Currency and coin-activated drop safe

Abstract

A point-of-sale drop safe and change making mechanism employs a cash drop drawer that is movable between open and closed positions and receives money, when the cash drop drawer is open. When the cash drop drawer is closed the cash drops into receptacle in drop safe. A currency acceptor accepts and registers paper currency bills and a money dispensing mechanism in the cabinet dispenses coins in a plurality of denominations into receptacle or tray located on the exterior of the cabinet. A money selection arrangement includes a plurality of user-actuable coin select keys or switches that are disposed on the exterior of the cabinet. The keys correspond respectively to coin denominations, e.g., key #1 dispenses dollar coins, key #2 dispenses quarters, etc. A controller board coupled to the currency acceptor, the money select mechanism, and the money dispensing mechanism obtains and stores an escrow amount or money credit amount when paper currency is inserted into the currency acceptor. The user actuates the money dispenser to dispense coins in selected denominations, and the control mechanism decrements the escrow or credit amount. The drop safe can also have a bill-dispensing mechanism. The arrangement can also be configured to change money from the currency and coins of one country to that of another. In that case, the escrow amount is automatically converted from the value in one country's funds into that of the other.