Patent Publication Number: US-8982227-B2

Title: Digital image processing apparatus and method of controlling the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0115763, filed on Nov. 19, 2010, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Embodiments relate to a digital image processing apparatus and a method of controlling the apparatus, and more particularly, to a digital image processing apparatus, which displays a setting status necessary for an operation of capturing an image and/or for other operations on a display device to facilitate user manipulation, and a control method for the apparatus. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Generally, a digital image processing apparatus includes any apparatus which receives or processes an image or uses an image recognition sensor, such as a film camera, a digital camera, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a phone camera, a personal computer (PC) camera, etc. 
     In particular, the digital image processing apparatus may receive an image through an imaging device, process the image input with a digital signal processor, compress the processed image to generate an image file, and store the image file in a storage medium. 
     The digital image processing apparatus may also display the image input through the imaging device or an image of an image file stored in the storage medium on a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) to allow a user to view the displayed image. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments include a digital image processing apparatus, which displays a setting item designated together with a setting status of a setting value for the setting item together on a portion of a setting menu that is most visible to user&#39;s eyes to allow the user to efficiently set items necessary for photographing and/or other operations, and a control method for the apparatus. 
     According to an embodiment, there is provided a digital image processing apparatus. The apparatus includes a body and a display unit on the body where setting information is displayed, wherein a display screen displayed on the display unit includes a selection region where at least one setting item is displayed and an adjustment region where a currently set current setting value is displayed together with candidate setting values that can be set for at least one of the at least one setting item, and wherein the current setting value and the candidate setting values are displayed on the adjustment region for a selection item selected from display items displayed on the selection region and the selection item is disposed in a central part of the selection region. 
     The current setting value may be in a central part of the adjustment region. 
     A selection bar, where the display items are in a sequence according to a set display order, may be displayed on the selection region. 
     An adjustment bar, where for at least one of a selection item designated by default and a selection item selected from among the display items, a currently set current setting value and candidate setting values that can be set are in a sequence, may be displayed on the adjustment region. 
     Candidate items that can be displayed on the selection bar may be designated, and a predetermined number of display items from among the candidate items may be displayed on the selection bar. 
     The selection item may be displayed differently from the other display items. 
     When a number of the display items displayed is less than a number of the candidate items, a configuration of the display items may change according to a change in the selection items. 
     The display items and current setting values for the respective display items may be displayed together on the selection bar. 
     The display items may be displayed according to a set order between left and right of the selection bar, and the adjustment bar may be displayed on the adjustment region in parallel with the selection bar. 
     The selection bar and the adjustment bar may be displayed on at least one of an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the display unit. 
     The display items may be displayed according to a set order between an up direction and a down direction of the selection bar, and the adjustment bar may be displayed on the adjustment region in parallel with the selection bar. 
     The selection bar and the adjustment bar may be displayed on at least one of a left end portion and a right end portion of the display unit. 
     A setting range of candidate setting values that can be set for the selection item may be displayed according to a set order and the current setting value may also be displayed together with the setting range on the adjustment bar. 
     The setting range may be displayed as at least one of a figure and a character, in the shape of at least one of a graduated ruler and a bar graph on the adjustment bar. 
     A setting range of candidate setting values that can be set for the selection item may be displayed on the adjustment bar, such that the candidate setting values are consecutively displayed according to a size thereof. 
     The candidate setting values for the selection item may be displayed according to a set order between a left, a right, an up direction, and a down direction of the adjustment bar. 
     The apparatus may further include a lens module mounted on the body, wherein a selection unit that selects a selection item to be set from among the at least one setting item is installed in at least one of the body and the lens module, and an adjustment unit that adjusts a setting value for the selection item by manipulation of the adjustment unit is installed in the lens module. 
     The selection unit may be at least one of a button, a sliding switch, a rotation selector switch, and a ring-type selection ring. 
     The adjustment unit may be an adjustment ring installed in a lens barrel. 
     The lens module may be detachable from the body. 
     When a setting value for the selection item is changed, the changed setting value may be reflected in real time during an operation. 
     The apparatus may further include an image input unit through which an input image is inputted, wherein when a setting value for the selection item is changed, the input image is inputted based on the changed setting value, and the input image is displayed as a live view on the display unit. 
     When the at least one setting item is at least one of an aperture, a shutter speed, and a exposure and a setting value for the at least one setting item is changed, a setting value for another setting item may also be changed in association with the changed setting value. 
     By at least one of a selection of a menu setting and a designated button, the selection bar may be displayed on the selection region and the adjustment bar may be displayed on the adjustment region. 
     According to another embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling a digital image processing apparatus. The method includes receiving an input image, displaying the input image on a display unit, displaying at least one setting item on a selection region which is at least a first region of the display unit, and displaying a currently set current setting value and candidate setting values that can be set for at least one of the at least one setting item together on an adjustment region which is at least a second region of the display unit, wherein the current setting value and the candidate setting values are displayed on the adjustment region for a selection item selected from display items displayed on a selection region, and the selection item is in a central part of the selection region. 
     The current setting value may be in a central part of the adjustment region. 
     A selection bar, where the display items are in a sequence according to a set display order, may be displayed on the selection region, and an adjustment bar, where for at least one of a selection item designated by default and a selection item selected from among the display items, the currently set current setting value and the candidate setting values that can be set are in a sequence, may be displayed on the adjustment region. 
     The display items and current setting values for the respective display items may be displayed together on the selection bar. 
     A setting range of candidate setting values that can be set for the selection item may be displayed on the adjustment bar, such that the candidate setting values are consecutively displayed according to a size thereof. 
     By at least one of a selection of a menu setting and a designated button, the selection bar may be displayed on the selection region, and the adjustment bar may be displayed on the adjustment region. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features and advantages will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front, perspective view of a digital image processing apparatus according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear, elevational view of a digital image processing apparatus, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of a control apparatus included in a digital image processing apparatus, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram of a method of manipulating a lens module separated from a digital image processing apparatus, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram of a method of manipulating a lens module separated from a digital image processing apparatus, according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram showing a lens module, according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram of an embodiment of an i-Function (iFn) menu displayed on a display panel of a digital image processing apparatus; and 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram of another embodiment of the i-Function menu displayed on a display panel of a digital image processing apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a front, perspective view of a digital image processing apparatus, according to an embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a rear, elevational view of a digital image processing apparatus, according to an embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the digital image processing apparatus may be a digital camera  10  that includes a body  10   a  and a lens module  100 . 
     The body  10   a  may be a main body of the digital camera  10 , and may include various components, which are necessary for operating the digital camera  10  on inner and/or outer sides of the body  10   a.    
     The lens module  100  may be mounted on the body  10   a . The lens module  100  may be a replaceable lens module which is mounted removably from the body  10   a . The lens module  100  may alternatively be a fixed lens rather than a replaceable lens. However, the lens module  100  is not limited to the above examples. 
     The lens module  100  may include a lens barrel  100   a , an adjustment unit (or adjustment ring)  110 , and a selection unit (or selection button)  120 . In the lens barrel  100   a , at least one lens may be installed to move in an optical-axis direction. The adjustment ring  110  and/or the selection button  120  may be installed on or in the lens barrel  100   a.    
     In some embodiments, the adjustment unit  110  may be an adjustment ring  110 , which allows adjustment of a setting value of a selection item selected by manipulating the adjustment unit  110 . The adjustment ring  110  may change or adjust a setting value of a particular setting item by being manipulated. The adjustment ring  110  may be mounted on or in the lens module  100  to allow a user to easily change and/or adjust a setting value. 
     In some embodiments, the selection unit  120  may be a selection button  120  that selects a selection item to be set from among a plurality of setting items. The selection button  120  may, by being manipulated, call an i-Function (iFn) menu or change a setting item to be set. 
     In the embodiment shown, both the adjustment ring  110  and the selection button  120  are installed in the lens module  100 . However, the adjustment ring  110  and/or the selection button  120  may also be installed on or in the body  10   a , and are not limited to the foregoing example. 
     When the lens module  100  is a replaceable lens module, a focus, a zoom, and an aperture may be adjusted in the lens module  100 ; and therefore, the user often manipulates the lens module  100 . A physical user interface (PUI) or a separate manipulation ring that manipulates a focus, a zoom, and an aperture may be used as a selection unit  120  and/or an adjustment unit  110 . 
     Accordingly, by using the selection unit  120  and/or the adjustment unit  110 , the user may easily perform a setting operation necessary for a photographing operation of a camera and/or other operations. 
     For the photographing operation of the digital camera  10  or other various operations, setting values of setting items may be set or changed. Upon manipulation of the adjustment ring  110 , a setting value of a setting item designated to correspond to the manipulation may be set or changed. 
     The setting item set by the manipulation of the adjustment ring  110  may be at least one of a photographing mode, white balance, exposure correction, flash radiation intensity adjustment, sensitivity adjustment, digital zoom, and focusing region change. 
     When a zoom ratio of digital zoom is designated as a setting item to be set by manipulation of the adjustment ring  110 , the angle of view may be changed by using digital zoom, as in the case of a single-focus lens. 
     In the embodiment shown, the selection button  120  is used as the selection unit  120 . However, the selection unit  120  may be at least one of a button, sliding switch, and a rotational selector switch, and is not limited to the foregoing examples. 
     The setting item to be set may be changed by a selection operation of the selection unit  120 . For example, setting items to be set by manipulation of the adjustment ring  110  are designated and an order thereof is designated, and a setting item to be set by manipulation of the adjustment ring  110  may be changed according to the number of times the selection unit is selected. 
     The selection unit  120  may be a selection ring which is installed as a ring type device on the lens barrel  100   a . The selection ring may be rotated with respect to the lens barrel  100   a  like the adjustment ring  110  shown in  FIG. 4 . The selection ring may be slid in a longitudinal direction of the lens barrel  100   a  like an adjustment ring  110   a  shown in  FIG. 5 . The selection ring may be rotated and/or slid. 
     In another embodiment, the selection unit  120  may be a rotational selector switch of the same type as a mode dial  13  installed in the body  10   a . In still another embodiment, the selection unit  110  may be a menu system displayed on a display device  15  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) installed in the body  10   a.    
     The adjustment ring  110  may be installed as a ring type device which encircles at least an outer part of the lens barrel  100   a , preferably an outer circumferential surface of the lens barrel  100   a . The adjustment ring  110  may be installed to be rotatable with respect to the lens barrel  100   a . Thus, the adjustment ring  110  may be rotated with respect to the lens barrel  100   a . The adjustment ring  110  may have a structure capable of rotating a particular section or infinitely. 
     In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the adjustment ring  110   a  may be installed so as to be slidable with respect to the lens barrel  100   a  in the optical-axis direction of the lens. In this case, the adjustment ring  110  may be slid forward or backward in the optical-axis direction with respect to the lens barrel  100   a.    
     However, embodiments are not limited to the foregoing examples, and the adjustment ring  110   a  may be installed to be rotated and slid with respect to the lens barrel  100   a . In such an embodiment, the adjustment ring  110   a  can be rotated and/or slid with respect to the lens barrel  100   a . As such, by allowing the adjustment ring  110   a  to be manipulated in various ways, user convenience in setting a setting value by using the adjustment ring  110   a  can be improved. 
     In the digital camera  10 , various types of lens module  100  as shown in  FIG. 4 ,  5 , or  6  as well as the lens module  100  shown in  FIG. 1  may be replaced and mounted. 
     The lens module  100  according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  includes the single adjustment ring  110 . The adjustment ring  110  may be an aperture adjustment ring that adjusts an aperture by manipulation thereof, a zoom adjustment ring that adjusts zoom by manipulation thereof, or a focus adjustment ring that adjusts focus by manipulation thereof. 
     The lens module  100  includes at least one of the focus adjustment ring, the zoom adjustment ring, and the aperture adjustment ring, and one or more adjustment rings selected by selection of the selection button  120  may be the adjustment ring  110  of the digital camera  10  according to an embodiment. In this way, a setting value to be set can be easily set or changed without a need to mount an additional apparatus and sensor structure for a separate adjustment ring. 
     To this end, a setting item to be set by the adjustment ring  110  is previously designated and whether to set a setting value of the previously designated setting item, focus, zoom, or an aperture by manipulation of the adjustment ring  110  is selected by a selection operation of the selection button  120 . 
     In an embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , a lens module  100 ′ includes an aperture adjustment ring  111 , a zoom adjustment ring  112 , and a focus adjustment ring  113  which are mounted on a lens barrel  100   a′.    
     At least one of the aperture adjustment ring  111  that adjusts an aperture by manipulation thereof, the zoom adjustment ring  112  that adjusts zoom by manipulation thereof, and the focus adjustment ring  113  adjusts focus by manipulation thereof may serve as the adjustment ring  110 . 
     By selection of the selection button  120  or selection of another separately provided selector button (for example, button  20  of  FIG. 2 ), at least one of the aperture adjustment ring  111 , the zoom adjustment ring  112 , and the focus adjustment ring  113  may be selected as the adjustment ring  110 . 
     Meanwhile, a shutter-release button  12  and a mode dial  13  may be provided on an outer side of the body  10   a  of the digital camera  10 . A direction button  16 , a menu-OK button  17 , and a display panel  15  may be provided on a rear side of the digital camera  10 . 
     The shutter-release button  12  may open or close a shutter to expose an imaging device (for example, a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)) to light for a predetermined time. The mode dial  13  is used to input a photographing mode selection. 
     In the body  10   a  of the digital camera  10 , various modes may be selected and inputted through the mode dial  13 . The various modes can include an AUTO (automatic photographing) mode for minimizing user setting and quickly and conveniently capturing an image according to the purpose of use, a SCENE mode for simply setting optical camera settings according to a photographing condition or a state of an object, an EFFECT mode for giving a special effect to image capturing such as continuous capturing and scene capturing, and an A/S/M mode for manually setting various functions including an aperture and a shutter speed for a photographing operation. 
     The various modes may further include an additional mode, e.g., an intelligent function mode to allow at least one of the focus adjustment ring  113 , the zoom adjustment ring  112 , and the aperture adjustment ring  111  included in the lens module  100  to function as the adjustment ring  110  according to an embodiment. In this case, when the mode dial  13  provides the intelligent function mode and the intelligent function mode is selected, a corresponding set adjustment ring  111 ,  112 , or  113  may operate as the adjustment ring  110 . 
     The direction button  16  may include a total of four buttons including an up button, a down button, a left button, and a right button. Through operations of the direction button  16  and the menu-OK button  17 , various menus associated with operations of the digital image processing apparatus, such as the digital camera  10 , are executed and displayed on the display panel  15 . 
     A menu system is displayed on a display device such as the display panel  15 , and operates by manipulation of a touch screen and/or the direction button  16  and the menu-OK button  17 . In this case, setting items that can be set by manipulation of the adjustment ring  110  are designated and an order thereof may be designated by the menu system. 
     The menu system may be the selection unit  120  according to an embodiment which changes a setting item to be set, by selection thereof. 
     The display panel  15  may display an i-Function (iFn) menu according to an embodiment. The i-Function menu may show a selection bar for selecting a setting item and an adjustment bar for adjusting a setting value for the selected setting item. The selection bar and the adjustment bar may operate in connection with the selection unit  120  and the adjustment ring  110 . 
     In other words, a graphic user interface (GUI) of the i-Function menu including the selection unit  120  and the adjustment unit  110  may be controlled by a physical user interface (PUI) of the selection bar and the adjustment bar. 
     In the body  10   a  of the digital camera  10 , a manipulation switch  11  that moves the lens forward or backward may be provided. The manipulation switch  11  may include a forward manipulation switch  11   a  and a backward manipulation switch  11   b.    
     The lens module  100  may operate to move the lens forward by manipulation of the forward manipulation switch  11   a . The lens module  100  may also operate to move the lens backward by manipulation of the backward manipulation switch  11   b.    
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the focus adjustment ring may be used as the adjustment ring  110 . In this case, by selection of the selection unit  120 , the adjustment ring  100  may function as the focus adjustment ring or may be used as the adjustment ring  110  that sets a setting value for a setting item designated according to an embodiment. 
     When the adjustment ring  110  is used as the focus adjustment ring, upon manipulation of the adjustment ring  110 , a focus lens mounted in the lens barrel  100   a  is moved forward or backward in the optical-axis direction to adjust focus. 
     In particular, in an auto focusing mode where the focus adjustment ring is not used, the focus adjustment ring may be used instead as the adjustment ring  110  without separate selection of the selection unit  120 . In a manual focusing mode, the focus adjustment ring may be used for focus adjustment. 
     The display panel  15  may be an image display element such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). The display panel  15  may be included in a display unit where an input image is displayed as a live view or a stored image is reproduced and displayed. A control apparatus  200  shown in  FIG. 3  may be mounted in an inner side and/or an outer side of the body  10   a  of the digital camera  10 . 
     An embodiment of the digital image processing apparatus can be applied to a digital camera and an apparatus and method for controlling the same disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2004/0130650 to the present applicant (entitled “Method of Automatically Focusing Using Quadratic Function in Camera”). The digital camera and the apparatus and method for controlling the same disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2004/0130650 is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference and a description thereof will not be provided. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the control apparatus  200  of the digital image processing apparatus according to an embodiment. The control apparatus  200  may be mounted in an inner side of the digital camera  10  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an optical system (OPS)  221  may include a lens portion and a filter portion to optically process light incident from an object. The lens portion of the OPS  221  may include a zoom lens, a focus lens, and a compensation lens. Once a user presses a wide-angle-zoom button W or a telephoto-zoom button T included in a user input unit  217 , a corresponding signal is inputted to a microcontroller  212 . 
     In accordance with the microcontroller  212  and the user input unit  217 , a zoom motor M z  can be driven to move the zoom lens. That is, when the wide-angle-zoom button W is pressed, a focal length of the zoom lens is reduced, thus increasing the angle of view; and when the telephoto-zoom button T is pressed, the focal length of the zoom lens is increased, thus reducing the angle of view. 
     In the auto focusing mode, a main controller embedded in a digital signal processor (DSP)  207  can control an optical driving unit  210  through the microcontroller  212  and thus drives a focus motor M F . In other words, by driving the focus motor M F , the focus lens can be moved to a focus position where the clearest picture can be obtained, thus performing automatic focus adjustment. 
     The compensation lens may not be separately driven because it compensates for an overall refractive index. An aperture adjustment motor M A  is used to drive an aperture. 
     The filter portion of the OPS  221  may include an optical low pass filter and an infra-red cut filter. The optical low pass filter can cancel optical noise of a high-frequency component. The infra-red cut filter can cut an infra-red component of incident light. 
     An optical-electronic converter (OEC)  222  may include an imaging device such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). The OEC  222  can convert light from the OPS  221  into an electric analog signal. 
     An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) may include a correlation double sampler and an analog-to-digital converter (CDS-ADC)  201 . The ADC can process an analog signal from the OEC  222  to cancel high-frequency noise from the analog signal and/or to adjust the amplitude of the analog signal, and can then convert the analog signal into a digital signal. The DSP  207  can control a timing circuit  202  to control operations of the OEC  222  and the CDS-ADC  201 . 
     The OPS  221 , the OEC  222 , and the CDS-ADC  201  may be included in an image input unit for receiving an input image according to an embodiment. 
     A real-time clock (RTC)  203  can provide time information to the DSP  207 . The DSP  207  can process the digital signal provided from the CDS-ADC  201  to generate a digital image signal classified with luminance (Y) and color (R, G, B) or chroma, brightness, and color (R, G, B). 
     A light emission portion  216  driven by the microcontroller  212  under the control of the main controller embedded in the DSP  207  may include a self-timer lamp, an auto-focusing lamp, a mode indication lamp, and a flash standby mode. 
     A dynamic random access memory (DRAM)  204  can temporarily store the digital image signal from the DSP  207 . An electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM)  205  can store algorithms and setting data, such as a booting program and a key input program necessary for an operation of the DSP  207 . A user&#39;s memory card may be removable from a memory card interface (MCI)  206 . 
     The digital image signal from the DSP  207  can be input to a display panel driving unit  214 , and thus the image can be displayed on a display panel  215 . 
     The display panel  215  and the display panel driving unit  214  for driving the display panel  215  may be included in a display unit according to an embodiment. An input image may be displayed as a live view or a stored image may be reproduced and displayed on the display unit. An i-Function menu according to an embodiment may also be displayed on the display unit. 
     The digital image signal from the DSP  207  may be transmitted via serial communication through a universal serial bus (USB) connection unit  231   a  or an RS232C interface  208  and a connection unit  231   b  thereof, and may be transmitted as a video signal through a video filter  209  and a video output unit  231   c . The DSP  207  may have a microcontroller embedded therein. 
     An audio processor  213  can output an audio signal from a microphone  218  to the DSP  207  or a speaker  219 , and can output an audio signal from the DSP  207  to the speaker  219 . A flash controller  211  can control an operation of a flash  220 . The flash controller  211  may be controlled by a control signal that is outputted from the microcontroller  212 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  schematically show embodiments of the i-Function menu displayed on the display panel  15  of the digital camera  10  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the display panel  15  displays display screens  70  and  80  which show an image and/or various setting or operation statuses. The display screens  70  and  80  may include selection regions  72  and  82 , respectively, and adjustment regions  71  and  81 , respectively. 
     The selection region  72  or  82  may show at least one setting item. The adjustment region  71  or  81  may show a setting value which is currently set for at least one displayed setting item, together with candidate setting values that can be set for the at least one displayed setting item. 
     In other words, on the display screen  70  or  80  is displayed at least one setting item and an adjustment status of a setting value for a particular setting item. Thus, the user can see setting items that can be set and a setting status of a setting item to be set at a glance on a single screen. As such, the digital image processing apparatus according to an embodiment can improve user convenience in a menu setting operation through the i-Function menu. 
     Menus displayed on the selection region  72  or  82  and the adjustment region  71  or  81  may be controlled by the selection unit, e.g., the selection button  120 , and the adjustment unit, e.g., the adjustment ring  110 . Thus, by interworking the PUI and the GUI, user convenience in a function setting operation can be improved. 
     For an item selected from among display items displayed on the selection region  72  or  82 , a current setting value and a candidate setting value may be displayed together on the adjustment region  71  and  81 . The selected item to be set may be disposed in a central portion of the selection region  72  or  82 . The current setting value may be disposed in a central portion of the adjustment region  71  or  81 . 
     In this regard, the central portion may be a region including a midpoint in the selection region  72  or  82  or the adjustment region  71  or  81 , for example, a central point in a left-right direction or an up-down direction. 
     Thus, a setting item to be set and a setting status of a setting value therefor can be displayed together at a portion that is most visible to a user on the i-Function menu displayed on the display screen  70  or  80 . As a result, the user can efficiently set items necessary for a photographing operation and/or other operations. 
     Selection bar  74  or  84  may be displayed on the selection region  72  or  82 . The selection bar  74  or  84  may be displayed such that designated setting items are disposed in a sequence according to a set display order on the selection region  72  or  82 . 
     Adjustment bar  73  or  83  may be displayed on the adjustment region  71  or  81 . The adjustment bar  73  or  83  may be displayed for a selection item designated by default or selected from among the display items displayed on the selection bar  74  or  84 , such that a currently set setting value and candidate setting values that can be set are disposed together in a sequence on the adjustment region  71  or  81 . 
     The selection item may be a setting item designated by default upon call of an I-Function menu among candidate items. In another embodiment, the selection item may have been selected from among the display items displayed on the selection bar  74  or  84  by manipulation of the selection button  120  or the selection ring. 
     To this end, candidate items that can be displayed on the selection bar  74  or  84  may be designated, and a predetermined number of display items from among the candidate items may be displayed on the selection bar  74  or  84 . The selection item among the display items may be displayed differently from the other display items, thereby allowing the user to easily recognize the display item for which a setting value is displayed on the adjustment bar  73  or  83 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show embodiments of an i-Function menu where aperture Aperture is a selection item. Thus, aperture Aperture may be the selection item and be displayed differently from the other display items. 
     In this regard, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the aperture selection item may be displayed on the selection bar  74  or  84  having a different shape from other setting items, for example, in a separate trapezoidal shape. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the selection item may be displayed distinguishably by being dashed or colored differently. 
     In this way, by easily distinguishing the selection item to be set by the user from other setting items, user convenience in function setting can be improved. 
     The selection bar  74  may display focus Auto, aperture Aperture, exposure EV, sensitivity ISO, white balance WB, and zoom iZoom as display items. 
     When the number of display items displayed on the selection bar  74  or  84  is less than the number of candidate items, a configuration of display items may be changed with a change in selection items. For example, if the selection button  120  is pressed to select exposure EV as a selection item, the exposure EV item moves to the central portion and the focus A item, which is set to the auto focus, may disappear from the selection bar  74  or  84  as if the selection bar  74  or  84  were rotated. 
     Setting items and current setting values therefor may be displayed together on the selection bar  74  or  84 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , aperture Aperture and a setting value of 4.5 for the same, shutter speed S and a setting value of 4000 for the same, sensitivity ISO and a setting value of 3200 for the same, white balance WB and a setting value of sunlight for the same, and zoom iZoom and a setting value of x 1  for the same may be displayed together on the selection bar  74 . 
     On the adjustment bar  73  or  83 , a setting range of candidate setting values for a selection item may be displayed according to a set order. A current setting value may also be displayed together with the setting range on the adjustment bar  73  or  83 . 
     The setting range may be displayed in order of size of candidate setting values for a setting item having a setting value distinguished by its size. On the adjustment bar  73  or  83 , a setting range of candidate setting values for a selection item may be displayed in order of size. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , the setting range of candidate setting values for a selection item may be displayed according to size from left to right or from right to left. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the setting range of candidate setting values for a selection item may be displayed according to size from up to down or from down to up. Thus, the user can intuitively recognize the setting range and the current setting value. 
     The setting range may be displayed as an image or a character on the adjustment bar  73  or  83 . A lower limit, an upper limit, and a current setting value of the setting range may be displayed as characters on the adjustment bar  73  or  83 . On the adjustment bar  73  or  83 , the setting range may be displayed in the shape of a graduated ruler or a bar graph. 
     In the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the aperture Aperture is selected as the selection item, a setting range for the aperture Aperture is displayed in the shape of a graduated ruler on the adjustment bar  73 , a current setting value of 4.5 and settable values are displayed on the adjustment bar  73 , and representative value thereof are displayed as 5.0, 5.6, 6.3, etc. The current setting value ‘4.5’ is displayed larger than other candidate setting values to distinguish the current setting value from the other setting values. 
     In this way, by allowing the user to easily distinguish the current setting value from the other setting values, user convenience in function setting can be improved. 
     When the adjustment ring  110  of  FIG. 4  and the adjustment bar  73  of  FIG. 7  interwork with each other, the adjustment bar  73  is also rotated as the adjustment ring  110  is rotated, thus changing a setting value. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , as the adjustment ring  110  of  FIG. 4  is rotated to the left, the adjustment bar  73  of  FIG. 7  may also be rotated, thus changing a setting value. 
     Further, when the sliding-type adjustment ring  110   a  of  FIG. 5  and the adjustment bar  83  of  FIG. 8  interwork with each other, as the adjustment ring  110   a  is slid, the adjustment bar  83  may also be slid, thus changing a setting value. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 5 and 8 , as the adjustment ring  1101  is slid toward the camera, the adjustment bar  83  may also be slid, thus changing the setting value. 
     In this case, by manipulation of the selection button  120 , the selection item may be activated while moving from left to right or from right to left on the selection bar  74  or  84 . As the selection item is changed, a setting range and a setting value for the activated selection item may be automatically changed into those for the changed selection item. The change of the selection item may be made according to the number of times the selection button  120  is pressed. 
     By manipulation of the adjustment ring  110 , the current setting value may be changed from left to right or from right to left on the adjustment bar  73  or  83 . The current setting value may be applied as a setting value for a selection item by manipulation of a particular button, for example, the menu-OK button  17 , thus changing the setting value for the selection item. 
     According to a direction of rotation of the adjustment ring  110 , the setting value for the selection item may be increased or decreased. For example, if the adjustment ring  110  is rotated to the left, the current setting value may be decreased on the adjustment bar  73  or  83 ; if the adjustment ring  110  is rotated to the right, the current setting value may be increased on the adjustment bar  73  or  83 . 
     In another embodiment, when a setting value for a setting item is changed, the changed setting value may be reflected in real time. In other words, upon manipulation of the adjustment ring  110 , the current setting value of the selection item may be changed on the adjustment bar  73  or  83  and the setting value of the selection item may be reflected and changed in real time, such that input of an input image or an operation of the camera may be performed with the changed setting value. 
     When a setting value of a setting item is changed, a setting value of another setting item may also be changed in connection with the setting value of the setting item. For example, for setting items including aperture, shutter speed, and exposure, when a setting value for one of them is changed, a setting value of another setting item may also be changed at the same time. 
     In this case, when the setting value for the setting item is changed, an input image may be inputted based on the changed setting value, and the input image may be displayed as a live view on the display panel  15 . 
     A change of the setting value associated with a photographing operation may be reflected in real time, and an input image may be inputted based on the changed setting value. The input image based on the changed setting value may be displayed as a live view on the display panel  15 . Setting items changed in real time in association with a photographing operation may include aperture, shutter speed, and exposure. 
     Meanwhile, by selection of a menu setting or a designated button (for example, button  20  of  FIG. 2 ), an i-Function menu may be called and displayed on the display screen  70  or  80 . Once the i-Function menu is called, the selection bar  74  or  84  may be displayed on the selection region  72  or  82  and the adjustment bar  73  or  83  may be displayed on the adjustment region  71  or  81 . 
     For example, by pressing the selection button  120  corresponding to the selection unit during operation of the camera, the i-Function menu may be called. Thus, a designated selection item may be activated, and the adjustment bar  73  or  83  for the selection item may be displayed to allow the user to adjust a setting value for the selection item. 
     In another embodiment, when a particular menu is called or a particular button assigned to the particular menu is pressed during an on-state of the iFn, the i-Function menu may be displayed on the display screen  70  or  80 . In another embodiment, if the adjustment unit, for example, the adjustment ring  110  is actuated during an on-state of a set function, e.g., the iFn, the selection bar  74  or  84  may be displayed on the selection region  72  or  82 , and the adjustment bar  73  or  83  may be displayed on the adjustment region  71  or  81 , such that the i-Function menu can be called. 
     Depending on a function and/or a feature set by a setting item, a scheme for matching the PUI and the GUI may change. Thus, by intuitively connecting the PUI and the GUI, function setting by the user can be facilitated. 
     If a setting value set by a setting item is independent, rather than continuous or homogeneous, it may be changed by a discontinuous type manipulation unit. If a setting value set by a setting item is continuous or homogeneous, it may be changed by a continuous type manipulation unit. 
     In this regard, white balance WB may be a setting item having a discontinuous setting value, and aperture F, shutter speed S, and zoom iZoom may be setting items having continuous setting values. 
     The discontinuous-type manipulation unit may be at least one of a button, a sliding switch, a rotation ring, and a rotation selector switch. The continuous-type manipulation unit may be a ring type manipulation unit. The ring-type manipulation unit may be rotated with respect to the lens barrel  100   a  or may be slid in the longitudinal direction of the lens barrel  100   a.    
     An aspect ratio of the display panel  15  may not be the same as that of the imaging device. In this case, when an input image inputted through the imaging device is displayed on the display panel  15  without changing the aspect ratio of the input image, a blank region where no image is displayed may be generated on the display screen  70  or  80  of the display panel  15 . 
     At this time, the entire display screen may include an image region where an image is displayed and a blank region where no image is displayed. The blank region may be a wasted region of the display screen  70  or  80 . However, at least one of the selection region  72  or  82  and the adjustment region  71  or  81  may be disposed on the blank region. Accordingly, the display screen  70  or  80  of the display panel  15  can be efficiently utilized. 
     A lower end portion of the display screen  70  or  80  may be used as an information display region where a current setting status of a function necessary for a photographing operation or another operation of the camera may be shown to the user. 
     Once the i-Function menu is called, the information display region may disappear, and the selection bar  74  or  84  and the adjustment bar  73  or  83  as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  may be displayed on corresponding positions. In this case, in the i-Function menu, the simple passive information display region may be used as an active information setting region with the selection bar  74  or  84  and/or the adjustment bar  73  or  83 . 
     The information display region may be the blank region. In this case, when a live view image is displayed on the display panel  15 , currently set setting information may be displayed on the blank region. When a preset setting function, for example, the i-Function menu is called, at least one of the selection region  72  or  82  and the adjustment region  71  or  81  may be displayed on the blank region. 
     The selection bars  74  and  84  and the adjustment bars  73  and  83  may be disposed on the display screen  70  or  80  at positions corresponding to positions of the selection unit  120  and the adjustment unit  110 . For example, if the selection unit  120  is disposed behind the adjustment unit  110  with respect to the body  10   a , the selection bar  74  or  84  may be disposed under the adjustment bar  73  or  83  on the display screen  70  or  80 . In another embodiment, if the selection unit  120  is disposed in front of the adjustment unit  110  with respect to the body  10   a , the selection bar  74  or  84  may be disposed above the adjustment bar  73  or  83  on the display screen  70  or  80 . 
     Thus, by matching a position relation of the PUI and a position relation of the GUI, the user can set a setting function by intuitive manipulation. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the selection unit  120  may be the selection button  120 , the adjustment unit  110  may be the adjustment ring  110  that is a rotational ring type, and the selection button  120  may be disposed behind the adjustment ring  110 . In this case, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the selection bar  74  may be disposed under the adjustment bar  73  on the display screen  70 . 
     In  FIG. 7 , the i-Function menu showing the selection bar  74  and the adjustment bar  73  is disposed in a lower end portion of the display screen  70 . The selection bar  74  may be displayed on the selection region  72 , such that display items are disposed in a horizontal direction from left to right or from right to left according to a set order. The adjustment bar  73  may be displayed on the adjustment region  71  in parallel with the selection bar  74 . In this case, the selection bar  74  and the adjustment bar  73  may be displayed in an upper end portion or a lower end portion of the display screen  70 . 
     In  FIG. 8 , the i-Function menus  83  and  84  are disposed right on the display screen  80 . 
     The selection bar  84  may be disposed on the selection region  82  such that display items are disposed in a vertical direction from top to bottom or from bottom to top according to a set order. The adjustment bar  83  may be displayed on the adjustment region  31  in parallel with the selection bar  84 . In this case, the selection bar  84  and the adjustment bar  83  may be displayed in a left end portion or a right end portion of the display screen  80 . 
     When the i-Function menus  83  and  84  are disposed in a vertical direction, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the adjustment unit  110  may be the adjustment ring  110   a  which is slid in the longitudinal direction of the lens barrel  100   a . In this case, the adjustment ring  110   a  that can move forward or backward and the adjustment bar  81  that can be adjusted in the vertical direction are disposed in the same direction, such that the user can intuitively connect the PUI and the GUI. 
     A method of control for a digital image processing apparatus according to another embodiment is a method of control for the digital camera  10  described with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 8 . Thus, the description referring to  FIGS. 1 through 8  can also be applied to the method of control in the same manner. 
     The method of control may include an image input operation, an image display operation, a selection region display operation, and an adjustment region display operation. 
     In the image input operation, an input image is inputted. In the image display operation, the input image is displayed on the display screen  70  or  80 . In the selection region display operation, at least one setting item is displayed on the selection region  72  or  82  which is at least a region of the display screen  70  or  80 . In the adjustment region display operation, a current setting value which is currently set for at least one of the setting items and candidate setting values that can be set for the setting item are displayed on the adjustment region  73  or  83  which is at least a region of the display screen  70  or  80 . 
     For an item selected from among display items displayed on the selection region  72  or  82 , a current setting value and a candidate setting value may be displayed together on the adjustment region  71  or  81 . The selected item to be set may be disposed in a central portion of the selection region  72  or  82 . The current setting value may be disposed in a central portion of the adjustment region  71  or  81 . 
     In this regard, the central portion may be a region including a midpoint in the selection region  72  or  82  or the adjustment region  71  or  81 , for example, a central point in a left-right direction or an up-down direction. 
     Thus, a setting item to be set and a setting status of a setting value therefor can be displayed together at a portion that is most visible to user&#39;s eyes on the i-Function menu displayed on the display screen  70  or  80 . As a result, the user can efficiently set items necessary for photographing and/or other operations. 
     The selection bar  74  or  84 , where designated setting items may be disposed in a sequence according to a set display order, may be displayed on the selection region  72  or  82 . Setting items and current setting values for the respective setting items may be displayed together on the selection bar  74  or  84 . 
     The adjustment bar  73  or  83 , where for a selection item designated by default or selected from among the display items, a currently set setting value and candidate setting values that can be disposed together in a sequence, may be displayed on the adjustment region  71  or  81 . 
     By selection of menu setting or a designated button, the selection bar  74  or  84  may be displayed on the selection region  72  or  82 , and the adjustment bar  73  or  83  may be displayed on the adjustment region  71  or  81 , thereby displaying the i-Function menu. 
     According to the present invention, by displaying a setting item designated by the user and a setting status of a setting value for the setting item to the user on a portion of a setting menu that is most visible to user&#39;s eyes, the user can efficiently set items necessary for a photographing operation and/or other operations. 
     While the present invention has 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 the invention as defined by the following claims. 
     The apparatus described herein may include a processor, a memory for storing and executing program data, a permanent storage such as a disk drive, a communication port for communicating with an external device, and a user interface unit, such as a touch panel, a key, a button, etc. Methods implemented with a software module or algorithm may be stored as computer-readable codes or program commands, which can be executed on the processor, on a computer-readable recording medium, etc. 
     Examples of the computer-readable recording medium may include magnetic storage media such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), floppy disks, and hard disks, and optical data storage devices such as CD-ROMs and digital versatile discs (DVD). The computer-readable recording medium can also be distributed over a network of coupled computer systems so that the computer-readable code is stored and executed in a decentralized fashion. The code can be read by the computer, stored in the memory, and executed on the processor. 
     All documents cited herein, including published documents, patent applications, and patents, may be incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each cited document were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by this specific language, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
     The present invention may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware and/or software components configured to perform the specified functions. 
     For example, the present invention may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, where the elements of the present invention are implemented using software programming or software elements the invention may be implemented with any programming or scripting language such as C, C++, Java, assembler, or the like, with the various algorithms being implemented with any combination of data structures, objects, processes, routines or other programming elements. Functional aspects may be implemented with an algorithm executed in one or more processors. Furthermore, the invention could employ conventional techniques for electronics configuration, signal processing and/or control, data processing, and the like. Terms such as “mechanism”, “element”, “means”, and “structure” can be used in a broad sense and are not limited to mechanical and physical structures, but may include software routines in connection with processors, etc. The terms may include a meaning of a series of routines of software in association with a processor. 
     The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional electronics, control systems, software development and other functional aspects of the systems (and components of the individual operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections, or logical connections may be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. 
     In the specification (particularly in the claims) of the invention, the use of the term “a,” “an,” “the,” and its similar indicative terms in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both singular and plural, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be recognized that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” and “having,” as used herein, are specifically intended to be read as open-ended terms of art. In addition, it should be understood that although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used to herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms, which are only used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, recitation of ranges of value herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value included in that range (unless otherwise indicated herein), and such statement is equivalent to an incorporation of each individual value forming the range into the specification as if each value were individually recited herein. Unless the order of steps forming the method according to the present invention are explicitly stated or stated otherwise, those steps may be performed in any appropriate order. The stated order of the steps does not necessarily limit the invention. 
     The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g. “such as,” “for example,” and “so forth”) provided herein, is merely intended to describe the invention in detail, and thus unless defined by the claims, the scope of the invention is not limited by the example or exemplary term. In addition, it can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications, combinations, and changes can be made according to design conditions and factors within the scope of the claims and equivalents thereof. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by the detailed description of the invention but by the following claims, and all differences within the scope will be construed as being included in the invention.