Abstract: A vote verification system and method which provides assurance to voters that their votes were processed. The system includes a computer including a reader, wherein the computer is for reading machine-readable information on a receipt containing both the machine-readable information and human-readable information as the voter presents the receipt to the reader, obtaining identifying information associated with a ballot of the voter, and providing the identifying information so that a voter may compare the identifying information to the human-readable information on the receipt.

Abstract: Barcode scanner including a multitasking pattern mirror which allows the size of a scanner to be reduced without decreasing performance. The bar code scanner includes a laser for producing a laser beam, a mirrored spinner for reflecting the laser beam, and a plurality of pattern mirrors for directing the laser beam from the mirrored spinner to produce a scan pattern. The multitasking pattern mirror additionally directs the laser beam from the laser to the mirrored spinner.

Abstract: A method of setting a key mapping used to generate key information from a keyboard responsive to manipulation of a key on the keyboard is described. A connected keyboard device having a programmable component is detected. A keyboard map usage corresponding to the detected keyboard device is determined. The keyboard map usage is transmitted to the programmable component of the keyboard device replacing a default keyboard map usage on the programmable component. The transmitted keyboard map usage may include a key matrix usage, a key matrix usage and a key matrix offset, or a plurality of key matrix usages. The keyboard map usage may remap one, some, or all of the keys on the keyboard. A corresponding keyboard, computer readable medium, and computer system for use with the present invention are also described.

Abstract: A bar code reader which includes an image display system to more effectively promote retailers and their products. The bar code reader includes a housing portion and an image display system in the housing portion. An example bar code reader includes a dual-aperture bar code reader with a first housing portion containing a substantially horizontal aperture through which first scanning light beams pass for scanning an item, and a second housing portion vertically extending from a checkout counter containing a substantially vertical aperture through which second scanning light beams pass for scanning the item. The second housing portion includes a surface visible to the customer and an image display system in the surface.

Abstract: Paper sheets or the like inserted in a bundled state from the outside are conveyed in that state to an advancing section. Then, the paper sheets or the like, advanced on sheet by sheet basis from the advancing section, are conveyed to temporary holding section and received there. The reception of the paper sheets or the like, received in the temporary holding section in a stacked manner, is made by conveying them in a bundled state from the advancing section and advancing them on sheet by sheet basis.

Abstract: A method of creating an image replacement document (IRD) for use in a check truncation environment comprises building a print file having a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) portion and a non-MICR portion based upon IRD data, printing with non-magnetic ink a front portion of the IRD based upon the non-MICR portion of the print file, printing with non-magnetic ink a machine-readable code onto at least one of the front and back portions of the IRD, reading the machine-readable code from the at least one of the front and back portions of the IRD, and printing with magnetic ink an encoded MICR codeline onto at least one of the front and back portions of the IRD based upon the machine-readable code.

Abstract: A papers feeding device, comprising first and second feeding units 10 and 20 in which pickup rollers 12 and 22 are mounted on two or more independent shafts 11 and 21 disposed on the right and left sides of the device to be orthogonal to the carrying direction of papers P. The pickup rollers 10 and 20 are vertically moved independently while following up the height position of the uppermost surface of the piled papers P. The first and second feeding units 10 and 20 are connected by a plate elastic support member 70. The device also comprises a single optical sensor 72 for detecting the height position at the center of the elastic support member 70. The contact state of the pickup rollers 12 and 22 with the papers P is detected based on signals detected by the optical sensor 72.

Abstract: The present inventions are a paper skew correcting device and a bill depositing/dispensing apparatus. The paper skew correcting device comprises first and second driving rollers 21 and 22 disposed on the left and right sides of a conveying route for paper 2 and first and second driven rollers 23 and 24 with narrow contact faces placed opposite to the first and second driving rollers 21 and 22 via the conveying route. The second driving roller 22 is formed in a tapered roller with a tapered outer peripheral surface and its rotation shaft 22a is provided aslant so that the contact part of the tapered roller is almost parallel with the conveying route. The second driven roller 24, corresponding to the second driving roller 22, is laterally moved according to the skew angle of the conveyed paper 2 so as to change its contact position with the second driving roller 22 so that the feeding speed of the right side of the paper 2 can be accelerated or decelerated to correct the skew paper.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for performing data mining applications in a relational database management system (114). Scalable Data Mining Functions (202) are performed directly against a relational database (116) by executing queries dynamically generated by an application programming interface (204) according to requested parameters.

Abstract: A shopping system and method which reduces resources necessary for completing transactions. The shopping system includes an item recording computer for recording item identification information associated with an item selected for purchase by a shopper in a store, for recording identifying information about the shopper from an RFID identifier carried by the shopper, and for storing the item identification information in a data file associated with the identifying information of the shopper.

Abstract: A method of downloading or uploading data via a client-server communications network, which network comprises a plurality of clients (A, B, 8, 9, 10) each having a local cache storing data downloaded via the network. The method comprises responding to a data request made to the network by a first client (A, 8) by uploading data from the cache of a second client (B, 9, 10) and transmitting that data across the network to the first client (A, 8). Also disclosed are client-server networks operating in accordance with the method and to the related servers (3), client terminals (A, B, 8, 9, 10), browsers loaded on client terminals, and plug-ins for such terminals and browsers.

Abstract: A stack of alternating sheets includes repeating diecuts offset among the sheets. The sheets may be made from a continuous web using a die to cut the repeating diecuts along the running axis of the web. Individual sheets are cut from the web and stacked with the diecuts offset from each other in turn. The stack of sheets may be loaded into a printer and fed individually therethrough, with the offset diecuts preventing interlocking therebetween.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (SST), such as an ATM includes apparatus for producing images containing instructions for users of the terminal, and an arrangement for projecting the images onto a screen forming part of a terminal user interface.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus is presented that provides advertising transmitted from a business to prospective customers that are proximate the business premises via a short-range wireless transmission protocol receivable by personal devices enabled with the short-range wireless transmission protocol. Preferably, the personal devices are already enabled with the short-range wireless transmission protocol. As well, the short-range wireless transmission protocol is preferably Bluetooth™. The advertising may be either only one-way from the business or may be interactive (two-way) between the business and a prospective customer. In the one-way transmission mode, the personal device only receives the advertisement. The advertisement is preferably automatically received and played on the personal device. In the interactive or two-way mode, the personal device not only receives the advertisement, the personal device is able to interact with or respond to the advertisement.

Abstract: A method of identifying items for checkout that improves checkout speed. The method includes obtaining first item identification information from RFID labels on grouped first items, obtaining second item identification information from bar code labels on ungrouped second items, determining prices of the first and second items from the first and second item identification information, and processing payment for the first and second items.

Abstract: An electronic price label (ESL) system for performing recurring ESL transactions which occur in a periodic fashion. In one aspect, an ESL manager records and schedules messages to the ESL. When a transaction request directed to an ESL is created or issued by a client application, multiple pieces of information may be provided by that client to the ESL manager, indicating what action is to be taken. To allow for the scheduling of recurring transactions, recurrence information for the transaction may also be specified by the client application. The recurrence information may include a start date and time, and a recurrence period. After the transaction has been processed, the ESL manager looks at the recurrence period and if the recurrence period is a non-zero value, the ESL manager adds the recurrence period to the start date and time to generate a new start date and time.

Abstract: Various forms of a signature capture terminal provide added flexibility, and easier access or use by disabled individuals. The signature capture terminal provides audio feedback to the user in response to user input. The audio feedback may take various forms such as secure audio, text-to-speech, and/or touchtone. User input may be entry of a PIN, a signature, or other data. In one form, input to the signature capture terminal is accomplished via a disability access device. The disability access device may be an overlay, a configured access card, or a specially adapted input terminal.

Abstract: The Lane and Front-end Effectiveness Model (LFEM) is a self-contained PC desktop application that allows an analyst to quantitatively predict the impact of changes to their checkout operations. This application, according to the present invention, includes four simulation models representing the complex interactions between customers, staff, and checkstand resources. Three of these models are detailed lane models and the fourth is a store front-end checkout model. An analyst can use the LFEM to evaluate, in detail, different checkstand configurations and transaction processes and the effect these changes have on overall front-end performance. The purpose of this application is to provide retailers with timely information to reduce the risk and uncertainties of investing in new technologies or design changes by predicting their impact and return before committing resources to their acquisition or implementation.

Abstract: An optical scanner includes a scanner housing including a scan window, a laser light source, reflected light detector and a mirrored polygon spinner. The spinner is arranged to spin around both a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation so as to produce a substantially hemispherical scan volume.

Abstract: A self-service terminal has a wireless communication port for communicating with a user's portable electronic device. The self-service terminal loads an executable transaction application program via the wireless communication port to a user's portable electronic device when the user's portable electronic device moves into the vicinity of the wireless communication port. The self-service terminal receives transactional data from a user's portable electronic device when an executable transaction application program which has been loaded to the user's portable electronic device is executed.