Patent Publication Number: US-2011050953-A1

Title: Method of setting image aspect ratio according to scene recognition and digital photographing apparatus for performing the method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0082559, filed on Sep. 2, 2009, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to a method of setting an image aspect ratio according to scene recognition and a digital photographing apparatus for performing the method. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Generally, digital photographing apparatuses such as digital cameras, camcorders or video cameras provide a variety of image ratios. 
     An image ratio that is widely used in digital photographing apparatuses is an aspect ratio (vertical-to-horizontal ratio of the image) of 4:3. The aspect ratio of 4:3 is employed as a basic image ratio in digital photographing apparatuses including various displays. An image ratio that is an aspect ratio of 3:2 used in printing or publishing is employed as a standard image ratio for film cameras. The aspect ratio of 3:2 has a longer width ratio than a width ratio of the aspect ratio of 4:3 and thus may be more pleasing to the eye. In addition, an image ratio that is an aspect ratio of 16:9, which is widely used in various video devices including high-definition televisions (HDTVs) and entitled wide vision, has a longer width ratio than a width ratio of the aspect ratio of 3:2. The image ratio of 16:9 is widely used in video devices such as TVs and recently, is widely used in digital photographing apparatuses such as digital cameras. 
     Often, in digital photographing apparatuses, when a user selects an image ratio, all the subsequent images are captured with the selected aspect ratios. Additionally, images displayed from storage may be displayed with the selected aspect ratio. Thus, a user may have to change an image ratio for each individual image before photographing or displaying the image. 
     Additionally, an image may be stored as a plurality of images having different aspect ratios, which may make it difficult to manage all the image files of the same image. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, there is a need in the art for methods of setting an image aspect ratio according to scene recognition by which a landscape-oriented scene and a non-landscape-oriented scene are recognized and an image aspect ratio is set for each of the landscape-oriented scene and the non-landscape-oriented scene, and a digital photographing apparatus for performing the method. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of setting a ratio of an input image according to scene recognition, the method including: generating an input image; recognizing a scene from the input image; and setting a ratio of the input image based on the recognized scene. 
     In a first scene that is a landscape-oriented scene such as a landscape as an outdoor landscape, a night view, and a backlight landscape in which there is no person, the setting of the ratio of the input image may include setting the ratio of the input image to an aspect ratio of 16:9 based on a landscape-oriented scene. 
     In a second scene that is a non-landscape-oriented scene such as a person as a subject, a night view portrait as a subject outdoors at night, a backlight portrait as a subject under backlight conditions, a macro in which a subject is close to the imaging unit, and a macro text in which a short-distance character is a subject, the setting of the ratio of the input image may include setting the ratio of the input image to an aspect ratio of 4:3 based on a non-landscape-oriented scene. 
     The method may further include displaying the input image on a display unit based on the set aspect ratio of the input image. 
     The method may further include setting a size of the input image based on the set aspect ratio of the input image. 
     The setting of the size of the input image may include: checking a storage space of a storage unit; as a result of the checking, if it is determined that the storage space of the storage unit is sufficient, setting the size of the input image with respect to the set aspect ratio of the input image to a maximum value and as a result of the checking, if it is determined that the storage space of the storage unit is insufficient, setting the size of the input image with respect to the set aspect ratio of the input image to a minimum value. The maximum value may represent high resolution, and the minimum value may represent low resolution. 
     The method may further include performing photographing according to the set aspect ratio of the input image and the size of the input image. 
     According to other embodiments of the invention, there is provided a digital photographing apparatus that sets a ratio of an input image according to scene recognition, the apparatus including: an image generating unit for generating an input image; a scene recognition unit for recognizing a scene from the input image; and an image aspect ratio setting unit for setting an aspect ratio of the input image based on the recognized scene. 
     In a first scene that is a landscape-oriented scene such as a landscape as an outdoor landscape, a night view, and a backlight landscape in which there is no person, the image aspect ratio setting unit may set the aspect ratio of the input image to an aspect ratio of 16:9 based on a landscape-oriented scene. 
     In a second scene that is a non-landscape-oriented scene such as a person as a subject, a night view portrait as a subject outdoors at night, a backlight portrait as a subject under backlight conditions, a macro in which a subject is close to the imaging unit, and a macro text in which a short-distance character is a subject, the image aspect ratio setting unit may set the aspect ratio of the input image to an aspect ratio of 4:3 based on a non-landscape-oriented scene. 
     The apparatus may further include a display controller for displaying the input image on a display unit based on the set aspect ratio of the input image. 
     The apparatus may further include an image size setting unit for setting a size of the input image based on the set aspect ratio of the input image. 
     The apparatus may further include a storage space checking unit for checking a storage space of a storage unit, wherein, as a result of the checking, if it is determined that the storage space of the storage unit is sufficient, the size of the input image with respect to the set aspect ratio of the input image is set to a maximum value and as a result of the checking, if it is determined that the storage space of the storage unit is insufficient, the size of the input image with respect to the set aspect ratio of the input image is set to a minimum value. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a digital camera, that is a digital photographing apparatus, that is capable of setting an image aspect ratio according to scene recognition according embodiments of the invention; 
         FIGS. 2 through 4  are block diagrams of a digital signal processor (DSP) of the digital camera of  FIG. 1 , according to embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting an image aspect ratio according to scene recognition, performed by the digital camera of  FIG. 1 , according embodiments of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating the method of setting the image aspect ratio according to scene recognition as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , according to embodiments of the invention; 
         FIGS. 7A ,  7 B,  7 C,  7 D,  8 A,  8 B,  8 C and  8 D illustrate images having adjusted ratios according to embodiments of the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting an image aspect ratio according to scene recognition, performed by the digital camera of  FIG. 1 , according to embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, the invention will be described in detail by explaining exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings. 
     A digital camera, that is, a digital photographing apparatus, according to embodiments of the invention will be described. However, the invention is not limited thereto, and the digital photographing apparatus may be a digital device such as a camera phone in which a digital image signal processor is installed, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a television (TV) or a digital picture frame. 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a digital camera  100 , that is, a digital photographing apparatus, that is capable of setting an image aspect ratio according to scene recognition according to embodiments of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the digital camera  100  according to embodiments of the invention includes an optical unit  11  that inputs an optical signal from a subject, an imaging unit  12  that converts the optical signal input by the optical unit  11  into an electrical signal, and an input signal processor  13  that reduces noise of the electrical signal supplied by the imaging unit  12  and converts the electrical signal into a digital signal. The digital camera  100  further includes a motor  14  that drives the optical unit  11  and a driving unit  15  that controls an operation of the motor  14 . The digital camera  100  may further include a manipulation unit  20  that inputs a signal input by user manipulation, a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM)  30  in which data of an input image, data used in performing calculation, and the result of processing are temporarily stored, a flash memory  40  in which methods for performing operations of the digital camera  100 , and setting data, are stored, and a storage unit  50  that includes an SD/CF/SM card as a recording device in which an image file is stored. Also, the digital camera  100  may further include a display unit  60  that includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) as a display. Also, the digital camera  100  may further include an audio signal processor  71  that converts sound into a digital signal or converts a digital signal of a sound source into an analog signal or generates an audio file, a speaker  72  that outputs sound, and a microphone  73  that inputs sound. The digital camera  100  further includes a digital signal processor (DSP)  80  that controls an operation of the digital camera  100 . 
     Each of the elements of the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1  will be described in detail below. 
     The optical unit  11  may include a lens unit for condensing the optical signal, an iris diaphragm that adjusts the amount of the optical signal (the amount of light), and a shutter that controls inputting of the optical signal. The lens unit includes a zoom lens that increases or decreases a viewing angle according to a focal length, and a focusing lens that focuses on a subject. The lens unit may include one zoom lens or focusing lens or a plurality of lenses. The shutter may be a mechanical shutter that controls incidence of light by moving a shutter. Also, instead of an additional shutter, supply of an electrical signal to the imaging unit  12  may be controlled. 
     The motor  14  that drives the optical unit  11  may adjust the position of the lens unit, open and close the iris diaphragm, and drive the shutter so as to perform automatic focusing, automatic exposure correction, iris diaphragm control, zoom changing, and focus changing. 
     The motor  14  is controlled by the driving unit  15 . The driving unit  15  controls an operation of the motor  14  according to a control signal input by the DSP  80 . 
     The imaging unit  12  forms an image of the subject by receiving the optical signal input by the optical unit  11 . The imaging unit  12  may be a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor array or a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor array. 
     The input signal processor  13  may include an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter that converts the electrical signal as an analog signal supplied from the CCD sensor array into a digital signal. Also, the image signal processor  13  may further include a circuit for performing signal processing such as gain control or waveform shaping on the electrical signal supplied from the imaging unit  12 . 
     The manipulation unit  20  may include a member for performing settings required when a user manipulates the digital camera  10  or photographing is performed. For example, the manipulation unit  20  may be a button, a key, a touch panel, a touch screen or a dial and may input a user control signal used in power on/off, photographing start/stop, playback start/stop/search, driving of an optical system, mode conversion, menu manipulation, and optional manipulation. 
     Raw data (RGB data) of an image supplied by the input signal processor  13  may be temporarily stored in the SDRAM  30 , and predetermined image signal processing may be performed on the temporarily-stored raw data (RGB data) according to calculations performed by the DSP  80 , or the raw data (RGB data) may be transmitted to other elements. 
     Also, data that is used by the methods for performing operations of the digital camera  100  stored in the flash memory  40  may be converted into executable data and may be temporarily stored in the SDRAM  30 . The data stored in the SDRAM  30  may be calculated by the DSP  80  so that operations may be performed according to the algorithm for performing operations of the digital camera  100 . Furthermore, image data that is obtained by decompressing the image file stored in the flash memory  40  may be temporarily stored in the SDRAM  30 . The temporarily-stored image data may be transmitted to the LCD as the display unit  60  so that the LCD as the display unit  60  may display a predetermined image. A volatile memory that temporarily memorizes data during power supply may be used as the SDRAM  30 , and a semiconductor device in which a plurality of memory devices are integrated, may also be used as the SDRAM  30 . 
     Data used in executing an operating system (OS) for operating the digital camera  100 , applications, and the algorithm for performing operations of the digital camera  100  may be stored in the flash memory  40 . The flash memory  40  may be a nonvolatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM). 
     The image file that is generated by compressing the image data supplied by the input signal processor  13  may be stored in the storage unit  50 . The storage unit  50  may be a memory installed in the digital camera  100  or a memory installed outside the digital camera  100 . The storage unit  50  may be a hard disk driver (HDD), an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc or a hologram memory. 
     The display unit  60  may display an image corresponding to the image data supplied by the input signal processor  13  in real time or may display an image corresponding to image data decompressed from the image file stored in the storage unit  50 . The display unit  60  may be an LCD. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and the display unit  60  may be an organic light-emitting display device or an electrophoresis display device. 
     The audio signal processor  71  converts the digital signal from the sound source supplied by the DSP  80  into sound, amplifies the signal and transmits the amplified signal to the speaker  72 , and the speaker  72  outputs the sound. The audio signal processor  71  may input sound through the microphone  73 , may compress the sound converted into the digital signal and may generate an audio file. The audio signal processor  71  may transmit the amplified signal to the DSP  80  so that the DSP  80  may perform calculations on the amplified signal. 
     The DSP  80  may perform image signal processing for improving the quality of an image, such as noise reduction in input image data, Gamma correction, color filter array interpolation, color matrix correction, color correction, and color enhancement. Also, the DSP  80  may generate an image file by compressing image data that is generated during the image signal processing for improving the quality of an image, or may decompress the image data from the image file. The image data is compressed in a reversible or a non-reversible format. As an example of an appropriate format for compressing the image data, the image data can be compressed in a joint photographic experts group (JPEG) format such as JPEG 2000. The DSP  80  may also perform unclearness processing, color processing, blur processing, edge emphasis processing, image interpretation processing, image recognition processing, image effect processing, etc. The image recognition processing may include scene recognition processing. The DSP  80  may also perform display image signal processing so as to display the operating state of the digital camera  100  or the information about an image captured by the digital camera  100  on the display unit  160 . For example, the DSP  80  may perform brightness level adjustment, color correction, contrast adjustment, contour emphasis adjustment, screen division processing, and character image generation and synthesis processing. 
     The DSP  80  performs the above-described image signal processing and may control each element of the digital camera  100  according to the results of processing. Also, the DSP  80  may control each element of the digital camera  100  according to a user&#39;s control signal input via the manipulation unit  20 . The method for performing the image signal processing is stored in the flash memory  40 , and data that is used in constituting the method may be converted into executable data and may be temporarily stored in the SDRAM  30  and thus may be calculated by the DSP  80 . 
     Also, the DSP  80  controls each element of the digital camera  100  to display a scene recognized in a scene recognition mode. The DSP  80  may set the ratio of an image based on the scene recognized in the scene recognition mode and may check a storage space of the storage unit  50  to adjust the size of the image. 
     Operations to be controlled by the DSP  80  will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 2 through 4 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a DSP  80   a  of the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to embodiments of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the DSP  80   a  may include an image generating unit  81   a , a scene recognition unit  82   a , and an image aspect ratio setting unit  83   a.    
     The image generating unit  81   a  may perform at least one type of image signal processing from among various types of image signal processing, such as noise reduction in the image data input by the input signal processor  13 , gamma correction, color filter array interpolation, color matrix processing, color correction, and color enhancement, so as to generate an input image. 
     The input image generated by the image generating unit  81   a  may be displayed on the display unit  60  as a live view image. 
     The scene recognition unit  82   a  recognizes a scene such as a landscape or a portrait from the input image generated by the image generating unit  81   a . The scene recognition unit  82   a  may extract an edge from the input image to which a high frequency pass filter is applied, and may check the position and size of a subject from the result of extraction to recognize the scene. Also, the scene recognition unit  82   a  may recognize the scene such as a landscape or a portrait by using distribution of histograms according to channels of the input image or color information in a color space of the input image. Embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and scene recognition may be performed in various ways. 
     In embodiments, the scene recognition unit  82   a  may recognize a landscape-oriented scene (first scene) and a non-landscape-oriented scene (second scene). In embodiments, the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1  may recognize at least 8 scenes as shown in Table 1 below. 
     As shown in Table 1, the landscape-oriented scene may include a landscape as an outdoor landscape, a night view, and a backlight landscape in which there is no person. The non-landscape-oriented scene may include a person as a subject, a night view portrait as a subject outdoors at night, a backlight portrait as a subject under backlight conditions, a macro in which a subject is close to the imaging unit  12  of  FIG. 1 , and a macro text in which a short-distance character is a subject. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Classification 1 
                 Classification 2 
                 Contents 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 Landscape-oriented 
                 Landscape 
                 Photographing outdoor landscape 
               
               
                 scene 
                 Night view 
                 Photographing night view 
               
               
                   
                 Backlight 
                 Photographing backlight landscape 
               
               
                   
                   
                 in which there is no person 
               
               
                 Non-landscape- 
                 Portrait 
                 Photographing person 
               
               
                 oriented scene 
                 Night view portrait 
                 Photographing person outdoors at night 
               
               
                   
                 Backlight portrait 
                 Photographing person under backlight 
               
               
                   
                   
                 conditions 
               
               
                   
                 Macro 
                 Close photographing 
               
               
                   
                 Macro text 
                 Photographing character at short-distance 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The image aspect ratio setting unit  83   a  sets the ratio of the input image corresponding to the recognized scene. 
     In embodiments, in the case of the landscape-oriented scene, the ratio of the input image is set to an aspect ratio of 16:9, and in the case of the non-landscape-oriented scene, the ratio of the input image is set to an aspect ratio of 4:3. 
     In embodiments, the input image may be displayed on the display unit  60  in a live view mode (photographing mode). In this case, the user may check the type of the scene recognized from the input image displayed on the display unit  60  and a scene ratio of the input image displayed on the display unit  60  before photographing. 
     In other embodiments, the input image may be displayed on the display unit  60  in a quick view mode after photographing. Also, the input image may be displayed on the display unit  60  when the user plays back the image stored in the storage unit  50  after photographing in a playback mode. Also, the input image may be an image displayed on an external monitor (not shown) when the digital camera  100  and the external monitor or a printing device (not shown) are connected to each other, or may be an image printed by the printing device. In this case, the user may check the type of the scene recognized from the input image and the ratio of the image after photographing. 
     According to embodiments of the invention, the user may obtain an image having an aspect ratio of 16:9 that is appropriate for viewing of a landscape due to a longer width ratio than a length ratio of the image without changing settings when photographing the landscape-oriented scene. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a DSP  80   b  of the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1 , according to embodiments of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the DSP  80   b  may include an image generating unit  81   b  that generates an input image, a scene recognition unit  82   b  that recognizes a scene from the input image, an image aspect ratio setting unit  83   b  that sets the ratio of the image based on the recognized scene, and a display controller  84   b  that displays the input image on the display unit  60 . 
     The display controller  84   b  may display the image on the display unit  60  in the live view mode based on the ratio of the image set by the image aspect ratio setting unit  83   b.    
     In embodiments, when the landscape-oriented scene is recognized by the scene recognition unit  82   b , the image aspect ratio setting unit  83   b  sets the ratio of the input image to 16:9. The display controller  84   b  displays the image on the display unit  60  at the set aspect ratio of 16:9. Also, when the non-landscape-oriented scene is recognized by the scene recognition unit  82   b , the image aspect ratio setting unit  83   b  sets the ratio of the input image to 4:3. In this case, the display controller  84   b  displays the image on the display unit  60  at the set aspect ratio of 4:3 in the live view mode. 
     Thus, the user may check the input image having an adjusted aspect ratio as a result of recognizing the input image in the live view mode from the display unit  60 . The user may obtain a desired image by adjusting the type of photographing based on the image checked from the display unit  60 . 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a DSP  80   c  of the digital camera of  FIG. 1 , according to embodiments of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the DSP  80   c  may include an image generating unit  81   c  that generates an input image, a scene recognition unit  82   c  that recognizes a scene from the input image, an image aspect ratio setting unit  83   c  that sets the aspect ratio of the image based on the recognized scene, a storage space checking unit  84   c , and an image size setting unit  85   c.    
     The storage space checking unit  84   c  checks the storage space of the storage unit  50 . 
     When there is a space in which the image file generated with the set image aspect ratio is to be stored, as a result of checking the storage space, the image size setting unit  85   c  sets the size of the input image with respect to the set aspect ratio to a maximum value. However, when the storage space of the storage unit  50  in which the set image file is to be stored is insufficient, the image size setting unit  85   c  sets the size of the input image with respect to the set aspect ratio to a minimum value. 
     Whether the storage space of the storage unit  50  in which the image file is to be stored is sufficient may be determined by a program that has been already stored in the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1 . For example, when the storage space of the storage unit  50  is less than 10%, the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1  may determine that the storage space of the storage unit  50  is insufficient and may set the size of the input image to a minimum value. 
     For example, as shown in Table 2 below, when the ratio of the input image is set to 4:3 at the non-landscape-oriented scene, the storage space of the storage unit  50  is sufficient, and the size of the input image may be set to a maximum value 4000×3000. In this case, the size of the input image may represent resolution, and the maximum value of the size of the input image may represent a maximum resolution of the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1  that may be applied to the set image aspect ratio. 
     When the storage space of the storage unit  50  is insufficient, the size of the input image with respect to the set aspect ratio of 4:3 may be set to a minimum value 1024×768. The minimum value of the size of the input image may represent minimum resolution of the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1  that may be applied to the set aspect ratio. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Maximum 
                 . . . 
                 Minimum 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Image size (resolution) 
                 4000 × 3000 
                 . . . 
                 1024 × 768 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     For example, in the case of the non-landscape-oriented scene, the aspect ratio of 16:9 is set, and when, as a result of checking performed by the storage space checking unit  84   c , the storage space of the storage unit  50  is sufficient, the size of the input image may be set to a maximum size such as 2048×1159. 
     However, when the storage space of the storage unit  50  is insufficient, the input image may be set to a minimum size such as 1280×720. 
     Specific values of the above-described image size are just illustrated as examples and may be set according to a resolution or an image size of the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1 . Also, the image size may be set to a maximum or minimum value based on the storage space of the storage unit  50  by adjusting the resolution, as described above, or according to a compression ratio of the input image. In other words, when the storage space of the storage unit  50  is sufficient, the compression ratio of the input image may be set to a minimum value, and when the storage space of the storage unit  50  is insufficient, the compression ratio of the input image may be set to a maximum value. 
     In embodiments, after the ratio of the input image is set according to scene recognition, the size of the input image may be set to a maximum value. 
     However, when, as a result of checking of the storage space performed by the storage space checking unit  84   c , the size of the input image is set to a maximum value, if it is determined that a space in which the image file is to be stored is insufficient, the image size setting unit  85   c  may set the size of the image to a minimum value. 
     The capacity of the storage unit  50  may be checked by using the storage space checking unit  84   c  and the image size setting unit  85   c , and the size of the image may be automatically adjusted and set based on the capacity of the storage unit  50 . As a result, the user does not need to check the storage unit  50  nor delete the image file by checking whether the image file is stored in the storage unit  50 . 
     Hereinafter, a method of setting an image aspect ratio according to scene recognition according to other embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to flowcharts of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting an image aspect ratio according to scene recognition, performed in the digital camera of  FIG. 1 , according to embodiments of the invention. In embodiments, a scene is recognized in a live view mode. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the scene may be recognized when a shutter is half-pressed in the live view mode. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , in Operation S 501 , the digital camera  100  receives an input image in the live view mode. In Operation S 502 , a scene is recognized from the input image. For example, a landscape-oriented scene and a non-landscape-oriented scene may be recognized. In Operation S 503 , the ratio of the input image is set based on the recognized scene. For example, the ratio of the input image at the landscape-oriented scene is set to 16:9, and the ratio of the input image at the non-landscape-oriented scene is set to 4:3. In Operation S 504 , if setting of the ratio of the input image is terminated, in Operation S 504 , the user starts photographing by completely pressing a shutter button. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart illustrating the method of setting an image aspect ratio according to scene recognition as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , according to embodiments of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is similar to  FIG. 5 . However, there is a difference in that the method of  FIG. 6  further includes displaying an input image on the display unit  60  based on the ratio of the input image set by the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1 . The other operations are the same as those of  FIG. 5  and thus, a detailed description thereof will not be provided here. 
     In Operation S 601 , an input image in a live view mode is received. In Operation S 602 , a scene is recognized from the input image. In Operation S 603 , the ratio of the input image is set based on the recognized scene. In Operation S 604 , the input image that is generated with the set aspect ratio is displayed on the display unit  60 . In Operation S 605 , the user starts photographing by adjusting the type of photographing and by referring to the displayed input image in the live view mode. 
     The above-described methods of setting an image aspect ratio according to scene recognition illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  will be described in detail below with reference to  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B,  7 C,  7 D,  8 A,  8 B,  8 C and  8 D. 
       FIGS. 7A ,  7 B,  7 C and  7 D illustrate images having adjusted aspect ratios when a landscape-oriented scene is recognized, according to embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 7A  illustrates an input image. The input image illustrated in  FIG. 7A  may be displayed on the display unit  60  in a live view mode for scene recognition before an aspect ratio is set.  FIG. 7B  illustrates an image that is obtained by setting the input image illustrated in  FIG. 7A  at a ratio of 4:3,  FIG. 7C  illustrates an image that is obtained by setting the input image illustrated in  FIG. 7A  at an aspect ratio of 3:2, and  FIG. 7D  illustrates an image that is obtained by setting the input image illustrated in  FIG. 7A  at an aspect ratio of 16:9. 
     If the image of  FIG. 7A  is input to the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1 , the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1  recognizes the input image as a landscape-oriented scene and sets the ratio of the input image to 16:9, as illustrated in  FIG. 7D . If setting of the ratio of the input image is terminated, the image illustrated in  FIG. 7D  may be displayed on the display unit  60  in the live view mode. Also, after the user performs photographing, the image illustrated in  FIG. 7D  may be displayed on the display unit  60  in a quick view mode. Also, the image illustrated in  FIG. 7D  may be displayed on the display unit  60  in a playback mode after an image file that is generated by photographing is stored. 
     In this way, the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1  recognizes the scene and adjusts the ratio of an input image automatically so that the user does not need to readjust the ratio of a landscape-oriented image that may be easily viewed in wide vision and inconvenience may be removed. 
       FIGS. 8A ,  8 B,  8 C and  8 D illustrate images having adjusted aspect ratios when a non-landscape-oriented scene is recognized, according to embodiments of the invention.  FIG. 8A  illustrates an input image. The input image illustrated in  FIG. 8A  may be displayed on the display unit  60  in a live view mode for scene recognition before an aspect ratio is set.  FIG. 8B  illustrates an image that is obtained by setting the input image illustrated in  FIG. 8A  at an aspect ratio of 4:3,  FIG. 8C  illustrates an image that is obtained by setting the input image illustrated in  FIG. 8A  at an aspect ratio of 3:2, and  FIG. 8D  illustrates an image that is obtained by setting the input image illustrated in  FIG. 8A  at an aspect ratio of 16:9. 
     If the image illustrated in  FIG. 8A  is input to the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1 , the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1  recognizes the input image as a portrait scene, i.e., as the non-landscape-oriented scene, and sets the ratio of the input image to 4:3, as illustrated in  FIG. 8B . The image having a changed aspect ratio may be displayed on the display unit  60  in the live view mode before photographing or may be displayed on the display unit  60  in a quick view mode after photographing and in a playback mode after an image file that is generated by photographing is stored. 
     In  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B,  7 C,  7 D,  8 A,  8 B,  8 C and  8 D, a scene is recognized based on the input image having an aspect ratio of 4:3, and the input image having a changed aspect ratio is generated based on the recognized scene. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and the ratio of the image used to recognize the scene may be changed in various ways. Also, in  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B,  7 C,  7 D,  8 A,  8 B,  8 C and  8 D, upper and lower portions of the input image are cut to generate an input image having an aspect ratio of 3:2 or 16:9. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and the input image may be generated in various ways. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart illustrating a method of setting an image aspect ratio according to scene recognition, performed in the digital camera of  FIG. 1 , according to embodiments of the invention. Referring to  FIG. 9 , in Operation S 901 , an input image is received in a live view mode in a photographing standby state. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and the input image may be received in various ways. In other embodiments, the input image for scene recognition may be input in response to a control signal that is generated by half-pressing the shutter button in the photographing standby state. 
     In Operation S 902 , the scene is recognized from the input image in the live view mode. In this case, the scene may be recognized from the input image by using edge detection of the input image, distribution of histograms according to channels of the input image or color information in a color space of the input image. In embodiments, a landscape-oriented scene such as a landscape, a night view, and backlight, and a non-landscape-oriented scene such as a portrait, a night view portrait, a backlight portrait, a macro, and a macro text may be classified and then may be recognized. 
     Next, when the landscape-oriented scene is recognized from the input image, in Operation S 904 , the ratio of the input image is set to an aspect ratio of 16:9 as wide vision. When the non-landscape-oriented scene is recognized from the input image, in Operation S 905 , the ratio of the input image is set to an aspect ratio of 4:3. 
     In this case, the ratio of the input image may be an aspect ratio of the input image displayed on the display unit  60  in the live view mode. In other embodiments, the ratio of the input image may be an aspect ratio of the image displayed on the display unit  60  in a quick view mode after photographing. Also, the ratio of the input image may be an aspect ratio of the image displayed on the display unit  60  when the image stored in the storage unit  50  after photographing is played back in the playback mode. Also, the ratio of the input image may be the ratio of an image displayed on an external monitor (not shown) when the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1  and the external monitor or a printing device (not shown) are connected to each other or may be the ratio of an image printed by the printing device. 
     In Operation S 906 , the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1  checks a storage space of the storage unit  50 . In Operation S 907 , if it is determined that the storage space of the storage unit  50  in which an image file having a set aspect ratio is to be stored is insufficient, in Operation S 908 , the size of the input image with respect to the set aspect ratio is set to a minimum value. However, in Operation S 907 , if it is determined that the storage space of the storage unit  50  in which the image file having the set aspect ratio is to be stored is sufficient, in Operation S 909 , the size of the input image with respect to the set aspect ratio is set to a maximum value. 
     Whether the storage space of the storage unit  50  in which the image file is to be stored is sufficient may be determined by a program that has been already stored in the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1 . For example, when the storage space of the storage unit  50  is less than 10%, the digital camera  100  of  FIG. 1  may determine that the storage space of the storage unit  50  is insufficient and may set the size of the input image to a minimum value. 
     In Operation S 910 , the user may perform photographing after the setting of the ratio and size of the input image is completed. 
     However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and photographing may be performed after the set aspect ratio and the set size of the input image are checked by the display unit  60  in the live view mode. Also, after photographing is performed, as in S 910 , the input image may be viewed at the ratio or size of the input image that is set when the image is checked in the quick view mode or the playback mode. 
     According to embodiments of the invention, the digital photographing apparatus recognizes a scene in a live view mode automatically and performs photographing by changing the ratio of an input image according to the result of the scene recognition so that an image having an optimized aspect ratio may be obtained. 
     In particular, problems of a conventional photographing apparatus, in that a user has to change settings for each individual image before photographing or has to reset an image aspect ratio for each stored image in a playback mode after photographing, which may occur because a series of image aspect ratios is applied to all images captured by the conventional digital photographing apparatus, may be solved. 
     Also, a problem in that a desired aspect ratio of an image cannot be obtained because, although the aspect ratio of the image is reset in the playback mode after photographing, an aspect ratio of the image that can be changed from initial photographing is limited, may be solved. 
     Also, according to embodiments of the invention, the digital photographing apparatus adjusts the ratio of the input image and adjusts the size of the input image automatically based on the capacity of a storage unit so that image files may be more conveniently managed. 
     The invention can also be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. The computer readable recording medium is any data storage device that can store data which can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable recording medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices, etc. The computer readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. Also, functional programs, codes, and code segments for embodiments the invention can be construed by programmers skilled in the art to which embodiments of the invention pertain. 
     The various illustrative units described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. 
     While embodiments of the invention have been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of embodiments of the invention as defined by the following claims.