US4739491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
List look-ahead for control of bin lamp indicators
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1986-04-07
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Granted: 1988-04-19
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Expires: 2006-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A method of assisting a user to supply tape cassettes from a tape library to an on-line storage facility that has a limited capacity A and facilitates automatic feeding of the tapes to VTRs in a series of events comprises the steps of preparing a master list setting forth the events in a sequence from top to bottom and tape cassettes respectively corresponding thereto, identifying tape cassettes currently in the on-line storage facility, and selecting a critical load area consisting of a predetermined number of events N from the current top of the list, where 0</=N</=A. A determination is made of a first set consisting of first priority tape cassettes to be housed in the on-line facility for subsequent automatic feeding to the VTRs, a second set consisting of second priority tape cassettes to be withdrawn from the on-line storage facility to make room for insertion of additional tape cassettes from the tape library and retained for subsequent reinsertion in the on-line storage facility, and a third set consisting of zero priority tape cassettes to be withdrawn from the on-line storage facility and returned to the tape library. The results of this determination are signaled to the user of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond K. Baldock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:57
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B15/00; G11B15/675; G11B15/68; G11B15/682; G11B15/6835; G11B27/00; G11B27/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
A method of assisting a user to supply items from a master storage facility to an on-line storage facility that has a capacity of A items and that facilitates automatic feeding of the items to a processing station in a series of events; said method comprising the steps of: preparing a master list of events setting forth the events in a sequence from top to bottom and items respectively corresponding thereto; identifying items corresponding to events in said master list currently in the on-line storage facility; selecting a critical load area consisting of a predetermined number of events N from the items identified at the top of the current list, wherein 0 ≦N≦A; making a determination of: a first set consisting of first priority items to be housed in the on-line storage facility for subsequent automatic feeding to the processing station, a second set consisting of second priority items to be withdrawn from the on-line storage facility to make room for insertion of additional items from the master storage facility and retained for subsequent reinsertion in the on-line storage facility, and a third set consisting of zero priority items to be withdrawn from the on-line storage facility and returned to the master storage facility; signaling the results of said determination to the user; and stocking the selected critical load area of said on-line storage facility with said items in accordance with said determined first, second, and zero priorities.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
238 words
A method of assisting a user to supply items from a master storage facility to an on-line storage facility that has a capacity of A items and that facilitates automatic feeding of the items to a processing station in a series of events; said method comprising the steps of: preparing a master list of events setting forth the events in a sequence from top to bottom and items respectively corresponding thereto; identifying items corresponding to events in said master list currently in the on-line storage facility; selecting a critical load area consisting of a predetermined number of events N from the items identified at the top of the current list, wherein 0 ≦N≦A; making a determination of: a first set consisting of first priority items to be housed in the on-line storage facility for subsequent automatic feeding to the processing station, a second set consisting of second priority items to be withdrawn from the on-line storage facility to make room for insertion of additional items from the master storage facility and retained for subsequent reinsertion in the on-line storage facility, and a third set consisting of zero priority items to be withdrawn from the on-line storage facility and returned to the master storage facility; signaling the results of said determination to the user; and stocking the selected critical load area of said on-line storage facility with said items in accordance with said determined first, second, and zero priorities.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
196 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said determination comprises the steps of: inspecting a current balance of events in the master list; determining the items equal in number to y that are in said on-line storage facility that do not correspond to events in said current balance of said master list; assigning said y items to said third set consisting of zero priority items; inspecting next sequential N events of said ritical load area; determining the items equal in number to x that are to be used within the next N events but have not yet been loaded into said on-line storage facility; determining the items equal in number to x-y that are in said on-line storage facility but stand farthest from the top of the master list; assigning the determined x-y items to said second set consisting of second priority items; withdrawing said y items and saids x-y items from said on-line storage facility to make room for said x items; inserting said x items in said on-line storage facility; and assigning said inserted x items and the remining items in said on-line storage facility to said first set consisting of first priority items.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 1; wherein said determination and signaling are updated in connection with each of said events.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1; wherein the signaling of items to be left in the on-line storage facility is accomplished by associating a lamp therewith and placing the lamp in the "on" state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 1; wherein the signaling of items to be withdrawn from the on-line storage facility and retained for subsequent reinsertion in the on-line storage facility is accomplished by associating a lamp therewith and flashing the lamp alternately between the "on" and "off" states.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 1; wherein the signaling of items to be withdrawn from the on-line storage facility and returned to the master storage facility is accomplished by associating a lamp therewith and placing the lamp in the "off" state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 1; wherein said items are tape cassettes, said master storage facility is a tape cassette library, said on-line storage facility is a multi-cassette receiver, said processing station comprises at least one tape recorder/reproducer, and said events are broadcasting segments.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-04-19 | 1991-10-19 | 1992-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-04-19 | 1995-10-19 | 1996-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-04-19 | 1999-10-19 | 2000-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |