Abstract: A 2-color ink jet point of sale (POS) printer includes a converter for converting full color printing commands into a commands for printing in two colors, a primary color and an alternate color. A three color image is possible when using the background color of the paper as a color. The printer includes a print carriage which contains only two print cartridges. The printer determines a location of the print cartridge relative to a print location of the image to be printed, and when the print cartridges are both on one side of the print location, the print carriages traverses the paper in one direction, printing first with the primary color and then with the alternate color on the same pass. After the paper is advanced in the printer, the print carriage traverses the paper in the other direction, with the alternate color printing before the primary color.

Abstract: A 2-color ink jet point of sale (POS) printer includes a converter for converting full color printing commands into a commands for printing in two colors, a primary color and an alternate color. A three color image is possible when using the background color of the paper as a color. The printer includes a print carriage which contains only two print cartridges. The printer determines a location of the print cartridge relative to a print location of the image to be printed, and when the print cartridges are both on one side of the print location, the print carriages traverses the paper in one direction, printing first with the primary color and then with the alternate color on the same pass. After the paper is advanced in the printer, the print carriage traverses the paper in the other direction, with the alternate color printing before the primary color.

Abstract: A financial information and transaction system utilizes wireless communication in connection with portable terminals. In this system, a terminal is connected to the financial institution via a wireless or cellular telephone hook-up. Smart cards are utilized to verify authorization for transactions, thereby minimizing potential security problems which could otherwise result from use of a mobile terminal. Alternately, a smart card is advantageously utilized not only for authorization, but also to maintain a secure record of available funds. The system not only provides the functionality of an ATM network, but also provides non-financial services, thereby forming an integrated system.

Abstract: An ink jet printer having a drive roller assembly for conducting forms into and out of a printing station that is located beneath the drive roller assembly. A pair of sensor units are mounted above the axis of the drive roller for detecting the alignment and registrations of the leading edge of a form as it enters the nip between the drive roller and a biasing plate prior to initiating a validation sequence. A sensor unit is mounted below the axis of the drive roller for detecting the leading edge of a form as it starts to move out of the nip. The validation sequence is terminated when the trailing edge of the form is detected by the two upper sensors. The printer is arranged to process forms in a lengthwise orientation or a widthwise orientation.

Abstract: A 2-color ink jet point of sale (POS) printer includes a converter for converting full color printing commands into a commands for printing in two colors, a primary color and an alternate color. A three color image is possible when using the background color of the paper as a color. The printer includes a print carriage which contains only two print cartridges. The printer determines a location of the print cartridge relative to a print location of the image to be printed, and when the print cartridges are both on one side of the print location, the print carriages traverses the paper in one direction, printing first with the primary color and then with the alternate color on the same pass. After the paper is advanced in the printer, the print carriage traverses the paper in the other direction, with the alternate color printing before the primary color.

Abstract: A system for providing specialized contacts for electronic information on a smart card or other device in the pattern of a source identifier, such that a machine may contact and read the information upon placement of the card in the machine. The contact points for reading information on the card are formed by etching a substrate attached to the logic element of the smart card. The etching allows both the foreground and the background of an image, in two selected colors, to be included within the contact area of the smart card, with the foreground constituting the conductor and the background the substrate. Additionally, the present invention provides electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection for a semiconductor circuit within the smart card without changing the appearance or method of forming the contact points.

Abstract: A method and system automatically harmonizes access to a given software application program via different access devices. Through use of the method and system, a financial institution can provide access to a given application (such as, for example, automatic bill payment services) to customers using different access devices such web browsers, screen phones and personal computers. A single application program is all that needs to be written and maintained by the financial institution. Also, the method and system enables financial institutions to “leverage” existing programs because now the institution can automatically “project” its existing stock of program services unto new access devices—devices which may not have even existed at the time the program was created.

Abstract: A method and system for providing specialized contacts for electronic information on a smart card or other device in the pattern of a source identifier, such that a machine may contact and read the information upon placement of the card in the machine. The contact points for reading information on the card are formed by etching a substrate attached to the logic element of the smart card. The etching allows both the foreground and the background of an image, in two selected colors, to be included within the contact area of the smart card, with the foreground constituting the conductor and the background the substrate. Additionally, the present invention provides electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection for a semiconductor circuit within the smart card without changing the appearance or method of forming the contact points.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically loading paper from a supply roll into a printer. The printer includes a base and a cover hinged to the base. A contoured guide is mounted adjacent to a drive roll to form a paper path that converges from an upper entrance region to a lower exit region in the direction of drive roll rotation. A biased member is mounted in the top cover of the printer and is arranged to move into contact with the drive roll within the entrance region when the cover is closed. In practice, when the cover is open a run of paper from the roll is placed over the entrance region to the paper path. Closing the cover produces rotation of the drive roll and causes the biased member to force the paper into driving contact with roll producing a fold in the front section of the paper supply. The folded section passes through the paper path into a nip formed between the drive roll and pinch rollers whereupon the folded section is advanced through a printing station into a read out station.

Abstract: A 2-color ink jet point of sale (POS) printer includes a converter for converting full color printing commands into a commands for printing in two colors, a primary color and an alternate color. A three color image is possible when using the background color of the paper as a color.

Abstract: Apparatus for reciprocally moving one or more ink cartridges through the printing station of an ink jet printer. A carriage having at least one open top compartment equipped with a latching mechanism which is arranged to urge the front face of the ink cartridge into contact with the front wall of the compartment. The latching mechanism includes a frame that is pivotally supported in the rear wall of the compartment so that it can move between a rearwardly canted position into an upright vertical position. A biasing member is pivotally supported in the frame and contains a pair of spaced apart ramps. A spring rotates the biasing member within the frame so that the ramp rides in biasing contact with the back of an ink cartridge being inserted into the compartment as the frame is rotated from the canted position into the upright position.

Abstract: An automated bank teller machine (ATM) is provided which is characteristically easy to configure, regardless of whether a replenish-from-the-front (RFTF) configuration or a replenish-from-the-rear (RFTR) configuration is chosen. In particular, the ATM according to the present invention includes a security chest module, a top module, and an interface module. These components are common to both configurations can be built and stored in advance, and can be thereafter configured as desired. In another embodiment, an ATM is provided that permits more than one customer to use the ATM at the same time.

Abstract: A method and system automatically harmonizes access to a given software application program via different access devices. Through use of the method and system, a financial institution can provide access to a given application (such as, for example, automatic bill payment services) to customers using different access devices such web browsers, screen phones and personal computers. A single application program is all that needs to be written and maintained by the financial institution. Also, the method and system enables financial institutions to "leverage" existing programs because now the institution can automatically "project" its existing stock of program services unto new access devices--devices which may not have even existed at the time the program was created. By receiving information from the user via the user's access device, including information identifying the type of device being used and the application program the user wishes to access, the present invention solves these problems.

Abstract: A smart card for financial transactions that can be programmed to operate using a variety of applications is disclosed. The card includes an interpreter that interfaces the smart card and an automatic teller machine or merchant terminal. The card includes a plurality of application modules each of which contain application programming that can be used by the interpreter to manage the card-to-system interface. At least one of the application modules can be reprogrammed to provide application programming for the interpreter that is compatible with the locally prevalent application program used by automatic teller machines and card terminals in the area where the cardholder is traveling.

Abstract: A financial information and transaction system utilizes wireless communication in connection with portable terminals. In this system, a terminal is connected to the financial institution via a wireless or cellular telephone hook-up. Smart cards are utilized to verify authorization for transactions, thereby minimizing potential security problems which could otherwise result from use of a mobile terminal. Alternately, a smart card is advantageously utilized not only for authorization, but also to maintain a secure record of available funds. The system not only provides the functionality of an ATM network, but also provides non-financial services, thereby forming an integrated system.

Abstract: An improved touch screen encryption device and method is disclosed. The user selects information from prompts displayed on a touch screen. The improved device determines the input information based upon the location of the touch. The device encrypts the information--for example, the user's personal identification number--and sends the encrypted information to a remote processor. The device and method may be used by a financial institution (such as a bank), a postal services institution or wherever sensitive information is input through a touch screen.

Abstract: A method and system for entering numerical information in a manner that can be easily used by visually impaired individuals are disclosed. Using a touch screen display, for each digit of a multidigit number a first location on the screen is touched a number of times equal to the digit followed by touching a second location. Once all the digits have been entered, a third location is touched. This method allows for dividing the touch screen display into a small number of large area touch active regions, such as quadrants, thus reducing the accuracy required to enter a value since the large area quadrants are easily referenced to the screen boundaries. Further, audible cues are used to prompt the user as well as provide feedback.