KR101320613B1 - Digital camera having MP3 playback function and operating method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera and its operation method that do not damage the captured image even if the subject is photographed while performing MP3 playback. In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a method for recovering a compressed file by decoding MP3 data stored in the digital camera when the MP3 playback function is selected; (b) depositing the decoded data in a predetermined amount; (c) reproducing the decoded data by voice; And (d) stopping the decoding operation and outputting an audio signal from the deposited data when the digital camera photographs the subject.

Description

Digital camera having MP3 playback function and its operation method {Digital camera having MP3 playback function and operating method}

1 is an internal block diagram of a digital camera according to the present invention.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a digital camera according to the present invention.

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

101; Digital camera ;, 105; With camera photography function

107; MP3 playback section 111; MP3 data storage

121; Decoder, 131; Shooting detector

141; Buffer, 151; Digital-to-analog converter

161; Amplifier, 171; Audio output

The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly, to a digital camera having an MP3 playback function and a method of operating the same.

Digital cameras are devices that convert captured images into digital data and store them in memory. Since digital cameras do not use film, they are inexpensive, easy to delete and reproduce, and are widely used by the general public. However, in addition to the inherent function of photographing, digital cameras are also equipped with MP3 playback function to listen to music, satisfying various needs of people.

MP3 is a technology for compressing audio data. When using MP3 technology, the size of audio data is reduced by 10 times or less. Generally, the size of the music file is about 30-50 [MB], and when the music file is compressed using the MP3 technology, the size of the music file is reduced to 2-5 [MB] which is much smaller than that. Therefore, the size of the memory for storing music files is greatly reduced. As such, even if the digital camera has an MP3 playback function, it does not occupy much memory.

An apparatus for performing an MP3 playback function has a decoder which decompresses the compressed data to the size of the original data. The decoder consumes a lot of power to operate. However, a lot of power is consumed even when the digital camera photographs the subject. Therefore, when the subject is photographed while performing the MP3 playback, the power consumption is rapidly increased, thereby causing distortion in the captured image.

As described above, when the subject is photographed while performing the MP3 playback, the photographed image is damaged, and a method for solving the problem is required.

An object of the present invention is to provide a digital camera that does not damage the captured image even if the subject is photographed during the MP3 playback.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of operating a digital camera that does not damage the captured image even if the subject is photographed while performing MP3 playback.

In order to achieve the above object,

A digital camera having an MP3 playback function, comprising: a decoder for decoding an input MP3 file and restoring a compressed file; A photographing detecting unit electrically connected to the decoder and configured to detect an operation of the digital camera and stop the operation of the decoder; A buffer electrically connected to the decoder, for depositing a predetermined amount of data output from the decoder; A digital-analog converter electrically connected to the buffer and converting the data output from the buffer into analog data and outputting the analog data; And an audio output unit converting the data output from the digital-analog converter into audio and outputting the audio.

Preferably, the buffer deposits the predetermined amount of data output from the decoder at the beginning of the operation of the decoder, and then outputs an amount corresponding to the data output from the decoder, and the data deposited in the buffer. Disappears when the power supply is interrupted.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention,

A method of operating a digital camera having an MP3 playback function, comprising: (a) if the MP3 playback function is selected, decoding MP3 data stored in the digital camera to restore a compressed file; (b) depositing the decoded data in a predetermined amount; (c) reproducing the decoded data by voice; And (d) when the digital camera photographs the subject, stopping the decoding operation and outputting a voice from the deposited data.

Preferably, in the step (d), when the photographing is completed, the method further comprises the step of re-depositing by the missing amount of the predetermined amount deposited.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements.

1 is an internal block diagram of a digital camera 101 according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the digital camera 101 includes a camera photographing function unit 105 and an MP3 playback unit 107.

The camera photographing function unit 105 photographs a subject and stores the photographed image. The camera photographing function unit 105 performs a photographing function of a general digital camera 101.

The MP3 player 107 performs an MP3 playback function. The MP3 player 107 includes an MP3 data storage 111, a decoder 121, a photographing detector 131, a buffer 141, a digital-to-analog converter 151, an amplifier 161, and an audio output unit ( 171.

The MP3 data storage 111 stores MP3 data. MP3 data is compressed data. Accordingly, a large amount of MP3 data is stored in the MP3 data storage 111. The MP3 data is transmitted from an external device such as a modem or a computer and stored in the MP3 data storage 111 through an MP3 interface (not shown) provided in the digital camera 101. The MP3 data storage 111 may include a flash memory, a RAM, or the like.

The decoder 121 is electrically connected to the MP3 data storage 111. The MP3 file stored in the MP3 data storage 111 is input and decoded. That is, the decoder 121 restores the compressed MP3 file and converts the compressed MP3 file into a pulse code modulation (PCM) bit stream. In order for the decoder 121 to operate, a lot of power consumption is generated compared to other components. Therefore, when the camera photographing operation is performed at the same time when the decoder 121 operates, the power consumption may increase so that the captured image may be damaged.

The photographing detecting unit 131 is electrically connected to the camera photographing function unit 105 and the decoder 121. The photographing detecting unit 131 detects whether the camera photographing function unit 105 performs an operation of photographing a subject. That is, when the user presses a shutter release button (not shown) provided in the camera photographing detection unit 131 to photograph the subject, the camera photographing function unit 105 opens the camera lens (not shown). Shoot the subject. As described above, when the camera photographing function unit 105 starts to photograph the subject, the photographing detecting unit 131 detects this. In order to detect a shooting operation, the shooting detector 131 may detect an operation of pressing the shutter release button, may detect an operation of opening the camera lens, and an image of a subject may be detected by the digital camera 101. The motion incident to the inside of the can also be detected. When the photographing operation is detected, the photographing detecting unit 131 stops the operation of the decoder 121 by giving a signal to the decoder 121.

The buffer 141 is electrically connected to the decoder 121. The buffer 141 includes a memory capable of storing a predetermined amount of data output from the decoder 121. That is, the PCM bit stream output from the decoder 121 is deposited for a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount is preferably set to such an amount that the digital-to-analog converter 151 can operate for 3 to 4 seconds after the decoder 121 stops the operation. The predetermined amount is set by the designer, but may be configured to be set by the user. The buffer 141 first deposits a predetermined amount of the PCM bit stream output from the decoder 121 at an initial stage of operation, and then outputs the corresponding amount in the predetermined amount when the PCM bit stream is input from the decoder 121. do. Therefore, a predetermined amount of PCM bit stream is always deposited in the buffer 141 while the MP3 player 107 is operating. Then, when the MP3 playback operation is stopped, the predetermined amount of data deposited in the buffer 141 disappears. The buffer 141 may be configured as a flash memory or a RAM.

The digital-analog converter 151 is electrically connected to the buffer 141. The digital-analog converter 151 converts the PCM bit stream output from the buffer 141 into an analog signal and outputs the analog signal.

The amplifier 161 is electrically connected to the digital-analog converter 151. The amplifier 161 amplifies and outputs an analog signal output from the digital-analog converter 151.

The voice output unit 171 is electrically connected to the amplifier 161. The voice output unit 171 converts the analog signal output from the amplifier 161 into voice and outputs the voice. The audio output unit 171 is composed of speakers, earphones, headphones and the like.

As described above, the MP3 playback unit 107 includes a photographing detection unit 131 and a buffer 141, and the camera captures a state in which the buffer 141 deposits a predetermined amount of the PCM bit stream output from the decoder 121. When the function unit 105 photographs the subject, the photographing detection unit 131 detects this to stop the operation of the decoder 121, so that the decoder 121 operates while the camera photographing function unit 105 photographs the subject. Stop. Therefore, when the digital camera 101 photographs the subject, power consumption of the digital camera 101 is reduced while continuing to perform the MP3 playback function. As a result, the captured image is not damaged.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating the digital camera 101 according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the method of operating the digital camera 101 according to the present invention includes first to fifth steps. The MP3 reproduction operation of the digital camera 101 shown in FIG. 2 will be described with reference to the digital camera 101 shown in FIG. 1.

In a first step 211, MP3 data is decoded. That is, in order to start MP3 playback, first, a switch for controlling the MP3 playback operation must be turned on (205). The MP3 switch is kept off when in standby. As such, when the MP3 switch is turned on, the decoder 121 receives the MP3 bit stream stored in the MP3 data storage 111 and decodes it into a PCM bit stream.

In a second step 221, the data decoded by the decoder 121 is deposited in the predetermined amount buffer 141. That is, the decoded data is not immediately converted into analog data by the digital-analog converter 151, but first, by a digital-analog converter 151 after a predetermined amount is deposited in the buffer 141. do. The predetermined amount of the decoded data is preferably set to such an amount that the digital-to-analog converter 151 can operate for 3 to 4 seconds. After a predetermined amount of decoded data is deposited in the buffer 141, the data deposited in the buffer 141 is pushed back and output from the buffer 141 by the amount of data input from the decoder 121 to the buffer 141. Therefore, a predetermined amount of decoded data is always kept in the buffer 141. When the digital camera 101 is powered off or the MP3 playback operation is completed, the data deposited in the buffer 141 is lost. When the digital camera 101 performs the MP3 playback operation again, the decoded data output from the decoder 121 is first deposited in the buffer 141 by a predetermined amount, and then decoded into the buffer 141. As soon as data is input, data is output from the buffer 141.

In a third step 231, voice is reproduced. That is, the MP3 playback unit 107 sequentially outputs data stored in the buffer 141 to output audio through the digital-to-analog converter 151 and the audio output unit 171.

In a fourth step 241, when the camera photographing function unit 105 starts photographing, the MP3 playback unit 107 stops decoding the MP3 data. Then, data is no longer transmitted from the decoder 121 to the buffer 141. Accordingly, the buffer 141 outputs the deposited data, which reproduces the voice as it passes through the digital-to-analog converter 151 and the voice output unit 171.

As a fifth step, when the camera photographing function unit 105 completes photographing, the decoder 121 starts operation again and re-deposits the missing amount of the predetermined amount deposited in the buffer 141. In this manner, the predetermined amount of decoded data is always deposited in the buffer 141.

While the MP3 playback unit 107 is in operation, whenever the MP3 switch is turned off, the MP3 playback unit 107 stops the operation, and all the data deposited in the buffer 141 disappears at that moment.

As described above, when the MP3 playback unit 107 starts the playback operation, the data output from the decoder 121 is deposited in the buffer 141 by a predetermined amount, whereby the decoder (when the camera imaging function 105 performs imaging) Even if 121 stops the operation, the MP3 playback unit 107 continues to play the audio regardless.

As described above, when the MP3 playback unit 107 starts playback in accordance with the present invention, the data decoded by the decoder 121 is deposited in the predetermined amount buffer 141, so that the camera photographing function unit 105 displays the subject. At the time of shooting, even if the decoder 121 stops the operation, the MP3 playback unit 107 can continuously play back the audio regardless of it.

As described above, when the camera photographing function 105 photographs the subject, the decoder 121 stops the operation, thereby reducing the power consumption of the digital camera 101, thereby preventing the captured image from being damaged.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art 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.

Claims (8)

In a digital camera having an MP3 playback function, A decoder which decodes the input MP3 file and restores the compressed file; A photographing detecting unit electrically connected to the decoder and configured to detect an operation of the digital camera and stop the operation of the decoder; A buffer electrically connected to the decoder, for depositing a predetermined amount of data output from the decoder; A digital-analog converter electrically connected to the buffer and converting the data output from the buffer into analog data and outputting the analog data; And And a voice output unit which converts and outputs data output from the digital-analog converter into voice.  And the voice output unit converts and outputs the voice from the data deposited in the buffer when the photographing operation is performed. The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the decoder outputs a PCM bit stream to the buffer. The digital display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buffer deposits the predetermined amount of data output from the decoder at the initial operation of the decoder, and then outputs the corresponding amount of data corresponding to the data output from the decoder. camera. The digital camera of claim 1, wherein the data deposited in the buffer disappears when the power supply is interrupted. In the operation method of a digital camera having an MP3 playback function, (a) if the MP3 playback function is selected, decoding MP3 data stored in the digital camera to restore a compressed file; (b) depositing the decoded data in a predetermined amount; (c) reproducing the decoded data by voice; And (d) when the digital camera photographs a subject, stopping the decoding operation and outputting a voice from the deposited data. The method of claim 5, further comprising, in the step (d), when the photographing is completed, re-depositing the lost amount of the predetermined amount. . 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the predetermined amount is a quantity capable of playing back the voice for 3 to 4 seconds while the decoding operation is stopped. The method of claim 5, wherein the predetermined amount is deposited in a memory provided in the digital camera.

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