Patent Application
20120007739
The present disclosure relates generally to security systems and strategies for controlling the circulation of media materials, and relates more particularly to releasing media materials to circulation by disabling electronic and magnetic security devices of a packaged unit of media in a one-step process.
A variety of different systems and strategies for monitoring and controlling the circulation of articles from libraries and other lending institutions have been known for many years. In decades past, lending institutions typically maintained a card bank or the like in which a circulation status of each article of media in the library collection was recorded, and manually updated as articles were checked out from and returned to the library. Such strategies worked fairly well for tracking the circulation of traditional media materials such as books. Recent years have seen an enormous increase in the number of electronic and magnetic media articles such as CD's, DVD's, and audio and videotapes in library collections. While card banks can be and have been used for any type of media, they provide essentially no security against unauthorized checkout or theft of media materials, which is particularly problematic in the case of relatively expensive and highly sought after electronic and magnetic media.
In an attempt to better manage control over the circulation of media materials, libraries began equipping certain articles with security devices some time ago. As security technology has evolved, and become more affordable, some or all of the articles in many library collections have been equipped with individual security devices. Radiofrequency (“RF”) tags and the like are now commonly coupled with media in library collections. If a person attempts to exit the library with a media article whose security tag is “armed” detection devices typically placed at library exits may activate an alarm.
In the case of certain media articles, an additional security mechanism in the form of a lockable case may be provided. The packaged unit of the case and media storage component such as a computer readable disk may be equipped with a mechanical lock for the case, and also with one or more electronic security features. The electronic security features must be disabled for the media unit to pass through the security detector without tripping an alarm, and the locked case provides a disincentive to even attempting to do so. The locked case also provides an impediment to fooling the library by switching the media article such as a disk within one case for a different media article.
The implementation of such advanced security and monitoring strategies has made checking out media materials somewhat more complicated. In the case of locked, packaged units of media, a patron or library staff member typically has to perform conventional checkout procedures, disable the electronic security device(s) and unlock the case. Various case unlocking mechanisms are commercially available. These mechanisms may be integrated with a self-checkout station in an attempt to minimize the need for staff supervision and/or intervention.
One known type of case unlocking mechanism utilizes a magnet configured to unlock a magnetic security device of a case component for an article of media. The magnet is positioned in a housing, and retractable pins or the like prevent access, so that the magnet may only be used for case unlocking if an electronic authorization is generated to cause the pins to retract. A patron will typically initiate a self-checkout procedure at a computer terminal, place the media unit of interest on a scanning pad to identify it and disable an electronic security device, then position the media unit to interact with the magnet if so authorized. While this type of system has been adopted in some libraries, it generally requires a relatively lengthy checkout procedure for each individual media unit. Moreover, once the magnet unlocking mechanism is made available for use, such as by retracting the pins, no restriction on what media unit can be unlocked exists. In other words, a patron could checkout one packaged media unit, but then use the magnetic unlocking mechanism to unlock a different unit. This creates opportunities for fraudulent checkout and theft.
Other types of case unlockers use a movable magnet rather than retractable pins or the like. The magnet is movable within a housing when so authorized by a computer handling checkout procedures. Like the foregoing example, no restriction on the particular media unit to be unlocked exists, and the checkout process may be onerous, particularly where multiple units of media are to be processed for releasing to circulation.
In one aspect, a method of controlling circulation of media materials includes electronically reading media identification data from a packaged unit of securable media resident within a receptacle of a circulation control station, and transmitting a release request from the circulation control station responsive to the media identification data. The method further includes receiving a release authorization transmitted to the circulation control station responsive to the release request, and establishing a magnetic communication link between the packaged unit and a mechanical security control mechanism, responsive to the release authorization. The method still further includes releasing the packaged unit to circulation at least in part by disabling each of an electronic security device and a magnetic security device of the packaged unit while resident within the receptacle.
In another aspect, a circulation control station for securable media materials includes a housing defining a receptacle including a first, open end and a second, blind end, the receptacle being configured to receive a packaged unit of securable media therein. The control station further includes an electronic security control mechanism mounted to the housing and including a reading mode for reading media identification data from the packaged unit of securable media, and an electronic security disabling mode which includes a write mode. The control station further includes a mechanical security control mechanism mounted to the housing and including a magnet and an actuator, and further having a rest mode, and a magnetic security disabling mode. The control station further includes a computer coupled with each of the security control mechanisms. The computer is configured to output a release request responsive to the media identification data, and to receive a release authorization generated in response to the release request. The computer is further configured to release the packaged unit to circulation at least in part by switching the electronic security control mechanism to the electronic security disabling mode and switching the mechanical security control mechanism to the magnetic security disabling mode, responsive to the release authorization.
In still another aspect, a system for controlling circulation of media materials from a library includes a control system having at least one computer, and a circulation control station. The circulation control station includes a housing defining a receptacle configured to receive a packaged unit of securable media therein, an electronic security control mechanism mounted to the housing, and a mechanical security control mechanism also mounted to the housing. The electronic security control mechanism includes a reading mode for reading media identification data from a packaged unit of securable media, and an electronic security disabling mode which includes a write mode. The mechanical security control mechanism includes a rest mode and a magnetic security disabling mode. The circulation control station further includes a first configuration at which the electronic security control mechanism is in the reading mode and the mechanical security control mechanism is in the rest mode, and a second configuration at which the electronic security control mechanism is in the reading mode and the mechanical security control mechanism is in the rest mode, and a second configuration at which the electronic security control mechanism is in the electronic security disabling mode and the mechanical security control mechanism is in the magnetic security disabling mode. The control system is coupled with each of the security control mechanisms and configured to transmit a release request to a server responsive to the media identification data, and further configured to receive a release authorization transmitted from the server in response to the release request. The control system is further configured to release a packaged unit of securable media resident within the receptacle to circulation at least in part by switching the circulation control station from the first configuration to the second configuration, responsive to the release authorization.
a is a flowchart illustrating a portion of a process, according to one embodiment;
b is a flowchart illustrating another portion of the process depicted in
Referring to
Terminal 18 and terminal 20 may each be adapted to perform checkout and security disabling procedures for units of securable media in a library or other institutional setting. As used herein, the term “securable media” includes media materials such as books, CD's, DVD's, audio or videotapes, computer disks, magazines, and virtually any item commonly available for checkout from a library or similar institution. Such media may be understood as “securable” where equipped with one or more resident electronic or magnetic security devices, for example, which include at least two different security states such as an enabled or armed state, and a disabled or disarmed state. Apart from conventional libraries, the teachings set forth herein may also be advantageously applied in other contexts such as biological, chemical or geological specimen collections. System 10 or components thereof may also be adapted to perform checkout and security disabling procedures for “packaged” units of securable media, similar to and potentially inclusive of the securable media examples listed above, and having a package component such as a case which includes one or more resident security devices in addition to or instead of a security device resident on the book, DVD, CD, etc. Advantages and further details of applying system 10 to checkout and security disabling of units of media, packaged and unpackaged, will be further apparent from the following description.
Terminal 18 may include a housing 19, and a plurality of different components positioned on or in housing 19. These components may include computer 24, a display or monitor 26, a card scanner 28 such as a magnetic card reader or optical scanning device, and an electronic security control mechanism 30. Electronic security control mechanism 30 may include an RFID reader/writer 31 which is configured to read media identification data stored on a memory device of a unit of securable media, and further configured to adjust a security setting on an electronic security device of a unit of securable media by writing to the electronic security device. To this end, electronic security control mechanism 30 may include a reading mode for reading media identification data from a unit of securable media, and an electronic security disabling mode which includes a write mode for adjusting a security setting of an electronic security device resident on the unit of securable media. RFID reader/writer 31 may include a conventional RF antenna and transmitter mechanism such as those well known in the field of RFID security. The electronic security device resident on a unit of securable media mentioned above may include a conventional RFID tag storing an ID number specific to the unit, and also storing an adjustable security bit, as further described herein. In one practical implementation strategy, terminal 18 may be used at least primarily for checkout and security disabling of media materials such as books and the like which are not customarily packaged in the normal course of library operations.
Terminal 20, in contrast, may be used at least primarily for the purposes of checkout and security disabling of packaged units of securable media such as compact discs, DVD's and the like, which are customarily packaged within a case or the like in the normal course of library operations. Terminal 20 may include a housing 21 defining a receptacle 23 configured to receive a packaged unit of securable media therein. Terminal 20 may further include an electronic security control mechanism 36 mounted to housing 21, and a mechanical security control mechanism 40 also mounted to housing 21. In a manner analogous to that described above with regard to mechanism 30, mechanism 36 may include an RFID reader/writer 37, and have a reading mode for reading media identification data stored on a security device of a packaged unit of securable media, and an electronic security disabling mode which includes a write mode. Mechanical security control mechanism 40 may include a magnet 62 and an actuator 60. Mechanism 40 may further include a rest mode and a magnetic security disabling mode, the significance of which will be apparent from the following description.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that media materials commonly available for use or checkout from a library may include a variety of different security features. Certain procedures whereby a patron checks out a unit of securable media such as a packaged unit of securable media, and disables the security features, are also well known. As will be further apparent from the following description, system 10 is uniquely configured to perform multiple security control functions in a reduced number of steps compared to earlier designs. In one embodiment, checkout and disabling of multiple different security features may occur in a single step performed by a library patron, or library staff, wishing to checkout a given unit of securable media. As alluded to above, mechanism 36 may be used to disable an electronic security feature of a packaged unit of securable media, while mechanism 40 may be used to disable a magnetic security device of the packaged unit.
Terminal 20 may also include an EAS security deactivator 38. As used herein, the term EAS stands for “Electronic Article Surveillance.” A variety of different EAS security devices are well known and widely used in connection with units of securable media. Among such devices is a conventional magnetic strip affixed to a unit of media or a case therefor, upon which a code is stored. If a unit of media with an armed EAS device is passed through a detector or the like positioned in proximity to a library exit, an alarm may be triggered. The stored code on a magnetic strip EAS device may be erased by placing the strip in a magnetic field. Accordingly, in one embodiment, deactivator 38 may include a magnet which is positioned in housing 21 to interact with and disable an EAS strip of a unit of securable media resident within receptacle 23. Disabling an EAS device may take place contemporaneously with disabling of electronic and magnetic security features as mentioned above.
System 10 may also include one or more packaged units of securable media 46. In the embodiment shown, unit 46 may include a media storage component 47 such as a CD, DVD, magnetic storage disk, tape, etc., and a case component 48. Component 47 may be positioned within case component 48, and case component 48 locked via a magnetic security mechanism 52 such as a magnetic lock. An electronic security device 49, which may include an RF security tag, may be positioned on storage component 47. Device 49 may be of the type known in the art generally as a “hub tag.” An EAS security device 51 such as a magnetic strip may also be positioned upon or in case component 48. It is also common for packaged units of securable media to include a second electronic security device, such as a second RF security tag 50 positioned on or in case component 48, providing redundant identification of the packaged unit, and allowing confirmation that the correct case is associated with the correct media, as further described herein. Unit 46 may still further include an orientation magnet 53 for enabling control system 22 to determine whether unit 46 is properly positioned within receptacle 23. Terminal 20 may further include an orientation sensor 43 which may include a magnetically sensitive sensor such as a Hall effect sensor for interacting with orientation magnet 53 to determine proper positioning of unit 46 within receptacle 23. Terminal 20 may still further include an indicator 42 such as an LED or the like, which can indicate to a patron when a unit of securable media is properly positioned, or improperly positioned, within receptacle 23. In one example embodiment, indicator 42 might include a green illumination state to communicate to a patron that unit 46 is properly positioned in receptacle 23, and a red illumination state to indicate that unit 46 is not properly positioned. Still other information such as whether a packaged unit of securable media has been unlocked or checked out successfully may be communicated to patrons via indicator 42.
As noted above, control station 16 may include a card scanner 28. System 10 may also include one or more user or patron identification cards 44 having a bar code 45 storing user identification data printed thereon, for example. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of mechanisms might be used for storing user identification data on card 44, such as electronically readable bar codes, magnetic stripes, or still other indicia of patron identification. In this vein, while one practical implementation strategy includes a laser card scanner 28, in other embodiments a magnetic card reader or the like might be used.
As discussed above, mechanism 36 and mechanism 40 may each include different modes. Upon satisfaction of certain criteria, control system 22, by way of computer 24, may be configured to switch mechanisms 36 and 40 between their respective modes to disable an electronic security device such as device 49 or 50 and a magnetic security device such as device 52 of a unit of securable media while resident within receptacle 23. Disabling such security devices may take place simultaneously, or substantially so. In one embodiment, control station 16 may include a first configuration at which mechanism 36 is in the reading mode and mechanism 40 is in the rest mode, and a second configuration at which mechanism 36 is in the electronic security disabling mode and mechanism 40 is in the magnetic security disabling mode. It will be recalled that mechanism 36 may be configured to read media identification data from a packaged unit of securable media. Control system 22, for example by way of computer 24, may be configured to transmit a release request comprising one or more signals to server 12 responsive to media identification data stored on electronic security device 49, for example. The media identification data might include a bar code number specific to unit 46, for instance. The release request may include a signal sent to server 12 responsive to electronically reading the media identification data from device 49 while unit 46 is resident in receptacle 23. Transmitting the release request may also take place responsive to user identification data such as a user ID number stored on card 44 and scanned via scanner 28. In a manner further described below, a patron may scan their card 44, place unit 46 within receptacle 23, and control system 22 may transmit the release request to server 22 based on the identity of the patron and the identity of the media. Server 12 may be configured to transmit a release authorization signal back to control station 16 in response to the release request. Unit 46 may be released to circulation while resident within receptacle 23 at least in part by switching control station 16 from the first configuration to the second configuration discussed above, responsive to the release authorization. As also discussed above, the electronic security disabling mode of mechanism 36 may include a write mode. In the write mode, mechanism 36 may flip a security bit stored on device 49, for example, to disable/disarm device 49, and could similarly disable a security bit stored on device 50.
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Mechanical security control mechanism 40 is shown in
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Terminal 120 may operate in a manner having similarities with that of terminal 20, and also certain differences. Terminal 120 may include a housing 121 defining a receptacle 123 having a first, open end 125, and a second, blind end 127. Receptacle 123 may be configured to receive a packaged unit of securable media therein. An electronic security control mechanism 136 having an RFID reader/writer 137 may be mounted to housing 121, and includes a reading mode for reading media identification data from a packaged unit of securable media resident in receptacle 123, and also including an electronic security disabling mode which includes a write mode. Terminal 120 may further include a mechanical security control mechanism 140 having a magnet 162 and an actuator 160. Mechanism 140 may also include one or more actuators 160. In the illustrated embodiment, two actuators are shown, however, other versions might include three actuators or a single actuator, for example. In a single actuator version, the one actuator might be positioned intermediate the locations shown for actuators 160, or one of actuators 160 might simply be omitted from the design, and no other substantive changes made. One or more linear actuators, or a toothed wheel and gear rack type actuator system could be used to perform functions similar to those described herein. In one embodiment, each of actuators 160 may include an electric motor 166 which includes a spindle 168, each spindle 168 having a first angular position about an axis of motor rotation Z2 in a rest mode of mechanism 140, and a second angular position about axis Z2 in a magnetic security disabling mode of mechanism 140. Magnet 162 may include a fixed position relative to housing 121, adjacent second end 127 of receptacle 123, in contrast to the movable magnet configuration of terminal 20. Mechanism 40 may further include a magnet access inhibiting mechanism 141 having, hereafter “inhibiting mechanism 41,” a closed state and an open state. Inhibiting mechanism 141 may be coupled with actuators 160 and be in the closed state in the rest mode, and in the open state in the magnetic security disabling mode. Inhibiting mechanism 141 may further include a set of pins 172 coupled with each actuator 160 and extending into receptacle 123. Each motor 166 may include a brushless stepper motor, similar to motor 60 of terminal 20. Actuating motors 166 can induce rotation of actuators 160 to change a position of pins 172 within receptacle 123.
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At step 225, the patron may receive instructions, such as instructions displayed on display 26 advising the patron of what to do to continue the checkout process. In one embodiment, the instructions may include instructions to the patron to insert a locked item such as unit 46 into an unlocking device such as terminal 20. From step 225, the process may proceed to step 230 at which the patron inserts the locked item into receptacle 23 of the corresponding terminal 20. From step 230, the process may proceed to step 235 to query whether the unit is inserted correctly into receptacle 23. Step 235 might include, for example, checking a state of orientation sensor 43 to determine whether an orientation magnet has been detected. If no, the process may return to step 225, instructing the patron to reorient and reinsert the unit, for example. If the unit is correctly inserted at step 235, the process may proceed to step 240 at which the media and case RFID tags are each read. Step 240 may thus include reading media identification data from each of devices 49 and 50, for instance. From step 240, the process may proceed to step 245 to query whether the two RFID tags match. If no, the process may proceed to step 270 to display a failure message to the patron, and potentially also to a staff member, or otherwise log a fault condition. If, at step 245, the RFID tags match, the process may proceed to step 250.
During admitting the packaged unit into receptacle 23 such as in step 230, an electronic communication link may be established between electronic security control mechanism 36 and security device 49. As explained above, establishing an electronic communication link may include positioning security device 49 (and/or 50) within an electronic control range defined by mechanism 36. Control system 22, by way of computer 24 for example, may transmit a release request from circulation control station 16 responsive to the media identification data in step 250. In one embodiment, the release request might include a bar coded number for the packaged unit within receptacle 23 and also user identification data, transmitted over communications network 14 to server 12. From step 250, the process may proceed to step 255.
In step 255, server 12 may receive the release request and perform conventional check out procedures, such as determining whether the particular patron is authorized to checkout a particular unit of media. If, at step 255 checkout is not okay, the process may proceed to step 270. If checkout is indeed okay, from step 255 the process may proceed to step 260 in which circulation data such as the media identification data and the patron identification data are electronically recorded. From step 260, the process may proceed to step 265 at which server 12 may transmit a release authorization to circulation control station 16, responsive to the release request and subsequent to checking out unit 46. Control station 16 may receive the release authorization, and responsively activate the security disabling functions of terminal 20 at step 275.
Step 275 may include establishing a magnetic communication link between the packaged unit and mechanical security control mechanism 40 responsive to the release authorization. Establishing a magnetic communication link may further include changing a position of magnetic security device 52 relative to magnets 62. It may be noted that establishing a magnetic communication link may take place subsequent to admitting the packaged unit into receptacle 23. Changing a position of magnetic security device 52 may include positioning device 52 within a magnetic control range defined by mechanism 40 as described above. In the case of terminal 20, this may include moving magnets 62. In the case of terminal 120, this may include moving packaged unit 146. In the case of either of terminals 20 or 120, changing a position of the magnetic security device relative to the magnet 62, 162, may include outputting an actuator control signal. Magnet positioning mechanism 41 may be actuated in terminal 20 by way of the actuator control signal, resulting in magnet 62 moving relative to packaged unit 46 and device 52. Magnet access inhibiting mechanism 141 may be actuated in terminal 120 by way of the actuator control signal, such that a position of device 152 is changed by moving unit 146, under the force of gravity, in response to actuating mechanism 141. As noted above, allowing packaged unit 146 to jar slightly upon contacting second end 127 can assist in ensuring that mechanism 152 is indeed switched to an unlocked position. As also discussed above, mechanism 36 may flip the security bit on unit 46, such that magnetic security and electronic security are both disabled, in step 175.
From step 275, the process may proceed to step 280 to query whether the case is properly unlocked. Step 280 might include displaying this query on display 26 to a patron, for example. If no, the process may proceed to step 285 in which the still locked media unit may be reinserted into receptacle 23 in response to instructions on display 26. From step 285, the process may proceed to step 290 in which a verification process is initiated. The verification process may include, for example, checking the security bit stored on security device 49 or comparing a running list stored locally on memory 34 with the media identification data to determine if the subject item has been checked out. These verification process steps are condensed into step 300, in which it is queried whether the item is already checked out. If no, the process may return via box D to execute step 215 again. If yes, the process may proceed via box F to execute step 275 again. If, at step 280, it is determined that the item is properly unlocked, the process may proceed to step 302 to query whether the patron wishes to continue. If yes, the process may return via box C to execute step 225 again. If no, the process may proceed to step 305 to end. Once checkout and security disabling concludes, the unit of media is released to circulation.
Turning now to
From step 325, the process may proceed to step 330 in which the media unit is scanned at mechanism 30, for example. From step 330, the process may proceed to step 335 to query whether the unit is in a locked case. Again, this query could include instructions to the patron displayed on display 26. If no, the process may proceed to step 345 in which the item is checked out in a manner similar to that described above by communicating with server 12. From step 345, the process may proceed to step 350 to query whether the patron wishes to continue. If yes, the process may return to execute step 325 again. If no, the process may proceed to step 355 to end.
If, at step 335 the item is determined to be in a locked case, the process may proceed to step 340 at which the patron is instructed to insert the locked item into receptacle 23 of terminal 20, for example. From step 340, the process may proceed via box G to execute steps substantially identical to those shown in flowchart 200, and beginning at step 230.
In accordance with the present disclosure, an entire checkout and security disabling procedure for packaged units of securable media may be performed while a packaged unit is resident within a receptacle of an unlocking device such as one of terminals 20 or 120. This can ensure that an item whose security is disabled is indeed the item which is checked out, improving over earlier strategies which commonly checked out a unit of media, and then enabled an unlocking device which could actually be used to unlock any unit of media, not just the one checked out. The procedures described herein also enable a patron-controlled one-step operation, eliminating the need for patrons to first check out each item, and then unlock each item, using separate devices or stations.
The present description is for illustrative purposes only, and should not be construed to narrow the breadth of the present disclosure in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications might be made to the presently disclosed embodiments without departing from the full and fair scope and spirit of the present disclosure. Other aspects, features and advantages will be apparent upon an examination of the attached drawings and appended claims.
