WO2002071406A1

WO2002071406A1 - Installation comprising a plurality of disc cartridges for parallel recording of recording media, and recording method

Info

Publication number: WO2002071406A1
Application number: PCT/FR2002/000731
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emmanuel Ruiz; Ianier Munoz
Original assignee: Societe Euroamericaine De Commerce
Priority date: 2001-03-01
Filing date: 2002-02-28
Publication date: 2002-09-12
Also published as: FR2821686A1; FR2821686B1

Abstract

The invention concerns a computer installation comprising a set of disc cartridges adapted to receive each a single recording medium, characterised in that each disc cartridge is adapted to be placed in a so-called open state, capable of being located by an operator and wherein said disc cartridge can receive a recording medium, said installation comprising control means for reproduction means, which exclusively can control the opening of each disc cartridge and adapted to monitor said disc cartridges such that each time not more than one disc cartridge is in open state. The installation is designed to reproduce in parallel and store in at least one mass storage part at least of data borne by the recording medium/media present in the disc cartridge, so as to constitute a database. The invention also concerns a method for recording said data. FIG. 4: 50 SELECTING RECORDING MODE 51 POOL OF AVAILABLE DISC CARTRIDGES 52 OPENING AVAILABLE DISC CARTRIDGE 53 PLACING AUDIO-CD IN DISC CARTRIDGE 54 BARCODE SCANNING 55, 56 VERIFYING TYPE AND VALIDITY OF IDENTIFIER 57 CLOSING DISC CARTRIDGE DRAWER 58 VERIFYING INPUT IDENTIFIER IN DATABASE 59 VERIFYING RECORDING MEDIUM IN DATABASE 60, 61 DELIVERING ERROR MESSAGE 62 CONTROL MEANS TRIGGER READING 63 MONITORING PROPER EXECUTION OF RETRIEVAL 64 ERROR MESSAGE DELIVERED TO OPERATOR 65 DATA STORAGE 66 INSERTING DISC CARTRIDGES IN QUEUE 67 VERIFYING AVAILABILITY OF DISC CARTRIDGE 68 VERIFYING OPEN STATE OF DISC CARTRIDGE

Description

INSTALLATION COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF CHARGERS

FOR PARALLEL RECORDING OF MEDIA

RECORDING METHOD, AND RECORDING METHOD

The invention relates to a computer installation comprising a battery of chargers for receiving recording media of a predetermined type for the parallel reading of a plurality of recording media, for the purpose of recording in parallel, on a mass memory, data carried by said recording media. The invention extends to a method of recording said data. Certain known IT installations are dedicated to the creation of multimedia databases listing all the multimedia items (CD-audio, CD-ROM, DVD, Mini-Discs ...) available for sale or for rent in one or more several distributor stores (supermarkets, distributors specializing in this type of article, etc.) or other media libraries. To this end, they have peripheral readers for recording media of different types (a CD-ROM optical compact disc player, a DVD player, etc.), controlled in parallel by a central processing unit. The recording on a mass memory of supports of the same type is therefore carried out in series, from a single reader (per installation). The databases created are used to allow consumers to listen to or view the items available before making any purchase, rental, or loan decision. They are accessible from listening or viewing terminals dispersed throughout the store. Said databases are constituted by external service providers, hosted by said service providers and made available to distributors via closed or open communication networks with limited access, in particular using satellite links. They are updated at the request of distributors. To do this, each store sends its new articles to the service provider, which integrates them into its database. This system has many drawbacks: The database of a service provider is generally used for several stores in the same distribution network, or even for several different distributors; it therefore does not correspond exactly to the items actually available in each of the stores. The integration time of a new article in the database is relatively long (several days or even weeks are necessary for the transmission of the article to the service provider by the distributor, the loading of its content in the database. provided by the service provider, and the updating of database updates). The database used by several distributors, the articles, CD-audio for example, are first referenced, during their recording, by an editor reference carried by the recording medium, such as a so-called TOC reference ( "Table Of Content" - Table of Content listing in particular the number of audio tracks as well as the duration, the start location and the end location of each track) or an editor code called "ISRC". At the same time, each store has its own marketing reference for each item, including for example an identifier of the item and its price, generally presented in the form of a bar code. The service provider therefore establishes in a second step a table of correspondence between the publisher reference (s) of the article and the internal references of each of the stores concerned. It is thus noted that new articles can only be consulted on the database 3 to 4 weeks after their sale in the store, and that, as a result, 25% of the articles available for sale are not listed '. "

- The cost of this service is very high (between 800 and 3,000 euros per month and per listening or viewing terminal used, depending on the size of the database and the number of updates required), and therefore prohibitive for small distribution structures.

These drawbacks have hitherto led small distributors to give up this type of service and to prefer, to listening and / or viewing terminals linked to external databases, simple terminals made up of a few readers for the presentation of a very limited number of products (1 to 10 discs, -compacts).

The invention therefore aims to provide a simple, economical and easy-to-use installation allowing a distributor or rental of multimedia items (CD-audio, CD-ROM, DVD, MD ...) to constitute and manage internally its own database. An object of the invention is to allow the distributor to quickly and safely build a database corresponding exactly to the items available for sale in his store, and to quickly and safely update this database. The installation and the implementation method proposed also have the objective of avoiding human errors occurring during the constitution or updating of the database. They also aim to rationalize the handling, by an operator, of the recording media to be copied, and to minimize in terms of time - and therefore labor cost - the impact of this operation.

Another objective of the invention is to propose an autonomous installation, using standard computer equipment, of low cost and the handling of which does not require any particular skill.

The invention relates to a computer installation comprising means for reading a plurality of recording media of a predetermined type, said reading means comprising a battery of chargers adapted to each receive a single recording medium, characterized in that that: each charger is adapted to be able to be placed in a state, called an open state, locatable by an operator and in which said charger can receive a recording medium, it comprises means for controlling the reading means, which alone are capable of control the setting in the open state of each charger and adapted to drive said chargers so that at any time only one charger at most is in the open state. By piloting is meant the fact of deciding on the open state (or of another state) of each charger and of controlling, for each charger, the passage from one state to another, as will be explained below. In addition, throughout the following, a recording medium designates a physical material for supporting audio data, texts, images, video, etc.

Known chargers, and in particular chargers intended to receive optical recording media (audio compact discs, DVD, etc.), are of two types: drawer chargers having a drawer for loading a recording medium, the mechanical opening is triggered by an electrical signal - the setting in the open state of such a charger is manifested by the opening of its loading drawer; and slot loaders, the loading of which is effected by inserting the recording medium into a slot on the front of the charger - the open state of such a charger corresponds to a logical loading authorization (if the charger is not in the open state, the introduction of a recording medium into the slot of the charger will not give rise to the reading of the recording medium but to its ejection from the charger for example).

Advantageously and according to the invention, the reading means are adapted to read in parallel and memorize in at least one mass memory at least part of the data carried by the recording medium (s) present in shippers, with a view to building up a database. In a preferred embodiment comprising a battery of chargers suitable for reading recording media containing data

^• digital (optical media for example), the reading means are adapted

to read said digital data digitally, and not analogically, in order to avoid any loss of quality during the transfer of data between the recording medium and said mass memory.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the installation comprises means for entering information relating to the data of each recording medium, and in particular. Means for entering a reference, called an identifier, identifying the data of the storage medium. recording in order to list under said reference the data copied from said medium recording. In the following, the identifier of the data of a recording medium is said, by abuse, identifier of the recording medium. It should be noted that two recording media carrying the same data have the same identifier. When importing data from a recording medium into the mass memory, the identifier of said medium is also stored in said memory, to allow the copied data to be referenced. Advantageously and according to the invention, the identifier corresponds to the reference for marketing the recording medium, specific to the store or to the distributor, or at least to a part of this reference identifying only the data of the medium (and not, for example , its price, its lot number, etc.). Said distributor reference is generally in the form of an optical reader code such as a bar code. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the input means therefore comprise means for reading codes with optical reading of the barcode type. The input means can also comprise a keyboard or a digital or alphanumeric touch screen for the input of other information relating to the data of the recording medium.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the control means are suitable for: - placing a charger in the open state initially in a state known as available state, in which said charger is awaiting authorization to load (the charger is either empty , or awaiting release of the recording medium it contains, the data of said medium having been read and possibly copied in the mass memory;; if it is a drawer magazine, it is moreover closed), following the entry of the identifier of a recording medium and if no other magazine is in the open state, place a magazine initially in the open state in a state called used state (in which at least part of the data of the recording medium which it contains is read and possibly stored, at least partly, in the mass memory of the installation), as soon as the loading of said recording medium into said charge ur. Thus, when the identifier of a recording medium is entered, by simple reading of a bar code for example, the control means authorize the loading of one and only one charger initially available. single charger in the open state can be identified by the operator for loading (in an installation with a battery of drawer chargers, the charger in the open state corresponds to the one with the drawer open; in an installation with a battery of slot chargers, the charger in the open state is identified by an indicator light on the front of the charger). No other available charger can be placed in the open state by the control means as long as the charging of the charger currently in the open state is not completed (referenced recording medium inserted, magazine drawer closed, start reading the data) and that a new identifier is not entered. The entry of a recording medium identifier is therefore necessarily followed by the loading of said recording medium into the loader selected by the control means and recognized as being associated with this identifier. The data extracted from the recording medium are then stored in the mass memory in association with said identifier. The invention therefore makes it possible to associate, in a secure manner and avoiding any human error, data copied from a recording medium with its identifier. As a variant, the control means are suitable for: placing in the open state a charger initially in the available state, as soon as at least one charger is in the available state and that none of the chargers is at open state,

- - place in the used state a charger initially in the open state, following the loading of a recording medium, in the charger and the entry of the identifier of said recording medium.

In this variant, the entry of the identifier of a recording medium is carried out after loading of said medium. It also automatically closes the magazine drawer (if any) and starts to read the recording medium. As soon as the identifier is entered and as soon as there is at least one charger available, a new charger initially available is placed in the open state, awaiting the loading of a new recording medium and the input of its identifier.

It should be noted that, in addition to the identifier of the recording medium, an editor reference - notably the reference known by the name of TOC or that known by the name of ISRC - carried by the medium itself is read and stored in mass memory when importing data from the recording medium into the database. Advantageously and according to the invention, the control means are suitable for, before reading and storing in the mass memory at least part of the data of a loaded and referenced recording medium, verify the absence, in said mass memory, its identifier and / or its publisher reference, said control means being adapted to immediately place the loader concerned in the available state if the identifier and / or publisher reference of the recording medium is / are already present in the mass memory. Thus, thanks to the invention, the operator is certain that the data of the recording medium which he wishes to integrate into the database have not already been copied into said database, and that the identifier which he just entered does not correspond to data from another medium already copied (or vice versa).

The control means are also adapted to place a charger in the available state - initially in the used state, as soon as the reading and storage in the mass memory at least of part of the data of the medium have ended. of recording it contains, and after optional verification of the integrity of the copied data. ' ^• '

Advantageously and according to the invention, the control means are suitable for, when placing a loader in the available state, insert said loader at the end of a queue, and for, if necessary, place the first available loader of said queue in the open state. This management by queue makes it possible to reduce the time during which each charger is unused (empty or awaiting release of the recording medium that it contains), to distribute the loading of the chargers over time and therefore to limit the number of chargers in the queue. The use of each charger is thus optimized.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the installation comprises, for each charger, light means for indicating the open state of said charger, and optionally of its used and / or available state. It should be noted that only the open state must necessarily be identifiable by the operator (indicator light for example in the case of a slot loader, drawer open in the case of a drawer loader).

^" - ^• Advantageously and according to the invention, the installation comprises - means for deleting at least part of the data from a recording medium stored in the mass memory. The database can thus be constantly updated up to date to correspond exactly to the items available for sale or rental Advantageously and according to the invention, the deletion means are adapted to erase from the mass memory the data from a recording medium by simple input of sound identifier.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the installation also comprises means for reading and digitizing images with a view to listing, under the identifier of the recording medium, image data relating to said recording medium initially presented in paper form. , such as the cover for presenting a compact disc for example.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the installation comprises a human interface comprising means for entering commands for using the installation, and / or means for sound and / or visual broadcasting for the communication of information and / or data to the operator. In particular, the human interface includes, as mentioned above, a scanner bar code type codes for entering recording medium identifiers, but also for entering ^• controls or modes use of the installation, each identified by a bar code (or other code with optical reading). As a variant or in addition, the human interface may include a keyboard or an alphanumeric touch screen allowing the operator to select different modes of use of the installation, and in particular: a recording mode during which the control means control the chargers of the installation as explained above with a view to the constitution and / or updating of the database; a delete mode. for the deletion of articles which are no longer on sale in the store; a mode called SCAN mode for reading, scanning and re-recording, in the database, of image data presented in paper form relating to the recording media. Such a keyboard or touch screen can also make it possible to select different stages or options of use within a given mode of use ("cancellation" or "confirmation" contactors for respectively canceling or confirming the previous action, etc.). The human interface also advantageously comprises means of sound diffusion (loudspeakers) and / or visual (display screen) for the communication to the operator of the chosen mode of use, of the identifier entered, of various information. relating to the corresponding recording medium, error messages, etc., and possibly for the dissemination of the data (images or audio) stored in the database for the purpose of recording control.

The invention extends to a method of recording, in at least a mass memory, of data recorded on recording media, implemented in a computer installation comprising means for reading a plurality of storage media. recording of a predetermined type comprising a battery of chargers adapted to each receive a single recording medium. The method according to the invention is characterized in that, each charger being adapted to be able to be placed in a state, called open state, locatable by an operator and 'in which said charger can receive a recording medium, the chargers. are controlled so that at most one charger at any one time is in the open state.

In particular, the recording process comprises the following chronological steps:

. entry of the identifier of a recording medium, - if no magazine is already in the open state, bringing the magazine into the open state initially in a state, known as the available state, in which said charger is awaiting authorization to load (it may be empty or contain a recording medium whose data extraction is complete),

^• - _. loading of said recording medium into said loader, preceded where appropriate by the removal of a recording medium already present in the loader, placing the loader in a state, known as used state, in which at least part of the data of the recording medium are read and possibly stored, at least in part, in the installation's mass memory. As a variant, the recording method comprises the following chronological steps: placing a charger in the open state initially in the available state, since at least one charger is in the available state and no charger is not in the open state, - loading into said charger of a recording medium, after possible removal of a recording medium already present in the charger, entry of the identifier of the recording medium coming from 'be charged, - put the charger in the used state.

For each charger in the state used, the method also comprises the following operations: reading and storing in at least one mass memory of at least part of the data of the loaded recording medium, with referencing of the data stored by the identifier of the recording medium and, optionally, by an editor reference of said recording medium, optional verification of the integrity of the data copied, putting the loader in the available state. Advantageously and according to the invention, the recording method also comprises, for each charger in the state used, prior to reading the data to be copied from the loaded recording medium, the following steps: comparison of the identifier of the loaded recording medium and of the identifiers present in the database, - optional comparison of the publisher reference of the storage medium loaded record and publisher references present in the database, placing the loader in the available state if the identifier and / or publisher reference of said recording medium is / are already present in the mass memory.

This characteristic makes it possible to avoid duplicating the same data twice in the mass memory (case where the two aforementioned references are already present in the mass memory). It also makes it possible to alert the operator of an error, past or present, of referencing of a recording medium (mismatch between the recording medium and the identifier entered, in the case where only one of said references is present in the mass memory).

Advantageously and according to the invention, the method comprises the following steps: - following the release of a recording medium from a charger, for putting said charger into the available state, insertion of the charger at the end of a queue, if applicable (if no loader is in the open state and / or on entry of a recording medium identifier), put in the open state of the first loader of said queue d 'waiting.

This characteristic of the process makes it possible to optimize the use of the charger battery. Thus, in the case of an installation comprising three standard CD-ROM drives (that is to say having a sampling frequency of the order of 44 MHz), and if one wishes to copy into the base 30 seconds of data per track (song) for each audio CD, it is possible to reference one hundred and twenty audio CD in less than an hour. The invention also relates to a computer installation and a recording method characterized in combination by all or some of the characteristics mentioned above and below.

Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description which refers to the appended figures representing preferential embodiments of the invention given solely by way of nonlimiting examples, and in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of an installation according to the invention, - ^, - Figure 2 is a flowchart showing a method of deleting data stored in the database corresponding to a mode of use of the installation shown in FIG. 1, said deletion mode, FIG. 3 is a flow diagram representing a process for digitizing image data presented on paper support corresponding to a mode of use of the installation shown in FIG. 1, said SCAN mode, FIG. 4 is a flowchart representing an embodiment of the recording method according to the invention corresponding to a mode of use on of the installation shown in Figure 1 said recording mode, Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a method of changing the mode of use of the installation shown in Figure -1.

The installation described by way of nonlimiting example and represented in FIG. 1 is intended for a distributor of audio compact discs (called CD-audiό or CD), for the constitution and the updating of a database listing distributor audio CDs available for sale in the store. The installation notably comprises a central computer unit 101, to which are connected: a scanner 115 for importing image data on paper support to the database, sound diffusion means such as speakers 132 and / or a helmet 119, a bar code reader 114 for entering an identifier such as the identifier of an audio CD or that of a mode of use of the installation, means for reading audio CDs, including a battery loaders 111, 112, 113 with a drawer adapted to each receive a single CD, for reading and extracting the data carried by the audio CDs distributed in the store with a view to storing them in the database, a screen display 118 for monitoring the progress of the different stages of the modes of use of the installation, for checking scanned images, for communicating error messages, etc.

The central unit 101 contains inter alia: control means 104 (central processing unit "CPU" known per se) for managing the elements of the central unit and the peripheral devices mentioned above, according to methods of recording, control, etc., in accordance with the invention, storage means, including in particular a random access memory 106 of the RAM ("Random Access Memory") type for temporary storage operations occurring during the execution of process execution programs mentioned above, and a read only memory 105 of the ROM ("Read Only Memory") type for the storage of the data (software, parameters, etc.) necessary for the execution of the said programs and for the storage of the database gathering the memorized data relating to audio CDs currently on sale in the store, a sound card 10-7 for managing the speakers 132 and headphones 119, a video card 108 for managing the display screen 118, etc ..

The various elements of the installation are connected together by a bus 110 called backplane bus comprising a supply bus 124, connected to the mains by means of a stabilizer 109 of electrical supply, a bus of address 125, a data bus 126 and a control bus 127, for the transmission of digital data between said elements. The elements external to the central unit housing (scanner, speakers, headphones, display screen, barcode reader, etc.) are connected to the backplane bus 110. by connectors 128, 129., 130, 131, 133 adapted. The peripheral elements delivering analog information (sound broadcasting means 132 and 119) include digital / analog converters for converting the digital data transmitted by the central unit into analog data communicated to the operator.

In what follows, "the system" designates the control means associated or not with one or more of the constituent elements of the installation.

The specific programs for implementing the methods of the invention make it possible to use the computer installation according to several modes of use: a recording mode for importing to the mass memory the data included on the various audio CD sold by the distributor, a SCAN mode for scanning and storing in the database> CD-audio CD sleeves or any other information presented in paper form concerning said CDs, a deletion mode for erasing the mass memory data relating to a given audio CD, withdrawn from sale for example.

Each mode of use of the installation is identified by a bar code, all of these codes being made available to the operator responsible for building and updating the database. The choice of different modes of use of the installation is therefore made by reading the corresponding barcode using the barcode reader 114. When one of the codes is read and identified as not being an audio CD code, the control means successively check whether said code corresponds to the code of SCAN mode, of recording mode or of deletion mode (see FIG. 5 ). When the code is recognized, the execution program of the corresponding process is launched. By default, when it is powered up, the installation goes into recording mode which will be described in detail below. As a variant, it is placed pending the entry of a mode identifier.

Figure 2 illustrates the operation of the delete mode. Said mode having been selected (step 20) by reading its identification code by means of the bar code reader 114, an audible message is delivered (step 21) by the speakers 132, signifying to the operator that he just selected the delete mode. The operator can then enter (step 22) an identifier. The control means verify (step 23) the nature and validity of the identifier. If it is a valid audio CD identifier (present in the database), all the data relating to said CD (audio data + image data + "Table Of Content" + identifier) are erased ( step 25) of the installation mass memory. If it is an identifier for the mode of use of the installation, the system, after identification of the code entered, initiates the program for executing said mode of use (step 1 and FIG. 5). If the identifier entered is invalid, that is to say if it does not correspond either to a mode of use identifier or to an audio CD identifier stored in the database, an error message is issued (step 24) to the operator, and the system is placed on standby for instruction, and in particular for entering a new identifier.

FIG. 3 illustrates an operating mode of the SCAN mode. After having selected (step 30) said mode by reading its identification code, the operator enters (step 31) an identifier. As before, the system checks (steps 32 and 34) the nature and validity of the identifier. It delivers an error message (step 33) if the identifier is not recognized, initiates another mode of use if the identifier entered corresponds to a mode identifier (step 1), except if it 'is the identifier of a particular mode described below called RESCAN mode. If it is an audio CD- identifier referenced in the database, the system assigns (step 35) the value 1 to the number of pages scanned with reference to said audio CD, and orders (step 36) the scanner 115 in order to read and digitize the image of the corresponding pocket. The digitized image is saved under the reference of the audio CD (that is to say its identifier) as the first image relating to said CD. If it is the identifier of the RESCAN mode, and if the identifier of an audio CD has previously been entered (check 37), the indicator for the number of pages scanned is incremented (step 38) and the system digitizes the image arranged on the scanner. If it is the RESCAN mode identifier and no audio CD identifier has been entered, a message is delivered to the operator to enter the identifier of the CD concerned (step 43 ). After verification (step 44) of the nature and validity of said identifier, the indicator for the number of pages is incremented (step 38) and the page scanned (36).

It should be noted that an image scanned in the RESCAN mode is memorized following the image data already recorded with reference to the audio CD concerned; the data relating to an image scanned in the context of the SCAN mode overwrites any image data, relating to said audio CD, already present in the database. After checking the digitization (step 39), if no error is detected, the generated image data is stored (step 40) in the database and referenced by the identifier of the audio CD previously entered. Any error or malfunction that occurred during digitization is signaled (step 41) to the operator by a message (audio for example) and the latter can re-enter the CD-audio identifier or another CD or mode identifier. use. FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the recording method according to the invention. The start of the process corresponds either to the powering up of the installation, or to the choice of the recording mode by the operator (step 50). The latter reads the barcode for recording mode for this purpose. The system checks, as previously described, the type and validity of the identifier entered and, if necessary, initiates the recording mode (step 1 and FIG. 5). The control means then trigger the opening of the first battery charger. The operator then has an audio CD in the loader (step 53) and enters his identifier, appearing on the storage box of said audio CD, by means of the bar code reader 114 (step 54). The system checks the nature and validity of the identifier as previously explained (steps 55, and possibly 56 or 1), and, in the case of an identifier valid CD-audio, orders the magazine drawer to close (step 57). Data extraction from the loaded audio CD can begin. At the same time, the system initiates the opening of the second charger for loading. After placing an audio CD in the second loader, entering the corresponding identifier, and closing said second loader if the identifier entered corresponds to that of an audio CD, the system controls the opening of the third charger for loading.

Upon closure of a charger, prior to reading data from the CD-audio contained therein, the system checks the absence successively in the database ^'of the entered identifier data (specific to the distributor) (step 58), and the absence, in said database, of an editor reference intrinsic to the recording medium (step 59) such as the "Table Of Content" (TOC) of said medium. Note that the TOC lists the position (start and end) of each of the tracks on the audio CD. It is therefore presented in the form of a series of figures which makes it possible to identify in an almost certain way each album (two recording media representing the same album, that is to say the same data) and pressed by the same publisher have the same TOC; conversely, the probability that two recording media representing two separate albums have the same TOC is almost zero). If the identifier and the TOC of the loaded audio CD are already known to the installation, this means that said audio CD has already been referenced and recorded in the database. The presence in said database of only one of these two references (distributor identifier or TOC) translates an error in referencing an audio CD (the one already present in the database or the one present in the loader). Thanks to the invention, such an error is very rare, the operator handling only one CD and only one sleeve at a time. It is more likely to result from a CD distributor or referencing error prior to this recording process and independent of the operator. However, if an error is noted (TOC and / or identifier present in the database), an error message is delivered to the operator (step 60 and / or 61), and the charger is placed in the available state, at the end of a queue of available chargers (step 66).

These verifications being carried out, if the identifier and the TOC are absent from the installation mass memory, the control means trigger the reading (step 62) of the data or of a part of the data from the CD. At the end of reading, the system checks (step 63) then the correct execution of the extraction and the integrity of the data read. If no eneur is detected, said data are stored (step 65) in the database in which they are classified under a reference including both the identifier of the audio CD and its TOC. At the end of this operation, the control means place the charger in the available state, at the end of the queue. In the event of an error occurring during data extraction, an error message is delivered (step 64) to the operator, and the loader is also inserted (step 66) in the queue of available loaders.

At all times, the system checks the status of the queue (step 51). As soon as there is a loader in the queue (check 67), either because this loader is empty, or because the data extraction from the CD it contains is finished and checked, and that, moreover , no charger is in the open state (check 68), the control means trigger the opening of the first charger in the queue (step 52). The operator can then remove, if necessary, the audio CD it contains and place a new CD in the open magazine (step 53), then enter his identifier (step 54). The extraction of the data carried by this new CD is carried out concomitantly with that of the data of the CDs previously introduced into the installation.

If, however, none of the chargers of the installation are available, the control means repeat the verification (steps 51 and 67) until a charger becomes available. During this period, an information message may be sent to the operator, telling him that all the chargers are currently in use.

The invention thus allows the distributor to build up and update a database corresponding exactly to the audio CDs he has in store. The recording process is particularly simple to implement and installation can be used by a person without special skills or knowledge. The recording method according to the invention makes it possible to avoid any human error: the operator who wishes to integrate a new audio CD in the database must only and simply bring the said CD (initially in its storage case), place the audio CD in the open magazine (in recording mode, as soon as all the magazines are not used, one and only one of the magazines is necessarily open awaiting loading), and scan the identifier of the Audio CD appearing on its case. The closing of the loader, following the entry of the CD identifier, the extraction of the data, their storage and classification in the database, and the opening of the loader at the end of extraction are carried out automatically under the control of the control means. Under no circumstances can the operator enter a series of recording medium identifiers and then place the recording media in the loaders. It therefore handles only one recording medium at a time and the association between the identifier entered and the loader used to read the corresponding recording medium is carried out automatically by the control means. The identifier entered and associated with the loaded audio CD therefore necessarily corresponds to said audio CD.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the invention can be implemented using basic hardware and software (operating system, software for managing sound and video cards, etc.) that are standard, current and inexpensive.

Before entering the recording mode, the operator can advantageously configure certain parameters for executing said mode. ^" - The invention provides the possibility for the operator to select: - - the data sequences to be extracted from the audio CD, and in particular to define for each track (that is to say for each song), the duration to extract and the instant from which the extraction must start (for example, you can select the 30 seconds of song following the first minute); it is also possible to extract and store in a first database l 'completeness of each track, and to constitute a second database containing only sequences of 30 seconds of each track, the routing of the recorded data (clioix of a hard disk, of a directory, of a sub-directory, etc.), the compression format in which the data must be stored (the extraction is carried out in the native format of data, called PCM format, and these are then possibly compressed in a format of the "MP3" or "quicktime" type for example), the mode of transmission of error messages or other data (choice of a sound card for voice messages, a video card for visual messages ...), - the sampling frequency (i.e. extraction,

22050 Hz or 44100 Hz for example), the serial port of the barcode reader to use to allow the launch of the recording, deletion, and SCAN modes, the scanner to use, certain scanning parameters, etc.

It goes without saying that the invention can be the subject of numerous variants compared to the embodiments previously described and represented in the figures.

In particular, the installation may comprise a battery of slot-type CD-audio chargers. In this case, the "opening" (the open state) of an initially available charger is signaled to the operator by a light signal, and

"opening" a loader originally used for unloading results in the ejection of the audio CD it contains.

Furthermore, the installation described with reference to the figures can also be used to constitute a database listing CD-ROMs available for sale at a distributor. The installation can also include means for reading other types of recording medium (DVD in particular). Such an installation and the various associated operating methods are similar to those previously described. The method of recording audio CDs (or other recording medium) may alternatively comprise the following steps: the mode record having been selected, a step for entering the identifier of the audio-CD, after which the nature and validity of the identifier are verified; a step of verifying the absence of the identifier in the database; in the absence of said identifier, the subsequent opening of the first available loader in the queue; loading the charger; an optional step of confirmation by the operator of the registration (by pressing a corresponding contactor); placing the loader in the queue at the end of data extraction or following the operator's registration registration; the release of the CD. In this variant, it is the entry of a CD identifier which triggers the opening of one and only one magazine (if there is a magazine available in the queue; otherwise, the system is put on hold until an loader that was initially used is opened, unloaded, closed and placed on the waiting list).

The recording process can also integrate steps of selecting the data sequences to be copied (selection of a limited number of tracks from an audio CD, definition of a limited time per track (first minute for example), selection only of the trailer of a film on DVD ...). In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, these parameters are defined when the recording mode is configured. In this variant, the selection of the data sequences is carried out after entering an identifier and before verification by the means of checking the absence or presence of the identifier in the database. If the identifier entered and at least part of the selected data are present in the database, an error message is delivered to the operator so that he re-enters a selection of data to be copied. As a variant, the invention also provides in this case for recording only the selected sequences of data which do not yet appear in the database.

Furthermore, the data thus stored in the database can be distributed within the distributor's store by means of listening and / or viewing terminals connected to the installation described above. The database can also be used by broadcasting songs music on the Internet, for purposes, commercial for example or as part of webradio, etc.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 / - Computer installation comprising means for reading a plurality of recording media of a predetermined type, said reading means comprising a battery of chargers (111, 112, 113) adapted to each receive a single storage medium recording, characterized in that: each charger (111, 112, 113) is adapted to be able to be placed in a state, called open state, locatable by an operator and in which said charger can receive a recording medium, it comprises control means (104) reading means, the only ones capable of controlling the setting in the open state of each charger (111, 112, 113) and adapted to control said chargers so that at each instant only one charger at most be in the open state.

21 - Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the reading means are adapted to read in parallel and store in at least one mass memory (105) at least part of the data carried by the (the) support (s) of record (s) present in the loaders (111, 112, 113), with a view to the constitution of a database.

3 / - Installation according to one of claims 1 or 2, comprising a battery of chargers (111, 112, 113) suitable for reading recording media containing digital data, characterized in that the reading means are suitable for read said data digitally.

Al - Installation according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises means for entering (114) information relating to the data of each recording medium, and in particular means for entering a reference , called an identifier, identifying the data of the recording medium, with a view to listing under said reference the data copied from said recording medium.

5 / - Installation according to claim 4, characterized in that the input means comprise reading means (114) of a code with optical reading, in particular of the bar code type. 61 - Installation according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the control means (104) are adapted for:. . place in the open state a charger (111, 112, 113) initially in a state, known as the available state, in which said charger is awaiting authorization for loading, following the entry of the identifier of a, recording medium and if no other charger is in the open state, as soon as said recording medium is loaded in said charger, place said charger (111, 112, 113) in a state, said state used , in which at least part of the data from the recording medium is read and possibly stored in the mass memory.

II - Installation according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the control means (104) are suitable for: placing in the open state a charger (111, 112, 113) initially in the available state, as soon as at least one charger is in the available state and none of the chargers is in the open state, replace said charger (111, 112, 113) in the used state, following the loading of '' a recording medium in the charger and when entering its identifier.

8 / - Installation according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control means (104) are adapted for, before

. reading of the data to be copied from a recording medium present in a loader

(111, 112, 113), checking the absence, in the mass memory (105), of the identifier and / or an editor reference of said recording medium, said control means (104) being adapted to placing said loader (111, 112, 113) in the available state if said identifier and / or said publisher reference is / are already present in the mass memory.

9 / - Installation according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the control means (104) are adapted to place in the available state a charger (111, 112, 113) initially in the used state, at the end of the reading and the storage in the mass memory (105) of at least part of the data of the recording medium which it contains. 10 / - Installation according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the control means (104) are adapted for, when putting a charger (111, 112, 113) into the available state, insert said charger at the end. of a queue, and to place, if necessary, in the open state the first loader (111, 112, 113) available from said queue.

11 / - Installation according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises, for each charger (111, 112, 113), light means for indicating the open state of said charger, and optionally of its used and / or available state. - - 12 / - Installation according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that it comprises means for deleting at least part of the data stored in the mass memory (105) relating to a storage medium. recording.

13 / - Installation according to claim 12, characterized in that the deletion means are adapted to erase from the mass memory (105) the stored data relating to a recording medium on entry of its identifier.

14 / - Installation according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises means (115) for reading and digitizing images with a view to listing, under the identifier of a recording medium, image data presented in paper form relating to said recording medium. 15 / - Installation according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that it comprises a human interface comprising input means (114) of commands for use of the installation and / or sound diffusion means ( 119, 132) and / or visual (118) for the communication of information and / or data to the operator.

16 / - Method for recording, in at least one mass memory (105), of data recorded on recording media, implemented in a computer installation comprising means for reading a plurality of recording media of a predetermined type comprising a battery of chargers (111, 112, 113) adapted to each receive a single recording medium, said method being characterized in that each charger (111, 112, 113) being adapted to be able to be placed in a state, called state open, identifiable by an operator and in which said charger can receive a recording medium, the chargers are controlled so that at any time, only one charger (111, 112, 113) at most is in the open state .

17 / - Method according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises the following chronological steps: entry of the identifier of a recording medium, - if no other loader is already in the open state, setting in the open state of a charger initially in a state, known as an available state, in which said charger is awaiting authorization for loading, loading of said recording medium into said charger, preceded, where appropriate, by the withdrawal of 'a recording medium already present in the charger, placing the charger in a state, said state used, in which at least part of the data of the recording medium are read and possibly stored in the mass memory.

18 / - Method according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises the following chronological steps: setting in the open state (52) of a. charger initially in the available state, when at least one charger is in the available state (67) and no charger is in the open state (68), loading ^• (53) in said charger a recording medium, after removal, if necessary, of a recording medium already present in the charger, entry (54) of the identifier of the recording medium which has just been loaded, used state of the charger. 19 / - Method according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that it comprises, for each charger in the state used, the following steps: reading (62) and storage (65) in at least one memory of mass of at least part of the data of the loaded recording medium, with referencing of the data stored by the identifier and, optionally, an editor reference of said recording medium, set to the available state (66) of the loader. 20 / - Method according to one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that it comprises, for each charger in the used state, before reading the data to be copied from the loaded recording medium, the following steps: comparison (58) of the identifier of the loaded recording medium and of the identifiers present in the database, - optional comparison (59) of the publisher reference of the loaded recording medium and of the publisher references present in the database , setting to the available state (60, 61, 66) of the loader if the identifier and / or the publisher reference of the recording medium is / are already present in the mass memory.

21 / - Method according to one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: during the placing in the available state of a charger, insertion (66) of said charger at the end of a queue, - if necessary, setting to the open state (52) of the first loader of said queue.