KR20070044852A - System and method for saving image of mobile communition terminals - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an image storing technique of a mobile communication terminal. To this end, unlike the conventional method of storing an image captured by a mobile communication terminal including a camera function by including only simple image information, After checking the request for adding an identification code before capturing any image in the mobile communication terminal having the image, if there is a request for addition of the identification code, the image is taken, and the identification code and the corresponding video information in the preset area of the captured image. By adding and storing in a new format, the identification code is added to and stored in the image captured by the mobile communication terminal having the camera function, thereby effectively protecting the stored image.

Mobile communication terminal, camera phone, CMOS sensor, ADC, DSP, identification code

Description

Image storage system of mobile communication terminal and method thereof {SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SAVING IMAGE OF MOBILE COMMUNITION TERMINALS}

1 is a block diagram of a mobile communication terminal suitable for storing a captured image including an identification code and video information according to the present invention;

2 is a flowchart illustrating a process of storing a captured image by adding an identification code and image information in a mobile communication terminal including a camera function according to the present invention;

3 is a diagram illustrating a corresponding image for storing by adding an identification code and image information to the original image in accordance with the present invention.

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

102: RF unit 104: first memory

106: control unit 108: audio unit

110: key input unit 112: codec unit

114: display unit 114a: LCD driver

114b: TFT-LCD 116: Image input unit

116a: lens 116b: CMOS sensor

116c: ADC 116d: DSP

118: identification code generation unit 120: second memory

The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly, to a system and method for storing an image captured by a mobile communication terminal including a camera function.

As is well known, a mobile communication terminal has a function of being extended to a multimedia terminal such as a digital camera imaging or an MP3 music file by embedding a built-in camera or a memory in addition to a simple voice call function. Due to the enhancement of functions, various additional services using the multimedia functions newly added to the mobile communication terminals are being developed, not only the service of the mobile communication terminal but also the communication service for the voice call.

Such mobile terminals are complex with various electronic devices, such as radio phones that provide radio listening and telephone functions, TV phones that provide TV viewing and telephone functions, Internet phones that provide Internet and telephone functions, cameras and Camera phones and the like that provide a telephone function have been developed so that other additional functions can be conveniently used along with the advantages of a mobile communication terminal that is easy to carry.

Among the mobile communication terminals described above, a camera phone type mobile communication terminal including a camera function stores an image and stores it along with simple image information (for example, image name, image capacity, etc.), and then reproduces it. Or, it is used as a background of the mobile communication terminal, or provides a function to send to any e-mail address or any phone number.

However, since a conventional mobile communication terminal including a camera function stores the captured image including only simple image information (for example, image name, image capacity, etc.) of the captured image, the stored image can be retrieved without any limitation. Since it can be reproduced and viewed, there is a problem that not only the personal image can be protected but also the right for the important image is insufficient.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve the above problems of the prior art, the mobile communication that can protect the captured image by storing the identification code and the image information in the image captured by the camera function of the mobile communication terminal, An object thereof is to provide an image storage system and a method thereof of a terminal.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for storing an image captured by a mobile communication terminal having a camera function, the system comprising: an image input unit for capturing an arbitrary image and signal processing the captured image; Inquires whether an identification code is added before capturing the arbitrary image, provides a control signal for generating a corresponding identification code when adding the identification code, and provides a control signal for capturing an image to the image input unit. A control unit which provides input image information by inquiring whether to add image information to the captured image, and provides a control signal for adding the identification code and the image information to the captured image; The identification code corresponding to the corresponding mobile communication terminal is generated according to a control signal. The mobile communication terminal includes an identification code generation unit and a codec unit for adding the generated identification code and the provided image information to a predetermined area in the signal-processed captured image, converting the generated identification code into a new format, and then storing them in a memory. Provides an image storage system.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of storing an image captured by a mobile communication terminal having a camera function, comprising: a first process of checking an addition request of an identification code before photographing an arbitrary image; A second step of capturing the image when there is a request for addition of the identification code, a third step of adding the identification code and image information to a predetermined area of the captured image, and the identification code and the image information And a fourth process of storing the added image in a new format.

The above and other objects and various advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the preferred embodiments of the present invention described below with reference to the accompanying drawings by those skilled in the art.

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

A key technical aspect of the present invention is to capture an arbitrary image in a mobile communication terminal having a camera function, unlike the conventional method of storing an image captured by a mobile communication terminal including a camera function by including only simple image information. After checking the request for the addition of the identification code before, if there is a request for the addition of the identification code, the image is taken, and the identification code and the corresponding image information are added to the preset area of the captured image and stored in a new format. Through technical means, it is easy to achieve the object of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile communication terminal suitable for storing a captured image including an identification code and video information according to the present invention. The RF unit 102, the first memory 104, the control unit 106, and the audio unit are shown. 108, a key input unit 110, a codec unit 112, a display unit 114, an image input unit 116, an identification code generator 118, and a second memory 120. Here, the display unit 114 includes an LCD driver 114a and a TFT-LCD 114b, and the image input unit 116 includes a lens unit 116a, a CMOS sensor 116b, an ADC 116c, and a DSP 116d. ).

Referring to FIG. 1, the RF (Radio Frequency) unit 102 includes, for example, a high frequency processor, an intermediate frequency processor, a baseband processor, and the like, and voices from an external wireless communication network received through an antenna. The multimedia data is first processed at a wireless communication band frequency, and the intermediate frequency processing for lowering it back to a lower frequency band and the signal is processed as a signal of a frequency band that can be processed by the controller 106 again.

In addition, the RF unit 102 modulates various image data or video data inputted from the image input unit 116 included in the mobile communication terminal and encoded and compressed by the codec unit 112 into a wireless communication band frequency signal to external radio. Performs functions such as wireless transmission over the communication network.

The first memory 104 stores a predetermined program for controlling the overall operation of the mobile communication terminal and various operations of the codec unit 112, and the overall operation of the mobile communication terminal is performed through the control unit 106. The data input and output at the time is stored in a predetermined area.

Next, the controller 106 controls the overall operation of the mobile communication terminal for performing a voice call and various multimedia functions, and captures a subject according to a camera function key signal according to a camera function key input from the key input unit 110. Provides a control signal for the image input unit 116, provides a control signal for decompressing and decoding image data, video data, and the like, which are wirelessly received from an external wireless communication network, and provides the image input unit 116. After encoding the image data or the video data input from the () to a predetermined format of JPEG / MPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group / Moving Picture Experts Group) to provide a control signal to the codec unit 112, codec unit 112 Control signal for displaying image data or video data transmitted from It performs the function of the like.

In addition, the control unit 106 provides the display unit 114 with a control signal for displaying a menu screen for inquiring whether to add an identification code to an image captured during the execution of a camera function according to the present invention. Upon request, a control signal for generating a corresponding identification code is provided to the identification code generation unit 118, and a control signal and an identification code for adding the generated identification code to the corresponding image data are provided to the codec unit 112. In addition, the control signal for adding the corresponding video information and the corresponding video information are provided to the codec unit 112.

In this case, the identification code may be assigned a unique code for each mobile communication terminal, and may be assigned to an encrypted code including a unique code and user information of the mobile communication terminal. Impossible is desirable. In addition, the video information may be given as a compressed code including an image name, date and time, image capacity, etc., and may indicate information that can be viewed through a recognizable mobile communication terminal. Such image information may be modified.

The audio unit 108 modulates a voice signal input through the microphone MIC into a wireless signal according to a control signal from the control unit 106, and demodulates a wireless signal received and transmitted through the RF unit 102. To the speaker SPK as an audio signal. In the video call mode using the mobile communication terminal, the wireless audio signal included in the video data received from the RF unit 102 is demodulated and reproduced through the speaker SPK.

Meanwhile, the key input unit 110 includes a plurality of numeric keys, various multimedia function keys (for example, a camera function key, an MP3 function key, a game function key, etc.), and accordingly, when a user inputs a predetermined key. The key signal is generated and provided to the controller 106, and when the image information of the image data captured during the camera function is input, the key signal is provided to the controller 106 as the key signal of the image information.

Next, the codec unit 112 decompresses and decodes compressed data, such as image data and video data, received wirelessly from an external wireless communication network according to a control signal from the controller 106, and transmits the decoded data to the display unit 114. The captured image signal transmitted from the image input unit 116 is converted into a JPEG or MPEG format, compressed to a predetermined ratio, and transmitted to the display unit 114 or to the second memory 120. Here, the image data is performed in a new data format so that it can be loaded using a dedicated application at the time of storage, and such image data is edited on the original image using a predetermined editing plug-in. And storage.

In addition, the display unit 114 displays the image data or the moving image data transmitted from the codec unit 112 in color, and the color TFT such that various image data or the moving image data transferred from the codec unit 112 is displayed on the TFT-LCD. An LCD driver 114a for driving the LCD and a TFT-LCD 114b for displaying such data.

On the other hand, the image input unit 116 includes performing a camera function, and transfers the captured image data or video data to the codec unit 112, and the image of the subject is transferred through the lens unit 116a to the CMOS sensor 116b. And the CMOS sensor 116b converts and outputs an optical signal of an object that has passed through the lens unit 116a into an electrical signal (imaging signal). The analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 116c converts the image pickup signal for one field, which is gain-adjusted by the CMOS sensor 116b, into a digital signal, and delivers it to a digital signal processor (DSP) 116d. The digital signal is transmitted to the codec unit 112 through a predetermined signal processing process.

In addition, the identification code generation unit 118 generates an identification code added to the captured image according to the present invention, and generates a corresponding identification code on the captured image according to a control signal provided from the controller 106 to generate a codec. Provided to section 112.

In addition, the second memory 120 may be, for example, a flash memory, and may store image data or moving image data transmitted from the codec unit 112.

Next, in the case of picking up an arbitrary image using the camera function of the mobile communication terminal having the above-described configuration, an identification code and image information are input before the image is captured, and the image is captured according to the identification code and the image information. Explain the process of saving an image.

2 is a flowchart illustrating a process of storing a captured image by adding an identification code and image information in a mobile communication terminal including a camera function according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, when a user inputs a key for performing a camera function in the mobile communication terminal, when there is a camera function key signal generated from the key input unit 110, the controller 106 performs the camera function. The control signal is provided to the image input unit 116 to turn on the camera function (step 202). Here, a control signal is provided to the codec unit 112 and the display unit 114 as well as the image input unit 116 to perform a camera function.

In addition, the controller 106 generates a menu screen for inquiring whether to add an identification code for the image to be photographed, and controls the display to be displayed on the display unit 114, and checks whether an identification code is added thereto (step 204). .

As a result of the check in step 204, when the image is captured by the addition of the identification code, the controller 106 provides a control signal for generating the identification code corresponding to the image to be captured to the identification code generator 118. The identification code generated through the identification code generation unit 118 is transferred to the codec unit 110 (step 206). In this case, the identification code may be assigned a unique code for each mobile communication terminal, and may be assigned to an encrypted code including a unique code and user information of the mobile communication terminal. Impossible is desirable. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, it may be added to a specific area c of the outer edge of the original image a.

Next, the controller 106 generates a menu screen for inputting image information of an image to be captured and displays the same through the display unit 114, waits for input of image information, and checks input of image information. (Step 208). Here, the video information may be given as a compressed code including an image name, date and time, image capacity, etc., and indicates information that can be viewed through a recognizable mobile communication terminal. Such image information may be modified. . In addition, it may be added to the outer edge area b of the original image a as shown in FIG. 3.

In response to the user inputting a key for capturing an image, the controller 106 provides an image capturing control signal to the image input unit 116 in response to an image capturing key signal generated from the key input unit 110. Accordingly, the image input unit 116 captures an image and transmits the image to the codec unit 112 through a predetermined process (step 212).

In addition, the codec unit 112 corresponds to a corresponding identification code and control unit corresponding to the captured image provided from the identification code generation unit 118 to the captured image transmitted from the image input unit 116 according to a control signal provided from the control unit 106. The corresponding video information corresponding to the captured image provided from 106 is added (included) (step 214). As an example, as shown in FIG. 3, corresponding image information (b) and corresponding identification code (c) may be added to the original image (a).

Subsequently, the codec unit 112 converts the captured image to which the identification code and the image information have been added into the new format and stores it in the second memory 120 (step 216). Here, the new format means a format suitable for a dedicated application capable of loading a captured image.

On the other hand, in the above-described present invention has been described as storing the captured image using a mobile communication terminal including a camera function, it is, of course, also applicable to a variety of electronic devices, including a camera function, such as a digital camera. .

Accordingly, by selectively adding the identification code to the captured image in the mobile communication terminal including the camera function, and adding the corresponding image information to store the image in a new format, the image captured by the camera function of the mobile communication terminal can be obtained. I can protect it.

In the foregoing description, the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. It will be readily appreciated that branch substitutions, modifications and variations are possible.

As described above, the present invention is different from the conventional method of storing an image captured by a mobile communication terminal including a camera function by including only simple image information, before capturing any image in a mobile communication terminal having a camera function. After checking the request for the addition of the identification code, if there is a request for the addition of the identification code, the image is photographed, and the identification code and the corresponding image information are added to a preset area of the photographed image and stored in a new format. Through this, the captured image can be effectively protected using a unique identification code.

In addition, the identification code can be added to the digital camera and applied to the digital camera, the original image and image information can be edited using an editing application, and the storage method can be applied to content protection related to the image on the Internet. Can be.

Meanwhile, by adding and storing a unique identification code for each mobile communication terminal in the captured image, the identification code of the stored image can be grasped to help protect the imaging medium.

Claims (13)

A system for storing an image captured by a mobile communication terminal having a camera function, An image input unit which picks up an arbitrary image and performs signal processing on the picked-up image; Inquires whether an identification code is added before capturing the arbitrary image, provides a control signal for generating a corresponding identification code when adding the identification code, and provides a control signal for capturing an image to the image input unit. A controller which provides input image information by inquiring whether image information is added to the captured image, and provides a control signal for adding the identification code and the image information to the captured image; An identification code generator for generating the identification code corresponding to the corresponding mobile communication terminal according to a control signal provided from the controller; A codec unit configured to add the generated identification code and the provided image information to the signal-processed captured image to a new format, convert the generated identification code into a new format, and store the same in a memory Image storage system of a mobile communication terminal comprising a. The method of claim 1, The identification code is a unique code assigned to each mobile communication terminal or an encrypted code including a unique code and user information assigned to each mobile communication terminal, characterized in that the mobile communication terminal. The method of claim 2, The identification code is an image storage system of a mobile communication terminal, characterized in that the code can not be modified. The method of claim 1, The image information is a compressed code including at least one of an image name, a date and time, and an image capacity, and the image information is information that can be inquired through the mobile communication terminal. The method of claim 1, And the video information is information that can be modified. The method of claim 1, The new format is an image storage system of a mobile communication terminal, characterized in that a format suitable for a dedicated application capable of loading the captured image. A storage method of an image photographed through a mobile communication terminal having a camera function, A first step of checking an addition request of an identification code before photographing any image, A second process of photographing the image when there is a request for addition of the identification code; A third process of adding the identification code and the image information to a preset area of the captured image; A fourth process of storing the image to which the identification code and the image information are added in a new format Image storage method of a mobile communication terminal comprising a. The method of claim 7, wherein The second process, A twenty-first step of checking the request for inputting the video information when the request for the identification code is added; A twenty-second step of receiving the image information through an image information input menu screen provided when there is a request for inputting the image information; Step 23 of capturing the image after receiving the image information Image storage method of a mobile communication terminal comprising a. The method according to claim 7 or 8, The identification code is a unique code assigned to each mobile communication terminal or an encrypted code including a unique code and user information assigned to each mobile communication terminal characterized in that the mobile communication terminal. The method of claim 9, And the identification code is a code that cannot be modified. The method according to claim 7 or 8, The image information may be given as a compressed code including at least one of an image name, date and time, and image capacity, and the information may be inquired through the mobile communication terminal. The method of claim 11, wherein And the video information is information that can be corrected. The method of claim 7, wherein And the new format is a format suitable for a dedicated application capable of loading the captured image.

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