GB2378638A

GB2378638A - Automated access device for optical discs

Info

Publication number: GB2378638A
Application number: GB0120161A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carl Banfield Gedye; Timothy Norman Light
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-08-17
Filing date: 2001-08-17
Publication date: 2003-02-19
Also published as: GB0120161D0

Abstract

A storage unit for, eg CDs, has a plurality of stacked drawers whose opening, and possibly closing, is controlled by signals from a PC derived from software which operates on stored data relating to the CDs in the drawers. Each drawer is operated by a lever arrangement 7,8 actuated by a cam 6 which moves vertically to select the required drawer and then rotates to engage an end of slot (9, Fig 3) to open or close the drawer. The slot allows free vertical movement of the cam regardless of which drawers are open or closed. A plurality of storage units may be "daisy-chained" together. Each drawer may include a locking mechanism operative in the closed position and the software may be programmed to make several attempts to open a drawer in case of a detected jam and to report failure when this occurs.

Description

Data Carrier Storage Rack The present invention relates to a storage unit for data carriers. In particular, although not limited thereto, it relates to storage racks for optical disk type data carriers, such as Compact Discs (CDs), Digital Video Discs (DVDs), Recordable and Re-Recordable Compact Discs (CD-Rs and CD-RWs), such racks being commonly referred to as CD storage racks.

CD storage racks are already known. However, all such racks known to the applicants are limited in their ease and speed of use, as they require manual searching by a user of the rack itself in order to locate a desired disc. In addition, the amount of information that can be written on the rack, specific to each disc, i. e. list of contents, index, etc, is limited by the amount of physical space available on the disc case, or in the racks own index. Multiple play disc racks known as jukeboxes also exist but these, however, all contain built-in optical disc drives and are designed for networked office environments and, as such, are relatively complicated and expensive.

According to the present invention, a data carrier storage unit comprises: a plurality of storage compartments, each for storage of a data carrier; access means controllably operable to permit access to any data carrier stored in the storage compartments; and input means for receiving control signals from a data processor to control the selection by said access means of the data carrier to which access is permitted.

Such a unit may provide a storage system for home and small business use, that combines with a user's suitably programmed data processor, allowing the user to find and access an optical disc using a GUI (Graphical User Interface) on their data processor, the data processor preferably consisting of a personal computer.

With such a combination, the information specific to each disc i. e. list of contents, index etc, may be contained within the data stored on the computer and thus the amount of information stored is limited only by the available hard disc memory space. It is therefore

possible to store entire files and work in progress in a folder that is linked directly to the relevant compartment containing an associated optical disc. This aspect is of particular benefit in relation to Recordable and Re-Recordable discs, where work in progress and backing-up software often requires the writing of information from a software folder stored on a computer to a specific disc.

The data processor software also preferably contains a search facility, which is responsive to titles, keywords, revision numbers, dates or any such information entered by the user,

s specific to each disc. The storage unit rack may allow multiple compartment selection, and several compartments can remain open at any time should the user require it. Preferably the compartments can be closed manually by pushing them shut, or by selecting a close compartment option provided in the software.

When closed, each compartment is preferably locked, the rack further comprising locking means that are unlocked via the software residing on the computer. This software can be designed to enable the use of password protection, so that access to discs is only allowed for authorised users.

Preferably, a unit is provided with output means such that many units or racks may be 'daisy-chained'together via cable connections so as to extend the controlled storage capacity beyond that of a single unit.

A storage unit or rack according to the present invention combined with a suitably programmed data processor, allows simple, speedy and easy to use data carrier storage, coupled with extended functionality of such storage.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. I A to lC are front, side and top views respectively of a data carrier storage rack in accordance with the invention; FIG. 2 is a horizontal section through the rack of FIG. 1, showing a compartment and associated access means comprising a cam and cam lever arrangement; FIGS. 3A to 3D diagrammatically show the operation of the carn and cam lever of FIG. 2; FIGS. 4A to 4D show disc compartment locking means for the unit of FIGS. 1 and 2; FIG. 5 is a basic operational flowchart for use of the unit of FIGS. 1 to 4; FIG. 6 is a diagram representing possible software options for data processor control of the unit of FIGS. l to 4 ; FIG. 7 is a software flowchart for the data processor control according to the options of FIG. 6; and FIG. 8 is a more detailed software flowchart of parts of the control shown if FIG. 7.

As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1 C, which are front, side and plan elevations respectively, a storage unit or storage rack comprises a vertically elongate box 1, a front face of which has an opening to receive storage compartments 2, in the form of storage trays, in which optical discs are to be stored. A data input connection (not shown) at the rear of the box is provided for connection to a host computer (not shown) by means of a cable to enable receipt of control signals from the computer. A separate cable output port (also not shown) allows'daisy-chaining'of more racks, or is suitable as a spare port for through connection of the computer or connection of the unit to other peripheral devices.

FIG. 2 is a cross-section through the unit 1 and shows in plan view one of the tray compartments 2 and an access assembly therefor. Unit 1 also houses two stepping motors (not shown), which are controlled by data signals from the data processor to operate access to the tray. A first motor controls the vertical movement of a cam 6, which is held in a longitudinal slot of a slotted hollow cylindrical cam bar 5 so as to allow the cam 6 to travel up and down between compartments, driven by either a screw mechanism 4, coaxial within the bar 5, or by a belt drive. When adjacent a desired compartment, the second motor rotates, in a clockwise direction, the cam bar 5, which in turn causes the cam 6 to operate upon a cam lever assembly 7/8, thus pushing upon the tray compartment 2, which slides

along rails 10 to its open position, allowing access to an optical disc 3 stored within the tray.

Upon first switching on, the motors of the unit 1 are used in a self-calibration process, moving the cam 6 vertically between upper and lower limit switches (not shown) and counting the motor steps between storage tray locations. This information is stored in a memory unit (not shown) of the unit 1. The storage unit of this embodiment also contains processing means to enable it to calculate the position of any tray from the stored calibration information such that on receipt of data processor instructions, as to a desired tray to be opened or closed, the processing means operates the first and second motors as necessary to move cam 6 to the correct position and to turn cam holder 5 clockwise or anticlockwise to respectively open or close the tray.

FIGS. 3A to D show stages in the opening and closing of a tray 2. The sequence of operation of the access means in opening and closing the compartment is as follows: first the user selects the required disc using a software programme on the data processor; next, the first motor moves cam 6 to a position adjacent the selected compartment 2, with a closed tray and associated cam 6 and cam bar 5 positions as shown in FIG. 3A; next, the second motor rotates the cam bar 5, engaging the cam with the cam lever 7, which opens the compartment 2 (FIG. 3 B); and finally the second motor rotates the cam bar 5 back to its starting position (FIG. 3C), with the drawer open. To close the drawer, the cam bar 5 rotates further ani-clockwise to turn lever 7 to its start position (FIG. 3D).

Thus : in FIG. 3A the earn 6 and cam bar 5 are in the start/travel position and the cam lever 7 is in the compartment-closed position; in FIG. 3B the cam bar 5 is rotated clock wise, thus causing cam 6 to operate against cam lever 7 which in turn pushes compartment 2 open; in FIG. 3C the cam bar 5 returns to its start/travel position (although the dimensions of cam lever slot 9 mean that the cam 6 is free to travel up and down between compartments while the compartment remains in the open position; and

in FIG. 3D the cam bar 5 rotates anti-clockwise from its start/travel position, causing cam 6 to act upon cam lever 7 thus pulling the compartment closed.

Multiple compartments may be open together if souring more than one disc. This ability is a function of the design of the slot 9 in the cam lever 7, which allows the cam to travel up and down the rack irrespective of the position of compartments within the rack.

FIG. 4 A shows a similar view to that of FIG 2 but with details of a locking mechanism for locking the storage compartment in the closed position. These details were omitted from FIGS. 2 and 3 for the sake of clarity in explaining the opening and closing access mechanism. FIGS. 4B, C and D show further explanatory features of the locking mechanism. In FIG. 4A compartment 2 is in the closed position, with a hook 11 on the rear of the compartment tray 2 engaging with a lip on the end of lever 7 to prevent its rotation clockwise, and thus locking the compartment closed. Release of the locking latch is effected by a locking cam 12 being rotated by cam 6 and cam bar 5 so as to cause it to urge hook 11 to the right, in the drawing, so as no longer to restrain movement of lever 7.

The locking cam 12 is shown in more detail in FIG. 4 B. As shown in FIG. 4D, the locking cam 12, sits inside an upper recess in cam lever 7, and a lower circular projection of lever 7 sits inside an aperture in one of a plurality of horizontally extending plates of a rack 13.

FIG 4 C shows a plan view of one of the horizontal plates which extend from the vertical back plate of rack 13. Rack 13 extends the height of the tray stack in the unit 1 and has enough plates to accommodate all the levers and locking cams. Locking cam 12 is so dimensioned that, upon rotation of the cam bar 5, cam 6 engages with the locking cam 12 prior to engaging with the lever 7. Similarly, the projection on the right hand side of the locking cam 12 is dimensioned so that its rotation is not prevented by the hook 11 but such that rotation of the locking cam 12 in a clockwise direction pushes the hook 11 sideways and releases lever 7 from hook 11, thus allowing the compartment tray 2 to open.

FIG. 5 is a basic flowchart showing operation of the storage rack under control of signals

from a suitably programmed data processor. In step 501, at switch on, the rack begins the above mentioned calibration routine by moving cam 6 to its highest and lowest positions.

Thereafter in step 502, a calculation is made of the number of first motor steps that are required between racks and this information is stored in the units memory and the unit goes to standby, in step 503, awaiting control instructions from a connected data processor.

In step 504, a user selects a tray or storage compartment to have access through the use of a search program, drop down menu, GUI, etc. on his computer. The corresponding tray number and an open or close command is then issued by the data processor in step 505 and sent to unit 1.

The access means in unit 1 uses this instruction and the calibration information from its memory to calculate the number of motor steps for the first motor to move cam 6 into position and then drives the cam to this determined position. Upon cam 6 reaching the required position, the second motor is operated in step 507 to turn cam holder 5 either clockwise to open or anti-clockwise to shut the selected tray. If the tray is opened, the user either removes or replaces the data disc and shuts the tray by using the program in step 508 or manually in step 509. Unit 1 then returns to standby to await the next instruction.

If, however, at step 507, the attempt to operate the tray indicates that the tray has jammed or that it is restricted, a further attempt is made at step 511. If the obstruction clears, 512, then steps 507 and 508/509 are followed. If the obstruction fails to clear, 513, this is reported to the user in step 514 and the unit returns to standby.

FIG. 6 diagrammatically illustrates some possible options that may be presented to a user on a main menu 600 by the data processor. A first option, 601, permits the user to change the details relevant to a storage tray. The second option, 602, allows the user to view the storage unit details. Option 603, the third option, allows the user to open or close a specific tray or trays. The fourth option, 604, enables a user to clear the storage details, the fifth, 605, enables a search for a disc and the sixth, 606, allows the user save details to the database and close the program.

Fig. 7 shows the flowchart for the options of FIG. 6. The program is started at step700, with the storage rack/unit database being loaded in step 701. The main menu 600 is displayed in step 701 giving the user the six options to select from in step 703. The flow is shown for each option separately and the same references are used in FIG. 7 as are used for the options shown in FIG. 6.

If a user wishes to change the stored details for a tray, the first option 601 is chosen and the user then enters the tray number, step 706, and follows this by changing the details as desired, step 707. Option 602, if selected, results in the display of all titles for the contents of the trays stored in the rack unit, step 709. To open or close a tray, option 603 is chosen and the user enters the tray number at step 711. The procedure followed thereafter is shown in FIG. 8. The number of the desired tray is passed to the storage unit, which then, in step 801, on the basis of its stored calibration data, calculates the distance and direction of movement required for the cam 6 to enable it to open or close the tray. Operation of the first motor for the required number of steps moves cam 6 into position, step 802, and the second motor is operated, step 803, to open or close the tray. Cam 6 is then returned to the start position in step 804 and in step 713 details of the tray are displayed on the processor monitor.

Selection of the fourth option, 604, allows the user to clear all stored details from the rack database, step 715.

Option 605, the fifth option allows the user to search for a particular tray. In step 717, the user enters the required search criteria such as title, file content, word search details etc. and the program carries out a search of the database, in step 718, to identify the required tray. Following this the tray number is passed to the storage unit 1 and, at stage 718, steps 801 to 802 are followed, as described for the third option 603. Finally, the tray details are displayed on the processor monitor, step 720.

Choosing the sixth option, 606 causes the program to save any changes to the database in step 722 and then ends the process, step 723.

The particular preferred embodiment described utilises trays for storing optical discs but clearly the storage unit may simply have openings and guide rails into which the discs are slotted without trays and the access means would move the discs out as necessary. The openings could be covered and the access means may simply involve releasing the cover with spring urging means pushing out a data disc. Many alternative and different such storage mechanisms could be envisaged or are known for storing individual discs and which could be employed in a storage unit in accordance with the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1) A data carrier storage unit comprising: a plurality of storage compartments, each for storage of a data carrier; access means controllably operable to permit access to any data carrier stored in the storage compartments; and input means for receiving control signals from a data processor to control the selection by said access means of the data carrier to which access is permitted.
2) A storage unit as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the storage compartments are trays which are slidably mounted in the unit and said access means permits access to a data carrier in a tray by enabling the tray to slide out of the unit to an access position.
3) A storage unit as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the unit further comprises locking means for holding trays in a storage position, the access means being arranged to disengage the locking means to enable a tray to slide out to an access position.
4) A storage unit as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein the access means may be controlled by control signals from said processor so as to return a tray from an access position to a storage position.
5) A storage unit as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, wherein a tray may be returned by hand from an access position to a storage position.
6) A storage unit according to any preceding claim, wherein the access means may be operated to provide access to more than one data carrier at a time.
7) A storage unit according to claim 2 or any of claims 3 to 6 appended to claim 2 wherein said trays are stored in a rack and said access means comprises a lever assembly for each tray to move the respective tray between its storage and access

<Desc/Clms Page number 10>

positions and a lever assembly operating cam for acting on the assembly to change the position of a tray.
8) A storage unit as claimed in any Claim 8, wherein there is a single lever assembly operating cam which is movable so as to allow the cam to engage one of any of a plurality of said tray lever assemblies so as to change the position of its respective data carrier tray as determined by said control signals.
9) A storage unit as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the unit is provided with data output means to couple to one or more other such units so that any of the units may be operated by control signals from said data processor.
10) In combination, a storage unit according to any preceding claim and a data processor coupled thereto for providing control signals to said input means for controlling said access means to permit access to a data carrier.
11) A combination according to Claims 10, wherein the data processor is programmed to record information as to the contents of the storage compartments.
12) A combination according to Claim 10 or 11, wherein said data processor is programmed to enable a user to view titles or contents of the data carriers such that the user may select one or more of said carriers to be made accessible by the necessary control signals being sent from the processor to the storage unit.
13) A combination according to any of Claims 10 to 12, wherein the data processor is programmed to record information as to any operation carried out on the storage unit such as the user, the operation carried out and date and time of the operation.
14) A combination according to any of Claims 10 to 13, wherein the data processor is programmed to enable searching for the location of a desired data carrier on the basis of stored information and search criteria entered by a user.

<Desc/Clms Page number 11>
15) A combination according to any of Claims 10 to 14, wherein access to data carriers is or may be password protected so as to prevent unauthorised access to compartment contents.
16) A combination according to any of Claims 10 to 15, wherein, if access is prevented due to an obstruction, the data processor is programmed to abort attempted access after a predetermined number of attempts.
17) A storage unit or a combination according to any preceding claim wherein said data carrier is an optical disc.
18) A storage unit or combination according to any preceding claim wherein said data processor is a personal computer.
19) A storage unit substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.
20) A combination of a storage unit and a data processor substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.