KR20080090174A - Method of controlling digital image processing apparatus and apparatus thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for controlling a digital image processing device are provided to register a photo frame by using a subject separated from its background or capture an image of the subject by using a photo frame. An input image is received from the exterior(S310). Image data is extracted from the input image(S320). A focus value of each unit pixel of the image data is obtained(S330). A focus map dividing the input image into two or more regions is created(S340). The input image is divided into the first and second regions according to the focus value(S350). An image of the second region is changed and combined with the first region to generate an output image(S360). The output image is displayed on a display panel(S370), and the output image is stored(S380).

Description

Method of controlling digital image processing apparatus and apparatus thereof

1 is a view illustrating a rear surface of a digital camera as an embodiment of a control device of a digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a control device of a digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

3 is a flowchart schematically illustrating a control method of a digital image processing apparatus as a preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart schematically illustrating registration of a photo frame in a control method of a digital image processing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a diagram schematically illustrating a control method of a digital image processing apparatus and an input image in the apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically illustrating a focus map according to a focus value of the input image of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an output image extracted by the focus map of FIG. 6.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings>

OEC: photoelectric converter, 507: digital signal processor,

512: microcontroller, 25: display panel.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for controlling a digital image processing apparatus, and more particularly, to photograph a desired subject separately from a background or to register a photo frame using a subject separated from the background or to photograph a photo frame. The present invention relates to a control method of a digital image processing apparatus and a device thereof.

In general, a digital image processing apparatus includes any apparatus that processes an image such as a digital camera, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a phone camera, a PC camera, or uses a motion recognition sensor. The digital image processing apparatus receives a desired image through the image pickup device, displays the input image on the image display device, and displays the image on the image display device, and stores the image as an image file according to the user's selection of the image.

In general, a digital image processing apparatus such as a digital camera does not sufficiently reflect a user's request when photographing only a desired image or photographing a photo frame using the image. For example, if you want to take a picture of a person, take a picture that includes the person, and then use an image processing program, such as Photoshop, on an information processing device such as a computer to perform a separate operation for producing a picture of the person. shall.

In addition, in a conventional digital image processing apparatus, a user may not freely register a frame at the time of photographing a photo frame in which a pre-registered frame is synthesized with an image input from the outside to take a picture.

The present invention creates a focus map for an input image from input image data input through an image pickup device or the like, and separates the input image main region from the background region according to the focus value, thereby photographing an ID photo or a user-defined photo frame. An object of the present invention is to provide a control method of a digital image processing apparatus that can facilitate registration and a device thereof.

The present invention, the input unit for receiving an input image from the outside; A controller configured to divide the input image into two or more regions including a first region and a second region according to a distribution of focus values obtained for each unit pixel, and to separate the first region to generate an output image; And a storage unit for storing the output image.

The controller may be configured to change an image of an area excluding the first area and synthesize the image of the first area to generate the output image.

The input image may be divided into a first region in which the focus value is greater than a preset reference focus value, and a second region in which the focus value is smaller than the reference focus value.

Another aspect of the invention, (a) receiving an input image from the outside; (b) extracting image data from the input image; obtaining a focus value for each unit pixel from the image data; dividing the input image into two or more regions including a first region and a second region according to the focus value; And (e) changing an image of an area excluding the first area and synthesizing with the first area to generate an output image.

(g) Preferably, the output image is further stored in a photo frame by a user input from the outside.

According to the present invention, by generating a focus map for an input image from input image data input through an image pickup device or the like, and separating the input image main region from the background region according to the focus value, photographing an ID photo or a user-defined photo. Frame registration can be facilitated.

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

FIG. 1 shows an external appearance of a digital camera 1 as an embodiment of a control device of a digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the rear of the digital camera 1, the direction button 21, the menu-OK button 22, the delete button 24, the wide angle (Zoom) button (W), telephoto ( A telephoto-zoom button T, a display panel 25, a speaker SP, and the like may be provided.

The direction button 21 may include four buttons, an up button 21a, a down button 21b, a left button 21c, and a right button 21d. The direction button 21 and the menu-OK button 22 are keys for executing various menus relating to the operation of the digital image processing apparatus such as a digital camera.

The shooting mode can be set to the ID photo shooting mode by the operation of the mode dial (not shown) or the direction button 21 and the menu-OK button 22. In addition, by operating the direction button 21 and the menu-OK button 22, the photo frame is registered by user setting by the control device of the digital image processing apparatus of FIG. You can shoot using frames.

The wide-angle zoom button W or the tele-zoom button T has a wider angle of view or a narrower angle of view depending on its input. In particular, it can be used to change the size of the selected exposure area. In this case, when the wide-zoom button W is input, the size of the selected exposure area is reduced, and when the tele-zoom button T is input, the size of the selected exposure area may be increased. As the display panel 25, an image display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) may be used.

Meanwhile, a shutter release button, a flash, a power switch, and a lens unit may be provided on the front or the top of the digital image processing apparatus. In addition, the front and rear of the digital image processing apparatus may be provided with an objective lens and an eyepiece of the viewfinder.

The shutter release button opens and closes to expose the film or imager, such as a charge coupled device (CCD), to light for a set amount of time. In addition, the shutter release button records an image on the image pickup device by properly exposing a subject in conjunction with an aperture (not shown).

When shooting in a dark place, the flash is used to instantly illuminate bright light, and flash modes include auto flash, forced flash, flash off, red-eye reduction, and slow synchro. The objective lens section of the viewfinder is a small window of the camera for viewing and composing a subject to be photographed.

As an embodiment of a digital image processing apparatus to which the present invention can be applied, a digital camera, a control apparatus, and a control method thereof are disclosed in US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0130650 (name: automatic using a secondary function of the camera). Method of automatically focusing using a quadratic function in camera.

Matters relating to the digital camera, the control apparatus, and the control method disclosed in the above-mentioned US application will be included in the present specification, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

2 shows an internal configuration of the control device 2 of the digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention. 5 shows an input image in the control device 2 of the digital image processing apparatus of FIG. 2, FIG. 6 shows a focus map according to a focus value of the input image of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 shows the focus of FIG. 6. The output image extracted by the map is shown.

Referring to the drawing, 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 W or the tele-zoom button T included in the user input unit INP, a signal corresponding thereto is input to the microcontroller 512.

Accordingly, as the microcontroller 512 controls the lens driver 510, the zoom motor M _Z is driven to move the zoom lens. That is, when the wide-zoom button W is pressed, the focal length of the zoom lens is shortened to widen the angle of view, and when the tele-zoom button T is pressed, the focal length of the zoom lens becomes long and the angle of view is narrowed.

Meanwhile, in the auto focus mode, the focus motor M _F is driven by the main controller embedded in the digital signal processor 507 controlling the lens driver 510 through the microcontroller 512. The compensation lens compensates for the overall refractive index and is not driven separately. Reference numeral 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 high frequency components. Infra-Red cut filter cuts the infrared component of the incident light.

The photoelectric conversion unit OEC may include an imaging device such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS). The photoelectric conversion unit OEC converts light from the optical system OPS into an electrical analog signal.

The analog-to-digital converter may include a correlation double sampler and analog-to-digital converter (CDS-ADC) device 501. The 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. Here, the digital signal processor 507 controls the timing circuit 502 to control the operations of the photoelectric converter OEC and the analog-digital converter 501.

Here, the input unit in the control device 2 of the digital image processing apparatus receives an input image from the outside. In this case, the input unit may include an optical system OPS, a photoelectric converter OEC, and an analog-digital converter.

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

The light emitting unit LAMP driven by the microcontroller 512 under the control of the main controller built in the digital signal processor 507 includes a self-timer lamp, an auto-focus lamp, a mode indicating lamp, a flash standby lamp, and the like. May be included. The user input unit INP may include a shutter release button, a direction button 21, a wide-angle zoom button W, a telephoto- zoom button T, and the like.

In the control unit 2 of the digital image processing apparatus, an output image such as an ID photo or a photo frame may be displayed on the display unit. In this case, the display unit may include a display panel 25 in which an image display device such as an LCD is used.

The digital image signal from the digital signal processor 507 is temporarily stored in the DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 504. The DRAM 504 may temporarily store image data, a focus value, a focus map, an output image, a photo frame, and the like.

 The EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) 505 stores algorithms and setting data such as a boot program and a key input program required for the operation of the digital signal processor 507. In the memory card interface 506, a user's memory card is detached.

In the control unit 2 of the digital image processing apparatus, an output image such as an ID photo or a photo frame may be stored in the storage unit. In this case, the storage unit may include a DRAM 504 and / or an EEPROM 505.

The digital image signal from the digital signal processor 507 is input to the display panel driver 514, whereby the image is displayed on the display panel 25.

On the other hand, the digital image signal from the digital signal processor 507 can be transmitted by serial communication via the USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection 31a or the RS232C interface 508 and its connection 31b, and the video filter ( 509 and video output 31c may be transmitted as a video signal. Here, the digital signal processor 507 may have a microcontroller therein.

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

Meanwhile, in the controller 2 of the digital image processing apparatus, the controller divides the input image into two or more regions including the first region and the second region according to the distribution of focus values obtained for each unit pixel, and the first region. Separate output to generate output image. In this case, the controller may include a digital signal processor 507 and / or a microcontroller 512.

According to the present invention, the control method of the digital image processing apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be performed in the control apparatus for the digital image processing apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 2. At this time, the main algorithm of the control method according to the embodiment may be performed inside the digital signal processor 507 and / or microcontroller 512 with the help of peripheral components in the control device.

Control device 2 of the digital image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the input unit; Control unit; Storage unit; And a display unit. The control device 2 of the digital image processing apparatus divides the input image (Fig. 5) into a main subject area and a background area according to the distribution of focus values (Fig. 6), and converts the background area into a specific color. An output image (FIG. 7) is generated for an ID photo or a photo frame only of the main subject.

The input unit receives an input image (FIG. 5) from the outside. The controller divides the input image (FIG. 5) into two or more regions including the first region and the second region according to the distribution of focus values obtained for each unit pixel (FIG. 6), and separates the first region into an output image ( 7). The storage unit stores the output image (FIG. 7). An output image (FIG. 7) is displayed on the display unit.

In this case, the two or more areas divided by the controller may be the first area 610 corresponding to the main subject area and the second area 620 corresponding to the background area.

The controller extracts image data from the input image (FIG. 5), obtains a focus value for each unit pixel from the image data, and sets the input area to two or more areas according to the focus value, preferably the first area 610 and the second area. The area 620 is divided into two areas. The focus value may be a focus value calculated for auto focusing.

In this case, the focus value is calculated for each unit pixel, preferably in pixel units, and a two-dimensional focus map (FIG. 6) may be generated from each focus value. The input image may be divided into a first region 610 and a second region 620 based on a reference focus value in which a focus value of each pixel is preset.

In FIG. 6, a focus value is displayed on each unit pixel, and is divided into a first region 610 and a second region 620 according to the focus value. In this case, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the first area 610 is an area in which each focus value is larger than the reference focus value, and the second area 620 is an area in which each focus value is smaller than the reference focus value. Can be.

In the focus map illustrated in FIG. 6, when the reference focus value is 10, the focus value of the first region 610 has a value of 20, 30, 40, 50, etc., greater than 10, and the second region 620. Has a value of 5 less than 10.

In another embodiment of generating a focus map, when a difference in focus between adjacent unit pixels is greater than a preset reference difference, the first and second regions are recognized as a boundary between the first region and the second region. You can create a focus map that separates areas.

Meanwhile, the controller generates an output image (FIG. 7) by changing an image of the second region 620 in an area excluding the first area of the focus map, that is, the focus map of FIG. 6. That is, the second region 620 is changed to one same specific color such as white, black, blue, or green, and the changed second region 620 is combined with the first region 610 to output the image (FIG. 7). Create).

According to the control device 2 of the digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention, by distinguishing the main subject area and the background area on the basis of the focus value calculated for automatic focusing, the proof picture is easily performed by simple calculation in the controller. You can take pictures only for the main subject of the back.

The generated output image may be registered as a photo frame by the method illustrated in FIG. 4. That is, by excluding the first area, that is, the second area and performing the transparency process and registering and storing the second area as a photo frame, it is possible to easily register a photo frame desired by the user for photographing the photo frame. Therefore, a user can freely register a desired image as a photo frame and perform photo frame photographing by synthesizing the image.

3 shows a control method of a digital image processing apparatus as a preferred embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows a method of registering a photo frame in the control method of the digital image processing apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, the control method of the digital image processing apparatus (S300), the input image input step (S310); Image data extraction step (S320); Focus value extraction step (S330); Focus map creation step (S340); Separating the main subject area from the background area (S350); Changing the background area (S360); Displaying on the display device (S370); And a storage step (S370).

The control method S300 of the digital image processing apparatus may be implemented in the control apparatus of the digital image processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 2. The control method (S300) of the digital image processing apparatus divides an input image (FIG. 5) into a main subject area and a background area according to a distribution of focus values (FIG. 6), and converts the background area into a specific color. An output image (FIG. 7) for a subject-only ID photo or a photo frame is generated. In this case, the two or more regions may be the first region 610 corresponding to the main subject region and the second region 620 corresponding to the background region.

In the input image input step S310, an input image (FIG. 5) is received from the outside. In the image data extraction step S320, image data is extracted from the input image (FIG. 5).

In the focus value extraction step S330, a focus value is obtained for each unit pixel in the image data. In this case, a focus value calculated for auto focus adjustment may be used. The focus value may be calculated for each unit pixel, preferably in pixel units.

In the focus map preparing step (S340), a focus map (FIG. 6) for dividing the input image into two or more regions is created. In this case, a two-dimensional focus map (FIG. 6) may be generated from each focus value. In the step S350 of separating the main subject area from the background area, the input image is divided into two or more areas including the first area 610 and the second area 620 according to the focus value.

The input area (FIG. 5) is divided into two or more areas, preferably, two areas of the first area 610 and the second area 620 according to the focus value. The input image may be divided into a first region 610 and a second region 620 based on a reference focus value in which a focus value of each pixel is preset. The first area 610 may be a main subject area, and the second area 620 may be a background area.

In FIG. 6, a focus value is displayed on each unit pixel, and is divided into a first region 610 and a second region 620 according to the focus value. In this case, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the first area 610 is an area in which each focus value is larger than the reference focus value, and the second area 620 is an area in which each focus value is smaller than the reference focus value. Can be.

In the focus map illustrated in FIG. 6, when the reference focus value is 10, the focus value of the first region 610 has a value of 20, 30, 40, 50, etc., greater than 10, and the second region 620. Has a value of 5 less than 10.

In another embodiment of generating a focus map, when a difference in focus between adjacent unit pixels is greater than a preset reference difference, the first and second regions are recognized as a boundary between the first region and the second region. You can create a focus map that separates areas.

In operation S360 of changing the background region, an image of the region except for the first region, that is, the second region 620 is changed to be synthesized with the first region 610 to generate an output image (FIG. 7). That is, the second region 620 may be changed to one same specific color such as white, black, blue, or green.

In the display step S370 of the display device, an output image (FIG. 7) is stored. In the storage step S370, an output image (FIG. 7) is displayed on the display panel 25 of FIG. 2. The user may select whether to delete the output image (FIG. 7) displayed on the display device.

According to the control method (S300) of the digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention, by distinguishing the main subject area and the background area on the basis of the focus value calculated for automatic focusing, the proof picture is easily made by simple calculation inside the controller. You can take pictures only for the main subject of the back.

The generated output image may be registered as a photo frame by the method illustrated in FIG. 4. In another embodiment of the control method of the digital image processing apparatus (S400), an area excluding the first area in the changing of the background area (S360) in the embodiment of FIG. 3 by selection of a user registering a photo frame (S410). That is, the second area 620 is changed to be transparent. In addition, the transparent region is synthesized with the first region 610 to generate an output image of the photo frame. Next, the photo frame is stored and registered (S430 and S440).

In other words, by performing the transparent process on the area excluding the first area, that is, the second area 620, and registering and storing the second area 620 as a photo frame, the user can easily register the desired photo frame for photographing the photo frame. Therefore, a user can freely register a desired image as a photo frame and perform photo frame photographing by synthesizing the image.

According to the control method and apparatus of the digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention, a focus map for an input image is created from input image data input through an image pickup device, or the like, and the input image is set to a background of the main subject area according to the focus value. By separating from the area, ID photo shooting or user-defined photo frame registration can be facilitated.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to one embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, this is merely exemplary, and various modifications and equivalent other embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art. You will understand. Accordingly, the true scope of protection of the invention should be defined only by the appended claims.

Claims (17)

An input unit for receiving an input image from an external device; A controller configured to divide the input image into two or more regions including a first region and a second region according to a distribution of focus values obtained for each unit pixel, and to separate the first region to generate an output image; And And a storage unit for storing the output image. The method of claim 1, And the control unit extracts image data from the input image, obtains a focus value for each unit pixel from the image data, and divides the input image into two or more regions according to the focus value. The method of claim 2, And the controller is configured to change an image of an area excluding the first area and to synthesize the image of the first area to generate the output image. The method of claim 3, And a control unit of the digital image processing apparatus in which regions other than the first region are changed to one same color. The method of claim 3, And a control unit of the digital image processing apparatus in which an area except the first area is changed to be transparent. The method of claim 5, And the output image is stored as a photo frame by a user input from the outside. The method of claim 1, And the input image is divided into a first region in which the focus value is greater than a preset reference focus value, and a second region in which the focus value is smaller than the reference focus value. The method of claim 1, When the input image is divided into a first region and a second region, and the difference between the focus values between adjacent unit pixels is greater than a preset reference difference value, the digital image is recognized as a boundary between the first region and the second region. Control device of the image processing device. The method of claim 1, And a display unit for displaying the output image. (a) receiving an input image from the outside; (b) extracting image data from the input image; obtaining a focus value for each unit pixel from the image data; dividing the input image into two or more regions including a first region and a second region according to the focus value; And and (e) changing an image of an area excluding the first area and synthesizing the image with the first area to generate an output image. The method of claim 10, and (f) generating a focus map for dividing the input image into the two or more regions. The method of claim 10, In the step (d), the control of the digital image processing apparatus, wherein the input image is divided into a first region in which the focus value is greater than a preset reference focus value, and a second region in which the focus value is smaller than the reference focus value. Device. The method of claim 10, In the step (d), if the input image is divided into a first region and a second region, and the difference between the focus values between adjacent unit pixels is greater than a preset reference difference value, the first region and the second region. A control device of a digital image processing apparatus recognized as a boundary of an area. The method of claim 10, The control apparatus of the digital image processing apparatus, wherein the area except for the first area is changed to one same color in the step (e). The method of claim 10, The control apparatus of the digital image processing apparatus, wherein the area except the first area is transparently changed in the step (e). The method of claim 15, and (g) storing the output image as a photo frame by a user input from the outside. The method of claim 10, (h) storing the output image; And and (i) displaying the output image on a display panel.

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