purposes. Instead, the content is estimated. Then, the estimate is used to compute an amount for replenishment. Replenishment occurs, but the fact of replenishment is inferred from signals received from the ATM, and not from a report from a human.

Abstract: A new dispersion managed soliton transmission system where the D map period is the same as the amplifier period and the pulse breathing the in the +D sections of the D maps is approximately symmetrical. Pulse breathing symmetry by one or both of two techniques. In one technique a guiding filter is placed at the beginning of the D map period such that the guiding filter reduces the bandwidth of soliton pulses passing through it by a minimum amount. Consequently, pulse breathing symmetry is restored. The path average pulse energy vs. D behavior of solitons propagating through the D map is changed such that (1) solitons of modest bandwidths have adequate energy at or near D=to provide for error-free transmission over transoceanic distances at or near D=0, and (2) such that the path average pulse energy is nearly independent of D, at or near D=0 for solitons of various pulse widths. The transmission system having this D map is much more tolerant of variations in D and pulse width than the prior art.

Abstract: Methods of storing and decrypting biometrics templates on a terminal network are described. A biometrics template 14 is encrypted 18 using a key 16, and the key 16 is then divided into a number of key shares 20. The encrypted template 18, a key share 20, and a user identifier 22 are then combined to give an identification string 24. A number of strings 24 are then stored on separate terminals 26 of a terminal network 28. To decrypt the template 14, a user offers their identifier 22 to a terminal 26. The required number of identification strings 24 having that identifier 22 are retrieved from their respective terminals 26 on the network 28, and the key shares 20 combined to generate a key 16 which is then used to decrypt the template 14. The decrypted template 14 may then be used to verify the identity of the user. Using the present method, neither the unencrypted template nor the complete decryption key are transferred across the network, so improving security.

Abstract: A system comprises an acoustic coupling product label (20) for mounting on a product to be serviced. The label (20) includes a memory (23) for storing information relating to the product to be serviced, control means (29) for controlling the flow of data from the label (20), an activation switch (22), and an acoustic transducer that emits tones corresponding to said product information. The system further includes a telephone (30) and a computerized product support system (50), which collects and interprets the information provided by the label (20). The control means (29) is arranged to control the flow of data from the label (20) to the system (50) at a rate and time required by the system (50).

Abstract: A self-service machine, such as an automated teller machine (70), that includes a plurality of vacuum pick mechanisms (10) for picking media (12), such as banknotes, each vacuum pick mechanism (10) including a pump (18), a pickline (20) connected the pump, a drive mechanism for moving the pickline (20) between a media pick position and a media release position, and a motor (33) for driving both the pump (18) and the drive mechanism.

Abstract: A sensing arrangement (12) is described. The arrangement comprises: a moveable object (80) including a plurality of marker portions (112) disposed in a calibrated configuration, each marker portion (112) being capable of emitting light in response to stimulation. The arrangement also includes a light source (42) directed towards the marker portions (112) and for causing light emission therefrom. An imaging device (44) is directed towards the marker portions (112) and includes an array of light-detecting elements for sensing light emitted from the marker portions (112) to generate image data. A processor (52), in communication with the imaging device (44), analyses image data received from the imaging device (44) to determine the location of the moveable object (80) based on the calibrated configuration.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (10) having a simplified user interface (20). The user interface (20) contains a plurality of indicators (28) for entering data, where each indicator (28) has a unique attribute, such as size, shape, color, surface texture, or the like. Each indicator is associated with a pre-defined transaction, so that a user may execute a desired transaction by selecting a single indicator (28). A method of executing a transaction is also described.

Abstract: A software development system. An inventory of software modules is maintained. When a given system is to be assembled, modules from the inventory are selected for that system. In addition, modules not contained in the inventory are developed specifically for that system, and included in the system.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (SST) (10) for interaction with vehicle-based users includes a projection unit 36 which projects an image onto a vehicle windscreen. The image may include instructions or options for the user, or other information. In one embodiment, the SST also includes a sensor unit (38) which detects an action performed by the user on an area of the projected image. The actions are interpreted into instructions for a processor (34), which may then instruct the SST (10) to perform the appropriate action. The SST may also include a non-contact user identification means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to determining the validity of a transaction of a data processing system such as the validity of a financial transaction carried out at an automatic teller machine (10) which has a magnetic card reader. In addition to the entry of a PIN, a user of the system is requested to enter personal information that has been nominated by the user and may consist of a date of birth and a telephone number. A keypad (16) allows the user to enter the PIN. The user is also requested to enter digits from the personal information to be checked against stored security data so that the level of security can be enhanced. A data processing unit of the system is programmed to cause further requests for digits from the personal information in the event that errors are made in the data entry.

Abstract: An instrumentation system for a database. A database management system contains instrumentation code which monitors behavior of the system, and stores parameters indicative of the behavior. Those stored parameters are copied into a second database, which is organized according to the same schema as the database itself. Both databases are searchable using the same query language, so that a system administrator can locate (1) data within the database and (2) diagnostic information about the system using a single search tool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to advertising over a communications network comprising a plurality of interactive client subscriber sites interconnected with an advertising information server site. The attributes of a plurality of customers are stored in the form of customer attribute vectors ck. The attributes of one or more role models are stored in the form of one or more role model attribute vectors ij. A marketing function M is defined which maps the customer attribute vectors to the one or more role model attribute vectors such that ij=M(ck). At the interface advertising information server site interactive advertising displays are provided incorporating the one or more role models. An interactive communication link is established from the customer subscriber sites to the advertising information server site enabling customers to access the displays and to make purchases in response to the displays. The marketing function M is updated in dependence upon the customer purchases.

Abstract: A video conferencing system. In a type of conferencing known as “synchronized browsing,” several computers download a common web page from a public-access, packet-switched network, such as the Internet. Software in a first computer informs the other computers how the first computer is navigating through the web page, and sends the other computers data which enables them to navigate the same path, so that all computers navigate in synchrony, and display the same sequence of images. Under the invention, while such a web page is being navigated by such computers, software observes one of them, and looks for the event of scrolling (as opposed to navigation). When scrolling is detected, its termination is awaited. When termination occurs, the invention tells the other computers which part of the page is currently being displayed, so that the others can navigate to that part and also display it.