KR100621594B1 - Apparatus and method for image revision of portable digital image capture - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable digital imager and a method capable of correcting an image, and more particularly, to a portion of a digital imager that is intended to be corrected directly to a user interface proposed by a digital imager without moving to a computer for correcting a captured image. The present invention relates to a portable digital image photographing apparatus capable of correcting an image by selecting and correcting the same, and a method thereof.

The portable digital imager capable of correcting an image according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention inputs a digital image photographing module capable of capturing an image, a storage module storing a photographed image and an image correction algorithm, and a user's request for adjustment of algorithms. A user interface module capable of doing so, and a viewer module showing the state of the images and algorithms, and a computing module capable of executing the algorithms.

Image Correction, Print, User Interface Module, Digital Camera, Algorithm

Description

Portable digital image recorder capable of image correction and its method {Apparatus and method for image revision of portable digital image capture}

1 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of a digital image photographing apparatus according to the present invention.

2A is a diagram of a first embodiment related to a digital camera

2B is a diagram of a second embodiment related to a digital camera;

3A is a diagram of a first embodiment related to a camera phone

3B is a view of a second embodiment related to a camera phone

4 is an overall flowchart of a digital image photographing method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of a selection step of the image correction step of FIG. 4.

6 is a detailed flowchart of a correction step of the image correction step of FIG. 4.

The present invention relates to a portable digital imager and a method capable of correcting an image, and more particularly, to a portion of a digital imager that is intended to be corrected directly to a user interface proposed by a digital imager without moving to a computer for correcting a captured image. The present invention relates to a portable digital image photographing apparatus capable of correcting an image by selecting and correcting the same, and a method thereof.

Existing image correction function is a useful way to enhance the individuality of the image by adding a wallpaper to the image or composing a part of the image into another image, but it cannot satisfy the part that wants to make the image more beautiful in recent years. . Therefore, to correct the image, the image had to be moved to a computer and corrected using a graphic correction program. In addition, the user interface of the existing digital imager has a limitation in freely specifying a desired position and area when composing or correcting an image. Also, in order to output the image without correction, it can be output simply by connecting to a printable printer. In order to correct and output the image, it was necessary to go to a computer, correct it, and connect it to a printer.

It is an object of the present invention to add an image correction program to a digital imager to enable correction of an image taken directly from a digital imager.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an interface that can easily designate a desired position or area when compositing or compensating an image, so that the compositing or compensating an image can be performed more easily.                         

Still another object of the present invention is to enable output directly from a digital imager when correcting and outputting an image.

The objects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

In order to achieve the above object, the digital image photographing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention can store the digital image photographing module capable of capturing digital images, algorithms inherent in other digital image photographing apparatuses, including photographed images and image correction algorithms. A storage module and a user interface module capable of inputting a user's request for adjustment of algorithms, a viewer module showing the state of images and algorithms, and a computing module capable of executing algorithms.

The digital image capturing method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a digital image capturing step capable of capturing a digital image and an image correction step of correcting a photographed image or an image stored in a storage medium using an image correction algorithm according to a user's request. The image correction algorithm is an algorithm for automatically selecting a correction region based on the center point of the region selected by the user.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be embodied in various different forms, and the present embodiments merely make the disclosure of the present invention complete and common knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs. It is provided to fully inform the person having the scope of the invention, which is defined only by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the basic configuration and preferred embodiments of the present invention.

    1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an internal configuration of a digital image photographing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The control module 110, the digital image photographing module 120 and the storage module controlled through the control module 110 are shown in FIG. 130, the user interface module 140, the viewer module 150, the operation module 160, and the connection module 170.

Among the components, the control module 110, the storage module 130, and the operation module 160 are inside the digital camera as shown in FIG. 1, and the digital image capture module 120, the user interface module 140, and the viewer module ( 150, it is preferable that the connection module 170 is located outside of the digital camera and is responsible for input / output with the outside.

The control module 110 controls the flow or operation of information between the other components described above.

The digital image capturing module 120 is a module for capturing a desired image into a digital image.

The storage module 130 may include a hard disk-type storage medium that can be changed and a storage medium that cannot be changed. The storage module 130 may store algorithms inherent in digital image cameras, including photographed images, image correction algorithms, and the like. Module. If the storage module 130 is a ROM-type storage medium, the stored algorithm can be processed faster. However, if the storage module 130 is a hard disk-type storage medium, the stored algorithm can be modified. Do. The storage module 130 may be selected as a storage medium suitable for the purpose.

 The user interface module 140 may use various input means as a module for inputting a user's request for image correction or algorithm adjustment.

The viewer module 150 is a module serving as a monitor of a general computer that shows an image captured by a digital image capturing module or an image stored in a storage medium and input requirements or calculation results by the algorithms. The user interface module 140 In the case of the touch pad, the viewer module 150 may be part of the user interface module 140.

When the calculation module 160 receives a command to execute a program as a module that performs a calculation, the calculation module 160 receives information related to the calculation from the storage module 130 and sends a result.

The connection module 170 is a module that can be connected to an external peripheral device and can be connected to a print that can directly output an image.

2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B show various embodiments of the user interface module of the present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B are embodiments of a digital camera in a digital camera, and FIGS. 2A and 2B. Is an embodiment of a camera phone and a digital camera according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises at least one of the user interface modules shown here.

The user interface module shown in the figures is largely composed of a module for selecting an image correction area and a module for selecting an image correction intensity.

The module for selecting an image correction reference point includes at least one of a touch pad 210, a direction button 220, a pointing device such as a pen 230, and a track ball 240 which is a ball for selecting a mouse position used in a notebook. It includes.

The module for selecting image correction intensity includes at least one of a + -only button 250, a tuner button 260, and a module using an existing button.

2A and 3A are modules for selecting an image correction area, and a module for selecting image correction intensity of a device 230 for pointing, such as a touch pad 210, a direction button 220, and a pen, is + -only. 2B and 3B show a module for selecting an image correction region, and a module for selecting an image correction intensity for a track ball 240 is shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B. An embodiment of a digital camera having selected 260 is an embodiment.

When the touch pad 210 is used, the position where the user's finger is pressed is recognized as the image correction area.

When the direction button 220 is used, when the selection point 270 is moved by the direction button 220 to reach the desired image correction reference point, the selection button recognizes the image correction area.

The pen-like pointing device 230 is a device used for more accurate selection than the touch pad 210. The pen-pointing device 230 selects a desired part of the image and moves the pen to the image correction area. Recognize.

In the case of using the track ball 240, when the selection point 270 is moved to the track ball 240 to reach the desired image correction area, the selection button recognizes the image correction area.

The + -only button 250 is a long single button in the form of (-<--> +) and can be adjusted by pressing both ends of the button.

The tuner button 260 may adjust the correction strength by rotating the tuner.

In addition, two of the existing buttons, such as a keypad or a direction button, can be set as a button for adjusting the intensity of the adjustment, or one of the buttons can be used to adjust the correction using an algorithm.

4 is an overall flowchart of a digital imager according to an embodiment of the present invention.

According to the operation of the present invention, the step of determining whether to take an image (S110) is performed by the image correction algorithm stored in the storage module 130 by the calculation module 160.

Determining whether or not to take an image (S110) is a step in which a user takes a new image and corrects it or determines whether to use an existing stored image. 150) and the user's selection is input to the user interface module 140.

If no image is captured, a step of selecting a desired image (S120) is performed. And if the image is taken, the digital image shooting step (S130) is executed.

Selecting a desired image (S120) is a step of selecting a desired image among the stored images. The calculation module 160 searches for an image in the storage module 130 and outputs the image to the viewer module 150 so that the user can select the image. If it is selected, proceed to the next step, the image correction step (S140) and when the user requests another image through the user interface 140, the storage module 130 searches for the image corresponding to the image desired by the user until the user selects the viewer Output to module 150 may be repeated.

The digital image capturing step (S130) is a step of capturing a desired image as a digital image. The calculation module 160 executes a digital image capturing algorithm to capture an image through the digital image capturing module 120 and outputs the result to the viewer module 150. To the user. If the user is satisfied and selects the image, the user may proceed to the next step of correcting the image (S140), or repeat this step until the satisfied image is taken.

The image correction step S140 is a step of correcting an image as desired by executing an image correction algorithm. The image correction step S140 includes a selection step of selecting a correction area by a user and a correction step of correcting a selected portion. Detailed description of the selection step will be described later with reference to FIG. 5 and detailed description of the correction step will be described below with reference to FIG. 6.

The next step, the step of selecting whether to output (S150) is a step of directly outputting an image through a device capable of directly outputting an image to a digital camera. The operation module 160 displays a message for selecting a viewer module. Output to 150 and the user's selection is input to the user interface module 140.

If not output immediately, the operation of the present invention is terminated. If it is output immediately, the output step (S160) is executed.

The output step (S160) is a step of directly outputting through a print that can directly output the image connected to the digital camera, the calculation module 160 is connected to a print capable of outputting the corrected image stored in the storage module 130 The image is output by transmitting to the print through the connection module 170.

If the operation of the output step (S160) is finished or the output is not selected in the step (S150) of selecting whether to output the operation of the present invention is terminated.

The image correction algorithm of the present invention may reuse an image correction algorithm conventionally used in a computer, but may use an algorithm optimized for the user interface module 150 of a portable digital camera.

FIG. 5 is a detailed flowchart of a selection step of the image correction step of FIG. 4.

When the image correction starts, the first step is to switch the user interface module 140 to the correction mode selection input mode (S210). This step is a step in which the correction area selection algorithm switches input devices in the user interface module 140 to be optimized for correction area selection. After the switching is completed, a step of selecting whether to automatically select a correction area is performed (S220). This step selects whether to select the correction area automatically or manually. The correction area selection algorithm outputs a message to the viewer module 150, for example, "Automatically select?" It is input to the user interface module 140.

If the correction area is automatically selected, the center point of the correction area is selected (S230). If the correction area is not automatically selected, a step of manually selecting a selected image (S270) is performed.

Selecting the center point of the correction area (S230) is a step of setting the criteria to automatically calculate the correction area by selecting the center point of the user-selected area. The correction area selection algorithm allows the user to view and select an image in the viewer module 150. The center point input to the user interface module 140 is shown to the user by the viewer module 150 and the center point is stored in the storage block 130.

The step of selecting whether to select the correction area radius range (S240) is to select whether to select the entire area within the range by designating a circular or similar type of the correction area, or to select the area in a manner specified by an automatic calculation algorithm. The furnace correction area selection algorithm outputs, for example, a message “Who should select the compensation area radius range” to the viewer module 150 and receives the user's selection to the user interface module 140.

If the user selects a radius range of the correction area, a step of inputting a radius size of the correction area (S250) is performed. If the correction area is not selected within the radius range, the automatic calculation of the correction area (S251) is performed.

The step of receiving the radius size input of the correction area (S250) is a step of inputting the size of the correction area in order to select the correction area having a predetermined shape based on the center point of the area selected by the user. When the size is displayed to the viewer module 150 and the user changes the size of the correction area through the user interface module 140 and the desired size is selected, the selected correction area is displayed to the user as the viewer module 150 and the storage block ( 130 stores the selected correction area.

In the step of receiving the radius size input of the correction area (S250), when inputting the radius size of the correction area, two of the existing buttons, such as the + -only button 250, the tuner button 260, and the keypad or direction buttons, are compensated for. It is more preferable to use an interface module including at least one of the modules used as the adjustment button.

The automatic calculation of the correction area (S251) is a step of automatically setting the correction area as set in the algorithm. For example, if one part of the hair is selected as the center point, the entire hair is automatically selected. . In the step of automatically calculating the correction area (S251), the correction area selection algorithm has the center point stored in the storage module 130, shows the correction area calculated by calculating the correction area in the calculation module 160, and saves the correction area to the viewer module 150. Store the selected correction area in block 130.

The step of selecting whether to manually correct the correction area (S260) is a step for correcting when a part of the automatically set correction areas is not satisfied by the user. The correction area selection algorithm is, for example, “correction area”. Manual correction ”is outputted to the viewer module 150 and the user's selection is input to the user interface module 140.

If manual correction of the correction area is selected, a step of manually selecting the correction area (S270) is performed. If the manual correction area is not selected, a step of asking for correction area selection completion (S280) is executed.

In the step of manually selecting a correction area (S270), the correction area selection algorithm is displayed to the user by the viewer module 150. The correction area selection algorithm is displayed to the user by viewing and selecting an image in the viewer module 150. The correction area input by the user is stored in the storage block 130.

In this step, inputting a correction area selected by the user includes at least one of a pad touch pad 210 proposed in the present invention, a pointing device 230 such as a pen, and a track ball 240 used in a notebook. It is more preferable to use an interface.

The step of asking for correction area selection completion (S280) is a step for selecting whether the selected correction area is as intended by the user. Will be chosen.

In the step of asking for correction area selection completion (S280), the correction area selection algorithm outputs, for example, a message “Complete correction area selection” to the viewer module 150 and sends the user's selection to the user interface module 140. Can be input.

If the selection of the correction area is completed, the calibration algorithm adjustment standby mode (S290) is performed. If the correction region selection is not completed, the process returns to the step of selecting whether to automatically select the correction region (S220) and proceeds again.

The correction algorithm adjustment standby mode (S290) is a step of preparing a correction algorithm. When the correction area selection algorithm is executed, the image correction algorithm stored in the storage module is loaded into the calculation module 160 to be prepared to execute the correction step. The operation of the selection step ends.

6 is a detailed flowchart of a correction step of the image correction step of FIG. 4.

After the preparation of the image correction algorithm is completed in the correction algorithm adjustment standby mode (S290), which is the last step of the selection step, a step of selecting the correction algorithm type (S310) is performed.

In the step of selecting a correction algorithm type (S310), an algorithm that can be selected includes a fog effect that makes the image appear to be blurred around the point or the overall blur, a cleaning effect that removes the blemishes of the area such as the face, and a point around the point of the image. There are high light effects to brighten and these algorithms can be further added to the user's needs or needs.

In the step of selecting a correction algorithm type (S310), the image correction algorithm shows the type of correction algorithms stored in the storage module 130 to the user as the viewer module 150. When the user selects the desired correction algorithm, the process proceeds to the next step of switching to the correction degree input standby mode (S320).

The correction degree input standby mode (S320) is a step of waiting for the user to input the correction degree, wherein the image correction algorithm prepares the input devices in the user interface module 140 to input the correction degree. .

Image correction (S330) is a step of correcting an image using a selected correction algorithm. The image correction algorithm shows the selected correction area to the viewer module 150 to the user, and the user corrects the correction degree to the user interface module 140. If input, the calculation is performed by the calculation module 160 using the selected correction algorithm and the result is output back to the viewer module.

The step of asking for image correction completion (S340) is a step of confirming whether further correction is to be made by using another correction algorithm in the area that has been worked so far, and the correction area selection algorithm is, for example, a message indicating whether the correction of this area is completed. The output to the viewer module 150 and receives the user's selection to the user interface module 140.

If it is selected that the correction of the region is completed, a step of asking whether to select an additional correction region (S350) is performed. If it is not selected that the correction of the region is completed, the process returns to the step of selecting the correction algorithm type (S310) and proceeds again.

The next step, asking whether to select an additional correction area (S350), is to confirm whether to correct another area of the image in addition to the correction area that has been worked so far. Message is output to the viewer module 150 and the user's selection is input to the user interface module 140.

If it is selected that the image correction has been completed, the step of storing the corrected image under another name and outputting it to the viewer module (S360) is performed. If it is not selected that the image correction has been completed, the process returns to the step of selecting whether to automatically select the correction region according to (A) (S220) and proceeds again.

Saving the corrected image under a different name and outputting the image to the viewer module (S360) may include storing the corrected image under the other name in the storage module 130 and saving the corrected result to the viewer module 150 to preserve the original image. Print it out and show it to the user.

When the step of storing the corrected image under a different name and outputting the image to the viewer module (S360) is executed, all the operations of the image correction step of the present invention are terminated.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may implement the present invention in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. I can understand that. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive.

Using the digital imager of the present invention as described above has one or more of the following effects.

First, an image correction program can be added to a digital imager, so that an image taken directly from the digital imager can be corrected.

Second, there is an advantage that the composition of the image can be easily synthesized or corrected by providing an interface that can easily specify the desired image when compositing or correcting the image.

Third, there is an advantage in that the digital image recorder can directly output the image when the image is corrected and output.

Claims (7)

A digital image photographing module capable of photographing a subject; A storage module for storing an image of the photographed subject and at least one image correction algorithm; A user interface module which receives an area to be corrected in the image and receives a selection command for one of the image correction algorithms; A calculation module for performing image correction on the area using an image correction algorithm selected according to the selection command; And It includes a viewer module for displaying the image corrected according to the image correction, The at least one image correction algorithm may include a fog effect that blurs the image, a cleaning effect that eliminates blemishes of the image, a highlight effect that brightens around a specific point of the image, and an additional input effect by the user. Portable digital imager included The method of claim 1, And a connection module for connecting the image of the photographed subject or the corrected image to a printable printer. The method of claim 1, The area has a shape having a predetermined radius around a specific point of the image selected by the user or a shape corresponding to a uniform pattern of the image, which is manually or automatically formed. The method of claim 1, The user interface module includes at least one of a touch pad, a button, a pointing interface module, and a track ball. Photographing the subject; Receiving an area to be corrected in the image of the photographed subject; Receiving a selection command for one of at least one pre-stored image correction algorithm; Performing image correction on the area using an image correction algorithm selected according to the selection command; And Displaying an image corrected according to the image correction, The at least one image correction algorithm may include a fog effect that blurs the image, a cleaning effect that eliminates blemishes of the image, a highlight effect that brightens around a specific point of the image, and an additional input effect by the user. Digital image capture method The method of claim 5, And connecting the image of the photographed subject or the corrected image to a printable printer and outputting the image. The method of claim 5, The area is a shape having a predetermined radius around a specific point of the image selected by the user or a shape corresponding to a uniform pattern of the image, the digital image photographing method is formed manually or automatically

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