KR20110044066A - Apparatus and method for camera of mobile terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A photographing device of a mobile terminal is provided to perform a function about a touch of a virtual key by projecting a subject image of a camera with a predetermined virtual key. CONSTITUTION: A mobile terminal includes a camera unit(121), an image projecting unit(155) and a control unit(180). The camera unit photographs objects reflected to the lens. The image projecting unit project a photographing image during photographing with a predetermined virtual key. If an external input touching the virtual key is sensed, the control unit executes a corresponding function of the virtual key.

Description

Apparatus and method for photographing mobile terminals {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CAMERA OF MOBILE TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a portable photographing apparatus, and more particularly, to a photographing apparatus of a mobile terminal.

A mobile terminal is a portable device that is portable and has one or more functions such as voice and video calling, information input and output, and data storage.

As the functions are diversified, the mobile terminal is equipped with complex functions such as taking a picture or video, playing a music or video file, playing a game, and receiving a broadcast, and is realized in the form of a comprehensive multimedia player. It is becoming.

Many new attempts are being applied to these multimedia devices in terms of hardware or software to implement complex functions. In addition, while the mobile terminal is regarded as a personal portable device for expressing the personality of the user, various designs are required. As such a design form, a folder form, a slide form, a bar form or a rotation form design is applied to the mobile terminal.

In order to be able to take pictures or videos, a mobile terminal with a built-in camera module has been developed, and a camera module is embedded in almost all mobile terminals currently in circulation. In mobile handsets, photography and video capturing are now essential functions.

In the conventional case of taking a group picture, some of the members could not take a picture together, and had a burden of asking another person to take a picture. In addition, in the case of taking pictures alone, unless the remote control device is provided, there was an uncomfortable problem in that the pictures cannot be taken at a desired distance or angle.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal for projecting the subject image of the camera in the air so that the user can see.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal for detecting when a user touches a predetermined object of the projected image.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the present invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the claims, as well as the following description and the annexed drawings.

The present invention implements a photographing apparatus that projects a subject image of a camera together with a predetermined virtual key in the air so that a user can see it, and then detects the virtual key when the user touches it.

The present invention allows the user to take a picture by touching a virtual key in the air (Air Touch). The present invention allows the user to take a picture with all the parties without having to ask others, and even when taking a portrait of yourself while traveling alone, without a separate remote control (eg remote controller, etc.), Photographs can be taken from a distance and angle.

In order to achieve the above object, the mobile terminal according to the present invention

A camera unit for photographing the objects projected on the lens, an image projector for projecting the captured image to the outside together with a predetermined virtual key, and an external input for touching the virtual key to detect a corresponding function of the virtual key. It includes a control unit to execute.

In order to achieve the above object, the photographing method of a mobile terminal according to the present invention,

Driving a camera, receiving an image of a subject through a camera lens; projecting the image of the subject to the outside with a predetermined virtual key; and detecting an external input of touching the virtual key. It includes the process of executing the function.

Hereinafter, the configuration of a preferred mobile terminal of the present invention with reference to the drawings as follows. The suffixes "module" and "unit" for components used in the following description are merely given in consideration of ease of preparation of the present specification, and do not impart any particular meaning or role by themselves. Therefore, it should be noted that the "module" and "unit" may be used interchangeably with each other.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal of the present invention.

The mobile terminal can be implemented in various forms. For example, a mobile terminal described in the present specification may be a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, or the like. There are terminals and fixed terminals such as digital TVs, desktop computers and the like. In the following description, it is assumed that the terminal is a mobile terminal. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the configuration according to the following description may also be applied to the fixed terminal except for components specially configured for mobile use.

Referring to Figure 1, looking at the mobile terminal of the present invention from a functional point of view as follows.

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 unit 160, and an interface unit. It may include components such as the 170, the controller 180 and the power supply 190.

1 illustrates a mobile terminal having various components. However, not all illustrated components are required. The mobile terminal may be implemented by more components than the illustrated components, or the 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 for wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and a wireless communication system or wireless communication between the mobile terminal 100 and a network in which the mobile terminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit 110 may select at least one of the broadcast receiving module 111, the mobile communication module 112, the wireless internet module 113, the short range communication module 114, and the location information module 115. It may include.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal 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 mean a server that generates and transmits a broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information or a server that receives a previously generated broadcast signal and / or broadcast related information and transmits the same to a terminal. The broadcast related information may mean information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcast signal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal, but also a broadcast signal having a data broadcast signal combined with a TV broadcast signal or a radio broadcast signal.

The broadcast associated information may mean information related to a broadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider. The broadcast related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network, and in this case, may be received by the mobile communication module 112.

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

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives a broadcast signal using various broadcast systems, and in particular, digital multimedia broadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T), digital multimedia broadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), and media forward link (MediaFLO). Digital broadcast signals may be received using digital broadcasting systems such as only), digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H), integrated services digital broadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T), and the like. Of course, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitable for all broadcast systems providing broadcast signals as well as the digital broadcast 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.

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

The wireless internet module 113 is for wireless internet access and may be embedded or external to the portable terminal. Wireless Internet technologies may include Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi), Wireless Broadband (Wibro), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wimax), High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and the like.

The short range communication module 114 refers to a module for short range communication. As a short range communication technology, Bluetooth, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), Infrared Data Association (IrDA), Ultra Wideband (UWB), ZigBee, and the like may be used.

In addition, the location information module 115 is a module for checking or obtaining the location of the mobile terminal. One example is the Global Position System (GPS) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, the 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 of a still image or a moving image obtained by an image sensor in a video call mode or a photographing mode. The processed image frame may 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. Two or more cameras 121 may be provided according to a configuration aspect of the terminal.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. In the case of the call mode, the processed voice data may be converted into a form transmittable to the mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module 112 and output. The microphone 122 may have various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for the user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (constant voltage / capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch, and the like. In particular, when the touch pad forms a mutual layer structure with the display unit 151 to be described later, this may be referred to as a touch screen.

The sensing unit 140 determines the current state of the mobile terminal 100 such as the open / closed 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, the acceleration / deceleration of the mobile terminal, and the like. Sensing and generating a sensing signal for controlling the operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, if the mobile terminal 100 is in the form of a slide phone, it may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. In addition, the power supply unit 190 is responsible for the sensing function associated with whether or not the power supply, the interface unit 170 is coupled to the external device. On the other hand, the sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141, it will be described later is later associated with the touch screen for the proximity sensor (141).

The interface unit 170 performs a role of a passage with all external devices connected to the mobile terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data from an external device, receives power, transfers the power to each component inside the mobile terminal 100, or transmits the data inside the mobile terminal 100 to an external device. 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, A video input / output (I / O) port, an earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 170.

Here, the identification module is a chip that stores a variety of information for authenticating the use authority of the mobile terminal 100, a user identification module (UIM), Subscriber Identify Module (SIM) '), A Universal Subscriber Identity Module ("USIM"), and the like. In addition, the device equipped with the identification module (hereinafter, 'identification device') may be manufactured in the form of a smart card. Therefore, the identification device may be connected to the terminal 100 through a port.

In addition, when the mobile terminal 100 is connected to an external cradle, the interface unit 170 serves as a passage through which power from the cradle is supplied to the mobile terminal 100 or inputted from the cradle by a user. Various command signals may be a passage for transmitting to the mobile terminal. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may be operated as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The output unit 150 is for generating an output related to visual, auditory or tactile senses, and includes the display unit 151, the audio output module 152, the alarm unit 153, and the haptic module 154. Can be.

The display unit 151 displays and outputs information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the mobile terminal is in a call mode, the mobile terminal displays a user interface (UI) or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to the call. When the mobile terminal 100 is in a video call mode or a photographing mode, the mobile terminal 100 displays a photographed and / or received image, a UI, or a GUI.

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, or a three-dimensional display. 3D display). Some of these displays can be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen from the outside. This may be referred to as a transparent display. A representative example of the transparent display is a transparent organic light emitting diode (TOLED). The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be configured as a light transmissive structure. With this structure, the user can see the object located behind the terminal body through the area occupied by the display 151 of the terminal body.

In addition, two or more display units 151 may exist according to the implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. For example, a plurality of display units may be spaced apart or integrally disposed on one surface of the mobile terminal 100, or may be disposed on different surfaces.

When the display unit 151 and a sensor for detecting a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as a touch sensor) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter referred to as a touch screen), the display unit 151 is an output device. It can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have, for example, a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect not only the position and area of the touch but also the pressure at the touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. As a result, the controller 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched.

Referring to FIG. 1, a proximity sensor 141 may be disposed in an inner region of the mobile terminal or in the vicinity of the touch screen, which is surrounded by the touch screen. The proximity sensor refers to a sensor that detects the presence or absence of an object approaching a predetermined detection surface or an object present in the vicinity without using a mechanical contact by using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays. Proximity sensors have a longer life and higher utilization than touch sensors.

Examples of the proximity sensor 141 include a transmission photoelectric sensor, a direct reflection photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflection photoelectric sensor, a high frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. Even when the proximity sensor 141 is not firmly mounted, when the touch screen is capacitive, the proximity sensor 141 is configured to detect the proximity of the pointer by a change in an electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the act of allowing the pointer to be recognized on the touch screen so that the pointer is located on the touch screen is referred to as a "proximity touch", and the pointer on the touch screen is referred to as "proximity touch". The act of actually being contacted will be called "contact touch". In addition, the position of the proximity touch with the pointer on the touch screen refers to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen when the pointer is in proximity touch.

The proximity sensor 141 detects a proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (for example, a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, and a proximity touch movement state). Information corresponding to the sensed proximity touch operation and proximity touch pattern may be output on the touch screen.

The sound output module 152 outputs audio data received from the wireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a call signal reception, a call mode or a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, a broadcast reception mode, and the like. In addition, the sound output module 152 outputs a sound signal related to a function (eg, a call signal reception sound, a message reception sound, etc.) performed by the mobile terminal 100. The sound output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event of the mobile terminal 100. Examples of the event include call signal reception, message reception, key signal input, and touch input. The alarm unit 153 may output a signal for notifying occurrence of an event by, for example, vibration in another form besides an audio signal or a video signal. The video signal or the audio signal may also be output through the display unit 151 or the audio output module 152, so that they 151 and 152 may be classified as part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that a user can feel. Vibration is a representative example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 154. The intensity and pattern of vibration generated by the haptic module 154 can be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be synthesized and output or may be sequentially output.

In addition to vibration, the haptic module 154 may be configured to provide a pin array that vertically moves with respect to the contact skin surface, a jetting force or suction force of air through the jetting or suction port, grazing to the skin surface, contact of the electrode, electrostatic force, and the like. Various tactile effects can be generated, such as effects by the endothermic and the reproduction of a sense of cold using the elements capable of endotherm or heat generation.

The haptic module 154 may not only deliver the haptic effect through direct contact, but also may implement the user to feel the haptic effect through a muscle sense such as a finger or an arm. Two or more haptic modules 154 may be provided according to a configuration aspect of the mobile terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for processing and controlling the controller 180, and a function for temporarily storing input / output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). You can also do In addition, the memory 160 may store data on vibration and sound of various patterns output when a touch input on the touch screen is performed.

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), RAM Random Access Memory (RAM) Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM) magnetic memory, It may include at least one type of storage medium of the optical disk. In addition, the mobile terminal 100 may operate a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 150 on the Internet.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the mobile terminal. Perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, etc. In addition, the control unit 180 may include a multimedia module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia module 181 may be implemented in the controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 180.

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on the touch screen as text and an image, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

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

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of a processor, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing the functions. Example embodiments may be implemented by the controller 180 itself.

According to the software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described herein. Software code can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code may be stored in the memory 160 and executed by the controller 180.

In the above, the internal components of the mobile terminal related to the present invention have been described from a functional point of view. Next, with reference to Figures 2 and 3, we will look at the external components of the mobile terminal related to the present invention from a functional point of view. Hereinafter, for simplicity, a bar type mobile terminal is 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. This does not mean that the present invention is limited to a bar type mobile terminal, and may be applied to all types of mobile terminals including the above-described type.

2A is a front perspective view of an example of a mobile terminal or a portable terminal according to the present invention.

The disclosed portable terminal 100 has a terminal body in the form of a bar. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to various structures such as a slide type, a folder type, a swing type, a swivel type, and two or more bodies are coupled to be relatively movable.

The body includes a casing (casing, housing, cover, etc.) that forms an exterior. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case 101 and a rear case 102. Various electronic components are built in the space formed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102. At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The cases may be formed by injecting synthetic resin or may be formed of a metal material, for example, a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The terminal body, mainly the front case 101, includes a display unit 151, an audio output unit 152, a camera 121, an image projector 155 (not shown), a user input unit 130/131, 132, and a microphone 122. The interface 170 may be disposed.

The display unit 151 occupies most of the main surface of the front case 101. A sound output unit 151 and a camera 121 are disposed in an area adjacent to one end of both ends of the display unit 151 and a user input unit 131 and a microphone 122 are disposed in an area adjacent to the other end. The user input unit 132 and the interface 170 may be disposed on side surfaces of the front case 101 and the rear case 102.

The user input unit 130 is manipulated to receive a command for controlling the operation of the portable terminal 100 and may include a plurality of operation units 131 and 132. The manipulation units 131 and 132 may also be collectively referred to as manipulating portions, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user operates the tactile manner with a tactile feeling.

Content input by the first or second manipulation units 131 and 132 may be variously set. For example, the first operation unit 131 receives commands such as start, end, scroll, and the like, and the second operation unit 132 controls the size of the sound output from the sound output unit 152 or the size of the sound output from the display unit 151 To the touch recognition mode of the touch screen.

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the portable terminal shown in FIG. 2A.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a camera 121 ′ may be additionally mounted on the rear of the terminal body, that is, the rear case 102. The camera 121 'may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to the camera 121 (see FIG. 2A), and may be a camera having different pixels from the camera 121.

For example, the camera 121 has a low pixel so that the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the counterpart in case of a video call, and the camera 121 'photographs a general subject and does not transmit it immediately. It is desirable to have a high pixel because there are many. The cameras 121 and 121 'may be installed in the terminal body so as to be rotatable or pop-upable.

A flash 123 and a mirror 124 are further disposed adjacent to the camera 121 '. The flash 123 shines light toward the subject when the subject is photographed by the camera 121 '. The mirror 124 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when photographing (self-photographing) the user using the camera 121 '.

The sound output unit 152 'may be further disposed on the rear surface of the terminal body. The sound output unit 152 ′ may implement a stereo function together with the sound output unit 152 (see FIG. 2A), and may be used to implement a speakerphone mode during a call.

In addition to the antenna for a call or the like, a broadcast signal reception antenna 124 may be additionally disposed on the side of the terminal body. The antenna 124 constituting a part of the broadcast receiving module 111 (see FIG. 1) may be installed to be able to be drawn out from the terminal body.

The terminal body is equipped with a power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the portable terminal 100. The power supply unit 190 may be embedded in the terminal body or may be directly detachable from the outside of the terminal body.

The rear case 102 may be further equipped with a touch pad 135 for sensing a touch. Like the display unit 151, the touch pad 135 may also be configured to have a light transmission type. In this case, if the display unit 151 is configured to output visual information from both sides, the visual information may be recognized through the touch pad 135. The information output on both surfaces may be controlled by the touch pad 135. Alternatively, a display may be additionally mounted on the touch pad 135, and a touch screen may be disposed on the rear case 102 as well.

The touch pad 135 operates in association with the display unit 151 of the front case 101. The touch pad 135 may be disposed in parallel to the rear of the display unit 151. The touch pad 135 may have the same or smaller size as the display unit 151.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

An object of the present invention is to provide a photographing apparatus that detects when a user touches a predetermined object (virtual key) of the projected image after projecting the subject image of the camera to the wall or the air so that the user can see it It is.

In the present invention, when the user touches the virtual key projected in the air (or the wall), the user automatically starts shooting of the terminal. You can take a picture with the whole party without asking others, and even when you are traveling alone and take a picture of yourself, you can take a picture at a desired distance and angle without a separate remote control (e.g. remote control). have.

Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a photographing apparatus according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the photographing apparatus according to the present invention includes a camera 121 or a camera module for photographing various objects projected on a lens, and an external image of the photographed image together with a predetermined virtual key. And an image projecting unit 155 (eg, a beam project) projected on and an external input of touching the virtual key, and a controller 180 executing a corresponding function of the virtual key.

The image projector 155 may project not only an image of a subject projected on a camera lens but also various multimedia images (eg, an image file, a video file, a text file, etc.) stored in the memory 160.

The image projector 155 may be located on the same side as the camera 121 (eg, the front side of the terminal) or on the opposite side (eg, the back side of the terminal). It may also be located at a point on the left side or the right side of the terminal. The image projector 155 may also be attached to a rotatable housing connected to the same axis as the hinge portion of the terminal body, as shown in FIG. 4. The image projector 155 attached to the rotatable housing may project an image in a 180 ° direction (including all directions of forward, rearward, and upward (upward) directions) of the terminal. 4 is an exemplary view of an image projector mounted on a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

5 is a flowchart of a photographing method according to the present invention.

When the user switches the terminal to the camera mode, as shown in FIG. 5, the controller 180 immediately drives the camera 121 and receives an image of the subject through the camera lens. That is, the image being photographed is received. The input image is transmitted to the image projector 155.

The image projecting unit 155 projects the captured image together with a predetermined virtual key (for example, a photographing button) to the outside (in the air). (S30) In this case, the predetermined virtual key is a kind of execution key. The user can set various execution keys as virtual keys. In addition, a plurality of execution keys (for example, a shooting button, a self-timer button, a brightness control button, a size control button, a cancel button, a save button, etc.) can be registered as a virtual key. For example, when a user registers the shooting button, brightness control button, and size control button as a virtual key, three virtual keys (shooting button, brightness control button, size control button) are projected in the air together with the image being photographed. Will be.

6 is an exemplary view showing an image projection and a photographing method according to the present invention.

The virtual key is displayed on one side of the image projected in the air, as shown in FIG. The controller 180 monitors whether an external input (eg, a user's touch) occurs on the virtual key (eg, a photographing button) through the camera 121.

When the image being photographed is projected in the air, the user poses for a photograph with the parties, and then touches a virtual key (eg, a photographing button) displayed on one side of the image.

Then, the controller 180 of the terminal that monitors the virtual key (eg, the shooting button) through the camera 121 senses a user's input of touching the virtual key, and corresponds to a function (shooting example: start) Will be executed. The controller 180 detects an object (for example, a user's body or a tool) approaching the virtual key or touching the virtual key in the image of the subject input through the camera lens (S40 to S50).

According to the present invention, various types of virtual keys may be arranged in the projected image according to a user's selection. For example, when the shooting button and the storage button are registered as virtual keys and these virtual keys (shooting button and storage button) are projected in the air together with the image being photographed, the user poses once without touching the terminal. In the state, you will be able to take several photos.

A user may touch the shooting button and the storage button in order to take a picture and store the taken picture. By repeatedly performing such an operation, as many pictures as desired can be repeatedly taken.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of FIG. 6 and illustrates an example of projecting a background image and a photographing method thereof.

When the user switches the terminal to the camera mode, the controller 180 loads a list of background images and special effect images stored in the memory 160 instead of receiving an image of the subject through the camera lens. load) and display on the terminal screen for the user to select.

As one item of the list is selected, the background image (or special effect image) of the selected item is transferred to the image projector 155, and the selected background image (or special) is shown in FIG. The effect image) is projected into the air (e.g., wall, etc.) together with a predetermined virtual key (e.g., shooting button, etc.).

Thereafter, the photographing process is performed in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 5. When the user touches the projected virtual key, the controller 180 senses the user's touch and executes a function (eg, start of photographing) corresponding to the virtual key.

As described above, the photographing method according to each embodiment of the present invention can be embodied as computer readable codes on a medium on which a program is recorded. The computer-readable medium includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored.

Examples of the computer-readable medium include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and also in the form of carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet). It includes what is implemented. The computer may include the controller 180 of the mobile terminal.

The imaging apparatus according to the present invention can be mounted on most mobile devices as well as mobile terminals, and can be used independently.

The present invention implements a photographing apparatus for projecting a subject image of a camera in the air together with a predetermined virtual key so that a user can see it, and then detecting the virtual key when the user touches it.

The present invention allows the user to take a picture by touching a virtual key in the air (Air Touch). The present invention allows the user to take a picture with all the parties without having to ask others, and even when taking a portrait of yourself while traveling alone, without a separate remote control (eg remote controller, etc.), Photographs can be taken from a distance and angle.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiment (s) shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and various modifications can be made therefrom by those skilled in the art, and the embodiments described above ( It will be appreciated that all or some of these may be optionally combined. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

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

Figure 2a is a front perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2b is a rear perspective view of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a block diagram of a photographing apparatus according to the present invention;

4 is an exemplary view of an image projector mounted to a mobile terminal according to the present invention.

5 is a flowchart of a photographing method according to the present invention;

6 is an exemplary view showing an image projected in the air according to the present invention.

7 is an exemplary view showing a projection of a background image and a photographing method according to the present invention.

*** Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing ***

100: mobile terminal

110: wireless communication unit 120: AV input unit

130: user input unit 140: sensing unit

150: output unit 160: memory

170: interface unit 180: control unit

190: power supply unit

Claims (6)

A camera unit photographing the objects projected on the lens; An image projection unit for projecting the image being photographed to the outside with a predetermined virtual key; When an external input of touching the virtual key is detected, the mobile terminal comprising a control unit for executing a corresponding function of the virtual key. The image projector of claim 1, wherein the image projecting unit Mobile terminal, characterized in that provided at one point of any one of the front, rear, left, right of the terminal. The image projector of claim 1, wherein the image projecting unit The mobile terminal is mounted on the rotatable body attached to one side of the terminal body, characterized in that for projecting the image in the front, rear, up (up) direction of the terminal. The method of claim 1, wherein the virtual key A mobile terminal, which can be arbitrarily set by a user and is projected at least one. The image projector of claim 1, wherein the image projecting unit According to a user's selection, the mobile terminal, characterized in that for projecting a background image stored in the memory instead of the image captured by the camera unit. Driving a camera and receiving an image of a subject through a camera lens; Projecting the image of the subject to the outside with a predetermined virtual key; And detecting an external input of touching the virtual key, executing a corresponding function of the virtual key.

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