Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing a transaction at a hand held device. The method comprises the steps of accessing a virtualized operating system and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) application at a hand held device and performing a customer transaction at the hand held device using the virtualized operating system and ATM application.

Abstract: An interactive display for presenting an optical pattern spatially encoding an electronic voucher is described. The interactive display comprises: a display arranged to present an optical pattern; and a controller coupled to the display. The controller is arranged to (i) generate a unique code; (ii) combine the generated unique code with an electronic offer to create a new optical pattern spatially encoding an electronic voucher; and (iii) present the new optical pattern on the display in response to a renewal criterion being satisfied.

Abstract: A ticketless system and method of managing casino patron money balances which eliminates paper media handling and reconciliation. The system includes a self-service computer for receiving a first amount of money from a casino patron during a first transaction. The self-service computer stores the first amount and a phone number of a mobile communication device of the patron in a record associated with the patron. The record is accessible to a gaming machine in response to a first message from the mobile communication device of the patron. The self-service computer retrieves a second amount of money from the record during a second transaction representing money transferred from the gaming machine in response to a second message from the mobile communication device of the patron, and transfers the second amount of money to the patron.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for operating an Automated Teller Machine (ATM). The method includes the steps of receiving access to a virtualized operating system and ATM application at an ATM and performing a customer transaction at the ATM using the access to the virtualized operating system and ATM application. A recovery program may be provided to control the ATM if a communication link fails between the ATM and a server providing the access.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing information to a customer of a Self-Service Terminal (SST) such as an Automated Teller Machine (ATM). The method includes the steps of updating storage data of a Near Field Communication (NFC) device at an SST and reading data associated with the storage data from the NFC device via a mobile terminal of a customer at the SST.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing a transaction at a hand held device. The method comprises the steps of accessing a virtualized operating system and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) application at a hand held device and performing a customer transaction at the hand held device using the virtualized operating system and ATM application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for operating an Automated Teller Machine (ATM). The method includes the steps of receiving access to a virtualized operating system and ATM application at an ATM and performing a customer transaction at the ATM using the access to the virtualized operating system and ATM application. A recovery program may be provided to control the ATM if a communication link fails between the ATM and a server providing the access.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for providing information to a customer of a Self-Service Terminal (SST) such as an Automated Teller Machine (ATM). The method includes the steps of updating storage data of a Near Field Communication (NFC) device at an SST and reading data associated with the storage data from the NFC device via a mobile terminal of a customer at the SST.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (SST) for use in conducting multiple financial transactions between a user of the SST and a financial institution includes one or more user-interface devices and a processing module. The user interface devices are configured to receive information from and provide information to the user. The processing module is configured to: (1) receive from the one or more user-interface devices information identifying a first one of the transactions and information containing details necessary to complete the first one of the transactions; (2) receive from the one or more user-interface devices information identifying a second one of the transactions and information containing details necessary to complete the second one of the transactions; and (3) thereafter initiate execution of the first one of the transactions and the second one of the transactions over a financial-transaction network.

Abstract: A ticketless system and method of managing casino patron money balances which eliminates paper media handling and reconciliation. The system includes a self-service computer for receiving a first amount of money from a casino patron during a first transaction. The self-service computer stores the first amount and a phone number of a mobile communication device of the patron in a record associated with the patron. The record is accessible to a gaming machine in response to a first message from the mobile communication device of the patron. The self-service computer retrieves a second amount of money from the record during a second transaction representing money transferred from the gaming machine in response to a second message from the mobile communication device of the patron, and transfers the second amount of money to the patron.

Abstract: An interactive display for presenting an optical pattern spatially encoding an electronic voucher is described. The interactive display comprises: a display arranged to present an optical pattern; and a controller coupled to the display. The controller is arranged to (i) generate a unique code; (ii) combine the generated unique code with an electronic offer to create a new optical pattern spatially encoding an electronic voucher; and (iii) present the new optical pattern on the display in response to a renewal criterion being satisfied.

Abstract: A vehicle key system and method which reduces problems with key management, distribution, and collection. The system includes a computer for completing a vehicle rental transaction involving one of a plurality of different vehicles, for determining an encrypted code associated with a vehicle security system of the one vehicle, and for storing the encrypted code in a reusable programmable key to limit use of the key to operating the one vehicle during a rental period defined by the vehicle rental transaction.

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: A system and method for depositing a cheque at a self-service terminal such as an automated teller machine. The method comprises the steps of: transporting the cheque from an entrance slot to a process zone; determining whether to accept or reject the document; and electronically acquiring an image of the document. Thereupon the system identifies an electronic or telecommunications address of a device associated with the user; and in the event of accepting the document, transmits the acquired image of the cheque to the device address.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (SST) for use in conducting multiple financial transactions between a user of the SST and a financial institution includes one or more user-interface devices and a processing module. The user interface devices are configured to receive information from and provide information to the user. The processing module is configured to: (1) receive from the one or more user-interface devices information identifying a first one of the transactions and information containing details necessary to complete the first one of the transactions; (2) receive from the one or more user-interface devices information identifying a second one of the transactions and information containing details necessary to complete the second one of the transactions; and (3) thereafter initiate execution of the first one of the transactions and the second one of the transactions over a financial-transaction network.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (SST) 10 has a user interface (12,14), a bank note receiver (16) where a user may input bank notes, and a bank note validator (18) for checking the bank notes received from the user (the user's bank notes). The terminal (10) also has a cassette receiver (36) for holding a cassette (34) which is to be replenished with the user's bank notes. A loading mechanism (32) is used to replenish the cassette (34) with the validated user's bank notes. The loading mechanism (32) has a pivoting linkage arrangement so that as the bank notes are stacked in the cassette (34), part of the linkage remains parallel to the stack of bank notes. The SST (10) also has a cassette emptying mechanism (38) for emptying and reconciling partially-filled cassettes (39). A method of replenishing a cassette with bank notes and an SST system are also described.

Abstract: A dispensing container for storing valuable media and a self-service terminal (such as an ATM) for using these dispensing containers are described. The container has frangible portions to allow opening of the container, so that when the container is loaded into an ATM, the ATM breaks the frangible portions to define an opening through which the contents of the container are dispensed. The ATM incorporates a housing for storing these containers; a breaching mechanism for breaking the frangible portions and defining an opening; an emptying mechanism for removing valuable media from the opening; and a discharging mechanism for discarding empty containers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to repair a void in an aluminum alloy, particularly a void resulting from an exit hole left from friction stir welding (FSW). The method includes machining the void to provide a tapered bore (34) through a parent metal, i.e., the aluminum alloy (30), providing grooves and ridges (36) on a sidewall of the tapered bore, inserting into the bore a consumable tapered plug (38) having an included angle less than, or equal to, that of the tapered bore, and rotating the plug inside the bore under an applied load to plasticize both its surface and the ridges on the parent metal tapered bore. The tapered plug is preferably attached at its proximal end to a nonconsumable heat sink (40) to remove excessive heat generated during rotation of the plug. Also, a support bracket is temporarily attached to the aluminum alloy adjacent the tapered bore to receive a distal end of the plug (38) and to react to the applied load.

Abstract: A mechanical grinding device is provided for preparing very thin specimens such as transmission electron microscopy specimens. The specimens are held on the end of a long rod which is pressed against a spherical tool by the weight of the rod. The opposite end of the rod extends through a hole in a pivot plate which is spaced above the tool. The tool is mounted on a tool holder which is eccentrically positioned on a rotating base by a pivot. As the base rotates, the tool holder moves and a concave surface is ground in the specimen, thus thinning it.