Abstract: A cashbox is provided with a movable latch that is driven by a banknote to a blocking position if an attempt to ‘phish’ a stacked banknote from the cashbox occurs. The latch arrangement is easily pivoted in one direction from a neutral position to a clear position during stacking of a banknote. If an attempt is made to ‘phish’ a stacked banknote, the banknote being “phished” causes rotation of the latch arrangement from the neutral position to a banknote inlet blocking position retaining the banknote in the cashbox.

Abstract: A banknote drive arrangement adjacent a banknote inlet repositions and drives a banknote into a banknote processing pathway for validation. The drive arrangement includes two drive rollers preferably spaced either side of a longitudinal axis of the pathway and adjacent to the banknote inlet. Each drive roller is separately controlled to allow different rotational speeds thereof (and forward and rearward movement Of a banknote) to allow shifting of a received end portion of a banknote before receiving the entire length of the banknote. This arrangement is preferably used with a sensing arrangement for sensing misalignment of an inserted banknote and if sensed, using the different rotational speeds to correct misalignment and preferably center a banknote in the processing pathway.

Abstract: A cashbox is provided with a movable latch that is driven by a banknote to a blocking position if an attempt to ‘phish’ a stacked banknote from the cashbox occurs. The latch arrangement is easily pivoted in one direction from a neutral position to a clear position during stacking of a banknote. If an attempt is made to ‘phish’ a stacked banknote, the banknote being “phished” causes rotation of the latch arrangement from the neutral position to a banknote inlet blocking position retaining the banknote in the cashbox.

Abstract: A banknote stack receiving structure is provided in front of a banknote validator for sequentially passing banknotes to the validator in a serial manner. A first drive arrangement engages one side of an exposed banknote and urges the banknote towards the validator. A restrictive drive cooperates with the first drive and a banknote must pass between opposed rollers of the drives to move to the validator. The restrictive drive roller contacts the opposite side of the exposed banknote but may also contact an overlapping banknote. The restrictive drive rotates to feed a banknote to the validator if a single banknote is present and automatically rotates in an opposite direction if overlapping banknotes are present. This automatic direction of rotation is due to slippage between banknotes and overcoming a low torque motor of the restrictive drive when a single banknote is present.

Abstract: A banknote cassette advantageously uses injection molded endcaps to capture and secure a connecting sleeve to collectively form a generally rectangular housing of the banknote cassette. A movable access lid cooperates with the endcaps and connecting sleeve for locking of the cassette. Preferably, a banknote slot is formed as part of one of the endcaps to provide precision in the size of position of the banknote slot. The endcaps can be used with different sized connecting sleeves to simplify the manufacture of different capacity banknote cassettes. Preferably, the connecting sleeve is of a metal material.

Abstract: A cost effective latch and alignment mechanism for a banknote cassette and a cassette receiving frame uses a magnetic latch providing a magnetic force cooperating with the cassette to move it to and be releasably maintained in a final aligned position. Preferably a permanent magnet attached to the cassette receiving frame cooperates with the metal of the cassette to provide the magnetic bias and locking force.

Abstract: An improved drive arrangement for side engaging members of a banknote centering mechanism uses a rack and pinion combination. A low torque motor drives a spur gear that engages opposed rack gears of the side engaging members. This power transfer from the motor to the side engaging member is cost effective and provides good precision.

Abstract: A banknote cassette advantageously uses injection molded endcaps to capture and secure a connecting sleeve to collectively form a generally rectangular housing of the banknote cassette. A movable access lid cooperates with the endcaps and connecting sleeve for locking of the cassette. Preferably, a banknote slot is formed as part of one of the endcaps to provide precision in the size of position of the banknote slot. The endcaps can be used with different sized connecting sleeves to simplify the manufacture of different capacity banknote cassettes. Preferably, the connecting sleeve is of a metal material.

Abstract: A banknote acceptor and dispenser uses a stacked configuration of the validator the banknote accumulator and dispenser and the banknote cassette. The banknote path is relatively short to avoid bill misalignment by providing the banknote accumulator and dispenser in the intermediary position.

Abstract: A banknote stack receiving structure is provided in front of a banknote validator for sequentially passing banknotes to the validator in a serial manner. A first drive arrangement engages one side of an exposed banknote and urges the banknote towards the validator. A restrictive drive cooperates with the first drive and a banknote must pass between opposed rollers of the drives to move to the validator. The restrictive drive roller contacts the opposite side of the exposed banknote but may also contact an overlapping banknote. The restrictive drive rotates to feed a banknote to the validator if a single banknote is present and automatically rotates in an opposite direction if overlapping banknotes are present. This automatic direction of rotation is due to slippage between banknotes and overcoming a low torque motor of the restrictive drive when a single banknote is present.

Abstract: A cost effective latch and alignment mechanism for a banknote cassette and a cassette receiving frame uses a magnetic latch providing a magnetic force cooperating with the cassette to move it to and be releasably maintained in a final aligned position. Preferably a permanent magnet attached to the cassette receiving frame cooperates with the metal of the cassette to provide the magnetic bias and locking force.

Abstract: A banknote cassette includes a container having a spring biased pressure plate for maintaining a stack of received banknotes. A cable retraction mechanism exerts the bias force on the pressure plate and allows the displacement of the stack of banknotes when a banknote is added to the stack. Preferably, a helically wound spring cooperates with a cable reel to wind and unwind the cable as necessary and to maintain a tension force in said cable.

Abstract: A banknote acceptor and dispenser uses a stacked configuration of the validator the banknote accumulator and dispenser and the banknote cassette. The banknote path is relatively short to avoid bill misalignment by providing the banknote accumulator and dispenser in the intermediary position.

Abstract: A combination banknote validator, banknote accumulator, banknote storage cassette and banknote dispenser is designed in a modular manner and the accumulator and banknote dispenser cooperate to additionally define part of a processing pathway therebetween. The banknotes can move in either direction along the processing pathway and preferably several accumulators are located along the pathway. The banknote dispenser is of a rotary design and stacks banknotes on the surface thereof and dispenses a stack of banknotes through a discharge opening.

Abstract: The banknote validator has an efficient drive path for moving banknotes through a validating head past a series of sensors. A series of sets of drive rollers are commonly connected by a gear train and efficiently move the banknote in a manner to avoid jamming of the banknote during feeding of the banknote and during ejection of the banknote from the inlet. The configuration of the banknote pathway, the mounting of the sensors, and the drive arrangement cooperate to provide a cost effective and effective validator.

Abstract: The banknote validator has an efficient drive path for moving banknotes through a validating head past a series of sensors. A series of sets of drive rollers are commonly connected by a gear train and efficiently move the banknote in a manner to avoid jamming of the banknote during feeding of the banknote and during ejection of the banknote from the inlet. The configuration of the banknote pathway, the mounting of the sensors, and the drive arrangement cooperate to provide a cost effective and effective validator.

Abstract: A banknote accumulator receives banknotes on a winding drum interior to a housing through a banknote slot. The housing has a number of unique features including its exterior shape. The accumulator is essentially passive as the operation thereof is controlled by an exterior system but it includes various senses and signal processing to provide information to adjust the operation of the accumulator. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the housing includes transparent panels that allow visual inspection of the interior of the housing. A hinged panel is movable between a closed operative position and an open service position and is held in the closed operative position by a latch.

Abstract: A method of loading banknotes to a banknote validator and dispenser system replaces the existing validator with a combination loader and validator. A stack of banknotes has been preloaded in the loader and are not accessible to the service technician. The loader is inserted into the system in place of the removed validator and forms an electrical connection with the system. Banknotes are fed from the loader and directed by the system to the appropriate accumulator and stored therein for later dispensing. The validator of the loader can be of high speed to reduce the loading time. Access to the stack of banknotes and access to banknotes stored in the accumulators is restricted and secure.

Abstract: A combination banknote validator, banknote accumulator, banknote storage cassette and banknote dispenser is designed in a modular manner and the accumulator and banknote dispenser cooperate to additionally define part of a processing pathway therebetween. The banknotes can move in either direction along the processing pathway and preferably several accumulators are located along the pathway. The banknote dispenser is of a rotary design and stacks banknotes on the surface thereof and dispenses a stack of banknotes through a discharge opening.

Abstract: A device for processing accepted banknotes uses a processing junction with banknote accumulators arranged on either side thereof and a banknote vault or stacker located at one end of the processing junction. A banknote dispensing outlet is associated with the banknote accumulators for receiving previously accumulated banknotes which are dispensed through the outlet.