WO1998035353A2

WO1998035353A2 - Expandable compact disc storage magazine and changer system

Info

Publication number: WO1998035353A2
Application number: PCT/US1998/002003
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric Rene Bos; Robert L. Montelius, Jr.
Original assignee: Multidisc Technologies
Priority date: 1997-02-07
Filing date: 1998-02-02
Publication date: 1998-08-13
Also published as: WO1998035353A3

Abstract

An expandable compact disc storage magazine and disc changer system constructed of a plurality of modules (16) alignable with each other. Each module (16) has a housing (12) alignable with the housing (12) of a next adjacent module (16), and an interior access channel (14) alignable with the interior access channel (14) of the next adjacent module (16). Connectors extend from one module (16) to a next adjacent module (16) to thereby releasably secure adjacent modules (16) to each other. Within each module (16) resides functional apparatus chosen from the group consisting of a storage component, an operating component, and a combination thereof, with all like components in alignment with each other from module to module. The expandable system of the present invention provides the ability to increase storage capacity or other resources of a disc storage system without requiring the addition of redundant changer robotics and/or duplicate support electronics. Additional resources such as drive modules or hybrid modules consisting of both drive and storage components can be readily added to the system as required.

Description

EXPANDABLE COMPACT DISC STORAGE MAGAZINE AND CHANGER SYSTEM

Field of the Invention This invention relates in general to compact disc storage, and in particular to an expandable storage magazine having a plurality of aligned individual modules with aligned access channels for storage and retrieval of a plurality of compact discs accommodated in individual storage sites within each module, and to an expandable compact disc changer system having a plurality of aligned individual modules for system operation and/or disc storage within each module.

Background of the Invention

Compact disc storage and retrieval has become a significant factor for consideration in view of the proliferation of use of these discs for data storage in association with computerized information that must be readily available. While individual discs are capable of accepting relatively large amounts of data, the amount of data stored for many applications is immense and therefore requires a significant number of discs. Compact disc storage and retrieval has become a significant factor for consideration in view of the proliferation of use of these discs for data storage in association with computerized information that must be readily available. While individual discs are capable of accepting relatively large amounts of data, the amount of data stored for many applications is immense and therefore requires a significant number of discs. As used herein, the terms "compact disc" and "disc" are defined to include all such devices, including but not limited to CD-ROM, WORM, DVD (digital versatile disc), DVD-RAM, etc.

A usual manner of storing discs containing data for retrieval is to employ storage magazine structures each having associated therewith a robotics system for retrieving and delivering a selected disc to an operating mechanism for data access. Such a magazine structure has a predetermined storage capacity and its own dedicated robotics system. Thus, when one magazine structure reaches its capacity, a user must add and integrate another entire magazine structure along with its accompanying robotics system in order to accommodate additional compact discs. This required redundancy is time consuming, expensive and inefficient, and makes apparent a need for a disc storage system that can eliminate such duplication.

In addition to storage considerations, however, a system planner must also address the retrieval of the discs for data access, the provision of drive, support and control components, and the interconnection of all elements for efficient operation. While all of these elements must work in concert with each other, the present approach to their provision is found in separate, non-united members that many times include redundant apparatus, non-expandable storage capacities, non- optimization of a system for a specific application, non- integratability of new technology within a system, and like restrictions that limit viability of a system and introduce obsolescence. In view of the limitations found in currently available technology, it is apparent that a need is present for modifiable systems to accommodate a variety of applications.

In accord therewith, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a compact disc storage magazine whose storage capacity can be increased without requiring the addition of another robotics system.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an expandable compact disc storage magazine constructed of a plurality of substantially identical modules in alignment with each other and to which additional modules are connectible and can be added as needed.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an expandable compact disc storage magazine whose aligned modules provide a continuous access channel throughout the magazine in which a single robotics system extends throughout the plurality of modules for disc retrieval and replacement in all modules.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a changer system wherein each module has alignable construction with a next adjacent module to thereby provide uniformity of access and component placement.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a changer system wherein each module has functional apparatus chosen from the group consisting of a storage component, an operating component, and a combination thereof.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent throughout the description thereof which now follows.

Summary of the Invention The present invention is an expandable compact disc storage magazine and disc changer system comprising a plurality of substantially identical modules alignable with each other. Each module comprises a housing alignable with the housing of a next adjacent module, and an interior access channel alignable with the interior access channel of the next adjacent module. Connector members extend from one module to a next adjacent module to thereby releasably secure adjacent modules to each other. Within each module resides functional apparatus chosen from the group consisting of a storage component, an operating component, and a combination thereof, with all like components in alignment with each other from module to module. Operating components include drive, support, and/or control components to provide functionality for data retrieval from compact discs. Essential operating components that must be present within the system include: all functional components of an optical disc changer/data retrieval and/or storage system, including optics/drive mechanism( s) , data communications intrasystem bus or busses; control electronics; support electronics; power supplies; robotics/transport elements; and disc storage magazines. Individual modules within the system can contain one or more of the essential components to thereby be flexibly configurable to a specific application to be performed.

The expandable system of the present invention provides the ability to increase storage capacity or other resources of a disc storage system without requiring the addition of redundant changer robotics and/or duplicate support electronics. As is apparent, additional resources, such as drive modules or hybrid modules consisting of both drive and storage components, can be added to the system as required by an increased number of users or increased complexity of a specific application. Modular construction permits ready configuration and optimization of a system to the requirements of a given application with respect to performance and utility as well as the ability to easily replace or upgrade components with newer versions without the necessity of replacing an entire system. Module positions can be adjusted or rearranged within the system to fully optimize position-related performance issues. The modules are readily attachable to each other and therefore have no special support requirements such as special tools, training or expertise in the performance of system expansion or reconfiguration involving attaching and detaching modules within the system. In the preferred embodiment the modules are alignable vertically and the plurality of storage sites are grouped into two opposing banks with the access channel disposed therebetween. The storage sites are arranged as a plurality of cylinders each having an equal number of storage sites. A top plate covers the top of the uppermost module while a base plate covers the bottom of the lowermost module. There are no divisions between adjacent modules to thereby provide free access among all modules through the respective access channels of each. When additional disc storage is required, the magazine is expanded by simply removing the top plate and securing another module to the top-most module. Any required hardware to permit the disc extractor apparatus to travel to the newly added module is installed and the top cover plate is placed over the newly added module. In this manner disc capacity is increased without requiring a new storage structure and a new robotics system to serve such new storage system. Continued expansion of the magazine of the present invention can occur to any size limitation that is defined only by practical considerations.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a top plan view of a compact disc changer system;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a front elevation view of one compact disc changer system module along line 2-2 of Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a front elevation view of plurality of modules forming an expandable compact disc changer system.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Figure 1, a compact disc changer system 10 includes two banks of cylinders 12 within each module

16 separated by an open zone which is an access channel

14 for transporter robotics (not shown) . Each cylinder 12 houses one or more operating components as required for a particular installation, and can non-limitedly include drive modules, support electronics, motor control electronics and power supply components. A cylinder 12 can also house one or more disc storage magazines.

Referring to Figure 2, each module 16 in the preferred embodiment is a housing divided into two imaginary levels 18, 20. Both levels can be used for operating components or for disc storage, or one level can be used for disc storage while the other level an operating component. A plurality of modules 16 are stacked on top of each other as shown in Figure 3 to thereby construct the changer system 10. The access channel 14 of each module 16 is aligned with that of the immediately adjacent module to thereby form a continuous channel among all modules 16 for disc retrieval and replacement using transporter robotics (not shown) therein disposed. Each module 16 is releasably secured to its next adjacent module with standard draw latches (not shown) on opposing sides of the modules, while module alignment is assured with standard guide pins and pin slots (not shown) situated at the housing walls. A top plate 22 covers the uppermost module, while a base plate 24 is disposed beneath the lowermost module. The respective access channels 14 of all modules 16 are in communication with each other to thereby provide full robotics access among all modules 16.

In operation, a user of the changer system 10 can configure the system as desired because of the extensive choice of module functions available. Thus, the changer system 10 can be completely self-contained with respect to disc storage and data retrieval, and can be expanded and/or modified to accommodate specific performance and utility requirements of a given application. Common features of all modules 16 align with each other when the modules 16 are connected to thereby permit a relatively rapid modification of the system 10 through the addition or deletion of specific* modules without requiring special tools or extensive expertise in accomplishing system additions, deletions, module rearrangements, and the like. While an illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An expandable compact disc changer system comprising a plurality of modules alignable with each other, each module comprising a housing alignable with a housing of a next adjacent module, an interior access channel alignable with an interior access channel of a next adjacent module, connector members extending from one module to a next adjacent module to thereby releasably secure adjacent modules to each other, and functional apparatus chosen from the group consisting of a storage component, an operating component, and a combination thereof, with all like components in alignment with each other from module to module.

2. An expandable compact disc changer system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the modules are alignable vertically.

3. An expandable compact disc changer system as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the functional apparatus of the modules is grouped into two opposing banks with the access channel disposed therebetween.

4. An expandable compact disc changer system as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the functional apparatus is arranged as a plurality of cylinders.

5. An expandable compact disc changer system as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the operating component of the functional apparatus is chosen from the group consisting of optics/drive mechanisms, support electronics, motor control electronics and power supply elements.

6. An expandable compact disc changer system as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the operating component of the functional apparatus is chosen from the group consisting of optics/drive mechanisms, support electronics, motor control electronics and power supply elements.

7. A method of constructing a compact disc changer system, the method comprising aligning and connecting a plurality of modules, with each module comprising a housing alignable with a housing of a next adjacent module, an interior access channel alignable with an interior access channel of a next adjacent module, connector members extending from one module to a next adjacent module to thereby releasably secure adjacent modules to each other, and functional apparatus chosen from the group consisting of a storage component, an operating component, and a combination thereof, with all like components in alignment with each other from module to module.

8. A method as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the modules are aligned vertically.

9. A method as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the functional apparatus of the modules is grouped into two opposing banks with the access channel disposed therebetween.

10. A method as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the functional apparatus is arranged as a plurality of cylinders.

11. A method as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the operating component of the functional apparatus is chosen from the group consisting of optics/drive mechanisms, support electronics, motor control electronics and power supply elements.

12. A method as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the operating component of the functional apparatus is chosen from the group consisting of optics/drive mechanisms, support electronics, motor control electronics and power supply elements.

13. An expandable compact disc storage magazine comprising a plurality of substantially identical modules alignable with each other, each module comprising a housing alignable with a housing of a next adjacent module and having therein a plurality of storage sites for storing compact discs, an access channel alignable with an access channel of a next adjacent module and wherein a disc extractor apparatus can travel and reach the storage sites to retrieve and replace a disc, and connector members extending from one module to a next adjacent module to thereby releasably secure adjacent modules to each other, with said magazine associatable with an operating mechanism for data access such that disc delivery from the magazine to the operating mechanism by the disc extractor apparatus can occur.

14. An expandable compact disc storage magazine as claimed in Claim 13 wherein the modules are alignable vertically.

15. An expandable compact disc storage magazine as claimed in Claim 14 wherein the plurality of storage sites are grouped into two opposing banks with the access channel disposed therebetween.

16. An expandable compact disc storage magazine as claimed in Claim 15 wherein the plurality of storage sites are arranged as a plurality of cylinders each comprising a plurality of storage sites.

17. An expandable compact disc storage magazine as claimed in Claim 16 wherein all cylinders have an equal number of storage sites.

18. An expandable compact disc storage magazine as claimed in Claim 13 wherein the plurality of storage sites are grouped into two opposing banks with the access channel disposed therebetween.