COMPACT DISC STORAGE, RETRIEVAL, AND READER SYSTEM Field of the Invention This invention relates in general to computer data retrieval from compact discs, and in particular to a compact disc storage, retrieval and reader system having vertically movable front and rear disc storage magazines alignable with an adjacently positionable disc transport and optics reader assembly having a disc loader and an optics mechanism for retrieving discs from the storage magazines for ultimate engagement with the optics mechanism and resultant data access. The reader system is defined to include any device capable of reading or writing data or the like from and/or to a CD, CD-ROM, DVD or other CD-ROM-like device, including but not limited to CD-recordable and CD-ROM reader/writer devices.

Background of the Invention Compact disc storage and retrieval has become a significant factor for consideration in view of the proliferation of use of these discs for data storage in association with computerized information that must be readily available, including that on CD-ROM discs. The term "CD-ROM" is to be understood to include all such devices, including but not limited to CD-ROM, WORM, DVD (digital versatile disc), DVD-RAM, etc. A typical solution to disc storage and retrieval is found in a disc storage magazine in association with a computer such as a personal computer and wherein a plurality of discs are stored for call-up as needed. Of most significant value is a storage magazine that can be embedded within a personal computer to thereby permit rapid selection and activation without looking toward external implementation to accomplish disc selection.

In view of the relatively limited storage capacity now available within personal computer equipment, however, relatively few discs can be so stored and

directly retrieved. It is therefore apparent that a need is present for an embeddable storage magazine and disc reader that provides reasonable storage and retrievable capabilities. In accord therewith, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a compact disc storage, retrieval and reader system incorporating magazine disc storage in association with a disc transport and optics reader assembly for retrieval and operation of a disc.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a compact disc storage, retrieval and reader system in which the disc transport and optics reader assembly can retrieve and operate a disc initially disposed in either a storage magazine or an exteriorly accessible disc loading drawer of a personal computer.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a compact disc storage, retrieval and reader system sized to be accommodated in a half-height bay, or, alternatively, in a full-height bay, environment of a personal computer.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent throughout the description thereof which now follows.

Summarv of the Invention The present invention is a compact disc storage, retrieval and reader system for a computer. The system comprises vertically movable front and rear disc storage magazines for storing discs, with the magazines incrementally movable from an upper position to a lower position. The front magazine additionally has an externally accessible disc loading drawer and staging cavity portal. A horizontally movable disc transport and optics reader assembly is included, and comprises an optics mechanism for accessing data from a disc and a disc loader disposed directly above the optics mechanism for accepting a disc. The assembly is positioned beneath

either the front or rear storage magazine when the magazine is in an upper position, and the other magazine is moved vertically to align the disc loader with a desired storage site thereof or, in the case of the front storage magazine, to align with the loading drawer and staging cavity portal. In addition to the disc loader component being able to accept discs, a disc therein can be engaged therefrom by the optics mechanism for data thereof to be accessed.

While the storage, retrieval and reader system of the present invention can be of any practical size, a preferred embodiment of the system is embedded within a personal computer, and has dimensions to permit its accommodation within a half height bay whose height dimension is 1.625 inch. Each of the front and rear storage magazines can accommodate five or more discs, and the disc loader can move horizontally in alignment with a disc storage location to thereby retrieve or replace a disc at that site. With respect to the front storage magazine, the disc loader also can be aligned with the portal to thereby retrieve or replace a disc therein. As earlier described, a disc in the disc loader has direct access to the optics mechanism for spin up and data access.

Brief Description of the Drawings An illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a side elevation view of a compact disc storage, retrieval and reader system for a computer; Figures 2 and 3 are schematic illustrations of a side elevation view of a disc transport and optics reader assembly of the system of Figure 1, with the loader thereof positioned to retrieve or store a disc at the front magazine; and

Figures 4 and 5 are schematic illustrations of a side elevation view of a disc transport and optics reader assembly of the system of Figure 1, with the loader thereof positioned to retrieve or store a disc at the rear magazine.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring to Figure 1, a compact disc storage, retrieval and reader system 10 includes an externally accessible disc loading drawer and staging cavity portal 12, a front storage magazine 14, a rear storage magazine 16, and a disc transport and optics reader assembly 18.

The assembly 18 is horizontally movable, and includes an optics mechanism 20 for accessing data from a disc and a disc loader 22 for accepting a disc. Both storage magazines 14, 16 have five respective shelves 26, each of which accommodates one disc. Additionally, the front storage magazine 14 has an externally accessible disc loading drawer and staging cavity portal 12 located at the top of the front storage magazine 14. The height of the preferred embodiment is 1.625 inch, which is equivalent to a standard half-height bay of a personal computer. Thus, the preferred embodiment can be embedded within a personal computer as known in the art.

Figures 2-5 illustrate various operational modes of the system 10. The positioning of Figure 2 shows the disc transport and optics reader assembly 18 beneath the rear storage magazine 16 in preparation for disc retrieval from the front storage magazine 14. Figure 3 illustrates the front storage magazine 14 after its downward travel to be in alignment with the assembly 18.

Specifically, the disc loader 22 can move horizontally to retrieve a disc from the front storage magazine 14 and align it with the optics mechanism 20. Once so aligned, the disc can be engaged by the optics mechanism 20 for spin up and data access. After use, the disc can be disengaged from the optics mechanism 20 and returned to

its original site or to another site within the front storage magazine 14.

Figure 4 shows the assembly 18 beneath the front storage magazine 14 in preparation for disc retrieval from the rear storage magazine 16, while Figure 5 illustrates the rear storage magazine 16 after its downward travel to be in alignment with the assembly 18.

As earlier described in relation to Figures 2 and 3, the disc loader 22 moves horizontally to retrieve a disc from the rear storage magazine 16 and align it with the optics mechanism 20. Once so aligned, the disc can be engaged by the optics mechanism 20 for spin up and data access.

After use, the disc can be disengaged from the optics mechanism 20 and returned to its original site or to another site within the rear storage magazine 16.

Although the preferred embodiment is embeddable within a personal computer, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such an application.

Instead, the same storage, retrieval and data accessing apparatus and methodology can be employed in a higher capacity non-embedded peripheral unit or in a free standing implementation embodying multiple disc transport and optics reader assemblies. Therefore, while an illustrative and presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.