Patent ID: 7051926

Claim:
An integrated banknote acceptor and dispenser comprising a validator, a banknote dispenser, at least one banknote accumulator, and a banknote cassette, said validator receiving a banknote through a banknote inlet and evaluating the banknote as the banknote is processed through the validator to a discharge path and discharging accepted banknotes to said discharge path, said discharge path including drive means for moving the accepted banknotes from said validator through a directing switch to one of said banknote cassette, said at least one banknote accumulator, and said banknote dispenser; said directing switch being a rotary switch connectable with a stationary inlet associated with each of said at least one banknote accumulator and a stationary inlet of said banknote cassette; said directing switch having at least three routing paths through the directing switch allowing selective connection of said discharge path with any of said stationary inlets of said at least one banknote accumulator and said banknote cassette by altering the rotational position of said rotary switch and allowing connection of the stationary inlet of said at least one banknote accumulator with a stationary inlet of said banknote dispenser by altering the rotational position of said rotary switch; and wherein said banknote dispenser and said at least one banknote accumulator each include a separate drive means for receiving and discharging a banknote therefrom.