US5689484A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Auto-changer and method with an optical scanner which distinguishes title information from other information
Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
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Filing: 1994-07-05
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Granted: 1997-11-18
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Expires: 2014-07-05
Abstract
Abstract An auto-changer stores media such as audio or video discs or tape cassettes in numbered slots in a magazine. For each of the media in the magazine, title information is entered from an input device and stored in a memory. The input device may be a manual device, such as a keyboard, or an automatic device, such as optical character recognition equipment. The titles are sorted in the memory and displayed on a display in, for example, alphabetic order, so that the user can find desired titles easily. When the user selects a title from the display, a changer transfers the corresponding medium from the magazine to a player.
Inventors
- 👤 Kazuo Hirasawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 15:35
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/68; G11B15/689; G11B17/00; G11B17/22; G11B17/225; G11B19/00; G11B19/02; G11B19/12; G11B27/00; G11B27/002; G11B27/10; G11B27/102; G11B27/105; G11B27/107; G11B27/11; G11B27/19; G11B27/24; G11B27/34; G11B27/36; G11B2220/00; G11B2220/20; G11B2220/21; G11B2220/213; G11B2220/25; G11B2220/2537; G11B2220/2545; G11B2220/60; G11B2220/65; G11B2220/90; G11B2220/91; G11B2220/913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
376 words
An auto-changer for storing a plurality of recorded media and for selecting and playing one of said media, comprising: a magazine having a plurality of slots for storing said media; a changer, mechanically coupled to said magazine and a player, for selecting a slot in said magazine and transferring a medium between said player and the selected slot; a player for reproducing signals recorded on a medium transferred from a selected slot; an input means for entering titles of each medium stored in said magazine, the input means including title distinguishing means, for determining that each medium is correctly oriented so that a plurality of predetermined areas potentially containing title information can be optically scanned; for optically scanning alphanumeric character information from each of the plurality of predetermined areas potentially containing title information printed on each medium, for comparing size of the scanned alphanumeric character information from each of the plurality of predetermined areas relative to the size of the scanned alphanumeric character information from each of the other predetermined areas, for distinguishing title information from other information printed on each medium based on the relative size comparison, and for subsequently recognizing the scanned alphanumeric character information of the predetermined area containing the distinguished title information, as the title of each medium; a memory for storing a list of slot numbers with said entered titles of each medium stored in corresponding slots in said magazine; a sorter for sorting said list in a predetermined manner, based upon said titles; a display for visually displaying said sorted list of titles of each of the media stored in said magazine; a control means for selecting one of said titles from said display for subsequent play; and a system controller, electrically coupled to said magazine, said player, said changer, said input means, said memory, said sorter, said display, and said control means, for receiving said titles from said input means, storing said titles and corresponding slot numbers in a list in said memory, commanding said sorter to sort said list in said predetermined manner, and commanding said changer to select a slot of said magazine corresponding to the title selected by said control means, and transfer a medium stored in the selected slot to said player for subsequent play.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
376 words
An auto-changer for storing a plurality of recorded media and for selecting and playing one of said media, comprising: a magazine having a plurality of slots for storing said media; a changer, mechanically coupled to said magazine and a player, for selecting a slot in said magazine and transferring a medium between said player and the selected slot; a player for reproducing signals recorded on a medium transferred from a selected slot; an input means for entering titles of each medium stored in said magazine, the input means including title distinguishing means, for determining that each medium is correctly oriented so that a plurality of predetermined areas potentially containing title information can be optically scanned; for optically scanning alphanumeric character information from each of the plurality of predetermined areas potentially containing title information printed on each medium, for comparing size of the scanned alphanumeric character information from each of the plurality of predetermined areas relative to the size of the scanned alphanumeric character information from each of the other predetermined areas, for distinguishing title information from other information printed on each medium based on the relative size comparison, and for subsequently recognizing the scanned alphanumeric character information of the predetermined area containing the distinguished title information, as the title of each medium; a memory for storing a list of slot numbers with said entered titles of each medium stored in corresponding slots in said magazine; a sorter for sorting said list in a predetermined manner, based upon said titles; a display for visually displaying said sorted list of titles of each of the media stored in said magazine; a control means for selecting one of said titles from said display for subsequent play; and a system controller, electrically coupled to said magazine, said player, said changer, said input means, said memory, said sorter, said display, and said control means, for receiving said titles from said input means, storing said titles and corresponding slot numbers in a list in said memory, commanding said sorter to sort said list in said predetermined manner, and commanding said changer to select a slot of said magazine corresponding to the title selected by said control means, and transfer a medium stored in the selected slot to said player for subsequent play.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The auto-changer of claim 1, wherein said sorter sorts said list by alphabetic order of said titles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The auto-changer of claim 1, wherein said sorter divides said list into two parts including: a first part comprising N titles of the N most recently entered media stored in said magazine, N being a fixed positive integer; and a second part comprising remaining titles of remaining media stored in said magazine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The auto-changer of claim 1, wherein said input means further includes a keyboard.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The auto-changer of claim 1, further comprising transport means for transporting said media from said optical character recognition device to said magazine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The auto-changer of claim 1, wherein said media are tape cassettes having title information printed in a predetermined position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The auto-changer of claim 1, wherein said media are discs, and said optical character recognition device includes a turning means for rotating said media until said title information is horizontally oriented.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The auto-changer of claim 1, wherein the title distinguishing means of the input means rejects scanned alphanumeric character information comprising a logo mark as title information and recognizes other scanned alphanumeric character information as title information based upon relative size of the scanned alphanumeric character information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
270 words
An automatic storage and play device for storing a plurality of prerecorded media and for selecting and playing each of the media, comprising: storing means for storing the plurality of media, one in each of a plurality of slots; input means for inputting titles of each medium stored in said storing means, the input means including, a title distinguishing means, for determining that each medium is correctly oriented so that a plurality of predetermined areas potentially containing title information can be optically scanned; for optically scanning alphanumeric character information from each of the plurality of predetermined areas potentially containing title information printed on each medium, for comparing size of the scanned alphanumeric character information from each of the plurality of predetermined areas relative to size of the scanned alphanumeric character information from each of the other predetermined areas, for distinguishing title information from other information printed on each medium based on the relative size comparison, and for subsequently recognizing the scanned alphanumeric character information of the predetermined area containing the distinguished title information, as the title of each medium; memory for storing each of said input titles and a slot number corresponding to one of said plurality of slots in which each medium is stored; display means for visually displaying each of said stored input titles to allow a user to select a stored medium for subsequent play based upon said visual display; and system controller, electrically coupled to each of the storage means, input means, display means and memory for commanding storage of input titles and slot numbers into the memory and controlling the display by the display means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
270 words
An automatic storage and play device for storing a plurality of prerecorded media and for selecting and playing each of the media, comprising: storing means for storing the plurality of media, one in each of a plurality of slots; input means for inputting titles of each medium stored in said storing means, the input means including, a title distinguishing means, for determining that each medium is correctly oriented so that a plurality of predetermined areas potentially containing title information can be optically scanned; for optically scanning alphanumeric character information from each of the plurality of predetermined areas potentially containing title information printed on each medium, for comparing size of the scanned alphanumeric character information from each of the plurality of predetermined areas relative to size of the scanned alphanumeric character information from each of the other predetermined areas, for distinguishing title information from other information printed on each medium based on the relative size comparison, and for subsequently recognizing the scanned alphanumeric character information of the predetermined area containing the distinguished title information, as the title of each medium; memory for storing each of said input titles and a slot number corresponding to one of said plurality of slots in which each medium is stored; display means for visually displaying each of said stored input titles to allow a user to select a stored medium for subsequent play based upon said visual display; and system controller, electrically coupled to each of the storage means, input means, display means and memory for commanding storage of input titles and slot numbers into the memory and controlling the display by the display means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: sorting means, electrically coupled to the system controller, for arranging said stored input titles in a predetermined manner in response to a command from the system controller; said display means displaying said input titles arranged in said predetermined manner, subsequent to operation of said sorting means and in response to a command from the system controller, to allow a user to expeditiously select a stored medium for subsequent play.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said predetermined manner includes arranging said stored input titles in alphabetic order.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said media include discs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said media include cassettes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said input means further includes a keyboard.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said title distinguish means includes an optical character recognition device for automatically scanning a medium and inputting a title for storage in said memory, upon the medium being stored in a slot of said storing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said slot number is transmitted, with the title, to the memory, from the input means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: sorting means for continuously arranging said stored input titles in a predetermined manner upon storage of each title in said memory; said display means continuously displaying said input titles arranged in the predetermined manner, to allow a user to expeditiously select a stored medium for subsequent play.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said predetermined manner includes arranging said stored input titles in alphabetic order.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said display means is physically separate from said storing means such that a user can select a stored medium for subsequent play without the need of viewing said medium in storing means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
91 words
The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising: control means, electrically coupled to the system controller, for selecting one of the displayed titles; a changer, mechanically coupled to the storing means and a player and electrically coupled to the system controller, for selecting the slot in the storing means corresponding to the selected title in response to a command from the system controller indicating selection of a title by the control means, and for transferring the medium in the selected slot to the player; and the player for playing the transferred medium.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said media include discs.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said media include cassettes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said input means further includes a keyboard.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said title distinguishing means includes an for automatically scanning a medium and inputting a title for storage in said memory, upon the medium being stored in a slot of said storing means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said slot number is transmitted, with the title, to the memory, from the input means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: sorting means, electrically coupled to the system controller, for continuously arranging said stored input titles in a predetermined manner upon storage of each title in said memory and upon command from the system controller; said display means continuously displaying said input titles arranged in a predetermined manner, to allow a user to expeditiously select a stored medium for subsequent play.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said predetermined manner includes arranging said stored input titles in alphabetic order.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said display means is physically separate from said storing means such that a user can select a stored medium for subsequent play without the need of viewing said medium in storing means.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
213 words
A method for storage and play of a plurality of prerecorded media comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of media, one in each of a plurality of slots of a magazine; inputting titles of each medium stored in the magazine, said inputting step including the substeps of, determining that each medium is correctly oriented so that a plurality of predetermined areas potentially containing title information can be optically scanned; optically scanning alphanumeric character information from each of the plurality of predetermined areas potentially containing title information printed on each medium, comparing size of the scanned alphanumeric character information from each of the plurality of predetermined areas relative to size of the scanned alphanumeric character information from each of the other predetermined areas, distinguishing title information from other information printed on each medium based on the relative size comparison, and subsequently recognizing the scanned alphanumeric character information of the predetermined area containing the distinguished title information, as the title of each medium; storing, in a memory, each of the titles and a slot number corresponding to one of the plurality of slots in which each medium is stored; and displaying, visually, each of the stored input titles to allow a user to select a medium for subsequent play based upon the visual display.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
213 words
A method for storage and play of a plurality of prerecorded media comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of media, one in each of a plurality of slots of a magazine; inputting titles of each medium stored in the magazine, said inputting step including the substeps of, determining that each medium is correctly oriented so that a plurality of predetermined areas potentially containing title information can be optically scanned; optically scanning alphanumeric character information from each of the plurality of predetermined areas potentially containing title information printed on each medium, comparing size of the scanned alphanumeric character information from each of the plurality of predetermined areas relative to size of the scanned alphanumeric character information from each of the other predetermined areas, distinguishing title information from other information printed on each medium based on the relative size comparison, and subsequently recognizing the scanned alphanumeric character information of the predetermined area containing the distinguished title information, as the title of each medium; storing, in a memory, each of the titles and a slot number corresponding to one of the plurality of slots in which each medium is stored; and displaying, visually, each of the stored input titles to allow a user to select a medium for subsequent play based upon the visual display.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 29, further comprising the steps of: arranging the stored input titles, prior to display, in a predetermined manner, wherein the arranged stored input titles are subsequently displayed in the display step to allow a user to expeditiously select a stored medium for subsequent play.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 30, wherein the predetermined manner of arranging includes arranging the stored titles in alphabetic order.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 29, further comprising the steps of: selecting one of the displayed titles; controlling a changer, mechanically coupled to the magazine and a player, to select the slot corresponding to the selected title, and to transfer the medium from the selected slot to the player; and playing the transferred medium in the player.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 32, wherein the display is physically separated and electrically operatively connected to the player, changer, and magazine such that a user can select a stored medium for subsequent play without the need of viewing the medium in the magazine.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
The auto-changer of claim 1, wherein said title information is human readable character information.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
The auto-changer of claim 6, wherein said title information is human readable character information.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said title information is human readable character information.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 29, wherein said title information is human readable character information.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
50 words
The auto-changer of claim 1, wherein the title distinguishing means of the input means selects the one of the plurality of the predetermined areas containing scanned alphanumeric character information which is relatively largest in size as containing title information, to distinguish title information from other information printed on each medium.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
56 words
The auto-changer of claim 38, wherein the title distinguishing means of the input means rejects the selected one of the plurality of predetermined areas, containing scanned alphanumeric character information relatively largest in size, as containing title information, upon a subsequent determination that the scanned alphanumeric character information in the selected one area is a logo mark.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
70 words
The auto-changer of claim 39, wherein the title distinguishing means of the input means then selects a next one of the plurality of predetermined areas containing scanned alphanumeric character information next relatively largest in size as containing title information, when distinguishing title information from other information printed on each medium, upon rejecting the selected one of the plurality of predetermined areas containing scanned alphanumeric character information relatively largest in size.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
52 words
The automatic storage and play device of claim 9, wherein the title distinguishing means of the input means selects the one of the plurality of the predetermined areas containing scanned alphanumeric character information relatively largest in size as containing title information, when distinguishing title information from other information printed on each medium.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
60 words
The automatic storage and play device of claim 41, wherein the title distinguishing means of the input means rejects the selected one of the plurality of predetermined areas, containing scanned alphanumeric character information relatively largest in size, as containing title information, upon a subsequent determination that the scanned alphanumeric character information in the selected one area is a logo mark.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
74 words
The automatic storage and play device of claim 42, wherein the title distinguishing means of the input means then selects a next one of the plurality of predetermined areas containing scanned alphanumeric character information next relatively largest in size as containing title information, when distinguishing title information from other information printed on each medium, upon rejecting the selected one of the plurality of predetermined areas containing scanned alphanumeric character information relatively largest in size.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 29, wherein the inputting step further includes selecting the one of the plurality of the predetermined areas containing scanned alphanumeric character information relatively largest in size as containing title information, to distinguish title information from other information printed on each medium.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 44, wherein the inputting step further includes rejecting the selected one of the plurality of predetermined areas containing scanned alphanumeric character information relatively largest in size, as containing title information, upon a subsequent determination that the scanned alphanumeric character information in the selected one area is a logo mark.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 45, wherein the inputting step further includes selecting a next one of the plurality of predetermined areas containing scanned alphanumeric character information next relatively largest in size as containing title information, when distinguishing title information from other information printed on each medium, upon rejecting the selected one of the plurality of predetermined areas containing scanned alphanumeric character information relatively largest in size.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-11-17 | 2001-05-19 | 2001-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-17 | 2005-05-19 | 2005-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-17 | 2009-05-19 | 2009-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |