Abstract: A barcode scanner with a tool free tower housing assembly. The barcode scanner includes a base, a tower section coupled to the base, and a tower housing assembly over the tower section including a tower housing and a bezel that are installable and removable without hand tools.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 19, 2006
Date of Patent:
June 24, 2008
Assignee:
NCR Corporation
Inventors:
John P. Roquemore, III, John R. Johnson
Abstract: A method is provided of an institution creating a substitute check using check image data from a remote check image capture device. The method comprises receiving from the remote check image capture device binary image data which is representative of a binary image of a check, receiving from the remote check image capture device grayscale image data which is representative of a grayscale image of the check, determining if the binary image of the check is usable, and creating a substitute check based upon the grayscale image data if the binary image of the check is determined to be unusable.
Abstract: A method is provided for personalizing security conditions for each customer using a self-service checkout terminal to conduct a transaction on the terminal. A trust level is assigned to each customer based on a selection of factors, which may include personal information provided by the customer, factors independent of the customer, such as information specific to the particular merchant, and the customer's history in using the checkout terminal or other facilities of the merchant. The manner in which the transaction progresses for the customer is determined as a function of the customer's trust level. In one example, the weight tolerance applied to products weighed by the customer may be widened or narrowed in relation to the customer's trust level.
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.
Abstract: A self-checkout lane in a store comprises an incoming goods path for receiving goods, first and second goods collection zones, and a segregation device operable under control of a computer processor to divert goods from the incoming goods path into one or the other of the two goods collection zones. The incoming goods path includes a product scanner electrically coupled to the computer processor and operable to evaluate the total retail price of a plurality of goods. The goods of a first customer are diverted to the first goods collection zone. After receiving payment for the goods, the computer processor operates the segregation device to allow the first customer to access their goods, and to meanwhile divert subsequent goods of a second customer to the second goods collection zone, thereby facilitating the swift and efficient use of the self-checkout terminals by customers. The invention also includes security means to help guard against misappropriation of goods.
Abstract: A method and apparatus performs a partitioned joins of spatial objects in a database system. In one example arrangement, each spatial object is represented by z-cells in a z-ordered space. The z-cells of certain spatial objects are either duplicated or redistributed across multiple partitions in the database system to enable parallel joins of spatial objects.
Abstract: A system controls operation of a business system having a processor, memory, and a hard drive. The system comprises a specification language file stored on a hard drive, the file containing specification language statements defining a state machine implementation of a business system, a parser for extracting specification language statements from the specification language file and interpreting the extracted specification language statements, a business logic application program comprised of business logic modules, the business logic modules including executable compiled program statements, and the parser calls at least one of the business logic modules to process a message extracted by the parser from the specification language file.
Abstract: An electronic terminal includes an input device for receiving input from a user. The electronic terminal also includes a processing unit electrically coupled to the input device. Yet further, the electronic terminal includes a memory device electrically coupled to the processing unit. The memory device has stored therein a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processing unit, causes the processing unit to (a) permit the user to deposit funds into a banking account if the user enters either a first PIN number or a second PIN number with the input device, the first PIN number being different than the second PIN number, (b) permit the user to withdraw a first dollar amount from the banking account if the user enters the first PIN number with the input device, and (c) permit the user to withdraw a second dollar amount from the banking account if the user enters the second PIN number with the input device, wherein the first dollar amount is less than the second dollar amount.
Abstract: A barcode scanner with configurable video modes which enhances readability of a wide range of barcode types. The barcode scanner includes a video circuit, and a configuration circuit for altering operating characteristics of the video circuit during a scanning operation for reading a plurality of different types of barcodes.
Abstract: Systems and techniques for calling attention to loss of communication with an electronic shelf label. One or more of a plurality of labels deployed in a location may be programmed with a message to be displayed or an action to be taken if communication is lost. The labels may be programmed with a scheduled action that will cause a label to take the programmed action or display the programmed message if communication with the label does not occur by a specified time. Communication with the label causes the action or event to be rescheduled.
Abstract: Systems and techniques for using signal to noise ratio information to enhance bar code scanning accuracy. Noise information affecting bar code scanning operations is stored and a scan signal is monitored. Upon detection of a scan of a bar code, the signal strength of the scan signal is evaluated and signal to noise ratio values are computed. Signal to noise ratio information is used to favor or disfavor candidate decoding results. In addition, signal to noise ratio thresholds are set according to appropriate criteria. Decoding results are evaluated using the signal to noise ratio thresholds and accepted or rejected depending on whether the thresholds are met. In addition, thresholds for recognition of transitions based on peaks may be set based on expected noise affecting the scan signal, and allowed or excluded based on whether a rise from a negative peak, or fall from a positive peak, meets the threshold.
Abstract: A method of indicating the condition of an item comprises illuminating the item to excite one or more photoluminescent markers incorporated within the item. Photoluminescent emission from the markers in response to the excitation is compared to one or more pre-defined photoluminescent signatures indicating different conditions of the item.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 2, 2005
Date of Patent:
May 27, 2008
Assignee:
NCR Corporation
Inventors:
Gary A. Ross, Graham I. Johnson, Barrie Clark, Simon J. Forrest
Abstract: A method of optimizing data streaming in a peer-to-peer architecture that comprises a plurality of clients in a chain, a peer-to-peer data streaming system having such architecture, and a client terminal for use in that system. Each client monitors its own bandwidth, informs a succeeding client in the chain of that bandwidth, compares its own bandwidth with the bandwidth of a preceding client in the chain and, in response to a difference between the compared bandwidths, reorders its position among the clients in the chain. The chain thus dynamically self-organizes itself to stream data more efficiently and with higher, more reliable throughput, reducing the processing power necessary to stream the data and enabling higher quality to be achieved within the existing internet infrastructure. This also solves the ‘bottle-neck’ problem within the cascaded streaming path by continuously organizing the participating terminals into the most efficient configuration, without interrupting the streamed data.
Abstract: Systems and techniques for retail product transaction processing and security tag deactivation analysis. Upon detection of a security tag deactivation associated with entry of product information into a retail transaction, product information for the product is analyzed to determine whether the security tag deactivation is legitimate or possibly illegitimate. Upon identification of a deactivation as possibly illegitimate, an alert is issued to a retailer employee to investigate the transaction. The product information may be updated according to an entry made by the retailer employee identifying the deactivation as legitimate or illegitimate. Product information for a product may include a deactivation count for a product, with a deactivation being identified as possibly illegitimate if the deactivation count does not meet a predefined threshold, the deactivation count being incremented if a deactivation identified as unexpected is determined to be legitimate.
Abstract: A method of controlling an inkjet mechanism having an inkjet head movable between a capped position and a print position comprises the steps of receiving a first switch signal indicative of the inkjet head moving into the vicinity of one of the positions of the inkjet head as the inkjet head is moving towards the one of the positions of the inkjet head, and moving the inkjet head a learned amount towards the one of the positions of the inkjet head after the first switch signal has been received. The method may further comprise the steps of receiving a second switch signal indicative of the inkjet head moving into the vicinity of the other one of the positions of the inkjet head as the inkjet head is moving towards the other one of the positions of the inkjet head, and moving the inkjet head another learned amount towards the other one of the positions of the inkjet head after the second switch signal has been received. The learned amounts may be substantially the same.
Abstract: A system and method enables intervention events occurring at a self-checkout station at a retail site to be addressed by an operator located at a remote site distant from the retail site. The system includes a checkout station located at a retail site, a video camera and microphone mounted at the checkout station, a data communicator for collecting video and audio data from the video camera and microphone and operational data from the checkout station, an intervention service station for receiving the video, audio, and operational data from the data communicator, the intervention service station being located off-site from the retail site; and the intervention service station includes a checkout station command generator for generating and sending checkout station commands to the checkout station in response to the operational data received from the data communicator so that an operator at the intervention service station can intervene in the checkout station operation.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 11, 2006
Publication date:
April 17, 2008
Applicant:
NCR Corporation
Inventors:
Erick Christian Kobres, John Fredrick Crooks, David Taylor Baker
Abstract: A database includes a storage to store a data set and a controller to use one or more SQL (Structured Query Language) statements to perform computations associated with a clustering algorithm e.g., a K-means clustering algorithm).
Abstract: A self-service terminal that is adapted to: receive a text message, in particular an SMS message, from a mobile telecommunications device; interpret the received text message, and provide information or a service in response to the received text message. Preferably, the information is printed out and the print out is provided to the customer.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 10, 2003
Date of Patent:
April 15, 2008
Assignee:
NCR Corporation
Inventors:
Jonathan S. Black, Martin R. Smith, Neil A. Strachan
Abstract: A security means comprises a spray tray; a dispenser slot positioned so as to dispense media into the spray tray; and a security cover positioned to cover said spray tray and slot. The cover is arranged so as to cause a sweep member to sweep past the dispenser slot and thus dislodge any foreign body adjacent the slot, when the cover is moved between closed and opened positions.
Abstract: A logical data model (LDM) design methodology that utilizes common or shared subject areas, developed for applications across two or more industries, in the design and construction of data warehouse solutions and logical data models for specific customers. The development and use of shared subject areas provides for more effective new LDM development through re-use of common elements and quicker deployment of horizontal applications on all industries.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 15, 2003
Date of Patent:
April 15, 2008
Assignee:
NCR Corp.
Inventors:
Kim Nguyen Hargett, Stephen A. Brobst, Pieter Lessing, William A. Matera, Mark L. Crosby, Lily W. Young