Abstract: End-to-end device authentication is provided. A dispenser receives an authorization token and a dispense amount from a host. The authorization token and the dispense amount are validated and when validation is successful, the dispenser dispenses the dispense amount.

Abstract: Omni-Channel experiences provide convenience to consumers by allowing the consumer to start and complete a transaction on a channel that is most convenient to them. This can entail a transaction being shared across two or more channels, or between a consumer and a staff member. Embodiments herein provide an infrastructure that allows a transaction to be shared in (near) real-time across channels allowing a cooperative, responsive experience that can be used to improve a number of consumer experiences. Note that in some embodiments a channel is a communication channel, device, application, or app through which a consumer is able to communicate, such as with a teller, clerk, other customer such as a spouse or child, a support desk, an automated teller, and the like.

Abstract: Methods for extensible device drivers and an extensible device driver Self-Service Terminal (SST) are provided. A SST includes an operating system (OS) having a communication port and an application having low-level commands that are specific to a hardware device, which is coupled to the SST; the low-level commands directly capable of being executed by the device. The communication port is operable to relay information and commands (including the low-level commands) between the device and the application. The application directly controls the device, with the low-level commands, and the low-level commands unrecognized by the OS.

Abstract: Self-Service Terminal (SST) thin clients and operation thereof are provided. A SST includes an operating system (OS), and authorized thin-client application, and an authorized agent. The OS is configured to restrict execution on the SST to authorized applications. The authorized thin-client application is configured to access predefined peripheral devices within the SST and an authorized server. In an embodiment, the authorized agent is configured to connect to the authorized server to: manage updates to the OS received from the authorized server and receive customizations from the authorized server to configure the authorized thin-client application.

Abstract: A method of managing transfer of cash, or other valuable media, is described. The method comprises: providing, to a first location, details of cash (or other media) to be loaded into a machine-readable cash container; associating the cash details with a unique identifier associated with the cash container; and storing the associated unique identifier and cash details. The method includes, at a subsequent time, receiving, from a second location to which the cash container has been transported, a request including the unique identifier read from the cash container; accessing the stored cash details using the unique identifier; and providing the stored cash details to the second location.

Abstract: A currency container, method of managing a currency container and a cash management system are disclosed. The currency container includes a container body such as a rigid cassette or flexible bag for storing currency notes. The container includes at least one near field communication (NFC) tag for indicating information associated with the container such as an ID of the container and/or a value of currency stored in the container.

Abstract: Methods for extensible device drivers and an extensible device driver Self-Service Terminal (SST) are provided. A SST includes an operating system (OS) having a communication port and an application having low-level commands that are specific to a hardware device, which is coupled to the SST; the low-level commands directly capable of being executed by the device. The communication port is operable to relay information and commands (including the low-level commands) between the device and the application. The application directly controls the device, with the low-level commands, and the low-level commands unrecognized by the OS.

Abstract: Self-Service Terminal (SST) thin clients and operation thereof are provided. A SST includes an operating system (OS), and authorized thin-client application, and an authorized agent. The OS is configured to restrict execution on the SST to authorized applications. The authorized thin-client application is configured to access predefined peripheral devices within the SST and an authorized server. In an embodiment, the authorized agent is configured to connect to the authorized server to: manage updates to the OS received from the authorized server and receive customizations from the authorized server to configure the authorized thin-client application.

Abstract: End-to-end device authentication is provided. A dispenser receives an authorization token and a dispense amount from a host. The authorization token and the dispense amount are validated and when validation is successful, the dispenser dispenses the dispense amount.

Abstract: A method of managing transfer of cash, or other valuable media, is described. The method comprises: providing, to a first location, details of cash (or other media) to be loaded into a machine-readable cash container; associating the cash details with a unique identifier associated with the cash container; and storing the associated unique identifier and cash details. The method includes, at a subsequent time, receiving, from a second location to which the cash container has been transported, a request including the unique identifier read from the cash container; accessing the stored cash details using the unique identifier; and providing the stored cash details to the second location.

Abstract: A currency container, method of managing a currency container and a cash management system are disclosed. The currency container includes a container body such as a rigid cassette or flexible bag for storing currency notes. The container includes at least one near field communication (NFC) tag for indicating information associated with the container such as an ID of the container and/or a value of currency stored in the container.

Abstract: A configuration creator for use in creating a terminal application for a target apparatus. The configuration creator comprises: (i) an indexing routine for examining available software components that can be used in the terminal application and ascertaining possible type-safe relationships for each software component, (ii) a graphical user interface including a control area for displaying classes that can be used in the terminal application, and an association area for creating instances of the displayed classes and allowing type-safe relationships to be established between created instances, and (iii) a file creation routine for creating a configuration file including code describing created instances and relationships established between the created instances. The configuration file can subsequently be parsed to create a terminal application for use in a target apparatus, such as a self-service terminal.

Abstract: A method of updating serialized objects is described. The method comprises: loading a file containing at least one serialized object; identifying classes within the loaded file; ascertaining one or more properties associated with each identified class; and ascertaining for each of the one or more ascertained properties (i) any defined value, and (ii) any alternative values to the defined value. The method further comprises creating a data set to represent (i) the identified classes and (ii) the ascertained properties associated with those classes, where each property includes (a) the defined value and (b) a list of the alternative values that may be selected instead of that defined value. The method further comprises: visually representing the created class data set; and allowing a user to update the class data set by selecting alternative values for one or more properties. A computer for implementing this method is also described.

Abstract: A system implementing secure access to management information, the system (96) comprising: an open management service (64) including an open management application programming interface (92); a managed object (18,30,50,66) generating management information; and an object interface (68,74) for (i) receiving management information from the object, (ii) converting the received management information into a format accessible to the open management service, and (iii) providing the management information to the open management service (64) in response to a valid request from a client (80). The system further comprises an authorization component (74a) for verifying an access code (86) associated with the request to determine if the client (80) is authorized to issue the request.

Abstract: A self-service terminal comprising: application flow logic which collates information provided by a user of the terminal; configuration information associated with each of a plurality of individually-controllable layers, and a presentation component responsive to the application flow logic. The presentation component operates on the configuration information for each layer to simultaneously render the plurality of layers on a display as a single screen while continuing to operate independently on each layer being displayed. The configuration information may include both instructions and content, and the presentation component may use the instructions to access advanced graphical manipulation routines for operating on the content.

Abstract: A configuration creator for use in creating a terminal application for a target apparatus. The configuration creator comprises: (i) an indexing routine for examining available software components that can be used in the terminal application and ascertaining possible type-safe relationships for each software component, (ii) a graphical user interface including a control area for displaying classes that can be used in the terminal application, and an association area for creating instances of the displayed classes and allowing type-safe relationships to be established between created instances, and (iii) a file creation routine for creating a configuration file including code describing created instances and relationships established between the created instances. The configuration file can subsequently be parsed to create a terminal application for use in a target apparatus, such as a self-service terminal.

Abstract: A method of method and apparatus for authenticating an executable application program is described in which the application is installed in a system. Prior to providing access, for the executable application, to secure hardware or software a subordinate program verifies the authenticity of the executable application.

Abstract: A self-service terminal comprising a core unit (10) that includes a processor and one or more peripheral devices (14) operable to communicate with the core (10). Included in each of the core (10) and the peripheral devices (14) are means for encrypting messages (20, 22) using key based encryption, so that messages can be securely sent between them. The key based encryption uses a session key for encrypting messages and public/private key based encryption, such as RSA, for key management purposes. An initial session key is generated in the peripheral device in response to the detection of a pre-determined act or event. Once a suitable session key is created, it is encrypted using the public key of the public/private key pair and sent to the core (10), where it is decrypted using the private key to expose the session key. This session key is then used to encrypt/decrypt all messages sent between the core (10) and the peripheral device (14).

Abstract: A system implementing secure access to management information, the system (96) comprising: an open management service (64) including an open management application programming interface (92); a managed object (18,30,50,66) generating management information; and an object interface (68,74) for (i) receiving management information from the object, (ii) converting the received management information into a format accessible to the open management service, and (iii) providing the management information to the open management service (64) in response to a valid request from a client (80). The system further comprises an authorization component (74a) for verifying an access code (86) associated with the request to determine if the client (80) is authorized to issue the request.

Abstract: An automated teller machine (10) comprising means (30) for generating and presenting an avatar (36) to the user, wherein characteristics, such as facial expressions, of the avatar (36) are dependent on inputs from users and a customer relationship management system.