Application of an image to a label surface of a computer disk, such as an optical disk (CD, DVD, etc.) can be accomplished by “burning” the image into a coating of thermally reactive material previously applied to the label surface of the disk. The laser ordinarily used to write or read data to and from the information side of the disk can be used to heat portions of the coating associated with pixels of the image to result in a thermal reaction and creation of the image. The laser is carried by a sled, which is configured to move the laser to each of a number of tracks. By turning the laser on and off, a concentric ring of pixels can be formed in the coating applied to the label area of the disk.
Specialty optical disks, in non-round shapes, are increasingly available. Business card-shaped disks, star-shaped disks, and other novelty shaped disks are becoming increasingly available. Unfortunately, application of an image to a label surface of a non-round optical disk is not possible with current systems.
In one embodiment, a disk shape determining and labeling system includes a first module configured to determine a shape of a non-round disk. A second module determines an orientation of the non-round disk. The labeling system then applies a visible pattern to the disk, wherein the labeling is performed according to the shape and the orientation of the non-round disk.
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digits(s) of a reference number identifies the figure (Fig.) in which the reference number first appears. Moreover, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
A label design module 120 may be implemented in software, hardware or firmware and may be configured to enable a user to author or design label data 122. For example, the label data may include pixels data associated with the text and graphics that the user has authored. The label data 122 may be based on a disk template 124, which is associated with the shape of the disk. The disk template 124 makes it easier for the user to author the label data 122, by providing locations into which to text and graphics may be inserted during the authoring process. The disk template 124 may be obtained from any desired location or network, such as the Internet, or from a local repository, such as a label information database 126.
The label design module 120 may include a user interface 128 which supports the user in efficiently authoring label data 122, with or without a disk template 124. The user interface 128 may include regions 130 within which text may be entered, and tools 132 which may be used to obtain graphics. Where template data 124 is provided, an image 134 of that template may be displayed in a manner which allows text or graphics supplied by the user to be automatically located within prescribed area, such as 136, 138. Thus, the image of the template 134 provides an easy manner by which content such as text and graphics may be located manually or automatically within regions on the disk. The template image 134 includes an outline 140 showing the disk shape, and an outline 142 showing a region corresponding to the coated region of the disk onto which images and text may be marked.
A label application module 144 is configured to operate the optical disk drive 118 to apply the label data 122 to the disk. A disk shape module 146 is configured to determine the shape of the disk. For example, the disk shape module 146 may operate lasers and sensors within the optical disk drive 118, to determine the shape of the disk as it rotates. The label design module 120 may then be utilized to author label data 122 appropriate to the shape of the disk. A disk orientation module 148 is configured to determine the orientation of the disk as it spins within the optical disk drive 118. The label application module 144 then marks the disk using the label data 122 as the disk spins in the drive.
A laser controller 524 is in communication with the laser, and controls the operation of the laser, as well as associated tracking coils and sensors. In the example of
A tracking sensor 530 is designed to provide an indication if the laser 516 is aimed too much either radially inwardly or outwardly. A tracking coil 532 is designed to deflect the laser 516 radially inwardly or outwardly, i.e. to point the laser 516 slightly more toward the center of the disk 400 or slightly more to the outer edge of the disk 400.
A controller 534 may communicate through an interface 536 with the processor 104. Alternatively, the functionality of the controller 534 may be performed by the processor 104. The label data 122 (
The disk shape module 146 may be configured to utilize the array 700—or an associated data structure—to define the shape of the disk by determining which of the potential pixels of array 700 are available. Data may be obtained for addition to a data structure configured according to the array 700 by “pinging” all of the pixels on the array with the laser 516 and determining which pixel locations reflect light. Pixels associated with regions (such as between the arms of the star 200) which are not present in the non-circular disk would not reflect light. Accordingly, data within the array 700 may be annotated to reflect this. The data within the array would then reflect the shape of the disk.
The label data 122 may be organized according to a data structure based on the array 700. In this application, information about the appearance of each pixel, such as one or more bits of data associated with monochromatic or color information, may be inserted within each pixel location.
At block 804, an orientation of the disk may be determined. The orientation may also be determined by use of the laser 516 and sensor 526.
At block 806, template data 124 is selected from a database 126. The template data 126 selected to result in a template image 134 in a user interface 128 which is consistent with the shape of the disk. The template data 124 and image 134 assist the user in the authoring of label data 122 by facilitating the addition of text and graphics into locations indicated by the template, thereby forming label data 122 in a more automated manner.
At block 808, the label data 122, configured in some cases according to the template 124 as seen in block 806, is applied to the disk according to the shape and orientation of the disk. The application may be made to a thermally sensitive coating applied to the disk, or by other technology as desired.
At block 904, a laser is applied to an array of potential pixels. The process by which locations are pinged may involve scanning the disk by moving the laser 516 and sensor 526 on the sled 518 in a radially directed manner, while rotating the disk. The laser is then applied to some or all pixel locations, such as those defined by the array of potential pixel locations 700 of FIG. 7.
At block 906, a response from an optical sensor is associated with the application of the laser to the potential pixel locations. The response may be stored in a data structure corresponding to the array 700, wherein the response indicates the presence or absence of a writeable surface on the disk in the potential pix location. The presence of the potential pixel (see potential pixel location 702 in
At block 908, a shape of the disk may be inferred from the data within the data structure corresponding to the array 700. Additionally, where the shape of the disk has been inferred from the data, the shape of the region, (e.g. 204) within which pixels may be marked, can also be inferred.
At block 1004, data from the pinging of the representative sampling is compared to data within a database 126 of non-standard disk shapes.
At block 1006, where data within the database 126 of non-standard disk shapes is found to match the data from the pinging of the representative sampling, the shape associate data in the database 126 is associated with the data from the pinging.
At block 1104, a plurality of waveforms are generated, based on detection of an edge by optically sensing laser reflection. As seen in
At block 1304, reflection and rotation data (i.e. optical sensor output resulting from reflection of a laser beam, correlated with information about the rotation of a disk) are matched with information within the database. In a first example, the reflection and rotation data can be in the form of a data structure associated with an array of pixels 700. In a second example, the data may be associated with one or more waveforms 600, wherein each waveform is typically associated with a radial distance at which the sensor was located during the waveform generation.
At block 1306, scanning the database allows matching of the data provided at block 1304 with disk shape information in the database.
At block 1308, in some applications, the disk shape is correlated with a template and/or pre-authored label content data.
At block 1404, the template data 124 allows a user interface 128 to display a template image 134, including areas 136, 138 for the insertion of text and graphics. The template reduces the effort required by the user to create the label data 122, and generally speeds the label authoring process.
At block 1406, pre-authored label data may be imported and inserted into predefined locations within the template, further speeding the authoring process. In some applications, pre-authored label data is complete, and does not require use of the template.
Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological steps, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not limited to the specific features or steps described. Rather, the specific features and steps are exemplary forms of implementing this disclosure. For example, while, actions described in blocks of the flow diagrams may be performed in parallel with actions described in other blocks, the actions may occur in an alternate order, or may be distributed in a manner which associates actions with more than one other block.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4027217 | Harman | May 1977 | A |
4967286 | Nomula et al. | Oct 1990 | A |
5182741 | Maeda et al. | Jan 1993 | A |
5398231 | Shin et al. | Mar 1995 | A |
5498509 | Shin et al. | Mar 1996 | A |
5608717 | Ito et al. | Mar 1997 | A |
5608718 | Schiewe | Mar 1997 | A |
5627895 | Owaki | May 1997 | A |
5675570 | Ohira et al. | Oct 1997 | A |
5688173 | Kitahara et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
5729533 | Marquardt | Mar 1998 | A |
5745457 | Hayashi et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
5748607 | Ohira et al. | May 1998 | A |
5751671 | Koike et al. | May 1998 | A |
5764430 | Ottesen et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5766495 | Parette | Jun 1998 | A |
5781221 | Wen et al. | Jul 1998 | A |
5846131 | Kitahara | Dec 1998 | A |
5875156 | Ito et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5915858 | Wen | Jun 1999 | A |
5949752 | Glynn et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5958651 | Van Hoof et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
5967676 | Cutler et al. | Oct 1999 | A |
5997976 | Mueller et al. | Dec 1999 | A |
6019151 | Wen et al. | Feb 2000 | A |
6026066 | Maezawa | Feb 2000 | A |
6034930 | Kitahara | Mar 2000 | A |
6074031 | Kahle | Jun 2000 | A |
6102800 | Kitahara et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6104677 | Kirihara et al. | Aug 2000 | A |
6124011 | Kern | Sep 2000 | A |
6154240 | Hickman | Nov 2000 | A |
6160789 | Abraham | Dec 2000 | A |
6202550 | Lee et al. | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6264295 | Bradshaw et al. | Jul 2001 | B1 |
6270176 | Kahle | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6295261 | Kim | Sep 2001 | B1 |
6317399 | Ohtani et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6384929 | Miller | May 2002 | B1 |
6386667 | Cariffe | May 2002 | B1 |
6403191 | Casagrande | Jun 2002 | B1 |
6440248 | Mueller | Aug 2002 | B1 |
6452883 | Chan | Sep 2002 | B2 |
6469969 | Carson et al. | Oct 2002 | B2 |
20020191517 | Honda et al. | Dec 2002 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
08327339 | Dec 1996 | JP |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20040212670 A1 | Oct 2004 | US |