JP2002271671A - Mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mobile terminal mounted with a camera function that enables a user to realize the desired image quality and a desirable video recording time by optionally designating image parameters. SOLUTION: When a camera section 1 captures a moving image, an image processing section 2 applies basic image processing, such as white balancing to the image data, a frame rate conversion section 3 adjusts the processed mage data at a set frame rate, and the color number conversion section 4 adjusts the image data to have the set number of colors. A size conversion section 5 adjusts the image data received from the color number conversion section 4 to have a setting size, and an image compression section 6 compresses the image data at a setting image compression rate by the image compression system, such as JPEG. When the above processing items are all completed, a CPU 7 stores the resulting image data to a RAM 9 and also makes an LCD 10 display the data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a portable terminal device, and more particularly, to a portable terminal device having a camera function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, portable telephones having a camera function capable of transmitting and receiving not only voice and character data but also image data are becoming widespread. In such a mobile phone, a CCD (Charge C) built in the mobile phone (or detachable) is used.
oupled Device) Moving image data captured by a camera or the like is displayed on the display unit or attached to an e-mail, etc.
It can be sent to other terminals.

A configuration related to a display function and an image data communication function in a conventional mobile phone 200 with a camera function will be described with reference to a block diagram of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, a mobile phone 200 includes a camera unit 1, an image processing unit 2, an image compression unit 6, a CPU 7,
OM8, RAM9, LCD10, modem 11, RF unit 1
2 and the like, and these units are connected by a bus.

The camera unit 1 is composed of an optical lens made of glass or plastic, and an optical sensor such as a CCD. An image input through the optical lens is converted into an electric signal by the optical sensor, and the image is converted into image data. Output to the processing unit 2.

The image processing section 2 performs necessary image processing such as size conversion, color number conversion, frame rate conversion, white balance adjustment, and the like on image data input from the camera section 1. Here, the frame rate is a value indicating the number of times the screen is updated per second at the update speed of the screen when displaying a moving image. The white balance is a function of adjusting the coloring of each of the three primary colors of red, blue, and green so that white can be displayed correctly. The above-described size conversion, color number conversion, frame rate conversion, and the like are performed by the image processing unit 2
Size, the number of colors stored in advance as image parameters,
Runs at frame rate.

The image compression section 6 converts the signal processed by the image processing section 2 into a JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert).
Group) or other image compression method, the image is compressed at an image compression ratio stored in the image compression unit 6 in advance.

[0008] CPU (Central Processing Unit) 7
Performs various control operations according to a control program for a mobile phone with a camera function stored in the ROM 8.

A ROM (Read Only Memory) 8 stores a system program, various application programs corresponding to the system, various operation programs such as an image processing program, data related to these programs, and the like.

A RAM (Random Access Memory) 9 stores C
When the PU 7 executes the various application programs, the PU 7 expands the various programs into a program storage area (not shown) in the RAM 9 and stores data generated when the CPU 7 executes the various processing programs.
The data is temporarily stored in a data storage area (not shown). For example, when the CPU 7 executes the image processing program, R
The AM 9 temporarily stores image data subjected to various image processing such as image compression.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 10
Performs screen display of an external image or the like captured by the CCD camera of the camera unit 1 in accordance with display data input from the CPU 7. The display screen of the LCD 10 is combined with a tablet, which is a plate-like device that senses coordinates specified by a dedicated input pen based on a coordinate reading principle such as an electromagnetic induction type, a magnetostriction type, or a pressure-sensitive type.

A modem (MODEM: MOdulator / DEModula)
The tor 11 modulates the signal read from the RAM 9 by the CPU 7 when transmitting various data such as voice and image to another terminal. When receiving data from another terminal, the modem 11 demodulates a signal input from the RF 12.

When transmitting various data to another terminal, an RF (Radio Frequency) unit 12 converts a signal modulated by the modem 11 into an RF band and amplifies the signal to a desired antenna power. When data is received from another terminal, R
The F unit 12 receives a weak RF input from the antenna 12a.
The signal is amplified, frequency-converted, and amplified to a level that can be demodulated.

The antenna 12a is an inverted F antenna, a whip antenna, or the like, and receives a radio signal transmitted from the radio base station and transmits a signal output from the RF unit 12 to the radio base station.

As described above, in the conventional mobile phone 200, the image signal input from the camera unit 1 is converted by the image processing unit 2 into fixed image parameter values (image size, number of colors, frame rate). The image signal that has been subjected to the image processing is subjected to JP
The image is compressed at a fixed compression ratio by an image compression method such as EG, and is stored in the RAM 9 by the CPU 7.
The screen was displayed on the LCD 10.

[0016]

However, in such a conventional mobile phone 200 with a camera function, the image parameters (image size, number of colors) stored in the image processing section 2 and the image compression section 6 are stored. , Frame rate, image compression rate) are fixed values, so that the recording time and the image quality of the moving image captured from the camera unit 1 are predetermined. Therefore, there is a problem that it is not possible to flexibly respond to a user's request such as giving priority to the image quality over the recording time or conversely, giving priority to the recording time over the image quality depending on the subject at the time of shooting a moving image and the time at which the user wants to record. was there.

It is an object of the present invention to realize an image quality and a recording time desired by a user by arbitrarily specifying image parameters in a portable terminal device equipped with a camera function.

[0018]

The present invention has the following features in order to achieve the above object. In the following description of the means and the like, a configuration corresponding to the embodiment is exemplified by parentheses. Reference numerals and the like are reference numerals of the attached drawings.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, in a portable terminal device equipped with a camera function (for example, a cellular phone with a camera function in FIG. 1), image parameter setting means (for example, FIG. 1 LCD
10) and image processing means (for example, the frame rate conversion unit 3 in FIG. 1) for processing an image input from the camera based on the image parameters set by the image parameter setting means. A number-of-colors conversion unit 4, a size conversion unit 5, an image compression unit 6) and a display control unit (for example, an LCD 10 in FIG. 1) for displaying the image data processed by the image processing unit on a display unit (for example, the LCD 10 in FIG. 1). For example, it is characterized by comprising: a CPU 7 of FIG. 1; and an image storage unit (for example, the RAM 9 of FIG. 1) for storing image data processed by the image processing unit.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image parameter setting means for arbitrarily setting various parameters relating to an image, and an image input from a camera based on the image parameters set by the image parameter setting means. Image processing means for performing image processing, display control means for displaying image data processed by the image processing means on a display means of the own telephone, and image storing image data processed by the image processing means With the storage means, various image parameters can be arbitrarily set, thereby realizing image quality desired by the user.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the image parameter setting means arbitrarily sets an image size.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the image parameter setting means can adjust the image data captured from the camera to an image size desired by the user by arbitrarily setting the image size.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the invention, the image parameter setting means sets the number of colors of the image further arbitrarily.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the image parameter setting means can adjust the image data captured from the camera to a desired image color number by further setting the number of colors of the image. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the image parameter setting means further arbitrarily sets a frame rate of a moving image.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the image parameter setting means can adjust the image data captured from the camera to a frame rate desired by the user by further arbitrarily setting the frame rate of the moving image. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the image parameter setting means further arbitrarily sets an image compression ratio.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the image parameter setting means can adjust the image data taken in from the camera to a desired compression ratio by further setting the compression ratio of the image.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the photographing time for calculating the photographable time based on the image parameters set by the image parameter setting means and the remaining capacity in the image storage means. The display control means further includes a calculating means (for example, the CPU 7 in FIG. 1), and the display control means further displays the photographable time calculated by the photographing time calculating means on the display means of the own telephone.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the image parameters set by the image parameter setting means,
The apparatus further includes a photographing time calculating unit that calculates a photographable time based on the remaining capacity in the image storage unit, and the display control unit displays the photographable time calculated by the photographing time calculating unit on a display unit of the own phone. By further displaying, it is possible to grasp the time during which shooting is possible.

[0031]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a portable telephone 100 to which the present invention is applied.
3 is a block diagram showing a configuration related to a display function and an image data communication function in FIG. In the mobile phone 100 of the present invention, the same components as those of the conventional mobile phone 200 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and when they have the same function, the description of the function is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile phone 100 includes a camera unit 1, an image processing unit 2, a frame rate conversion unit 3, a frame rate setting register 31, a color number conversion unit 4, a color number setting register 41, a size conversion unit. Unit 5, size setting register 51, image compression unit 6, compression ratio setting register 61, CPU
7, ROM 8, RAM 9, LCD 10, modem 11, R
An F section 12 and the like are provided, and these sections are connected by a bus.

The image processing unit 2 performs necessary image processing such as white balance adjustment on image data input from the camera unit 1.

The frame rate setting register 31 has the LC
The data of the frame rate value set by the user on the tablet of D10 is temporarily stored. The frame rate conversion unit 3 adjusts the image data input from the image processing unit 2 to the frame rate value stored in the frame rate setting register 31.

The color number setting register 41 temporarily stores color value data set by the user on the tablet of the LCD 10. The color number conversion unit 4 adjusts the image data input from the frame rate conversion unit 3 to the number of colors stored in the color number setting register 41.

The size setting register 51 temporarily stores size value data set by the user on the tablet of the LCD 10. The size converter 5 converts the image data input from the color number converter 4 into a size setting register 5
Adjust to the size value stored in 1.

The compression ratio setting register 61 temporarily stores data on the compression ratio set by the user on the tablet of the LCD 10. The image compression unit 6 includes a size conversion unit 5
Is compressed by the image compression ratio stored in the compression ratio setting register 61 by an image compression method such as JPEG or the like.

The CPU 7 performs various control operations in accordance with a control program for a mobile phone with a camera function stored in the ROM 8. For example, based on the value of the moving image parameter set by the user, the available photographing time is calculated from the remaining capacity of the RAM 9 and displayed on the LCD 10 (see FIG. 2).

The LCD 10 performs a required display according to the display data input from the CPU 7. For example, LCD
Reference numeral 10 denotes a setting bar for setting each parameter of an image size, the number of colors, the number of frames, and a compression ratio, and a photographable time and a remaining memory when setting parameters relating to a moving image, as shown in FIG. indicate. On the display screen of the LCD 10, a tablet, which is a plate-like device that senses coordinates indicated by a dedicated input pen based on a coordinate reading principle such as an electromagnetic induction type, a magnetostriction type, or a pressure-sensitive type, is combined. .

Although not shown, the mobile phone 100 includes an operation unit, a microphone, a speaker, and the like as components for realizing a telephone function and a data communication function, and these units are controlled by the CPU 7. Is done.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, as shown in FIG. 2, when the user sets the desired image parameter value by moving the setting bar of the image parameter left and right with the input pen on the tablet of the LCD 10, the CPU 7 is set. The data of the image size, the number of colors, the number of frames, and the compression ratio are stored in the size setting register 51, the color number setting register 41,
It is stored in the frame setting register 31 and the compression ratio setting register 61. Next, the CPU 7 determines the remaining amount of memory (** in the RAM 9) based on the set image parameters.
kbit), the photographable time (** seconds) is calculated and displayed on the LCD 10 as shown in FIG.

When a moving image is captured from the camera unit 1,
In the image processing unit 2, basic image processing such as white balance is performed on the image data, and the image-processed data is output to the frame rate conversion unit 3. In the frame rate conversion unit 3, the image data input from the image processing unit 2 is adjusted with the frame rate value stored in the frame rate setting register 31.

In the color number conversion section 4, the frame conversion section 3
Are adjusted to the number of colors stored in the number-of-colors setting register 41. In the size conversion unit 5, the image data input from the color number conversion unit 4 is adjusted to the size value stored in the size setting register 51.
In the image compression section 6, the image data input from the size conversion section 5 is compressed at an image compression rate stored in the compression rate setting register 61 by an image compression method such as JPEG.

Frame rate conversion processing, color number conversion processing,
When the size conversion processing and the compression processing are all completed, the CPU 7
Causes the image data subjected to these processes to be stored in the RAM 9 and displayed on the LCD 10 on the screen.

When a user instructs transmission of image data to another terminal, the CPU 7 reads out the image data stored in the RAM 9 and outputs it to the modem 11.
The image data is modulated by the modem 11, and the modulated image signal is frequency-converted to an RF band in the RF unit 12, amplified to a desired antenna power, and transmitted from the antenna 12a to the wireless base station.

As described above, according to the mobile phone 100 of the present embodiment, the image parameters (frame rate, number of colors, size, compression ratio) can be set.
With respect to the moving image captured by the camera unit 1, it is possible to realize the image quality and the recording time desired by the user.

The description contents in the present embodiment are as follows.
Changes can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the present embodiment, the order of the image processing after the image processing unit 2 is determined by the frame conversion processing, the color number conversion processing,
Although the size conversion processing and the compression processing are performed, the order is not necessarily required.

In this embodiment, when setting image parameters, a desired image parameter value is set by moving the image parameter setting bar on the tablet of the LCD 10 right and left with an input pen. However, it can also be set by key input on an operation unit (not shown). Further, it is also possible to input a parameter value numerically by operating the ten keys of the operation unit without using the setting bar.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a description has been given of a mobile phone equipped with a camera function.
(Personal Digital Assistants) and the like can be applied to other portable terminal devices having a camera function.

[0051]

According to the portable terminal device of the present invention, the image size, the number of image colors, the frame rate, and the image compression ratio can be arbitrarily set as the image parameters, thereby realizing the image quality and the recording time desired by the user. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a mobile phone 100 with a camera function to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part inside.

FIG. 2 is a display example for performing image parameter setting on LCD 10 in the present embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main part configuration inside a conventional mobile phone 200 with a camera function.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera part 2 Image processing part 3 Frame rate conversion part 31 Frame rate setting register 4 Color number conversion part 41 Color number setting register 5 Size conversion part 51 Size setting register 6 Image compression part 61 Compression rate setting register 7 CPU 8 ROM 9 RAM Reference Signs List 10 LCD 11 Modem 12 RF unit 12a Antenna 100, 200 Mobile phone with camera function

Claims (6)

[Claims] An image parameter setting means for arbitrarily setting various parameters relating to an image in a portable terminal device equipped with a camera function, wherein the image data is input from a camera based on the image parameters set by the image parameter setting means. Image processing means for performing image processing processing, display control means for displaying image data processed by the image processing means on a display means of the telephone, and storing image data processed by the image processing means. A portable terminal device comprising: an image storage unit. 2. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein said image parameter setting means arbitrarily sets an image size. 3. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein said image parameter setting means further arbitrarily sets the number of colors of the image. 4. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein said image parameter setting means further arbitrarily sets a frame rate of a moving image. 5. The image parameter setting means further arbitrarily sets a compression ratio of an image.
5. The mobile terminal device according to any one of 4. 6. A photographing time calculating means for calculating a photographable time based on an image parameter set by an image parameter setting means and a remaining capacity in the image storing means, wherein the display control means comprises: 2. The portable terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the photographable time calculated by the time calculating means is further displayed on the display means of the own telephone.