Printer and method for printing indicia on a compact disk using a plurality of ink jet or laser rotatable print heads

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6202550
  • Patent Number
    6,202,550
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, December 30, 1998
    26 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 20, 2001
    23 years ago
Abstract
A printer and method for printing indicia on a disk. According to an embodiment of the invention, a printer comprises a plurality of elongate print heads arranged orthogonally with respect to each other about a center axis defined between the print heads. The print heads are capable of printing indicia on a disk having an annular printing area. The disk may be a recordable compact disk or a read-only memory compact disk, if desired. The print heads may be coupled to a rotatable hub centered at the center axis, such that the print heads extend radially outwardly from the hub. A motor is coupled to the hub for rotating the hub, so that the print heads rotate in unison about the center axis as the hub rotates. A controller coupled to the motor and print heads synchronously control operation of the motor and print heads. In this configuration of the invention, the print heads rotate while the disk is stationary.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




This invention generally relates to printer apparatus and methods and more particularly relates to a printer and method for printing indicia on a disk, such that printing speed is increased and printing costs are reduced.




Compact disks are generally of two types. One types of compact disk is commonly referred to as a recordable compact disk, which is insertable into a compact disk recorder. A user then records digital data onto the compact disk by means of an input device, such as a computer connected to the recorder. The recordation is typically performed using laser light impulses that “burn” the digital data into the recordable disk in binary code. This digital data may then be optically read by a suitable compact disk player. Thus, the recordable compact disk allows the user to write data onto the disk. Another type of compact disk is commonly referred to as a read-only memory compact disk, which has the digital data already “burned” into the disk when received by the user. In this case, the user may only read the digital data by means of the compact disk player and may not write data onto the disk. Recordable and read-only memory compact disks are becoming more prevalent due to their lower cost, compact size and easier data retrieval compared, for example, to magnetic data storage.




In any case, it is important to label the compact disk for the purpose of identifying the data content of the disk. Such identification facilitates archiving of a plurality of disks having different data content and also facilitates distribution of large data files. This labeling may be obtained in several ways. For example, read-only memory compact disks are typically labeled using a silk-screen printing process because read-only memory compact disks are usually mass produced and silk-screen printing is particularly suitable for mass produced articles. Printing on recordable compact disks, on the other hand, is typically produced by manually writing identification information on a label and attaching the label to the disk or by using a felt-tip stylus to write directly on the surface of the disk itself. However, with respect to the silk-screen process, rapid change-over to print different label information on different compact disks is not readily possible thereby resulting in an inflexible manufacturing process. Of course, manually writing identification information on the disk is time-consuming and thereby costly.




A method of printing label information on a disk is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,337 titled “Printing Method For Disc-Shaped Information Carriers” issued May 31, 1994 in the name of Helmut Ewaldt. This patent discloses a data-processing system including a printer head movable radially over an annular area of a disc-shaped information carrier to print in the annular area The printer head prints a radial line label information starting at an inner edge of the annular area up to an outer edge of the area. After the line is printed, the disc-shaped information carrier is rotated through a given angle whereupon another radial line of label information is printed. This process is continued until the information carrier has made one full revolution and the entire annular area has been printed. Printing is controlled by a printing program in a data-processing system, which also supplies the label information. However, the Ewaldt device is relatively slow in printing because the Ewaldt device uses but a single printer head. Moreover, if an individual printing element in the printer head malfunctions, the entire printer head must be replaced if quality printing is to be maintained. Replacement of the entire printer head increases printing costs.




Therefore, there remains a need to provide a printer and method for printing indicia on a disk, such that printing speed is increased and printing costs are reduced.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




An object of the present invention is to provide a printer and method for printing indicia on a disk, such that printing speed is increased and printing costs are reduced.




With the above object in view, the present invention resides in a printer for printing indicia on a disk, comprising a plurality of print heads arranged in a spoke-like configuration about a center axis defined between said print heads, said print heads capable of being disposed in printing relation to the disk.




According to an embodiment of the present invention, a printer comprises a plurality of elongate print heads arranged orthogonally with respect to each other about a center axis defined between the print heads. Each print head is capable of printing indicia on a disk having an annular printing area The disk may be a recordable compact disk or a read-only memory compact disk, if desired. The print heads may be coupled to a rotatable hub centered at the center axis, such that the print heads extend radially outwardly from the hub. A motor is coupled to the hub for rotating the hub, so that the print heads rotate in unison about the center axis as the hub rotates. A controller coupled to the motor and print heads synchronously control operation of the motor and print heads. In this configuration of the invention, the print heads rotate while the disk is stationary.




According to another embodiment of the present invention, the motor is coupled to the disk for rotating the disk. In this latter embodiment of the invention, the disk rotates while the hub and print heads remain stationary.




According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the print heads may instead be radially movable with respect to the disk while the disk rotates.




According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, each of the print heads may comprise a plurality of adjacent replaceable print head segments.




According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the printer includes an elongate print head having a predetermined length substantially equal to the diameter of the disk for printing the indicia in a printing area on the disk. A guide is coupled to the print head for translating the print head over the printing area. In this embodiment of the invention, the print head translates while the disk is stationary. A motor is coupled to the guide for moving the guide, so that the print head translates while the guide moves. This print head may include the previously mentioned plurality of adjacent print head segments.




According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a printer comprises a solitary print head extending from a center axis defined by the disk. The print head is capable of printing indicia on a disk having an annular printing area.




It should be noted that with respect to each of the embodiments mentioned hereinabove, the print heads may be ink jet print heads, laser print heads or other type of suitable print heads.




A feature of the present invention is the provision of a plurality of print heads arranged in a spoke-like configuration for printing the indicia on the disk.




Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a plurality of print heads arranged in a spoke-like configuration for printing the indicia on the disk, wherein each of the print heads comprises a plurality of adjacent print head segments.




An advantage of the present invention is that use thereof increases printing speed when printing indicia on an individual disk.




Another advantage of the present invention is that printing costs are reduced.




Still another advantage of the present invention is that use thereof allows for a flexible manufacturing process.




These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein there are shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing-out and distinctly claiming the subject matter of the present invention, it is believed the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:





FIG. 1

is a plan view of a first embodiment printer for printing indicia on a disk, the printer comprising a plurality of ink jet print heads arranged in a spoke-like configuration, the spoke-like configuration being rotatable while the disk is stationary;





FIG. 2

is a view taken along section line


2





2


of

FIG. 1

;





FIG. 3

is an enlarged fragmentation view in partial elevation of one of the ink jet print heads showing a plurality of ink channels therein;





FIG. 4

in a view in elevation of a second embodiment printer for printing indicia on a disk, the printer comprising a plurality of laser print heads enabled by a laser coupled thereto;





FIG. 5

is an enlarged fragmentation view in partial elevation of one of the laser print heads having a plurality of fiber optic cables disposed therein;





FIG. 6

is a plan view of a third embodiment printer for printing indicia on the disk, the printer comprising a plurality of ink jet print heads arranged in a spoke-like configuration, the spoke-like configuration being stationary while the disk rotates;





FIG. 7

is a view taken along section line


7





7


of

FIG. 6

;





FIG. 8

is a plan view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention showing the print heads being radially movable with respect to the disk while the disk rotates;





FIG. 9

is a plan view of a fifth embodiment printer for printing indicia on the disk, the printer comprising a plurality of ink jet print heads arranged in a spoke-like configuration, the spoke-like configuration being rotatable while the disk is stationary and the print heads each comprising a plurality of print head segments;





FIG. 10

is a plan view of a sixth embodiment printer for printing indicia on the disk, the printer comprising a plurality of ink jet print heads arranged in a spoke-like configuration, the spoke-like configuration being stationary while the disk rotates and the print heads each comprising a plurality of print head segments;





FIG. 11

is a plan view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention showing the print heads being radially movable with respect to the disk while the disk rotates and the print heads each comprising a plurality of print head segments;





FIG. 12

is an enlarged fragmentation view in partial elevation of one of the ink jet print heads showing a plurality of ink channels therein, the print head comprising a plurality of print head segments





FIG. 13

is a plan view of an eighth embodiment printer showing a single ink jet print head of predetermined length traversing the disk while the disk is stationary;





FIG. 14

is a plan view of a ninth embodiment printer showing a single ink jet print head of predetermined length and the disk traversing the print head while the print head is stationary;





FIG. 15

is a plan view of a tenth embodiment printer showing the single ink jet print head of predetermined length traversing the disk while the disk is stationary, the print head comprising a plurality of print head segments;





FIG. 16

is a plan view of an eleventh embodiment printer showing the single ink jet print head of predetermined length and the disk traversing the print head while the print head is stationary, the print head comprising a plurality of print head segments;





FIG. 17

is a plan view of a twelfth embodiment of the invention showing a single laser print head of predetermined length traversing the disk while the disk is stationary;





FIG. 18

is a plan view of a thirteenth embodiment printer showing a single laser print head of predetermined length and the disk traversing the print head while the print head is stationary;





FIG. 19

is a plan view of a fourteenth embodiment printer for printing indicia on a disk, the printer comprising a plurality of ink jet print heads arranged in a spoke-like configuration, the spoke-like configuration being rotatable while the disk rotates; and





FIG. 20

is a plan view of a fifteenth embodiment printer for printing indicia on a disk, the printer comprising a single ink jet print head arranged in a spoke-like configuration, the spoke-like configuration being rotatable while the is stationary.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




The present description will be directed in particular to elements forming part of, or cooperating more directly with, apparatus in accordance with the present invention. It is to be understood that elements not specifically shown or described may take various forms well known to those skilled in the art.




Therefore, referring to

FIGS. 1

,


2


and


3


, there is shown a first embodiment ink jet printer, generally referred to as


10


, for printing indicia


20


on a generally circular disk


30


having an annular printing area


33


. Disk


30


has a hole


35


through the center thereof for slidably engaging a spindle


37


that supports disk


30


. That is, spindle


37


supports disk


30


as spindle


37


is received in hole


35


and slidably engages disk


30


. In this regard, spindle


37


may be tapered to easily engage disk


30


as spindle


37


is received in hole


35


.




Again referring to

FIGS. 1

,


2


, and


3


, disk


30


may be a so-called “compact disk”. In this regard, such a compact disk may be a recordable compact disk which can have digital information recorded thereon by the user. On the other hand, disk


30


may be a so-called “read-only memory” compact disk. In this case, digital information is already imprinted on the disk when the disk is received by the user and may not be recorded upon by the user. However, it will be understood the invention is usable where disk


30


is neither a recordable compact disk nor a read-only memory compact disk. Rather, disk


30


may be any transmissive or reflective receiver (e.g., paper, polymeric plastic, wood, metal, or the like) on which indicia


20


is to be printed and need not be a recordable or read-only memory compact disk.




Referring again to

FIGS. 1

,


2


and


3


, printer


10


comprises a plurality of elongate ink jet print heads


40




a


,


40




b


,


40




c


and


40




d


(only four of which are shown) arranged in a spoke-like configuration about a center axis


45


defined between print heads


40




a/b/c/d


. In other words, print heads


40




a/b/c/d


are arranged orthogonally with respect to each other about center axis


45


and preferable lay in the same plane. Moreover, each print head


40




a/b/c/d


has an end portion


50




a


,


50




b


,


50




c


, and


50




d


, respectively, coupled to a hub


60


centered at center axis


45


. In addition, each print head


40




a/b/c/d


has a plurality of elongate channels


70


therein, each channel


70


having an ink body


80


therein. Each channel


70


may be defined by a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls


90




a


and


90




b


formed of piezoelectric material, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT). Such a piezoelectric material possesses piezoelectric properties such that an electric field applied thereto induces a mechanical stress in the material. As the mechanical stress is induced in the material, the material deforms in a preferred direction depending on direction of “poling” of the material. Thus, according to the invention, a selected pair of piezoelectric sidewalls


90




a


and


90




b


, which have been poled in a predetermined direction, are subjected to a suitable electric field (not shown), which electric field causes sidewalls


90




a/b


to inwardly deform reducing volume of chamber


70


. As volume of chamber


70


is reduced, an ink droplet


100


is ejected from chamber


70


to travel toward disk


30


and be intercepted thereby. Of course, it may be appreciated that print heads


40




a/b/c/d


need not be piezoelectric ink jet print heads; rather, print heads


40




a/b/c/d


instead may be thermal ink jet print heads.




Still referring to

FIGS. 1

,


2


and


3


, and ink supply


110


is coupled to print heads


40




a/b/c/d


for supplying ink thereto. It may be appreciated from the description herein that the ink residing in ink supply


110


may be a single color (e.g., black). On the other hand, ink supply


110


is capable of supplying a plurality of colored inks (e.g., cyan, magenta, yellow and black), each color being assigned to a respective one of print heads


40




a/b/c/d


. Moreover, a motor


120


is coupled to hub


60


for rotating hub


60


about center axis


45


while disk


30


is stationary. In this manner, print heads


40




a/b/c/d


rotate in unison about center axis


45


in direction of a first arrow


125


while disk


30


is stationary. Coupled to both motor


120


and print heads


40




a/b/c/d


is a controller


130


for controlling operation of motor


120


and print heads


40




a/b/c/d


. A suitable controller for this purpose is a Model CompuMotor controller available from Parker Hannifin, Incorporated, located in Rohnert Park, Calif. A user interface, such as a “personal” computer


140


with keyboard (not shown), is coupled to controller


130


for allowing manual entry of information into controller


130


. This information, for example, may be the following: (a) desired speeds of hub


60


and disk


30


; (b) ink colors assigned to each print head


40




a/b/c/d


; (c) location where indicia


20


is to be printed in printing area


33


; (d) selective enablement of each channel


70


for ejecting droplets


100


from each print head


40




a/b/c/d


; (e) font of indicia


20


; and (f) size of indicia


20


. Suitable software is disposed in computer


140


and/or controller


130


to allow communication of this information from computer


140


to controller


130


. Suitable software for this purpose is commercially available or may be readily written.




Referring to

FIGS. 4 and 5

, a second embodiment of the present invention is there shown comprising a second embodiment printer, generally referred to as


150


, for printing indicia


20


on disk


30


. In this second embodiment of the invention, printer


150


is similar to the first embodiment printer


10


, except that print heads


40




a/b/c/d


are laser print heads coupled to a laser


160


. Coupling of print heads


40




a/b/c/d


to laser


160


is achieved by means of a plurality of fiber optic cables


170


having end portions received in respective ones of channels


70


. Light from laser


160


is transmitted along fiber optic cables


170


to be emitted therefrom as a light beam


180


that is intercepted by disk


30


. As light beam


180


is intercepted by disk


30


, a portion of disk


30


will vaporize to leave a substantially opaque mark at the point of vaporization. As previously mentioned, disk


30


need not be a recordable compact disk or a read-only memory compact disk. In this regard, disk


30


may any transmissive or reflective receiver (e.g., paper, polymeric plastic, wood, metal, or the like) on which indicia


20


is to be printed. Indeed, use of printer


150


is not preferred for printing indicia


20


on recordable compact disks or a read-only memory compact disks because such laser induced printing may interfere with optical reading of digital information stored or to be written on the disk.




Referring to

FIGS. 6 and 7

, a third embodiment printer, generally referred to as


190


, is there shown for printing indicia


20


on disk


30


. Third embodiment printer


190


is substantially similar to first embodiment printer


10


except that motor


120


is coupled to spindle


37


for rotating spindle


37


. In this manner, disk


30


rotates through a predetermined angle in direction of a second arrow


195


while spindle


37


rotates. In this embodiment of the invention, hub


60


and thus print heads


40




a/b/c/d


are stationary.




Referring to

FIG. 8

, there is shown a fourth embodiment printer, generally referred to as


200


, for printing indicia


20


on disk


30


. Fourth embodiment printer


200


is similar to third embodiment printer


190


, except that hub


60


is absent and each print head


40




a/b/c/d


is connected to a respective one of a plurality of individual ink supplies


110




a


,


110




b


,


110




c


and


110




d


. Moreover, according to this fourth embodiment of the invention, each print head


40




a/b/c/d


is radially movable, such as in direction of a double-headed third arrow


205


. Disk


30


is rotatable in direction of second arrow


195


by means of motor


120


. Controller


130


is coupled to motor


120


and to each print head


40




a/b/c/d


for synchronously controlling operation of motor


120


and print heads


40




a/b/c/d


. An advantage of this fourth embodiment of the invention is that if one of the ink supplies


110




a/b/c/d


malfunctions (e.g., ink coagulation or contamination), then the remaining ink supplies can continue to supply ink without interrupting the printing run until the malfunctioning ink supply is replaced or repaired. Of course, fourth embodiment printer


200


is particularly useful when the inks in each ink supply


110




a/b/c/d


is of the same color for printing monochrome indicia


20


. Fourth embodiment printer


200


is less useful when the inks in ink supplies


110




a/b/c/d


are each of a different color for printing multicolor indicia


20


.




Referring now to

FIGS. 9 and 12

, there is shown a fifth embodiment printer, generally referred to as


210


, for printing indicia


20


on disk


30


. Fifth embodiment printer


210


is substantially similar to first embodiment printer


10


, except that print heads


40




a/b/c/d


each comprise a plurality of replaceable, adjacent print heads segments


220


arranged end-to-end. The segments


220


are interconnected at joints


225


, such as by means of a suitable adhesive or by means of a suitable male-female connection (not shown). It is contemplated herein that this jointed connection allows individual segments


220


to be removed from any of print heads


40




a/b/c/d


and replaced, if necessary. This is particularly useful if any of channels


70


fails to eject ink droplet


100


or ejects droplet


100


along an unintended trajectory. This may occur, for example, if dried ink either completely or partially obstructs channels


70


. In this case, segment


220


containing the malperforming channel


70


may be removed and replaced with a segment having all channels


70


therein fully functional.




Referring to

FIGS. 10 and 12

, there is shown a sixth embodiment printer, generally referred to as


230


, for printing indicia


20


on disk


30


. Sixth embodiment printer


230


is substantially similar to second embodiment printer


150


, except that print heads


40




a/b/c/d


each comprise the plurality of adjacent print heads segments


220


arranged end-to-end.




Referring to

FIGS. 11 and 12

, there is shown a seventh embodiment printer, generally referred to as


240


, for printing indicia


20


on disk


30


. Seventh embodiment printer


240


is substantially similar to fourth embodiment printer


200


, except that print heads


40




a/b/c/d


each comprise the plurality of adjacent print heads segments


220


arranged end-to-end.




Referring to

FIG. 13

, there is shown an eighth embodiment printer, generally referred to as


250


, for printing indicia


20


on disk


30


. Eighth embodiment printer


250


comprises a single print head


260


having a predetermined length “L” substantially equal to diameter of disk


30


. A guide


270


is coupled to print head


260


for translating print head


260


over printing area


33


. Guide


270


slidably engages an elongate rail


280


disposed adjacent to disk


30


and extending parallel thereto. A motor


290


is coupled to guide


270


for moving guide


270


along rail


280


, so that print head


260


traverses over area


33


. Controller


130


is coupled to motor


290


and print head


260


for synchronously controlling operation thereof. Ink supply


110


is coupled to print head


260


for supplying ink to print head


260


. According to this eighth embodiment of the invention, print head


260


translates over area


33


while disk


30


is stationary.




Referring to

FIG. 14

, there is shown a ninth embodiment printer, generally referred to as


300


, for printing indicia


20


on disk


30


. Ninth embodiment printer


300


is similar to eighth embodiment printer


250


, except that guide


270


and rail


270


are absent and an arm


310


releasably engages an edge portion of disk


30


(as shown) for moving disk


30


past print head


260


. In this case, motor


290


is coupled to arm


310


for moving arm


310


, so that arm


310


translates disk


30


past print head


260


for printing. According to this ninth embodiment of the invention, print head


260


is stationary while disk


30


translates.




Referring to

FIG. 15

, there is shown a tenth embodiment printer, generally referred to as


320


, for printing indicia


20


on disk


30


. Tenth embodiment printer


320


is substantially similar to eighth embodiment printer


250


, except that print head


260


comprises the plurality of print head segments


220


.




Referring to

FIG. 16

, there is shown an eleventh embodiment printer, generally referred to as


330


, for printing indicia


20


on disk


30


. Eleventh embodiment printer


330


is substantially similar to ninth embodiment printer


300


, except that print head


260


comprises the plurality of print head segments


220


.




Referring to

FIG. 17

, there is shown a twelfth embodiment printer, generally referred to as


340


, for printing indicia


20


on disk


30


. Twelfth embodiment printer


340


is substantially similar to eighth embodiment printer


250


, except that print head


260


is a laser print head enabled by laser


160


.




Referring to

FIG. 18

, there is shown a thirteenth embodiment printer, generally referred to as


350


, for printing indicia


20


on disk


30


. Thirteenth embodiment printer


350


is substantially similar to ninth embodiment printer


300


, except that print head


260


is a laser print head enabled by laser


160


.




Referring to

FIG. 19

, there is shown a nineteenth embodiment printer, generally referred to as


360


, for printing indicia


20


on disk


30


. Nineteenth embodiment printer


360


is substantially similar to first embodiment printer


10


, except that print heads


40




a/b/c/d


rotate in unison as disk rotates in direction of fourth arrow


365


. However, it may be appreciated that direction of rotation as illustrated by fourth arrow


365


may be in an opposite direction. That is, in the preferred embodiment, direction of fourth arrow


365


is in the counterclockwise direction; however, direction of rotation may be selected as in the clockwise direction, if desired. However, in this latter case, speed of rotation of printheads


40




a/b/c/d


is different than rotational speed of disk


30


(e.g., speed of print heads


40




a/b/c/d


is faster than speed of disk


30


).




Referring to

FIG. 20

, there is shown a twentieth embodiment printer, generally referred to as


370


, for printing indicia


20


on disk


30


. Twentieth embodiment printer


370


is substantially similar to first embodiment printer


10


, except that the plurality of print heads


40




a/b/c/d


are replaced by a single print head


380


(as shown).




It may be appreciated that an advantage of the present invention is that use thereof increases printing speed when printing indicia


20


on an individual disk


30


. This is so because the plurality of the print heads


40




a/b/c/d


, rather than a single print head, are used to print the indicia


20


.




It may be appreciated that another advantage of the present invention is that printing costs are reduced. This is so because the fifth, sixth and seventh embodiments of the invention each includes replaceable print head segments


220


. Thus, if a channel


70


malfunctions, then the segment


220


including that channel


70


may be replaced by a segment


220


having fully operable channels


70


. This technique reduces printing costs because the entire print head need not be replaced; rather, only the segment


220


having the malfunctioning channel


70


is replaced.




It may be appreciated that still another advantage of the present invention is that use thereof allows for a flexible manufacturing process. This is so because form and content of indicia


20


may be readily changed by an operator of printer by means of changing input to computer


140


.




While the invention has been described with particular reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements of the preferred embodiments without departing from the invention. For example, there may be one or more ink sensors associated with each print head


40




a/b/c/d


to sense inadvertent leakage of ink from print heads


40




a/b/c/d


. As another example, there may be a another sensor that is associated with spindle


37


for sensing if disk


30


is properly positioned with respect to print heads


40




a/b/c/d


, so that print heads


40




a/b/c/d


properly print indicia


20


on disk


30


. As yet another example, print heads


40




a/b/c/d


need not be ink jet or laser print heads; rather, print heads


40




a/b/c/d


may be any type of print heads suitable for printing indicia


20


on disk


30


.




Therefore, what is provided is a printer and method for printing indicia on a disk, such that printing speed is increased and printing costs are reduced.















PARTS LIST


























 L




length of single print head







 10




first embodiment printer







 20




indicia







 30




disk







 33




printing area







 35




hole







 37




spindle







 40a/b/c/d




print heads







 45




center axis







 50a/b/c/d




end portions of print heads







 60




hub







 70




ink channels







 80




ink body







 90a/b




sidewalls







100




ink droplet







110




ink supply







120




motor







125




first arrow







130




controller







140




computer







150




second embodiment printer







160




laser







170




fiber optic cables







180




light beam







190




third embodiment printer







195




second arrow







200




fourth embodiment printer







205




third arrow







210




fifth embodiment printer







220




print head segments







225




joints







230




sixth embodiment printer







240




seventh embodiment printer







250




eighth embodiment printer







260




single print head







270




guide







280




rail







290




motor







300




ninth embodiment printer







310




arm







320




tenth embodiment printer







330




eleventh embodiment printer







340




twelfth embodiment printer







350




thirteenth embodiment printer







360




nineteenth embodiment printer







365




fourth arrow







370




twentieth embodiment printer







380




solitary print head














Claims
  • 1. A printer for printing indicia on a disk, comprising a plurality of print heads arranged in a spoke-like configuration about a center axis defined between said print heads, said print heads capable of being disposed in printing relation to the disk, wherein the disk is stationary and said print heads are rotatable about the center axis while the disk is stationary.
  • 2. The printer of claim 1, further comprising a controller coupled to said print heads for controlling operation of said print heads.
  • 3. The printer of claim 1, wherein each of said print heads comprises a plurality of print head segments.
  • 4. A printer for printing indicia on a disk, comprising a plurality of print heads arranged in a spoke-like configuration about a center axis defined between said print heads, said print heads capable of being disposed in printing relation to the disk, wherein the disk is rotatable about the center axis and said print heads are stationary while the disk rotates.
  • 5. The printer of claim 4, further comprising a controller coupled to said print heads for controlling operation of said print heads.
  • 6. A printer for printing indicia on a disk, comprising a plurality of print heads arranged in a spoke-like configuration about a center axis defined between said print heads, said print heads capable of being disposed in printing relation to the disk, wherein the disk is rotatable and each of said print heads is radially movable with respect to the disk while the disk rotates.
  • 7. The printer of claim 6, further comprising a controller coupled to said print heads for controlling operation of said print heads.
  • 8. A printer for printing indicia on a disk, comprising a plurality of print heads arranged in a spoke-like configuration about a center axis defined between said print heads, said print heads capable of being disposed in printing relation to the disk, wherein the said print heads are rotatable while the disk rotates.
  • 9. The printer of claim 8, further comprising a controller coupled to said print heads for controlling operation of said print heads.
  • 10. A printer for printing indicia on a compact disk having an annular printing area, comprising a plurality of elongate print heads arranged orthogonally with respect to each other about a center axis defined therebetween, said print heads disposed in printing relation to the printing area.
  • 11. The printer of claim 10, further comprising:(a) a hub centered at the center axis and coupled to said print heads, so that said print heads radiate outwardly from said hub; (b) a motor coupled to said hub for rotating said hub about the center axis while the disk is stationary, so that said print heads rotate in unison about the center axis while the disk is stationary; and (c) a controller coupled to said motor and said print heads for synchronously controlling operation thereof.
  • 12. The printer of claim 10, further comprising:(a) a stationary hub centered at the center axis and coupled to said print heads, so that said print heads radiate outwardly from said hub and are stationary; (b) a motor coupled to the disk for rotating the disk while the print heads are stationary; and (c) a controller coupled to said motor and said print heads for synchronously controlling operation thereof.
  • 13. The printer of claim 10, wherein each of said print heads is radially movable and the disk is rotatable, so that each of said print heads radially moves relative to the printing area while the disk rotates.
  • 14. The printer of claim 10, wherein each of said print heads comprises a plurality of adjacent print head segments.
  • 15. The printer of claim 10, wherein each of said print heads is an ink jet print head.
  • 16. The printer of claim 10, wherein each of said print heads is a laser print head.
  • 17. The printer of claim 16, further comprising a laser coupled to said print heads for supplying laser light thereto.
  • 18. A printer for printing indicia on a stationary compact disk having a diameter and an annular printing area, comprising:(a) an elongate print head having a predetermined length substantially equal to the diameter of the disk for printing the indicia in the printing area; and (b) a guide coupled to said print head for translating said print head over the printing area, so that said print head translates while the disk is stationary.
  • 19. The printer of claim 18, further comprising:(a) a motor coupled to said guide for moving said guide, so that said print head translates while said guide moves; and (b) a controller coupled to said motor and said print head for synchronously controlling operation thereof.
  • 20. The printer of claim 18, wherein said print head comprises a plurality of adjacent print head segments.
  • 21. The printer of claim 18, wherein said print head is an ink jet print head.
  • 22. The printer of claim 18, wherein said print head is a laser print head.
  • 23. The printer of claim 22, further comprising a laser coupled to said print head for supplying laser light thereto.
  • 24. A method of assembling a printer capable of printing indicia on a disk, comprising the step of arranging a plurality of print heads in a spoke-like configuration about a center axis defined between the print heads so that the print heads are capable of being disposed in printing relation to the disk, wherein the step of arranging a plurality of print heads comprises the step of arranging the plurality of print heads, so that the print heads are rotatable while the disk is stationary.
  • 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of coupling a controller to the print heads for controlling operation of the print heads.
  • 26. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of arranging a plurality of print heads comprises the step of arranging the plurality of print heads such that each of the print head has a plurality of print head segments.
  • 27. A method of assembling a printer capable of printing indicia on a disk, comprising the step of arranging a plurality of print heads in a spoke-like configuration about a center axis defined between the print heads so that the print heads are capable of being disposed in printing relation to the disk, wherein the step of arranging a plurality of print heads comprises the step of arranging the plurality of print heads, so that the print heads are stationary while the disk rotates.
  • 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of coupling a controller to the print heads for controlling operation of the print heads.
  • 29. A method of assembling a printer capable of printing indicia on a disk, comprising the step of arranging a plurality of print heads in a spoke-like configuration about a center axis defined between the print heads so that the print heads are capable of being disposed in printing relation to the disk, wherein the step of arranging a plurality of print heads comprises the step of arranging the plurality of print heads, so that each of the print heads radially moves while the disk rotates.
  • 30. The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of coupling a controller to the print heads for controlling operation of the print heads.
  • 31. A method of assembling a printer capable of printing indicia on a disk, comprising the step of arranging a plurality of print heads in a spoke-like configuration about a center axis defined between the print heads so that the print heads are capable of being disposed in printing relation to the disk, wherein the step of arranging a plurality of print heads comprises the step of arranging the plurality of print heads, so that the print heads rotate while the disk rotates.
  • 32. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of coupling a controller to the print heads for controlling operation of the print heads.
  • 33. A method of assembling a printer capable of printing indicia on a compact disk having an annular printing area, comprising the step of arranging a plurality of elongate print heads orthogonally with respect to each other about a center axis defined therebetween, the print heads capable of being disposed in printing relation to the printing area.
  • 34. The method of claim 33, further comprising the steps of:(a) coupling the print heads to a hub centered at the center axis, so that the print heads radiate outwardly from the hub; (b) coupling a motor to the hub for rotating the hub about the center axis while the disk is stationary, so that the print heads rotate in unison about the center axis while the disk is stationary; and (c) coupling a controller to the motor and the print heads for synchronously controlling operation thereof.
  • 35. The method of claim 33, further comprising the steps of:(a) coupling the print heads to a stationary hub centered at the center axis, so that the print heads radiate outwardly from the hub and are stationary; (b) coupling a motor to the disk for rotating the disk while the print heads are stationary; and (c) coupling a controller to the motor and the print heads for synchronously controlling operation thereof.
  • 36. The method of claim 33, wherein the step of arranging a plurality of print heads comprises the step of arranging the plurality of print heads such that each of the print heads radially moves relative to the printing area while the disk rotates.
  • 37. The method of claim 33, wherein the step of arranging a plurality of print heads comprises the step of arranging the plurality of print heads such that each of the print heads has a plurality of adjacent print head segments.
  • 38. The method of claim 33, wherein the step of arranging a plurality of print heads comprises the step of arranging a plurality of ink jet print heads.
  • 39. The method of claim 33, wherein the step of arranging a plurality of print heads comprises the step of arranging a plurality of laser print heads.
  • 40. The method of claim 39, further comprising the step of coupling a laser to the print heads for supplying laser light thereto.
  • 41. A method of assembling a printer capable of printing indicia on a stationary compact disk having a diameter and an annular printing area, comprising the steps of:(a) providing an elongate print head having a predetermined length substantially equal to the diameter of the disk for printing the indicia in the printing area; and (b) coupling a guide to the print head for translating the print head over the printing area, so that the print head translates while the disk is stationary.
  • 42. The method of claim 41, further comprising the steps of:(a) coupling a motor to the guide for moving the guide, so that the print head translates while the guide moves; and (b) coupling a controller to the motor and the print head for synchronously controlling operation thereof.
  • 43. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of providing a print head comprises the step of providing a print head having a plurality of adjacent print head segments.
  • 44. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of providing a print head comprises the step of providing an ink jet print head.
  • 45. The method of claim 41, wherein the step of providing a print head comprises the step of providing a laser print head.
  • 46. The method of claim 45, further comprising the step of coupling a laser to the print head for supplying laser light thereto.
  • 47. A method of printing indicia on a disk, comprising the steps of:(a) disposing a plurality of print heads in printing relation to the disk, the print heads being arranged in a spoke-like configuration about a center axis defined between the print heads, so that the print heads are rotatable while the disk is stationary; and (b) operating the print heads to print the indicia on the disk.
  • 48. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of controlling operation of the print heads by operating a controller coupled to the print heads.
  • 49. The method of claim 47, wherein the step of disposing a plurality of print heads comprises the step of disposing the plurality of print heads, wherein each of the print heads has a plurality of print head segments.
  • 50. A method of printing indicia on a disk, comprising the steps of:(a) disposing a plurality of print heads in printing relation to the disk, the print heads being arranged in a spoke-like configuration about a center axis defined between the print heads, wherein the print heads are stationary while the disk rotates; and (b) operating the print heads to print the indicia on the disk.
  • 51. A method of printing indicia on a disk, comprising the steps of:(a) disposing a plurality of print heads in printing relation to the disk, the print heads being arranged in a spoke-like configuration about a center axis defined between the print heads, wherein each of the print heads radially moves while the disk rotates; and (b) operating the print heads to print the indicia on the disk.
  • 52. A method of printing indicia on a disk, comprising the steps of:(a) disposing a plurality of print heads in printing relation to the disk, the print heads being arranged in a spoke-like configuration about a center axis defined between the print heads, wherein the print heads rotate while the disk rotates; and (b) operating the print heads to print the indicia on the disk.
  • 53. A method of printing indicia on a compact disk having an annular printing area, comprising the steps of:(a) disposing a plurality of elongate print heads in printing relation to the printing area, the print heads being arrancged orthogonally with respect to each other about a center axis defined therebetween; and (b) operating the print heads to print the indicia on the disk.
  • 54. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of:(a) rotating the print heads in unison about the center axis while the disk is stationary by operating a motor coupled to a hub centered at the center axis, the hub having the print heads coupled therto such that the print heads radiate outwardly from the hub; and (b) synchronously controlling operation of the motor and the print heads by operating a controller coupled to the motor and the print heads.
  • 55. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of:(a) rotating the disk while the print heads are stationary by operating a motor coupled to the disk, the print heads being coupled to a stationary hub centered at the center axis so that the print heads radiate outwardly from the hub; and (b) synchronously controlling operation of the motor and the print heads by operating a controller coupled to the motor and the print heads.
  • 56. The method of claim 53, wherein the step of disposing a plurality of elongate print heads comprises the step of radially moving at least one or the print heads relative to the printing area while the disk rotates.
  • 57. The method of claim 53, wherein the step of disposing a plurality of elongate print heads comprises the step of disposing the plurality of print heads, each of the print heads having a plurality of adjacent print head segments.
  • 58. The method of claim 53, wherein the step of disposing a plurality of print heads comprises the step of disposing a plurality of ink jet print heads.
  • 59. The method of claim 53, wherein the step of disposing a plurality of print heads comprises the step of disposing a plurality of laser print heads.
  • 60. The method of claim 59, further comprising the step of supplying laser light to the laser print heads by operating a laser coupled to the print heads.
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Entry
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