KR20090110171A - Apparatus for processing digital image and method for controlling thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An apparatus for processing a digital image and a method for controlling the same are provided to sense an operating state and a motion state of a digital image processor to receive a GPS satellite signal only when location measurement is necessary. CONSTITUTION: An apparatus for processing a digital image and a method for controlling the same turn on main power necessary for operating a digital image processor(S405). If a measured walk number is larger than a reference walk number, a location of a digital image processor is measured by a GPS(S435). GPS power is turned off if a set time elapses after the main power is turned off. When the measured walk number is not larger than the reference walk number, a moving distance that the digital image processor moves is compared with a set reference distance.

Description

Apparatus for processing digital image and method for controlling Technical Field

The present invention relates to a digital image processing apparatus and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a digital image processing apparatus capable of receiving a satellite signal from a GPS (Global Positioning System) satellite and knowing its current position. .

Typically, the digital image processing apparatus includes all devices that process images such as a digital camera, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a phone camera, a PC camera, or use an image recognition sensor.

The digital image processing apparatus may image an image received through an image pickup device by a digital signal processor, compress the image, generate an image file, and store the image file in a memory.

In addition, the digital image processing apparatus may display and display an image of an image file received through an imaging device or stored in a storage medium on a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD).

The digital image processing apparatus may be equipped with a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. The digital image processing apparatus may receive a satellite signal from a GPS satellite through a GPS receiver to determine the current location of the digital image processing apparatus.

In this case, the GPS receiver may continuously receive satellite signals from the GPS satellites at regular time intervals. In this case, unnecessary power may be consumed by an operation for receiving a GPS satellite signal even when it is not necessary to newly measure the position.

An object of the present invention is to provide a digital image processing apparatus and a method of controlling the same, which detect GPS operating signals and receive a GPS satellite signal only when position measurement is required by sensing an operation state and a movement state of the digital image processing apparatus.

The present invention comprises the steps of: (a) turning on the main power source (ON) required for the operation of the digital image processing apparatus; (b) turning on a Global Positioning System (GPS) power source; (c) detecting a measurement step corresponding to the number of steps detected within a predetermined time according to the movement of the user carrying the digital image processing apparatus; And (d) measuring the position of the digital image processing apparatus by the GPS when the number of measurement steps is greater than a set reference number of steps.

The GPS power may be supplied independently of the main power.

In step (d), the step of comparing the measured number of steps with the reference number of steps, initializing the number of steps, switching the mode of the GPS to the operation mode, the digital image processing apparatus by the GPS Measuring the position of the, and switching the mode of the GPS to the sleep mode.

(e) turning off the GPS power when a predetermined time elapses after the main power is turned OFF.

In the step (e), initializing an off time when the main power is turned off, measuring the off time, comparing the off time with a set reference time, and the off time is longer than the reference time. Turning off the GPS power.

The step (e) may further include determining whether the main power is on when the off time is not longer than the reference time.

(f) if the number of measurement steps is not greater than the reference step, the digital image processing apparatus may further include comparing the moved movement distance with a set reference distance.

In the step (f), if (f1) the measured number of steps is not greater than the reference number of steps, and the elapsed time that elapses without the position of the digital image processing apparatus measured by the GPS is greater than the set time. Measuring the position of the digital image processing apparatus by the GPS, (f2) calculating the movement distance from the position of the digital image processing apparatus, and (f3) comparing the movement distance with a set reference distance. And (f4) turning off the GPS power when a predetermined time elapses after the main power is turned off.

Another aspect of the invention, the main body; A step detection unit mounted on the main unit to measure a step number of a user carrying the main unit; A GPS receiver mounted on the main body to receive satellite signals from at least one GPS satellite; And a GPS control unit configured to receive the satellite signal, determine a position of the main body, and determine a reception period for receiving the satellite signal at the GPS receiver according to a measured number of steps corresponding to the number of steps detected within a set time. It provides a digital image processing apparatus provided.

According to the digital image processing apparatus and the control method thereof according to the present invention, by sensing the operating state and the movement state of the digital image processing apparatus and receiving the GPS satellite signal only when the position measurement is required, power consumption can be reduced.

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

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the front and top appearance of the digital camera as an embodiment of the digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, in front of the digital camera 100 as a digital photographing apparatus according to the present invention, a microphone (MIC), a self-timer lamp 11, a shutter release button 12, a flash 13, a mode dial ( 14) power switch 15, microphone (MIC), speaker (SP), view finder (17), flash-light sensor (19), lens (20), GPS receiver (110), and step detector There is 120.

In the self-timer mode, the self-timer lamp 11 operates for a set time from the time when the shutter release button 12 is pressed to the time when the shutter is operated. The flash-light amount sensor 19 detects the light amount when the flash 13 operates and inputs the light amount to the controller 520 of FIG. 2 through the microcontroller 212 of FIG. 2.

The mode dial 14 is used to select camera operation modes such as automatic shooting mode (AUTO), program shooting mode (PROG), A / S / M shooting mode (A / S / M), MySET shooting mode (MySET). ), Voice recording mode, movie shooting mode, night scene shooting mode, and scene shooting mode (SCENE) are used to select and set by the user.

The shutter release button 12 is opened and closed to expose an image pickup device such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a film to light for a predetermined time. In addition, the shutter release button 12 records an image on the image pickup device by properly exposing a subject in cooperation with an aperture (not shown).

Meanwhile, the GPS receiver 110 and the step detector 120 may be mounted inside or outside the main body 100a.

The GPS receiver 110 may be mounted on the main body 100a to receive a satellite signal from a GPS satellite so as to know a current position coordinate where the main body 100a of the digital camera is located. In addition, the movement distance can be known from the change of the position coordinate with time.

The GPS receiver 110 may receive signals transmitted from three or more GPS satellites to determine the positions of the satellites and the receiver. By measuring the time difference between the satellite signal transmitted from the GPS satellite and the signal received by the GPS receiver 110, the distance between the satellite and the receiver can be obtained.

At this time, the satellite signal transmitted from the GPS satellite contains information about the position of the satellite. Therefore, once the distance to at least three satellites and the location of each satellite are known, the position of the GPS receiver can be calculated using a triangulation method. However, because the receiver's field of view is not completely accurate, four or more satellites can be used to determine position in order to correct the error.

The step detection unit 120 may be mounted on the main body 100a to measure the number of steps of a user carrying the digital camera. As the step detection unit 120, a hand shake detection sensor for hand shake correction may be used.

In addition, a conventional acceleration sensor or gyro sensor may be used as the step detection unit 120. In another embodiment, the step detection unit 120 may detect the step number in the same principle as in a conventional pedometer.

However, the step detection unit 120 in the present invention is not limited to this, it is possible to measure the number of steps of the user carrying the digital camera 100 by various methods.

2 is a block diagram of a digital image processing apparatus 200 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, the digital image processing apparatus 200 according to the present invention includes an image input unit 510; The controller 520; A storage unit 530; Display unit 550; Step detection unit 216; And a GPS module 300. In addition, the GPS module 300 may include a GPS receiver 310 and a GPS controller 320.

The digital image processing apparatus 200 may be controlled by the control methods S400 and S500 of the digital image processing apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 3 and / or 4. Therefore, the same items as in the control methods S400 and S500 of the digital image processing apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 3 and / or 4 may be referred to, and detailed description may be omitted.

The image input unit 510 receives an input image captured and input from the outside. The controller 520 may receive an input image and generate an image file. The storage unit 530 may store image files and location information. The display unit 550 may display a captured input image, a stored input image, and an edited edited image.

The step detection unit 216 is mounted on the main body and measures the number of steps of a user carrying the digital image processing apparatus. The GPS receiver 310 is mounted to the main body to receive satellite signals from at least one GPS satellite.

The GPS controller 320 receives a satellite signal to determine the position of the main body, and determines a reception period for receiving the satellite signal from the GPS receiver 310 according to the measured steps corresponding to the number of steps detected within a set time. .

In addition, the digital image processing apparatus 200 may include a power supply unit 400. The power supply unit 400 may supply the main power for driving the digital image processing apparatus 200 and the GPS power supplied to the GPS module 300. That is, the GPS module 300 may operate by receiving GPS power. In addition, the image input unit 510; The controller 520; A storage unit 530; Display unit 550; Various components including the step detector 216 may be operated by various levels of power supplied from the main power source or the power supply unit 400.

The image input unit 510 receiving the input image may include an optical system OPS, a photoelectric converter OEC, a CDS-ADC device 201, and the like. In this case, the optical system OPS may include various lenses including a zoom lens. The CDS-ADC element 201 may be included in an image pickup device that receives an input image input through a lens.

The storage unit 530 may temporarily store an input image or location information input from an external image or an image input from a stored image file, or store the captured image file in a non-volatile manner.

To this end, the storage unit 530 may include a DRAM 204 or a cache memory that temporarily stores data, and a flash memory or a memory card that stores data non-volatilely. In addition, the storage unit 530 may include an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) 205 and a memory card interface 206.

The digital random access memory (DRAM) 204 may temporarily store a digital image signal from the controller 520. The EEPROM 205 may store algorithms and setting data such as a booting program and a key input program required for the operation of the controller 520. In the memory card interface 206, a user's memory card may be attached or detached, and the memory card may be recognized by the memory card interface 206.

The controller 520 may include an image input unit 510; A storage unit 530; Display unit 550; Step detection unit 216; GPS receiver 310; And connected to the GPS control unit 320, it can control each operation. The controller 520 may include a digital signal processor (DSP).

The step detection unit 216 may be mounted on the main body 100a of FIG. 1 to measure the number of steps of a user carrying a digital camera. The step detector 216 may be the step detector 120 of FIG. 1.

The GPS receiver 310 may be mounted on a main body (100a of FIG. 1) to receive a satellite signal from a GPS satellite so as to know a current position coordinate where the digital camera is located. In addition, it is possible to know the moving distance from the change of the position coordinates with time. The GPS receiver 310 may be the GPS receiver 110 of FIG. 1.

The GPS controller 320 may receive a GPS satellite signal through the GPS receiver 310 and determine the position of the main body. In this case, the reception period for receiving the satellite signal from the GPS receiver 310 may be determined according to the number of steps measured by the step detector 216 detected within the set time.

The GPS receiver 310 and the GPS controller 320 may be operated by a GPS power source that is independent of the main power source that allows other components included in the digital image processing apparatus 200 to operate.

When the main power is turned on, an initialization operation may be performed to prepare the digital image processing apparatus to capture an image. In addition, when the GPS power is ON, an initialization operation may be performed to prepare the GPS to recognize the current position by receiving a satellite signal.

Here, the GPS power is supplied independently of the main power, and can be controlled independently of the main power. If the GPS power is turned on again after being turned off, a lot of preparation time may be consumed to recognize the GPS position. Therefore, by controlling the GPS power supply independently from the main power supply, a considerable time passes after the main power supply is turned off, and the GPS power supply can be turned off when it is determined that the GPS operation is not necessary.

Therefore, when the main power is turned on again within the set reference time after the main power is turned off, a separate GPS initialization operation is not necessary, so that GPS operation can be started quickly.

The GPS controller 320 may receive a satellite signal from the GPS receiver 310 and determine the position of the digital image processing apparatus when the number of measured steps is greater than the set reference number of steps. In addition, the moving distance of the digital image processing apparatus may be measured from the change of the position of the digital image processing apparatus.

In this case, when the measured number of steps is not greater than the reference number of steps, if the moving distance is greater than the reference distance and the main power is not OFF, the position of the digital image processing apparatus may be measured by GPS.

When the number of steps measured within a certain time is greater than the reference number of steps, the GPS position may be received, the position of the digital image processing apparatus may be measured, and the GPS power may be turned off when the set time elapses after the main power is turned off. .

In addition, when the number of steps is not greater than the reference number of steps as a result of comparing the number of steps, the GPS position may be measured when the set time elapses. In addition, when the main power is turned on while the moving distance is greater than the reference distance, the GPS position may be measured.

The digital image processing apparatus 200 may further include an elapsed time measuring unit 217 that may be controlled by the controller 520. The elapsed time measuring unit 217 may measure the elapsed time that is elapsed without measuring the position of the digital image processing apparatus by the GPS module 300.

In this case, when the elapsed time is greater than the set time in the controller 520, the position of the digital image processing apparatus may be measured from the satellite signal received through the GPS receiver 310.

The elapsed time measuring unit 217 receives the clock signal from the real time clock 203 under the control of the control unit 520, and the elapsed time elapsed without the GPS module 300 measuring the position of the digital image processing apparatus. Can be measured.

According to the present invention, GPS power consumption due to unnecessary GPS reception operation can be reduced.

On the other hand, 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 and a focus 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 212. Accordingly, as the microcontroller 212 controls the lens driver 210, the zoom motor MZ is driven to move the zoom lens.

When the wide-zoom button W is pressed, the focal length of the zoom lens is shortened to widen the angle of view, and the input image is reduced and input. Narrower, the input image is enlarged and input.

Meanwhile, in the auto focusing mode, the controller 520 that performs the main controller function controls the lens driver 210 through the microcontroller 212, and thus the focus motor MF is driven. That is, the focus lens MF is driven to move the focus lens to a position where the clearest picture can be obtained.

Reference numeral MA denotes a motor for driving an aperture (not shown).

The image input unit 510 according to the present invention may include an optical system (OPS), a photoelectric converter (OEC), a CDS-ADC device 201, and the like.

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 CDS-ADC (Correlation Double Sampler and Analog-to-Digital Converter) device 201. 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 controller 520 controls the timing circuit 202 to control the operations of the photoelectric converter OEC and the analog-digital converter 201.

The real time clock 203 provides time information to the controller 520. The control unit 520 processes the digital signal from the CDS-ADC element 201 to generate a digital image signal classified into luminance (Y value) and chroma (R, G, B) signals.

The light emitting unit LAMP driven by the microcontroller 212 under the control of the controller 520 may include a self-timer lamp, an auto-focus lamp, a mode indicating lamp, and a flash standby lamp.

Meanwhile, the user input input by the user may be input and processed by the controller 520 and / or the microcontroller 212 through the user input unit INP, and thus a designated task may be performed.

The digital image signal from the controller 520 is input to the display panel driver 214, thereby displaying an image on the display panel 215. The display panel 215 may be driven by the display panel driver 214 under the control of the controller 520.

The display panel 215 and the display panel driver 214 may be included in the display unit 550 on which an image of an image file can be displayed.

On the other hand, the digital image signal from the control unit 520 can be transmitted by serial communication via the USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection unit 31a or the RS232C interface 208 and the connection unit 31b, and the video filter 209 And as a video signal through the video output unit 31c.

The audio processor 213 inputs a voice signal input through the microphone MIC to the control unit 520 or outputs a voice signal output from the control unit 520 to the speaker SP.

The control unit 520 of the present embodiment may include a digital signal processor (DSP), but in another embodiment, the control unit 520 may incorporate a microcontroller therein.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a control method (S400) of a digital image processing apparatus as a preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

The control method S400 of the digital image processing apparatus may be implemented in the control apparatus 200 of the digital image processing apparatus of FIG. 2 and / or the digital image processing apparatus 300 of FIG. 3. To this end, the control method S400 of the digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention may be a program or algorithm stored in the storage means of FIG. 2 or implemented in the form of firmware.

The control method S400 of the digital image processing apparatus may be performed by the digital image processing apparatus 300 illustrated in FIG. 3. Therefore, the same matters as those in the description of the digital image processing apparatus 300 of FIG. 3 are referred to this.

The control method (S400) of the digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention detects the movement of the user carrying the digital image processing apparatus and monitors the user's behavior for a predetermined time, so that the movement pattern of the user requires GPS reception operation. You can only make GPS work.

Therefore, GPS power consumption due to unnecessary GPS reception operation can be prevented.

The control method (S400) of the digital image processing apparatus includes a startup step (S405, S410); Step measurement step (S415); Step comparison step (S420); And GPS position measuring steps S430, S435, and S440.

In the starting steps (S405, S410), the main power and GPS power is turned on. In the step measuring step S415, the measured step count is detected according to the movement of the user carrying the digital image processing apparatus.

In the step comparing step (S420), the measured step count is compared with the set reference step count. In the GPS position measuring steps S430, S435, and S440, the position of the digital image processing apparatus is measured by GPS.

In the startup steps S405 and S410, the main power may be turned on, the main system of the digital image processing apparatus may be initialized, the GPS power may be turned on, and the GPS module may be initialized. In this case, the main power source is a power source required for the operation of the digital image processing apparatus. In addition, the GPS power supply is a power source required for GPS operation.

When the main power is turned on, an initialization operation may be performed to prepare the digital image processing apparatus to capture an image. In addition, when the GPS power is ON, an initialization operation may be performed to prepare the GPS module to recognize the current location by receiving a satellite signal.

Here, the GPS power is supplied independently of the main power, and can be controlled independently of the main power. If the GPS power is turned on again after being turned off, a lot of preparation time may be consumed to recognize the GPS position. Therefore, by controlling the GPS power supply independently from the main power supply, a considerable time passes after the main power supply is turned off, and the GPS power supply can be turned off when it is determined that the GPS operation is not necessary.

In other words, if the main power is turned on again within the set reference time after the main power is turned off, a separate GPS initialization operation is not necessary, so that GPS operation can be started quickly.

In the step measuring step S415, the step count may be detected according to the movement of the user carrying the digital image processing apparatus. The number of steps detects the movement of the digital image processing apparatus through a sensor or the like, and when the pattern of the movement is determined to be the step of the user carrying the digital image processing apparatus, the number of steps may be recognized as the number of steps.

The measurement step may be a step detected within a predetermined time according to the movement of the user carrying the digital image processing apparatus.

In the step comparing step S420, the measured step count may be compared with the set reference step count. As a result of comparing the number of steps in the step comparing step (S420), if the measured number of steps is greater than the reference step, the GPS position measuring steps (S430, S435, S440) may be performed.

That is, by measuring the number of steps moved by the user, if the number of steps is greater than the set standard number of steps, it can be determined that the user moved the position, if the user moves the position accordingly the position of the digital image processing apparatus newly Can be measured again.

In this case, the reference number of steps may be preset to a predetermined value. In this case, the reference number of steps may be adaptively set through learning in consideration of a user's movement pattern and GPS location measurement interval.

In addition, when the number of steps measured is greater than the reference step as a result of comparing the steps in the step comparing step (S420), the measurement step is initialized before or after performing the GPS position measuring steps (S430, S435, S440) ( S425), the position measurement can be newly counted after the position measurement.

The GPS position measuring steps S430, S435, and S440 may include an operation mode switching step S430, a GPS location receiving step S435, and a sleep mode switching step S440.

In the operation mode switching step (S430), it is possible to switch the mode of the GPS to the operation mode. In the GPS location receiving step S435, satellite signals may be received from the GPS satellites. In the sleep mode switching step S440, the GPS mode may be switched to the sleep mode.

In the operation mode switching step (S430), by switching the GPS mode from the sleep mode to an operation mode capable of receiving GPS satellite signals, it is possible to prepare to receive the GPS satellite signals from the GPS satellites. In other words, the sleep mode is maintained before the GPS mode is switched to the operation mode, thereby minimizing unnecessary power consumption.

In the GPS position receiving step S435, a satellite signal may be received from a GPS satellite to receive a GPS position, and thus the position of the digital image processing apparatus may be measured.

In the sleep mode switching step (S440), the GPS mode may be switched to a sleep mode that maintains only a minimum power in the operation mode. After receiving the GPS location information, the sleep mode may be maintained in order to minimize power consumption.

In the control method (S400) of the digital image processing apparatus, the GPS power may be turned off when the set time elapses after the main power is turned off. To this end, the control method (S400) of the digital image processing apparatus includes a main power determination step (S445), an off time initialization step (S450), an off time measurement step (S455), an off time determination step (S460), and a main power inspection step. And a GPS power off step (S470).

In the main power determination step (S445), it is determined whether the main power is OFF. In the off time initialization step (S450), the off time for turning off the main power is initialized. In the off time measuring step (S455), the off time is measured.

In the off time determination step (S460), the off time is compared with the set reference time. In the main power test step (S465), it is checked whether the main power is OFF. In the GPS power off step (S470), if the off time is longer than the reference time, the GPS power is turned off.

As a result of comparing the number of steps in the step comparing step (S420), if the measured number of steps is greater than the reference number of steps, the main power determination step (S445) may be performed after the GPS position measuring steps (S430, S435, S440) are performed. .

In this case, when the step number is compared in the step comparing step (S420), if the measured step number is not more than the reference step, the GPS position measuring step (S430, S435, S440) is not performed, the main power determination step (S445) Can be performed.

The main power source is checked in the main power source determining step S445, and if the main power source is not in the OFF state, the step number measuring step S415 may be performed again. At this time, if the measured number of steps is not greater than the reference number of steps, the measured number of steps is continuously accumulated and calculated.

The main power source is checked in the main power source determining step S445, and if the main power source is turned off, the off time is measured in the off time measuring step S455 after initializing the off time in the off time initializing step S450. At this time, the off time corresponds to the time that the main power is kept off.

In the off time determination step (S460), the reference time is set by comparing the off time, and when the off time passes the reference time, the GPS power is turned off in the GPS power off step (S470). In this case, if the off time is not longer than the reference time, it may be checked whether the main power is in an OFF state in the main power test step S465.

At this time, when the off time is not longer than the reference time, and the main power is turned off in the main power test step S465, the off time is continuously measured in the off time measuring step S455.

In addition, when the off time is not longer than the reference time, and the main power is turned on (ON) as a result of the test in the main power test step S465, the step counting step S415 may be performed again.

The reference time is the time that the main power is turned off and waits for the main power to be turned off for some time before the GPS power is turned off. When the main power is repeatedly turned on and off, the GPS power is not turned on and off together, The reference time set to keep the power on.

In addition, when the off time is not longer than the reference time and the main power is on, the step counting step S415 may be performed again.

In the control method (S400) of the digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention, when the number of steps measured within a predetermined time is greater than the reference number of steps, the GPS position is received, the position of the digital image processing apparatus is measured, and the main power is turned off. After the set time has elapsed, turn off the GPS power.

According to the present invention, GPS power consumption due to unnecessary GPS reception operation can be reduced.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a control method S500 of a digital image processing apparatus as a preferred embodiment according to the present invention.

According to the control method (S500) of the digital image processing apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment, when the number of measurement steps is not greater than the reference number of steps, the reference value is set to the moving distance at which the digital image processing apparatus is moved. The difference between the step S540 and the distance is performed.

Therefore, for the same matters as in the control method (S400) of the digital image processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3, the same reference numerals are used, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, when the measured steps are not greater than the reference steps as the result of comparing the steps in the step comparing step S420, the GPS location measuring steps S430, S435, and S440 are not performed. A power determination step S445 is performed.

However, in the present embodiment, when the number of steps is not greater than the reference number of steps as a result of comparing the number of steps in step S420, the GPS position is measured when the set time elapses, and the digital image processing apparatus moves. Comparing the moved distance with the set reference distance (S540) may be performed.

In addition, if the moving distance is greater than the reference distance in the control method (S500) of the digital image processing apparatus and the main power is not turned off, the position of the digital image processing apparatus may be measured by GPS.

The control method (S500) of the digital image processing apparatus includes the elapsed time comparison step (S510) with respect to the control method (S400) of the digital image processing apparatus shown in FIG. 3; GPS position measuring step (S520, S525, S530); Moving distance comparing step (S540); Main power determination step (S545, S560); And off time comparison step (S555) may be further provided.

In the elapsed time comparison step (S510), the elapsed time elapsed in a state where the number of measured steps is not greater than the reference step is compared with the set time. GPS position measurement step (S525) receives a GPS satellite signal to measure the position of the digital image processing apparatus.

In this case, when the elapsed time passes the set time, it may mean that at least one time of GPS position measurement has to be performed since the step is not moved for a predetermined time in measuring the number of steps. Therefore, when the elapsed time elapsed in the state where the number of measured steps is not greater than the reference number of steps passes the set time, it is possible to determine whether the moving distance is determined by measuring the GPS position.

In the moving distance comparison step (S540), the moving distance of the digital image processing apparatus is compared with the set reference distance. In the main power determination step (S545) it is determined whether the main power is off (OFF) state. In the off-time comparison step (S555), it is checked whether the off time in which the main power source is in the off state has elapsed.

When the number of steps is not greater than the reference step as a result of comparing the number of steps in the step comparing step (S420), the elapsed time that is measured while the number of steps is less than the reference step is measured in the elapsed time measuring step (S505).

If the result of the comparison in the elapsed time comparison step (S510) does not pass the set time, the main power source determination step (S445) is performed again. When the elapsed time as a result of the comparison in the elapsed time comparison step (S510) passes the set time, the elapsed time is initialized in the elapsed time initialization step (S515), so that the elapsed time can be measured again, and the GPS position measuring step ( In S520, S525, and S530, the position of the digital image processing apparatus by GPS is measured.

To this end, the GPS position measuring step (S520, S525, S530) is the operation mode switching step (S520), GPS position receiving step (S525), and sleep mode switching step (S530) as described in the embodiment shown in FIG. ) May be provided.

In the operation mode switching step (S520), it is possible to switch the mode of the GPS to the operation mode. In the GPS location receiving step S525, satellite signals may be received from the GPS satellites. In the sleep mode switching step (S530), the GPS mode may be switched to the sleep mode.

In order to perform the movement distance comparison step S540, first, the movement distance may be calculated in the movement distance calculation step S535. In the moving distance calculating step S535, the moving distance may be calculated from a difference in the position of the digital image processing apparatus measured by the digital image processing apparatus continuously by GPS.

As a result of the comparison in the movement distance comparison step S540, if the movement distance is smaller than the reference distance, the main power determination step S445 may be performed again. If the moving distance is greater than or equal to the reference distance, the main power determination step S545 may be performed.

In the main power determination step (S545) it may be determined whether the main power is off (OFF). At this time, if the main power is not in the OFF state, the GPS position measuring steps S520, S525, and S530 may be performed again. If the main power is off, the time elapsed since the main power is turned off in the off time measurement step S550 may be measured.

The off time is measured, and an off time comparison step S555 may be performed. In the off time comparison step (S555), it may be determined whether the off time in which the main power is maintained in the off state has passed the set reference time.

As a result of the comparison in the off time comparison step S555, when the off time for which the main power is maintained in the off state has elapsed, the GPS power off step S470 may be performed.

At this time, if the off time in which the main power is maintained in the off state does not pass the set reference time, it is determined again whether or not the main power is turned off in the main power determination step (S560).

If the main power is turned off in the main power determination step (S560), the off time measurement step (S550) is performed again, and the elapsed time in the main power off state is continuously measured.

If the main power is not turned off in the main power determination step (S560), the off time is initialized in the off time initialization step (S570) so that the off time can be newly measured, and the GPS position measuring step (S520, S525 and S530 may be performed again.

In the control method (S400) of the digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention, when the number of steps measured within a predetermined time is greater than the reference number of steps, the GPS position is received, the position of the digital image processing apparatus is measured, and the main power is turned off. After the set time has elapsed, turn off the GPS power.

In addition, when the number of steps is not greater than the reference number of steps as a result of comparing the number of steps, the GPS position may be measured when the set time elapses. In addition, when the main power is turned on while the moving distance is greater than the reference distance, the GPS position may be measured.

According to the present invention, GPS power consumption due to unnecessary GPS reception operation can be reduced.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to one embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, it is merely an example, and those skilled in the art may realize various modifications and equivalent other embodiments therefrom. I can understand. Accordingly, the true scope of protection of the invention should be defined only by the appended claims.

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

2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating 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 a control method of a digital image processing apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (9)

(a) turning on a main power source for the operation of the digital image processing apparatus; (b) turning on a Global Positioning System (GPS) power source; (c) detecting a measurement step corresponding to the number of steps detected within a predetermined time according to the movement of the user carrying the digital image processing apparatus; And and (d) measuring the position of the digital image processing apparatus by the GPS when the number of measuring steps is greater than a set reference number of steps. The method of claim 1, And a control method of the digital image processing apparatus in which the GPS power is supplied independently of the main power. The method of claim 1, (e) turning off the GPS power when a predetermined time elapses after the main power is turned OFF. The method of claim 1, and (f) comparing the shifted distance of the digital image processing apparatus with a set reference distance when the number of measured steps is not greater than the reference number of steps. The method of claim 4, wherein In the step (f), if the moving distance is greater than the reference distance and the main power is not turned off, the position of the digital image processing apparatus is measured by the GPS. main body; A step detection unit mounted on the main unit to measure a step number of a user carrying the main unit; A GPS receiver mounted on the main body to receive satellite signals from at least one GPS satellite; And A GPS controller configured to receive the satellite signal, determine a position of the main body, and determine a reception period for receiving the satellite signal by the GPS receiver according to a measured step corresponding to the number of steps detected within a set time; Digital image processing device. The method of claim 6, And the GPS receiver and the GPS controller are operated by a GPS power source that is independent of the main power source that operates the other components included in the main body. The method of claim 6, And the GPS receiver receives the satellite signal and determines the position of the main body when the number of measured steps is greater than a set reference number of steps. The method of claim 8, And the GPS power is turned off when a reference time elapses after the main power is turned off.

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