Abstract:
A reserve system for library articles includes (i) a “reserved article” storage system for temporarily storing and automatically retrieving reserved articles, (ii) a conveyance to deliver the library articles to either the library staff or an originating library patron, and (iii) at least one controller system to manage all system functions. The reserved article storage system may be a modular system that includes: (i) one or two “storage racks,” each comprised of a plurality of “storage bins” for temporary article storage, and (ii) one “vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly” for article retrieval from a selected storage bin from a selected storage rack. The vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly includes one or more “pusher mechanisms” to push any articles in a selected storage bin from the storage bin to a “horizontal rack transport assembly” to move articles from the vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly onto a conveyance mechanization or system such as delivery from a kiosk or integrated library system. The conveyance may include selected conveyors to transport the articles in an orderly manner to a re-circulation bin or to a patron remote from the reserved article storage system.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of priority pursuant to 35 USC 119 of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/474, filed 30 May 2003 , the disclosure of which application is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to patron requested article handling systems, and more particularly to an automated reserved article delivery system and method, and more particularly to a library patron reserved article delivery system and method that permits patron self-check-out &amp; check-in of library patron reserved articles.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Modern libraries have experienced increased demands from patrons, in terms of needs for larger and larger holdings of books and other tangible materials. Accordingly, it is not uncommon for public libraries, for example, to handle collection and distribution of hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of books and materials. Tasks of librarians in handling these ever-increasing volumes are often overwhelming. Herein, a library&#39;s collection is referred to as articles, including among others, books, video and audio tapes and CDs, pamphlets, magazines and the like.  
         [0004]     Particularly problematic librarian tasks involve both receiving materials returned from, and distributing materials to, patrons. These tasks (commonly referred to as “check-in” and “check-out”, respectively) when manually performed by library personnel upon such ever-growing volumes of books and other library-like materials, greatly affects time required to repetitively collect and distribute each library article or material, i.e., “turn-around time” 0  is negatively impacted.  
         [0005]     Advanced library article material handling systems and methods have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,561,418 entitled “Check-out system for library-like materials,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,696 entitled “Inclined conveyor,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,457 entitled “Access device for a materials depository,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,816 entitled “Book binding orientation detector,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,262 entitled “Cart loading system and method for library-like materials,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,074,156 entitled “Library cart loading system and method,” and U.S. Pat. No. 6,000,770 entitled “Library book bin with a vertically adjustable floor.” These aforementioned patents are incorporated herein by reference, and exhibit state of the art library article handling systems including re-circulation sorting and re-shelving assistance operations.  
         [0006]     Libraries generally have two basic methods to allow checkout of library articles. One is for the patron to manually or physically select and checkout the article. Another is to allow the patron to place the article on a request or reservation list for later retrieval.  
         [0007]     Such a reservation list allows the patron to request an article without actually being in the library. For example, an article may be a requested over the telephone or internet. In response to requests for articles, a “paper” list may be generated, and in turn, a library worker would retrieve the requested article and place the requested article in a designated location for the patron to pick up at another time. Further, the library worker also records the date of the initial reservation of the article. If the reserved article is not picked up within a specified time, for example ten days, the library staff will return the article to the library shelves to be available for other patrons.  
         [0008]     It should be noted that a patron may request articles that have been already checked out, in which case the request is subsequently placed on a “waiting list” for subsequent notification to the patron for availability at a designated time or requested location.  
         [0009]     Present day libraries require the patron to enter the library to claim and checkout the reserved article only during normal operating hours. The separation of material for restocking, the retrieval of the reserved material for the patron, and the normal checkout system makes the present day reserved checkout method inconvenient for the patron as well as time-consuming for the library staff. It should be noted that institutions and businesses other than libraries engage in patron article reservation and check-out tasks as well having similar problems and needs. For example, videotape rental facilities handle large amounts of library-like materials in forms of videotapes, videodisks, audio and video cassettes and the like.  
         [0010]     Attempts to respond to needs for automation of these check-out and reservation tasks, several techniques, devices, and systems have been proposed. Yet, there remains a need for a system that provides automation of reservation and check-out tasks of library-like materials or articles that does not depend on the involvement of the library staff to retrieve reserved articles for check-out and permits patron checkout without library staff involvement or physically being within the library during normal operating hours.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     An object of the present invention is to provide an automated library article patron reserve system and method.  
         [0012]     An object of the present invention is to provide a system that permits a patron to pick up reserved library articles at times other than library operating hours.  
         [0013]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a system that retrieves and delivers reserved library articles to a patron that is located outside the library structure.  
         [0014]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automated library article patron reserve system and method that permits the tracking of library articles for restocking and separates said articles for pick-up by the library staff.  
         [0015]     Another object of the present invention is to provide an automated library article patron reserve system and method configuration that accommodates a stand-alone kiosk implementation that permits a patron to access reserved library articles at designated remote locations from the library.  
         [0016]     In accordance with the present invention a reserved article delivery system for library-like materials, or simply library articles—hereafter referred only to as “articles,” includes (i) a “reserved article” storage system for temporarily storing and automatically retrieving reserved articles, (ii) a conveyance to deliver the library articles to either the library staff or the library patron, and (iii) at least one controller system to manage all system functions. The reserved article storage system may be a modular system that includes: (i) one or two “storage racks,” each comprised of a plurality of “storage bins” for temporary article storage, and (ii) one “vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly” for article retrieval from a selected storage bin from a selected storage rack. The vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly includes one or more “pusher mechanisms” to push any articles in the selected storage bin from the storage bin to a “horizontal rack transport assembly” 0  to move articles from the vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly onto a conveyance mechanization or system such as delivery from a kiosk or integrated library system. The conveyance may include selected conveyors to transport articles in an orderly manner to a re-circulation bin or to a patron located remote from the reserved article storage system, e.g., outside the library building. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustration of a reserved article storage and retrieval system in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 1B  is a further perspective view illustration of  FIG. 1  with included detail of a vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly, sensors, drive system, and horizontal rack transport assembly in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 1C  is a further perspective view illustration of  FIG. 1B  with included detail of doors and door interlocks in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1D  is side view illustration of a reserved article storage and retrieval system in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 1E  is a profile view of a storage bin in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a reserve article storage system in accordance with the present invention attached to a conveyance for article transport.  
         [0023]      FIG. 2B  is a plan view illustration of a reserve article storage system in accordance with the present invention attached to a conveyance for article transport.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2C  is a side view illustration of a reserve article storage system in accordance with the present invention attached to a conveyance for article transport.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a control scheme for temporary storage of reserved library articles in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a control scheme for the retrieval of reserved library articles by a library patron in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a control scheme for the manual purging of reserved library articles from the storage bins in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a control scheme for the automatic purging of reserved library articles from the storage bins in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0030]     FIG. A 1  is a photograph of a perspective of vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly and storage rack.  
         [0031]     FIG. A 2  is a photograph of article pusher assembly and shelves.  
         [0032]     FIG. A 3  is a photograph a perspective of storage rack and horizontal rack transport/transport conveyor assembly.  
         [0033]     FIG. A 4  is a photograph of drive chain and sprocket assembly for positioning the vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly.  
         [0034]     FIG. A 5  is a photograph of a guide and drive chain for the vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly.  
         [0035]     FIG. A 6  is a photograph of a horizontal transport drive assembly.  
         [0036]     FIG. A 7  is a photograph of a front perspective of an article pusher assembly.  
         [0037]     FIG. A 8  is a photograph of a rear perspective of an article pusher assembly.  
         [0038]     FIG. A 9  is a photograph of front view of the article pusher assembly.  
         [0039]     FIG. A 10  is a photograph of the system of the present invention  
         [0040]     FIG. A 11  is a photograph of a track guide for vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly.  
         [0041]     FIG. A 12  is a photograph of group of interconnected rack assemblies.  
         [0042]     FIG. A 13  is a photograph of end view of the horizontal rack transport.  
         [0043]     FIG. A 14  and A 15  are photographs of perspective view of directional conveyance transport system.  
         [0044]     FIG. A 16  is a photograph of a horizontal belt conveyor.  
         [0045]     FIG. A 17  and A 18  are photographs of a two directional endless belt system.  
         [0046]     FIG. A 19  is a photograph of transport conveyors.  
         [0047]     FIG. A 20  is a photograph of collection re-shelving and re-circulation bin.  
         [0048]     FIG. A 21  is a photograph of transport conveyors.  
         [0049]     FIG. A 22  is a photograph of transport conveyors. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0050]     In the following exposition, the words “book”, “material”, “article”, and “library-like material” as used herein are synonymous, and are intended to include, among others, (i) any conventional library material such as, but not limited to, a bound book, a “paperback” book, a materials container (such as a magazine series receptacle or holder), a diskette cassette, a video tape, or (ii) any other tangible media that may have dimensions or an outward appearance somewhat similar or analogous to a conventional book. Illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1E  are various views of an exemplary embodiment of a reserved article delivery system that provide an overall general description of certain components of the exemplary system in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0051]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a reserve article storage rack assembly  100  in accordance with the present invention. Associated with rack assembly  100  is an overall system controller  101  with keyboard  102  and display console  103 . As illustrated therein, rack assembly  100  includes two storage racks  102 L and  102 R. Rack assembly  100  also includes an integrated vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  including horizontal transport assembly  130  as will be further described. Rack assembly  100  also includes a bottom panel  106  and a top panel  108 . It should be noted that storage racks  102 L and  102 R are separated by a distance “D” as illustrated so as to accommodate horizontal transport assembly  130 .  
         [0052]     Each storage rack  102 L,R includes an array  120  of storage bins or slots  118  for the placement therein of reserved library articles. It should be evident that the number of vertical columns and horizontal rows comprising array  120  may vary. Further, the length and height of each bin  118  is dependent upon the size of the article intended for storage and may also vary. As will be further described and as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D , each bin  118  has specific features to permit complete article removal and to prevent jamming of any article(s) within bin  118 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 1B  is a further perspective view illustration of  FIGS. 1 and 1 D with included detail of vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104 , control system sensors, drive system, and horizontal rack transport assembly in accordance with the present invention. Each rack assembly  100  includes a drive system  122  to provide for the vertical translation of said vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104 . With regard to details of drive system  122 , it is illustrated in  FIG. 1B  as a conventional chain-and-sprocket drive (drive motors and associated hardware are not illustrated for simplicity and clarity of the drawings.) Any suitable type of drive system  122  may, however, be employed. In an exemplary embodiment, a drive scheme is provided by way of conventional chain drive means, including a conventional drive motor (not illustrated) coupled to chain  124  as recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0054]     In exemplary embodiment of the invention, travel of vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  is guided by conventional rollers and track. Any suitable type of guidance may, however, be employed. More specifically in this embodiment, rollers (not illustrated) are mounted on vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  and track  126  is attached to storage rack  102  as recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0055]     As will be further described, included on storage rack  102  are index features  128  to indicate the location of each row of array  120 . Index features  128  are located at an elevation corresponding to each row of array  120 . To be more specific, the vertical spacing of each index feature  128  is equal to the spacing of each horizontal row of bins  118  in array  120 .  
         [0056]     Vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  includes a horizontal transport assembly  130  . With regard to details of transport assembly  130 , conveyor belt  132  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1B and 1D  is a conventional motorized belt conveyor (drive motors and associated hardware are not illustrated for simplicity and clarity of the drawings.) Any suitable type of conveyance scheme may, however, be employed. In an exemplary embodiment, a drive scheme may be provided by way of any conventional belt drive means, including a conventional drive motor (not illustrated) coupled to belt  132 , as recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0057]     Vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  further includes one pusher assembly  134  for each column of array  120 . Upon command from system controller  101 , pusher assembly  134  extends into bin  118  and pushes the article within bin  118  onto conveyor  130 . As will be further described, each pusher assembly  134  has specific features to permit complete article removal and to prevent jamming of the article in bin  118 .  
         [0058]     With regard to details of pusher assembly  134 , pusher assembly  134  as illustrated in FIGS.  1 B-D is a conventional scissors jack (drive motors and associated hardware are not illustrated for simplicity and clarity of the drawings). In an exemplary embodiment, an extension scheme may be provided by way of any conventional extension means, including a conventional scissors jack and drive motor (not illustrated), as recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art. In this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, pusher assembly  134  includes a base, a pusher face, a driving mechanism and a scissors jack mechanism for extension.  
         [0059]     With regard to further detail of the pusher assembly  134  and bin  118 , pusher assembly  134  and bin  118  included features to assure complete article removal and to minimize jamming. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, pusher assembly  134  and bin  118  have matching perimeter profiles. To be more specific, the bottom face of the rectangular perimeter profile of bin  118  is keyed with a channel profile. Illustrated in  FIG. 1E  is an exemplary embodiment of the aforesaid profile features. Pusher assembly  134  is similarly keyed (not illustrated) with a ridge to mate with the channel keyway of bin  118  illustrated in  FIG. 1E . Other channel keyway features may accomplish the same result in other configurations, as recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art  
         [0060]     Vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  further includes sensors  136  to detect the location of each row of bins  118  as indicated by said index feature  128 . During translation of vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104 , as sensors  136  pass each index feature  128 , a signal is sent to system controller  101 . Each signal transmission is counted thereby allowing for the vertical position of vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  to be determined by system controller  101 .  
         [0061]     Further, vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  has an angled leading edge (not illustrated) to reposition articles that overhang storage bin  118  by an allowable distance controlled by the geometry of said angled leading edge. Vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  also includes article overhang sensors  138  to detect articles that exceed the allowable overhang distance just described. As described herein, during operation vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  moves past array  120 . If an article stored in any bin of array  120  is not fully inserted into bin  118  and overhangs by a distance less than that allowed by the design of said angled leading edge, the angled leading edge will push the article into bin  118 . If an article stored in bin  118  is not fully inserted into bin  118  and exceeds the allowable overhang distance of said angled leading edge, article overhang sensors  138  will be send a signal to system controller  101  and power to the drive mechanism will be shut off. Movement of vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  will subsequently stop.  
         [0062]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view illustration of an exemplary embodiment of rack assembly  100  coupled to a double layer transport conveyor assembly  240 . Conveyor assembly  240  includes two levels of belt conveyors  242  and  244 . Each level is comprised of two perpendicular sets of endless belts thereby providing each belt conveyor  242  and  244  with two-directional conveyance. With regard to details of conveyor assembly  240 , re-circulate conveyor  242  and exit conveyor  244  as illustrated in  FIG. 2  are conventional two-directional motorized belt conveyors (drive motors and associated hardware are not illustrated for simplicity and clarity of the drawings.) Any suitable type of conveyance scheme may, however, be employed. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a drive scheme may be provided by way of any conventional belt drive means, including a conventional drive motor (not illustrated) coupled to conveyors  242  and  244  as recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0063]     Conveyor assembly  240  is connected to transport system  246 . Transport system  246  includes a re-circulate conveyor belt  248  aligned with re-circulate conveyor  242  and is an exit conveyor belt  250  aligned with exit conveyor  244 . With regard to details of transport system  246 , re-circulate conveyor belt  248  and exit conveyor belt  250  as illustrated in  FIG. 2  are conventional motorized belt conveyors (drive motors and associated hardware are not illustrated for simplicity and clarity of the drawings.) Any suitable type of conveyance scheme may, however, be employed. In an exemplary embodiment, a drive scheme may be provided by way of any conventional belt drive means, including a conventional drive motor (not illustrated) coupled to belts  248  and  250 , as recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0064]     Illustrated in  FIG. 2B  is an exemplary illustration of a rack assembly  100  in accordance with the present invention attached to a conveyance for article transport. Also shown are re-circulation bins and collection bins.  
         [0065]     As will be further described,  FIG. 2C  is a side view illustration of a reserve article storage system in accordance with the present invention attached to a conveyance for article transport.  
         [0066]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an exemplary system of the present invention. Before proceeding it is presumed that a library patron requests to reserve an article for later “check-out,” library personnel retrieve the requested article and take the article to the reserve article storage system aforedescribed. At system controller console  103 , the operator initiates “Load Mode.” The operator enters the article ID (block  310 ) and the storage bin ID (block  312 ) into system controller  101  database. The system operator then places the article into a selected storage bin having a dedicated, unique storage bin_ID within storage rack  102  (block  300 .) The reserved articles remain stored in rack  102  until (i) a patron initiates the retrieval process or (ii) the system is instructed to initiate a “manual purge” process or (iii) the system detects an expired reservation and initiates an “automatic purge.” 
         [0067]     As will be further detailed, there are five basic operating modes of the present invention. These are “Standby Mode”, “Load Mode”, “Retrieval Mode”, “Manual Purge Mode”, and “Auto Purge Mode.” 
         [0068]     “Standby Mode” indicates that the system is awaiting instruction from either a patron or a library staff member. As will be described, if all doors (block  304 ) and interlocks (block  302 ) are closed and article overhang sensors (block  316 ) indicate an absence of any obstructions, the system is operable. When the system is taken out of “Standby Mode” by either a patron retrieval request or by an instruction to “purge” the transport assembly controller (block  306 ) will instruct the vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  (block  308 ) to move to the appropriate bin_ID. While moving, the position sensor  136  (block  314 ) will provide positional data to the controller (block  306 .)  
         [0069]     When a count of signals from sensor  136  indicates that the correct vertical location has been reached, the controller will stop the vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly. The article pusher controller (block  322 ) will instruct the pusher assembly (block  318 ) to fully extend and retract. Article present sensor (block  320 ) will signal to the controller if an article was or was not in the bin. If an article was pushed from bin  118 , system controller  101  will instruct the vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly to re-position to either the exit-transport conveyor (position “A” in  FIG. 2A-2 ) or the re-circulate transport conveyor (position “B” in  FIG. 2A-2 ) elevation. When a count of signals from position sensor  136  indicates that the correct vertical location has been reached, the controller will stop the vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly. When vertical travel has stopped, the horizontal rack transport controller (block  326 ) will instruct the horizontal rack transport (block  324 ) to power “on” thereby moving the article to either exit-transport conveyor  250  (block  328 ) or re-circulate transport conveyor  248  (block  330 .)  
         [0070]      FIG. 4  is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a control scheme for the temporary storage of reserved library articles in accordance with the present invention. When a patron reserves an article (block  400 ) the request is entered into a database (block  401 ). A list of reserved articles subsequently is printed out (block  402 ) upon demand or periodically. The requested article is retrieved from the library circulation storage (block  404 .) The article is taken to controller  101  described herein. At controller  101  the operator places rack assembly  100  into “Load Mode” (block  406 .) Upon initiation of “Load Mode,” the vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  is re-positioned to a predetermined “home ”location (block  408 ). This “home” position will preferably be at an extreme end of travel for vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104 . The “home” position is acquired to maximize access to storage bins  118  and to assure safe access to bins  118  by library staff.  
         [0071]     Referring to  FIG. 1C , rack assembly  100  also includes a door  112 , attached to doorframe  114 , to cover the outward-facing side of each storage rack  102 . With regard to user safety, each door  112  is locked by means of an interlock mechanism  116  to cut power to vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  when door  112  is not closed. Once the vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  is at the “home” position, the door interlocks  116  will open (block  410 ) thereby interrupting power to vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  and unlocking cabinet doors  112  to allow access to the storage bins  118 .  
         [0072]     In turn, the library employee takes the article to be reserved to the reserve article storage system and fully opens the door  112  allowing full access to all the bins. The operator locates an available bin  118  for the article (block  412 ) and enters the article ID (block  414 ) and the chosen bin ID (block  416 ) into the system controller  101 . The article ID and Bin ID are now associated with a particular patron request and will remain associated until either a “purge” or “retrieval” of the article, to be further described, is completed.  
         [0073]     The library employee then places the article into the selected bin  118  (block  418 .) If there is another article to be stored (block  420 ), the library employee locates another bin  118  and the process heretofore described is repeated. If no additional articles are to be stored in bin array  120 , the library employee closes (latches) all doors  112  (block  422 ) and exits “Load Mode” (block  424 ). If all doors  112  are securely closed and latched (block  426 ), the door interlocks  116  will re-activate and power will return to vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  (block  428 .) The system will then resume “Standby Mode” (block  430 .)  
         [0074]      FIG. 5  is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a control scheme for the retrieval of reserved library articles by a library patron. With the system in “Standby Mode,” a library patron initiates the system and the patron is prompted by the control system to supply proper identification (block  500 ). The patron will supply ID (block  502 ) and the system will verify the patron&#39;s ID (block  504 ) by way of a library card having a bar code, RFID tag, smart card, or the like. If the ID is valid (block  506 ) and an article has indeed been reserved (the flowchart assumes this to be true), the system will initiate “Retrieval Mode” (block  508 .) The system controller  101  identifies the article bin location (block  510 .) The system controller  101  causes the vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  to be positioned so as attain alignment between pusher  134  and the designated or requested bin (block  512 .) The system controller  101  instructs pusher  118  to push the article out of the designated bin (block  514 ), and returns to its “home” position (block  516 .)  
         [0075]     In turn, controller  101  positions vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  align horizontal transport assembly  130  with exit conveyor  244  (block  518 .) Conveyor  244  transports the article to the waiting patron (block  520 .) Upon delivery to the patron, the system returns to “Standby Mode” (block  522 ) after all requested articles have been delivered.  
         [0076]      FIG. 6  is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a control scheme for the manual purging of reserved library articles from storage bins  118 .  FIG. 6  is an exemplary schematic of the process initiated by the cancellation of a reservation by a patron (block  600 .) It is to be appreciated that the general process for manual purging is similar to a patron request as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . A system operator initiates “Manual Purge Mode” (block  602 .) The system or staff may automatically identify the ID of the article to be purged into the system controller  101  database (block  604 .) System controller  101  positions the vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  to attain alignment of pusher  134  and bin  118  (block  608 ) as before. The system controller  101  instructs pusher  134  to push the article out of bin  118  (block  610 .) Pusher  134  returns to its “home” position (block  612 .) The system controller  101  identifies the article bin location (block  606 .) System controller  101  causes the vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  to be positioned so as attain alignment between pusher  134  and the designated or requested bin (block  512 .) System controller  101  instructs pusher  118  to push the article out of the designated bin (block  514 ), and returns to its “home” position (block  516 .) Vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  moves to attain alignment between the horizontal transport assembly  130  with exit conveyor  242  (block  614 .) Conveyor  242  transports the article to conveyor  248 . Conveyor  248  is intended to transport the article to a re-circulation collection bin (block  616 .) If there is another article to be purged (block  618 ), the library staff enters new article ID to repeat the sequence of events. If there are no additional articles to be purged, the system operator ends “Manual Purge Mode” (block  620 ) and the system returns to “Standby Mode” (block  622 .)  
         [0077]      FIG. 7  is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a control scheme for the automatic purging of reserved library articles from the storage bins  118 . While in “Standby Mode” (block  700 ) the system checks the reservation expiration date of all articles stored in cabinet  100  (block  702 ) If an article is identified with an expired reservation date (block  704 ) the system initiates “Auto Purge Mode” (block  706 .) System controller  101  identifies the article bin_ID  118  (block  708 .) System controller  101  moves the vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  to attain alignment of pusher  134  and designated bin (block  710 .) System controller  101  instructs pusher  134  to push the article out of the designated bin (block  712 .) After pusher  134  has returned to its “home” position (block  714 .), vertically positionable retrieve and transport assembly  104  moves to attain alignment of horizontal transport assembly  130  and exit conveyor  242  (block  716 .) Conveyor  242  transports the article to conveyor  248 . Conveyor  248  transports the article to a re-circulation collection bin (block  718 .) The system controller CPU  101  ends “Auto Purge Mode” (block  720 ) and begins “Standby Mode” (block  722 .) After “Standby Mode ”has begun, the aforementioned sequence repeats.  
         [0078]     Although not shown, rack assembly.  100  includes an automated light curtain provided at both the forward and rearward ends of the rack such that if the light curtain is broken by way of a human operator or article, the system is disable until such time that the fault has been corrected.  
         [0079]     It should be understood that the aforedescribed control scheme may be controlled by a computerized control system such as a computer workstation or the like. Although the operation and control of rack assembly  100 , transport system  246 , and conveyor assembly  240  of the present invention has been described herein in simple control terms and concepts, it should be appreciated that alternative or more complex controls and systems are all within the true spirit and scope of the present invention as claimed herein.  
         [0080]     While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the accompanying figures it will be understood, however, that other modifications thereto are of course possible, all of which are intended to be within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. It should be appreciated that components of the invention aforedescribed may be substituted for other suitable components for achieving similarly desired results.  
         [0081]     Further, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any suitable conveyance or transport technique may be substituted for output conveyor belts  132 ,  248 , and  250 . Such techniques may include rolling or sliding beds or shuttles, a fixed roller bed, or even simply a low-friction surface for sliding movement of articles thereupon. Further, any number of conveyor belts could be substituted for belts  132 ,  248 , and  250 .  
         [0082]     With regard to system controller  101 , various other functions could be provided thereby. For instance, various fault states of the system could be identified and announced by an alarm incorporated with system controller  101 , or such fault states could additionally be transmitted by system controller  101  to a library computer workstation for logging and diagnostic uses.  
         [0083]     As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, while the system is in “Standby Mode” an internal programming function may check article reservation expiration dates. Further apparent is there need not be a conveyance separating two racks. Only one rack with a conveyance may indeed be feasible to those skilled in the art.  
         [0084]     It is to be appreciated that rack assembly  100  is intended to be located in a secure area of, for example, a library where access is limited to library personnel.  
         [0085]     Lastly, the choice of mechanical sizes and strengths of various components are all a matter of design choice depending upon intended use and objects intended to be handled by the system of the present design.  
         [0086]     Accordingly, these and other various changes or modifications in form and detail of the present invention may also be made therein, again without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.