Patent ID: 6047886
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: G07D

Abstract:
A currency validator for assessing banknotes comprising a housing containing an inlet, a scanning path along which a received banknote is moved for assessment, a drive arrangement associated with said scanning path for moving banknotes along said scanning path, and an outlet location at an end of said path through which approved banknotes are passed, said housing being movable to an open position exposing both sides of said scanning path for service, said scanning path including at least one removable sensor module which is located in a recess of said scanning path, each sensor module including a plurality of sensors of different types for scanning different characteristics of a banknote as it is driven along said path over said at least one removable sensor module, said path is recessed to receive said removable sensor module and position said sensors appropriately relative to said path, said validator further including a programmable processing arrangement for receiving signals from the sensors of said at least removable sensor module to determine whether the banknote should be accepted, said programmable processing arrangement being secured in said validator independently of said at least one removable sensor module and communicating with said at least one removable sensor module through an electrical plug type connection.