Combination library patron-supervisor self check-in/out workstation

• US 20030125974A1
• Filed: 11/04/2002
• Published: 07/03/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tech Logic Corp. (The Library Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Tech Logic Corp. (The Library Corp.)
• Inventors: Frich, Mark R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,994,252 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• 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 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/204 comprising interface for record bearing medium or carrier for electronic funds transfer or payment credit

Abstract

A combination patron-supervisor library self-check-in/out workstation includes both a patron visual display and a supervisor visual display so that a supervisor can monitor patron initiated transactions so that the supervisor may in real-time have access to the patron visually displayed patron operational information as well supplemental information.

Claims

1. A combination patron and staff library check-in/out work station for selectively checking in/out library articles, where each article includes a discrete identification element attached thereto, and wherein the discrete identification element has information associated therewith specific to the accompanying article, and where each patron is issued a unique patron identifier, the library check-in/out work station comprising:

a patron identification means responsive to said unique patron identifier associated with a current patron initiated transaction for assigning the current patron initiated transaction to a specific patron;

an article receiving area;

an article interrogator arranged to interrogate the discrete identification element associated with a received article introduced in the article receiving area for providing an output representative of said information associated with said discrete identification element associated with the received article;

a patron control unit including at least one patron visual display for displaying first selected patron operational information associated with said current patron initiated transaction;

a supervisor control unit including at least one supervisor visual display for displaying second selected patron operational information associated with the current patron initiated transaction, including, at least in part said first selected patron operational information; and

a system controller coupled to the interrogator, the patron identification means, the patron control unit, and the supervisor control unit, capable of concurrently displaying substantially said first selected patron operational information on both said patron visual display and said supervisor visual display so that a supervisor may monitor said display operational information during the current patron initiated transaction to assist a patron as needed.