KR20100075163A - Apparatus for processing digital image and method for controlling thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A digital image processing apparatus outputting the pictures of a storage in various output modes including individual, place, date and color is provided to improve the convenience of a user by outputting various modes. CONSTITUTION: A digital image processing apparatus(300) includes an image input unit(310), a control unit(320), a storing unit(330), a display unit and a connection unit. The storing unit stores an image file. A printer is connected to the connection unit. The control unit outputs a selection file through the connection unit to the printer. Selection files are selected between image files by a set output mode.

Description

Apparatus for processing digital image and method for controlling Technical Field

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention 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 outputting an image through a connected printer and a control method thereof.

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 connected to a photo printer and output a captured image or an image stored and input from the outside through the photo printer.

An object of the present invention is to provide a digital image processing apparatus and a control method thereof, by which a stored picture can be output by various methods, thereby improving user convenience of output.

The present invention includes a storage unit for storing image files; A connection unit to which a printer for outputting the image files is connected; And a control unit which controls the selected files selected by the output method set among the image files to be output to the printer through the connection unit.

The output method may be set to search for a person set among the image files stored in the storage unit and output files including the same person as a picture.

The output method may be set to output a file including a color set among the image files stored in the storage unit as a photo.

The output method may be set to output, as a photo, files photographed on a set date or at a set place among the image files stored in the storage unit.

The output scheme may be set to output a photo selected from among the image files stored in the storage to be output in advance.

The selection files may be selected by the output method among predetermined designation files among the image files stored in the storage unit.

The selection files may be all output in one picture, or each of the selection files may be sequentially output one by one.

Another aspect of the invention, the step of setting the output method for outputting a photo; Selecting selection files to be output from among image files stored by the output method; And outputting the selected files as a photo.

According to the digital image processing apparatus and the control method thereof according to the present invention, by allowing the stored picture to be output by various methods, it is possible to improve the user convenience to the output.

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

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a digital camera 100 which is an embodiment of a digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings, on the back of the digital camera 100, the direction button 21, the menu-OK button 22, the wide angle (Zoom) button (W), the telephoto (Zoom) ) Button T, the display panel 25 and the like.

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 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 may 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 increases, and when the tele-zoom button T is input, the size of the selected exposure area may decrease.

As the display panel 25, an image display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) may be used.

Meanwhile, a shutter release button 26, a flash (not shown), a power switch 28, and a lens unit (not shown) may be provided on the front or top surface of the digital camera 100. In addition, the front and rear of the digital camera 100 may be provided with an objective lens and an eyepiece of the viewfinder 27.

The shutter release button 26 and the power switch 28 may be included in a user manipulation unit (360 of FIG. 3) for inputting items to be manipulated by the user from the outside.

The shutter release button 26 is opened and closed to expose the film or an image pickup device such as a charge coupled device (CCD) for a predetermined time. In addition, the shutter release button records an image on the image pickup device by properly exposing a subject in association with an aperture (not shown).

On the other hand, the shutter release button 26 can be pressed in two stages. When the shutter release button 26 is pressed in one end, the first signal S1 may be generated, and when the shutter release button 26 is pressed in one step, the second signal S2 may be generated. The shooting preparation setting may be performed by the first signal S1, and the shooting operation may be performed by the second signal S2.

The grouping output button 29 may be provided at the rear of the digital camera 100. When the user presses the grouping output button 29 or selects a photo grouping function through a menu, a command of the photo grouping output may be input to the controller 320 of FIG. 3.

In addition, the digital camera 100 may be connected to the external printer 30 through the connection unit 370 of FIG. 3. When the command of the photo grouping output is input to the control unit 320 of FIG. 3, the photo grouping output according to the present invention may be performed.

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 is a block diagram of a control device 200 of a digital image processing apparatus, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The control device 200 of the digital image processing apparatus may be mounted in the digital camera 100 of FIG. 1.

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 212.

Accordingly, as the microcontroller 212 controls the lens driver 210, 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.

In this case, the zoom control may be performed by driving the zoom lens M _z such that the position of the zoom lens is moved by the lens driver 210.

On the other hand, in the auto focusing mode, the main controller embedded in the digital signal processor 207 controls the lens driver 210 through the microcontroller 212, and thus the focus motor M _F is driven. do. That is, the focus lens is moved to a position where the sharpest picture is obtained by driving the focus motor M _F.

The compensation lens compensates for the overall refractive index and is not driven separately. Reference numeral M _A denotes an aperture adjusting motor M _A 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 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 digital signal processor 207 controls the timing circuit 202 to control the operation of the photoelectric converter OEC and the analog-to-digital converter 201.

The optical system OPS, the photoelectric conversion unit OEC, the CDS-ADC element 201, and the like may be included in the image input unit 310 of FIG. 3.

The real time clock 203 provides time information to the digital signal processor 207. The digital signal processor 207 processes digital signals from the CDS-ADC element 201 to generate digital image signals classified into luminance (Y value) and chromaticity (R, G, B) signals.

The light emitting unit LAMP driven by the microcontroller 212 under the control of the main controller built in the digital signal processor 207 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 direction button 21, a wide-angle zoom button W, a telephoto-zoom button T, and the like. The user input unit INP may be included in the user manipulation unit 360 of FIG. 3.

The digital image signal from the digital signal processor 207 is temporarily stored in the DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 204. The EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory) 205 stores algorithms and setting data such as a boot program and a key input program required for the operation of the digital signal processor 207. In the memory card interface 206, a user's memory card may be attached or detached.

The digital signal processor 207 and / or the microcontroller 212 may be included in the controller 320 of FIG. 3 according to the present invention. Here, the digital signal processor 207 may have a microcontroller 212 therein. The digital signal processor 207 and / or the microcontroller 212 may also be equipped with cache memory as temporary storage space.

In this case, the cache memory and the DRAM 204 may be included in the first storage unit 330 of FIG. 3 that temporarily stores a list of selected files and an input image selected for output. The cache memory included in the first storage unit 330 of FIG. 3 may be included separately from the digital signal processor 207 and / or the micro controller 212.

The memory card recognized through the memory card interface 206 may be included in the second storage unit 340 of FIG.

The digital image signal from the digital signal processor 207 is input to the display panel driver 214, whereby the image is displayed on the display panel 215.

The controller 200 of the digital image processing apparatus may further include display units 214 and 215. The display units 214 and 215 may include a display panel 215 and a display panel driver 214 for driving the display panel 215. The display units 214 and 215 may be included in the display unit 350 of FIG. 3 according to the present invention.

On the other hand, the digital image signal from the digital signal processor 207 can be transmitted by serial communication via a universal serial bus (USB) connection portion 31a or an RS232C interface 208 and the connection portion 31b thereof, and a video filter ( 209 and through the video output unit 31c.

The USB connection portion 31a and the RS232C connection portion 31b may be included in the connection portion 370 of FIG. 3 to which an external printer is connected according to the present invention.

The audio processor 213 outputs the audio signal from the microphone MIC to the digital signal processor 207 or the speaker SP, and outputs the audio signal from the digital signal processor 207 to the speaker SP.

3 is a block diagram of a digital image processing apparatus 300 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The digital image processing apparatus 300 may be controlled by the control method S400 of the digital image processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 4.

Referring to the drawings, the digital image processing apparatus 300 includes an image input unit 310; The control unit 320; Storage units 330 and 340; Display unit 350; A user manipulation unit 360; And a connection part 370.

Image files are stored in the storage units 330 and 340. The connection unit 370 is connected to a printer (30 of FIG. 1) for outputting image files. The controller 320 controls the selected files selected by the output method set among the image files to be output to the printer 30 of FIG. 1 through the connection unit 370.

The digital image processing apparatus 300 according to the present invention may collect or output pictures stored in the storage units 330 and 340 in various output methods such as a person, a place, a date, and a color. Accordingly, by allowing the user to output the pictures by various methods desired by the user, the user convenience of the output can be improved.

The selection files may be files selected by an output method set according to the present invention among all image files stored in the storage units 330 and 340. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the selection files may be files selected by an output method set according to the present invention from some of the image files stored in the storage units 330 and 340.

To this end, the selection files may be selected by an output method among predetermined designated files among image files stored in the storage units 330 and 340. Image files may be stored in the storage units 330 and 340 in a directory structure, and the designated files may be all image files in the selected one or more specific directories.

In addition, the designation files may be files selected by an output scheme set from among photographs previously selected by the user. To this end, the user may select in advance a file to be output for each picture.

At the time of shooting, the user may select a captured image while checking the captured image through the display unit 350. In addition, the user may select the file to be output as it is displayed on the display unit 350 by reading the stored image file.

As another example, the user may select a specific image file as a file to be output while checking a list of stored files. The selected output schedule files may be marked for output in the EXIF information.

In this case, an output scheme may be set to output an output schedule file selected as an output schedule from among image files stored in the storage units 330 and 340 as a picture. In this case, all files to be output can be output. As another embodiment, the output schedule files displayed as output schedules may be designated files, and image files selected by various output methods such as a person, a place, a date, and a color may be output according to the present invention among the output schedule files designated as the designated files. have.

In this case, all of the selection files may be output in one picture, or each of the selection files may be sequentially output one by one. The selection of such an output method may be set in advance by setting of a menu or the like.

According to the present invention, various methods may be used as an output method for selecting a file to be output. As an embodiment, an output method may be set to search for a person who is set among image files stored in the storage units 330 and 340 and output files including the same person as a picture.

In this case, files that are determined to include the face of the set person by searching for files including the face of the set person from among the stored image files may be selected as selection files to be output as a picture.

As another embodiment, an output scheme may be set to output a file including a set color from among image files stored in the storage units 330 and 340 as a photo. In this case, the set color may be not only one color but also two or more colors. Each of the stored image files may be searched to determine whether a set color is included and selected as a selection file to be output.

As another embodiment, the output scheme may be set to output a photographed file on a set date among image files stored in the storage units 330 and 340 as a photo. The date when the picture was taken may be recorded in the EXIF information of each image file. In this case, each of the stored image files may be searched for files photographed on a set date and selected as a selection file to be output.

As another example, the output scheme may be set to output a file photographed at a set place among image files stored in the storage units 330 and 340 as a photo. The place where the picture is taken may be recorded in the EXIF information of each image file.

In this case, the place where the picture is taken may be stored by GPS (Global Positioning System) geographic information stored when the picture is taken. In this case, each of the stored image files may be searched to find files photographed at the set place and selected as a selection file to be output.

The image input unit 310 receives an input image from the outside. The image input unit 310 may include an optical system (OPS), a photoelectric converter (OEC), a CDS-ADC device 201, and the like illustrated in FIG. 2.

The controller 320 may include an image input unit 310; The control unit 320; Storage units 330 and 340; Display unit 350; A user manipulation unit 360; And controlling the connection unit 370 to collect or output pictures stored in various output methods such as a person, a place, a date, and a color. The controller 320 may include the digital signal processor 207 and / or the microcontroller 212 illustrated in FIG. 2.

The storage units 330 and 340 may store a list of selected files selected for output, an input image, and a captured image. The storage units 330 and 340 may include a first storage unit 330 and a second storage unit 340. The first storage unit 330 may temporarily store a list of input files selected for output and an input image. The captured image may be stored in the second storage unit 340 together with the output schedule display.

The display unit 350 may display an input image in a live view and display a captured image so that a user may check the captured image. The display unit 350 may include the display panel 25 shown in FIG. 1 and / or the display panel driver 214 and the display panel 215 of FIG. 2.

The user may input a desired command from the outside through the user manipulation unit 360. The user manipulation unit 360 may include a direction button 21 and a menu-OK button 22 of FIG. 1, a grouping output button 29, and a user input unit INP of FIG. 2.

According to the present invention, by allowing the user to output the pictures by various methods desired by the user such as a person, a place, a date, and a color, user convenience with respect to the output can be improved.

4 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 digital image processing apparatus of FIGS. 2 and / or 3 and the control apparatuses 200 and 300 thereof. 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 a semiconductor chip such as firmware.

Therefore, in the method S400 of controlling the digital image processing apparatus, the same matters as those described for the digital image processing apparatus and the control apparatuses 200 and 300 will be referred to, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to the drawings, the control method (S400) of the digital image processing apparatus includes an output method setting step (not shown); Output file selection step (S420); And output stages S430 and S440.

An output method setting step (not shown) sets an output method for outputting a photo. In the output file selection step S420, selection files to be output are selected from image files stored by the output method. In the output step (S430, S440) outputs the selected files as a picture.

The control method (S400) of the digital image processing apparatus may collect or output the stored pictures by various output methods such as a person, a place, a date, and a color. Accordingly, by allowing the user to output the pictures by various methods desired by the user, the user convenience of the output can be improved.

The control method (S400) of the digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention may include a grouping output determination step (S410). In the grouping output determination step (S410), it may be determined whether a command of the photo grouping output is input. At this time, when it is determined that the command of the photo grouping output is input, the stored photos according to the present invention may be collected or outputted by various output methods such as a person, a place, a date, and a color.

To this end, an output method for outputting a photo may be set in advance in a separate output method setting step.

As an embodiment, the output method setting step may include an output schedule file selection step. In the output file selection step, the user may select a file to be output while checking the captured image displayed. Alternatively, the user may select a file to be output while checking the stored image file displayed by the import.

As another example, the user may select a specific image file as a file to be output while checking a list of stored files. The selected output schedule files may be displayed as output schedules such as EXIF information.

In this case, an output scheme may be set to output an output scheduled file selected in advance from among stored image files as a photo. In this case, all files to be output can be output. As another embodiment, the output schedule files displayed as output schedules may be designated files, and image files selected by various output methods such as a person, a place, a date, and a color may be output according to the present invention among the output schedule files designated as the designated files. have.

According to the present invention, various methods may be used as an output method for selecting a file to be output. As an embodiment, an output scheme may be set to search for a person who is set among stored image files and output files including the same person as a picture.

In this case, files that are determined to include the face of the set person by searching for files including the face of the set person from among the stored image files may be selected as selection files to be output as a picture.

As another embodiment, an output scheme may be set to output files including a set color among stored image files as a photo. In this case, the set color may be not only one color but also two or more colors. Each of the stored image files may be searched to determine whether a set color is included and selected as a selection file to be output.

As another embodiment, the output scheme may be set to output the photographed files on the set date among the stored image files as pictures. The date when the picture was taken may be recorded in the EXIF information of each image file. In this case, each of the stored image files may be searched for files photographed on a set date and selected as a selection file to be output.

As another embodiment, the output scheme may be set to output files photographed at a set place among stored image files as a photo. The place where the picture is taken may be recorded in the EXIF information of each image file.

In this case, the place where the picture is taken may be stored by GPS (Global Positioning System) geographic information stored when the picture is taken. In this case, each of the stored image files may be searched to find files photographed at a set place and selected as a selection file to be output.

In the output file selection step S420, selection files to be output are selected from image files stored by the output method.

The selection files may be files selected by an output scheme set according to the present invention among all stored image files. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the selection files may be files selected by an output method set according to the present invention from some of the stored image files.

To this end, the selection files may be selected by an output method among predetermined designation files among stored image files. Image files can be stored in a directory structure, where the specified files can be all image files in one or more selected directories.

In addition, the designation files may be files selected by an output scheme set from among pictures previously selected by the user. To this end, the user may select in advance a file to be output for each picture.

In the outputting steps S430 and S440, the selected files are output as photos. In this case, all of the selection files may be output in one picture, or each of the selection files may be sequentially output one by one. The selection of such an output method may be set in advance by setting of a menu or the like.

In order to output the selected files one by one, the output steps S430 and S440 may include a selection file output step S430 and an output completion determination step S440.

In the selection file output step S430, one selection file is output. In the output completion determination step (S440) it is determined whether all the selected files are output. As a result of the determination in the output completion determination step S440, the selection file output step S430 is repeatedly performed until it is determined that all of the selection files have been output.

According to the present invention, by allowing the user to output the pictures by various methods desired by the user such as a person, a place, a date, and a color, user convenience with respect to the output can be improved.

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 diagram illustrating a rear surface of a digital camera as an embodiment of a digital image processing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a control apparatus that may be included in the digital camera of FIG. 1.

3 is a block diagram schematically showing a digital image processing apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

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

Claims (14)

A storage unit for storing image files; A connection unit to which a printer for outputting the image files is connected; And And a control unit which controls the selected files selected by the output method set among the image files to be output to the printer through the connection unit. The method of claim 1, And the output method is configured to search for a person set among the image files stored in the storage unit and to output files including the same person as a picture. The method of claim 1, And the output method is set to output a file including a set color among the image files stored in the storage unit as a photo. The method of claim 1, And the output method is set to output, as a photograph, files photographed on a set date or at a set place among the image files stored in the storage unit. The method of claim 1, And the output method is set to output, as a photo, files selected to be output in advance among the image files stored in the storage unit. The method of claim 1, And the selection files are selected by the output method from among predetermined designated files among the image files stored in the storage unit. The method of claim 1, And all of the selection files are output in one picture, or each of the selection files is sequentially output one by one. Setting an output method for outputting a photo; Selecting selection files to be output from among image files stored by the output method; And And outputting the selected files as a photo. The method of claim 8, And a control method of the digital image processing apparatus configured to search for a set person among the stored image files and output a file including a same person as a picture. The method of claim 8, And a control method of the digital image processing apparatus configured to output a file including a set color among the stored image files as a photo. The method of claim 8, And a control method of the digital image processing apparatus, in which the output method is set to output a file photographed on a set date or at a set place among the stored image files as a photograph. The method of claim 8, And a control method of the digital image processing apparatus, in which the output scheme is set to output, as a photograph, files selected to be output in advance among the stored image files. The method of claim 8, And a control method of the digital image processing apparatus selected from among predetermined image files among the image files in which the selection files are stored. The method of claim 8, And all of the selection files are output in one picture, or each of the selection files is sequentially output one by one.

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