Image input apparatus with high-speed, high-quality still image successive capturing capability and still image successive capturing method using the same

Abstract

An apparatus and a method of successively capturing high quality image data at high speed are provided. The image input apparatus includes an image sensor for capturing image data from a subject; an image signal processor encoding the image data transmitted from the image sensor to produce digital image data; and a memory for storing the digital image data. The image signal processor decodes the digital image data according to an operating signal from a user and provides the user with the decoded digital image data. Therefore, the high quality image data can be obtained at high speed, and the lifespan of an external memory can be increased.

1 . An image input apparatus having a high speed, high-quality successive capturing function, the apparatus comprising:
 an image sensor that captures image data from a subject;   an image signal processor that encodes the image data transmitted from the image sensor to produce digital image data; and   a memory that stores the digital image data,   wherein the image signal processor decodes the digital image data according to an operating signal from a user and provides the user with the decoded digital image data.   
   
   
       2 . The image input apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the memory comprises an internal memory and an external memory, and the image signal processor stores the encoded digital image data and the decoded digital image data primarily in the internal memory. 
   
   
       3 . The image input apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the image signal processor stores the encoded digital image data and the decoded digital image data in the external memory if there is no storage space in the internal memory. 
   
   
       4 . The image input apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a display unit that displays the decoded digital image data,   wherein the image signal processor allows the user to select the desired digital image data among the digital image data provided to the user, and decodes the selected digital image data using a predetermined still image codec and stores the decoded digital image data in the external memory.   
   
   
       5 . The image input apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the still image codec is a codec complying with Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) standard. 
   
   
       6 . The image input apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the external memory is a memory complying with a standard selected from the group consisting of standard definition (SD), Multimedia Card (MMC), Compact Flash (CF), mini standard definition (miniSD), Memory Stick (MS), xD-Picture, T-flash, and Micro Drive (MD). 
   
   
       7 . The image input apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the moving picture codec complies with a standard selected from the group consisting of H.264, Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-2, and MPEG-4. 
   
   
       8 . The image input apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a successive capturing mode selection unit that is independently formed in order to select the successive capturing function.   
   
   
       9 . The image input apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the successive capturing mode selection unit is one of a jog dial, an independent button, and a user interface. 
   
   
       10 . A method of successively capturing still images of high image quality at high speed, the method comprising:
 capturing still images from a subject using an image sensor;   encoding image data transmitted from the image sensor using a predetermined moving picture codec to produce encoded digital image data;   storing the digital image data in a memory; and   decoding the digital image data according to an operating signal of a user and providing the user with the decoded digital image data.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the storing of the digital image data comprises: storing the encoded digital image data and the decoded digital image data primarily in an internal memory. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the storing of the digital image data comprises: storing the encoded digital image data and the decoded digital image data in an external memory if there is no storage space in the internal memory. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the providing of the decoded digital image data comprises:
 displaying the decoded digital image data;   allowing the user to select desired digital image data among the digital image data provided to the user; and   decoding the selected digital image data using a predetermined still image codec and storing the decoded digital image data in the external memory.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the still image codec is a codec complying with the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) standard. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the external memory is a memory complying with a standard selected from the group consisting of standard definition (SD), Multimedia Card (MMC), Compact Flash (CF), mini standard definition (miniSD), Memory Stick (MS), xD-Picture, T-flash, and Micro Drive (MD). 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the moving picture codec complies with a standard selected from the group consisting of H.264, Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG)-2, and MPEG-4. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 detecting whether a successive capturing mode is selected using a successive capturing mode selection unit that is independently formed in order to select the high speed successive capturing function.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the successive capturing mode selection unit is one of a jog dial, an independent button, and a user interface.