Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MAGNETIC LABEL AND USE THEREOF
Field of Invention
This invention relates to situations requiring
the temporary display of information. In particular, it
relates to books, tapes and other material issued or
loaned by libraries and video rental stores wherein it is
desirable to indicate the date by which these materials
are due.
Description of Prior Art
The checkout of library materials such as books,
audio and video cassette tapes, record albums, compact
disks and the like typically involves three steps after
recording the patrons name:
(a) The library records the name of the item being issued.
(b) Theft prevention means are disabled.
(c~ A due date is indicated on the issued material.
Upon return of the issued material, the library:
(a) Records that the material has been returned.
(b) Enables theft prevention means.
(c) Cancels the due date.
The recording of the status of issue of library
material has been largely computerized. The data entry
has become increasingly keyless and efficient via the use
of bar code labels and bar code readers. Theft prevention
is achieved by affixing a magnetic strip to the issuable
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material. If this magnetic strip is in one state of
magnetization, an alarm is set off if the material passes
through the field of detection coils.
The due date, the date by which the issued
material should be returned to the library, is indicated
in a variety of ways. A commonly used method is to insert
in the book pocket a card on which the due date is stamped.
When the book is returned, the card is removed. The card
is then stamped with a new date and reused till the
allocated space on the card is utilized after which the
card is discarded. Another way of indicating the due date
is to affix on the book a label and rubber stamp the due
date on the label. When the book has to be reissued, a
new label with a new due date is affixed on top of the
previous one. When sufficient labels have accumulated,
they are scraped off using a knife or similar implement.
Disadv3ntages of the due date card are:
a) The due date has to be manually stamped.
b) A book pocket must be affixed inside the book.
c) The card has to be manually inserte~d in each book
pocket.
d) The due date card may drop out of the book.
e) The book must be opened to verify if it has been
issued.
f) The book must be opened by the patron to verify the due
date.
g) The book checkout process is slow.
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Disadvantages of the paper label are:
a) The due date must be manually stamped.
b) A new label must be affixed each time the book is
checXed out.
c) Labels affixed on top of each other tend to be
misaligned and present an untidy look.
d) Removal of the labels is difficult.
e) Areas from which the labels are removed may have an
adhesive residue which tends to accumulate dirt.
f) The book check out process is slow.
In the preceding description of prior art and its
disadvantages, library books have been mentioned only as
an example of the type of material and situation requiring
the temporary display of information. The scope of this
patent should not be construed to be limited to library
books. The methods, apparatus and means for display are
applicable to all materials and situations requiring an
erasable and rewritable display. These include video and
audio cassettes, compact disks, record albums, video game
cartridges issued by libraries, video rental stores and
similar establishments.
Oblects and Advantaqes
Objects and advantages of my present invention
are:
a) The use of an erasable and rewritable media to display
the due date.
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b) An efficient and elegant method of displaying the due
date.
c) Improved productivity in the check out and return
process.
d) Reduction in paper consumption.
e) To allow the simultaneous execution of the different
check out/ return steps.
Brief Description of The Drawings
Figure 1 shows a rectangular object with a label
embodying the invention affixed ln one corner.
Figure 2 shows a detailed view of the label of
Figure 1.
Figure 3 shows the cross sectional view of the
label of Figure 2.
Figure 4 shows an isometric view of a check out/
return device adapted for use with the label of the
nventlon.
Figure 5 shows the top view of the device of
Figure 4 with its cover removed.
Figure 6 shows a cross sectional view of the
check out/return device.
Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of the carriage
portion of the check out/return device.
Figure 8A shows the underside of the check out/
return device.
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Figure 8B shows the guiding arrangement for two
magnetic stencils.
Figures 9A and 9B show two labels with the
magnetic recording media position shifted.
Figure 10 shows the underside of a device
suitable for writing on the labels of Figure 9.
Figure 11 shows a book with a label affixed to
its upper left hand corner.
_etailed Description of The
Preferred Embodiments
(In this description, a numeral followed by
letters - L, R, B and T stands for the left, right, bottom
and top member described by the numeral. When reference
is made to any of these members with no particular regard
to their location, the numeral is followed by an "X").
Fiyure 1 shows a rectangular object 10, such as a
book, record album in its jacket, a video cassette or any
material having a rectangular face. At the upper right
hand corner of this object is affixed a label 20,
structured in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the present invention. Label 20 is shown in detail in
Figures 2 and 3. Label 20 comprises a magnetic medium 25
suitable for direct viewing which is entrapped between a
portion of an adhesive backed printed label portion 32 and
protective transparent protective laminate 24. Label
portion 32 carries permanently printed information, for
example, naming the issuing library and an arrow drawing
attention to the due date display area. A machine
readable element such as a bar code, magnetic stripe,
optically or magnetically readable characters carrying
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the serial number of the book is also permanently
recorded in the region 27 as shown. On the underside of
printed label portion 32, a magnetic strip 26 is affixed.
The magnetization pattern on this strip can be altered and
forms part of a theft prevention system which typically
comprises detection coils located at the library entrance.
If this strip is in one state of magnetization, an alarm
is set off if the strip passes through the field of
detection coils. Magnetic strip 26, its magnetization
state alteration apparatus and detection/alarm system are
commercially available and in widespread use in libraries
and video rental stores. Manufacturers/ suppliers of such
magnetic strips and detection systems can be found in the
book, " Book Theft and Library Security Systems", 1981 -~2
by Alice Harrison Bahr published by Knowledge Industry
Publications Inc., White Plains, New York.
Magnetic media 25 is field responsive and suitable
for direct viewing. A type of material suitable for this
purpose comprises numerous microencapsulated flakes coated
on a substrate such as paper or plastic film. This
material, frequently referred to in literature as Particle
Oriented Paper (POP), is commercially available from
Eurand America Inc., 845 Center Drive, Vandalia, Ohio
45377. When the magnetic flakes in this media are aligned
parallel to the surface on which they are coated, the
media appears light since the incident light is reflected.
In areas where the flakes are aligned normal to the
surface, incident light is scattered and these regions
appear dark. Since particle orientation can be repeatedly
changed by application of magnetic field, this media is
erasable and new information can be repeatedly written.
More details about this material can be found in an article
authored by Dale O. Ballinger and published in
Electronics, March 1, 1973, Copyright 1973 by McGraw Hill
Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10020.
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Method and device for erasing and writing on this
media, particularly suitable for this application are
described in my U.S. patent application entitled "METHOD
A~D DEVICE FOR ERASING AN~ WRITING ON MAGNETIC MEDIA
SUITABLE FOR DIRECT VIEWING" dated 08/23/90 and assigned
serial number 07/571,939. Some of the material described
herein can also be found in my above mentioned application.
Referring back to Figures 1, 2 and 3, protective
transparent layer 24, cut in the shape shown is helpful in
aligning label edges 28 and 29 to corresponding book edges
18 and 19 respectively. After placing label 20 on book
10, flaps 21 and 23 are folded around book cover. This
helps in preventing the label 20 from coming off during
handling and particularly when books are repeatedly
inserted in and removed from book shelves. Label corner
22 is thus aligned with book corner 12. The purpose of
this alignment if to facilitate the registration of media
25, machine readable element 27 and magnetic strip 26
with respect to the means for writing on media 25, reading
the machine readable element 27 and altering magnetization
state of strip 26, incorporated in the device to be
described. Although the machine readable element can be a
magnetic stripe, optically or magnetically readable
characters or a printed har code, the printed bar code
offers unique advantages in the Library application since
it can be printed simultaneously with the rest of the
label. In the following description, only the bar code
embodiment will be discussed, but it should be understood
that other optically or magnetically readable data can
also be used.
Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the device 30
designed to work with label 20. After device 30 is placed
in book 10 and aligned (as described later), pressing
checkout button 390 causes a due date to be written on
media 25, the bar code 27 to be read and magnetic strip 26
to be desensitized. Similarly, pressing return button 392
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erases due date on media 25, reads bar code 27 and
sensitizes magnetic strip 26. The power supply to device
30 and data from device 30 to the host computer are
carried via cable 309.
Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 show different views of the
various components inside device 30. Carriage subassembly
303 comprises mounting plate 325 to which are attached
plastic molded parts 370L and 370R. Carriage wheels 340L~
340R, 341 L and 341 R are mounted in parts 370L and 370R
and ride on tracks 307L and 307R so that the carriage 303
can move freely parallel to base plate 300 to position
303'and back. A multipole disk magnet 322 with its flux
return plate 323 is connected to motor 301 via shaft 324.
(Although a spinning axial field multipole magnet is shown
as the preferred field source, other field sources such as
those described in my U.S. Patent Application 07/571,939
can also be used). Motor 301 is mounted on plate 325.
Also mounted on plate 325 are bar code reading optics and
electronics 326, magnetization state altering magnets 329
and 330. It will be recognized that the bar code reading
op-tics and electronics would be replaced by a magnetic
head or optical character reading optics if a magnetic
stripe or optically readable characters are used instead
of the bar code. Magnet 329 is a multipole radial field
disk magnet mounted on a rolling pin supported on molded
part 327 and 370L and can roll on label 20 region above
strip 26 when device 30 is placed on label 20. Magnet 330
is an electromagnet capable of generating an alternating
field to demagnetize strip 26. Magnet 330 is not shown in
Figure 6 for clarity.
The electrical connections to motor 301, power
supply to and signal out from opto-electronic module 326
and electrical connections to electromagnet 330 are
carried via flex cable 305. The optoelectronic module can
be obtained from various bar code equipment suppliers
including Welch Allyn, Industrial Products Division,
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Jordan Rd., Skaneateles Falls, New York 13153-0187. The
fixed end of cable 305 is connected to the logic and
switching circuit 319 via cable 315. Electrical
connections from checkout switch 390 and return switch 392
are also brought into circuit 319. Linear motor 317 is
connected to carriage 303 via linkage 321 and is
electrically connected to circuit 319 via cable 313.
Cable 309 brings the power supply to the device and
carries the data (from the bar code reader) out.
Figure 8A shows the underside of the device. Four
spring loaded members 360L, 360R, 360B and 360T are placed
in rectangular cavities in base plate 300. The springs
350L and 350R backing members 360L and 360R can be seen in
Figure 6. (The springs backing members 360B and 360T are
arranged in a similar way but are not shown). Magnetic
stencils 601, 602, 603 and 604 comprise magnetic lettering
and numerals on a nonmagnetic substrate. The magnetic
lettering can be made from high permeability materials
such as steel or nickel. Sheet steel 1 to 2 mils thick on
a plastic substrate has been found to work well. The
steel is shaped into the lettering and numerals using
photochemical machining. The stencils are slideable in
cavity 400 so that the due date to be written can be
arranged to align with the magnetic media 25 on labei 20.
Numerous sliding arrangements are possible. The
arrangement shown utilizes permanent magnets attached to
the lower end of the slideable stencils to guide and
retain the stencils. Figure 8B sho~s the detailed view
for two of the stencils - 602 and 604. For stencil 602,
magnet 605 slides in a cavity in base plate 300 and faces
a steel strip 607. The attractive force between magnet
605 and steel strip 607 helps retain the stencil. The
arrangement for the other stencils is similar.
Figures 9A and 9B show two labels 20A and 2QB
similar to label 20 described earlier. The position of
the magnetic media 25 is shifted in each case to correspond
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to the two date bearing stencils 507 and 506 as shown in
Figure 10. Figure 10 is a view of the underside of a
device otherwise identical to device 30 except that the
base plate has cavities into which date stencils can be
inserted. Figure 11 shows another location for label 20,
the upper left hand corner of the book back cover.
Operation
The operation of device and the function of the
various components will be explained using the example of
a situation requiring the checkout of a library book. The
book 10 has label 20 affixed to it as described earlier so
that the location of the directly viewable magnetic media
25, the bar code 27 and the magnetic strip 26 is fixed
with respect to the edges 18, 19 and corner 12 of the
book. The operator (a member of the library staff) places
hand held device 30 on the book such that locating bars
360B and 360L make contact with the book surface.
Consequently, locating bars 360 B and 360L are depressed.
While pushing down on device 30, the operator slides
device 30 to bring its upper right hand corner towards
corner 12 of the book till the inner edges of locating
bars 360T and 360R stop against book edges 18 and 19
respectively. Since both label 20 and device 30 are
aligned with respect to the book edges, they are aligned
with respect to each other. Thus with the magnetic
stencils 601 - 604 positioned as shown, a high permeability
pattern shaped as "AUG 05'90" is in contact with the
protective laminate 24 above media 25. The magnetic
stencils as shown could be 2 mils sheet steel on a plastic
substrate. The steel is etched in the month, date and
year pattern as shown. Other types of magnetic stencils
may be used in accordance with my U.S. patent application
assigned serial number 07/571,939. Also, with device 30
so placed, bar code reading means 326 is aligned with bar
code 27 and sensitize/desensitize magnets 329 and 330 are
aligned with magnetic strip 26.
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When the operator depresses checkout button 390,
logic and switching circuit 319 causes the following
sequence of events to occur: Motor 301 is energized so
that magnet 322 is spinning. Bar code reading means 326
is enabled and electromagnet 330 is deenergized. Linear
motor 317 is energized to execute a full travel and return
stroke. Thus carriage 303 travels on tracks 307X and the
spinning magnet 322 passes over stencils 601 - 604. This
causes the magnetic media 25 to experience an alternating
magnetic field. This field is substantially normal in the
region under the high permeability lettering while being
substantially parallel elsewhere whereby the due date "AUG
05'90" is written on media 25, Simultaneously, bar code
reader scans bar code 27 (twice) while magnet 329 rolls
over the label surface causing an alternate North-South
pattern on strip 26. The alternate North South state is
the desensitized state in this example. Thus, as stated
as one of the objects of this invention, the different
tasks of checkout can be accomplished in one step. Also,
the due date is neatly displayed and no book pocket is
required. Rubber stamps and ink pads are not needed. The
label can be used numerous times and is cost effective and
labor saving.
During book return, device 30 is placed on the
book in the manner as already described. The operator
depresses switch 392 and circuit 319 causes the following
sequence of events to occur. Electromagnet 330 is
energized and motor 301 turned off so that magnet 322 is
not spinning. Bar code reader 326 is activated. Linear
motor 317 is energized and the carriage 303 traverses as
before. The stationary magnet 322 erases any previously
recorded information and turns media 25 dark. A still
better erasure can be obtained by incorporating a separate
media darkening magnet 331 as shown in Figure 7. Magnet
331 could be an electromagnet with a high permeability
core with a coil wound around it and oriented with its
magnetic axis normal to the base plate 300 surface.
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Energizing magnet 331 ensures that on the return stroke of
carriage 303, media 25 experiences a field normal to its
surface and thus darkens it. The magnet 331 coil can
carry a direct current or preferably an alternating
current. Magnet 331 could also be a permanent magnet
which is brought closer to base plate 300 during book
return and moved away during check out. Again, bar code
reading means 326 reads bar code 27. Electromagnet 330
sensitizes strip 26. Thus the return tasks can all be
accomplished in one step.
In the examples described above, the top and
right hand edges of the book were used as reference or
alignment edges. In some situations, placing the label as
shown may cover say the book title. The user may then
select, say, the upper left hand corner on the back cover
to locate a label 200 as shown in Figure 11. To align
device 30, the user places device 30 on the book such that
spring loaded members 360B and 360R make contact with the
hook surface and are thus depressed. The user then moves
the upper left hand corner of device 30 towards the upper
left hand corner of the book till spring loaded members
360L and 360T make contact with the left and top edges of
the book. In a similar manner, by having the locating
mem~ers spring loaded as described, any of the book edges
can be used as reference. If however, the user decides to
standardize on say the right hand corner, members 360L and
360B can be deleted and members 360R and 360T can be fixed
in their projecting positions.
In some libraries and video rental stores,
different materials are issued for different duration.
For example, in a library, children's books may be issued
for three weeks while adult books may be issued for two
weeks. Similarly, a video rental store may issue new
movies for one day and documentaries for three days.
Clearly these requirements may be met by shifting the
stencil position for each situation. One may also have
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separate units like device 30 with different dates set on
each device. A more elegant solution is recognized as
follows: Figures 9A and 9B show two labels 20A and 20B
with the location of magnetic media 25 shifted with
respect to edge 28. Eigure 1o shows the underside of a
device 30A identical to device 30 but with two sets of
date stencils 506 and 507 as shown. The distance Dl of
the centerline of stencil 506 from the inner edge of
locating member 360T is the same as the distance (D1) of
the centerline of media 25 on label 20A from reference
edge Z8. Similarly, distance D2 of the centerline of
stencil 507 from the inner edge of locating member 360T is
the same as the distance (D2) of the centerline of media
25 on label 20B from reference edge 28. Now, say there
are two books lOA and lOB and book lOA is to be issued for
a period which ends on due date "AUG 25'90" which is
therefore the date on stencil 506. Similarly, book lOB is
to be issued till, say " SEP 01'90 ", the date on stencil
507. Label 20A is affixed on book lOA and label 20B on
book lOB. When device 30A is placed on boo)c lOA and
aligned as described earlier for device 30, media 25 on
label lOA receives the date "AUG 25 ' 90" . Even though the
presence of stencil 507 created field patterns capable of
writing "SEP 01'90", these fields are inconsequential
since there is no media to record and display this pattern.
Similarly, when device 30A is placed on book lOB bearing
label 20B, the date "SEP 01'90" is recorded. This logic
can be extended to any reasonable number of dates by
having more media 25 locations and corresponding stencil
locations. Labels with different media 25 locations can
also be color coded for easy identification.
It will be recognized that device 30 and label 20
allow various tasks to be accomplished simultaneously.
If, however users require only some of the functions, the
redundant components may be eliminated. Also, alternate
bar code reading methods may be incorporated. To cite
some examples:~
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(a) Some libraries and video rental stores affix perman-
ently sensitized magnetic strips. When the material is
issued in an authorized way, the patron can receive the
material by bypassing the detection coils. Thus
sensitize/desensitize magnets 330 and 329 can be
eliminated.
(b) Some libraries have a separate return counter.
Devices used at such counters need not be capable of
writing due dates. They only need to erase them. Thus
motor 301 and components 322, 323, 324 and the magnetic
stencils 601 - 604 and 506, 507 can be eliminated.
(c) Label 20 can also be mounted inside the book, for
example on the first page.
(d) Bar code reading means can also be of the laser
scanning type or the CCD type. In these cases, barcode
reading means need not be mounted on the moving carriage.
(e) The bar code is shown printed and optically readable.
Alternate machine readable information could be optically
readable characters or magnetically readable information.
The reading means would then be accordingly different and
are well known.
(f) It is also possible to modify device 30 to work as a
desk top device. The books, tapes etc. can then be
placed over it to align label 20 with the corresponding
reading/ writing/ magnetization state altering means and
the various operations carried out as described earlier.
Although the due date writing and display method
described here utilizes a material with orientable
microencapsulated flakes, other types of erasable media
can also be used as will be apparent to one skilled in the
art. For example, U.S. patents 4,283,438 and 4,417,543
by Lawrence L. Lee describe method and apparatus for
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individually encapsulating magnetic particles. A media
incorporating individually encapsulated microscopic
spheres, where these spheres are dark colored on one
hemisphere and light colored on the other is also well
suited for this application. The writing and erasing
means would accordingly be modified. Another type of
erasable media utilizes dark magnetic fine grain and light
non-magnetic fluid as described in U.S. patent 4, 143,472
by Murata et al.
Obviously, many modifications and variations of
the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in
the art in light of the above teachings. Therefore the
present invention should be limited only by the appended
claims.
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