Marking optical disc based on information related to data side thereof

#Computer users employ writable and rewritable optical discs for a variety of different purposes. They may save programs or data to the discs, for archival or distribution purposes. In the case of CD-type discs, users may make music CD's that can be played in audio CD players, or save music data files to the CD's, such as MP3 files, that can be played in special-purpose CD players. In the case of DVD-type discs, users have greater storage capacity available to them than with CD-type discs, and may be able to make video DVD's that can be played in stand-alone DVD players.

#Many types of optical discs include a data side and a label side. The data side is where the data is written to, whereas the label side allows the user to label the optical disc. Unfortunately, labeling can be an unprofessional, laborious, and/or expensive process. Markers can be used to write on optical discs, but the results are decidedly unprofessional looking. Special pre-cut labels that can be printed on with inkjet or other types of printers can also be used. However, this is a laborious process: the labels must be carefully aligned on the discs, may in some instances damage the drive, and so on. Special-purpose printers that print directly on the discs can be used, but such printers are fairly expensive. In the patent application entitled “Integrated CD/DVD Recording and Label” [attorney docket 10011728-1], filed on Oct. 11, 2001, and assigned serial number 09/976,877, a solution to these difficulties is described, in which a laser is used to label optical discs.

#However, many users have a large number of optical discs, and may find it difficult to keep up with what files are stored on which discs, and how much free space remains on a given disc. For example, a user may have a large number of discs including image files, perhaps taken with a digital camera, or a large number of discs including music files. To find a particular image file or a particular music file, typically the user has to either manually keep track of what files are stored on which discs, or repeatedly insert and remove discs into an optical disc drive until the disc storing the desired file is found. As another example, a user also has to typically insert an optical disc into an optical disc drive to learn the free space that remains on the disc. Both of these processes can be inconvenient and frustrating for the user.

#FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are diagrams showing how a representation of the space used or remaining on the data side of an optical disc can be written to the label side or the data side of the optical disc as the space used or remaining changes, according to an embodiment of the invention.

#FIGS. 2A-2G are diagrams of different representations of the space used or remaining on the data side of an optical disc, according to different embodiments of the invention.

#FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for writing a representation of the space used or remaining on the data side of an optical disc to the label side or the data side of the optical disc, according to an embodiment of the invention.

#In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized, and logical, mechanical, and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

#Space Remaining or Space Used Representations

#FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C show how one embodiment of the invention indicates on the label side or the data side of an optical disc the amount of space remaining and/or the amount of space used on the data side of the optical disc. In FIG. 1A, the representation 100 is written with a laser on a label area of either the data side or the label side of an optical disc. The representation 100 specifically includes a bar graph 102, indicating the amount of space taken up on the data side of the optical disc from an empty indicator 108 to a full indicator 106. As shown in FIG. 1A, the bar graph 102 has been shaded to the point 104. This means that the amount of space used on the optical disc on a percentage basis is the distance between the point 104 and the empty indicator 108, divided by the distance between the full indicator 106 and the empty indicator 108.