Dynamic information storage or retrieval – Dynamic mechanism subsystem – Access of multiple storage elements
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-29
2001-11-20
Cao, Allen (Department: 2652)
Dynamic information storage or retrieval
Dynamic mechanism subsystem
Access of multiple storage elements
Reexamination Certificate
active
06320838
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for the storage of a plurality of compact discs in which retrieval of a selected disc is performed by designating the compact disc desired through an electronic input to the system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Compact disc filers or containers have been developed in which a plurality of compact discs are stored in separate compartments within a single case. Such conventional devices typically employ a spring-loaded mechanism which is depressed and latched when the compact disc is inserted. When a particular compact disc is to be retrieved, the user must locate the proper enclosure and manually operate a mechanical trigger associated with the particular compartment in which the desired compact disc is located. Manual actuation of the trigger releases the spring mechanism and causes the compact disc to be expelled or partially expelled from the enclosure in which it is kept.
While the retrieval of a compact disc in this manner is easily achieved, the location of the proper compartment is much more difficult. This is particularly true in the case of storage systems for compact discs containing musical selections since often a collector of musical DCs may be quite voluminous. Due to the narrow size of compact discs, it is difficult to label each compartment with an indicia adequately identifying the particular compact disc stored therein. Rather, conventional systems for large collections of compact discs typically require the use of a written or printed list of the titles of the compact discs, sorted in alphabetic or some other logical order, followed by an identification of the particular enclosure in which the compact disc is located. The compartment indicia may be a number which fits more easily into the space available to identify each compartment. Even so, numerical indicia of compartments must still be quite small in order to fit into the space available.
Moreover, each time one compact disc in added to the unit, or each time a compact disc is removed, the printed list must be updated. The task of maintaining an updated listing of the compact discs in the CD filer housing, and a correlated identification number of the specific compart in which each disc is located is an arduous, time consuming task. As a consequence, a printed list is often out of date, thus creating problems in locating a particular compact disc in the CD filer from among all of the compacts discs stored therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention involves the storage and selection of compact discs from a housing case, rack, stack, or other container which holds a number of different compact discs. Each compact disc or compact disc case is located in a compact disc slot within the housing. Guides separate the slots from each other. According to the present invention, each compact disc positioned in the rack is provided with a spring-loaded mechanism which, when actuated, pushes a selected compact disc or compact disc case partially out of the housing.
In the normal position in which the compact disc is stored, the spring is in a state of elastic deformation and is latched in that condition with a latch that may be either mechanical, magnetic, or electrical in nature. A separate solenoid is located at each compact disc slot and operates a latch that, when the solenoid is actuated, will release the spring of the disc ejection mechanism located at that compact disc slot, thereby partially ejecting the compact disc from the case or container in which it is stored. This makes the selected compact disc readily distinguishable from the other compact discs, since it is the only one protruding from the case or container housing the plurality of compact discs.
To further facilitate quick visual location of the selected compact disc, a visual indicator may be provided for each compact disc slot. When a solenoid for a particular compact disc slot is actuated to partially eject a compact disc from the selected slot, the visual indicator associated with that particular slot is illuminated.
The signal to the solenoid is provided from a keyboard which may be utilized to input information identifying the title of the desired compact disc. This information is processed through an electronic matrix or routing system that is connected between the electronic input device and the array of solenoids in the compact disc container. The function of the matrix or routing system may be performed under the control of a conventional central processing unit found in commercially available personal computers.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the user utilizes the keyboard of a conventional personal computer to bring up a menu of all available compact discs stored in the CD filer. The user then, using a conventional computer program, types in the first few letters of the title of the compact disc desired. As the user types in the letters the title corresponding most closely to the letters inputted through the keyboard is highlighted on the personal computer video monitor screen. Once the user identifies the desired title in the menu on the monitor screen, that title can be selected, typically using a “mouse”, “roller ball” or other conventional cursor control mechanism.
An electronic address is associated with each compact disc slot and with each title in the menu, typically by storage on a personal computer hard drive. Once a particular compact disc has been selected from the menu, an address signal associated with the particular slot in which the selected compact disc is stored is generated. The address signal is transmitted through an electrical connector to matrix or routing circuitry located in the compact disc filer. The function of the matrix or routing circuitry may be performed by a microprocessor located within each CD filer case. The matrix or routing circuitry activated by the selection of a compact disc will actuate one, and only one, solenoid in the compact disc case. This solenoid is located at the compact disc slot in which the selected compact disc is stored.
Actuation of the specific solenoid located at the compact disc slot selected releases a latching mechanism which allows an elastically deformed spring located at the selected compact disc slot to push or pull the selected compact disc partially out of its dedicated slot. The protrusion of the selected compact disc from the CD filer is readily apparent to the user. Furthermore, the case may be provided with a plurality of visual indicia for each compact disc slot, such as a plurality of lighted diodes, one located at each slot. The partial ejection of a selected compact disc is accompanied by illumination of the LED located at that slot. This further aids in readily visually locating the selected compact disc.
In one broad aspect the present invention may be considered to be a compact disc storage and retrieval system comprised of several elements. The system includes a compact disc filer having a plurality of compact disc storage slots located side by side and delineated from each other by a plurality of guides located therebetween. A separately actuable compact disc ejection mechanism is mounted on the storage case at each of the compact disc storage slots. All of the ejection mechanisms are operable to move between retracted positions which permit the compact discs to reside stored in the storage slots and ejection positions in which the compact discs are forced at least partially out of the storage slots.
Each ejection mechanism includes a spring moveable between a relaxed condition when the disc ejection mechanism associated therewith is in its ejection position, and an elastically deformed condition when the ejection mechanism associated therewith is in its retracted position. Latching mechanisms are provided for each of the storage slots for holding the disc ejection mechanisms in their retracted positions with the springs in their elastically deformed conditions.
A plurality of solenoid are also provided. Each solenoid is located at a sep
Cao Allen
Thomas Charles H.
LandOfFree
Compact disc storage and retrieval system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Compact disc storage and retrieval system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Compact disc storage and retrieval system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2607071