KR20150071539A - Photographing apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A disclosed embodiment of the present invention relates to a photographing apparatus and a control method thereof. The photographing apparatus including a main processor and an image processor receives and processes a changing value about a photographing parameter inputted from the outside, in the image processor, thereby operating the photographing parameter immediately and improving photographing speed.

Description

[0001] Photographing apparatus and method [0002]

The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus and a control method thereof.

Recently, many mobile devices equipped with a mobile operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) are being released. These mobile OSs offer many features, including cameras. The device equipped with the mobile OS includes an image processor for providing the application processor with image data of the object coming into the image sensor for camera shooting.

When a shutter is pressed to change an operation value of a shooting parameter such as a shutter, a zoom, a focus, or the like, the mobile OS-based photographing apparatus confirms the changed contents in the application processor and transmits a command according to the changed contents to the image processor, .

The disclosed embodiments provide a photographing apparatus and a control method thereof that can quickly perform a shutter operation or a photographing parameter changing operation in a photographing apparatus including a main processor and an image processor.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a control method of a photographing apparatus including a main processor and an image processor, the method comprising: executing a photographing application for driving the photographing apparatus in the main processor; Receiving, in the image processor, an operation signal for a photographing parameter of the photographing apparatus; Controlling, in the image processor, a photographing operation of the photographing apparatus in accordance with the received operation signal; And transmitting the captured image according to the photographing operation to the main processor.

The photographing operation may include at least one of a shutter operation, a zoom operation, a focus adjustment, and a flash control.

The control method of the photographing apparatus comprising the steps of: in the image processor, transmitting result state information according to control of the photographing operation to the main processor; And displaying, in the main processor, the transmitted result state information on a display unit of the photographing apparatus.

The control method of the photographing apparatus comprising the steps of: in the image processor, transmitting control preparation state information of the photographing operation according to the received operation signal to the main processor; And displaying, in the main processor, the transferred control preparation state information on a display unit of the photographing apparatus.

The operation signal for the photographing parameter can be input through an operation unit provided in the appearance of the photographing apparatus.

The operation unit may include at least one of a shutter button, a zoom operation unit, a focus operation unit, and a flash operation unit.

The main processor may be an application processor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a photographing apparatus including a main processor and an image processor, the main processor executing a photographing application for driving the photographing apparatus; And an image processor for receiving an operation signal for a photographing parameter of the photographing apparatus, controlling an photographing operation of the photographing apparatus in accordance with the received operation signal, and transmitting a captured image according to the photographing operation to the main processor do.

The photographing operation may include at least one of a shutter operation, a zoom operation, a focus adjustment, and a flash control.

The image capturing apparatus may further include a display unit for displaying a photographing state, a photographing preparation state, and a captured image under the control of the main processor, and the image processor transmits result state information according to the control of the photographing operation to the main processor , The main processor may display the transmitted result status information on the display unit.

Wherein the image processing apparatus further comprises a display unit for displaying a shooting state, a shooting ready state, and a captured image under the control of the main processor, wherein the image processor displays control preparation state information of the shooting operation in accordance with the received operation signal To the main processor, and the main processor can display the transferred control preparation state information on the display unit.

The photographing apparatus may further include an operation section provided in an external appearance of the photographing apparatus and receiving an operation signal for the photographing parameter.

The operation unit may include at least one of a shutter button, a zoom operation unit, a focus operation unit, and a flash operation unit.

And a recording medium on which a program for executing the control method of the photographing apparatus according to another embodiment is stored in the computer.

The disclosed embodiments can improve the manipulation of shooting parameters and shooting speed in a shooting device including a main processor and an image processor.

Particularly, in contrast to the prior art in which the main processor recognizes the change information of the shutter and issues an instruction to the image processor, the image processor recognizes the change information of the shutter so that it can start shooting more quickly.

Further, as compared with the conventional technology in which the main processor recognizes the change information of the shooting parameters including the zoom change information, the focus change information, or the flash setting information and issues an instruction to the image processor, The shooting parameters can be manipulated more immediately.

1 is a view showing an appearance of a photographing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment.
2 is a schematic view of the photographing apparatus 100 shown in Fig.
3 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the photographing apparatus according to an embodiment.
4 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the photographing apparatus according to another embodiment.
5 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the photographing apparatus according to another embodiment.

These embodiments are capable of various modifications and various embodiments, and specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the description. It is to be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the scope of the specific embodiments but includes all transformations, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure disclosed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention,

The terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by terms. Terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the present application, the terms "comprises" or "having" and the like are used to specify that there is a feature, a number, a step, an operation, an element, a component or a combination thereof described in the specification, But do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and a duplicate description thereof will be omitted.

1 is a view showing an appearance of a photographing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the photographing apparatus 100 in the present embodiment is a device capable of performing various applications as well as a photographing function. The photographing apparatus 100 includes an image processor unit 101 for driving a camera and a main processor 201 for driving various applications. Here, the main processor may be an application processor (AP).

 The image processor unit 101 is composed of a lens barrel 107 and a sensor 105 composed of a focus ring 104 and a zoom ring 103 and an image processor 102 and a shutter button 106. The main processor unit 201 includes a main processor 203 and a display unit 202. It is needless to say that the illustrated configuration is roughly described for the sake of convenience of explanation and is not limited to such a configuration, and various modifications are possible.

2 is a schematic view of the photographing apparatus 100 shown in Fig.

2, the photographing apparatus 100 may be divided into an image processor block 101 and a main processor block 201, and the operation unit 120 may be connected to the image processor 102 of the image processor block 101 do.

The main processor block 201 includes a main processor 203, a display unit 202, and a storage unit 210.

The main processor 203 controls the overall operation of the photographing apparatus 100 to drive the photographing application of the photographing apparatus 100 to control photographing preparation, preparation for reproduction, display of captured images, storage and the like. The main processor 203 compresses the shot image transmitted from the image processor 102 and stores the compressed shot image in the storage unit 210 or receives the compressed shot image from the image processor 102, Can be stored.

The photographing module 110 may include a lens unit, a lens driving unit, a diaphragm, a diaphragm driving unit, an imaging device, an imaging device control unit, an analog signal processing unit, and the like, though not shown in the figure. The lens unit condenses the optical signal. The lens unit includes a zoom lens for controlling the angle of view to be narrowed or widened according to a focal length, and a focus lens for focusing the subject. The zoom lens and the subject lens may each consist of one lens, And may be a group of a plurality of lenses. The iris adjusts the degree of opening and closing to adjust the amount of incident light. The lens driving unit and the diaphragm driving unit drive the lens and iris, respectively, in accordance with a control signal from the image processor 102. The lens driving unit adjusts the position of the lens to adjust the focal length, and performs operations of auto focusing, zoom change, and focus change. The diaphragm driving unit adjusts the degree of opening / closing of the diaphragm and adjusts the f-number or the diaphragm value to perform autofocus, automatic exposure correction, focus change, depth-of-field adjustment, and the like.

The optical signal transmitted through the lens unit reaches the light-receiving surface of the image pickup element and forms an image of the object. A CCD (Charge Coupled Device), a CIS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Image Sensor) or a high-speed image sensor for converting an optical signal into an electric signal can be used as the image pickup device. In such an image pickup device, the sensitivity and the like can be adjusted by the image pickup device controller. The image pickup device control unit can control the image pickup device in accordance with a control signal automatically generated by a video signal input in real time or a control signal manually input by an operation of a user. The exposure time of the imaging element is controlled by a shutter. The shutter has a mechanical shutter for moving the shutter to adjust the incidence of light, and an electronic shutter for controlling the exposure by supplying an electric signal to the imaging element. The analog signal processing section performs noise reduction processing, gain adjustment, waveform shaping, analog-to-digital conversion processing, and the like on the analog signal supplied from the image pickup element.

The operation unit 120 is a part capable of inputting a control signal from the outside of a user or the like. The operation unit 120 includes a shutter button 106 (shown in FIG. 1) for inputting a shutter release signal for exposing an image pickup device to light for a predetermined time and taking a picture, a control signal for controlling the power on / off A power button, a wide-angle zoom button and a telephoto-zoom button for widening the angle of view or narrowing the angle of view according to the input, or a zoom ring 103 as shown in Fig. 1, A focus ring 104, a mode for selecting a character input mode, a photographing mode, and a playback mode, a white balance setting function selection, and an exposure setting function selection.

The photographing apparatus 100 stores programs such as an operating system and an application system for driving the photographing apparatus 100, and data or result data necessary for the operation of the photographing apparatus 100 in the storage unit 210. The main processor 203 executes programs necessary for the stored photographing operation.

The photographing apparatus 100 includes a display unit 210 for displaying an operation state of the photographing apparatus 100 or photographed image information. The display unit 210 can provide visual information and auditory information to the user. In order to provide visual information, the display unit 210 may include a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting display panel (OLED), or the like. The display unit 210 displays image data output from the main processor 203.

The image processor 102 processes the input image signals and controls the components according to the external input signals. The image processor 102 reduces the noise of the input image data and performs a gamma correction, a color filter array interpolation, a color matrix, a color correction, Image enhancement such as color enhancement can be performed. Also, the image data generated by the image signal processing for image quality improvement may be compressed to generate an image file, or the image data may be recovered from the image file. The compression format of the image may be reversible or irreversible. As an example of a suitable format, conversion to JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format or JPEG 2000 format is also possible. Although the image processor 102 compresses the image data, it is needless to say that the main processor 203 can receive and compress the image data. The compressed data is stored in the storage unit 210. The image processor 102 can also functionally perform blurring processing, color processing, blur processing, edge emphasis processing, image analysis processing, image recognition processing, image effect processing, and the like. The face recognizing process, the scene recognizing process, and the like can be performed by the image recognizing process. For example, brightness level adjustment, color correction, contrast adjustment, contour enhancement adjustment, screen division processing, character image generation, and image synthesis processing can be performed.

The image processor 102 also generates a control signal for controlling autofocus, zoom change, focus change, automatic exposure correction, and the like to provide the control signal to the lens driver, the iris driver, and the image sensor controller, It is possible to control the operation of the components provided in the main body 110 as a whole.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, embodiments for improving the operation of photographing parameters and the photographing speed in the photographing apparatus including the main processor and the image processor will be described in detail.

In one embodiment, the shutter 106 is included in the image processor unit 101 to deliver the shutter release signal directly to the image processor unit 101, without going through the main processor 203. [ The photographing is performed in accordance with the shutter release signal transmitted to the image processor unit 101, and the image information (image data or compressed image data) of the photographed object is transmitted to the main processor 203.

The main processor 203 stores the image information of the subject transferred from the image processor 102 in a storage unit 210 or a memory card (not shown) as a file.

Therefore, in the conventional photographing apparatus including the main processor and the image processor, when the shutter is pressed for photographing, it takes time for the main processor to check the change value of the shutter and send the photographing command to the image processor, In the photographing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, only the photographing application is driven by the main processor 203, the shutter operation signal is directly received by the image processor 102, By transferring the data to the main processor 210, the shutter rack can be reduced.

In another embodiment, the zoom ring 103 is included in the image processor unit 101 to provide an electrical signal of the zoom value changed by the operation of the user's zoom ring 103 to the image processor unit 102). The image processor 102 performs a zoom in / zoom out operation according to the transmitted zoom value, and transmits operation completion information to the main processor 203 after completing the operation.

The main processor 203 may display the zoom operation completion information transmitted from the image processor 102 as zoom state information on the display unit 202. [

Therefore, in the conventional photographing apparatus including the main processor and the image processor, when the zoom button is pressed or the zoom ring is operated to change the zoom, the main processor confirms the change value of the zoom button or the zoom ring, It takes a long time to send the command and thus the instantaneous response is not obtained when the zoom button or the zoom ring is operated. However, in the photographing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, only the photographing application is driven by the main processor 203, The image processor 102 directly receives zoom-in or zoom-out operation by manipulating the zoom lens according to the changed zoom value, and transmits the zoom-completion information to the main processor 210 to promptly respond to the zoom operation of the user .

In another embodiment, the focus ring 104 is included in the image processor unit 101 to direct electrical signals of the focus value of the focus ring 104 directly to the image processor 102 without going through the main processor 203 do. The image processor 102 drives the focus lens according to the transmitted focus signal to perform a focus change operation and transmits the operation completion information to the main processor 203 when the focus lens is driven.

The main processor 203 receives the focus change operation completion signal transmitted from the image processor 102 and displays the changed focus state on the display unit 202. [

Therefore, in the conventional photographing apparatus including the main processor and the image processor, when the user operates the focus ring to perform the manual focus, the time until the main processor confirms the change value of the focus ring and sends a focus change signal to the image processor In the photographing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, only the photographing application is driven in the main processor 203, and the focus change signal is outputted to the image processor 102 directly And transmits the focus operation completion information to the main processor 210 by driving the focus lens according to the changed focus value, thereby promptly responding to the focus operation of the user.

3 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the photographing apparatus according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, a main processor and an image processor are started. Here, after the main processor finishes booting, the main processor may start the image processor, or may be boot finished.

In step 300, the main processor drives the camera application.

In step 301, it is determined whether the shutter button connected to the image processor is pressed, i.e., whether the user's photographing intention is inputted. When the shutter button is pressed, the image processor that has received the shutter release signal transmits user feedback information informing the main processor that the photographing is started, and in step 303, the photographing operation is performed. In step 302, the main processor, which has received the user feedback information, displays a UI corresponding to the feedback information to the user.

In step 305, the image processor transmits the photographed image data to the main processor, and in step 304, the main processor stores the received photographed image data. Here, the image processor may compress the photographed image data and transmit the compressed image data to the main processor. Alternatively, the image processor may transmit the image data before compression and compress the stored photographed image data in the main processor.

4 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the photographing apparatus according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, in step 400, the main processor drives a camera application.

In step 401, a zoom operation button or a zoom ring connected to the image processor is operated to judge whether the zoom state has been changed, that is, whether the user intends to change the zoom. When the zoom state is changed, the image processor transmits user feedback information indicating that zooming is to be changed to the main processor, and in step 403, the zoom-in / zoom-out operation is performed according to the changed zoom value. In step 402, the main processor, which has received the user feedback information, displays the UI corresponding to the feedback information to the user.

In step 405, the image processor sends a zoom operation completion message to the main processor, and in step 404, the main processor confirms the completion of the zoom operation transmitted and displays the UI corresponding to the completion of the zoom operation to the user.

5 is a flowchart for explaining a control method of the photographing apparatus according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, in step 500, the main processor drives a camera application.

In step 501, a focus button or a focus ring connected to the image processor is operated to judge whether the focus state has been changed, that is, whether the focus change intention of the user exists. When the focus state is changed, the image processor transmits user feedback information indicating that the focus is changed to the main processor, and in step 503, the focus change operation is performed according to the changed focus value. In step 502, the main processor, which has received the user feedback information, displays the UI corresponding to the feedback information to the user.

In step 505, the image processor sends a focus change operation complete message to the main processor, and in step 504, the main processor confirms the completed focus operation completion and displays the UI corresponding to the completion of the focus operation.

The photographing apparatus and the control method thereof according to the disclosed embodiments have been described with respect to the shutter, the zoom change, and the focus change in the photographing apparatus including the main processor and the image processor. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, May be applied in the same manner.

The disclosed embodiments can improve the manipulation and shooting speed of shooting parameters in a photographing apparatus including a main processor and an image processor, and more particularly, Thus, the image processor can recognize the change information of the shutter, so that it can start shooting more quickly. The main processor recognizes the change information of the shooting parameters including the zoom change information, the focus change information or the flash setting information, Compared with the prior art, the image processor recognizes the change information of the shooting parameters, so that the shooting parameters can be manipulated more immediately.

An apparatus according to the present embodiments may include a processor, a memory for storing and executing program data, a permanent storage such as a disk drive, a communication port for communicating with an external device, a user such as a touch panel, a key, Interface devices, and the like. Methods implemented with software modules or algorithms may be stored on a computer readable recording medium as computer readable codes or program instructions executable on the processor. Here, the computer-readable recording medium may be a magnetic storage medium such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a floppy disk, a hard disk, ), And a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). The computer-readable recording medium may be distributed over networked computer systems so that computer readable code can be stored and executed in a distributed manner. The medium is readable by a computer, stored in a memory, and executable on a processor.

This embodiment may be represented by functional block configurations and various processing steps. These functional blocks may be implemented in a wide variety of hardware and / or software configurations that perform particular functions. For example, embodiments may include integrated circuit components such as memory, processing, logic, look-up tables, etc., that may perform various functions by control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices Can be employed. Similar to how components may be implemented with software programming or software components, the present embodiments may be implemented in a variety of ways, including C, C ++, Java (" Java), an assembler, and the like. Functional aspects may be implemented with algorithms running on one or more processors. In addition, the present embodiment can employ conventional techniques for electronic environment setting, signal processing, and / or data processing. Terms such as "mechanism", "element", "means", "configuration" may be used broadly and are not limited to mechanical and physical configurations. The term may include the meaning of a series of routines of software in conjunction with a processor or the like.

The specific implementations described in this embodiment are illustrative and do not in any way limit the scope of the invention. For brevity of description, descriptions of conventional electronic configurations, control systems, software, and other functional aspects of such systems may be omitted. Also, the connections or connecting members of the lines between the components shown in the figures are illustrative of functional connections and / or physical or circuit connections, which may be replaced or additionally provided by a variety of functional connections, physical Connection, or circuit connections.

In this specification (particularly in the claims), the use of the terms " above " and similar indication words may refer to both singular and plural. In addition, when a range is described, it includes the individual values belonging to the above range (unless there is a description to the contrary), and the individual values constituting the above range are described in the detailed description. Finally, if there is no explicit description or contradiction to the steps constituting the method, the steps may be performed in an appropriate order. It is not necessarily limited to the description order of the above steps. The use of all examples or exemplary terms (e. G., The like) is merely intended to be illustrative of technical ideas and is not to be limited in scope by the examples or the illustrative terminology, except as by the appended claims. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, and alterations may be made depending on design criteria and factors within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof.

100:
101: Image processor unit
102: Image processor
201: main processor unit
203: main processor

Claims (15)

A control method of a photographing apparatus including a main processor and an image processor,
Executing an imaging application for driving the imaging device in the main processor;
Receiving, in the image processor, an operation signal for a photographing parameter of the photographing apparatus;
Controlling, in the image processor, a photographing operation of the photographing apparatus in accordance with the received operation signal; And
And transmitting the captured image according to the photographing operation to the main processor. The method according to claim 1,
In the photographing operation,
A shutter operation, a zoom operation, a focus adjustment, and a flash control. The method according to claim 1,
In the image processor, transmitting result state information according to the control of the photographing operation to the main processor; And
And displaying the transferred result state information on the display unit of the photographing apparatus in the main processor. The method according to claim 1,
Transmitting, in the image processor, control preparation state information of the photographing operation according to the received operation signal to the main processor; And
And displaying, in the main processor, the transferred control preparation state information on a display unit of the photographing apparatus. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the operation signal for the photographing parameter includes:
And input through an operation unit provided in an external appearance of the photographing apparatus. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein,
A shutter button, a zoom operation portion, a focus operation portion, and a flash operation portion. The method according to claim 1,
The main processor,
A control method of a photographing apparatus which is an application processor. A recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is recorded. A photographing apparatus comprising a main processor and an image processor,
A main processor for executing a photographing application for driving the photographing apparatus; And
And an image processor for receiving an operation signal for a photographing parameter of the photographing apparatus, controlling an photographing operation of the photographing apparatus in accordance with the received operation signal, and transmitting a captured image according to the photographing operation to the main processor Shooting device. 10. The method of claim 9,
In the photographing operation,
A shutter operation, a zoom operation, a focus adjustment, and a flash control. 9. The method of claim 8,
Further comprising a display unit for displaying a shooting state, a shooting ready state, and a captured image under the control of the main processor,
Wherein the image processor transmits result state information according to the control of the photographing operation to the main processor,
And the main processor displays the transmitted result status information on the display unit. 9. The method of claim 8,
Further comprising a display unit for displaying a shooting state, a shooting ready state, and a captured image under the control of the main processor,
Wherein the image processor transmits control preparation state information of the photographing operation according to the received operation signal to the main processor,
And the main processor displays the transferred control preparation state information on the display unit. 9. The method of claim 8,
Further comprising an operation unit provided on an external appearance of the photographing apparatus, for receiving an operation signal for the photographing parameter. 14. The method of claim 13,
Wherein,
A shutter button, a zoom operation portion, a focus operation portion, and a flash operation portion. 9. The method of claim 8,
Wherein the main processor is an application processor.

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