KR100571639B1 - Apparatus for taking a photograph and method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus having an illuminance sensor and a flash. When the photographing key button press signal is continuously input for a predetermined time, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention drives the flash according to the ambient brightness detected by the illuminance sensor. And a preview mode in which an image captured by the lens is displayed on the LCD screen while controlling the camera exposure value. In addition, the photographing apparatus is implemented to photograph the subject when the photographing key button press release signal is input.

According to this aspect, the user can take a picture while viewing the screen most similar to the image actually taken in the preview mode, thereby obtaining a desired picture and a clear image.

Photographing device, Ambient light sensor, Flash, Camera

Description

Photographing apparatus and photographing method executable in the photographing apparatus {Apparatus for taking a photograph and method

1 shows a mobile phone to which the present invention is applied.

2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a mobile phone according to FIG.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a photographing operation of a photographing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a photographing operation of a photographing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment.

The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus having an illuminance sensor and a flash, and more particularly, to a technology for allowing a user to take a photograph more conveniently by simply operating a photographing key button on a photographing apparatus.

In general, when a camera function is selected from a menu, a recording device such as a camcorder, a digital camera, a camera phone, or the like operates a built-in camera to perform a preview mode in which an image captured by a lens is displayed on a liquid crystal screen. When a user presses a shooting key button while a desired subject is displayed on the LCD screen, an image captured by the camera lens is captured, and the captured image is compressed and stored in a memory. However, since the conventional photographing apparatus is implemented to photograph the user when the user presses the photographing key button, there is a problem that the image is blurred due to the shaking of the photographing apparatus due to the shaking of the user.

Meanwhile, the photographing apparatus adjusts the camera exposure value by using an auto exposure control (AEC). In other words, it adjusts the frame rate and gain related to the amount of light received.In the dark, the frame rate is lowered and the gain is increased so that a bright image is obtained. There was a problem that it was difficult to shoot a moving subject because it was weak and shaken. Therefore, the use of the flash is indispensable in dark places or at night photography. In order to meet the necessity, in recent years, a photographing apparatus equipped with a flash has been developed to capture a desired image even in a dark place or at night.

However, if the subject is shot with the exposure value set by the auto exposure function during flash operation, overexposure will occur, resulting in a blurred image. To solve this problem, increase the frame rate and decrease the gain. There was a problem that the subject displayed on the screen is dark enough to be difficult to identify.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to control the flash drive and the camera exposure value only by the user's shooting key button operation in the photographing device to allow the user to take a picture while viewing the preview mode screen (Preview) It is to provide a technology to obtain a clear image.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a photographing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is configured to adjust a lens while controlling a camera exposure value and flash driving according to a brightness of a surrounding detected by an illumination sensor when a photographing key press signal is input for a predetermined time or more. It is implemented to perform a preview mode for displaying the image captured on the LCD screen. In addition, the photographing apparatus is implemented to photograph the subject when the photographing key button press release signal is input.

According to this aspect, the user can take a picture while viewing the screen most similar to the image actually taken in the preview mode, thereby obtaining a desired picture and a clear image.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily understand and reproduce the present invention.

1 is a view showing a mobile phone to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the mobile phone according to FIG. In the present embodiment, a mobile phone is illustrated as a photographing apparatus, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be implemented in a smart phone (aka PDA phone), a camcorder, a digital camera, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, a camera lens 2 is mounted on the front surface of the photographing apparatus 1, and a flash 3 that generates flashing light is mounted on one side thereof. The mounting position of the camera lens 2 and the flash 3 can be changed.

As shown in Fig. 2, the photographing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a control unit 19 and its subcircuits, which are largely common to existing mobile communication terminals.

The accessory circuits include a wireless communication unit 11 for extracting a voice and data signal from a wireless signal transmitted and received through an antenna, an audio output unit 12 for inputting and outputting a voice call signal from the wireless communication unit 11 through a microphone and a speaker; A storage unit 13 for storing data and programs, a display unit 14 for displaying menus and operation states, a keypad 15 for receiving user operation commands, a camera unit 16, an illuminance sensor 17, and a flash drive unit (18).

The radio communication unit 11 includes an antenna and an RF circuit for communication with a base station. In the present specification, the wireless communication unit 11 is interpreted to cover not only various versions of CDMA but also existing methods such as cellular, GSM, and W-CDMA, as well as mobile communication methods to be introduced in the future.

The audio output unit 12 is a well-known configuration that processes digital voice data into an analog voice signal or vice versa, and includes an additional circuit such as an audio amplifying circuit or a filter.

The storage unit 13 may be implemented as a single chip including a static random access memory (SRAM) having a capacity of several megabits and a flash memory having a capacity of several tens of megabits.

The display unit 14 is for displaying the operation progress in the terminal, a user's menu selection screen, a call screen, and the like, and a conventional liquid crystal display device directly driven by input display data may be adopted. The keypad 15 is implemented as a means for inputting a user's operation command, and may be a side key, a touch panel, a handwriting input unit, etc., which include numeric keys and function keys.

The camera unit 16 includes a lens system, an exposure meter, an imaging unit for converting an optical signal from the lens system into an analog electric signal, and a format suitable for input of a signal processing unit after processing and converting the signal output from the imaging unit into digital. And a camera control unit for controlling the operation of the entire module.

The lens system is composed of one or more small lenses, and collects and supplies light to the imaging unit. The exposure meter is preferably composed of an electronic aperture and a shutter to adjust the amount and time of light passing from the lens system to the imaging unit. The imaging unit is usually composed of a CMOS imaging device or CCD imaging device, and is a known device that converts light into an electrical signal for each pixel and sequentially outputs it in synchronization with a clock. The converter converts the current or voltage proportional to the image brightness output from the imaging unit into digital data after a slight process, converts the data value into YUV format, and outputs the converted data. In one embodiment, the conversion unit may further include a codec for compressing the captured image in JPEG format or MPEG format, as in the known camera module.

The illuminance detecting unit 17 detects ambient brightness (illuminance), and may be generally implemented as a well-known illuminance sensor and a peripheral device. The flash driver 18 generates a flash by operating the flash 3 under the control of the controller 19, and generates illuminance to normally perform night photography in a dark place.

The control unit 19 controls the entire system and is embodied in an integrated circuit, commonly referred to as an MSM chip. The integrated circuit includes dedicated hardware for processing communication therein, a digital signal processor and a general purpose microprocessor.

Although not shown in the figure, the controller 19 includes a key recognition unit that processes a series of operations related to key press recognition of the keypad 15. The key recognition unit recognizes key data generated by a user's key press, key press duration, and key press release signal, and the controller 19 performs a specific function corresponding to the key data from the key recognition unit. .

In a preferred embodiment, the control unit 19 performs a shot key or long key function according to the key press duration from the key recognition unit to the user's key press and the key press release time. Is implemented. According to an embodiment, the controller 10 may select the camera function when the recording key button release release signal is input in the preview mode after the camera function is selected by the user. 16) is controlled to shoot the subject. On the other hand, the control unit 10, if the shooting key button press duration is pressed longer than the set time by the user, the image capture through the lens while controlling the flash drive and the camera exposure value according to the brightness of the ambient input from the illuminance sensor 17 It is implemented to perform a preview mode for displaying the displayed image on the LCD screen. In a preferred embodiment, the control unit 10 is implemented to control the camera unit 16 when the photographing key button press release signal is input from the keypad 15 to photograph the subject.

Hereinafter, the photographing operation of the photographing apparatus according to the present invention with reference to the drawings will be described in detail.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a photographing operation of a photographing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In the present embodiment, when the user shoots in a bright or dark place will be described a recording operation that can be performed in the recording apparatus according to the present invention.

First, when the camera function of the photographing apparatus 1 is selected through the keypad 15, the controller 19 drives the camera unit 16 to display a subject through the camera lens 3 mounted on the front of the photographing apparatus 1. In operation S101, a preview mode is performed to display the image captured by the camera lens 3 on the display unit 14.

After that, when the user's photographing key press signal is input from the keypad 15 (S102), the controller 19 compares the input duration of the photographing key press signal with a set time. As a result of the comparison, if the input duration of the photographing key press signal reaches the set time, the long key function is performed as described above.

First, the controller 19 detects peripheral illuminance to be photographed (S103). Thereafter, the controller 19 compares the detected illuminance value with a preset illuminance value (S104). As a result, when the detected illuminance value is larger than the preset illuminance value, the camera exposure value is adjusted according to the detected illuminance value (S105). That is, the photographing apparatus according to the present embodiment may provide a preview screen most similar to an image to be actually captured by adjusting a camera exposure value according to the illumination while quickly detecting an illumination of a surrounding to be photographed by a user. will be.

Thereafter, the controller 19 checks whether the shooting key press release signal is input from the keypad 15, and if the shooting key press release signal is not input as a result, repeats the step of detecting peripheral illumination, whereas the shooting key If the push release signal is input, the camera photographing command is output (S106, S107).

Thereafter, the controller 19 checks whether the end signal for the camera function is input, repeats the loop if the end signal is not input, and ends the camera operation if the end signal is input.

On the other hand, if the detected illuminance value is less than the preset illuminance value, that is, the control unit 19 compares the detected illuminance value with the preset illuminance value, that is, operates the flash when shooting in a dark place or at night (S109). Repeat step 104 of detecting illuminance around the subject.

Accordingly, the user can take a picture while viewing the screen most similar to the image actually taken in the preview mode, thereby obtaining a desired picture and a clear image.

Hereinafter, in the present specification, when the user moves a dark place and a bright place while pressing the photographing key button, the photographing operation that can be performed in the photographing apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a photographing operation of a photographing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment.

First, when the camera function of the photographing apparatus 1 is selected through the keypad 15, the controller 19 drives the camera unit 16 to display a subject through the camera lens 3 mounted on the front of the photographing apparatus 1. In operation S201, a preview mode is performed to display the image captured by the camera lens 3 on the display unit 14.

Thereafter, when the user's photographing key press signal is input from the keypad 15 (S202), the controller 19 compares the input duration of the photographing key press signal with a set time. As a result of the comparison, if the input duration of the photographing key press signal reaches the set time, the long key function is performed as described above.

First, the controller 19 checks whether the flash is operating (S203), and as a result, cancels the flash operation when the flash is operating and detects peripheral illuminance to be photographed (S204, S205). Thereafter, the controller 19 compares the detected illuminance value with a preset illuminance value (S206). As a result, if the detected illuminance value is larger than the preset illuminance value, the camera exposure value is adjusted according to the detected illuminance value (S207).

After that, the controller 19 repeatedly checks whether the shooting key press release signal is input from the keypad 15, and if the shooting key press release signal is not input, checks whether the flash is activated. If the shooting key press release signal is input to the camera, a camera shooting command is output (S208, S209).

Thereafter, the controller 19 checks whether the end signal for the camera function is input, repeats the loop if the end signal is not input, and ends the camera operation if the end signal is input.

Meanwhile, as a result of performing step 206 comparing the detected illuminance value with the preset illuminance value, the controller 19 operates the flash to detect the illuminance around the subject when the detected illuminance value is smaller than the preset illuminance value (S211). Perform step 205. That is, the controller 19 drives the flash at a dark place or at night, and detects an illuminance value while the flash is driven, and adjusts the camera exposure value accordingly to display an image captured by the lens on the LCD screen. Perform Preview mode.

As described above, according to the present invention, the photographing apparatus is useful for controlling the flash drive and the camera exposure value according to the signal of pressing the photographing key button so that the user can obtain a desired picture and obtain a clear image while viewing the preview mode screen. It works.

In addition, according to the present invention, the photographing apparatus is implemented to shoot when the user presses the key, there is a useful effect that can reduce the shaking of the device due to the user's hand shake.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many various obvious modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention from this description. Therefore, it should be interpreted by the claims described to include many such variations.

Claims (6)

A camera unit converting and outputting an optical signal input from the lens system into an electrical signal; A display unit which displays an image input from the camera unit; A flash unit for generating a flash; An illuminance sensor for detecting the ambient brightness; A keypad for receiving a user operation command; In the camera photographing mode, when the photographing key press signal is input from the keypad for a predetermined time or more, driving of the flash unit and the camera unit according to the illuminance value input from the illuminance sensing unit until the photographing key press release signal is input from the keypad. A control unit for continuously controlling an exposure value and outputting a shooting command to the camera unit when a shooting key press release signal is input from the keypad; Photographing apparatus comprising a. The photographing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the photographing apparatus is implemented in a mobile phone. The photographing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the photographing apparatus is implemented in a smartphone. Receiving a photographing key press signal in a camera photographing mode; Checking whether an input duration of the photographing key press signal reaches a set time; Detecting peripheral illuminance to be photographed when the input duration reaches the set time as a result of the checking; Adjusting a camera exposure value according to the detected illuminance value; Checking whether a photographing key press release signal is input; Repeating the step of detecting peripheral illumination when the photographing key press release signal is not input, and outputting a camera photographing command when the photographing key press release signal is input; Shooting method comprising a. The method of claim 4, wherein the photographing method is: If the detected illuminance value and the detected illuminance value are smaller than a predetermined illuminance value as a result of comparing the detected illuminance value with a preset illuminance value, operating a flash and detecting an illuminance of a surrounding to be photographed; Shooting method comprising a further. Receiving a photographing key press signal in a camera photographing mode; Checking whether an input duration of the photographing key press signal reaches a set time; Checking whether the flash is activated if the input duration reaches the set time as a result of the checking; Canceling the flash operation and detecting peripheral illuminance to be photographed when the flash is activated as a result of the checking; Comparing the detected illuminance value with a preset illuminance value; If the detected illuminance value is smaller than a predetermined illuminance value, operating the flash and detecting illuminance around a subject; Adjusting a camera exposure value according to the detected illuminance value; Checking whether a photographing key press release signal is input; Repeating checking whether the flash is activated when the photographing key press release signal is not input, and outputting a camera photographing command when the photographing key press release signal is input; Shooting method comprising a.

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