Integrated banknote validator and dispenser

1. 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.

2. An integrated banknote acceptor and dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one banknote accumulator is at least two banknote accumulators.

3. An integrated banknote acceptor and dispenser as claimed in claim 2 wherein said banknote dispenser and said at least one banknote accumulator are separate modules which are independently removable.

4. An integrated banknote acceptor and dispenser as claimed in claim 3 wherein said banknote dispenser and said at least one banknote accumulator include a drive member exposed along one edge thereof and forming part of said drive means.

5. An integrated banknote acceptor and dispenser as claimed in claim 4 wherein said directing switch is a rotary switch having a belt drive associated with each routing path.

6. An integrated banknote acceptor and dispenser as claimed in claim 5 wherein said drive means has a motor which drives a gear train associated with said rotary switch providing power and synchronization of said drive means and the belt drives of said rotary switch.

7. An integrated banknote acceptor and dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one banknote accumulator is three banknote accumulators and each of said three banknote accumulators receives and accumulates banknotes of a particular denomination.

8. An integrated banknote acceptor and dispenser as claimed in claim 7 wherein the predetermined denomination of each of said three banknote accumulators is different.

9. An integrated banknote acceptor and dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein said directing switch selectively connects said discharge path with any of said stationary inlets.

10. An integrated banknote acceptor and dispenser as claimed in claim 7 wherein at least one of said three banknote accumulators can temporarily act as an escrow accumulator and return the banknotes if required by connection with said banknote dispenser through said directing switch.

11. An integrated banknote acceptor and dispenser as claimed in claim 10 wherein said stationary inlets of said banknote dispenser and said three banknote accumulators are located in a recess which collectively define a cavity accommodating said directing switch.

12. An integrated banknote acceptor and dispenser as claimed in claim 1 including a removable back up power supply.

13. An integrated banknote acceptor and dispenser as claimed in claim 1 used in combination with a gaming machine and providing currency exchange between said gaming machine and a user of the gaming machine.

14. A combination bill validator, bill accumulator and bill dispensing unit, said combination unit comprising a validator for receiving and evaluating banknotes and forwarding accepted banknotes to a processing pathway, and a series of modular components spaced either side of said processing pathway; said series of modular components including at least one banknote accumulator for receiving and temporarily storing accepted banknotes and outputting accepted banknotes to said processing pathway, and a banknote dispenser which receives accepted banknotes from said processing pathway and discharges accepted banknotes through a discharge port; said combination unit further including a removable banknote cassette connected to said processing pathway for receiving and storing accepted banknotes in a stacked manner, and wherein said processing pathway includes a drive arrangement located in said processing pathway for engaging and driving accepted banknotes along said processing pathway to any of said modular components; said processing pathway including a central switch located intermediate said modular components for selectively connecting said processing pathway with any of said modular components and said banknote cassette.

15. A combination unit as claimed in claim 14 wherein said modular components are located in opposed pairs of modular components with said processing pathway therebetween.

16. A combination unit as claimed in claim 15 wherein said modular components each includes a banknote drive for driving a banknote within each modular component.

17. A combination unit as claimed in claim 16 wherein said banknote dispenser is located opposite said banknote accumulator with said processing pathway therebetween, and said series of modular components include two additional banknote accumulators below said dispenser in opposed relationship with an extension of said processing pathway therebetween.

18. A combination unit as claimed in claim 17 wherein said banknote cassette is separated from said validator by said banknote accumulators and said banknote dispenser.

19. A combination unit as claimed in claim 18 wherein said combination unit includes a separate controller and processing arrangement and wherein said modular components are all controlled by said separate controller and processing arrangement.

20. A combination unit as claimed in claim 17 wherein said combination unit cooperates with a gaming machine in respect of financial transactions associated with the gaming machine.

21. A combination unit as claimed in claim 20 wherein said combination unit is part of a gaming machine.

22. An integrated banknote acceptor and dispenser as claimed in claim 14 used in a gaming machine for currency transactions.

23. A combination bill validator, bill accumulator and bill dispensing unit, said combination unit comprising a validator for receiving banknotes and evaluating banknotes and forwarding accepted banknotes to a processing pathway, and a series of stacked modular components located either side of said processing pathway; said series of modular components including three banknote accumulators for receiving and temporarily storing accepted banknotes and outputting accepted banknotes to said processing pathway, a removable banknote cassette for receiving and storing accepted banknotes in a stacked manner, and a banknote dispenser which receives accepted banknotes from any of said three banknote accumulators and discharges received accepted banknotes through a discharge port; and wherein said processing pathway includes a central routing switch for connecting said processing pathway with any of said three banknote accumulators and said banknote dispenser; said banknote accumulators and said banknote dispenser being located to surround said central routing switch and said modular components include a notched out region for accommodating said central routing switch.

24. A combination unit as claimed in claim 23 wherein said central routing switch has at least three paths therethrough for selective routing of accepted banknotes from said processing pathway to said modular components and from any of said three banknote accumulators to said banknote dispenser.

25. A combination unit as claimed in claim 24 wherein said banknote dispenser and said banknote accumulators each include an additional banknote drive for driving a banknote received within the modular component.

26. A combination unit as claimed in claim 25 wherein said banknote cassette is separated from said validator by said banknote accumulators and said banknote dispenser.

27. A combination unit as claimed in claim 26 wherein said combination unit includes a separate controller and processing arrangement and wherein said modular components are all controlled by said separate controller and processing arrangement.

28. A combination unit as claimed in claim 23 wherein each accumulator is configured to be received on either side of said processing pathway.

29. A combination unit as claimed in claim 23 in combination with a gaming machine and cooperating therewith to complete financial transactions associated with the gaming machine.