KR20130078849A - Digital imaging apparatus and control method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A digital image device and a control method thereof are provided to change the view angle of a user image or apply PAN/TILT effects without changing or adding a mechanical component for a user input part of the digital image device. CONSTITUTION: A lens (111) of an image input part (110) receives external image input. An imaging device (112) of the image input part converts the inputted external image into an electric image signal. An image control part (170) selects a region, which is to be outputted as an electric image signal by the imaging device, on the inputted external image. An image encoder (130) converts the image signal of the selected region, which is outputted from the imaging device, into a fixed format. [Reference numerals] (111) Lens; (112) Imaging device; (120) Image A/D converting part; (130) Image encoder; (140) Voice input part; (150) Voice A/D converting part; (170) Image control part

Description

DIGITAL IMAGING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE SAME

The present invention relates to a digital imaging apparatus capable of video calling and a control method thereof.

In general, a video device is a device that processes a video signal and outputs it in various forms, and a representative video device may include a TV. Recently, as digital TVs with better signal processing and storage capabilities than conventional analog TVs have been developed and commercialized, various types such as real-time broadcasting, contents on demand (COD), games, and video communications are provided using the Internet network connected to each home. It is now possible to provide a content service of the user.

In particular, the video call service through digital TV is expected to be very useful for the user, but the camera has a digital camera (MoIP) to zoom in / out or pan / tilt effects. In order to obtain the lens, additional mechanical components such as a lens, a hinge, and a motor must be provided.

The addition of such a mechanical configuration causes an increase in production cost and complexity of the manufacturing process, and there is a problem in that the volume of digital TVs seeking slimming is increased.

The present invention provides a digital imaging apparatus and a control method thereof that change the angle of view of a user's image or give a PAN / TILT effect in performing a video call through the digital imaging apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital video device capable of video communication, comprising: an image input unit including a lens for receiving an external image and an image pickup device for converting the received image into an electrical image signal; An image controller which selects an area of the input external image output as an electric image signal by the image pickup device; And an image encoder for converting the image signal of the selected area output from the image pickup device into a predetermined format.

The image controller selects a size of an area of the input external image output by the image pickup device as an image signal.

The image control unit selects a position of an area of the input external image output by the image pickup device as an image signal.

The image controller selects, in pixels, an area of the input external image output by the image pickup device as an image signal.

The digital imaging apparatus may further include a command input unit configured to receive a command for selecting a region of the input external image output by the image pickup device as an image signal from the user, and the image controller may be input through the input unit. According to a user's command, an area output as an image signal among the external images may be selected.

The digital imaging apparatus further includes a display unit which displays a standard image before an area is selected by the image controller, and wherein the display unit is configured to select an area to be output as an image signal among the input external images. An image corresponding to the selected area may be further displayed.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital imaging apparatus comprising: an image input unit including a lens receiving an external image and an image pickup device converting the input image into an electrical image signal and outputting the converted image signal; An image encoder for converting the output image signal into a predetermined format; And an image controller configured to select an area of the image signal output from the image input unit to be converted into a predetermined format by the image encoder.

And the image controller selects a size of an area of the input external image converted into a predetermined format by the image encoder.

The image controller selects a position of an area of the input external image converted into a predetermined format by the image encoder.

The digital imaging apparatus may further include an input unit configured to receive a command for selecting a region of the input external image converted into a predetermined format by the image encoder from the user, wherein the image controller is input through the input unit. According to a user's command, an area of the external image converted into a predetermined format by the image encoder may be selected.

The digital imaging apparatus further includes a display unit which displays a standard image before the area is adjusted by the image controller, and the display unit is converted into a predetermined format by the image encoder among the external images input by the image controller. If an area to be selected is selected, an image corresponding to the adjusted area may be further displayed.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method of a digital video apparatus capable of video calling, comprising: receiving an external image; Outputting the input external image as an electric image signal; Converting the output video signal into a predetermined format; The video signal converted into the predetermined format is transmitted to the video call counterpart, and the size or position of the region output as the electric video signal is selected.

The control method of the digital imaging apparatus may further include receiving, from a user, a selection command regarding a size or a position of an area output as an electric video signal among the external images, and the electric image among the external images according to the user's selection command. The size or position of an area output as a video signal can be selected.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method of a digital video apparatus capable of video communication, comprising: receiving an external image; Outputting the input external image as an electric image signal; Converting the output video signal into a predetermined format; The video signal converted into the predetermined format may be transmitted to the video call counterpart, and the size or position of the region converted into the predetermined format among the output video signals may be selected.

The control method of the digital imaging apparatus may further include receiving a selection command regarding a size or a position of a region converted into a predetermined format among the image signals output from the user, and outputting the output image signal according to the user's selection command. The size or position of the area to be converted into a predetermined format can be selected.

According to the digital imaging apparatus and the control method thereof according to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to change the angle of view of the user image or to give a PAN / TILT effect without changing or adding a mechanical configuration to the user input unit provided in the digital imaging apparatus. .

1 is an external view showing the overall appearance of a digital imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a simplified block diagram showing the configuration of a video communication system.
3 is a schematic control block diagram of a digital imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 illustrates an image in which the zoom in / out function is performed.
5 shows an image in which the PAN / TILT function is performed.
6 is a control block diagram of a user input unit of a digital imaging apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a view for explaining a zoom in / out function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a view for explaining the PAN / TILT function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a control block diagram of a user input unit of a digital imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
10 is a control block diagram of a digital imaging apparatus further including an input unit in the digital imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation of selecting, by an input unit, an output area of an imaging device or an encoding area of an image encoder.
12 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the digital imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
13 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a digital imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a digital imaging apparatus in which an output region of an image pickup device or an encoding region of an image encoder is adjusted according to a user's selection command. .

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

1 is an external view showing the overall appearance of the digital imaging apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the digital imaging apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented as a digital TV, and the digital TV is a display for outputting a video signal of a broadcast program or a video signal of a video call counterpart as an image. The unit 281 includes a sound output unit (not shown) for outputting a sound signal of a broadcast program or a voice signal of a video call counterpart as a sound, and a user input unit 100 for inputting external video and audio.

In addition, the remote controller 20 may further include a remote controller 20 that can control the operation of the digital TV at a location spaced from the digital TV. The remote controller 20 may also control a video call in addition to the control of the output of a broadcast program. Can be done.

The display 281 may simultaneously display three types of images. Accordingly, the display unit 281 includes a broadcast area I for displaying a broadcast signal, a user video area II for displaying a user image, and a counterpart video area III for displaying an image of the other party, and the display unit 281. The three areas are displayed at the same time, so that the user can watch a broadcast program while simultaneously making a video call.

The sound output unit may be implemented as a speaker or the like, and may simultaneously output an audio signal included in a broadcast program signal and a voice signal of a video call counterpart. The digital imaging apparatus of this embodiment includes a sound output unit on its rear side, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the position of the digital imaging apparatus is not limited thereto.

The user input unit 100 may be implemented as a multimedia over IP (MoIP), and includes a voice input unit 140 for inputting a user's voice and an image input unit 110 for inputting a user's image. The voice input unit 140 may be implemented as a microphone, and the purpose of picking up a user's voice is a background sound in addition to the user's voice, in particular, a sound of a broadcast program output from a sound output unit of a digital TV or a voice of a counterpart. This can be drunk together.

The image input unit 110 includes an image pickup device implemented as a lens that receives an image of a user and an image sensor such as a CCD sensor and a CMOS sensor. The user photographs his image using the image input unit 110 provided in the digital imaging apparatus 10 and transmits it to the counterpart. Also, the captured image may be displayed on the digital imaging apparatus 10 of the user side.

For reference, an image of a user input through the image input unit 110 may be included or may not be included. In addition, the voice of the user input through the voice input unit 130 may or may not include the voice of the user. Hereinafter, in the above-described embodiment, the image input through the user input unit 100 will be referred to as an 'external image', and the voice will be referred to as an 'external voice'.

2 is a simplified block diagram showing the configuration of a video communication system.

The video communication system uses a plurality of devices capable of processing and transmitting / receiving video data and audio data, so that the calling party and the called party can talk to each other while listening to audio and watching the video transmitted from the opposite party. System to ensure that

Referring to FIG. 2, the digital TV obtains image data corresponding to an external image from the image input unit 110 implemented as a camera, and audio data corresponding to external audio from the audio input unit 140 implemented as a microphone. Obtaining the data and the audio data can be transmitted to the external devices of the other party connected via the wired or wireless network.

The external devices on the other side may be digital TVs as well as the user side, and may be mobile terminals or personal computers such as mobile phones, PDAs, and notebook computers.

A network connecting the user's digital TV with external devices on the other side enables transmission and reception of video and audio data according to a communication standard for video communication. For example, the digital TV of the user and the devices of the other party transmit and receive the video and audio data using a network according to Ethernet or IEEE 802.3, or transmit and receive the data using a network according to IEEE 802.11. You may.

The network may transmit / receive data between a digital TV of a user side and an external device of a counterpart using a VOBB (Voice over BroadBand) or a legacy service.

Specifically, VOBB includes Voice over Cable Modem (VoCM), Voice over DSL (VoDSL), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), Fiber To The Home (FTTH), or Voice over ATM (VoATM). Services, and legacy services may include an Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN), Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), cellular or 3G services, and the like.

Accordingly, digital TVs and external devices transmit and receive video and audio data using a wireless network, a data network such as a conventional telephone network, the Internet, a cable modem system, or a cellular network to enable a video call.

On the other hand, digital TV and external devices can transmit and receive video and audio data according to the standard set up with each other. For example, the H.261 standard for coding video data, and the communication of video and audio data to H.221 standard and Protocols such as the H.242 standard for call setup and teardown can be used.

For example, in the case of a video communication system using the Internet, protocols implemented in video communication standards such as H.323, H.263, and H.264 standards for video coding and G.711, G.729, etc. for voice coding May be used.

However, the data transmission / reception method used by the digital imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention to implement video communication is not limited to the above-described example, and there is no limitation on the method as long as the digital imaging device can implement video communication. .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the coding of the image data may be performed by an image encoder provided in the user input unit 100 and the coded image data may be transmitted to the main body to reduce a workload applied to the main body of the digital imaging apparatus. .

3 is a control block diagram showing the basic configuration of a digital imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a digital video apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a broadcast signal receiver 211 for receiving a broadcast signal, a transceiver 212 for transmitting and receiving video signals and audio signals with a video call counterpart, and a broadcast signal. A sound processor 220 that decodes the sound signal received by the receiver 211 and the transceiver 212, a sound output unit 282 that outputs the sound signal decoded by the sound processor 220, an external image and audio input It includes a user input unit 100.

The broadcast signal receiver 211 receives a broadcast signal including a video signal and an audio signal. The broadcast signal receiver 211 includes an antenna, a tuner, and the like. The video signal is output as an image through the display unit 281, and the audio signal is output as sound through the sound output unit 282.

The transceiver 212 receives a video signal and an audio signal from a counterpart of a video call through a predetermined communication path, and transmits an external video signal and an audio signal to the counterpart. The predetermined communication path used by the transceiver 212 may be a network communication network including the Internet, an Ethernet host, a public switched telephone network, or a one-to-one communication network as described above. . In addition, both wired and wireless communication networks may be included.

The user input unit 100 may be implemented by MoIP, etc., and includes an image input unit 110 for receiving an image from a user and a voice input unit 140 for receiving a voice, and the image input unit 110 and the voice input unit 140. The data may be converted into an electric signal and may be output as an image signal and an audio signal.

The voice A / D converter 150 performs sampling for converting the received voice signal into a digital signal, and the voice signal converted into the digital signal is compressed after the echo operation is performed in the main body 200 and transmitted to the counterpart. .

The image A / D converter 120 converts the external image signal captured by the image input unit 110 into an analog signal to a digital signal, and transmits the image signal to the image encoder 130. The image encoder 130 transmits the external image signal to the video. Compression, that is, encoding using a compression algorithm. The compressed external image may be transmitted to an external counterpart through the transceiver 212 and simultaneously decoded by the image processor 230 in the digital imaging apparatus and output through the display 281.

As in this embodiment, when the video encoder for compressing the external video signal is included in the user input unit 100 without including the main body, the workload of the main body which performs many operations and tasks can be reduced.

The signal synthesizer 160 synthesizes the external video signal compressed by the video encoder 130 and the audio signal by the audio A / D converter 150 and outputs the synthesized audio signal to the main body 200. Here, the main body 200 refers to a configuration excluding the user input unit 100 in the digital imaging apparatus, and the user input unit 100 and the remaining components are functionally separated regardless of whether they are physically separated.

The signal synthesizing unit 160 may be implemented as a stream container, and synchronizes an external video signal with a user audio signal in the process of synthesizing the signals. The time taken to compress the external video signal is different from the time taken to process the audio signal. Therefore, the signal synthesizing unit 160 synchronizes both signals such that the external image and the user's voice correspond to each other.

The user input unit 100 and the main body 200 may be connected through the USB interface 300. In this case, the external video signal and the audio signal output through the signal synthesizing unit 160 have a USB format. However, the user input unit 100 and the main body 200 may be connected through another interface. In this case, the format of the video signal and the audio signal output from the signal synthesizing unit 160 is changed to match the corresponding interface. When the interface between the user input unit 100 and the main body 200 is wireless, the apparatus further includes a configuration for modulating and demodulating a signal to enable wireless communication between the user input unit 100 and the main body 200.

The signal separator 215 of the main body may be implemented as a stream container like the signal synthesizer 160, and separates the signal stream received through the USB interface 300 into a video signal and an audio signal. The external video signal separated by the signal separator 215 is transmitted to the transceiver 212 and the image processor 230, and the audio signal is transmitted to the transceiver 212.

The transceiver 212 receives an encoded video signal and an audio signal from the other party through a predetermined communication path, the received video signal is transmitted to the image processor 230, and the received audio signal is transmitted to the sound processor 220. do.

The broadcast video signal and the broadcast sound signal received through the broadcast signal receiver 211 are also transmitted to the image processor 230 and the sound processor 220, respectively.

The sound processor 220 includes a decoder for decoding the compressed sound signal, and the other party's voice received through the first sound decoder 221 and the transceiver 212 for decoding the broadcast sound signal received through the broadcast signal receiver. And a second sound decoder 222 for decoding the signal. The first sound decoder and the second sound decoder may be of a physically separate configuration or may be an integrated configuration.

The image processor 230 processes an image signal received by the broadcast signal receiver, an external image signal separated by the signal separator 215, and an image signal of the other party received by the transceiver 212, and outputs the image signal to the display 281. do.

The image processor 230 may include a first video decoder 231 for decoding a broadcast video signal, a second video decoder 232 for decoding a counterpart video signal, and a third video decoder 233 for decoding an external video signal. Can be. The image processor 230 decodes the input image signals, processes them into a plurality of layers, and outputs the same to the display unit 281.

The first image decoder 231 and the second image decoder 232 may be physically independent hardware decoders, and the third image decoder 233 may be a software decoder. In detail, a method of decoding an image signal includes a method using an independent hardware decoder and a method using a software decoder which performs an operation under the control of a controller. In this embodiment, the video signal and the broadcast video signal of the other party can be processed using an independent hardware decoder, and the external video signal can be decoded using a software decoder.

The controller 260 may be implemented as a central processing unit (CPU) that performs central control in the main body 200, and the software decoder includes a JPEG decoder. That is, the external video signal is decoded through a JPEG decoder capable of decoding under the control of the CPU. Alternatively, the controller may directly decode the external image without using the JEPG decoder. The subject for decoding the external image may be changed according to the processing speed and the processing capability of the controller.

In this embodiment, since all three types of images can be displayed on the display unit 281 using two hardware decoders and one software decoder, the manufacturing cost of the digital imaging apparatus can be reduced, and the user can view the broadcast image together with the broadcast image. The external image and the image of the counterpart can be simultaneously viewed.

However, when the user input unit 100 transmits the external video signal compressed according to the transmission format and the external video signal in the form of uncompressed raw data, the third image decoder may not be provided in the image processor 230.

The image processor 230 synthesizes three types of image signals decoded through different routes and outputs the synthesized image signals to the display unit 281. For example, the broadcast video signal and the counterpart video signal may be processed as a first layer, and the external video signal may be processed as a second layer overlapping the first layer. The image processor 230 may synthesize the image signals into different layer structures under the control of the controller 260 and output the synthesized image signals to the display unit 281.

The controller 260 may adjust the image compression ratio or the resolution of the image encoder 130 in consideration of the communication state of the transceiver 212 or the processing capability of the image processor 230. At this time, the control signal for adjustment is output to the user input unit 100 through the USB interface 300, the image encoder 130 of the user input unit 100 may directly receive the control signal of the controller 260 or In addition, the user input unit 100 may be provided with a separate control unit to receive indirectly.

In addition, the image signal output from the image processor 230 is converted into an analog signal through the image D / A converter 271 and then transmitted to the display unit 281.

The display 281 displays three types of images transmitted from the image processor 230. The display unit 281 may be implemented as an LCD panel, an OLED panel, an LED panel, a PDD, or the like.

The sound D / A converter 270 converts the voice signal and the broadcast sound signal of the other party output from the sound processor 220 into an analog signal, and the sound output unit 282 outputs the converted signal so that the user You can listen to the sound of the voice and broadcast program.

Hereinafter, an image input and processing operation performed by the user input unit 100 of the digital imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

A general digital camera can perform a zoom in / out function of pulling or distant the camera. A digital camera used for security or surveillance uses a panoramic movement (hereinafter referred to as a "PAN function"). In addition, the camera may perform a tilting movement (hereinafter referred to as a "TILT function") in which the camera moves up and down.

4 illustrates an image in which the zoom in / out function is performed, and FIG. 5 illustrates an image in which the PAN / TILT function is performed.

As shown in FIG. 4A, a standard image of a subject may be photographed using a standard lens, and when a wide angle lens is used under the same conditions as in FIG. 4A, a zoom out image as shown in FIG. 4B may be captured, and a telephoto Using a lens, a zoom in image as shown in FIG. 4C may be captured.

Standard lenses generally have an angle of view between 44 degrees and 55 degrees, wide angle lenses have an angle of view between 60 degrees and 80 degrees, and telephoto lenses have angles of view less than 30 degrees. The angle of view refers to the field of view of the scene captured by the camera. The wide angle lens has a wide angle of view and the telephoto lens has a narrow angle of view. Therefore, if the subject is photographed with a wide-angle lens having a wide angle of view, as shown in FIG. 4B, a larger area can be captured by zooming out, but if the subject looks smaller and the subject is photographed with a telephoto lens having a narrow angle of view, as shown in FIG. 4C. As shown in the figure, the zoom in allows the distant subject to be viewed larger but a narrower area is captured.

If the camera is mounted in a separate PAN / TILT device, the camera's shooting area can be changed by rotating the camera vertically and horizontally. Rotating the camera up and down can move the shooting area of the camera up and down as shown in FIG. 5A. Rotating the camera left and right can move the shooting area of the camera from side to side as shown in FIG. 5B.

When making a video call through a digital TV, an external image is captured by using a user input unit (MoIP) mounted on the digital TV main body. At this time, when the user can use the zoom in / out function or the PAN / TILT function as in the case of a general camera, the user can shoot a larger face of the user and transmit it to the other party or directly in front of the camera without the user moving directly. Even if you are not located, you can take a picture of yourself and send it to the other party.

In a conventional digital TV, a lens is provided in a TV camera (MoIP) to implement the zoom in / out function, or a driver such as a pan motor and a tilt motor is added to the TV camera to implement a PAN / TILT function. A mechanical change was necessary.

However, the digital imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention adjusts the image pickup device output region or the encoding region of the image encoder in the camera to implement the zoom in / out function and the PAN / TILT function of the TV camera without such mechanical change. do. Hereinafter, the control block diagram will be described in detail.

6 is a control block diagram of the user input unit 100 of the digital imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Since the description of the voice input unit 140 and the voice A / D converter 150 is the same as described with reference to FIG. 3, a description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 6, the image input unit 110 includes a lens 111 and an imaging device 112. When an external image is captured through the lens 111, the image input unit 110 is implemented as an image sensor such as a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor. The imaging device 112 converts an optical signal corresponding to an external image into an electrical signal. Hereinafter, the electrical signal converted by the imaging device 112 is called an external video signal.

For example, when light reflected by the user is irradiated onto the CCD sensor through the lens 111, the CCD sensor photoelectrically converts the light using photodiodes and then outputs the light as an electric signal. The CCD sensor may include light receiving pixels that receive light and convert the light into charges, and a transmission channel that receives the charges accumulated by the light receiving pixels and transmits the charges to the output terminal. When the light receiving pixels are implemented as photodiodes equipped with an RGB color filter, an external image input through the lens 111 is converted into an electric signal having an RGB value.

The external image signal output from the image pickup device 112 is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal through the image A / D converter 120, and the image A / D converter 120 is provided in the image pickup device 112. It is also possible. The external video signal converted into a digital signal is transmitted to the video encoder 130. When an image signal processor is provided in the user input unit 100, an external image signal converted into a digital signal is input to the image signal processor before being transmitted to the image encoder 130 to correct the gamma of the luminance and edge. After various processes related to image quality, such as enhancement, luminance control, and color correction, may be transmitted to the image encoder 130, the image signal processor may also be provided in the image pickup device 112.

The video encoder 130 compresses or encodes an external video signal converted into a digital signal into an appropriate format determined according to the communication status of the transceiver 212 or the processing capability of the image processor 230, and the like through a main body (eg, an interface 300). 200).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, a signal synthesizing unit 160 may be provided in the user input unit 100 to synchronize the video signal and the audio signal and then transmit the same to the main body 200.

The image controller 170 may obtain a zoom in / out effect and a PAN / TILT effect by adjusting an area of the electrical signal output from the image pickup device 112. In detail, the zoom in / out effect may be obtained by adjusting the size of the output region of the imaging device 112, and the PAN / TILT effect may be obtained by adjusting the position of the output region of the imaging device 112.

7 is a view for explaining a zoom in / out function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

When the image pickup device 112 of the image input unit 110 used in the embodiment is 6.5 MP, the maximum resolution of the image that the image input unit 110 can capture is 3264 × 1968, as shown in FIG. Similarly, 3264 pixels are arranged on the horizontal axis and 1968 pixels are arranged on the vertical axis.

Referring to FIG. 7, when the image input unit 110 captures an external image using all of the 6.5 MPs, the image controller 170 selects a portion of the captured external image to allow the image input unit 110 to select the external image. Only a part of the area can be controlled to be output. The area selection unit of the image controller 170 may be a pixel unit. For example, the image controller 170 may select an area of 2560 × 1920, an area of 2048 × 1536, or an area of 1280 × 720.

If the image captured by the image input unit 110 before the control of the image controller 170 is taken as a standard image, the 2560 × 1920 image selected from the standard image has a narrower angle of view than the standard image, and has an area of 1280 × 720. As you go to, the angle of view becomes narrower. As described above, when the angle of view of the captured image is narrowed, the closer the subject is to be viewed, the more the zoom in effect is obtained.

On the contrary, when the size of the selected area is enlarged again, the angle of view becomes wider and the zoom out effect like the one taken with the wide angle lens can be obtained.

8 is a view for explaining the PAN / TILT function according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

When the image controller 170 selects a region of a part of the captured external image, the image controller 170 may select a position of the region to control the image input unit 110 to output only the region of the selected position. The area selection unit of the image controller 170 may be a pixel unit.

Referring to FIG. 8, the image controller 170 may adjust the position of the selected region up, down, left, or right. In the standard image, the image controller 170 may be adjusted even if the face of the user is not located at the center of the image. By selecting the area where the face of the user can be transmitted to the screen close-up of the user's face. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, an area having a size of 1280 × 720 is selected. In addition, an area having various sizes may be selected and a location of the area may be selected.

9 is a control block diagram of the user input unit 100 of the digital imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the image input unit 110 according to the second embodiment of the present invention outputs an external image signal from all the light-receiving pixels which have been imaged, and the image control unit 170 encodes the image encoder 130. By adjusting the area, the zoom in / out effect and the PAN / TILT effect can be obtained. In detail, the zoom in / out effect may be obtained by adjusting the size of the encoding region of the image encoder 130, and the PAN / TILT effect may be obtained by adjusting the position of the encoding region of the image encoder 130.

The image controller 170 selects only a part of the region and encodes only the selected region when the image encoder 130 compresses (or encodes) the image signal output from the image input unit 110 to a predetermined format. Can be controlled.

Specifically, if the image signal transmitted from the image input unit 110 is composed of 3264 × 1968 pixels, the image controller 170 is a portion of the image encoder 130, for example, 2560 × 1920 area , 2048 × 1536 or only 1280 × 720. In addition, the position of the encoding region may be selected and control may be performed to encode only the region of the selected position.

The drawings for explaining the second embodiment of the present invention are the same as those of FIGS. 7 and 8 described above. When the image encoder 130 encodes only an area of 2560 × 1920, an area of 2048 × 1536, or an area of 1280 × 720 under the control of the image controller 170, the angle of view is changed as shown in FIG. The / out effect can be obtained and the PAN / TILT effect can be obtained as shown in FIG. 8 by changing the position of the encoding region to up, down, left and right.

The digital imaging apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention may allow a user to select an output region of the image input unit 110, in particular, an output region of the image pickup device 112 or an encoding region of the image encoder 130.

In FIG. 10, in the digital imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, a control block diagram of the digital imaging apparatus further including a command input unit 180 is illustrated, and FIG. 11 illustrates a user through the command input unit 180. Is a diagram illustrating an operation of selecting an output area of the image pickup device 112 or an encoding area of the image encoder 130.

Referring to FIG. 10, a user may input a selection command regarding the output area of the image pickup device 112 or the encoding area of the image encoder 130 through the command input unit 180. Here, the selection command means to command to adjust the output area of the image pickup device 112 or the encoding area of the image encoder 130 according to the user's selection. The command input unit 180 may be integrated with the digital imaging apparatus or may be provided in the remote controller 20 spaced apart from the digital imaging apparatus.

When the user inputs a selection command regarding the output area of the image pickup device 112 or the encoding area of the image encoder 130 through the command input unit 180, the image control unit 170 receives the image pickup device according to the input user's selection command. The output area of 112 or the encoding area of the image encoder 130 is adjusted.

In order to facilitate the selection of the user, as shown in FIG. 11A, the display unit 281 may first display a standard image in the external image area II. The zoom in effect may be obtained by inputting a selection command regarding the size of the output area of the image pickup device or the encoding area of the image encoder through the command input unit 180 included in the controller 20. As shown in FIG. 11C, a selection command regarding a position of an output region of an image pickup device or an encoding region of an image encoder is input to output a region of which a face is close up through the display unit 281, and at the same time, a transceiver unit ( 212) to the other party.

Also, referring back to FIG. 10, the digital imaging apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a storage unit 190 for storing a user's final selection command. The storage unit 190 stores a user's final selection command regarding the output area of the image pickup device 112 or the encoding area of the image encoder 130 and according to the last selection command stored when the user proceeds to the next video call. The output area of 112 or the encoding area of the image encoder 130 may be adjusted so that the image corresponding thereto may be displayed on the display 281.

The user may again select an output area of the image pickup device 112 or an encoding area of the image encoder 130 based on the image displayed on the display 281, and directly transmit / receive the image displayed on the display 281. Can be sent to the other party.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control method of a digital imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

12 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of the digital imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, first, an external image is input through the image input unit 110 (S510). The image input unit 110 may be implemented as a MoIP and includes a lens 111 that receives an external image as an optical signal and an imaging device 112 that converts the optical signal received by the lens 111 into an electrical signal. The imaging device 112 may be implemented as a CCD sensor, a CMOS sensor, or the like.

Then, the output area of the imaging device 112 is selected (S511). As mentioned above, the image pickup device 112 converts and outputs an optical signal input through the lens 111 to an electrical signal, and the image controller 170 converts the optical signal into an electrical signal and outputs the converted signal. Select an area. The image controller 170 may select the size of the output area to obtain an angle of view change effect, that is, a zoom in / out effect, and may select a location of the output area to obtain a PAN / TILT effect.

The output electrical signal is converted into a digital signal by the image A / D converter before being input to the image encoder 130.

The imaging device 112 converts only the selected area into an electrical signal and outputs the signal (S512), and the image encoder 130 encodes the signal output from the imaging device 112 (S513). Here, the format in which the output region is encoded may be determined according to the transmission performance of the transmission / reception unit 212, and may also be determined according to the display performance of the display 281 when displaying an external image through the display 281. have.

The external video signal encoded in the predetermined format is transmitted to the other party through the transceiver 212 (S514). Therefore, the other party sees an image in which the angle of view is changed or the PAN / TILT function is performed in the standard image. In addition, the external video signal encoded in a predetermined format may be displayed on the display 281 after being decoded by the main body to allow the user to check the image transmitted to the counterpart.

13 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a digital imaging apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 13, first, an external image is input through the image input unit 110 (S610). As mentioned above, the image input unit 110 may be implemented as a MoIP, the lens 111 for receiving an external image as an optical signal and the imaging device for converting the optical signal received by the lens 111 into an electrical signal ( 112).

The imaging device 112 converts an optical signal corresponding to an external image into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal (S611). The imaging device 112 may be implemented as a CCD sensor, a CMOS sensor, or the like. The electrical signal output from the imaging device 112 is converted into a digital signal by the image A / D converter and then input to the image encoder 130. .

The image controller 170 selects an encoding region of the image encoder 130 (S612). That is, the image encoder 130 does not encode the entire input signal, but encodes only the region selected by the image controller 170. By selecting the size of the encoding area, the angle of view can be changed. By selecting the location of the encoding area, the PAN / TILT effect can be obtained.

The image encoder 130 encodes only the selected area in a predetermined format (S613), and the image signal encoded in the predetermined format by the image encoder 130 is transmitted to the counterpart through the transceiver 212. (S614). In addition, the display unit 281 may be displayed as an image.

FIG. 14 illustrates a control method of a digital imaging apparatus in which an output region of the imaging device 112 or an encoding region of the image encoder 130 is adjusted according to a user's selection command. A flowchart is shown.

Referring to FIG. 14, an external image is first input through the image input unit 110 (S710). Here, the image input unit 110 includes a lens 111 and an image pickup device 112.

In operation S711, a standard image input through the image input unit 110 is displayed through the display 281. Here, the standard image refers to an image in which the output area of the imaging device 112 or the encoding area of the image encoder 130 is not adjusted.

The user views the standard image displayed through the display 281 and inputs a selection command for an output area of the image pickup device 112 or an encoding area of the image encoder 130 (S712). The command input unit 180 for inputting a selection command by the user may be provided in the remote controller 20 or may be integrally provided in the digital imaging apparatus 10.

The display 281 displays an external image corresponding to the user's selection command in operation S713. Until the user confirms the selection command, an external image corresponding to the changed selection command may be displayed in real time.

When the user confirms the selection command (YES in S714), the image pickup device 112 or the image encoder 130 outputs or encodes the corresponding region (S715), and outputs or encodes the external image signal only for the selected region. Is transmitted to the other party through the transceiver 212 (S716).

As described above, according to the digital imaging apparatus and the control method thereof according to the embodiment of the present invention, the angle of view of the external image input through the user input unit may be changed without adding or changing a separate mechanical configuration ( zoom in / out effect) and PAN / TILT effect.

100: user input unit 200: main body
300: interface
110: video input unit 140: audio input unit
170: Image control unit 180: Command input unit

Claims (15)

An image input unit including a lens receiving an external image and an image pickup device converting the received image into an electrical image signal and outputting the converted image signal;
An image controller for selecting an area of the input external image to be output as an electric image signal by the image pickup device; And
And an image encoder for converting the image signal of the selected area output from the image pickup device into a predetermined format. The method of claim 1,
The video controller,
And a size of an area of the input external image outputted by the image pickup device as an image signal. The method of claim 1,
The video controller,
And a position of an area of the input external image to be output as an image signal by the image pickup device. The method according to claim 2 or 3,
The video controller,
And a region of the input external image to be output by the image pickup device as an image signal in pixel units. The method of claim 1,
And a command input unit configured to receive a command for selecting a region of the input external image output by the image pickup device as an image signal from a user,
And the image controller selects an area of the external image output as an image signal according to a user's command input through the command input unit. The method of claim 5, wherein
Further comprising a display unit for displaying a standard image before the area is selected by the image control unit,
And the display unit is further configured to display an image corresponding to the selected region when the image controller selects an area output as an image signal among the input external images. An image input unit including a lens receiving an external image and an image pickup device converting the received image into an electrical image signal and outputting the converted image signal;
An image encoder for converting the output image signal into a predetermined format; and
And an image controller for selecting an area of the image signal output from the image input unit to be converted into a predetermined format by the image encoder. The method of claim 7, wherein
The video controller,
And a size of an area of the input external image converted into a predetermined format by the image encoder. The method of claim 7, wherein
The video controller,
And a position of an area of the input external image converted into a predetermined format by the image encoder. The method of claim 7, wherein
The apparatus may further include a command input unit configured to receive a command for selecting a region of the input external image converted into a predetermined format by the image encoder,
And the image controller selects a region of the external image converted into a predetermined format by the image encoder according to a user's command input through the command input unit. The method of claim 7, wherein
Further comprising a display unit for displaying a standard image before the area is selected by the image control unit,
And the display unit is further configured to display an image corresponding to the selected region when the image controller selects a region converted into a predetermined format by the image encoder from the input external image. Receiving an external image;
Outputting the input external image as an electric image signal;
Convert the output video signal into a predetermined format,
And a control method of the digital imaging apparatus for selecting a size or a position of an area output as an electric video signal among the external images. 13. The method of claim 12,
And receiving a selection command regarding a size or a position of an area output as an electric video signal among the external images from a user,
And controlling a size or a position of an area output as an electric video signal of the external video according to a user's selection command. Receiving an external image;
Outputting the input external image as an electric image signal;
Convert the output video signal into a predetermined format,
And controlling the size or position of the area to be converted into a predetermined format among the output image signals. 15. The method of claim 14,
And receiving a selection command regarding a size or a position of an area converted from a user image into a predetermined format among the image signals output from the user.
And controlling the size or position of an area to be converted into a predetermined format among the output image signals according to the user's selection command.

Images