Apparatus and methods for distribution of media

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to distribution systems and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods for the controlled distribution of media.

2. Description of the Related Art:

Libraries, retail stores, and rental stores suffer perniciously from theft of media such as VHS movies, books on tape, DVD's, and CD's. Typically, libraries, retail stores, and rental stores allow patrons to roam about freely and handle the media before paying for the media or otherwise properly discharging the media, for example, at a checkout desk. In a typical setting, after locating specific media that the patron desires, the patron carries the media to a checkout desk for discharge, usually by presenting payment and/or a card such as a movie rental card or library card. A thief may pilfer the media simply by passing the checkout desk and walking out the door with the media.

Keeping media under lock and key usually requires that a clerk or other attendant accompany the patron to the location of the specific media selected by the patron to open the lock to release the media to the patron. Accordingly, keeping media under lock and key could be rather cumbersome and labor intensive. The patron would still need to discharge the media at the checkout desk. A thief could still maneuver past the checkout desk with the media.

Various theft detection devices have been installed at the exits of libraries, retail stores, and rental stores to detect theft by detecting media and other items that have not been properly discharged. However, these theft detection devices are often easily defeated, and, accordingly, may fail to curb losses due to theft.

Security cases have been developed to contain media, and the security cases containing the media are typically shelved. The patron usually carries the security case containing the media to the checkout desk where an attendant releases the media from the security case to the patron. However, the thief may simply pocket the security case containing the media and bypass the checkout desk, and, when convenient, simply break open the security case and remove the media.

Vending machines have also been developed to dispense media to patrons. However, these machines may hold only a limited amount of media so that multiple vending machines would probably be required to hold the larger collections typical of a libraries, retail store, and rental store settings. The patron must locate the vending machine holding the media that the patron desires from amongst a plurality of vending machines, which may be difficult. Vending machines may serve only one patron at a time, may make browsing the information displayed on the media and otherwise examining the media difficult if not impossible, and may be otherwise uncongenial to the patron. Vending machines may present restocking and inventory management problems. Also, vending machines may be complex, expensive to purchase, and expensive and difficult to maintain.

Therefore, a need exists for apparatus and methods that may secure media in, for example, libraries, retail stores, and rental stores until the media is properly discharged to the patron, while allowing the patron to browse the media and locate specific media that the patron may wish to obtain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS

Apparatus and methods in accordance with the present inventions may resolve many of the needs and shortcomings discussed above and will provide additional improvements and advantages that may be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure.

The distribution apparatus in accordance with the present inventions may include a media, and the media may be selected by a patron. The media may be releasably retained in a compartment. A lock interface may be in communication with the compartment. The distribution apparatus may include a distribution manager. The distribution manager may issue a key to the patron. The key may be configured by the distribution manager to cause the lock interface to release the media from the compartment when the key is presented to the lock interface by the patron.

Methods in accordance with the present inventions may include providing media, a compartment, and a distribution manager. The methods include containing releasably the media in the compartment. The methods may further include providing a lock interface generally proximate the compartment, the lock interface adapted to cause the compartment to release the media when a key is presented to the lock interface. The methods may continue with the distribution manager issuing a key configured to cause the lock interface to release the media upon presentation to the lock interface. The patron may then present the key to the lock interface, the lock interface may then release the media from the compartment, and the patron may then remove the media from the compartment.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary distribution apparatus in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 1B illustrates a schematic view of another exemplary distribution apparatus in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary integrated rack in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary integrated rack in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective view of portions of an exemplary integrated rack in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 3C illustrates another perspective view of an exemplary integrated rack in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary compartment in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 4B illustrates a cut-away side view of an exemplary compartment in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 4C illustrates a front view of an exemplary compartment in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 4D illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary rack control unit in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary media in accordance with aspects of the present inventions;

FIG. 5B illustrates a schematic view of an exemplary key in accordance with aspects of the present inventions; and,

FIG. 6 illustrates by flow chart an exemplary distribution apparatus in accordance with aspects of the present inventions.

All Figures are illustrated for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the Figures with respect to number, position, relationship and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific force, weight, strength, and similar requirements for various applications will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following description has been read and understood.

Where used in various Figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “forward,” “rear,” “first,” “second,” “inside,” “outside,” “front,” “back,” and similar terms are used, the terms should be understood to reference only the structure shown in the drawings and utilized only to facilitate describing the illustrated embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS

The present inventions provide distribution apparatus 10 and associated methods for the storage and dispensing of media 60 including, for example, recoded media such as DVD's containing movies, music, and games from a loaning institution, a rental outlet, or retail sales outlet. Other media 60 may be dispensed from various inventories including various retail and rental settings and libraries by the distribution apparatus 10 and the associated methods.

The distribution apparatus 10 is typically configured as a distribution manager 100 and an integrated rack 20. The integrated rack 20 may include at least one lock interface 130 and one or more compartments 40. At least one media 60 may be releasably retained in at least one of the one or more compartments 40. The one or more compartments 40 may be in communication with at least one lock interface 130. A patron 200 may be validated by the distribution manager 100, for example, by producing identification such as a library card or by making a payment. The distribution manager 100 may then issue a key 140 to the patron 200 for the compartment 40 that contains the media 60, and the distribution manager 100 may communicate an authorization 148 to the lock interface 130 to release the media 60 from the compartment 40 when the key 140 is presented to the lock interface 130. The key 140 is typically configured for one time use. The patron 200 may then present the key 140 to the lock interface 130 associated with the compartment 40 that contains the media 60. Upon presentation of the key 140, the lock interface 130 may then release the media 60 from the compartment 40 to the patron 200. The patron 200 may obtain a plurality of keys 140 from the distribution manager 100 and, accordingly, may obtain a plurality of media 60 from a plurality of compartments 40 in one or more integrated racks 20.

The distribution manager 100 includes an I/O interface 104. The patron 200 may interact with the distribution manager 100 through the I/O interface 104, for example, to be validated, to locate specific media 60, and to receive the key 140. In various aspects, the I/O interface 104 and the integrated rack 20 that includes the compartments 40 may be generally disposed about a first geographic location 106 such as within a retail store or within a library complex. For example, the I/O interface 104 may be located near the entrance to the retail store or to the library complex, and the compartments 40 disposed throughout the retail store or throughout the library complex in one or more integrated racks 20. In some aspects, a plurality of I/O interfaces 104 may be provided.

In some aspects, the I/O interface 104 may be located at a second geographic location 108 that is geographically distinct from the first geographic location 106. The integrated rack 20 that includes the compartment 40 containing the media 60 is located at the first geographic location 106. For example, the second geographic 108 may be the patron's 200 home, with the first geographic location 106 being within a shopping mall or other such publicly accessible space.

In some aspects, the distribution manager 100 may be in electronic communication with a database 80. Aspects of the present inventions may utilize the database 80 to control inventory and to provide information needed to direct patrons 200 to compartment 40 that contains specific media 60. Various aspects of the present inventions may communicate, at least in part, via the Internet.

The Figures generally illustrate exemplary embodiments of distribution apparatus 10 in accordance with aspects of the present inventions. The particularly illustrated embodiments of the distribution apparatus 10 have been chosen for ease of explanation and understanding of various aspects of the present inventions. These illustrated embodiments are not meant to limit the scope of coverage but, instead, to assist in understanding the context of the language used in this specification and in the appended claims. Accordingly, the appended claims may encompass variations of the present inventions that differ from the illustrated embodiments.

The media 60 in accordance with the present invention may include a CD, a VHS tape, a phonograph record, a DVD, and similar recorded materials as would be sold at retail, rented from a commercial rental establishment, or lent from a library. In some aspects, the media 60 in accordance with the present inventions may include a book and other printed materials as would circulate from a library, and may include other media as would be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of this disclosure. The media 60 could, in various aspects, include groups of media such as a collection of CD's, a multi-volume sets of tapes, and other grouping, aggregations, and pluralities of media, as would be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of this disclosure. In certain aspects, media 60 would also include the case, jacket, box, or other container that contains the CD, VHS tape, phonograph record, DVD, book, and similar materials. In some aspects, the media 60 may be configured to define a front 62, a back 64, and a spine 66. In some aspects, the media 60 may be configured to include written, graphical, or other visual information that may be examined by the patron 200 on the front 62, back 64, or spine 66. In some aspects the media 60 may be configured to include Braille or similar forms of information on the front 62, the back 64, or the spine 66.

The integrated rack 20 in accordance with the present inventions includes a plurality of compartments 40, a rack control unit 30, and a lock interface 130. Each compartment 40 in the plurality of compartments 40 may releasably retain the media 60. The rack control unit 30 is in communication with each compartment 40 in the plurality of compartments 40 and may also be in communication with one or more lock interfaces 130. The rack control unit 30 may be configured to independently release media 60 from an individual compartment 40 when a patron 200 presents the key 140 to the lock interface 130. In some aspects, the rack control unit 30 may be in communication with the distribution manager 100 so that the key 140 issued to the patron 200 by the distribution manager 100 may be enabled to release media 60 from a specified compartment 40.

The rack control unit 30 may communicate with the one or more compartments 40 in the integrated rack 20 to allow media 60 to be placed in one or more compartments 40 in the integrated rack 20. This allows the one or more compartments 40 to be restocked. The rack control unit 30 may communicate with the one or more compartments 40 in the integrated rack 20 to independently release the media 60 from the specific compartment 40 to the patron 200 upon presentation of the key 140 to the lock interface 130 by the patron 200. The rack control unit 30 may communicate with the compartment 40, in some aspects, by various mechanisms such as the mechanical movement of the detent 44 to release the media 60 from the compartment 40. The rack control unit 30 may communicate with the compartment 40, in some aspects, electromechanically such as the movement of a detent 44 by activation of a solenoid 45 to release the media 60 from the compartment 40. The lock interface 130 may communicate with the compartment 40 in various other mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical ways in order to secure the media 60 in the compartment 40 and to individually release the media 60 from the specific compartment 40 to the patron 200.

The rack control unit 30 may be configured in some aspects to monitor the status of the compartments 40 such as, for example, whether the compartment 40 contains media 60 or whether the media 60 has been released from the compartment 40 to the patron 200. In some aspects, the compartments 40 may include a detector configured to determine the identity of the media 60 secured within the compartment 40. The detector may be in communication with the rack control unit 30 so that the rack control unit 30 may identify the media 60 secured within the compartment 40. The detector may be, for example, adapted to read a bar code configured onto the media 60 or to read an RFID attached to the media 60. In some aspects, the detector may be otherwise configured to communicate the identity of the media 60 secured within the compartment 40 to the database 80 and/or to the distribution manager 100. The rack control unit 30 may be further configured to communicate with a database 80 in order to communicate the status of the compartments 40 in the integrated rack 20 to the database 80 or to communicate the identity of the media 60 secured within the compartments 40 in the integrated rack 20 to the database 80. In various aspects, the rack control unit 30 may communicate with the database 80 or with the distribution manager 100 by network 120. Network 120 in the context of the present inventions includes communication busses, local area networks, telecommunication networks, the Internet, various other communication networks, and combinations thereof. In various aspects, the network 120 may include communication over cable, fiberoptic cable, optical communication such as IrDA, wireless communication, and cellular telephone communication. Various protocols such as USB, Ethernet, wireless protocols such as Bluetooth®, and cellular telephone networks and protocols such as CDMA and combinations thereof, as well as other networks and combinations of networks, wired and wireless carriers, and communication protocols as would be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of this disclosure.

The lock interface 130 is configured to communicate with the rack control unit 30 to retain the media 60 in the compartment 40 and to release the media 60 from the compartment 40. The lock interface 130 may be positioned generally proximate the compartments 40 of the plurality of integrated racks 20. The lock interface 130 may communicate information to the rack control unit 30 to indicate to the rack control unit 30 to release the media 60 to a patron 200. The lock interface 130 is typically located proximate the compartments 40 of the integrated rack 20. In various aspects, a plurality of lock interfaces 130 may be provided with the integrated rack 20, each lock interface 130 of the plurality of lock interfaces 130 in communication with the rack control unit 30. In some aspects, a lock interface 130 may communicate with a plurality of rack control units 30 in a plurality of integrated racks 20. In some aspects, a plurality of lock interfaces 130 may be provided, each lock interface 130 configured to communicate with a plurality of rack control units 30 in a plurality of integrated racks 20.

The key 140 is generally configured to communicate with the lock interface 130 to instruct the lock interface 130 to release the media 60 from the compartment 40 to the patron 200. The key 140, in some aspects, may be configured for one time use by the patron 200. In other aspects, the key 140 may be configured as a generally permanent card such as a library card that is enabled for one time release of the media 60 from a specific compartment 40. In various aspects, the key 140 may be configured as a paper and/or plastic card, the key 140 may be a paper sheet or strip, or a plastic sheet or strip. The key 140 may include a bar code, a magnetic strip, RFID, biometric, other embedded coding. In some aspects, the key 140 may be configured as a smartcard. In some aspects, the key 140 may be virtual such as an alphanumeric code to be entered at the lock interface 130 by the patron 200, for example, through an alphanumeric keypad provided at the lock interface 130. In some aspects, the distribution manager 100 may issue the key 140 in the form of a bar code printed onto a sheet or strip of paper, for example, by an I/O interface 104 configured as a networked computer located at the second geographic location 108.

The key 140 may include key information 144 in, for example, bar code, magnetic strip, or RFID adapted into the key 140. The key information 144 may identify the key 140 to the rack control unit 30. The key information 144 may direct the rack control unit 30 to release media 60 from a specific compartment 40. In some aspects, the key 140 may also contain key information 144 in various forms readable by the patron 200 to direct the patron 200 to the compartment 40 containing the media 60 and/or to the integrated rack 20 that includes the compartment 40 containing the media 60. In various aspects, the key 140 may be configured to release a plurality of media 60 from a plurality of compartments 40 which may be disposed about a plurality of integrated racks 20.

The lock interface 130 is configured to communicate with the key 140 to release the media 60 from the compartment 40 upon presentation of the key 140 to the lock interface 130. The lock interface 130 may include a bar code reader, magnetic strip reader, RF device, biometric input, alphanumeric keypad, or other readers and input devices configured to receive key information 144 from the key 140. In various aspects, the lock interface 130 may access key information 144 on the key 140 and communicate the key information 144 to the rack control unit 30. The rack control unit 30 may then, in some aspects, correlate the key information 144 with an authorization 148 in order to selectively release media 60 from one or more compartments 40. In some aspects, the authorization 148 may be communicated to the rack control unit 30 from the distribution manager 100 by network 120 to authorize the rack control unit 30 to selectively release media 60 from one or more specified compartments 40 in response to the key information 144. In other aspects, the authorization 148 could be incorporated in the key information 144 to authorize the rack control unit 30 to selectively release media 60 from one or more specified compartments 40.

The compartment 40 may be independently lockable and releaseable to securably retain at least one media 60 and to release the at least one media 60 as communicated by the lock interface 130 through the rack control unit 30. The compartment 40 includes a compartment body 52, and the compartment body 52 is secured within the integrated rack 20 in some embodiments by an axis 54. The compartment body 52 may be of a generally unitary construction. The compartment 40 including the compartment body 52 is generally configured to be generally tamper-proof to prevent theft. The compartment body 52 may be constructed of various plastics such as ABS or polycarbonate, metals, and other materials and combinations of materials as would be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of this disclosure.

The compartment 40, in some aspects, may be configured to securably and slideably receive the media 60. For example, the compartment 40 may be configured as a case that the media 60 may slide into and be secured within by a detent 44 placed in a locked position 46. The detent 44 may then be placed in a released position 48 by the rack control unit 30 so that the media 60 may be removed by the patron 200 by, for example, sliding the media 60 from the compartment 40.

In some aspects, the compartment 40 may be configured to permit one or more portions of the stored media 60 to be examined by the patron 200. For example, in certain aspects, the compartments 40 may be configured to allow examination of visual or tactile material such as the title configured onto the spine 66 of the media 60. In certain aspects, the compartments 40 may be adapted to allow examination of visual or tactile material on the front 62 of the media 60. In certain aspects, the compartments 40 may be adapted to allow examination of visual or tactile material on the back 64 of the media 60. In certain aspects, the compartments 40 may be adapted to allow examination of visual or tactile material on various combinations of the front 62, the back 64, and the spine 66 of the media 60. In various aspects, the compartment 40 may be configured to include gaps, holes, generally transparent portions, and may be otherwise configured to allow a purchaser to examine the media 60 within the compartment 40 prior to release of the media 60 from the compartment 40. This may allow the purchaser to examine various media 60 in order to select a particular media 60 for purchase. In some aspects, the compartment body 52 may generally define a compartment front 93, a compartment back 95, and a compartment side 97, and may be configured to define a compartment window 43 in the compartment front 93, compartment back 95, and compartment side 97 to allow examination of the front 62, back 64, and spine 66, respectively, of the media 60 retained within the compartment 40. In some aspects, the compartment 40 may include a compartment identification 42 unique to that compartment 40 to allow the patron 200 to identify a particular compartment 40 that contains a particular media 60 selected by the patron 200.

In various aspects, the compartment 40 may be configured as a packaging secured about the media 60 with the packaging releasably securably retained by the detent 44. The packaging may be generally tamper resistant in some aspects. In some aspects, the media 60 may be secured to the detent 44 by various ligatures. The compartment 40 may releasably secure the media 60 in various other ways as would be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of this disclosure.

In some aspects, a plurality of compartments 40 may be aggregated into the integrated rack 20. For example, the compartments 40 in the plurality of compartments 40 may be configured as a series of cases, with each compartment 40 pivotable about an axis 54 to allow viewing of the media 60, and the media 60 releasably secured within the compartments 40 by detents 44. In various aspects the plurality of compartments 40 may be stackable and modular so that an integrated rack 20 may be expanded by adding an additional compartment 40 or aggregation of compartments 40. The compartments 40 may be aggregated into the integrated rack 20 in various ways as would be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of this disclosure.

Distribution apparatus 10 according to the present inventions may also include a distribution manager 100 that manages the distribution of media 60 to patrons 200 from the distribution apparatus 10. In various aspects, the distribution manager may validate the patron 200 to receive media 60, accept selections of specific media 60 from the patron 200, and issue the key 140 to the specific compartment containing the specific media 60 to the patron 200. The distribution manager 100 may communicate with various components of the distribution apparatus 10 including a database 80 and the integrated rack 20 in order to manage the distribution of media 60 to patrons 200. In various aspects, the distribution manager 100 may communicate, at least in part, by network 120 with other components of the distribution apparatus 10. In some aspects, the distribution apparatus 10 may communicate an authorization 148 to the rack control unit 30 to release media 60 from the compartment 40 upon presentation of the key 140 at the lock interface 130 of the integrated rack 20. In some aspects, the distribution manager 100 may communicate with the database 80, for example, to validate the patron 200, to determine the availability of various media 60, and to locate the specific compartment 40 that contains specific media 60.

The distribution manager 100 typically includes an I/O interface 104 for communicating with the patron 200 including validating the patron 200, accepting selections of media 60 from the patron 200, and issuing the key 140 to the patron 200. The I/O interface 104 may include input devices such as, for example, keyboard, mouse, scanner, and various readers such as bar code readers and magnetic strip readers to allow the patron 200 to communicate with the distribution manager 100. The I/O interface 104 may include output devices such as, for example, displays and printers to allow the distribution manager 100 to communicate with the patron 200 and to issue the key 140 to the patron 200. The I/O interface 104 may be, at least in part, a graphical user interface. In various aspects, the I/O interface 104 may include a smart terminal, a dumb terminal, networked computer, telephonic display, or similar communication facility through which the patron 200 and the distribution manager 100 may communicate.

In various aspects, the I/O interface 104 may communicate with portions of the distribution manager 100 by network 120. In some aspects, the I/O interface 104 may be provided, for example, in the first geographic location 106 with the integrated rack 20 also located generally in the first geographic location 106. For example, the I/O interface 104 may be provided in a retail store or in a library complex and the integrated rack 20 also located in the same retail store or library complex. In other aspects, the I/O interface 104 may be, for example, a computer located at the second geographic location 108 adapted to allow the patron 200 to communicate with portions of the distribution manager 100 over network 120. In some aspects, the patron 200 and the I/O interface 104 may communicate directly by the patron 200 interacting directly with the I/O interface. In other aspects, the patron 200 and the I/O interface 104 may communicate through an intermediary such as a sales clerk or a librarian.

In some aspects, the patron 200 may present identification to the distribution manager 100 to be validated to receive media 60. The identification may be, for example, a library card, employee identification card, or movie rental card. In other aspects, the distribution manager 100 may be configured to accept payment in the form of cash, credit card, or debit card, for example, to validate the patron 200 to receive media 60.

The distribution manager 100 may then allow the patron 200 to select specific media 60 that the patron 200 wishes to obtain. In various embodiments, the distribution manager 100 may indicate the media 60 that are available and may then allow the patron 200 to select specific media 60 from the available media 60. In various aspects, the distribution manager 100 may indicate the compartment 40 that contains specific media 60 desired by the patron 200. In various aspects, the distribution manager 100 may allow browsing of the available media 60 and selection of specific media 60 from the available media 60. In various aspects, the patron 200 may browse the compartments 40 to select media 60, may identify the compartment 40 containing the selected media 60 by, for example, the compartment identification 42. The patron 200 may then communicate the compartment identification 42 to the distribution manager 100. The distribution manager 100 may then issue the key 140 to the patron 200 to allow the patron 200 to obtain the selected media 60 from the identified compartment 40.

In various aspects, the distribution manager 100 may communicate with the rack control unit 30 and/or the database 80 to, inter alia, ascertain the availability of the media 60 or to authorize the release of the media 60. The distribution manager 100, in various aspects, may allow a patron 200 to put various restrictions on access to the media 60. For example, in a library configuration, a patron 200 may put specific media 60 on reserve so that the specific media 60 may only be released for specified periods of time. As a further example, the distribution manager 100 may allow the patron 200 to put a hold on a specific media 60 so that only the patron 200 or other patrons 200 designated by the patron 200 may access the specific media 60.

The distribution manager 100 may then issue the key 140 to the patron 200 to release the media 60 from the compartment 40. The distribution manager 100 may embed key information 144 into the key 140. The distribution manager 100 may generate an authorization 148 to release specific media 60 from a specific compartment 40. In some aspects, the distribution manager 100 may communicate the authorization 148 to the rack control unit 30 to authorize the key 140 to release the media 60 from the compartment 40 via network 120. In other aspects, the distribution manager 100 may include the authorization 148 to release the media 60 from the compartment 40 as part of the key information 144 included on the key 140.

Aspects of the present invention may also include the database 80. The database 80 may interact with the integrated rack 20 and with the distribution manager 100. In various aspects, the database 80 may catalogue the media 60 by, for example, title, author, performer, or version. In various aspects, the database 80 may track the location of media 60 including the location of the compartment 40 and the integrated rack 20 containing the media 60. Accordingly the media 60 may be placed in the compartments 40 in an ordered configuration or in a random configuration as the media 60 may be located through the database 80 no matter how the media 60 is disposed among the compartments 40. The ability to randomly dispose the media 60 among the compartments 40 may make stocking or reshelving more efficient. The database 80 may track the status of the media 60, such as whether the media 60 is available, whether a hold has been put on the media 60, whether the media 60 has been put on reserve, whether the key 140 has been issued to the patron 200 to receive the media 60, and if the patron 200 has used the key 140 to remove the media 60 from the integrated rack 20. The database 80 may, in various embodiments, track the identity of the patron 200 who receives media 60, the time and date that the media 60 is received, time and date that the patron 200 returns the media 60, and overdue media 60. Fines associated with, for example, the failure to return media 60 in a timely fashion may be tracked by the database 80, and patrons 200 who owe fines may be flagged to the distribution manager 100 in various aspects.

In various aspects, the database 80 may include a list of patrons 200 allowed to receive media 60. For example, if the patron 200 presents identification to the distribution manager 100 to be validated to receive media 60, the distribution manager 100 may query the database 80 to determine whether or not the patron 200 is on the list of patrons 200 allowed to receive media 60. If the patron 200 is on the list of patrons 200 allowed to receive media 60, the patron 200 is validated by the distribution manager 100 and the distribution manager 100 may then issue the key 140 to the patron 200. If the patron 200 is not on the list of patrons 200 allowed to receive media 60, the patron 200 would not be validated by the distribution manager 100, and a key 140 would not be issued to the patron 200.

The database 80, in various aspects, may include key information 144 and the corresponding compartments 40 to be released by the key information 144. Upon presentation of the key 140, the rack control unit 30 may then query the database 80 to determine the corresponding compartment 40 to release the media 60 from.

In various aspects, at least portions of the distribution apparatus 10 such as the database 80 and the distribution manager 100 may be adapted to communicate with various software systems such as, for example, library management software systems, inventory support software systems, accounting software systems, business management software systems, retail sales support software systems, and other software systems as would be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of this disclosure. The database 80, in various aspects, could be configured to conduct various statistical analyses and to track various other parameters as would be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of this disclosure.

Also, as would be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of this disclosure, in various aspects, the database 80 may be supported by one or more computer systems that may be in electronic communication with at least the distribution manager 100 and the integrated rack 20. Assorted components such computers, software, processors, memories, storage devices, routers, communication interfaces, and networks 120 may be included in the distribution manager 100, in the integrated rack 20 including the lock interface 130 and the rack control unit 30, and otherwise variously disposed about the distribution apparatus 10 according to the present inventions in various aspects, as would be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of this disclosure.

In operation, the patron 200 is validated by the distribution manager 100. The patron 200 selects media 60, communicates the selection to the distribution manager 100, and is issued a key 140 by the distribution manager 100. The patron 200 may then present the key 140 to the lock interface 130 adapted to the integrated rack 20 with the compartment 40 containing the selected media 60. The lock interface 130 is in communication with the rack control unit 30 so that presentation of the key 140 to the lock interface 130 causes the rack control unit 30 to release the selected media 60 from the compartment 40. The patron 200 may then remove the selected media 60 from the compartment 40. The integrated rack 20 and the distribution manager 100 may be in communication by network 120 and may also be in communication with the database 80. An authorization 148 to release media 60 from a specific compartment 40 upon presentation of a particular key 140 may be transmitted by network 120 from the distribution manager 100 to the integrated rack 20. The distribution manager 100 and the integrated rack 20 may communicate with the database 80 for, inter alia, the purposes of patron 200 validation, obtaining the authorization 148 for the release of media 60, cataloging media 60, tracking the status of media 60, and tracking patrons 200.

Particular embodiments of distribution apparatus 10 and methods according to the present inventions are illustrated in the following Figures. FIG. 1A illustrates by block diagram an embodiment of the distribution apparatus 10 according to the present inventions. In FIG. 1A, the distribution apparatus 10 is illustrated as including the distribution manager 100, the database 80, and the integrated rack 20. The integrated rack 20, the database 80, and the distribution manager 100 may be in communication by network 120, as illustrated. The distribution manager includes the I/O interface 104, so that the patron 200 may then communicate with the distribution manager 100 through the I/O interface 104. The distribution manager 100 may validate the patron 200 through the I/O interface 104. The patron 200 may communicate with the distribution manager 100 through the I/O interface 104 to locate specific media 60 in one or more specific compartments 40 in the integrated rack 20. The distribution manager 100 may issue the key 140 to the patron 200 to release specific media 60 from one or more specific compartments 40 to the patron 200. The patron 200 may present the key 140 to the integrated rack 20 to release specific media 60 from specific compartments 40 in the integrated rack 20. Also, as illustrated, the integrated rack 20 may be in communication with the distribution manager 100 by network 120, for example, to receive the authorization 148 from the distribution manager 100 to release specific media 60 from a specific compartment 40 upon presentation of the specific key 140. The integrated rack 20 may be in communication with the database 80 by network 120 to communicate the release of specific media 60 from specific compartments 40. The distribution manager 100 may be in communication with the database 80 via the network 120 to ascertain the availability and location of specific media 60 and to validate the patron 200 prior to issuing the key 140 to release media 60 to the patron 200.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1B, the I/O interface 104 is located at a second geographic location 108 that is geographically distinct from the first geographic location 106. The integrated rack is located at the first geographic location 106 in this embodiment. The I/O interface 104 may be configured as, for example, a computer in the patron's 200 home or office. The patron 200 may then interact with portions of the distribution manager 100 over network 120 through the I/O interface 104. The patron 200 may then select media 60 through the I/O interface 104. The I/O interface 104 may then issue the key 140 to the patron 200 with, for example, the key 140 configured as a sheet of paper with key information 144 in the form of a bar code printed on a sheet of paper. The patron 200 may then travel from the second geographic location 108 to the integrated rack 20 at the first geographic location 106, present the key to the integrated rack 20, and obtain the selected media 60 from one or more compartments 40 in the integrated rack 20.

An embodiment of the integrated rack 20 is illustrated by block diagram in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the integrated rack 20 includes the lock interface 130, the rack control unit 30, and one or more compartments 40. The integrated rack 20 is in communication with the network 120 so that the integrated rack 20 may communicate with the database 80 and with the distribution manager 100. Typically, the integrated rack 20 communicates with the network 120 through the rack control unit 30, as illustrated. As illustrated, the rack control unit 30 communicates with the lock interface 130 and with the compartments 40 so that the lock interface 130 and/or the compartments 40 may communicate with the network 120 through the rack control unit 30. In some embodiments, the lock interface 130 and/or the compartments 40 could be adapted to communicate directly with the network 120.

The patron 200 may present the key 140 to the lock interface 130, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The lock interface 130 may then communicate key information 144 obtained from the key 140 to the rack control unit 30 which may then communicate with one or more compartments 40 to release media 60 from the one or more compartments 40 to the patron 200. In some embodiments, the key 140 could be adapted to receive key information 144 from the key 140 interface. The rack control unit may communicate the release of the media 60 from one or more compartments 40 to the patron 200 to the distribution manager 100 and/or to the database 80 via network 120.

An embodiment of the integrated rack 20 is illustrated in FIG. 3A. As illustrated, the integrated rack 20 includes a plurality of compartments 40. Each of the compartments 40, as illustrated, includes a compartment body 52. The compartments 40 in this embodiment, include compartment windows 43 configured as spaces defined by the compartment body 52 through which the front 62, spine 66, and back 64 of the media 60 may be examined. The compartment identification 42 is secured to a portion of the compartment body 52, as illustrated, in order to identify the compartment 40 containing specific media 60 to the patron 200. The compartments 40 are pivotable about the axis 54 so that the patron 200 may examine the compartment front 93 or compartment back 95 of each compartment 40. The compartments 40, as illustrated, are generally organized into shelves incorporated into a rack module 56. The integrated rack 20 as illustrated includes one rack module 56. In other embodiments, the integrated rack 20 may include a plurality of rack modules 56. The lock interface 130 is also illustrated in this Figure.

FIG. 3B illustrates a portion of the rack module 56 including several compartments 40 aggregated together. Media 60 is releasably secured within the compartments 40 by detents 43, and compartment windows 43 allow the patron 200 to examine the spine and the back of the media, as illustrated. The compartments 40 may be placed in various positions in order to allow the patron 200 to examine the media 60.

The rack module 56 may define a rack module interior 57 as illustrated in FIG. 3C. In this embodiment, the rack control unit 30 is disposed within the rack module interior 57. The rack control unit 30 may be in communication with the compartments 40 in the rack module 56 to selectively release media 60 from the compartments 40.

An embodiment of the compartment 40 is illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C. A perspective view of the compartment is illustrated in FIG. 4A. As illustrated, the compartment 40 includes the compartment body 52. The compartment identification 42 is secured to the compartment body 52 in this embodiment. The compartment 40 includes axis 54 which may securably retain the compartment 40 within the integrated rack 20. The axis 54 may allow the compartment 40 to be pivoted so that the patron 200 may examine the front 62 and the back 64 of the media 60 retained within the compartment 40.

The compartment body 52, in this embodiment, defines a compartment front 93, a compartment back 95, and a compartment side 97. The compartment body 52, as illustrated, defines compartment windows 43a, 43c in the compartment front 93 and compartment back 95, respectively, through which the front 62 and back 64 of the media 60 may be examined. The compartment body 52 defines a cavity 53 configured to releasably retain the media 60. The media 60, in this embodiment, may be releasably retained within the cavity 53 by a detent 44 positionable between at least a locked position 46 and a released position 48. In the locked position 46, the detent 44 secures the media 60 within the cavity 53. When placed in the released position 48, the detent 44 releases the media 60 so that the media 60 may be removed from the compartment 40 by the patron 200. The rack control unit 30 may communicate with the detent 44 to position the detent 44 from the locked position 46 into the released position 48.

A cut-away side view of the compartment 40 is illustrated in FIG. 4B. In this embodiment, the rack control unit 30 is in electronic communication with a solenoid 45. The solenoid 45, in turn, is in mechanical communication with the detent 44. By energizing the solenoid 45, the rack control unit 30 may position the detent 44 from the locked position 46 into the released position 48.

A frontal view of the compartment 40 is illustrated in FIG. 4C. As illustrated, the compartment body 52 defines a compartment window 43b in the compartment side 97 through which the spine 66 of the media 60 may be examined by the patron 200. In this embodiment, the media 60 may be slidably placed into the cavity 53 through compartment window 43b and secured within the cavity 53 by the detent 44 when the detent 44 is positioned in the locked position 46. When the detent 44 is positioned in the released position 48, the media 60 may then be slidably removed from the cavity 53 through the compartment window 43b by the patron 200.

FIG. 4D illustrates by block diagram an embodiment of the rack control unit 30 in communication with solenoids 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d, 45e, 45f which are adapted to detents 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e, 44f in compartments 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 40f, respectively. The rack control unit 30, in this embodiment, includes a microprocessor 168 that is in communication with an Ethernet port 172 and with a USB port 176, which may in turn be in communication with network 120. Memory 178, for example, in the form of RAM and/or ROM adapted to be in communication with the microprocessor 168 is included in the rack control unit 30 in this embodiment. The microprocessor 168 is in communication with the lock interface 130, as illustrated, and with solenoids 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d, 45e, 45f. When the patron 200 presents the key 140 to the lock interface 130, the lock interface 130 communicates key information 144 from the key 140 to the microprocessor 140. Based upon the key information 144, the rack control unit 30 as directed by the microprocessor 168 may then selectively energize one or more of solenoids 45a, 45b, 45c, 45d, 45e, 45f to selectively position one or more of the detents 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d, 44e, 44f in the released position 48 so that media 60 may be selectively removed from one or more of the corresponding compartments 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d, 40e, 40f by the patron 200. For example, the rack control unit 30 may energize solenoids 45c, 45e to place detents 44c, 44e in the released position 48 allowing media 60 to be removed from compartments 40c, 40e by the patron 200.

FIG. 5A illustrates an embodiment of the media 60 including the front 62 and the spine 66. An embodiment of the key 140 is illustrated in FIG. 5B. The key 140 in this embodiment is a card that includes key information 144 in the form of a bar code. The key 140 may be read by the corresponding lock interface 130 configured as a bar code reader. In this embodiment, the key 140 also includes key information 144 readable by the patron 200 that indicates the location of the compartment 40 containing the selected media 60. The authorization 148 may be incorporated in the key information 144 as illustrated.

FIG. 6 illustrates by flow chart an exemplary embodiment of the present distribution apparatus 10 adapted for use in a library or rental setting. As illustrated, at module 310 the patron 200 presents identification to the distribution apparatus 10 to receive validation. If the patron 200 is not a valid patron 200, then module 315 of the distribution apparatus 10 denies access to the patron 200. The distribution apparatus 10 then checks to determine if the patron 200 has exceeded the borrowing limit at module 325. If the patron 200 has exceeded the borrowing limit, the distribution apparatus 10 denies the patron 200 access at module 315. The distribution apparatus 10 then checks to determine if the patron 200 owes fines or other outstanding charges at module 330. If the patron 200 owes fines, the patron 200 may then pay the fines at module 335. If the patron 200 refuses to pay the fines, then the distribution apparatus 10 denies the patron 200 access at module 315. If the patron 200 does not owe fines or the patron 200 pays the fines, then the patron 200 may select media at module 340. Following selection of specific media 60, the distribution apparatus 10 issues a key 140 to the patron 200 at module 345 and communicates an authorization 148 to the integrated rack 20 to enable the key 140 to release specific media 60 from a specific compartment 40 at module 350. The patron 200 then presents the key 140 to the lock interface 130 at the integrated rack 20 at module 355, and the integrated rack 20 releases the selected media 60 to the patron 200 at module 360.

The present inventions include methods for the storage and dispensing of media 60 from a loaning institution, a rental outlet or retail sales outlet. The methods may include providing an integrated rack 20 having a plurality of compartments 40 for the display of media 60. The compartments 40 may be adapted to independently lock and release the media 60, and the compartments 40 may be adapted to store the media 60 in an independently viewable configuration. A rack control unit 30 and a key 140 interface may also be provided in the integrated rack 20 to control the locking and releasing of the media 60 from the compartments 40 and to enable communication between the integrated rack 20 and a distribution manager 100 and a database 80 by network 120.

The methods may include providing a distribution manager 100. In various aspects, the distribution manager 100 may be adapted to communicate with the rack unit control. The methods may also include providing a database 80 and a network 120 for communication between the integrated rack 20, the distribution manager 100, and the database 80. The database 80 may be adapted to communicate with the distribution manager 100 and the integrated rack 20, for example, to catalog the media 60 retained within the compartments 40 and to monitor the release of media 60 from the compartments 40.

The methods may also include providing a distribution manager 100 to manage the distribution of media 60 from the distribution apparatus 10 to patrons 200. An I/O interface 100 may be provided as a component of the distribution manager 100 through which the patron 200 may interact with the distribution manager 100 to release specific media 60 from specific compartments 40. In some aspects, the methods may continue by the patron 200 viewing media 60 in the compartments 40 of the integrated rack 20 system and identifying compartments 40 containing specific media 60 to the distribution manager 100. In other aspects, the methods may continue by the patron 200 requesting a specific media 60 from the distribution manager 100 and the distribution manager 100 indicating the integrated rack 20 and compartment 40 containing the specific media 60 to the patron 200.

The methods may include the distribution manager 100 validating the patron 200. The patron 200 may provide identification to the distribution manager 100 in various aspects. In various aspects, validation may be by payment. The patron 200 may, in various aspects, self-validate by, for example, entering a code into a keypad or scanning identification in a scanner provided as part of the I/O interface 104 portion of the distribution manager 100. In various aspects, the patron 200 may be validated by an employee, attendant, or clerk who, in turn, interacts with the distribution manager 100.

Following validation, the methods may continue by the distribution manager 100 providing a key 140 to the patron 200, the key 140 adapted to release specific media 60 from a specific compartment 40 by, in some aspects, embedding key information 144 on the key 140. In various aspects, the key 140 may be adapted for a single use. The key 140 could be, for example, printed bar code, a card having a magnetic strip, an RFID, smartcard, or other medium onto which key information 144 may be imbedded. In some aspects, the key 140 may be a biometric such as the patron's 200 thumbprint. The distribution manager 100 may then communicate an authorization 148 to the integrated rack 20 to release specific media 60 from specific compartments 40 upon presentation of the biometric at the lock interface 130 by, for example, the patron 200 placing her thumb on the lock interface 130. In some aspects, the key 140 may be in a relatively permanent form such as, for example, a library card, employee identification card, credit card, or membership card that is enabled for a one-time release of media 60 from the compartment 40 by communication of an authorization 148 from the distribution manager 100 to the integrated rack 20. In some aspects, the authorization 148 may be communicated from the distribution manager 100 to the integrated rack 20 through the database 80.

The methods may include the distribution manager 100 communicating with the database 80. The database 80 may catalogue the media 60. The database 80 may contain information indicative of whether or not media 60 has been removed, has been checked out and not removed, is restricted by, for example, placed on reserve or on hold, or is available. The database 80 may contain information related to the patrons 200 such as a list of patrons 200 authorized to remove media 60. The database 80 may include information about a specific patron 200 such as the media 60 that have been removed by the patron 200, media 60 that have been returned by the patron 200, date of return, due dates, late returns, fines, lending fees, and late fees.

The methods may include the distribution manager 100 communicating the authorization 148 to the integrated rack 20 to authorize the key 140 to release media 60 from a specified compartment 40. In some aspects, the authorization 148 may be placed in the database 80 and the integrated rack 20 may then access the database 80 in order to retrieve the authorization 148. The patron 200 may then present the key 140 to the lock interface 130. The methods may then include the lock interface 130 receiving information from the key 140 and communicating the information from the key 140 to the rack control unit 30 to release a lock in the compartment 40 containing the selected media 60. The patron 200 may then remove the selected media 60 from the lockable compartment 40.

The methods may include the integrated rack 20 communicating with the distribution manager 100 and/or with the database 80, for example, to communicate release of media 60 to the patron 200, the contents of compartments 40, and other data as would be recognized by those skilled in the art upon review of this disclosure.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present inventions. Upon review of the specification, one skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying figures and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Apparatus and methods for distribution of media

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