KR100451148B1 - Video camera combined digital still camera for a video conference, especially regarding to setting video processing or digital still image modes by comprising a video processor and a usb interface - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A video camera combined digital still camera for a video conference is provided to comprise a video processor and a USB interface to set video processing or digital still image modes according to an inputted key, in order to selectively use two functions with one apparatus, thereby simplifying a circuit configuration. CONSTITUTION: A DRAM(205) temporarily stores video data. A flash memory(206) stores data created during a photograph key input among the stored video data when a digital still camera mode is set. A video processor(204) processes the data to store the processed data in the DRAM(205), sequentially compresses the temporarily stored data, and JPEG-compresses the data created during the photograph key input when a photograph key is inputted while the digital still camera mode is set, then stores the compressed data in the flash memory(206). A USB interface(207) transmits the outputted data of the video processor(204) to a PC.

Description

Digital still camera for video conferencing

The present invention relates to a camera, and more particularly, to a digital still camera combined with a video camera for video conferencing.

In general, a digital still camera (CCD) 101 converts a scratched optical signal into an electrical signal as shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1, and gains by sampling the electrical signal of the CD 101. Sampling / gain adjusting unit (CDS / AGS) 102 for adjusting the digital signal, an analog / digital converting unit 103 for digitally converting the output signal of the sampling / gain adjusting unit 102, and the analog / digital converting unit 103 An image processing unit 104 for appropriately digitally processing the output signal of the < RTI ID = 0.0 >) < / RTI > The flash memory 106 stores data at the time of inputting a photographing key among the data stored in the DRAM 105, and the data stored in the flash memory 106 is connected to a PC through an RS-232C communication line (not shown). RS-232C interface unit 107 to transmit to.

Referring to the operation of the general digital still camera as follows.

When the power is turned on and light is incident on the object, the CD 101 converts the signal into an electrical signal in proportion to the amount of light captured, and the sampling / gain adjusting unit 102 adjusts the gain by sampling the electrical signal. The analog / digital converter 103 digitally converts the analog video signal whose gain is adjusted above and outputs the digital signal to the image processor 104.

At this time, the image processing unit 104 appropriately digitally processes the output signal of the analog / digital conversion unit 103, compresses and converts one screen into a JPEC type, and temporarily temporarily stores it in the DRAM 105.

Therefore, when the image data according to the imaging is sequentially stored in the DRAM 105 and the user inputs a shooting key, the image processing unit 104 reads data at the time of inputting the shooting key from among the data stored in the DRAM 105 and uses a flash memory ( 106).

After that, when the imaging is completed, the digital still camera is connected to the PC and the flash memory 106 is accessed. The RS-232C interface unit 107 stores the stored data of the flash memory 106 in RS-. It is transmitted to the PC via a 232C communication line, and is processed on the PC to be printed or recorded on any recording medium.

In addition, a typical video conferencing video camera, as shown in the block diagram of Fig. 2, samples the CD (111) for converting the scratched optical signal into an electrical signal, and the electrical signal of the CD (111) Sampling / gain adjusting unit (CDS / AGS) 112 for adjusting the gain, analog / digital converting unit 113 for digitally converting the output signal of the sampling / gain adjusting unit 112, and the analog / digital converting unit. The image processing unit 114 appropriately digitally processes the output signal of the 113, a DRAM 115 for temporarily storing the output signal of the image processing unit 114, and the image processing unit 114 includes the DRAM. CCIR656 interface unit 116 for transmitting the data temporarily stored in 115 to the CCIR656 interface, and data from the image processing unit 114 transmitted to the CCIR656 bus are received, converted into a transmission format, and the format converted data. Modem (not shown) Through consists of PC Add-In card 117 for transmission to the other party in the video conference.

Referring to the operation of the general video conferencing video camera as follows.

When the power is turned on and light is incident on the object, the CD 111 converts the signal into an electrical signal in proportion to the amount of light captured and the sampling / gain adjusting unit 112 adjusts the gain by sampling the electrical signal. The analog / digital converter 113 digitally converts the analog video signal whose gain is adjusted and outputs the digital image to the image processor 114.

At this time, the image processing unit 114 reads and compresses the data stored in the DRAM 115 while temporarily storing the output signal of the analog / digital converter 113 as a digital signal such as video processing and sequentially storing the same in the DRAM 115. To the CCIR656 bus via the CCIR656 interface 116.

Accordingly, the PC Add-In card 117 converts the image data loaded on the CCIR656 bus into a transmission format, transmits the data to the counterpart through a modem (not shown), receives the data transmitted from the counterpart, and receives the monitor (not shown). ), The conference proceeds while watching the other party's image.

However, such a conventional technology has a problem in that a digital still camera and a video conferencing video camera are independently present and require two functions, thereby increasing the purchase cost and burdening the consumer.

Therefore, the present invention is capable of processing video and JPEG compression in order to solve the conventional problems, and comprises an image processing unit and a USB interface unit configured to set a mode for image processing or a digital still image according to a key input. Its purpose is to provide a digital still camera for video conferencing and video conferencing designed to simplify the circuit configuration and reduce the cost of purchase by enabling the optional use of two functions.

1 is a block diagram of a typical digital still camera.

2 is a block diagram of a typical video conferencing video camera.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an exemplary view illustrating a function of an image processing unit in FIG. 3.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

201: CCD 202: Sampling / gain adjusting unit (CDS / AGS)

203: analog / digital converting unit 204: image processing unit

205: DRAM 206: flash memory

207: USB interface unit

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a DRAM for temporarily storing data obtained by processing image data and image data stored in the DRAM when the digital still camera is set. The flash memory and a specific key input for mode setting to search video input video data during video conferencing mode, temporarily store the image data in the DRAM, and compress and output the video. An image processor configured to perform JPEG compression processing of data stored in the DRAM when the still camera mode is set, and to store the data in the flash memory, and the image processor to the DRAM or the flash; (FLASH) It consists of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface that transfers data read from memory to a PC.

The Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface has a specification requiring only 12 Mbit / sec transfer rate, 63 connectable nodes and a host controller.

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

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, as shown here, for sampling a CD (201) for converting a scratched optical signal into an electrical signal, and sampling the electrical signal of the CD (201). Sampling / gain adjustment unit (CDS / AGS) 202 for adjusting the gain, analog / digital conversion unit 203 for digitally converting the output signal of the sampling / gain adjustment unit 202, and captured and image-processed images A DRAM 205 for temporarily storing data, a flash memory 206 for storing data at the time of inputting a photographing key among data stored in the DRAM 205 when the digital still camera mode is set, and the analog / digital conversion. Image processing of the output signal of the unit 203 is stored in the DRAM 205, video compression processing sequentially stored data in the DRAM 205 during video conferencing video camera mode setting, and shooting key when setting the digital still camera mode Is inputted, the image processing unit 204 for performing JPEG compression processing of the data at the time of photographing key input among the stored data of the DRAM 205 and storing the output data of the image processing unit 204 in the flash memory 206. It consists of the USB interface part 207 to transfer to a PC.

The flash memory 206 may be removable.

Referring to the operation and effect of the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

First, the user decides whether to use the camera of the present invention as a digital still camera or a video conferencing video camera, and inputs a key for mode setting. ) And the analog-to-digital converter 203 perform the same operation.

That is, when the power is turned on and light is incident on the object, the CD 201 converts the signal into an electrical signal in proportion to the amount of light picked up, and the sampling / gain adjusting unit 202 samples the electrical signal as described above to automatically calculate the gain. In this case, the analog / digital converter 203 digitally converts the analog video signal whose gain is adjusted and outputs the digital image to the image processor 204.

Therefore, when the user sets the digital still camera at the initial stage of turning on the power, the image processing unit 204 performs image processing on the output signal of the analog / digital converting unit 203 and temporarily stores the output key input in the DRAM 205. When the photographing key is input by the user while checking, the data of the photographing key input from the stored data of the DRAM 205 is JPEG-compressed and stored in the flash memory 206.

In this way, the operation of storing the image data of one screen in the flash memory 206 is performed whenever the user inputs a shooting key.

After that, when the shooting is finished, the user connects the apparatus of the present invention set as the digital still camera to the PC 208 and inputs a specific key for reading data stored in the flash memory 206.

Accordingly, when a specific key is input, the image processing unit 204 sequentially reads the data stored in the flash memory 206 and transmits the data to the PC 208 through the USB interface unit 207 and the PC. Image processing is performed on the CD to record on photo paper, magnetic tape or disk.

Also, when the user sets the video conference video camera at the initial stage of turning on the power, the image processing unit 204 performs image processing on the output signal of the analog / digital conversion unit 203 and temporarily stores it in the DRAM 205 to compress the video. After the output to the PC (208) via the USB interface unit 207.

Accordingly, the PC 208 converts the format of the data input through the USB interface unit 207 into a transmission format, and transfers the format converted data to the counterpart through a modem (not shown) to transmit an image to both parties. You will proceed with the meeting.

That is, in the present invention, the image processing unit 204 is provided with an image processing function, a moving picture compression function, and a JPEG compression function as shown in the exemplary diagram of FIG. 4 to selectively perform the corresponding function according to the mode setting key input by the user. Will be performed.

In the above, the flash memory 206 is detachably configured so that it can be purchased as an option when only a video conference video camera is to be purchased.

As described in detail above, the present invention configures an image processing unit to selectively perform image processing of two types of cameras, and conventionally, a digital still camera and a video conferencing video camera use different PC interfaces. However, the present invention simplifies the PC interface by using the USB interface method so that the two types of cameras can be used as both, and removes the Add-In card that is included in the conventional video conferencing video camera. Simplifying and reducing the cost of purchase is also effective.

Claims (2)

A camera having an optical system for photographing an object, comprising: a DRAM for temporarily storing captured and imaged data; and a data stored in the DRAM when the digital still camera is set, the data when the photographing key is input. Searches for a flash memory to store and a specific key input for mode setting, and when the video camera mode is set for video conferencing, processes the input image data, temporarily stores the image data in the DRAM, and compresses and outputs the video. An image processing unit which performs JPEG compression processing of data stored in the DRAM when the shooting key is input, and stores it in the flash memory. USB (Univers) for transferring data read from the DRAM or the FLASH memory to the PC. al Serial Bus) A digital still camera for a video conferencing video camera, comprising an interface unit. The digital still camera of claim 1, wherein the flash memory is detachably configured.

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