WO2012076913A1

WO2012076913A1 - Stackbreaker disc retrieval system

Info

Publication number: WO2012076913A1
Application number: PCT/IB2010/003128
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter Daniel Griffiths
Original assignee: Peter Daniel Griffiths
Priority date: 2010-12-08
Filing date: 2010-12-08
Publication date: 2012-06-14

Abstract

Since the beginning of the trend in personal computers in the homes and businesses of people all around the world many formats of data storage have been developed and in these current days many of the most popular formats in all forms of media are based around the standard 120mm diameter compact disc which also shares the same physical dimensions as the highly popular Digital Versatile Disc (DVD). Additionally this popular format of physical dimensions has also been chosen by manufacturers to embody the delivery format for BIu Ray, X Box, PS2 and 3, and a plethora of software and medial data storage solutions. This invention the "STACKBREAKER DISC RETRIEVAL SYSTEM" utilises the commonality of dimensions to provide a system whereby a single disc within an almost identical collection (or stack) can be known, addressed within its stack with its position being identified from a list and marked with a spacer to enable later return to the stack assembly and to retain the integrity of the order of the collection. This task is achieved using a small number of components, which are described on the following pages and are collectively known as the "STACKBREAKER DISC RETRIEVAL SYSTEM".

Description

TITLE: STACKBREAKER DISC RETRIEVAL SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The "STACKBREAKER DISC RETRIEVAL SYSTEM" consists of five (5) distinct components:

1. The Disc Repository

This is the collection of discs comprising the collection that is required to be managed. It is held in a closely formed "stack" horizontally on a frame which rests each disc upon nylon rods or a catchment tray such that each disc rests completely parallel to its neighbouring disc within the stack. The disc repository has at least one movable end so that differing lengths of stack repository may be accommodated within the frame.

2. The Index Rod

The payload of discs held within the disc repository are interrogated using a known length set upon a shaft, which is called "The Index Rod". This rod is ideally made of a clear material such as cast acrylic plastic so that light can be projected along its length such that illumination of a graduated scale can be clearly viewed on the rod. This scale which can be clearly viewed on the rod corresponds to and is directly proportional with the known average thickness of the discs within the repository and which are subject to retrieval by the system. The scale of the index rod is designed so that it accurately reflects the thickness of the discs within the collection. Typically for DVD - R or DVD + R this dimension is 1.3mm. The addition of peelable labels within the collection may alter this dimension and for this reason a number of differing scales will be labelled upon each index rod so that users can, by a process of trial and elimination, arrive at an understanding of which scale is the most suitable for their particular purposes. Additionally a software and inkjet media product may be developed to enable home users to create their own index scale.

3. The Datum Ring

The Datum Ring is a small ring that closely fits onto the index rod and is capable of being moved to a precise location on any of the visible scales upon the index rod. This ring has finely defined mark around its exterior, which serves to provide "The Datum" mark against which the index rod is set. The ring itself is movable along the length of the index rod but is of sufficiently tight fit that positive physical force is required to move the ring along the index rod so that it may not be subject to random slippage when not in use.

4. The Index List

The index list is a sequential list of the discs held within the disc repository made by the user and used as a source of reference to set the Datum Ring to the correct position on the index rod. The index list contains an entry by number position and disc title for all discs occupying positions within the stack. Whenever a specific disc is required to be found its number on the index list is read and the datum ring is set to the corresponding position on the index rod.

The size of each graduation on the index rod is designed to reflect the thickness of discs within the collection so that the required disc is retrieved when the datum ring forms the stop on the index rod as it is thrust into the disc repository using the aligned holes formed by the central mounting spigot holes of the discs and then physical force is applied to misalign (or "break") the stack thereby revealing the location of the required disc.

In a large stack it may be that a disc next to or in the area of the target disc is found this will form part of the learning experience of the user enabling him or her to choose the suitability of which index rod scale to use.

5. Spacers

Spacers are required to occupy empty spaces vacated within the disc repository whilst discs are removed for use by the user. By placing a spacer in the slot vacated by a disc in use the integrity of the stack and its order as per the index list is preserved.

This completes a description of the invention. In the following pages you will find a description of the first working prototype of the "Stackbreaker Disc Retrieval System" and how it was made in my home using materials sourced locally and by mail order from companies around the United Kingdom.

THE FIRST WORKING PROTOTYPE

In order to arrive at an understanding of the engineering tolerances involved in producing the "Stackbreaker disc retrieval system" it was necessary to gain a complete understanding of the physical dimensions of all types of 120mm data storage discs currently in popular use.

In order to achieve this I purchased on Ebay UK a digital Vernier Caliper Gauge that measures both internal and external dimensions in mm to an accuracy of 1/100^th of a mm.

Having acquired the Vernier gauge I measured a number of 120mm discs and from this analysis the following observations became evident.

(i) Typically "Home Burnt" DVDs' are approximately 1.3mm in thickness.

(ii) Professional "shop purchased" CD's holding music or software are typically 1.26mm in thickness.

(iii) A visit to a nearby Blu Ray rental store revealed that Xbox, PS3 and Blu Ray discs are typically 1.22mm in thickness. (iv) No common thickness was found, however an all disc average of the samples measured is in the region of 1.25mm.

Having obtained an understanding of the dimensions of 120mm data storage discs I set about the task of producing a printed graduated scale that would reflect my understanding of the disc dimensions involved. For the purposes of the prototype I deliberately chose the ratio of one graduation to 1.3mm since this most accurately reflects the thickness of the discs in my home collection.

In order to achieve this I scanned an image of a centimetre ruler using my home computer and then reproduced the image as a scaled copy of 200%. I found that by using this arrangement the mm scale on the ruler became 1.3mm approx per division in the resultant image which, was acceptable for my purposes.

I then sought to find materials that would be acceptable for building the disc repository. It was found that resting the disc repository upon two rods of nylon was an acceptable format for the retention of the discs although the chosen size (of 14.7mm) proved slightly too thin for bearing the load of the disc payload, therefore, an eventual recommendation is that the rods forming the frame of the disc repository should be a minimum of 20mm in diameter for production versions of less than 500mm repository length. MANUFACTURE OF THE DISC REPOSITORY FRAME ENDS

Between the two rods that form the frame of the disc repository are two end pieces that are the anchors of the repository block frame. These are made in the prototype of extruded polyeuthane of the type commonly used in the construction of UPVC conservatories in the UK. This material was sourced as a 5 metre strip of 25mm x 30mm and cut to size as required. Additionally 2 inch chipboard screws were used to attach the various pieces of 25mm x 30mm polyeuthane strip together to form two end stops. The front end of the disc repository is labelled "Stackbreaker" in large font and underneath is the main marketing slogan for this product which is:

"Break the Stack - Find the Disc".

Due to the need to provide an access point in the front of the disc repository for the insertion of the index rod the middle of the disc repository the front stop has been cut away using a small hacksaw this gives the appearance of two small pyramids whereas the stop block at the rear of the disc repository also provides a movement stop for the index rod and therefore is fashioned as a single larger pyramid shape.

MANUFACTURE OF THE INDEX ROD

The 14.7mm nylon rod used as frame supports in the prototype proved to be unsuitable for the index rod since although it would pass through the spigot holes in the centre of the discs insufficient slack remained to attach the printed scale to the rod. New materials were ordered namely 12.7mm cast acrylic rod, which is a clear material along the length of which light may be shone to illuminate the 1.3mm graduated scale. This proved more successful and a powerful single diode LED torch was found and attached at the end of the acrylic rod to ensure that the scale and datum ring could be clearly read against one another even in relative darkness.

MANUFACTURE OF THE DATUM RING

The Datum ring has the following requisite properties:

(i) It must form a tight fit on the index rod.

(ii) It must be easily adjustable to the correct position.

(iii) It must accurately correspond to the position at which it is set.

(iv) It must have a clearly defined "datum" mark upon it.

To achieve all of these objectives it was found that clear polythene siphon tubing large bore 16mm as used in the home brewing craft was most suitable since once the 1.3mm graduated scale had been attached to the clear acrylic rod the resultant diameter was such to provide a tight fit over the rod as required.

In order to establish a "Datum" mark on the 16mm siphon tube an inkpad was used. The tubing was cut square (i.e. at 90 degrees) to its length and a 1cm piece was pressed into the inkpad. The ring stain formed by the inkpad was then covered in clear parcel tape to ensure the ink ring would not run or diminish, this was found to be sufficient to provide a tight fit around the index rod which being a clear acrylic rod of 12.7mm diameter had also been enlarged slightly by having the 1.3mm per division scale placed upon it.

ATTACHING THE GRADUATED SCALE TO THE CLEAR ACRYLIC FORMER OF THE INDEX ROD

It proved impossible to source the preferred A3 size inkjet media to produce the chosen 1.3mm scale upon the index rod. Instead a composite solution was arrived at.

A4 sized clear acetate sheet was sourced from WH Smiths and the enlarged 200% scaled image previously described was printed upon this material. In order to accommodate the full length of the index rod the image was printed such that one part reflected the image from 1 to 22cm original expanded to 200% and another part of the same print formed the part from 22cm to 30cm of the 200% scaled print. These two strips were then accurately trimmed using a guillotine and then joined to the clear acrylic rod forming the index rod using clear parcel tape. The resultant rod possessed the necessary thickness to provide a tight fit for the datum ring whilst still being able to freely penetrate the central spigot holes of the disc repository. MANUFACTURE OF THE INDEX LIST

A list was produced as the various discs forming the disc repository were added beginning at the rear and moving forwards until all the discs in the repository were recorded on the list, i.e. number 1 was at the rear and 284 was at the front. Each disc in the sequence occupied a numbered space on the list and by reading the number of the position on the list the setting of the datum ring was known. By setting the datum ring on the index rod to this position it was found that the correct disc could be arrived at in greater than 40% of searches in all other instances accuracy of retrieval was found to be within one disc either side of target.

MANUFACTURE OF SPACERS

Spacers were produced by marking the edge of blank unrecorded CD-R discs with electrical tape folded back upon itself and attached to the blank CD-R discs in two places on either side of the disc and at two locations on the discs surface namely the four o'clock and eight o'clock positions. These discs when placed within the stack give a visual indication of the positions from which the discs in use have been removed. RETAIL MARKET VERSIONS OF THIS INVENTION

It is fully acknowledged that factory manufactured versions of this range of inventions sold to the public will embody all of the various advances that can be derived from large scale manufacture, economies of scales and production engineering techniques. Such advances include but are not limited to:

(i) The use of injection moulding production methods to significantly reduce the costs of producing the disc repository frame.

(ii) Hot rolling techniques with regard to the production of the index rod assembly.

(iii) Production of the graduated scale of the index rod could become a mechanised part of a rolled impression process.

(iv) The datum ring and its manufacture could also become an injection moulded component.

A description of the various forms that this product will take will follow together with identification of the various marketable concepts associated with this original invention. The product will be marketed in the following formats:

1. Standard Edition All of the basic functions described in the original filing. A standard size following the basic outline of the first working prototype. 2. Compact footprint stackable Designed to occupy a footprint area equal to or less than the size of an average telephone directory. This compact format is less than 300mm in length and stackable. The vertical arrangement of the stacks of this version when viewed from the end of the disc repository will, from bottom to top, progress following a pattern of ten o'clock, two o'clock, ten o'clock offset in this fashion to enable not only the minimum area at the base but in terms of height also.

COMPACT FOOTPRINT STACKABLE - HEAVY BASE UINT

In order to enable the compact footprint edition to be extended to greater heights a very heavy base can be fitted to provide a lower centre of gravity and additional stability.

3. Darkfinder Edition The darkfinder edition is a premium product aimed at users who wish to interrogate and find discs within their collections in a low light ambient environment such as a home cinema with a projector running in the room. In the darkfinder edition the index rod will be illuminated using subtle UV "darklighf and the scaled index will be printed to shine brightly in the presence of UV light using ultra violet dye and/or pigments in the index rod scale.

4. Home Scale Builder Inject media and software kit which will enable home users to produce their own scaled index to the index rod. A space may be left vacant on all production index rods for this purpose.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed:

1. A new and novel method of searching, locating and retrieving a unique disc from within a larger collection of discs of virtually identical appearance when held side by side. a) Significant increase in the efficiency and speed by which this task can be accomplished. b) A considerably more efficient way to store, manage and use a large collection of 120mm data storage discs in the home or office environment. c) An end to, or considerable reduction in, time wasted searching for one disc among many others in a randomly arranged pile as exists in many homes around the world. d) Removal of the need to physically view or inspect the title surface of the disc in order to find its location within a collection of discs e) A new method to catalogue, address and retrieve DVDs, CDs (both software and multimedia content) including X Box, PS2 and 3, Blu Ray and various forms of digital storage media on 120mm discs.