Abstract:
An apparatus and a method thereof are provided, the apparatus including a first memory; a second memory; an image sensor; and a controller configured to obtain, using the image sensor, a plurality of images including a first image and a second image corresponding to at least one object in a first resolution, each of the first image and the second image corresponding to a different time from each other; store, in the first memory, the first image at least temporarily; display, via a display operatively coupled with the controller, the second image in a second resolution; and store, in the second memory, the first image stored in the first memory, in response to an input received in relation with the second image as displayed via the display.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application is a Continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/580,775, which was filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Oct. 16, 2009, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to capturing a still image using images stored separately at predetermined times in addition to a preview image and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for storing high-resolution images received at predetermined times in a first buffer and capturing a still image using the high-resolution images stored in the first buffer. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    An ordinary digital camera includes a lens system for forming an image of a subject on a film or a surface of an image sensor, and the image sensor for detecting the image formed by the lens system as an electrical signal. The film or the surface of the image sensor corresponds to an image surface of the lens system. A focus of the lens system varies in position according to a distance between the lens and the subject. Therefore, it is possible to capture or photograph images of various qualities according to changes in the position of the image surface, which is associated with a position of the subject. 
         [0006]    A user photographs a desired subject in an image using a digital camera with the above-stated elements. In order to more easily take a picture of a desired subject, the user may use a preview image that provides an image of the subject in real time, to previously get hold of the image to be captured. The preview image is displayed on a display through the lens system in real time, and the user may easily take a picture of the desired subject while viewing the displayed preview image. A camera with the function of outputting a preview image on the display is the necessaries of life, playing an important role in multimedia communication required in the modern society. 
         [0007]    An internal structure of a common camera outputting a preview image will be described with reference to  FIG. 1  below. 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows an internal structure of a conventional camera outputting a preview image. Elements of the camera include a lens system  101 , an image sensor  103 , a driver  111 , an Image Signal Processor (ISP)  105 , a display  107 , and a controller  109 . 
         [0009]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the lens system  101  optically receives an image of a subject, and includes at least one lens. The image sensor  103  converts the image of a subject optically received by the lens system  101  into an electrical signal. The ISP  105  processes the electrical signal received from the image sensor  103  on a frame-by-frame basis, and outputs a low-resolution image frame that is converted according to screen features (size, picture quality, resolution, etc.) of the display  107 . 
         [0010]    The display  107  displays the low-resolution image frame received from the ISP  105  on a screen, and the driver  111  moves the lens system  101  according to control of the controller  109 . Although not shown in the drawing, the driver  111  includes a motor for providing a driving force, and a carrier for moving the lens system  101  forward and backward by the driving force. The controller  109  controls the driver  111  to move the lens system  101  to a focal position. 
         [0011]    Now, a description will be made of a procedure for receiving and analyzing a preview image using the elements in  FIG. 1 , 
         [0012]    When an image of a subject is optically received through the lens system  101 , the image sensor  103  converts the optically received image of a subject into an electrical signal and provides the electrical signal to the ISP  105 . The image of a subject received through the lens system  101  is continuously received in real time, and the image sensor  103  converts the received real-time image of a subject into an electrical signal, and provides the electrical signal to the ISP  105 . The ISP  105  converts the received real-time image of a subject into a low-resolution preview image and displays the low-resolution preview image on the display  107 . The user may monitor the received real-time preview image on the display  107 . 
         [0013]    Commonly, however, when a user captures an image while viewing a preview image, an image following the preview image is captured. If the subject is stationary, it doesn&#39;t matter even though an image is captured after the time the user intends to take a picture of the subject. However, in case of an image sensitive to motion, an unwanted image may be captured after the time the user intends to take a picture. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    An aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus and method for reading an image stored in a first buffer as a captured image and displaying the captured image on a display, when a user inputs an image capturing signal independently of a preview image being displayed on the display. 
         [0015]    In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a first memory; a second memory; an image sensor; and a controller configured to obtain, using the image sensor, a plurality of images including a first image and a second image corresponding to at least one object in a first resolution, each of the first image and the second image corresponding to a different time from each other; store, in the first memory, the first image at least temporarily; display, via a display operatively coupled with the controller, the second image in a second resolution; and store, in the second memory, the first image stored in the first memory, in response to an input received in relation with the second image as displayed via the display. 
         [0016]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided. The method includes obtaining, at an electronic device including an image sensor and first memory, a plurality of images including a first image and a second image corresponding to at least one object in a first resolution using the image sensor, each of the first image and the second image corresponding to a different time from each other; storing, in the first memory, the first image at least temporarily; displaying, via a display operatively coupled with the electronic device, the second image in a second resolution; and storing, in second memory operatively coupled with the electronic device, the first image stored in the first memory, in response to an input to capture an image. 
         [0017]    In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a machine-readable storage device storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations is provided. The operations include obtaining, at an electronic device including an image sensor and first memory, a plurality of images including a first image and a second image corresponding to at least one object in a first resolution using the image sensor, each of the first image and the second image corresponding to a different time from each other; storing, in the first memory, the first image at least temporarily based at least part on a determination that the first image corresponds to a specified period of time; displaying, via a display operatively coupled with the electronic device, the second image in a second resolution; and storing, in second memory operatively coupled with the electronic device, the first image stored in the first memory, in response to an input to capture an image. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing an internal structure of a conventional camera outputting a preview image; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a diagram showing an internal structure of a camera using an image stored in a buffer according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a diagram showing an internal structure of a camera using images stored in a plurality of buffers according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are diagrams showing a process of taking a picture using a subject&#39;s image stored in a buffer according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a process of extracting a high-resolution image from among images received at different times according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing a process of taking a picture using an image stored in a buffer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows an internal structure of a camera using an image stored in a buffer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The camera shown in  FIG. 2  includes a lens system  201 , an image sensor  203 , an Image Signal Processor (ISP)  205 , a display  207 , a first buffer  209 , a memory  211 , a controller  213 , a key input unit  215 , and a driver  217 . 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the lens system  201  optically receives an image of a subject, and includes at least one lens. The image sensor  203  converts the image of a subject optically received by the lens system  201  into an electrical signal. The ISP  205  processes the electrical signal received from the image sensor  203  on a frame-by-frame basis, and outputs a preview image that is converted into a low-resolution image according to screen features (size, picture quality, resolution, etc.) of the display  207 . The ISP  205  generates high-resolution images at predetermined periods and provides the high-resolution images to the first buffer  209 . That is, the ISP  205  generates an image corresponding to a predetermined period among received images, as a high-resolution image, and temporarily stores the high-resolution image in the first buffer  209 . The low-resolution preview image displayed on the display  207  in real time and the high-resolution image stored in the first buffer  209  may vary in size, picture quality and resolution according to user settings. 
         [0028]    The display  207  displays a preview image received from the ISP  205 . If there is an instruction of the controller  213 , the display  207  displays the high-resolution image temporarily stored in the first buffer  209  instead of displaying the converted image received from the ISP  205 . If there are one or more high-resolution images, they may be displayed on a screen of the display  207  together or selectively. 
         [0029]    The first buffer  209  temporarily stores the high-resolution image received from the ISP  205 , and may store one or more high-resolution images according to user settings or a size of a storage space. The first buffer  209  provides the temporarily stored one or more high-resolution images to the memory  211  according to an instruction of the controller  213 . The memory  211  stores one or more high-resolution images received from the first buffer  209 . 
         [0030]    The controller  213  controls the ISP  205 , the first buffer  209 , and the driver  217 . If an image capturing signal is received, the controller  213  provides a converted-image output interrupt signal to the ISP  205 , and provides the first buffer  209  with a signal for outputting one or more high-resolution images temporarily stored in the first buffer  209  to the display  207 . Upon receiving such a signal, the first buffer  209  provides the temporarily stored one or more high-resolution images to the memory  211  and stores therein. The temporarily stored one or more high-resolution images may be stored all in the memory  211 , or may be selectively stored in the memory  211  according to user selection. One or more high-resolution images stored in the first buffer  209  may be displayed on the display  207  without conversion, but one or more high-resolution images may be delivered back to the ISP  205  and then displayed after they are converted into low-resolution images according to screen features of the display  207 . 
         [0031]    The key input unit  215  provides an image capturing signal to the controller  213  through an input means such as a button, and the driver  217  moves the lens system  201  according to control of the controller  213 . Although not shown in the drawing, the key input unit  215  may include a motor for providing a driving force, and a carrier for moving the lens system  201  forward and backward by the driving force. 
         [0032]    The ISP  205  may include a first converter (not shown) for converting the received image into a preview image, and a second converter (not shown) for generating image data from the received image at predetermined periods. 
         [0033]    The memory  211  is a nonvolatile memory, and may be an external memory. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  shows an internal structure of a camera using images stored in a plurality of buffers according to an embodiment of the present invention. The internal structure of the camera shown in  FIG. 3  further includes a second buffer  219  in addition to the elements of the camera shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the lens system  201  optically receives an image of a subject, and includes at least one lens. The image sensor  203  converts the image of a subject optically received by the lens system  201  into an electrical signal. The ISP  205  processes the electrical signal received from the image sensor  203  on a frame-by-frame basis, and outputs a preview image that is converted into a low-resolution image according to screen features (size, picture quality, resolution, etc.) of the display  207 . The ISP  205  generates high-resolution images at predetermined periods and provides the high-resolution images to the first buffer  209 . That is, the ISP  205  generates an image corresponding to a predetermined period among received images, as a high-resolution image, and temporarily stores the high-resolution image in the first buffer  209 . The low-resolution preview image displayed on the display  207  in real time and the high-resolution image stored in the first buffer  209  may vary in size, picture quality and resolution according to user settings. 
         [0036]    The display  207  displays the preview image received from the ISP  205 . If there is an instruction of the controller  213 , the display  207  displays the high-resolution image temporarily stored in the first buffer  209  instead of displaying the converted image received from the ISP  205 . If there are one or more high-resolution images, they may be displayed on the display  207  together or selectively. 
         [0037]    The first buffer  209  temporarily stores the high-resolution image received from the ISP  205 , and provides the temporarily stored high-resolution image to the memory  211  according to an instruction of the controller  213 . The memory  211  stores the high-resolution image received from the first buffer  209 . If a new high-resolution image is stored in the first buffer  209 , the second buffer  219  stores a high-resolution image generated in the next period. If a high-resolution image is stored in the second buffer  219 , the high-resolution image stored in the first buffer  209  is deleted. Thereafter, a high-resolution image generated in the next period is stored in the first buffer  209 . If the high-resolution image is stored in the first buffer  209 , the high-resolution image stored in the second buffer  219  is deleted. That is, if a new high-resolution image is received and temporarily stored, each of the first buffer  209  and the second buffer  219  delivers or deletes the high-resolution image stored in the opposite buffer. 
         [0038]    The controller  213  controls the ISP  205 , the first buffer  209  and the driver  217 . If an image capturing signal is received, the controller  213  provides a converted-image output interrupt signal to the ISP  205 , and provides the first buffer  209  with a signal for outputting one or more high-resolution images temporarily stored in the first buffer  209  to the display  207 . Upon receiving such a signal, the first buffer  209  delivers the temporarily stored one or more high-resolution images to the memory  211  and stores therein. The temporarily stored one or more high-resolution images may be stored all in the memory  211 , or may be selectively stored in the memory  211  according to user selection. One or more high-resolution images stored in the first buffer  209  may be displayed on the display  207  without conversion, but one or more high-resolution images may be delivered back to the ISP  205  and the displayed after they are converted into low-resolution images according to screen features of the display  207 . 
         [0039]    The key input unit  215  provides an image capturing signal to the controller  213  through an input means such as a button, and the driver  217  moves the lens system  201  according to control of the controller  213 . Although not shown in the drawing, the key input unit  215  may include a motor for providing a driving force, and a carrier for moving the lens system  201  forward and backward by the driving force. 
         [0040]    While the number of buffers is limited to two in the drawing, the number of buffers may increase according to user settings. 
         [0041]    A process of capturing an image of a subject using the elements of the cameras shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  will be described below. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show a process of taking a picture using a subject&#39;s image stored in a first buffer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4A  shows a scene where a preview image is received, in which a preview image corresponding to an image of a subject is output on the display  207  in real time using the lens system  201  of the camera. Since the preview image output on the display  207  is not a high-resolution image desired by the user, a low-resolution image converted according to screen features (size, picture quality, resolution, etc.) of the display  207  is output. Meanwhile, while the preview image is being output on the display  207 , high-resolution images are generated and temporarily stored in the first buffer  209  at predetermined periods. The temporarily stored high-resolution images may vary in picture quality and size according to user settings, and the number of the temporarily stored high-resolution images may be subject to change according to a size of a storage space in the first buffer  209  where the high-resolution images are temporarily stored. 
         [0044]    In the case where two buffers are provided as shown in  FIG. 3 , the second buffer  219  deletes the previously stored high-resolution image if a new high-resolution image is stored in the first buffer  209 . Thereafter, if a high-resolution image generated in the next period is stored in the second buffer  219 , the first buffer  209  deletes the previously stored high-resolution image. 
         [0045]      FIG. 4B  shows a result after an image capturing signal is input by an input means such as a button. If an image capturing signal is received from the user, the controller  213  provides a converted-preview image output interrupt signal to the ISP  205 . Upon receiving the interrupt signal, the ISP  205  no longer delivers the converted preview image to the display  207 . After that, the controller  213  provides the first buffer  209  with a control signal for outputting one or more high-resolution images temporarily stored in the first buffer  209  on the display  207 . Upon receiving this signal, the first buffer  209  stores one or more images displayed on the display  207  in the memory  211 , and displays the temporarily stored one or more high-resolution images on the display  207 . 
         [0046]    The controller  213  may select a user-desired image from among the one or more high-resolution images displayed on the display  207  before storing one or more images displayed on the display  207  in the memory  211  according to user settings, and may store only the selected image in the memory  211 . Although not shown in the drawing, the controller  213  may directly display one or more high-resolution images stored in the first buffer  209  on the display  207  without conversion, or may display one or more high-resolution images after delivering the high-resolution images to the ISP  205  and converting them into low-resolution images according to screen features of the display  207 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 5  shows a process of extracting a high-resolution image from among images received in different periods according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is assumed in  FIG. 5  that an image of a subject is received through the lens system  201  of the camera once every 0.1 second. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , one or more images  501  to  509  are sequentially received through the lens system  201  of the camera. The received one or more images  501  to  509  are all sequentially converted into low-resolution preview images according to screen features of the display  207  in the ISP  205  and then displayed on the display  207 . 
         [0049]    The ISP  205  generates high-resolution images at predetermined periods, and stores them in the first buffer  209 . That is, an image  503  received at 0.2 second and an image  507  received at the ISP  205  at 0.4 second are converted into low-resolution preview images, and at the same time, high-resolution images are generated. The generated high-resolution images are temporarily stored in the first buffer  209 . The number of temporarily stored high-resolution images is subject to change according to a temporary storage space of the first buffer  209 . A new high-resolution image is temporarily stored as the newest high-resolution image and the previously stored high-resolution image is deleted at intervals of 0.2 second. In case of a camera with multiple buffers, the image  503  received at 0.2 second is first stored in the first buffer  209 , and if the image  507  received at 0.4 second is stored later in the second buffer  219 , the first buffer  209  deletes the image stored at 0.2 second. Thereafter, an image received at 0.6 second is stored in the first buffer  209  and then the image stored in the second buffer  219  is deleted. As described above, the number of buffers is subject to change according to user settings. 
         [0050]      FIG. 6  shows a process of taking a picture using an image stored in a first buffer according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , an image is received through the lens system  201  in step  601 . The image is received at the ISP  205  through the image sensor  203 , and converted into a low-resolution preview image by the ISP  205 . That is, the ISP  205  converts the received image into a low-resolution preview image according to screen features of the display  207 , and delivers the low-resolution preview image to the display  207 . The display  207  displays in real time the low-resolution preview image converted according to its screen features. 
         [0052]    In step  603 , the ISP  205  generates images at predetermined periods, and temporarily stores them in the first buffer  209 . The image temporarily stored in the first buffer  209  is a high-resolution image, and one or more high-resolution images may be stored according to a size of a storage space in the first buffer  209 . Since new high-resolution images should be sequentially stored with the passage of time, a new high-resolution image is stored in an empty space occurring after the first stored high-resolution image is deleted, in order to secure a storage space, thereby updating high-resolution images in real time. 
         [0053]    In step  605 , the controller  213  of the camera determines whether an image capturing signal is received. The image capturing signal is received through the key input unit  215 . If no image capturing signal is received, the controller  213  returns to step  601  and repeats the process of converting the image received through the lens system  201  into a preview image. If an image capturing signal is received, the first buffer  209  stores the temporarily stored high-resolution image in the memory  211  according to control of the controller  213  in step  607 . Thereafter, in step  609 , the temporarily stored high-resolution image is output on the display  207 . 
         [0054]    If the number of high-resolution images temporarily stored in the first buffer  209  is one or more, one or more high-resolution images are first displayed on the display  207  so that the user may store only desired high-resolution images in the memory  211 . The one or more high-resolution images temporarily stored in the first buffer  209  may be displayed on the display  207  after they are delivered back to the ISP  205  and then converted into low-resolution images according to screen features of the display  207 . 
         [0055]    In case of a camera with the first buffer  209  and the second buffer  219 , if a new high-resolution image is stored in the first buffer  209  and then a high-resolution image generated in the next period is stored in the second buffer  219 , the first buffer  209  deletes the previously stored high-resolution. If a high-resolution image is stored in the first buffer  209  in a period following the next period, the high-resolution image stored in the second buffer  219  is deleted. 
         [0056]    As is apparent from the foregoing description, exemplary embodiments of the present invention display one or more high-resolution images temporarily stored in the first buffer on a display in various manners so that a user may select only desired images and store only the selected images in a memory separately, thereby securing a storage space. 
         [0057]    While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.