KR20010047297A - Digital still camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A digital still camera is provided to reproduce and edit the image data obtained from a digital still camera directly without a transmitting the data to a computer through an additional PC interface. CONSTITUTION: An optical block unit(10) comprises a lens unit for focusing an input light, an iris for controlling a quantity of light of focused inputted light, and a viewfinder for reflecting the inputted light. A photoelectric transducing unit(20) comprises a CCD for converting a two dimensions light image focused through the optical block unit(10) into one dimension electric signal and a CCD driving circuit unit. A signal processing unit(30) performs a color separation and a black/white level correction of the electric signal. An A/D converter(40) performs a converting of the output of the signal processing unit(30). A video memory(50) stores RGB information outputted from the A/D converter(40) in real time. A digital signal processing unit(60) performs a compression/extension of the data stored in the video memory(50). A memory(70) records the image data compressed in the digital signal processing unit(60). A user input unit(80) accesses a memory and applies a user's input. A CPU(90) interprets the input received from the user input unit(80) and generally processes image data of the memory(70). A displaying unit(100) displays the output of the A/D converter(40) through a displaying element as a LCD.

Description

Digital still camera {DIGITAL STILL CAMERA}

The present invention relates to a digital still camera (DSC), and more particularly, it is possible to interface with a remote site without a separate computer, and to transmit and receive image data, and to obtain image data obtained from a digital still camera or A digital still camera capable of directly editing image data received from a remote location.

A general still camera is a method of acquiring an image by exposing a photosensitive film to light at a moment. In a general still camera, in order to input camera data that has been used in the computer to a computer, it is necessary to use a scanner after development. There was a ham.

However, an electronic still camera refers to a next-generation still camera that converts an image signal for a still image into an electrical signal and performs all the signal processing such as processing, recording, and reproduction. A digital still camera digitally processes an object signal. Is a kind of electronic still camera.

A digital still camera is a method of capturing a small number of hundreds of thousands of pixels by using a charge coupled device (CCD). The digital still camera transmits or receives captured and compressed JPEG data to a computer and displays it on the LCD of the digital still camera. Is made possible.

First of all, the principle of a digital still camera will be described. A subject is received through a charge coupled device (CCD), which is converted into digital data and stored in a video memory. The content stored in the video memory can be displayed on the LCD, compressed in JPEG format, and then stored on a flash memory card. Once stored on the flash memory card, it can be transferred to a PC or decompressed for display on the LCD.

As such, the digital still camera has a number of advantages over existing cameras because it can directly display the taken picture, erase, and PC transfer.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a conventional digital still camera and a computer.

As shown in Fig. 1, image data obtained from a digital still camera is transmitted to a computer through a PC interface, and a user transmits image data transmitted from the digital still camera to a predetermined remote location through a fax modem using a computer. Output to a printer, or record to an external recording medium (CD, DVD, etc.).

In this way, it is possible to transmit image data obtained from the digital still camera to the outside or to receive image data from the outside by using a computer equipped with a fax modem and a digital still camera. Even if it provided only functionality, it was not possible to use it on the go. However, the use of a portable notebook computer, which has recently increased in use, enables transmission and reception of image data on the go.

That is, when transmitting or receiving image data while moving, both a computer and a digital still camera are required.

In addition, a dedicated editing program for editing image data acquired by a digital still camera must be installed in the computer. If a plurality of image data are to be transmitted, the respective editing image data can be edited by using the editing program. A problem arises in that image data can be transmitted.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a digital still camera capable of directly reproducing and editing image data obtained from a digital still camera without transferring it to a computer through a separate PC interface. In providing.

Another object of the present invention is to add a circuit capable of a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) line interface to a digital still camera so as to transmit image data obtained from the digital still camera to a remote location without a separate PC interface, or from a remote location. A digital still camera for receiving image data is provided.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a conventional digital still camera and a computer,

2 is a block diagram showing a digital still camera according to the present invention;

3 is an operation flowchart for transmitting image data in a digital still camera;

4 is an operation flowchart for receiving image data in a digital still camera.

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

10: optical block portion 20: photoelectric conversion portion

30: all signal processing unit 40: A / D conversion unit

50: video memory 60: digital signal processing unit

70: memory 80: user input unit

90: central processing unit 100: display unit

110: modem 120: LIU

A feature of the present invention for achieving such object (s) is a memory for storing image data obtained from a digital still camera, a memory for storing an editing program for editing image data, and at least reproducing image data stored in the memory. A user input unit including a reproduction key for editing, an editing key for editing image data stored in the memory, and a central processing unit for reproducing or editing the image data stored in the memory according to the input of the user input unit; The central processing unit is characterized by reproducing the image data stored in the memory unit by frame when the reproduction key is input, and editing the reproduced image data of one frame according to the input of the user input unit.

Preferably, the digital still camera modulates the output data of the central processing unit in analog form, demodulates and outputs the analog form input signal, and forms a call loop with a general telephone network and interfaces signals between the modem and the general telephone network. Further comprises a LIU; The central processing unit transmits the image data stored in the memory to the remote place through the modem and the LIU according to the input of the user input unit, and stores the image data received from the remote place in the memory when the ring signal is detected through the LIU. Perform the receive operation.

Preferably, the user input unit further includes a fax mode key for performing a transmission operation for transmitting the image data stored in the memory to a remote site, and a numeric key for inputting a remote telephone number; The central processing unit performs a transmission operation when a fax mode key is input from a user input unit.

Here, the editing key preferably includes at least items for setting the contrast, brightness, transmission area, and size of the image data.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, in adding reference numerals to the elements of each drawing, it should be noted that the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible even if they are displayed on different drawings. In addition, in the following description there are shown a number of specific details, such as components of the specific circuit, which are provided only to help a more general understanding of the present invention that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. It is self-evident to those of ordinary knowledge in Esau. In describing the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a digital still camera according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation for transmitting image data from a digital still camera, and FIG. 4 receives image data from a digital still camera. A flow chart is shown for this purpose.

As shown in FIG. 2, the digital still camera applied to the present invention adjusts a lens unit for condensing incident light and an amount of incident light condensed, and an iris and incident light that are opened and closed for a predetermined exposure time as the shutter button is turned on. An optical block unit 10 configured to include a view finder for reflecting the light through a mirror to identify a subject; A photoelectric conversion unit 20 having a CCD for photoelectric conversion of a two-dimensional optical image collected through the optical block unit 10 into a one-dimensional electric signal and a CCD driving circuit unit for driving the CCD; An electric signal output from the photoelectric conversion unit 20, an all-signal processing unit 30 including color separation, black and white level correction and gray level conversion circuits; An analog / digital converter 40 coupled to the all-signal processing unit 30 for analog-to-digital converting the output of the all-signal processing unit 30; A video memory 50 for storing red, green, and blue information (RGB information) output from the A / D converter 40 in real time; The digital signal processor 60 performs data compression / extension, etc. on the data stored in the video memory 50 by using a Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group (JPEG) method, which is a still image compression standard of the International Standard Organization (ISO). ; A memory 70 for recording the image data compressed by the digital signal processing unit 60; A user input unit 80 for accessing the memory 70 or for applying user input such as image editing, region selection, operation mode selection, or the like; A central processing unit 90 for interpreting the input received by the user input unit 80 and for overall processing on the image data of the memory 70; And a display unit 100 configured to display the output of the A / D converter 40 so that a user can check it through a display element such as a liquid crystal device (LCD).

In addition, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention to modulate and output the output data of the central processing unit 90 in analog form under the control of the central processing unit 90 in order to transmit and receive image data with a remote location without a separate PC interface Modem 110 for demodulating and outputting the input signal of the form; The LIU operates under the control of the central processing unit 90 to form a call loop of a PSTN (consisting of a tip and a ring) and to interface signals between the modem 110 and the general telephone network. Line Interface Unit 120).

Here, the operation program of the central processing unit 90 and the general control program are stored in the memory 70, and in particular, a dedicated editing program for editing the image data displayed on the display unit 100 is stored.

Here, the user input unit 80 may include a fax mode key for transmitting image data acquired by a digital still camera to a remote location, a playback key for reproducing image data stored in the memory 70, and a display unit 100. An editing key for editing the displayed image data, a numeric key for designating a destination of a remote place, and the like.

In this case, the LIU 120 handles only the analog signal and transmits a signal modulated in an analog form to a general telephone network. Therefore, the LIU 120 is preferably detachable from a digital still camera.

An operation of the present invention having such a configuration will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

First, when the power of the digital still camera is turned on, the optical observation image continuously incident through the viewfinder or the display unit 100 is observed.

At this time, the operator of the digital still camera includes a target object to be photographed in the camera's angle of view so as to be positioned at an appropriate position in the screen by the automatic function of the camera and the manual operation of the operator and then turn on the shutter button (not shown).

Accordingly, the optical block unit 10 condenses the amount of light incident from the subject during the predetermined exposure time based on the shutter speed determined through the shutter, and the photoelectric conversion unit 20 photoelectrically converts the amount of light incident during the predetermined exposure time. After capturing the target image, which is a still image to be accumulated and captured, through the all-signal processing unit 30, the A / D conversion unit 40, and the digital signal processing unit 60, the target image data is compressed and the memory 70 ) To complete the shooting.

In the course of performing a general image capturing operation of a digital still camera as described above, when the data of the target image is to be transmitted to a remote place or to receive predetermined image data from the outside, the user first calls the telephone line from the digital still camera. It must be connected to the jack provided.

That is, when the user wants to perform image transmission / reception in the digital still camera, the LIU 120 is connected to the main body of the digital still camera.

Referring to FIG. 3, a method of transmitting image data when the LIU 120 is connected to a main body of a digital still camera is as follows.

<Transmission method of image data>

First, the central processing unit 90 checks whether the user input unit 80 is a preset fax mode key for transmitting data of the target image captured by the digital still camera to a remote location (S301).

If the fax mode key is not input from the user input unit 80 as a result of the check, the automatic reception standby mode is performed. If the fax mode key is input from the user input unit 80, the central processing unit 90 captures a new target image. Check whether it is (S302).

As a result of the check, when the new target image is captured, the central processing unit 90 displays the data of the target image input through the optical block unit 10 and the photoelectric conversion unit 20 on the display unit 100 (S303).

That is, as the operator of the digital still camera turns on the shutter button, the data of the target image is photoelectrically converted through the optical block unit 10 and the photoelectric conversion unit 20 and the A / D conversion with the all signal processing unit 30. The RGB data converted into digital data through the unit 40 is stored in the video memory 50.

The central processing unit 90 detects only G data among the RGB data stored in the video memory 50 and displays the detected G data on the display unit 100.

An operator of the digital still camera visually checks image data of one frame displayed on the display unit 100 and inputs an edit key from among a plurality of keys provided in the user input unit 80 to edit it.

When the edit key is input through the user input unit 80 (S304), the CPU 90 displays the edit item provided by the edit key on the display unit 100, and among the edit items displayed on the display unit 100, The image data is edited according to the edit information input by the operator of the still camera (S305).

Thereafter, the central processing unit 90 checks whether the editing of the image data of one frame is completed (S306), and transmits the changed image data to the digital signal processing unit 60 according to the edit information input by the operator. The processing unit 60 compresses the input image data in the JPEG method and stores it in the memory 70 (S307).

That is, when an operator of a digital still camera displays image data of one frame on the display unit 100, the operator selects an edit key from a plurality of keys provided in the user input unit 80, and displays the display unit ( Editing items displayed on the display 100, for example, contrast, brightness, and transmission area of the image data can be selected and edited at will.

When image data of one frame is compressed in the JPEG method and stored in the memory 70, the central processing unit 90 checks whether the next image data exists (S308), and if the next image data exists, the central processing unit ( 90 returns to step 302 (S302) of checking whether the next image data is new image data.

If the next image data does not exist, the central processing unit 90 displays a message requesting input of a destination to receive image data stored in the memory 70 on the display unit 100, and then displays the user input unit 80. When a predetermined destination is input using a numeric key among the plurality of keys provided, image data stored in the memory 70 is sequentially detected and transmitted through the modem 110 and the LIU 120 (S309).

On the other hand, if the new image data is not inputted as a result of the check in step 302 (S302) of confirming whether a new target image is captured according to the input of the fax mode key, the central processing unit 90 stores the image data previously stored in the memory 70. Check whether it is selected (S310).

That is, the operator of the digital still camera is at least one stored in the memory 70 by using a playback key from among a plurality of keys provided in the user input unit 80 when image data to be transmitted to the outside is pre-stored in the memory 70. Predetermined image data is selected from the above image data.

When predetermined image data is selected from the image data previously stored in the memory 70, the CPU 90 decodes the selected image data and stores the selected image data in the video memory 50. The stored image data is displayed on the display unit 100 (S311).

Thereafter, the CPU 90 branches to step 304 (S304) to check whether an edit key is input through the user input unit 80.

Therefore, the operator of the digital still camera can edit the image data pre-stored in the memory 70 or the image data of the new target image alone and transmit it to the outside without a separate PC interface.

Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 4, a method of receiving image data from a remote location while performing the automatic reception standby mode when the FAX mode key is not input is confirmed in step 301 (S301) of FIG. 3.

<How to Receive Image Data>

The central processing unit 90 checks whether a ring signal is detected through the LIU 120 in the automatic reception standby mode (S401), and exchanges a prescribed protocol when the ring signal is detected (S402).

Thereafter, the central processing unit 90 stores the image data received from the remote place through the LIU 120 and the modem 110 in the memory 70 (S403).

When the operation of storing the image data received from the remote place in the memory 70 is completed, the CPU 90 checks whether a playback key is input through the user input unit 80 (S404).

When the playback key is input from the user input unit 80, the CPU 90 detects the image data stored in the memory 70 in units of frames, decodes the image data of the detected one frame to the video memory 50. Save it. When the image data of one frame is decoded and stored in the video memory 50, the CPU 90 displays the image data stored in the video memory 50 on the display unit 100 (S405).

An operator of the digital still camera may visually check image data of one frame displayed on the display unit 100 and adjust the size of the image data.

Herein, a method of adjusting the size of the image data will be briefly described. An edit key is selected from a plurality of keys provided in the user input unit 80, and enlarged among the selection items displayed on the display unit 100 according to the input of the edit key. Or you can enter a reduction ratio.

The central processing unit 90 displays the image data stored in the video memory 50 on the display unit 100, and then checks whether an edit key is input (S406).

When the edit key is input, the size of the image data displayed on the display unit 100 is adjusted according to the enlargement or reduction ratio input from the user input unit 80 (S407).

Here, since the display unit 100 using a display element such as an LCD can be controlled in units of pixels and the image data stored in the video memory 50 is bit map data, the user input unit 80 is used. It is possible to adjust the size of the image data according to the enlargement or reduction ratio input through the display unit 100 to display the image data.

Thus, the operator of the digital still camera can receive image data received from a remote location without a separate PC interface, and can adjust the size of the received image data.

As described above, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined by the claims below and equivalents thereof.

As described above, according to the digital still camera according to the present invention, in addition to transmitting and receiving image data to and from the remote place without a separate PC interface, a series of key inputs are performed on image data received from the remote place or image data obtained from the digital still camera. This allows the operator to directly play back or transmit optimal image data in a digital still camera.

Claims (4)

A memory for storing image data obtained from a digital still camera, and storing an editing program for editing the image data; A user input unit including at least a reproduction key for reproducing image data stored in the memory and an editing key for editing image data stored in the memory; A central processing unit for reproducing or editing image data stored in the memory in accordance with an input of the user input unit; When the reproduction key is input, the central processing unit reproduces the image data stored in the memory in units of frames, and when the editing key is input, edits the reproduced image data of one frame according to an input of the user input unit. Features a digital still camera. The method of claim 1, wherein the digital still camera, A modem for modulating and outputting the output data of the central processing unit in an analog form and demodulating and outputting the analog input signal; A LIU for forming a call loop with a general telephone network and for interfacing signals between the modem and the general telephone network; The CPU performs a transmission operation of transmitting image data stored in the memory to a remote site through the modem and the LIU according to an input of the user input unit, and receives a ring signal from the remote site when a ring signal is detected through the LIU. And a receiving operation for storing the image data to be stored in the memory. The method of claim 2, wherein the user input unit, A fax mode key for performing a transmission operation for transmitting the image data stored in the memory to the remote site, and a numeric key for inputting a telephone number of the remote site; And the central processing unit performs the transmission operation when the fax mode key is input from the user input unit. The method of claim 3, wherein the edit key, And at least an item for setting the contrast, brightness, transmission area, and size of the image data.