TELEVISION FOR POST OFFICE

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28370, 31 August 1957, Page 8

TELEVISION FOR POST OFFICE

Checking Signatures With Ledgers

“The Press” Special Service I WELLINGTON, August 29 In the Post Office court at the Wellington Industries Fair is an instrument which may completely change the Post Office Savings Bank’s method of handling customers. A small, complete television set, it may replace facsimile machines in larger towns. The facsimile machine is at present used to transmit a customer’s signature from a branch of the bank to the main office where his signature is held on a ledger card. The process takes about five minutes and means that a customer can draw savings from a nearby branch instead of having to go to the main bank. If the television sets are used, the customer’s signature handed in at the branch will be held before the television camera and be visable instantaneously on the screen in the main bank. It may be that the checking of the televised signature against the original will be. done in a room removed from the public counters, a distinct change from the present system. As the television circuit magnifies the signature about 2J times, any irregularities can be detected at once. The Post Office emphasises that the equipment must be tested well before it can be Introduced. Its introduction Would, however, be a major step forward.