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WO1991005349A1 - Appareil et procedes facilitant la location de cassettes a bande, comptabilisant l'utilisation de la bande - Google Patents

Appareil et procedes facilitant la location de cassettes a bande, comptabilisant l'utilisation de la bande Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1991005349A1
WO1991005349A1 PCT/US1990/005717 US9005717W WO9105349A1 WO 1991005349 A1 WO1991005349 A1 WO 1991005349A1 US 9005717 W US9005717 W US 9005717W WO 9105349 A1 WO9105349 A1 WO 9105349A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bar code
cassette
display means
tape
rental
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1990/005717
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Geoffrey M. Nathanson
Alan L. Backus
Original Assignee
Nathanson Geoffrey M
Backus Alan L
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nathanson Geoffrey M, Backus Alan L filed Critical Nathanson Geoffrey M
Publication of WO1991005349A1 publication Critical patent/WO1991005349A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B27/00—Editing; Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Monitoring; Measuring tape travel
    • G11B27/10—Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel
    • G11B27/34—Indicating arrangements 
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F7/00—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus
    • G07F7/06—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles
    • G07F7/069—Mechanisms actuated by objects other than coins to free or to actuate vending, hiring, coin or paper currency dispensing or refunding apparatus by returnable containers, i.e. reverse vending systems in which a user is rewarded for returning a container that serves as a token of value, e.g. bottles by box-like containers, e.g. videocassettes, books
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B15/00—Driving, starting or stopping record carriers of filamentary or web form; Driving both such record carriers and heads; Guiding such record carriers or containers therefor; Control thereof; Control of operating function
    • G11B15/02—Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing
    • G11B15/05—Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing by sensing features present on or derived from record carrier or container
    • G11B15/06—Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing by sensing features present on or derived from record carrier or container by sensing auxiliary features on record carriers or containers, e.g. to stop machine near the end of a tape
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B15/00—Driving, starting or stopping record carriers of filamentary or web form; Driving both such record carriers and heads; Guiding such record carriers or containers therefor; Control thereof; Control of operating function
    • G11B15/02—Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing
    • G11B15/05—Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing by sensing features present on or derived from record carrier or container
    • G11B15/06—Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing by sensing features present on or derived from record carrier or container by sensing auxiliary features on record carriers or containers, e.g. to stop machine near the end of a tape
    • G11B15/07—Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing by sensing features present on or derived from record carrier or container by sensing auxiliary features on record carriers or containers, e.g. to stop machine near the end of a tape on containers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B15/00—Driving, starting or stopping record carriers of filamentary or web form; Driving both such record carriers and heads; Guiding such record carriers or containers therefor; Control thereof; Control of operating function
    • G11B15/02—Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing
    • G11B15/05—Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing by sensing features present on or derived from record carrier or container
    • G11B15/093—Control of operating function, e.g. switching from recording to reproducing by sensing features present on or derived from record carrier or container by sensing driving condition of record carrier, e.g. travel, tape tension
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B23/00—Record carriers not specific to the method of recording or reproducing; Accessories, e.g. containers, specially adapted for co-operation with the recording or reproducing apparatus ; Intermediate mediums; Apparatus or processes specially adapted for their manufacture
    • G11B23/02—Containers; Storing means both adapted to cooperate with the recording or reproducing means
    • G11B23/04—Magazines; Cassettes for webs or filaments
    • G11B23/041—Details
    • G11B23/042—Auxiliary features
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G11—INFORMATION STORAGE
    • G11B—INFORMATION STORAGE BASED ON RELATIVE MOVEMENT BETWEEN RECORD CARRIER AND TRANSDUCER
    • G11B27/00—Editing; Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Monitoring; Measuring tape travel
    • G11B27/10—Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel
    • G11B27/19—Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel by using information detectable on the record carrier
    • G11B27/24—Indexing; Addressing; Timing or synchronising; Measuring tape travel by using information detectable on the record carrier by sensing features on the record carrier other than the transducing track ; sensing signals or marks recorded by another method than the main recording

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of tape cassettes, and more particularly to tape cassettes to facilitate the rental thereof.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • apparatus in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is compatible with current components and methods
  • 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.
  • the preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a reliable evidence of rental item use.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • ratchet wheel 66 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 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • part of the video tape may be played without the band and thus the bar code thereon being advanced.
  • arm 42 is deflected to advance the band one bar code position so as to register the tape play by the advancement thereof.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 _%?'
  • 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.
  • the first, third and fifth digits of the dynamic bar code are odd digits
  • the second and fourth digits are even digits. Accordingly, consider the sequence of numbers in the following 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the five digits will provide 65 unique identifications, all of which have the same zero contribution to the check sum.
  • each display may be independent of any preceding or succeeding display, limited only by the fixed check sum.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 .
  • 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 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.
  • 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.
  • FIG. 7 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.
  • 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.
  • the two tape segments 112 and 92 "advance" in opposite directions 104 and 86 as shown.
  • 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.
  • lines 94, 84, 88, 108 and 102 are white
  • lines 98, 82, 90, 110, 106 and 100 are black.
  • the tape 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the code strips could be electrically conductive strips scanned by appropriate feelers rather than optically scanned.
  • 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.
  • window region 28 ( Figures 1 and 9) through which the dynamic bar code is visible.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

Appareil et procédés facilitant la location de cassettes à bande enregistrée, et notamment faisant état de l'emploi de cassettes a bande vidéo dont la location a été autorisée. Le mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention prévoit un appareil adapté pour insérer une cassette à bande vidéo classique modifiée ou analogue abrégée. Cet appareil comporte un moyen détectant le nombre de fois qu'une cassette à bande vidéo a été utilisée, basé sur les changements de l'épaisseur de la bande enroulée sur une bobine de cassette pendant la lecture de cette dernière. Cet appareil comporte également un moyen enregistrant ces utilisations détectées, et produisant ces informations enregistrées par l'intermédiaire d'une fenêtre affichant un code à barres, lequel peut être lu optiquement. Divers modes de réalisation et procédés de fonctionnement sont également décrits.
PCT/US1990/005717 1989-10-05 1990-10-05 Appareil et procedes facilitant la location de cassettes a bande, comptabilisant l'utilisation de la bande WO1991005349A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US41726889A 1989-10-05 1989-10-05
US417,268 1989-10-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1991005349A1 true WO1991005349A1 (fr) 1991-04-18

Family

ID=23653253

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1990/005717 WO1991005349A1 (fr) 1989-10-05 1990-10-05 Appareil et procedes facilitant la location de cassettes a bande, comptabilisant l'utilisation de la bande

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6548690A (fr)
WO (1) WO1991005349A1 (fr)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3995319A (en) * 1974-12-26 1976-11-30 Action Design Limited Tape recorder cassette adapted to indicate the number of times the tape is played
US4056710A (en) * 1976-04-16 1977-11-01 Coherent Radiation System for decoding bar code
GB2018069A (en) * 1978-03-23 1979-10-10 Kent Ltd G Encoding meter readings
JPS59221881A (ja) * 1983-05-30 1984-12-13 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 磁気記録カセツト
US4802048A (en) * 1986-10-31 1989-01-31 David H. Rubenstein Limited play tape cassette system
JPH01205176A (ja) * 1988-02-12 1989-08-17 Nec Corp 消耗品カートリッジ及び消耗品カートリッジを用いる像形成装置

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3995319A (en) * 1974-12-26 1976-11-30 Action Design Limited Tape recorder cassette adapted to indicate the number of times the tape is played
US4056710A (en) * 1976-04-16 1977-11-01 Coherent Radiation System for decoding bar code
GB2018069A (en) * 1978-03-23 1979-10-10 Kent Ltd G Encoding meter readings
JPS59221881A (ja) * 1983-05-30 1984-12-13 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 磁気記録カセツト
US4802048A (en) * 1986-10-31 1989-01-31 David H. Rubenstein Limited play tape cassette system
JPH01205176A (ja) * 1988-02-12 1989-08-17 Nec Corp 消耗品カートリッジ及び消耗品カートリッジを用いる像形成装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU6548690A (en) 1991-04-28

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