Apparatus and method for image capture using image stored in camera

• US 20110090366A1
• Filed: 10/16/2009
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Park, Jae-Hyun, Lee, Seung-Woo, YOON, Young-Kwon
• Granted Patent: US 9,154,700 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/231.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 1/0007 Image acquisition
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2137 with temporary storage before final recording, e.g. in a frame buffer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2145 of a sequence of images for selection of a single frame before final recording, e.g. from a continuous sequence captured before and after shutter-release
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/63 by using electronic viewfinders
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/64 Computer-aided capture of images, e.g. transfer from script file into camera, check of taken image quality, advice or proposal for image composition or decision on when to take image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/743 Bracketing, i.e. taking a series of images with varying exposure conditions

Abstract

An apparatus for capturing an image using an image stored in a camera includes a lens system for optically receiving an image, an image signal processor for converting the received image into a preview image and generating a first-resolution image using the received image at predetermined periods, a first buffer for receiving the first-resolution image from the image signal processor and temporarily storing the received first-resolution image, a display for displaying the preview image received from the image signal processor and the first-resolution image received from the first buffer, and a controller for controlling the image signal processor to display the first-resolution image temporarily stored in the first buffer on the display upon receiving an image capturing signal.

Claims

1. A method for capturing an image using an image stored in a camera, comprising:

capturing an image through an image sensor;

converting the captured image into a preview image to display the captured image on a display;

processing image data that has been received through the image sensor at predetermined periods;

temporarily storing the processed image data in a first buffer; and

if an image capturing signal is received, storing in a separate storage space an image that was temporarily stored in the first buffer at a time of receiving the image capturing signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the preview image is converted into an image smaller than the image data by an image signal processor according to screen features of the display.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein an image corresponding to the predetermined period among the received images is generated as the image data, and in order to temporarily store image data generated at the predetermined periods, new image data is stored and the first stored image data among one or more image data stored in the first buffer is deleted.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

if new image data is generated in a particular period, storing the image data generated in the particular period in the first buffer and deleting image data that was stored in a second buffer; and

if new image data is generated in the next period, storing the image data generated in the next period in the second buffer, and deleting the image data that was generated in the particular period and stored in the first buffer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the image capturing signal is input using an input means mounted on the camera.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more image data may be stored in the first buffer according to a size of a storage space of the first buffer, and is stored separately in a memory that is the separate storage space, if the image capturing signal is received.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising, if the one or more image data is temporarily stored in the first buffer, selecting image data desired by a user and storing the selected image data in the memory.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising displaying the one or more image data stored in the first buffer on one screen together or selectively.

9. An apparatus for capturing an image using an image stored in a camera, comprising:

a lens system for optically receiving an image;

an image signal processor for converting the received image into a preview image and generating image data from the received image at predetermined periods;

a first buffer for receiving the processed image data from the image signal processor and temporarily storing the received processed image data;

a display for displaying the image data; and

a controller for controlling the image signal processor to store the image data stored in the first buffer in a separate memory upon receiving an image capturing signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

an image sensor for converting an image of a subject that is optically received by the lens system, into an electrical signal, and providing the image signal to the image signal processor;

a memory for storing the image data temporarily stored in the first buffer; and

a key input unit for providing the image capturing signal to the controller using an input means.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first buffer stores one or more image data according to a size of a storage space.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein in order to temporarily store image data generated at the predetermined periods, the first buffer stores new image data, and deletes the first stored image data from among the one or more image data stored in the first buffer.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the camera further includes a second buffer, and if new image data is generated in a particular period, the image data generated in the particular period is stored in the first buffer and image data stored in the second buffer is deleted;

wherein if new image data is generated in the next period, the image data generated in the next period is stored in the second buffer and the image data that was generated in the particular period and stored in the first buffer is deleted.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the display displays one or more image data stored in the first buffer on one screen together or selectively.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein an image corresponding to the predetermined period among the received images is generated as the image data.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the image signal processor comprises a first converter for converting the received image into a preview image, and a second converter for generating image data from the received image at predetermined periods.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the memory is a nonvolatile memory.

18. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the memory is an external memory.