KR20110052275A - Method for displaying preview images and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A preview image display method and apparatus thereof are provided to accurately change a photographing condition and to compare a preview image of a user. CONSTITUTION: A photographing unit processes an image signal according to a parameter of a photographing condition and to preview an image that is displayed on a display unit. An image signal which is outputted from the photographing unit is processed according to a first setting parameter and a second setting parameter(S204). Each image signal which is processed according to the first setting parameter and the second setting parameter is displayed on the display unit(S205).

Description

Preview image display method and apparatus therefor {METHOD FOR DISPLAYING PREVIEW IMAGES AND APPARATUS THEREFOR}

The present invention relates to an image capturing apparatus and a method thereof, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for providing a preview image by processing and displaying the input image according to the shooting condition parameters.

Currently, video recording apparatuses such as mobile communication terminals (PDAs, camera phones, smartphones), digital camcorders, and digital cameras equipped with cameras are gradually being used.

Such digital imaging apparatuses generally provide a preview function (electronic viewfinder), which displays images reflected on the lens as a series of real-time images in real time so that the user can select a predetermined screen by pressing the shutter. Function. In order to provide a preview image, the digital image capturing apparatus repeatedly performs a process of constructing and image processing an input image into digital image data. Normally, preview images are provided at several frames to tens of frames per second.

The preview image is processed according to the currently set shooting conditions such as exposure, white balance, and filter effect, and is displayed with little difference from the actual captured image. In addition, when the user changes the shooting conditions, the preview image is applied to the preview image and processed according to the changed shooting condition.

The conventional photographing apparatus as described above, when the user changes the shooting conditions, only the preview image according to the changed condition is displayed, or the preview image is displayed together with the pre-photographed image. Therefore, the user cannot accurately determine whether the changed shooting condition is appropriate. In the case of displaying together with the pre-recorded image, it is inconvenient to capture the image in advance, and since the captured image is not a real-time image, only the difference of the image due to the change of the shooting conditions can be accurately represented due to the time difference. none.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and to provide a photographing apparatus and a method for allowing a user to directly compare preview images so that the photographing conditions can be changed more easily and accurately.

A method related to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object is a preview in an image capturing apparatus, in which an image signal output in real time from an image capturing unit is processed according to a parameter relating to a set photographing condition and continuously displayed on a display unit. An image display method comprising: image processing an image signal output from the image pickup unit according to a first setting parameter and a second setting parameter; And simultaneously displaying each image signal processed according to the first setting parameter and the second setting parameter in a predetermined display area.

In addition, the imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object, the imaging unit for outputting a video signal in real time; A user input unit which receives a parameter regarding a shooting condition from a user; A display unit displaying an image; An image capturing apparatus for displaying a preview image including a control unit for continuously processing a video signal output in real time from the image pickup unit according to a set parameter and displaying the image signal on the display unit. Image processing is performed according to the first setting parameter and the second setting parameter, respectively, and the respective video signals processed according to the first setting parameter and the second setting parameter are simultaneously displayed on a predetermined area of the display unit. .

According to the present invention, since the preview image is simultaneously displayed according to the shooting conditions before and after the change, the user can shoot while comparing and confirming the effects before and after the shooting conditions before and after the change on the same image input in real time through the camera. You can change the condition. Therefore, the user can change the shooting conditions more easily and accurately.

The present invention can be applied to video recording apparatuses such as mobile communication terminals (PDAs, camera phones, smart phones), digital camcorders, and digital cameras equipped with cameras.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal to which the present invention is applied will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are given or used in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles from each other.

The mobile terminal described herein may include a mobile phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, and the like. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers, etc., except when applicable only to mobile terminals.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, and an interface. The unit 170, the controller 180, and the power supply unit 190 may be included. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, so that a mobile terminal having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more modules that enable wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or between the mobile terminal 100 and a network in which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may mean a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information or a server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information and transmits the same to a terminal. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, but also a broadcast signal having a data broadcast signal combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast related information may mean information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider. The broadcast related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network. In this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast related information may exist in various forms. For example, it may exist in the form of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) or Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module 111 may include, for example, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S), Media Forward Link Only (MediaFLO), and Digital Video Broadcast (DVB-H). Digital broadcast signals can be received using digital broadcasting systems such as Handheld and Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T). Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitable for not only the above-described digital broadcasting system but also other broadcasting systems.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives a wireless signal with at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. The wireless signal may include various types of data according to transmission and reception of a voice call signal, a video call signal, or a text / multimedia message.

The wireless internet module 113 refers to a module for wireless internet access and may be embedded or external to the mobile terminal 100. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range communication. As a short range communication technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like may be used.

The location information module 115 is a module for obtaining a location of a mobile terminal, and a representative example thereof is a GPS (Global Position System) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, the A / V input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes an image frame such as a still image or a video obtained by an image sensor in a video call mode or a photographing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display unit 151.

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. Two or more cameras 121 may be provided according to the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. The microphone 122 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for the user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 detects a current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as an open / closed state of the mobile terminal 100, a location of the mobile terminal 100, presence or absence of a user contact, orientation of the mobile terminal, acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal, and the like. To generate a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to the external device may be sensed. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to sight, hearing, or tactile sense, and includes a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154. Can be.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the mobile terminal displays a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a shooting mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays a captured image and / or a received image, UI, or GUI.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and a flexible display (flexible). and at least one of a 3D display.

Some of these displays can be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen from the outside. This may be referred to as a transparent display. A representative example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparant OLED). The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be configured as a light transmissive structure. With this structure, the user can see the object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display unit 151 of the terminal body.

There may be two or more display units 151 according to the implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. For example, in the mobile terminal 100, a plurality of display portions may be spaced apart from one another, or may be disposed integrally with one another, and may be disposed on different surfaces, respectively.

When the display unit 151 and a sensor for detecting a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as a touch sensor) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter referred to as a touch screen), the display unit 151 may be configured in addition to an output device. Can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have, for example, a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect not only the position and area of the touch but also the pressure at the touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. As a result, the controller 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal or in the vicinity of the touch screen, which is surrounded by the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object present in the vicinity without using a mechanical contact by using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. Proximity sensors have a longer life and higher utilization than touch sensors.

Examples of the proximity sensor include a transmission photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. When the touch screen is capacitive, the touch screen is configured to detect the proximity of the pointer by the change of the electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of allowing the pointer to be recognized without being in contact with the touch screen so that the pointer is located on the touch screen is referred to as a "proximity touch", and the touch The act of actually touching the pointer on the screen is called "contact touch." The position where the proximity touch is performed by the pointer on the touch screen refers to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen when the pointer is in proximity proximity.

The proximity sensor detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (for example, a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, and a proximity touch movement state). Information corresponding to the sensed proximity touch operation and proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The sound output module 152 may output audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. The sound output module 152 may also output a sound signal related to a function (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. The sound output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the mobile terminal include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, and touch input. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event in a form other than a video signal or an audio signal, for example, vibration. The video signal or the audio signal may be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152, so that they 151 and 152 may be classified as part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154. The intensity and pattern of vibration generated by the haptic module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or may be sequentially output.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 154 may be configured to provide a pin array that vertically moves with respect to the contact skin surface, a jetting force or suction force of air through the jetting or suction port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of the electrode, electrostatic force, and the like. Various tactile effects can be generated, such as effects by the endothermic and the reproduction of a sense of cold using the elements capable of endotherm or heat generation.

The haptic module 154 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but also may implement the user to feel the haptic effect through a muscle sense such as a finger or an arm. Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according to a configuration aspect of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for the operation of the controller 180 and may temporarily store input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). The memory 160 may store data regarding vibration and sound of various patterns output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), RAM (Random Access Memory, RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk. The mobile terminal 100 may operate in connection with a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 160 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device, receives power, transfers the power to each component inside the mobile terminal 100, or transmits data inside the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

The identification module is a chip that stores various types of information for authenticating the usage rights of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identify module (SIM), and a universal user authentication module ( Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. The device equipped with the identification module (hereinafter referred to as 'identification device') may be manufactured in the form of a smart card. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port.

The interface unit may be a passage through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, or various command signals input from the cradle by a user may be transferred. It may be a passage that is delivered to the terminal. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may be operated as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for playing multimedia. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 180.

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on the touch screen as text and an image, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, embodiments described herein include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing other functions. The described embodiments may be implemented by the controller 180 itself.

According to the software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described herein. Software code can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

2A is a front perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal or a portable terminal according to the present invention.

The disclosed portable terminal 100 has a terminal body in the form of a bar. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, a swivel type, and two or more bodies are coupled to be movable relative to each other.

The body includes a casing (casing, housing, cover, etc.) that forms an exterior. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are built in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The cases may be formed by injecting synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The display unit 151, the audio output unit 152, the camera 121, the user input units 130/131 and 132, the microphone 122, and the interface 170 may be disposed in the terminal body, mainly the front case 101. have.

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. A sound output unit 151 and a camera 121 are disposed in an area adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151 and a user input unit 131 and a microphone 122 are disposed in an area adjacent to the other end. The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may be disposed on side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The user input unit 130 is manipulated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the portable terminal 100 and may include a plurality of operation units 131 and 132. The manipulation units 131 and 132 may also be collectively referred to as manipulating portions, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates the tactile manner with a tactile feeling.

Content input by the first or second manipulation units 131 and 132 may be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 131 receives commands such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 132 controls the size of the sound output from the sound output unit 152 or the size of the sound output from the display unit 151 To the touch recognition mode of the touch screen.

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the portable terminal shown in FIG. 2A.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a camera 121 ′ may be additionally mounted on the rear of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102. The camera 121 'may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be a camera having different pixels from the camera 121.

For example, the camera 121 has a low pixel so that the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the counterpart in case of a video call, and the camera 121 'photographs a general subject and does not transmit it immediately. It is desirable to have a high pixel because there are many. The cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed in the terminal body so as to be rotatable or pop-upable.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are further disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 shines light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when photographing (self-photographing) the user using the camera 121 '.

The sound output unit 152 'may be further disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body. The sound output unit 152 ′ may implement a stereo function together with the sound output unit 152 (see FIG. 2A), and may be used to implement a speakerphone mode during a call.

In addition to the antenna for talking and the like, a broadcast signal reception antenna 116 may be additionally disposed on the side of the terminal body. The antenna 116, which forms part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1), can be installed to be able to be drawn out from the terminal body.

A power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the portable terminal 100 is mounted on the terminal body. The power supply unit 190 may be embedded in the terminal body or may be directly detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The rear case 102 may be further equipped with a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. Like the display unit 151, the touch pad 135 may also be configured to have a light transmission type. In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output visual information from both sides, the visual information may be recognized through the touch pad 135. The information output on both surfaces may be controlled by the touch pad 135. Alternatively, a display may be additionally mounted on the touch pad 135, and a touch screen may be disposed on the rear case 102 as well.

The touch pad 135 operates in association with the display unit 151 of the front case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed in parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have the same or smaller size as the display unit 151.

In the following, a configuration particularly relevant to the present invention will be further described with reference to FIG.

The imaging unit 121 (camera 121 of the mobile terminal) includes a shutter, a lens unit, an aperture, a CCD (or CMOS), and an ADC, which are not shown in the figure. The shutter is a mechanism for adjusting the amount of light exposed together with the aperture. The lens unit receives light from an external light source and processes an image. At this time, the iris adjusts the amount of light incident according to the degree of opening and closing. The opening and closing degree of the iris is controlled by the controller 180. The CCD (or CMOS) converts the light reflected from the subject into an electrical signal. The ADC converts an analog video signal output from the CCD into a digital signal.

The user input unit 130 may include a shutter release button, a function button for supporting a preview menu, a function button for setting various shooting conditions, and the like.

The memory 160 temporarily stores parameters relating to shooting conditions before and after the change.

The image processor 182 may be implemented by being included in the controller 180 or may be separately implemented to follow the control of the controller 180. The image processor 182 processes the digitally converted image signal according to a set photographing condition under the control of the controller 180 and performs signal processing so that the image signal may be displayed according to the characteristics and the size of the display unit 151. In addition, the image processor 182 calculates data for AF (autofocus) processing, AE (automatic exposure) processing, and AWB (auto white balance) processing based on the captured image data, and controls the result of the calculation. To provide. The controller 180 controls the aperture and the shutter based on the result of this calculation.

Hereinafter, embodiments related to the preview display method that can be implemented in the terminal configured as described above will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments described later may be used alone or in combination with each other. In addition, embodiments described below may be used in combination with the above-described user interface (UI).

4 is a flowchart illustrating a preview image display process according to the present invention.

After operating the power of the mobile terminal, the user selects a shooting mode. In the shooting mode, the user inputs the 'pre-view before / after setting change comparison view', which simultaneously displays the converted preview images according to the parameters regarding the shooting conditions before the change and the shooting conditions after the change, through the user input unit 130. Select from the menu (S201).

When the shooting mode is selected, the preview mode is executed according to the preset shooting conditions (S202). The preview mode execution process is as follows.

The optical signal inputted according to the predetermined aperture value and the shutter speed controlled by the controller 180 in the imaging unit 121 is converted into an electrical signal, and then converted into a digital image signal and output. This process is repeated to continuously output a predetermined frame per second.

In order to minimize the processing speed delay, subsampling lowers the vertical resolution of the image signal input through the sensor 121 and outputs skipping a predetermined number of frames at regular intervals. ), A windowing method for outputting only an image signal corresponding to a specific part of a frame is used.

The image processing unit 182 performs gamma correction on the image signals continuously output from the imaging unit 121, and performs scaling on the image signals on which the gamma correction is performed to meet the display standard. do.

In addition, the image processor 182 performs image processing on the image signal subjected to scaling according to a preset image photographing condition parameter value. The currently set parameter refers to a shooting condition parameter set at initialization or a shooting condition parameter changed and set through the following process (S208). The shooting conditions parameter refers to shooting conditions such as resolution, image size, brightness, saturation, contrast, sharpness, white balance, metering, zoom level, exposure, aperture, shutter speed, ISO speed, and timer. It means.

Next, by continuously outputting the processed image signal to the display unit 151 under the control of the controller 180, the display unit 151 serves as an electronic viewfinder in which the preview image is displayed. When the user's shutter input is detected in the preview mode, the preview mode is paused and the image is captured and stored in the memory 160 according to the shooting conditions currently set.

Next, when the shooting condition change is input from the user through the user input unit 130 in the preview mode (S203), the image signal output from the image pickup unit 121 is subjected to image processing according to the shooting condition setting before and after the change (S203). S204) The processed images are simultaneously displayed on the display unit 151 (S205). The above process is as follows.

The user may change the shooting condition through the user input unit 130 (S203). Shooting conditions include shooting conditions such as resolution, image size, brightness, saturation, contrast, sharpness, white balance, metering, zoom level, exposure, aperture, shutter speed, ISO speed, timer, etc. It means. Preferably, the present invention can be applied only when changing shooting conditions such as brightness, saturation, contrast, sharpness, white balance, metering, zoom level (digital zoom), and exposure, which can directly compare the effect of setting change in the preview image. . Other shooting conditions can be directly applied without displaying the preview image simultaneously.

When the shooting condition change is input, the image processor 182 processes the image signal input from the imaging unit according to the shooting condition parameter before the change, that is, the preset shooting condition parameter (first setting parameter) and additionally the user. Processing is performed according to the shooting condition parameter (second setting parameter) to be inputted from (S204).

To this end, two or more separate image processing units 182 may be provided (the first image processing unit 184 and the second image processing unit 185), or may be separately processed by one image processing unit 182. . Alternatively, the image processing may be performed according to one shooting condition (one of before and after change), and reprocessing the processed image signal with respect to the shooting condition changed by the change. For example, the input image signal is processed according to a preset white balance parameter, and is then reprocessed according to the changed white balance parameter and outputted.

When the shooting condition to be changed is an aperture value, a shutter speed, or the like related to the exposure amount, the aperture and the shutter speed directly affect the image signal determined and output by the imaging unit 121, and only by image processing in the image processing unit. The value and shutter speed cannot be reflected directly. In other words, the preview screen cannot be simultaneously provided by directly applying the aperture value and the shutter speed before and after the change.

Therefore, the aperture or shutter speed of the imaging unit 121 is controlled according to the setting parameter before the change (or after the change) to output an image signal, and the image processing unit 182 changes the parameter after the setting change (or the parameter before the change). In application, the degree of exposure before and after the change can be compared, and image processing reflecting the changed (or before the change) degree can be performed by changing the gain, brightness, gradation, etc. by the difference.

The change of the photographing conditions directly related to the other imaging unit 121 may also be performed in the same manner as described above.

In addition, the image processor 182 scales each predetermined size so as to be suitable for simultaneously displaying each image signal before or after the image processing.

Next, under the control of the controller 180, each image signal processed by the controller 180 is arranged to match a predetermined display position and simultaneously displayed on the display unit 151 (S205). Each preview image may be arranged in the same or different size, or one image may be displayed by overlapping with another image.

When the shooting condition change is detected again in the simultaneous preview state (S206), the parameter after the change (that is, the second setting parameter) is reflected to the pre-change parameter (the first setting parameter) and the changed parameter (the second setting parameter). Image processing is performed accordingly (S204), and each image is simultaneously displayed to execute preview (S205). That is, the shooting condition parameter (first setting parameter) before the change is fixed, and the shooting condition parameter (second setting parameter) after the change is continuously changed in accordance with the user's shooting condition change and immediately reflected in the preview image.

If the user is not satisfied with the changed shooting condition (S207), by the predetermined input, the image processing and simultaneous preview by the changed parameter (second setting parameter) are stopped, and the preset parameter (first setting parameter) is stopped. The operation returns to the preview mode (S202).

When the user is satisfied with the changed shooting condition (S207), by the predetermined input, the shooting condition is decidedly changed to the changed shooting condition parameter (second setting parameter) (S208). The video processing and simultaneous preview by the parameter before the change (first setting parameter) are stopped and the mode is returned to the preview mode according to the changed parameter (second setting parameter) (S202). Thereafter, the above process may be repeated (however, the preset shooting condition parameter is changed to the second setting parameter).

5 to 8 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention applied to a mobile terminal from a user interface perspective.

Referring to FIG. 5, the user selects a shooting mode after operating the power of the mobile terminal. In the shooting mode, the user selects a menu (402) and checks the 'comparison preview' 402 which simultaneously displays the converted preview images according to the parameters relating to the shooting conditions before the change and the shooting conditions after the change ( S201). The display unit 151 displays the preview image 410 processed according to the preset shooting condition parameter (S202).

Referring to FIG. 6, the user selects a 'setting' menu (403) and selects a shooting condition to be changed (404). Referring to FIG. 7, when the photographing condition to be changed is selected, a window for changing the parameter of the selected photographing condition is displayed, and the user selects a desired parameter value through this (S203).

When the parameter change is detected, the preview image 410 according to the preset setting is displayed together with the preview image 420 according to the changed shooting condition (S203 and S204). Subsequently, when the user changes the parameter (406) (S206), the preview image 430 processed according to the changed parameter is displayed.

Referring to FIG. 8, when the user selects the preview image before the change (407), the user returns to the shooting condition before the change and performs the preview mode, and when the user selects the preview image after the change (408), the shooting condition after the change (S208). The preview mode is performed (S207).

Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described method can be implemented as a code that can be read by a processor on a medium on which the program is recorded. Examples of processor-readable media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and may be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet). Include.

The above-described photographing apparatus is not limited to the configuration and method of the above-described embodiments, but the embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or some of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made. It may be.

In the above, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Here, the terms or words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to the common or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical spirit of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments described in the specification and the drawings shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, and do not represent all of the technical idea of the present invention, which can be replaced at the time of the present application It should be understood that there may be various equivalents and variations.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2a is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2B is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram of a configuration particularly relevant to the present invention.

4 is a flowchart of a preview display method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

5 to 8 are preview display screens related to one embodiment of the present invention;

Claims (5)

A preview image display method of an image photographing apparatus in which an image signal output in real time from an image pickup unit is image-processed according to a parameter relating to a set shooting condition and continuously displayed on a display unit. Image processing the image signal output from the image pickup unit according to a first setting parameter and a second setting parameter, respectively; And simultaneously displaying each image signal processed according to the first setting parameter and the second setting parameter in a predetermined display area. The method of claim 1, The first setting parameter is a parameter regarding a preset shooting condition. And the second setting parameter is a parameter related to a shooting condition to be changed received through a user input unit in a state in which the preview image is displayed according to the first setting parameter. The method of claim 1, And setting a shooting condition according to any one selected by the user from the first setting parameter and the second setting parameter, and displaying a preview image according to the parameter regarding the selected shooting condition. Video display method. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameter relating to the shooting condition is A preview image display method comprising at least one of exposure, image filter, white balance, image frame, saturation, resolution, and image quality. An imaging unit for outputting a video signal in real time; A user input unit which receives a parameter regarding a shooting condition from a user; A display unit displaying an image; An image capturing apparatus for displaying a preview image including a control unit for continuously processing the image signal output in real time from the image pickup unit according to a set parameter to display on the display unit continuously; The control unit, Image signals obtained by the image pickup unit are image-processed according to first and second setting parameters, respectively, and each image signal processed according to the first and second setting parameters is simultaneously displayed in a predetermined area of the display unit. An image capturing apparatus, characterized in that for displaying.

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