• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The disclosed video communication apparatus and video communication method, when a user selects a video communication mode, converts image data input from a CCD included in a digital still camera into a file format suitable for image transmission after converting the image signal into a file format suitable for image transmission. The data is transmitted to the counterpart computer device through the computer device to enable image communication. According to the present invention, when a user inputs a key signal for selecting an image communication mode, the digital still camera processes an image signal of a photographed subject, converts the image signal processed image data into an image transmission data format for image transmission, In response to the control signal for communication, the image data for image transmission is transmitted to an external device for image communication through the communication device included in the computer device by transmitting to the computer device through the interface circuit provided in the digital still camera. Accordingly, the present invention provides the effect that the digital still camera can be used as a video conferencing camera when the video communication mode is selected by the user as well as the function of the camera.
    公开号:KR19990043560A
    申请号:KR1019970064582
    申请日:1997-11-29
    公开日:1999-06-15
    发明作者:박일주
    申请人:윤종용；삼성전자 주식회사；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Video communication device and video communication method
    The present invention relates to a video communication apparatus and a video communication method, and more particularly, to a file format suitable for image transmission after image signal processing of image data input from a CCD included in a digital still camera when the user selects the image transmission mode. The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus and an image communication method which enable image communication by transferring image data in a file format converted and converted into an external device through a computer device.
    In general, a digital still camera is a peripheral device for inputting an image connected to a computer device and is a compact and lightweight camera that can be easily operated by anyone with the recent expansion of home computer devices.
    Such a digital still camera converts the image information into an electric signal and performs all the signal processing such as processing, recording, and reproduction.
    In addition, as in the case of a camera using a conventional film, it is not necessary to perform darkroom work or chemical processing for development, and can immediately check the captured image. Since the recorded image information is electronicized, Post-processing and remote transmission in a computer device is possible and its use is versatile.
    For example, you can make a homepage using images taken with a digital still camera by connecting to the Internet, create various reports by inserting the shot images, and commemorative photos such as graduation or marriage. Can be made or stored on diskette.
    These digital still cameras typically offer VGA (640 × 480) or higher resolutions, and have a large memory to record and record dozens of shots at a time.
    1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital still camera according to the prior art.
    As shown, a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) 2 converts an image signal of a subject incident through the lens 1 into an electrical signal.
    The various driving pulses for extracting the signal of the CCD 2 are converted into the actual driving voltage and supplied by the timing generator 8 described later.
    CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) / AGC (Automatic Gain Control) (3) eliminates the noise of the electrical signal input from the CCD (2), and automatically gains the output so that the output is always constant even if the level of the input video signal changes. Amplify and adjust.
    The A / D converter 4 converts an analog signal input from the CDS / AGC 3 into a digital signal.
    The temporary memory 5 stores image information of one frame output through the CCD 2 so that the control unit 6 to be described later can perform signal processing.
    At this time, the image information stored in the temporary memory 5 merely changes the signal of the CCD 2 into a digital form.
    This temporary memory 5 normally uses DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).
    The controller 6 processes white balance, contour correction, and luminance / color difference signal conversion of the captured image input from the temporary memory 5.
    In addition, the control unit 6 not only operates the CCD 2, the CDS / AGC 3, the A / D conversion unit 4, and the temporary memory 5, but also the compression processing unit 7 and timing generation unit described later. (8), general operations of the digital still camera, such as the compression memory 9 and the interface circuit section 10, are controlled.
    The compression processing unit 7 compresses the video signal input from the A / D conversion unit 4 by the Joint Photographic Coding Experts Group (JPEG) method.
    At this time, the compression ratio of the video signal input from the compression processing unit 7 is about 10: 1.
    The compression storage memory 9 sequentially stores the image compressed and output from the compression processing unit 7.
    In addition, the compression storage memory 9 can record / reproduce at high speed, and reproduction is usually performed through a computer device. The provided image can be stored, processed and output to a printer or the like by an image editing program.
    This compressed storage memory 9 usually uses a flash memory that is a nonvolatile memory.
    The timing generator 8 generates various clocks and synchronization signals used for the digital camera, pulses for driving the CCD 2, and the like, in accordance with the control signal of the controller 6.
    Then, the shutter speed information necessary for light quantity control is input to adjust the amount of light accumulation of the CCD 2.
    The interface circuit unit 10 reads and converts the compressed video signal from the compression memory in response to the communication control signal input from the computer device and transmits the compressed video signal to the computer device.
    The key input unit 11 applies an operation such as a shutter or an auto focus control function according to a user's operation to the controller 6.
    In the conventional digital still camera configured as described above, an image signal of an object incident through the lens 1 is converted into an electrical signal through the CCD 2, and the CCD 2 is transferred through the CDS / AGC 3. The amplification gain is automatically adjusted with the removal of noise in the input electrical signal.
    The signal input from the CDS / AGC 3 is converted into a digital signal through the A / D converter 4 and stored in the temporary memory 5, and the white balance and contour correction of the image captured by the controller 6 is performed. And luminance / color difference signal conversion and the like.
    The image processed by the control unit 6 is compressed by the compression processor 7 to about 10: 1.
    The reason for compressing and storing the captured image is to store a large number of captured images in a limited memory.
    In addition, generation of various clocks, synchronization signals, pulses for driving the CCD 2, and the like, which are used in the digital still camera, is performed through the timing generator 8 according to the control signal of the controller 6. In 8), shutter speed information necessary for light amount control is input to adjust the amount of light accumulation of the CCD 2.
    The compressed image data is stored in a hard disk drive or a DVD RAM, and the stored image data is restored by a decompressor and displayed on a display device provided in the computer device.
    However, the above-described digital still camera processes an image signal input from a CCD to display an image signal on a display device or simply transmit the image data compressed in a compressed format to a computer device so that only the reproduction and editing operations can be performed on the computer device. There was a problem.
    Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to convert the image data input from the CCD provided in the digital still camera into a file format suitable for image transmission after converting the image data input from the CCD provided in the digital still camera so as to solve the above problems. The present invention provides an image communication apparatus and an image communication method that enable image communication by transmitting image data in the form of a file to a counterpart computer apparatus through a computer apparatus.
    1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital still camera according to the prior art;
    2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a video communication apparatus according to the present invention;
    FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a digital still camera applied to FIG. 2 and having a function of converting image data captured by the image into data for image communication; FIG.
    4 is a flowchart illustrating an image communication method according to the present invention.
    * Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings
    10 lens 20 CCD
    30: CDS / AGC 40: A / D conversion unit
    50: temporary memory 60: control unit
    70: compression processor 80: timing generator
    90: memory for compression storage 100: interface circuit
    110: key input unit 120: data conversion unit
    200: digital still camera 300: computer device
    In the digital still camera according to the present invention for achieving the above object, when the user inputs a key signal for selecting an image communication mode, the digital still camera performs image signal processing on the photographed subject and the image signal processed image. Converting data into an image transmission data format for image transmission and transmitting the data to a computer device through an interface circuit provided in the digital still camera in response to a communication control signal of the computer device, thereby transmitting the image through a communication device provided in the computer device. And transmit image data to an external device for image communication.
    Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
    2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a video communication apparatus according to the present invention.
    As shown, a digital still camera that converts the compressed image data into a data format for image communication by continuously processing a photographed subject according to a user's image transmission mode selection, and continuously outputs the image according to a control signal for communication; A computer device that outputs a communication control signal to receive image data converted from a still camera into a data format for image communication, and transmits image data input according to the communication control signal to an external device for video communication through a communication line. It consists of.
    FIG. 3 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of a digital still camera applied to FIG. 2 and having a function of converting the captured image data into image communication data.
    As shown, the lens 10, CCD 20, Correlated Double Sampling (CDS) / Automatic Gain Control (AGC) 30, A / D converter 40, temporary memory 50, controller 60 ), The compression processing unit 70, the timing generating unit 80, the compression storage memory 90, the interface circuit unit 100 and the key input unit 110 is the same as the prior art, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.
    The data converter 120, which is a block added for video communication, transmits the image data processed by the control unit 60 to the image data in response to the control signal of the control unit 60 that recognizes the user's selection of the image transmission mode. The image data is converted into a format, and the converted image data is continuously output to the computer device 300 through the interface circuit unit 100 described later in accordance with the control signal for communication of the computer device.
    The above-described converted data format for video communication is performed in a CIF (Common Intermediate Format) or QCIF (Quad Common Intermediate Format) system.
    The operation of the video communication apparatus according to the present invention configured as described above will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
    4 is a flowchart illustrating an image communication method according to the present invention.
    As shown, first, the controller 60 determines whether a user inputs a key signal for selecting a video communication mode (S100), and when the key signal for selecting a video communication mode is input, the controller ( 60 switches the digital still camera 200 to the video communication mode (S200).
    When the digital still camera 200 is switched to the image communication mode, the controller 60 outputs the image data obtained by image signal processing of the photographed subject to the data converter 120. Then, the data conversion unit 120 converts the input image data into a data format capable of image communication (S300).
    At this time, the data for video communication is converted by CIF (Common Intermediate Fomat) or QCIF (Quad Common Intermediate Format).
    At this time, the control unit 60 continuously transmits the image data converted by the data conversion unit 120 through the interface circuit unit 100 in response to the communication control signal of the computer device transmitted through the interface circuit unit 100. Will output
    Then, the computer device 300 may use the digital still camera for video conferencing by continuously transmitting the image data converted into data to an external device for video communication (S400).
    If the user captures a subject in a state in which a key signal for selecting the image communication mode is not input by the user, the controller 60 performs the digital still camera in the general camera mode (S500), thereby controlling the digital signal. Each block is controlled so that the still camera can perform the camera mode as conventionally.
    Therefore, as described above, the present invention provides the effect that the digital still camera can be used as a video conferencing camera when the video communication mode is selected by the user as well as the function of the camera.
    权利要求:
    Claims (6)
    [1" claim-type="Currently amended] Image communication in the digital still camera and the digital still camera which converts the compressed image data into a data format for image communication and continuously outputs it according to the control signal for communication by processing the image signal of the photographed subject according to the user's image transmission mode selection. And a computer device for outputting a control signal for communication to receive the image data converted into a data format for transmitting the image data, and transmitting the image data input according to the communication control signal to an external device for image communication through a communication line. An image communication apparatus.
    [2" claim-type="Currently amended] The digital still camera of claim 1, wherein the digital still camera includes: a CCD for converting an image signal of an object incident through a lens into an electrical signal; a noise of an electrical signal input from the CCD; CDS / AGC which automatically amplifies and adjusts gain so as to be constantly output even if fluctuated, A / D converter which converts analog signals input from the CDS / AGC into digital signals, and image information of one frame input from the CCD. The controller controls the temporary memory to be stored, the white balance, contour correction, and luminance / color difference signal conversion of the captured image stored in the temporary memory, and the image signal is processed by the controller according to a control signal of the controller that recognizes the user's selection of the image transmission mode. Data conversion unit for converting the generated image data into a data format for image communication, to capture a large number of images A compression processing unit for compressing an image signal, a compression storage memory for sequentially storing and outputting an image compressed and output from the compression processing unit, and generating various clocks and synchronization signals used in a digital still camera according to a control signal of the controller; And a timing generator which receives shutter speed information necessary for light quantity control and adjusts the optical accumulation amount of the CCD, a D / A converter which converts a digital signal processed by the controller into an analog signal, and the computer device. And an interface circuit unit which reads and compresses a compressed video signal in a compression memory in response to an input communication control signal, and transmits the converted video signal to a computer device.
    [3" claim-type="Currently amended] The video communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data format for video communication is CIF.
    [4" claim-type="Currently amended] The video communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data format for video communication is QCIF.
    [5" claim-type="Currently amended] A first step of judging whether or not a key signal for selecting a video communication mode has been input by the user, and when the key signal for selecting the video communication mode is input as a result of the determination of the first step, switching to the video communication mode In the second step, when the image communication mode is switched in the second step, the image signal is processed according to the user's intention, and then the image data is converted into the image transmission data format in the third and third steps. And a fourth step of transmitting the image data converted into the transmission data format to the computer device through the interface circuit unit and transmitting the image data to an external device.
    [6" claim-type="Currently amended] 6. The image as claimed in claim 5, further comprising performing a general digital still camera mode when a key signal for selecting an image communication mode is not input by a user as a result of the determination of the first step. Communication method.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    US10079041B2|2018-09-18|Digital image processing apparatus and method of controlling the same
    US8655077B2|2014-02-18|Image-capturing and data extraction device
    JP3548191B2|2004-07-28|Camera
    JP5118129B2|2013-01-16|Imaging apparatus, editing apparatus, image processing method, and program
    JP4979969B2|2012-07-18|Imaging apparatus and imaging method
    KR100503037B1|2005-07-21|Digital camera and method of saving digital image of the same
    KR100798230B1|2008-01-24|Imaging device, imaging method and computer­readable recording medium
    US7986345B2|2011-07-26|Image pickup apparatus, image processing method, and program
    US7324136B2|2008-01-29|Electronic camera, and image display method and image recording method therefor
    JP4591325B2|2010-12-01|Imaging apparatus and program
    US5153730A|1992-10-06|Electronic still camera having two recording stages for recording still-image signals
    US6784941B1|2004-08-31|Digital camera with video input
    US7535495B2|2009-05-19|Digital camera, control method thereof and portable terminal
    US7151564B2|2006-12-19|Image recording apparatus and method
    US7573504B2|2009-08-11|Image recording apparatus, image recording method, and image compressing apparatus processing moving or still images
    JP4466261B2|2010-05-26|Imaging apparatus, brightness correction method, and program
    US7405754B2|2008-07-29|Image pickup apparatus
    US7742080B2|2010-06-22|Image processing apparatus, digital camera, and image processing method for attaching proper imaging conditions to a captured image
    JP4441882B2|2010-03-31|Imaging device, display control method, program
    US7339613B2|2008-03-04|Method of monitoring digital camera capable of informing user of inadequate photographing
    US20030071904A1|2003-04-17|Image capturing apparatus, image reproducing apparatus and program product
    US7050095B2|2006-05-23|Method and apparatus for image processing using a template image
    US20070133974A1|2007-06-14|Imaging apparatus and imaging method
    JP2004007304A|2004-01-08|Digital photographing apparatus
    KR100483187B1|2005-04-14|Image synthesis apparatus and image synthesis method
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    法律状态:
    1997-11-29|Application filed by 윤종용, 삼성전자 주식회사
    1997-11-29|Priority to KR1019970064582A
    1999-06-15|Publication of KR19990043560A
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    KR1019970064582A|KR19990043560A|1997-11-29|1997-11-29|Video communication device and video communication method|
    [返回顶部]