Abstract: A currency and coupon acceptor particularly adapted for the gaming industry is presented. A validator is provided within a housing and is adapted for determining the authenticity and associated value of paper currencies and coupons tendered thereto. A stacker is received within the housing for receiving and maintaining currencies and coupons determined to be valid. A tray of blank coupons is also provided in association with a printer that generates coupons for dispensing from the acceptor. The validator verifies that the printing of the coupons has been accurately undertaken and, if so, the coupons are dispensed by the acceptor and, if not, the coupons are voided by the printer and passed to the stacker. The invention contemplates various configurations in which the tray of blank coupons may be positioned beneath the validator, above the validator, or pivotally behind the stacker.

Abstract: A vertical slot-type currency validator has a note path which includes pressure elements for urging the bill into proper registration with a magnetic reading head within the path. The slot acceptor further includes an optical interrupt and restricting tab which is operative to indicate a bill has actually been stacked while preventing unauthorized attempts at removal of the bill. Further, a sensor is provided at the top of the note path to assure that the note has actually reached the full end of the path and is properly aligned for punching into the stack. A pair of side rails are provided for vertical transport of the bill, such side rails being slightly angled inwardly toward the center of the note path and including ball rollers which facilitate movement of the bill in any direction, and particularly into a stack under control of a punch. The punch includes a rubberized pad overlaying a rigid back plate for efficiently removing the bills for the rails.