Dual mode signal processing apparatus and method using a picture-in-picture (PIP) mode

The present invention relates to a dual mode signal processing apparatus using a picture-in-picture (PIP) window. In particular, the present invention relates to a display apparatus and a function switching apparatus that display two views for DSPs performing different functions in use of a PIP window so that two functions are simultaneously performed. In order to achieve the such an object, embodiments of the present invention comprise at least one or more digital signal processors (DSPs) for processing different signals; a picture-in-picture(PIP) block for inputting a composite image signal, a chrominance signal, and so on, mixing two signals, and outputting one composite signal; a first signal switching unit for selecting an input of signals of the plural DSPs and outputting the selected signal to the PIP block; a second signal switching unit for selecting a composite image signal outputted from the DSPs and outputting the selected composite image signal to the PIP block; and a display unit for inputting and displaying an output signal of the PIP block. The embodiments further employ an input unit having a mode selection button and PIP-related function buttons; and a control unit for switching signals with an input of the input unit and controlling a system. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention convert the function of the system by changes of the main view and the PIP window in the mixed display from two mixed image signals, and enables the same functions to operate with one button selection, to thereby perform combined functions with simplicity.

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from Korean Patent Application No. 2002-0074897, filed on Apr. 15, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a dual mode signal processing apparatus and method using a picture-in-picture (PIP) window, and more particularly to a display apparatus and a function switching apparatus displaying two views for DSPs performing different functions in use of a PIP window so that two functions are simultaneously performed.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In general, the digital signal processor (DSP) is widely used to process a digital signal in real time. The digital signal is generally defined in series numbers or digital values used for representing an analog signal corresponding thereto. The DSP is used in diverse products including audio systems such as small-sized disc players, wireless communication systems such as cellular phones, digital still cameras (DSCs), and digital video camcorder (DVCs).

Recently, dual-function product groups have been in high demand, each of which being sold in one product having two or more combined functions according to the necessity of combination products. In particular, technologies have been actively developed to implement in one product the functions of the DVC recording moving pictures and the DSC taking still images.

This is because the DSC and the DVC have similar functions to each other, having a display unit, a view finder, and a digital signal processor.

FIGS. 1 and 2show the conventional technology incorporating a DSC and a DVC together.FIG. 1is a perspective view for showing a conventional picture-taking apparatus combining a digital still camera and a digital video camcorder, andFIG. 2is a block diagram for showing the conventional picture-taking apparatus. Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a main body of the picture-taking apparatus has a DSC signal conversion unit40, a DVC signal conversion unit45, a still image codec unit50, a moving picture codec unit65, a storage unit60, an input unit70, a display unit80, and a control unit90therein.

A camera part20is provided with a housing15installed to swivel to a certain angle, a first camera22taking still images, and a second camera24taking moving pictures. Ordinarily, the first camera22and the second camera24(not visible inFIG. 1) are disposed opposite to each other in the camera part20.

Accordingly, the camera part20rotates to a certain angle in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction shown with reference to the rotation axis X. Preferably, the DSC lens group22aand the DVC lens group24arotate along with camera part20, and keep parallel with the picture-taking direction A. That is, when the housing15is manually swiveled by 180° or substantially 180° as shown inFIG. 1, it is preferable that the positions of the DSC lens group22aand the DVC lens group24aare interchanged.

Referring toFIG. 2, the first camera22has the DSC lens group22a, a DSC driving unit22b, a DSC detection unit22c, and a DSC picture-taking unit22d. The DSC lens group22ais for taking still images, and the DSC driving unit22bmoves a DSC zoom lens (not shown) and a DSC focus lens (not shown) according to controls of the control unit90.

The DSC detection unit22cis a sensor for detecting lens positions according to the controls of the control unit90. DSC picture-taking unit22dconverts an image signal for a subject passing through the DSC zoom lens(not shown) and the DSC focus lens(not shown) into an electric image signal by using a charge coupled device (not shown).

The second camera24has the DVC lens group24a, a DVC driving unit24b, a DVC detection unit24c, and a DVC picture-taking unit24dthe operations of which are substantially the same as those of the first camera.

The DSC signal conversion unit40and the DVC signal conversion unit45remove noise included in the electric signals outputted from the DSC picture-taking unit22dand the DVC picture-taking unit24c, and amplify the gains in order for the levels of image signals converted into the electric signals to be outputted uniformly. Further, the DSC signal conversion unit40and the DVC signal conversion unit45respectively convert analog image signals that have been converted into electric signals into digital image signals, process the digital image signals, and output automatic control data.

The still image codec unit50compresses a still image signal outputted from the DSC signal conversion unit40by the controls of the control unit90using a compression process such as JPEG. The compressed still image data is stored in a storage medium such as a flash memory62of the storage unit60.

The moving picture codec unit65compresses a moving-picture signal outputted from the DVC signal conversion unit45using a compression process such as MPEG by the controls of the control unit90. The compressed moving-picture data is stored in a storage medium such as a tape64.

If a reproduction command signal for a stored image signal is inputted from the input unit70, the still image codec unit50and the moving picture codec unit55decompress the compressed coded data stored in the flash memory62and the tape64.

For example, if a reproduction command signal for a still image is input from the input unit70, the still image codec unit50decompresses the still image-coded data stored in the flash memory62and outputs the decompressed data to the display unit80.

The input unit70has a picture-taking button70aand plural operation buttons (not shown) for function performance to apply a picture-taking command signal for a subject to the control unit90.

The display unit80has a view finder82or an LCD panel84provided on one side of the main body10. The display unit80displays images captured through the DSC22or the DVC24, or decompressed images according to the controls of the control unit90.

The control unit90controls the overall operations of the picture-taking apparatus by using automatic control data outputted from various control programs stored in the storage unit60and the DSC signal conversion unit40or the DVC signal conversion unit45.

The control unit90determines a picture-taking mode based on an output signal of the mode detection unit30, and drives the camera part20according to the determined picture-taking mode. For example, if a signal indicating that the DSC22is turned on and the DVC24is turned off is inputted, the control unit90determines that the picture-taking mode of the camera unit20is in a still image mode.

Furthermore, if a picture-taking command signal is inputted from the picture-taking button70a, the control unit90drives the DSC22based on the still image mode. If the control unit90is applied with a recording command signal from the input unit70, the control unit90controls the still image codec unit50to compress an image signal for a picture-taken subject, and, if the control unit90inputs a reproduction command signal, the control unit90controls the still image codec unit50to decompress the compressed image signal, and displays the decompressed image signal on the display unit80.

The combination of the DSC and the DVC as described above increases the number of function buttons for controlling the respective systems so that the combined product becomes complicated, causing difficulties in use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above described disadvantages are overcome and other advantages are realized in an embodiment of the present invention. An apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the present invention is adapted to control a display of a combined digital video camcorder (DVC) and digital still camera (DSC). The apparatus and method employ a first digital signal processor for outputting a component output signal to a first input of a component switch and a composite output signal to a first input of a composite switch. The apparatus and method further employ a second digital signal processor for outputting a component output signal to a second input of said component switch and a composite output signal to a second input of said composite. The apparatus and method further employ a picture-in-picture (PIP) signal mixing unit adapted to receive a selected output from said component switch and a selected output from said composite switch, and to generate a display output signal based on said selected output from the component switch and said selected output from the composite switch. The apparatus and method also use a control unit to control the component switch and the composite switch based on an input signal from an input unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.FIG. 3is a block diagram illustrating a dual mode signal processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The reference numerals and descriptions will be omitted for the same general digital processing components as those in the conventional technology ofFIG. 2. As shown inFIG. 3, a dual mode signal processing apparatus using PIP windows according to an embodiment of the present invention has a signal processing unit (100, hereinafter, referred to as “DSP-1”) for a digital still camera, a signal processing unit (200, hereinafter, referred to as “DSP-2”) for a digital video camcorder, a first signal switching unit410, a second signal switching unit420, a PIP block300, a display unit500, an input unit with function buttons440, and a control unit450.

The DSP-1100and the DSP-2200process digital signals for the digital still camera and the digital video camcorder, respectively, and output the processed digital signals to the PIP block300. The DSP-1and the DSP-2each have Y, U, and V terminals for inputting and outputting a main picture signal from and to the PIP block300. The YUV format is one of color display formats for TVs in Europe. The DSP-1and the DSP-2have Y terminals110and210for a luminance signal, and U terminals120and220and V terminals130and230for chrominance signals, respectively, and output the signals to the first signal switching unit410. The YUV format has been devised based on the fact that human eyes are more sensitive to luminance than colors, in which a color is divided into a Y component of luminance and U and V components of chrominance for its representation. A detailed description of the format is not presented here.

Further, the DSP-1100and the DSP-2200have composite image signal output terminals140and240, respectively, for a sub-picture output signal in the PIP window, and the output terminals140and240are connected to the second signal switching unit420. The DSP-1100and the DSP-2200have synchronous signal output terminals160and260, respectively, that are connected to the PIP block300, so that a synchronous signal is used for synchronization adjustments as a main picture and a sub-picture are displayed according to the controls of the controller450.

The first signal switching unit410is a switch for selecting YUV signals for a main picture outputted from the DSP-1100and the DSP-2200and outputting the same to the PIP block300.

The second signal switching unit420is a switch for selecting composite image signals140and240for a sub-picture outputted from the DSP-1100and the DSP-2200and outputting the same to the PIP block300.

The PIP block300generally has a PIP signal processor310for processing signals to form a PIP window and a synchronization unit320for controlling synchronization for the main picture and the sub-picture in the PIP window. The PIP signal processor310inputs the YUV signals for the main picture from the first signal switching unit410, and inputs a signal for the sub-picture from the second signal switching unit420via an sub-signal input terminal430.

For a general display, an output of the first signal switching unit420is directly sent to the display unit500, and, for a PIP window, the control unit450controls the synchronization of the synchronization unit320to output a mixed display of the main picture and the sub-picture.

The input unit440may have a button (not shown) for selecting a DSC mode and a DVC mode, a system control button for record and reproduction, and PIP window-related buttons.

The control unit450inputs a signal based on a selected button of the input unit440, and outputs a control signal451for controlling the first signal switching unit410and a control signal452for switching the second signal switching unit420. Additionally, the control unit450inputs signals based on selected PIP window-related buttons, and performs functions controlling the overall system.

Hereinafter, a description is made on operations of the dual mode signal processing apparatus using a PIP window that is structured as above according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, a description is made on a general mode rather than a PIP mode. If a user selects the DSC mode through the input unit440, the control unit450outputs the switch control signal451so that the first signal switching unit410selects outputs of the YUV terminals of the DSP-1100. Preferably, the mode selection can be made by a rotary contact switch operable without any button pressed. That is, the rotary contact switch (not shown) can detect a picture-taking mode for the digital still camera and the digital video camera according to a rotation angle of the camera part20with respect to the main body10ofFIG. 1. It is more preferable to detect a picture-taking mode corresponding to the camera part20with respect to 180° as the camera part20rotates. The PIP block300is applied with the YUV signals110,120, and130of the DSP-1100inputted to the signal input terminals Y, U, and V, and outputs the YUV signals to be displayed on the display unit500, so that a user can enjoy displays in the DSC mode.

Further, if the DVC mode is selected, the control unit450outputs the switch control signal451so that the first signal switching unit420selects the output terminals Y, U, and V of the DSP-2200. The PIP block300is applied with the Y, U, and V signals210,220, and230of the DSP-2200inputted to the signal input terminals Y, U, and V, and outputs the Y, U, and V signals to be displayed on the display unit500, so that a user can enjoy displays in the DVC mode.

In the meantime, if a user presses a PIP window switching button (not shown) on the input unit440while the camera is in the DSC mode, the control unit450controls the second signal switching unit420so that the composite image signal240of the DSP-2200is sent to the auxiliary signal input terminal430of the PIP block300. Accordingly, the PIP block300processes the Y, U, and V signals of the DSP-1100inputted through the first signal switching unit410for the main picture of the mixed display, and processes the composite image signal240of the DSP-2200inputted through the auxiliary signal input terminal430of the second signal switching unit420for the PIP window of the mixed display (refer toFIG. 4A). At this time, the main view and the PIP window are synchronized for outputs with reference to a synchronization signal inputted through the synchronization unit320. For reference,FIG. 4is a view illustrating displays with a PIP window on the display unit500.FIG. 4ashows that the main view is based on the DSP-1signal, that is, the DSC mode, while the sub-window is based on the sub-DSP-1signal, that is, the DVC mode.FIG. 4bshows that the main view is based on the DSP-2signal, that is, the DVC mode, while the sub-window is based on the sub-DSP-2signal, that is, the DSC mode.

In such a display, if a user operates a main/sub-picture switchover button (not shown) as shown inFIG. 4B, the control unit450controls the first signal switching unit to be switched to select the Y, U, and V signals of the DSP-2200, and controls the second signal switching unit to be switched to output the composite image signal140of the DSP-1100to the output terminal430, so that the PIP block300outputs the Y, U, and V signals210,220, and230of the DSP-2200for the main view and outputs the composite image signal140of the DSP-1100for the PIP window.

Embodiments of the present invention are advantageous for users, in part because the users can avoid confusion if various function buttons such as zoom function are activated in the main picture of the mixed display.

Furthermore, if a user selects a PIP window switching button (not shown) through the input unit440during watching displays in the DVC mode, the same operations are repeated so that the second signal switching unit420processes the composite image signal140of the DSP-1100for the sub-picture to output the mixed display. Also, if the user selects a main/sub-picture switchover button (not shown), the control unit450controls the first signal switching unit to be switched to select the Y, U, and V signals of the DSP-1100, and also the second signal switching unit to be switched to output the composite image signal240of the DSP-2200to the input terminal430, so that the PIP block300outputs the Y, U, and V signals110,120, and130of the DSP-1100for the main view, and outputs the composite image signal240of the DSP-2200for the PIP window.

As above, the dual mode signal processing apparatus using a PIP window according to an embodiment of the present invention converts the function of the system by changes of the main picture and the sub-picture in the mixed display from two mixed image signals, and enables the same functions to operate with one button selection, to thereby perform combined functions with simplicity.