Ncr Corporation

At&t Global Information Solutions Company

Michael G Coutts

Lee G Dove

David L Patterson

Gary A Ross

Martin Smith

Iain R F Sime

Alan F Newell

Ian W Ricketts

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 biometric system for obtaining a biometric enrolment measurement is described. The system comprises a biometric capture unit for capturing biometric data from a user and a control means for producing a biometric match template there from. The control means also analyses the template to determine if the enrolment measurement may be susceptible to allowing false acceptances when in use. This is achieved by using the match template to verify against a number test templates, which have been created from earlier acquired biometric measurements, of the same class, obtained from other sources. If one or more false accepts are detected the enrolment measurement may be rejected.

Biometric system

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

A biometric system () for assisting a user in providing a biometric reading is described. The system () comprises: a biometric capture unit () for capturing biometric data from a user; and feedback means () for providing the user with an indication of the extent to which a measurement has been captured. The feedback means () may be implemented by a display, a loudspeaker (), or both. The system may also include anonymizing means () for providing the feedback means () with an anonymized version of the data measured from the biometric capture unit ().

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

An automated teller machine ( ) or a home banking system ( ) is operated to provide, during the delays associated with authorizing and acting upon a user instruction, a sales presentation related to a financial product. The type of presentation is selected by matching a profile of the user, obtained from a central information store ( ), with profiles of target customers for a number of financial products.

Self-service system

An automated teller machine (10) or a home banking system (32) is operated to provide, during the delays associated with authorizing and acting upon a user instruction, a sales presentation related to a financial product. The type of presentation is selected by matching a profile of the user, obtained from a central information store (20), with profiles of target customers for a number of financial products.

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.

Financial transaction system

A self-service device in the form of a terminal (10) has a display screen (12) on which a sprite (70) such as a human character is caused to appear. In response to operation by a user of a joystick or joypad (30), the sprite moves in an animated manner, for example, appears to walk, across the display screen (12). The user can cause the sprite (70) to investigate a location. Also the sprite (70) can, in response to operation of a control key (40), effect a selected self-service operation, such as dispensing cash in an automated teller machine, for example. The use of an animated sprite (70), movable and operable under the control of a user, provides a more user-friendly interface than known arrangements such as key-controlled menu-driven displays. In another embodiment the self-service device includes a home entertainment console (402) provided with an application cartridge (432) containing software for a self-service transaction controllable by an animated sprite (70).

Self-service device with an animated user interface to assist the

A business system including at least one transaction terminal such as an automated teller machine ATM (10) and an interface device (12) for use by an operator in carrying out maintenance of the ATM (10) or replenishing consumable items used during its operation. The interface device (12) is separate from the ATM (10) and two-way communication between the interface device (12) and the ATM (10) is arranged to take place in a contactless manner. Preferably communication is enabled by the use of a radio frequency technique. The interface device (12) provides the operator with a sequence of instructions and is arranged to await the receipt of a confirmation signal from the ATM (10) prior to displaying the next instruction in the sequence. The ATM (10) provides the confirmation signal only when a sensor (22-44) within the ATM (10) detects that the previously displayed instruction has been carried out by the operator.

Transaction terminal and portable operator interface device for

A self-service system, such as an automated teller machine (ATM) system, uses predictive technology. When a user begins a transaction by inserting an identification card into a card reader of an ATM, the predictive technology predicts which service or services provided by the system the user is likely to request. This prediction is based upon a stored record in the system, representing previous transactions by that user. The prediction is made in advance of completion of an authorization process for the transaction, to increase the speed of operation of the ATM in carrying out the transaction. For example, to reduce overall transaction time, the ATM can count out a predicted amount of cash in advance of an anticipated withdrawal request. Also, the prediction is used to generate a special display for a particular user, the display being designed to simplify the decisions and selections required to be made by the user.

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Dundee, United Kingdom

Michael G Coutts