Abstract:
This invention provides high-density storage for data storage media such as compact disks (CDs), digital video disks (DVDs), and similarly shaped objects. The design consists of horizontal storage pockets within a storage cylinder. Multiple pockets lie on a horizontal plane, and each pocket has a pocket opening on the perimeter of the storage cylinder. The pocket openings on each horizontal plane are shifted with respect to the pocket opening below it creating a spiral storage pattern around the periphery of the storage cylinder. Pocket openings are centered on notches that run vertically along the cylindrical perimeter of the cylinder.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/699,149 filed Jul. 14, 2005. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not Applicable 
     SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
     Not Applicable 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to high-density storage of Digital Video Disks (DVDs) and other similarly shaped objects and their access and retrieval from such storage devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention provides a high-density disk storage and retrieval cylinder that occupies minimal floor space. By combining overlapping spiral storage within a storage cylinder with motorized positioning and electronic control circuits, it may serve as a disk vending or rental machine or as a general-purpose disk storage and retrieval machine. 
     Movies stored on DVDs are a popular source of entertainment. One rents them from a variety of locations by simply charging the transaction to a bankcard. In this manner, a customer may enjoy a movie of his choice for a modest fee and return it at his convenience. Owners of such kiosks often locate their units in grocery stores, fast food restaurants, or any place frequented by large numbers of people. Customers enjoy the convenience of renting a movie of their choice, and storeowners appreciate the additional traffic. It&#39;s a win-win situation for both customers and proprietors. The only drawback to the customer is the possibility of not finding the desired movie. To the storeowner, the only problem with such kiosks is the occupied floor area—floor area that might be used for additional sales products. This invention solves both problems. 
     Typically, DVD kiosks hold between 200 and 700 DVDs. Since customers rent the most popular movies first, late customers often must forego seeing the movie of their choice. This invention stores approximately 2400 DVDs, thus greatly decreasing the risk of not having a customer&#39;s movie selection. Further, with floor space at a premium, this invention provides additional storage without decreasing floor space for other sales items. 
     Reliability is another important factor in DVD sales and rentals. When a kiosk is not operational, no sales occur. Since reliability increases as the number of moving parts decrease, this invention with fewer parts should be more reliable and cost effective. Most kiosks use a complex mechanical procedure to move a disk from its storage area to a single location for customer access. This invention moves the access slot to the disk location, eliminating much of the mechanical access and retrieval hardware. By allowing customers to remove the disk manually, this invention simplifies access and retrieval, lowers manufacturing costs, and decreases mechanical failures. 
     RELEVANT PRIOR ART 
     Many previous inventions provide storage and retrieval of digital media, but this invention greatly increases storage capacity and ease of operation. Not only does this invention provide high-density storage and retrieval of DVDs and other similarly shaped objects, it does so with a minimal footprint and with a high degree of mechanical reliability. This invention achieves these qualities by: (1) spirally overlapping the storage of DVDs within a storage cylinder, (2) using a moveable access panel for automated selection, and (3) providing enough space between the disks for manual access and retrieval. No other inventors have used these methods. 
     Of all the other prior art, only Todd&#39;s invention has overlapping storage with multiple access slots. He can do this because his spacing between objects at an access point is approximately the thickness of one stored object. Moreover, since his objects are stored in plastic cases, they provide enough width to provide manual access. His pattern repeats every other object. The current invention repeats every fifth object. In a 5 ft vertical column, Todd&#39;s invention holds 240 stored objects within approximately a 1 ft 2  footprint. The current invention stores about 2400 objects within a 5 ft column on an approximate 2 ft 2  footprint—fivefold increase in storage density. Furthermore, Todd provides no automated selection of stored objects. Table 1 compares the relative merits of the current invention to the relevant prior art. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 A comparison of this invention to the prior art. 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 High 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Name, Date 
                 Density 
                   
                 Mechanical 
               
               
                 Pat. No. 
                 Storage 
                 Foot Print 
                 Reliability 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Clausen, Mark, K.: (This Invention) 
                 Yes 
                 Minimal 
                 High 
               
               
                 Blumberg, Marvin R.: May 26, 1987 
                 No 
                 Medium 
                 Medium 
               
               
                 No. 4,668,150 
               
               
                 Moore, William A.: Aug. 29, 1989 
                 No 
                 Large 
                 Low 
               
               
                 No. 4,860,876 
               
               
                 Davies, Robert: Oct. 3, 1989 
                 No 
                 Medium 
                 Medium 
               
               
                 No. 4,871,086 
               
               
                 Near, Michael A.: Jan. 16, 1990 
                 No 
                 Large 
                 Medium 
               
               
                 No. 4,893,727 
               
               
                 Barr, Valerie H.: Feb. 8, 1994 
                 No 
                 Large 
                 Medium 
               
               
                 No. 5,285,333 
               
               
                 Chalmers, Dennis W.: Jun. 27, 1995 
                 No 
                 Medium 
                 High 
               
               
                 No. 5,427,489 
               
               
                 Todd, Michael L.: Mar. 4, 1997 
                 No 
                 Minimal 
                 N/A 
               
               
                 No. 5,607,065 
               
               
                 Dondero, Paul: Feb. 9, 1999 
                 No 
                 Large 
                 Medium 
               
               
                 No. 5,870,357 
               
               
                 Kanoh, Chiyuki: Jul. 27, 1999 
                 No 
                 Large 
                 Low 
               
               
                 No. 5,927,544 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     This invention stores digital media spirally about a cylindrical column. This unique design provides high-density storage with minimal footprint, a great benefit to storeowners or to anyone with limited floor space. Secondly, it simplifies the selection process by bringing the storage location to the user, rather than vice versa. By simplifying the selection process, this invention reduces manufacturing costs and improves machine reliability. Finally, the unit allows for manual rather than mechanical insertion or removal. Manual removal and insertion provide a simple low-technology method to vend and retrieve disks. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS—FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the disk storage unit without walls, revealing the storage cylinder, access panel, tambours, motors, and frame. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view, showing the spiral stacking sequence of 7 of the storage elements that make up the storage cylinder. 
         FIG. 3A  reveals a detailed partial view of 15 of the storage elements that make up the storage cylinder, showing a few of the 25 vertical slots. 
         FIG. 3B  shows a top view of overlapping storage pockets. 
         FIG. 4  shows a detailed perspective view of part of the access panel assembly. 
         FIG. 5  provides a perspective view of the bottom of the storage unit, showing the cylinder motor, chain, and cylinder sensors. 
         FIG. 6  reveals a perspective view of the top part of the storage unit, showing the access panel motor and limit sensor. 
         FIG. 7  shows a high-level schematic of the electronic components. 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the disk storage unit with the access panel door open and with walls. 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the disk storage unit with the access panel door closed and with walls. 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of the disk storage unit with a full-length door. 
         FIG. 11   a  provides an example of a storage element with 4 storage pockets and 20 access notches. 
         FIG. 11   b  shows an example of a storage element with 3 storage pockets and 12 access notches. 
       
         
           
                 
               
                 
                 
               
             
                 
                     
                 
                 
                   DRAWINGS -- REFERENCE NUMERAL 
                 
                 
                     
                 
               
               
                 
                     
                 
               
            
             
                 
                     
                    2 - disk storage unit 
                 
                 
                     
                    4 - storage cylinder 
                 
                 
                     
                    6 - access panel 
                 
                 
                     
                    8 - tambour 
                 
                 
                     
                    10 - tambour roller 
                 
                 
                     
                    12 - tambour guide 
                 
                 
                     
                    13 - access panel assembly 
                 
                 
                     
                    14 - frame 
                 
                 
                     
                    16 - storage cylinder motor 
                 
                 
                     
                    18 - motor mount 
                 
                 
                     
                    20 - guide brackets 
                 
                 
                     
                    22 - cylinder cross bracket 
                 
                 
                     
                    24 - rotatable base 
                 
                 
                     
                    25 - cover 
                 
                 
                     
                    26 - access panel motor 
                 
                 
                     
                    28 - roller L-bracket 
                 
                 
                     
                    30 - storage element 
                 
                 
                     
                    32 - vertical notch 
                 
                 
                     
                    44 - storage pocket 
                 
                 
                     
                    46 - primary notch 
                 
                 
                     
                    47- pocket opening 
                 
                 
                     
                    48 - spacer notch 
                 
                 
                     
                    50 - stored object 
                 
                 
                     
                    52 - access panel door 
                 
                 
                     
                    54 - access door latch-sensor 
                 
                 
                     
                    56 - disk identification device 
                 
                 
                     
                    58 - direction sensor 
                 
                 
                     
                    60 - access panel opening 
                 
                 
                     
                    64 - drive screw 
                 
                 
                     
                    66 - drive housing 
                 
                 
                     
                    68 - linear bearing rod 
                 
                 
                     
                    69 - access panel positioning means 
                 
                 
                     
                    70 - motor sprocket 
                 
                 
                     
                    72 - cylinder sprocket 
                 
                 
                     
                    74 - chain 
                 
                 
                     
                    76 - cylinder reference sensor 
                 
                 
                     
                    78 - cylinder position sensor 
                 
                 
                     
                    80 - reference mark 
                 
                 
                     
                    82 - position markers 
                 
                 
                     
                    84 - motion controller 
                 
                 
                     
                    85- cylinder positioning means 
                 
                 
                     
                    86 - computer 
                 
                 
                     
                    88 - display 
                 
                 
                     
                    90 - keypad 
                 
                 
                     
                    92 - mounting block 
                 
                 
                     
                    98 - shaft encoder 
                 
                 
                     
                   100 - limit sensor 
                 
                 
                     
                   104 - input/output board 
                 
                 
                     
                   106 - walls 
                 
                 
                     
                   110 - full-length door 
                 
                 
                     
                     
                 
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a disk storage unit  2  used for storage and retrieval of stored objects  50 , which a user removes or inserts manually into a storage cylinder  4 . A storage cylinder motor  16  rotates the storage cylinder  4  to bring a particular vertical notch  32  to the front of the disk storage unit  2 . The storage cylinder  4  has a circular shape with 25 vertical notches  32  that run the full length of the storage cylinder  4 . An access panel motor  26  moves an access panel  6  vertically until positioned in front of a stored object  50  selected for removal. An outer frame  14  supports the internal and enclosure components. A cover  25  ( FIG. 6 ) tops the cylindrical column. 
       FIG. 2  provides an exploded view of part of the storage cylinder  4  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  reveals that the storage cylinder  4  consists of a stack of storage elements  30 , where each storage element  30  contains five storage pockets  44  on the same horizontal plane. The storage pockets  44  hold the stored objects  50 . The top storage element  30  has empty storage pockets  44 . All other storage elements  30  have storage pockets  44  containing stored objects  50 . The storage elements  30  are stacked in a sequence that repeats after every five storage elements. The number of stacked storage elements  30  determines the height of the storage cylinder  4 .  FIG. 2  also shows that each storage element  30  has 25 evenly spaced notches around its periphery with 5 primary notches  46  centered at the outer edge of each of the 5 storage pockets  44 . The remaining 20 notches are spacer notches  48  used for vertical spacing between stored objects  50 . The storage elements  30  are stacked so that notches are vertically aligned forming vertical notches  32  that run the full vertical length of the storage cylinder. 
       FIG. 3A  depicts an enlarged view of a middle section of the storage cylinder  4  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3A  shows pocket openings  47  (through which stored objects  50  can be inserted and removed) and shows more clearly the vertical spacing between stored objects  50  in three of the vertical notches  32 . The stacking sequence shown in  FIG. 2  determines the spacing where each primary notch  46  and associated storage pocket  44  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) have four spacer notches  48  both above and below it. If the storage elements  30  are ⅛ inch thick, the spacer notches  48  provide ½ inch of vertical space between stored objects  50  in each vertical notch  32 . This separation provides enough space for a person&#39;s fingers to grab and remove the stored object  50 . 
       FIG. 3B  reveals a top partial view of some of the storage pockets and shows how the pockets overlap. One storage pocket  44  has a crosshatch pattern. The outlines of six other pockets  44 , associated with adjacent vertical notches, are also shown, but without crosshatching. The overlapping pockets exist on different horizontal planes than the crosshatched pattern and therefore do not interfere with each other. 
       FIG. 4  shows a detailed perspective view of part of the access panel assembly  13  shown in  FIG. 1 . The access panel  6  moves up and down on two tambour guides  12  along with an upper and lower tambour  8  attached to the top and bottom edges of the access panel  6 , respectively.  FIG. 1  reveals how the other end of each tambour  8  attaches to a top or bottom tambour roller  10 . The tambour rollers  10  are spring loaded (similar to window shade rollers) so that the tambours  8  roll on/off the rollers as the access panel  6  moves. Four roller L-brackets  28  attached to the frame  14  hold the tambour rollers  10  in place. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the access panel  6  connects to a drive housing  66  that houses a drive screw nut (not shown). An access panel motor  26  ( FIG. 1 ) turns a drive screw  64  that moves the drive screw nut (not shown) which, in turn, moves the drive housing  66 , access panel  6  and tambours  8  vertically. One may add a linear bearing rod  68  for additional strength. The access panel  6  and tambours  8  slide vertically on two tambour guides  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , four guide brackets  20  are attached to the frame  14  and hold the tambour guides  12  in place. Taken together, the components used to move the access panel to a specific vertical position constitute an access panel assembly  13 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the access panel  6  has an access panel opening  60  to limit a user&#39;s access to a single stored object  50 . As described above, each vertical notch  32  ( FIG. 3 ) on the storage cylinder  4  has about ½ inch spacing between its storage pockets  44 . The access panel opening  60  is wider in the center to allow the user to reach in with two fingers and remove the stored object  50 . The access panel  6  has an access panel door  52  that normally is latched shut by means of access door latch-sensors  54 . The access door latch-sensors  54  not only latch and release the access panel door  52  but also provide a signal to an input/output board  104  ( FIG. 7 ) to indicate the access panel door  52  status. A disk identification device  56  (e.g., a bar code or RFID reader) determines the identity of the stored object  50  selected for removal or insertion through the access panel opening  60 . A direction sensor  58  gives the input/output board  104  ( FIG. 7 ) information about whether the stored object  50  is being removed or inserted. 
       FIG. 5  shows a detailed perspective view of the bottom components of the disk storage unit  2 . Here, a rotatable base  24  supports the storage cylinder  4 , containing the stack of storage elements  30 . A cylinder cross bracket  22 , attached to the frame  14 , supports the storage cylinder  4 . A bearing between the rotatable base  24  and the cylinder cross bracket  22  is not shown. The center shaft of the storage cylinder  4  connects to a cylinder sprocket  72 . A storage cylinder motor  16  ( FIG. 1 ) mounted on motor mount  18  drives the rotatable base  24  and the storage cylinder  4  using a motor sprocket  70 , a chain  74 , and the cylinder sprocket  72 . A cylinder position sensor  78  detects position markers  82  on the bottom of the rotatable base  24 . A cylinder reference sensor  76  detects a reference mark  80  that establishes a “home” position. Taken together these components (used to rotate the storage cylinder  4  so that a specific vertical notch  32  aligns with the access panel opening  60 ) constitute a cylinder positioning means  85 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a detailed perspective view of the top part of the disk storage unit  2  and displays the outline of cover  25  (in dashed lines) and the access panel positioning means  69  used in this invention. A mounting block  92  supports the access panel motor  26  and holds the ends of both the drive screw  64  and linear bearing rod  68 . The drive housing  66  is shown in its uppermost position next to a limit sensor  100 . A computer  86  ( FIG. 7 ) reads the information from the limit sensor  100  to initialize the position of the access panel  6  ( FIG. 4 ). The access panel motor  26  has a shaft encoder  98  ( FIG. 7 ) connected to the input/output board  104  ( FIG. 7 ) to maintain position. 
       FIG. 7  shows a block diagram of the electronic components of the disk storage unit  2 . Lines between blocks represent signal paths that, in most cases, correlate with electrical cables. A computer  86  controls cylinder positioning means  85  ( FIG. 5 ). The computer  86  serves as an interface (taking user requests and generating commands to the motion controller  84 , which drives the two motors). Feedback from the cylinder position sensor  78  and shaft encoder  98  determines direction and distance of travel. After both the storage cylinder  4  and access panel  6  reach the desired position, the computer  86  releases the access door latch-sensor  54  and then collects information from the disk identification device  56  for the stored object  50  being removed or inserted. The direction sensor  58  determines if the stored object  50  is being removed or inserted. 
       FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  show the disk storage unit  2  with walls  106 . The access panel door  52  is open in  FIG. 8  and closed in  FIG. 9 . The disk storage unit  2  as shown does not depict the display  88  or keypad  90  ( FIG. 7 ). 
       FIG. 10  shows another embodiment of the storage unit  2  with a full-length door  110 . 
     OPERATION 
     One may use storage unit  2  for DVD, CD, or computer game rentals or sales. For these applications, computer  86  has a display  88  and keypad  90  to allow the user to select the disk for rent or sale. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the computer  86  translates this information into commands for the motion controller  84 . 
     A database available to the computer  86  matches the description of the stored object  50  selected by the user (e.g. movie title) to the physical location of that object. The computer  86  then directs the motion controller  84  to drive the storage cylinder motor  16  and access panel motor  26  so that the storage cylinder  4  and access panel  6  move toward that location. The computer  86  monitors the cylinder position sensor  78  and the shaft encoder  98 ; it stops the motors when storage cylinder  4  reaches the correct vertical notch  32  and the access panel  6  is at the correct vertical position. The computer  86  then unlatches the access panel door  52  by activating access door latch-sensor  54 , allowing the user to open the access panel door  52  and remove or insert the disk. The user then closes the door. If the apparatus is in use as a disk rental return, the transaction terminates when the access panel door  52  closes and latches. For safety considerations, the computer  86  will not command the motion controller  84  to move either the access panel  6  or storage cylinder  4  until the access panel door  52  is closed and latched. All other interactions between the user and computer  86  needed to complete the transaction, such as title selection and credit card approval, are similar to other vending transactions of this type and are well known. 
     ADVANTAGES 
     This invention provides high storage density with a minimal footprint, a great benefit when floor space is at a premium. By simplifying the selection mechanics and by eliminating the automated removal and insertion functions, one reduces manufacturing costs and improves machine reliability. 
     VARIATIONS 
     Although the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the preferred embodiments of this invention. For example:
         The shape of the storage elements  30  could vary—e.g. the perimeter could be circular and the vertical notches could be rounder.   The shape of the storage pocket  44  could vary.   The shape of access panel opening  60  could vary.   The diameter of the storage elements  30  and the storage cylinder  4  could vary.   As shown in  FIG. 11   a  and  FIG. 11   b , the number of storage pockets  44  in one storage element  30  could vary as could the number of vertical notches  32  used to access the stored objects  50 .   One could change the stacking sequence of the storage elements  30 —e.g. the primary notch  46  could be shifted 1 vertical slot instead of 2 as shown in  FIG. 2 . Other stacking sequences are also possible as long as they result in a vertical separation between stored objects  50  large enough to remove a disk manually.   One could build the user interface components into the enclosures shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , resulting in a stand-alone rental/sales unit.   One could manufacture the storage cylinder  4  or segments of the storage cylinder  4  as a single unit rather than from stacked storage elements  30  shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 .   Several storage cylinders  4  could be mounted on a rotatable platter to bring a specific cylinder to the access panel before being rotated itself to bring a specific vertical notch  32  to the access panel. Multiple storage cylinders  4  will greatly increase the capacity of the overall disk storage unit. Alternatively, the storage cylinders  4  could be shorter, reducing the height of the unit, but maintaining the same storage capacity.   One could replace the tambour  8  with telescoping overlapping panels or with flexible belt material. One can eliminate the tambour rollers  10  by extending the tambour guides  12  over the top and bottom of the storage cylinder  4  to accommodate the full range of access panel  6  movement.       

     CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, SCOPE 
     This invention provides high storage density with a minimal footprint. It rewards customers with a large selection of DVDs and satisfies storeowners by providing the lowest square footage footprint of any other DVD dispenser. Furthermore, its large storage capacity results in the lowest cost per stored DVD. In addition, this invention allows users to remove and reinsert disks into the disk storage unit manually, reducing the machine&#39;s complexity. Also, by using a movable panel for DVD access, fewer parts are required. Lastly, by incorporating these attributes into a single unit, the invention provides high-density storage, reduces manufacturing costs, and improves machine reliability.