JP2007272951A - Label image drawing device, label image drawing program, and label image drawing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a label image drawing device, a label image drawing program, and a label image drawing method for obtaining a preferred preview image in which a label image is reproduced. <P>SOLUTION: The label image drawing device comprises: an original image obtaining section 610 for obtaining an original image being an origin of the label image to be drawn on a DVD 300; a label image drawing section 620 for drawing the label image on the DVD 300 based on the original image obtained by the original image obtaining section 610; a disk information obtaining section 630 for obtaining a label color to be drawn on a label surface of the DVD 300 and label color information representing density of the label color or the like; an image density obtaining section 640 for obtaining the desired density regarding the label image; an image processing section 650 for creating the preview image in which the label image is reproduced based on the original image, the label color information, and the desired density prior to drawing of the label image; and a display section 660 for displaying the preview image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a label for drawing a label image on a label surface of a recording medium having a data surface on which data is recorded and a label surface on which a label image for visually confirming the recorded contents of the data surface is drawn. The present invention relates to an image drawing apparatus, a label image drawing program for causing a computer to operate as such a label image drawing apparatus, and a label image drawing method for drawing a label image on the label surface of the recording medium.

    In recent years, as recording media for recording various types of data such as image data, moving image data, audio data, and text data, for example, CD-R (Compact Disk Recordable), CD-RW (Compact Disk Rewriteable), DVD ( Digital Versatile Disk) is widely used. Many of these recording media have a data surface on which data is recorded and a surface opposite to the data surface. For example, the recorded contents of the data surface, such as the name of the music represented by the audio data and the composer. And a label surface on which a label image for visually confirming the image is drawn.

  As a method of drawing the label image on the label surface, for example, a method of indirectly drawing the label image on the label surface by pasting a sticker on which the label image is printed using an inkjet printer or the like, For example, a method of drawing a label image directly on a label surface using an inkjet printer or the like. In addition, a technique for drawing a label image on a part of the data surface instead of the label surface by applying a technique for recording data on the data surface is also known.

  Here, in recent years, a technique has been proposed in which a label image is drawn on the label surface with the same light used for recording data on the data surface of the recording medium. According to such a technique, it is possible to perform a convenient operation such as recording data and drawing a label image with a single device. Further, this technique is advantageous over the above technique in which a part of the data surface is used for drawing a label image in that the entire label surface can be used for drawing a label image.

By the way, before the label image is actually drawn on the label surface, it is possible to execute a preview display for displaying a preview image reproducing the label image drawn on the label surface on a predetermined monitor for confirmation. desirable. For example, in the above-described technique of printing a label image using an inkjet printer or the like and a technique in which a part of the data surface is used for drawing a label image, a preview display of the label image is appropriately performed (for example, , Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2).
JP 2004-342045 A JP 2001-283470 A

  In the technique of drawing a label image on the label surface with the same light used for data recording, the preview display in advance is also desirable, but the preview display technique described in the above patent document is simplified. However, there is a problem that the reproduction of the label image drawn on the label surface with the same light used for data recording becomes inaccurate and is not suitable for preview.

  In view of the above circumstances, the present invention provides a label image drawing apparatus capable of obtaining a preferable preview image in which a label image is reproduced, a label image drawing program for causing a computer to operate as such a label image drawing apparatus, and a label image. It is an object of the present invention to provide a label image drawing method capable of obtaining a reproduced preferred preview image.

The label image drawing apparatus of the present invention that achieves the above object includes a data surface on which data is recorded with light, and a label surface on which a label image for visually confirming the recorded contents of the data surface is drawn with light. An original image obtaining unit for obtaining an original image as a base of a label image drawn on a recording medium having
A label image drawing unit for drawing the label image on the recording medium based on the original image obtained by the original image obtaining unit;
A drawing color information obtaining unit for obtaining drawing color information representing drawing colors that can be drawn on the label surface of the recording medium;
Prior to drawing a label image by the label image drawing unit, a label image reproduction unit that reproduces the label image based on the original image and the drawing color information is provided.

  In general, in a recording medium having a label surface on which a label image is drawn with the same light used for data recording, the drawing color that can be drawn on the label surface is determined, and the label image is drawn in monochrome of the drawing color. It is. As a result, the label image drawn on the label surface of such a recording medium has a different visual impression from the original image from which the label image is based. For this reason, in preview display, it is desirable to display a preview image in which the label image is accurately reproduced including the above drawing colors. According to the above-described label image drawing apparatus of the present invention, drawing color information representing drawing colors that can be drawn on the label surface is obtained, and prior to actual drawing of the label image, the label image is the original of the label image. Is reproduced based on the original image and the drawing color information, so that a preferable preview image in which the label image is reproduced including the drawing color can be obtained.

  Here, in the label image drawing apparatus of the present invention, “when the original image is a color image, the label image drawing unit creates a monochrome original image by converting the original image into a monochrome image, and converts the original image into the monochrome original image. The form of “drawing the label image based on the above” is a preferable form.

  In the case where the original image is a color image, the impression differs particularly between the original image and the label image. Therefore, the reproduction effect based on the original image and the drawing color information performed by the label image reproduction unit. Is more prominent.

  Further, in the label image drawing apparatus of the present invention, “the drawing color information obtaining unit obtains information representing the maximum density color and the minimum density color on the label surface as the drawing color information”. The form is a preferred form.

  According to this preferred embodiment of the label image drawing apparatus, the maximum density color and the minimum density color in the label image drawn in monochrome as described above can be obtained. Can be reproduced.

Further, in the label image drawing apparatus of the present invention, "the drawing color information obtaining unit obtains information representing the maximum density color and the minimum density color on the label surface as the drawing color information,
A form in which the label image reproduction unit reproduces the label image with a density color between the maximum density color and the minimum density color is also a preferable form.

  According to the label image drawing apparatus of this preferred embodiment, the label image can be reproduced more faithfully including the density by reproduction with the density color.

Moreover, the label image drawing program of the present invention that achieves the above object is incorporated in a computer, and on the computer,
It is the source of a label image drawn on a recording medium having a data surface on which data is recorded with light and a label surface on which a label image for visually confirming the recorded contents of the data surface is drawn with light. An original image obtaining unit for obtaining an original image;
A label image drawing unit for drawing the label image on the recording medium based on the original image obtained by the original image obtaining unit;
A drawing color information obtaining unit for obtaining drawing color information representing drawing colors that can be drawn on the label surface of the recording medium;
Prior to drawing a label image by the label image drawing unit, a label image reproduction unit that reproduces the label image based on the original image and the drawing color information is constructed.

  According to the label image drawing program of the present invention, the above-described label image drawing apparatus that can obtain a preferable preview image can be easily realized.

Further, the label image drawing method of the present invention that achieves the above object is a data surface on which data is recorded with light, and a label on which a label image for visually confirming the recorded contents of the data surface is drawn with light. An original image obtaining process for obtaining an original image that is a source of a label image drawn on a recording medium having a surface;
A label image drawing process for drawing the label image on the recording medium based on the original image obtained in the original image obtaining process;
A drawing color information obtaining process for obtaining drawing color information representing a drawing color that can be drawn on the label surface of the recording medium;
Prior to drawing a label image in the label image drawing process, a label image reproduction process for reproducing the label image based on the original image and the drawing color information is provided.

  According to the label image drawing method of the present invention, the preferred preview image described above can be easily obtained.

  It should be noted that the label image drawing program of the present invention and the label image drawing method of the present invention are only shown in its basic form here, but this is only for avoiding duplication, and the label image drawing method referred to in the present invention. The program and the label image drawing method include various forms corresponding to the above-described forms of the label image drawing apparatus.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a label image drawing apparatus that can obtain a preferable preview image in which a label image is reproduced, a label image drawing program that causes a computer to operate as such a label image drawing apparatus, and Thus, a label image drawing method capable of obtaining a preferable preview image in which the label image is reproduced can be obtained.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a computer system that operates as an embodiment of a label image drawing apparatus of the present invention.

  A computer system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a personal computer 100 and a DVD drive 200 connected to the personal computer 100.

  The personal computer 100 has an appearance configuration, the main body device 110, an image display device 120 that displays an image on the display screen 121 according to an instruction from the main body device 110, and various information according to key operations on the main body device 110. And a mouse 140 for inputting an instruction corresponding to, for example, an icon displayed at that position by designating an arbitrary position on the display screen 121. The main unit 110 has an FD loading port 110a for loading a flexible disk (hereinafter abbreviated as FD) and a CD-ROM loading port 110b for loading a CD-ROM.

  The DVD drive 200 has a DVD loading slot 200a for loading a DVD in appearance. This DVD drive 200 corresponds to a label drawing type DVD 300 having a data surface on which data is recorded with light and a label surface on which a label image is drawn with the light. It has a function of executing recording of data on the data surface by light and drawing of a label image on the label surface by the laser light. In the DVD drive 200, when data is recorded, the DVD 300 is loaded with the data surface facing downward in the drawing, and when the label image is drawn, the DVD 300 is loaded with the label surface facing downward. Is done. Here, the label drawing type DVD 300 corresponds to an example of a recording medium according to the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the internal configuration of the DVD drive 200 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram showing the internal configuration of the DVD drive 200 shown in FIG.

  The DVD drive 200 shown in FIG. 2 includes an optical pickup 201, a spindle motor 202, a rotation detector 203, an RF (Radio Frequency) amplifier 204, a decoder 205, a servo circuit 206, a stepping motor 207, a motor driver 208, an interface circuit 209, A buffer memory 210, an encoder 211, a strategy circuit 212, a frame memory 213, a data converter 214, an automatic laser power control (ALPC) circuit 215, a laser driver 216, and a control circuit 217 are provided. The DVD drive 200 is connected to the personal computer 100 also shown in FIG.

  First, recording of data on the DVD 300 in the DVD drive 200 will be described.

  As described above, the DVD drive 200 is an apparatus compatible with a label drawing type DVD. The DVD 300 loaded in the DVD drive 200 has a data surface on which data is recorded by light and a label image by the light. And a label surface to be drawn.

  At the time of data recording, the DVD 300 is loaded in the DVD drive 200 with the data surface facing downward so that the data surface faces the optical pickup 201. The loaded DVD 300 is rotationally driven by the spindle motor 202 while being held by a holding mechanism (not shown). At this time, the optimum rotation speed for recording is transmitted from the control circuit 217 to the servo circuit 206. Further, the rotation speed of the spindle motor 202 is detected by the rotation detector 203, and a speed signal representing the rotation speed is transmitted from the rotation detector 203 to the servo circuit 206. The servo circuit 206 compares the two, and controls the rotation speed of the spindle motor 202 so that the rotation speed represented by the speed signal becomes the above-mentioned optimum rotation speed.

  By irradiating the data surface of the DVD 300 rotating at the controlled rotation speed in this way with laser light from the optical pickup 201 as described later, data is recorded on the data surface. The optical pickup 201 has an optical system including a laser diode, a light receiving element, a condensing lens, and the like, and data recording is performed by laser light emitted from the laser diode and condensed by the condensing lens. The optical pickup 201 also has a servo mechanism that performs minute positioning on the data surface of the condensed laser light and a focus mechanism that performs focus control on the condensing lens. The operation of these mechanisms is controlled by the servo circuit 206 in accordance with an instruction from the control circuit 217, and the accurately focused laser beam is accurately applied to the target position on the data surface of the DVD 300. At this time, the optimum laser beam intensity for recording is transmitted from the control circuit 217 to the ALPC circuit 215. The optical pickup 201 has a sensor for monitoring the intensity of the laser beam emitted from the laser diode. When the laser diode emits the laser beam, the intensity of the laser beam monitored by this sensor is also the ALPC circuit 215. To be told. The ALPC circuit 215 compares the two, and sends a control signal for matching the intensity of the laser beam emitted from the laser diode to the optimum laser beam intensity to the laser driver 216.

  Here, the data recorded on the DVD 300 is supplied from the personal computer 100 via the interface circuit 209 and temporarily stored in the buffer memory 210. The data in the buffer memory 210 is appropriately read by the encoder 211 and converted into encoded data suitable for recording on the DVD 300 by a predetermined encoding process. The encoded data is supplied to the strategy circuit 212, and is subjected to correction processing such as time axis correction by the strategy circuit 212 and then supplied to the laser driver 216.

  The laser driver 216 generates a drive signal for driving the laser diode of the optical pickup 201 in accordance with the encoded data that has undergone this correction processing, and sends the drive signal to the optical pickup 201. Then, the optical pickup 201 irradiates the data surface with laser light modulated according to the encoded data, and the encoded data is recorded on the data surface with marks generated by the laser light irradiation. . Here, when the laser driver 216 generates the drive signal, the control signal sent from the ALPC circuit 215 is reflected in the drive signal, so that data recording is always performed at the optimum laser light intensity. It will be done in.

  Next, reproduction of data recorded on the DVD 300 in the DVD drive 200 will be described.

  Also during the reproduction of this data, the DVD 300 is loaded so that the data surface faces the optical pickup 201 and is rotated by the spindle motor 202 at an optimum rotation speed.

  When reproducing data, the laser light emitted from the laser diode of the optical pickup 201 and reflected by the data surface of the DVD 300 is received by the light receiving element of the optical pickup 201. At this time, the intensity of the laser beam reflected on the data surface of the DVD 300 changes according to the presence or absence of the mark on the data surface. Since the presence or absence of the mark corresponds to the encoded data described above, the received light data obtained by receiving the laser beam reflected on the data surface by the light receiving element is the encoded data recorded on the data surface. Encoded data equivalent to The received light data obtained by the light receiving element is amplified by the RF amplifier 204 and sent to the decoder 205. The decoder 205 performs a predetermined decoding process on the received light reception data to reproduce the data from the light reception data and send the data to the control circuit 217. The control circuit 217 sends the reproduced data to the personal computer 100 via the interface circuit 209.

  Next, drawing of a label image on the DVD 300 in the DVD drive 200 will be described.

  As described above, the DVD 300 loaded in the DVD drive 200 has a label surface on which a label image is drawn with light used for recording data on the data surface. Here, for drawing a label image on the label surface, an optical pickup 201 for recording data is used. Therefore, when the label image is drawn, the DVD 300 is loaded with the label surface facing downward so that the label surface faces the optical pickup 201.

  Image data representing a label image is supplied from the personal computer 100 via the interface circuit 209 and temporarily stored in the frame memory 213. The image data in the frame memory 213 is appropriately read out by the data converter 214 and converted into gradation image data expressing the label image represented by the image data with gradation values. This gradation image data is supplied to the laser driver 216. Then, the laser driver 216 generates a drive signal for driving the laser diode of the optical pickup 201 according to the gradation image data.

  Here, the label surface of the DVD 300 used in the present embodiment has a label color in which, when irradiated with light, a portion irradiated with the light fades. And the thinning of the label color becomes stronger as the number of times of light irradiation increases. In this embodiment, the label surface of the DVD 300 that is rotationally driven is repeatedly scanned with laser light that is appropriately turned on / off by the drive signal in accordance with the tone value of each part of the label image represented by the tone image data. The As a result, a portion of the label surface corresponding to each part of the label image is irradiated with the laser light at the number of times corresponding to the gradation value of each part of the label image. As a result, the label color of each part of the label surface is appropriately reduced and a label image is drawn.

  The DVD drive 200 has the configuration described above.

  Next, a label image preview display will be described.

  In this embodiment, the personal computer 100 connected to the DVD drive 200 operates as an embodiment of the label image drawing apparatus of the present invention, and the embodiment of the label image drawing method of the present invention is executed. Is done.

  FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the personal computer 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

  Inside the main unit 110 (see FIG. 1) of the personal computer 100, as shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 111 for executing various programs and the program stored in the hard disk device 113 are read and executed by the CPU 111. The main memory 112 to be expanded, the hard disk device 113 storing various programs and data, the FD drive 114 for accessing the FD 410, and the CD-ROM 420 are loaded, and the CD-ROM drive for accessing the loaded CD-ROM 420 115 and an I / O interface 116 that is connected to the DVD drive 200 of FIG. 1 and exchanges data. These various elements, and the image display device 120, keyboard 130, and mouse 140 shown in FIG. Via bus 117 They are mutually connected.

  Here, the above-described CD-ROM 420 causes the personal computer 100 to operate as one embodiment of the label image drawing apparatus of the present invention, and causes the personal computer 100 to execute one embodiment of the label image drawing method of the present invention. Therefore, an embodiment of a label image drawing program of the present invention is stored.

  When the CD-ROM 420 is loaded into the CD-ROM drive 115, the program stored in the CD-ROM 420 is uploaded to the personal computer 100 and written to the hard disk device 113. Thereby, the personal computer 100 operates as a label image drawing apparatus and executes the label image drawing method.

  Next, an embodiment of a label image drawing program of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a CD-ROM 420 in which one embodiment of the label image drawing program of the present invention is stored.

  A CD-ROM 420 shown in FIG. 4 stores a label image drawing program 500 which is an embodiment of the label image drawing program of the present invention.

  The label image drawing program 500 includes an original image acquisition unit 510, a label image drawing unit 520, a disc information acquisition unit 530, an image density acquisition unit 540, an image processing unit 550, and a display unit 560.

  Details of each part of the label image drawing program 500 will be described together with the operation of each part of the embodiment of the label image drawing apparatus of the present invention.

  Next, an embodiment of the label image drawing method of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the label image drawing method of the present invention.

  This label image drawing method is executed by the computer system 100 shown in FIG. 1 operating as one embodiment of the present invention, and includes an original image acquisition process (step S11) and a drawing color information acquisition process (step S12), a label image reproduction process (step S13), and a label image drawing process (step S14). Here, the original image acquisition process (step S11), the drawing color information acquisition process (step S12), the label image reproduction process (step S13), and the label image drawing process (step S14), respectively, are the label image drawing method of the present invention. The original image acquisition process (step S11), the drawing color information acquisition process (step S12), the label image reproduction process (step S13), and the label image drawing process (step S14). Here, it corresponds to an example of an original image acquisition process, a drawing color information acquisition process, a label image reproduction process, and a label image drawing process.

  Details of each process of the label image drawing method will be described together with the operation of each part of the embodiment of the label image drawing apparatus of the present invention.

  In the following description, the elements shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are referred to by using the reference numerals in the drawings without any special reference.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a label image drawing apparatus of the present invention.

  A label image drawing apparatus 600, which is an embodiment of the label image drawing apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG. 6, is executed by installing the label image drawing program 500 of FIG. 4 on the personal computer 100 of FIG. The apparatus includes an original image acquisition unit 610, a label image drawing unit 620, a disc information acquisition unit 630, an image density acquisition unit 640, an image processing unit 650, and a display unit 660.

  When the label image drawing program 500 of FIG. 4 is installed in the personal computer 100 of FIG. 1, the original image acquisition unit 510, the label image drawing unit 520, the disc information acquisition unit 530, and the image density acquisition of the label image drawing program 500. The unit 540, the image processing unit 550, and the display unit 560 are respectively an original image acquisition unit 610, a label image drawing unit 620, a disc information acquisition unit 630, an image density acquisition unit 640, and an image of the label image drawing apparatus 600 shown in FIG. A processing unit 650 and a display unit 660 are constructed. Here, each element of the label image drawing apparatus 600 is composed of a combination of computer hardware and an OS or application program executed by the computer, whereas the label image drawing program 500 of FIG. Each element is configured only by an application program. Further, in the label image drawing apparatus 600, the original image obtaining unit 610 and the label image drawing unit 620 perform an original image obtaining process (step S11) and a label image drawing process (step S14) in the label image drawing method shown in FIG. Executed. In the case where the disc information acquisition unit 630 and the image density acquisition unit 640 are combined, a drawing color information acquisition process (step S12) is executed. In the case where the image processing unit 650 and the display unit 660 are combined, a label image is obtained. The reproduction unit (step S13) is executed.

  Here, the original image obtaining unit 610 and the label image drawing unit 620 in the label image drawing apparatus 600 correspond to examples of the original image obtaining unit and the label image drawing unit according to the present invention, respectively. The combination of the disc information acquisition unit 630 and the image density acquisition unit 640 corresponds to an example of the drawing color information acquisition unit referred to in the present invention. The combination of the image processing unit 650 and the display unit 660 includes: This corresponds to an example of a label image reproduction unit referred to in the present invention.

  Hereinafter, by explaining each element of the label image drawing apparatus 600 shown in FIG. 6, each element of the label image drawing program 500 shown in FIG. 4 and each process of the label image drawing method shown in FIG. To do.

  In the original image acquisition unit 610 of the label image drawing apparatus 600, original image data representing an original image that is a source of a label image drawn on the label surface is acquired. Here, in the present embodiment, the original image acquisition unit 610 uses the original image data in the RGB data format in which the colors are defined by three colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) as the original image data. Represent image data.

  In the label image drawing unit 620, the original image data obtained by the original image obtaining unit 610 is converted into monochrome image data representing only the brightness value of the original image represented by the original image data (an example of monochromeization in the present invention). The monochrome image represented by the monochrome image data is drawn on the label surface of the DVD 300. Further, the label surface of the DVD 300 has a label color, and an image is drawn on the label surface by appropriately diminishing the label color. As a result, a label image drawn with this monochrome monochrome image is obtained.

  In the disc information acquisition unit 630, for the DVD 300 on which the label image is to be drawn, the label color of the label surface of the DVD 300, the density before the label color is diluted (maximum density), and the label color is diluted to the maximum. The obtained density (minimum density) is obtained as follows.

  First, in the present embodiment, various information related to the DVD 300 such as the name of the manufacturer of the DVD 300, the product name, the model number, and the like is recorded on the DVD 300 at the periphery of the DVD holding hole on the label surface. A pre-written disc information section 301 is provided.

  When the DVD 300 is loaded in the DVD drive 200 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) with the label surface facing downward, the disc information acquisition unit 630 reads information written in the disc information unit 301 of the DVD 300. Then, the model number of the DVD 300 is extracted from the read information. Then, the disc information acquisition unit 630 uses the extracted model number from the following label color information table that the disc information acquisition unit 630 has in the data format, and uses the label color, maximum density, and minimum of the label surface. Label color information representing density is acquired.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a label color information table.

  The label color information table 621 shown in FIG. 7 is a table for associating the label color information indicating the label color, the maximum density and the minimum density, and the model number of the DVD 300 with each other. It has a notation column 621c and a minimum density notation column 621d. Here, the label color information corresponds to an example of drawing color information according to the present invention, and the maximum density label color and the minimum density label color are examples of the maximum density color and the minimum density color according to the present invention, respectively. It corresponds to.

  In the label color information table 621, the label color notation column 621b describes label color data representing the label color in the form of RGB data. In the maximum density notation column 621c and the minimum density notation column 621d, the maximum density Lmax and the minimum density Lmin are written as brightness values, respectively. Here, each of the R value, the G value, and the B value constituting the RGB data and the lightness value are values in the range from “0” to “255”.

  When obtaining the model number of the DVD 300, the disc information acquisition unit 630 illustrated in FIG. 6 acquires the label color data, the maximum density Lmax, and the minimum density Lmin corresponding to the model number from the label color information table 621 illustrated in FIG. .

  In the image density acquisition unit 640, the lower limit of the density dynamic range in drawing the label image is acquired by a user operation on an operation screen (not shown). On the other hand, in this embodiment, the upper limit of the dynamic range is fixed to the maximum density Lmax. In the image density acquisition unit 640, the lower limit of the dynamic range can be selected from 50 levels of density between the maximum density Lmax and the minimum density Lmin. Here, as the lower limit is closer to the minimum density Lmin, the drawn label image becomes an image with a clearer visual contrast. On the other hand, the closer the lower limit is to the minimum density Lmin, the more times the laser beam is irradiated to the label surface during drawing, and the longer the time required for drawing. The user selects the lower limit of the dynamic range in consideration of these two conditions.

  As described above, when the original image data is acquired by the original image acquisition unit 610, the label color information is acquired by the disc information acquisition unit 630, and the lower limit of the dynamic range is acquired by the image density acquisition unit 640, image processing is performed. The unit 650 creates label reproduction data that reproduces the label image by the process described below. Then, display unit 660 displays an image represented by the created label reproduction data as a preview image.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing until a preview image is displayed.

  The processing shown in this flowchart starts in the image processing unit 650 in FIG. 6 when the original image data, the label color information, and the lower limit of the dynamic range are obtained.

  When the process starts, first, black and white conversion described below is performed on the original image data (step S101).

  Here, as described above, the original image data represents the original image in the form of RGB data.

  In the black and white processing in step S101, an average value of the R value, the G value, and the B value is calculated for each pixel of the original image. Since the average value calculated for each pixel is the lightness value of that pixel, this calculation yields monochrome image data representing the original image with the lightness value.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a histogram showing the distribution of lightness values in the original image represented by monochrome image data.

  In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis corresponds to the lightness, and the vertical axis represents the histogram H1 corresponding to the frequency of each lightness value in the original image. The example of FIG. 9 is an example in which there is no missing distribution in the range of lightness values from “0” to “255”.

  When monochrome image data is obtained in step S101 in FIG. 8, the following normalization using the maximum density, the minimum density, and the lower limit of the dynamic range is performed on the monochrome image data. (Step S102).

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of normalization for black and white image data.

  Part (a) of FIG. 10 shows a diagram in which the maximum density, the minimum density, and the lower limit of the dynamic range are compared with each other by brightness value. Part (b) shows a result after normalization. A histogram H2 is shown.

Since the maximum density is the density of the label color in a state where it is not faded as described above, the lightness value I ₀ corresponding to this maximum density is the value on the shadow side as shown in part (a) of FIG. Become. However, since the label color is not completely black corresponding to the lightness value of “0”, the lightness value I ₀ corresponding to this maximum density is larger than “0”. On the other hand, since the minimum density is the density when the label color is thinned to the maximum as described above, the lightness value I ₅₀ corresponding to this minimum density is the value on the highlight side. However, since the label color is not completely white corresponding to the lightness value of “255”, the lightness value I ₀ corresponding to this maximum density is a value smaller than “255”. Further, the lower limit of the dynamic range is selected from 50 levels of density between the maximum density and the minimum density, and thus the lightness value I _N corresponding to the lower limit is the lightness value I ₀ corresponding to the maximum density. And the lightness value I ₅₀ corresponding to the minimum density. Brightness value I _N corresponding to the lower limit may take the drawn label image on the label surface, which corresponds to a brightness value corresponding to the actual minimum concentration.

In the normalization in step S108 in FIG. 8, the brightness values distributed between “0” and “255” in the black and white image data, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, are maintained while maintaining the relative relationship between the brightness values. is carried out by accommodating the brightness values I ₀ corresponding to the maximum concentration in the range of intensity values I _N corresponding to the lower limit of the dynamic range. Part (b) of FIG. 10 shows a histogram H2 of brightness values in such normalized monochrome image data. As can be seen from this part (b), the brightness value histogram H2 in the normalized monochrome image data maintains the relative relationship between the brightness value and the frequency in the histogram H1 shown in FIG.

  When such normalization is completed, the normalized monochrome image data is then converted into label reproduction data for reproducing the label image in the format of RGB data (step S103).

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of conversion from monochrome image data to label reproduction data.

In part (a) of FIG. 11, there is shown a histogram H _R for R values in the above RGB data, in part (b) is shown a histogram H _G for G values, part ( In c), a histogram H _B for the B value is shown.

In the conversion from black-and-white image data to label reproduction data, first, the maximum brightness and the minimum brightness that can be obtained in the label image are determined for each of the RGB colors. Since the R value, G value, and B value of the label reproduction data are the brightness values of each color, the maximum brightness I _MR , I _MG , I _MB , and the minimum brightness I _0R , I _0G , I _{0B for} each of the three RGB colors. Is the maximum brightness I _N and minimum brightness I _{0 in} the normalized black and white image data, and the R value (R _N ), G value (G _N ), and B value (B _N ) in the label color data. And calculated using the following formulas.

I _MR = (R _N / 255) × I _N
I _MG = (G _N / 255) × I _N
I _MB = (B _N / 255) × I _N
I _0R = (R _N / 255) × I ₀
I _0G = (G _N / 255) × I ₀
I _0B = (B _N / 255) × I ₀
Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the lightness values distributed between “I ₀ ” and “I _N ” are within the lightness ranges of the respective RGB colors while maintaining the relative relationship between the lightness values. As a result, the label color represented by the label color data is reflected in the black and white image data having no concept of color, and label reproduction data for reproducing the label image including such a label color is obtained. Become.

FIG. 11 shows the histograms H _R , H _G , and RGB of the three RGB colors in the label reproduction data obtained when the label color data is (R _N , G _N , B _N ) = (150, 100, 50). H _B is shown. As can be seen from FIG. 11, the histogram of each color shows the relative relationship between the brightness value and the frequency in the histogram H1 shown in FIG. 9, similarly to the histogram H2 of the brightness value in the normalized monochrome image data shown in FIG. It will be maintained.

  When the label reproduction data is obtained as described above in step S103 of FIG. 8, the image represented by the label reproduction data is a preview image that reproduces the label image including both the label color and the dynamic range at the time of drawing. It is displayed on the display screen 121 shown in FIG. 1 (step S104).

  As described above, according to the label image drawing apparatus of the present embodiment described above, it is possible to display a preferable preview image in which a label image drawn with a dynamic range having a lower limit selected by the user is faithfully reproduced. In the present embodiment, when the pre-confirmation of the label image is completed by the preview image displayed as described above, the label image is actually drawn on the label surface by the label image drawing unit 620 described above.

  In the above, a specific example of a label drawing type DVD having a data surface on which data is recorded with light and a label surface on which a label image is drawn with the light, which is an example of the recording medium according to the present invention. Although not mentioned, examples of the label drawing type DVD include a DVD corresponding to Labelflash (registered trademark) and a DVD compatible with Lightscribe (registered trademark). Here, when using a Labelflash (registered trademark) compatible DVD, a Labelflash (registered trademark) compatible DVD drive is required, and when using a Lightscript (registered trademark) compatible DVD, it is compatible with Lightscribe (registered trademark). DVD drive is required.

  Moreover, in the above, as an example of the label image reproduction unit according to the present invention, an example having an image processing unit 650 that creates label reproduction data for reproducing a label image including both the label color and the dynamic range at the time of drawing. Although shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and the label image reproduction unit of the present invention may be, for example, an apparatus that reproduces a label image including only the label color. In this case, the dynamic range is reproduced using a fixed dynamic range such as a dynamic range determined by the maximum density and the minimum density that can be drawn on the label surface.

1 is an external perspective view of a computer system that operates as an embodiment of a label image drawing apparatus of the present invention. It is a hardware block diagram which shows the internal structure of the DVD drive 200 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the personal computer 100 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is a conceptual diagram which shows CD-ROM420 in which one Embodiment of the label image drawing program of this invention was memorize | stored. It is a flowchart which shows one Embodiment of the label image drawing method of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows one Embodiment of the label image drawing apparatus of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows a label color information table. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process until a preview image is displayed. It is a figure which shows an example of the histogram which shows distribution of the brightness value in the label image represented by the monochrome image data. It is a figure which shows an example of normalization with respect to monochrome image data. It is a figure which shows an example of the conversion from monochrome image data to color image data.

Explanation of symbols

10 Computer System 100 Personal Computer 110 Main Unit 110a FD Loading Port 110b CD-ROM Loading Port 111 CPU
112 Main Memory 113 Hard Disk Device 114 FD Drive 115 CD-ROM Drive 116 I / O Interface 117 Bus 120 Image Display Device 121 Display Screen 130 Keyboard 140 Mouse 200 DVD Drive 200a DVD Loading Port 201 Optical Pickup 202 Spindle Motor 203 Rotation Detector 204 RF amplifier 205 Decoder 206 Servo circuit 207 Stepping motor 208 Motor driver 209 Interface circuit 210 Buffer memory 211 Encoder 212 Strategy circuit 213 Frame memory 214 Data converter 215 Laser power automatic control circuit (ALPC) circuit 216 Laser driver 217 Control circuit 300 DVD
410 FD
420 CD-ROM
500 Label image drawing program 510 Original image acquisition unit 520 Label image drawing unit 530 Disc information acquisition unit 540 Image density acquisition unit 550 Image processing unit 560 Display unit 600 Label image drawing device 610 Original image acquisition unit 620 Label image drawing unit 630 Disc information Acquisition unit 640 Image density acquisition unit 650 Image processing unit 660 Display unit

Claims (6)

A label image drawn on a recording medium having a data surface on which data is recorded with light and a label surface on which a label image for visually confirming the recorded contents of the data surface is drawn with light. An original image obtaining unit for obtaining an original image;
A label image drawing unit for drawing the label image on the recording medium based on the original image obtained by the original image obtaining unit;
A drawing color information obtaining unit for obtaining drawing color information representing a drawing color that can be drawn on the label surface of the recording medium;
A label image drawing apparatus comprising: a label image reproduction unit that reproduces the label image based on the original image and the drawing color information prior to the label image drawing by the label image drawing unit. .   When the original image is a color image, the label image drawing unit creates a monochrome original image by monochromeizing the original image, and draws the label image based on the monochrome original image. The label image drawing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein   2. The label image drawing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drawing color information obtaining unit obtains information representing a maximum density color and a minimum density color on the label surface as the drawing color information. . The drawing color information obtaining unit obtains information representing the maximum density color and the minimum density color on the label surface as the drawing color information,
2. The label image rendering apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the label image reproduction unit reproduces the label image with a density color between the maximum density color and the minimum density color. Embedded in a computer, on the computer,
A label image drawn on a recording medium having a data surface on which data is recorded with light and a label surface on which a label image for visually confirming the recorded contents of the data surface is drawn with light. An original image obtaining unit for obtaining an original image;
A label image drawing unit for drawing the label image on the recording medium based on the original image obtained by the original image obtaining unit;
A drawing color information obtaining unit for obtaining drawing color information representing a drawing color that can be drawn on the label surface of the recording medium;
Prior to drawing a label image by the label image drawing unit, a label image drawing program for constructing a label image reproduction unit for reproducing the label image based on the original image and the drawing color information . A label image drawn on a recording medium having a data surface on which data is recorded with light and a label surface on which a label image for visually confirming the recorded contents of the data surface is drawn with light. An original image obtaining process for obtaining an original image;
A label image drawing process for drawing the label image on the recording medium based on the original image obtained in the original image obtaining process;
A drawing color information obtaining process for obtaining drawing color information representing a drawing color that can be drawn on the label surface of the recording medium;
A label image drawing method comprising: a label image reproduction process for reproducing the label image based on the original image and the drawing color information prior to the label image drawing by the label image drawing process. .

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