Abstract: The invention provides for printing apparatus comprising printing means and a host processor (28) for delivering print data and command data via a common interface (30) to the said printing means, and characterized in that the host processor is arranged to deliver said print data with a first characteristic and said command data with a second characteristic, and that the printing means comprises a printing device (34) for receiving the said print data and a control device (40) for receiving the said command data, the apparatus further including detecting means (42) for detecting the said characteristic of the data appearing at the common interface (30), and switch means (48) responsive to the detecting means detecting the said first characteristic for switching data from said common interface (30) to the said printing device (34) so that the full potential of the printing device (34) can be realized.

Abstract: A sheet dispenser mechanism (10) is described. The mechanism includes upper and lower transport guides (12, 14) for conveying a sheet such as a bank note therebetween, only one of the transport guides (12) being movable in a plane transverse to the surface of the bank note (38). A piezoelectric sensor (36) is mechanically coupled to the movable transport guide (12). A detecting circuit (52) monitors the output from the piezoelectric sensor (36). When a single bank note (38) is being transported the movable transport guide (12) is deflected by the thickness of the bank note and the detecting circuit (52) detects a first signal. If two sheets are stuck together and transported as a single sheet then the movable transport guide (12) is deflected by the thickness of the two sheets and the detecting circuit (52) detects a second signal which is greater than the first signal, thereby indicating that multiple sheets are present.

Abstract: A system for detecting the passage of superposed notes along a feed path. The system includes a sensing station (12) through which the feed path passes and which has a filament lamp (48) and an optical sensor (50). The magnitude of an output signal of the optical sensor is dependent on the intensity of the received light. A microcontroller (52) establishes a threshold value of the output signal by setting the intensity of light emitted from the lamp, when there is no note in the sensing station, to a first level. A pulse width modulator (56) increases the intensity of emitted light from the first level to a second level so that when there is one note present at the sensing station the output signal is above the threshold level. The intensity of emitted light is maintained at the second level whereby superposed notes cause a substantial fall in the output signal of the optical sensor. The microcontroller monitors the output signal to detect this.

Abstract: A secure access circuit provided on a PCB (10) by designating a via hole (26) as a security via hole, storing data relating to the address and status (intact or drilled-out) of the via hole in a connectable EPROM (26), determining the status of the security via hole, and authorizing access of the EPROM only if stored data and determined status of the hole are identical. Circuit (44) can be upgraded by use of different EPROMs; by use of different PCBs with different security via holes corresponding to each upgrade, an illegally copied EPROM providing upgraded facilities by use of a printed circuit board cannot be used on a PCB (10) intended to provide only basic facilities.

Abstract: An automated teller machine (ATM) receives a user's identifying card from a card user and deactivates the card in accordance with at least one user selectable condition. The ATM comprises an input device for entering data to the ATM and a card reading mechanism for receiving the card from the user. The input device is a keyboard associated with the ATM. Control means deactivate the card in accordance with the at least one user selectable condition when the card is received by the card reading mechanism and the user enters certain data on the input device. The control means include a local processor which is located at the ATM and which can communicate with a remote processor located at a bank site. The certain data may include information corresponding to at least one time period during which the card is to be deactivated. Alternatively, the certain data may include information corresponding to at least one ATM at which the card is to remain activated, with the card being deactivated for all other ATMs.

Abstract: A currency cassette (10) has a printed circuit board (80) secured to one of its side walls, the board (80) having mounted thereon a microprocessor, a RAM, a real time clock chip, and battery means for supplying power for the board (80). First (208) and second switches are respectively operatively associated with the lid (14) of the cassette (10) and with a shutter which, when opened, permits currency notes to be extracted in operation from the cassette (10). Opening of the lid (14) or the shutter causes the appropriate switch to be actuated. Each switch is connected to the printed circuit board (80), and the microprocessor is arranged, in response to actuation of either of the switches, to store in the RAM data indicating which switch was actuated and the date and time of day when the relevant switch was actuated. The switches and printed circuit board (80) provide an effective tamper indicating system for the cassette (10).

Abstract: A data transfer system includes a currency cassette adapted to be inserted in a cassette receiving compartment of a cash dispenser mechanism, the cassette having a first printed circuit board on which are mounted a RAM, a microprocessor connected to the RAM, a photodiode adapted to receive data from an LED mounted on a second printed circuit board secured to the cassette receiving compartment, and LED adapted to transmit data to a photodiode mounted on the second board, and a first circuit including a first coil adapted to receive power from second circuit including a second coil mounted on the second board. In operation, data is transferred between the RAM and a microprocessor external to the cassette by means of the cooperating photodiodes and LEDs, with the first circuit serving to provide a dc power supply for the other components mounted on the board.