JP2011515783A - Media storage system - Google Patents

Abstract

A media storage system (100) includes a disk input element (122) for receiving a media disk, a disk output element (126) for taking out the disk, and a media reader (132) for reading information from the disk. With. If insufficient information can be read from the disc, it can be obtained through the computer network (140). The system (100) includes a disk transport device (124) for moving a received disk to each internal storage location (114). The system (100) includes a data input device (137) for inputting disc catalog data and a data output device (138) such as a display for displaying the disc catalog data. The data input device (137) and the data output device (138) may be input buttons and a display on the remote control. Information associated with each disc is associated with an identifier so that access to the disc data is limited by a user identifier or content rating.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

The present invention generally relates to consumer electronics, and more particularly to a media storage device for cataloging, storing, and extracting data disks such as CDs and DVDs and other data disks. The media storage system allows the user to insert a disc into the storage unit. In the unit, information is read, collected and cataloged so that the user can refer to it in the future or retrieve it if required.

Users of DVDs or compact discs that store music, movies, or other digital data are often difficult to organize a collection of discs and their contents. Even if the user keeps holding the disc, it is still difficult for the user to specify the contents quickly. The scope of the problem of managing a disk library can be better understood when considering an individual or organization with 100, 500, or more data disks. Not only does the disk library need to be stored in a safe and organized place, but the contents of the disk need to be accessible on demand, away from the actual storage location.

In the prior art, various devices have been proposed for storing data disks and for cataloging their contents. Perhaps effective for the intended purpose, but existing devices can remotely access the contents of the disk library, catalog new disk contents, or retrieve stored disks. It is not configured to be.

Therefore, it has a media storage system that can receive a media disk, read data from the disk for cataloging, transfer the received disk to a storage location, and take out the stored disk if requested. It is desirable. It would also be desirable to have a media storage system that can make cataloged data available so that a user can review from a location near or remote from the storage system. Furthermore, it is desirable to have a media storage system that controls access by means of user identifiers, content evaluation, and the like.

Accordingly, the media storage device according to the present invention comprises a disk reading location and a disk input element for receiving each media disk from outside the storage system at the disk reading location. The storage device also includes a disk output element for removing each media disk from the disk reading location to a location outside the storage system. The storage device includes a plurality of disk storage locations. Each storage location has an individual storage identifier. In order to move each media disk between a disk read location and a disk storage location, a disk transport device is provided in the storage system. Furthermore, the media reader is located near the disk reading location.

The processor is in data communication with the storage device, the data input device, the data output device, the media reader, the disk transport device, and the disk output element. The processor comprises programming for obtaining title data for each media disc received at the disc read location from outside the storage system. The processor also includes programming for associating the individual storage identifier and the title data with each storage location in the storage device that has not yet stored each media disc. In addition, the processor comprises programming to operate the disc transport device to transfer the media disc from the disc read location to a storage location having an individual storage identifier associated with the title data of the media disc.

An important aspect of the present invention is that the output device may be a display on a remote control and the input device may be an input on the remote control. The display and the input are in data communication with the processor via a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The processor of the media storage system comprises programming for activating the display to present a list of all title data for media discs stored in the system.

Accordingly, it is an overall object of the present invention to provide a media storage system for physically storing data disks such as CDs and DVDs.

Another object of the invention is to make available for reading, collecting and inputting data relating to the contents of each disc as described above and for reviewing it on an output device such as a display screen. To provide a media storage system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a media storage system that, as described above, can be used by authorized users of disk data.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a media storage system that allows disk data to be accessed from a remote control device as described above.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a media storage system in which a disc is related to each user according to content evaluation or the like as described above.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a media storage system that, as described above, can eject selected disks when requested by an authorized user.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, shown by way of illustration and example, and embodiments of the invention.

1 is a perspective view of a media storage system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a remote control device for use with the media storage system shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows each part of a communication and a display part by this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the routine performed by the processor by this system for obtaining the title data of a disc. A routine that can be executed by a processor to limit access to stored disk data. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of disk read and storage locations according to the present invention. It is a block diagram of each part of a disk input, an output, and a conveying apparatus.

The media storage system 100 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying FIGS. More particularly, according to the present invention, the media storage system 100 used with multiple media disks (eg, CD, DVD, etc.) comprises a disk read location 112 and a plurality of disk storage locations 114 (FIG. 6a). ). Each disk storage location 114 has an individual storage identifier (ie, an individual identification number).

As shown in FIG. 6 a, a disk input element 122 is provided for receiving a media disk from outside the storage system 100 to the read location 112, that is, for inputting a media disk from outside the storage system 100 to the read location 112. It is done. The disc transport device 124 moves each media disc between the read location 112 and the disc storage location 114. A disk output element 126 is provided for removing the media disk from the read location 112 to the outside of the storage system 100. More specifically, the disc output element 126 can take out all the media discs transported to the reading place 112 by the disc transport device 124. A media reader 132 (FIGS. 3, 6a, 6b) is present in the vicinity of the disk read location 112, in order to obtain data from each media disc at the read location 112.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6b, the processor 134 includes a storage device 136, a data input device 137, a data output device 138 (eg, a display), a media reader 132, a disk transport device 124, a disk input element 122, and a disk output element 126. And / or data communication with a network 140 (eg, the Internet, etc.). The housing 150 (FIGS. 1, 6a) can include a read location 112, a plurality of disc storage locations 114, a disc transport device 124, a processor 134, a storage device 136, and a media reader 132. Further, the housing 150 may include a display 138 and an input device 137 as shown in FIG. 1 and / or the remote control 155 may include a display 138 and an input device 137 as shown in FIGS. Can be provided. Display 138 and input device 137 may be in data communication with processor 134 via wireless transmitter 139a, wireless receiver 139b (FIG. 3), or other suitable communication technology.

The processor 134 may comprise programming for obtaining title data for each media disc input to the read location 112 by the input element 122. FIG. 4 shows a routine 400 that may be executed by the processor 134. Steps 401, 402, 403, 404, 405 represent specific programming within the processor 134 to obtain title data. In step 401, the input element 122 provides each media disc to the read location 112, and the media reader 132 obtains identification data from the media disc (eg, data volume, file / track number, track length, etc.). The routine 400 continues to step 402 where the processor 134 compares the identification data with the identification data maintained in the storage device 136. If processor 134 determines that the media disc is already known to system 100, processor 134 obtains title data from storage device 136 and routine 400 proceeds to step 408. On the other hand, otherwise, the routine 400 continues to step 403.

In step 403, the processor 134 attempts to obtain title data from the media reader 132. If the media disc includes title data, media reader 132 provides the title data to processor 134 and routine 400 proceeds to step 406. On the other hand, if not, the routine 400 continues to step 404.

In step 404, the processor 134 attempts to obtain title data from the network 140 based on the identification data obtained from the media reader 132. If network 140 provides title data to processor 134, the routine proceeds to step 406. Otherwise, the routine continues to step 405.

In step 405, the processor 134 activates the display 138 to request title data from the data input device 137. If the title data is provided by the data input device 137, the routine proceeds to step 406.

In step 406, the processor 134 stores the title data and the corresponding identification data in the storage device 136, and the routine 400 proceeds to step 407. At step 407, processor 134 activates display 138 to request categorization data (ie, movie, music, genre, photo, document, etc.), and the categorization data is provided using data input device 137. And the title data can be stored in the storage device 136. The processor 134 may comprise programming to activate the display 138 to present a list of all title data for the media disc stored in the system 100. The presence of categorization data can enhance this presentation (ie, all music can be shown in one batch, all movies can be shown in other batches, etc.). The routine 400 proceeds from step 407 to step 408.

In step 408, the processor 134 determines which disk storage location (which may be more than one) 114 is not currently storing a media disk. This determination is made by referring to the storage device 136, for example. The routine 400 proceeds from step 408 to step 409.

At step 409, the processor 134 associates (within the storage device 136) the title data of the media disc at the read location 112 with each individual storage identifier for the empty storage location 114 where the media disc is to be stored. The empty storage location 114 may be selected randomly, and the storage location 114 may be selected intentionally. For example, the processor 134 may be programmed to track the frequency of access corresponding to each title data (ie, each media disc), ie, how frequently each media disc is accessed from the system 100. Can be included. The two storage locations 114 are empty and the time required for the disk transport device 124 to transfer each media disk from the first location 114 to the read location 112 is read by the disk transport device 124 from the second location 114. If it is shorter than the time required to transfer to the location 112, it can be determined whether the first or second storage location 114 is selected depending on how often the media disk is accessed. The routine 400 proceeds from step 409 to step 410.

At step 410, processor 134 activates disk transport device 124 to transfer the media disk from read location 112 to storage location 114 having an individual storage identifier. The individual storage identifier is associated with the title data of the media disc in step 409.

Once each media disk is located at each storage location 114, the user can request a media disk from the system 100 using the input device 137. The processor 134 includes programming for recognizing a disk request from the input device 137. The disc request includes title data of a desired media disc. Access level data may be optionally included. Access level data is described below in connection with FIG. In addition, the processor 134 operates programming to determine each individual storage identifier associated with the title data included in the disc request (eg, by accessing the storage device 136) and the disc transport device 124. Programming to transfer the desired media disk from the disk storage location 114 having the individual storage identifier to the read location 112. As described above, the disk output element 126 takes out the media disk transported to the reading place 112 by the disk transport device 124.

FIG. 5 shows a routine 500 that is performed utilizing system 100 and programming within processor 134. Similar to programming within processor 134 to obtain title data (above), processor 134 obtains each access requirement data for each media disk within storage system 100 and media (within storage device 136). For each disc, programming may be provided for associating the access requirement data with title data. The access requirement data can be, for example, user specific, group specific, content related, etc. For example, the access requirement data is “G”, “PG-13”, or “R” for a movie, and “when a guardian is present” for an age-related video game. Only ". In brief, the access requirement data represents the level of access that the user must have before getting a media disc.

To obtain access requirement data, processor 134 accesses access requirement data from storage device 136 based on programming to obtain access requirement data from media reader 132, and identification data obtained from media reader 132 as described above. Programming to obtain access requirements data from the network 140 and / or access data cannot be obtained from the media reader 132 or the storage device 136 based on identification data obtained from the media reader 132 Or programming to activate display 138 to request access requirement data from input device 137 if access data obtained from media reader 132 or storage device 136 is unsatisfactory. It may be.

In step 501, the user inputs an individual identifier such as a password or name using the input device 137. The personal identifier may be the access level data described above, and the personal identifier may be associated with the access level data in the storage device 136. In step 502, the user utilizes the input device 137 to select a media disc in the system and provide a disc request having title data and access level data. The routine 500 proceeds to step 503.

In step 503, the processor 134 determines whether the access level data in the disc request is sufficient for the access requirement data associated with the title data included in the disc request. For example, the access requirement data related to the title data included in the disc request may be “PG-13”. If the access level data is “PG-13” or “R”, the access level data will be sufficient, and if the access level data is “G” or “PG”, the access level data will be insufficient. . If the access level data is sufficient, the routine 500 proceeds to step 505, otherwise the routine proceeds to step 504.

At step 504, the processor 134 determines whether the secondary access level data associated with the disc request is sufficient for the access requirement data associated with the title data included in the disc request. For example, a movie may have access requirement data for “fear genre” and a user may not have corresponding access level data for “fear genre”. However, the user may have secondary access level data of “Fear Genre until 5 pm”. In such a case, processor 134 may determine whether the secondary condition is met (ie, until 5 pm). If so, routine 500 proceeds to step 505; otherwise, routine 500 proceeds to step 506. As another example, a CD may have access requirement data for “Need parental guidance: explicit lyrics” and the user has corresponding access level data for “Need parental guidance: explicit lyrics”. You may not have. However, exceptions may be stored in the storage device 136 in case a specific CD is required. In such a case, the processor 134 may determine that the secondary condition has been met (ie, the exception has been applied) and the routine 500 proceeds to step 505, otherwise the routine 500 proceeds to step 506. Proceed to

In step 505, processor 134 determines each individual storage identifier associated with the title data included in the disk request (eg, by accessing storage device 136), and processor 134 activates disk transport device 124. Thus, the desired media disk is transferred from the disk storage location 114 having the individual storage identifier to the reading location 112. As described above, the disk output element 126 can take out the media disk transported to the reading place 112 by the disk transport device 124.

At step 506, the processor 134 refuses to provide the requested media disk to the user and activates the display 138 to explain that the requested media disk cannot be accessed because the user's access level data is insufficient. To do.

While certain forms of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited only to the illustration and description, unless such limitations are included in the following claims and their permitted functional equivalents. It will be understood.

Claims (20)

A media storage system for use with multiple media discs,
Disk reading location,
A disk input element for receiving each media disk from outside the storage system to a disk read location;
A disk output element for removing each media disk from the disk reading location to the outside of the storage system;
A plurality of disk storage locations, each having an individual storage identifier;
A disc transport device for moving each media disc between the disc reading location and the disc storage location;
A media reader in the vicinity of the disk reading location;
A storage device, a data input device, a data output device, the media reader, the disk transport device, and a processor in data communication with the disk output element,
The processor comprises programming for obtaining title data of each media disc received at the disc read location from outside the storage system;
The processor comprises programming for associating an individual storage identifier and the title data to each storage location in the storage device that does not currently store each media disc,
The processor comprises programming to operate the disc transport device to transfer the media disc from the disc read location to the storage location having the individual storage identifier associated with the title data of the media disc. A system characterized by that. The system of claim 1, comprising:
The processor comprises programming for obtaining from the data input device a disc request included in the title data of each media disc stored in each storage location;
The processor comprises programming for determining each individual storage identifier associated with the title data included in the disc request;
The processor operates the disc transport device to transport each media disc stored in each disc storage location having the individual storage identifier associated with the title data included in the disc request to the disc reading location. With programming for
The disk output device takes out each media disk from the disk reading location to the outside of the storage system in order to respond to the disk request. The system of claim 2, comprising:
The data output device is a display on a remote control,
The data input device is an input on the remote control,
The display and the input are in data communication with the processor via a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver;
A system comprising programming for the processor to operate the display to present a list of all title data of media discs stored in the system. The system of claim 1, comprising:
Programming for the processor to obtain each access requirement data for each media disc in the storage system and to associate the access requirement data with each title data of each media disc in the storage device;
The processor comprises programming for obtaining from the data input device a disc request including title data and access level data of each media disc stored in each storage location;
The processor comprises programming for determining each individual storage identifier associated with the title data included in the disc request;
The processor determines whether the access level data included in the disc request is sufficient for each access requirement data associated with the title data included in the disc request, and if sufficient, the disc transport Programming to operate a device to transport each media disc stored in each disc storage location having the individual storage identifier associated with the title data to the disc read location included in the disc request;
The system wherein the disk output element picks up all media disks transported to the disk read location by the disk transport device. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the programming to obtain access requirement data for each media disk within the storage system.
Programming in the processor to obtain the access requirement data from the media reader;
Programming in the processor to obtain the access requirement data from the storage device based on identification data obtained from the media reader;
Programming in the processor to activate the data output device to request the access requirement data from the data input device if the access requirement data is not obtained from the media reader or the storage device A system characterized by that. 5. The system according to claim 4, wherein
The processor is in data communication with a network;
The programming to obtain title data for each media disc received at the disc read location from outside the storage system;
Programming in the processor to obtain the title data from the media reader;
Programming in the processor to obtain the title data from the storage device based on the identification data obtained from the media reader;
Programming in the processor to obtain the title data from the network based on identification data obtained from the media reader;
Programming in the processor to operate the data output device to request the title data from the data input device, and at least one programming comprising:
The programming to obtain each access requirement data for each media disk in the storage system;
Programming in the processor to obtain the access requirement data from the media reader;
Programming in the processor to obtain the access requirement data from the storage device based on identification data obtained from the media reader;
Programming in the processor to obtain the access requirement data from the network based on identification data obtained from the media reader;
A system comprising: at least one programming in said processor for operating said data output device to request said access requirement data from said data input device. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the data output device is a display on a remote control, the data input device is an input on the remote control, and the display and the input are wireless transmitters. And data communication with the processor via a wireless receiver. The system of claim 1, wherein the programming for obtaining title data for each media disc received at the disc read location from outside the storage system.
Programming in the processor to obtain the title data from the media reader;
Programming in the processor to obtain the title data from the storage device based on the identification data obtained from the media reader;
Programming in the processor to activate the data output device and request the title data from the data input device if the title data is not obtained from the media reader or the storage device. Feature system. The system of claim 1, wherein the programming for obtaining title data from outside the storage system for each media disc received by the processor in data communication with a network and received at the disc read location.
Programming in the processor to obtain the title data from the media reader;
Programming in the processor to obtain the title data from the storage device based on the identification data obtained from the media reader;
Programming in the processor to obtain the title data from the network based on identification data obtained from the media reader;
A system comprising: at least one programming in said processor for operating said data output device to request said title data from said data input device. 10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the data output device is a display on a remote control, the data input device is an input on the remote control, and the display and the input are wireless transmitters. And data communication with the processor via a wireless receiver. A media storage system for use with multiple media discs,
Reading location,
A disk input element for inputting each media disk to the read location from outside the storage system;
A plurality of disk storage locations, each having an individual storage identifier;
A disc transport device for moving each media disc between the read location and the disc storage location;
The disk output element for removing all media disks transported to the read location by the disk transport device;
A media reader in the vicinity of the reading location;
A remote control having a display and an input device;
A storage device, the media reader, the disk transport device, the display, and a processor in data communication with the input device;
A housing containing the read location, the plurality of disc storage locations, the disc transport device, the processor, the storage device, and the media reader;
Programming in the processor to obtain title data for each media disc input by the disc input element;
Programming in the processor to associate in the storage device the title data for each media disc at the read location and each individual storage identifier for each storage location that does not store each media disc at the time;
The processor for operating the disc transport device to transfer each media disc from the read location to each storage location having the individual storage identifier associated with the title data of the media disc at the read location Programming in the
Programming in the processor for recognizing from the input device the disc request containing title data for each media disc stored in each storage location;
Programming in the processor to determine each individual storage identifier associated with the title data included in the disc request;
In the processor for transporting each media disc stored in each disc storage location having the individual storage identifier associated with the title data included in the disc request to the read location by operating the disc transport device Programming and
Programming in the processor to provide the display with a list of all title data for media discs stored in each storage location. 12. The system according to claim 11, wherein access requirement data for each media disc stored in each storage location is obtained, and the access requirement data is assigned to each title data of each media disc in the storage device. The system further comprising programming in the processor for associating with. The system of claim 12, wherein the disk request includes access level data;
Programming in the processor to determine whether the access level data included in the disc request is sufficient for each access requirement data associated with the title data included in the disc request;
Only when the access level data included in the disk request is sufficient, the disk transport device is operated to be stored in each disk storage location having the individual storage identifier associated with the title data included in the disk request. And programming within the processor for transporting each media disk to the read location. 14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the programming to obtain each access requirement data for each media disk stored in each storage location,
Programming in the processor to obtain the access requirement data from the media reader;
Programming in the processor to obtain the access requirement data from the storage device based on identification data obtained from the media reader;
Programming in the processor to activate the display and request the access requirement data from the input device if the access requirement data is not available from the media reader or the storage device. System. 14. The system according to claim 13, wherein
The processor is in data communication with a network;
Programming to obtain title data for each media disc input by the disc input element,
Programming in the processor to obtain the title data from the media reader;
Programming in the processor to obtain the title data from the storage device based on the identification data obtained from the media reader;
Programming in the processor to obtain the title data from the network based on identification data obtained from the media reader;
Programming in the processor for activating the display and requesting the title data from the input device; and at least one programming
The programming to obtain each access requirement data for each media disk stored in each storage location;
Programming in the processor to obtain the access requirement data from the media reader;
Programming in the processor to obtain the access requirement data from the storage device based on identification data obtained from the media reader;
Programming in the processor to obtain the access requirement data from the network based on identification data obtained from the media reader;
A system within the processor for activating the display and requesting the access requirement data from the input device, and comprising at least one programming. 16. The system of claim 15, further comprising programming in the processor to track access frequency corresponding to each title data. The system of claim 16, comprising:
The time required for the disk transport device to transfer each media disk stored in the first disk storage location to the read location is the time required for the disk transport device to store each media disk stored in the second disk storage location. Less than the time required to transfer to the reading location,
The first disk storage location and the second disk storage location do not store any of the media discs when each media disc is input by the disc input element,
The processor includes at least the title data for the media disc at the read location and each individual storage identifier for the first storage location or the second storage location at the access frequency of the disc at the read location. A system comprising programming for associating in the storage device based in part. 18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the display and the input device are in data communication with the processor via a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver. The system of claim 11, comprising:
Programming for the processor to track the frequency of access corresponding to each of the title data;
The time required for the disk transport device to transfer each media disk stored in the first disk storage location to the read location is the time required for the disk transport device to store each media disk stored in the second disk storage location. Less than the time required to transfer to the reading location,
The first disk storage location and the second disk storage location do not store any of the media discs when each media disc is input by the disc input element,
The processor includes at least the title data for the media disc at the read location and each individual storage identifier for the first storage location or the second storage location at the access frequency of the disc at the read location. A system comprising programming for associating in the storage device based in part. 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the display and the input device are in data communication with the processor via a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver.

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