GB2361565A

GB2361565A - Compact disc library scanner and organiser

Info

Publication number: GB2361565A
Application number: GB0009525A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Christopher Gregory; Charles Ashton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-19
Filing date: 2000-04-19
Publication date: 2001-10-24
Also published as: GB0009525D0

Abstract

The compact disc library scanner is a palm-sized unit, which incorporates an infrared bar-code scanner linked to a programmable memory. Once the unit's memory has been programmed to identify a bar code on a compact disc box, the unit is then capable of locating this particular compact disc from a collection. The unit gives an audible signal when the scanner passes over a pre-programmed bar code. Programmed title information and text is displayed on a liquid crystal display. All text and unit operations are edited and controlled by a push button keypad. Sell adhesive bar-code strips are untitled until such time as the user programs the unit to identify a chosen barcode strip, giving the unit applications beyond that of compact disc collections.

Description

2361565 COMPACT DISC LIBRARY SCANNER AND ORGANISER This invention relates

to a palm sized, programmable, bar-code reading scanner with a liquid crystal display, programming and activation keys enabling the user to quickly locate a desired compact disc from a collection or library.

The spine of a compact disc title insert measures 6mm; the title or the text on the spine can measure even less. This title or text, amongst an average sized collection of compact discs, can often remain elusive to the human eye. An extensive and frustrating search of a collection will usually reveal the title in a position that has been looked over several times. This is perhaps because the human eye searches for familiar colours and patterns that may identffy that particular album, it does not spend time to read the title or text that can often be quite different from the cover graphics.

The purpose of the CD Library Scanner is to quickly locate a preprogrammed title from a collection or library of compact discs.

The CD Scanner has other applications beyond that of CD collections. As the scanner is essentially an archival cataloguing and retrieval device it can be applied to the retrieval of files in an office environment; cataloguing of household items, computer discs, collection tagging and information display, untitled security records, medical and research as well as traditional libraries for the sighted and the partially sighted.

The CD Library Scanner is a small, palm. sized, and battery powered device. It features a memory with a liquid crystal display, that once programmed, catalogues all titles and supporting information for later retrieval. 1he essential part of the device is its ability to identify a particular compact disc from a collection. It does this by way of an integral bar-code reader linked to its memory. To catalogue and programme a particular title into the umts memory first the user must bar code the compact disc; this is done by means of individual adhesive bar codes, supplied with the unit. The user activates the units memory and scans the chosen bar code strip which is then attached to the spine of the plastic casing. The unit would also be capable of recognising pre-programmed bar-codes within certain subject perimeters. Once the unit has identified the chosen bar code the user can now enter further information. This information can be 2 title, classification, mood, alphabetically, by memory or song, whichever the user prefers. This information, held in the units memory, is retrieved and displayed with the use of scroller keys, enabling the user to programme into the memory an extensive number of characters. The units will typically have a memory of one thousand titles and corresponding bar-codes. The user inputs information into the unit with either the use of a 0-9 key pad with corresponding alphabetical characters or scroller keys manipulating digital characters on screen.

To locate or retrieve a chosen compact disc the users scrolls the digital highlighter to the desired title, activates the search or scan key and runs the infra-red beam of the scanner over amd along the bar-c6des of the collection. The scanner identifies the desired title in the collection and produces an audible and/or a visible signal.

The scanner is combined with a sheet of individual bar codes that are self adhesive with an option of a more secure adhesive if the user feels it necessary.

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Claims

Claims

Compact Disc Libraty Scanner and Organiser 1. A palm sized electronic device that incorporates an infrared bar code scanner and a programmable electronic memory, predominately for the identification of a compact disc from within a collection of such discs.
2. A palm sized electronic device as claimed n claim one where the memory displays, in text, titles of compact discs and other supporting text, programmed into the device by the user.
3. A palm sized electronic device as claimed in claims one and two where such programmed data corresponds with a bar code affixed to a compact disc box.
4. A palm sized electronic device as claimed in claims one, two and three where the stored data is displayed upon a liquid crystal display, incorporated into the unit.
5. A palm sized electronic device as claimed in all preceding claims wbich incorpomte an audible sound component, activated by the units memory once it has identified a pre-desired title from the collection of compact discs.
6. A pahn sized electronic device as claimed in all preceding claims which incorporates various push buttons to enable the user to program the memory, activate the memory and activate the scanning elements of the unit.
7. A palm sized electronic device as claimed in all preceding claims which is battery powered and portable.
8. A palm sized electronic device as claimed in all preceding claims that is constructed from plastic, metal and electronic circuitry.