Abstract: A system for processing payment of bills from multiple bill providers which establishes connections to bill provider computers through APIs unique to each bill provider. The system includes a display for displaying a list of bill providers, an input device for recording customer selections of a number of the bill providers from the list, a payment accepting device, such as a check reader, card reader, or cash acceptor, and a processor for establishing connections to computers of the bill providers through the APIs which are resident on the kiosk in response to the customer selections, for sending customer identification information to the computers, for receiving and displaying customer account information from the computers, for recording the payments from the payment accepting device, and for sending payment information to the computers.

Abstract: A checkout device which can be gripped for carrying, installation, and removal. The checkout device includes a generally L-shaped housing including a first housing portion suited to placement within a checkout counter, and a second housing portion mounted above the first housing portion and suited to extending above the checkout counter. The first and second housing portions include a barcode reader for sending scanning light beams from a first aperture in the first housing portion and a second aperture in the second housing portion to form a multi-line scan pattern. The second housing portion has a rear surface including a hand grip.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for periodically measuring the level of ambient noise found on a radio frequency channel used by a radio frequency identification interrogator to read radio frequency identification tags. The ambient noise is measured after the radio frequency identification interrogator has transmitted a signal. The measured level of ambient noise is then used to dynamically adjust a threshold value used to predict collisions on the channel.

Abstract: A thermal paper with a fluorescent security mark printed on the thermosensitive coating that is responsive to wavelengths in the range of 200 nanometers to 400 nanometers. The mark is either printed on the thermosensitive coating directly or on an optional protective top coat positioned over the thermosensitive coating. Methods of preparing the thermal paper comprise printing a solution, dispersion or emulsion of a fluorescent compound on the thermal paper by flexographic printing.

Abstract: A vacuum pick mechanism (100) for picking sheet media comprising control circuitry (126), a pump (110), a suction cup (106), a pick line (112) connecting the pump (110) to the suction cup (106), a pressure sensor (122) arranged to measure the pressure within the pick line (112) and a motor arranged to drive the pump, the control circuitry being arranged to receive the pressure measured by the pressure sensor and to control the motor to drive the pump such that a predetermined target pressure is measured by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A sensing arrangement (11) for sensing objects at a plurality of sensing sites (64) is described herein. In one embodiment the arrangement comprises: an imaging device (60) having an array of light-detecting elements; a light guide arrangement (62) extending from the sensing sites (64) to the imaging device (60); a mount (79) for maintaining the light guide arrangement (62) and the imaging device (60) in a fixed spatial relation so that each sensing site (64) illuminates a zone (60a,b) of different elements on the array; and a processor (72), in communication with the imaging device (60), for analyzing image data captured by each zone. A method of sensing an object is also described herein.

Abstract: A method of providing receipts to depositors of bank checks. People often deposit a group of bank checks at once. All checks in the group are listed on a deposit slip which the person prepared. Sometimes, at the last minute, a person removes a check from the group, and does not deposit the removed check. However, if the person misplaces that removed check, the person can develop the false memory that he actually deposited the check, when, in fact, he did not. This false memory can lead to a dispute with the bank. In one form of the invention, the bank creates a deposit slip which contains a picture of each check which was deposited, and also a picture of each check which was removed from the deposit process. This deposit slip creates a historical record of events occurring at the deposit event, and allows one to trace all checks involved.

Abstract: An advertising terminal (12) and a network of advertising terminals are described. The advertising terminal may be an ATM (12b). The ATM (12b) comprises a transceiver (80) for wireless communication with portable devices (26,28) in the vicinity of the ATM (12b). The ATM (12b) is operable to create a profile of persons in the vicinity of the ATM (12b) by detecting portable devices such as PDAs (26) and cellphones (28) that have a wireless communications facility (26a,28a) and identifying the owners of the portable devices. The ATM is also operable to display an advertisement appropriate for the created profile of persons.

Abstract: A method for developing a template of a reference document, such as a bank note and using that template to validate other test documents. The method involves using images of a plurality of reference documents, such as banknotes and segmenting each image in a like manner into a plurality of segments. Each segment is then classified using a one-class classifier to determine a reference classification parameter. These parameters are used to define a threshold reference classification parameter. Optionally, the step of segmenting is optimized to determine a preferred number of segments, and a preferred combination of these for use in a subsequent validation process. Preferably, this is done using a stochastic algorithm such as a genetic algorithm.

Abstract: A self-service terminal, such as an ATM (Automated Teller Machine). The ATM has a communication port for interfacing with a user's portable electronic device. The ATM is operable to receive a transaction authorization from the user's portable electronic device, to examine the transaction authorization, and to dispense an item to fulfil a requested transaction associated with the transaction authorization, without the terminal preparing an authorization request to a remote computer.

Abstract: A method is provided of operating a remote check image capture device. The method comprises capturing a color image of a check provided by a user at the remote check image capture device, storing the color image of the check, deriving from the color image a non-color image of the check, transmitting to an institution the non-color image of the check, and receiving from the institution a request to retrieve the color image of the check in response to the institution determining that the non-color image of the check is unusable.

Abstract: A prism sensor is provided for detecting presence or absence of a document in a document transport path. The prism sensor comprises a light emitter disposed on a first side of the document transport path and for emitting light across the document transport path to a second side of the document transport path, a reflector including (i) a first reflecting surface for receiving light from the light emitter and for providing first reflected light in response thereto, (ii) a second reflecting surface for receiving the first reflected light from the first reflecting surface and for providing second reflected light in response thereto, and (iii) a third reflecting surface for receiving the second reflected light from the second reflecting surface and for providing third reflected light in response thereto, and a light receiver for receiving the third reflected light from the third reflecting surface and for providing a signal which is indicative of presence or absence of a document in the document transport path.

Abstract: A security feature having unique photoluminescent properties and a method for making the security feature. The security feature includes a silica carrier and a rare earth dopant dispersed throughout at least a portion of the silica carrier. The rare earth dopant includes a rare earth ion to which ligands and/or inorganic sensitizers are associated. The ligands and/or inorganic sensitizers are positioned to absorb energy and transfer the absorbed energy to the rare earth ion.

Abstract: A duplex printer, in which when a first thermal head prints information on a front side as an information printing side of a printing medium, a second thermal head repeatedly prints a previously registered and selected fixed pattern or notice information on a back side as an information non-printing side of a printing medium at regular cycle or at an optional timing.

Abstract: A printer comprising a main unit, a cover, a first print head provided in the cover, a second print head provided in the main unit, and a hinge mechanism. The cover can rotate around the hinge mechanism, between a first state and a second state in which the cover is opened and closed, respectively, with respect to the main unit. The first print head and the second print head can rotate along the locus of the cover.

Abstract: A computer peripheral with integrated printer and bar code reader which saves space on countertops. The computer peripheral includes a printer, including a housing, a bar code reader in the housing, and control circuitry in the housing for facilitating communication of data between the printer and a computer and between the bar code reader and the computer over a single cable.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for improved accuracy of bar code detection and decoding are described. A bar code scanner employs a rotating spinner to reflect a laser beam used to produce one or more scan patterns emerging from scan windows. The spinner has reflective surfaces, with one or more of the surfaces exhibiting variations influencing characteristics of the laser beam as it is reflected from the surfaces. The scanner produces a scanner signal in response to light entering the scan windows, and processes the scanner signal to detect and decode bar codes within a scan field of the scanner. The rotational position of the spinner is continuously monitored and adjustments to processing parameters are made and other actions are taken based on the rotational position of the spinner, in order to compensate for variations in the scan pattern caused by the variations in the surfaces of the spinner.

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 monitoring item shuffling in a post-scan area of a self-service checkout terminal having a post-scan shelf, a bagwell with a grocery container positioned therein, and a weight scale positioned so as to detect weight of items positioned both on the post-scan shelf and in the grocery container, includes the step of detecting removal of a first number of items from the post-scan shelf with the weight scale and generating a first weight decrease value in response thereto which corresponds to the weight of the first number of items. The method also includes the step of detecting placement of a second number of items into the grocery container with the weight scale and generating a first weight increase value in response thereto which corresponds to the weight of the second number of items.