KR20100001269A - Method and apparatus for compensating an image - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An image compensation method for compensating an image according to a playback mode and an apparatus thereof and a digital photographing device using the same are provided to perform image compensation according to the amount of external light without a complex calculation process. CONSTITUTION: A mode selector selects a playback mode which displays an image according to the selection of a user. A controller(71) generates control information which controls the image according to the selected playback mode. An image compensation unit(73) compensates the image according to the generated control information. The control information is comprised of the control information which controls the brightness of the image and the control information which controls the saturation of the image.

Description

Image compensation method and apparatus, and digital photographing apparatus using the same {Method and apparatus for compensating an image}

The present invention relates to an image compensation method and apparatus, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for compensating an image to be displayed according to external light, and a digital photographing apparatus using the same.

Recently, photographing systems using a photographing apparatus are commonly used, and home video cameras and digital still cameras are widely used as representative examples of such photographing systems. In addition, according to the development of the wireless communication network, the images taken through the shooting system can be reproduced and viewed anytime, anywhere, mobile phones, PDA, MP3, PMP, navigation, etc. are also widely used as a device for playing the images.

On the other hand, when viewing the display indoors is not significantly affected by the surrounding environment, the user can see the image similar to when viewing in the dark room. However, when the image viewed in the indoor environment is viewed in the outdoor environment, the same image is recognized differently. This is because the sensitivity curve of human vision changes according to the brightness of the surroundings, and the ambient light source affects the standard color stimulus of the display. The result is darker and less saturated than seen indoors. For example, when the image captured by the digital photographing apparatus is reproduced in a place where sunlight is strong, the display is often reflected by the light so that the user may not recognize it or do not see it at all.

As an image compensation technique for solving the above-mentioned problems, a separate sensor is provided to measure the brightness of the external light, and the image compensation is performed by calculating a human vision and flare, that is, the amount of light reflected. However, this requires a lot of calculation process, but the complicated and minute calculation process has a disadvantage that the accuracy is less than the amount of light is reflected.

In another technique, the real-time color correction method of the camera according to the lighting condition changes not only the color but also the brightness when the lighting condition is changed, and not only the color correction is performed without considering the brightness but also the amount of calculation by using the three-dimensional lookup table. There are many disadvantages.

In addition, the above-described two conventional technologies have a common point in that the process of measuring the brightness of the external light and using the measured brightness to generate an image to compensate for the display of the camera, even if the display is reflected by light, Since the illuminance is too large and the amount of reflection is too much, it is difficult for the human eye to recognize the image as the original image.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and does not require a separate sensor for measuring the external illuminance, the image compensation method according to the simple and practical external light without having to go through a complicated amount of calculation process And to provide a device.

Another object is to provide a digital photographing apparatus using the same.

In order to achieve the above technical problem, a method of compensating an image to be displayed according to external light according to an embodiment of the present invention selects a playback mode to display the image according to a user's selection, and according to the selected playback mode. And generating control information for adjusting the image and compensating the image according to the control information.

The control information may include control information for adjusting the brightness of the image and control information for adjusting the saturation of the image.

Preferably, the regeneration mode includes at least one regeneration mode according to the intensity of the external light.

Preferably, the control information for adjusting the brightness and the control information for adjusting the saturation are determined according to the respective playback modes.

In order to achieve the above another technical problem, an apparatus for compensating an image to be displayed according to external light may include: a mode selector configured to select a play mode to display the image according to a user's selection; and a play mode selected from the mode selector. And a controller for generating control information for adjusting the image and an image compensator for compensating the image according to the generated control information.

Preferably, the control information includes control information for adjusting the brightness of the image and control information for adjusting the saturation of the image, and the image compensator adjusts the brightness of the image according to the control information for adjusting the brightness of the image. And a saturation compensator for compensating for saturation of the image according to the compensating brightness compensator and control information for adjusting the saturation of the image.

Preferably, the regeneration mode includes at least one regeneration mode according to the intensity of the external light.

Preferably, the control information for adjusting the brightness and the control information for adjusting the saturation are determined according to the respective playback modes.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a digital photographing apparatus for compensating an image to be displayed according to external light may include a mode selection unit for selecting a playback mode to display an image photographed by the digital photographing apparatus according to a user's selection. And a controller configured to generate control information for adjusting brightness and saturation of the image according to the playback mode selected by the mode selector, and an image compensator configured to compensate the image according to the control information from the controller.

In order to achieve another technical object of the present invention, a recording medium including a program for executing the above methods on a computer is included.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for compensating an image to be displayed according to external light may be selected according to a user's selection, and a control information for controlling an image according to a reproduction mode may be generated and controlled. By compensating the image according to the information, there is an effect that it is possible to conveniently reproduce the image to be displayed regardless of the place without having to perform a complicated calculation process and additional hardware for measuring external light.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, only parts necessary for understanding the operation according to the present invention will be described, and descriptions of other parts may be omitted so as not to distract from the gist of the present invention.

In addition, the terms or words used in the specification and claims described below are not to be construed as being limited to the ordinary or dictionary meaning, meaning that corresponds to the technical spirit of the present invention so as to best express the present invention To be interpreted as

1 is a block diagram of a digital camera according to one embodiment of a digital photographing apparatus of the present invention. 2, which will be described with reference to FIG. 1, is a block diagram illustrating a digital signal processing unit of the digital camera.

As shown in FIG. 1, the digital camera 100 includes an optical unit 10, an optical driver 11, an imaging device 15, an imaging device controller 16, an operation unit 20, and a mode selection unit 21. , Program storage unit 30, buffer storage unit 40, data storage unit 50, display control unit 60, data driver 61, scan driver 63, display unit 65, and digital signal processor DSP , 70).

The optical unit 10 receives an optical signal from a subject and provides it to the imaging device 13. The optical unit 10 may include at least one lens, such as a zoom lens for controlling the view angle to be narrowed or widened according to a focal length, and a focus lens for focusing a subject. In addition, the optical unit 10 may further include an aperture for adjusting the amount of light.

The optical driver 11 adjusts the position of the lens, opening and closing of the iris, and the like. You can focus by shifting the position of the lens. In addition, the amount of light may be adjusted by adjusting the opening and closing of the iris. The optical driver 11 may control the optical unit 10 according to a control signal automatically generated by an image signal input in real time or a control signal manually input by a user's manipulation.

The optical signal transmitted through the optical unit 10 reaches the light receiving surface of the imaging element 15 to form an image of the subject. The imaging device 15 may use a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) or a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Image Sensor (CIS) that converts an optical signal into an electrical signal. Such an image pickup device 15 may be controlled by the image pickup device controller 16. The imaging device controller 16 may also control the imaging device 15 according to a control signal automatically generated by an image signal input in real time or a control signal manually input by a user's operation.

The operation unit 20 is a place that can input a control signal from the outside such as a user. The operation unit 20 is a shutter-release button for inputting a shutter-release signal for taking a picture by exposing the imaging device 15 to light for a predetermined time, a power button for supplying power, and an angle of view according to the input. There are a wide-angle zoom button and a tele-zoom button to widen or narrow the angle of view, and various function buttons such as selecting a text input or shooting mode, a playback mode, selecting a white balance setting function, and selecting an exposure setting function. The operation unit 20 may have the form of various buttons as described above, but is not limited thereto, and may be implemented in any form that a user can input, such as a keyboard, a touch pad, a touch screen, a remote controller, and the like.

The mode selector 21 provides a playback mode for displaying an image when a user wants to display a captured image or a stored image. Here, the reproduction mode may be provided in plural, for example, when the sunlight is strong, the reproduction mode may be a case where the sunlight is weak. In addition, the reproduction mode may be provided by distinguishing the intensity of sunlight as well as the intensity of external lighting. The mode selector 21 may be provided on the back of the digital photographing apparatus 100 by using a specific key button or a menu screen. In addition, it is possible to selectively implement a playback mode switching by selecting a different playback mode while the user is playing the video.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the operation unit 20 and the mode selection unit 21 are separated and displayed, but the operation unit 20 may include the functions of the mode selection unit 21 described above.

In addition, the digital camera 100 may include a program storage unit 30 for storing a program such as an operating system or an application system for driving the digital camera, and a buffer storage unit for temporarily storing data or result data necessary for performing an operation ( 40), a data storage unit 50 for storing a variety of information required for the program, including an image file containing a video signal.

In addition, the digital camera 100 is a display control unit 60 for controlling to display its operation state or the image information photographed by the digital camera 100, a data driver input from the display control unit 60 to transfer the display data And a display unit 65 for displaying a predetermined image according to signals input from the data driver 61 and the scan driver 63. The display unit 65 may be formed of a liquid crystal display panel (LCD), an organic light emitting display panel (OLED), an electrophoretic display panel (EDD), and the like.

The digital camera 100 includes a DSP 70 for processing the input image signal and controlling the components according to the input signal or the external input signal.

The DSP 70 will be described with reference to FIG. 2 together.

Referring to FIG. 2, the DSP 70 includes a controller 71, an image signal processor 72, and an image compensator 73.

The controller 71 controls the overall operation of the DSP 70. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 71 generates control information for adjusting the image to be displayed according to the playback mode provided from the mode selection unit 21 shown in FIG. Here, the control information is information on how much the brightness and saturation of the image to be reproduced are compensated for. For example, when the playback mode is configured as 'weak sunlight mode' and 'strong sunlight mode', when the user selects 'weak sunlight mode', the control unit 71 increases the brightness by 10% compared to the original image. Generate saturation is increased by 40% compared to the original image. In addition, when the user selects the 'strong sunlight mode', the controller 71 generates control information for increasing brightness by 20% compared to the original image, and generates control information for increasing saturation by 80% compared to the original image. Herein, although the brightness is increased by a specific ratio, 10% or 20% according to the reproduction mode, the present invention is not limited to this ratio, but may be experimentally determined according to external light or an optimal ratio may be determined and applied. The same applies to the increase rate of saturation. Therefore, it is possible to compensate for the brightness and the saturation by adjusting the user's selection that the brightness or the saturation of the image to be reproduced according to the external light is lower than that of the original image.

The image signal processor 72 converts an image signal input from the image pickup device 15 into a digital signal, and performs gamma correction and color filter array interpolation to convert the image signal according to the human vision. Image signal processing such as color matrix, color correction, color enhancement, and the like. In addition, when the function is set, the image signal processor 72 may perform an auto white balance or auto exposure algorithm. In addition, the size of the image data is adjusted using a scaler and compressed to form an image file of a predetermined format. Conversely, image files can be extracted. The image signal processing unit 72 may perform the above image signal processing on the image signal input in real time in the live-view mode before the picture taking and the image signal input by the shutter-release signal. In this case, different video signal processing may be performed on each of the video signals.

The image compensator 73 compensates an image to be reproduced according to the control information provided from the controller 71. The image compensator 73 includes a brightness compensator for compensating the brightness of the image according to control information for adjusting the brightness of the image and a saturation compensator for compensating the saturation of the image according to the control information for adjusting the saturation of the image. The compensation of the brightness and the saturation of the image can be applied to the conventional image brightness, saturation compensation technology, the detailed description of the brightness compensation and saturation compensation is omitted in the present invention.

In addition, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image signal processor 72 and the image compensator 73 are separated and described, but the image signal processor 72 may perform the function of the image compensator 73. to be.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an image compensation method according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, in step 300, when a user wants to play back a captured image or a stored image, an image reproduction mode according to external light is selected. Here, the reproduction mode may be singular or plural, and a compensation ratio of brightness and / or saturation set according to each reproduction mode is determined.

In step 302, control information according to the selected playback mode is generated. In other words, control information is generated for determining a compensation ratio of brightness and / or saturation corresponding to a specific reproduction mode.

In step 304, brightness and / or saturation of the original image to be reproduced are compensated according to the generated control information. Here, the compensation means increasing or decreasing the brightness and the saturation compared to the original image according to the strength of the external light.

In step 306, the image compensated for in step 304 is played. Therefore, the resultant image is output with an image in which brightness and saturation are adjusted compared to the original image. Here, the output image is, for example, an image in which the brightness, saturation, and saturation are increased by 20% and 80%, respectively, when the playback mode selected by the user is the 'strong sunlight mode'. Therefore, even in an environment where strong sunlight shines, the playback image can be viewed without a great difference from the original image.

In the above detailed description, the image compensation device and the compensation method as one component of the digital photographing apparatus 100 have been described. However, the image compensation device may be independently implemented, and the image compensation device may be applied to all devices that reproduce images. Applicable For example, it can be applied to a portable device including a mobile phone, PDA, MP3P, PMP, navigation, and the like.

Meanwhile, the present invention can be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. Computer-readable recording media include all types of recording devices that store data that can be read by a computer system.

Examples of computer-readable recording media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and the like, which may also be implemented in the form of carrier waves (for example, transmission over the Internet). Include. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. And functional programs, codes and code segments for implementing the present invention can be easily inferred by programmers in the art to which the present invention belongs.

So far I looked at the center of the preferred embodiment for the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be embodied in a modified form without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. The scope of the present invention is shown not in the above description but in the claims, and all differences within the scope should be construed as being included in the present invention.

1 is a schematic block diagram of a digital photographing apparatus 100 according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the digital signal processor 70 shown in FIG. 1.

3 is a flowchart illustrating an image compensation method according to another exemplary embodiment.

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

100: digital recording device 21: mode selector

71: control unit 73: image compensation unit

Claims (10)

In the method for compensating the image to be displayed according to the external light, Selecting a playback mode in which the image is to be displayed according to a user's selection; Generating control information for adjusting the image according to the selected playback mode; And And compensating for the image according to the control information. The method of claim 1, The control information, And control information for adjusting brightness of the image and control information for adjusting chroma of the image. The method of claim 2, The playback mode is And at least one reproduction mode according to the intensity of the external light. The method of claim 3, wherein And control information for adjusting brightness and control for adjusting saturation according to the respective reproduction modes. A recording medium having recorded thereon a program for executing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 on a computer. An apparatus for compensating an image to be displayed according to external light, A mode selection unit for selecting a playback mode in which the image is to be displayed according to a user's selection; A controller configured to generate control information for adjusting the image according to a play mode selected from the mode selector; And And an image compensator for compensating the image according to the generated control information. The method of claim 6, The control information, Control information for adjusting the brightness of the image and control information for adjusting the saturation of the image, The image compensator, A brightness compensator configured to compensate for the brightness of the image according to control information for adjusting the brightness of the image; And And a saturation compensator for compensating for the saturation of the image according to control information for adjusting the saturation of the image. The method of claim 6, The playback mode is And at least one reproduction mode according to the intensity of the external light. The method of claim 8, And control information for adjusting brightness and control information for adjusting saturation according to each of the playback modes. A digital photographing apparatus for compensating an image to be displayed according to external light, A mode selection unit for selecting a reproduction mode for displaying an image stored in the digital photographing apparatus according to a user's selection; A controller configured to generate control information for adjusting brightness and saturation of the image according to a playback mode selected from the mode selector; And And an image compensator for compensating the image according to the control information from the controller.

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