초록 ▼

An automated library circulation control system includes a plurality of remote book processing terminals and a computer controlling the terminals and processing data between the terminals and the computer to maintain a current inventory of the circulation status of the library books. The system prov

An automated library circulation control system includes a plurality of remote book processing terminals and a computer controlling the terminals and processing data between the terminals and the computer to maintain a current inventory of the circulation status of the library books. The system provides for automatic charging of library materials by patrons, record keeping of all library transactions, modification and interrogation of computer data files, intercommunication between the computer and a remote data processor and detection of unauthorized removal of books from the library. Each terminal has a card reader for patron identification, an optical reader for book identification, an electromagnetic activator for magnetizing and demagnetizing a magnetic strip in each book, a printer for printing charge-out information, and a display screen and keyboard for communications between patron and computer. In charging a book, a patron inserts his card in the card reader and places the book in a book tray in the terminal. The optical scanner reads bar coded symbols on a label on the front of the book. The computer compares the card reader and optical scanner inputs with its data files to determine that the patron is authorized to charge out books and that the book is authorized to be checked out. If authorization is given, the transaction is recorded by the computer which then enables the printer to provide a print-out of the transaction for the patron.

대표청구항 ▼

An automated library circulation and security control system for enabling only authorized users of library materials to independently charge items of said library materials to their accounts and to independently remove the charged items from the library, each item of said materials having identifyin

An automated library circulation and security control system for enabling only authorized users of library materials to independently charge items of said library materials to their accounts and to independently remove the charged items from the library, each item of said materials having identifying indicia thereon and a status-indicating element attached thereto alterable between multiple states to represent the circulation status of said item, comprising: card reading means actuable by said user including means for reading user indicia on a card presented by an authorized user, and means for generating a first signal representative of said user indicia; code reading means actuable by said user including a housing having a support for maintaining said one library item stationary, scanning means mounted in said housing near said support for reading said indicia on said item of library materials identifying said item, and means for generating a second signal representative of said item; data processing means in electrical communication with said card reading means and said code reading means, including a memory for storing electronic records having data files representative of said authorized users and of the library items authorized to be charged by said authorized users, including means for comparing said first and second signals with said data files, means for generating an enabling signal in response to said first and second signals corresponding to an authorized user and authorized item in said data files and means for storing said first and second signals in said stored records to charge said item to said user; security means adjacent said support and responsive to said enabling signal from said data processing means for changing the state of said status-indicating element attached to said library item as said item rests on said support to change the circulation status of said item; detection means near an exit of said library for sensing the status-indicating element of said library item as it is removed from the library to determine the circulation status of said item; and alarm means in electrical communication with said detection means for generating a signal in response to a sensed circulation status for which removal of said item is not authorized.