Currency detector

A currency detector or currency validator is a device that determines whether banknotes or coins are genuine or counterfeit. These devices are used in many automated machines found in retail kiosks, self checkout machines, gaming machines, transportation parking machines, automatic fare collection machines, and vending machines.

The process involves examining the currency that has been inserted, and by using various tests, determining if the currency is counterfeit. Since the parameters are different for each coin or banknote, these detectors must be programmed for each item that they are to accept.

In operation, if the item is accepted it is retained by the machine and placed in a storage container for later collection. If the item is rejected, the machine returns the item. If a coin is rejected, it usually drops into a container for the customer to take back. If a note is rejected, the machine pushes it out and the customer must remove it from the slot in which it was placed.