Abstract: A modular valuable media recycling device is presented. The valuable media recycling device includes a media infeed module, a validator module, an escrow module, a plurality of media feeder/stacking modules, and a plurality of cassette modules. When a module handles a valuable media item along a media transport path, the module's identifier and security information are passed as a message to a next module that is to handle the media item in a processing path for the media item. Each module independently validates the authenticity of the message received from a previous module. The number of media feeder/stacking modules and cassette modules are scalable based on the transaction terminal that the modular valuable media recycling device is integrated into.

Abstract: A method of processing a mixed bunch of banknotes and checks in a recycling self-service terminal is described. The method comprises: receiving a bunch of documents; recognizing each document from the received bunch; for each banknote recognized from the received bunch, validating the authenticity of that banknote; for each check recognized from the received bunch, extracting financial information from that check; and notifying a customer of the total value of the deposited bunch. A document validator, and a self-service terminal including the document validator, are also described.

Abstract: A modular valuable media recycling device is presented. The valuable media recycling device includes a media infeed module, a validator module, an escrow module, a plurality of media feeder/stacking modules, and a plurality of cassette modules. When a module handles a valuable media item along a media transport path, the module's identifier and security information are passed as a message to a next module that is to handle the media item in a processing path for the media item. Each module independently validates the authenticity of the message received from a previous module. The number of media feeder/stacking modules and cassette modules are scalable based on the transaction terminal that the modular valuable media recycling device is integrated into.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control staging of test specimens. Disclosed example systems to perform automated testing include: a stage configured to secure one or more test specimens; one or more actuators configured to position the stage and the one or more test specimens; a user interface configured to: receive input defining a test sequence of a plurality of points to be tested on the one or more test specimens; display a graphic indicative of positions of the plurality of points on the one or more test specimens and one or more paths to be taken by the stage to traverse the plurality of points during testing of the test sequence; and control circuitry configured to control a test process of the test sequence in accordance with the plurality of points and the one or more paths.

Abstract: A modular valuable media recycling device is presented. The valuable media recycling device includes a media infeed module, a validator module, an escrow module, a plurality of media feeder/stacking modules, and a plurality of cassette modules. When a module handles a valuable media item along a media transport path, the module's identifier and security information are passed as a message to a next module that is to handle the media item in a processing path for the media item. Each module independently validates the authenticity of the message received from a previous module. The number of media feeder/stacking modules and cassette modules are scalable based on the transaction terminal that the modular valuable media recycling device is integrated into.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for recycling currency. The systems and methods may include receiving, at a self-service terminal, a plurality of currency notes; sorting, by the self-service terminal, the plurality of currency notes by denomination; and dispensing, by the self-service terminal, a subset of the plurality of currency notes.

Abstract: A modular valuable media recycling device is presented. The valuable media recycling device includes a media infeed module, a validator module, an escrow module, a plurality of media feeder/stacking modules, and a plurality of cassette modules. When a module handles a valuable media item along a media transport path, the module's identifier and security information are passed as a message to a next module that is to handle the media item in a processing path for the media item. Each module independently validates the authenticity of the message received from a previous module. The number of media feeder/stacking modules and cassette modules are scalable based on the transaction terminal that the modular valuable media recycling device is integrated into.

Abstract: A modular valuable media recycling device is presented. The valuable media recycling device includes a media infeed module, a validator module, an escrow module, a plurality of media feeder/stacking modules, and a plurality of cassette modules. When a module handles a valuable media item along a media transport path, the module's identifier and security information are passed as a message to a next module that is to handle the media item in a processing path for the media item. Each module independently validates the authenticity of the message received from a previous module. The number of media feeder/stacking modules and cassette modules are scalable based on the transaction terminal that the modular valuable media recycling device is integrated into.

Abstract: A modular valuable media recycling device is presented. The valuable media recycling device includes a media infeed module, a validator module, an escrow module, a plurality of media feeder/stacking modules, and a plurality of cassette modules. When a module handles a valuable media item along a media transport path, the module's identifier and security information are passed as a message to a next module that is to handle the media item in a processing path for the media item. Each module independently validates the authenticity of the message received from a previous module. The number of media feeder/stacking modules and cassette modules are scalable based on the transaction terminal that the modular valuable media recycling device is integrated into.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for recycling currency. The systems and methods may include receiving, at a self-service terminal, a plurality of currency notes; sorting, by the self-service terminal, the plurality of currency notes by denomination; and dispensing, by the self-service terminal, a subset of the plurality of currency notes.

Abstract: A method of processing a mixed bunch of banknotes and checks in a recycling self-service terminal is described. The method comprises: receiving a bunch of documents; recognizing each document from the received bunch; for each banknote recognized from the received bunch, validating the authenticity of that banknote; for each check recognized from the received bunch, extracting financial information from that check; and notifying a customer of the total value of the deposited bunch. A document validator, and a self-service terminal including the document validator, are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for characterizing tissue biopsies, cells and organisms as a result of predictable responses to known compounds. A sensor is used to detect plurality of features indicative of physiological activity in response to the external. A vector quantity comprising a number of dimensions equal to a number of different features is derived from the signal output of said sensor array and compared to one or more reference values to generate a physiological ‘fingerprint’.

Abstract: The water carbonation method and apparatus of the present invention consists of a square mixer within a carbonated chamber. The mixer is partially filled with water. Carbon dioxide is then added above the level of water. A rotating member attached to the mixing motor then mixes the water and carbon dioxide to form a carbonated solution. Varying the time for which the carbonation operation is carried on may vary the degree of carbonation. After the specified carbonation cycle, excess carbon dioxide is then relieved through an exhaust solenoid and the remaining carbonated solution is released through the dispensing solenoid into a cup.

Abstract: The water carbonation method and apparatus of the present invention consists of a square mixer within a carbonated chamber. The mixer is partially filled with water. Carbon dioxide is then added above the level of water. A rotating member attached to the mixing motor then mixes the water and carbon dioxide to form a carbonated solution. Varying the time for which the carbonation operation is carried on may vary the degree of carbonation. After the specified carbonation cycle, excess carbon dioxide is then relieved through an exhaust solenoid and the remaining carbonated solution is released through the dispensing solenoid into a cup.

Abstract: The water carbonation method and apparatus of the present invention consists of a square mixer within a carbonated chamber. The mixer is partially filled with water. Carbon dioxide is then added above the level of water. A rotating member attached to the mixing motor then mixes the water and carbon dioxide to form a carbonated solution. Varying the time for which the carbonation operation is carried on may vary the degree of carbonation. After the specified carbonation cycle, excess carbon dioxide is then relieved through an exhaust solenoid and the remaining carbonated solution is released through the dispensing solenoid into a cup.

Abstract: The water carbonation method and apparatus of the present invention consists of a square mixer within a carbonated chamber. The mixer is partially filled with water. Carbon dioxide is then added above the level of water. A rotating member attached to the mixing motor then mixes the water and carbon dioxide to from a carbonated solution. Varying the time for which the carbonation operation is carried on may vary the degree of carbonation. After the specified carbonation cycle, excess carbon dioxide is then relieved through an exhaust solenoid and the remaining carbonated solution is released through the dispensing solenoid into a cup.

Abstract: The water carbonation method and apparatus of the present invention consists of a square mixer within a carbonated chamber. The mixer is partially filled with water. Carbon dioxide is then added above the level of water. A rotating member attached to the mixing motor then mixes the water and carbon dioxide to from a carbonated solution. Varying the time for which the carbonation operation is carried on may vary the degree of carbonation.