Camera control device
A camera control circuit stores an image picked up by a CCD into an internal memory. A CPU of a main processor circuit gives an instruction of reading out image data stored in the internal memory of the camera control circuit through buses and a slave access controller. The main processor circuit displays the image data which is read out on an LCD and performs other processings. With the above construction, in the electronic equipment having an image pickup function of a camera, it is possible to reduce time for image transfer from the camera control circuit to the main processor circuit.
1. A camera control device integrated into an electronic equipment, comprising:
an input circuit connected to an internal bus inside said camera control device and configured to input an image signal output from an image pickup sensor;
a memory device connected directly only to the internal bus inside said camera control device and configured to store said image signal output from said image pickup sensor;
a slave access controller provided entirely inside said camera control device and connected to said internal bus and directly to an external bus provided outside said camera control device;
a serial interface connected to the internal bus inside said camera control device and to a second serial interface that is inside a processing unit including a CPU and that is connected to a second internal bus, physically distinct from the external bus, inside the processing unit, the serial interface configured to transfer a startup program for the camera control device from the processing unit,
wherein the CPU is provided outside said camera control device, performs a general control of said electronic equipment and reads out said image signal stored as a compressed image in said memory device by sending a read instruction to the slave access controller which uses a predetermined circuit unit to transfer the compressed image from the memory device to the slave access controller which transfers the compressed image to the CPU through said external bus, and
wherein said memory device is not directly controlled by the CPU.
2. The camera control device according to claim 1 , further comprising
an element for compressing said image signal inputted from said image pickup sensor.
3. The camera control device according to claim 1 , wherein
said memory device includes an internal memory provided inside said camera control device.
4. The camera control device according to claim 1 , wherein
said electronic equipment includes an external memory connected to the outside of said camera control device, and
said external memory is connected to said internal bus through a memory interface circuit.
5. The camera control device according to claim 1 , further comprising
a DMA (Direct Memory Access) controller,
wherein said DMA controller transfers said image signal stored in said memory device to said slave access controller.
6. The camera control device according to claim 5 , further comprising
an interface for allowing said DMA controller to perform a direct DMA transfer to the outside of said camera control device not through said slave access controller.
7. The camera control device according to claim 1 , further comprising
an interface used for outputting said image signal outputted from said image pickup sensor as a YUV signal to the outside of said camera control device.
8. The camera control device according to claim 1 , wherein
said electronic equipment is a cellular phone and said CPU is a CPU which performs a general control of said cellular phone.
9. The camera control device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a control unit connected to the internal bus and including a second CPU, the control unit configured to control storing of said image signal output from said image pickup sensor into the memory device.
10. The camera control device according to claim 1 , wherein the second internal bus inside the processing unit is connected to the external bus.
11. A camera control device integrated into an electronic equipment, comprising:
an input circuit connected to an internal bus inside said camera control device and configured to input an image signal output from an image pickup sensor;
a memory device connected directly only to the internal bus inside said camera control device and configured to store said image signal output from said image pickup sensor;
a slave access controller provided entirely inside said camera control device and connected to said internal bus and directly to an external bus provided outside said camera control device;
a display control circuit connected to a display device and said internal bus inside said camera control device; and
a control unit configured to send a display instruction for displaying an image acquired by said image pickup sensor to said display control circuit not under control of a CPU,
wherein the CPU is provided outside said camera control device, performs a general control of said electronic equipment and reads out said image signal stored as a compressed image in the memory device by sending a read instruction to the slave access controller which uses a predetermined circuit unit to transfer the compressed image from the memory device to the slave access controller which transfers the compressed image to the CPU through the external bus; and
a serial interface connected to the internal bus inside said camera control device and to a second serial interface that is inside a processing unit including the CPU and that is connected to a second internal bus, physically distinct from the external bus, inside the processing unit, the serial interface configured to transfer a startup program for the camera control device from the processing unit, and
wherein said memory device is not directly controlled by the CPU.
12. The camera control device according to claim 11 , further comprising
an interface used for outputting said image signal outputted from said image pickup sensor as a YUV signal to the outside of said camera control device.
13. The camera control device according to claim 11 , wherein
said electronic equipment is a cellular phone and said CPU is a CPU which performs a general control of said cellular phone.