Abstract: A client-server arrangement permits recruitment and control of client peripherals to be effected from the server side is described. A client server system has a server device, a client device, and a peripheral device. The client device is in communication with the server device. The peripheral device is in communication with the client device. The client device has a port server to convert data between an IP format and a non-IP format. The peripheral device exchanges data with the port server in the non-IP format. The server device includes a computational device to exchange data with the port server in the IP format.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for compiling a customer profile. A database that includes identification information for customers is maintained. Customers who physically visit a first entity are identified from the information maintained in the database. Some of those customers execute a transaction with the first entity and some of those customers do not execute a transaction with the first entity.

Abstract: A client-server arrangement permits recruitment and control of client peripherals to be effected from the server side is described. A client server system has a server device, a client device, and a peripheral device. The client device is in communication with the server device. The peripheral device is in communication with the client device. The client device has a port server to convert data between an IP format and a non-IP format. The peripheral device exchanges data with the port server in the non-IP format. The server device includes a computational device to exchange data with the port server in the IP format.

Abstract: A method and computer system are provided for interfacing between customers and independent service providers. Customer information and transaction data are collected for transactions that may be divided into at least two subsets, with transactions in each subset being initiated with transaction devices associated with a different independent service providers. For each transaction request, a determination is made which of the independent service providers should receive the transaction request, based on the collected customer information, and it is then transmitted to the determined independent service provider.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for authorizing a customer to perform transactions with a self-service device. A first set of biometric data regarding the customer is extracted from a verification instrument. A second set of biometric data is extracted directly from at least one feature of the customer. Textual data regarding the customer is extracted from the verification instrument. The first and second sets of biometric data are compared to determine whether they are derived from a single individual. If so, customer identification information is recorded.