KR100702950B1 - Method for controlling photographing apparatus, and photographing apparatus using the method - Google Patents

Abstract

In the control method of the photographing apparatus according to the present invention, a setting mode and a preview mode are performed according to a user's selection, operating conditions are set according to a user's selection in the setting mode, and an input image is displayed on a display panel in the preview mode. It is a control method of a photographing apparatus to be displayed. Here, when an exposure compensation mode is set according to a user's selection in the setting mode, in the preview mode, at least one exposure image according to at least one exposure compensation value is displayed together with the input image in which exposure compensation is not performed. Is displayed. The data of the at least one exposed image is obtained by changing the gradation of the data of the input image.

Description

Control method of photographing apparatus and photographing apparatus using this method {Method for controlling photographing apparatus, and photographing apparatus using the method}

1 is a perspective view showing the front and top appearance of a digital camera as a photographing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view illustrating a rear shape of the digital camera of FIG. 1.

3 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the digital camera of FIG. 1.

4 is a flow chart showing the main algorithm of the digital signal processor of FIG.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm of performing a preview mode of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6A is a diagram for describing a method of processing image data when the exposure compensation mode is not included. FIG.

FIG. 6B is a diagram for describing steps S205, S209, and S210 of FIG. 5.

6C and 6D are diagrams for describing steps S205 and S209 to S211 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7A is a diagram for describing step S204 of FIG. 5.

7B and 7C are diagrams for describing step S209 of FIG. 5.

8 to 11 are views showing images displayed on the screen of the display panel by performing step S215 of FIG.

12 is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm of the photographing operation of FIG. 4.

  <Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1 ... digital camera, 11 ... self-timer lamp,

12 ... flash, 13 ... shutter release button,

14 ... mode dial, 15 ... function buttons,

17a, 17b ... view finder, 19 ... flash-light sensor,

20 lens part, 21 external interface part,

MIC ... microphone, SP ... speaker,

31 ... power button, 32 ... monitor button,

33 ... auto-focus lamp, 34 ... flash standby lamp,

35 ... color LCD panel, 36 ... manual-focusing / delete button,

37 ... Manual-adjust / playback button, 15 _M ... menu / select-OK button,

39 _W ... wide-zoom button, 39 _T ... tele-zoom button,

OPS ... optical system, OEC ... photoelectric conversion unit,

M _B ... barrier motor, M _Z ... zoom motor,

M _F ... focus motor, M _A ... aperture motor,

501 analog-to-digital converter, 502 timing circuit,

503 ... real time clock, 504 ... DRAM, 505 ... EEPROM, 506 ... memory card interface, 507 ... digital signal processor, 508 ... RS232C interface, 509 ... video filter, 21a ... USB connection, 21b ... RS232C connection, 21c ... video output, 510 ... lens driver, 511 ... flash controller, 512 ... microcontroller, INP ... user input, LAMP ... luminescent unit, 513 audio processor, 514 LCD driver.

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a photographing apparatus and a photographing apparatus using the method, and more particularly, to perform a setting mode and a preview mode according to a user's selection, and operating conditions according to a user's selection in the setting mode. And a control method of a photographing apparatus for displaying an input image on a display panel in the preview mode, and a photographing apparatus using the method.

Conventional photographing apparatuses, for example, the digital camera of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 331,689 (name: digital camera) in 1999 or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 223,377 (name: Digital camera and operation control method thereof), The operating conditions are set according to the user's selection in the setting mode, and the input image is displayed on the display panel in the preview mode.

In the conventional photographing apparatus as described above, when the exposure compensation mode is set according to the user's selection in the setting mode, in the preview mode, only the image on which the exposure compensation is directly performed and the exposure compensation is performed is performed on the display panel. Is displayed. Accordingly, the user cannot accurately determine whether the exposure compensation value currently set by the user is appropriate.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method of a photographing apparatus and a photographing apparatus that enable a user to easily select an appropriate exposure correction value.

The control method of the photographing apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object, the setting mode and the preview mode according to the user's selection, the operating conditions are set in accordance with the user's selection in the setting mode, the input image in the preview mode The control method of the photographing apparatus for displaying on the display panel. Here, when an exposure compensation mode is set according to a user's selection in the setting mode, in the preview mode, at least one exposure image according to at least one exposure compensation value is displayed together with the input image in which exposure compensation is not performed. Is displayed. The data of the at least one exposed image is obtained by changing the gradation of the data of the input image.

According to the control method of the photographing apparatus of the present invention, the user may compare the exposure image on which the exposure compensation is performed with the input image on which the exposure compensation is not performed. Accordingly, the user can easily select an appropriate exposure compensation value. In addition, since the data of the at least one exposed image is obtained by changing the gray level of the data of the input image, the exposed image can be displayed more quickly.

The photographing apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object uses the control method of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail.

1, in front of the digital camera 1 as a photographing apparatus according to the present invention, a microphone (MIC), a self-timer lamp (11), a flash (12), a shutter release button (13) , View finder 17a, flash-light sensor 19, power switch 31, lens unit 20, and remote receiver 41.

In the self-timer mode, the self-timer lamp 11 operates for a set time from the time when the shutter release button 13 is pressed to the time when the shutter is operated. The flash-light amount sensor 19 detects the light amount when the flash 12 operates and inputs the light amount to the digital signal processor 507 of FIG. 3 through the microcontroller 512 of FIG. 3. The remote receiver 41 receives a command signal from a remote controller (not shown), for example, a photographing command signal, and inputs it to the digital signal processor 507 through the microcontroller 512.

Referring to FIG. 2, the rear of the digital camera 1 according to the present invention has a mode dial 14, function buttons 15, a manual-focusing / deleting button 36, a manual-adjusting / playback button 37. , Playback mode button 42, speaker (SP), monitor button 32, auto-focus lamp 33, viewfinder 17b, flash standby lamp 34, color LCD panel 35, wide angle There is an angle-zoom button 39 _W , a telephoto-zoom button 39 _T , and an external interface 21.

The mode dial 14 may be any one of operation modes of the camera, for example, a simple shooting mode, a program shooting mode, a portrait shooting mode, a night view shooting mode, a manual shooting mode, a movie shooting mode, a user setting mode, and an audio recording mode. Used to select a mode of operation by the user.

The user setting mode (14 _M) is, indicates the mode of operation for the recording information required for the recording mode is set by the user. In this user setting mode _14M , the user can set the exposure compensation mode together with the desired exposure compensation value. Operation related to the exposure compensation mode will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 11.

The voice recording mode refers to an operation mode for simply recording only a voice of a user.

The function buttons 15 are used for the user to set specific operation modes of the digital camera 1 while being used as direction-shift buttons and the like of the activation cursor on the menu screen of the color LCD panel 35. . For example, when the user presses the voice-note / up-move button 15 _R , recording is possible for 10 seconds after the subsequent shooting operation. In addition, the user menu / select-movement button (15 _R) - is in the displayed state, the user and the voice menu for setting the condition of any one of the operation mode by the OK button (15 _M) in the push-notes / uplink Press to move the active cursor up. In addition, the active cursor is user menu / selection in a state located in any one of the selection - Press the OK button (15 _M) the operation corresponding to the selected item is performed.

The manual focusing / deletion button 36 is used to manually focus or delete operation by the user in the shooting mode. The manual-adjustment / playback button 37 is used for the manual adjustment of certain conditions and for functions such as stopping or playing in the playback mode. The playback mode button 42 is used for switching to the playback or preview mode.

The monitor button 32 is used by the user to control the operation of the color LCD panel 35. For example, in the shooting mode, when the user presses the monitor button 32 firstly, the image of the subject and the shooting information thereof are displayed on the color LCD panel 35, and when the user presses the monitor button 32 first, power applied to the color LCD panel 35 is pressed. Is blocked. In addition, in the playback mode, when the user presses the monitor button 32 first while the image file is being played back, the shooting information of the video file being played is displayed on the color LCD panel 35, and when pressed second, Only the image is displayed.

The auto-focus lamp 33 operates when the focus is well achieved. The flash standby lamp 34 operates when the flash (12 in FIG. 1) is in standby for operation. Mode refers to the selection mode of the indicator lamps (14 _L), a mode dial 14.

3 shows the overall configuration of the digital camera 1 of FIG. Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the overall configuration and operation of the digital camera 1 of Figure 1 will be described.

The transparent barrier 13 for preventing foreign matter from adhering to the optical system OPS is driven by the barrier motor M _B to be opened or closed.

The optical system OPS including the lens unit and the filter unit optically processes light from a subject.

The lens unit of the optical system OPS includes a zoom lens, a focus lens, and a compensation lens.

When the user presses the wide angle-zoom button 39w or the telephoto-zoom button 39t included in the user input unit INP, a corresponding signal is input to the microcontroller 512. Accordingly, as the microcontroller 512 controls the lens driver 510, the zoom motor M _Z is driven to move the zoom lens. That is, when the wide-angle zoom button 39w is pressed, the focal length of the zoom lens is shortened to widen the angle of view, and when the telephoto-zoom button 39t is pressed, the focus of the zoom lens is pressed. The longer the length, the narrower the angle of view. Here, since the position of the focus lens is adjusted while the position of the zoom lens is set, the angle of view is hardly influenced by the position of the focus lens.

Meanwhile, in the auto focus mode, the focus motor M _F is driven by the main controller embedded in the digital signal processor 507 controlling the lens driver 510 through the microcontroller 512. As a result, the focus lens is moved, and in this process, the position of the focus lens where the high frequency component of the image signal is the largest, for example, the number of driving steps of the focus motor M _F is set.

The compensating lens of the lens unit of the optical system OPS is not driven separately because it serves to compensate the overall refractive index. Reference numeral M _A denotes a motor for driving an aperture (not shown).

In the filter section of the optical system OPS, an optical low pass filter removes optical noise of high frequency components. Infra-Red cut filter cuts the infrared component of the incident light.

A photoelectric conversion unit (OEC) of a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) converts light from an optical system (OPS) into an electrical analog signal. Here, the digital signal processor 507 controls the timing circuit 502 to control the operations of the photoelectric converter OEC and the analog-digital converter 501. The CDS-ADC (Correlation Double Sampler and Analog-to-Digital Converter) element 501 as an analog-to-digital converter processes the analog signal from the photoelectric converter (OEC), removes the high frequency noise, and adjusts the amplitude. After that, it is converted into a digital signal.

The real time clock 503 provides time information to the digital signal processor 507. The digital signal processor 507 processes the digital signal from the CDS-ADC element 501 to generate a digital image signal classified into luminance and chroma signals.

The light-emitting portion LAMP driven by the microcontroller 512 according to control signals from the digital signal processor 507 incorporating the main controller includes a self-timer lamp 11, an auto-focus lamp 33, A mode indication lamp 14 _L and a flash standby lamp 34 are included. The user input unit INP includes a shutter release button 13, a mode dial 14, function buttons 15, a monitor button 32, a manual focusing / delete button 36, a manual adjustment / playback button ( 37), wide-zoom button 39 _W , telephoto-zoom button 39 _T , and the like.

The digital video signal from the digital signal processor 507 is temporarily stored in the DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 504. The EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) 505 stores algorithms and setting data necessary for the operation of the digital signal processor 507. In the memory card interface 506, a user's memory card is detached.

The digital image signal from the digital signal processor 507 is input to the LCD driver 514, whereby the image is displayed on the color LCD panel 35.

On the other hand, the digital video signal from the digital signal processor 507 can be transmitted by serial communication via the USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection 21a or the RS232C interface 508 and its connection 21b, and the video filter ( 509 and the video output unit 21c may be transmitted as a video signal. Here, the digital signal processor 507 incorporates a microcontroller therein.

The audio processor 513 outputs the audio signal from the microphone MIC to the digital signal processor 507 or the speaker SP, and outputs the audio signal from the digital signal processor 507 to the speaker SP.

On the other hand, the microcontroller 512 drives the flash 12 by controlling the operation of the flash controller 511 according to the signal from the flash-light amount sensor 19.

A main algorithm of the digital signal processor 507 of FIG. 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 as follows.

When operating power is applied to the digital camera 1, the digital signal processor 507 executes initialization (step S1). When this initialization step S1 is executed, the digital signal processor 507 performs a preview mode (step S2). In this preview mode, the input image is displayed on the display panel 35. Operations associated with this preview mode will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 through 11.

Meanwhile, the shutter release button 13 included in the user input unit INP has a two-stage structure. That is, after the user operates the wide-angle zoom button 39 _W and the tele-zoom button 39 _T , the S1 signal from the shutter release button 13 is turned on by pressing the shutter release button 13 only one step. And the S2 signal from the shutter release button 13 is turned on when pressed to the second stage.

Thus, if the S1 signal from the shutter release button 13 is On (step S3), the digital signal processor 507 performs a shooting operation (step S4). The detailed algorithm of this photographing operation (step S4) will be described with reference to FIG.

Next, when signals corresponding to the setting mode are input among the input signals from the user input unit INP (step S5), the setting mode for setting the operating conditions according to the input signals from the user input unit INP is performed. (Step S6).

On the other hand, if no end signal is generated, the digital signal processor 507 continues the following steps (step S7).

First, when a signal is generated from the playback mode button 42 in the user input unit INP (step S8), playback mode S4 is performed (step S9). In this reproduction mode, operating conditions are set according to input signals from the user input unit INP, and a reproduction operation is performed. Next, when a signal is generated again from the reproduction mode button 42 (step S10), the above steps are repeated.

An algorithm of performing the preview mode (S2) of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. 5 as follows.

First, the digital signal processor 507 performs an automatic white balance (AWB) operation to set parameters related to the white balance (step S201).

Next, in the automatic exposure (AE) mode (step S202), the digital signal processor 507 calculates the exposure amount for the incident brightness and drives the aperture driving motor M _A in accordance with the calculated exposure amount. A shutter speed is set (step S203).

Next, the digital signal processor 507 performs gamma correction on the input image data (step S204), and performs scaling on the input image data on which the gamma correction has been performed to meet the display standard. (Step S205, see FIG. 6A).

Next, the digital signal processor 507 converts the format of the scaled input image data from the format of red (R)-green (G)-blue (B) to the format of luminance-chroma (step S206). . Next, the digital signal processor 507 processes the input image data in relation to the resolution, the display position, and the like, and performs filtering (step S207).

Next, if the exposure compensation mode is set in accordance with the user's selection in the setting mode (step S6 in Fig. 4) (step S208), the digital signal processor 507 adjusts the gradation of the input image data according to at least one exposure compensation value. Change to generate data of at least one exposure image (step S209). Accordingly, the exposed image can be displayed more quickly.
In addition, the digital signal processor 507 performs scaling on the generated exposure image data to meet the display standard (step S210). Then, the digital signal processor 507 arranges the input image data obtained by performing step S207 and the data of at least one exposed image obtained by performing step S210 to match the display position (step S211).

Next, the digital signal processor 507 temporarily stores the input image data and the data of the at least one exposed image (when not in the exposure compensation mode) and / or (if not in the exposure mode) in the dynamic RAM (504 in FIG. 3). (Step S212).

Next, the digital signal processor 507 synthesizes the data temporarily stored in the dynamic RAM 504 of FIG. 3 and the On-Screen Display data (step S213). Next, the digital signal processor 507 converts the format of the synthesized image data from the format of luminance-chromaticity to the format of red (R) -green (G) -blue (B) (step S214), and converts the converted image data. The image data of the format is output to the LCD driver (step S215).

FIG. 6A is a diagram for describing a method of processing image data when the exposure compensation mode is not included. FIG. Referring to FIG. 6A, when not in the exposure compensation mode, non-exposed image data obtained by scaling is performed on the input image data so as to meet the display standard and is generated and displayed.

FIG. 6B is a diagram for describing steps S205, S209, and S210 of FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 6B, in the first exposure compensation mode, partial exposure image data obtained by performing scaling and partial exposure on input image data is generated and displayed (see FIG. 8).

6C and 6D are diagrams for describing steps S205 and S209 to S211 of FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 6C, in the second exposure compensation mode, non-exposure image data obtained by scaling on input image data and pre-exposure image data obtained by scaling and pre-exposure on input image data are generated and displayed. (See FIG. 9). Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 6C, in the third exposure compensation mode, non-exposure image data obtained by scaling on input image data, and first pre-exposure image obtained by performing scaling and first pre-exposure on input image data. Data and second pre-exposure image data obtained by performing scaling and second pre-exposure on the input image data are generated and displayed (see FIG. 10).

FIG. 7A is a diagram for describing step S204 of FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 7A, gamma correction is performed on an input gray scale to obtain an output gray scale. Here, the upper limit input grayscale IN _LIM is obtained corresponding to the upper limit grayscale OUT _LIM . In the case of an input gray scale of less than or equal to the upper limit input gray scale IN _LIM , gamma correction may be performed according to a reverse gamma characteristic of the input image data. However, in the case of an input gradation higher than the upper limit input gradation IN _LIM , the output gradation is inversely proportional to the input gradation.

7B and 7C are diagrams for describing step S209 of FIG. 5.

In the case of FIG. 7B, when the gamma correction curve for the input image data is C1, the gamma correction curve C1 is used when the negative exposure correction value is corrected, and the positive exposure correction value is corrected. Gamma correction curve C3 is used. Here, the shapes of the gamma correction curves C1 to C3 are different from each other.

In the case of Fig. 7C, when the gamma correction curve for the input image data is C1, the gamma correction curve C4 is used when the negative exposure correction value is corrected, and the positive exposure correction value is corrected. Gamma correction curve C5 is used. Here, the shapes of the gamma correction curves C1, C4, and C5 are the same. That is, only the offset of the input gray level is changed.

 8 to 11 show images displayed on the screen of the display panel by performing step S215 of FIG. 5. 8 to 11, the same reference numerals as used in FIG. 2 indicate objects of the same function.

Referring to FIG. 8, a partial exposure image is displayed on the color LCD panel 35, and the partial exposure image includes a non-exposed area A _NE and a partial exposed area A _EX (see FIG. 6B). That is, part of the input image becomes an exposure image. Accordingly, the user can select an image of any one area by comparing the partial exposure area A _EX and the non-exposure area A _NE with each other, so that an appropriate exposure compensation value can be easily selected. Reference numeral BL denotes a boundary BL between the non-exposed area A _NE and the partially exposed area A _EX . Reference numeral BS denotes an on-screen display bar for displaying the exposure compensation value.

Referring to FIG. 9, the non-exposure image A _NE and the pre-exposure image A _EX are displayed on the color LCD panel 35 (see FIG. 6C). That is, the single pre-exposure image A _EX for all the input images is reduced and displayed together with the input image A _NE . Accordingly, the user can select an image by comparing the non-exposure image A _NE with the pre-exposure image A _EX , so that an appropriate exposure compensation value can be easily selected. Reference numeral BS denotes an on-screen display bar for displaying the exposure compensation value.

Referring to FIG. 10, the non-exposure image A _NE , the first pre-exposure image A _EXL , and the second pre-exposure image A _EXH are displayed on the color LCD panel 35 (see FIG. 6D). That is, two pre-exposure images A _EXL and A _EXH for all of the input images are displayed together with the input image A _NE . Accordingly, the user can select an image by comparing the non-exposure image A _NE , the first pre-exposure image A _EXL , and the second pre-exposure image A _EXH , so that an appropriate exposure compensation value can be selected. It can be selected easily. Here, the user may select one image and input a selection confirmation signal by using the function buttons 15. Reference numeral BS _L denotes an on-screen display bar for displaying the first exposure correction value, and BS _H denotes an on-screen display bar for displaying the second exposure correction value.

Referring to FIG. 11, the non-exposure image A _NE , the first pre-exposure image A _EX1 , the second pre-exposure image A _EX2 , and the third pre-exposure image A _EX3 are displayed on the color LCD panel 35. Is displayed. That is, three pre-exposure images A _EX1 , A _EX2 , and A _EX3 for all of the input images are displayed together with the input image A _NE . Accordingly, the user compares the non-exposure image A _NE , the first pre-exposure image A _EX1 , the second pre-exposure image A _EX2 , and the third pre-exposure image A _EX3 with each other to compare any one image. Since can be selected, an appropriate exposure compensation value can be easily selected. Here, the user can select the cursor (any one of CS ₁ to CS ₄ ) and input the selection confirmation signal using the function buttons 15.

12 is a flowchart illustrating an algorithm of the photographing operation of FIG. 4.

A detailed algorithm of the photographing operation S4 of FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 12 as follows. Here, the current position of the zoom lens is already set.

First, the digital signal processor 507 checks the remaining amount of the memory card (step S401) to confirm whether it is a capacity capable of recording a digital video signal (step S402). If it is not a recordable capacity, the digital signal processor 507 indicates that the capacity of the memory card is insufficient (step S403). In the case of a recordable capacity, the following steps are performed.

First, the digital signal processor 507 sets white parameters related to the white balance by performing white balance setting according to currently set shooting conditions (step S404).

Next, in the automatic exposure (AE) mode (step S405), the digital signal processor 507 calculates the exposure amount with respect to the incident brightness, and drives the aperture driving motor M _A in accordance with the calculated exposure amount. A shutter speed is set (step S406).

Next, in the automatic focusing mode (step S407), the digital signal processor 507 performs auto focusing to drive the focus lens (step S408).

Next, the digital signal processor 507 continues the following steps if the S1 signal, which is the first stage signal from the shutter release button 13, is On (step S409).

First, the digital signal processor 507 checks whether the S2 signal is on (step S410). If the S2 signal is not on, the user does not press the second stage of the shutter release button 13 to capture the image, and thus the digital signal processor 507 repeatedly performs the steps S405 to S410.

If the S2 signal is on, the user presses the second stage of the shutter release button 13 for shooting, and therefore the digital signal processor 507 performs image capturing (step S411). That is, the photoelectric conversion unit OEC and the CDS-ADC element 501 operate by the digital signal processor 507 controlling the operation of the timing circuit 502. Next, the digital signal processor 507 compresses the image data (step S412) to generate a compressed image file (step S413). Then, the digital signal processor 507 stores the generated image file in the user's memory card through the memory card interface 506 (step S414).

As described above, according to the image capturing apparatus and the image capturing apparatus using the method, the user can compare the exposure image on which the exposure correction is performed and the input image on which the exposure correction is not performed. Accordingly, the user can easily select an appropriate exposure compensation value.
In addition, since the data of the exposed image is obtained by changing the gradation of the data of the input image, the exposed image can be displayed more quickly.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may be modified and improved by those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (7)

A control method of a photographing apparatus for performing a setting mode and a preview mode according to a user's selection, setting operating conditions according to a user's selection in the setting mode, and displaying an input image on a display panel in the preview mode. When an exposure compensation mode is set according to a user's selection in the setting mode, in the preview mode, at least one exposure image according to at least one exposure compensation value is displayed on the display panel together with the input image on which exposure compensation is not performed. And controlling the photographing apparatus to obtain data of the at least one exposed image by changing a gray level of the data of the input image. delete The method of claim 1, And if an image selected from at least one exposure image and the input image displayed on the display panel is selected by a user, an exposure compensation value of the selected image is set. The method of claim 1, And a part of the input image becomes the exposure image. The method of claim 1, And a single pre-exposure image of all the input images is displayed together with the input image. The method of claim 1, And a plurality of pre-exposure images of all the input images are displayed together with the input image. A photographing apparatus which performs a setting mode and a preview mode according to a user's selection, sets operating conditions according to a user's selection in the setting mode, and displays an input image on a display panel in the preview mode. When an exposure compensation mode is set according to a user's selection in the setting mode, in the preview mode, at least one exposure image according to at least one exposure compensation value is displayed on the display panel together with the input image on which exposure compensation is not performed. And obtaining data of the at least one exposed image by changing the gradation of the data of the input image.

Images