Abstract: A self-service terminal (22) that includes an optical system (28) for detecting a terminal overlay or artifact.

Abstract: A script engine (18) for providing a communication channel between an internet browser (10) and a software agent based system (16). The script engine (18) is configured to receive a request from an internet browser page for data or functionality available from a software agent (16) and transmit the request to the agent (16). Once the agent (16) has processed the request, a response is sent to the script agent (18), which receives and transmits it to the browser (10) in a format that can be recognized thereby. If the response received from the agent (16) is in a suitable format it is passed directly to the browser (10) by the script engine (18). Otherwise, the script engine (18) translates the response or causes translation thereof before sending the response to the browser (10).

Abstract: A self-service terminal (10) is described. The terminal, which may be an ATM, comprises a plurality of modules (14 to 34), and has a control application for controlling the operation of the terminal. The control application comprises a plurality of module driver agents (70), a plurality of module function request agents (72) for requesting functions provided by a module (14 to 34), and a logic engine (66). An interface (76) is provided between the driver agents (70) and the function request agents (72), so that a module driver agent (70) is operable to co-operate with an associated function request agent (72) to provide module functions for the logic engine (66).

Abstract: A method of recommending goods or services to a user is described. The recommendations are made based on various data sources containing information of the user and the possible recommendations. A first recommendation is made to a user within a restricted time limit via a portable computing device such as a mobile telephone or a PDA, the time limit restricting the available sources of information which may be consulted to produce the recommendation. The user is then offered a second recommendation of improved accuracy; to achieve this the time limit is increased, so allowing additional data sources to be consulted. The second recommendation may be offered via a fixed computing device such as a self service terminal (SST), allowing greater bandwidth access to the data sources, and allowing additional services or information to be provided to the user, such as detailed information or images on the recommendations.

Abstract: A data brokerage system (12) is described. The system comprises: a database (18) for storing a plurality of data accounts; a data update interface (24); and a data sales interface (26) for allowing a third party to query preselected data accounts. Each data account includes data associated with an individual and access rights selected by the individual. The data update interface (24) allows an individual to add data to their data account. The system (12) is able to charge a third party a fee for accessing data accounts meeting an acceptance criteria. A method of selling access to data in a database is also described. The method comprises the steps of: storing data associated with an individual (100); allowing the individual to determine access rights to the data (124); and selling access to the data to a third party (106).