Task One Automated Teller Machines :: Computer Science

Task One Automated Teller Machines 1. See diagram over page for Input and output devices This kind of interface is an interactive interface with buttons. I think this would be improved considerably and the ways that I think will be improved by more security on the machines. I think they will have devices like retina scans, voice activation and thumbprints. At the moment the only security is PINS and cards but they can be stolen and I think they will improve the security more. 2. The process for a customer obtaining cash is called transaction processing in real time. This kind of processing is called transaction processing. If the cash withdrawal is required, the customer enters the amount they want from the machine. This is then checked against the balance of the account and if funds are available of the account, the machine dispenses money. Also at the same the amount from the account is subtracted from the balance on the customer's record on the bank computer. When it's finished the card releases back the card to the customer. [IMAGE]Other services are available are withdrawal of cash, ordering of statements, requests for new chequebooks and obtaining the balance of the account. Advantages Disadvantages To the Bank Employs fewer people High level of security needed It is cheaper than paying staff Hackers could break into the machines Less need to build banks and money could be used elsewhere Employees loose their jobs. To the customer It is fast. Credit cards could be stolen It can be accessed anytime The magnetic strips can be damaged by the ATM They can get it anywhere The card has to be replaced from time to time 3. Bank cards, credit and debit cards Diagram front and back PIN stands for Personal Identification Number, it acts like a password, and the user enters it to the ATM keypad to verify that they are the account holder. The PIN helps to reduce fraud. The information stored on the magnetic strip is account numbers, bank sort code, system number, cheque digit Task two - Cheque clearing There are three sets of numbers printed along the bottom of the cheque using magnetic ink and machines can automatically read these numbers. MICR stands for Magnetic Ink Character Recognition, it works by inputting special ink onto cheques and the ink then is magnetised. The limits are that very few characters could be recognised but it can be read quite fast. The special ink then is recognised by using a process called MICR. It's used on cheques because it has high security and if the special has been tampered on, the computer can still read the data on the special magnetised ink. The cheque clearing process is called Transaction Processing; it