Abstract: A produce transaction system and method which is located in a produce section of a store. The produce transaction system includes a scale below a container in a produce section of a store, the container storing a single type of produce item, and a computer coupled to the scale for receiving a weight decrease signal from the scale when a customer removes an amount of the single type of produce item from the scale and for storing produce purchase information associated with the single type of produce item for later retrieval by a checkout computer.

Abstract: A method of providing secure authentication of a service user at a self-service terminal is described. The method comprises: detecting attempted access by the service user to a restricted function on the self-service terminal; ascertaining if a removable storage device is in communication with the self-service terminal; in the event that a removable storage device is not in communication with the self-service terminal, denying access to the restricted function; in the event that a removable storage device is in communication with the self-service terminal, prompting the service user to enter login credentials. The method further comprises comparing the entered login credentials with access details stored on the removable storage device; denying access to the restricted function if the entered login credentials do not comply with the access details; permitting access to the restricted function if the login credentials do comply with the access details; and storing details relating to the access.

Abstract: A method of generating a heartbeat signal for an application comprising one or more objects that may enter a halt state is described. The method comprises: sending a status request to a defined interface on each object; and monitoring responses to the status requests to ascertain if each object is operating normally or in a halt state. The method further comprises: generating an application valid signal in the event that each object is operating normally; transmitting the application valid signal, if generated, to a monitoring component independent of the application; and generating at the monitoring component a heartbeat valid signal in response to receipt of the application valid signal.

Abstract: A method of managing code-tracing data is described. The method comprises the steps of: receiving code-tracing data from an executing software component; adding the received code-tracing data to a log stored in temporary storage; detecting a property of the received code-tracing data; copying the log to non-volatile storage when the property matches a defined trigger property; and deleting contents of the log according to a caching policy when the property does not match a defined trigger property.

Abstract: A method of constructing a secure enclosure body is disclosed. The method comprises providing a molded plastic shell body incorporating a mesh reinforcement; coupling a mould to the molded plastic shell to define a cavity between the mould and the molded plastic shell; inserting concrete into the cavity; and removing the mould when the concrete has sufficiently set to provide a secure enclosure body.

Abstract: A method is provided of operating a card reader having a substantially planar delivery path which lies in a first plane and which extends between a mouth region of the card reader and a data reader portion of the card reader. The method comprises projecting light across the planar delivery path and in a second plane which is substantially parallel to the first plane, detecting light which has been projected across the planar delivery path and in the second plane which is substantially parallel to the first plane, and generating a signal which is indicative of a foreign object being disposed in the planar delivery path in response to the amount of detected light being attenuated.