U.S. patent application number 11/076415 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-29 for disk printer and transporter for input bin.
Invention is credited to Jensen, Steven R., Nelson, Westin W..
Application Number | 20050213492 11/076415 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34961475 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050213492 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jensen, Steven R. ; et
al. |
September 29, 2005 |
Disk printer and transporter for input bin
Abstract
A multi function recorder and printer feeds discs to be
processed through a gravity feed system reducing idle time of a
recorder. A drive mounting system allows easy replacement and
upgrade of drives without recalibration of the system. A passive
picker moves discs between components.
Inventors: |
Jensen, Steven R.; (Ramsey,
MN) ; Nelson, Westin W.; (Dayton, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Leffert Jay & Polglaze P.A.
P. O. Box 581009
Minneapolis
MN
55458-1009
US
|
Family ID: |
34961475 |
Appl. No.: |
11/076415 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60551508 |
Mar 9, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
369/292 ; 101/37;
347/222; G9B/17.041 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G11B 7/265 20130101;
G11B 7/26 20130101; G11B 7/268 20130101; G11B 17/08 20130101; G11B
2007/0006 20130101; B41J 3/4071 20130101; G11B 23/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
369/292 ;
101/037; 347/222 |
International
Class: |
G11B 005/02; G11B
007/24; B41J 002/325 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An input system for a disk processing apparatus, comprising: an
input bin; and an input singulator to remove a single disk from the
input bin.
2. The input system of claim 1, wherein the input bin comprises: a
bin body having a substantially flat back wall, the back wall
extending partially upward from the bin body bottom, to a height
less than half the height of a disk to be held in the input bin; a
pair of side walls, each having disk holding fingers; and an
extension extending from the bin body bottom the side walls with
the back surface and extension cradling at least one disk in the
input bin.
3. The input system of claim 2, wherein the extension extends
substantially perpendicular to the bin body bottom at the bin body
bottom.
4. The input system of claim 3, wherein the extension extends
substantially perpendicularly for a dimension approximately equal
to the thickness of six disks, and then extends in an upward
curving arc for an additional distance.
5. The input system of claim 4, wherein the upward curving arc when
filled with disks causes the disks to impart a force on the bottom
of the stack to align the disks substantially parallel to the back
surface.
6. The input system of claim 2, wherein the extension extends from
the bin body bottom at a substantially constant upward angle from
the bin body bottom.
7. The input system of claim 2, wherein the input bin further
comprises: a feed chute positioned under the input bin, the feed
chute comprising: an angled back member and a pair of side walls,
the angled back member and pair of side walls forming a path to
feed a disk by gravity from the input bin to an external drive.
8. The input system of claim 1, wherein the input singulator
comprises: a singulator arm; and a singulating member rotatably
attached to the singulator arm, the singulating member normally
biased in a first picking position for picking a disk from an input
location, and rotatable to a second disk delivery position when the
disk is clear of the input location so as to drop the disk from the
singulating member.
9. The input system of claim 8, wherein the singulator arm is
movable in a plane parallel to the surface of a disk to be
singulated
10. The input system of claim 8, wherein the singulating member has
a first disk holding surface that is positioned substantially
perpendicular to the linear movement of the singulating arm
11. The input system of claim 8, wherein the input singulator
further comprises: a stationary pivot actuator positioned to rotate
the singulating member from its first biased position to its second
position.
12. The input system of claim 11, wherein the input singulator
further comprises: a biasing spring to bias the singulating member
in the first position
13. The input system of claim 11, wherein rotation is pivoting in a
direction collinear with the motion of the singulator arm
14. The input system of claim 1, wherein: the input bin comprises:
a bin body having a substantially flat back wall, the back wall
extending partially upward from the bin body bottom, to a height
less than half the height of a disk to be held in the input bin; a
pair of side walls, each having disk holding fingers; and an
extension extending from the bin body bottom the side walls with
the back surface and extension cradling at least one disk in the
input bin; and the input singulator comprises: a singulator arm;
and a singulating member rotatably attached to the singulator arm,
the singulating member normally biased in a first picking position
for picking a disk from an input location, and rotatable to a
second disk delivery position when the disk is clear of the input
location so as to drop the disk from the singulating member.
15. An input bin for a disk processing apparatus, comprising: a bin
body having a substantially flat back wall, the back wall extending
partially upward from the bin body bottom, to a height less than
half the height of a disk to be held in the input bin; a pair of
side walls, each having disk holding fingers; and an extension
extending from the bin body bottom the side walls with the back
surface and extension cradling at least one disk in the input
bin.
16. The input bin of claim 15, wherein the extension extends
substantially perpendicular to the bin body bottom at the bin body
bottom.
17. The input bin of claim 16, wherein the extension extends
substantially perpendicularly for a dimension approximately equal
to the thickness of six disks, and then extends in an upward
curving arc for an additional distance.
18. The input bin of claim 17, wherein the upward curving arc when
filled with disks causes the disks to impart a force on the bottom
of the stack to align the disks substantially parallel to the back
surface.
19. The input bin of claim 15, wherein the extension extends from
the bin body bottom at a substantially constant upward angle from
the bin body bottom.
20. The input bin of claim 15, and further comprising: a feed chute
positioned under the input bin, the feed chute comprising: an
angled back member and a pair of side walls, the angled back member
and pair of side walls forming a path to feed a disk by gravity
from the input bin to an external drive.
21. An input singulator for a disk processing system, comprising: a
singulator arm; a singulating member rotatably attached to the
singulator arm, the singulating member normally biased in a first
picking position for picking a disk from an input location, and
rotatable to a second disk delivery position when the disk is clear
of the input location so as to drop the disk from the singulating
member.
22. The input singulator of claim 21, wherein the singulator arm is
movable in a plane parallel to the surface of a disk to be
singulated
23. The input singulator of claim 21, wherein the singulating
member has a first disk holding surface that is positioned
substantially perpendicular to the linear movement of the
singulating arm
24. The input singulator of claim 21, wherein the input singulator
further comprises: a stationary pivot actuator positioned to rotate
the singulating member from its first biased position to its
second
25. The input singulator of claim 24, and further comprising: a
biasing spring to bias the singulating member in the first
position
26. The input bin of claim 24, wherein rotation is pivoting in a
direction collinear with the motion of the singulator arm.
27. A disk processing apparatus for recording disks, comprising: a
recorder; and an input system to provide a disk to the
recorder.
28. The disk processing apparatus of claim 27, wherein the input
system comprises: an input bin; and an input singulator to remove a
single disk from the input bin.
29. The input system of claim 28, wherein the input bin comprises:
a bin body having a substantially flat back wall, the back wall
extending partially upward from the bin body bottom, to a height
less than half the height of a disk to be held in the input bin; a
pair of side walls, each having disk holding fingers; and an
extension extending from the bin body bottom the side walls with
the back surface and extension cradling at least one disk in the
input bin.
30. The input system of claim 28, wherein the input singulator
comprises: a singulator arm; and a singulating member rotatably
attached to the singulator arm, the singulating member normally
biased in a first picking position for picking a disk from an input
location, and rotatable to a second disk delivery position when the
disk is clear of the input location so as to drop the disk from the
singulating member.
31. A method of singulating a disk from an input bin with a
singulator, comprising: picking a single disk from an input bin;
and depositing the single disk in an drive using a gravity feed
system.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein picking a disk comprises:
singulating a disk from a back of the input bin with a singulator
movable to engage a single disk; moving the disk on the singulator
to a drop position; and dropping the disk from the singulator to a
feed chute of the input bin.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein dropping the disk comprises:
rotating a rotatable singulating member which is normally biased
ini a picking position to a dropping position.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/551,508, filed on Mar. 9, 2004, hereby
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to digital discs and
in particular the present invention relates to processing and
handling of digital discs.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Digital discs are used as a storage medium for digital
information. The data is stored on the disc by varying the optical
characteristics of the disc. This digital information can be any
type of data, such as, but not limited to, audio, image, photo
and/or video information. In other words, the digital data stored
on a compact disc can vary from disc to disc. Different types of
compact discs can be provided, a traditional type of compact disc
is manufactured using a plastic mold operation. Each compact disc
manufactured using the same mold contains the same digital
information. As such, large production runs of compact discs which
contain the same information, such as a musical composition, are
manufactured in an economical manner by using a molding
process.
[0004] A different type of compact disc which is commercially
available is a recordable compact disc. This type of disc is
manufactured such that it does not contain data thereon, but can be
programmed after it is manufactured. The optical characteristics,
therefore, of the compact disc are modified after it is fabricated
depending upon the data that is stored on the disc. In the context
of the present invention, it is to be understood that reference to
a compact disc (CD) includes but is not limited to Compact Disc
Recordable "CD-R", Compact Disc Readable "CD-RW", CD-ROM, CD-PROM,
Digital Versatile Disc "DVD", DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW,
DVD+RW, or any disc for data storage.
[0005] To identify the data stored on a compact disc, a label is
often printed on one side of the compact disc. For large
manufacturing runs of a common compact disc, a silk screen process
is often used to apply the label to the compact disc. For small
production runs of compact discs, such as those using recordable
compact discs, a silk screen operation may not be economical. A
custom printing operation, therefore, can be employed to print a
custom label on each compact disc. See for example U.S. Pat. No.
5,734,629 entitled "CD Transporter" issued Mar. 31, 1988 for a
description of a compact disc transporter which can be used to move
a compact disc between a data recorder and a printer, and which
allows for automated processing of recordable compact discs. This
transporter moves a single compact disc at a time between stations
and places completed compact discs in a stack.
[0006] Many transporters require an active picker or gripper for
moving compact discs between the various components of a
transporter. This adds to complexity and cost of such transporters.
For small runs of compact discs, such transporters may not be
economical. Further, many transporters are large and do not fit
well within a small office of home environment.
[0007] Still further, typical loading and unloading systems using
pickers have recorder downtime due to a picker which is feeding the
recorder having multiple tasks to accomplish. For example, a disc
to be recorded is placed in a recorder by a picker. When the
recording is finished, the tray opens, and the picker moves the
disc to the next station or component of the device. Then, the
picker retrieves a blank disc for recording and places it in the
recorder. During the time that the picker is moving the first disc
and retrieving the second disc, the recorder sits idle.
[0008] There are many different CD and DVD recorders and readers.
Many manufacturers make such products. In a transporter, there are
often precise placements and orientations that are needed so that
disc production is smooth and requires little if any intervention
by a user once the process has started. Typical transporters
require precision hand placement of recorders and the like into
position within a system, further adding to the labor required to
produce and modify such systems. Manufacturers are also
continuously striving to upgrade drives to make them more efficient
and faster. As each upgrade evolves, often the dimensions of the
recorders change. While this change may not be large, the precision
placement of recorders in transporters may lead to difficulty for a
user wishing to replace a drive.
[0009] For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated
below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon
reading and understanding the present specification, there is a
need in the art for a transporter having a small footprint, and for
a transporter that provides reliable yet economical service. There
is a further need in the art for a simplified process for mounting
a new or upgraded drive within a transporter system.
SUMMARY
[0010] The above-mentioned problems with drive replacement, size
and cost of transporters, and other problems are addressed by the
present invention and will be understood by reading and studying
the following specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an input bin according
to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 1A is a view taken along line 1A--1A of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 1B is a partial side elevation view of an input bin
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an input bin, singulator,
feed chute, and recorder according to another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2A is a detailed partial cutaway view of the singulator
of FIG. 2 according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2B is a front elevation view of the singulator of FIG.
2A;
[0017] FIGS. 2C, 2D, and 2E are partial views of the motion of a
singulating member according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a view of a drive mounting system according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 3A is a side elevation view of one of the sleeves of
FIG. 3;
[0020] FIG. 3B is a front elevation view of the sleeve of FIG.
3A;
[0021] FIG. 3C is a front elevation view of a sleeve according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3D is a side elevation view of a sleeve according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3E is a perspective view of a sleeve according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a multiple media printer
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a picker according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 4B is a side elevation view of the picker of FIG. 4A
taken along lines 4B--4B thereof;
[0027] FIG. 4C is a reverse angle view of a part of the picker of
FIG. 4B;
[0028] FIG. 4D is a view of a belt and pulley system according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 4E is a side elevation view of a clip of a picker
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 4F is a top view of an actuator of a picker according
to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 4G is a side elevation view of a gripping finger
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIGS. 5, 5A, and 5B are views of an another embodiment of a
picker;
[0033] FIGS. 6 and 6A are side views of an output bin in two
positions according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a side view of a button picker according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 7A is a top view of the button picker of FIG. 6;
[0036] FIG. 7B is a side elevation view of a portion of a button
picker gripping a disc according to another embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0037] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a system according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] In the following detailed description of the invention,
reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part
hereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, specific
embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In the
drawings, like numerals describe substantially similar components
throughout the several views. These embodiments are described in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural,
logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from
the scope of the present invention.
[0039] The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be
taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention
is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope
of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
[0040] The various embodiments of the present invention have the
capability, among other things, to record and print on CDs, and to
do so without an active picker. Further, the embodiments of the
present invention reduce idle time for a recorder. This is
accomplished in various embodiments by providing a gravity feed
delivery system of discs to a recorder, and using an angled motion
picker to move discs.
[0041] FIG. 1 shows a front elevation view of one embodiment 100 of
an input bin. Input bin 100 comprises a disc bin 102 that can hold
a number of discs. Input bin has a pair of side walls 104 that each
have disc holding fingers 106 which serve to hold discs in the bin
in generally close alignment with one another. Input bin 100 also
has a back wall 108 that serves as a rest against which a disc to
be picked from the input bin 100 rests in generally parallel
position with the back wall 108. An extension 110 of input bin 100
extends from the back wall 108 to form a cradle that aligns a
plurality of discs so that the stack is properly aligned for
picking, as will be discussed in further detail below. The
extension 110 is more clearly seen by also referring to FIG. 1A.
Extension 110 is generally perpendicular to back wall 108 where
extension 110 connects with back wall 108. Extension 110 extends
from back wall 108 substantially perpendicular to back wall 108 for
a distance approximately equal to that of the thickness of six
discs, and then begins to curve upward to form a cradle for holding
a remainder of a stack of discs. In another embodiment, the
extension has no flat surface, but instead slopes upward from the
back wall from the connection point to the back wall.
[0042] As is shown in FIG. 1B, a stack of discs 150 is shown in
position on an input bin such as input bin 100. The input bin is
shown with the side walls 104 cut away, so that only the discs 150,
the back wall 108, and the extension 110 are shown in detail. When
discs are to be picked from the input bin 100, a singulator
(described in greater detail below) picks a disc at the general
location 152. In that region of the input bin, the discs 150 are
aligned substantially flush to each other and parallel to back wall
108. The curvature of extension 110 serves to maintain a pressure
in the general direction of arrow 154 of the bottom of the stack of
discs 150 toward the back wall 108. This pressure assists in
keeping the discs at or near the back wall 108 in a favorable
picking position.
[0043] Discs can rock and move out of proper picking orientation
when stacked, especially when stacked substantially vertically. In
a near vertical orientation, the bottom of a stack of discs has
forces that tend to push the discs outward in the direction of
arrow 155 shown in FIG. 1B. The design of the input bin 100 forces
the bottom of the stack 150 to be pushed toward the back wall 108
in the direction of arrow 154. The flat section 157 of extension
110, combined with the pressure in the direction of arrow 154 due
to the geometry of the extension 110, keeps approximately 6 discs
in true picking position for picking by a singulator (described
below) at position 152.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 2, a perspective view of an input bin
100 in place on a part of a larger apparatus is shown. FIG. 2 also
shows a singulator 200, a feed chute 250, and a disc recorder or
verifier 270. Singulator 200 picks a disc from a stack of discs
such as stack 150 which are in the input bin, and drops the disc
into chute 250, and gravity feeds the disc directly to the recorder
or verifier 270 drawer 272.
[0045] The singulator 200 is described in greater detail also
referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, and 2E. The singulator comprises
a rotatable disc singulating member 202 pivotally connected to
singulator arm 204 at pivot point 206. The singulating member 202
has a flat disc holding surface 208 for supporting a disc during
singulation. The singulating member 202 flat surface 208 is
normally biased to a position in which the flat surface 208 is
substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the
singulator during operation, that direction indicated by
directional arrow 210. The biasing is accomplished in one
embodiment using extension spring 212 which is connected to bias
the singulating member to its normal position in which flat surface
208 is substantially perpendicular to axis 210. The entire
singulator arm 204 and singulating member 202 moves on an axis
collinear with axis 210.
[0046] Any suitable movement mechanism for creating a linear
movement of the singulator arm 204 and singulating member 202 is
sufficient for the purposes of the embodiments of the singulator
200. Those skilled in the art will immediately recognize that such
drive mechanisms include by way of example only and not by way of
limitation, to rack and pinion mechanisms, pulley and belt
mechanisms, geared drive mechanisms, and the like.
[0047] In operation, the singulator 200 works as follows. The
singulator is actuated and moves the singulator arm 204 to a
position in which the singulating member 202 has its flat surface
208 extended within a center opening of a disc. The sizing of the
singulating member and its position within the arm 204 is designed
so that a single disc is in contact with the flat surface 208 when
the singulator arm 204 is in this position (see FIG. 2C). In this
position, a single disc is removed from the back of the stack of an
input bin such as input bin 100 described above. The disc is lifted
by the singulator 200 as the singulator arm 204 and singulating
member 202 move along the axis 210. The disc is lifted to a point
located so as to allow the disc to fall into a feed chute
(described later) when the singulating member 202 is retracted. In
one embodiment, retraction is accomplished by rotating the
singulating member 202 about pivot point 206 in a direction
indicated by arrow 220 (see FIG. 2D). In this embodiment, a
stationary pivot actuator 214, positioned on the singulator 200 in
the path of travel of surface 207 of the singulating member 202,
contacts the surface 207 of singulating member 202 as the arm 204
and member 202 travel along axis 210 (see FIG. 2C). As the
singulating member 202 and arm 204 continue to move along axis 110,
the stationary actuator 214 causes the singulating member 202 to
pivot in the direction of arrow 220, about pivot point 206.
Eventually, the travel of singulator arm 204 and singulating member
202 force member 202 to be rotated sufficiently to allow a carried
disc to drop off of flat surface 208 into a feed chute (See FIG. 2E
and below).
[0048] Feed chute 250 is in one embodiment configured as a portion
of input bin 100. In other embodiments, feed chute 250 may be a
stand alone chute, or may alternatively be a part of a singulator
such as singulator 200, or of an entire apparatus, without
departing from the scope of the invention.
[0049] Feed chute 250 comprises in one embodiment a angled back
member 252 and side walls 254. In conjunction with a singulator
such as singulator 200, the chute functions to feed by way of
gravity, a disc from the singulator 200 to a tray 272 of recorder
or verifier device 270. When the disc is dropped off of the flat
surface 208 of the singulating member 202, the disc falls into
chute 250, and slides along back member 252 and between side walls
254. Gravity pulls the disc downward into the chute, and the chute
directs the disc to a waiting tray such as tray 272. As such, no
active picker is required to position a disc into a recorder or the
like.
[0050] Once the disc is in the recorder or the like, it is
recorded, or written, or rewritten, as is desired. When that
process has completed, the tray 272 opens once again, and the disc
is transported by a picker to its next destination in the
apparatus.
[0051] On embodiment of a system 300 for mounting drives such as
recorder or verifier 270 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3.
Drive mounting system (DMS) 300 comprises in one embodiment a pair
of sleeves 302 sized to fit into an oversized drive bay sized to
accommodate all expected to be used drives. The sleeves are
designed to have external dimensions that fit the oversized drive
bay. The internal dimensions of the sleeves can be varied to
accommodate different sized drives so as to line up the drive tray
in the same position on a system such as system 400 described below
no matter what the drive size is. For each individual drive that is
not sized to the dimensions of the drive bay, a pair of sleeves 302
is used. In one embodiment, the sleeves 302 are color coded so that
each individual drive manufacturer drive, such as drive 304, is
associated with a set of colored sleeves 302 that are used to
provide a unique solution for each individual drive 304. The
sleeves 302 are fitted to the outside of a drive 304 which is then
inserted into the oversized drive bay.
[0052] A side elevation view of the sleeve 302 of FIG. 3 is shown
in FIG. 3A, and a front elevation view of sleeve 302 is shown in
FIG. 3B. In order to accommodate different drive dimensions, and to
allow some rotation and translation of the drive position, any of
the internal dimensions of the sleeves 302 may be varied while
keeping the external dimensions consistent with the dimensions of
the oversize drive bay. Foe example, FIG. 3C shows a sleeve 310
that has been modified to rotate a mounted drive somewhat. The
center beam 312 of sleeve 310 is molded or otherwise manufactured
having an offset from front 314 to back 316 to mount a drive at a
slight angle. Similarly, FIG. 3D shows a side elevation view of a
sleeve 320 that has three different widths of the sleeve 320. At
top arm 322 of sleeve 320, the width 324 of the sleeve is less than
the width 328 of the bottom arm 326 of the sleeve 320. Further, the
width 330 of the main body including the center arm of sleeve 320
can be adjusted. With all of the adjustments, and combinations
thereof, it is possible to control pitch, roll, yaw, and various
translations of a drive to correctly mount the drive without
requiring hand mounting and fine adjustment. Each drive is shipped
or provided with a pair of sleeves such as sleeves 302, 310, or 320
that allow a user to simply slide the sleeves around the drive and
slide the drive and the sleeves into the oversized drive bay for
proper alignment.
[0053] Another embodiment of a sleeve 350 is shown in FIG. 3E.
Sleeve 350 has a forward arm 352 that is formed to slide over the
front end of a drive such as drive 304, to more fully seat the
drive without the need for mounting screws or the like. It should
be understood that one or more of the modifications to sleeves,
such as varying the widths and thicknesses, angles of center beams,
and the like, are within the scope of the invention, and that such
changes to the inner dimensions are not limited to those discussed
herein, but in fact encompass any modifications to the inner
dimensions of the sleeves to provide proper translation and
rotation to mount any drive that fits within the oversized drive
bay.
[0054] One embodiment of a multi media printer 400 is shown in
greater detail in FIG. 4. System 400 comprises generally an input
bin 100 positioned near feed chute 250 and singulator 200. Beneath
singulator 200, feed chute 250, and input bin 100 is recorder 270
mounted in drive mounting system 300. Angled motion picker body 450
is shown on belt and pulley system 406 in two different locations,
near recorder 270 and near a printer below recorder 270 and about
output bin 500.
[0055] One embodiment of an angled motion picker 440 is shown in
greater detail in FIG. 4. Angled motion picker 440 comprises in one
embodiment a DC motor 402, a gear reduction 404, a belt and pulley
drive 406, an encoder 408, a linear rail 410, and a picker body
450. The picker body 450 is in one embodiment a friction grab
picker. A single spring loaded finger provides a grip for this
passive picker. No electronics are required on the picker, reducing
the complexity of the picker. Picker body 450 comprises in one
embodiment a clip 460, an arm 470 holding an actuator 480 and a
gripping finger 490. The arm 470 mounts the actuator 480 and
gripping finger 490, and along with the clip 460, also integral to
the picker body 450, the entire assembly moves with the belt 432 of
belt and pulley drive 406 guided by rail 410.
[0056] Belt and pulley drive 406 comprises belt 432 moved by motion
of pulley members 434. Clip 460 is affixed to belt 432 and moves
when belt 432 moves. Clip 460 is connected to and moves with arm
470, which houses actuator 480 and gripping finger 490 as shown in
greater detail in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, which are views of the
picker 410 and its operation. Further details of each of the
components of the picker 410 are shown in FIGS. 4D, 4E, 4F, and 4G
below.
[0057] As has been mentioned, picker body 450 is fastened via clip
460 to belt 432 of belt and pulley system 406. Arm 470, connected
to clip 460, rides along linear rail 410, with arm 470 having an
opening through which linear rail 410 passes so as to maintain
alignment and movement of picker body 450 in a linear motion
parallel to the axis of linear rail 410. Referring now also to FIG.
4E, clip 460 has a pair of flat stop surfaces 462 and 464, and a
pair of notches 466 and 468. Surface 484 of actuator 480 rests in
one or the other of notches 466 or 468 when the belt and therefore
the picker are in motion. For the picker body 450 to be in a
gripping position, surface 484 of actuator 480 is in notch 466 of
clip 460, and therefore actuator 480 is rotated about pivot point
486 in the direction of arrows 488 (FIG. 4F). Gripping finger is in
a biased position so that the bottom 496 of finger 490 extends out
a distance .alpha. from downwardly extending protrusion 472 of arm
470. This distance is in one embodiment approximately {fraction
(10/1000)} of an inch. The extended finger portion 496 and the
opposite side 474 of protrusion 472 are sufficiently spaced so as
to grip a disc by its center opening for carrying and transport by
the picker. Further, arm 470 has stop members 475 and 477. When the
picker body 450 is in motion downward, stop member 475 of arm 470
abuts a stop member 438 on belt and pulley system 406 as belt 432
moves. To release a gripped disc from the picker 440, the belt 432
is moved downward until arm stop surface 476 hits stop member 438,
stopping motion of arm 470. Clip 460 continues to move as the belt
432 is overdriven, snapping the actuator 480 from its gripping
position in notch 466 to its release position in notch 468.
[0058] To set the actuator into the notches 466 and 468, it is
necessary in one embodiment to overdrive the belt once the
respective arm member 475 or 477 has contacted the respective stop
member 438 or 436 of belt and pulley system 406, forcing the clip
460 to continue to move relative to the now stationary arm 470.
Since translational motion of the picker body 450 stops when the
arm 470 hits the stop member 438 or 436, the overdriving of the
belt 432 and hence the clip 460 forces the actuator to slide along
the surface 469 between the two notches 464 and 466 until it snaps
into the other notch. Overdriving the belt when the arm 470 reaches
stop member 438 results in releasing gripping by the gripping
finger by snapping the actuator 480 from notch 466 to notch 468.
This action pivots actuator 480 about pivot point 486 in the
direction of arrows 489. In contrast, overdriving the belt when the
arm 470 reaches stop member 436 results in engaging gripping by the
gripping finger by snapping the actuator from notch 468 to notch
466. This action pivots actuator 480 about pivot point 486 in the
direction of arrows 488. A spring (not shown) may be used to assist
in the retraction of the actuator.
[0059] In operation, the system 400 operates as follows. A stack of
discs to be recorded and/or printed is stacked in the input bin.
The configuration of the input bin forces a few discs of the stack
into proper singulating position. The singulator operates to pick a
single disc from the back of the input bin, lifting the disc by its
center opening until a predetermined point is reached, where the
singulating member retracts, and the disc is released. The disc
falls into the feed chute, and drops into open recording tray of
the recorder. Once recording is complete, the picker is placed in
its gripping position, and removes the disc from the recorder tray.
At this time, the singulator has been instructed to singulate
another disc from the input bin, and once the disc from the
recorder tray is picked, the singulator drops another disc into the
recording tray. The recording tray retracts, and the picker body
moves along the linear rail to its release position, where the disc
is released, either to the printer or to the output bin (described
below). The process shortens idle time for the recorder by removing
picking as a requirement for placing a disc in the recorder.
[0060] Another embodiment of an arm 500 is shown in FIGS. 5, 5A,
and 5B. For purposes of these Figures, like reference numerals
indicate like parts from previous figures. Arm 500 has an
additional sensor finger 502 which is disposed above actuator 480
in arm 500. Sensor finger 502 pivots about pivot point 504 in
counter-motion to actuator 480. Opening 506 in sensor arm 502
receives the top of finger 490. When finger 490 moves due to the
rotation of actuator 480 (as described above), sensor arm 502
rotates in the opposite direction as actuator 480. When sensor arm
502 rotates in the direction of arrow 512, opening 510 in arm 500
is uncovered. In this embodiment, an infrared transmitter is
positioned along the axis normal to the surface of sensor arm 502
through the center of opening 510. An infrared receiver is
positioned on the opposite side of the opening 510 as the infrared
transmitter. When the infrared sensor receives a signal from the
infrared transmitter, that is an indication that the actuator has
properly moved from the gripping position to the release position.
In this manner, error conditions can be checked for the gripping
and release positions of the arm 500.
[0061] It should be understood that other transmitting and
detecting schemes are within the scope of the invention, including
by way of example only and not by way of limitation, visible light,
laser light, and the like.
[0062] One embodiment of an output bin 600 is shown in greater
detail in FIGS. 6 and 6A. Output bin 600 comprises a bin body 602
having disc retaining walls 604 for holding a stack of discs such
as stack 610. In one embodiment, when the stack 610 reaches a
certain weight, a spring 606 biasing output bin 600 to a
substantially horizontal position as shown in FIG. 6 has its spring
force overcome, and the output bin 600 rotates downward an angle of
.beta. to its delivery or retrieval position as shown in FIG. 6A.
In one embodiment, .beta. is approximately 30 degrees. At this
orientation of output bin 600, the stack of discs 610 is presented
at an angle of approximately 30 degrees for easy retrieval from the
output bin 600.
[0063] It should be understood that in other embodiments, the
mechanism by which output bin 600 rotates can be changed without
departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in another
embodiment, the output bin is motorized to move between its first
and second positions. In this embodiment, the system 400 tracks the
number of discs that have been deposited in output bin 600. Once a
predetermined number of discs is reached, the motor lowers the
output bin for disc retrieval. It should be understood that a
straight angled drop could also be used, eliminating an output bin
altogether, without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0064] FIG. 7 shows a printer belt picker embodiment 700. Belt
picker 700 comprises a printer bed 702 on which moves a belt 704 or
other conveyance mechanism. In this embodiment, belt 704 has
affixed thereto a button 706. The button is positioned central to
the belt as is shown best in FIG. 7A. The button 706 in one
embodiment is sized so that its diameter is slightly smaller than
the diameter of a compact disc center opening. A picker or other
disc transport device, including a gravity feed device, can deposit
a disc 708 having center opening 710 in leaning relation to the
belt 704. The belt 704 is advanced in the direction of arrow 712
until the button 706 is in a position past where a disc center
opening 710 will be, such as position A shown in FIG. 7. When a
disc is positioned for picking, the belt is advanced in the
direction of arrow 713 until button 706 engages center opening 710
of disc 708 (position B), gripping disc 708. Then the belt 704
continues to lift disc 708 onto the bed 702 as is shown in FIG. 7B.
Printing is effected, and the disc 708 is pushed off belt 704 and
button 706 in one embodiment by pusher 714, which is integral to
the belt 704 and advances when the disc is in the position shown in
FIG. 7 to disengage disc 708 from button 706, pushing disc 708 away
from printer, in one embodiment into an output bin such as bin
600.
[0065] In another embodiment, a spring loaded door 750 is
positioned in the arc of a disc that is being picked up from its
leaning position described above. The door 750 is biased by a coil
spring 752 or the like to the position shown in FIG. 7. Door 750 is
rotatable about pivot point 754 in the direction shown by arrow 756
when a disc is being picked by the button picker. The disc contacts
the door 750 and rotates the door sufficiently far to allow the
disc to be pulled into the printer. When the disc clears the arc of
the door 750, the spring force from spring 752 biases the door to
its original position. When the disc is subsequently pushed from
the belt by pusher 714, the disc slides along the top 758 of the
door 750 into an output bin or the like.
[0066] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a computer system 800
comprising a host computer 802 connected to a printer/recorder
system 804 (or system 400). Connection of the computer 802 and the
printer/recorder 804 is by any suitable connection including but
not limited to Universal Serial Bus (USB), parallel, serial,
wireless, or wired network connection 806. As shown, connection 806
is between a USB port 808 on computer 802 and USB hub 810 of
printer/recorder 804. Component devices in printer/recorder 804
include by way of example recorder 812 for writing information to
discs, printer 814 for printing labels on discs, and robot
controller 816 for operating the functions of components such as
pickers, singulators, and the like.
[0067] In one embodiment, computer 802 runs a software program that
identifies the system 804 by polling the components connected to
the USB hub 810, and identifying the system by the configuration of
components.
[0068] It should be understood that the number of recorders in
systems of the present invention can be increased without departing
from the scope of the invention. The motion of the picker body and
the passive nature of the device are best embodied in a system with
two locations for the picker to move between, but modifications
will be apparent to those of skill in the art, and such
modifications are within the scope of the invention. Further, the
various components of the present invention need not all be present
on any system, and individual components of the present invention
are amenable to use on other systems. For example, a gravity feed
chute and singulator can be used on a system with an active picker,
or a passive picker may be used on a system without a singulator of
the present type, and so forth, without departing from the scope of
the invention.
Conclusion
[0069] A system, components, and processes have been described that
include an input bin, a singulator, a gravity feed system for
discs, a passive picker that requires no electronics for operation,
a drive mounting system that mounts multiple drives without the
need for hand adjustment, a belt picker for a printer or the like,
and an output bin, as well as a system incorporating the individual
components. The system and processes reduce idle time for a
recorder of the system, and reduces the need for an active picker,
thereby reducing cost while improving efficiency.
[0070] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill
in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the
same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown.
This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations
of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that
this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents
thereof.
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