KR101437979B1 - Mobile terminal and its method for taking a photograph - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for automatically storing an image to be output on a preview screen for a predetermined period of time and then photographing a specific moment of the image while reproducing the stored image, and a mobile terminal having the same A memory for buffering an image received from the camera, an image processing unit for selectively outputting a preview image of the image received from the camera or the buffered image, And a controller for controlling the respective components and photographing an image displayed as a preview screen at the moment when a specific key is input.

Preview, Video, Buffering, Playback

Description

[0001] MOBILE TERMINAL AND ITS METHOD FOR TAKING A PHOTOGRAPH [0002]

The present invention relates to a method for automatically storing an image to be output on a preview screen for a predetermined period of time, and then photographing a specific moment of the image while reproducing the stored image, and a mobile terminal having the same.

The mobile terminal may be configured to perform various functions.

Examples of such various functions include a data and voice communication function, a function of photographing a video or a moving image through a camera, a voice storage function, a music file playback function through a speaker system, and an image or video display function. Some mobile terminals include additional functions to execute games, and some other mobile terminals are also implemented as multimedia devices. Moreover, recent mobile terminals can receive a broadcast or multicast signal to view a video or television program.

Further, efforts for supporting and increasing the functions of the mobile terminal continue. Such efforts include not only changes and improvements in structural components that form the mobile terminal, but also improvements in software or hardware. As such a design, a folder type, a slide type, a bar type, or a rotation type design is applied to a mobile terminal.

When taking a picture by using the mobile terminal, the user shoots a picture by pressing an instantaneous shutter while viewing an image displayed in real time through a preview screen. Therefore, when an unexpected situation occurs in advance, the timing to press the shutter is missed. In other words, the user may not be able to take a picture of a desired moment.

The present invention provides a method of automatically storing an image received through a camera for a predetermined time before image processing for outputting a preview screen, and a mobile terminal capable of performing the method.

In addition, the present invention provides a method of photographing an image output as a preview screen at a desired moment while a user is viewing a previously stored image on a preview screen, and a mobile terminal that can perform the method.

A mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above-mentioned object may include a memory for buffering an image input from a camera, and a memory for selectively outputting a video image input from the camera or one of the buffered images, A controller for controlling each of the components and photographing a picture displayed as a preview screen at the moment when a specific key is input, .

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for buffering an image received from a camera, selectively processing one of a buffered image and a real-time image input from the camera, And an image displayed at the moment when a specific key is input from the image displayed on the preview screen is photographed as a photograph.

The mobile terminal according to the present invention configured as described above has an effect of allowing a user to save the image output to the preview screen in the camera mode for a desired period of time so that the user can reproduce the desired image.

In addition, according to the present invention configured as described above, when a shooting timing is missed, an effect of allowing a user to take a picture of a moment desired by a user in a picture reproduced at a specific moment while playing a pre- .

Hereinafter, various embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description of known technologies and configurations thereof, which may be detracted from the gist of the present invention, will be omitted. In describing the present invention with reference to the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote components performing the same function.

Hereinafter, a mobile terminal related to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The mobile terminal may be implemented in various forms. For example, the mobile terminal described in this specification includes a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a PMP (Portable Multimedia Player) .

The mobile terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an A / V input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit 140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, An interface unit 170, a control unit 180, a power supply unit 190, and the like. 1 shows a mobile terminal having various components. However, not all illustrated components are required. A mobile terminal may be implemented by more components than the illustrated components, or a mobile terminal may be implemented by fewer components.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include one or more components that allow wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless communication system or wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and a network on which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 112, a wireless Internet module 113, a short range communication module 114, and a location information module 115 .

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcast signals and / or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel. The broadcast management server may refer to a server for generating and transmitting broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information, or a server for receiving broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information generated by the broadcast management server and transmitting the generated broadcast signals and / or broadcast related information. The broadcast-related information may refer to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or information related to a broadcast service provider. The broadcast signal may include a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, a data broadcast signal, and a broadcast signal in which a data broadcast signal is combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

Meanwhile, the broadcast related information may be provided through a mobile communication network, and in this case, it may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast-related information may exist in various forms. For example, an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) of DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) or an ESG (Electronic Service Guide) of Digital Video Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives broadcasting signals using various broadcasting systems. In particular, the broadcasting receiving module 111 may be a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DMB-T), a Digital Multimedia Broadcasting-Satellite (DMB-S) Only Digital Broadcast-Handheld (DVB-H), Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T), and the like. Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 is configured to be suitable for all broadcasting systems that provide broadcasting signals as well as the digital broadcasting system described above.

The broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

Further, the mobile communication module 112 transmits and receives radio signals to and from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and a server on a mobile communication network. Here, the wireless signal may include various types of data depending on a voice call signal, a video call signal, or a text / multimedia message transmission / reception.

The wireless Internet module 113 is a module for wireless Internet access, and the wireless Internet module 113 can be built in or externally.

The short-range communication module 114 refers to a module for short-range communication. Bluetooth, radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like can be used as the short distance communication technology.

The location information module 115 is a module for confirming or obtaining the location of the mobile terminal. One example is the GPS (Global Position System) module. The GPS module receives position information from a plurality of satellites. Here, the location information may include coordinate information indicated by latitude and longitude. For example, the GPS module can accurately calculate the current location according to the triangulation method by measuring the precise time and distance from three or more satellites and measuring three different distances. A method of obtaining distance and time information from three satellites and correcting the error by one satellite may be used. In particular, the GPS module can acquire latitude, longitude and altitude as well as three-dimensional velocity information and accurate time from the position information received from the satellite.

An audio / video (A / V) input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes an image frame such as a still image or a moving image obtained by the image sensor in a video communication mode or a photographing mode. Then, the processed image frame can be displayed on the display unit 151. [

The image frame processed by the camera 121 may be stored in the memory 160 or transmitted to the outside through the wireless communication unit 110. [ The camera 121 may be equipped with two or more cameras according to the configuration of the terminal.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a communication mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, or the like, and processes it as electrical voice data. The processed voice data can be converted into a form that can be transmitted to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 when the voice data is in the call mode, and output. The microphone 122 may be implemented with various noise reduction algorithms for eliminating noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for a user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad dome switch, a touch pad (static / static), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like. Particularly, when the touch pad has a mutual layer structure with the display unit 151, which will be described later, it can be called a touch screen.

The sensing unit 140 senses the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as the open / close state of the mobile terminal 100, the position of the mobile terminal 100, the presence or absence of user contact, the orientation of the mobile terminal, And generates a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it is possible to sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. Also, it is responsible for a sensing function related to whether or not the power supply unit 190 is powered on, whether the interface unit 170 is connected to an external device, and the like.

The interface unit 170 serves as an interface with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. For example, a wired / wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having an identification module, an audio I / O port, Video input / output (I / O) ports, earphone ports, and the like.

Here, the identification module is a chip that stores various information for authenticating the use right of the mobile terminal 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identity module (SIM) ), A Universal Subscriber Identity Module (" USIM "), and the like. In addition, an apparatus having an identification module (hereinafter referred to as 'identification device') can be manufactured in a smart card format. Accordingly, the identification device can be connected to the terminal 100 through the port. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device or receives power from the external device to transfer the data to each component in the mobile terminal 100 or to transmit data in the mobile terminal 100 to an external device.

The output unit 150 is for outputting an audio signal, a video signal, or an alarm signal. The output unit 150 may include a display unit 151, an audio output module 152, and an alarm unit 153.

The display unit 151 displays and outputs information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in the call mode, a UI (User Interface) or a GUI (Graphic User Interface) associated with a call is displayed. If the mobile terminal 100 is in the video communication mode or the photographing mode, the captured image and / or the received image or UI and GUI are displayed.

Meanwhile, as described above, when the display unit 13 and the touch pad have a mutual layer structure to constitute a touch screen, the display unit 151 can be used as an input device in addition to the output device. The display unit 151 may be a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, a three-dimensional display 3D display). In addition, there may be two or more display units 151 according to the embodiment of the mobile terminal 100. For example, the mobile terminal 100 may be provided with an external display unit (not shown) and an internal display unit (not shown) at the same time.

The audio output module 152 outputs audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception mode, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, The sound output module 152 outputs an acoustic signal related to functions (e.g., call signal reception sound, message reception sound, etc.) performed in the mobile terminal 100. [ The sound output module 152 may include a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of events that occur in the mobile terminal include receiving a call signal, receiving a message, and inputting a key signal. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event in a form other than an audio signal or a video signal. For example, it is possible to output a signal in a vibration mode. When the call signal is received or a message is received, the alarm unit 153 can output a vibration to notify it. Alternatively, when the key signal is input, the alarm unit 153 can output the vibration by the feedback to the key signal input. The user can recognize the occurrence of an event through the vibration output as described above. Of course, a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event may also be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152.

The memory 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the control unit 180 and may store a function for temporarily storing input / output data (e.g., a phone book, a message, a still image, .

The memory 160 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory) SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read- And an optical disc. In addition, the mobile terminal 100 may operate a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 150 on the Internet.

The control unit 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. For example, voice communication, data communication, video communication, and the like. In addition, the control unit 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the control unit 180 or may be implemented separately from the control unit 180. [

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power under the control of the controller 180 and supplies power necessary for operation of the respective components.

The various embodiments described herein may be embodied in a computer-readable recording medium using, for example, software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein may be implemented as application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays May be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing functions. In some cases, And may be implemented by the control unit 180.

According to a software implementation, embodiments such as procedures or functions may be implemented with separate software modules that perform at least one function or operation. The software code may be implemented by a software application written in a suitable programming language. In addition, the software codes may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the control unit 180. [

 In the foregoing, the mobile terminal related to the present invention has been described in terms of components according to functions. Hereinafter, the mobile terminal related to the present invention will be further described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 in view of the components according to the outline. Hereinafter, for simplicity of explanation, a slider type mobile terminal will be described as an example among various types of mobile terminals such as a folder type, a bar type, a swing type, a slider type, and the like. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to a slider type mobile terminal but can be applied to all types of mobile terminals including the above-mentioned type.

2 is a perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile terminal of the present invention includes a first body 200 and a second body 205 configured to be slidable along at least one direction on the first body 200.

The state where the first body 200 is disposed in a state of being overlapped with the second body 205 may be referred to as a closed configuration and the first body 200 may be referred to as a second body 205 ) May be referred to as an open configuration.

The mobile terminal operates mainly in the standby mode in the closed state, but the standby mode is also released by the operation of the user. The mobile terminal operates mainly in a communication mode in an open state, but is also switched to a standby mode by a user's operation or a predetermined period of time.

The casing (casing, housing, cover, etc.) constituting the outer appearance of the first body 200 is formed by the first front case 220 and the first rear case 225. Various electronic components are installed in a space formed by the first front case 220 and the first rear case 225. At least one intermediate case may be additionally disposed between the first front case 220 and the first rear case 225.

The cases may be formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

A display module 151, an audio output module 152, a camera 121, or a first user input unit 210 may be disposed in the first body 200, specifically, the first front case 220.

The display module 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diodes (OLED), and the like, which visually represent information.

In addition, the display module 151 is overlapped with the touch pad in a layer structure, so that the display module 151 may operate as a touch screen to enable information input by a user's touch.

The sound output module 152 may be implemented in the form of a speaker.

The camera 121 may be implemented to be suitable for photographing an image or a moving picture for a user or the like.

As in the case of the first body 200, the case constituting the outer appearance of the second body 205 is formed by the second front case 230 and the second rear case 235.

The second user input unit 215 may be disposed on the front surface of the second body 205, specifically, the second front case 230.

The third user input unit 245, the microphone 122, and the interface unit 170 may be disposed in at least one of the second front case 230 and the second rear case 235.

The first to third user input units 210, 215, and 245 may be collectively referred to as a manipulating portion 130. In a tactile manner in which the user operates with a tactile impression, Can be employed.

For example, the user input unit may be implemented by a dome switch or a touch pad capable of receiving a command or information by a push or a touch operation of a user, or may be a wheel, a jog type, a joystick, or the like Can also be implemented.

In a functional aspect, the first user input unit 210 is for inputting commands such as start, end, scrolling, etc., and the second user input unit 215 is for inputting numbers, letters, symbols and the like.

Also, the third user input unit 245 may operate as a hot-key for activating a special function in the portable terminal.

The microphone 122 may be implemented in a form suitable for receiving voice, sound, etc. of a user.

The interface unit 170 is a path for allowing a mobile terminal related to the present invention to exchange data with an external device. For example, the interface unit 170 may be a wired or wireless connection terminal for connecting to an earphone, a port for short-range communication (for example, an IrDA port, a Bluetooth port, (wireless Lan port), etc.), or power supply terminals for supplying power to the mobile terminal.

The interface unit 170 may be a card socket for accommodating an external card such as a subscriber identification module (SIM) or a user identity module (UIM) or a memory card for storing information.

And a power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the mobile terminal is mounted on the second rear case 235 side.

The power supply unit 190 may be detachably coupled to a rechargeable battery, for example, for charging.

3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 3, a camera 121 may further be mounted on the rear surface of the second rear case 235 of the second body 205. The camera 121 of the second body 205 has a photographing direction which is substantially opposite to that of the camera 121 of the first body 200. The camera 121 of the first body 200 and the camera 121 of the first body 200, And different pixels.

For example, the camera 121 of the first body 200 has low pixels so that it is easy to capture a face of a user in the case of a video call or the like and transmit it to the other party, Since it is often the case that a subject is photographed and not immediately transferred, it is preferable to have a high pixel.

A flash 250 and a mirror 255 may be additionally disposed adjacent to the camera 121 of the second body 205. The flash 250 illuminates the subject when the subject of the subject is photographed by the camera 121 of the second body 205. The mirror 255 allows the user to illuminate the user's own face or the like when the user intends to take a picture of himself / herself (self-photographing) using the camera 121 of the second body 205.

The second rear case 235 may further include an acoustic output module 152.

The sound output module 152 of the second body 205 may implement a stereo function together with the sound output module 152 of the first body 200 and may be used for a call in a speakerphone mode.

In addition, an antenna 260 for receiving broadcast signals may be disposed on one side of the second rear case 235 in addition to the antenna for communication. The antenna 260 may be installed to be detachable from the second body 205.

A portion of the slide module 265 that slidably couples the first body 200 and the second body 205 is disposed on the first rear case 225 side of the first body 200.

The other part of the slide module 265 may be disposed on the second front case 230 side of the second body 205 and may not be exposed to the outside as in this figure.

In the above description, the second camera 121 and the like are disposed on the second body 205, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

For example, at least one of the configurations 260, 121 to 250, and 152 described as being disposed in the second rear case 235, such as the camera 121 of the second body, It is also possible that the first rear case 225 is mounted to the rear case 225. In such a case, there is an advantage that the configuration (s) disposed in the first rear case 225 in the closed state is protected by the second body 205. Further, even if the camera 121 of the second body is not separately provided, the camera 121 of the first body may be configured to be rotatable so that the camera 121 of the second body can be photographed up to the photographing direction .

The terminal 100 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 is operable in a communication system capable of transmitting data through a frame or a packet, including a wired / wireless communication system and a satellite-based communication system .

Hereinafter, a communication system capable of operating a terminal according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The communication system may use different air interfaces and / or physical layers. For example, wireless interfaces that can be used by communication systems include, but are not limited to, Frequency Division Multiple Access ('FDMA'), Time Division Multiple Access ('TDMA'), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Universal Mobile Telecommunications Systems (UMTS) (especially Long Term Evolution (LTE)), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) . Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of description, the description will be limited to CDMA. However, the present invention is applicable to all communication systems including CDMA wireless communication systems.

4, the CDMA wireless communication system includes a plurality of terminals 100, a plurality of base stations (BSs) 270, and base station controllers (BSCs) 275 , And a mobile switching center ('MSC') 280. MSC 280 is configured to be coupled to a Public Switched Telephone Network (" PSTN ") 290, and is also configured to be coupled to BSCs 275. BSCs 275 may be coupled in pairs with BS 270 through a backhaul line. The backhaul line may be provided according to at least one of E1 / T1, ATM, IP, PPP, Frame Relay, HDSL, ADSL or xDSL. Thus, a plurality of BSCs 275 may be included in the system shown in FIG.

Each BS 270 may comprise at least one sector, and each sector may comprise an omnidirectional antenna or an antenna pointing to a particular direction of radial from BS 270. [ In addition, each sector may include two or more antennas of various types. Each BS 270 may be configured to support a plurality of frequency assignments and each of the plurality of frequency assignments has a specific spectrum (e.g., 1.25 MHz, 5 MHz, etc.).

The intersection of sector and frequency assignment may be referred to as a CDMA channel. BS 270 may be referred to as a Base Station Transceiver Subsystem (BTSs). In this case, the word "base station" may be referred to as a combination of one BSC 275 and at least one BS 270. [ The base station may also indicate a "cell site ". Alternatively, each of the plurality of sectors for a particular BS 270 may be referred to as a plurality of cell sites.

4, a broadcasting transmitter (BT) 295 transmits a broadcasting signal to the terminals 100 operating in the system. The broadcast module 111 shown in FIG. 1 is provided in the terminal 100 to receive a broadcast signal transmitted by the BT 295. In addition, FIG. 4 illustrates several Global Positioning System ('GPS') satellites 300. The satellites 300 help to locate at least one of the plurality of terminals 100.

Although two satellites are shown in Figure 4, useful location information may be obtained by two or more satellites. The GPS module 115 shown in FIG. 1 cooperates with satellites 300 to obtain desired location information. Here, you can track your location using all of the technologies that can track your location, as well as your GPS tracking technology. Also, at least one of the GPS satellites 300 may optionally or additionally be responsible for satellite DMB transmission.

Among the typical operations of a wireless communication system, the BS 270 receives a reverse link signal from the various terminals 100. At this time, the terminals 100 are in the process of connecting a call, transmitting or receiving a message, or performing another communication operation. Each of the reverse link signals received by the particular base station 270 is processed by the particular base station 270.

The data resulting from the processing is transmitted to the connected BSC 275. The BSC 275 provides call resource allocation and mobility management functions, including the organization of soft handoffs between the base stations 270. The BSC 275 also transmits the received data to the MSC 280 and the MSC 280 provides additional transmission services for connection with the PSTN 290. [ Similarly, the PSTN 290 connects to the MSC 280, the MSC 280 connects to the BSCs 275, and the BSCs 275 communicate with the BSs 270 ).

Generally, the camera mode of the mobile terminal is a mode for capturing a still image or a moving image. The moving picture photographing is a photographing method in which an image inputted through an image sensor is compressed and stored by using a moving picture encoder such as 'AVI format', and the still picture photographing is performed by using a still image encoder (Hereinafter, referred to as photographing).

Therefore, photographing is a method of directly photographing an image input in real time through an image sensor of the camera 121 and compressing and storing the image in a specific format. However, the present invention stores a preview image in case the real- A method of capturing a desired moment in a preview image and photographing the same when necessary, and a mobile terminal in which the method is implemented.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of storing a preview screen in a camera mode of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.

The control unit 180 displays the image input through the camera 121 on the display unit 151 in advance when the user enters the camera mode by inputting a specific key or a key operated in a touch manner in the mobile terminal in steps S101 and S102 And outputs it to the Preview screen (S103 to S106). The image output to the preview screen is adjusted or cut out according to the characteristics of the display unit 151 (S105).

The control unit 180 may include an image processing unit 182 to process the image received through the camera 121 in a previewable manner. The image processing unit 182 may be implemented in the control unit 180 or separately from the control unit 180.

The control unit 180 buffers an image output to the preview screen into a specific area of the memory 160 (S104). The memory may set an area for storing a photograph and an area for storing a preview image in a single memory. Alternatively, each of the areas may be configured in a separate memory.

The memory 160 is a ring buffer of a first-in first-out (FIFO) structure. When the buffer 160 is full, the memory 160 is deleted in the order of input, thereby reserving a memory space.

For example, assuming that the mobile terminal of the present invention stores 10 still images per second, the capacity of the buffer corresponds to the number of still images in order to store an image for 10 seconds. The capacity should be allocated in advance. The capacity of the buffer can be set to a default value and can be configured to be changed by the user through the environment setting screen.

For example, when the controller 180 enters the camera mode, it can store 10 still images (e.g., photo1.tmp to photo10.tmp) for 1 second. Therefore, after 10 seconds, a total of 100 still image files are generated, and the stored still image files are deleted over time. The control unit 180 may automatically generate and store the name of the still image. Alternatively, each still image may be stored in a file or a file.

The control unit 180 resizes or crops the image to be buffered and outputs the image to the memory 160 as the resolution or size of the original image input through the image sensor of the camera 121 ).

In other words, the image output to the preview screen is generally adjusted to the size of the original image according to the characteristics of the display unit 151, or is cut out and output. However, the present invention does not store a preview screen to which the above-described effect (for example, a size adjustment or a cropping effect) is applied, but, after receiving the input from the camera 121 for outputting to a preview screen, And stores the original image in the memory 160. [

The control unit 180 may control the reproduction direction in a forward or backward direction by receiving a specific button or touch input from the image stored in the memory 160. [

The user can shoot a picture by pressing a desired instant shutter while viewing an image displayed in real time through a preview screen as in the conventional art. If a desired moment is missed due to the timing of pressing the shutter, It is possible to reproduce a picture and take a picture of a desired moment.

The specific shooting method will be described with reference to Fig.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of photographing a desired instant in a preview image reproduced in a camera mode of the mobile terminal according to the present invention.

5, the present invention stores an original image (hereinafter, referred to as a 'preview image') to be output to a preview screen in the camera mode for a predetermined period of time in the specific memory 160 or a specific memory area .

If the user misses a desired shooting moment, he or she can input a specific key to reproduce the stored preview image. That is, the control unit 180 can reproduce the preview image stored in the memory in a forward or reverse direction by receiving a specific button or touch input input by the user (S201 to S203).

Also, the control unit 180 can control the reproduction speed of the preview image.

For reference, in the case of moving images, since the motion between each image frame is predicted in order to reduce the capacity of the file, the image quality may deteriorate when the playback speed is slow or when the image frame is reproduced in units of frames. However, according to the present invention, since still images are stored in units of a predetermined time different from moving images, it is possible to reproduce images of the same quality as a photo file even if they are reproduced at a slow speed or in units of image frames.

When a shutter is input from the user during the reproduction of the preview image (S204), the control unit 180 converts the image frame being reproduced at that moment, that is, the image in a state of being output to the preview screen, into a photo file S205). For example, if the photo file is a JPEG format file (e.g., photo.jpg), the preview image file (e.g., photo.tmp) at the moment the shutter is input is converted into a JPEG format file, ) In a specific area of the image. That is, since each file stored in the preview image is a temporary format file, it can be automatically deleted after a predetermined time. Therefore, the user must convert the image of the desired moment into a photo file and store it.

However, the photo file is not necessarily limited to the JPEG format.

The memory for storing the photo file and the memory for storing the preview image may be separately configured, or may be configured by separately setting an area in the same memory.

7 is a block diagram of an example of a schematic configuration of a mobile terminal for explaining a photographing method according to the present invention.

The camera 121 processes and outputs the image obtained by the image sensor.

The image processing unit 182 processes the image output from the camera 121 so as to be displayable. The image processed by the image processing unit 182 is displayed on the display unit 151 as a preview image. The image processor 182 may adjust or cut the size of the image to output a preview image.

The image processing unit 182 may perform the function of the control unit 180.

The camera interface unit 183 serves as an interface for outputting the image data output from the camera 121 to the image processing unit 182. The camera 121, the image processing unit 182, and the camera interface unit 183 may be configured as a single chip or a module.

The image processing unit 182 buffers an image in which the data format of the image output from the camera 121 (YCbCr? RGB) is changed, to the memory 161. In addition, the size of the changed image is adjusted or cut, and the image is output to the display unit 151 as a preview screen.

When a specific button or touch provided to the mobile terminal is input, the image processing unit 182 reproduces the image buffered in the memory 161 in the forward or backward direction and outputs the previewed image to the display unit 151. The playback speed of the buffered image can be changed.

The photographing unit 131 photographs a specific moment of the image displayed on the preview screen as a photograph and stores it in the memory 160 or 161. [ The photographing unit 131 includes a shutter that operates in a button or touch manner. The photographing unit 131 may be configured using a specific key provided in the user input unit 130. [ If a specific moment in the playback of the buffered image is detected through the photographing unit 131, the controller 180 photographs the image at that moment and stores the taken image in the memory 160 or 161.

At this time, although the image buffered in the memory 161 is an original image to which the above-described effect (for example, size adjustment or cropping effect) is not applied, the image photographed by the photograph is applied to the reproduced image And the image displayed on the preview screen.

The memory 161 may be configured by separately setting an area for storing a photograph and an area for storing a preview image, as shown in FIG. 8, and the same memory as the memory 160 shown in FIG. 1 Can be configured. Alternatively, the memory 161 for storing a preview image and the memory 160 for storing a photograph may be separately configured.

Hereinafter, a photographing method using a preview image according to the present invention will be described.

When the mobile terminal is switched to the camera mode according to a key operation of the user, the control unit 180 processes the image input through the camera 121 and outputs the image to the display unit 151 as a preview screen. At this time, the image output to the preview screen is displayed on the display unit 151 in accordance with the size and resolution characteristics of the display device (e.g., LCD) used in the display unit 151, or whether a digital zoom And is output.

For example, assuming that the size (or resolution) of an image input through the camera 121 is VGA and the size of the display device is QVGA, if zoom is not used, that is, , Only the size of the image is resized from VGA to QVGA and outputted. When zooming is used, that is, when the zoom magnification is the maximum, a specific portion is cropped from the image input through the camera 121 and output to a preview screen.

The user performs photographing with reference to the preview screen, but may miss an opportunity to take a picture instantaneously. At this time, the user presses a key set to play back the 'preview image' or inputs it by a touch method. At this time, the playback direction and speed can be adjusted.

For example, if the preview image is slowly reproduced in the reverse direction and a desired scene is seen, the shutter is pushed in the same manner as in the conventional photographing method. The shutter may be a specific button provided on the terminal or a specific key displayed on the display unit 151 in a software manner. The specific key displayed on the display unit 151 can be input in a touch manner.

At this time, in the conventional photographing, the image inputted through the camera 121 in real time is compressed as a still image and stored. However, the photographing according to the present invention is performed when the shutter Converts the reproduced image into a picture format and stores it.

Digital zooming is possible when taking a picture from the preview image being reproduced, and the photographing sound can be outputted through the sound output module 152 when the shutter is pressed. That is, when a button or a zoom control key operating in a touch manner is input, the control unit 180 can cut out and display a specific area in the image. At this time, the digital zoom is performed by cutting out a specific portion of the original image, so that the image quality may be lowered. Also, when the zoom key or the shutter key is input, the controller 180 controls the sound output module 152 to generate a zoom sound or a photographing sound.

In the foregoing, preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Here, the terms and words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as limited to ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments described in the present specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the technical ideas of the present invention are described. Therefore, It should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may be present.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal according to the present invention. FIG.

Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal of Figure 2;

4 is an exemplary view of a communication system in which a terminal according to the present invention is operable.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of storing a preview screen in a camera mode of a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of photographing a desired instant in a preview image reproduced in a camera mode of a mobile terminal according to the present invention. FIG.

7 is a block diagram of an example of a schematic configuration of a mobile terminal for explaining a photographing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary view of a memory map for describing an area for storing a photograph of the mobile terminal and an area for storing a preview image according to the present invention; FIG.

Claims (14)

A memory for buffering an original image input from the camera; An image processor for processing the buffered original image so that the buffered original image can be output as a preview screen based on a user selection; A display unit for displaying the image-processed original image as a preview screen; And Wherein when the specific key is input in a state in which the image processed original image is reproduced on the preview screen, an image corresponding to an image displayed on the preview screen at the moment when the specific key is input, And a control unit for photographing the image with a photograph. delete The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, Wherein the buffered original image is played back in a forward or backward direction by receiving a specific button or a touch input. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, Wherein the speed of the playback of the buffered original image can be changed quickly or slowly. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, And performs an image processing operation to adjust or cut the size of the original image so as to output the original image to the preview screen. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, Wherein the controller is implemented in the control unit or separately from the control unit. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, And a camera coupled to the camera and configured as a single chip or a module. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, Wherein the memory is configured to store an area for storing a picture and an area for storing the buffered original image in one memory or to store each image in a separate memory. Buffering the original image with the image received from the camera; Image processing to output the buffered original image as a preview screen; Reproducing the image-processed original image as a preview screen; Photographing an original image corresponding to an image displayed on the preview screen at the moment when the specific key is input when the image processed original image is reproduced on the preview screen; The method of claim 1, delete The method of claim 9, wherein the step of reproducing the original image as a preview screen comprises: Further comprising the step of controlling the reproduction speed and the reproduction direction of the buffered original image by receiving a specific button or touch input. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the image processing of the original image comprises: Further comprising the step of adjusting or cutting the size of the original image to be output on the preview screen according to the size and characteristics of the display device to be displayed. The apparatus of claim 1, Performing a digital zoom when a zoom control key is input in a state in which the image-processed original image is reproduced on the preview screen, Displaying a specific area in the original image corresponding to the digital zoom performed on the preview screen and photographing an original image of a specific area corresponding to the performed digital zoom when the specific key is input, . The method of claim 9, wherein photographing the original image comprises: Performing digital zoom when a zoom control key is input; Displaying a specific area in the original image corresponding to the performed digital zoom on the preview screen; And Further comprising the step of, when the specific key is input, photographing an original image of a specific area corresponding to the performed digital zoom as a photograph.

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