KR100286306B1 - Panorama photograph method for digital still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A panorama picture photographing method of a digital still camera is provided to easily connect pictures to construct a panorama picture by using an LCD monitor. CONSTITUTION: It is judged whether a panorama picture photographing mode is set or not. When the panorama picture photographing mode is set, whenever an image is photographed, predetermined left and right portions of the image photographed right before the image currently being photographed are read into a reproducing region set in a DRAM. The read images are displayed at the left and right of the image currently being photographed. When one of the images displayed at the left and right of the image accords with one of the left and right portions of the image currently being photographed, the current image is captured and stored in a flash memory.

Description

How to take a panoramic picture of a digital still camera {PANORAMA PHOTOGRAPH METHOD FOR DIGITAL STILL CAMERA}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital still camera (DSC), and more particularly, to a panorama photographing method of a digital still camera, which enables photographic connection photographing.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a general digital still camera. As shown in FIG. 1, a CD 102 for converting reflected light of a subject collected by a lens 101 into an electrical signal according to the amount of light, and the CD ( 102, a CDS / AGC block 103 for converting electrical signals from CDS (Correlate Double Sampling) and AGC (Auto Gain Control) to digital signals, and digital signals from the CDS / AGC block 103. A digital signal processor 104 for luminance and chroma processing and encoding and outputting NTSC data in the form of a bit stream, a DRAM 106 for storing the captured data, and the digital signal processor 104. Control unit for capturing the output data of the memory 106 to the video buffer 106 through the digital signal processor 104 for capturing the data captured by the DRAM 106 and displaying the data captured by the DRAM 106 to the TV monitor or LCD. 107, and when the shooting key is pressed The memory controller 107 controls the flash memory 108 to store data of a subject to be photographed by the user, the preprocessor 103, the digital signal processor 104, and the memory controller 107 while controlling the camera. It consists of a CPU 109 which controls the overall operation.

Referring to the operation of the general digital camera as follows.

When the photographing operation starts, the CCD (CCD) 102 that receives the light incident on the lens 101 is converted into an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of light, and the preprocessing unit 103 that receives the electrical signal receives the CDS / AGC. After processing, the signal is converted into a digital signal and output to the digital signal processor 104.

At this time, the digital signal processor 104 processes the digital signal input from the preprocessor 103 to the luminance (Y) and chroma (C) to output the image data in the form of a data bit stream to the memory controller 107.

Accordingly, the memory controller 107 outputs a row and column address strobe signal RAS (CAS) by detecting the vertical synchronization signal VDVGA and the horizontal synchronization signal HDVGA in the CPI 109, thereby digitally processing the digital signal processor. The output data of the 104 is stored in the DRAM 106.

In this case, the DRAM 106 stores 16-bit image data of 640 * 480 size in the digital signal processor 104 currently captured in one region, and stores the image data in the other region to reproduce the captured image. The digital signal processor 104 NTSC encodes the image data input from the DRAM 106 and stores the NTC encoded video data in the video buffer 105.

Accordingly, the data stored in the video buffer 105 is output to a display device (not shown), such as a TV or LCD, to display an image of a subject currently captured by the DRAM 106.

The above operation is repeatedly performed in synchronization with the video signal from the CD 102.

If the image is desired to be captured while the user performs the image capturing operation while viewing the screen of the display device (not shown) while the image data is being stored in the DRAM 106, the recording mode is set when the user inputs the recording key. The CPI 109 determined as follows, informs the memory controller 107 of the photographing key input.

At this time, the memory controller 107 reads out the corresponding data that the user wants to take from the stored data of the DRAM 106 and outputs the corresponding data to the digital signal processor 104 to display the corresponding image on the screen of the display device (not shown). At the same time, the corresponding data among the stored data of the DRAM 106 is read and output to the CPU 109.

Therefore, the CPI 109 stores the image data input through the memory controller 107 in the flash memory 108 by JPEG compression processing.

After that, when shooting is finished, the digital still camera (DSC) is connected to an image processing device such as a PC, and the playback mode is set, the CPI 109 restores the image data stored in the flash memory 107. The memory is stored in the DRAM 106 through the memory controller 107.

At this time, the memory control unit 107 transmits the image data of 640 * 480 size stored in the DRAM 106 to the digital signal processing unit 104, the digital signal processing unit 104 is an image input by the memory control unit 107 The data is NTSC encoded and stored in the video buffer 105.

Accordingly, when the data stored in the video buffer 105 is output to an image processing device such as a PC (PC), it is displayed as an image of the subject on the screen of the monitor, edited according to the user's needs, and then recorded on a recording medium such as a tape or the like. Or print on photo paper or the like.

The above operation will be briefly described for each mode in terms of the DRAM 106 as follows.

In the EE mode, as shown in the exemplary diagram of FIG. 3, the digital signal processing unit 104 captures a digital signal in one area and captures data in the other area by dividing the use area of the DRAM 106 into two. By reading and outputting the data to the video buffer 105, the image data is stored in the DRAM 105 and the subject image is displayed on a display device such as an LCD.

In this case, the recording (REC) mode is a mode in which the 16-bit data output from the digital signal processor 104 is captured to the DRAM 106 in a size of 640 * 480.

Therefore, the CPU 109 reads data captured by the DRAM 106, compresses the JPEG data, and stores the JPEG data in the flash memory 108.

Thereafter, in the playback (PB) mode, data stored in the flash memory 108 is read and restored, stored in the DRAM 106, and the DRAM 106 transmits 640 * 480 data to the digital signal processor 104. The video signal is output to the video buffer 105 through the NTSC encoder and displayed on the display device.

That is, a digital still camera (DSC) that performs the above operation basically functions as a camera, but unlike a camera using a general film, a digital memory camera (DSC) or a flash memory uses an electronic signal instead of a film. (108), you can connect to the PC (PC) to freely edit, send by mail or printer, and use the electronic signal from the CCD (CCD) (102) EE mode screen like a camcorder It has the advantage of being seen as an LCD (LCD) or TV (TV) monitor.

In the above operation, the memory controller 107 generates an address for selecting an area of the DRAM 106 according to the set mode. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, the memory controller 107 is enabled by the set mode and is vertical and horizontal. Recording and playback mode blocks 110 and 120 and a set mode for detecting vertical and horizontal blanking sections by inputting a synchronization signal (VDVGA) (HDVGA) to generate low, column address, and low and column address strobe signals, respectively. Select one of the recording mode block 110 and the reproduction mode block 120 according to the low / column address (RADDR / CADDR), the low / column address strobe signal (RAS / CAS), and the output enable signal (OE). And a multiplexer 130 for outputting the write enable signal WE to the DRAM 106.

The recording mode block 110 may include a vertical blanking detector 111 for detecting a vertical blanking section by inputting a vertical synchronization signal VDVGA, and a horizontal blanking detector for detecting a horizontal blanking section by inputting a horizontal sync signal HDVGA. 112, a RAS / CAS generator 113 for generating a RAS and CAS signal when the horizontal blanking detector 112 detects a horizontal blanking section, and the vertical and horizontal blanking detector 111; 112 and a row / column address generator 114 for generating a row / column address (RADDR / CADDR) based on the output signal of the RAS / CAS detector 113.

The reproduction mode block 120 performs a vertical blanking detector 121, a horizontal blanking detector 122, a RAS / CAS detector 123, and a row / column address generator 124 performing the same operations as the recording mode block 110. It consists of.

The operation process of the conventional memory controller 107 will be described for each mode as follows.

First, in the recording mode for storing the luminance / color processed digital image data of the digital signal processor 104 or the compressed image data of the flash memory 108 in one region of the DRAM 106, the memory controller 107 The recording mode block 110 is operated.

The recording mode block 110 detects a vertical blanking section by the vertical blanking detector 111 inputting the vertical synchronization signal VDVGA and a horizontal blanking detector 112 by the vertical blanking detector 112 inputting the horizontal synchronization signal HDVGA. Detect.

At this time, the RAS / CAS generator 113 generates a low address strobe signal RAS and a column address strobe signal CAS based on a time point at which the horizontal blanking detector 112 detects the horizontal blanking interval.

Accordingly, the raw / column address generator 114 stores the raw / column address (RADDR / CADDR) for storing image data based on the output signals of the vertical and horizontal blanking detectors 111 and 112 and the RAS / CAS detector 113. Will be generated.

In addition, when the data stored in the DRAM 106 is transmitted to the digital signal processing unit 104 and is displayed in an image on a display device (not shown) through the video buffer 105, the memory controller 107 plays back. The mode block 120 is operated.

At this time, the reproduction mode block 120 having the vertical blanking detector 121, the horizontal blanking detector 122, the RAS / CAS generator 123, and the row / column address generator 124 is the same as the recording mode block 110. The operation is performed to generate a raw / column address (RADDR) (CADDR).

Therefore, the memory controller 107 selects one of the recording mode block 110 and the reproduction mode block 120 by the multiplexer 130 according to the recording / playback mode, and selects the row / column address RADDR (CADDR) at that time. It outputs to the DRAM 106.

Accordingly, the DRAM 106 captures image data in one of the divided regions according to the output signals RADDR, CADD, RAS, CAS, OE, and WE from the memory controller 107. The data is stored and output to the digital signal processor 104 to reproduce captured image data in another area.

However, in the related art, in order to obtain a panoramic picture by taking a plurality of consecutive screens and connecting them, the user has to split the screen at an appropriate ratio depending on the senses, so that a lot of errors occur in the right and left connection of the pictures, thereby providing satisfaction to the user. There is a problem.

Therefore, in order to improve the conventional problem, the present invention when taking a wide image to shoot the next screen while looking at the previous shooting screen is exactly connected with the previous shooting screen, and connected to the image taken in the panorama editing mode panorama picture An object of the present invention is to provide a method for taking a panoramic picture of a digital still camera, which was invented to obtain the image.

The present invention for this purpose is to make it easy to connect the panorama picture by taking advantage of the fact that it is possible to view the image through the LCD (LCD) instead of taking a picture depending on the senses in the conventional case when taking a panorama picture during general photography It features.

In addition, the present invention is that when the panorama photography mode is set in the EE mode during normal photography, when taking the next scene after taking one picture at the beginning of the setting, the previous shooting screen of about 1/10 size on both sides of the EE screen By playing the video, the current picture can be connected with the previous picture so that the panorama picture can be easily obtained.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a general digital still camera.

Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional memory control unit in FIG.

3 is an exemplary view showing a region of use of a conventional DRAM in FIG.

4 is a block diagram of a memory controller for an embodiment of the invention in FIG.

5 is an exemplary view showing a region of use of the DRAM of the present invention in FIG.

6 is an exemplary view showing a screen in the panorama shooting mode of the present invention.

7 is a signal flow diagram for practicing the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

101: lens system 102: CD (CCD)

103: preprocessing unit 104: digital signal processing unit

105: video buffer 106: DRAM

107: memory control unit 108: flash memory

109: CPU 210,240: recording mode block

211,221,241,251: Vertical Blanking Detector

212,222,242,252: Horizontal Blanking Detector

213,223,243,253: RAS / CAS Generator

214,224,244,254: Raw / Column Address Generator

220,250: Play mode block 230: Multiplexer

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a digital still camera that photographs a subject and stores it in a flash memory. When the panorama shooting mode is set, the EE mode screen is displayed every time one scene is shot after the initial setting. By presenting a method of displaying a playback screen shot immediately before, about 1/10 on both sides, it is possible to obtain a panoramic picture easily by accurately matching the connection part between the picture and the picture.

According to the present invention of the present invention, determining whether the panorama shooting mode is set when capturing a subject, and when the panorama shooting mode is set, reproducing predetermined areas of both left and right sides of the previous shooting scene every time the next scene is taken, is set in the DRAM. Reading left and right across the area, displaying the current image being read in the left and right regions of the current image, and left and right sides of the current photographed image and any one of the previous shooting scenes displayed in the left and right regions. If any one of the images is matched, the current photographed image is captured and stored in a flash memory, so that a continuous image in which the connection portion is matched with respect to the previous image may be photographed.

In the above description, the process of detecting the contour of the left and right specific regions of the previous photographing image, the process of detecting the contour of the left and right specific regions of the current image, the process of reading the detected contour to determine the portion to be matched, The user may display the current photographed image correctly connected to the immediately previous image by performing the process of matching the determined portion.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

The block diagram of the apparatus for an embodiment of the present invention is the same as the block diagram of FIG.

However, in the panorama mode of the present invention, since the address area of the DRAM 106 is changed, the internal configuration of the memory controller 107 for controlling the DRAM 106 must also be changed.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 4, the memory control unit 107 for the embodiment of the present invention is enabled by the set mode and is vertically and horizontally blanking by inputting the vertical and horizontal synchronizing signal (VDVGA) (HDVGA), respectively. Record and playback mode blocks 210 and 220 for detecting intervals and generating low and column address and low and column address strobe signals, respectively, and vertical and horizontal synchronizing signals (VDVGA) (HDVGA) enabled by the set mode. Inputs a panoramic recording and reproducing mode block 240 and 250 for detecting vertical and horizontal blanking sections and generating a low, column address, and low and column address strobe signals, respectively, and the recording mode block ( Select one of the 210 and 240 and the play mode blocks 220 and 250 to select a row / column address (RADDR / CADDR), a row / column address strobe signal (RAS / CAS), an output enable signal (OE), and a write enable signal (WE). D) The multiplexer 230 outputs to the RAM 106.

The recording mode block 210 may include a vertical blanking detector 211 for detecting a vertical blanking section by inputting a vertical synchronization signal VDVGA, and a horizontal blanking detector for detecting a horizontal blanking section by inputting a horizontal sync signal HDVGA. 212), when the horizontal blanking detector 112 detects a horizontal blanking section, a RAS / CAS generator 213 for generating a RAS and CAS signal, and the vertical and horizontal blanking detector 211 ( 212) and a row / column address generator 214 for generating a row / column address (RADDR / CADDR) based on the output signal of the RAS / CAS detector 213.

The reproduction mode block 220, the panorama recording mode block 240, and the panorama reproduction mode block 250 are vertical blanking detectors 221/241/251 and horizontal blanking detector which perform the same operations as the recording mode block 210. 222/242/252, RAS / CAS detectors 223/243/253, and row / column address generators 224/244/254.

Referring to the operation and effect of the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

First, when the power key is turned on for shooting, the CPI 109 determines whether the camera is in a normal mode or a panorama shooting mode. When the general shooting mode is set, the lens system 101 reflects the reflected light of the subject to which the lens 102 is incident. When the image is condensed on the imaging surface, the CD 102 is converted into an electrical signal corresponding to the amount of light, and the electrical signal is converted into a digital signal after CDS / AGC processing by the preprocessor 103 and is output to the digital signal processor 104. .

In this case, when the digital signal processing unit 104 generates the image data by processing the digital signal from the preprocessor 103 by luminance (Y) and chromaticity (C), the memory control unit 107 is vertical and horizontal in the CPI 109. The synchronization signal VDVGA (HDVGA) is processed to output the addresses RADDR and CADDR to the DRAM 106.

Accordingly, the DRAM 106 captures image data processed by the digital signal processor 104 in one region and outputs image data captured in the other region to the digital signal processor 104.

At this time, the digital signal processing unit 104 transmits the current image data to the DRAM 106 and NTSC encodes the image data input from the DRAM 106 and outputs the NTSC encoded image data to the video buffer 105 (not shown). The image of the subject is displayed on the screen.

Therefore, when a user views an image displayed on a screen of a display device (not shown) and inputs a shutter key, the CPI 109 notifies the memory controller 107 of the image and the image data is stored on the DRAM 106. It is transmitted to the CPI 109 through the memory control unit 107, and is then compressed into JPEG and stored in the flash memory 108.

The operation of the EE mode as described above is repeatedly performed in synchronization with the video signal from the CD 102, and at this time, the CPI 109 determines the key input by the user.

That is, the above operation is performed in the same process as the conventional art, and accesses the DRAM 106 using only addresses generated by the recording mode block 210 and the reproduction mode block 220 included in the memory controller 107. Video capture and playback.

If the panorama shooting mode is set during the general shooting operation as described above, even if the panorama shooting mode is set, before the shutter key is pressed, image data is captured on the DRAM 106 in the same manner as the general shooting mode and the captured data is digitally captured. The image is output to the video buffer 105 through the signal processor 104 to display an image of a subject on a screen of a display device (not shown).

Accordingly, when the shutter key is pressed, the first image data captured by the DRAM 106 in the panorama shooting mode is read into the CPI 109, JPEG compressed, and then stored in the flash memory 108 and simultaneously stored in the flash memory 108. One-tenth sized image data of both sides of the first stored image data is copied to a reproduction area of the upper block area of the DRAM 106.

The image copied to the playback block in the upper block area of the DRAM 106 is displayed in a direction opposite to the previous screen.

At this time, the user moves the camera in the direction of the subject connected to the previous image, and the digital signal processor 104 received the image data at this time through the CD 102 and the preprocessing 103 is luminance (Y) and chroma ( C) perform the processing.

Accordingly, the image of the digital signal processor 104 is captured in the EE mode region of the upper block region of the DRAM 106 by the control of the memory controller 107, and at the same time, the image data of the upper block region is copied to the lower block region. After that, the image data of the lower block area of the DRAM 106 is output to the digital signal processor 104.

At this time, the digital signal processing unit 104 captures the image data transmitted in the lower block area of the DRAM 106 and stores the image data in the video buffer 105 by NTSC encoding, thereby photographing the current camera on the screen of the display device (not shown). The image of the subject being displayed is displayed.

Accordingly, the user adjusts the direction of the camera while viewing the screen of the display device to match the connection portion between the image of the previous page and the image of the current page, and when the shutter key is pressed at the coincidence point, the user captures the upper block area of the DRAM 106. Image data of the second page is read into the CPI 109, JPEG-compressed, and then stored in the flash memory 108. At the same time, one-tenth of the image data of both sides of the second image data stored in the flash memory 108 The upper block of the DRAM 106 is copied to a reproduction area.

Thereafter, the EE mode signal from the digital signal processing unit 104 is copied to the lower block area while capturing the EE mode area of the upper block area of the DRAM 106 and transmitted to the digital signal processing unit 104. The image of the subject currently captured is displayed on the screen of the display device (not shown).

Accordingly, the user adjusts the direction of the camera while viewing the image of the display device (not shown) to match the connection portion between the image of the previous page and the image of the current page.

The above operation is repeatedly performed while the panorama photographing mode is set.

Thereafter, the panorama image can be obtained by setting the panorama editing mode and connecting the captured images stored in the flash memory 108 one by one.

Subsequently, when the user switches to the normal photographing mode when the image shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on the display device (not shown), the playback area and the EE mode area that distinguish the upper block area of the DRAM 106 are present. The entire image data of the subject to be photographed is captured and the page image desired to be captured is stored in the flash memory 108 in the same manner as in the related art.

On the other hand, by capturing the image data on the DRAM 106 in the panorama shooting mode as shown in the example of FIG. 5, the image captured immediately before about 64 bytes, which is about 1/10 of the size, on the screen of both predetermined sizes. The memory controller 107 generates an address corresponding to 64 bytes in the panoramic recording and reproducing mode blocks 240 and 250, and the operation of the panoramic photographing mode as shown in the block diagram of FIG. A description with reference to the memory control unit 107 is as follows.

First, image data of the first page is stored in the flash memory 108.

In this case, the memory controller 107 generates an address for accessing the entire upper block area of the DRAM 106 in the write mode block 210, thereby causing the flash memory 108 to have an upper block area of the DRAM 106. Video data.

Thereafter, the memory control unit 107 generates a 64 byte address at both ends of the immediately preceding page screen in which the panorama recording block 240 is output to the DRAM 106 by the multiplexer 230.

Accordingly, image data corresponding to both ends of the previous page image is stored in the storage area of the upper block area of the DRAM 106.

After that, when the memory control unit 107 generates an address of the EE mode area of the upper block area of the DRAM 106 in the write mode block 210, the memory controller 107 is selected by the multiplexer 230 and output to the DRAM 106. .

Accordingly, the DRAM 106 that receives the EE mode signal from the digital signal processor 104 stores the EE mode signal in the EE mode area of the upper block area of the DRAM 106 while simultaneously copying image data of the upper block area to the lower block area. It is done.

Thereafter, the data in the lower block area of the DRAM 106 is transmitted to the digital signal processing unit 104 by the memory control unit 107, and the transmitted data is NTSC encoded and displayed on the display device (not shown) through the video buffer 105. Is output to display an image as shown in the example of FIG.

In this case, the memory controller 107 generates an address of 64 bytes corresponding to both ends of the screen in the panorama playback mode block 250 and generates an address for the EE mode screen in the playback mode block 220. By sequentially selecting the addresses of the panorama reproduction mode block 250 and the reproduction mode block 220, the image data of the lower block area of the DRAM 106 is transmitted to the digital signal processor 104 to transmit the video buffer 105. The image is displayed on the display device (not shown) through the image.

The configuration of the recording and reproducing mode blocks 210 and 220, the panoramic recording and reproducing mode blocks 240 and 250 are the same, and each address is generated under the control of the CPI 109.

The above operation is performed in the same manner as the signal flow shown in FIG.

In addition, the user adjusts the direction of the camera to match the end portion of the previous image and the end portion of the image currently captured in the panorama shooting mode, but in another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the previous image is taken as shown in FIG. A circuit for detecting contour data for the end of each image of the playback screen and the EE mode screen, a circuit for comparing the detected contour data with each other, and a result of the comparison described above to read the end of the previous image and the current The CPU 109 has a circuit for varying the display position of the currently captured image so as to match the end of the captured image to provide the user with a panorama picture in which the connection part of each photographed picture is exactly matched. Can be.

In the case where the photographs are continuously connected in only a certain direction when the panorama photograph is taken, the unnecessary images may not be displayed among the images displayed at both ends of the EE mode screen of the display device.

In this case, the DRAM 106 can remove one storage area from the upper / lower block area so that the entire panoramic image can be captured at a faster time, and address generation for accessing one storage area can be eliminated. An address generation operation for accessing the DRAM 106 can be simplified.

As described in detail above, the present invention displays a part of the picture taken immediately before and after the current picture so as to capture the panorama picture so that the next scene can be accurately connected to the previous picture to provide the user with satisfaction. It has the effect of improving the performance of the product.

In particular, the video captured by the digital still camera can be freely edited by the PC to print a panoramic picture in which the connection between the picture is exactly the same.

Claims (2)

A photographing method of a digital still camera that photographs a subject and stores it in a flash memory, comprising: a first step of determining whether to set a panorama photographing mode; A second step of reading left and right predetermined areas on both sides of the playback area set in the DRAM; and a third step of displaying the image read in the left and right areas of the image currently being photographed; And if either one of the previous shooting scenes and one of the left and right images of the currently shot image match, a fourth step of capturing and storing the current shot image in the flash memory is performed. . The method of claim 1, wherein the fourth step comprises: a first process of detecting contours of left and right specific regions of the previous captured image, a second process of detecting contours of left and right specific regions of the current captured image, and the detected contours; And performing a third process of determining a portion to be read and matched, and a fourth process of matching the determined portion, to automatically display the current photographed image accurately connected to the previous image to the user. How to take panoramic pictures.