Description of drawings
Figure 1A is the schematic diagram of traditional image acquisition module;
Figure 1B is the schematic diagram that traditional image acquisition module produces signal of video signal;
Fig. 2 is the embodiment schematic diagram of image acquisition module;
Fig. 3 is the embodiment schematic diagram of the inner signal of video signal of image acquisition module;
Fig. 4 is another embodiment schematic diagram of image acquisition module;
Fig. 5 is the embodiment schematic diagram that comprises delay time T;
Fig. 6 is the embodiment schematic diagram that comprises identiflication number;
Fig. 7 is the embodiment schematic diagram of buffer memory unit;
Fig. 8 A is the embodiment schematic diagram that comprises the image capture ready mode;
Fig. 8 B is another embodiment schematic diagram that comprises the image capture ready mode;
Fig. 9 is the embodiment flow chart of image acquisition method;
Figure 10 is another embodiment flow chart of image acquisition method.
The main element symbol description
100 image acquisition modules
200 image sources
210 image data crossfires
300 signal of video signal processing units
310 previewing video streamings
311 first previewing images are looked lattice
312 second previewing images are looked lattice
313 the 3rd previewing images are looked lattice
330 image output crossfires
331 first image outputs are looked lattice
332 second image outputs are looked lattice
333 the 3rd image outputs are looked lattice
411 first identiflication numbers
500 previewing interface module
600 fundamental frequency processor/displays
700 images are kept in module
710 buffer memory unit
711,712,719 working areas
730 image compression units
800 image capture orders
810 image capture warning orders
910 CPU
930 shutters
931 first sections triggerings
932 second sections triggerings
Embodiment
The present invention provides the image acquisition method of a kind of image acquisition module and use thereof.With preferred embodiment, image acquisition module of the present invention and image acquisition method are to be applied in the digital camera; Yet in different embodiment, image acquisition module of the present invention and image acquisition method need also to can be applicable in other electronic installations of IPF, for example mobile phone, personal digital assistant, Satellite Navigation Set, the electronic game machine of hand held etc.
As shown in Figure 2, image acquisition module 100 mainly comprises the temporary module 700 of signal of video signal processing unit 300, previewing interface module 500 and image.Image acquisition module 100 is to be connected in image source 200, and receives the image data crossfire 210 that image source 200 provides.Image source 200 preferable various image sensor, for example charge coupled cell (CCD), the CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) (CMOS) etc. of comprising.Image source 200 is to receive extraneous light and be converted to electronic signal and produce image data crossfire 210, and signal of video signal processing unit 300 then self imaging source 200 receives image data crossfires 210.In this preferred embodiment, the image data crossfire 210 that image source 200 produces is according to fixed time sequence and with fixedly resolution output.So in different embodiment, image source 200 produces the sequential of image data crossfires 210/look the lattice frequency or resolution also can suitably be switched to reach extra effect.
As shown in Figure 2, the image data crossfire 210 of 300 pairs of receptions of signal of video signal processing unit is handled, to produce previewing video streaming 310 and image output crossfire 330.Previewing video streaming 310 is preferably by 300 pairs of image data crossfires of signal of video signal processing unit 210 and is undertaken forming after resolution reduction or adjustment data formats etc. are handled.Preferable RGB or the yuv format of can be of the data formats of previewing video streaming 310 is to meet the usefulness of follow-up previewing or output.In addition, signal of video signal processing unit 300 also can carry out the noise filtering or other handle to form previewing video streaming 310 to image data crossfire 210.
Previewing video streaming 310 is sent in the previewing interface module 500.In certain products design, previewing interface module 500 can be connected in the fundamental frequency processor of system on demand, is connected to afterwards on the application apparatus such as display again; Yet in different embodiment, previewing interface module 500 also is designed to be directly connected on the application apparatus such as display, so that the previewing image to be provided.As shown in Figure 2, previewing interface module 500 namely outwards exports on fundamental frequency processor/display 600 application apparatus such as grade of system after receiving previewing video streaming 310.After fundamental frequency processor/display 600 a certain in complete reception previewing video streaming 310 looked lattice, the image that namely this can be looked lattice showed that becoming the previewing image watches for the user.
As shown in Figure 2, image output crossfire 330 is preferably and adjusts data formats or noise filtering etc. by 300 pairs of image data crossfires 210 of signal of video signal processing unit and handle the back and form.Preferable RGB, YUV or the RAW form of can be of the data formats of image output crossfire 330 is to meet the usefulness of subsequent compression or output.In preferred embodiment, signal of video signal processing unit 300 can't reduce resolution to image data crossfire 210 and handle to form image output crossfire 330; So in different embodiment, the mode that image output crossfire 330 can also reduce resolution forms, to cooperate different system's output demands.
Image output crossfire 330 after the generation is to be transferred into the temporary module 700 of image; In other words, previewing video streaming 310 and image output crossfire 330 are to form two independently signal paths, and are transferred into different places and carry out subsequent treatment.Have at least one buffer memory unit 710 in the temporary module 700 of image, image output crossfire 330 then is temporary in the buffer memory unit 710.In preferred embodiment shown in Figure 2, include image compression unit 730 in the temporary module 700 of image and be arranged at before the buffer memory unit 710.Image output crossfire 330 is temporary via entering in the buffer memory unit 710 after 730 compressions of image compression unit again.In preferred embodiment, image compression unit 730 is to be JPEG image compression engine, and the lattice of looking in the image output crossfire 330 are distinguished boil down to JPEG image format; Yet in different embodiment, image compression unit 730 also can be the image compression engine of different-format.
As shown in Figure 3, include in the previewing video streaming 310 that the first previewing image is looked lattice 311, lattice 312 looked by the second previewing image and the 3rd previewing image is looked lattice 313; Include in the image output crossfire 330 that first image output is looked lattice 331, second image output looks lattice 332 and the 3rd image output is looked lattice 333.Wherein the first previewing image is looked lattice 311, the second previewing image and is looked lattice 312 and the 3rd previewing image and look lattice 313 and correspond respectively to that first image output is looked lattice 331, second image output looks lattice 332 and the 3rd image output is looked lattice 333; In other words, the first previewing image is looked lattice 311 and first image output to look lattice 331 is that same lattice of looking in the raw video data stream 210 that is provided by image source 200 are produced.Follow-up other previewing and image output looked lattice also the rest may be inferred.Yet in preferred embodiment, need cooperate the pixel specification of display to adjust resolution usually because the previewing image is looked lattice, therefore the first previewing image image analytic degree of looking lattice 311 is preferably the image analytic degree of looking lattice 331 less than first image output.
In preferred embodiment shown in Figure 3, when in the previewing pattern, when the first previewing image was looked lattice 311 and received and export by previewing interface module 500, first image output was looked lattice 331 are also received by the temporary module 700 of image synchronously and is temporary.When the previewing interface module 500 complete output first previewing images are looked lattice 311 to fundamental frequency processor/display 600, the first previewing image is looked lattice 311 and just can be shown as watching for the user for the previewing image.In other words, look lattice 311 and press shutter or start other trigger equipments and when entering the image capture pattern when the user sees the first previewing image, the first previewing image is looked lattice 311 by 500 complete outputs of previewing interface module, and first image output is looked lattice 331 also by temporary 700 complete receptions of module of image and temporary.
Can produce image capture order 800 and enter the image capture pattern owing to the user presses shutter or starts other trigger equipments, this moment, lattice 331 were namely looked as the image output of acquisition according to first image output that image capture order 800 outputs are kept in by system.In addition, first image output is looked lattice 331 also can be transferred into previewing image module 500 with outside output, supplies user's affirmation or inspects the image output of acquisition.Because it is to look lattice 331 corresponding to first image output that the first previewing image is looked lattice 311; That is both presentation content are the same lattice of looking that come from image data crossfire 210, and both shown images are identical naturally.By this design, can avoid the delay of shutter or image processing, and produce user finding image and actual drop that obtains between image output when pressing shutter thereupon.
In addition, in this preferred embodiment, when producing image capture order 800 with after entering the image capture pattern, the temporary module 700 of previewing interface module 500 and image can stop to receive previewing video streaming 310 and image output crossfire 330 respectively, to reduce power consumption.Yet when leaving the image capture pattern and entering the previewing pattern again, the temporary module 700 of previewing interface module 500 and image namely begins to receive previewing video streaming 310 and image output crossfire 330 respectively.
In the embodiment shown in fig. 4, image acquisition module 100 and include CPU 910 and shutter 930.Shutter 930 is the operation generation image capture orders 800 according to the user, and is sent to CPU 910.In different embodiment, shutter 930 also can be made of contact panel or other trigger equipments.When CPU 910 received image capture order 800, namely according to the generation time point of image capture order 800, the first corresponding image output of access output was looked lattice 331 in buffer memory unit 710.
In the embodiment shown in fig. 5, the time point that system receives image capture order 800 be the second previewing image look lattice 312 by the process that previewing interface module 500 received and exported in, this moment, display 600 shown previewing images were to look lattice 311 for the first previewing image.Yet because delaying of causing on fundamental frequency processor/display 600 or other processing data, it is not that next that be right after after the first previewing image is looked lattice 311 looked lattice that the second previewing image is looked lattice 312.Accompany between the two one or several other previewing images look lattice 315.For correct output is looked lattice 311 corresponding image with user's previewing finding first previewing image, CPU 910 is to judge the image output that access is correct according to default previewing delay time T.For example when image capture order 800 be created in the second previewing image look lattice 312 by the process that previewing interface module 500 received and exported in the time, first image output that CPU 910 namely is accessed in buffer memory unit 710 before the default delay time T is looked lattice 331 as image output.This pre-delay time T can learn in advance via test, and then predeterminable in CPU 910.
Yet in different embodiment, the first previewing image is looked lattice 311 and the second previewing image and is looked and also may not have other previewing images to look lattice between the lattice 312 to exist, that is does not cause on fundamental frequency processor/display 600 or other processing data and delay situation.This moment is if image capture order 800 is created in the second previewing image and looks lattice 312 by in the process that previewing interface module 500 received and exported, that is the first previewing image when looking lattice 311 and looking lattice for last of previewing interface module 500 outputs, first image output that CPU 910 also can directly access be right after before second image output is looked lattice 332 in buffer memory unit 710 is looked lattice 331 as image output.Wherein to look lattice 332 be to look lattice 312 corresponding to the second previewing image to second image output, and when the second previewing image is looked lattice 312 and is received and export by previewing interface module 500, second image output look lattice 332 be preferably be in by 730 compressions of image compression unit and by temporary to the process of buffer memory unit 710.
In the embodiment shown in fig. 6, each previewing image is looked lattice and is all had identiflication number.For example the first previewing image is looked lattice 311 and is namely had first identiflication number 411.Identiflication number is preferably to be included in and forms each previewing image and look in the Datagram of lattice, and can be 600 deciphers of fundamental frequency processor/display.Look lattice 311 when the first previewing image and be shown as the previewing picture by fundamental frequency processor/display 600, and when the user triggered shutter 930 with the order 800 of generation image capture, fundamental frequency processor/display 600 namely returned the first previewing image and looks first identiflication number 411 of lattice 311 to CPU 910.CPU 910 is according to first identiflication number of receiving 411, can be in buffer memory unit 710 first image output 331 of access correspondence as image output.
As previously mentioned, the previewing image that is shown as the previewing image is looked lattice and the previewing image that just receiving in previewing interface module 500 is looked compartment and differed and be decided to be close proximity, may accompany other previewing images between the two and look lattice.Therefore in the embodiment shown in fig. 7, buffer memory unit 710 can include a plurality of working areas 711,712, looks the corresponding a plurality of image outputs of lattice with the previewing image and looks lattice with temporary.As shown in Figure 7, first image output that comprises of image output crossfire 330 is looked lattice 331, second image output to look lattice 332 is to deposit in regular turn in the working area 711,712.After the working area 719 of most end was deposited in, the image output that produces of continuing was looked lattice and is namely returned from initial working area 711 to make carbon copies in regular turn and deposit in.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 A, between previewing pattern and image capture pattern, more include the image capture ready mode; The startup of image capture ready mode is triggered by image capture warning order 810.In preferred embodiment, shutter device 930 is to have first section to trigger 931 and second sections triggerings 932.First section is triggered the 931 preferable trigger actions such as camera lens focusing or photometry that can be, and this trigger action can be reached by touching the focusing position on first section shutter or the click contact panel.Second section trigger 932 preferable then be the trigger action of pick-up image, for example the actual shutter of pressing shutter key or clicking on the contact panel illustrates.
Shown in Fig. 8 A, when the previewing pattern, first section triggering 931 is not activated as yet, only has this moment previewing video streaming 310 to be produced and be sent to previewing interface module 500 by signal of video signal processing unit 300; Image output crossfire 330 is not then produced and is sent to the temporary module 700 of image.When image capture warning order 810 produces, that is first section triggered 931 when being activated, the initial generation of signal of video signal processing unit 300 sides and transmit image output crossfire 330 to image and keep in module 700.Follow-up enter after the image capture pattern flow process then as described above, in this no longer repeat specification.By this design, can further reduce the consume of system's electric power when the previewing pattern, and reduce system resources consumption thus to improve usefulness.
In addition, in different embodiment, shown in Fig. 8 B, during previewing pattern before receiving image capture warning order 810, the changeable image source 200 of system provides resolution lower image data string 210, so that previewing video streaming 310 has higher image renewal frequency.When receiving image capture warning order 810 afterwards and entering follow-up image capture ready mode, image source 200 is then switched in system provides resolution higher image data string 210, and produces previewing video streaming 310 and image output crossfire 330 simultaneously according to the higher image data string 210 of resolution.
Figure 9 shows that the embodiment flow chart of image acquisition method of the present invention.As shown in Figure 9, step 1010 comprises according to image data crossfire generation previewing video streaming; Wherein, the previewing video streaming includes the first previewing image and looks lattice.The previewing video streaming is preferably by the image data crossfire and forms after resolution reduction, adjustment data formats or noise filtering etc. are handled, and preferable RGB or the yuv format of can be of its data formats is to meet the usefulness of follow-up previewing or output.
Step 1030 comprise transmit the previewing video streaming to the previewing interface module to export this previewing video streaming.The previewing interface module namely outwards exports on the application apparatus such as fundamental frequency processor/display of system after receiving the previewing video streaming.After fundamental frequency processor/display a certain in complete reception previewing video streaming looked lattice, the image that namely this can be looked lattice showed that becoming the previewing image watches for the user.
Step 1050 comprises according to image data crossfire generation image output crossfire; Wherein, this image output crossfire comprises first image output and looks lattice and look lattice corresponding to the first previewing image.In other words, the first previewing image is looked lattice and first image output and is looked lattice and produced by the same lattice of looking in the raw video data stream.The image output crossfire is preferably by the image data crossfire and forms after data formats or noise filtering etc. are handled through adjusting.Preferable RGB, YUV or the RAW form of can be of the data formats of image output crossfire is to meet the usefulness of subsequent compression or output.In preferred embodiment, can't reduce resolution to the image data crossfire and handle to form the image output crossfire; So in different embodiment, the mode that the image output crossfire can also reduce resolution forms, to cooperate different system's output demands.
Step 1070 comprises transmission image output crossfire to the temporary module of image, with the buffer memory unit of temporary image output crossfire in the temporary module of image.In other words, previewing video streaming and image output crossfire are to form two independently signal paths, and are transferred into different places and carry out subsequent treatment.In preferred embodiment, when the first previewing image was looked lattice and received and export by the previewing interface module, first image output was looked lattice are also received by the temporary module of image synchronously and is temporary.In addition, be the requirement that reduces the load of buffer memory unit or cooperate the image output form, the image output crossfire is kept in to the buffer memory unit after can compressing processing through the image compression unit earlier again.Aforementioned compressed format can be jpeg format, but is not limited to this.
Step 1090 comprises reception image capture order and exports first image output according to the image capture order in the buffer memory unit and look lattice, and wherein the image capture order is to result from the previewing interface module to receive and export the first previewing image and look after the lattice.As previously mentioned, after the complete output first previewing image of previewing interface module was looked lattice, the first previewing image was looked lattice and just can be shown as watching for the user for the previewing image.In other words, look lattice and press shutter or start other trigger equipments and when producing the image capture order, first image output is looked lattice also by the temporary module complete reception of institute of image and temporary when the user sees the first previewing image.First image output that this moment, system was namely kept in according to image capture order output is looked lattice as the image output of acquisition.Because it is to look lattice corresponding to first image output that the first previewing image is looked lattice, both presentation content are the same lattice of looking that come from the image data crossfire, and both shown images are identical naturally.By this design, can avoid the delay of shutter or image processing, and produce user finding image and actual drop that obtains between image output when pressing shutter thereupon.
In the embodiment shown in fig. 10, the image output crossfire produces step 1050 and comprises step 1051, keeps in module according to the initial generation image output of image capture warning order crossfire to image.The image capture warning order is preferably the trigger action that is produced by first section shutter in the two-part shutter or other trigger equipments and triggers simultaneously, and aforesaid trigger action is preferably the usefulness for actions such as the focusing of control camera lens or photometries.Owing to before system does not receive the image capture warning order, not so produce the image output crossfire, and only need produce the previewing video streaming, therefore this embodiment can further reduce the consume of system's electric power when the previewing pattern, and reduces system resources consumption thus to improve usefulness.
The present invention is described by above-mentioned related embodiment, yet above-described embodiment is only for implementing example of the present invention.Must be pointed out that the embodiment that has disclosed does not limit the scope of the invention.On the contrary, being contained in the modification of the spirit of claims and scope and equalization arranges and all is contained in the scope of the present invention.