KR100702955B1 - Method of controlling digital image processing apparatus and digital image processing apparatus adopting the method - Google Patents

Abstract

The control method of the digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention may capture and store as many pictures as desired in a digital image processing apparatus having a photo file size determining factor that affects the size of a photo file taken and stored in a memory card. And methods (a) to (d) as the method of In step (a), the user desired number of pictures, which is the number of pictures desired to be taken and stored in the memory card, is input. In step (b), if the number of the desired user photo counts cannot be taken and stored with the value of the current photo file size determining factors, considering the current memory card remaining capacity, the number of the desired user photo counts with the remaining capacity of the current memory card Combinations of the values of the photo file size determining factors are displayed that enable the storage of. In step (c) a user's selection of one of the combinations of values of the picture file size determination factors displayed in step (b) is received. In step (d), the values of the currently set photo file size determination factors are set to be changed to values according to the user's selection in step (c).

Digital Image Processing Unit, Resolution, Compression Ratio

Description

Method of controlling digital image processing apparatus and digital image processing apparatus employing this method

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

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

3 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the digital camera of FIG.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a digital image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention related to photographing.

5A and 5B show examples of display screens in the control method of FIG. 4.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a digital image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, which relates to video recording.

7A and 7B show examples of display screens in the control method of FIG. 6.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a digital image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, which relates to voice recording.

9A and 9B show examples of display screens in the control method of FIG. 8.

 <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,

15 _R ... self-timer / right button, 15 _L ... flash / left button,

15 _D ... macro / down button, 15 _U ... voice-note / up button,

15 _M ... Menu / Select-OK button, 17a, 17b ...

19 ... flash-light sensor, 20 ... lens section,

21 External interface, MIC microphone,

SP ... speakers, 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-Adjusting / Play / Stop button,

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

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

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 camera processor, 508 RS232C interface, 509 video filter,

21a ... USB connection, 21b ... RS232C connection,

21c ... video output, 510 ... lens drive,

511 ... flash controller, 512 ... microcontroller,

INP ... user input, LAMP ... light emitter,

513 audio processor, 514 LCD driver.

The present invention relates to a method of controlling a digital image processing apparatus and a digital image processing apparatus employing the method, and more particularly, to set up a current digital image processing apparatus so that a user can take a desired number of photos and store them in a memory card. A control method of a digital image processing apparatus for changing contents and a digital image processing apparatus employing the method.

When acquiring video, video and audio information with a digital image processing device such as a digital camera, the obtained information is stored in a storage space of an inactive memory such as an EEPROM or a memory card composed of an SDRAM and a backup battery, respectively. It is saved as a file. In this case, the storage space of the memory card is a limited space. If the acquired information exceeds a predetermined amount, no further information can be stored unless the already stored file is deleted.

Accordingly, for example, in order to store a large amount of image information in a limited storage space, the obtained photo information is stored in a memory card through a predetermined conversion and compression process, and the stored photo file has a resolution and The size may vary depending on the compression rate. The smaller the resolution and the higher the compression rate, the less storage space is occupied, but the more information is lost compared to the original acquired information, which faithfully reproduces the original image when restoring the compressed image information for display on a display device. You may not be able to. On the contrary, if the resolution is large and the compression rate is small, it can be reproduced with excellent image quality, but the storage space occupies so much that the number of pictures cannot be taken and stored. Therefore, in the case of a normal digital camera, the user can set the resolution and the compression ratio in consideration of the number of pictures to be stored in the limited storage space and the desired image quality.

However, even if you want to take and store the desired number of photos, users often don't know how to set the resolution and compression ratio in order to get the best image quality. There is a problem that often fails to take the desired number of photos instead of obtaining a good image quality.

The problem of the above-mentioned problem is that the digital image processing apparatus of today can not only acquire image information and store it as a picture file, but also obtain video information and store it as a video file, and obtain voice information and store it as a voice file. Similar results occurred when recording and recording, and when recording and storing voice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and a digital image processing apparatus for allowing a user to acquire and store a desired amount of video information, video information, and audio information at an optimal quality considering the remaining space of a current memory card. It is an object of the present invention to provide a control method and a digital video processing apparatus employing this method.

In order to achieve the above object, the control method of the digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention is a photograph in a digital image processing apparatus having a photo file size determining factor affecting the size of a photo file taken and stored in a memory card. Steps (a) to (d) as a method to be photographed and stored by the desired number of times. In the step (a), the user desired number of pictures, which is the number of pictures desired to be taken and stored in the memory card, is input. In the step (b), if the number of the desired user photo can not be taken and stored with the value of the current photo file size determining factors in consideration of the current memory card remaining capacity, the user desired photo with the remaining capacity of the current memory card. Combinations of the values of the picture file size determining factors are displayed that allow the number of copies to be stored. In step (c), the user's selection of one of the combinations of values of the picture file size determination factors displayed in step (b) is received. In step (d), the value of the currently set photo file size determination factors is set to be changed to a value according to the user's selection in step (c).

The photo file size determining factor refers to a factor for determining a size of an individual photo file that is photographed and stored in a memory card. For example, the resolution and the compression rate correspond to this.

On the other hand, the control method of the digital image processing apparatus of the present invention related to the function of shooting and storing a moving image, the digital file having a video file size determining factor affecting the size of the moving image file taken for a unit time and stored in the memory card Steps (a) to (d) are included as a method for allowing an image processing apparatus to capture and store a moving image for a desired time. In the step (a), a user desired shooting time, which is a shooting time, which is desired to be taken in the future and stored in a memory card, is input. In the step (b), if the user desired shooting time cannot be captured and stored with the values of the current video file size determining factors in consideration of the current memory card remaining capacity, the user desired shooting with the current memory card remaining capacity. Combinations of the values of the moving picture file size determining factors are displayed that allow shooting and storing the time. In step (c), the user's selection of one of the combinations of values of the moving picture file size determination factors displayed in step (b) is received. In the step (d), the values of the currently set video file size determination factors are set to the values according to the user's selection in the step (c).

The video file size determining factor refers to a factor for determining the size of a video file photographed for a unit of time and stored in a memory card. For example, the resolution and frame rate may correspond to the video file size determining factor. A moving image shows a series of still images taken at short time intervals, and a frame rate means how many still images per second are displayed in succession.

On the other hand, the control method of the digital image processing apparatus of the present invention related to the function of recording and storing audio, the digital image processing apparatus having a voice file size determining factor affecting the size of the audio file recorded and stored in the memory card As a method for recording and storing the voice for a desired time in the step comprises the steps (a) to (d). In step (a), a user's desired recording time, which is a recording time desired to be recorded and stored in the memory card, is input. In the step (b), if the user desired recording time cannot be recorded and stored with the value of the current voice file size determining factors in consideration of the current memory card remaining capacity, the user desired recording is performed with the current memory card remaining capacity. Combinations of values of voice file size determination factors are displayed that allow recording and storing time. In step (c), the user's selection of one of the combinations of values of the voice file size determination factors displayed in step (b) is received. In the step (d), the values of the voice file size determination factors currently set are changed and set to the values according to the user's selection in the step (c).

The voice file size determining factor refers to a factor for determining the size of a voice file recorded for a unit time and stored in a memory card. For example, the voice file size determining factor corresponds to a sampling rate and whether it is stereo or mono.

The digital image processing apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object employs the control method of the present invention.

According to the control method of the digital image processing apparatus and the digital image processing apparatus employing the method, the user can store a desired amount of image information, video information, and audio information in a memory card.

In addition, it is possible to obtain and store a desired amount of video information, video information, and audio information at an optimal quality considering the remaining space of the current memory card.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1, in front of the digital camera 1 as a digital image processing 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 at which the image starts to be captured. The flash-light amount sensor 19 detects the light amount when the flash 12 operates and inputs the light amount to the digital camera 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 camera processor 507 through the microcontroller 512.

The shutter release button 13 has a two-stage structure. In other words, 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. On), the S2 signal from the shutter release button 13 is turned on when pressed to the second stage.

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 / playing / stopping 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 wide angle-zoom button 39 _W , telephoto-zoom button 39 _T , and external interface 21.

The mode dial 14 is 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 a recording mode. Used to select the operating mode by the user.

For reference, the user setting mode 14 _MY indicates an operation mode for setting shooting information required for each shooting mode by the user.

Meanwhile, the recording mode 14 _V indicates an operation mode for simply recording a sound, for example, only a user's voice. After switching to the recording mode (14 _V), press the user and the primary the shutter release button 13, the audio (audio) file is created on the memory card as a storage medium, the audio data inputted is stored in the audio file. Next, when the user presses the shutter release button 13 again, the storage of the input audio data is stopped and the audio file is completed.

The function buttons 15 are used by the user to perform specific functions of the digital camera 1 while being used as direction-shift buttons and the like of the activation cursor in the menu screen of the color LCD panel 35. For example, each function of the function buttons 15 will be described in detail.

If the image currently displayed in the playback mode is not magnified, when the user presses the self-timer / right button 15 _R , the next file in the forward order is displayed. In addition, when the image currently displayed in the reproduction mode is enlarged, when the user presses the self-timer / right button 15 _R , the display area of the enlarged image is moved to the right. Then, when the user presses the self-timer / right button 15 _R in the preview mode, a self-timer operation, for example, an operation of automatically photographing after 10 seconds is performed.

If the currently displayed image in the reproduction mode is not enlarged, the following files in the reverse order is displayed when the user presses the flash / Left button (15 _L). Further, if the currently displayed image in a reproduction mode, the zoom, the user and the display area of the magnified image by pressing the flash / Left button (15 _L) is moved to the left. Then, the user can set the flash mode to any one of a shooting mode according to the pressing the flash / Left button (15 _L) in a program review (Preview) mode.

If the currently displayed image in a reproduction mode, the zoom, the user presses the macro / down button (15 _D) display area of the enlarged image is moved upward. In addition, the user-up auto focus for the recording mode by pressing the macro / down button (15 _D) is set in the preview mode.

When the image currently displayed in the reproduction mode is enlarged, when the user presses the voice memo / up button 15 _U , the display area of the enlarged image is moved downward. In addition, when the user presses the voice memo / up button 15 _U in the preview mode, recording is possible for 10 seconds after the following shooting operation.

User menu / selection in the state in which the selection cursor is activated in the setting mode which is switched from the preview mode as described above - by pressing the OK button (15 _M) the operating conditions corresponding to the selected item is set.

Manual-adjust / play / stop button 37 is used for manual adjustment of certain conditions. In addition, in the playback mode, when the user presses the manual-adjustment / playback / stop button 37 while the user selects any video file, the selected video file can be played or stopped.

The manual focusing / deletion button 36 is used to manually focus or delete operation by the user in the shooting 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 playback mode button 42 is used for switching to the playback or preview mode.

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 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 camera 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 camera 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 camera processor 507. The digital camera processor 507 processes the digital signal from the CDS-ADC element 501 to generate a digital video signal classified into luminance and chroma signals.

The light emitting unit LAMP driven by the microcontroller 512 according to control signals from the digital camera 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.

A digital video signal from the digital camera processor 507 is temporarily stored in a 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 camera processor 507. In the memory card interface 506, a user's memory card is detached. The memory card refers to any storage means inserted into the memory card interface 506 and used for storing digital photo files, video files, and audio files, and is a portable compact flash card. , Smart Media, Memory Stick, and the like.

The digital image signal from the digital camera 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 camera 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 camera processor 507 incorporates a microcontroller therein.

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

The digital camera processor 507 processes the digital signal output from the CDS-ADC element 501 according to the set resolution and classifies it into a luminance and chroma signal, compresses it according to the set compression ratio, and generates compressed digital image information. do. In this case, the resolution and the compression ratio may be set by the user from the outside and may be changed. The size of the image information stored in the memory card varies according to the set resolution and the compression ratio.

In this case, the resolution indicates the degree to which the subject can be accurately reproduced in a television or a photograph, and can be divided into horizontal resolution and vertical resolution. In the case of a digital camera, an image is divided into unit areas corresponding to the horizontal resolution and the vertical resolution, and the image is converted into an image signal value corresponding to each unit area (pixel, pixel) and stored.

Therefore, the larger the resolution is, the more detailed the image is obtained by obtaining the information on each unit area, so that an image of good quality can be obtained, but the more the screen information is stored there, the larger the storage area in the memory card occupies.

In addition, the compression process of the digital camera processor 507 may be configured in a variety of ways, either hardware or software. As the compression standard for color still images, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) It is widely used and can be applied to various kinds of resolutions from low resolution display systems to high resolution printing systems.

For example, the JPEG image compression method using a lossy irreversible coding method based on a Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) may be used. After decomposition into blocks, the decomposed video signals are inputted one block at a time, and a discrete cosine transform operation is performed on a block basis, the discrete cosine transformed video signals are quantized, and the quantized data is encoded using a Hoffman encoder. To generate a compressed image.

In this case, in order to quantize the input video signal, a quantization table in which luminance quantization coefficient values and chrominance quantization coefficient values are stored is used, and the Huffman coder controls the scan operation or adjusts each coefficient value of the quantization table. You can adjust the size of the compressed image.

In the compression process, the size of the image information stored in the memory card may change according to the selection of the compression mode as described above when the digital image signal is compressed, and thus the number of pictures that can be stored in the limited memory card may vary. have. In other words, when a compression mode with a high compression rate is selected, the number of pictures that can be stored in the memory card increases, and when a compression mode with a low compression rate is selected, the number of pictures that can be stored in the memory card decreases. In the case of the resolution, when the compression ratio is the same, a high resolution requires a large storage space per number of pictures compared to a low resolution. As such, in general, digital image processing apparatuses have factors influencing the size of a photo file taken and stored in a memory card. In the present invention, this is called a photo file size determining factor.

In order to increase the number of pictures stored in the memory card and to reduce the resolution and select a compression mode with a large compression ratio, a large amount of original image information may be displayed when the picture file stored in the memory card is outputted as a picture or played back on a display device. The loss of parts may result in deterioration of the image quality compared to the original image.

In the digital camera of the present embodiment, the digital video signal is compressed by dividing the compression mode into three modes of super fine, fine, and normal.

In this case, the memory card has a limited storage space. Therefore, when a predetermined number of images that can be stored according to the set resolution and compression ratio, that is, the picture file size determining factors, are stored, the image can no longer be acquired. Therefore, for example, when there are a number of pictures to be photographed in the future and stored in a memory card, such as when photographing a dog photograph of a predetermined number of persons, the photographing should be performed at an appropriate resolution and compression ratio. The control method of the digital image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is for this case.

Referring to FIG. 4, the user starts the control method of the present invention in order to capture and store the desired number of pictures. The control method of the present invention can be started by pressing a predetermined button of the digital camera 1. For example, the digital camera 1 has a function called "picture helper", and the function may be started by pressing a predetermined button. When the predetermined button of the digital camera 1 is detected, the microcontroller 112 sends a signal to the digital camera processor 507 to execute the "photo purchase assistant" function. Then, the digital camera processor 507 first receives the user desired number of pictures, which is the number of pictures desired to be taken and stored in the memory card (S110). This causes, for example, the digital camera processor 507 to display some integer on the LCD panel 35 and increases the displayed integer by the user pressing the voice-memo / up button 15 _U or the macro / down button. It may be possible by informing to the values displayed by clicking the OK button (15 _M) in a digital camera processor (507) to reduce Press _(D 15), create a user-desired number of pictures, menu / selection.

In this case, the user desired number of pictures is larger than the number of pictures when the digital image processing apparatus allows the minimum picture file size, that is, the maximum compression rate and the minimum resolution, and the number of pictures stored in the memory card remaining capacity, that is, the maximum possible number of pictures. There will be cases where it is impossible. There are two ways to deal with this case, one of which is to input the desired number of pictures first, then display an error message and display the maximum number of possible pictures and request re-entry within the range. As shown in FIG. 4, first, the maximum number of possible pictures is displayed (S100), and then the user desired number of pictures is input within the range (S110).

The digital camera processor 507 then takes the user desired photo as the value of the current photo file size determination factors (resolution and compression rate in this example), given the remaining capacity of the memory card connected to the memory card interface 506. It is determined whether the number of shots can be taken and stored (S120), if not possible, LCDs of combinations of values of photo file size determining factors that enable the user to store the desired number of photographs with the remaining capacity of the current memory card. The panel 35 is displayed as shown in FIG. 5A (S160). Three combinations are shown in FIG. 5A. The first is a combination of 2048 × 1536 resolution and normal compression, the second is a combination of 1600 × 1200 resolution and fine compression, and the third is a combination of 1024 × 768 resolution and super fine compression.

Each combination displayed as shown in FIG. 5B is preferably displayed together with the number of pictures that can be stored in the combination in terms of helping the user to select. FIG. 5B shows that 55 pictures can be taken in the first combination, 58 pictures in the second combination, and 59 pictures in the third combination. Further, whether or not the number of recordable pictures is displayed together or not, the combinations are preferably displayed in a sorted order in order of enabling the storage of the number of pictures close to the desired number of pictures. The combinations may display all combinations that enable storage of more than the desired number of pictures, but only the upper predetermined number is displayed in order of the combinations that enable storage of the number of pictures close to the desired number of pictures. It is also preferable.

Next, a user's selection of one of the combinations of values of the displayed photo file size determination factors is received (S170). 5A and 5B show that the selection bar is located in the first combination, and the user places the selection bar in the desired combination by operating the voice-note / up button 15 _U and the macro / down button 15 _D. / select - Press the OK button (15 _M) may be capable of receiving a user selected by stating that the desired combination of a digital camera processor 507

Next, the digital camera processor 507 changes and sets the currently set photo file size determination factors to values according to the user's selection above (S180).

On the other hand, in consideration of the current memory card remaining capacity, when the user desired number of pictures can be taken and stored even with the values of the current picture file size determining factors (YES in S120), the current picture file size determining factors It is preferable to terminate while maintaining the value. Alternatively, it is also possible to proceed to the steps of S160, S170, and S180 so that the combination of the values of the picture file size determining factors can be changed according to a user's selection, whether or not shooting is possible with the current setting. At this time, the user can display and save the current settings as well, but do you want to see the possible settings? And keep the current settings according to the user's selection or proceed to the steps of S160, S170, and S180. It will be possible.

When deleting some of the files (picture files, video files, voice files, etc.) stored on the memory card, it will be possible to increase the remaining capacity of the memory card to store pictures of good quality. In consideration of this, in consideration of the current memory card remaining capacity, when the number of the desired user photo counts cannot be taken and stored with the values of the current picture file size determining factors (NO in S120), the file stored in the memory card is stored. If there is a file stored in the memory card (S130), and asks the user whether or not to delete one or more of the files stored in the memory card (S140), if the user affirms by selecting the files to delete It is possible to add something that can be deleted (S150).

Although not shown in FIG. 4, a method of allowing a digital image processing apparatus having a photo file size determining factor that affects the size of a photo file taken and stored in a memory card to capture and store as many pictures as desired. It may be possible to configure the following steps.

First, the user inputs the desired number of pictures, which is the number of pictures desired to be taken and stored on the memory card, and then, based on the remaining capacity of the current memory card, the value of the current picture file size determining factors is the number of user desired pictures. If it is impossible to capture and store the image, the combination of the values of the photo file size determining factors for enabling the user to store the desired number of pictures with the remaining memory card capacity is obtained, and not displayed, instead of the currently set photo file size determining factor. Is set to change the value of the photo file size determining factors in the combination that can store the number of pictures closest to the user desired number of pictures among the combinations obtained above.

On the other hand, in the case of capturing and storing a video, there is a video file size determining factor that affects the size of a video file captured and stored for a unit time. For example, the resolution and frame rate of the video may be mentioned. For example, the resolution of a video includes VGA, that is, 640 × 480 and QVGA, 320 × 240, and the frame rate indicates how many still images per unit time the video is composed of fps (frames per sec). ) In units. For example, a 15 fps video is a video composed of 15 still images per second, and a 30 fps video is a video composed of 30 still images per second. Such a video file size determining factor can be set by a user, and the present invention shown in FIG. 6 is provided to set a video file size determining factor that satisfies a user's desired shooting time similarly to the above description with respect to a photo file. do.

Referring to FIG. 6, the user starts the control method of the present invention in order to capture and store a video for a desired time. The control method of the present invention can be started by pressing a predetermined button of the digital camera 1. For example, the digital camera 1 has a function called "movie capturing time helper", and the function may be started by pressing a predetermined button. When the predetermined button of the digital camera 1 is detected, the microcontroller 112 sends a signal to the digital camera processor 507 to execute a "movie recording time helper" function. Then, the digital camera processor 507 first receives a user's desired photographing time, which is a photographing time desired to be photographed in the future and stored in the memory card (S210). This causes, for example, the digital camera processor 507 to display some integer on the LCD panel 35 and increases the displayed integer by the user pressing the voice-memo / up button 15 _U or the macro / down button. It may be possible by informing to the values displayed by clicking the OK button (15 _M) in a digital camera processor 507 - and then reduced by pressing the _(D 15) made as a user desired number of pictures, menu / selection.

In this case, the user desired recording time is the recording time when the video size is the minimum per unit time allowed by the digital image processing apparatus, that is, the minimum frame rate and the minimum resolution to be stored in the remaining capacity of the memory card, that is, the maximum possible shooting time It may be bigger and impossible. There are two ways to deal with such cases, one of which is to first input the user's desired shooting time, then display an error message, display the maximum possible shooting time, and request re-entry within the range. As shown in FIG. 6, first, the maximum possible shooting time is displayed (S200), and then the user desired shooting time is input within the range (S210).

Next, the digital camera processor 507 desires the user with the value of the current video file size determination factors (resolution and frame rate in this example) given the remaining capacity of the memory card connected to the memory card interface 506. It is determined whether or not the shooting time can be captured and stored (S220), if not possible, LCDs of combinations of values of moving picture file size determination factors that enable the user to store the desired shooting time with the remaining capacity of the current memory card. The panel 35 is displayed as shown in FIG. 7A (S260). 7A shows a combination of the two. The first is a combination of VGA resolution and 15 fps frame rate, and the second is a combination of QVGA resolution and 30 fps frame rate.

It is also preferable that each combination displayed as shown in FIG. 7B be displayed together with the shooting time that can be stored in the combination, in order to assist the user in selecting. FIG. 7B shows that the first combination can capture and store 54 minutes of video and the second combination of 57 minutes of video. Further, whether or not the recordable shooting time is displayed together or not, the combinations are preferably displayed in an order of combinations that enable storage of the shooting time close to the user desired shooting time. The combinations may display all combinations that enable the user to store a moving image longer than the user's desired shooting time, but only the upper predetermined number is arranged in order of the combinations that enable the storage of the shooting time close to the user's desired shooting time. It is also preferable.

Next, a user's selection of one of the combinations of values of the displayed video file size determination factors is received (S270). Figures 7a, 7b there seems a state in which is located a bar selecting the first combination, when the user voice-after position Notes / up buttons (15 _U) and select the desired combinations by the macro / down button operation to (15 _D) bar, menu / select - Press the OK button (15 _M) may be capable of receiving a user selection by stating that the desired combination of a digital camera processor 507

Next, the digital camera processor 507 changes and sets the currently set video file size determination factors to values according to the user's selection above (S280).

On the other hand, in consideration of the current memory card remaining capacity, if the user's desired shooting time can be captured and stored even with the values of the current video file size determining factors (YES in S220), the current video file size determining factors It is preferable to terminate while maintaining the value. Alternatively, it is also possible to proceed to the steps of S260, S270 and S280 so that the combination of the values of the video file size determining factors can be changed according to the user's selection, whether or not shooting is possible with the current setting. At this time, the user can display and save the current settings as well, but do you want to see the possible settings? And keep the current settings according to the user's selection or proceed to the steps of S260, S270, and S280. It will be possible.

When deleting some of the files (picture files, video files, voice files, etc.) stored in the memory card, it will be possible to increase the remaining capacity of the memory card to store the video of high quality. In consideration of this, in consideration of the current memory card remaining capacity, when the user desired shooting time cannot be captured and stored with the values of the current video file size determining factors (No in S220), the file stored in the memory card is stored. In operation S230, if the file stored in the memory card exists, the user is asked whether or not to delete one or more of the files stored in the memory card (S240). It is possible to add (S250) to be able to delete.

On the other hand, in the case of recording and storing the voice, there is a voice file size determining factor that affects the size of the voice file recorded and stored for a unit time, for example, the sample rate of the voice and whether or not stereo mono. The sample rate of speech can be 8 KHz, 16 KHz, for example. Such a voice file size determining factor can be set by a user, and the present invention shown in FIG. 8 is provided to set a voice file size determining factor that satisfies a user's desired recording time.

Referring to Figure 8, in order to be able to record and store the voice for a desired time, the user starts the control method of the present invention. The control method of the present invention can be started by pressing a predetermined button of the digital camera 1. For example, the digital camera 1 has a function called "voice recording time helper" and the function may be started by pressing a predetermined button. When the predetermined button of the digital camera 1 is detected, the microcontroller 112 signals the digital camera processor 507 to execute the "voice recording time helper" function. Then, the digital camera processor 507 first receives a user's desired recording time, which is a recording time desired to be recorded and stored in the memory card (S310). This causes, for example, the digital camera processor 507 to display some integer on the LCD panel 35 and increases the displayed integer by the user pressing the voice-memo / up button 15 _U or the macro / down button. It may be possible by informing to the values displayed by clicking the OK button (15 _M) in a digital camera processor (507) to reduce Press _(D 15), create a user-desired number of pictures, menu / selection.

In this case, the recording time when the user desired recording time is the audio file size per unit time allowed by the digital image processing apparatus, that is, the minimum sample rate and monaural recording to store in the remaining capacity of the memory card, that is, the maximum possible recording time. It may be bigger and impossible. There are two ways to handle this case, one of which is to input the user's desired recording time first, then display an error message and display the maximum possible recording time and request re-entry within the range. As shown in FIG. 8, first, the maximum possible recording time is displayed (S300), and then the user desired recording time is input within the range (S310).

Next, the digital camera processor 507 takes the value of the current voice file size determination factors (sample rate and stereo / mono in the above example) into consideration given the remaining capacity of the memory card connected to the memory card interface 506. It is determined whether or not the user desired recording time can be captured and stored (S320), if not possible, a combination of values of voice file size determining factors that enable the user to record the desired recording time with the remaining capacity of the current memory card. These are displayed on the LCD panel 35 as shown in FIG. 9A (S360). A combination of the two is shown in Figure 9a. The first is a combination of 8 KHz sample rate and stereo, and the second is a combination of 16 KHz sample rate and mono.

Each combination displayed as shown in FIG. 9B is preferably displayed together with the recording time that can be stored in the combination in terms of helping the user to select. FIG. 9B shows that the first combination can record and store 147 minutes of speech and the second combination of 150 minutes of speech. Further, whether or not the recordable recording time is displayed together or not, the combinations are preferably displayed in a sorted order in order of enabling the storage of the recording time close to the user desired recording time. The combinations may indicate all combinations that enable the storage of voices longer than the user desired recording time, but only the upper predetermined number is arranged in order of the combinations enabling the storage of the recording time close to the user desired recording time. It is also preferable.

Next, a user's selection of one of the combinations of values of the displayed voice file size determination factors is received (S370). 9A and 9B show that the selection bar is located in the first combination. The user places the selection bar in the desired combination by operating the voice-memo / up button 15 _U and the macro / down button 15 _D. / select - Press the OK button (15 _M) may be capable of receiving a user selection by stating that the desired combination of a digital camera processor 507

Next, the digital camera processor 507 changes and sets the currently set voice file size determination factors to values according to the user's selection above (S380).

On the other hand, in consideration of the current memory card remaining capacity, if the user's desired recording time can be captured and stored even with the values of the current voice file size determining factors (YES in S320), It is preferable to terminate while maintaining the value. Alternatively, it is also possible to proceed to the steps of S360, S370, S380 so that the combination of the value of the voice file size determination factors can be changed according to the user's selection, whether or not shooting is possible with the current setting. At this time, the user may record and save the current settings, but do you want to see the possible settings? And keep the current settings according to the user's selection or proceed to the steps of S360, S370, and S380. It will be possible.

In the case of deleting some of the files (picture files, video files, voice files, etc.) stored in the memory card, it will be possible to increase the remaining capacity of the memory card to store the voice of good quality. In consideration of this, when considering the remaining capacity of the current memory card, when the user desired recording time cannot be recorded and stored with the values of the current voice file size determining factors (No in S320), the file stored in the memory card is stored. In operation S330, if the file stored in the memory card exists, the user is asked whether or not to delete one or more of the files stored in the memory card (S340). It is possible to add (S350) to be able to delete.

As described above, according to the control method of the digital image processing apparatus and the digital image processing apparatus employing the method according to the present invention, the desired amount of image information, video information, and audio information is stored in the current memory card. It can be acquired and stored with optimal quality considering space.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to one embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, this is merely exemplary, and various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible to those skilled in the art. I can understand. Accordingly, the true scope of protection of the invention should be defined only by the appended claims.

Claims (26)

A digital image processing apparatus having a photo file size determining factor that affects the size of a photo file taken and stored in a memory card, allows a digital camera to capture and store as many pictures as desired. (a) a user inputs a desired number of pictures, which is the number of pictures desired to be taken and stored on a memory card; (b) in view of the current memory card remaining capacity, if the user desired number of pictures cannot be taken and stored with the value of the current picture file size determining factors, the user desired number of pictures is stored with the current memory card remaining capacity. Indicating combinations of values of the photo file size determination factors that make it possible; (c) receive a user's selection for one of the combinations of values of the photo file size determining factors indicated in (b); And, (d) change the values of the currently set photo file size determination factors to values according to the user's selection in (c), Control method of the digital image processing device comprising a. The method of claim 1, wherein the picture file size determining factor comprises a resolution and a compression rate. Control method of digital image processing device. According to claim 1, wherein each combination displayed in the step (b) is displayed with the number of pictures that can be stored in the combination, Control method of digital image processing device. The method of claim 1, wherein the combinations displayed in the step (b) are displayed in an order of combinations that enable storage of the number of pictures close to the desired number of pictures. Control method of digital image processing device. The method of claim 1, wherein the combinations displayed in the step (b) are displayed only in a predetermined number in order of combinations that enable storage of the number of pictures close to the desired number of pictures. Control method of digital image processing device. According to claim 1, wherein the step (a), (a1) displaying the number of pictures, i.e., the maximum possible number of pictures when storing in the remaining capacity of the memory card with the minimum picture file size allowed by the digital image processing apparatus; And, (a2) a user desired number of pictures is input within the maximum number of available pictures; Control method of the digital image processing device comprising a. The method of claim 1, (b ') maintaining the value of the current picture file size determining factors when the user desired number of pictures can be taken and stored even with the values of the current picture file size determining factors given the current memory card remaining capacity; Control method of the digital image processing device further comprising. The method of claim 1, (a'1) In view of the remaining capacity of the current memory card, if the number of user desired photographs cannot be taken and stored with the values of the current picture file size determining factors, it is determined whether a file stored in the memory card exists. ; (a'2) asking the user whether to delete one or more of the files stored on the memory card; And, (a'3) allowing the user to select and delete files to be deleted if the user is positive in (a'2); Control method of the digital image processing device further comprising. As a method of allowing a digital image processing device having a video file size determining factor that affects the size of a video file recorded in a unit time and stored in a memory card, the video can be recorded and stored for a desired time. (a) receiving a user desired recording time, which is a recording time desired for shooting in the future and storing on a memory card; (b) in consideration of the current memory card remaining capacity, if the user desired shooting time cannot be recorded and stored with the value of the current video file size determining factors, the user desired shooting time is taken with the current memory card remaining capacity; Indicating combinations of values of the movie file size determination factors to enable saving; (c) receive a user's selection for one of the combinations of values of the movie file size determination factors indicated in (b); And, (d) change the currently set video file size determining factors to values according to the user's selection in (c), Control method of the digital image processing device comprising a. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the video file size determining factor comprises a resolution and a frame rate. Control method of digital image processing device. The method of claim 9, wherein each combination displayed in the step (b) is displayed with the shooting time possible in the combination, Control method of digital image processing device. The method of claim 9, wherein the combinations displayed in the step (b) are displayed in a sorted order in combinations that enable a shooting time close to a user desired shooting time. Control method of digital image processing device. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the combinations displayed in the step (b) are displayed by sorting the upper predetermined number in the order of combinations that enable a shooting time close to a user desired shooting time. Control method of digital image processing device. The method of claim 9, wherein step (a) comprises: (a1) displaying the shooting time, i.e., the maximum possible shooting time when shooting with the minimum moving image file size allowed by the digital image processing apparatus and storing in the remaining capacity of the memory card; And, (a2) a user desired shooting time is input within a range of the maximum possible shooting time; Control method of the digital image processing device comprising a. The method of claim 9, (b ') considering the current memory card remaining capacity, if the user's desired shooting time can be captured and stored even with the values of the current video file size determining factors, the current video file size determining factors are maintained. Control method of the digital image processing device further comprising. The method of claim 9, (a'1) In consideration of the remaining capacity of the current memory card, when the user's desired shooting time cannot be captured and stored using the current video file size determining factors, it is determined whether a file stored in the memory card exists. ; (a'2) asking the user whether to delete one or more of the files stored on the memory card; And, (a'3) allowing the user to select and delete files to be deleted if the user is positive in (a'2); Control method of the digital image processing device further comprising. A method of allowing a digital image processing apparatus having an audio file size determining factor that affects the size of an audio file recorded in a unit time and stored in a memory card, to record and store audio for a desired time. (a) receive a user desired recording time, the recording time desired for future recording and storage on a memory card; (b) in view of the current memory card remaining capacity, if the user desired recording time cannot be recorded and stored with the value of the current voice file size determining factors, the user desired recording time is recorded with the current memory card remaining capacity. Indicate combinations of values of voice file size determination factors to enable storage; (c) receive a user's selection for one of the combinations of values of the voice file size determination factors indicated in (b); And, (d) change the currently set voice file size determining factors to values according to the user's selection in (c), Control method of the digital image processing device comprising a. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the speech file size determining factor comprises sample rate and whether it is stereo or mono. Control method of digital image processing device. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein each combination displayed in the step (b) is displayed with the recording time possible in the combination, Control method of digital image processing device. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the combinations displayed in the step (b) are arranged in order of combinations to enable a recording time close to a user desired recording time. Control method of digital image processing device. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the combinations displayed in the step (b) are displayed by sorting the upper predetermined number in order of combinations that enable a recording time close to a user desired recording time. Control method of digital image processing device. The method of claim 17, wherein the step (a), (a1) indicating the recording time, i.e., the maximum possible recording time when recording with the minimum amount of audio file size allowed by the digital image processing apparatus and storing in the remaining capacity of the memory card; And, (a2) receiving a user desired recording time within the maximum possible recording time; Control method of the digital image processing device comprising a. The method of claim 17, (b ') retaining the values of the current voice file size determination factors when the user's desired recording time can be recorded and stored even with the values of the current voice file size determination factors given the current memory card remaining capacity; Control method of the digital image processing device further comprising. The method of claim 17, (a'1) In consideration of the current memory card remaining capacity, if the user's desired recording time cannot be recorded and stored with the values of the current voice file size determining factors, it is determined whether a file stored in the memory card exists. ; (a'2) asking the user whether to delete one or more of the files stored on the memory card; And, (a'3) allowing the user to select and delete files to be deleted if the user is positive in (a'2); Control method of the digital image processing device further comprising. A digital image processing apparatus having a photo file size determining factor that affects the size of a photo file taken and stored in a memory card, allows a digital camera to capture and store as many pictures as desired. (a) a user inputs a desired number of pictures, which is the number of pictures desired to be taken and stored on a memory card; (b) in view of the current memory card remaining capacity, if the user desired number of pictures cannot be taken and stored with the value of the current picture file size determining factors, the user desired number of pictures is stored with the current memory card remaining capacity. Finding a combination of values of the picture file size determining factors to enable; (c) changing the value of the currently set photo file size determining factors to the value of the photo file size determining factors in the combination capable of storing the number of pictures closest to the user desired number of pictures among the combinations of (b) above; Control method of the digital image processing device comprising a. A digital image processing apparatus employing the method of any one of claims 1 to 25.

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