Abstract: A central server at a home office is connected to remote processing stations at multiple remote sites such as convenience stores. The remote processing station is used to create and print various financial instruments which include money orders, payroll checks, vendor drafts, and gift certificates. The financial instruments are printed on blank paper using MICR toner in a standard laser printer, thereby eliminating the need for preprinted forms. Transaction logs are maintained and communicated to the central server where records for all locations are maintained. The central server also authorized payroll checks for the employees of the remote locations and sends authorization to the locations where the actual payroll checks are printed. Additionally, the system can be used to create and distribute site specific coupons to remote locations. A general coupon template is loaded onto the central server of the data processing system along with site specific information to be printed on each coupon.

Abstract: In the present invention, utilizing a data processing system at one location such as the home office, and another data processing system at a remote location such as a convenience store, an authorized convenience store employee may print financial instruments. According to the present invention, pre-printed forms are not needed in order to print financial instruments. When a financial instrument is to be printed, a valid password must first be entered. Thereafter, the employee may insert blank paper into the printer included within the remote data processing system and print a complete financial instrument. All necessary parameters may be printed by the remote data processing system, including financial institution identification number, account number, financial instrument number, date, amount, and payee. A transaction log may be automatically maintained by the remote data processing system. A log entry may be created each time a financial instrument is created.

Abstract: The height of a liquid level from the bottom of a storage tank or the like is accurately determined by using a probe with dual isolated channels to measure the time for an acoustic signal to travel between fixed submerged points and from a transducer in one of the channels to the surface of the liquid. Elapsed time measurements are converted to liquid volume using predetermined velocity-temperature values to compensate for temperature variations in the tank.