KR101204804B1 - Guiding method through voice output for function of digital imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The function guide method using the audio output of the digital photographing apparatus according to the present invention comprises the steps of: setting a shooting function / mode by inputting a new key value by a user; Determining whether a function guide using voice output is set; When the function guide using the audio output is set, retrieving voice information corresponding to a shooting function / mode set by the user from the voice information storage unit; And outputting voice information through the voice output means.

According to the function guidance method using the audio output of the present invention, a description of a specific function and information about a shooting environment that can be usefully used can be provided so that a user can easily and familiarly know a specific function of a digital photographing apparatus such as a digital camera. There is convenience.

Description

 Guiding method through voice output for function of digital imaging apparatus}

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera as an example of a digital photographing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

2 illustrates an example of a front surface of a digital camera as shown in FIG. 1 as an example of a digital photographing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

3 is an example of a digital photographing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, and shows an example of the back and bottom of the digital camera as shown in FIG. 1.

4 is a flowchart for explaining a function guide method using the audio output of the digital photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting a function guide using voice output in step S102 of FIG. 4.

6 is a flowchart for explaining a function guide method using audio output of a digital photographing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an example of a display screen in which step S108 of FIG. 6 is implemented.

8 is a flowchart for explaining a function guide method using the audio output of the digital photographing apparatus according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a method for guiding a function of a digital photographing apparatus such as a digital camera, and more particularly, to a method for guiding a function using audio output of a digital photographing apparatus capable of audio output.

Conventionally, as an example of a digital photographing apparatus, a digital camera has a limitation in the size of a display device, which makes it very difficult for an elderly person or an elderly person to have a decreased vision. In addition, although it is possible to determine which function is activated by only Aacon, it is often difficult to distinguish among users who are not used to using a digital camera. In order to make up for this drawback, the icon that changes every time a function is activated and the selected icon are displayed on the center of the screen by sliding, and then smaller and return to its original position. There is a problem in that it does not know the meaning of the implications, it only draws attention to the user but does not deliver the necessary information.

In addition, due to the complicated functions of the device, the user may not know what the function is unless the user manual is read for efficient use of various additional menus and functions. There are many. In order to alleviate this inconvenience, conventionally, most of the simulation forms have the advantage of notifying the actual product by using a voice message or the like without a user's manual. However, the user must manually follow the instructions as the device guides the user. It takes too much time because it delivers unnecessary information in addition to the menu that is used right now, it is likely to give users inconvenience and hassle. Especially, in case of digital camera that needs to shoot subject in short time, it is too short time to listen to guide message and shoot. Therefore, it is different from user manual in that it is necessary to take some time in advance to use this simulation function. There is no

On the other hand, most of the devices are stratified due to the limited keypad. However, if you press the key without a menu and operate it immediately, or all the menus or keys are clearly marked as text and can be used without explanation, the risk of an accident is high if you operate it while driving. In order to compensate for the dangerous and cumbersome situation of holding the handle and flicking the desired function key with the other hand, all the keys and menus are connected with the same one button, so that the user can control the menu by only operating one button. There is a way to tell if you have accessed. However, in this method, there is a mechanical problem that a single button must be entered and an inconvenience of implementing a function. Since only one button can be moved, when the desired mode is located at the end, the desired mode comes out. There is a problem that you must continue to visit.

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is not only for the elderly and elderly people who have poor eyesight, but also for those who are not familiar with the functions of the digital photographing apparatus. It is to provide a function guidance method using a voice output.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a function guide method using a voice output of a digital photographing apparatus, the method including: (a) setting a shooting function / mode by inputting a new key value by a user; (b) determining whether a function guide using voice output is set; (c) in the case where the function guide using the voice output is set, retrieving voice information corresponding to the shooting function / mode set by the user from the voice information storage unit; And (d) outputting voice information through voice output means.

In the step (b), the setting of the function guide using the audio output may be performed by using the full voice information or the camera term, which indicates what function the shooting function / mode has, what kind of situation it is used for and what effect it has. It may be characterized in that it is set as basic voice information that simply indicates what function.

In the step (b), it may be determined whether or not a voice guidance help hot key has been input.

The step (d) may further include (d1) reading display information corresponding to the set shooting function / mode from the display information storage unit and outputting the display information through the display apparatus.

The function guide method through the audio output of the digital photographing apparatus corresponds to the shooting function / mode changed by the user through the display device when it is determined that the function guide using the audio output is not set as a result of the determination in step (b). Determining whether to display display information; And if it is determined that the display information is to be displayed, the method may further include the step of proceeding to step (d1).

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the configuration and operation of the present invention will be described in detail. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote components that perform the same function.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital camera as an example of a digital photographing apparatus to which the concept of the present invention may be applied.

The optical system OPS including the lens unit and the filter unit optically processes light from a subject. The lens unit in the optical system OPS includes a zoom lens, a focus lens, and a compensation lens.

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 DSP 7 controls the timing circuit 2 to control the operations of the photoelectric converter OEC and the analog-digital converter 1. The CDS-ADC (Correlation Double Sampler and Analog-to-Digital Converter) element 1 as an analog-to-digital converter processes the analog signal from the photoelectric converter (OEC), removes the high frequency noise, and adjusts the amplitude. (auto gain control, AGC) and then convert to a digital signal. The DSP 7 processes the digital signal from the CDS-ADC element 1 to generate a digital image signal classified into luminance and chroma signals.

The DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 4 temporarily stores digital image signals and other temporary processing data from the DSP 7.

The EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) 5 stores algorithms and setting data necessary for the operation of the DSP 7. The memory card of the user is attached to and detached from the memory card interface 6.

The digital image signal from the DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 7 is converted into the display signal of the LCD panel by the LCD driver 14 so that the image is displayed on the color LCD panel 17.

On the other hand, the digital image signal from the DSP 7 can be transmitted by serial communication via the USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection 18 or the RS232C interface 8 and its connection 19, and the video filter 9 And a video signal through the video output unit 20.

The audio processor 13 outputs the audio signal from the microphone MIC to the DSP 7 or the speaker SP, and outputs the audio signal from the DSP 7 to the speaker SP.

The user input unit INP may include a shutter button, a mode selection button, a function selection button, a zoom button, a direction movement button, and the like. The user input unit INP is operated by the user to generate a command for performing each function according to the user's instruction.

The microcontroller 12 controls the lens driver 10, whereby the zoom motor M _Z , the focus motor M _F , and the aperture motor M _A are zoom lenses in the optical system OPS, The focus lens and the aperture are driven respectively. The light emitting unit LAMP driven by the microcontroller 12 may include a self-timer lamp, an auto-focus lamp, a flash standby lamp, and the like. On the other hand, the microcontroller 12 drives the flash 15 by controlling the operation of the flash controller 11 in accordance with the signal from the flash-light amount sensor 16.

The function of the microcontroller 12 may be implemented in one chip with the DSP 7.

The digital camera to which the present invention can be applied does not have to include all of the above components, and a person skilled in the art may delete some of the components, add another component, modify some components, It will be appreciated that the functionality of the various components may be integrated and implemented.

2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a front surface of a digital camera as shown in FIG. 1 as an example of a digital photographing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

2, the shutter button 30, the power button 37, the SF mode button 31, the microphone 32, the speaker 33, the optical 3x zoom lens / lens cover 34, and the self-timer A lamp / AF (auto-focus) auxiliary light 35, flash 36, and the like are provided.

3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a rear surface and a bottom surface of a digital camera as shown in FIG. 1 as an example of a digital photographing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

On the back of the digital camera of FIG. 3, the wide-angle zoom button 38, the telephoto zoom button 39, the playback mode button 40, the camera strap 41, the 5 function buttons 42, the +,-/ delete buttons (43), DC / USB / AV input terminal cradle button (44), LCD monitor (45), camera status lamp (46), mode / album button (47), and the like, and a battery chamber cover (53) at the bottom , A battery chamber 54, a battery lock lever 56, a memory card slot 55, and the like.

The LCD monitor 45 displays an OSD (On Screen Display) indicating the current shooting mode and status of the digital camera.

The five-function button 42 includes a MENU entry / OK button 49 and up, down, left, and right direction buttons 48, 51, 52, and 50 in the center. When the menu is displayed on the monitor, the up, down, left, and right directional buttons can function as special function buttons instead of directional movement.

The various function buttons shown in FIG. 3 may be provided to perform two or more complex functions in addition to the functions shown in the names.

4 is a flowchart for explaining a function guide method using the audio output of the digital photographing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the function guide method using the audio output of the digital photographing apparatus according to the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a new key value is input by a user to set a shooting function / mode (S100), and the function using the voice output is performed. Determining whether or not the guidance is set (S102), when the function guidance using the audio output is set, the step of importing the voice information corresponding to the shooting function / mode set by the user from the voice information storage unit (S104), the voice information And outputting through the audio output means (S106).

 If the user is fully familiar with a particular function / mode of the digital imaging device, the user may not have set up a function guide using audio output. However, a user who is not sufficiently familiar with the shooting function / mode of the digital photographing apparatus may have set the function guide using the audio output (S102). In this case, voice information corresponding to the shooting function / mode set by the user is retrieved from the voice storage unit (S104).

  The voice information refers to information stored in the form of voice in advance by the memory means as information on a specific function of the digital photographing apparatus. In this case, the voice information to be loaded depends on how the function guide determined in step S102 has been previously set. This will be described again with reference to FIG. 5.

When the voice information corresponding to the shooting function / mode set by the user is retrieved from the voice information storage unit, the voice information is output through the voice output unit so that the user can recognize the function (S106). In this case, the voice output means according to the present invention may be an output means such as a speaker, and the present invention may be implemented by any means that can be perceived by the user.

The function guide using the audio output helps the user to fully understand the functions of the digital photographing apparatus. In other words, rather than simply providing a mechanical procedure for operating the digital photographing apparatus, anyone can actively understand and utilize the functions of the digital photographing apparatus through the audio output of the voice information on the photographing function / mode provided by the present invention. do.

In the case of older users, it is difficult to clearly understand the functions of the digital photographing apparatus by only the shape of the icon itself, the brief description of the icon, or the activation of the icon. The above problem can be solved by a function guidance method using the audio output of the device. In addition, even in younger ages, the function of the digital photographing apparatus is not sufficiently understood, and thus the digital photographing apparatus is often used as if using a photographing apparatus such as a film camera. It also provides young people with a desirable method of using digital imaging devices.

 FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting a function guide using voice output in step S102. That is, the setting of the function guide using the voice output may be set to full voice information or basic voice information. In this case, the full voice information may be set to indicate what function the shooting function / mode set in step S100 has, what kind of situation, and what effect. The basic voice information may be set as a simple camera term indicating the function of the shooting function / mode set in step S100. If the voice information oop is set here, the voice function guide is not provided.

The setting of the function guide using the voice output as described above is preferably set before the step S100. In this case, the function guide using the voice output may be set by the user through the voice information menu 60 on the display device.

Meanwhile, the voice information stored in the voice information storage unit includes first voice information 62 which is information about a simple function of the digital photographing apparatus and second voice information 64 which is information about a function description of the digital photographing apparatus, a shooting environment, and the like. Can be set and stored.

When the user selects the full voice information, if the shooting function / mode set by the user is macro photography, the voice description storage unit not only provides information on the simple function that is the first voice information, but also the second voice information. Read information about the environment. That is, when the function / mode of the close-up photography is set in step S100 by inputting a user's key value, not only the information 62 about the close-up photography function but also information that is good for taking a precise picture of flowers and still life when taking close-up photography Information 64 about the shooting environment, which is similar to the macro mode, is also called. If you don't know anything about digital cameras and haven't seen a lot of film cameras, you can choose full voice information.

For the closeup function / mode, when the user selects the basic voice information, only the information on the function which is the first voice information 62 is read from the voice storage. Although we have dealt with film cameras a lot, this is the voice information that can be selected by the user who is new to digital shooting means. In the case of such a user, it is possible to immediately understand a function or a menu that appears as a text menu. However, an icon may not know its meaning. Tell them what the feature is.

As described above, it is possible to determine whether the user enters the voice information menu using the existing menu button, but it is also possible to determine whether the voice guidance help hot key has been input. A hot key is a special function button installed on the outside of the digital photographing device. For those who are not accustomed to operating the key button, the hot key can be used to provide a function guide using the audio output only by operating the hot key. Can be set.

Therefore, when it is determined in step S102 that the function guide using the voice output is set by the hot key, the process proceeds to step S104.

6 is a flowchart for explaining a function guide method using audio output of a digital photographing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

That is, the step of setting a shooting function / mode by inputting a new key value by the user (S100); Determining whether a function guide using a voice output is set (S102); In the case where the function guide using the audio output is set, retrieving voice information corresponding to the shooting function / mode set by the user from the voice information storage unit (S104); And outputting the voice information through the voice output means (S106), wherein the step S106 reads display information corresponding to the set shooting function / mode from the display information storage unit, And outputting the display information through the display apparatus (S108).

The display information refers to the information on the display device as a description of the functions of the digital photographing apparatus such as the digital camera, the photographing environment, and the image already stored in the display information storage unit. By providing the display information on the display device to the user separately from the voice information on the shooting function / mode set by the user being output by the voice output means such as a speaker, the user can recognize the information on the shooting function / mode set more clearly. have. Since the user of the digital photographing apparatus has a large degree of dependence on vision for capturing an image, if visual information is displayed on the display apparatus, the understanding and intimacy of the function of the digital photographing apparatus will be significantly increased.

FIG. 7 illustrates display information displayed on a display device as an example of a display screen on which step S108 of FIG. 6 is implemented. For example, in a close-up function / mode, a user may provide a description of a close-up function / mode or a photographing environment on the display device, in addition to transmitting voice information about a close-up image to a user using a voice output means. Can more clearly understand the function for closeup. In the display information 70 shown in FIG. 8, the image 72 of the close-up photographing and the information 74 about the photographing environment are displayed in text.

Meanwhile, when displaying display information as an image on the display device, an image before and after using a specific function may be compared and displayed. For example, in the case of the red-eye reduction flash function / mode, the display device compares an image 76 taken before the red-eye reduction flash function / mode is set with an image 78 taken after the red-eye reduction function / mode is set. It can be displayed on. Therefore, in this case, a user who shoots in the red-eye reduction flash function / mode can immediately see the effect photographed in the red-eye reduction flash function / mode.

8 is a flowchart for explaining a function guide method using audio output of a digital photographing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

That is, the step of setting a shooting function / mode by inputting a new key value by the user (S100); Determining whether a function guide using a voice output is set (S102); In the case where the function guide using the audio output is set, retrieving voice information corresponding to the shooting function / mode set by the user from the voice information storage unit (S104); Outputting voice information through voice output means (S106); And importing display information corresponding to the set shooting function / mode from the display information storage unit and outputting the display information through the display device (S108). If it is determined in step S102 that the function guide using the audio output is not set, determining whether to display display information corresponding to the shooting function / mode changed by the user through the display device; And if it is determined that the display information is to be displayed, further proceeding to step S108.

This allows the user to skip the steps S104 and S106 and proceed to step S108 when the user does not want the output of the voice information and wants to output only the display information. Even if the function guide method using the voice recognition according to the present invention may be necessary to create an environment that should not be disturbed by noise depending on the shooting conditions, the function guide can be performed only through the display information.

Although the above embodiments have been described with reference to a digital camera as an example of a digital device to which the present invention can be applied, the present invention is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will understand that a digital photographing apparatus capable of voice output for guiding functions can be applied to a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a personal computer, and the like. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a portable multimedia player (PMP), which has recently been in the spotlight. PMP is a portable, next-generation multimedia player with complex functions such as music playback, broadcast reception, games, electronic dictionary, video playback, and digital camera such as MP3. Even when the PMP is digitally output by means of digital photographing, the concept of the present invention can be applied as it is.

The best embodiments have been disclosed in the drawings and specification. Although specific terms have been employed herein, they are used for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the claims or the claims. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical idea of the appended claims.

As described above, according to the function guidance method using the audio output of the digital photographing means of the present invention, the description of the specific functions and the functions of the digital photographing device such as a digital camera can be used conveniently and in a familiar manner. There is a convenience to provide information about the shooting environment and the like.

The invention is not limited to the examples described above and represented in the drawings. Those skilled in the art having been taught by the above-described embodiments may make many modifications to the above-described embodiments by substitution, erasure, merging, etc. within the scope and object of the present invention described in the following claims.

Claims (5)

(a) inputting a new key value by the user to set a shooting function / mode; (b) determining whether a function guide using voice output is set; (c) in the case where a function guide using voice output is set, retrieving voice information corresponding to a shooting function / mode set by the user from a voice information storage unit; (d) outputting the voice information through voice output means; And        and (e) comparing and displaying an image before and after using the photographing function / mode on the display device. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) The setting of the function guide using the audio output is a function of the full voice information which indicates what function the set shooting function / mode has, what kind of situation and effect, or simply what function in camera term. Function guide method using the audio output of the digital photographing device, characterized in that set as the basic (Basic) voice information to inform. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) The voice guidance help function guide method using the audio output of the digital photographing apparatus, characterized in that it is determined whether a hot key has been input. delete The method of claim 1, If it is determined in step (b) that the function guide using the audio output is not set,  Determining whether to display display information corresponding to a shooting function / mode changed by a user through the display device; And  And if it is determined that the display information is to be displayed, the method further comprises the step (e).

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