Multiple-carousel microfiche storage and retrieval system
AssigneeImage Systems, Inc.
InventorsTimothy P. Fitzgerald, Lubomir Novak, Larry O. Engman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for storing and retrieving large volumes of microfiche data, and a related method for its operation. The apparatus includes a number of conventional microfiche storage carousels, all mounted on a rotatable turntable to provide the increased storage capacity. Upon selection of a particular fiche for display, the turntable is rotated, if necessary, in an optimum direction and at an optimum speed, until the selected carousel reaches an operative position with respect to a retrieval station, which is then moved to an operative position with respect to the carousel for withdrawal of the selected fiche within the carousel.
Claims16
A multiple-carousel microfiche storage and retrieval system, comprising:
- a turntable;
- a plurality of storage carousels for holding a plurality of fiche, each of said carousels being rotatably mounted on said turntable;
- retrieval station means, for retrieving a fiche from and replacing a fiche in one of said carousels;
- means for rotating said turntable;
- means for rotating each of said carousels and locating a selected fiche stored therein;
- and
- control means for coordinating operation of said two means for rotating and said retrieval station means, to position a selected one of said carousels at said retrieval station means and to initiate retrieval and replacement operations by said retrieval station means.
A multiple-carousel microfiche storage and retrieval system, comprising:
- a frame;
- a turntable rotatable about a central axis with respect to said frame;
- a plurality of storage carousels for holding a plurality of fiche, each of said carousels being rotatably mounted in a circular configuration on said turntable;
- a retrieval station mounted on said frame, and movable between an operative position and a retracted position and including a fiche selector for locating, removing and replacing a selected fiche;
- retrieval station retraction means for moving said retrieval station between the operative and retracted positions;
- carousel drive means, for rotating the selected one of said carousels when positioned in an operative relationship with said retrieval station;
- a turntable drive motor;
- a plurality of carousel identifier elements affixed to said turntable;
- carousel indentifier sensing means, for sensing said carousel identifier elements and providing electrical signals indicative of a current carousel address;
- transducer means for sensing the degree of displacement of said turntable from any of its plurality of operative positions, there being as many operative positions as there are carousels;
- and
- control means for coordinating operation of said system, to position a selected one of said carousels in an operative position, to move said retrieval station to its operative position, and to initiate withdrawl of a selected fiche from said selected carousel.
A method of operation of a multiple-carousel microfiche storage and retrieval system having a plurality of fiche storage carousels rotatably mounted on a rotatable turntable, said method comprising the steps of:
- receiving operator instructions including a carousel identifier and a fiche indentifier;
- checking a current carousel address to determine if the turntable must be rotated;
- replacing a previously displayed fiche in the currently used carousel;
- retracting a retrieval station used to retrieve and replace fiche;
- rotating the turntable at an optimum speed and direction to position the selected carousel in an operative position adjacent to the retrieval station;
- and
- moving the retrieval station back to an operative position to select the desired fiche in the selected carousel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.