_
`
`Unlted States Patent [191
`Patel et a1.
`
`US005288980A
`
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5,288,980
`Feb. 22, 1994
`
`[54] LIBRARY CHECK OUT/CHECK IN SYSTEM
`
`4,020,357 4/1977 Punis ................................. .. 250/568
`
`0
`
`_
`
`.
`
`[75] Inventors Nell Patel, Irvine; Suites Dew,
`Norwalk, both Of Calif.
`[73] 585131169‘ Kmgsley 1'15"" E‘l‘up'f'm
`(3991111111, P01110119, C9111‘
`
`.
`
`_
`
`_
`
`,
`
`~
`
`5
`
`,
`[21] Appl' N°" 904"“
`F’ d:
`Jun. 5
`dc
`2 ’ 1992
`[22]
`[51] Int. Cl. .............................................. .. G06F7/08
`[52] ‘15- CL ---------------------------------- -- 235/331; 235/330;
`_
`235/440; 340/572
`[58] Field of Search .............. .. 340/568, 572; 235/380,
`235/440, 381; 250/293
`References Cited
`
`[56]
`
`4,153,931 5/1979 Green et a1. . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . .. 364/200
`
`4,034,211 7/1977 Horst et al . . . . .
`
`. . . .. 235/487
`
`331/945
`4,050,037 9/1977 Knowles et al.
`235/385
`4,141,078 2/1979 Bridges, Jr. et a1.
`340/1463
`4,251,798 2/1981 Swartz et al.
`235/380
`4,729,128 3/1988 onniss m1. ..
`340/568
`4,881,061 11/1989 Chambers ..... ..
`5,153,562 10/1992 van Breeman .................... .. 340/572
`-
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`763681 11/1933 France _
`2-83686 3/1990 Japan ................................. .. 235/462
`3-99381 4/1991 Japan
`
`, OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`The Protean, vol. 2, No. 1, Winter 1972 “Survey of
`' Theft Detection Systems”.
`'
`Advertising for Checkpoint Systems, Inc. “Prevent
`Library Theft”, No Date.
`Library Security Newsletter, vol. 1, No. 3 May/Jun.
`L. t
`t.
`d
`( ‘5 °°n “we °“ nextpage')
`
`1
`Primary Examiner-Donald Hajec
`Assistant Examiner-Adrian Young
`Attomey, Agent, or pirm___stctina & Bnmda
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`3,564,214 2/1971 Cooper ..... ..
`3,665,449 5/1972 Elder gt a],
`3,691,350 9/1972 Kuhn a a1,
`3,747,086 7/1973 Peterson .
`3,765,O07 10/1973 Elder .... ..
`3,773,169 12/ 1973 Aqaffls
`3'781'661 12/1973 Tnk‘hs
`31285113;
`22:3:
`340/280
`3’82o’104 6/1974 Fzaron
`_ _ _ . ” 65/42
`3:859:o72 1,1975 pendley'ggi ' '
`235/61]
`3,914,578 10/1975 Bigelow et a].
`, _ , , _, 65/37
`3,930,824 1/1976 Knowles . . . . . _ . _
`340/280
`3,938,125 2/ 1976 Benassi ......... ..
`-------- -~ 65/54
`3,954,435 5/1976 Fendley ct a1
`3,978,425 8/1976 Knowles ................... .. 331/945
`3,983,552 9/1976 BakemanJr et a1
`.... .. 340/280
`3,990,065 11/1976 Purinton et a1. .................. .. 340/280
`
`_
`U'S' PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,161,635 6/1939 Prokopenko ...................... .. 177/311
`2,179,240 11/1939 Breitenstein .... ..
`.. 177/311
`3,020,470 2/ 1962 Shawhan et al. .
`.... .. 324/3
`3,221,304 11/1965 Enikeieffetal. ..
`340/149
`3,247,486 4/1966 Choisser et a1. ..
`.. 340/164
`3,292,080 12/1966 Tn'kilis ................ ..
`324/41
`3,423,674 1/ 1969 Goldsmith et al.
`324/45
`3,444,458 5/1969 Scott ................ ..
`324/34
`3,453,598 7/1969 Schweizer ..
`340/149
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`3,457,502 7/1969 061m .... ..
`. 324/34
`3147311“) “V1969 Ha’dmf‘ 81' --
`- 3W3‘ , A self check out/check in terminal is disclosed for facil
`3,473,lll 10/1969 Leersnijder
`324/41
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`ltattng independent w1thdrawal or return of articles
`havmg “11°19 ldemlfymg “F11?” _°{1°PP9§1"_g sPrfaces
`thereof, and alterable security indicia for indicatmg the
`circulation status of the article. The terminal comprises
`?rst and second readers disposed at space opposed loca
`tions and operative to read the plurality of article identi
`fying indicia and generate ?rst and second article identi
`fying signals in response thereto. Processing circuitry is
`provided in electrical communication with the readers
`and includes comparator circuitry for receiving the ?rst
`and second article identifying signals and for generating
`8 third signal when said ?rst and second article identify
`ing signals are substantially identical. Security indicia
`control circuitry is provided for altering the security
`indicia upon the article in response to the generation of
`thethird sigmL
`
`3,509,535 4/1970 Berube ..... ..
`
`.. 340/149
`
`235/61.11
`340/230
`_, 235/330
`.. 340/280
`340/280
`356/172
`324/34
`
`,
`.
`17 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`_7 my
`2
`(mask-.1; 9“
`l
`1
`16 m5 1;
`mien‘, Sh'lflgéggvg:0l j
`l
`g cm.
`: awn;
`'1 um~ 6918111019“
`‘
`,,
`“Hm:
`I,
`C IAIAIOR
`15
`~-/'
`
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`
`l
`
`-_’
`
`‘
`
`mutt
`
`a»?
`
`'
`1
`e__
`'2, DISPLAY —_*_ uremic 2;,
`
`,
`
`"(1 5135,91; ___.1 nn‘l't'énn
`
`33
`
`5’
`
`i
`
`J 1
`58101512“
`,
`,, "attire-"M
`
`_/ {9814361225559- ! |
`
`Petitioners Great West Casualty Co., BITCO Gen. Ins. Corp., and BITCO Nat'l Ins. Co.
`Ex. 1020, p. 1
`
`

`
`5,288,980
`Page 2
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`1975, “Theft, Mutilation and the Loss-To-Use Ratio”.
`National Survey on Library Security No Month SLA
`News, vol. 144, 1978, “Essentials of Library Security”.
`“Applications of Minicomputers to Library and Related
`lProblems”, University of Illinois, Grad. School of Lib.
`Science No Date.
`.
`§“Planning for Diversity Strategic Planning for an
`-Urban Academic Library” No Date.
`“Credit Card Control Speeds Library Data Flow” Ohio
`3Library Association Bulletin, Jan. 1967.
`'Canadian Library Journal, vol. 32, No. 3, Jun. 1975
`'“3-M Tattle Tape The Eye That Never Sleeps”.
`‘“Magnetized Plate Said to Cut Library Thefts” Jun. 21,
`‘1971.
`;Library Journal, “Measuring and Reducing Losses”,
`‘Feb. 15, 1973.
`Library Review, vol. 22, No. 7, Autumn 1970.
`The Australian Library Journal, May 1973 “A Year of
`.Electronic Security".
`‘New Library World, vol. 73, No. 87, Nov. 1971.
`Assistant Librarian, Jan. 1975, vol. 68, No. 1.
`The Australian Library Journal, vol. 24, No. 2 Mar.
`1975.
`Liaison, May 1975, “The Cost of Lending Right”.
`The Library Essence, vol. 3, No. 4, Dec. 1974.
`§The Library Scene, “Stop Thief’ No Date.
`Feliciter, Newsletter of Canadian Library Association
`!May 1975, “BPDC Sends Brief to Faulkner”.
`1Wyoming Library Roundup, Mar. 1976.
`Virginian Librarian, vol. 21, No. 4, Oct/Nov. 1975.
`Wisconsin Library Bulletin, vol. 72, No. 1 Jan/Feb.
`1976.
`Wisconsin Library Bulletin, May-Jun. 1977 “Security
`Systems”.
`1 Library Journal, Mar. 15, 1976, “Tough Security Mea
`sures Adopted by Research Libraries”.
`Library Journal, Jan. 15, 1976, “Metro Security Semi
`nar: Fire, Crime & Insurance”.
`
`Library Journal, Feb. 15, 1975, “Tattle-Tale Security”.
`Library Journal, Jun. 15, 1975, “Library Security:
`Theft, Arson, Prevention”.
`Wilson Library Bulletin, May 1972, “Information Ex
`change”.
`Technical Note 52, “Library Book Theft Detection”,
`
`No Date.
`
`.
`
`>
`
`Library Journal, Feb. 1, 1966, “Your Changing System
`Is It Thiefproofl”.
`C&RL News, Sep. 1985, “Will My Disks Go Floo If I
`Take Them Through”.
`Wilson Library Bulletin, May 1971, “The Barriers To
`And Barriers 0f Library Security”.
`Operations Report Jan. 1975, Bradford Central Library:
`Security System.
`Library Security Newsletter, vol. 1, No. 4, Jul. 1975.
`ALA Yearbook, “A Review of Library Events 1975”.
`Library Security Newsletter, vol. 1, No. 2, Mar. 1975.
`Library Security Newsletter, vol. 1, No. 1, Jan. 1975.
`The Protean Speaks, vol. 2, No. 1, Winter 1972.
`College & Research Libraries, Jul. 1968, vol. 29, No. 4.
`College & Research Libraries, May 1967 “Exit Controls
`& The Statewide Card”.
`Library Journal, May 15, 1973, “Library Security
`Roundup: Reports From the Field”.
`AS&U, Aug. 1974, “Electronic System Prevents Book
`Theft”.
`AS&U, Aug. 1976, “Electronic Detection System Re
`duces Losses in Library”.
`SLJ School Journal, Apr. 1977, “Library Material Se
`curity System, A School District's Experience”.
`College & Research Libraries, Mar. 1967, vol. 38, No. 2
`. “Electronic Protection of Library Materials”.
`Bull. Bibl. France, Paris, vol. 20, No. 4, 1975 “Un Nou
`veau Systeme De Detection Des Vois Dans Les Biblio
`theques: Le Tattle Tape 3M”.
`Zeitschrift Fur Bibliothekswesen Und Bibliographie
`Jahrgang 23, 1976, Heft 4, Jul.-Aug.
`
`Petitioners Great West Casualty Co., BITCO Gen. Ins. Corp., and BITCO Nat'l Ins. Co.
`Ex. 1020, p. 2
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 22, 1994
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`5,288,980
`
`30
`
`17
`y
`SEC.
`CONT. / READER
`32% LABELI
`13% LABELI
`11
`\
`
`ARTICLE
`
`PRINTED BAR CODE
`INFORMA'HON
`aAilAg?llzlg'lcowl'ApE
`e‘g' cDDED SEMICONDUCTOR
`CHIP TRANSMITTER
`COTEENEHNITRTAESRONC
`T
`I
`
`K21‘
`
`15/1 LABELI
`
`_____.
`43/ 192: READER ;
`
`v
`
`29
`
`DISPLAY
`
`\
`3,
`\ sTéaFgIEcEI?q
`33
`\ KEYBOARD
`
`‘
`COMPARATOR
`-
`
`ENABLE
`
`ELECTRONIC
`DATA
`PROCESSOR
`
`23
`/
`T
`
`27
`
`READER
`24\r—|
`LABEL
`PATRON IDENTITY
`
`e_g_
`
`25
`
`PRINTED BAR CODE
`INFORMATION
`,
`BAR CODE 0N
`MAGNETIC TAPE
`CODED SEMICONDUCTOR
`CHIP TRANSMITTER
`°°?ER~§H$T"ESR°"'°
`
`70
`
`i
`
`3,5
`INDIC‘TOR
`A
`DEvIcE
`
`-
`
`FIG. 41
`
`Petitioners Great West Casualty Co., BITCO Gen. Ins. Corp., and BITCO Nat'l Ins. Co.
`Ex. 1020, p. 3
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 22, 1994
`
`Sheet 2 0r 3
`
`5,288,980
`
`Petitioners Great West Casualty Co., BITCO Gen. Ins. Corp., and BITCO Nat'l Ins. Co.
`Ex. 1020, p. 4
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`Feb. 22, 1994
`
`Sheet 3 0f3
`
`5,288,980
`
`ELECTRONIC ,23
`DATA
`PROCESSOR
`
`61/
`
`SECURITY LABEL
`comma DEVICE
`I
`T
`
`l
`
`1 K11
`32
`
`TERMINAL
`
`COMMUNICATIONS
`LINK
`
`ARTICLE
`
`SECURITY
`LABEL /
`
`1
`I
`
`[11
`32
`SECURITY
`LABEL /
`
`ARTlCLE
`
`SECURITY GATE
`LABEL READER
`\65
`
`_
`/6-3
`
`PASS/NOT PASS
`LOGIC CIRCUIT
`\67
`SECURITY GA‘TE
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Petitioners Great West Casualty Co., BITCO Gen. Ins. Corp., and BITCO Nat'l Ins. Co.
`Ex. 1020, p. 5
`
`

`
`1
`
`LIBRARY CHECK OUT/CHECK IN SYSTEM
`
`5
`
`25
`
`30
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates principally to a self operated
`check-in check-out terminal for books or other articles
`to be removed from or returned to a library or other
`facility. Such a terminal may be the principal compo
`nent of a computerized library circulation system, per
`forming operations that are conventionally performed
`by a librarian. The system speeds the performance of
`check in/check out operations and relieves the librarian
`to perform other tasks.
`A conventional library check-out procedure is as
`follows. The patron supplies his library card to the
`librarian. The card usually has a bar code, either printed
`or recorded on magnetic tape to identify the patron to
`the librarian. The librarian scans the card in a reader.
`The reader sends the patron’s coded identity to a com
`puter data base maintained by the library to determine
`the status of the patron’s account. After it is determined
`that the account is in proper order by a signal to the
`_ librarian, the librarian scans a bar code printed on a
`surface of the article with a reader, which then com
`pares the bar code with a data base to determine the
`circulation status of the article. Where the data base
`indicates that the article may be checked out, the system
`operates to modify the circulation status to indicate that
`the book is being checked out. Many libraries are also
`equipped with security surveillance devices responsive
`to the magnetic state of material applied to the article.
`Once the librarian has determined that the patron status
`and article circulation status are acceptable, the article
`may be handed to the patron on the far side of a surveil
`lance gate, or passed over a magnetic desensitizer which
`permits the patron to pass the article through the secu
`rity gate without triggering an alarm condition.
`Some libraries have patron self check-in check-out
`systems that are generally operated as follows. To
`check out a book the patron places his library card in a
`40
`reader that scans his identi?cation code. As described
`previously, a computer data base is activated and pro- ,
`vides a display screen the status of the patron’s account. '
`If the patron’s account is in order, the patron proceeds
`to pass the coded label on the book by a scanner in the
`terminal. If the circulation status of the book allows it to
`be checked out/ checked in, the system then records the
`transaction then enables the adjacent security surveil
`lance device to sensitize/desensitize the magnetic mate
`rial, thereby allowing the patron to carry the book
`50
`through the security gate.
`Such a computerized library circulation control sys
`tem are described in the prior art. For example, U.S.
`Pat. No. 3,665,449 (Elder et al.), describes the use of
`magnetic materials on the article to be sensed later at a
`55
`security gate for electronic article surveillance. The
`Elder patent further discloses the integration of a secu
`rity magnetic security system with a book circulation
`control system. The magnetic security system operates
`to change the state of the magnetic security marker
`upon veri?cation of the book circulation status and the
`patron account status. U.S. Pat. No. 4,141,078 (Bridges,
`Jr. et a1.) provides more detail of a system integrating
`the book circulation control system and a security sys
`tem. The Bridges patent is more particularly directed to
`the construction of such a system including a particular
`means for deterring patron abuse through efforts de
`magnetize additional books that have not cleared the
`
`5,288,980
`2
`circulation control system. Speci?cally, the Bridges
`patent proposes the construction of a chute having an
`inclined surface surrounded by optical sensors, wherein
`only a single book is disposed within the view of the
`scanner and additional books are urged downwardly
`away from the scanner. Consequently, the demagne
`tizer disposed adjacent the scanner will only demagne
`tize a single book. Efforts to hold two books in the
`region of the scanner will trigger the optical sensors,
`precluding any demagnetization.
`Though systems such as that disclosed in the Bridges
`patent are useful to permit a patron to check in and
`check out books, they suffer from signi?cant practical
`shortcomings related to the ef?ciency and reliability of
`the system.
`The present invention signi?cantly improves upon
`contemporary systems in that it avoids the need for
`chutes or other types of inclined surfaces that hinder
`practical ef?ciency, particularly where the system thru
`put is high. The present invention further avoids the
`need for a ring of optical scanners that may inadver
`tently triggered in the course of checking in or checking
`out a large number of books. Additionally, the present
`invention provides signi?cant additional security as a
`consequence of the use of dual scanners, rather than a
`single scanner. Accordingly, as described below, the
`present invention allows for signi?cant improvements
`in the practical implementation of library circulation
`control systems suitable for independent patron usage.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A self check out/check in terminal is disclosed for
`facilitating independent withdrawal or return of articles
`having article identifying indicia on opposing surfaces
`thereof, and alterable security indicia for indicating the
`circulation status of the article. The terminal comprises
`?rst and second readers disposed at space opposed loca
`tions and operative to read the plurality of article identi
`fying indicia and generate ?rst and second article identi
`fying signals in response thereto. Processing circuitry is
`provided in electrical communication with the readers
`and includes comparator circuitry for receiving the ?rst
`and second article identifying signals and for generating
`a third signal when said ?rst and second article identify
`ing signals are substantially identical. Security indicia
`control circuitry is provided for altering the security
`indicia upon the article in response to the generation of
`the third signal.
`The system may further incorporate user identi?ca
`tion circuitry for receiving a user identi?cation card
`having user identifying indicia disposed thereon, and
`for generating a user identi?cation signal in response
`thereto. A user identi?cation circuitry may incorporate
`a third reader, or, alternatively, may utilize the ?rst or
`second reader, on a time shared basis.
`' User status information and article circulation status
`information may be maintained in a memory circuit
`disposed within the terminal, or may be accessed from a
`separate location. Memory or memories incorporating
`such information may be updated on a periodic basis
`from an external location.
`The security indicia control circuitry may further be
`gated by information respecting the patron status, e.g.
`the status of the patron’s account. Additionally, the
`operation of the security control circuitry may be gated
`by a sensor disposed adjacent the readers to insure that
`the single article remains in place during the entire
`
`45
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Petitioners Great West Casualty Co., BITCO Gen. Ins. Corp., and BITCO Nat'l Ins. Co.
`Ex. 1020, p. 6
`
`

`
`5,288,980
`3
`4
`processing. Removal of the article from the ?eld of the
`the coded indicia on the two labels. The two signals are
`scanner will generate a signal within the electronic data
`fed to a comparator 21. Assuming only a single article is
`processor, disabling the security control circuitry.
`presented the two labels read by the readers should be
`Various types of article and patron identi?cation
`substantially identical, and therefore the reader outputs
`indicia may be utilized in conjunction with the system.
`should also be substantially identical. When and only
`Indicia may be formed as a label comprised of printed
`when the two reader outputs are substantially identical,
`or magnetically recorded bar code information. Alter
`the comparator 21 generates an electrical enable signal
`natively, the identi?cation indicia may be formed as
`to an electronic data processor 23. The electronic data
`coated semiconductor or ultrasonic transmitter opera
`processor 23, conventionally includes program and data
`tive to generate an output signal upon receipt of an
`memories, logic circuits and input/output circuits,
`appropriate interrogation signal.
`which impart to it the capability of initiating and con
`trolling the library circulation system and security sys
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`tem functions. On receipt of the enable signal from the
`FIG. 1 is a diagram of the components of the terminal
`comparator 21, the processor 23 obtains from one of the
`of this invention showing their interconnection and
`readers, e.g. reader 19, the signal which identi?es the
`indicating their functions;
`article and proceeds to generate commands to perform
`FIG. 2 is a prospective view illustrating a physical
`the library circulation system functions, e.g. check book
`embodiment of the terminal of this invention;
`circulation status. Those functions are not performed
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a second
`until the processor 23 receives the enable signal from
`physical embodiment of the terminal of this invention
`the comparator 21, which signal determines that only
`that can be used for insertion of articles of widely differ
`one article at a time has been inserted into the terminal
`ent thickness; and
`10.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the terminal of this in
`Upon completion of the library circulation system
`vention in a security system showing the components
`functions, e.g. after verifying that the book may be
`and their interconnections.
`checked out and updating the books circulation status,
`the terminal operates to enable the security indicia con
`trol circuitry 30. In turn the security indication control
`circuitry is operative upon label 32 to modify the elec
`tronic or magnetic state of label 32 to allow the article
`11 to be carried through the security gate. Convention
`ally, security control circuitry 30 may be a magnetic
`sensitizer/desensitizer unit operative to change the
`magnetic state of label 32. As indicated above such
`change of state will only occur where the readers con
`?rm that only a single article is in place and the data
`processor con?rms that the circulation status of the
`article allows it to properly be checked out/checked in.
`As described below the terminal 10 can additionally be
`expanded to require satisfactory con?rmation of the
`user identity, and a veri?cation of the user account
`before security control circuitry is enabled. Addition
`ally, the article 11 may incorporate a scanner to insure
`that the article 11 remains in place throughout the pro
`cess and is not replaced with a different article before
`the security control circuitry is enabled.
`As shown at FIG. 1, the terminal 10 can be con?g
`ured to identify the patron by having the patron’s coded
`identi?cation label 24 on the user or patron’s identi?ca
`tion card 25 read by a reader 27 and sent as an electrical
`signal to the processor 23. The user identi?cation reader
`27 may be the same reader as one of the article identi?
`cation label readers 17, 19, or a separate reader. The
`processor 23 operates to receive user identi?cation indi
`cia from reader 27, and to determine the status of the
`patron’s account. The processor may then conveys a
`message to the patron to proceed to insert said articles
`into the terminal. Sensor 43 is shown disposed adjacent
`reader 19. Sensor 43 is may be con?gured as a light
`sensor which is operative to indicate whether or not an
`article 11 remains in place adjacent readers 15, 17 and
`security control circuitry 30. In the event article 11 is
`removed from that position, e.g. in an effort to cheat the
`system by inserting a different article before security
`control circuitry is enabled, the processor 33 will sense
`the removal of article 11 and will terminate the process
`ing of the transaction. Thereafter the security control
`circuitry 30 will not be enabled unless the process is
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`The detailed description set forth below in connec
`tion with the appended drawings is intended as a de
`scription of two presently preferred physical embodi
`ments of the invention, and is not intended to represent
`the only forms in which the present invention may be
`constructed or utilized. It is to be understood that the
`same or equivalent functions of the invention set forth
`herein that may be accomplished by different embodi
`ments are intended to be encompassed within the spirit
`and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be
`understood that the use of the invention is applicable to
`other than library articles in a library circulation system
`and articles in an inventory as described herein.
`The present invention is principally directed to a
`terminal in a self check-in check-out library circulation
`system that performs a number of system functions
`virtually at the same time when a book or other article
`is inserted into the terminal. These functions include
`identifying the article, determining the status of the
`article, maintaining the status of the articles in the circu
`lation system, identifying the patron who is removing or
`returning the identi?ed article from the library, and
`coding or decoding a security label on the said article.
`In some applications the system may also operate to
`read the security label at a security gate, and/or enable
`a printer to print a return due date label. The terminal
`can also be used to enter in or to remove an article from
`an inventory in a central electronic data processor,
`either electronically in real time or periodically elec
`tronically or manually, for example, with a ?oppy mag
`netic disc.
`The components of an exemplary terminal 10, the
`interconnection of those components, and an indication
`of the function of those components is generally shown
`at FIG. 1. Shown in FIG. 1 is a book or other article 11
`with substantially identical labels 13, 15 on opposite
`sides of the article. These labels are coded to identify
`uniquely a speci?c article. The article 11 is passed by
`two spaced readers 17, 19 that scan the labels 13, 15.
`Each reader generates an electrical signal representing
`
`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
`
`45
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`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Petitioners Great West Casualty Co., BITCO Gen. Ins. Corp., and BITCO Nat'l Ins. Co.
`Ex. 1020, p. 7
`
`

`
`15
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`30
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`40
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`5,288,980
`5
`6
`reinitiated and the article is maintained in place until the
`An alternate embodiment of the terminal 10, shown at
`process is completed.
`FIG. 3, facilitates use of the invention in connection
`Upon completion of generating the commands, the
`with articles that are either extremely thin or thick. In
`that embodiment reader 19 is disposed within housing
`processor generates activates an indicator to the patron
`51, which is adapted for vertical displacement relative
`that the article 11 may be removed from the terminal 10
`and the terminal is ready to accept another article. The
`to reader 21. Reader 21 may remain on a ?xed support
`platform offered by terminal 10. Rails 53, 55 frictionally
`indicator device can be a lamp or set of lamps with
`engage the housing 51 to enable the housing 51 to be
`legends, an illuminated display screen, or an audio enun
`ciator. As is shown in FIG. 1, the electronic data pro
`. maintained at a desired height. The lower portion of
`housing 51 may incorporate a groove 57 that enables
`cessor 23 can communicate information to the patron by
`the housing to be lowered for reading the labels on thin
`generating information or a panel or screen display 29
`articles. Flexible cable 59 provides power and commu
`or indicator device 35. Additionally, a keyboard 31 or a
`nication between the reader 19 and the previously de
`touch-screen cathode-ray-tube monitor 33 can be used
`scribed components in terminal 10.
`to supply information, instructions and selections to the
`As presently contemplated the terminal 10 can be a
`processor 23.
`part of a large library or other circulation monitoring
`A physical embodiment of the terminal 10 is shown at
`/controlling system where there are many terminals and
`FIG. 2. Terminal 10 supports two label readers 17 and
`a large number of articles. Such a system may include a
`19. Reader 17 is located on the chassis 10 platform.
`central processor with a data base capacity that is much
`Reader 19 is located on a shelf that extends out and over
`larger than can be readily incorporated ass a stand-alone
`20
`reader 17, such that reader 19 is superimposed over
`data base in each terminal. In this‘ embodiment the ter
`reader 17. In operation, the patron is initially advised by
`minal may additionally include an access circuit that
`a display 29 to place his library card with its identi?ca
`enables the terminal to communicate information to and
`tion label over reader 17. Within terminal 10 is a circuit
`from the data base at a high data transfer rate.
`board 37 containing comparator and data circuitry. The
`25
`The terminal, can be used as a terminal in an inven
`terminal 10 may further include power supply 45, hard
`tory system for a large number of two oppositely sur
`magnetic disc drive 39 and/or ?oppy magnetic disc
`faced labeled articles stocked in the same or in different
`drive 41.
`locations. In such an application the terminal may em
`The processor operates to retrieve a ?le for a patron,
`ploy a high speed electronic data processor connected
`validates the patron identi?cation, and then advises the
`by a communications link to a central high capacity
`patron on the display screen that it is ready to check out
`memory capable of storing a large amount of inventory
`a book or other article. The patron card may be re
`data. The terminal processor is preferably capable of
`moved and the article with its two oppositely disposed
`high speed access to the high capacity memory. Both
`identi?cation labels may be passed within the ?eld of
`the terminal and the high capacity memory may be
`view of the two readers 17, 19. The article may be held
`connected by communications links to a central monitor
`35
`between the two readers or placed on the terminal sur
`station. A monitor station may be used to exercise a
`face above reader 17. A sensor 43 is disposed adjacent
`supervisory function in the system where it provides
`the reader 17 to insure that the article is not removed
`instructions to the terminal processor and the high ca
`from the terminaluntil processing is completed. Should
`pacity memory, diagnose any malfunction, and remedy
`the book be removed from between the readers the
`or cure the malfunction. The central monitor station
`sensor 43 may operate to terminate processing of the
`can serve as a convenient location to retrieve informa
`transaction before sensitizing/desensitizing is effected.
`tion from the high capacity memory as well as to deter
`When the processing has been completed the display
`mine the operating health of the system.
`29 indicates that the article can be removed from the
`Though the terminal 10 is described in connection
`terminal and another article can be inserted. Keyboard
`with optical scanners and magnetic security indicia, it
`45
`33 may be used by the patron to respond to questions or
`should be understood that a variety of different types of
`selections generated by the processor. Should display
`labels, scanners and security indicia may be imple
`29 have a touch screen capability, the need for keyboard
`mented without departing from the broader aspects of
`33 may be eliminated. Other than the cathode-ray-tube
`the invention. Indeed, it is anticipated that various types
`monitor, the display 29 can be implemented as a liquid
`of active or passive labels security indicia may be uti
`crystal panel, an electroluminescent panel, a plasma
`lized in conjunction with the invention in order to inter
`panels, a light emitting diode matrix, or a matrix of
`face with evolving inventory and security systems.
`miniature incandescent lamps.
`An alternate con?guration of the terminal in a secu
`As noted above the article 11 incorporates a device
`rity system is shown diagrammatically at FIG. 4. In
`that may be desensitized by the terminal, so that the
`such a system, a security label 30 is attached to the
`article can be passed through a security gate. In the
`article 11. This label is encoded or decoded at the termi
`presently preferred embodiment terminal 10 includes
`nal and is later read at a security gate at an exit or an
`sensitizing/desensitizing devices 47 and 49. Sen
`entrance of the library. The terminal then additionally
`sitizing/desensitizing devices 47, 49 may be imple
`includes a security label coding device 61 which sets the
`mented by a variety of commercially available devices,
`code in the security label 32 when the article is in the
`such as those sold by Minnesota Mining and Manufac
`terminal, as a part of the functions being performed by
`turing of Minneapolis, Minn. The sensitizing/desensitiz
`the terminal electronic data processor. Like the process
`ing devices 47, 49 operate under control of the elec
`ing of the other functions performed by the terminal
`tronic data processor 23, in response to information
`processor, the article is not removed from the terminal
`such as the patron status, book circulation status and the
`until the security label is encoded. The code is read
`comparison output from the two readers 17, 19 indicat
`when the article is in the close vicinity of the security
`ing that only a single article is in place to be sen
`gate 63. The label reader 65 at the security gate feeds an
`sitized/desensitized.
`electrical signal representing the code to a pass/ not pass
`
`60
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`Petitioners Great West Casualty Co., BITCO Gen. Ins. Corp., and BITCO Nat'l Ins. Co.
`Ex. 1020, p. 8
`
`

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`5
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`25
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`5,288,980
`7
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`8
`logic circuit 67. Should code changes or codes that
`inverse of the encoder. The SRAM receives the coded
`characterize a particular article be used, there is a com
`information from the electronic data processor at the
`munications link between the processor in the terminal
`terminal via a communications link, which has been
`and the pass/not pass circuit in the security gate to pass
`described as part of the security system depicted at
`the code from the terminal to the gate and then to con
`FIG. 5. The reader/encoder RF transmitter activates
`?rm to the terminal that the article has passed the gate.
`the device assembly to transmit its coded information to
`As presently contemplated, the patron and/or article
`the reader/encoder. The received information is de
`identi?cation labels are formed as a printed bar code
`coded by the logic circuit and compared in the logic
`which is scanned with a beam of light or a bar code
`circuit to the information in the SRAM, which, as de
`recorded on magnetic tape which is scanned with a
`scribed, was received previously from the terminal via
`reading head. The labels can alternatively be imple
`the communications link. The comparison enables the
`mented as a miniaturized, coded semi