Patent Publication Number: US-2005128315-A1

Title: Data processing apparatus, data processing method, and computer program

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-411613, filed Dec. 10, 2003, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus including an imaging function, a data processing method, and a computer program.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      A data processing apparatus including an imaging function such as a popular digital camera comprises a zoom function, even if operation is comparatively simple. A zoom key is provided in a camera device comprising the zoom function. When one side of this zoom key is pressed down, an object image is gradually enlarged. When the other side of the zoom key is pressed down, an object image is gradually reduced. Therefore, while visually recognizing the object image displayed on a screen, a user operates the zoom key; stops the operation of the zoom key at a time point when a size of the object image reaches a desired size; and then, makes a shutter operation, whereby the object image of the desired size can be picked up.  
      However, in a conventional data processing apparatus, as described previously, a zoom key is continuously operated, whereby an object image is gradually enlarged or reduced. Thus, a certain amount of time is required for the object image to become the desired size. Therefore, while the object image becomes the desired size, a change occurs with the object, and there is a case in which a shutter chance is lost.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      It is an object of the present invention to provide a data processing apparatus, a data processing method, and a computer program capable of directly change a size of an object image and picking up an object with a desired size by efficiently using an existing key.  
      According to an embodiment of the present invention, a data processing apparatus including an imaging function comprises: 
          an imaging device;     a mode setting unit which selectively sets a camera mode and another mode;     operation members which inputs values of a first instruction when the mode setting unit sets the camera mode; and     an image processing unit which, when the camera mode is set and one of the operation members is operated, processes an output of the imaging device based on the value of the first instruction input from the one of the operation members.        

      According to another embodiment of the present invention, a data processing method for a data processing apparatus including an imaging function and operation members, the method comprises: 
          a mode setting step which selectively sets a camera mode and another mode;     an inputting step which inputs members values of a first instruction from the operation when the mode setting step sets the camera mode; and     an image processing step which, when the camera mode is set and one of the operation members is operated, processes an output of the imaging device based on the value of the first instruction input from the one of the operation members.        

      According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a computer program product for use with a data processing apparatus including an imaging device, a mode setting unit which selectively sets a camera mode and another mode, operation members, the computer program product comprises: 
          means for inputting values of a first instruction by the operation members when the mode setting unit sets the camera mode; and     means for, when the camera mode is set and one of the operation members is operated, processing an output of the imaging device based on the value of the first instruction input from the one of the operation members.        

      According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a data processing apparatus including an imaging function comprises: 
          an image pick-upping means;     a mode setting means which selectively sets a camera mode and another mode;     an inputting means with a plurality of operation members which inputs values of a first instruction when the mode setting means sets the camera mode; and     an image processing means which, when the camera mode is set and one of the operation members of the inputting means is operated, processes an output of the image pick-upping means based on the value of the first instruction input from the one of the operation members.        

      Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the present invention.  
      The objects and advantages of the present invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
      The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention in which:  
       FIG. 1A  is a front view of a cellular phone  1  in an open state common to all embodiments of the present invention;  
       FIG. 1B  is a rear view of the cellular phone  1  in an open state;  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a configuration of the cellular phone  1 ;  
       FIG. 3A  is a conceptual view showing a configuration of a memory area of a program ROM  125 ;  
       FIG. 3B  is a conceptual view of a ten-key correspondence table  1253 ;  
       FIG. 4  is a conceptual view showing a configuration of a memory area of a RAM  124 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart showing operating procedures in the first embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 6  is a view showing an example of a display screen in the first embodiment;  
       FIG. 7  is a conceptual view of a ten-key correspondence table  1253  in the second embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart showing operating procedures in the second embodiment; and  
       FIG. 9  is a view showing an example of a display screen in the second embodiment. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      An embodiment of a data processing apparatus, a data processing method, and a computer program according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.  
     FIRST EMBODIMENT  
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are external views ( FIG. 1A  is a front view and  FIG. 1B  is a rear view), each of which shows an open state of a cellular phone  1  common to all embodiments of the present invention. The cellular phone  1  comprises a cover portion and a main body portion which are foldable. An antenna  103  is provided on a rear face of the main body portion, and is expandable. A speaker  101  is provided at a front side of the cover portion, and outputs a voice. A main display unit  102  is provided as a QVGA color liquid display, and is allocated at a substantial center portion of a front face of the cover portion.  
      On a front face of the main body portion, there are provided a camera key  104 ; an E-mail key  105 ; a cross key  106 ; a determination key  107 ; an address key  108 ; a network connection key  109 ; a clear key  110 ; an on-hook key; an off-hook key  112 ; and ten-key  113 . In these keys, the cross key, the determination key  107 , the address key  108 , and the network connection key  109  are allocated in a location which can be operated by a thumb of a one hand, in the case where this cellular phone  1  is gripped by the one hand.  
      The camera key  104  is operated when a call waiting state is moved to a camera mode and when an image capture element is started up. In addition, this camera key is used for switching between a camera and a movie. The E-mail key  105  is provided as a key which is operated during an E-mail mode shift and during E-mail program loading. The cross key  106  is operated during a cursor movement, and the determination key  107  is operated when a variety of modes are determined. During a camera mode, the determination key  107  functions as a shutter key.  
      The address key  108  is provided as a key which is operated when address directory data is displayed. The network connection key  109  is provided as an operating key for external network connection. The clear key  110  is provided for cancellation instruction. The ten-key  113  is used for character input and dial input. The ten-key  113  comprises keys assigned with numbers “0” to “9” and keys assigned with signs “*” and “#”.  
      A microphone  114  is provided at a lower portion of the main body portion, and carries out voice input during phone conversation.  
      On the rear face of the cover portion, there are provided a recording microphone  115 , a sub-display unit  116  including a color liquid crystal, an indicator LED  117  which emits light upon call arrival, an image capture lens  118  provided as an optical system, and a flash LED  119 . An informing speaker  120  is provided at a back face of the main body portion. The informing speaker  120  informs call arrival or the like. This informing speaker  120  is allocated on the back face of the main body portion so that an informing sound is audible even in a state in which the cover portion is closed at the main body portion.  
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram showing a configuration of the cellular phone  1 . A wireless unit  121  is connected to the antenna  103 . The wireless unit  121  carries out modulation or demodulation based on a QPSK scheme; transmitting/receiving processing based on a CDMA scheme; and communication processing which includes terminal authentication processing. A control unit  122  controls the device and controls WWW connection. The control unit  121  comprises a communication data processing unit  1221 ; a system ROM  1222 ; an audio interface  1223 ; and a time clocking unit  1224  for clocking a current time based on an incorporated clock (not shown). The communication data processing unit  1221  includes a CLEP system voice decoding/encoding processor circuit; a packet data generator circuit; and a packet data reproduce circuit. The communication data processing unit  1221  carries out data processing along a communication protocol. A basic system such as an OS is stored in the system ROM  1222 . The audio interface  1223  inputs or outputs a voice signal processed by the communication data processing unit  1221 . The speaker  101 , the microphone  114  and the recording microphone  115  are connected to the audio interface  1223 . An input unit comprises the camera key  104  through ten-key  113 .  
      An address data bus processing unit  123  controls and manages an input or output timing or the like of data between the control unit  122  and a peripheral circuit (circuit indicated in the dashed line). A RAM  124  stores a variety of data generated in a device such as address directory data or E-mail data. A program ROM (NOR-type flash memory)  125  stores a variety of application programs. In particularly, in the present embodiment, the program ROM  125  stores camera applications including a program for performing compression/encoding processing of image data digitized by a DSP (digital signal processor)  129 . A sound source IC  126  stores and outputs a waveform indicating an informing sound. An amplifier  127  amplifies an output from the sound source IC  126 , and the informing speaker  120  reproduces this output.  
      A display module system driver  128  drives the main display unit  102 , the sub-display unit  116 , the indicator LED  117 , and the flash LED  119 . An imaging element  130  comprises a CCD or the like in which an object image is focused via an aperture  132  by means of the image capture lens  118 . The DSP  129  digitally processes an image signal from the imaging element  130  and enlarges or reduces a size of the image by carrying out digital zoom processing. Based on the output of the DSP  129 , the display module system driver  128  drives the main display unit  102 , whereby the object image focused on the imaging element  130  is displayed to be enlarged or reduced on the main display unit  102 . In addition, in accordance with a shutter operation, the image data on the object image is recorded in an image memory  1243  described later.  
      The image capture lens  118  is held by a drive mechanism (not shown) which comprises a stepping motor or the like for auto focus control. According to a control signal based on a passive AF in a contrast detecting scheme from the control unit  122 , a drive signal output by an AF driver  131  is supplied to the drive mechanism, whereby a focusing operation is made by moving the image capture lens  118  forwardly or backwardly along an optical axis. The aperture  132  is of fixed type in which an aperture value has been set so that pan focusing can be carried out.  
       FIG. 3A  is a conceptual view showing a configuration of a memory area of the program ROM  125 . The program ROM  125  includes a software program storage region  1251 ; a ten-key correspondence table  1253 ; and the other storage region  1252 . The software application storage region  1251  stores camera applications. The other storage region  1252  stores the other applications. In the ten-key correspondence table  1253 , as shown in  FIG. 3B , the contents of zoom control from “tele (max)” (maximum enlargement) to “wide (max)” (minimum reduction) are stored in a stepwise manner in association with numeric value keys “1” to “9” in the ten-key  113 .  
       FIG. 4  is a conceptual view showing a configuration of a memory area of the RAM  124 . The RAM  124  includes an address directory storage region  1241 ; an E-mail data storage region  1242 ; an image memory  1243 ; and the other work region  1244 . The address directory storage region  1242  stores a plurality of records, each record comprising a name, a telephone number, an E-mail addresses and the like. The E-mail data storage region  1242  stores E-mail data produced by using E-mail software or received E-mail data. The image memory  1243  stores an image file of a picked-up image. The other work region  1244  stores a variety of data as a work memory.  
      Now, an operation of the cellular phone  1  according to the above configuration will be described below. In a call waiting state, the cellular phone  1  functions in the same manner as a general cellular phone. Namely, as described previously, the E-mail key  105  functions as a key operated during an E-mail mode shift and during E-mail program loading. The address key  108  functions as a key operated when address directory data is displayed. The network connection key  109  functions as an operating key for external network connection. The ten-key  113  functions as character input and dial input keys.  
      When a user operates the camera key  104  with one touch in order to use the cellular phone  1  as a camera, a mode of the control unit  122 .shifts to a camera mode in response to the operation of this camera key  104 . Then, the control unit  122  loads a camera application stored in the software program storage region  1251 . With the shift to the camera mode, the control unit  122  controls the main display unit  102  to monitor and display in a “tele 1” mode the object image focused on the imaging element  130  by means of the image capture lens  118  in an auto focus (AF) mode. Then, the control unit  122  executes processing as shown in the flow chart of  FIG. 5  based on a program stored in the program ROM  125  while the control unit  122  controls the main display unit  102  to display the object image.  
      Indicator screen display processing is executed (step S 101 ). By carrying out processing in step S 101 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , a tele-side mark  1021 , a wide-side mark  1022 , a zoom location indicator  1023  between both of the marks  1021  and  1022 , numbers “1” to “9” portions  1024  located along the movement direction of the indicator  1023 , a lower left 0-numbered portion  1025  and the like are displayed on the main display unit  102  on which an object image P is monitored and displayed.  
      At this time, the zoom location indicator  1023  is caused to indicate a number in coincidence with a number of the ten-key  113  which correspond to a value of zoom control at a current time point. Namely, in an initial display state, the object image is monitored and displayed in a “tele 1” mode. This “tele 1” mode corresponds to the numeric key “4”, as shown in  FIG. 3B . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the zoom location indicator  1023  is caused to indicate a number in a location which corresponds to a number “4”. Therefore, with reference to the screen shown in  FIG. 6 , the user can recognize that the object image P is adjusted so as to be displayed to be enlarged according to the selected number if any one of the numbers “1” to “3” which is smaller than the number “4” is selected. On the other hand, the user can recognize that the object image P is adjusted so as to be displayed to be reduced according to the selected number if any one of the numbers “5” to “9” which is larger than the number “4” is selected.  
      Next, it is determined whether or not an operation of any one of the numeric keys “1” to “9” in the ten-key  113  has been detected (step S 102 ). When the determination result is affirmative, the contents of zoom control corresponding to the operated numeric key are read out from the ten-key correspondence table  1253  (step S 103 ). For example, when an operation of the numeric key “1” in the ten-key  113  has been detected, an item “tele (max)” is read from the ten-key correspondence table  1253 . When the numeric key “7” has been operated, an item “wide 2” is read out.  
      Continuously, the DSP  129  is controlled based on the read out control contents, and image data is subjected to digital zoom processing based on the read zoom level (step S 104 ). In this manner, the object image enlarged or reduced according to the operated numeric key is displayed quickly on the main display unit  102 . Further, it is determined whether or not the determination key  107  has been operated (step S 105 ). In a camera mode, in the case where the determination key  107  has been operated, image capture is carried out in that state (step S 106 ).  
      When the determination key  107  is pressed down, image data on the object image enlarged or reduced by the DSP  129  at this time is compressed and encoded by using a camera application. Then, an image file is produced, and the image file is stored in the image memory  1243  while the date and time of image capture is defined as a file name. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the object image P displayed to be enlarged or reduced on the main display unit  102  by operating one of arbitrary numeric keys “1” to “9” of the ten-key  113 . Then, the user can carry out image capture such that the image data on the object image P displayed on the enlarged or reduced mode is stored in the image memory  1243  without losing a shutter chance, by operating the determination key  107 .  
      As a result of the determination in step S 105 , when the determination key  107  is not detected as having been pressed down, it is determined whether or not an operation of the numeric key “0” in the ten-key  113  has been detected (step S 107 ). When an operation of the numeric key “0” has not been detected (step S 107 ) or when image capture processing has been carried out (step S 106 ), it is determined whether or not a mode change has been made (step S 108 ). When the mode change has been made, camera processing in accordance with this flow of operation is terminated. When no mode change has been made, the current step returns to step S 101  in which processing is repeated.  
      On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S 107 , when the operation of the numeric key “0” in the ten-key  113  has been detected, the indicator screen is erased (step S 109 ), and then processing is returned to step S 102 . By carrying out the processing in step S 109 , all of the tele-side mark  1021 , the wide side mark  1022 , the zoom location indicator  1023 , “1” to “9”-numbered portions  1024 ; and a “0”-numbered portion  1025  are cleared from the main display unit  102  shown in  FIG. 6 . In this manner, only the object image P is displayed on the main display unit  102 , and the object image P can be displayed in an easily visible state on the main display unit  102 .  
      As described previously, even in this case, the processing from step S 102  is executed. Thus, the object image P is displayed to be enlarged or reduced according to the operation of any one of the numeric keys “1” to “9” in the ten-key  113 , whereby image capture can be carried out.  
     SECOND EMBODIMENT  
       FIG. 7  is a view showing a configuration of a ten-key correspondence table  1253  in the second embodiment of the present invention. In the ten-key correspondence table  1253  according to the present embodiment, exposure compensation values from “−2.0 exposure compensation” (maximum exposure compensation in minus side) to “+2.0 exposure compensation” (minimum exposure compensation in plus side) are stored in a stepwise manner in association with the numeric keys “1” to “9” in the ten-key  113 .  
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart showing operating procedures in the present embodiment. That is, when a user operates the camera key  104  with one touch in order to use the cellular phone  1  as a camera, a mode of the control unit  122  shifts to a camera mode in response to an operation of the camera key  104 . Then, the control unit  122  loads a camera application stored in the software program storage region  1251 . With the shift to the camera mode, the control unit  122  controls the main display unit  102  to monitor and display in a “+0.5 exposure compensation” mode an object image focused on the imaging element  130  by means of the image capture lens  118  in an auto focus (AF) mode. Then, the control unit  122  executes processing as shown in the flow chart of  FIG. 8  based on a program stored in the program ROM  125  while the control unit  122  causes the main display unit  102  to display the object image.  
      First, indicator screen display processing is executed (step S 201 ). By carrying out processing in step S 201 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , an exposure compensation value indicator  1026  indicating a mode from “dark” to “bright”; “1” to “9”-numbered portions  1024  located along the movement direction of this indicator  1026 ; a lower left “0”-numbered portion  1025  and the like are displayed on the main display unit  102  on which the object image P is monitored and displayed.  
      At this time, the exposure compensation value indicator  1026  indicates a number in coincidence with a number of the ten-key  113  which corresponds to a value of exposure compensation at the current time point. Namely, in an initial display state, as described previously, the object image is monitored and displayed in a “+0.5 exposure compensation” mode. This “+0.5 exposure compensation” mode corresponds to a numeric key “6”, as shown in  FIG. 7 . Thus, the exposure compensation value indicator  1026  is caused to indicate a number in a location which corresponds to the number “6”, as shown in  FIG. 9 . Therefore, with reference to the screen shown in  FIG. 9 , the user can recognize that the object image P is adjusted so as to be displayed to be displayed in a dark mode according to the selected number if any one of the numbers “5” to “1” which is smaller than the number “6” is selected. On the other hand, the user can recognize that the object image P is adjusted so as to be displayed to be displayed in a bright mode according to the selected number if any one of the numbers “7” to “9” which is greater than the number “6” is selected.  
      Now, it is determined whether or not an operation of any one of the numeric keys “1” to “9” in the ten-key  113  has been detected (step S 202 ). When the determination result is affirmative, the contents of exposure compensation corresponding to the operated numeric key are read out from the ten-key correspondence table  1253  (step S 203 ). Namely, when an operation of a numeric key “1” in the ten-key  113  has been detected, an item “−2.0 exposure compensation” is read out from the ten-key correspondence table  1253 . When a numeric key “7” has been operated, an item “+1.0 exposure compensation” is read out.  
      Continuously, the DSP  129  is controlled according to this read-out control contents, and image data is subjected to digital exposure processing based on the read exposure compensation level (step S 204 ). In this manner, an object image subjected to exposure compensation processing according to an operated numeric key is quickly displayed on the main display unit  102 . Further, it is determined whether or not the determination key  107  has been operated (step S 205 ). Then, in a camera mode, when the determination key  107  has been operated, image capture is carried out in that state (step S 206 ).  
      Namely, when the determination key  107  is pressed down, the image data on the object image subjected to exposure compensation processed by means of the DSP  129  at that time point is processed to be compressed and encoded by a camera application. Then, an image file is generated, and the generated image file is stored in an image memory  1243  while the date and time of image capture are defined as a file name. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the object image displayed to be exposure-compensated on the main display unit  102  by operating an arbitrary numeric key “1” to “9” of the ten-key  113 . Then, the user can carry out image capture such that the image data on the object image P displayed on the exposure compensation mode is stored in the image memory  1243  without losing a shutter chance, by operating the determination key  107 .  
      As a result of the determination in step S 205 , when the determination key  107  is not detected as having been pressed down, it is determined whether or not an operation of the numeric key “0” in the ten-key  113  has been detected (step S 207 ). When an operation of the numeric key “0” has not been detected or when image capture processing has been carried out (step S 206 ), it is determined whether or not a mode change has been made (step S 208 ). When the mode-change has been made, camera processing in accordance with this flow of operation is terminated. When no mode change has been made, the current step returns to step S 201  in which processing is repeated.  
      On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S 207 , when the operation of the numeric key “0” in the ten-key  113  has been detected, the indicator screen is cleared (step S 209 ), and then processing is returned to step S 202 . By carrying out the processing in step S 209 , all of the exposure compensation value indicator  1026 ; the “1” to “9”-numbered portions  1024 ; the lower left “0”-numbered portion  1025  are cleared from the main display unit  102  shown in  FIG. 9 . In this manner, only the object image P is displayed on the main display unit  102 , and the object image P can be displayed in an easily visible state on the main display unit  102 .  
      As described previously, even in this case, the processing from step S 202  is executed. Thus, the object image P is displayed to be exposure-corrected according to the operation of any one of the numeric keys “1” to “9” in the ten-key  113 , whereby image capture can be carried out.  
      While the description above refers to particular embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof. The accompanying claims are intended to cover such modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. For example, although the embodiments have been described as a cellular phone, the present invention can be applied to other comparatively small sized devices which have an image capture function such as a PDA, a digital camera, and a portable type game machine.