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.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermal printer includes a housing in which a space is formed, printing means disposed in the housing, a cover disposed in the housing and which comes into contact with and separates from the housing when rotated, thereby opening and closing the space, urging means for urging the cover in a direction away from the housing, an engaging part which is disposed in the housing and which prevents the movement of the cover in a direction away from the housing when engaged with the cover, a pressed part which is disposed rotatably in the cover and which moves the engaging part when pressed, thereby releasing engagement between the cover and the engaging part, and elastic means arranged to urge the pressed part in a direction away from the engaging part.

Abstract: A method of programming a barcode label with a single programming barcode label. The method includes printing a single programming barcode label for implementing a plurality of program features by a computer, and scanning the single programming barcode label.

Abstract: It is difficult to provide a mechanism that is able to verify electronic signatures of different types in a simple and cost-effective manner. This is achieved by using a signature verification engine with an interface enabling signature modules to be removably plugged in. Each signature module has information about a particular signature type and functionality for verifying signatures of that type. The signature verification engine receives requests to verify signatures. It identifies a suitable signature module and works with that module to verify the signature. An enterprise who acquires equipment incorporating the signature verification engine is able to plug in its own signature module giving versatility whilst retaining security.

Abstract: A bar code includes a plurality of bar code elements arranged in an information-conveying arrangement. Each bar code element has a color selected from one of a group of colors in a painted pixel filter associated with a camera that will be used to read the bar code.

Abstract: A self-service terminal for reading wireless tags incorporated into media items is described. The terminal comprises a media acceptor for receiving media items, such as banknotes incorporating an RFID tag, and a wireless tag reader for reading received media items incorporating wireless tags. The terminal may also include a wireless tag reader for reading wireless tags in media items that are being transported to determine if multiple superimposed media items are present. The terminal may include a wireless tag reader for reading wireless tags in media items presented as a bunch, and subsequently retracted, to determine if any of the presented media items had been removed.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for providing feedback to improve accuracy of order assembly. Images corresponding to items comprising an order transaction are presented in a display. As items are moved to an order assembly area, each item is detected and an image corresponding to the item is removed from the display. If an incorrect item is detected, an error message identifying the incorrect item is displayed. Once all items comprising the order have been detected, a completion message is displayed.

Abstract: A banking, retail or other transaction network can comprise a number of terminals, for example an ATM, where each terminal comprises a plurality of peripheral devices such as a user interface, card reader, receipt printer and cash dispenser. The applications software for the peripheral devices can be held in a central server located externally of the terminal and linked to the terminal through a communications link. The link can extend to the individual peripheral devices so that they are direct clients of the server. Additionally the individual peripheral devices can be connected to each other over the link to enable them to communicate directly with each other on a peer-to-peer basis. Each peripheral can have an independent control application. In use, the independent control applications may communicate with each other so that a peripheral operates in response to a signal generated by another peripheral. A peripheral for use in such a terminal, and a network of such terminals are also described.

Abstract: A method of operating an image-based self-service check depositing terminal having an optical character recognition (OCR) reader comprises the steps of (a) receiving from a self-service depositor a check to be deposited, (b) illuminating the check with infrared radiation, (c) capturing a first image of the check while the check is illuminated with infrared radiation, (d) processing the first check image to provide an enhanced image of the check, and (e) applying OCR techniques to read a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) codeline from the enhanced check image.

Abstract: An optical sensor comprises: a light source located on one side of a transport path; a variable current drive, an optical receiver in communication with the variable current drive, and located on an opposite side of the transport path to the light source and aligned therewith to detect light output therefrom; and a memory coupled to the variable current drive. The variable current drive is suitable for energising the light source so that the light intensity from the light source increases with increasing current. The variable current drive includes (i) a drive circuit for applying a pulse of current to the light source, during which pulse the light source is energised; and (ii) a counter for increasing the amount of current applied by the drive circuit during a pulse of current. The memory may be arranged to store a value from the counter indicative of a number of media items present in the transport path.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for improved imaging scanning. An imaging bar code scanner provides indicia to a user indicating areas for placement of a bar code so as to provide for efficient imaging scanning. The indicia may define the boundaries of the field of view of an imager, and may also indicate areas of an image that are more intensively processed. The indicia may be projected so as to illuminate an object with a projected pattern, or may alternatively be projected onto or otherwise placed on one or more scan windows of a scanner. At least some of the indicia may change appearance depending on whether an object to be scanned is within a prescribed distance from an imager.

Abstract: A system and a method whereby e-mail users may send e-mail messages appended with advertising. E-mail sent from the e-mail user's e-mail account is routed through a standard email delivery system. The e-mail message is further processed by a software means which appends thereto another software means operable to cause an advertisement to appear when the e-mail message is opened by the e-mail recipient. In one embodiment, a portion of the revenue generated by the advertising may be distributed to a charitable organization. The e-mail user sending the e-mail message may designate a charitable organization to receive such contributions. The present invention may be used with any e-mail technology.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for RFID communication using a frequency shift between uplink and downlink carrier frequencies achieved by digital processing of a baseband signal before radio frequency modulation of a carrier signal occurs. Generation of the carrier signal, and modulation of the carrier signal, is accomplished using digital techniques. A digital representation of a baseband signal is modulated to create a complex baseband signal multiplied by a negative frequency shift equal to a difference between downlink and uplink carrier frequencies. This signal undergoes analog to digital conversion and modulation by a carrier signal at an uplink frequency. The complex baseband signal includes in-phase and quadrature components. During uplink communication, the in-phase component of the complex baseband signal is replaced by a constant value. The quadrature component is replaced by a zero signal. During uplink communication, therefore, an umodulated carrier signal at an uplink frequency is generated.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for identification of items using radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags exhibiting a high sensitivity to signals such as signals emitted by an RFID reader. An RFID tag includes an amplification circuit operative to detect and amplify a signal received from an RFID reader, in order to allow for processing of and response to the signal. The amplification circuit may be powered by a battery, suitably a flexible printable battery. Alternative or additional power sources may be used, such as a solar cell or a magnetic coupling, and depending on the design and operation of the tag, these power sources may be used instead of the battery or to recharge the battery if required.

Abstract: A thermal printer includes a first thermal head, a first platen roller, first biasing means, a second thermal head, a second platen roller, and second biasing means. The first thermal head, the first platen roller, the first biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of thermal recording paper. The second thermal head, the second platen roller, and the second biasing means are in contact with a heat-sensitive layer of the thermal recording paper. The second thermal head is arranged on the upstream side of the first thermal head in a paper feed direction. A paper feed speed of the first platen roller to the thermal recording paper is larger than a paper feed speed of the second platen roller. The first platen roller is in contact with the thermal recording paper while being more slippery compared with the second platen roller.

Abstract: A scaleable check processing module (SCPM) is provided for a self-service check depositing terminal. The SCPM comprises a supporting structure.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for managing orders from one or more of a plurality of vendors. A self service terminal includes a display presenting order icons that may be moved to an open area for initiation of an order, and a plurality of vendor icons representing different vendors. Initiating an order opens a transaction record for the order, and moving a vendor icon to an order icon opens a selection menu allowing selections from the vendor represented by the icon. The transaction record is continuously updated as selections are made. Upon a user selection to complete the order, a payment interface is presented allowing for payment. Upon payment, an order identifier is created and displayed, together with instructions for collecting or receiving the order, and order information is transmitted to each vendor contributing to the order, in association with the order identifier.

Abstract: A system and method of determining interactions between medicines which includes a pharmacy kiosk. One embodiment of the pharmacy kiosk includes a display, an input device, and a computer for displaying a prompt to enter medicine identification information for a medicine, for recording the medicine identification information, for obtaining interaction information between the medicine and other medicines, and for displaying the interaction information. The computer may additionally record operator identification information, obtain prescriptions of the operator for the other medicines using the operator identification information, obtain interaction information between the medicine and the other medicines, and display the interaction information.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for automated customer display of product information. A price verification and product information station broadcasts a radiofrequency identification (RFID) interrogation signal and receives an RFID return message from an RFID tag affixed to a product in the immediate vicinity of the station. The station relays the return message to a server, which generates information responsive to the return message, for example, by decoding the RFID return message to extract product information included in the RFID return message. The server organizes and formats the product information extracted from the return message, and the retrieved information, and transmits it to the station, which displays the information.

Abstract: A kiosk dispenses and receives recorded optical media using an interconnected central server, through an Internet Service Provider. The central server has databases and processing capabilities and is connected to a credit verification system. The databases collect inventory administration information and customer data (e.g., credit card information and email addresses) from the kiosks. The central server initiates credit verification, sends receipts to customers via email and maintains databases for remote inventory-control and administration of the kiosk network. A kiosk may identify a recorded disk for automated restocking and perform quality assessment of a recorded disk. The kiosk may provide publishing-on-demand or act as a portal for remotely served advertisements. The kiosk preferably includes a rotatable carousel with a selection of DVDs. A digital camera captures a digital image of a disk barcode and internal software rotates the image to “read” the barcode, to control inventory and access issues.