Abstract: A system for use in assisting a self-service transaction at a service facility includes an assisted self-service terminal configured for use by a customer in conducting a business transaction with the service facility and a notification mechanism configured to transmit a message indicating that a human representative of the service facility must take action before the business transaction can continue. The system also includes an interface component that allows the human representative to take action in connection with the transaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a point-of-sales terminal capable of communicating with a service server in which voice data about image data is stored, via a network, the point-of-sales terminal comprising an image data input device which inputs a user's image data, a voice data input device which inputs voice data about the image data, a voice data sending device which sends the voice data to the service server, an access code receiving device which receives an access code including access information for accessing the voice data from the service server, and a printing device which prints the image data and the access code on a print medium.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, program product and system for controlling pricing using a markdown profile, where the method of the present invention includes: selecting a markdown profile based on an attribute of a product to be used for the sale of that product; selecting a retail price for the product; acquiring updated sales data regarding the product; and determining a markdown to be applied to the retail price from the markdown profile using the updated sales data. The method can further include the step of adjusting a retail price of the product by the markdown.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates transactions by providing a limited use PIN that is associated with a primary account and/or PIN number, wherein the limited use PIN is presented to the merchant to initiate a transaction. More particularly, the system involves the process of registering a user (if not already pre-registered) to participate in a transaction system; generating a limited use PIN and issuing this number to the user, where the user presents this number to a merchant to complete a sales transaction; the merchant processing this limited use PIN, where the number is typically presented to the credit issuer to facilitate authorization. Additionally, the limited use PIN may also carry with it certain limitations-on-use conditions, where the transaction is not authorized unless these conditions are met. In generating a limited use PIN, the issuer generates a random number and associates this number with the user's primary charge account.

Abstract: A laser scanning device for scanning an interface surface of a product item is provided. The interface surface has visible information relating to the product item and a plurality of tags disposed thereon. Each tag contains coded data indicative of an identity of the product item and a plurality of locations on the interface surface. At least some of the tags are coincident with the visible information. The scanning device comprises: (a) a housing; (b) a laser for emitting a scanning beam from the housing; (c) a sensor for sensing the coded data contained a tag exposed by the scanning beam; and (d) a processor for determining, using the sensed coded data, product identity data indicative of the identity of the product item and location data indicative of a location of the exposed tag on the interface surface.

Abstract: An ATM (10) includes a housing (46) including a generally L-shaped chest portion (48) and an upper housing portion (54). The ATM includes a fascia (12) which extends on the outside of a wall (14) and includes a user interface (15). Responsive to inputs of a user through the user interface the machine is operative to accept a stack of sheets (84) which are evaluated through operation of a sheet validator device (88) and which enables acceptable sheets to be stored within the chest portion. Unacceptable sheets are routed to a storage area (100). Provisions are made for reducing the risk of attack on the ATM by criminals and to facilitate servicing by authorized personnel.

Abstract: A system for use in assisting a self-service transaction at a service facility includes one or more self-service terminals, each configured to gather transaction information associated with a customer who is engaged in a business transaction with the service facility through the self-service terminal. A data-management system is configured to store the transaction information gathered from each customer according to a database schema created for the service facility. The system also includes a teller terminal configured to receive at least some of the transaction information from the database system and display it for viewing by a human representative of the service facility while the customer is still engaged in the business transaction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for processing check data, such as data stored using magnetic indicia. In one embodiment, a check transaction processing system receives an indication that a first check transaction from a first payor failed to clear because at least a portion of first MICR or other account data associated with the first check transaction is incorrect. The check transaction processing system reads a personal identifier associated with the first payor, wherein the personal identifier was provided in association with the first check transaction. MICR data or other account data associated with a previously processed check transaction associated with the personal identifier is located.

Abstract: The apparatus for point of sale currency verification includes a point of sale check printer having a printing device configured to print information on first and second opposing faces of a document, a scanning device configured to scan the first and second faces of the document, a verification module configured to verify the authenticity of the document, and a retention area that is secure, coupled to the apparatus, and configured to retain the document until removed by an authorized person. The document may be a check or currency. The method includes printing information on first and second opposing faces of a document, scanning the first face of the document, verifying the authenticity of the document, and retaining the document until removed by an authorized person.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates transactions by providing a limited use PIN that is associated with a primary account and/or PIN number, wherein the limited use PIN is presented to the merchant to initiate a transaction. More particularly, the system involves the process of registering a user (if not already pre-registered) to participate in a transaction system; generating a limited use PIN and issuing this number to the user, where the user presents this number to a merchant to complete a sales transaction; the merchant processing this limited use PIN, where the number is typically presented to the credit issuer to facilitate authorization. Additionally, the limited use PIN may also carry with it certain limitations-on-use conditions, where the transaction is not authorized unless these conditions are met. In generating a limited use PIN, the issuer generates a random number and associates this number with the user's primary charge account.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a refrigerator inventory management method using a mobile phone. The inventory management method of the present invention includes updating, at the refrigerator, storage information on items stored in the refrigerator by scanning RF tags attached to the items whenever a door of the refrigerator is opened, transmitting the storage information to a mobile terminal, updating the storage information stored in the mobile terminal with the storage information transmitted from the refrigerator, and displaying, comparatively, the items of the updated storage information and items for the specific list set by a user or registering the items included in the specific list but not in the updated storage information as purchase information. In another aspect if there is a recipe for food preparation available from a website, the mobile terminal registers the items included in the recipe but which are not in the updated storage information as purchase information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method reads magnetic stripe data and bar code data from a stored value card. The magnetic stripe data and the bar code data originally applied to the card are associated with one another. For instance, the magnetic stripe data may be encrypted to determine a number that corresponds to a numerical sequence embedded in the bar code data. The magnetic stripe and the bar code data are compared at the point of sale. If the comparison produces a match, the card activation, store purchase or other transaction may proceed. Otherwise, the stored value card may be discarded. When the stored value card is originally purchased, the activation of the card may be delayed until payment for the card is actually received.

Abstract: A stored value card device comprises a scaled down model car having an upper body molded into a promotional object model such as a car in association with car accessory products. The model car may be a still model as well as an animated version with the assistance of an electric motor connected to the wheels and a remote controlled driving circuit installed inside the model. The model body is provided at its lower side a card dock and has a partially flat surface at its side and/or top surfaces to provide the viewers with the card identification as well as other information on the stored data. The card dock has an outer plate formed with a large rectangular opening and four perpendicular sidewalls and an inner plate in a two-tiered structure to form a pair of parallel guide slots between the two plates of the dock.

Abstract: The present invention facilitates transactions by providing a limited use PIN that is associated with a primary account and/or PIN number, wherein the limited use PIN is presented to the merchant to initiate a transaction. More particularly, the system involves the process of registering a user (if not already pre-registered) to participate in a transaction system; generating a limited use PIN and issuing this number to the user, where the user presents this number to a merchant to complete a sales transaction; the merchant processing this limited use PIN, where the number is typically presented to the credit issuer to facilitate authorization. Additionally, the limited use PIN may also carry with it certain limitations-on-use conditions, where the transaction is not authorized unless these conditions are met. In generating a limited use PIN, the issuer generates a random number and associates this number with the user's primary charge account.

Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is an apparatus and method for producing and displaying a dynamic barcode that permits authorized medical personnel to obtain confidential medical information while preventing unauthorized personnel from viewing the same. Any suitable dynamic medical information may be so displayed including blood pressure, temperature, respiration rate, heart rate, and the like.

Abstract: An automated banking machine system and method includes ATMs which accept checks and dispense cash to users. The ATMs are operated to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks to determine the genuineness of checks and the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks. Cash may be dispensed to the user from the ATM in exchange for the deposited check. The ATMs dispense cash responsive to communications with a transaction host. The transaction host provides transaction identifying data to the ATM. The ATM sends the transaction identifying data and check images to an image and transaction data server for processing.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for authorizing automated value transfers from an account available to users who do not have a pre-existing trust, business or financial relationship. In an embodiment of the present invention, a Sender at a first location purchases a PIN Card at a point of sale, such as a retail location or a bank teller. The Sender contacts an intended Recipient at a remote location and discloses a Transfer PIN associated with the PIN Card, as well as the amount being transferred, to that intended Recipient. The Recipient needs only the Transfer PIN and a Cash Card to receive the money transfer at a participating remote location. To receive the value associated with the PIN Card, the Recipient inserts or swipes the Cash Card at an ATM and enters the Transfer PIN. An authorization system then authorizes the dispensing unit to dispense that value amount.

Abstract: A nutrition indicator device includes a plurality of discs mounted on a pin, some of the discs being removable from the pin. Each side of each disc has an empty circular central area, and radially extending rows of numerical nutritional values for foods and the names of foods radially outwardly of such values. An opaque mask with a radially extending window is mounted on the pin for displaying the name of a single food and the nutritional values for a serving of the food when a disc below the mask is rotated to align a food name with the window.

Abstract: A data reader such as for example an imaging reader with a CCD or CMOS imager or the like, having multiple images of a target item illuminated or acquired from different directions in which the image signals are combined into a complete image of the item or selected portions of the item being read such that specular reflection (over-saturated regions of the sensor array) are minimized or eliminated. In one example data reader configuration, multiple illumination sources such as first and second rows of light emitting diodes (LED's) are aimed at the item being scanned from different directions. The illumination sources are alternately pulsed and return signals are collected at one or more sensor arrays. A selected non-saturated return signal from one of the illumination sources, or selected non-saturated portions of return signal from both of the illumination sources are processed to generate a complete non-saturated image of the target.

Abstract: A voting system provides for a computer-prepared and computer-printed election ballot generated by input from the voter, and provides for auto-verification whereby the voter has the opportunity and the responsibility to inspect the computer-printed ballot with his or her votes. The voting system also provides for correction of the votes of the voter in the computer station and correction of the votes of the voter shown on the printed ballot if such votes are not shown on the printed ballot as intended by the voter. Ultimately, the voter is presented with a printed ballot prepared by the voting station and its connected printer which accurately presents the votes of the voter for submission by the voter for final tabulation.