Audio storage/reproduction system with automated inventory control

• US 5,798,921 A
• Filed: 05/05/1995
• Issued: 08/25/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert Ramion, Todd M. Johnson, Wilbur Johnson
• Original Assignee: Robert Ramion, Todd M. Johnson, Wilbur Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Todd M., Johnson, Wilbur, Ramion, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, HUY DUY
• Application Number:
  US08/436,003
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 370/94.2, 370/110.1, 370/85.1, 364/514 A, 364/927.92, 364/940, 364/400.01, 364/236.6, 364/249.2, 364/249, 364/954, 364/954.3, 364/954.2, 395/2.1, 395/154, 395/430, 395/427, 395/431, 395/428, 395/432, 395/280, 369/1, 369/13, 369/14, 369/15, 369/30, 369/47, 369/75.1, 369/178, 369/272, 369/275.2, 365/45, 365/52, 365/63, 365/78, 365/189.01, 365/189.02, 365/230.01, 365/230.02, 361/600, 361/796, 360/92, 341/110
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 5/06 Arrangements for interconnecting storage elements electrically, e.g. by wiring
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 7/16 Storage of analogue signals in digital stores using an arrangement comprising analogue/digital [A/D] converters, digital memories and digital/analogue [D/A] converters

Abstract

An audio system is disclosed wherein music cartridges are utilized in a series of cartridge racks for non-mechanical playback and recordation of an entire music collection. The audio signals are stored on music cartridges which are insertable into one of a plurality of cartridge racks. The cartridge racks are operatively connected with the music player of the audio system. The audio system is completely solid state, i.e. it has no moving parts and has the advantages of allowing quick and reliable playback and storage of any music cartridge of the user'"'"'s entire selection, as desired by the user. The system is self-programmable and expandable, whereby additional cartridge racks can be connected for additional storage of music cartridges allowing any music cartridge from the entire collection to be accessed at anytime.

Claims

1. A system for the selective storage and reproduction of a plurality of digital signals from multiple remote locations, comprising:

an apparatus for storing and retrieving digital signals stored in multiple remote locations;

at least one remote digital audio signal storage medium rack operative connected to said apparatus, said system being expandable by operatively connecting a plurality of remote digital audio storage medium racks in series;

at least one self-contained digital audio signal storage medium removably connected with said at least one remote rack for storing digital audio signals;

said apparatus including a computer means for the selective reproduction from and storage of digital audio signals to said at least one digital audio signal storage medium, and a communications port operatively connected to said computer means and said at least one remote rack;

said at least one self-contained digital audio signal storage medium including a housing, an audio signal storage means in said housing, an information database storage means in said housing a programmable logic device in electrical communication with said audio signal storage means, said information database storage means, and said apparatus for storing and retrieving signals, and a connector tongue;

said at least one remote digital audio signal storage medium rack including a storage rack, a plurality of slots in said rack for receiving said at least one self-contained digital audio signal storage medium, and a connector tongue receiver in each of said plurality of slots for receiving said connector tongue of said at least one self-contained digital audio signal storage medium;

said apparatus accessing said information database storage means upon initiation of said system to provide for automated inventory control.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising associated software for controlling said system.

3. An audio system for the selective storage and reproduction of digital signals from a plurality of remote locations, said system comprising:

an apparatus for storing and retrieving digital signals stored in a plurality of remote locations, said apparatus comprising a housing, a central processing unit, a means for interfacing with said plurality of remote locations, a means for user input, and a means for displaying information;

at least one digital signal storage medium receiver operatively connected to said apparatus for storing and retrieving signals, said storage medium receiver having a plurality of locations, each capable of receiving a self-contained digital signal storage medium, said audio system being expandable by operatively connecting a plurality of digital signal storage medium receivers in series, said at least one digital signal storage medium receiver including a microcontroller, a bus, a transceiver and a plurality of signal controllers; and

at least one self-contained digital signal storage medium selectively and removably inserted into one of said plurality of locations in said at least one digital signal storage medium receiver, said at least one self-contained digital signal storage medium including a first digital storage circuit and a second digital storage circuit, said first digital storage circuit storing digital audio signals and said second digital storage circuit storing a database of information;

wherein said database of information is accessed upon initiation of said audio system to provide for automated inventory control.

4. The audio system of claim 3, further comprising software for directing said central processing unit of said apparatus to selectively store and reproduce digital audio signals from said at least one digital signal storage medium inserted in said at least one digital signal storage medium receiver according to commands input through said means for user input.

5. The audio system of claim 3, wherein said first digital storage circuit includes an array of D-RAM memory modules and said second digital storage circuit includes an EEPROM.

6. The audio system of claim 3, wherein said at least one self-contained digital signal storage medium further includes

a programmable logic device being in electrical communication with said first digital storage circuit and said second digital storage circuit, said programmable logic device selectively controlling the storage and reproduction of signals to and from said first digital storage circuit and said second digital storage circuit upon commands received by control contacts in said at least one self-contained digital signal storage medium.

7. The audio system of claim 6, wherein said at least one self-contained digital signal storage medium further comprising a means for selectively preventing the storage of signals.

8. The audio system of claim 6, wherein said first digital storage circuit comprises a storage array of D-RAM memory modules.