WO1991005349A1

WO1991005349A1 - Apparatus and methods to facilitate tape cassette rental for counting tape usage

Info

Publication number: WO1991005349A1
Application number: PCT/US1990/005717
Authority: WO
Inventors: Geoffrey M. Nathanson; Alan L. Backus
Original assignee: Nathanson Geoffrey M; Backus Alan L
Priority date: 1989-10-05
Filing date: 1990-10-05
Publication date: 1991-04-18
Also published as: AU6548690A

Abstract

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods to facilitate rental of recorded tape cassettes, and in particular to report the use of video tape cassettes licensed to be rented. The preferred embodiment of the invention provides apparatus (26) adapted to fit a modified standard video tape cassette or the like. This apparatus (26) has means (42) to sense the number of times a video tape cassette has been used, based on changes in thickness of tape wound on a cassette reel (44) during play of the cassette. This apparatus (26) also has means (58) to record these sensed uses and to output this recorded information through a window (28) displaying a bar code which may be optically scanned. Various embodiments and methods of operation are disclosed.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHODS TO FACILITATE TAPE CASSETTE RENTAL FOR COUNTING TAPE USAGE

BACKGROUND OF THE TNVENTTON

1. Field of the Invention.

The present invention relates to the field of tape cassettes, and more particularly to tape cassettes to facilitate the rental thereof.

2. Prior Art.

The rental of prerecorded video cassettes has grown from being nonexistent a few years ago, to a large and rapidly growing industry today.

Growth of the cassette rental industry has been inhibited by motion picture distributors releasing most films to movie theaters and cable television before releasing them on video cassettes. In large measure, this is due to the higher revenues distributors make from theaters and cable television, versus the one time casette sales they make in video rentals. Traditionally, video cassette rental stores purchase a cassette and rent it as their own property.

The video cassette rental industry is composed of thousands of small rental store outlets as well as several large multi store chains. Most outlets are manned by staffs of unskilled workers using basic check stand equipment which frequently includes cash registered equipped with optical bar code scanners. Agreements between rental outlets and motion picture distributors which would secure earlier release dates by sharing revenues based on number of cassette uses would today rely on accurate report of cassette rentals by both rental stores and store workers.

Several inventions have been proposed to accurately report usage a cassette tape receives. Miura, U.S. Patent 3,604,624, and Kihara, U.S. Patent 3,678,215, both proposed v* j*aϊ "^"r ., mechanisms which required modification to tape players, and thus neither is applicable to a rental situation.

Harris, U.S. Patent 3,995,319, Chevalier et al, U.S. Patent 4,466,584; Egendorf, U.S. Patent 4,475,222; and Vogeigensang, U.S. Patent 4,575,778 each proposed mechanisms for tape cassettes containing internal use counters. Each clearly employs a numeral outputs, readable by store clerk and renter alike, and which rely on the vaguaries of human interface for accuracy of their reporting. Egendorf, U.S. Patent 4,475,222, indicates machine reading means for his numeral output, with a separate standard bar code reader for reading a cassettes label.

Leone et al, U.S. Patent 4,593,337 discloses several embodiments of electronic use counters internal to tape cassettes. All are active electric circuits requiring the cassettes to contain portable power sources which will have limited shelf life, require maintenance, and be subject to failure.

In view of the foregoing drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a means to accurately track usage of rented VCR tapes which does not rely on honest reporting of rentals by store workers and store operators.

It is another object of the i-nvention to provide apparatus which requires no additional store labor time to use.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus which is easy to use so unskilled store personnel may use it without training. It is another object of the invention to provide direct outputs to logical devices which in turn may provide completely accurate up to date reports of video tape usage.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus which does not require changes in rental store check stand equipment or pr cedures.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus which does not require changes in rental store shelving and storage equipment.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus which does not require significant changes in components and methods used in producing rental video tapes. It is another object of the invention to provide video tape use reporting apparatus which is resistant to tampering and difficult to corrupt.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus which has an indefinite shelf life.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus which works with all existing VCR tape cassettes, and is adaptable to new formats.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus which will not interfere with the way video rental stores currently conduct their business.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus which reports rental tape use only when a significant portion of the tape has been viewed.

It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus which reports rental tape use in a manner transparent to the renters of the tape so as to not deter the further rental of a tape already having a substantial number of plays thereon. It is another object of the invention to provide apparatus which is inexpensive and easy to manufacture.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description of the accompanying drawings.

STITUTE SHEET BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods to facilitate rental of recorded tape cassettes, and in particular to report use of video tape cassettes licensed to be rented. The preferred embodiment of the invention provides apparatus adapted -to fit a modified standard video tape cassette or the like. This apparatus has means to sense the number of times a video tape cassette has been used, based on changes in thickness of tape wound on a cassette reel during play of the cassette. This apparatus also has means to record these sensed uses and to output this recorded information through a window displaying a bar code which may be optically scanned.

The present invention has aspects related to licensing rental of recorded tape cassettes. It presents a method whereby a distributor of recorded tape cassette products may license a rental agent the right to rent a recorded tape cassette with the license consideration being based on the number of actual uses the recorded tape cassette receives. This method may also provide for the rental agent receiving rental payment from a renter based on the number of times the renter plays the recorded tape cassette.

The present invention contrasts sharply with currently used apparatus which supports a scheme where: recorded tape cassettes are sold to rental outlets, not licensed; where rental is based on time a renter has a recorded tape cassette in their possession, not number plays a cassette receives; and where there is no consideration to a distributor of recorded tape cassette products based on tape cassette usage.

By fitting within the confines of a standard cassette case, apparatus in the preferred embodiment of the present

invention is compatible with all current methods of shipping, storing and merchandising such recorded tape cassettes.

By fitting to existing standard tape cassette cases, apparatus in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is compatible with current components and methods

» used in production of today's recorded tape cassettes.

By using optically scanned bar codes to output stored information on tape cassette use, apparatus in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is compatible with check stand equipment used by many renters of recorded tape cassettes; and requires no additional training of store personnel.

By using optically scanned bar codes which are not segmented, the number of plays registered at any time by a particular bar code is not readily decipherable by a rental of the tape cassette.

By providing apparatus which is difficult to tamper with or corrupt, the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a reliable evidence of rental item use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a front view of the display face of the present invention's first preferred embodiment.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the present invention's first preferred embodiment.

Figure 3 is a prospective view of the present invention's first preferred^' embodiment.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the tape drive mechanism of the present invention's first preferred embodiment.

Figure 5 is a section through the tape drive mechanism of the present invention's first preferred embodiment.

Figure 6 is a section through the display face of the present invention's first preferred embodiment.

Figure 7 is a schematic side view of a transparent tape that may be used as the indicator band or tape in certain embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 8 is a face view of a section of the tape of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a exploded schematic perspective view of the drive mechanism using either the tape of Figures 7 and 8 or an opaque tape.

Figure 10 is a front view of the display face of the present invention's second preferred embodiment.

Figure 11 is a plan view of the preseent invention's second preferred embodiment .

Figure 12 is a section through the tape drive mechanism of the present invention's second preferred embodiment.

Figure 13 is a top view of the tape drive mechanism of the present invention's second preferred embodiment. Figure 14 is a section through the tape tensioning mechanism of the present invention's second preferred embodiment.

Figure 15 is a section through the display face of the present invention's second preferred embodiment.

Figgure 16 to 18 are plan views of the tape drive mechanism of the present invention's second preferred embodiment in three different conditions of advancement.

Figure 19 is an isometric view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 20 is a plan view which indicates how the third preferred embodiment of the present invention may be ganged to provide higher counts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

First referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, an end view, top view and perspective view, respectively, of a video tape cassette with a preferred embodiment of the present invention mounted therein may be seen. In this form, the invention comprises an assembly 26 for snapping into an appropriate opening in the end of a conventional video tape enclosure 20, in an otherwise generally non-functional region thereof. This allows a simple modification of the mold design for molding the two halves of a cassette enclosure, or alternatively, the cutting of such opening in conventional cassette parts after the molding thereof.

The assembly 26 includes a window-like region 28 through which a continuous tape thereunder containing bar code markings in a special pattern, with or without .associated numbers, may be viewed. Also positioned thereon and oriented with respect to the window region 28 are additional bar code markings 32 and 34, accurately oriented With respect to the bar code markings visible through the window region 28, though fixed with respect to the cassette case and invariable once applied. As shall be subsequently seen, the tape visible through the window region 28 is advanced one bar code position on each playing of the tape, so that when the entire bar code is scanned by an appropriate bar code scanner, the fixed or static portion 34 identifying the cassette itself as well as the varying bar code visible through window 28 indicating the number of plays of the tape will be automatically read by the bar code scanner. Except for the cassette modification just described, the cassette may be of conventional construction having upper and lower outer case members 22 and 24, a VCR cassette tape door cover 30, reel view windows 38 and 40, cassette promotion label region 36, etc.

Now referring to Figures 4 through 7, details of the assembly 26 providing the changing bar code to indicate the number of plays of the tape may be seen. In this embodiment, a tape thickness detection arm 42 is pivotly supported about axis 48 on the frame of ass'embly 26, the arm 42 normally extending inward adjacent the take-up or destination reel hub 44. The arm 42 is relatively lightly spring loaded to the position shown in Figures 4 and 5, though disposed so as to be deflectable in direction 72 (See Figure 5) by the accumulation of video tape on the tape take-up reel 44. This in turn causes a deflectable ratchet tooth 64 also mounted about axis 48 and rotatable with the arm 42 to engage one of the teeth 66 on ratchet wheel 50 to advance the same one ratchet tooth position, after which the deflectable tooth 64 will swing free of that ratchet tooth to allow for the further deflection of the arm 42 as required during the further play of the video tape without any further rotation of the ratchet wheel 50. On rewinding of the tape, a return spring for arm 42 allows the arm to follow the decreasing diameter of the roll of tape on the take-up reel 44, with the single ratchet tooth 64 deflecting as it passes back over the next tooth on ratchet wheel 50 in readiness for advancing the same during the next play of the tape.

As may be seen in Figure 6, coaxial and integral with ratchet wheel 66 is a band drive cylinder 80 with sprocket teeth 76 thereon for engaging the band 58, shown in phantom thereover, and driving the same in response to rotation of the ratchet wheel. The band drive cylinder is supported in rotation about axis 48 by bearing ribs 74 formed as part of the assembly 26, with the assembly 26 being retained in the cassette case formed by upper and lower case halves 22 and 24 by cassette case engagement latches 47 (one being shown in Figure 5) formed as part of the frame of assembly 26.

The band 58 carrying the bar codes thereon of course, passes around the band drive cylinder 80 and is positively driven by sprocket teeth 76 on the band drive cylinder 80 engaging corresponding sprockets holes in the band. As may be seen in Figures 4 and 7, the band 58 is looped around the band drive cylinder 80, the band being kept tight and out of the way of the video tape on the take-up reel 44 by a back cover and band retaining member 56 retained on the frame of the assembly 26. Proper guidance of the band at the drive end coupled with a reasonably stiff band such as a mylar band will cause the band to follow the desired path of band motion without requiring an idler cylinder at the opposite end thereof. The band itself may be fabricated of various materials, such as by way of example, a polyester material such as the mylar just mentioned, as such materials are strong, stable, capable of flexing almost indefinitely, etc. Also, while the markings on the band may take various forms, black markings on a white band or even a highly reflective metalized mylar band are preferred. Obviously, other materials could also be used such as other plastics or even a metal band, though the polyester band is preferred for its physical characteristics and relatively low cost. Also, if desired, one can utilize an idler or tensioning cylinder at the end thereof opposite the drive end.

With the structure just described, part of the video tape may be played without the band and thus the bar code thereon being advanced. Preferably in approximately the middle of the video tape, arm 42 is deflected to advance the band one bar code position so as to register the tape play by the advancement thereof. While a similar mechanism could be operated by the tape on the opposite reel upon the rewinding of the tape after each play, such is not preferred, as it is normally desired to register the tape play during the play regardless of whether the tape is in fact rewound before being returned to the rental store. Thus, say for approximately one half hour of the tape play in approximately the middle of the tape, the movement of arm 42 will cause the tape to advance one bar code position, after which time, continuing to play the tape will have no further effect. Rewinding the tape, however, beyond the position where advancement of the bar code was initiated will cause the bar code to again be advanced as the tape is subsequently played either from that position or as is more likely, from the fully rewound condition.

In the structure just described, a tape could be left in the partially played condition wherein advancement of the bar code was initiated, though not completed. Such a condition, while unlikely, will result in a bar code reader not being able to read the variable portion of the bar code, thereby indicating a condition which may be readily remedied by the rewinding of the tape. If desired, one could make arm 42 a spring member and configure and proportion the follower 82 and wheel 80 so that the increasing diameter of the tape on the take-up reel results in the spring deflection of arm 42 until such time as the spring force is sufficient to initiate advancement of the band 58. If the force or torque required to start the advance of the band to the next stable position is higher than that required to continue movement thereof to

TE SHEET that next stable position, much like the mechanism restricting rotation of the platen of a typewriter, the energy stored in the arm 42, once advancement is initiated, will carry the system to the next stable bar code position without any further windup of tape on the take-up reel. In this manner, only a mechanical failure of some kind would cause the bar code to be at an intermediate non-readable position when a rented tape is returned to the rental store.

To understand the dynamic bar code of the present invention, it is perhaps best to first review a standard form of bar code. (The following description generally conforms to that given on page 1549 of the Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Engineering (1983)). In the exemplary code used, there are three pairs of guide bars associated with the bar code, specifically a pair at the left of the code, a pair in the middle of the code, and a pair at the right. These are useful for normalizing purposes to compensate for differences in scan rate and do not form part of the code itself. Just inside the left pair of guide bars is the bar code for a single digit. This usually is used to indicate the type of product involved. Following that are the bar codes for five additional digits, each having a possible range of zero through nine, and thereafter the center two guide bars. To the right of the center guide bars are five additional digits, then a check digit, then finally the right hand guide bars. The digits to the right of the center guide bars having a different code from the digits to the left of the center guide bars, the codes for each being as follows:^"

βiaj-- Left Representation Right Representa ion

0 0001101 1110010

1 0011001 1100110 14

2 0010011 1101100

3 0111101 1000010 ~. 4 0100011 1011100 5 0110001 1001110 6 0101111 1010000 7 0111011 1000100 8 0110111 1001000 9 0001011 1110100

In the foregoing code representations a "0" represents a white stripe of unit width and a "1" represents a black strip of unit width, the unit width for at least one of the commonly used bar code standards being 0.007 inches. Since each digit has a 7 bit code, the width for each digit is thus 0.049 inches, which for this bar code standard, would be the amount of the advance of tape or band 58 on each play of the tape. Inspecting the code, one notes that in every case a code is comprised of two sequences of one's having a sequence length of not more than four units (nor, obviously, less than one) . Consequently, each digit will always be represented by two black stripes, which stripes vary in width and position dependent upon the digit represented thereby, and of course, whether it is a left representation or a right representation thereof.

For convenience, in the present invention the left five digits have been selected to represent or identify the specific tape in question for a particular rental outlet. This provides one hundred thousand possible cassette identifications, which of course can be doubled, tripled, etc., if one were willing to assign two, three, etc. of the preceding code symbols to cassettes. Normally if a rental outlet had three copies of one title, each copy of that titled would have its own separate five digit code assigned thereto so that when a customer returned say copy number 2, scanning of the code would specifically identify not only the title, but the copy, and of course through the present invention, specifically identify the total number of plays on the tape which, when compared to the number of plays on the tape when checked in just before being rented to this customer, will identify the total number of plays the tape was subjected to by that particular customer.

Using this convention the right hand five digits then are used for the variable bar code. Since the variable bar code is "advanced" only one bar code digit position on each play, the bar code digits will not represent consecutive numbers in the usual numbering system, but rather must represent an unusual sliding number system wherein a five digit number representing the next count will be generated from the five digit number representing the previous count by dropping the digit from one end thereof and adding a digit at the other end thereof. Further, in the embodiment of the present invention it is intended that the check sum be part of the fixed bar code rigidly affixed to the adjacent portion of a cassette case rather than being part of the variable code, so that the check sum may be made to depend on the fixed digits (product code) of the bar code, which of course will vary from tape to tape. The fixed check sum on the other hand, imposes another requirement on the dynamic bar code, namely that all dynamic codes used must themselves have the same check sum, which in turn is compatible with the associated fixed bar code and fixed check sum.

The UPC check sum standard is as follows; starting at the left of the bar code, including the code symbol, the digits in the odd positions, namely, first from the left, third from the left, etc., are summed, and the total thereof then multiplied by three. Also, the even digits, again _%?'

16

starting from the left, are also summed and added to the product of three times the sum of the digits in the odd positions. The check sum then is the smallest number _Strr (ranging from 0 through 9) which can be added to the last named sum to produce a multiple of 10. Thus, for instance, if the sum of the odd digits in a particular bar code is 23, and the sum of the even dig^'its is 27, three times the sum of the odd plus the sum of the even is equal to 96. Thus the check sum is 4, as 4 added to 96 yields a sum which is a multiple of 10.

In the embodiment now being described using an opaque band, the last five digits of the bar code, the dynamic bar code portion, are not digits 6 through 10 when one includes the product code at the left, but rather are digits 7 through 11. Thus, the first, third and fifth digits of the dynamic bar code are odd digits, and the second and fourth digits are even digits. Accordingly, consider the sequence of numbers in the following table:

SUBSTITUT

TABLE I

In the foregoing table, the first of the five digits, in what amounts to position 7 or an odd position, is one, with the next three digits being zero. • The last digit in position 11, also an odd digit, is nine, a digit which when added to the one in the left column and the 0 in the middle column, multiplied by 3 and added to the zero's in the second and fourth column, yields 30, already divisible by 10 and thus a number which contributes zero to the overall check sum. The next row represents the "advancement" of the band one bar code position, the band moving from right to left in the embodiment previously described. In this case, the one has moved out of view, the nine has moved from an odd location to* an even location, and a new digit seven has moved into the prior position of the nine. In this case, 3 X 7 + 9 is 30, again divisible by 10, and thus again making no contribution to the check sum. The zero contribution to the check sum may be found in any of the numbers in the sequence down to, and including 31000 for 65, all of the 65 numbers shown in Figure 1 being unique and without duplication in the table. The same progression carried one further however, that is shifting the five digits for 65 one to the left and adding a new digit to the fifth column to preserve the zero contribution to the check sum, will result in a repeat of the five digit number 10009, the first five digit number in the table. Thus, the five digits will provide 65 unique identifications, all of which have the same zero contribution to the check sum.

Using the foregoing scheme, one can generate other tables for other fixed contributions to the check sum. By way of example, if one wanted the contribution of the five dynamic bar code digits to the check sum to be 6, one could use the dynamic bar code scheme of Table II.

TABLE II

Here again the first digit is one, followed by three zeros, with the fifth digit being that which will provide a number ending in four, thus contributing 10 - 4 or 6 to the check sum, e.g. 3 X (7 + 1) = 24. For the second code, TE SHEET 20

00079, the same contribution results, namely, 3 X 9 + 7 = 34, and so on for all 65 unique code combinations.

Again, all of these code combinations as well as those in Table I have been generated by starting with the first four digits of 1000 with the fifth digit of the dynamic bar code being chosen to provide the desired contribution to the check sum, then for each successive bar code representation shifting the right four digits of the preceding code to the left one position, and adding a digit in the right position calculated to preserve the desired check sum contribution, and of course together with the other four digits, providing a unique five digit code. Obviously, for Table 2, if one read the band 58 from the "starting position" indicated in Figure 2, one would see first the digits 10007 immediately followed by the digits which successively appear in the fifth position, namely, 98425506655024..., etc. Similarly, a band corresponding to Table I would read 10009726879886..., etc. Finally, going back to Table I, instead of using 10009 as the starting five digit number to provide a zero contribution to the overall check sum, one could just as well have used 90001, 10504, 15554 or various other numbers, all of which would satisfy the fundamental requirement and from any one of which, 65 unique combinations could be generated using the same approach as described with respect to Tables I and II.

In addition to the ability of using different "seed" codes for the five digit dynamic bar code, and the use of codes which will have any desired contribution to the check sum, it should be recognized that corresponding codes may be generated for a shift right to advance dynamic bar code instead of the shift left to advance dynamic bar code hereinbefore described. Obviously also if one desired, one could readily use a different standard or non-standard bar code, a longer dynamic bar, etc., as desired. In addition, it should be recognized that while the embodiment disclosed herein shifts the variable bar code one bar code digit for each advance in count, other shifts may also be used which in turn can provide counts above 65, if desired. By way of example, if the shift is equal to (or greater than) the number of bar code digits displayed in the variable code, each display may be independent of any preceding or succeeding display, limited only by the fixed check sum. By way of example, for the five digit variable bar code display of the embodiment disclosed herein, if the band was advanced five bar code positions for each new count, each new count could be independent of the preceding and succeeding count, allowing a full 100,000 combinations for the displayable code. Assuming the check sum is part of the fixed code, only 10,000 of these 100,000 combinations would satisfy the check sum requirement, the other 90,000 satisfying the other nine possible check sum components. Also, while the check sum itself might be made to be part of the variable bar code, a total variable code of five would then have only four digits plus the check sum, the four digits then only giving 10,000 combinations. Accordingly, with such an arrangement, the same number of variable bar code digits results in the same number of total combinations regardless of whether the check sum is one of the variable bar code elements .

Other shifts between one bar code position and the number of bar code positions equal to the number of variable bar code digits may also be used. By way of example, if for the five digit variable bar code shown herein the band was advanced two bar code positions for each advance in count, additional combinations of 65 are possible. By way of example, if one chose to start with the first code of Table 1 (10009) , the next count after two shifts might be the third code shown, namely, 00972, etc., preceding through all of the odd numbers to 65 of Table 1. The next shift of two might for instance bring up the first even code, namely, 00097 progressing therefrom through the even codes to 64 of Table 1, namely, 83100. The next shift of two will bring up the first three digits of the first code of the Table, namely, 100. The last two digits, however, depend on the bar code on the band and are not otherwise predetermined, but rather may be selected as required to have the same check sum component as the 97. Nine other combinations of two digits meet this requirement, specifically, 00, 71, 42, 13, 84, 55, 26, 68 and 39, none of which together with the preceding 000 provide five digit codes already used in the 65 shown in Table 1. Accordingly, nine additional Tables similar to Table 1 may be created by shift of two bar code digits rather than one and concatenated with Table I, yielding 650 combinations for a shift of two rather than the 65 for a shift of one. These additional codes however, achieved by shifts greater than one bar code position, do require a correspondingly longer band, not conveniently used with a video cassette, though usable in other applications where space is less limited and higher counts are desired. Whatever choice is made, such incrementing bar codes may be scanned by existing store check stand equipment and interpreted with appropriate software to generate store reports to chain store offices or reports to licensing agents. Information from the store check stand equipment may also be relayed to a licensing agent or chain store office for verification and tracking of rentals via modem or otherwise.

Reports based on the present invention may well form the basis for license agreements between distributors and renters which rely on a number of actual uses a rental item receives in determining license consideration. This has the advantage of potentially substantially reducing the initial cost of cassettes to a rental outlet, while at the same time insuring distributors of as much or even more income over the life of the property as the total rentals thereof continue to accumulate. Such reports also may provide a useful tool to help store owners insure the honesty of their employees.

Now referring to Figures 7 and 8, an alternate form of tape which may be used for the present invention may be seen,. In particular, while the principles of the dynamic bar code of the present invention have been disclosed and described with respect to an opaque tape having in essence black and white lines thereon, a transparent tape, appropriately marked, may also be used. One form of such tape may be seen in the illustration of Figure 7, which is a schematic side view of the oppositely moving two layers of transparent tape 112 and 92, as the same would be viewable through the window 28 by bar code scanner. In that regard, it should be noted that in the description to follow, it is presumed that the tape portion of 112 is closest to the bar code scanner so that using the orientation of Figure 7, the scanner is effectively looking upward toward tape segment 112, and where the same is clear, will see through the same and into tape segment 92. Obviously, also the two tape segments 112 and 92 "advance" in opposite directions 104 and 86 as shown. In this embodiment, the outer surface of the tape is patterned first with a predetermined pattern of white bar code lines, and then patterned thereover with a second predetermined pattern of black bar code lines. Thus, in Figure 7 for instance, lines 94, 84, 88, 108 and 102 are white, and lines 98, 82, 90, 110, 106 and 100 are black. Consequently, when a section of tape is being viewed from the patterned surface, the tape will appear black in those regions where the local pattern portion is black, regardless of what is thereunder. In regions where there is no black pattern portion, the same will appear white if there is a white pattern portion thereon, or alternatively, if there is no white pattern portion then one will see through the tape segment through the oppositely disposed tape segment, to see first any white pattern portion thereon, and if none exists, then any black pattern portion thereon. Thus, in regions of a tape having both the white pattern portion and the black pattern portion thereon, when viewed from the front the same pattern portion will appear black, though when viewable from the back, the same will appear white.

Using the foregoing tape, a segment thereof as viewed through the window 28 may be seen in Figure 8. The tape, being accurately indexed by the sprocket holes 134, will present the various viewable portions as follows. Regions 114, 122 and 130 will appear opaque white to a bar code scanner by viewing from the back, the indicator band segment which is away from the bar code scanner. Region 120 will appear opaque white to a bar code scanner, again from the indicator band segment which is away from the bar code scanner. Regions 116, 124 and 128 will appear black to a bar code scanner from the black markings on the indicator band segment closest to the bar code scanner. Regions 118 and 126 will appear opaque white to a bar code scanner, again from the markings on the indicator band segment closest to the bar code scanner. Regions 121 and 132 will appear black to a bar code scanner from the markings on the indicator band segment away from the bar code scanner.

The second preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 10 through 17 mounts into the back spine 200 of a standard VCR tape cartridge (the side opposite where the tape is deployed to the VCR record/play heads) . A tracking arm 202, tensioned by a spring 206, follows the outer diameter of the VCR tape as it is wound around the central spindle 204 of the VCR cartridge tape-up reel 205 during the VCR's play or fast forward cycles. This tape buildup causes outward movement 208 of the tracking arm 202 which results in movement 210 of a ratcheting paw 212 which is engaged to a drive gear 214 during outward movement 208 of the tracking arm 202.

In summary, as the tape tracking arm 202 moves outward 208 the ratcheting pawl 212 causes the drive gear 214 to rotate 210. This in turn causes relative movement of an indicating tape 216 engaged with sprocket holes 220 to sprocket teeth on a drive spool 218 which is concentric to, and integrated with, the ratcheting pawl drive gear 214. A second drive gear 222 is also concentric to and integrated with the drive spool 218 on the opposite end of the drive spool 218 to the ratcheting pawl drive gear 214. This second drive gear 222 is engaged against an offsetting cam 224.

As the second drive gear 222 rotates 230 because of tape tracking arm 202 movement 208, the offsetting cam 224 causes linear movement 226 which equates the amount of indicating tape 216 unwound by 1 degree of drive spool 218 rotation 230 to the amount of linear movement 226 generated by 1 degree of second drive gear 22 movement against the offsetting cam 224. This in turn results in no apparent movement of the deployed indicating tape 216 relative to the offsetting cam 224, The action produced is similar to that generated by a tractor tread being rolled onto a roadway, with the tread's drive wheel rotation being exactly offset by the tractor's forward movement resulting in no apparent movement of the tread relative to the roadway.

The second drive gear 222 moves in this tractor tread like fashion until the second drive gear 222 reaches the peak 228 of the offsetting cam 224 at which point, propelled by tension on the indicating tape 216 caused by a tensioning arm 232, the second drive gear 222 suddenly moves down the advancing side 234 of the offsetting cam 224 causing sudden indicating tape movement relative to the offsetting cam 22 .

The tracking arm 202 is pivoted accentric to the drive spool 218 which allows the ratcheting pawl 212 to disengage from the ratcheting pawl drive gear 214 after the counter has advanced.

The indicating tape 216 is formed into a continuous loop which tracks against: the drive spool 218, the tensioning arm 232 and the display backup plate 236. The display backup plate 236 causes the indicating tape 216 to track flat, parallel, and in close proximity to a clear display lens 237. During all portions of the counter's advancement, the display lens 237 is stationary relative to the offsetting cam 224. This results in the forward face of the indicating tape 216 having no movement relative to the display lens 237 until the second drive gear 222 has advanced over the peak 228 of the offsetting cam 224. Figures 16 through 18 show the counter in 3 stages of its advancement, and indicate how a point on the indicating tape 238 doesn't move relative to a point 240 on the display lens 237 until the counter suddenly advances.

The clear display lens 237 may be imprinted with opaque areas as well as opaque indicia. The indicating tape 216 is imprinted with indicia which mimic one or more accepted bar code symbologies when viewed in conjunction with, and through, the display lens 236. A description of how such encoding is accomplished in UPC bar code symbology is contained in this specification.

Each time the VCR cassette is played, the tape-up reel 205 is filled with tape which causes the tracking arm 202 to move outwardly 208 and advance the counter as just described.

Rewinding the VCF cassette causes the spring 206 tensioned tracking arm 202 to move inwardly which results in the ratcheting paw 212 freely ratcheting over the first drive gear 214 and resetting the counter.

The third preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 16 through 18 is similar to the second preferred embodiment except that instead of being advanced by a pivoting tracking arm 202, the third preferred embodiment is advanced by a rotating single tooth gear 242. This allows the third preferred embodiment to be used in applications such as automobile odometers, gas and electric meters, and photocopier counters where input is by means of a rotating shaft.

In such applications, each rotation of the shaft causes the single tooth gear 242 to rotate 245 and engage the first tape spindle drive gear 244 and advance it one tooth. This in turn rotates the connected tape spindle 246 which is engaged to the indicating tape 248 by means of sprocket teeth 250. As with the second preferred embodiment, an offsetting am 252 causes the indicating tape 248 to remain stable relative to a clear display lens 254 until the first tape spindle drive gear 244 advances over the peak in the offsetting cam, at which time the counter suddenly advances due to tension on the indicating tape created by tensioning springs 256 pressuring a tensioning spool 258.

Indicia on the indicating tape 248 and clear display lens 254 can be read by standard bar code readers.

Figure 22 shows how several third preferred embodiment type counters can be ganged to produce higher counts than a single counter can produce. In such an arrangement, a toothed belt 260 is engaged to a small pulley 261 attached to the single tooth drive gear 262 on the first counter 263, and to a larger pulley 264 attached a single tooth drive gear 266 on an adjacent second counter 268. The proportion of the small pulley 263 to the larger pulley 264 is chosen so that the larger pulley 264 makes one full rotation for each time the first counter 263 makes one full count cycle. As an example, if the first counter has the ability to display 65 different counts before cycling back to its first count display, the ratio of the circumference of the small pulley 261 to the larger pulley 264 would be 65 to 1, which would result in the second counter 268 advancing one count after the first counter 263 resets to its initial count display.

Obviously the present invention is readily applicable to tape cassettes of any format, as well as any other licensed items where amount of use counters may be applicable or desired. Also, while the present invention as disclosed herein utilizes optical scanning techniques, the same could 29

be scanned in other ways. By way of example, the code strips could be electrically conductive strips scanned by appropriate feelers rather than optically scanned. Also, while the present invention as disclosed herein utilizes the number of plays of the tape as the determining factor to be counted by way of changes in the thickness of the tape wound on the cassette reels, changes in the mechanism could readily be made to respond to such things as total tape moved, total tape moved in a single direction, number of times the tape cover door or reel release latches are activated, number of reversals in tape reel direction, etc.

In the previous description, reference is made to the window region 28 (Figures 1 and 9) through which the dynamic bar code is visible. It should be noted that the word "window" is used in the general sense, and may or may not include a clear member through which the dynamic bar code may be viewed. In that regard, the "window" region through which the bar code is viewed may be defined merely by an appropriate opening in the media carrying the fixed portion of the bar code, with the band carrying the dynamic bar code portion being deflected outward thereunder so as to substantially flush with the media carrying the static bar code, so that the dynamic bar code will be as nearly co- planar with the static bar code as possible. If on the other hand a transparent window is used, the face of the window adjacent the dynamic bar code might, for instance, be frosted to provide a clear image of the dynamic bar thereunder, but to substantially eliminate undesired reflections from the inner surface of the window. Of course these and other variations of the present invention will be readily apparent from the disclosure of a preferred embodiment as provided herein.

One of the advantages of the dynamic bar code of the present invention is that the same provides a clear and definite measure to the store owner and the distributor of a number of plays to which the tape has been subjected, but only in a manner which is substantially unintelligible to a renter so that the renter will not ask for a tape with a low number of plays thereon, etc. In that regard, while the digits themselves are commonly printed immediately beside the bar code representation thereof, this may or may not be done in the dynamic bar code portion as desired. Even if it is done, one would have to know the coding scheme to be able to translate the code to the corresponding number of plays. Thus, the present invention has the added advantage of being intelligible to bar code readers and associated software, and if the numerals themselves are associated with the dynamic bar code, of being intelligible visually to one having access to the code, but at the same time still being unintelligible to a renter and thus not fostering complaints about the number of plays on a tape, etc.

Obviously while the present invention has been disclosed and described herein with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. Apparatus to report uses of a rental item comprising; detection means for affixing to the rental item to detect and store the number of uses of the rental item, display means coupled to said detection means for displaying the number of uses of the rental item in a machine readable form which, when visually perceived by a renter of the rental item, does not convey to the renter knowledge of the number of uses of the rental item indicated by said display means in machine readable form.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said display means is a means for displaying the number of uses of the rental item in a machine readable form having a plurality of unique code presentations, each unique code presentation being readable as a unique number not conveying knowledge of the number of uses of the rental item without translation of that unique code presentation to the actual number of uses of the rental item associated with that unique code presentation.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said rental item is a prerecorded tape cassette.

. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said prerecorded tape cassette is a video tape cassette.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein each unique code presentation is a unique bar code presentation.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each unique bar code presentation is a bar code presentation for a code having a plurality of digits N generatable from the preceding unique bar code presentation by shifting X of the digits closest to a first end of the code toward a second end of the code by Y digit positions, where X plus Y equals N, and placing another digit in each of the Y digit positions closest to a first end of the code, where X plus Y equals N and X and Y are both less than N.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the codes for the unique bar code presentations all have the same contribution to a predetermined check sum.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein Y equals one.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the display means also has associated therewith fixed bar code elements including a check sum readable with the display of the display means in a single pass of a bar code reader.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein Y equals one.

11. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said display means includes a band having thereon bar codes representing a predetermined series of digits, only a portion thereof representing a plurality of digits N being viewable at any one time, each unique bar code presentation being generated from the preceding unique bar code presentation by shifting the viewable portion of the band Y digit positions.

SHEET

12. Apparatus to report plays of a video tape cassette having video tape transferable between a video tape supply reel and a video tape takeup reel disposed in a cassette case comprising; detection means for sensing tape movement to detect and store an indication of the number of plays of the video cassette, display means coupled to said detection means and viewable through the cassette case for displaying the number of uses of the video cassette in a machine readable form which, when visually perceived by a renter of the video cassette, does not convey to the renter knowledge of the number of plays of the video cassette indicated by said display means in machine readable form.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the detection means is a means responsive to the increasing diameter of the tape wound on the video tape take up reel.

1 . The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said display means is a means for displaying the -number of plays of the video cassette in a machine readable form having a plurality of unique code presentations, each unique code presentation being readable as a unique number not conveying knowledge of the number of plays of the video cassette without translation of that unique code presentation to the actual number of plays of the video cassette associated with that unique code presentation.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein each unique code presentation is a unique bar code presentation.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein each unique bar code presentation is a bar code presentation for a code having a plurality of digits N generatable from the preceding unique bar code presentation by shifting X of the digits closest to a first end of the code toward a second end of the code by Y digit positions, where X plus Y equals N, and placing another digit in each of the Y digit positions closest to a first end of the code, where X plus Y equals N and X and Y are both less than N.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the codes for the unique bar code presentations all have the same contribution to a predetermined check sum.

18 The apparatus of claim 17 wherein Y equals one,

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the display means also has associated therewith fixed bar code elements including a check sum readable with the display of the display means in a single pass of a bar code reader.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein Y equals one.

21. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said display means includes a band viewable through the cassette case having thereon bar codes representing a predetermined series of digits, only a portion thereof representing a plurality of digits N being viewable at any one time, each unique bar code presentation being generated from the preceding unique bar code presentation by shifting the viewable portion of the band Y digit positions.

22. A method of licensing a prerecorded video tape cassette to a rental outlet for rental use comprising the steps of:

(a) providing to the rental outlet, the prerecorded video tape cassette having;

(i) detection means for sensing tape movement to

*» detect and store an indication of the number of plays of the video cassette,

(ii) display means coupled to said detection means and viewable through the cassette case for displaying the number of uses of the video cassette in a machine readable form which, when visually perceived by a renter of the video cassette, does not convey to the renter knowledge of the number of plays of the video cassette indicated by said display means in machine readable form.

(b) scanning the display means with an optical scanner from time to time to determine the number of uses of the video cassette.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the display means is a bar code display means for displaying at least a portion of a bar code which varies with the number of plays of the video cassette.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the bar code varies in a manner indicative of digits which must be translated to other digits to determine the number of uses of the video cassette.

36

25. A method of licensing a prerecorded video tape cassette to a rental outlet for rental use comprising the steps of:

(a) providing to the rental outlet for a first charge, the prerecorded video tape cassette having;

(i) detection means for sensing tape movement to detect and store an indication of the number of plays of the video cassette,

(ii) display means coupled to said detection means and viewable through the cassette case for displaying the number of uses of the video cassette in a machine readable form which, when visually perceived by a renter of the video cassette, does not convey to the renter knowledge of the number of plays of the video cassette indicated by said display means in machine readable form,

(b) scanning the display means with an optical scanner from time to time to determine the number of uses of the video cassette,

(c) charging the rental outlet an additional charge based on the number of plays of the video cassette indicated by said display means in step (b) .

26. The method of claim 25 wherein steps (b) and (c) are repeated a number of times, and wherein each successive time, the rental outlet is charged an additional charge based on the increased number of plays of the video cassette indicated by said display means in step (b) over that indicated during the preceding step (b) .

TE SHEET

27. A method of licensing a prerecorded video tape cassette to a rental outlet for rental use comprising the steps of:

(ii) display means coupled to said detection means and viewable through the cassette case for displaying the number of uses of the video cassette in optically scannable form which, when visually perceived by a renter of the video cassette, does not convey to the renter knowledge of the number of plays of the video cassette indicated by said display means in machine readable form, the display means displaying a bar code at least a part of which changes on each play of the video cassette,

28. The method of claim 27 wherein steps (b) and (c) are repeated a number of times, and wherein each successive time, the rental outlet is charged an additional charge based on the increased number of plays of the video cassette indicated by said display means in step (b) over that indicated during the preceding step (b) .

29. A method of licensing a prerecorded video tape cassette to a rental outlet for rental use comprising the steps of:

(ii) display means coupled to said detection means and having a band viewable through the cassette case and having thereon bar codes representing a predetermined series of digits, only a portion thereof representing a plurality of digits N being viewable at any one time, each bar code presentation being unique and generated from the preceding unique bar code presentation by shifting the viewable portion of the band at least one digit position on each play of the video cassette for displaying the number of uses of the video cassette in an optically scannable form which, when visually perceived by a renter of the video cassette, does not convey to the renter knowledge of the number of plays of the video cassette indicated by said display means,

30. The method of claim 29 wherein steps (b) and (c) axe repeated a number of times, and wherein each successive time, the rental outlet is charged an additional charge based on the increased number of plays of the video cassette indicated by said display means in step (b) over that indicated during the preceding step (b) .

31. The method of claim 29 wherein the bar codes displayed by the display means are part of a larger bar code containing fixed bar code portions indicative of the particular cassette and wherein step (b) comprises the step of scanning the entire bar code to determine both the particular cassette being scanned and the number of plays thereon.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein the fixed bar code portions include a predetermined check sum and wherein all of the unique bar code presentations of the display means have the same check sum contribution predetermined in accordance with the fixed bar code and check sum.