Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for implementing a radial sled printer device that substantially simplifies the complexity and reduces system costs and size for radial printing devices, both for devices that print and those that also record and print a label on circular media. In an embodiment, a print head is radially mounted in a substantially fixed position over a platter such that said platter moves as a sled under the print head for dispensing ink object along a radius or a line parallel to a radius as the media spins, effecting labeling of the media. In an alternate embodiment, a print head is radially mounted in a fixed position over an optical recording drive such that said drive moves as a sled under the print head for dispensing ink object along a radius as the media spins, affecting recording and labeling the media in a single insertion of the media.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for printing onto a rotating media is described. According to one embodiment, the printing system includes a print head that is laterally displaced from a radial printing radius, a rotating mechanism to rotate the media, and a controller to print onto an annular print area. The annular print area is defined by an inner hub circumference, two lines substantially parallel to the radial printing radius and tangential to the inner hub circumference, and an outer edge of the media. The print head moves about the annular print area by one or more motion mechanism and prints images onto the media.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for radially printing onto a rotating media are disclosed. Techniques and mechanisms are used to receive a pulse train frequency source signal in generating a rotation index pulse and an angular position pulse. Techniques and mechanisms are further used to condition the pulse train frequency source signal as necessary for the radial printing application.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for interleaved printing of individual ink objects at target print sectors disbursed around an annular surface on a circular spinning media such as on a CD, dynamically during the radial printing process, are described. Mechanisms for interleaving printing during the radial printing process, enabling the use of commercially available ink jet pens for radial printing directly on CD devices at greater than 2× rotation speeds, and thus reducing pen limitations in firing frequency and recovery time, are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for implementing polar halftone techniques that substantially reduce or eliminate interference patterns while printing on rotating circular media with a radial print system. In one embodiment, Cartesian image pixels are selected such that screen pixels or “dots” are arranged fan-shaped along radii (or “spokes”) and in annular ring segments (or “arcs”). Halftone sampling frequency may be varied along spokes and arcs or along a polynomial curve relative to the center of spinning media, in order to reduce distortion and artifacts.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for determining angular position information and the printing of individual ink objects at target print sectors disbursed around an annular surface on a circular spinning media such as on a CD, dynamically during the radial printing process, are described. Mechanisms for computing the instantaneous angular position and apparatus for collocating encoder devices in close proximity to the CD rotation motor are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an ink cartridge that includes therein a print head for dispensing ink onto a media, a movement mechanism for enabling movement of the print head, and/or an ink service station. In one embodiment, the cartridge is designed to be inserted into a receptacle so that the cartridge and receptacle form a radial printing system. The receptacle may also include a motion actuator for engaging with the movement mechanism of the cartridge to thereby move the print head of the cartridge. The movement mechanism of the cartridge works in conjunction with the actuator of the receptacle to thereby move the print head with respect to the cartridge, e.g., moving into and out of the cartridge, and with respect to a rotating media to enable ink to be dispensed by the print head along a radius of a rotating circular media. In a specific implementation, the cartridge remains fixed with respect to the media.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for curing or drying of individual ink objects, dynamically during the radial printing process, at the ink object's point of incidence are described. Mechanisms for curing or drying ink objects, dynamically during the radial printing process, at the ink object's point of incidence, reducing ink object migration while the ink is wet, caused from inherent centrifugal forces and secondary air turbulence during the radial printing process, reducing image distortion, resulting in a more clearly printed image, such as on a spinning CD, are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for interleaved printing of individual ink objects at target print sectors disbursed around an annular surface on a circular spinning media such as on a CD, dynamically during the radial printing process, are described. Mechanisms for interleaving printing during the radial printing process, enabling the use of commercially available ink jet pens for radial printing directly on CD devices at greater than 2× rotation speeds, and thus reducing pen limitations in firing frequency and recovery time, are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting an angular position of a rotating media having a native wobble signal. Prior to recording data on the rotating media, timing information is obtained from the native wobble signal in the rotating media over a substantial portion of a prerecorded media area of the rotating media. An angular position of the rotating media is determined from the timing information. The determined angular position is used to accurately print an image onto the rotating media.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an ink cartridge that includes therein a print head for dispensing ink onto a media, a movement mechanism for enabling movement of the print head, and/or an ink service station. In one embodiment, the cartridge is designed to be inserted into a receptacle so that the cartridge and receptacle form a radial printing system. The receptacle may also include a motion actuator for engaging with the movement mechanism of the cartridge to thereby move the print head of the cartridge. The movement mechanism of the cartridge works in conjunction with the actuator of the receptacle to thereby move the print head with respect to the cartridge, e.g., moving into and out of the cartridge, and with respect to a rotating media to enable ink to be dispensed by the print head along a radius of a rotating circular media. In a specific implementation, the cartridge remains fixed with respect to the media.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for receiving an image source representative of an image to be printed on an outer surface of a rotating media is described. The image source has a plurality of image points. A radial printing system is described that includes an imaging system configured to convert the plurality of image points into a polar-based representation of the image and a head assembly coupled to the imaging system for outputting the polar-based representation of the image onto the rotating media. The rotating media may represent a compact disk, wherein an inner surface of the compact disk is configured to store digital data. Printing distortion is controlled by selecting a higher proportion of the polar points corresponding to a first radius is selected than of polar the points corresponding to a second radius.