WO2011046245A1

WO2011046245A1 - Image photographing method and apparatus of digital camera

Info

Publication number: WO2011046245A1
Application number: PCT/KR2009/006000
Authority: WO
Inventors: 윤영권; 김민정; 박재현
Original assignee: 삼성전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2009-10-16
Filing date: 2009-10-16
Publication date: 2011-04-21

Abstract

The present invention provides an image photographing method of a digital camera, the image photographing method comprises the steps of: displaying a preset screen while the operation of a camera function unit for photographing and processing an image is interrupted, if the camera is executed; displaying a preview screen by operating the camera function unit, if a key for displaying the preview screen is inputted; interrupting the displaying of the preview screen by turning off the operation of the camera function unit, if the key for displaying the preview screen is cancelled; and performing a photographing process by operating the camera function unit, if a photographing key is inputted.

Description

Method and device for imaging of digital camera

The present invention relates to a digital camera, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for photographing an image in a digital camera mounted on a mobile communication terminal.

Recently, portable mobile devices have various functions, and a representative example thereof is a digital camera. Conventional cameras have been limited in use as an analog method for storing an image of a subject on a film. However, in recent years, image sensors manufactured by semiconductor processes have been developed due to the development of semiconductor technology. By converting the image of the subject into electrical data by using a miniaturized camera module can be applied to various small products. Accordingly, the digital camera may be mounted on a portable mobile device as a small module.

As cameras integrate with mobile phones and other mobile communication devices, the use of cameras is increasing. The camera mounted on the mobile phone may transmit the captured image to other users through mobile communication using MMS, or transmit the captured images to output devices through short range communication such as Bluetooth or infrared communication. It can be widely used, such as uploading videos directly through the network and sharing them on the Internet.

Miniature digital cameras mounted on a mobile terminal generally do not have their own power source and use the power source of the mobile terminal. In the case of a mobile communication terminal or a mobile portable device, which is a small device, a method of reducing power consumption to minimize usability is a top priority.

Accordingly, in the case of a small digital camera mounted on a mobile terminal, a recording method different from the conventional method is required to consume less power than a general digital camera.

Before taking a subject, a digital camera, a mobile phone, or a camcorder provides a preview screen which provides an image of the subject in real time in order to grasp the captured image in advance. In general, such a preview mode should provide an image of a subject to a display unit in real time through a lens and an image sensor, and consumes a lot of power since an auto focus function or an operation for setting an automatic white balance is performed in real time. .

An object of the present invention is to provide a photographing method and apparatus suitable for a small digital camera mounted on a mobile communication terminal.

According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving this, in the image capturing method of the digital camera, the process of displaying a preset screen in the state of stopping the operation of the camera function to shoot and process the image when the camera is executed, and preview Displaying a preview screen by operating the camera function unit when a key for screen display is input; stopping the preview screen display by turning off the operation of the camera function unit when the key for displaying the preview screen is released; When a key for the input is input, it comprises a process of performing the shooting by operating the camera function.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a digital camera for capturing an image, a lens unit for allowing an optical image of a subject to form an image sensor, and a plurality of light detectors are integrated as respective pixels, thereby providing electrical data for the image information of the subject. An image sensor configured to change the data rate, an image signal processor (ISP) for processing an image signal input from the image sensor, a display unit for displaying a preview screen and a photographed image, a photographed image, and data necessary for the digital camera to operate. It includes a storage unit for storing a, a key for shooting and a key for displaying a preview screen, an input unit for receiving a user input, and a camera function unit including the lens unit, image sensor unit and ISP when the camera is running Display the preset screen through the display unit with the operation stopped, and the preview screen table In operation, the camera function unit displays a preview screen when the key is pressed. If the key for displaying the preview screen is released, the operation of the camera function unit is turned off to stop displaying the preview screen. In this case, it characterized in that it comprises a control unit for controlling to perform the operation by performing the camera function.

The present invention has the effect of reducing the power consumption of the camera module by providing a preview screen by operating the camera function only when necessary in a small digital camera mounted on the mobile communication terminal.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a digital camera is mounted and implemented in a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting operation of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a view showing the flow of shooting operation of the digital camera according to this embodiment of the present invention

5 is a view showing an example of a pop-up window displayed on the display unit during the shooting operation of the digital camera according to this embodiment of the present invention

6 is a view showing the flow of shooting operation of the digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention

7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display unit during a shooting operation of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Hereinafter, an apparatus and an operation method of constructing the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, specific details such as specific components are shown, which are provided to help a more general understanding of the present invention, and it is understood that these specific details may be changed or changed within the scope of the present invention. It is self-evident to those of ordinary knowledge in Esau. In addition, in describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

1 is a view showing the configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The digital camera of FIG. 1 may be mounted on a mobile communication terminal, and in this case, each component may be included in the mobile communication terminal. 1, a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lens unit 110, an image sensor unit 120, an ISP (Image Signal Processor) 130, a control unit 140, and a display unit 150. ), An input unit 160, and a storage unit 170. In the present invention, the lens unit 110, the image sensor unit 120, and the ISP 130, which photograph and process an image, are referred to as a camera function unit (not shown).

The lens unit 110 allows the optical image of the subject to be formed on the image sensor 504. The lens unit 502 includes a zoom lens (not shown) and a focus lens (not shown) that is movable in the optical axis direction to focus the optical image formed on the image sensor. A digital image of a subject to be photographed by a user is acquired through the lens unit.

The image sensor unit 120 may include a CMOS, a CCD, or the like, and the image sensor 120 is a type in which a plurality of photo detectors are integrated as each pixel, and image information of a subject Is converted into electrical data and transferred to the ISP (130).

The ISP 130 processes the image signal input from the image sensor 120 in units of frames.

The display unit 150 displays an image captured under the control of the controller 140, and displays a setting screen necessary for taking a picture or a screen for selecting an operation of a user. In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a preview screen is displayed when a preview key is input, and a pop-up screen or a preset animation or image is displayed when a shooting key is input.

The storage unit 170 stores data necessary for the digital camera to operate. In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the storage unit 170 stores a pop-up screen, an animation, or an image to be displayed through the display unit 150 when a photographing key is input.

The input unit 160 receives a user's input and transmits it to the controller 140. When the display unit 150 is implemented as a touch screen, the display unit 150 may operate as the input unit 160 at the same time. The digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a shooting key for performing shooting and may further include a preview key for displaying a preview screen.

The controller 140 controls each component of the digital camera. In one embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 140 maintains the camera function unit (lens unit 110, image sensor unit 120, ISP 130) in the off state and displays a preset background screen when the camera operates. When the preview key or the photographing key is input by the user, the lens unit 110, the image sensor unit 120, and the ISP 130 are turned on and the preview unit 150 displays the image or displays an image. Control to perform shooting.

In this embodiment and the third embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 140 performs a preset animation screen, a preset image, or a popup for confirming whether or not to perform shooting while performing an initialization operation for capturing an image. Control to display the window. In addition, the controller 140 displays a preset animation when the photographing key is input, and if the photographing key input is recognized as a long key input for more than a preset time, controls the controller 140 to display the animation indicating that the photographing is to be performed before photographing. . In order to recognize the photographing key input as a long key input, the photographing key must be continuously input for a predetermined time or more, and the time can be preferably set to 100 to 400 ms.

The digital camera may further include a buffer (not shown) for temporarily storing the captured image.

2 is a diagram illustrating a mobile communication terminal having a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, in a mobile communication terminal equipped with a digital camera, the display 203 operates as the display unit 150 of the camera, and photographs an image of one of the

function keys

201 and 202 of the mobile communication terminal. It can be set as a camera key for previewing and a preview key for displaying the preview screen.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a photographing operation of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the preview key is newly set so that the preview is displayed only when the user needs it, instead of always displaying the preview screen when taking a camera. Accordingly, when the user wants to display the preview screen, the user may press the preview key to display the preview screen. After that, when the user wants to take a picture, the user presses a picture key to take a picture.

Referring to FIG. 3, first, when the camera is turned on or the camera mode is executed in step 305, the controller 140 displays a preset background screen through the display unit 150 in step 310. In this case, the displayed background screen may be set by the user, and in order to minimize power consumption, the display unit 150 may be turned off to display nothing. In this case, the lens unit 110, the image sensor unit 120, and the ISP 130 of the camera are turned off.

In step 315, the controller 140 determines whether a preview key is input. If the preview key is input in step 315, the controller 140 proceeds to step 320 and the controller 140 turns on the lens unit 110, the image sensor unit 120, and the ISP 130, and displays the preview screen through the display unit 150. Is displayed. Next, in step 325, the controller 140 determines whether the preview key is released. If the preview key is not released in step 325, the flow proceeds to step 320 to continue displaying the preview screen. If the preview key is released in step 325, the flow advances to step 310. The lens unit 110, the image sensor unit 120, and the ISP are displayed. Turn off the 130 and display the wallpaper again.

If the preview key is not input in step 315, the controller 140 proceeds to step 330 and the controller 140 determines whether the shooting key is input by the user. If it is determined in step 330 that the photographing key is not input, the process proceeds to step 310 where the lens unit 110, the image sensor unit 120, and the ISP 130 remain in an off state and continue displaying the background screen. If it is determined in step 330 that the photographing key is input, the process proceeds to step 335 in which the lens unit 110, the image sensor unit 120, and the ISP 130 are turned on and photographed. In operation 340, the controller 140 displays an image captured by the display unit 150. In the next step 345 to check whether or not the image stored in the storage, if stored in step 350 stored in the storage unit 170 in the storage unit 170 and proceeds to step 355, if not stored empty the buffer (not shown) Proceed to step 355. In step 355, it is determined whether to end the operation. If not, the operation proceeds to step 310 and displays a background screen again. Otherwise, the operation ends.

4 is a view showing the flow of the shooting operation of the digital camera according to this embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment of the present invention displays a pop-up window that asks whether to take a photograph when a photographing key is input for capturing an image, stops displaying the preview screen while the pop-up window is displayed, and performs an initialization operation for capturing an image.

Referring to FIG. 4, when the camera is turned on or the camera mode is executed in step 405, the controller 140 displays a preview screen through the display unit 150 in step 410. In this case, the preview key is not set separately for the camera. However, as shown in the embodiment, the preview key may be set to display the preview only when the preview key is pressed.

In step 415, the controller 140 determines whether a photographing key is input by the user. If it is determined that the shooting key is not input, the process proceeds to step 410 and continues to display the preview screen. In this case, the pop-up window may be displayed as shown in FIG. 5. 5 is a view showing an example of a pop-up window displayed on the display unit during the shooting operation of the digital camera according to this embodiment of the present invention. When the popup window 503 is displayed, pressing the recording key once more performs shooting, and pressing the cancel button cancels shooting. In addition, the preview screen is not displayed while the pop-up window 503 is displayed.

In step 425, it is determined whether the response to the pop-up window is to perform shooting. If it is determined in step 425 that photographing is not to be performed, the process proceeds to step 410. In operation 435, the controller 140 displays an image captured by the display unit 150. In step 440, the controller determines whether the captured image is stored, and when the image is stored, the stored image is stored in the storage unit 170 in step 445, and proceeds to step 450. If not, the buffer is empty (not shown). Proceed to step 450. In operation 450, it is determined whether to terminate the operation. If not, the operation proceeds to operation 410 to display the preview screen again. Otherwise, the operation is terminated.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a shooting operation of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to a third embodiment of the present invention, when a photographing key is input by a user and the input is maintained for a predetermined time or more, photographing is performed. In this case, if the shooting key is kept for more than a preset time, the preset screen is displayed. The preset screen may be an animation, an image, or a blank screen. While the preset screen is displayed, the display of the preview screen is stopped and an initialization operation for capturing an image is performed. The preset screen may be multimedia data set by a user input.

Referring to FIG. 6, if the camera is turned on or the camera mode is executed in operation 605, the controller 140 displays a preview screen through the display unit 150 in operation 610. In this case, as in an exemplary embodiment, the preview key may be set to display the preview only when the preview key is pressed. In step 615, the controller 140 determines whether a shooting key is input by the user. If the shooting key is not input, the process proceeds to step 610. If the shooting key is input, the process proceeds to step 620 to display a preset screen and simultaneously measures the shooting key input time. Next, in step 625, the controller 140 determines whether the photographing key input time lasts longer than a preset time. In this case, the time used as the determination criterion may be preferably set to 100 to 400 ms. If the measurement result input key input time has not lasted for more than the preset time in step 625, the process proceeds to step 610 again. If the shooting key input time lasts for more than the preset time, the process proceeds to step 630. . In operation 630, an image is captured after displaying a preset screen. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display unit during a photographing operation of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, the screen may be animated to open the aperture of the camera as shown in FIG. 7, an animation of a camera or a blinking blinking screen, etc., so that the user may easily recognize that the recording starts. Can be displayed as

In operation 635, the controller 140 displays an image captured by the display unit 150. In the next step 640, the storage of the captured image is checked, and when it is stored, the stored image is stored in the storage unit 170 in step 645 and the process proceeds to step 650. If not, the buffer is empty (not shown). Proceed to step 650. In operation 650, it is determined whether to terminate the operation. If not, the operation proceeds to operation 610 to display the preview screen again. Otherwise, the operation is terminated.

As described above, an operation and a configuration of an image capturing method and apparatus of a digital camera according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be made. Meanwhile, in the above description of the present invention, a specific exemplary embodiment has been described. It can be carried out without departing.

Claims

In the video shooting method of the digital camera,

Displaying a preset screen while the camera function stops the operation of the camera function for capturing and processing an image when the camera is executed;

Displaying the preview screen by operating the camera function unit when a key for displaying the preview screen is displayed;

Stopping the display of the preview screen by turning off an operation of the camera function unit when the key for displaying the preview screen is released;

And taking a picture of operating a camera function unit when a key for shooting is input.
The method of claim 1, wherein the camera function unit

And a lens, an image sensor, and an image signal processor of the camera.
The method of claim 1, wherein the preset screen is

Image capture method of a digital camera, characterized in that the screen is nothing displayed.
In the digital camera for video shooting,

A lens unit for allowing an optical image of a subject to form on an image sensor,

An image sensor in which a plurality of photo detectors are integrated as each pixel to change image information of a subject into electrical data;

An image signal processor (ISP) for processing an image signal input from the image sensor;

A display unit for displaying a preview screen and a captured image;

A storage unit for storing the photographed image and data necessary for the digital camera to operate;

An input unit for receiving a user's input and including a key for shooting and a key for displaying a preview screen;

When the camera is executed, a predetermined screen is displayed through the display unit while the camera function unit including the lens unit, the image sensor unit, and the ISP is stopped, and the camera function unit is operated when a key is pressed to display a preview screen. Displays a preview screen, and when the key for displaying the preview screen is released, turns off the operation of the camera function unit to stop displaying the preview screen, and controls to perform shooting by operating the camera function unit when a key for photographing is input. Digital camera for image capture, characterized in that it comprises a control unit.
The method of claim 4, wherein the preset screen is

Digital camera for video shooting, characterized in that the display nothing.
In the video shooting method of the digital camera,

Displaying a preview screen when the camera is running,

Stopping the display of the preview screen when the key for shooting is input, and displaying a display content for confirming the shooting to the user;

Determining whether to take a picture according to a response result of the display content for checking whether the picture is taken;

And if it is determined to perform the photographing, performing the photographing.
The method of claim 6, wherein the display content for confirming whether the shooting is

The image capturing method of the digital camera, characterized in that to display a window for confirming the shooting in the form of a pop-up (pop-up) window.
In the digital camera for video shooting,

A lens unit for allowing an optical image of a subject to form on an image sensor,

An image sensor in which a plurality of photo detectors are integrated as each pixel to change image information of a subject into electrical data;

An image signal processor (ISP) for processing an image signal input from the image sensor;

A display unit for displaying a preview screen and a captured image;

A storage unit for storing the photographed image and data necessary for the digital camera to operate;

An input unit for receiving a user input, including a key for shooting,

When the camera is running, a preview screen is displayed, and when a key for shooting is input, the display of the preview screen is stopped, a display content for checking whether or not to shoot is displayed to the user, and a display for checking the shooting status. And a control unit which determines whether to take a picture according to a response to the content, and controls to perform a picture when it is determined to take a picture.
The method of claim 8, wherein the display content for confirming whether or not the photographing

And a window for confirming whether or not the photographing is performed in the form of a pop-up window.
In the video shooting method of the digital camera,

Displaying a preview screen when the camera is running,

Stopping the display of the preview screen when a key for photographing is input and measuring a time for which the key for photographing is input;

Determining to perform photographing when the measured time is greater than or equal to a preset time;

And if it is determined to perform shooting, displaying the preset screen and then performing the shooting.
The method of claim 10, wherein the preset screen,

Image capture method of a digital camera characterized in that the animation or blank (blank) screen.
In the digital camera for video shooting,

A lens unit for allowing an optical image of a subject to form on an image sensor,

An image sensor in which a plurality of photo detectors are integrated as each pixel to change image information of a subject into electrical data;

An image signal processor (ISP) for processing an image signal input from the image sensor;

A display unit for displaying the preview screen and the captured image;

A storage unit which stores a photographed image and data necessary for the digital camera to operate;

An input unit for receiving a user input, including a key for shooting,

When the camera is running, a preview screen is displayed, and when a key for shooting is input, the display of the preview screen is stopped, a time for which a key for shooting is input is measured, and the measured time is longer than a preset time. And a control unit which controls to perform the shooting after displaying a shooting screen when it is determined to perform the shooting.
The method of claim 12, wherein the shooting screen,

Digital camera for filming, characterized in that it is an animation or blank screen.