Abstract: A retail terminal and method of operation thereof. The retail terminal has a weight scale, a bar code scanner, RFID tag antenna, a scan error indicator, means for communicating with a processor and a memory containing a weight learning database (WLDB). The method comprises the steps of: allowing placement of an item, having an RFID tag, to be weighed on the weight scale; allowing scanning of the item via the bar code scanner; allowing RFID tag to be read by antenna located in the scanner; obtaining a weight measurement of the item on the scale upon successful scanning of the item; and comparing the measured weight of the scanned item with a predetermined weight for that item stored in the WLDB.

Abstract: A method of determining failure of an RFID label reader.

Abstract: An optical scanner which is configurable to produce a single pattern or a plurality of patterns. The scanner includes an optics engine with first and second laser mounts, first and second detector mounts, a first laser in the first laser mount for producing a first scanning light beam, a mirrored spinner for directing the first scanning light beam, and a first detector in the first detector mount for converting first light reflected from an item with a barcode label into first electrical signals. The scanner further includes pattern mirrors for receiving the first scanning light beam from the mirrored spinner, for producing a first scan pattern from the first scanning light beam for scanning the item, and for directing the first light reflected from the item to the mirrored spinner, and control circuitry for controlling operation of the first laser and the mirrored spinner.

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 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 method is described for determining the cause of an error state for one or more components within an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a plurality of sensors arranged to monitor the operation of components of the apparatus and a control means arranged to receive said information from said plurality of sensors. The method comprises analysing said sensor information in the form of an error log to ascertain sensor patterns from said sensor information comparing said sensor patterns with detectors, which are predefined patterns, indicative of the condition of said one or more components within the apparatus and classifying said sensor patterns as being indicative of said error state of a component or not based upon a comparison of sensor patterns with said detectors.

Abstract: An image-based check processing system has a focus test pattern on a background surface which is disposed along one side of a document transport path. An imaging camera is disposed along an opposite side of the document transport path and faces the focus test pattern. The imaging camera captures an image of a financial document along the document transport path when the financial document is between the imaging camera and the focus test pattern, and captures an image of the focus test pattern when no financial document is between the imaging camera and the focus test pattern. An energizeable first light source of a first electromagnetic frequency is provided for, when energized, illuminating a financial document moving past the imaging camera to allow the imaging camera to capture an image of the illuminated financial document.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing and maintaining wireless communications links between a secure vehicle, a self-service terminal, and an item being transferred therebetween. The item to be transferred, the secure vehicle and the self-service terminal are equipped with short-range communications devices to enable the detection of proximity there between. The security personnel are also equipped with a short-range wireless communications device to enable the detection of proximity between the security personnel and the item. A security system of the item to be transferred is activated dependent upon the proximity between the security personnel and the item. The security system may be primed and turned off by detection of proximity between the short-range wireless communications devices of the item to be transferred and the secure vehicle or self-service terminal respectively.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (14) is described The terminal is associated with an organization (18) having individuals (36) under its supervision, each individual having a sponsor, whereby the terminal provides the individuals with access to financial services provided by a financial institution in accordance with rules established by the sponsor and the organization. A method of providing financial transactions via a self-service terminal (14) is also described, the method comprising the steps of: maintaining a financial account for an organization, providing a self-service terminal in premises used by the organization, maintaining a financial account for an individual under the supervision of the organization, allowing a sponsor and/or the organization to establish rules governing use of the financial account by the individual, and only fulfilling a transaction requested by the individual at the terminal if the transaction is consistent with the established rules for that individual.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (10) is described. The terminal (10) includes a plurality of modules (14) arranged in a network (16) so that the modules are operable to communicate using the network (16). Each module (14) has storage means (34) for storing data and cipher means (32) for encrypting and decrypting communications, whereby the cipher means (32) is operable to encrypt data prior to sending or receiving a communication, and subsequently to decrypt a received encrypted communication by applying a Boolean function to the encrypted data and to the received encrypted communication. A module (14) for use in an SST (10) and a method of encrypting a communication for transmission between interconnected modules (14) in a self-service terminal (10) are also described.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for providing an electrical connection for a touch screen display sensor. A substrate is fabricated with vias passing through the substrate, and a suitably thin film conductive coating applied to a touch area. Traces, suitably thick film silver frit traces, are placed on the substrate, with a trace extending from a corner of the touch area to a respective via, and including an annular ring around an opening of the via. A conductive pin is secured in each via, with each pin being soldered to the annular ring surrounding the opening of the via in which the pin is secured. The touch screen sensor is then suitably laminated with a protective covering, mounted in a frame, and mounted in a display device in such a way that the pins make contact with a connector of the display device.

Abstract: A bar code scanner is configured for placement in a retail checkout counter. The barcode scanner includes a box-shaped scanner housing to be received by the checkout counter. The box-shaped scanner housing includes a front portion and a rear portion with a recess formed in the rear portion. The recess includes two opposing walls oriented substantially perpendicular to the scanner window plane. A first socket is positioned in a first of the two opposing walls of the recess. A second socket is positioned in a second of the two opposing walls of the recess. The first socket is oriented to receive a first connector in a direction that is different from a direction perpendicular to the window plane. The second socket is oriented to receive a second connector in a direction that is opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A label roll includes a web having front and back surfaces wound in a roll. The back surface includes adhesive patches aligned in a column along the running axis of the web. The front surface includes a release strip behind the column of patches and laminated thereto in successive layers in the roll.

Abstract: Dual-sided direct thermal printing of a thermal imaging element having thermally sensitive coatings on opposite sides of a substrate is described, where the thermal imaging element is provided along a feed path of a thermal printer having print heads disposed on opposite sides of the feed path. Printing on both sides of the thermal imaging element is achieved by applying variable energy heat pulses from the opposed print heads.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (SST) that allows a user to conduct one or more transactions through a remote transaction host during a user session includes a display module for use in presenting information to the user and a processing module that is configured to cause the SST to progress through a series of states. For each of the states, the SST receives from the transaction host an instruction to present on the display module a screen containing information corresponding to the state. At some point during the user session, the SST halts its progression through the series of states and presents on the display module a series of screens containing information received from a source other than the transaction host.

Abstract: The invention provides a track arrangement for guiding a media carrier in a self-service terminal between a home position and one of a second and a third position. The track arrangement comprises: a first track length defining the home position of the media carrier; a second track length associated with the second position; a third track length associated with the third position; and a switch arranged to be rotatable around a central axis adjacent the convergence of the three track lengths, the switch having a portion of track extending across the switch. The second track length is positioned such that the angle between the second track length at an end adjacent to the switch, and the home position of the media carrier, is greater than 90°. The second track length is positioned such that the angle between the third track length at an end adjacent to the switch and the home position of the media carrier is greater than 90°.

Abstract: A security container is detailed which has an outer housing and an inner housing there within and a tether located between the inner housing and the outer housing. The container is arranged to be secured to a surface so as to anchor the container when in use. In particular, the base of the container contains a first pair of bolt down bosses and a second pair of bolt down bosses, through which the container is to be bolted to the surface. The tether has a loop at each of a first end and a second end thereof. The loops are each arranged to be placed over a separate boss when in use.

Abstract: An improved self-checkout system and method which reduces transaction time. The self-checkout system includes a carrier for carrying a selected product, the carrier being coupled to a weighing apparatus for generating a first signal indicative of the actual weight of the product, an RFID tag interrogator for interrogating an RFID tag attached to the product and receiving product identification information relating to the product, an interface that is responsive to the received product identification information for communicating with a product information database to obtain weight information relating to the product, and a processor being responsive to: the obtained weight information for generating a second signal indicative of the expected weight; and the first and second signals for generating an alert signal.

Abstract: A process is defined by HTML pages (406 to 408) called and executed by a browser control. Operations are implemented via dynamically linked operational objects (441) that are called by a control object (417) and a called object may return an event back to the calling control object (417). The HTML pages are selectively displayed and executed by a controlled browser (407) that is itself controlled by a controlling container object (410). Active control objects (411 to 417) for calling the operational objects (411) are contained within the container object (410). A single passthrough object (431) is created and each of the HTML pages includes a page embedded control object (423). An initiating object within a page calls its embedded object. An initiating embedded object (423) calls the passthrough object (431) and passes to the passthrough object output information detailing a desired call to a specified operational object (441).

Abstract: A system and method for providing a receipt (20) to a user involving receiving at a host terminal receipt information from a point of sale or self-service terminal, and using this to create an image of a receipt (20). This can be done in any suitable image format or layout. The receipt image (20) is then included in a customer bank or account statement (18), together with conventional statement information (22).