Patents Assigned to NCR
  • Patent number: 7548879
    Abstract: Convenience Store Effectiveness Model (CSEM) is a self-contained PC application to quantitatively predict operational and financial impact of changes to Convenience Store (CStore) and Financial Services Center (FSC) operations. CSEM includes Simulation Analysis Module and Financial Analysis Module. Simulation Analysis Module includes FSC model and CStore model. CStore model predicts the effect of an unlimited number of changes in store design, customer demand patterns, and checkout procedures on store performance. Financial Analysis Module creates a Profit and Loss (P&L) statement showing cash flows, Net Present Value (NPV), and Internal Rate of Return (IRR) for deploying FSCs using simulation results or user input values. An analyst can use CSEM to provide a sound and quantified basis for developing a business case for investing in new technologies, i.e., FSC, or other design and procedure changes in a convenience store environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Charles Robert Cash, William Douglas Poynter, Phinsuda Tarmy
  • Patent number: 7545816
    Abstract: A communications network can comprise a plurality of network sites, to each of which a transaction terminal, a maintenance terminal, or a server may be connected. Each transaction terminal (which may be an ATM or a point-of-sale terminal) may have at least one service element, such as a card transport or currency bin, which is to be maintained in operation. Intelligent agent programs may move between terminals collecting information from or imparting information to each terminal visited. The information that is collected or imparted may be used for facilitating efficient servicing or maintenance of the transaction terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Coutts, Lee G. Dove
  • Patent number: 7543816
    Abstract: A stacker wheel is described which has two different types of slots defined by the tines. The first type of slot has an end which is positioned closer to the centre of the stacker wheel than the second type of slot such that the first type of slot can hold media closer to the centre of the stacker wheel than the second type of slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Roy A. Crerar
  • Patent number: 7546300
    Abstract: A system implementing secure access to management information, the system (96) comprising: an open management service (64) including an open management application programming interface (92); a managed object (18,30,50,66) generating management information; and an object interface (68,74) for (i) receiving management information from the object, (ii) converting the received management information into a format accessible to the open management service, and (iii) providing the management information to the open management service (64) in response to a valid request from a client (80). The system further comprises an authorization component (74a) for verifying an access code (86) associated with the request to determine if the client (80) is authorized to issue the request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon D. Chisholm, Richard A. Han, Andrew Monaghan
  • Patent number: 7545930
    Abstract: A portable terminal (10) for encrypting information is described. The terminal (10) generates a new key for each transaction, where the new key is generated using one or more properties of the terminal (10). The one or more properties are variable and may include the history of usage of the terminal, and/or the date and time settings. The terminal (10) may generate a unique challenge in addition to the new key so that a unique challenge can be issued for each transaction. A method of encrypting information in a portable terminal, a method of communicating encrypted information between a portable terminal and a self-service terminal, and a transaction system comprising a self-service terminal (52) and a portable terminal (10) are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Adrian Shields
  • Patent number: 7545960
    Abstract: A biometric system for obtaining a biometric enrolment measurement is described. The system comprises a biometric capture unit for capturing biometric data from a user and a control means for producing a biometric match template there from. The control means also analyses the template to determine if the enrolment measurement may be susceptible to allowing false acceptances when in use. This is achieved by using the match template to verify against a number test templates, which have been created from earlier acquired biometric measurements, of the same class, obtained from other sources. If one or more false accepts are detected the enrolment measurement may be rejected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Coutts
  • Patent number: 7546274
    Abstract: A method and system facilitate an electronic commerce transaction between an ATM and an electronic commerce merchant via a global communications network. Transaction data is received at a server and verified with a processing network. The transaction data is reformatted, such that the data can be utilized by a server located on a global communications network, and transmitted over the global communications network to the servers of an electronic commerce merchant. Data is then received from the merchant, reformatted into a format that is capable of being utilized by the ATM, and transmitted back to the ATM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Fraser R Ingram, Craig N MacCallum, Gary T Neilson, Bryan Vincent Galvin, Anne Marie Milne, Craig William Strachan, Alexander Ogilvie, Alexander John Haddow, Daniel G Cohen, Shami J Patel
  • Patent number: 7533799
    Abstract: A self-service checkout terminal includes a scanner and a weight scale. The customer passes each item past the scanner to identify the item and obtain weight data for that item from a centralized database, including a mean weight and a standard deviation. An error value is calculated from the measured weight of each item and the weight data. The error value of all items scanned during the common transaction are summed to produce an accumulated error for the particular weight scale during that transaction. This accumulated error is compared to a threshold value to determine whether a fault condition exists at the weight scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas V. Edwards
  • Patent number: 7533127
    Abstract: A system and method of managing data for electronic price label overlays which automates printing of new and changed overlays. The method determines electronic price label information and price look-up file descriptions that have been added or changed for particular electronic price labels. Additions and changes in overlay data are marked and identified by the marks to create a print data file. Alternatively, additions and changes are identified by a comparison of a first file with a second file containing the additions and changes. The system includes a number of storage media for storing the PLU file and the EPL data file, and a computer which determines a change in the PLU file or the EPL data file and which creates the print file for printing an overlay for the change in the PLU file and EPL data file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Terry Lee Zimmerman, John C. Goodwin, III, Scott A Bitner, Christopher M Haynes, Gregory H. Campbell, Kelly S. Harrelson
  • Patent number: 7533113
    Abstract: A computer implemented method of and apparatus for collecting and managing customer related information within an E-Business customer relationship management system. The customer relationship management system includes a database in which customer-related information, as well as privacy policy and privacy consent information governing the collection and use of customer related information, is stored and organized. The database includes tables containing privacy consent default values for customers of the E-Business retailer high-level privacy consent values selected by the customers; specific privacy consent values selected by the customers for a plurality of privacy categories defined by the Platform for Privacy Preference (P3P); and privacy consent values selected by the customers for different customer addresses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corp.
    Inventor: Sylvie Feghali Haddad
  • Patent number: 7531224
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a two-sided thermal transfer ribbon comprising a substrate having a first side and a second side, opposite the first side, and respective first and second thermal transfer coatings supported on the respective first and second sides is provided. In further embodiments, the first thermal transfer coating is adapted to transfer to print media when heated to a first temperature, and the second thermal transfer coating is adapted to transfer to print media when heated to a second temperature different from the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy W. Rawlings, Mark E. Keeton
  • Publication number: 20090108067
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for bar code scanner management and communication. A bar code scanner is equipped to support the use of universal serial bus (USB) devices as clients. The scanner controls and communicates with external devices. For example, a removable storage device, such as a universal serial bus (USB) drive is loaded with instructions to be recognized and executed by the scanner upon connection of the storage device to a scanner USB port. The instructions may be prepared at a workstation presenting applications for constructing elements for performing various operations, such as updating configuration settings, upgrading scanner firmware, diagnostics, and data collection. A set of instructions, which may take the form of a disk image, for performing specified operations is prepared and transferred to the removable device, or created directly on the device. Upon connection of the device to a scanner, the scanner reads and executes the instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: John Peter Roquemore
  • Patent number: 7522916
    Abstract: A method of providing information to a user at a remote terminal (12) is described. The method comprises the steps of: receiving from the remote terminal (12) status information relating to an irregularity in the remote terminal; determining from the status information what action may be required to resolve the irregularity; identifying an agent capable of performing the action; transmitting the status information to a portable device (50) associated with the agent to inform the agent of the irregularity; and allowing the portable device (50) to access a repository containing operational information for presentation to the agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Mark M. Grossi, Martin R. Smith
  • Patent number: 7522759
    Abstract: A self-service terminal (10) comprises: a fascia (12) having a note entry/exit slot (56); and a note processing module (60) for processing notes deposited via the slot. The note processing module (60) includes a note transport mechanism (70, 70A) for transporting notes between the slot and a note imaging means (74) arranged to scan the notes at a first speed. The transport mechanism includes a loop (70A) arranged to transport notes through the imaging means (74) a second time at a second speed, the first speed being greater than said second speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: David Elwin, Lynn M. McKenzie, Craig S. Nicol
  • Patent number: 7520423
    Abstract: A self-service terminal includes at least one electromechanical hardware component (e.g., a display monitor, a card reader, a cash dispenser, a cash acceptor, and a statement printer) configured to interact physically with a human user of the self-service terminal as the user engages in a financial transaction between the user and a financial-services institution. A self-service component is configured to control operation of the electromechanical hardware component as the electromechanical hardware component interacts physically with the user during the financial transaction, and a client component is configured to interact with the electromechanical hardware component at least once while the financial transaction is in progress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Torsten Peters, Matthias Rudolph
  • Patent number: 7519544
    Abstract: The material browser utilizes software interacting with the user using customer application criteria to determine the most appropriate raw material required for an application. The customer application criteria used to determine the best raw material type includes: print method, minimum application temperature for adhesive, service range of adhesive, facestock types, and adhesive type. The material browser provides raw material specific information including master width, areas of concern regarding the raw materials use, description of facestock, description of adhesive, description of liner, description of typical applications for which the raw material selected may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Mitchell R. Bauer
  • Patent number: 7519653
    Abstract: A self-service terminal system (10) is described. The system (10) has a plurality of terminals (14 or 214), each terminal comprising a user interface (30) and a terminal application (38) for controlling the user interface (30). Each terminal (14 or 214) has a link (16) to a remote server (12 or 212) storing a server application (104 or 260) for issuing to the terminal application (38) requests for using the user interface (30). A user of one of the terminals (14 or 214) is able to access the server application (104 or 260) from the terminal (14 or 214). The server application (104 or 260) is able to use one or more of the facilities (50, 56, 58) provided by the user interface (30). Each terminal is operable to select between presenting the terminal application or the server application to a user. A method of hosting a third party application on a self-service terminal is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Coutts, Lee G. Dove
  • Publication number: 20090094140
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for managing product inventory and pricing and product information. A moving camera platform is directed to desired locations in an environment to capture visual information relating to shelf labels affixed to shelves in the environment and visual information relating to products on the shelves. Image recognition is performed on the visual information to extract information on the shelf labels. The information from the shelf labels is compared against corresponding stored information, and mismatches between the shelf label information and the stored information are noted. Image recognition is also performed on the visual information to extract inventory information of the products. The inventory information is also compared against corresponding stored information, and mismatches between the inventory information and the stored information are also noted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Sik Piu Kwan
  • Patent number: 7514646
    Abstract: Techniques for use of wireless labels to provide information relating to documents in a document processing operation are described. A plurality of document processing trays each have affixed a label for receiving and displaying messages which are received wirelessly from a central communication interface The messages provide information relating to documents to be placed within or contained within the trays. When a group of documents undergoes initial processing, the group of documents is sorted into a plurality of sorting locations. Each of the sorting locations has an associated tray and label and the documents within the sorting location are placed within the tray. Messages relating to the documents within each tray are transmitted and displayed on the label affixed to the tray. The messages provide information such as the large group, such as an entry, and sorting location to which the documents belong and the endpoint of the documents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: John J. Cira, Wayne M. Doran, Susan H. Schott
  • Patent number: 7510119
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a mirrored spinner about multiple axes. The apparatus includes a first axle which rotates about a first axis of rotation, and a second axle for mounting the mirrored spinner to the first axle, wherein the second axle rotates the mirrored spinner about a second axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Hammer, Wayne L. Orwig