GB2381934A - Media storage rack - Google Patents

Media storage rack Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2381934A
GB2381934A GB0123513A GB0123513A GB2381934A GB 2381934 A GB2381934 A GB 2381934A GB 0123513 A GB0123513 A GB 0123513A GB 0123513 A GB0123513 A GB 0123513A GB 2381934 A GB2381934 A GB 2381934A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
storage system
storage
media
location
item
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0123513A
Other versions
GB0123513D0 (en
GB2381934B (en
Inventor
Mark Edward Matheson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0123513A priority Critical patent/GB2381934B/en
Publication of GB0123513D0 publication Critical patent/GB0123513D0/en
Publication of GB2381934A publication Critical patent/GB2381934A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2381934B publication Critical patent/GB2381934B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B33/00—Constructional parts, details or accessories not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
    • G11B33/02—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon
    • G11B33/04—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers
    • G11B33/0405—Cabinets; Cases; Stands; Disposition of apparatus therein or thereon modified to store record carriers for storing discs
    • G11B33/0433—Multiple disc containers
    • G11B33/0438—Multiple disc containers for disc cartridges

Abstract

A storage system 1 for storing media items such as compact discs comprises a rack 3, 4, 5 having an indicator 41-55 for each storage locations 21-35. An input means 8 such as a keypad, bar code scanner or microphone allows the position of each stored item to be recorded, and allows a request to be input for the position of a wanted item to be indicated. The store 1 may further incorporate sensors (fig 2, 91-95) to detect the empty status of a location and feedback means (fig 4, 71) to assist in locating an item, which may comprise indicators, 41-55, an LCD display, tactile feedback or audible feedback which indicates the proximity of a user's hand to a location, possibly by varying the audible frequency. Racks 3, 4, 5 may comprise interchangeable arrays, to accommodate different sizes of media item.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1>
Improvements in and relating to devices for storage The present invention relates to storage and retrieval systems.
Media, such as compact discs, audio tapes and video tapes, and similar computer discs and tapes, are difficult to store so that they do not suffer damage, and yet may be retrieved easily. Frequently the items are very similar visually, and in high density storage systems, space for labels and such is limited.
Particularly, where a random access storage and retrieval process is required, location of a particular item of media may be time consuming and frustrating.
According to the present invention, there is provided a storage system comprising a rack adapted for storing media and the rack having means for indicating a unique location of a plurality of identical storage rack locations, each storage locations arranged to receive an item of the media, the system further comprising a recording means for recording the unique location of a particular item of the media, and means for requesting the indication of the location of a particular item of the media.
<Desc/Clms Page number 2>
A benefit of the storage system is that a single item of media may be reliably and easily retrieved from among a number of similar items stored in the system.
Preferably the indicating means is a plurality of visual indicators, each visual indicator positioned adjacent to each unique storage rack location. More preferably the indicator is a light.
A benefit of this is that a single location may be quickly identified from a large number of locations.
Preferably the indicating means is audible, and more preferably the indicating means is audible as well as visual. More preferably the audible means is arranged to provide feedback as a hand approaches or departs from an indicated location.
Preferably the indicating means is tactile. Such tactile means, may for example include thermal, vibratory, or variable surface protrusions.
A benefit of audible or tactile indicating means is that blind people may be enabled to retrieve a particular item.
Preferably, where an audible indicating means is used, the indicating means is arranged to provide feedback to a
<Desc/Clms Page number 3>
user to indicate when the user's hand is approaching the particular location.
More preferably the feedback is provided by a change in the frequency of an output from the indicating means.
A benefit of the audible indicating means providing feedback is that as a user's hand approaches the particular location, the user will, for example, hear a rising tone, and should the user inadvertently overshoot the particular location, the user will hear a falling tone, and by such an arrangement will be enabled to more quickly locate the particular location.
Preferably the item comprises protective containers for media such as compact discs.
A benefit of the item comprising a protective container is that the media is protected when removed from the rack. A further benefit is that, where for example, the containers include a descriptive insert, such as on a commercial audio CD, or a code or key for software, this may be stored with the media.
Preferably the storage system is provided with a data input device.
A benefit of having a data input device is that meaningful label may be entered for each item of media.
<Desc/Clms Page number 4>
In an embodiment of the invention the data input device is a keypad. More preferably the keypad is an alphanumeric keypad. Still more preferably the keypad is arranged as a qwerty keyboard.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention the input device is a microphone.
In a further embodiment of the invention the input device is a scanner.
A benefit of the embodiments is that the storage system may be adapted to best meet the requirements of different users, and different types of media.
Preferably the storage system is provided with a means arranged to communicate digitally with other computer based devices. More preferably the means is arranged to provide an infra-red data communication link with other similarly equipped devices.
A benefit of the storage system being provided with digital communication means is that information held in the storage system may be more easily shared with or updated from other devices, such as hand held computers.
<Desc/Clms Page number 5>
Preferably the storage system is provided with the unique storage locations in a plurality of inter-changeable arrays, so that a user may adapt the storage system to a particular type of media having a particular dimensions.
A benefit of having storage locations in inter-changeable arrays is that a standard storage system may be used more efficiently. A further benefit is that the storage may be more precisely adapted to the particular requirements of the media, for example, a CD without any protective case requires different supporting structures to a CD in a jewel case to prevent damage to the surface to be read electronically.
Preferably the arrays of inter-changeable storage locations are provided with the indicating means.
A benefit of the arrays of inter-changeable storage locations being provided with the indicating means is that each of the particular indicating means may be precisely aligned with each particular storage location.
Hence, taking the CD example above, the indicating means may be precisely aligned in each case with or without a jewel case.
Preferably the inter-changeable storage locations are arranged to receive and store one or more types of media items such as compact discs (CD's), including both audio and data CD-ROM's, digital video discs (DVD's), mini-
<Desc/Clms Page number 6>
CD's, video cassettes, audio cassettes, removable discs, such as hard discs, jazz discs, zip discs, floppy disks (e. g. 3.5 inch and 5.25 inch disks), tape media including digital audio tape and digital archiving tapes, and microfiche records.
A benefit of having inter-changeable storage locations particularly arranged to store one or more types of media listed above is that the utilisation of the storage system may be increased.
Preferably, in an embodiment of the invention, an interchangeable storage location may be arranged to receive printed media, such as for example, computer manuals.
More preferably such an inter-changeable storage location may be arranged to store both computer readable media and printed media.
A benefit of the inter-changeable storage location being arranged to receive printed media is that valuable material may be more easily retrieved.
Preferably the storage system is provided with a transparent cover to the storage locations.
A benefit of having a transparent cover, such as a glass door, is that the media is protected from dust, and a visual indicating means may be seen through the door.
<Desc/Clms Page number 7>
In an alternative arrangement, the storage system is preferably provided with an opaque cover to the storage locations.
A benefit of the opaque cover is that valuable items may be hidden from view.
Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front of a storage system according to the invention ; Figure 2 is a rack insert of the storage system shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a rear view of the storage system shown in Figure 1 ; and Figure 4 is a block diagram of the electronic circuit according to the invention, and suitable for the storage system of Figures 1 to 3.
From Figure 1, a storage system 1 may be seen to comprise a housing 2, fitted with racks 3,4 and 5, each having a plurality of storage locations 21 to 35 and adjacent to each storage location an indicator 41 to 55 respectively (some reference numerals omitted from the Figure for clarity). Each of the indicators is electrically connected to an electronic control (not visible in Figure
<Desc/Clms Page number 8>
1) to which are also connected a keypad 8 and a display 9.
The housing is provided with a transparent door 10, having a handle 11 and hinge 12 mounting it to the housing.
Figure 2 shows a rack insert 3'similar to any one of the racks 3,4 or 5. Rack insert 3'is an interchangeable array, which in a specific embodiment where the storage system is arranged to accept inter-changeable arrays, may be interchanged with any one of the racks 3,4 or 5 as required so as to provide alternative storage locations
for different types of media. Rack insert 3'has a plurality of storage locations 21'to 25'and adjacent to each storage location an indicator 41'to 45' respectively. Each storage location has a width L, and is separated from adjacent storage locations by a divider 61'to 65'respectively, the dividers having a width S.
The dividers may extend as shown in the Figure 2 so that a gap G is left between the top of a divider and the insert or housing above. A benefit of having a width S and a gap G is that a user may more easily remove a particular item from the rack. The width L is arranged to suit the media units that the rack is intended to store, hence for a CD stored in a jewel case, where a typical width of a jewel case is 10 mm, a width L of 11 mm would be suitable. Connector 6 is provided to electrically connect the rack insert to electrical circuits mounted to the housing 2.
<Desc/Clms Page number 9>
Feedback sensors 91 to 95 are provided for each storage location, and are connected via the connector 6 to the housing.
From Figure 3, a rear 60 of the storage system 1 may be seen. Mounted to rear 60 is an electronic control system having a main circuit board 61 with an input connected to keypad 8, and outputs connected to the display 9, and sockets 62 to 67.
Figure 4 shows a block diagram of an electronic control system 68 according to the invention and suitable for use with the storage system shown in Figures 1 to 3. The electronic control system has a controller 72, with an input from a first input means 70, such as a keypad and optionally a second input from a second input means 69, such as a scanner or a microphone, and outputs to a feedback means 71, such as a LCD alpha-numeric display or a loud-speaker, and outputs to output drivers 73 and 74 through sockets 77 and 78. More output drivers may be added to suit the physical configuration of a particular storage system. Output drivers drive indicating means arrays 75 and 76. Preferably the output drivers are integrated circuits arranged to provide outputs suitable for light emitting diodes, and the arrays are arrays of LED's, corresponding to the indicators 41 to 55 of Figure 1. Where, an audible feedback is required, the arrays
<Desc/Clms Page number 10>
may be arranged to provide a feedback signal to the controller to indicate the presence of a hand adjacent to a particular indicator. Such feedback may, for example, be provided from tuned resonant circuits.
Connectors 77 to 82 are provided to permit easy changes to the configuration of the physical storage racks to which the indicating arrays are mounted. It may also be advantageous to provide connectors 83 and 84 to permit the arrays to be changed, to allow, for example the use of different coloured LED's if required by a user.
In use a user enters an alpha-numeric index term into the keypad 8 to create a unique index record for an item of media. The storage system 1 may then indicate a vacant particular storage location for the item of media on the display 9, or the user may specify a required particular storage location. The index term and the particular storage location are recorded by the storage system in a database held in a non-volatile memory. Preferably, the storage system is arranged to provide an indication on a particular indicator corresponding to the storage location. The user then places the item of media into the specified storage location.
To retrieve the item of media, the user enters a query term into the keypad. The storage system then matches the query term with one or more of the recorded index terms. The system displays the results of the matches on the display 9 and by means of the appropriate
<Desc/Clms Page number 11>
indicator (s) to enable the user to select the item of media required.
To replace the item of media in the storage system, the user enters sufficient information to uniquely identify the item of media, and selects a particular vacant storage location on the keypad, and then places the item of media in the particular storage location. Preferably the storage system is arranged to provide confirmation of the particular storage location by means of the appropriate indicator.
Feedback sensors 91 to 95 may be arranged to provide information to the storage system as to whether a particular storage location is occupied or vacant. The system is preferably arranged to use this information to confirm the storage location used when a user places an item of media into the storage system, and further to confirm when an item of media is removed from the storage system. The storage system is thus enabled to improve the quality of information stored in the database,' without imposing additional demands for confirmation on the user.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the feedback sensors are arranged to receive information from the items of media. This may, by way of example, be in the form of a bar code reader, or a text scanner. By this means, the storage system database may be updated without the user being required to identify an item of media being stored in the system.

Claims (12)

  1. CLAIMS 1. A storage system comprising a rack adapted for storing media and the rack having means for indicating a unique location of a plurality of identical storage rack locations, each storage locations arranged to receive an item of the media, the system further comprising a recording means for recording the unique location of a particular item of the media, and means for requesting the indication of the location of a particular item of the media.
  2. 2. A storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicating means comprises a plurality of visual indicators, each visual indicator positioned adjacent to each unique storage rack location.
  3. 3. A storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the indicating means is audible or audible as well as visual.
  4. 4. A storage system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the audible means is arranged to provide feedback as a'hand approaches or departs from an indicated location.
  5. 5. A storage system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the feedback is provided by a change in the frequency of an output from the indicating means.
  6. 6. A storage system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the storage system is provided with a data input device.
  7. 7. A storage system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the data input device is a keypad.
    <Desc/Clms Page number 13>
  8. 8. A storage system as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the input device is a microphone.
  9. 9. A storage system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the unique storage locations are in a plurality of interchangeable arrays.
  10. 10. A storage system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the storage system further comprises a transparent cover to the storage locations.
  11. 11. A storage system as claimed in any of the claims 1 to 9, wherein the storage system further comprises an opaque cover to the storage locations.
  12. 12. A storage system substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB0123513A 2001-09-29 2001-09-29 Improvements in and relating to devices for storage Expired - Fee Related GB2381934B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0123513A GB2381934B (en) 2001-09-29 2001-09-29 Improvements in and relating to devices for storage

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0123513A GB2381934B (en) 2001-09-29 2001-09-29 Improvements in and relating to devices for storage

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0123513D0 GB0123513D0 (en) 2001-11-21
GB2381934A true GB2381934A (en) 2003-05-14
GB2381934B GB2381934B (en) 2006-05-24

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GB0123513A Expired - Fee Related GB2381934B (en) 2001-09-29 2001-09-29 Improvements in and relating to devices for storage

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Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3555509A (en) * 1968-01-22 1971-01-12 Wurlitzer Co Numerical storage phonograph selector
FR2410860A1 (en) * 1977-12-05 1979-06-29 Lecompte Jean Marie Record or document storage cabinet - has pivoted grip for extracting contents from chosen location without touching with hands
GB2062935A (en) * 1979-11-02 1981-05-28 Nsm Apparatebau Gmbh Kg Juke box
US4849838A (en) * 1986-04-16 1989-07-18 Tokin Corporation Large capacity information storage apparatus using a plurality of magnetic disk units
WO1993016475A2 (en) * 1992-02-14 1993-08-19 Deutsche Thomson-Brandt Gmbh Support with compartments for cassettes containing recording media
EP0646923A1 (en) * 1993-10-05 1995-04-05 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Apparatus for playing recording medium
EP0697695A2 (en) * 1994-07-29 1996-02-21 International Business Machines Corporation An automated storage system and method of locating objects in such a system

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3555509A (en) * 1968-01-22 1971-01-12 Wurlitzer Co Numerical storage phonograph selector
FR2410860A1 (en) * 1977-12-05 1979-06-29 Lecompte Jean Marie Record or document storage cabinet - has pivoted grip for extracting contents from chosen location without touching with hands
GB2062935A (en) * 1979-11-02 1981-05-28 Nsm Apparatebau Gmbh Kg Juke box
US4849838A (en) * 1986-04-16 1989-07-18 Tokin Corporation Large capacity information storage apparatus using a plurality of magnetic disk units
WO1993016475A2 (en) * 1992-02-14 1993-08-19 Deutsche Thomson-Brandt Gmbh Support with compartments for cassettes containing recording media
EP0646923A1 (en) * 1993-10-05 1995-04-05 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Apparatus for playing recording medium
EP0697695A2 (en) * 1994-07-29 1996-02-21 International Business Machines Corporation An automated storage system and method of locating objects in such a system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0123513D0 (en) 2001-11-21
GB2381934B (en) 2006-05-24

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710B Request of alter time limits

Free format text: EXTENSION APPLICATION: APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF THE PERIOD(S) PRESCRIBED BY RULE(S) 33(2) FILEDON 20040106.

9110 Period prescribed has been extended under rule 110(6)/1990

Free format text: EXTENSION ALLOWED: PERIOD(S) PRESCRIBED BY RULE(S) 33(2) EXTENDED UNDER RULE 110(6) IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE DECISION OF THE COMPTROLLER DATED 20040211.

PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20070929