Bar code reader for a compact disc rack

Abstract

A high capacity motorized rack holds a plurality of jewel case enclosed CDs in holders flexibly inter-connectable with each other to form a rotatable continuous loop. The loop is rotatably retained within a vertical rack housing and is driven by a motor, disposed within the housing, under user control such that the loop is rotated until a desired CD is moved to the top region of the belt. A rack may hold two or more such loops of inter-connected holders. In one embodiment a holder retains a single jewel case, and comprises two independent loops that are rotated with a single motor. A preferred embodiment employs inter-connectable holders that each retain two jewel cases in a side-by-side configuration. A lamp and/or barcode scanner may be disposed on the housing for ease of CD selection. The housing base preferably is detached during shipping to permit transporting the rack in a smaller volume container. User control can include voice commands to direct loop rotation and speed.

1 . A rack that is capable of retaining and rotating a plurality of CD cases or cases for containing other items, wherein said cases contain a unique indicia such as a barcode, the rack comprising: 
 an upstanding structure with a top and a base;    a continuous loop formed from a plurality of interlocked holders, each holder including a base having a holder-engaging mechanism extending there from and said holder engaging-mechanism engages an adjacent holder in order to form the continuous loop, said continuous loop supported by said structure;    a motor that is capable of rotating said loop, said motor supported by said structure;    a light source located at the top of said structure and capable of allowing the reading of indicia on the cases as the cases held in the loop move by the light source as said motor rotates said loop; and    wherein the loop is substantially vertically disposed.    
   
   
       2 . The rack of  claim 1  with the unique indicia located at the end of a case, and wherein: 
 said loop is capable of causing the cases to fan out at the top of the structure for ease of selection of the cases; and    wherein said light source is located on an arm which is capable of projecting over the fanned-out cases at the top of the structure.    
   
   
       3 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said light source is located on an arm which is capable of projecting over the cases at the top of the structure.    
   
   
       4 . The rack of  claim 1  wherein: 
 said light source is located on an arm which is located at the top of the structure.    
   
   
       5 . The rack of  claim 1  including a timer that is capable of turning said light source off after rotation of the cases ceases.  
   
   
       6 . The rack of  claim 1  including a remote controller that is capable of operating said motor in order to bring a case with a unique indicia to the top of the structure to be read.  
   
   
       7 . The rack of  claim 1  including a remote controller that is capable of operating said motor.  
   
   
       8 . A rack that is capable of retaining and rotating a plurality of CD cases or cases for containing other items, wherein said cases contain a unique indicia such as a bar code, the rack comprising: 
 an upstanding structure with a top and a base;    a loop formed from a plurality of holders, said loop supported by said structure;    a motor that is capable of rotating said loop, said motor supported by said structure;    said loop is capable of causing the cases to fan out at the top of the structure for ease of selection of the cases;    a light source located at the top of said structure and capable of allowing the reading of indicia on the cases as the cases held in the loop move by the light source as said motor rotates said loop;    wherein said light source is located on an arm which is capable of projecting over the fanned-out cases at the top of the structure; and    wherein the loop is substantially vertically disposed.    
   
   
       9 . The rack of  claim 8  including a timer that is capable of turning said light source off after rotation of the cases ceases.  
   
   
       10 . The rack of  claim 8  including a remote controller that is capable of operating said motor in order to bring a case with a unique indicia to the top of the structure to be read.  
   
   
       11 . The rack of  claim 8  including a remote controller that is capable of operating said motor.  
   
   
       12 . The rack of  claim 8  wherein each said holder includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism;    a second holder-engaging mechanism; and    wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is capable of interlocking with a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is capable of interlocking with a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder to form said loop.    
   
   
       13 . The rack of  claim 8  wherein each said holder includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism, which is a male mechanism;    a second holder-engaging mechanism, which is a female mechanism.    
   
   
       14 . The rack of  claim 8  wherein each said holder includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism;    a second holder-engaging mechanism; and    wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is capable of nesting in a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is capable of having a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder nest in the second holder-engaging mechanism said holder to form said loop.    
   
   
       15 . The rack of  claim 8  wherein each said holder includes: 
 a first holder-engaging mechanism with a slot located adjacent thereto;    a second holder-engaging mechanism having a distal end, which distal end is shaped in order to be received in said slot of an adjacent holder; and    wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is capable of interlocking with a second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder, and said second holder-engaging mechanism on said holder is capable of interlocking with a first holder-engaging mechanism on a third holder to form said loop; and    wherein the distal end of the second holder-engaging mechanism of the second said holder is capable of passing through said slot located adjacent to the first holder-engaging mechanism of said holder to which the second holder-engaging mechanism is inserted to allow the second said holder to spread apart from said holder.    
   
   
       16 . The rack of  claim 12  including: 
 a sprocket that is driven by said motor;    said sprocket including a plurality of teeth with spaces located between said teeth; and    wherein said first holder-engaging mechanism of a first said holder nested in said second holder-engaging mechanism of a second said holder and said second holder-engaging mechanism is capable of being positioned in a space between said teeth as the holders engage the sprocket in order to spread the holders apart.    
   
   
       17 . The rack of  claim 10  wherein said remote controller is capable of transmitting one of an ultrasound signal, a radio frequency signal, and an infra red signal.  
   
   
       18 . The rack of  claim 11  wherein said remote controller is capable of transmitting one of an ultrasound signal, a radio frequency signal, and an infra red signal.  
   
   
       19 . The rack of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a voice recognition system that is capable of operating the motor in response to audio commands.    
   
   
       20 . A rack that is capable of retaining and rotating a plurality of CD cases or cases for containing other items, wherein said cases contain a unique indicia such as a bar code, the rack comprising: 
 an upright support structure with a top and a base;    a loop formed from a plurality of holders, said loop supported by said structure;    a motor that is capable of rotating said loop, said motor supported by said structure;    said loop is capable of causing the cases to move past the top of the structure for ease of selection of the cases;    a light source located at the top of said structure and positioned and capable of allowing the reading of indicia on the cases as the cases held in the loop move by the light source as said motor rotates said loop;    wherein said light source is located on an arm which is capable of projecting over the top of the structure; and    wherein the loop is substantially vertically disposed.    
   
   
       21 . An apparatus for storing a plurality of compact discs and other similarly shaped objects, comprising: 
 an upright support structure;    a continuous loop of interlocking compact disc holders supported on the upright support structure so as to be able to rotate in at least one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction;    a motor coupled to the continuous loop to drive rotation of the continuous loop; and    a bar code scanner coupled to the upright support structure and capable of identifying compact discs in the loop.    
   
   
       22 . An apparatus for storing a plurality of objects comprising: 
 an upright support structure having a bottom region and a top region;    a bar code scanner coupled to the top region of the upright support structure;    a light source coupled to the top region of the upright support structure;    a continuous loop of interlocking object holders supported on the upright support structure so as to be able to rotate in at least one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction;    a motor coupled to the continuous loop to drive rotation of the continuous loop such that the plurality of objects rotate past the bar code scanner and the light source; and    wherein the loop is substantially vertically disposed.    
   
   
       23 . An apparatus for storing a plurality of compact discs wherein said compact discs can be identified by a unique indicia such as a bar code, said apparatus comprising: 
 an upright support structure;    a continuous loop of interlocking compact disc holders supported on the upright support structure so as to be able to rotate in at least one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction;    a motor coupled to the continuous loop to drive rotation of the continuous loop; and    an indicia reader coupled to the upright support structure and capable of identifying compact discs in the loop.    
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 23  wherein a compact disc holder includes: 
 a base to interlock adjacent holders;    a first member extending from the base;    a second member extending from the base; and    wherein the first and second members are capable of retaining a compact disc case.    
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 a male coupling mechanism extending outward from the base; and    a female coupling mechanism extending outward from the base.    
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 21  wherein a compact disc holder includes: 
 a base to interlock adjacent holders;    a first member extending from the base;    a second member extending from the base; and    wherein the first and second members are capable of retaining a compact disc case.    
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 26 , further comprising: 
 a male coupling mechanism extending outward from the base; and    a female coupling mechanism extending outward from the base.