Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval – Miscellaneous
Patent
1990-08-29
1991-09-17
Severin, David J.
Dynamic magnetic information storage or retrieval
Miscellaneous
364401, 36446401, G06F 1521
Patent
active
050500317
ABSTRACT:
A computerized video record rental system and method in which a video record unit such as a tape cassette is provided with an integral counting device for counting the number of times the record is played. Upon rental and return of the record, the counts are recorded in computer memory, together with an identification of the record unit, and the computer computes the rental fee due based on the net play count for the record unit. A central computer is provided at a location remote from the rental sites. The computers at the rental sites are connected to the central computer periodically by way of modems and telephone lines. The central computer is similarly linked to computer terminals located at the record owners' places of business. Rental information is gathered from the rental sites in the central computer, which reports rental figures to the owners. An electronic funds transfer network is provided to electronically transfer funds from accounts maintained by the rental retailers to the owners by way of the central computer. The preferred counting device in the video cassette uses caliper arms to detect the position of one of the tape rolls in the cassette at two points on opposite sides of the roll and drives a counter in proportion to changes in the distance between the points. This virtually immunizes the mechanism from false counts due to lateral shifting of the tape reels in the cassette housing during handling of the cassette of a cassette playing machine. An alternative is a hybrid system using a mechanical tape motion sensor and an integral electronic counter and memory, with an LED read-out in a form which is readable by a bar-code scanner.
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Capital Cities/ABC Video Systems, Inc.
Neff Gregor N.
Severin David J.
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