A credit card operable storage system is provided. A plurality of credit card accessed and computer operated safes are communicatively linked to a respective branch computer, which is in turn communicatively linked to a central host computer (central host). The safes transmit use information (including credit card informaton) to their respective branch computers where the information is stored and periodically transmitted to the central host. The central host processes the use information into billing information which is electronically transmitted to a billing statement generating system.

A currency cassette (10) has a printed circuit board (80) secured to one of its side walls, the board (80) having mounted thereon a microprocessor, a RAM, a real time clock chip, and battery means for supplying power for the board (80). First (208) and second switches are respectively operatively associated with the lid (14) of the cassette (10) and with a shutter which, when opened, permits currency notes to be extracted in operation from the cassette (10). Opening of the lid (14) or the shutter causes the appropriate switch to be actuated. Each switch is connected to the printed circuit board (80), and the microprocessor is arranged, in response to actuation of either of the switches, to store in the RAM data indicating which switch was actuated and the date and time of day when the relevant switch was actuated. The switches and printed circuit board (80) provide an effective tamper indicating system for the cassette (10).

A tamper-resistant cash box combination including a cash box support structure defining a storage cavity accessible through a front opening, a closed cash box sized to fit snugly into the structure containing a front panel for fitting flush with the structure front opening, the front panel forming a first slot therethrough for passing currency and the like into the box, a bolt inside the cash box in slidable engagement with the front panel, the bolt defined by a top end and a bottom end, and a lock on the cash box front panel for moving the bolt upward to cover the first slot and downward through a second slot formed in the bottom of the cash box into a third slot formed in the bottom of the structure to lock the cash box in the structure where actuation of the lock in one direction locks the cash box in the structure and simultaneously opens the currency-passing first slot for access to the interior of the cash box and actuation of the lock in the other direction unlocks the cash box from the structure for removal therefrom and simultaneously closes the currency-passage first slot to prevent further access to the interior of the cash box.

A method and apparatus for a lockable, removable cassette for attachment to a bill validator is disclosed. The cassette is removed from a bill validator by service personnel and transported to a central office, where an authorized person unlocks a hinged door with a separate key to remove stored bills. A lever is turned to a predetermined position which unlocks the cassette from the bill validator, and locks a pusher plate to prevent unauthorized bill removal. The lever is prevented from being turned clockwise and from further rotation past the predetermined position. When the hinged door of the secured cassette is opened by authorized personnel, the lever is released from its locked position arming the cassette. The emptied cassette can now be returned to the service person who can now reconnect it to a bill validator by further rotating the lever, which locks the cassette in place and unlocks the pusher plate to prepare the cassette to receive bills accepted by the validator. The cassette is easy to use, compact, tamper resistant, durable, and may use only mechanical parts. Further, the cassette can be modified to store a larger or smaller amount of bills, and works with existing bill pushers with only minor modifications required.

An entry station for use primarily with a car wash that includes a semi-secure electronics cabinet and a security vault. The electronics cabinet is mounted to the security vault and includes a front door secured by a first lock member. The electronics cabinet defines an open interior that encloses the electronic operating components for the entry station. When the access door to the electronics cabinet is open, the front door for the security vault can be accessed. The front door of the security vault includes a combination lock that prevents unauthorized access to the security vault. The two separate locks for the electronics cabinet and the security vault allow a service technician to have access to the electronics cabinet without gaining access to the security vault.