KR101370826B1 - Apparatus and method of controlling power source of digital image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for controlling a power supply of a digital image processing apparatus capable of prolonging the use time of a battery by adjusting a driving frequency of a focus motor. To this end, the present invention includes a voltage detector for detecting a voltage level of the battery; A driving frequency determiner configured to determine a driving frequency of a focus motor based on the detected voltage level of the battery; And an automatic focusing controller configured to control an automatic focusing operation at the driving frequency of the determined focus motor. In addition, the present invention includes the steps of detecting the voltage level of the battery; Determining a driving frequency of a focus motor based on the detected voltage level of the battery; And performing an automatic focusing operation at the determined driving frequency of the focus motor.

Description

Apparatus and method of controlling power source of digital image processing device

1 is a perspective view illustrating a front side and an upper side of a digital image processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view illustrating a rear shape of the digital image processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital image processing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply control apparatus of a digital image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a power control method of a digital image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is an example of a graph for explaining a relationship between a battery voltage level and a driving frequency of a focus motor according to the present invention.

7 is another example of a graph for explaining a relationship between a battery voltage level and a driving frequency of a focus motor according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols on the main parts of the drawings

41: voltage detector 42: first voltage comparator

43: second voltage comparator 44: drive frequency determiner

45: frequency comparison unit 46: automatic focusing control unit

47: power off control unit

The present invention relates to a power supply control apparatus and method for a digital image processing apparatus, and more particularly, to a power control apparatus and method for a digital image processing apparatus that can increase the use time of the battery.

Conventional digital image processing apparatuses, such as digital cameras, convert an electrical image signal of a subject into a digital signal using an imaging device such as a CCD to store a digital signal of a subject photographed by a compression / restore operation of the digital signal. Store the data in or output the data through the output device.

Accordingly, a digital camera that performs a photographing operation of a subject according to the above principle stores image data of a photographed subject on a memory card or the like which stores data without using a separate film as in a conventional general camera.

Portable batteries are widely used as power sources for digital cameras. The digital camera operates by receiving power from the battery, and when the voltage level of the battery reaches a predetermined level, the entire system is turned off through a predetermined power-off process.

The constant voltage level at which the power off process occurs is always set above the threshold at which the digital camera can be physically operated. This is for example to prevent a system down phenomenon in which the zoom lens barrel is turned off in the drawn state. That is, by operating the power-off process at the battery level above the threshold where system down can occur, the entire system of the digital camera is protected.

However, in the conventional case, even though the digital camera can be further used as the remaining battery level, the power-off process operates uniformly, which causes a problem that the digital camera can no longer be used. If you don't carry a spare battery, it can be very difficult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in an effort to provide a power control apparatus and method for a digital image processing apparatus capable of extending a battery usage time by adjusting a driving frequency of a focus motor.

The present invention provides a voltage detector for detecting a voltage level of a battery; A driving frequency determiner configured to determine a driving frequency of a focus motor based on the detected voltage level of the battery; And an automatic focusing control unit for controlling an automatic focusing operation at the driving frequency of the determined focus motor.

The driving frequency determiner may set the battery voltage level and the driving frequency of the focus motor in a proportional relationship.

The driving frequency determiner may set the battery voltage level and the driving frequency of the focus motor in a linear function, quadratic function, or exponential function relationship.

The apparatus for controlling power of the digital image processing apparatus may further include a first voltage comparator configured to compare the detected voltage level of the battery with a first threshold voltage, wherein the automatic focusing is performed when the voltage level of the battery is equal to or greater than the first threshold voltage. The controller may control the automatic focusing operation at the maximum driving frequency, and when the voltage level of the battery is less than the first threshold voltage, the driving frequency determiner may determine the driving frequency of the focus motor.

The power control device of the digital image processing apparatus may further include a second voltage comparator configured to compare the detected voltage level of the battery with a second threshold voltage, and to turn off the power when the voltage level of the battery is less than or equal to the second threshold voltage. The controller may control a power-off operation, and when the voltage level of the battery is greater than the second threshold voltage, the driving frequency determiner may determine the driving frequency of the focus motor.

The apparatus for controlling power of the digital image processing apparatus may further include a frequency comparator configured to compare the determined driving frequency of the focus motor with a threshold frequency. When the driving frequency is greater than or equal to a threshold frequency, the auto focusing controller may control the driving frequency of the determined focus motor. The automatic focusing operation may be controlled, and when the driving frequency is smaller than the threshold frequency, the power-off control unit may control the power-off operation.

The present invention includes detecting a voltage level of a battery; Determining a driving frequency of a focus motor based on the detected voltage level of the battery; And performing an automatic focusing operation at the determined driving frequency of the focus motor.

In the determining of the driving frequency of the focus motor, the battery voltage level and the driving frequency of the focus motor may be in proportion.

In the determining of the driving frequency of the focus motor, the battery voltage level and the driving frequency of the focus motor may be a linear, quadratic or exponential function relationship.

The method for controlling power of the digital image processing apparatus may further include comparing the detected voltage level of the battery with a first threshold voltage, and automatically focusing at a maximum driving frequency when the voltage level of the battery is greater than or equal to the first threshold voltage. In operation, when the voltage level of the battery is lower than the first threshold voltage, the driving frequency determination step of the focus motor may be performed.

The method of controlling power of the digital image processing apparatus may further include comparing the detected voltage level of the battery with a second threshold voltage, and when the voltage level of the battery is less than or equal to the second threshold voltage, performs a power-off operation. If the voltage level of the battery is greater than the second threshold voltage, determining the driving frequency of the focus motor may be performed.

The power control method of the digital image processing apparatus may further include comparing the determined driving frequency of the focus motor with a threshold frequency, and when the driving frequency is greater than or equal to the threshold frequency, performs an auto focusing operation at the determined driving frequency of the focus motor. If the driving frequency is smaller than the threshold frequency, the power-off operation may be performed.

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

1 is a perspective view illustrating a front side and an upper side of a digital image processing apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the shutter release button 11, the flash 13, the objective lens 15a of the viewfinder, the power switch 17, and the lens unit 19 are provided at the front of the digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention. It is provided.

The shutter release button 11 opens and closes to expose the CCD or film to light for a predetermined time, and records the image on the CCD by properly exposing the subject in conjunction with an aperture (not shown).

The flash 13 brightens the bright light instantly when shooting in a dark place. The flash mode includes auto flash, forced light emission, flash off, red-eye reduction, and slow synchro.

The objective lens unit 15a of the view finder is a small window of the camera for setting a composition by looking at a subject to be photographed.

FIG. 2 is a rear view illustrating a rear shape of the digital image processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2, the rear of the digital image processing apparatus includes the eyepiece unit 15b of the viewfinder, the direction button 21, the wide angle zoom button 23w, and the telephoto zoom button. A button 23t, a function button 23, a display panel 25, and a speaker SP are provided.

The direction button 21 is an up button ↑ 21-1, a down button ↓ 21-2, a left button ← 21-3, a right button 21-4, and Including the OK button 21-5, a total of five buttons are included. The direction button 21 is a key input for executing various menus related to the operation of the digital camera. In particular, the direction button 21 is a key for activating or selecting an exposure area for controlling exposure or moving the exposure area.

The function button 23 is a button used for the user to select an operation mode of the digital camera. For example, the user can select a still image shooting mode, a movie shooting mode, a playback mode, a trimming mode, a computer connection mode, and a system setting mode. Can be used to set

The wide-zoom button 23w or the tele-zoom button 23t varies its function depending on the execution mode. In the shooting mode, the wide-angle zoom button 23w and the tele-zoom button 23t are input to change the angle of view of the lens. That is, when the wide-zoom button 23w is inputted, the subject to be photographed is far away, and when the telephoto-zoom button 23t is inputted, the subject to be photographed is closer. In the playback mode, when the wide-zoom button 23w is pressed, the image is reduced and displayed. When the tele-zoom button 23t is pressed, the image is enlarged and displayed.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital image processing apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

An optical system (OPS) including a lens unit and a 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 23w or the tele-zoom button 23t included in the user input unit INP, a signal corresponding thereto is input to the microcontroller 312. Accordingly, as the microcontroller 312 controls the lens driver 310, the zoom motor M _Z is driven to move the zoom lens. That is, when the wide-zoom button 25w is pressed, the focal length of the zoom lens is shortened to widen the angle of view, and when the tele-zoom button 25t is pressed, the focal length of the zoom lens is long and the angle of view is narrowed. Lose. Here, since the position of the focus lens is adjusted while the position of the zoom lens is set, the angle of view is hardly influenced by the position of the focus lens.

Meanwhile, in the auto focus mode, the focus motor M _F is driven by the main controller embedded in the digital signal processor 307 controlling the lens driver 310 through the microcontroller 312. As a result, the focus lens is moved from the front to the rear, 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 compensation lens compensates for the overall refractive index and is not driven separately. Reference symbol 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 a high frequency component. Infra-red cut filter blocks the infrared component of incident light.

A photoelectric conversion unit (OEC) of a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) converts light from an optical system (OPS) into an electrical analog signal. Here, the digital signal processor 307 controls the timing circuit 302 to control the operations of the photoelectric converter OEC and the analog-digital converter 301. The CDS-ADC (Correlation Double Sampler and Analog-to-Digital Converter) element 301 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 303 provides time information to the digital signal processor 307. The digital signal processor 307 processes the digital signal from the CDS-ADC element 301 to generate a digital image signal classified into luminance and chroma signals.

Although not shown, the light-emitting portion LAMP driven by the microcontroller 312 under the control of a controller embedded in the digital signal processor 307, a self-timer lamp, an auto-focus lamp, a mode indicating lamp and a flash standby A lamp is included. The user input unit INP includes a shutter release button 11, a direction button 21, a wide-angle zoom button 23w, a telephoto-zoom button 23t, and the like.

A digital image signal from the digital signal processor 307 is temporarily stored in a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 304. The EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) 305 stores algorithms and setting data such as a boot program and a key input program required for the operation of the digital signal processor 307. In the memory card interface 306, the user's memory card is detached.

The digital image signal from the digital signal processor 307 is input to the display panel driver 314, whereby the image is displayed on the display panel 25.

On the other hand, the digital image signal from the digital signal processor 307 can be transmitted by serial communication via a universal serial bus (USB) connection portion 31a or an RS232C interface 308 and its connection portion 31b, and a video filter ( 309 and the video output unit 31c may be transmitted as a video signal. Here, the digital signal processor 307 incorporates a microcontroller therein.

The audio processor 313 outputs the audio signal from the microphone MIC to the digital signal processor 307 or the speaker SP, and outputs the audio signal from the digital signal processor 307 to the speaker SP.

On the other hand, the power supply, which may be a secondary battery, that is, the battery 101 supplies the power-voltage to each part. The digital signal processor 307 reads the power-voltage value D _VCC from the battery 101 by reading the power-voltage value from the analog-digital converter 102.

4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a power supply control apparatus of a digital image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The power supply control apparatus of the digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention may be performed inside the control apparatus for the digital image processing apparatus as shown in FIG. 3, and according to an embodiment, the power supply of the digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention. The control device may be included in the digital signal processor 307 or the microcontroller 312.

Referring to FIG. 4, the power control apparatus according to the present invention includes a voltage detector 41, a first voltage comparator 42, a second voltage comparator 43, a driving frequency determiner 44, and a frequency comparator ( 45), an automatic focusing control section 46 and a power-off control section 47.

The voltage detector 41 detects the voltage level of the battery 101. The voltage level of the battery may be a value between 100% at full charge and 0% at full discharge.

The first voltage comparator 42 compares the detected voltage level of the battery with a first threshold voltage. The first threshold voltage may be a voltage at which a power off operation occurs in a conventional power off method.

The second voltage comparator 43 compares the detected voltage level of the battery with a second threshold voltage. The second threshold voltage may be a voltage at which the system is physically down in the conventional power-off method.

The first threshold voltage may be greater than the second threshold voltage. The first threshold voltage and the second threshold voltage may be preset.

The driving frequency determiner 44 determines the driving frequency of the focus motor M _F based on the detected voltage level of the battery.

The determination of the driving frequency may, for example, classify the voltage levels of the battery into several groups and give different driving frequencies to each of the groups. However, it is more preferable to set the battery voltage level and the driving frequency of the focus motor M _F in a proportional relationship. In detail, the battery voltage level and the driving frequency of the focus motor M _F may be set in a linear, quadratic, or exponential function relationship. However, the relationship between the battery voltage level and the driving frequency of the focus motor M _F is not particularly limited.

When the voltage level of the battery is smaller than the first threshold voltage as a result of the comparison of the first voltage comparator 42, the driving frequency determiner 44 determines the driving frequency of the focus motor M _F based on the battery voltage level. In addition, when the voltage level of the battery is greater than the second threshold voltage as a result of the comparison of the second voltage comparator 43, the driving frequency determiner 44 determines the driving frequency of the focus motor M _F based on the battery voltage level. do.

The frequency comparison unit 45 compares the determined driving frequency of the focus motor MF with a threshold frequency. The threshold frequency is an arbitrary frequency capable of guaranteeing the performance of the auto focusing operation. If the focus motor M _F is operated at a driving frequency below the threshold frequency, the speed of the auto focusing operation is significantly reduced. The threshold frequency may be preset.

The auto focusing control unit 46 outputs the driving frequency signal S _AF of the determined focus motor M _F to control the auto focusing operation. When the voltage level of the battery is greater than or equal to the first threshold voltage as a result of the comparison of the first voltage comparator 42, the auto focusing controller 46 controls the auto focusing operation at the maximum driving frequency. The maximum driving frequency may be a driving frequency operating in a normal mode with a high battery level. Meanwhile, when the driving frequency is greater than or equal to the threshold frequency as a result of the comparison of the frequency comparison unit 45, the automatic focusing control unit 46 controls the automatic focusing operation using the determined driving frequency of the focusing motor M _F.

The power-off control unit 47 controls the power-off operation by outputting a power-off control signal S _PO when the voltage level of the battery is less than or equal to the second threshold voltage, and the driving frequency is higher than the threshold frequency. If small, the power-off control unit controls the power-off operation.

5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a power control method of a digital image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the voltage level of the battery is detected (51). The voltage level of the battery may be a value between 100% at full charge and 0% at full discharge.

Next, the voltage level of the detected battery is compared with a first threshold voltage (52). The first threshold voltage may be a voltage at which a power off operation occurs in a conventional power off method.

As a result of comparison 52 with the first threshold voltage, when the battery voltage level is greater than or equal to the first threshold voltage, an automatic focusing operation is performed at the maximum driving frequency (56). The maximum drive frequency may be a drive frequency operating in a normal mode with a high battery level.

If the battery voltage level is less than the first threshold voltage, the detected voltage level of the battery is compared with the second threshold voltage (53). The second threshold voltage may be a voltage at which the system is physically down in the conventional power-off method.

As a result of comparison 53 with the second threshold voltage, when the battery voltage level is less than or equal to the second threshold voltage, a power-off operation is performed (57).

Meanwhile, when the battery voltage level is greater than the second threshold voltage, the driving frequency of the focus motor M _F is determined based on the detected voltage level of the battery (54).

The determination of the driving frequency may, for example, classify the voltage levels of the battery into several groups and give different driving frequencies to each of the groups. However, it is more preferable to set the battery voltage level and the driving frequency of the focus motor M _F in a proportional relationship. In detail, the battery voltage level and the driving frequency of the focus motor M _F may be set in a linear, quadratic, or exponential function relationship. However, the relationship between the battery voltage level and the driving frequency of the focus motor M _F is not particularly limited.

Next, the driving frequency of the determined focus motor M _F is compared with a threshold frequency (55). The threshold frequency is any frequency that can guarantee the performance of the auto focusing operation. If the focus motor M _F is operated at a driving frequency below the threshold frequency, the speed of the auto focusing operation is significantly reduced. The threshold frequency may be preset.

When the driving frequency is greater than or equal to the threshold frequency, an automatic focusing operation is performed at the driving frequency of the determined focus motor M _F (56), and when the driving frequency is smaller than the threshold frequency, the power-off operation is performed (57).

6 is an example of a graph illustrating a relationship between a battery voltage level and a driving frequency of a focus motor MF according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a driving frequency of a battery voltage level and a focus motor MF according to the present invention. Another example of a graph to illustrate the relationship between

Referring to Figure 6, the first and second threshold voltage levels are 25% and 10%. The battery voltage level between the first and second threshold voltages represents a linear function relationship with the drive frequency of the focusing motor. The threshold frequency of the focusing motor is 800 pps (pulse per second), and when the driving frequency of the focusing motor is determined to be below the threshold frequency, the power off operation is performed to protect the entire system.

7, the first and second threshold voltage levels are 15% and 5%, and the threshold frequency of the focusing motor is 250 pps. The battery voltage level between the first and second threshold voltages represents a nonlinear relationship, such as a quadratic or exponential function, with the drive frequency of the focusing motor.

In the present invention, the first and second threshold voltage levels, the threshold frequency of the focusing motor, and the like are exemplarily specific for description, and are not limited to particular values or ranges. The specific values may be appropriately selected by those skilled in the art according to the specifications, performance and conditions of use of the digital camera.

The power control method of the digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention may be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording apparatuses in which information that can be read by a computer system is stored. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical information storage device, and the like, and also include a carrier wave.

As described above, according to the power control apparatus and method of the digital image processing apparatus of the present invention, a focus motor that requires a high current consumption among components of the digital image processing apparatus cannot operate in a normal mode but has a low consumption. Even at the battery level, which can operate other components requiring current, it is possible to prolong the service time of the battery by adjusting the drive frequency of the focus motor. In addition, by setting a threshold frequency for the automatic focusing operation it is possible to ensure a certain level of automatic focusing performance.

The present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention.

Claims (13)

delete A voltage detector detecting a voltage level of the battery; A driving frequency determiner configured to determine a driving frequency of a focus motor based on the detected voltage level of the battery; And An automatic focusing control unit for controlling an automatic focusing operation at the driving frequency of the determined focus motor, And the driving frequency determiner sets the battery voltage level and the driving frequency of the focus motor in a proportional relationship. A voltage detector detecting a voltage level of the battery; A driving frequency determiner configured to determine a driving frequency of a focus motor based on the detected voltage level of the battery; And An automatic focusing control unit for controlling an automatic focusing operation at the driving frequency of the determined focus motor, And the driving frequency determiner sets the battery voltage level and the driving frequency of the focus motor in a linear function, quadratic function, or exponential function relationship. A voltage detector detecting a voltage level of the battery; A driving frequency determiner configured to determine a driving frequency of a focus motor based on the detected voltage level of the battery; An automatic focusing control unit controlling an automatic focusing operation at the driving frequency of the focus motor; And A first voltage comparator for comparing the detected voltage level of the battery with a first threshold voltage; When the voltage level of the battery is equal to or greater than the first threshold voltage, the auto focusing controller controls the auto focusing operation at the maximum driving frequency. And the driving frequency determiner determines the driving frequency of the focus motor when the voltage level of the battery is lower than the first threshold voltage. A voltage detector detecting a voltage level of the battery; A driving frequency determiner configured to determine a driving frequency of a focus motor based on the detected voltage level of the battery; An automatic focusing control unit controlling an automatic focusing operation at the driving frequency of the focus motor; A second voltage comparing unit comparing the detected voltage level of the battery with a second threshold voltage; And And a power off controller to control a power off operation when the voltage level of the battery is equal to or less than the second threshold voltage. And when the voltage level of the battery is greater than the second threshold voltage, the driving frequency determiner determines the driving frequency of the focus motor. A voltage detector detecting a voltage level of the battery; A driving frequency determiner configured to determine a driving frequency of a focus motor based on the detected voltage level of the battery; An automatic focusing control unit controlling an automatic focusing operation at the driving frequency of the focus motor; A frequency comparison unit for comparing the determined driving motor frequency with a threshold frequency; And If the driving frequency is less than the threshold frequency, and includes a power off control unit for controlling the power off operation, When the driving frequency is greater than or equal to a threshold frequency, the automatic focusing control unit controls the automatic focusing operation at the driving frequency of the determined focus motor, And the power-off controller controls a power-off operation when the driving frequency is smaller than a threshold frequency. delete Detecting a voltage level of the battery; Determining a driving frequency of a focus motor based on the detected voltage level of the battery; And Performing an auto focusing operation at the driving frequency of the determined focus motor; In the determining of the driving frequency of the focus motor, the power voltage control method of the digital image processing apparatus, characterized in that the battery voltage level and the driving frequency of the focus motor has a proportional relationship. Detecting a voltage level of the battery; Determining a driving frequency of a focus motor based on the detected voltage level of the battery; And Performing an auto focusing operation at the driving frequency of the determined focus motor; In the determining of the driving frequency of the focus motor, the battery voltage level and the driving frequency of the focus motor has a linear function, a quadratic function or an exponential function relationship. Detecting a voltage level of the battery; Determining a driving frequency of a focus motor based on the detected voltage level of the battery; And Performing an auto focusing operation at the driving frequency of the determined focus motor; Comparing the detected voltage level of the battery with a first threshold voltage, Perform an auto focusing operation at a maximum driving frequency when the voltage level of the battery is equal to or greater than the first threshold voltage; And determining a driving frequency of the focus motor when the voltage level of the battery is lower than the first threshold voltage. Detecting a voltage level of the battery; Determining a driving frequency of a focus motor based on the detected voltage level of the battery; And Performing an auto focusing operation at the driving frequency of the determined focus motor; Comparing the detected voltage level of the battery with a second threshold voltage, Perform a power-off operation when the voltage level of the battery is equal to or less than the second threshold voltage, And determining a driving frequency of the focus motor when the voltage level of the battery is greater than the second threshold voltage. Detecting a voltage level of the battery; Determining a driving frequency of a focus motor based on the detected voltage level of the battery; And Performing an auto focusing operation at the driving frequency of the determined focus motor; Comparing the determined driving motor frequency with a threshold frequency; When the driving frequency is greater than or equal to a threshold frequency, an auto focusing operation is performed at the driving frequency of the determined focus motor; And performing a power off operation when the driving frequency is smaller than a threshold frequency. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing the method according to any one of claims 8 to 12.

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