Abstract: A self-service terminal for reading wireless tags incorporated into media items is described. The terminal comprises a media acceptor for receiving media items, such as banknotes incorporating an RFID tag, and a wireless tag reader for reading received media items incorporating wireless tags. The terminal may also include a wireless tag reader for reading wireless tags in media items that are being transported to determine if multiple superimposed media items are present. The terminal may include a wireless tag reader for reading wireless tags in media items presented as a bunch, and subsequently retracted, to determine if any of the presented media items had been removed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a media item. The apparatus includes a module for receiving media items and capturing an image of a received media item. The method involves ascertaining external dimensions of the media item from the captured image; creating a monochromatic image based on high contrast boundaries within the captured image; matching the monochromatic image to one of a plurality of templates of media items of approximately the same external dimensions as the media item; and providing details of the matched template, including type and orientation of the media item corresponding to the matched template.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a media item. The apparatus includes a module for receiving media items and capturing an image of a received media item. The method involves ascertaining external dimensions of the media item from the captured image; creating a monochromatic image based on high contrast boundaries within the captured image; matching the monochromatic image to one of a plurality of templates of media items of approximately the same external dimensions as the media item; and providing details of the matched template, including type and orientation of the media item corresponding to the matched template.

Abstract: A technique for use in automated recognition of a media item involves accessing a template that includes multiple segmentation maps that each is associated with one of multiple classes to which the media item might belong. For each of the multiple classes, the segmentation map is applied to an image of the media item to extract a feature set for the image, the feature set is analyzed, and an assessment is made as to whether the media item belongs to the class.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating a soiling level of a media item, such as a banknote. The method comprises receiving an image of a media item including a plurality of pixels, each pixel having an associated intensity. Two sets of pixels are created, where each pixel in the first set has a higher intensity than each pixel in the second set. A representative intensity value from the first set and a representative intensity value from the second set are calculated. A soiling value from the ratio of the representative intensity value of the second set to the representative intensity value of the first set is calculated. The media item is captured if the soiling value fulfils a capture criterion.

Abstract: A technique for use in automatic validation of a media item involves accessing a template that comprises multiple one-class classifiers, each corresponding to one of multiple classes to which the media item might belong, and then applying each of the one-class classifiers to an image of the media item to generate a result set for each of the multiple classes. The result set for each media class is then analyzed to assess whether the media item belongs to that class.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are presented for identifying produce. Multiple images of a produce item captured using five different types of illumination. The captured images are processed to determine parameters of the produce item and those parameters are compared to parameters of known produce to identify the produce item.

Abstract: A secure tag coding method and device. The method comprises: providing a first type of secure tag having a first luminescence profile to indicate a first level code; providing a second type of secure tag having a second luminescence profile different from the first luminescence profile to indicate a second level code; mixing secure tags of the first type with secure tags of the second type in a predetermined ratio so that excitation of the mixed secure tags produces a composite of the first luminescence profile and the second luminescence profile, from which composite a multi-level code can be ascertained; and applying the mixture of first and second types of secure tags to a substrate. The substrate carrying this secure tag coding arrangement provides multi-level codes. The device for selecting and applying the secure tag coding arrangement to the substrate is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system are presented for identifying produce. Multiple images of a produce item captured using five different types of illumination. The captured images are processed to determine parameters of the produce item and those parameters are compared to parameters of known produce to identify the produce item.

Abstract: Techniques for medical self-service are provided. A kiosk interacts with a patient to establish a patient identity, acquire medical records for the patient, and acquire one or more medical vital readings for the patient. The kiosk then packages the information in a summary that is electronically provided to medical personnel before a patient is addressed by the medical personnel at a medical facility.

Abstract: A self-service terminal for reading wireless tags incorporated into media items is described. The terminal comprises a media acceptor for receiving media items, such as banknotes incorporating an RFID tag, and a wireless tag reader for reading received media items incorporating wireless tags. The terminal may also include a wireless tag reader for reading wireless tags in media items that are being transported to determine if multiple superimposed media items are present. The terminal may include a wireless tag reader for reading wireless tags in media items presented as a bunch, and subsequently retracted, to determine if any of the presented media items had been removed.

Abstract: A self-service terminal for reading wireless tags incorporated into media items is described. The terminal comprises a media acceptor for receiving media items, such as banknotes incorporating an RFID tag, and a wireless tag reader for reading received media items incorporating wireless tags. The terminal may also include a wireless tag reader for reading wireless tags in media items that are being transported to determine if multiple superimposed media items are present. The terminal may include a wireless tag reader for reading wireless tags in media items presented as a bunch, and subsequently retracted, to determine if any of the presented media items had been removed.

Abstract: A method of identifying a source of a substance incorporating one or more luminescent markers comprises illuminating the substance to stimulate emission from at least one of the luminescent markers. A luminescent signature is generated from the detected luminescent emission. The source of the substance is identified based on a match between the generated luminescent signature and a pre-defined luminescent signature.

Abstract: A secure tag comprising: a carrier doped with one or more rare earth ions, and a barrier material associated with the carrier and substantially blocking low-wavelength radiation to shield the rare earth ions from low-wavelength radiation. This enables a secure tag to be fabricated that does not photoluminescence strongly in response to a low-wavelength excitation radiation source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a media item. The apparatus includes a module for receiving media items and capturing an image of a received media item. The method involves ascertaining external dimensions of the media item from the captured image; creating a monochromatic image based on high contrast boundaries within the captured image; matching the monochromatic image to one of a plurality of templates of media items of approximately the same external dimensions as the media item; and providing details of the matched template, including type and orientation of the media item corresponding to the matched template.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating a soiling level of a media item, such as a banknote. The method comprises receiving an image of a media item including a plurality of pixels, each pixel having an associated intensity. Two sets of pixels are created, where each pixel in the first set has a higher intensity than each pixel in the second set. A representative intensity value from the first set and a representative intensity value from the second set are calculated. A soiling value from the ratio of the representative intensity value of the second set to the representative intensity value of the first set is calculated. The media item is captured if the soiling value fulfils a capture criterion.

Abstract: A method of identifying a source of a substance incorporating one or more luminescent markers comprises illuminating the substance to stimulate emission from at least one of the luminescent markers. A luminescent signature is generated from the detected luminescent emission. The source of the substance is identified based on a match between the generated luminescent signature and a pre-defined luminescent signature.

Abstract: A method for developing a template of a reference document, such as a bank note and using that template to validate other test documents. The method involves using images of a plurality of reference documents, such as banknotes and segmenting each image in a like manner into a plurality of segments. Each segment is then classified using a one-class classifier to determine a reference classification parameter. These parameters are used to define a threshold reference classification parameter. Optionally, the step of segmenting is optimized to determine a preferred number of segments, and a preferred combination of these for use in a subsequent validation process. Preferably, this is done using a stochastic algorithm such as a genetic algorithm.

Abstract: A method of reducing receipt fraud comprises attempting to detect emission from a receipt associated with one or more luminescent markers that are incorporated in a valid receipt. The receipt is validated when the attempt is successful.

Abstract: A biometric system (10) for assisting a user in providing a biometric reading is described. The system (10) comprises: a biometric capture unit (12) for capturing biometric data from a user; and feedback means (30) for providing the user with an indication of the extent to which a measurement has been captured. The feedback means (30) may be implemented by a display, a loudspeaker (508), or both. The system may also include anonymizing means (66) for providing the feedback means (30) with an anonymized version of the data measured from the biometric capture unit (12).