Storage and selection system for audio, visual, and information storage media

• US 5,946,278 A
• Filed: 09/08/1997
• Issued: 08/31/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert P. Tower
• Original Assignee: Robert P. Tower
• Inventors: Tower, Robert P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ometz, David L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CASTRO, ANGEL A
• Application Number:
  US08/925,503
• Time in Patent Office: 722 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.15, 340/825.17, 340/825.35, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 340/825.72, 340/825.82, 360/132, 360/137, 369/30, 369/32, 369/33, 369/34, 369/35, 369/36, 369/77.1, 369/77.2, 369/177, 369/178, 369/292, 395/600
• US Class Current: 369/30.3
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/68 Automatic cassette changing arrangements; automatic tape changing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 17/228 Control systems for magazines G11B17/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/0461 Disc storage racks

Abstract

A computerized storage and selection system is provided that conveniently stores, selects, and identifies the storage location for retrieval by the user of a large number of audio, visual, and information storage media devices such as discs, compact discs, tapes, cassettes, CD-ROMs, and the like. The system selects the storage location based upon user input, including partial or fragmentary input. A system computer optically senses and stores the content and selected storage location of each media device. The system responds to user requests for specific media by recalling the storage location of the disc and identifying the location for quick retrieval by the user.

Claims

1. A selection, storage, and retrieval system requiring an operator to manually store and receive a plurality of electronic information storage media, including cassettes, tapes, compact discs, and CD-Roms each housed in a storage container containing pre-displayed indicia for optical reading comprising:

a controller capable of receiving input and output information from said operator including means for displaying output, said means for displaying output including an operator-visual presentation that provides relevant information for each electronic information storage media to said operator that is stored;

a non-volatile memory for storage of an operator interface computer program for use with said controller;

manual input means for access to said controller;

a plurality of storage modules connected to said controller including;

means for storing each of said plurality of electronic information storage media,

means for indicating a particular storage location of said means for storing in response to the operator request from said manual input means;

means for sensing the insertion and removal of each of said plurality of storage media;

at least one optical reader connected to said controller for gathering information related to each of said plurality of electronic information storage media;

said plurality of storage modules and said at least one optical reader are connected to said controller by a serial communications network; and

a database stored in said non-volatile memory, said database responsive to said operator interface computer program for storing content information about each of said plurality of electronic information storage media and correlating said content information with each of said particular storage locations;

said operator-visual presentation available to said operator including a set-up screen, an item-selection screen, and a tool screen, said item-selection screen including a display scrollable alphanumeric list of all titles that match key words, a display key word list with selected key words highlighted, and a display of graphical data associated with the electronic information storage media selected whereby the operator can select a particular electronic information storage medium to be retrieved using partial information and inputting the partial information to said controller for selection and retrieval of the particular electronic information storage media item.

2. A selection, storage, and retrieval system for a plurality of electronic information storage including media, compact discs, cassette tapes, and CD-Roms, packaged in individual packages which include indicia for sensor recognition for storage and retrieval by an operator comprising:

a controller including means for displaying output to the operator to provide data and information relative to a particular information storage medium in storage, a non-volatile memory for storage of an operator interface computer program and database, and means for the operator to input data relative to a particular one of said information storage media;

at least one optical reader connected to said controller;

at least one storage module connected to said controller, including;

a plurality of storage compartments for the plurality of electronic information storage media,

a plurality of operator-observable LEDs, one each of said LEDs for indicating each of said plurality of storage compartments in response to the operator request from said means for input; and

a plurality of switches, of said switches each one for sensing the operator insertion and removal of a respective one of said plurality of electronic information storage media.

3. The system as in claim 2, wherein:

said displaying ouput means includes an operator-observable set-up screen including operator input methods;

an operator-observable tool screen that includes alphabetized storage items, list system statistics and item screen selection including display scrollable alphanumeric lists of all titles that match key words, display key word lists with selected key words highlighted, and display graphical data associated with a selected information storage medium whereby said set-up screen, said tool screen, and said item screen are all observable to the operator of the system, said system including a keyboard for operator input, for operator access of a selected one of said electronic information storage electronic media from said system with the operator inputting a limited amount of data through said keyboard.