Camera capturing video

Abstract

The camera includes an infrared transmitter; a lens that receives external light; an image sensor optically connected to the lens; and a controller configured to provide an image frame by sensing external light using the image sensor, and the controller is configured to control an external device by performing tracking of the person object and outputting an infrared control signal through the infrared transmitter when the person object detected from the image frame corresponds to a selected type among a plurality of types.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more specifically, to a camera capable of capturing images. Background Technology

[0002] With the proliferation of cameras or various electronic devices containing cameras, cameras are becoming more sophisticated and equipped with a wider range of functions. Cameras can include not only the function of displaying captured video through a display device but also the function of transmitting the captured video to a user terminal via a network, thereby allowing the user to view the video on the user terminal. In addition, cameras can include various functions depending on their installation location.

[0003] The above description is intended solely to aid in understanding the background technology regarding the technical concepts of the present invention, and therefore, it should not be understood as prior art known to those skilled in the art of the present invention. The problem to be solved

[0004] Embodiments of the present invention are intended to provide a camera that offers enhanced user convenience. For example, the camera can not only capture images but also control external devices such as a television or a set-top box that controls the television. means of solving the problem

[0005] A camera according to embodiments of the present invention comprises: an infrared transmitter; a lens receiving external light; an image sensor optically connected to the lens; and a controller configured to provide an image frame by sensing the external light using the image sensor, wherein the controller is configured to control an external device by performing tracking on the person object and outputting an infrared control signal through the infrared transmitter when the person object detected from the image frame corresponds to a selected type among a plurality of types.

[0006] The above controller may be configured to determine the position of the person object within the video frame and output the infrared control signal through the infrared transmitter based on the determined position.

[0007] The above controller may be configured to output the infrared control signal based on at least one of the distance from the person object, the movement of the person object, and the speed of the movement.

[0008] The camera may further include a transfer member configured to support the infrared transmitter and lens and to provide a movement path of the infrared transmitter so that the direction in which the infrared transmitter and lens are oriented varies; and a body that supports the transfer member, an image sensor, and a controller.

[0009] A camera according to another embodiment of the present invention comprises: an infrared transmitter; a lens receiving external light; an image sensor optically connected to the lens; and a controller configured to sense the external light using the image sensor and provide an image frame, wherein the controller controls an external device by outputting an infrared control signal through the infrared transmitter when a trigger command is generated, and may be configured to prohibit the provision of the image frame based on the external light received while the infrared control signal is being output.

[0010] The image sensor is configured to sense the external light at the first time to generate a first image signal, and to sense the external light at the second time after the first time to generate a second image signal, and the controller is configured to output the infrared control signal through the infrared transmitter at the second time, process the first image signal to output the image frame, and output the image frame in which the first image signal has been processed again without processing the second image signal.

[0011] The image sensor is configured to sense the external light at the first time to generate a first image signal and to sense the external light at the second time after the first time to generate a second image signal, and the controller is configured to output the infrared control signal through the infrared transmitter at the second time, to process the first image signal to output the image frame, and to output a dummy signal without processing the second image signal.

[0012] The above controller may be configured to output the video frame in a first period, output the video frame in a second period that is increased compared to the first period when the trigger command is generated, and output the infrared control signal through the infrared transmitter for a time different from the time when the video frame is output. Effects of the invention

[0013] According to embodiments of the present invention, a camera that provides enhanced user convenience is provided. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0014] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a drawing showing the interior where the camera of Figure 1 is installed. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the camera of Figure 1. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for outputting an infrared control signal from a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for enabling the trigger command of step S40 of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method for outputting an infrared control signal from a camera according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a timing diagram showing an example of signals generated from a camera. FIG. 8 is a timing diagram showing another embodiment of signals generated from a camera. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0015] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that in the following description, only the parts necessary for understanding the operation according to the present invention are described, and the description of other parts is omitted to avoid obscuring the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be embodied in other forms. However, the embodiments described herein are provided merely to explain in detail sufficient for a person skilled in the art to easily implement the technical concept of the present invention.

[0016] Throughout the specification, when a part is described as being "connected" to another part, this includes not only cases where they are "directly connected," but also cases where they are "indirectly connected" with other elements interposed between them. The terms used herein are intended to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Throughout the specification, when a part is described as "comprising" a certain component, this means that, unless specifically stated otherwise, it does not exclude other components but may include additional components. "At least one of X, Y, and Z" and "at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z" may be interpreted as one X, one Y, one Z, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z (e.g., XYZ, XYY, YZ, ZZ). Here, "and / or" includes all combinations of one or more of such components.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an interior where the camera of FIG. 1 is installed.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 1, the camera (100) may include a body (10), an image sensor (110), a controller (120), an infrared transmitter (130), and one or more transport members (141, 142).

[0019] The body (10) supports the controller (120) and the transfer members (141, 142).

[0020] The image sensor (110) may be supported by a first transfer member (141). The image sensor (110) operates in response to the control of a controller (120). The image sensor (110) is configured to generate an image signal by sensing external light (L) received through a lens.

[0021] The infrared transmitter (130) may be supported by a second transport member (142). The infrared transmitter (130) operates in response to the control of the controller (120). The infrared transmitter (130) can control an external device by transmitting an infrared control signal to an adjacent external device. For example, the infrared control signal can cut off the power to an external device, such as a television located outside or a set-top box connected to the television, or control any operation of the external device, such as the television displaying a predetermined screen.

[0022] The controller (120) is configured to control the image sensor (110) and the infrared transmitter (130). The controller (120) is configured to process the image signal provided by the image sensor to provide an image frame. Additionally, the controller (120) can control the infrared transmitter (130) to output an infrared control signal. Referring to FIG. 1 in conjunction with FIG. 2, the camera (100) may be installed adjacent to an external device such as a television (50) or a set-top box. For example, the camera (100) may be installed in a home adjacent to the television (50). The controller (120) can determine whether a child is adjacent to the television (50) based on image data including an image frame, and cause the infrared transmitter (130) to output an infrared control signal according to the determination result.

[0023] Whether a child is adjacent to the television (50) can be determined by analyzing video data through various methods well known in this field. For example, the controller (120) can detect a person object based on video data, determine if the detected person object is a child, and if so, perform various actions such as tracking the gaze of the face and detecting the distance from the face, and the infrared transmitter (130) can output an infrared control signal based on the performed actions. Accordingly, if parents do not want the child to watch the television (50) while adjacent to it for various reasons, such as to prevent the child's eyesight from deteriorating, the television (50) can be controlled to perform the desired actions without direct control by the user. Thus, a camera (100) is provided that offers enhanced convenience to the user.

[0024] The first transfer member (141) supports the image sensor (110) on one side of the body (10), and the second transfer member (142) can support the infrared transmitter (130) on the other side of the body (10). The first transfer member (141) is configured to provide a movement path for the image sensor (110) so that the direction in which the image sensor (110) faces varies, and the second transfer member (142) is configured to provide a movement path for the infrared transmitter (130) so that the direction in which the infrared transmitter (130) faces varies.

[0025] The user can move the image sensor (110) along the first transfer member (141) in a vertical and / or horizontal direction to control the image sensor (110) to capture an image at a desired viewing angle (i.e., ANGL1), and move the infrared transmitter (130) along the second transfer member (142) in a vertical and / or horizontal direction to control the angle range (i.e., ANGL2) for outputting an infrared control signal to be directed toward the television (50). At this time, the user can direct the image sensor (110) toward a first direction and direct the infrared transmitter (130) toward a second direction different from the first direction. In this case, the image sensor (110) captures an image at the first viewing angle (ANGL1), and the infrared transmitter (130) can output an infrared control signal to at least a part of the second angle range (ANGL2) that does not overlap with the first viewing angle (ANGL1). Infrared rays are not visible to the human eye but can be captured by an image sensor (110). As described above, when the image sensor (110) and the infrared transmitter (130) are oriented in different directions, the image signal captured by the image sensor (110) can minimize or at least reduce the influence received from the infrared rays of the infrared transmitter (130).

[0026] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the camera of Figure 1.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, the camera (200) may include a lens (205), an image sensor (210), a controller (220), a storage medium (230), a communication device (240), and an infrared transmitter (250).

[0028] The lens (205) is configured to receive external light (L). The lens (205) can optically process the received external light (L).

[0029] The image sensor (210) is configured to generate an image signal by converting external light (L) received through the lens (205) into an electrical signal. The image sensor (210) can operate in response to the control of the controller (220). The image sensor (210) can be implemented as a solid-state image sensor, such as a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) or a Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS). The image sensor (210) may include sensor units in which color filters of three colors, R (red), G (green), and B (blue), are arranged in a Bayer arrangement. The image sensor (210) can generate an image signal using these sensor units. The image signal may include a data stream of pixel values. In embodiments, the image sensor (210) may include an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert an analog image signal into a digital image signal.

[0030] The controller (220) is connected to the image sensor (210). The controller (220) is configured to control the overall operation of the camera (200). The controller (220) can sense external light (L) using the image sensor (210) to provide an image frame, while also outputting an infrared control signal through the infrared transmitter (250).

[0031] The controller (220) may include a system memory (221), an EEPROM (222), an image processing processor (223), and a main processor (224).

[0032] System memory (221) is connected to an image processing processor (223) and a main processor (224). System memory (221) may be used as a working memory for the image processing processor (223) and / or the main processor (224). In embodiments, the image processing processor (223) and / or the main processor (224) may perform the operations described herein by loading program codes and / or instructions from a storage medium (230) into the system memory (221) and executing the loaded program codes and / or instructions. System memory (221) may be used as a buffer memory. System memory (221) may temporarily store data processed by the image processing processor (223) and / or the main processor (224). For example, system memory (221) may temporarily store pixel values ​​of an image signal provided by an image sensor (210) or temporarily store an image frame generated by the image processing processor (223). In the embodiments, the system memory (221) may include Random Access Memory (RAM).

[0033] In FIG. 3, the system memory (221) is illustrated as a component separate from the image processing processor (223) and / or the main processor (224). However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. At least a portion of the system memory (221) may be included in the image processing processor (223) and / or the main processor (224). That is, each of the image processing processor (223) and / or the main processor (224) may include internal memory.

[0034] The EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory, 222) can store program codes and / or instructions required for the operations of the image processing processor (223) and the main processor (224). The EEPROM (222) can store configuration data required for the operations of the image processing processor (223) and the main processor (224).

[0035] An image processing processor (223) is configured to process an image signal received from an image sensor (210) to provide an image frame. For example, the image processing processor (223) can generate an image frame by performing appropriate processing on the image signal received from the image sensor (210), such as converting an image signal in the format of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) into an image signal in the format of luminance (Y) and chrominance (Cb, Cr), and converting the resolution of the image signal. The generated image frame can be stored in a system memory (221).

[0036] The main processor (224) controls the general operations of the camera (200). The main processor (224) can perform various operations using video frames stored in the system memory (221). The main processor (224) determines whether an object detected from the video frame is a person, and if so, tracks the person object and can selectively generate a trigger command.

[0037] First, the main processor (224) can determine whether a person object in a video frame belongs to a selected type (e.g., a child) among a plurality of predetermined types. When the person object belongs to a selected type, it can perform various actions such as detecting a face based on the video frame, tracking a gaze corresponding to the face, and detecting the distance between the face and the camera (200), and can generate a trigger command based on the performed actions.

[0038] In the embodiments, the main processor (224) determines the height of a person object in an image frame, compares the determined height of the person object with a reference value, and classifies the person object into one of the first and second types (e.g., adult and child) based on the comparison result. For example, when the height of the determined person object is 120 cm or less, the person object may be classified as a child. The storage medium (230) may store the reference value. The height of the person object may be determined through various methods known in the art. For example, the main processor (224) may obtain a correction coefficient corresponding to the position of the person object within the image and estimate the height of the person object using the correction coefficient. Reference is made herein to “Image-based pedestrian height estimation using Wiener optimization technique” (Jeon Sang-hee, Song Jong-kwan, Park Jang-sik, Yoon Byung-woo; The Korean Society of Multimedia; Journal of the Korean Society of Multimedia Vol. 19 No. 2).

[0039] In the embodiments, the main processor (224) determines the ratio between the body parts of a person object in a video frame, compares the determined ratio of the person object with a reference ratio, and classifies the person object into one of a first and second type (e.g., adult and child) based on the comparison result. For example, when the leg length / face length is lower than the first reference ratio and the shoulder width / face width is lower than the second reference ratio, the person object may be classified as a child. The body parts of the person object may be determined through various methods known in the field. For example, the main processor (224) may detect the body parts, extract feature points of each body part, and estimate the size of each body part based on the extracted feature points. Reference is made herein to “Extraction of Whole Body Size for Personalized Recommendation Module” (Park Yong-hee, Jin Seong-ah; The Korean Society for Industrial and Applied Technology; Journal of The Korean Society for Industrial and Applied Technology Vol. 11, No. 12).

[0040] The main processor (224) controls the infrared transmitter (250) to output an infrared control signal in response to a trigger command, and can control the image processing processor (223) to prohibit providing an image frame based on external light (L) received while the infrared control signal is being output. In an embodiment, the main processor (224) can control the image processing processor (223) to output an image frame generated according to the external light (L) prior to the infrared control signal being output while the infrared control signal is being output. In another embodiment, the main processor (224) can control the image processing processor (223) so that no image frame is output while the infrared control signal is being output. For example, the main processor (224) can control the image processing processor (223) to reduce the frame rate at which the image frame is output so that the image processing processor (223) does not output an image frame during an increased time interval, and can output an infrared control signal through the infrared transmitter (250) during that increased time interval.

[0041] Infrared light is not visible to the human eye but can be captured by an image sensor (210). If an image frame is provided based on external light (L) received while an infrared control signal is being output, the image frame may contain unwanted visual information due to the influence of the infrared control signal as well as visible light. However, by prohibiting the provision of an image frame based on external light (L) received while an infrared control signal is being output as described above, the influence of the infrared control signal on the image signal captured by the image sensor (210) can be minimized.

[0042] In the embodiments, the image sensor (210) can generate an image signal based on external light (L) even while an infrared control signal is output. The main processor (224) can control the image processing processor (223) to disable processing of the generated image signal and / or various operations performed in response to the generated image signal. As the infrared control signal is added to visible light, the pixel values ​​of the generated image signal may change drastically compared to the previous image signal, and such drastic changes may cause an overload on various operations performed in response to the image signal, such as auto focus control, auto exposure control, and auto white balance correction. By disabling processing of the image signal and / or various operations performed in response to the generated image signal, the overload and / or power consumption of the image processing processor (223) that may be caused by such operations can be reduced.

[0043] The storage medium (230) may further store program codes and / or instructions to be executed by the image processing processor (223) and the main processor (224). The program codes and / or instructions may be loaded from the EEPROM (222) and / or the storage medium (230) into the system memory (221) and executed by the image processing processor (223) and the main processor (224). At least some of the operations of the main processor (224) described herein may be performed by the main processor (224) executing these program codes and / or instructions. In embodiments, the storage medium (230) may include a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory.

[0044] The communication device (240) is configured to provide communication between the camera (200) and external devices in response to the control of the main processor (224). The main processor (224) can transmit video frames provided by the image processing processor (223) to a user terminal, such as a mobile device or a computer, via the communication device (240). Accordingly, the user can view the video frames provided by the image processing processor (223) through the user terminal. The communication device (240) can communicate with external devices via a network. For example, the communication device (240) communicates with a router via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth communication or Wi-Fi communication, and the router can be connected to external devices via wired or wireless connections through the network.

[0045] In the embodiments, the camera (200) further includes a display device, and the display device can display an image frame in response to the control of the main processor (224).

[0046] The infrared transmitter (250) is configured to perform infrared communication with an external device through at least one of various infrared protocols, such as IrDA (Infrared Data Association). The infrared transmitter (250) is configured to output an infrared control signal in response to control by the main processor (224). The infrared control signal can control the external device to perform a predetermined action, such as cutting off the power to an external device, such as a television or a set-top box connected thereto.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a method for outputting an infrared control signal from a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in step S10, a controller (220), for example, a main processor (224), senses external light using an image sensor (210) and provides an image frame. The controller (220) can transmit the image frame to a user terminal through a communication device (240) included in the camera (200), and the user can view the image frame through the user terminal. If the camera (200) includes a display device, the controller (220) can display the image frame through the display device.

[0049] In step S20, the controller (220) performs step S30 depending on whether a human object is detected. The controller (220) can detect a human object in a video frame through at least one of human recognition algorithms well known in the field.

[0050] In step S30, the controller (220) detects whether the person object corresponds to a selected type (e.g., child) among a plurality of types (e.g., adult and child), and if so, performs step S40.

[0051] The type to which a person object belongs can be determined through various methods. In embodiments, the controller (220) can determine the height of a person object in a video frame, compare the determined height of the person object with a reference value, and classify the person object into a selected type based on the comparison result. In embodiments, the controller (220) can determine the ratio between body parts of a person object in a video frame, compare the determined ratio of the person object with a reference ratio, and classify the person object into a selected type based on the comparison result.

[0052] In step S40, the controller (220) tracks a person object and generates a trigger command. When the trigger command is enabled, the controller (220) can output an infrared control signal through the infrared transmitter (250) to control an external device, such as a television or a set-top box connected thereto, to perform a predetermined operation. In embodiments, the controller (220) can determine the position of the person object within the video frame and output an infrared control signal based on the determined position.

[0053] As such, the method of outputting an infrared control signal from a camera according to an embodiment of the present invention allows the television to perform a desired operation without direct user control when parents do not want the child to watch television while adjacent to the television for various reasons, such as to prevent the child's eyesight from deteriorating. Accordingly, user convenience is improved.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for enabling the trigger command of step S40 of FIG. 4.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 5, in step S210, a controller (220), for example, a main processor (224), detects a face from image frames generated by an image processing processor (223). As shown in FIG. 2, the camera (200) may be installed adjacent to a television, such that the image sensor (210) is directed toward the area where a person mainly watches television as a shooting area, and the infrared transmitter (250) is directed toward the television.

[0056] In step S220, the main processor (224) tracks the face detected in the video. In step S230, the main processor (224) analyzes the position of the face in the video, the distance from the face, the movement of the face (or the person), and the speed of the movement.

[0057] The distance to the face may be determined based on the size of the face within the image. For example, whether the detected face is a child and the distance to the face may be determined based on the camera's field of view information, the average information of the child's face size, and the position information of the face within the image. In the embodiments, considering that the degree of image distortion varies depending on the lens (205), a data set including correction values ​​for each position of the image may be stored in advance, and the stored data set may be referenced to determine the face size. The movement of the face and / or the speed of the movement may be determined based on the distance information to the face determined at regular time intervals. In the embodiments, the movement of the face and / or the speed of the movement may be determined or estimated by processing the position information of the face and the distance information to the face determined at regular time intervals using a tracking algorithm such as a Kalman filter. In this way, the distance to the face, the movement of the face, and the speed of the movement may be determined through various methods.

[0058] In step S240, the main processor (224) generates a trigger command based on at least one of the position of the analyzed face within the image, the distance from the face, the movement of the face, and the speed of the movement. For example, a trigger command may be generated when the distance from the face becomes less than or equal to a threshold. For example, even if the distance from the face is greater than the threshold, a trigger command may be generated by further referencing the movement of the face and the speed of the movement. For example, when it is expected that the distance between the camera (200) and the face will decrease according to the movement of the face, a trigger command may be generated by referencing not only the distance from the face but also the speed of the movement. For example, even if the position of the face is located at the outer edge of the image and then disappears, if it is estimated that the distance between the camera (200) and the face will decrease according to the movement of the face, a trigger command may be generated according to the determined distance from the face and / or the speed of the movement.

[0059] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a method for outputting an infrared control signal from a camera according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 6, in step S110, the controller (220) senses external light using an image sensor (210) and provides an image frame.

[0061] In step S120, the controller (220) performs step S130 when the trigger command is enabled. The trigger command may be provided as described with reference to FIG. 4. In step S130, the controller (220) may output an infrared control signal through the infrared transmitter (250) to control an external device, such as a television or a set-top box connected thereto, to perform a predetermined operation.

[0062] In step S140, the controller (220) prohibits generating an image frame based on external light received while an infrared control signal is being output.

[0063] Figure 7 is a timing diagram showing an example of signals generated from a camera.

[0064] Referring to FIGS. 3 and FIG. 7, at a first time (T1), a first image signal (VS1) is generated from an image sensor (210). An image processing processor (223) generates a first image frame (VF1) based on the first image signal (VS1). At a second time (T2), a second image signal (VS2) is generated from the image sensor (210), and an image processing processor (223) generates a second image frame (VF2) based on the second image signal (VS2). In this way, the image sensor (210) can generate each image signal in a first period corresponding to the difference between the first and second times (T1, T2), and accordingly, the image processing processor (223) can generate an image frame in a first period.

[0065] At the third time (T3), a trigger command is generated. In response to the trigger command, the main processor (224) can control the image processing processor (223) to generate each image frame in a second period longer than the first period. That is, the main processor (224) can reduce the frame rate of the image processing processor (223). For example, the image sensor (210) can generate the third to ninth image signals (VS3 to VS9) respectively in the fourth to tenth times (T4 to T10) as shown in FIG. 7. That is, the image sensor (210) can continuously generate each image signal in the first period. At this time, the main processor (224) outputs a dummy signal indicating no data without processing the third to sixth video signals (VS3~VS6), and then can generate the third video frame (VF3) according to the seventh video signal (VS7). For example, the third to ninth video signals (VS3~VS9) may be dropped. The above second period may be the difference between the fourth and eighth times (T4, T8).

[0066] In the embodiments, the main processor (224) can control the image processing processor (223) to disable processing for the third to sixth image signals (VS3 to VS6) and / or various operations performed in response to the third to sixth image signals (VS3 to VS6), such as auto focus control, auto exposure control, and auto color temperature correction.

[0067] The second period is longer than the first period. Accordingly, the time interval during which the image processing processor (223) does not generate image frames according to the image signal can be extended. For example, the image processing processor (223) may not generate image frames according to the third to sixth image signals (VS3~VS6) during the time interval between the fourth and eighth times (T4, T8) in FIG. 7, and may output a dummy signal. During the corresponding time interval, the main processor (224) may generate an infrared control signal through the infrared transmitter (250). In the embodiments, a header (HD) for preparing infrared communication with an external device, such as a television or set-top box, is transmitted through the infrared transmitter (250), and subsequently, a command (CMD) for controlling the external device may be transmitted through the infrared transmitter (250). The header (HD) and the command (CMD) may be included in the infrared control signal. In this way, the main processor (224) can control the image processing processor (223) so that no image frames are generated and / or output while the infrared control signal is output.

[0068] After the output of the infrared control signal is completed, the main processor (224) can control the image processing processor (223) to generate each image frame in the first cycle again.

[0069] FIG. 8 is a timing diagram showing another embodiment of signals generated from a camera.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 3 and FIG. 8, the image sensor (210) generates first and second image signals (VS1, VS2) at first and second times (T1, T2), respectively, and the image processing processor (223) generates first and second image frames (VF1, VF2) according to the first and second image signals (VS1, VS2), respectively.

[0071] At the third time (T3), a trigger command is generated. In response to the trigger command, the main processor (224) can command the image processing processor (223) to output previously generated image frames, such as the first and second image frames (VF1, VF2), without changing the frame rate of the image processing processor (223). In FIG. 8, the image sensor (210) outputs the third to sixth image signals (VS3~VS6) at the fourth to seventh times (T4~T7), respectively, and the image processing processor (223) repeatedly outputs the second image frame (VF2) at the fourth to seventh times (T4~T7), which is not an image frame corresponding to the third to sixth image signals (VS3~VS6). In the embodiments, the image processing processor (223) can store the second image frame (VF2) in internal memory or system memory (221) and repeatedly output the second image frame (VF2) in the fourth to seventh times (T4 to T7).

[0072] In the embodiments, the main processor (224) can control the image processing processor (223) to disable processing for the third to sixth image signals (VS3 to VS6) and / or various operations performed in response to the third to sixth image signals (VS3 to VS6), such as auto focus control, auto exposure control, and auto color temperature correction.

[0073] The main processor (224) can generate an infrared control signal (HD, CMD) through the infrared transmitter (250) while the second image frame (VF2) is repeatedly output. In this way, the main processor (224) can control the image processing processor (223) to output the image frame (VF2 in FIG. 8) generated before the infrared control signal is output while the infrared control signal is output.

[0074] After the output of the infrared control signal is completed, the main processor (224) can command the image processing processor (223) to output an image frame according to the image signal of the image sensor (210). The image sensor (210) generates the 7th to 9th image signals (VS7 to VS9) respectively during the 8th to 10th times (T8 to T10), and the main processor (224) can generate the 3rd to 5th image frames (VF3 to VF5) respectively according to the 7th to 9th image signals (VS7 to VS9).

[0075] Although specific embodiments and applications have been described herein, they are provided only to aid in a more comprehensive understanding of the invention, and the invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and variations are possible from this description by those skilled in the art.

[0076] Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and all things equivalent to or having equivalent variations to the claims set forth below, as well as the claims set forth below, shall be considered to fall within the scope of the concept of the present invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0077] 100: Camera 110: Image sensor 120: Controller 130: Infrared transmitter

Claims

Claim 1 A camera, wherein the camera comprises: an infrared transmitter; a lens receiving external light; an image sensor optically connected to the lens; and a controller configured to sense the external light using the image sensor and provide an image frame, wherein the controller performs tracking of the person object when it is determined that the person object detected from the image frame corresponds to a selected type among a plurality of predetermined person types, and outputs an infrared control signal to the external device for controlling the external device through the infrared transmitter based on information about the person object obtained by tracking. Claim 2 A camera according to claim 1, wherein the controller determines the position of the person object within the video frame by the tracking and outputs the infrared control signal through the infrared transmitter based on the determined position. Claim 3 In claim 2, the camera is configured such that the controller outputs the infrared control signal based on at least one of the distance from the person object, the movement of the person object, and the speed of the movement. Claim 4 A camera according to claim 1, further comprising: a transfer member configured to support the infrared transmitter and lens and to provide a movement path of the infrared transmitter such that the direction in which the infrared transmitter and lens are oriented varies; and a body supporting the transfer member, an image sensor, and a controller. Claim 5 A camera comprising: an infrared transmitter; a lens receiving external light; an image sensor optically connected to the lens; and a controller configured to sense the external light using the image sensor and provide an image frame, wherein the controller controls an external device by outputting an infrared control signal through the infrared transmitter when a trigger command is generated by the analysis result of the image frame, and is configured to prohibit the provision of an image frame based on the external light received by the image sensor while the infrared control signal is being output. Claim 6 A camera according to claim 5, wherein the image sensor is configured to sense the external light at the first time to generate a first image signal and to sense the external light at the second time after the first time to generate a second image signal, and the controller is configured to output the infrared control signal through the infrared transmitter at the second time, to process the first image signal to output the image frame, and to output the image frame in which the first image signal has been processed again without processing the second image signal. Claim 7 A camera according to claim 5, wherein the image sensor is configured to sense the external light at the first time to generate a first image signal and to sense the external light at the second time after the first time to generate a second image signal, and the controller is configured to output the infrared control signal through the infrared transmitter at the second time, to process the first image signal to output the image frame, and to output a dummy signal without processing the second image signal. Claim 8 A camera according to claim 5, wherein the controller outputs the image frame in a first period, outputs the image frame in a second period that is increased compared to the first period when the trigger command is generated, and outputs the infrared control signal through the infrared transmitter for a time different from the time at which the image frame is output.

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