KR20090072505A - Apparatus and method for adjusting white balance according to user selection in digital image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and a method for adjusting white balance according to user selection in digital image processing device are provided to control white balance of an entire image by using color information about arbitrary area selected by a user in a live view video. An arbitrary region is selected from live view video divided into a fixed number(607). When an image is taken a picture(611), a white balance adjustment coefficient is calculated from color information of the selected region as described above(613). The white balance adjustment coefficient is applied to entire image(615).

Description

Apparatus and method for adjusting white balance according to user selection in digital image processing device}

The present invention relates to a digital image processing apparatus and method, and more particularly, to a user selection in a digital image processor that adjusts a white balance of an entire image by using color information of an arbitrary region selected by a user in a live view image. The present invention relates to a white balance adjusting device and method.

A general white balance adjustment technique performs white balance using color data of an entire captured image or color data of a portion of an image. In the case of such white balance adjustment, the photographed image is used, which complicates the procedure for entering and operating the menu for white balance adjustment, and acquires a new image every time the light source is changed to adjust the white balance. It's complicated to do.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is the white according to the user's selection in the digital image processor that adjusts the white balance of the entire image after shooting using the color information of any area selected by the user of the region-viewed live view image A balance adjusting device and method are provided.

White balance adjustment device according to user selection in a digital image processor to solve the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is a digital image processor, the image is captured after a predetermined region is selected from the live view image divided into a predetermined number of regions In this case, it is preferable to include digital signal processing means for calculating a white balance adjustment coefficient from the color information of the selected area and applying it to the entire image.

In one embodiment, the digital signal processing means comprises: a region dividing unit for dividing the live view image into a predetermined number of regions; And a white balance adjusting unit configured to calculate a white balance adjustment coefficient from the color information of the selected area and apply the image to the entire image when an image is photographed after an arbitrary region is selected.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus may further include a point designation unit which designates an arbitrary point in the selected area, and when the image is captured, the white balance adjustment unit calculates a white balance adjustment coefficient from the designated point and applies it to the entire image. can do.

The white balance adjustment method according to a user selection in the digital image processor according to the first embodiment to solve the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is an operation method of the digital image processor, (a) a live view image of a predetermined number of areas Dividing into and receiving an arbitrary region selection signal; And (b) when the live view image is captured, calculating a white balance adjustment coefficient from the color information of the selected area and applying the same to the entire image.

The white balance adjustment method according to the user selection in the digital image processor according to the second embodiment to solve the technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is an operation method of the digital image processor, (a) a live view image of a predetermined number of areas Dividing into and receiving an arbitrary region selection signal; (b) designating an arbitrary point from the selected area; And (c) when the live view image is captured, calculating a white balance adjustment coefficient from the color information of the designated point and applying it to the entire image.

According to the present invention, by adjusting the white balance of the entire image after the shooting by using the color information of any area selected by the user of the area-viewed live view image, the white balance adjustment is simplified without complicated procedures. Create the effect of increasing convenience.

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

1 is a perspective view showing the front and top appearance of a digital image processor.

The shutter release button 11 is opened and closed to expose the CCD or film to light for a predetermined time, and records the image on the CCD by properly exposing the subject in conjunction with an aperture (not shown).

The shutter release button 11 generates the first and second image capturing signals by a photographer input. When the first shutter release button 11 as a half shutter signal is input, the digital image processing apparatus focuses and adjusts the amount of light, and when the focus is achieved, the green light is turned on in the display unit 25. . When focus is achieved by the input of the first shutter release button 11 and the amount of light is adjusted, the second shutter release button 11 as a full shutter signal is input to capture an image.

The power button 13 is input to supply power to and operate the digital image processing apparatus.

The flash 15 brightens the bright light instantly when shooting in a dark place. Flash modes include auto flash, forced flash, flash off, red-eye reduction, and slow synchro.

The auxiliary light 17 supplies light to the subject so that the digital image processing apparatus automatically focuses quickly and accurately when the amount of light is insufficient or at night.

The lens unit 19 receives light from an external light source and processes an image.

FIG. 2 is a rear view illustrating a rear shape of the digital image processor illustrated in FIG. 1, and includes a wide-angle zoom button 21w, a telephoto-zoom button 21t, a display unit 23, and a touch sensor or a contact switch. Input buttons B1 to B14 (hereinafter referred to as buttons B1 to B14).

The wide-angle zoom button 21w or the tele-zoom button 21t increases the angle of view or narrows the angle of view depending on the input, particularly when the size of the selected exposure area is to be changed. When the wide-zoom button 21w is input, the size of the selected exposure area is reduced, and when the tele-zoom button 21t is input, the size of the selected exposure area is increased.

The buttons B1 to B14 are provided in the horizontal column and the vertical column of the display unit 23. The buttons B1 to B14 provided in the horizontal and vertical columns of the display unit 23 are provided with a touch sensor (not shown) or a contact switch (not shown).

That is, the buttons B1 to B14 are provided with a touch sensor to move up / down / left / right in a state where the buttons B1 to B7 in the horizontal row or the buttons B8 to B14 in the vertical row are touched. You can select any value (eg, color or brightness) from the items, or activate the submenu icons included in the main menu icon.

In addition, the buttons B1 to B14 are provided with contact switches so that the corresponding function can be executed by directly selecting the main menu icon and the submenu icon. The touch sensor requires only a weak touch relative to the contact switch input, but the contact switch input requires a relatively strong touch compared to the touch sensor input.

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a white balance adjustment device according to a user selection in the digital image processor according to the present invention. The display unit 23, the user input unit 31, the imaging unit 33, and the image processing unit 35 are illustrated in FIG. , A storage unit 37 and a digital signal processing unit 39.

The user input unit 31 has a shutter release button 11 that opens and closes to expose the CCD or film to light for a predetermined time, a power button 13 that inputs to supply power, and widens the angle of view according to the input, Wide-zoom button 21w and tele-zoom button 21t for narrowing the distance, and touch sensors or contact switches provided in horizontal and vertical columns around the display unit 23 for character input or menu selection and execution. There are buttons B1 to B14 provided.

The imaging unit 33 includes a shutter, a lens unit, an aperture, a charge coupled device (CCD), and an ADC, which are not shown in the figure. The shutter is a mechanism for adjusting the amount of light exposed together with the aperture. The lens unit receives light from an external light source and processes an image. At this time, the iris adjusts the amount of light incident (light quantity) according to the degree of opening and closing. The opening and closing degree of the iris is controlled by the digital signal processing unit 39.

The CCD accumulates the amount of light input through the lens unit and outputs an image captured by the lens unit in accordance with the accumulated light amount in accordance with the vertical synchronization signal. Image acquisition of the digital image processing apparatus is performed by a CCD that converts light reflected from a subject into an electrical signal. In order to obtain a color image using a CCD, a color filter is required, and most of them employ a filter (not shown) called a color filter array (CFA). CFA has a structure arranged regularly by passing only one color light per pixel, and has various shapes according to the arrangement structure. The ADC converts an analog video signal output from the CCD into a digital signal.

The image processor 35 performs signal processing to display the digitally converted RAW data. The image processor 35 removes the black level caused by the dark current generated by the CCD and the CFA filter that are sensitive to the temperature change. The image processor 35 performs gamma adjustment to encode information according to nonlinearity of human vision. The image processor 35 performs CFA interpolation to interpolate the Bayer pattern implemented by the RGRG line and the GBGB line of the gamma-adjusted predetermined data into the RGB line. The image processing unit 35 converts the interpolated RGB signal into a YUV signal and filters the Y signal by a high band filter to clearly process the image, and uses the standard color coordinate system to adjust the color values of the U and V signals. Perform color correction to correct and remove their noise. The image processor 35 compresses and signals the Y, U, and V signals from which the noise is removed to generate a JPEG file, and the generated JPEG file is displayed on the display unit 23 and stored in the storage unit 37. . All of the operations of the image processor 35 operate under the control of the digital signal processor 39.

The digital signal processor 39 calculates the white balance adjustment coefficient from the color information of the selected area and applies it to the entire image when an image is captured after a certain area is selected from the live view image divided into a predetermined number of areas.

To this end, the digital signal processor 39 includes an area divider 39-1, a white balance adjuster 39-2, a point designator 30-3, and a controller 39-4.

The region dividing unit 39-1 divides the live view image displayed on the display unit 23 into a predetermined number of regions. 4 shows an example in which an arbitrary live view image is divided into 3 × 3 pieces, and may be divided into 4 × 4, 5 × 5, and the like.

The controller 39-4 receives an arbitrary region selection signal among the divided regions from the user, calculates color information from the RAW data of the corresponding region, and temporarily stores it. In the case of region selection, not only one region is selected but a plurality of regions may be selected using the direction keys, that is, the buttons B1 to B14. As an example, the controller 39-4 receiving the selection signal of an arbitrary region 401 in the live view image of FIG. 4 calculates and temporarily stores color information from the RAW data of the region 401.

After the area is selected, when an image is captured by the input of the shutter-release button 11, the white balance adjusting unit 39-2 adjusts the white balance adjustment coefficient from the color information of the selected area that is temporarily stored in the control unit 39-4. Is calculated and applied to the entire captured image. The white balance adjusting unit 39-2 compares the color coordinates of the R, G, and B color coordinates of the pixel displayed in white with the color coordinates of the white R, G, and B as reference, and calculates a white balance adjustment coefficient therefrom. Apply to the entire image.

The point designation unit 39-3 designates an arbitrary point in the selected area when it is desired to perform a deeper white balance adjustment than the area division. In the case of point designation, not only one point is designated but also a plurality of point designations are possible using direction keys, that is, buttons B1 to B14. For example, the controller 39-4 that receives an arbitrary point 501 designation signal in the region 401 after the region 401 is selected in the live view image of FIG. 5 may include the RAW data of the point 501. The color information is calculated from and stored temporarily.

After the point designation, when the image is captured by the input of the shutter-release button 11, the white balance adjusting unit 39-2 uses the white balance adjustment coefficient from the color information of the designated point stored temporarily in the control unit 39-4. Is calculated and applied to the entire captured image.

A hot key can be provided so that the white balance adjustment of the present invention can be performed immediately in a digital image processor supporting live view image, and it can be easily performed when entering the white balance adjustment using this.

Hereinafter, the zoom-in method through face recognition in the digital image processor according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. In the digital image processor according to the present invention, the zoom-in method through face recognition may be performed in the digital image processor as shown in FIG. 3. According to an embodiment, the main algorithm of the operation method may include peripheral components in a device. It may be performed inside the digital signal processing unit 39 with the help of these.

First, a method of adjusting white balance according to user selection in the digital image processor according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

If the live view image is displayed on the display unit 23 (step 601), and the custom white balance adjustment menu is selected (step 603), the digital signal processor 39 divides the area of the live view image (step 605). When a hot key is provided so that the white balance adjustment of the present invention is performed immediately in a digital image processor that supports a live view image, when the corresponding hot key is input, the digital signal processor 39 can easily divide the area of the live view image. Can be. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the digital signal processor 39 may divide an arbitrary live view image into 3 × 3 pieces, and may divide the live signal into 4 × 4, 5 × 5, and the like.

When the area is divided, the digital signal processing unit 39 receives an arbitrary area selection signal from the user (step 607), calculates color information from the raw data of the selected area and temporarily stores it (step 609). In the case of region selection, not only one region is selected but a plurality of regions may be selected using the direction keys, that is, the buttons B1 to B14. The digital signal processing unit 39 that receives an arbitrary region 401 selection signal from the live view image illustrated in FIG. 4 calculates and temporarily stores color information from the RAW data of the region 401.

After the color information is calculated, when the image is captured by the input of the shutter-release button 11 (step 611), the digital signal processor 39 calculates the white balance adjustment coefficient from the color information of the temporarily stored and stored area ( Step 613). The digital signal processing unit 39 compares the color coordinates of the R, G, and B color coordinates of the pixel represented by white with the color coordinates of the white R, G, and B as the reference, and calculates a white balance adjustment coefficient therefrom.

Thereafter, the digital signal processor 39 applies the calculated white balance adjustment coefficient to the entire photographed image (step 615), and displays or stores the white balance adjusted image (step 617).

Next, a method of adjusting white balance according to user selection in the digital image processor according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

If the live view image is displayed on the display unit 23 (step 701) and the custom white balance adjustment menu is selected (step 703), the digital signal processor 39 divides the area of the live view image (step 705). If a hot key is provided so that the white balance adjustment of the present invention can be performed immediately in a digital image processor that supports a live view image, the digital signal processor 39 can easily divide the area of the live view image when the corresponding hot key is input. have. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the digital signal processor 39 may divide an arbitrary live view image into 3 × 3 pieces, and may divide the live signal into 4 × 4, 5 × 5, and the like.

If the area is divided, the digital signal processor 39 receives an arbitrary area selection signal from the user (step 707).

When the region is selected, the digital signal processor 39 receives an arbitrary point designation signal in the region selected by the user (step 709). If you want to perform deeper white balance adjustment than region division, you can specify any point in the selected region. In the case of point designation, not only one point is designated but also a plurality of point designations are possible using direction keys, that is, buttons B1 to B14.

If a point is designated, the digital signal processor 39 calculates color information from the RAW data of the selected point and temporarily stores it (step 711). After the arbitrary region 401 is selected in the live view image of FIG. 5, the digital signal processing unit 39 that receives the predetermined point 501 designation signal in the region 401 is colored from the RAW data of the point 501. Generate information and store it temporarily.

After the color information is calculated, when the image is captured by the input of the shutter-release button 11 (step 713), the digital signal processing unit 39 calculates the white balance adjustment coefficient from the color information of the designated point stored temporarily ( Step 715). The digital signal processing unit 39 compares the color coordinates of the R, G, and B color coordinates of the pixel represented by white with the color coordinates of the white R, G, and B as reference, and calculates a white balance adjustment coefficient therefrom.

Thereafter, the digital signal processor 39 applies the calculated white balance adjustment coefficient to the entire photographed image (step 717), and displays or stores the white balance adjusted image (step 719).

1 is a perspective view showing the front and top appearance of a digital image processor.

FIG. 2 is a rear view illustrating a rear shape of the digital image processor illustrated in FIG. 1.

3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an apparatus for adjusting white balance according to user selection in a digital image processor according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing an arbitrary region selection from a divided region for adjusting white balance of a live view image in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing an arbitrary point designation from a divided area for adjusting white balance of a live view image in FIG. 3.

6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a method for adjusting white balance according to user selection in the digital image processor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a method of adjusting white balance according to user selection in a digital image processor according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (5)

As a digital image processor, When an image is captured after an arbitrary region is selected from the live view image divided into a predetermined number of regions, a user selection including digital signal processing means for calculating a white balance adjustment coefficient from the color information of the selected region and applying it to the entire image. White balance adjustment device according to. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital signal processing means An area divider dividing the live view image into a predetermined number of areas; And And a white balance adjustment unit configured to calculate a white balance adjustment coefficient from the color information of the selected area and apply it to the entire image when an image is captured after an arbitrary region is selected. The method of claim 2, Further comprising a point designation for designating an arbitrary point in the selected area, The white balance adjustment unit The white balance adjustment device according to the user's selection, when the image is captured, a white balance adjustment coefficient is calculated from the designated point and applied to the entire image. As an operation method of a digital image processor, (a) dividing the live view image into a predetermined number of regions and receiving an arbitrary region selection signal; And (b) when the live view image is captured, calculating a white balance adjustment coefficient from color information of the selected area and applying the white balance adjustment coefficient to the entire image. As an operation method of a digital image processor, (a) dividing the live view image into a predetermined number of regions and receiving an arbitrary region selection signal; (b) designating an arbitrary point from the selected area; And and (c) calculating the white balance adjustment coefficient from the color information of the designated point and applying it to the entire image when the live view image is captured.

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