JPS63195792A - Video tape releaser - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application This invention relates to a videotape discharging device used in a simple videotape vending machine or videotape rental device from which a user takes out a videotape.

(b) Summary of the Invention The videotape discharge device according to the present invention is provided with a storage section that stores videotapes in a line from the front to the back, and has first locking means at the front and rear of the nearest videotape (9 back from the front). and a second locking means. When releasing a videotape, the second locking means is first released, one videotape is guided between the first locking means and the second locking means, and then the second locking means is locked and the first release the locking means. As a result, the video tape guided between the first locking means and the second locking means can be taken out from the front.

In this way, it is possible to control the release of a plurality of stored video tapes using a simple mechanism.

(C) Conventional technology In the past, devices for selling and renting video tapes unattended have been proposed, but most of these devices have complicated devices such as video tape transport mechanisms inside, and customers The videotape was conveyed between the opening for loading and unloading the videotape and the videotape storage shelf.

(d1) Problems to be Solved by the Invention In this way, the conventional device must be equipped with a complicated mechanism including a videotape transport device, and it is also necessary to memorize the position of the videotape stored in the videotape storage shelf. There was a problem in that the control became complicated because the system had to be kept in the same state as before.This caused the device to become larger and more expensive, which hindered the spread of videotape vending and lending systems.

This invention was made in view of these problems.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a video tape discharging device that can control the discharging of a video tape with a simple mechanism.

(e) Means for Solving the Problems This invention provides a storage unit in which a plurality of video tapes are stored in a line from the front to the back, and the video tapes can be moved only in the front to back direction; a spring means for pushing the stored videotape from the back to the front; a first locking means for locking the movement of the videotape in front of the nearest videotape; and a first locking means for locking the movement of the videotape in front of the nearest videotape; and a second locking means for locking the movement, and when releasing the videotape, first the first locking means is activated and the second locking means is released, and then the first locking means is released and the second locking means is released. The present invention is characterized in that a lock control means is provided to enable the second lock means.

(f) Operation The videotape ejection device of the present invention operates as follows. A plurality of video tapes are stored in a row in the storage section, and the video tapes are pushed forward by spring means. The videotape is stopped at the first locking means or the second locking means.

When releasing the videotape, first, only the second locking means is released and the leading videotape is guided between the first locking means and the second locking means (this movement is performed by the pressing force of the spring means). ) Next, when the second locking means is locked and the first locking means is released, only the leading videotape can be removed from the front.

This makes it possible to control the release of the videotape only by locking and unlocking the two locking means.

(g) Embodiment FIG. 3 is an external view of a video tape lending device to which a video tape discharging device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. A plurality of video tape lockers 20 (see FIG. 1) are provided on the front operation panel of the apparatus main body 1, and a door 21 is provided on the front surface thereof. This door 21 is automatically locked and unlocked. On the right side of the locker is a CRT3. Card insertion slot where customers insert cards, etc. 4. A numeric keypad 5 and function keys 6 for setting transaction details and the like are provided.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the video tape locker 20, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing the structure of the video tape locker. Inside the door 21, a storage section is formed whose movement direction is regulated from front to back by a guide 29, and a plurality of video tapes 2 are stored in a line in this storage section.

A pressing plate 31 biased by a coil spring 30 is provided at the rear end (inner side) of this storage section.
1, the videotape is pressed forward.

Hook 24.2 moves the videotape due to this pressing force.
7 is stopped. A first locking device 32 is provided at the forefront of the storage section, and a second locking device 33 is provided at an interval from the first locking device 32 corresponding to one videotape. The first locking device 32 has a hook 24 for locking the videotape. The second locking device 33 includes a coil spring 25 for holding the hook in the locked state and a solenoid 23 for releasing the lock. and a solenoid 28 which drives the hook 27 to lock the videotape.

Further, the upper surface of the hook 24 is formed into a slope, so that the video tape can be pushed into the storage section from the door side. That is, as the video tape is pushed in, the upper surface of the hook 24 is pushed down onto the lower surface of the video tape.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control section of the videotape rental apparatus. The CPU 12, which is a control device, has a ROM II that stores programs, etc., and an RA that stores partition tables, etc.
M12, a display device 13 including the CRT 3, an input device 14 including the numeric keypad 51 and function keys 6, a card reader 15 for reading the card inserted from the card insertion slot 4;
A lock mechanism 16 that locks and releases the door 21 and tape lock devices 32 and 33 of each storage section. Barcode reading mechanism 17. An NCU/modem 18 for communicating with a center etc. is connected.

Here, the method of lending and returning tapes will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

First, FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the state of video tape lending. The figure (A) shows the initial state. When the customer operates the device and selects to rent a videotape, doors 21 and 10 are opened.
The locking device 32 is released ((B) in the same figure). This allows the previous videotape to be taken out. After removal, the door 21 and the tenth locking device 31 are locked (
(C) in the figure, the 20th locking device 32 is then released, the videotape is pushed out from the rear, and the videotape is stopped at the position of the 10th locking device 32. Thereafter, the 20th lock device 32 is locked again and returns to the initial state ((A) in the same figure).

FIG. 6 shows the videotape return operation. The figure (A) shows the initial state. When return is selected by the customer, door 21
At the same time, the 20th locking device 33 is turned off (see the same figure).
B)). This makes it possible to push in the videotape to be returned ((C) in the same figure). Along with this return operation, the barcode is read. After returning the item, close the door (see the same figure).
D)), the 20th locking device 33 is turned on to return to the initial state ((A) in the figure).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control section of the videotape rental apparatus. When the operation starts, the CRT
3, a display prompting the user to insert the card is displayed (step n1: hereinafter referred to as steps n17t-nL), and the card insertion is accepted (n2). When the card is inserted, the numeric keypad 5
The input of the PIN number is accepted (n3), and it is determined in n4 whether the PIN numbers match within a predetermined number of times. If the passwords match, the input of the transaction key is accepted at n5, and it is determined at n6 whether the pressed key is a return key or a rental key. In the case of a rental key, the process proceeds to steps n7 and below, and in the case of a return key, the process proceeds to steps n18 and below.

Explain the lending operation. First, use nl to display a message prompting the CRT3 to enter the desired tape number, and then accept the input of the tape number using the tincture (n8).If the input tape number is the correct tape number and the videotape is stored internally, If it is stored, n9. nlO's judgment n11
Proceed to. If the input number is not the correct tape number or if the videotape with the input number is not stored inside (if it is on loan), the process returns to n8. At n11, the inserted card data is sent to the center and checked online. After checking, the door 21 and the 10th pick device 31 of the corresponding storage section are released (n12, n13) until the tape is removed. Wait (n14). After this, lock the door and the 10th locking device 31 (n15)
, CRT instructions for returning the card and picking up the card.
Go to 3 (n16.nl?) and return to nl.

Next, the return operation will be explained. Return key is pressed and operation is n
Proceeding to 1B, nlB displays on the CRT 3 the section to be returned. Afterwards, as door 21 is opened,
To release the 20th hook device 33 n 19 * n 2
0) Read the barcode of the returned video tape (n21). After returning the card, lock the door 21 and the 20th lock device 33 (n22), and return the card (n16).
．． nl? ) Return to nl.

n13. n15 corresponds to the lock control means of the present invention.

(h1 Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, the videotape to be released is guided between the first locking means and the second locking means, and only the first locking means is released and the videotape is released. Only one videotape can be taken out.This eliminates the need for any complicated drive device, allows the user to move the videotape using only the pressure of a spring, and allows the user to take out the videotape themselves. By using this device in a videotape rental device, etc., the device can be constructed at low cost, contributing to the widespread use of the device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are a perspective view and a side view of a videotape ejection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are
5(A) to 5(D) are diagrams illustrating the lending operation of the video tape lending device, and FIG. 6(A) to (D) are diagrams for explaining the return operation of the video tape rental apparatus, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the control section of the video tape rental apparatus. 24.27-Hook, 25.26-Coil spring, 23.28-Solenoid, 29-Guide plate, 30-Coil spring, 31-Press plate. 32-10th picking device, 33-20th picking device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A storage section that stores a plurality of video tapes in a row from front to back and allows the video tapes to be moved only from front to back, and pushes the video tapes stored in the storage section from the back to the front. a spring means; a first locking means for locking movement of the videotape in front of the nearest videotape; and a second locking means for locking movement of the videotape behind the nearestmost videotape. lock control means for first enabling the first locking means and releasing the second locking means, and then releasing the first locking means and enabling the second locking means when the videotape is released; A video tape emitting device characterized by being provided with.