Importance

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Abstract

A money handling kiosk or appliance including an interface device coupled to a general purpose computer and at least one money handling peripheral device. The money handling kiosk preferably includes a secure housing disposed about the interface board or device and money handling peripheral devices. One money handling appliance includes a general purpose computer having a display screen and a touch input screen as well as a bar code reader and a magnetic strip reader. The kiosk can further have at least one bill validator and one coin validator. The interface device can be coupled to, and communicate with, several brands or models of money handling peripheral devices of the same type. The interface device can act to encapsulate the functionality of the various money handling peripheral devices. The interface device can accept commands from the general purpose computer and return data to the general purpose computer in the same format, regardless of the model of money handling peripheral device currently coupled to the interface device. The general purpose computer can thus issue commands to, and receive data from, virtual money handling peripheral devices using the same software for differing models of similar devices. The kiosk allows the use of off-the-shelf personal computers and off-the-shelf money handling peripheral devices coupled through the interface device to create money handling appliances. The lower priced appliance allows entry into new low cost applications for the intelligent money handling kiosk. In one use, gasoline station attendants are able to deposit currency into an armored kiosk, receiving an accurate accounting of their deposit almost immediately. In another use, the kiosks may be placed in numerous locations for accepting payment of utility and cellular phone bills.

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First Claim