Apparatus for processing a digital image to automatically select a best image from a plurality of images and method of controlling the apparatus

• US 8,004,596 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2008
• Issued: 08/23/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Sugimoto, Kazuhiko, Koh, Sung-shik
• Primary Examiner(s): SELBY, GEVELL V
• Application Number:
  US12/218,380
• Publication Number:
  US 20090128642A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,134 Days
• Field of Search: 348/169, 348/208.14, 348/345, 348/354
• US Class Current: 348/345
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/61 based on recognised objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/611 where the recognised objects include parts of the human body
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/635 Region indicators; Field of view indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/675 comprising setting of focusing regions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/676 Bracketing for image capture at varying focusing conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/68 for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/6811 based on the image signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/743 Bracketing, i.e. taking a series of images with varying exposure conditions

Abstract

An apparatus and appertaining method for controlling the apparatus are provided for processing a digital image, which can capture an image with reduced hand shake effect without using a hand shake sensor. The apparatus includes: an image input unit receiving a plurality of input images from the outside; and a control unit receiving the plurality of input images when a shutter-release button select signal is input from the outside, selecting a clearest image from among the input images as a best image, and capturing the best image.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing a digital image, the apparatus comprising:

an image input unit for receiving a plurality of input images from the outside; and

a control unit for;

receiving a plurality of focus images when a first shutter-release button select signal is input from the outside as a focus lens moves along an optical axis, selecting a clearest image from among the focus images as a first best image, and determining a position of the focus lens for the clearest image of the focus images; and

receiving the plurality of input images when a second shutter-release button select signal is input from the outside with the focus lens at the determined position, selecting a clearest image from among the input images as a second best image, and capturing the second best image.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit selects specific regions of the input images as detection regions, and selects an image with a clearest detection region as a second best image.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, if a person exists in each of the input images, a human region including the person is selected as the detection region.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a face in each of the input images is detected, and a torso portion constructing a human region together with the face is traced from a position of the face, and the human region is detected as the detection region.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein, if a person does not exist in each of the input images, a central region of each of the input images is selected as the detection region.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shutter-release button select signal comprises the first signal generated when a shutter-release button is pressed to a first step, and the second signal generated when the shutter-release button is pressed to a second step.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the focus lens is moved along the optical axis in response to the first signal and receiving the plurality of focus images, wherein the focus lens is controlled by the control unit to be located at a position where the clearest focus image is obtained.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiving of the plurality of focus images is performed in a no hand shake situation, and the receiving of the plurality of input images is performed in a hand shake situation.

9. An apparatus for processing a digital image, the apparatus comprising:

a focus lens that moves along an optical axis in response to a first shutter-release button select signal to receive a plurality of focus images, and is controlled to be located at a position where a clearest image is obtained from the plurality of focus images;

an image input unit for receiving a plurality of input images from the outside when a second shutter-release button select signal is input from the outside while the focus lens remains at the located position;

a detection region for detecting unit detecting specific regions of the input images as detection regions;

a raw data generating unit for generating raw data of the detection regions from the input images;

a luminance value calculating unit for calculating luminance values corresponding to respective pixels from the raw data;

a focus value calculating unit for calculating focus values of the input images from the luminance values; and

a best image selecting unit for selecting an input image with a highest focus value among the input images as a best image.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein, if a person exists in each of the input images, a human region including the person is selected as the detection region, and if a person does not exist in each of the input images, a central region of each of the input images is selected as the detection region.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a face in each of the input images is detected, a torso portion constructing a human region together with the face is traced from a position of the face, and the human region is detected as the detection region.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the shutter-release button select signal comprises the first signal generated when a shutter-release button is pressed to a first step, and the second signal generated when the shutter-release button is pressed to a second step.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the image input unit receives the input images in response to the second signal.

14. A method of controlling an apparatus for processing a digital image, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of focus images from the outside as a focus lens moves along an optical axis;

determining a position of the focus lens for the clearest image of the focus images;

receiving a plurality of input images from the outside while the focus lens remains at the determined position;

detecting human regions of the input images as detection regions;

receiving raw data of the detection regions;

calculating luminance values corresponding to respective pixels from the raw data;

calculating focus values of the input images from the luminance values; and

selecting an input image with a highest focus value among the input images as a best image.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

generating a first signal when a shutter-release button is pressed to a first step;

generating a second signal when the shutter-release button is pressed to a second step; and

controlling the focus lens, which is moved along the optical axis in response to the first signal to receive the plurality of focus images.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, in the state where the focus lens is fixed to the position where the clearest focus image is obtained, the input images are received in response to the second signal.