Patents Assigned to NCR
  • Methods and Apparatus for Dispensing Recorded Content
    Publication number: 20110131591
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for self service delivery of content stored on removable media. A self service terminal stores a plurality of titles in a repository, and copies of titles are stored to removable media devices maintained in the self service terminal. In response to a user selection of an available title made during a transaction, a removable media device storing a copy of the selected title is delivered to the user. Anticipated demand is estimated and titles are stored to removable devices as needed to maintain an inventory to meet the estimated demand, including overwriting existing titles already stored on removable media, and overwriting returned media as needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: James Henderson
  • Methods and Apparatus for Transfer of Content to a Self Contained Wireless Media Device
    Publication number: 20110131660
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for transferring data to a storage device. A storage device includes storage, a processor, and a wireless transceiver, as well as a connector allowing the storage device to operate according to an appropriate standard when connected to a playback or data device. The storage device can communicate with a data transfer station to wirelessly receive data from the station. A user may select data to be transferred to a removable media device, and the station transfers the data over a wireless connection. The removable media device stores the data in memory as it is received. Once the data has been received, the data can be played or otherwise used in any playback or data device to which the storage device may be connected for use as a memory device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Albertus Maria Gerardus Claessen, Nathaniel Christopher Herwig, James Henderson
  • Techniques for generating a product path with custom advertisements
    Publication number: 20110131087
    Abstract: Techniques for generating a product path with custom advertisements are provided. A kiosk interacts with a consumer to acquire a product or service search within a facility. The kiosk generates a path to the product or service starting from the kiosk and ending at a location with the facility where the product or service can be found. Additionally, custom advertisements are interspersed throughout the path for other goods and services available at the facility. The kiosk then delivers the path with the custom advertisements to the customer for locating the product or service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Praveen Chandran Nair
  • Medical self-service
    Publication number: 20110130635
    Abstract: Techniques for medical self-service are provided. A kiosk interacts with a patient to establish a patient identity, acquire medical records for the patient, and acquire one or more medical vital readings for the patient. The kiosk then packages the information in a summary that is electronically provided to medical personnel before a patient is addressed by the medical personnel at a medical facility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Gary A. Ross
  • Thermal printer and drive control method of thermal head
    Patent number: 7950860
    Abstract: A thermal printer includes a first thermal head which is so provided as to be brought into contact with one side of a paper, a second thermal head which is so provided as to be brought into contact with the other side of the paper, and a controller. The first thermal head energizes a plurality of heater elements to print dot image data on one side of the paper. The second thermal head energizes a plurality of heater elements to print dot image data on the other side of the paper. The controller is configured to shift the energization times between the first thermal head and second thermal head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignees: Toshiba Tec Kabushiki Kaisha, NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Fumiharu Iwasaki
  • Printer with debris control apparatus
    Patent number: 7952598
    Abstract: A printer with debris control apparatus which minimizes printer fouling. The printer includes a print head for printing on media, a platen having a side for feeding the media along a path past the print head, and debris control member in contact with the media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy W. Rawlings, Michael J. VanDemark
  • Method of producing a coated optical element
    Patent number: 7950582
    Abstract: A method of producing a coated optical element which uses in-mold decoration (IMG) techniques. The method includes injection molding an element adjacent a coating of a preform sheet, whereby the coating transfers to the element to create the optical element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Paul O. Detwiler
  • Media stacker
    Patent number: 7950651
    Abstract: A media stacker unit comprises: (i) at least one stacker wheel and (ii) a detent. The stacker wheel includes: a hub for mounting on an axle, and a plurality of arcuate tines, each tine being coupled to the hub at a hub end and extending transverse to the axle to a point radially spaced from the axle at a capture end. When the stacker wheel is rotated about the axle, the capture ends traverse a capture circumference. Each tine further comprises a resilient tine portion. The detent partially extends within the capture circumference for engaging with and temporarily retarding a capture end as the stacker wheel is rotated. This reduces the time during which that capture end blocks a media transport path, thereby reducing the possibility of a media item colliding with a capture end and jamming the media stacker unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Christopher W. Wylie
  • Distributed image capture proof-of-deposit system and method of operating a distributed image capture proof-of-deposit system
    Patent number: 7949602
    Abstract: A method of operating a distributed image capture proof-of-deposit system having a central processing site and a number of branches connected via a network with the central processing site comprises the steps of (a) capturing images of items at a branch without use of physical tracer items at the branch, and (b) transferring the images captured at the branch via the network to the central processing site. At least some images at the central processing site are processed using logical tracer items which have been inserted at the central processing site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Graham Russell, John D. Cain, Lianne C. Franklin
  • Self service terminal
    Patent number: 7946409
    Abstract: A self service terminal having a slot; at least one shutter for selectively opening and closing the slot and a gear drive for moving the shutter between open and closed positions, the gear drive having a first gear that interacts with a second gear, at least one of the first and second gears defining a stop that is engagable with the other of the first and second gears to stop or prevent non-gear driven movement of the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Stewart J. Herd, Alexander S. MacDonald
  • Self-service terminal
    Patent number: 7942315
    Abstract: A method of detecting attempted fraud at a self-service terminal. The method involves providing a classifier having a plurality of input zones, each input zone being adapted to receive data of a different modality. The classifier may be a statistical model. The method also involves mapping inputs from a plurality of sensors in the self-service terminal to respective input zones of the classifier. For each input zone, the classifier independently operates on inputs within that zone to create a weighted set; combines the weighted sets using a dedicated weighting function for each weighted set to produce a composite set; and derives a plurality of class values from the composite set to create a classification result. The classification result can be used to predict the probability of abnormal operation, which may be indicative of fraud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Chao He, Theodoros Damoulas, Mark Girolami
  • Multipurpose printer
    Publication number: 20110102485
    Abstract: A multipurpose printer and techniques for operating the printer are presented. A printer includes first and second print elements. During a first mode of operation for the printer, both the first and second print elements are configured to image both first and second sides of print media passing through the printer. During a second mode of operation, the first print element is prevented from interfacing with at least portions of the first side of the media that include adhesive materials affixed thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. VanDemark, Mark E. Keeton, Timothy W. Rawlings
  • Techniques for temporary access to enterprise networks
    Publication number: 20110106708
    Abstract: Techniques for temporary access to enterprise networks are provided. Devices of customers are detected and authenticated for temporary enterprise network access to a facility of an enterprise when the customers are in a configurable geographic distance to that facility. Temporary access credentials for accessing select resources of the facility or enterprise network are pushed to the processing device upon successful authentication. When one or more terminating actions are detected, the temporary access credentials are revoked and access to the enterprise network ceases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Nathaniel Christopher Herwig, Erick Kobres
  • Methods and Apparatus for Stored Value Token Creation
    Publication number: 20110099104
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for managing creation, delivery, and redemption of stored value tokens such as gift cards and electronic gift cards. An interface presented to a donor at a terminal allows the donor to specify details of a token, including token value and whether the token is to be associated with a particular retailer or group of retailers. The donor is also able to specify restrictions on the use of the token. For example, the donor may prohibit the purchase of particular categories of products or may specify categories of products authorized for purchase and the amount that may be spent for each category. The donor is also able to specify particular products to be purchased. A token definition is stored and a token associated with the definition is delivered to a recipient. When the recipient presents the token for redemption, the token is redeemed according to the definition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Kaj Svante Nybom
  • Methods and Apparatus for Promotional Display of Images of Products Presented for Entry Into Purchase Transactions
    Publication number: 20110099044
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for managing promotional displays, including images of products being presented for entry into transactions. As each product is presented, an analysis is performed of promotional information relating to the product to determine the eligibility of the product for promotional display and to determine parameters governing such a promotional display. Promotional displays of one or more products are presented based on the results of the analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Brian A. Mediano
  • Methods and apparatus for self-diagnosing electronic price labels
    Patent number: 7933804
    Abstract: A self-diagnosing electronic price label. The label communicates with a central processor in order to receive price information for display and to report the status of the label to the central processor. The label periodically runs a self-test program to verify proper operation of its components. If a component fails the self-test, the failure is reported to a central processor, and the central processor reports the failure for investigation. During normal operation, the label issues a signal to the central processor indicating normal operation. In the event of a failure, the label ceases to send the signal indicating normal operation. When the signal is not received as expected, the central processor reports the failure to receive the signal for investigation. This allows the central processor to be alerted to failures which disable communication between the label and the central processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Raghurama Bhyravabhotla
  • Methods and apparatus for automated document examination for age verification
    Patent number: 7931194
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for automated age verification in self service transaction processing. Upon identification of an age restricted product presented for purchase, presentation of a purchaser identification document is requested. Encoded information is read from the document and a purchaser photograph obtained from the document is examined. An image of the purchaser is also captured. The purchaser birth date encoded on the document is evaluated and the captured image of the purchaser is compared with the image of the purchaser photograph. The purchase is authorized if the purchaser birth date indicates that the purchaser meets the age requirements for the purchase and the captured purchaser image matches the photograph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: John B. Keys
  • Self-service checkout system with cash not available mode
    Patent number: 7922072
    Abstract: A self-service checkout system which continues operation when cash transaction options are not available. The self-service checkout system includes a cash dispenser, a display for displaying payment options, an input device for recording selection of payment options, including cash and non-cash transaction options, and a processor for disabling the cash transaction options when an amount of cash in the cash dispenser falls below a predetermined limit, but for otherwise continuing operation by allowing the non-cash transaction options.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Steven L. Hassenzahl
  • Methods and Apparatus for Produce Identification
    Publication number: 20110078033
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for produce identification for transaction processing. A produce item to be entered into a transaction is identified using time resolved reflectance spectroscopy. A produce item is injected with laser light over a selected range of wavelengths, and light emitted from the produce item is detected and measured over time. The measurement is processed to generate absorption and scattering spectra for the produce item. The absorption and scattering spectra are compared against those of known produce items, and upon determination that an acceptable match has been achieved, a transaction record is updated with information relating to the produce item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Luis Eduardo Bravo
  • Methods and Apparatus for Travel Information
    Publication number: 20110077856
    Abstract: Systems and techniques for providing travel information. An information terminal offers a user an opportunity to select to receive travel information. Upon such a selection by the user, selections and information are received from the user to indicate the user's needs. The selections and information may take the form of explicit selections and entries, or submission of an identifier associated with a use record indicating user needs. Information submitted by the user is examined and appropriate travel directions, local area information, and information relating to the destination or points along the route are furnished to the user. If desired, a user record may be updated with information related to the current transaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Kaj Svante Nybom