Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An information retrieval system is disclosed which provides for user stations and disk readers or tape players. The storage units, such as video disks or cassettes, may be stored oriented vertically in a storage rack. One or more servo-arms on a carriage move along a track to retrieve disks from the storage rack. One of the servo-arms removes a disk from the storage rack and rotates it before inserting it into one of the disk players. The track may extend vertically, so that the players can all be loaded by any of the servo-arms. The storage rack may move past the track to select the disk to be loaded. A control device controls the operation of the servo-arms, the movement of the storage rack, the operation of the readers and the user stations. In addition, the control device selectively connects the readers to the user stations to display selections requested by users. The control device includes an interface for connecting a service console which can change operating parameters stored in the control device or which candown load accounting information gathered by the control means. Each disk may include menu information which the control device processes and displays on a menu display station. The control device may keep a count of the number of times each selection is requested or paid for, so that the menu may include only the most popular selections. The user may choose a category, artist or subject whose selections will then be included in the menu display. In another embodiment, the user may respond to each selection with a response selecting another selection, and the responses may be stored and evaluated.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim