Abstract: A method includes monitoring patterns of commands provided by a self-service terminal controller, identifying potential fraud in the monitored patterns of commands, and suspending operation of a dispenser of the self-service terminal responsive to the identification of potential fraud.

Abstract: A retail kiosk includes a product fulfillment portion and a product display portion. The product fulfillment portion includes a cylindrical shell having an end with a continuous, circular edge. The product display portion includes a cylindrical shell having an end with a continuous, circular edge. The continuous, circular edge of the product fulfillment portion is out of alignment with the continuous, circular edge of the product display portion when the retail kiosk is deployed.

Abstract: A device for monitoring a space by changing a sequence of a serial interconnection of closing contacts, in particular of cover switches in a security housing, having a series circuit variation apparatus, a security cover, at least two closing contacts, and a protective circuit, wherein said at least two closing contacts each have an open, electrically nonconductive state and a closed, electrically conductive state, wherein said security cover is set up to put each of said at least two closing contacts in a closed, electrically conductive state, wherein said protective circuit is set up to detect an opening of at least one of said at least two closing contacts, wherein said series circuit variation apparatus serially interconnects said at least two closing contacts, wherein the sequence of the serial interconnection of said at least two closing contacts can be changed by said series circuit variation apparatus.

Abstract: A display system includes a liquid crystal display (10) including a backlight (3), a liquid crystal display panel (1), and a viewing angle control panel (2) for controlling the viewing angle of the display panel (1), the display system causing the amount of external light reflected by the liquid crystal display (10) to be relatively larger than the amount of light leaked from the backlight (3) onto the liquid crystal display panel (1). This provides a display system having an enhanced blocking effect.

Abstract: An automated banking machine includes a top housing cover slidably mounted with respect to a top wall of the housing of a chest or secure enclosure. The top housing cover includes side channels for slidably receiving spaced upwardly extending flanges mounted on the chest housing. Various upper banking machine components are mounted in supporting connection with the chest housing about the secure enclosure. The components may include a display, a card reader, a receipt printer, a communications device, and a keypad. In an operable condition, the top housing cover is positioned so that a front opening therein is covered by an upper fascia. Removal of one or more fasteners allows the top housing cover to be moved rearwardly to expose the banking machine components for maintenance, replacement or other servicing activity.

Abstract: A secure terminal comprises: primary means consisting of processing means, data and program storage means, security means and data input means, wherein the components of the primary means are interconnected by a first data bus; peripheral means consisting of printing means, means for reading from/writing to a card and means for accessing a telecommunications network, wherein the components of the peripheral means are interconnected by a second data bus; and power supply means connected to the primary and peripheral means. The primary means arc grouped in a main housing that cannot be dismantled without damaging at least one of the components of the primary means, and the peripheral means are grouped in at least one housing capable of being connected to the main housing.

Abstract: Method of accessing components of an automated banking machine for servicing. A top housing cover is mounted in slidable relationship to the housing of an ATM chest or secure enclosure. In an operational condition, a front opening in the top housing is closed by an upper fascia. Removal of one or more fasteners allows the top housing cover to be slid rearwardly away from the upper fascia to expose various banking machine components such as a display, a card reader, a receipt printer, and input keys for servicing.

Abstract: Method of assembling components of an automatic banking machine or ATM. The ATM includes a top housing cover having a forward region and an upper fascia having a rearwardly extending portion that selectively overlays the forward region. The ATM includes a lower fascia having first and second side extensions that selectively overlay first and second forward regions of a safe or secure enclosure. The ATM may include a pivotal processor case for ease of installation and/or servicing of banking components. The safe housing may include dual openings for use in either a front-load or rear-load ATM. Banking machine components such as displays, card readers, receipt printers, and keypads may be installed or serviced by extending a rollout mounting tray or by rearwardly sliding the top housing.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a printer system for a device that comprises a secure compartment and a top surface displaced at an acute angle relative to a floor. A portion of the secure compartment includes interior of an opening from the top surface. The printer system comprises a support frame attachable to the device and displaced in the secure compartment of the device. The support frame comprises at least one glide rail. The printer system further comprises a printer assembly attached to the support frame. The printer assembly comprises a media holder adapted to hold printable media, a chassis intermediate and attached to the media holder, and a printer attached to the chassis and adapted to print on the media. In a first position, the printer assembly is displaced substantially inside the secure compartment. In a second position, the printer assembly is extended away from the secure compartment.

Abstract: An automated banking machine system and method includes ATMs which accept checks and dispense cash to users. The ATMs are operated to acquire image and magnetic data from deposited checks to determine the genuineness of checks and the authority of a user to receive cash for such checks. Cash may be dispensed to the user from the ATM in exchange for the deposited check. The ATMs dispense cash responsive to communications with a transaction host.

Abstract: The invention relates to a near field presence detection device provided to monitor an area (11) around a mouth (2) of a reading member, in particular a card reading member (1). The device comprises a presence detector (3) including a transmitter (4) and a receiver (5), said detector is provided to detect a change of field impedance due to a foreign object in the area (11). The device is further provided to generate a preliminary alarm signal and an effective alarm signal if preliminary alarm signal subsists within a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A secure enclosure for an automated banking machine includes a chest portion and a moveable door. The door has mounted thereon a locking bolt work mechanism which is operable to secure the door in a closed position. The bolt work mechanism includes a drive cam that is connected to an idler cam by a cam link. The drive cam is further connected to a locking bolt by a drive bolt link. The idler cam is connected to the locking bolt by an idler bolt link. Movement of the drive cam enables movement of the locking bolt between extended and retracted positions. The locking bolt can have a stepped edge configuration to provide stepped engagement in securing a door having a similar stepped edge configuration.

Abstract: A system for providing remote control access to internal components of a device. The system comprises a housing comprising a cover and a base, at least one device being located within the housing and at least one latching mechanism internal to the housing adapted to secure the cover to the base. A control sender is adapted to communicate with the device and the at least one latching mechanism to command the latching mechanism to unsecure the housing in order to allow access to the internal components of the device when a users identity is verified.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a printer system for a device that comprises a secure compartment and a top surface displaced at an acute angle relative to a floor. A portion of the secure compartment includes interior of an opening from the top surface. The printer system comprises a support frame attachable to the device and displaced in the secure compartment of the device. The support frame comprises at least one glide rail. The printer system further comprises a printer assembly attached to the support frame. The printer assembly comprises a media holder adapted to hold printable media, a chassis intermediate and attached to the media holder, and a printer attached to the chassis and adapted to print on the media. In a first position, the printer assembly is displaced substantially inside the secure compartment. In a second position, the printer assembly is extended away from the secure compartment.

Abstract: A modular printer system comprising a support frame, a chassis, a media holder, and a printer assembly. The support frame supports the other components and may be attached to other devices. The chassis is slidably attached to the support frame so that it may be at least partially removed from the support frame thereby exposing components attached to the chassis. The chassis is adapted to hold the media holder and the printer assembly. The media holder holds media that may be printed on by the printer assembly. The printer assembly may be removed from the chassis to service the printer assembly and give full access to the media path. The printer assembly comprises a printer for printing on the media and a controller for controlling the printer and communicating with other devices.

Abstract: A transaction system (104, 144) includes a customer station (116, 146) and a service provider station (112, 148). Items such as medical items, are passed between the service provider and the customer station through item transport devices (118, 154). An enclosure (10) positioned at the customer station houses a payment terminal (16) therein. A movable cover (14) is moved responsive to inputs to a remote control device (36) at the service provider station to enable a customer at the customer station to access the payment terminal. Through inputs to the payment terminal, the customer is enabled to make payment for items that are provided to the customer by the service provider.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing telecommunications access is disclosed. A customer interested in using the telecommunications access makes a payment into the payment processing unit which forwards the payment information to the central control unit. The central control unit reports the transaction information to a central computer system via its modem connected to a telecommunication channel. Access to the same telecommunication channel or another channel can be made available to the customer via a switchable telecommunications access circuit which is also controlled by the central control unit. The customer connects to the telecommunications channel via the telecommunications access connector. The central control unit provides information on the progress of the vending transaction to the customer via the user interface. The central control unit determines when the transaction is completed by sensing the cessation of usage via the usage detection circuit or via customer action at the user interface.

Abstract: In the ticket printer, a ticket tray is mounted next to the infeed adapter of the printer mechanism for feeding blank tickets into the printer mechanism. The ticket tray is releasably mounted in a pullout module by means of a three point attachment comprising a button clip and a button pin. In another aspect of the invention, a ticket presenter has overlapping upper and lower plates defining a ticket delivery gap there between. The delivery gap has a photo sensor mounted therein, a mating bulge and cavity pair, and spikes cooperating with the bulge and cavity pair for effectively separating tickets from a strip of fan-fold tickets. In yet another feature of the present invention there is provided a communication link between the MCU and the PLD of the ticket printer for programming the PLD through the MCU using a personal computer.

Abstract: An automated banking machine includes a generally one-piece polymer frame. Transaction function devices such as an input device, a display screen, and a sheet dispenser, are supported on the frame. A generally one-piece polymer body is operatively engaged relative to the frame and extends in generally surrounding relation of the input device and display screen. The body includes at least one opening such that the display screen is visible and the input device is accessible through the body.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing telecommunications access is disclosed. A customer interested in using the telecommunications access makes a payment into the payment processing unit which forwards the payment information to the central control unit. The central control unit reports the transaction information to a central computer system via its modem connected to a telecommunication channel. Access to the same telecommunication channel or another channel can be made available to the customer via a switchable telecommunications access circuit which is also controlled by the central control unit. The customer connects to the telecommunications channel via the telecommunications access connector. The central control unit provides information on the progress of the vending transaction to the customer via the user interface. The central control unit determines when the transaction is completed by sensing the cessation of usage via the usage detection circuit or via customer action at the user interface.

Abstract: A self-service terminal (SST) comprises: a data capture device (16); an emitter (34); a detector (40); and an arrangement (44,48) for producing an alarm signal if the detector (40) fails to receive emissions from the emitter (34). The data capture device (16), the emitter (34) and the detector (40) are arranged such that an object (21) in the vicinity of the data capture device (16) will obstruct the path of emissions from the emitter (34) to the detector (40).

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing power and telecommunications access is disclosed. The vending machine has an optional switchable power circuit that receives power from a power source and delivers the power to the customer's equipment via a power connector under the control of a central control unit. A customer interested in purchasing power or using the telecommunications access makes a payment into the payment processing unit which forwards the payment information to the central control unit. From time to time the central control unit reports the transaction information to a central computer system via its modem which is connected to a telecommunication channel. Access to the same telecommunication channel or another channel can be made available to the customer via a switchable telecommunications access circuit which is also under the control of the central control unit. The customer connects to the telecommunications channel via the telecommunications access connector.

Abstract: An automated bank teller machine (ATM) is provided which is characteristically easy to configure, regardless of whether a replenish-from-the-front (RFTF) configuration or a replenish-from-the-rear (RFTR) configuration is chosen. In particular, the ATM according to the present invention includes a security chest module, a top module, and an interface module. These components are common to both configurations can be built and stored in advance, and can be thereafter configured as desired. In another embodiment, an ATM is provided that permits more than one customer to use the ATM at the same time.

Abstract: An IC card reading/writing apparatus has an IC card reading/writing control unit having an intelligent function to control read-out/write-in processing for an IC card by an application unit in the IC card reading/writing apparatus. The IC card reading/writing control unit has, in addition to the intelligent function, a pass-through function to control read-out/write-in processing for the IC card by an application unit in a host for the IC card reading/writing apparatus by receiving a pass-through command from the host. With this arrangement, the IC card reading/writing apparatus can execute readout/write-in processing for the IC card with either the intelligent function or the pass-through function, thereby minimizing the cost required to configure an IC card system.

Abstract: A card reading system comprises a card insertion portion, a shutter for preventing foreign matter insertion and the like, a driving path for direction of an inserted card and a main card reading device. The system includes, as an improvement, a detection device for determining a condition of the shutter during a card reading operation and for providing an output signal of the determination and a device responsive to the output signal for indicating that the shutter is in an improper condition when foreign matter is inserted in the driving path.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing power and telecommunications access is disclosed. The vending machine has a switchable power circuit that receives power from a power source and delivers the power to the customer's equipment via a power connector under the control of a central control unit. A customer interested in purchasing power or using the telecommunications access makes a payment into the payment processing unit which forwards the payment information to the central control unit. From time to time the central control unit reports the transaction information to a central computer system via its modem which is connected to a telecommunication channel. Access to the same telecommunication channel or another channel can be made available to the customer via a switchable telecommunications access circuit which is also under the control of the central control unit. The customer connects to the telecommunications channel via the telecommunications access connector.

Abstract: A system for ascertaining identity of a customer based on a single card carried by the customer. The card bears a machine-readable code, which is transmitted to a database at a remote location. The database locates a record associated with the code, which contains one or more account numbers. Associated with each account number is a Personal Identification Number, PIN. (It is possible that all PINs are identical.) The customer selects an account number, and is asked for a PIN. If the PIN given by the customer matches that of the account number, the customer is concluded to be the valid owner of the account, and a transaction is allowed to proceed.

Abstract: A shutter control mechanism for controlling the movement of a pivoted shutter (20) suitable for controlling the passage of a user's card (6) in a self-service terminal (10) such as an ATM (automated teller machine), for example, includes a rotatable cam (23) having a cam track (24) which cooperates with a pin (30) on the shutter (20). Rotation of the cam (23) causes the pin (30) to move in the cam track (24) thereby causing the shutter (20) to pivot to open and close the card passage (2) alternately. Thus, the shutter (20) is held positively both in the open and in the closed position.

Abstract: An automatic transaction machine storing apparatus for storing a plurality of automatic transaction machines. The apparatus includes a plurality of entrances for respectively carrying the automatic transaction machines therethrough into a customer room. The entrances are provided in front of set positions of the automatic transaction machines. A machine room defined behind the customer room has a space for maintenance of each automatic transaction machine or cash exchange. Furthermore, the apparatus further includes a plurality of security sensors provided on an outer panel of the apparatus to detect an external attack and a control unit for rotationally driving a rotating table on which each automatic transaction machine is mounted at a required angle according to information output from the security sensors, thereby orienting a security panel standing on the rotating table toward an attacked position to secure the automatic transaction machine against the external attack.

Abstract: A cash pocket for an automatic teller machine (ATM) comprises a housing having a rear wall with a slot for receiving banknotes from the dispensing mechanism of the ATM into the housing, and a base upon which the dispensed banknotes come to lie upon being dispensed into the housing. The housing also has a front panel having an opening for the withdrawal of notes by a user of the ATM, the opening having a door which pivots about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slot from a first position in which the front opening is closed to a second position in which the front opening is open for the withdrawal of dispensed banknotes. The door includes a pair of flanges which block access to the slot from the front opening when the door is open or partially open.

Abstract: A self-service automated teller system includes a fraud detection module which uses a biometric recognition technique, such as voice or fingerprint recognition, in combination with predictive technology. The biometric recognition test is normally decisive, but if this test produces a result which is close to a predetermined threshold, the predictive technology checks to determine whether the transaction is consistent with the user's normal behavior before permitting the transaction to proceed. A suspicion count may also be included in the decision-making process, to determine whether or not the user has a previous record of suspicious transactions.

Abstract: In a window of an office of a banking facility, there is disposed a composite apparatus in which a window machine facing the teller is united with an automatic cash handling machine facing the lobby and which is integrally configured in a window counter. During the office hours of the window, the window machine of the composite apparatus is employed by the teller for banking services. In a period of time beyond the office hours, a shutter for prevention of crimes is moved downward onto the window counter, which enables the users to externally access the automatic cash handling machine.

Abstract: A multipurpose board has a frame circumferentially supporting at least three transparent plates with segregating clearances between the transparent plates. Particles only partially fill each segregating clearance, the particles in the respective segregating clearances having different physical properties. When the board is moved, particle flow in each segregating clearance permitted by the only partial filling thereof forms varieties of wave-like combinations when movement is stopped, which are visible three dimentionally through the transparent plates.