Storage and retrieval control apparatus and method

Abstract

Apparatus and a method for controlling the operation of mechanical or other equipment having a plurality of information storage members arranged in preselected positions in an array and an actuatable information retrieval mechanism movable relative to the array wherein selective access to the information of any one of such storage members can be achieved by generating output signal groups representing, respectively, the position of a selected storage member and its number in the array, whereby simplified counting techniques can be used to store such number and thereafter use it for positioning said retrieval mechanism adjacent to the selected member itself for effecting the readout of the information on the member. The unit uses solid state electronic elements to minimize cost and to provide for optimum reliability. The invention is adapted for a number of different uses but is especially adapted for use in controlling a phonograph unit having a plurality of record disks or magnetic tape means on which is recorded a number of musical selections or the like.

I claim: 
     
       1. Apparatus for controlling access to a plurality of information-containing members disposed in preselected positions in an array comprising: a first, selectively actuable structure having output means providing a first output signal group including at least one output signal with said first output signal group representing the number of the position of one of said members in said array when said first structure is actuated; means corresponding to the positions of the members in said array and coupled with said first structure for selectively actuating the latter to provide said first output signal group corresponding to a selected member; a memory unit having a plurality of memory devices, there being a memory device for each member respectively; means coupled with said first structure for actuating the memory device of said memory unit corresponding to the number represented by said first output signal group and thereby to said selected member, whereby the number of said selected member in said array is stored as a position in said memory unit; a second actuatable structure having output means capable of generating a second output signal group including at least one output signal with the second output signal group defining the number of the position of the actuated memory device in said memory unit; means coupled with said second structure for actuating the same to thereby cause said second output signal group to be generated; and means coupled with said second structure for controlling the actuation of an actuatable information-retrieval mechanism movable past said array in scanning relationship to said members so as to cause the scanning action of the mechanism to be stopped when the mechanism is adjacent to a member whose number is defined by said second output signal group, whereby the mechanism can be coupled to the last-mentioned member for retrieving the information therefrom.  .[.2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for actuating said first structure includes a coin-actuated switch unit..]. .[.3. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for actuating said first structure includes a coin-drop assembly for receiving a number of coins sufficient to provide a predetermined amount of credit, and a counter unit coupled to said assembly for totalizing the credit corresponding to the 
     
     
        coins received thereby..]. 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mechanism is electrically actuated, said means for controlling the actuation of said mechanism including an actuatable device for gating electrical power to said mechanism, and a counter coupled with said second structure for actuating said gating device when the number counted by said counter is the same as the number defined by said second output signal 
     
     
        group. 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for actuating a memory device includes a counter capable of counting to a number equal to the number of said members, and means responsive to the counting action of said counter for directing an actuating signal to said memory unit after the counter has counted to the number defined by said 
     
     
        first output signal group. 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein 
     
     
        said memory unit includes an end-around shift register. 7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said memory unit includes an end-around shift register having a starting location, and means for actuating said shift register including counter means for advancing the same from said starting location through increments equal in number to said number represented by said first signal group to permit the corresponding memory device to be actuated, said counter means being disposed to advance the shift register back to said starting location after a memory device has 
     
     
        been actuated. 8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for actuating said second structure includes a control unit operable after a memory device in said memory unit has been actuated and before the second output signal group has been generated,, one of said structures including a buffer having a plurality of flip-flop elements formed from 
     
     
        semiconductor components. 9. Apparatus for controlling a phonograph unit having a plurality of record members and a playback mechanism movable in scanning relationship to said record members comprising: a first storage assembly having a plurality of actuatable memory devices, there being a memory device for each record member respectively; means coupled with said first storage assembly for selectively and successively actuating said memory devices; a second storage assembly having output signal means capable of being scanned by said mechanism with the output signal means representing any one of said record members; and means coupled with said storage assemblies for transferring a record selection from the first storage assembly to the second storage assembly, whereby the transferred record selection will be represented by an output signal means of said second storage assembly to permit said mechanism to scan the second storage assembly for playback purposes as the first storage assembly 
     
     
        continues to store record selections. 10. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a phonograph unit having a plurality of record members in preselected positions in an array and a record-playing mechanism movable relative to said array in scanning relationship to said record members comprising: a first, selectively actuatable buffer having output means for providing a first output signal group including at least one output signal with said first output signal group representing the number of the position of any one of said record members in said array; means coupled with said first buffer for selectively actuating the same as a function of any one of said record members in said array to cause said first output signal group to be generated; a memory unit having a plurality of actuatable memory devices, there being a memory device at a predetermined position in the memory unit for each record member respectively; first control means coupled with said first buffer for actuating the memory device of said memory unit corresponding to the number defined by said first output signal group after the last-mentioned group has been generated, whereby the number of a selected record member is stored as a position in said memory unit; a second actuatable buffer having output means for generating a second output signal group including at least one output signal with said second output signal group defining the number of the position of an actuated memory device in said memory unit; second control means coupled with said second buffer for actuating the same to cause the generation of said second output signal group after a memory device of said memory unit has been actuated; and means coupled with said second buffer for causing said mechanism to scan the record members and for stopping the scanning action of the mechanism after the mechanism has reached a location adjacent to a record member whose number in said array is defined by said second output signal group, whereby the mechanism can 
     
     
        be coupled to the last-mentioned record member for playing the same. 11. Apparatus for controlling the operation of a phonograph unit from a pair of spaced locations with the phonograph unit having a plurality of record members in preselected positions in an array and a record-playing mechanism movable relative to said array in scanning relationship to said record members comprising: a pair of selectively actuatable input buffers, there being an input buffer for each location respectively, each input buffer having output means for providing a first output signal group including at least one output signal with said first output signal group representing the number of the position of any one of said record members in said array; means at each location respectively, and coupled with a corresponding input buffer for selectively actuating the same as a function of the position of any one of said record members in said array to cause the corresponding first output signal group to be generated; a memory unit having a plurality of actuatable memory devices, there being a memory device at a predetermined position in the memory unit for each record member respectively; control structure coupled with each input buffer for connecting the same to said memory unit when the input buffer is actuated to cause the memory device corresponding to the number defined by the first output signal group of the actuated input buffer to be actuated, whereby the number of a selected record member is stored at a position in said memory unit; an output buffer having output means for generating a second output signal group including at least one output signal with said output signal group defining the number of the position of an actuated memory device in said memory unit; a control assembly coupled with said output buffer for actuating the same to cause the generation of said second output signal group after a memory device of said memory unit has been actuated; and means coupled with said output buffer for causing said mechanism to scan the record members and for stopping the scanning action of said mechanism after the latter has reached a location adjacent to a record member whose number in said array is defined by said second output signal group, whereby the mechanism can 
     
     
        be coupled to the last-mentioned record member for playing the same. 12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said control structure includes first control means for directing a first output signal group to said memory unit, second control means coupled with one of said input buffers for connecting the output means thereof to said first control means to permit the latter to direct the corresponding first output signal group to said memory unit, and third control means coupled with the other input buffer for connecting the output means thereof to said first control means after the latter has directed the first output signal group of said one input buffer to said memory unit, whereby the first output group of 
     
     
        said other buffer will be directed to said memory unit. 13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein said memory unit comprises an end-around 
     
     
        shift register. 14. A method of controlling the operation of a unit having a plurality of information-containing members in preselected positions in an array and an information-retrieval mechanism movable relative to said array past said member in scanning relationship thereto comprising: generating a first output signal group including at least one output signal representing the number of the position of a selected member whose information is to be retrieved; storing the first output signal group in a respective one of a plurality of signal-receiving locations in a storage region with each signal-receiving location having a specific position in said region corresponding to the position of said selected member in said array; generating a second output signal group including at least one output signal representing the number of the signal-receiving location corresponding to the selected member; moving said mechanism relative to the array after the third output signal group has been generated to cause the mechanism to scan said members; and stopping the scanning action of said mechanism when the latter is adjacent to said selected member, whereby the mechanism can become coupled to the selected member for 
     
     
        retrieving the information therefrom. 15. A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the step of generating a first signal group includes temporarily storing at least one input signal in a storage area having a 
     
     
        number of signal outputs defining said first signal group. 16. A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein the step of storing the number includes counting to the number and sending a signal pulse to the corresponding 
     
     
        signal-receiving location. 17. A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein said storing step includes counting to said number, advancing the signal-receiving location corresponding to said number from a starting position through a series of steps equal to said number, sending a signal pulse to the corresponding signal-receiving location after said number has been counted, and returning the pulsed location to its starting position. 
     
     
         8. A method as set forth in claim 14, wherein said mechanism moving step includes counting to the number represented by said second signal group and directing a deactuating signal pulse to said mechanism. .Iadd. 19. A selection system for a vending machine having a plurality of different vendable commodities such as a phonograph having a plurality of records comprising a main station, a digital memory system at said main station for storing digital information corresponding to one or more selections made by a customer, a remote selection station, transmission means interconnecting said remote station and said main station, manually operable means at said remote station for operation by a customer to identify a selection being made, means at said remote station for converting such customer operation to a serial digital pulse train, said digital pulse train being carried by said transmission means to said main station, means at said main station for inserting the digital information conveyed by said pulse train into said digital memory system, and means at said main station for effecting vending at said main station under the control of said memory system. .Iaddend..Iadd. 20. A system as set forth in claim 19 and further including at said main station manually operable means for operation by a customer to identify a selection being made, and means interconnecting said main station manually operable means and said memory system to insert a serial digital pulse train corresponding to manual selections into said memory system. .Iaddend..Iadd. 21. A system as set forth in claim 19 including a plurality of remote stations, and a like plurality of manually operable means and converting means all connected to said main station, said serial digital pulse train inserting means in the main station including means for sequentially gating the serial digital pulse train from the remote stations into said digital memory system. .Iaddend..Iadd. 22. A system as set forth in claim 20 including a plurality of remote stations, and a like plurality of manually operable means and converting means all connected to said main station, said serial digital pulse train inserting means in the main station including means for sequentially gating the serial digital pulse train from the remote stations and from said main station into said digital memory system. .Iaddend..Iadd. 23. A system as set forth in claim 19 wherein said memory system comprises a plurality of electronic memory devices. .Iaddend..Iadd. 24. A system as set forth in claim 19 and further including manually operable enabling means at said remote station for said manually operable means and said converting means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 25. A system as set forth in claim 24 and further including an electronic accumulator for accumulating information corresponding to the operation of said enabling means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 26. A phonograph selector system comprising means for digitally encoding information corresponding to a record stored in said phonograph system, manually operable means connected to and controlling said encoding means to produce a serial digital pulse train in accordance with the manual operation of said manually operable means for operation to select a predetermined record, digital information storage means connected to said encoding means and receiving said serial digital pulse train for storing the digitally encoded information until all the format features of such information have been selected by the user and digitally encoded by manual operation of said manually operable means, means connected to said storage means and thereafter sequentially transmitting the serial digital pulse train, means connected to said transmitting means for receiving and storing said serial digital pulse train, and means connected to said last mentioned storage means to decode said information. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 27. A control circuit for a vending machine comprising separate logic input control means for each coin of a different monetary value accepted by the machine, system clock means for generating cyclically recurring clock pulses, means responsive to each of said logic input control circuit means for gating out a train of clock pulses having a number of pulses selected to represent the monetary value of each deposited coin, register means for storing each pulse in the train of the gated coin representing pulses, and means for comparing the cumulative total of the stored train of pulses with signals representing the price of a selected product to enable or inhibit the vending cycle. .Iaddend..Iadd. 28. The control circuit of claim 27 and means responsive to the detection of predetermined vending machine conditions for inserting an inhibit signal into the comparing means to create an inhibit function. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 29. The control circuit of claim 27 and means responsive to the start of a vend cycle for precluding any control operation responsive to changing conditions occurring during the vend cycle. .Iaddend..Iadd. 30. The control circuit of claim 27 wherein said register is a bidirectional counter adapted to count up or to count down, means responsive to each of said coin pulses for driving said counter to count up, means for refunding coins responsive to said comparing means indicating a surplus of monetary value in escrowed coins as compared to the price of said selected product, means responsive to each coin refunded by said refunding means for driving said counter to count down, and means responsive to said comparing means during said count down finding equality of net monetary value of escrowed coins and said price for terminating the issuance of the refunded coins. .Iaddend..Iadd. 31. The control circuit of claim 27 and a plurality of leads individually marked responsive to the selection of a vendable product, and a cross-wired field for connecting said individually marked leads to price indicating terminals. .Iaddend..Iadd. 32. The control circuit of claim 31 wherein said comparing means comprises an adder circuit having parallel inputs energized from said register means and from said price indicating terminals, and means for giving an output signal from said comparing means to command said vending machine to deliver a selected product when corresponding ones of said parallel leads have the same relative markings. .Iaddend.