Check-out system for library-like materials

• US 6,561,418 B1
• Filed: 11/22/2000
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tech Logic Corp. (The Library Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Tech Logic Corp. (The Library Corp.)
• Inventors: Frich, Mark R.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US09/718,546
• Time in Patent Office: 902 Days
• Field of Search: 235/381, 235/380, 235/375, 235/462.01, 235/462.04, 235/383, 412/1, 412/14, 412/9, 412/18, 412/25, 198/689.1
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 9/046 Arrangement of recording means in or on check-out counters record carriers or readers per se G06K
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G07G 1/0045 with a code reader for reading of an identifying code of the article to be registered, e.g. barcode reader or radio-frequency identity [RFID] reader

Abstract

A check-out system for library-like materials includes a console-like housing having a materials receiving end and a materials output end. A transport system conveyor provides conveyance of the materials between the receiving and output ends of the housing. The housing also includes an identification means for providing cataloging identification of the materials being conveyed. Further, the housing includes a patron-operable means for providing selected responsive operation of the system in response to an initiating input to the system.

Claims

1. A check-in and check-out system for circulation articles intended to be checked-in or checked-out from an article storage area, the system comprising:

a console having,

an input end for receiving said articles, and

an output end for outputting said articles;

a temporary storage bin having a vertically adjustable floor, said bin adapted for being spatially positioned in proximity to said housing output end for receiving checked-in articles outputted therefrom;

a conveyor means for conveying the articles between said input end and said output end, said conveyor means being located between and in proximity to said input end and said output end;

an identification means for providing cataloging identification of said articles being conveyed between said input end and said output end; and

a patron-operable means associated with said housing for providing selected responsive operation of said system in response to an initiating input to said check-in and check-out system.

2. The check-in and check-out system of claim 1, wherein said temporary storage bin includes a vertically adjustable floor.

3. A check-in and check-out system for circulation articles intended to be checked-in or checked-out from an article storage area, the system comprising:

a console having,

an input end for receiving said articles, and

an output end for outputting said articles;

a temporary storage bin having a vertically adjustable floor, said bin adapted for being spatially positioned in proximity to said housing output end for receiving checked-in articles outputted therefrom;

a conveyor means for conveying the articles between said input end and said output end, said conveyor means being located between and in proximity to said input end and said output end;

an identification means for providing cataloging identification of said articles being conveyed between said input end and said output end; and

a patron identification device, associated with said housing, for reading a patron identifying card for identifying a patron to the check-in and check-out system, and initiating, at least in apart, said conveyor means to permit conveying of said articles.

4. A check-in and check-out system for circulation articles intended to be checked-in or checked-out from an article storage area, the system comprising:

a console having,

an input end for receiving said articles, and

an output end for outputting said articles;

a removable temporary storage bin, said bin adapted for being spatially positioned in proximity to said housing output end for receiving checked-in articles outputted therefrom;

a conveyor means for conveying the articles between said input end and said output end, said conveyor means being located between and in proximity to said input end and said output end;

an identification means for providing cataloging identification of said articles being conveyed between said input end and said output end; and

a patron identification device, associated with said housing, for reading a patron identifying card for identifying a patron to the check-in and check-out system, and initiating operation of said system.

5. The check-in and check-out system of claim 4, wherein said conveyor means is configured for de-shingling articles placed upon the conveyor means in proximity to said input end.

6. The check-in and check-out system for library-like materials of claim 4, wherein said identification means is selected from a group including a bar code reader and a radio frequency identification system.

7. The check-in and check-out system for the articles of claim 4, wherein said patron-operable means includes a receipt printing device.

8. A method for checking-in library circulation articles intended to be checked-in, the method comprising the steps of:

presenting a patron-identifying card to an identification device associated with a check-in or check-out console and initiating operation of a transport system;

placing articles in proximity to an input end of said transport system;

conveying said articles to an output end of said transport system so as to be received by a removable temporary storage bin, said bin adapted for being spatially positioned in proximity to said transport system for receiving checked-in articles outputted therefrom;

identifying said articles as said articles are conveyed from said receiving end to said output end of said transport system.

9. A method for checking-out library circulation articles intended to be checked-in, the method comprising the steps of:

presenting a patron identifying card to an identification device associated with a check-in or check-out console and initiating operation of a transport system;

placing articles in proximity to an input end of said transport system;

conveying said articles to an output end of said transport system so as to be received by a receiving area for patron removal thereof; and

identifying said articles as said articles are conveyed from said receiving end to said output end of said transport system.