Ncr Corporation

Lee G Dove

Michael G Coutts

Graham I Johnson

Iain R F Sime

A banking, retail or other transaction network can comprise a number of terminals, for example an ATM, where each terminal comprises a plurality of peripheral devices such as a user interface, card reader, receipt printer and cash dispenser. The applications software for the peripheral devices can be held in a central server located externally of the terminal and linked to the terminal through a communications link. The link can extend to the individual peripheral devices so that they are direct clients of the server. Additionally the individual peripheral devices can be connected to each other over the link to enable them to communicate directly with each other on a peer-to-peer basis. Each peripheral can have an independent control application. In use, the independent control applications may communicate with each other so that a peripheral operates in response to a signal generated by another peripheral. A peripheral for use in such a terminal, and a network of such terminals are also described. A mainframe or server computer accessing a banking or other information database (e.g., a legacy host) can be connected to the central server through an information signal connection.

Transaction processing systems

A self-service terminal () for displaying advertisements is described. The terminal comprises a display () and a network connection (). The terminal further comprises means for accessing an advertisement database () to retrieve an advertisement associated with the terminal (), and means for incorporating the retrieved advertisement in a screen () for displaying on the display (). The terminal () may be an ATM. A method of supplying an advertisement for displaying on a self-service terminal, and a system for controlling presentation of advertisements on a self-service terminal are also described.

Self-service terminal

A communications network can comprise a plurality of network sites, to each of which a transaction terminal, a maintenance terminal, or a server may be connected. Each transaction terminal (which may be an ATM or a point-of-sale terminal) may have at least one service element, such as a card transport or currency bin, which is to be maintained in operation. Intelligent agent programs may move between terminals collecting information from or imparting information to each terminal visited. The information that is collected or imparted may be used for facilitating efficient servicing or maintenance of the transaction terminals.

Transaction processing systems maintenance

A self-service terminal system () is described. The system () has a plurality of terminals (or), each terminal comprising a user interface () and a terminal application () for controlling the user interface (). Each terminal (or) has a link () to a remote server (or) storing a server application (or) for issuing to the terminal application () requests for using the user interface (). A user of one of the terminals (or) is able to access the server application (or) from the terminal (or). The server application (or) is able to use one or more of the facilities () provided by the user interface (). Each terminal is operable to select between presenting the terminal application or the server application to a user. A method of hosting a third party application on a self-service terminal is also described.

Self-service terminals in which remote parties can induce operation of peripheral devices without obtaining control over the peripheral devices

An information system. The system provides a user interface for selecting subject matter of interest to a user as well as various components for retrieving information items, for classifying information items to identify information items relating to the selected subject matter, for rating the identified information items, and for notifying the user about identified information items meeting a predetermined criteria. The system also includes components for requesting a subject mailer expert (SME) to apply a rating to the retrieved information items. The predetermined criteria typically include the information item having a rating exceeding an interest value set by the user.

Methods and apparatus for searching for and identifying information of interest to users

A model of consumer behavior in a transaction environment such as customers moving around a bank branch, is generated from an artificial life algorithm to create a number of agents. In each agent, a genetically encoded drive, equivalent for example to hunger, is defined so as to correspond to a transaction need such as the need for cash. Interaction rules, such as navigation rules, are set for interaction between the agents and a first representation of an environment, and the program is run and the agents observed, then compared with real human behavior. The best matched agents are selected and the program run again, the steps being repeated until a required level of comparison with real behavior is reached. The model can then be used with different transaction environments to study customer behavior and to select the best branch layout or the like.

Consumer model

The present invention relates to a communications network comprising a plurality of network sites. Such a network may include the Internet. Agent programs are switched through the communications network by reference to site addresses included in a site visit address list carried by each agent program. The network has a number of network sites which are service provider sites. Each service provider site includes an address registry and data processing means programmed to collect site address information in the address registry from visiting agent programs. The data processing means is further programmed to insert site address information from the registry into the visit address list of succeeding agent programs which visit the site. By this means a distributed registry may be built up at the service provider sites of addresses which offer the same service or same category of service to visiting agent programs.

Method and apparatus for routing service request/agent programs to service provided sites wherein said programs comprise of a list of the sites visited

Where sensitive information forming part of a transactional flow application is required to be sent over an open network such as the Internet, for example from a World Wide Web site, a time stamp and a location stamp are included in a request for such information from a user. The time stamp carries the time at which a previous page in the application was sent to the client and the location stamp carries the client address as provided for that previous page. Preferably the stamps are encrypted and are thus protected at the user location.

Methods and apparatus for sending electronic data signals

A home banking system comprises a video games entertainment console 10 having a processor 12, a display driver 14, connection means 16 for connection to a television set 17, and an input/output device 20. Such a conventional console 10 is converted to a home banking terminal by an encrypting modem 24 connected into the cartridge slot 26 of the console 10, the encrypting modem having a cartridge slot 30 into which an application cartridge 32 carrying a home banking program can be loaded.

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Coupar Angus, United Kingdom

Lee G Dove