KR20070113785A - Digital image processing device with track pointer and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

A digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention is a device for capturing images in a photographing mode and storing the images in a recording medium, and reproducing the images stored in the recording medium in a reproduction mode, including a track pointer and a confirmation key. The track pointer generates coordinate data according to the pressure and direction pressed by the user. The confirmation key informs that the coordinate data from the track pointer is activated as pressed by the user.

Description

Digital image processing apparatus having track pointer and control method thereof

1 is a view showing the external appearance of a digital camera as a digital image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the digital camera of FIG. 1.

3 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the track pointer of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing that the activation area is set by the track pointer and the confirmation key of FIG. 3 in the single playback mode.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating that a new activation area is set while the activation area of FIG. 4 is enlarged and displayed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating that the new activation area of FIG. 5 is enlarged and displayed.

7 is a flow chart showing the control algorithm of the digital camera processor of FIG. 2 in a single playback mode.

FIG. 8 illustrates that thumbnail images are selected by the track pointer and the confirmation key of FIG. 3 in the thumbnail playback mode.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating that a plurality of thumbnail images are included in an active area by the track pointer and the confirmation key of FIG. 3 in the thumbnail playback mode.

10 is a flowchart illustrating a control algorithm of the digital camera processor of FIG. 2 in the thumbnail playback mode.

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

1 ... digital camera, 13 ... shutter release button,

14 ... mode dial, 15 ... track pointer,

16 ... OK key, 17 ... Viewfinder,

35 color LCD panel, 42 play mode button,

39 _W ... wide-zoom button, 39 _T ... tele-zoom button,

OPS ... optical system, OEC ... photoelectric conversion unit,

M _Z ... zoom motor, M _F ... focus motor,

M _A ... aperture motor, 501 ... CDS-ADC element,

502 timing circuit, 503 real time clock,

504 ... DRAM, 505 ... EEPROM,

506 memory card interface, 507 digital camera processor,

508 ... RS232C interface, 509 ... video filter,

21a ... USB connection, 21b ... RS232C connection,

21c ... video output, 510 ... drive,

511 ... flash controller, 512 ... microcontroller,

INP ... user input, LAMP ... light emitter,

513 audio processor, 514 LCD driver,

CA ... cap, ST ... stick,

PA ... Elastic Plate, S _LD , S _RD ... Torsion Sensors,

151 analog-to-digital converter, 152 coordinate data generator,

35S ... screen, CU ... cursor,

I _N ... next page icon.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a digital image processing apparatus and a control method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a digital image processing apparatus and a method of controlling the same. Digital image processing apparatus for displaying sequentially according to signals, for example, a digital camera or a camera-phone.

A conventional digital image processing apparatus, for example, a digital camera of 2004 United States Publication No. 119,876 (name of the invention: Method of notification of inadequate picture quality), filed by the applicant, captures images in a shooting mode. They are sequentially stored on the recording medium, and the images stored on the recording medium are sequentially displayed in accordance with the direction signals from the user in the reproduction mode.

According to the conventional digital image processing apparatus as described above has the following problems.

In the single playback mode in which each of the single images is displayed on the entire screen, the user performs trial and error operation repeatedly while pressing the direction buttons, the image-magnification zoom button, and the image-magnification zoom button to enlarge a specific area. There is a difficulty that must be done.

Further, in the thumbnail playback mode in which a plurality of thumbnail images are displayed together, the user has no choice but to individually select each of the thumbnail images using the direction buttons and the confirm button. Accordingly, when the user wants to delete or move files of specific thumbnail images among the thumbnail images displayed on one screen, the user must individually delete or move each of the files of the specific thumbnail images.

Disclosure of Invention An object of the present invention is to provide a digital image processing apparatus and control thereof, which enables a user to easily enlarge a certain area in a single playback mode, and to simultaneously delete or move files of specific thumbnail images in a thumbnail playback mode. To provide a way.

The digital image processing apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object is a device for capturing and storing images in a recording mode and reproducing the images stored in the recording medium in a reproduction mode. Include. The track pointer generates coordinate data according to the pressure and direction pressed by the user. The confirmation key informs that the coordinate data from the track pointer is activated as pressed by the user.

The control method of the digital image processing apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object, the track pointer for generating coordinate data according to the pressure and direction pressed by the user, and the coordinate data from the track pointer in accordance with the user pressed The control method of the digital image processing apparatus including the confirmation key indicating that the is activated. In the control mode, in the playback mode, when the coordinate data from the track pointer is changed while the confirmation key is pressed, the coordinate at the time when the confirmation key is pressed and the coordinate at the time when the confirmation key is pressed are finished. Sets the active areas of the rectangles facing each other in the diagonal direction.

According to the digital image processing apparatus and control method thereof of the present invention, the following effects are obtained.

In the single playback mode in which each of the single images is displayed on the entire screen, the user can easily set the activation area using the track pointer and the confirmation key to enlarge a certain area. Thus, in the single playback mode, the user can easily enlarge any specific area.

Further, in the thumbnail playback mode in which a plurality of thumbnail images are displayed together, when the user wants to delete or move files of specific thumbnail images among the thumbnail images displayed on one screen, the user may check the track pointer and the confirmation. It is easy to introduce specific thumbnail pictures into the activation area using the key. Therefore, in the thumbnail playback mode, the user may delete or move files of specific thumbnail images at the same time.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail.

Referring to FIG. 1, the digital camera 1 as a digital image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a shutter release button 13, a mode dial 14, a wide-angle zoom button 39 _W , and a telephoto-zoom. Button 39 _T , an electronic view-finder 17, a color LCD panel 35, a track pointer 15, a confirmation key 16, and a playback mode button 42.

The mode dial 14 allows the user to select any one of the shooting modes of the camera, for example, a simple shooting mode, a program shooting mode, a portrait shooting mode, a night view shooting mode, a manual shooting mode, and a movie shooting mode. Used for

The track pointer 15 generates coordinate data according to the pressure and direction pressed by the user. The confirmation key 16 informs that the coordinate data from the track pointer 15 is activated as it is pressed by the user.

The playback mode button 42 is used for switching to the playback or preview mode.

FIG. 2 shows the overall configuration of the digital camera 1 of FIG. 1. 1 and 2, the overall configuration and operation of the digital camera 1 of FIG. 1 will be described.

The optical system OPS including the lens unit and the 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.

The user input unit INP including the track pointer 15 and the confirmation key 16 and the like generates input signals by user's manipulation.

Zoom button (39w) or telephoto (telephoto) - - the user and the wide angle (wide angle) in the user input (INP) by pressing the zoom button (39 _T), a corresponding signal is input to the microcontroller 512. The Accordingly, as the microcontroller 512 controls the driving unit 510, the zoom motor M _Z is driven to move the zoom lens.

Meanwhile, in the auto focus mode, the focus motor M _F is driven by the main controller embedded in the digital camera processor 507 controlling the driving unit 510 through the microcontroller 512. As a result, the focus lens is moved, 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.

Reference symbol M _A denotes a motor for driving an aperture.

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 camera processor 507 as the main controller controls the timing circuit 502 to operate the photoelectric conversion unit OEC and the Correlation Double Sampler and Analog-to-Digital Converter (CDS-ADC) element 501. To control. The CDS-ADC element 501 as an analog-to-digital converter processes the analog signal from the photoelectric converter (OEC), removes the high frequency noise, adjusts the amplitude, and converts the analog signal into a digital signal.

The real time clock 503 provides time information to the digital camera processor 507. The digital camera processor 507 processes the digital signal from the CDS-ADC element 501 to generate a digital video signal classified into luminance and chroma signals.

Indicator lamps are included in the light emitting unit LAMP driven by the microcontroller 512 according to control signals from the digital camera processor 507 having the main controller. The user input unit INP includes a shutter release button 13, a mode dial 14, a wide-zoom button 39 _W , a tele-zoom button 39 _T , function buttons 15, and a playback mode button 42 ), And the like.

A digital video signal from the digital camera processor 507 is temporarily stored in a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 504. The EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) 505 stores algorithms and setting data necessary for the operation of the digital camera processor 507 as a controller. In the memory card interface 506, a memory card as a recording medium of a user is detached.

The digital image signal from the digital camera processor 507 is input to the LCD driver 514, whereby the image is displayed on the color LCD panel 35.

On the other hand, the digital video signal from the digital camera processor 507 can be transmitted by serial communication via the USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection 21a or the RS232C interface 508 and its connection 21b, and the video filter ( 509 and the video output unit 21c may be transmitted as a video signal.

The audio processor 513 outputs the audio signal from the microphone MIC to the digital camera processor 507 or the speaker SP, and outputs the audio signal from the digital camera processor 507 to the speaker SP.

On the other hand, the microcontroller 512 drives the flash 12 by controlling the operation of the flash controller 511 according to a signal from a flash-light amount sensor (not shown).

Referring to FIG. 3, the track pointer 15 of FIG. 1 includes a user manipulation unit, torsion sensors S _LD and S _RD , an analog-to-digital converter 151, and a coordinate data generator 152.

In the user operation unit, the stick ST is integrally connected to the stretchable flat plate PA, and the handle cap CA is attached to the stick ST.

The torsion sensors S _LD and S _RD are attached under each part of the stretchable plate PA to generate respective analog signals corresponding to the compression or stretching of each part of the stretchable plate PA.

The analog-to-digital converter 151 converts analog signals from the distortion sensors S _LD and S _RD into digital data.

Coordinate data generator 152 generates coordinate data corresponding to digital data from analog-to-digital converter 151. Coordinate data from the coordinate data generator 152 is input to the digital camera processor 507 of FIG. 2 through the microcontroller 512 of FIG. 2.

4 shows that the activation area is set by the track pointer 15 and the confirmation key 16 of FIG. 3 in the single playback mode. Referring to FIG. 4, when the track pointer 15 is operated to designate the point A on the screen 35S, when the user operates the track pointer 15 while pressing the confirmation key (16 in FIG. 1), the point B is designated. According to the movement direction of the cursor CU, an activation area desired by the user is set. This activation area is a rectangular area in which the coordinates at the time when the confirmation key 16 is pressed and the coordinates at the time when the confirmation key 16 is pressed are faced to each other in a diagonal direction.

When the user presses the telephoto-zoom button 39 _T while the activation area is set as described above, as shown in FIG. 5, the activation area of FIG. 4 is enlarged and displayed on the entire screen. Here, when the track pointer 15 is operated so that the point A on the screen 35S is specified, when the user operates the track pointer 15 to designate the point B while pressing the confirmation key (16 in FIG. 1), the cursor ( The activation area desired by the user is further set according to the moving direction of the CU).

When the user presses the telephoto-zoom button 39 _T while the activation area is set as described above, as shown in FIG. 6, the activation area of FIG. 5 is enlarged and displayed on the entire screen.

Accordingly, in the single playback mode (refer to FIGS. 4 to 6) in which each of the single images is displayed on the entire screen, the user can use the track pointer 15 and the confirmation key 16 to enlarge any specific area. The active area can be easily set. Thus, in the single playback mode, the user can easily enlarge any specific area.

4 to 7, the control algorithm of the digital camera processor 507 of FIG. 2 in the single playback mode will be described sequentially.

First, the digital camera processor 507 displays an image of a file that has been recently stored (step S701).

Next, when the coordinate data from the track pointer (15 in FIGS. 1 and 3) is changed (step S703), the digital camera processor 507 determines whether the single image currently displayed is in an enlarged state (step S705).

If the single image currently displayed is not in the enlarged state, the digital camera processor 507 moves the cursor CU according to the changed coordinate data (step S707). If the single image currently displayed is in an enlarged state, the digital camera processor 507 moves the display area according to the changed coordinate data (step S709).

If the current coordinate is the boundary coordinate on the screen in the process of moving the cursor CU (step S707) (step S711), the digital camera processor 507 displays an image of the next file or the previous file (step S713) and the steps S703 and Perform the subsequent steps.

For example, the user can quickly play the next file by rapidly manipulating the track pointer (15 in FIGS. 1 and 3) so that the cursor CU arrives at the right side quickly. In addition, the user can rapidly play back the previous file by manipulating the track pointer 15 so that the cursor CU quickly arrives at the left side.

On the other hand, when a confirmation signal is generated by the user pressing the confirmation key 16 (step S715), the digital camera processor 507 determines the first coordinate of the current position (point A in FIG. 4 or 5) of the cursor CU. The data is stored (step S717).

Next, when the coordinate data from the track pointer 15 is changed (step S719), and a continuous confirmation signal is generated by pressing the confirmation key 16 longer than the set time (step S721), the digital camera processor 507 ) Displays an activation area according to the movement direction while moving the cursor CU from the first coordinate (step S723).

Next, when the continuous confirmation signal ends (step S725), the digital camera processor 507 stores the coordinate data of the activation area because the setting of the activation area is completed (step S727).

As described above, the activation area is a rectangular area in which coordinates at the time point at which the confirmation key 16 is pressed and coordinates at the time point at which the confirmation key 16 is pressed are faced to each other in a diagonal direction ( 4-6).

Next, when the tele-zoom signal is generated by the user pressing the tele-zoom button 39 _T (step S729), the digital camera processor 507 enlarges the image-magnification of the active area to display the active area. 35S) Display in full (step S735, see FIGS. 4-6).

In addition, when the wide-zoom signal is generated by the user pressing the wide-zoom button 39 _W (step S731), the digital camera processor 507 displays the image of the previous screen by reducing the image-magnification (step S731). S737). For example, when the wide-zoom signal is generated in the screen state of FIG. 6 (step S731), the screen of FIG. 5 is displayed again (step S737). Of course, the activation area is not displayed again. Similarly, when the wide-zoom signal is generated in the screen state of FIG. 5 (step S731), the screen of FIG. 4 is displayed again (step S737).

Steps S703 to S737 are repeatedly performed until an external end signal is generated (step S733).

FIG. 8 shows that each of thumbnail images is selected by the track pointer 15 and the confirmation key 16 of FIG. 3 in the thumbnail playback mode.

Referring to FIG. 8, when the confirmation signal from the confirmation key 16 is generated while the cursor CU is positioned in the thumbnail image of the upper left of the screen 35S by the operation of the track pointer (15 in FIG. 3), the upper left corner is displayed. Thumbnail image is selected. Similarly, if the confirmation signal from the confirmation key 16 is generated while the cursor CU is positioned on the thumbnail image at the lower right of the screen 35S by the operation of the track pointer 15, the thumbnail image at the lower right is displayed. Is selected.

When any one thumbnail image is selected as described above, the operation mode is switched to the single playback mode of FIG. 7.

On the other hand, when the confirmation signal from the confirmation key 16 is generated while the cursor CU is positioned at the next page icon I _{N at the} upper left of the screen 35S by the operation of the track pointer 15, the next page is displayed. Nine thumbnail images are displayed.

FIG. 9 shows that a plurality of thumbnail images are included in an active area by the track pointer 15 and the confirmation key 16 of FIG. 3 in the thumbnail playback mode.

Referring to FIG. 9, when the track pointer 15 is operated to designate the point A on the screen 35S, the user operates the track pointer 15 to designate the point B while pressing the confirmation key (16 in FIG. 1). According to the movement direction of the cursor CU, an activation area desired by the user is set. This activation area is a rectangular area in which the coordinates at the time when the confirmation key 16 is pressed and the coordinates at the time when the confirmation key 16 is pressed are faced to each other in a diagonal direction.

By setting the activation area as described above, the user may simultaneously delete or move files of the selected four thumbnail images.

8 to 10, the control algorithm of the digital camera processor 507 of FIG. 2 is sequentially described in the thumbnail playback mode as follows.

First, the digital camera processor 507 displays nine thumbnail images including thumbnail images of recently stored files (step S101).

Next, when the coordinate data from the track pointer (15 in FIGS. 1 and 3) is changed (step S103), the digital camera processor 507 moves the cursor CU in accordance with the changed coordinate data (step S105).

Next, when a confirmation signal is generated by the user pressing the confirmation key 16 (step S107), the digital camera processor 507 causes the first coordinate data of the current position (point A in FIG. 9) of the cursor CU to be generated. (Step S109).

Next, when the confirmation signal from the confirmation key 16 is generated with the cursor CU located at the next page icon I _{N at the} upper left of the screen 35S by the operation of the track pointer 15 (step S111). ), The digital camera processor 507 displays nine thumbnail images of the next page (step S113).

On the other hand, if the confirmation signal from the confirmation key 16 is generated after the coordinate data is stored in the step S109 (step S115) and the coordinate data is not changed (step S115), the digital camera processor 507 causes the first camera to perform the first operation. After the thumbnail image of the coordinate data is enlarged and displayed (step S121), step S703 of FIG. 7 and subsequent steps are performed (step S123). In other words, a single playback mode is performed.

In the state where the coordinate data is changed again after the coordinate data is stored in the step S109 (step S115), if a continuous confirmation signal is generated by pressing the confirmation key 16 longer than the set time (step S119), the digital camera processor 507 displays the activation area according to the moving direction while moving the cursor CU from the first coordinates (step S125).

Next, when the continuous confirmation signal ends (step S127), the digital camera processor 507 stores the unique numbers of thumbnail images of the activation area because the setting of the activation area is completed (step S129).

As described above, the activation area is a rectangular area in which the coordinates of the starting point of the confirmation key 16 and the coordinates of the ending point of the pressing of the confirmation key 16 face each other in a diagonal direction (Fig. 9).

Next, when a deletion signal is generated by the user's operation (step S131), the digital camera processor 507 deletes the files of the thumbnail images of the active area from the recording medium (step S131).

Further, when a movement signal is generated by the user's operation (step S133), the digital camera processor 507 moves the files of the thumbnail images of the active area to the set recording medium or folder (step S139).

The steps S103 to S139 are repeatedly performed until an external end signal is generated (step S135).

As described above, according to the digital image processing apparatus and the control method thereof according to the present invention, there are the following effects.

In the single playback mode in which each of the single images is displayed on the entire screen, the user can easily set the activation area using the track pointer and the confirmation key to enlarge a certain area. Thus, in the single playback mode, the user can easily enlarge any specific area.

Further, in the thumbnail playback mode in which a plurality of thumbnail images are displayed together, when the user wants to delete or move files of specific thumbnail images among the thumbnail images displayed on one screen, the user may use a track pointer and a confirmation key. It is possible to easily introduce specific thumbnail images into the active area using. Therefore, in the thumbnail playback mode, the user may delete or move files of specific thumbnail images at the same time.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may be modified and improved by those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims (10)

A digital image processing apparatus for capturing images in a photographing mode and storing the images in a recording medium and reproducing the images stored in the recording medium in a reproduction mode. A track pointer for generating coordinate data according to the pressure and direction pressed by the user, and And a confirmation key indicating that coordinate data from the track pointer is activated as pressed by a user. The method of claim 1, wherein the track pointer, A user control unit having a stick connected to the stretchable plate; Torsion sensors attached under each portion of the stretchable plate to generate respective analog signals corresponding to compression or stretching of each portion of the stretchable plate; An analog-to-digital converter for converting analog signals from the distortion sensors into digital data; And And a coordinate data generator for generating coordinate data corresponding to the digital data from the analog-digital converter. An optical system for optically processing light from a subject; A photoelectric conversion unit converting light from the optical system into an electrical analog signal; An analog-digital converter converting the analog signal from the photoelectric converter into a digital signal; A user input unit which generates input signals by a user's manipulation; And A digital image processing apparatus including a main control unit which processes a digital signal from the analog-digital converter to generate a digital image signal, and performs overall control according to input signals from the user input unit. The user input unit, A track pointer for generating coordinate data according to the pressure and direction pressed by the user, and And a confirmation key indicating that coordinate data from the track pointer is activated as pressed by a user. The method of claim 3, wherein the track pointer, A user control unit having a stick connected to the stretchable plate; Torsion sensors attached under each portion of the stretchable plate to generate respective analog signals corresponding to compression or stretching of each portion of the stretchable plate; An analog-to-digital converter for converting analog signals from the distortion sensors into digital data; And And a coordinate data generator for generating coordinate data corresponding to the digital data from the analog-digital converter. And a track pointer for generating coordinate data according to the pressure and direction pressed by the user, and a confirmation key indicating that the coordinate data from the track pointer is activated as pressed by the user. In In playback mode, If the coordinate data from the track pointer is changed while the confirmation key is pressed, the coordinates at the time when the confirmation key is pressed and the coordinates at the time when the confirmation key is pressed in a diagonal direction face each other in a diagonal direction. A control method of a digital image processing apparatus for setting an activation area. The method of claim 5, wherein the playback mode, A single playback mode that displays each single image across the screen, A control method of a digital image processing apparatus comprising a thumbnail playback mode for displaying a plurality of thumbnail images together. The method of claim 6, wherein in the single playback mode, The control method of the digital image processing apparatus according to the magnification signal from the user is enlarged and displayed on the entire screen. The method of claim 7, wherein in the single playback mode, And a control area of the digital image processing apparatus when the coordinate data from the track pointer is changed while the single image is enlarged and displayed. The method of claim 8, wherein in the single playback mode, And when the coordinate data from the track pointer reaches boundary coordinate data while the single image is displayed without being enlarged, the image of the next file or the previous file is displayed. The method of claim 6, wherein in the thumbnail playback mode, And a file of a plurality of thumbnail images included in the activation area is deleted or moved according to input signals from a user.

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