US3749993A

US3749993A - Security system for article handling apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3749993A
Application number: US00261172A
Authority: US
Inventors: W Laman
Original assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Current assignee: International Business Machines Corp
Priority date: 1972-06-09
Filing date: 1972-06-09
Publication date: 1973-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-31

Abstract

In an automatic article handling system, the article carrying conveyor or carriage includes sensing means for sensing characteristics of an article to be conveyed. If a given characteristic exceeds a predetermined threshold, the conveyor is automatically disabled requiring manual intervention to restart it which protects stored articles from said given characteristic. In a magnetic record document system, the given characteristic may be a magnetic field exceeding a predetermined threshold external to the article to be conveyed. Such external magnetic field could be capable of altering magnetic documents stored in the article handling system. In another version, the given characteristic could be weight or other undesired phenomena exceeding a given threshold.

Description

United States Patent n91 Laman 1 1 SECURITY SYSTEM FOR ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS 175 lnvcnlorz William H. Laman, Boulder. (kilo.

I73] Assignec: International Business Machine Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.

Y [22] Filed: June 9, 1972 [21] Appl. N0.: 261,172

[52] US. Cl 318/563, 209/111.8, 242/181,

318/574 [51] Int. Cl. G051) 9/02 [58] Field 01 Search 340/213 R, 421;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,941,738 6/1960, Burke A 242/181 318/565 X 3,588,658 6/1971 Van Der Slyus [111 34,749,993 1 July 31, 1973 3,604,373 9/1971 Crowley et al 109/38 3,629,822 12/1971 Johnson 179/1002 B X 3/1972 Sather et al 270/58 Primary ExaminerRichard A. Schacher Attorney-Herbert F. Somer'meyer et al.

[57] ABSTRACT In an automatic article handling system, the article carrying conveyor or carriage includes sensing means for sensing characteristics of an article to be conveyed. If

a given characteristic exceeds a predetermined thresh- I old, the conveyor is automatically disabled requiring manual intervention to restart it which protects stored articles from said given characteristic. In a magnetic record document system, the given characteristic may be a magnetic field exceeding a predetermined threshold external to the article to be conveyed. Such external magnetic field could be capable of altering magnetic documents stored in the article handling system. in another version, the given characteristic could be weight or other undesired phenomena exceeding a given threshold.

10 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures CONTROLS DETECTOR PAIENIEUJUL 1 SHEET 1 (IF 2 FIG. 1

CONTROLS (3,548,284)

FIG. 2

FIG. 3

MOTOR CURRENT SECURITY SYSTEM FOR ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to secure article storage and retrieval systems of the automatic type, and particularly to those article handling systems adapted to handle erasable records.

Automatic article handling apparatus is susceptible to damage or alteration by intentionally inserted articles capable of being handled by the system which exhibits characteristics detrimental to stored articles or the article handling system itself. While such an intentional intrusion is to be avoided, sabotage operations, particularly by those individuals somewhat familiar with the article handling system, could avoid most security procedures and introduce articles exhibiting detrimentalcharacteristics into the system.

Of particular interest is the data processing industry which relies heavily on magnetic records for storage of data bases, programs, and as an input media. Such records are magnetically alterable either intentionally or unintentionally by external magnetic fields either from a magnetic transducer, a permanent magnet held in the proximity of the media, or an electromagnet. Because of the values ascribed to the records recordedon such media, it is of utmost importance that the integrity of the recorded information be maintained at an exceptionally high value. Undesired magnetic radiation can alter the record such that the data is no longer retrievable. The susceptibility of such records when recorded using nonsaturating recording techniques may be higher than those utilizing saturable recording. Nonsaturating recording techniques are usually found in the higher density recording systems, i.e., those systems usually associated with high-performance data processing systems. This means the data contained in such records may have a higher value than those using saturating magnetic recording and, hence, should be more closely protected.

Many present-day data processing systems rely on manual transportation of the tape volumes, disk packs, or other magnetic media fromv a set of storage compartments to a read/write station. Facilities have been provided for preventing access to storage compartments through the use of Hall Effect detectors; that is, a safe containing a plurality of magnetic records would not be openable in the presence of a magnetic field which would tend to erase or destroy the magnetic records contained within the safe. Even at this, upon removal of the record media from the safe, there is an exposure that subsequently generated stray fields'could inadvertently or intentionally erase the records before data processing operations could retrieve the information.

In automatic magnetic media libraries, such as that shown in Burke et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,941,738, in addition to erasing or altering a single record volume such as a reel of tape, a magnet could be disposed in the XY carriage of the Burke et al tape library and, under programmed control, alter each and every tape volume contained in the tape compartments of the library; that is, a permanent magnet disposed in a tape container could be loaded onto the XY carriage with the carriage programmed to access or pass by every storage compartment thereby exposing every tape reel to the effects of the permanent magnet fields.

In other article handling systems, similar problems can be encountered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved article handling system which automatically detects intrusion of an article exhibiting undesired characteristics and prevents handling of such article within a system.

According to the present invention, an article storage and retrieval apparatus has a plurality of article storage compartments with article accessing means relatively movable with respect thereto. Article transfer ports are provided for exchanging articles outside of the apparatus. On the accessing means capable of containing at least one of the articles, there is provided sensing means for sensing a given characteristic of an article when carried and, upon detecting the given characteristics exceeding a given threshold, the accessing means is deactivated. Such detection may occur when the accessing means receives the article or while transporting the article.

In a document processing apparatus-constructed as set forth above, the given characteristic may be an external magnetic field; and the sensing means may be a so-called magnetic reed switch which is responsive to the external magnetic field to open or close an electric circuit which controls the accessing means. In other article handling systems, other characteristics can be sensed for controlling the operation of the storage and retrieval apparatus in accordance with the invention.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

' THE DRAWING ing control for an accessing means in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a simplified perspective view of an article carrying mechanism with which the present invention i may be practiced.

FIG. 5 is a simplified and diagrammatic showing of an electromagnetic picker assembly usable with the FIG. 4 illustrated apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a simplified diagrammatic showing of a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION has a plurality of storage compartments 16 arranged in storage walls or 11. The tape volumes or tape cartridges usable with the present invention are preferably of the type shown in U. S. Pat. (Rinkleib) No. 3,631,971, or suitable modifications thereof. That is,it is preferred that the media cartridge be relatively small, for example, roughly two inches square and three inches long. Such media, when recorded, exhibits a small or limited external magnetic field enabling sensing of recorded signals, as is well known.

In one system incorporating the invention, electromagnetic selection of a cartridge 19 from the I/O port 17 or any of the compartments 16 uses a magnetizable or magnetic disk 20 disposed at one end of the cartridge and an electromagnet as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The detector as described herein will 'alsodetect objectional stray magnetic fields from such electromagnet.

All of cartridges 19 in storage compartments 16 have magnetic disk 20 facing toward track 13. Accordingly, XY carriage 12 has a mechanism to access or storecartridges 19 with magnetic disk 20facing toward track 13. This means the orientation of the cartridge in wall 10 is opposite to the orientation of the cartridge in wall 11. Accordingly, XY carriage l2 swivels with the car tridge accessing mechanism generally denoted by numeral 21 being pivotably secured on rotatable platform 22, as best seen in FIG. 4.

In accordance with the presentinvention, asensing element such as magnetic reed switch 24, is suitably mounted upon accessing mechanism 21. Mechanism 21 fetches cartridge 19 from I/O port 17 or equivalents or any of the storage compartments l6 and places it on carriage 12 for transport to another location such as described in Beach et al. US. Pat. No. 3,584,284. Upon the cartridge being completely inserted in accessing mechanism 21, magnetic reed switch 24 senses the external magnetic field of the cartridge 19 to be transported. If the magnetic field exceeds the thresholdidetermined by the characteristics of magnetic reed switch 24, the switch opens an electrical circuit under influence of the external magnetic field. Such open circuit is detected by detector 27 with an alarm signal being sent to controls 14. Such-an alarm signal and control of XY carriage 12 is best understood by next referring to FIGS. 2 and 3.

When

arrays

10 or 11 have a plurality of input ports 17, placing sensing means or reed switch 24 on the carriage simplifies circuit design. It also enables the sensing means to detect generation of a magnetic field after an article is being transported. For example, an inertial switch could connect a battery to an electromagnet or a radio signal could be used to actuate an electromagnet after intrusion into the system.

In FIG. 2, positioning controls 30 constructed in accordance with the Beach at al patent, supra, drive digital analog circuit or converter 31 which may favorably correspond to the D-to-A converter 160 of the Beach et al. patent. The analog output of converter 31 is supplied through power amplifier 32 (compare with the Beach et al. amplifier 165) to drive XY carriage motor 33. In the FIG. 2 illustration, the +V voltage supply for power amplifier 32 is supplied through power-switch transistor 25, thence to amplifier 32. Reed switch 24, when open (not under the influence of an external magnetic field above the selected threshold), permits +V supply to actuate transistor 25 to current conduction for operating motor 33. Accordingly, XY carriage 12 can be operated under controls 14. As soon as the magnetic field is encountered by reed switch 24, such as would be provided by a powerful permanent magnet inserted into a cartridge 19, reed switch 24 closes supplying V for making transistor 25 nonconductive, thereby removing power from amplifier 32. This disables motor 33 preventing any movement of XY carriage. An elevator motor (not shown) effecting vertical motion to picker mechanism 21 can be similarly controlled. Dynamic braking of motor 33 for preventing any motion whatsoever of carriage 12 can be provided in accordance with the teaching of H. E. Van Winkle in the IBM TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN, Volume 14, No. 2, July 1971, on Page 384.

An alarm may be sounded by adding, detector27 to sense the voltageat 26. If there is positive voltage, detector 27 suppliesa normallsignal. However, if point 26 is negative, detector 27 suppliesan alarm signal to sound an alarm. Appropriate manual intervention or CPU control of the article handling system can thenbe provided. The alarm, forexample, could trigger an interruption 'signal to the controlling data processing for enabling the data processor to automatically exercise control over the article handling system for preventing any operation whatsoever until appropriate manual intervention has, been completed. i r

- In the event transistor 25 does not have the current conducting capabilities required by amplifier 32, a

relay may be interposed. For example, in FIG. 3, amplifier 32 supplies its motor-driving current through the normally open relay contacts 29 to motor 33. Relay coil 28 closes contacts 29 as long'as reed switch 24. has its contacts open, i.e., outside the effect of a strong external magnetic field. Upon power off, or upon the detection of an external magnetic field, contacts 29 open causing motor 33 to become inactive. Transistor 25A actuates relay coil 28 in the same manner that transis tor 25 conveyed power to amplifier 32.

Referring next to FIG. 4, a simplified perspective view illustrates a pivotal accessing mechanism having sensing element 24 mounted thereon. Platform 22 is mounted on vertically movable carriage 38 which, in turn, is mounted on a horizontally movable carriage (not shown). Vertical guide rod 39 guides accessing mechanism 21 along a desired vertical path. Each cartridge being transferred is received between a pair of outwardly I extending. bifurcated resilient cartridgereceiving fingers 42 and 43. Reciprocating electromagnet 34, shown in FIG. 5, is on reciprocating carriage 35 movable along guideways 36 and 37. To fetch a cartridge or store same, carriage 35 is moved against stops 40, the electromagnet energized by energizer 49 (FIG. 5), and the electromagnet assembly moved to abut stops 41, the cartridge traveling position. Actuation of carriage 35 is not further described, because any suitable means can be used therefor.

Once the cartridge (not shown) is secured between retaining fingers 42 and 43, photoelectric sensing means (not shown) may indicate to the control circuit that a cartridge is within the mechanism 21. At this time, reed switch 24 is continuously sensing for external magnetic fields for controlling the electrical power to the carriage motors as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. An electronic detector-amplifier 1 (not shown) may be mounted on the back side of mounting circuit board 45. Suitable cabling extends between the carriage and the control circuits, details of which are not pertinent to the practice of the present invention.

Accessing mechanism 21 being pivotally secured on platform 22 has detent' 46 engagable with a detent receiving means (not shown) onthe opposite side for aligning electromagnet 34 with a storage compartment for accessing or storing a cartridge. Suitable motors are mounted on the carriage for rotating the accessing mechanism, actuating electromagnet carriage 35, and moving platform 22 vertically.

The electromagnet is diagrammatically shown in FIG. 5. lt includes magnetic back plate 50 with an an nular outer pole 51 extending around the entire assembly. A rod-shaped inner pole 52 extends coaxially of outer pole 51, forming annular gap 53 between the two pole pieces. The annular gap with the pole configurations limits the external magnetic field under normal operation to that being immediately proximate to the magnetic disk shown in dotted line form. Winding 54 extends around inner pole 52 for supplying selective magnetic energy for securingthe cartridge disk 20 to the electromagnet pole faces. Energizer or amplifier 49 selectively supplies current to coil 54 in response to suitable control signals from controls 14 (FIG. 1). The generation of such control signals is not further described.

Referring next to FIG. 6, a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Positioning controls 70 control pivotal accessing mechanism 71 to exchange cartridges with loader 72. When a cartridge is received in accessing mechanism 71 from loader 72, mechanism 71 rotates clockwise toward continuously rotating storage carousel 74. The timing is such, as controlled by control 70, that as the cartridge holder 75 reaches a position adjacent carousel 74, ,the cartridge can be ejected on the fly to the carousel. In a similar manner, cartridge holder 76 can receive a cartridge from carousel 74 for depositing in loader 72. Both

cartridge holders

75 and 76 have a sensing element such as reed switch 24 supplying alarm signals over lines 80 to control 70. Control 70, upon detecting an excessive external magnetic field in either

holder

75 or 76, de-

energizes accessing mechanism 71 protecting the records contained in carousel 74. The details of on-thefly exchange of cartridges with loader 72 and carousel 74 are not pertinent to the practice of this invention and are not further described for that reason.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to apreferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

5 What is claimed is:

1. An article storage and retrieval apparatus having a plurality of article storage compartments, article accessing means, an article 1/0 means, means effecting 3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said ar- I ticles being transported successfully by said accessing means exhibit said given characteristic always below a given threshold, and said control means being responsive to said sensing means indicating said given characteristic above said given threshold to inhibit operation, and detecting said given characteristic below said given threshold to permit operation of said accessing means.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 3 wherein said given characteristic is an external magnetic field.

5. The subject matter set forth in claim 4 wherein said article constitutes a recorded magnetic record member erasable by an external magnetic field.

6. The subject matter of claim 5 wherein said sensing means includes a magnetic reed switch disposed on said accessing means; and

means establishing an article carrying position on said accessing means immediately proximate to said sensing means.

7. The subject matter of claim 6 further including motor control means and power supply means and electrical means includingsaid reed switch electrically interposed betweensaid power supply meansand said motorv control means for turning off the motor control means whenever said reed switch is actuated.

8. The subject matter of claim 7 further including electromagnet means on said accessing means and a magnetic disk on each of said articlesadapted to be engaged with said electromagnetic means, and means actuating said electromagnetic means for picking said cartridge by electromagnetic attraction to said disk, and said electromagnetic means having an external field less than said given threshold.

9. A control for an article handling mechanism having a movable XY carriage with 'an article carrying por tion, j 1

the improved control including incombination:

motive control means forv controlling said XY car riage; 7 power supply means;

. electrical connecting means including sensing means ,on the carriage disposed in juxtaposition to said article carrying portion and electrically interposed between said power supply means and .said motive control means; and I r t X I said sensing means having threshold means responsive to a given phenomenon which is a product of 7 said article and being in proximate relationto said article carrying portion to effectively connect or disconnect said motive control means whenever said phenomenon is below or above a given thresh- 101d, respectively. i

10. The control set forth in claim 9 wherein said phenomenon is a magnetic field and said threshold element is a magnetic reed switch actuable by a given strength magnetic field.

Claims

1. An article storage and retrieval apparatus having a plurality of article storage compartments, article accessing means, an article I/O means, means effecting relative movement of said accessing means and said compartments and I/O means for automatically exchanging articles therebetween, the improvement including in combination: means on said accessing means for receiving a cartridge capable of containing one of said articles; sensing means in said apparatus sensing for a given characteristic of an article inside said cartridge; and control means responsive to said sensing means indicating said given characteristic to inhibit operation of said accessing means.

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensing means is on said accessing means.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 2 wherein said articles being transported successfully by said accessing means exhibit said given characteristic always below a given threshold, and said control means being responsive to said sensing means indicating said given characteristic above said given threshold to inhibit operation, and detecting said given characteristic below said given threshold to permit operation of said accessing means.

6. The subject matter of claim 5 wherein said sensing means includes a magnetic reed switch disposed on said accessing means; and means establishing an article carrying position on said accessing means immediately proximate to said sensing means.

7. The subject matter of claim 6 further including motor control means and power supply means and electrical means including said reed switch electrically interposed between said power supply means and said motor coNtrol means for turning off the motor control means whenever said reed switch is actuated.

8. The subject matter of claim 7 further including electromagnet means on said accessing means and a magnetic disk on each of said articles adapted to be engaged with said electromagnetic means, and means actuating said electromagnetic means for picking said cartridge by electromagnetic attraction to said disk, and said electromagnetic means having an external field less than said given threshold.

9. A control for an article handling mechanism having a movable XY carriage with an article carrying portion, the improved control including in combination: motive control means for controlling said XY carriage; power supply means; electrical connecting means including sensing means on the carriage disposed in juxtaposition to said article carrying portion and electrically interposed between said power supply means and said motive control means; and said sensing means having threshold means responsive to a given phenomenon which is a product of said article and being in proximate relation to said article carrying portion to effectively connect or disconnect said motive control means whenever said phenomenon is below or above a given threshold, respectively.