Apparatus and method for controlling a focus position for a digital still camera
An apparatus for controlling a focus position for a digital still camera allows a user to take a picture with a certain focused position by moving a focus to a desirable position of the subject. The apparatus comprises a display unit for displaying an image corresponding to a mark representing the focus position, a switch unit and a touch screen for moving the mark on the display unit. The touch screen covers an active area of the display unit. The apparatus further comprises a focus controller for controlling to focus on a position of the subject corresponding the mark moved by the switch or the touch screen.
1. An apparatus for controlling a focus position, comprising:
a display screen displaying an image corresponding to a subject and a mark representing the focus position on the image;
a touch screen allowing a user to relocate the mark on the display screen;
a first memory unit storing image data corresponding the entire image;
a focus control unit generating an address of the image data stored in the first image storage corresponding to a coordinates of the relocated focus position, processing the image data to set the focus position on a position of the subject corresponding to the relocated mark, and compressing the image data having the focus position set on the relocated mark; and
a second memory unit storing the compressed image data.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the focus control unit calculates the focus position by processing image data corresponding to the mark moved by the touch screen.
3. A digital still camera, comprising:
a display unit showing an image corresponding to a subject and a mark representing a focus position on the image;
a first image storage storing image data corresponding to the entire image;
a touch screen allowing a user to relocate the mark on the display unit means;
a focus control unit generating an address of the image data stored in the first image storage corresponding to a coordinates of the relocated focus position, processing the image data to set the focus position on a position of the subject corresponding to the relocated mark, and compressing the image data having the focus position set on the relocated mark; and
a second image storage storing the compressed image data.
4. The digital sill camera of claim 3 , wherein the display unit comprises a display screen showing the image and the mark.
5. The digital still camera of claim 3 , wherein the touch screen is established on a camera body.
6. The digital still camera of claim 3 , wherein the focus control unit calculates the focus position by processing image data corresponding to the mark moved by the touch screen.
7. The digital still camera of claim 6 , wherein the focus control unit restores the compressed image data.
8. A method for operating a digital still camera, comprising the steps of:
(a) displaying a subject and a focus mark on a display screen;
(b) storing image data corresponding to the entire subject;
(c) determining a position on the display screen to which an operator relocates the focus mark based on an operator's manipulation of a touch screen;
(d) displaying the focus mark on the position to which the operator relocates the focus position;
(e) focusing the camera corresponding to the relocated focus position, the step of focusing further comprising steps of:
generating an address of a memory storing image data corresponding to a coordinates of the relocated focus position;
reading the image data stored in the address; and
calculating a focus position by processing the image data;
(f) photographing the subject with the focus position at the relocated position of the focus mark and converting the photographed subjected into digital image data;
(g) compressing the digital image data;
(h) storing the compressed digital image data; and
(i) restoring the compressed digital image data as needed.