Abstract: A system for routing data packets in a packet network. Packets are classified as either type-1 or type-2. Each type is routed to its destination on a smallest-delay path. However, each type can experience a different time delay between nodes in the network. Thus, the smallest-delay path for a type-1 packet may be different from that for a type-2 packet, even if the origin and destination of both types are the same. Further, these time delays can change. The invention monitors the changes, and continually identifies the smallest-delay paths for the packets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for flagging the position of manually usable means (11,14) in a manually operable device (10). In order to guide a user to the location of manually usable means (11,14) which require to be manually actuated or to on or from which items require to manually entered or removed, the invention provides an air supply (17) and one or more nozzles connected to the air supply (17) to provide one or more jets of air. The nozzles (16) are stationed and directed such that a user of the device (10) can sense the position and direction of the air jet or jets so as to find the position of the manually usable means (11,14). The invention can be used to help those who may have a visual impairment to operate an automatic teller machine. The different areas of the machine can be found from air jets which come from the nozzles (16) stationed at the different areas of the machine, such areas including a card entry slot (11), a keyboard (14) and a cash dispensing slot (13).

Abstract: A remote conferencing system. Prior to a conference, visual images are distributed to computers of conference participants. Also, conference participants are supplied with pictures of all other participants. During the conference, one participant, a leader, periodically issues selection signals to all computers, causing them all to select one of the distributed images, and display it. In addition, the participants hold a telephone conference while viewing the images. The selection signals and the telephone conference are carried by a single voice-grade telephone channel.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a secure data processing method and system in which the user or operator of the system can trust that all of the software and hardware components of the system have been authenticated. The invention provides a data processing system in which there is a central processor unit, memory and a security circuit in the form of an application specific integrated circuit. The security circuit has a cryptographic engine and a cryptographic key store. The cryptographic engine operates on the contents of the cryptographic key store to generate a digital signature. Means are provided to generate a digital signature from a software or hardware component to be checked for authenticity and to compare the digital signature from the component with the generated digital signature. An indication of the authenticity of the component is generated as a result of the comparison.

Abstract: A currency note storage device (10) for an ATM (50) comprises an endless rubber belt (12) carrying a multiplicity of outwardly-projecting flaps (22), the edges of the flaps attached to the belt being contiguous; the belt (12) runs around a pair of rollers (14,16) of such diameter that as the belt runs over them, the outer edges of the flaps are spread apart to form slots; the belt also runs around a pair of guides (18,20) of such diameter that as the belt runs over them the flaps are barely spaced apart. The number of slots is known, and therefore each slot is addressable; the processor (62) of the ATM (50) records the value of the currency note in a slot, and controls a stepper motor (66) to drive the belt (12) so that a required bank note (34) is positioned adjacent a pick device (38). The device (10) can also be used to deposit currency notes in an ATM.

Abstract: A housing for a portable electronic device which produces output on a display. The display is rotatable with respect to the housing, about a pivot. A video camera is located at the pivot, and the display rotates about it.

Abstract: An automated teller machine (ATM) 10 is provided with a reader/writer 28 for a flex disc 34. The ATM can be operated to download a receipt or a ministatement to a flex disc inserted by a cardholder, and the information can be encrypted or compressed. The flex disc can be preloaded with an instruction by a home PC, and the instruction can be encrypted.

Abstract: A reporting system for a computer network. A server in the computer network monitors error status of various components within the network. When the error status indicates that human intervention is required, the server contacts a system manager, through a cellular telephone network. The server delivers a message indicating the error status to the manager, as by a synthesized speech message which describes the status.

Abstract: A belt (28) is moved into contact with a sheet (70) to be fed from the stack (18) under the control of a solenoid (48), which when energized causes pivoting of a crank mechanism (42) and an pulley (26) which supports the belt (28). The belt (28) frictionally engages the sheet (70) as to separate it from the stack (18) and move it into engagement with feed rollers (56) of a transport mechanism. The belt (28) is then retracted from the sheet (70) which is moved away from the stack (18) by the feed rollers (56). After a predetermined time period, the belt (28) is moved into contact with the next sheet of the stack (18) to be fed and the process is repeated until the desired number of sheets have been fed from the stack (18). The belt (28) is driven so that it rotates continuously during the pick operation and is brought to rest on retraction of the belt (28) after the final sheet has been picked from the stack (18).

Abstract: A system for detecting the passage of superposed notes along a feed path. The system includes a sensing station (12) through which the feed path passes and which has a filament lamp (48) and an optical sensor (50). The magnitude of an output signal of the optical sensor is dependent on the intensity of the received light. A microcontroller (52) establishes a threshold value of the output signal by setting the intensity of light emitted from the lamp, when there is no note in the sensing station, to a first level. A pulse width modulator (56) increases the intensity of emitted light from the first level to a second level so that when there is one note present at the sensing station the output signal is above the threshold level. The intensity of emitted light is maintained at the second level whereby superposed notes cause a substantial fall in the output signal of the optical sensor. The microcontroller monitors the output signal to detect this.

Abstract: Document transport apparatus (10) includes at least one pair of cooperating rollers (20A, 20B) for engaging documents therebetween and for defining a first stage (18) of a document transport path (16) for movement of documents therealong, the first stage (18) also being defined by at least one pair of tapes (28A, 28B) arranged such that one tape (28A) at least overlaps the other tape (28B) and such that documents are moved therebetween and relative thereto by the cooperating rollers (20A, 20B).

Abstract: A system for booting a multi-processor computer. If a normal boot attempt fails, different processors are selected, one-at-a-time, for performing the boot routine. During the boot routing, all other processors are held inactive. After boot, processors are tested for health. Non-healthy processors are held inactive, and healthy processors are activated as usual.

Abstract: A controller for residential telephone wiring. Apparatus associated with the controller provides multiple communication channels on ordinary residential telephone wiring. The controller (1) routes incoming calls to a selected telephonic device within the residence, (2) routes outgoing calls to a free external line servicing the residence, and (3) routes calls within the residence from one telephonic device to another.

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 system of ATMs wherein a customer can execute a complex transaction in stages, at different times, and perhaps at different ATMs. Considering a loan application as an example, a customer can supply part of the information required by the loan application at one ATM, and can supply other information at a later time, at the same, or another, ATM. While the customer is present at any ATM, or afterward, the invention undertakes processing required by the loan application, such as ordering credit reports.

Abstract: A system for prioritizing Input/Output tasks in a computer. The tasks are assigned ranks. When a task is running on the computer, incoming tasks are placed into a queue, in rank order. If the highest-ranking task within the queue outranks the running task, the running task is suspended, and that highest-ranking task is run instead. When that task finishes running, the next-ranking task is run, and so on.

Abstract: A graphical interface for generating configuration files. Many computer programs require configuration files. These files specify parameters which the program will use. One example of a parameter is the resolution of a video display, which the program will use to display output. The invention provides a graphical interface which allows a user to select parameters from menus, and test the generated configuration file. In one form of the invention, speech synthesis of break-out instructions are provided during testing.

Abstract: A clock for digital devices. Ordinarily, when multiple digital devices are clocked by a common clock, the clock signals frequently arrive at the digital devices at different times, due to propagation delays. The devices are thus not clocked synchronously. Under the invention, the multiple devices are connected to a common transmission line. A standing wave is generated on the transmission line, and the periodic collapse of the standing wave is used to clock the devices. Synchronous clocking to within about 1.0 nano-seconds has been attained, in a transmission line about ten feet long, wherein a clock signal ordinarily takes about 15 nanoseconds to travel from one end to the other.

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 self-service deposit terminal (10) for bank notes is arranged to validate the notes. If any notes are deemed invalid then either the invalid notes are diverted from going to a collection means (42) for valid notes, or else the whole deposit is diverted. The diverted notes are bound together, reference details are printed on the bound notes, and the bundle is deposited in a rejection bin (74). The bundle is later compared with the deposit details printed out on a journal printer (72) to identify the user. The total value of the deposit can then be added to the user's account.