KR20110128002A - Mobile terminal and operation method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A mobile terminal and an operation method thereof are provided to differently set a touch area which receives a focus area and a photographing command according to the photographing mode. CONSTITUTION: A control unit displays a previous image of a camera to a display unit(151). The control unit differently sets a focus area of the previous image according to the set photographing mode. The control unit displays the focus area which can be discriminated. The control unit differentially sets a photographing input area which received a photographing command according to the set photographing mode. The control unit displays the photographing input area to be discriminated.

Description

Mobile terminal and operation method thereof

The present invention relates to a portable terminal and a method of operating the same, and more particularly, to a portable terminal and an operation method of differently setting a focus area or an area receiving a shooting command according to a shooting mode.

A portable terminal is a portable device that is portable and has one or more functions of performing voice and video calls, inputting and outputting information, and storing data. As the functions of the portable terminal have diversified, they have complicated functions such as photographing and photographing, playing music files and video files, receiving games, receiving broadcasts, and wireless internet, and have developed a comprehensive multimedia player, .

In the portable terminal implemented in the form of such a multimedia device, new attempts have been applied in various ways in terms of hardware and software to implement complex functions. For example, a user interface environment for a user to search for or select a function easily and conveniently. In addition, a double-sided LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a front touch screen, or the like, which are seen from both sides, may be applied to the mobile terminal.

However, since a mobile terminal must consider mobility and portability, there is a limitation in allocating space for a user interface such as a display or a keypad. Therefore, in order to efficiently use various functions provided in the portable terminal, it is necessary to control the operation of the portable terminal through a new input method different from the existing input method.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal and a method of operating the same, which provide different setting of a focus area and a touch area for receiving a shooting command according to a shooting mode.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of operating a portable terminal, the method including: setting one of a plurality of photographing modes; Displaying a preview image of a camera on a display unit; Differently setting a focus area of the preview image according to the set shooting mode, and displaying the focus area in a distinguishable manner; And differently setting a photographing input area that receives a photographing command according to the set photographing mode, and displaying the photographing input area so as to be distinguishable.

In addition, the portable terminal according to the present invention for achieving the above object, the camera; A touch screen displaying a preview image of the camera; And a controller configured to differently set a focus area of the preview image and a photographing input area to receive a photographing command according to the set photographing mode when the photographing mode is set to any one of a plurality of photographing modes.

According to the present invention, the user can easily grasp the current mode by displaying the mode icon according to the shooting mode.

In addition, since the focus area can be changed not only by differently setting the focus area according to the shooting mode, but also by touching the screen of the display unit, the portable terminal can be easily operated.

Lastly, by setting and displaying different touch areas for receiving a shooting command according to the shooting mode, a shooting command adaptive to the shooting mode may be input.

1 is a block diagram of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a perspective view of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. 2;
4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a mobile terminal according to a set shooting mode according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a portable terminal capable of changing a focus area according to a user command according to an embodiment of the present invention;
6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a mobile terminal capable of changing a focus area according to movement of an object according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of operating a mobile terminal in a self mode according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a screen displayed on a display unit; FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a method of operating a mobile terminal in a still image mode according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a screen displayed on a display unit; FIG.
9 is a diagram for explaining a method of operating a mobile terminal in a video mode according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a screen displayed on a display unit;
FIG. 10 is a view for explaining an operation method of a portable terminal capable of changing a location of a focus area according to a user command according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a screen displayed on a display unit; FIG.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operation method of a mobile terminal capable of changing a size of a focus area according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a screen displayed on a display unit; and
FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an operation method of a portable terminal, in which a focus area may be changed according to movement of an object, together with a screen displayed on a display unit, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described the present invention in more detail.

The portable terminal described in the present specification includes a mobile phone, a smart phone, a notebook computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), navigation, and the like. In addition, suffixes "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given merely for convenience of description, and do not give special significance or role in themselves. Therefore, the "module" and "unit" may be used interchangeably.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a portable terminal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in terms of components according to functions.

1, the portable 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, and a power supply unit 190. Such components may be configured by combining two or more components into one component, or by dividing one or more components into two or more components as necessary when implemented in an actual application.

The wireless communication unit 110 may include a broadcast receiving module 111, a mobile communication module 113, a wireless Internet module 115, a short distance communication module 117, and a GPS module 119.

The broadcast receiving module 111 receives at least one of a broadcast signal and broadcast related information from an external broadcast management server through a broadcast channel. In this case, the broadcast channel may include a satellite channel, a terrestrial channel, and the like. The broadcast management server may mean a server for generating and transmitting at least one of a broadcast signal and broadcast related information, or a server receiving at least one of pre-generated broadcast signals and broadcast related information and transmitting 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 related information may also be provided through a mobile communication network, and in this case, may be received by the mobile communication module 113. Broadcast related information may exist in various forms.

The broadcast receiving module 111 may receive a broadcast signal using various broadcast systems, and may receive a digital broadcast signal using a digital broadcast system. In addition, the broadcast receiving module 111 may be configured to be suitable for all broadcast systems providing broadcast signals as well as such digital broadcast systems. Broadcast signals or broadcast related information received through the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory 160.

The mobile communication module 113 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. Here, the wireless signal may include various types of data according to voice call signal, video call signal, or text / multimedia message transmission and reception.

The wireless Internet module 115 refers to a module for wireless Internet access, and the wireless Internet module 115 can be embedded in the mobile terminal 100 or externally. 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 117 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.

A GPS (Global Position System) module 119 receives position information from a plurality of GPS satellites.

The A / V (Audio / Video) input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 123. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video call mode or the 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. The camera 121 may be equipped with two or more cameras according to the configuration of the terminal.

The microphone 123 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 113 and output when the voice data is in the call mode. The microphone 123 may be a variety of noise reduction algorithms for eliminating noise generated in receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates key input data input by the user for controlling the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad (constant voltage / capacitance), etc. that may receive a command or information by a user's push or touch operation. In addition, the user input unit 130 may be configured as a jog wheel or a jog method or a joystick that rotates a key, a finger mouse, or the like. Particularly, when the touch pad has a mutual layer structure with the display unit 151 described later, it can be called a touch screen.

The sensing unit 140 senses the current state of the portable terminal 100 such as the open / close state of the portable terminal 100, the position of the portable terminal 100, Thereby generating a sensing signal. For example, when 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, it may be responsible for sensing functions related to whether the power supply unit 190 is supplied with power, whether the interface unit 170 is coupled to an external device, and the like.

The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141, a pressure sensor 143, a motion sensor 145, and the like. The proximity sensor 141 may detect the presence or absence of an object approaching the portable terminal 100 or an object present in the vicinity of the portable terminal 100 without mechanical contact. The proximity sensor 141 may detect a proximity object by using a change in an alternating magnetic field or a change in a static magnetic field, or by using a change rate of capacitance. Two or more proximity sensors 141 may be provided according to the configuration aspect.

The pressure sensor 143 may detect whether pressure is applied to the portable terminal 100, the magnitude of the pressure, and the like. The pressure sensor 143 may be installed at a portion where the pressure of the portable terminal 100 is required depending on the use environment. If the pressure sensor 143 is installed in the display unit 151, a touch input through the display unit 151 and a greater pressure than the touch input are applied according to a signal output from the pressure sensor 143. The pressure touch input can be identified. Also, the magnitude of the pressure applied to the display unit 151 at the time of the pressure touch input can be determined according to the signal output from the pressure sensor 143. [

The motion sensor 145 detects the position and movement of the portable terminal 100 using an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or the like. An acceleration sensor that can be used for the motion sensor 145 is a device that converts an acceleration change in one direction into an electric signal and is widely used along with the development of MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) technology. The acceleration sensor measures the acceleration of a small value built in the airbag system of an automobile and recognizes the minute motion of the human hand and measures the acceleration of a large value used as an input means such as a game There are various types. Acceleration sensors are usually constructed by mounting two or three axes in one package. Depending on the usage environment, only one axis of Z axis is required. Therefore, when the acceleration sensor in the X-axis direction or the Y-axis direction is used instead of the Z-axis direction for some reason, the acceleration sensor may be mounted on the main substrate by using a separate piece substrate.

The gyro sensor is a sensor for measuring the angular velocity, and it can sense the direction of rotation with respect to the reference direction.

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 153, an alarm unit 155, and a haptic module 157.

The display unit 151 displays and outputs information processed by the mobile terminal 100. For example, when the portable terminal 100 is in the call mode, a UI (User Interface) or a GUI (Graphic User Interface) associated with a call is displayed. When the portable terminal 100 is in the video communication mode or the photographing mode, the photographed or received images can be displayed individually or simultaneously, and the UI and the GUI are displayed.

Meanwhile, as described above, when the display unit 151 and the touch pad form a mutual layer structure and constitute a touch screen, the display unit 151 is an input device capable of inputting information by a user's touch in addition to the output device. May also be used.

If the display unit 151 is configured as a touch screen, it may include a touch screen panel, a touch screen panel controller, and the like. In this case, the touch screen panel is a transparent panel attached to the outside and may be connected to the internal bus of the portable terminal 100. The touch screen panel keeps a watch on the contact result, and if there is a touch input, sends the corresponding signals to the touch screen panel controller. The touch screen panel controller processes the signals, and then transmits corresponding data to the controller 180 so that the controller 180 can determine whether the touch input has been made and which area of the touch screen has been touched.

The display unit 151 may be formed of an e-paper. Electronic paper (e-Paper) is a kind of reflective display, and has excellent visual characteristics such as high resolution, wide viewing angle and bright white background as conventional paper and ink. The electronic paper (e-paper) can be implemented on any substrate such as plastic, metal, paper, and the image is retained even after the power is shut off, and the battery life of the portable terminal 100 is long Can be maintained. As the electronic paper, a hemispherical twist ball filled with a telephone can be used, or an electrophoresis method and a microcapsule can be used.

In addition, the display unit 151 may include a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode, a flexible display, and a three-dimensional display. It may include at least one of (3D display). In addition, two or more display units 151 may exist according to the implementation form of the mobile terminal 100. For example, the external display unit (not shown) and the internal display unit (not shown) may be simultaneously provided in the portable terminal 100.

The audio output module 153 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 153 outputs sound signals related to functions performed in the portable terminal 100, for example, a call signal reception tone, a message reception tone, and the like. The sound output module 153 may include a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 155 outputs a signal for notifying the occurrence of an event of the portable terminal 100. Examples of events occurring in the portable terminal 100 include call signal reception, message reception, and key signal input. The alarm unit 155 outputs a signal for notifying occurrence of an event in a form other than an audio signal or a video signal. For example, the signal may be output in the form of vibration. The alarm unit 155 can output a signal to notify when a call signal is received or a message is received. Also. When the key signal is input, the alarm unit 155 may output the signal as a feedback to the key signal input. The user may recognize the occurrence of an event through the signal output from the alarm unit 155. A signal for notifying the occurrence of an event in the portable terminal 100 may also be output through the display unit 151 or the sound output module 153. [

The haptic module 157 generates various tactile effects that the user can feel. A typical example of the haptic effect generated by the haptic module 157 is a vibration effect. When the haptic module 157 generates vibration with a haptic effect, the intensity and pattern of the vibration generated by the haptic module 157 can be converted, and the different vibrations can be synthesized and output or sequentially output.

In addition to the vibration, the haptic module 157 may be provided with a function of stimulating by a pin arrangement vertically moving with respect to the contact skin surface, an effect of stimulating air through the injection or suction force of the air through the injection port or the suction port, The effect of stimulation through contact of an electrode (eletrode), the effect of stimulation by electrostatic force, and the effect of reproducing a cold sensation using a device capable of endothermic or exothermic can be generated. The haptic module 157 can be implemented not only to transmit the tactile effect through direct contact but also to feel the tactile effect through the muscular sense of the user's finger or arm. Two or more haptic modules 157 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 may provide a function for temporarily storing input or output data (for example, a phone book, a message, a still image, a video, etc.). It can also be done.

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 , And a ROM. ≪ / RTI > In addition, the mobile terminal 100 may operate a web storage that performs a storage function of the memory 150 on the Internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as an interface with all external devices connected to the portable terminal 100. Examples of the external device connected to the portable terminal 100 include a wired / wireless headset, an external charger, a wired / wireless data port, a memory card, a SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) card, a UIM An audio input / output (I / O) terminal, a video I / O (input / output) terminal, and an earphone. The interface unit 170 receives data from the external device or receives power from the external device and transmits the data to each component in the portable terminal 100 so that data in the portable terminal 100 can be transmitted to the external device .

The interface unit 170 is a path through which power from the cradle connected when the portable terminal 100 is connected to the external cradle is supplied to the portable terminal 100 or various command signals inputted from the cradle by the user are carried And may be a passage to be transmitted to the terminal 100.

The controller 180 typically controls the operation of the respective units to control the overall operation of the mobile terminal 100. For example, perform related control and processing for voice calls, data communications, video calls, and the like. In addition, the controller 180 may include a multimedia playback module 181 for multimedia playback. The multimedia playback module 181 may be configured in hardware in the controller 180 or may be configured in software separately from the controller 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 mobile terminal 100 having such a configuration can be configured to be 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. have.

The portable terminal related to the present invention has been described above in terms of components according to functions. Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the portable terminal related to the present invention will be further described in terms of components according to appearance. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, a bar type portable terminal having a front touch screen among various types of portable terminals such as a folder type, a bar type, a swing type, a slider type, and the like will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to a bar-type portable terminal, but can be applied to all types of portable terminals including the above-mentioned type.

2 is a perspective view of a portable terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention viewed from the front. Referring to FIG. 2, the case forming the exterior of the portable terminal 100 is formed by the front case 100A-1 and the rear case 100A-2. Various electronic components are embedded in the space formed by the front case 100A-1 and the rear case 100A-2. At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case 100A-1 and the rear case 100A-2. Such cases may be formed by injecting synthetic resin, or may be formed to have a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The display unit 151, the first sound output module 153a, the first camera 121a, and the first user input unit 130a may be disposed in the main body, specifically, the first front case 100A-1. In addition, a second user input unit 130b, a third user input unit 130, and a microphone 123 may be disposed on the side surface of the rear case 100A-2.

The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), organic light emitting diodes (OLED), and the like, which visually express information. Since the touch pad is superimposed on the display unit 151 in a layer structure, the display unit 151 may operate as a touch screen, and may be configured to input information by a user's touch.

The first acoustic output module 153a may be implemented in the form of a receiver or a speaker. The first camera 121a may be implemented to be suitable for capturing an image or a video of a user or the like. The microphone 123 may be implemented in a form suitable for receiving a user's voice, other sounds, and the like.

The first to third user input units 130a, 130b, and 130c may be collectively referred to as the user input unit 130, and may be employed in any manner as long as the user is operating in a tactile manner.

For example, the user input unit 130 may be implemented as a dome switch or a touch pad that may receive a command or information by a user's push or touch operation, or may be operated as a wheel or jog or a joystick that rotates a key. Or the like. In the functional aspect, the first user input unit 130a is for inputting a command such as a start, end, call, etc., and the second user input unit 130b is for inputting a selection of an operation mode. In addition, the third user input unit 130c may operate as a hot-key for activating a special function in the portable terminal 100.

When the user's finger approaches the display unit 151, the proximity sensor 141 installed on the first body detects this and outputs a proximity signal. At this time, it may be configured to output different proximity signals according to the distance the user's finger is located. In general, the distance between the detection object approaching the proximity sensor and outputting the proximity signal is called the detection distance. When the proximity signal output from each proximity sensor is compared using a plurality of proximity sensors having different detection distances, the detection object is detected. You can see how close is.

In addition, a plurality of proximity sensors having different detection areas are arranged to determine which proximity sensor is output from among the proximity sensors to determine which area of the display unit 151 the proximity object approaches, and the detection object. May be determined to move closer to the display unit 151. Accordingly, the controller 180 may control to output a corresponding vibration signal by selecting a touch key corresponding to a close position of a user's finger or the like.

When the user tilts or shakes the portable terminal, the gyro sensor 142 detects the movement of the portable terminal. The gyro sensor 142 generates a signal corresponding to the movement of the portable terminal and outputs the signal to the controller 180. The controller 180 detects information related to the movement, such as the direction, angle, speed, intensity, and current position of the portable terminal, from the signal generated by the gyro sensor 142.

The controller 180 tracks the movement of the portable terminal through the information detected from the signal generated by the gyro sensor 142. Depending on the components constituting the gyro sensor 142 may be different information that can be detected from the signal generated by the gyro sensor. The portable terminal is provided with a gyro sensor 142 according to the motion information of the portable terminal to be detected. At least one gyro sensor 142 may be provided in the portable terminal. The controller 180 may control the gyro sensor 142 to operate only when executing a specific application in response to the information to be detected.

3 is a rear perspective view of the portable terminal shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 3, a fourth user input unit 130d, a fifth user input unit 130d, and an interface unit 170 may be disposed on the side of the rear case 100A-2, and the rear case 100A-2 may be disposed. The second camera 121b may be additionally mounted on the rear side of the).

The second camera 121b may have a photographing direction substantially opposite to that of the first camera 121a, and may have different pixels from the first camera 121a. For example, in the case of a video call or the like, the first camera 121a has a low pixel so that the user's face is photographed and transmitted to the other party, and the second camera 121b photographs a general subject and does not transmit it immediately. In many cases, it is desirable to have a high pixel.

The mirror 125 and the flash 126 may be further disposed adjacent to the second camera 121b. The mirror 125 allows the user to see his / her own face or the like when the user wants to photograph (self-photograph) the second camera 121b. The flash 126 illuminates the subject when the subject is photographed by the second camera 121b.

A second sound output module (not shown) may be further disposed on the rear case 100A-2. The second sound output module may implement the stereo function together with the first sound output module 153a, and may be used for talking in the speakerphone mode.

In addition, an antenna (not shown) for receiving a broadcast signal may be disposed on one side of the second rear case 100A-2 in addition to an antenna for a call. The antenna may be installed to be pulled out of the rear case 100A-2.

The interface unit 170 serves as a path for allowing the portable terminal 100 to exchange data with an external device. For example, the interface unit 170 may be at least one of a wired or wireless connection terminal for connecting to the earphone, a port for short-range communication, or a power supply terminal for supplying power to the mobile terminal 100. have. The interface unit 170 may be a card socket that accommodates an external card such as a subscriber identification module (SIM) or a user identity module (UIM) and a memory card for storing information.

The rear case 100A-2 is provided with a power supply unit 190 for supplying power to the portable terminal. The power supply unit 190 is, for example, a rechargeable battery, and may be detachably coupled to the rear case 100A-2 for charging.

In the above description, the second camera 121b and the like are disposed on the rear case 100A-2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition, even if the second camera 12b is not separately provided, the first camera 121a may be rotatably formed to be able to shoot up to the photographing direction of the second camera 121b.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a portable terminal according to a set shooting mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the controller 180 sets a mode to any one of a plurality of photographing modes according to a user command (S410). The user sets the mode of the mobile terminal to the shooting mode through a menu or the like. There are various shooting modes such as a self mode, a still image mode, and a video mode. The user may select any one of the above-described shooting modes, and the controller 180 may respond to any one of the plurality of shooting modes. To set the shooting mode.

The controller 180 displays a preview image to be captured on the display unit 151 (S415).

The controller 180 displays an icon corresponding to a shooting mode set in one region of the preview image for a predetermined time (S420). The icon is preferably displayed semi-transparently in the center of the preview image. When a predetermined time elapses, the icon is preferably disappeared.

As such, when the mode is set, an icon corresponding to the set mode is displayed on the preview image, so that the user can easily know the current mode while looking at the display unit 151.

In addition, the controller 180 sets a different area (hereinafter referred to as a focus area) in which the object of focus is displayed in the preview image according to the set shooting mode (S430), and indicates an indicator (hereinafter, referred to as “focus area”). A focus indicator 'is displayed in an adjacent area of the focus area (S435). In detail, when the photographing mode is the self mode, the controller 180 may set a region in which the face image is displayed among the preview images as the focus region. When the photographing mode is the still image mode or the moving image mode, the controller 180 sets the center region of the preview image as the focus region. The focus area may be changed by a user command or by a movement of an object in the focus area, which will be described later.

In addition, the controller 180 sets an area (hereinafter, referred to as a "shooting input area") that can receive a shooting command by touch according to the set shooting mode (S440), and displays the photographing input area so as to be identified. (S445). For example, the principle is to set the focus area as a touch area that receives a shooting command, but the still image mode includes a focus area itself, the video mode includes a predetermined range of areas including a focus area, and the self mode displays the display unit 151. The entire screen may be set as a photographing input area. By setting the photographing input area differently according to the photographing mode as described above, the user can easily input a photographing command according to the mode. In addition, the color of the photographing input area may be displayed differently from other areas of the display unit 151, or the border of the photographing input area may be displayed to distinguish the photographing input area from other areas of the display unit 151.

In this flowchart, the photographing input area is displayed to be distinguishable after the focus indicator is displayed. However, for convenience of explanation, the icon, the focus indicator, and the photographing input area are displayed at the same time or after the icon disappears, the focus indicator and the photographing input area. This can be displayed at the same time. In addition, the photographing input area may be implemented such that the display disappears after a predetermined time elapses.

The controller 180 performs focusing on the focus area (S450). In general, focusing may be performed by contrast detection or by focusing. For example, focusing by the contrast detection method is to move the focus lens to a position where the contrast value of the focus area is the highest. The controller 180 may perform focusing by moving the focus lens by various focus methods such as a contrast detection method or a pan focus.

In addition, the controller 180 may display a preview image on which focusing is performed and provide a notification indicating that focusing is completed (S460). The notification may be provided not only by the color or blinking of the focus indicator but also by the color of the auxiliary light source such as flash.

Meanwhile, the controller 180 determines whether a photographing command is input (S470). The user may input a photographing command by touching a photographing input area.

When a shooting command is input (S470-Y), the controller 180 converts and stores the preview image on which the focusing is performed into a format corresponding to the set shooting mode (S480). When the shooting mode is the self mode or the still image mode, the preview image is converted into a still image format and stored. However, in the video mode, the preview video is converted into a video format and stored.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a portable terminal capable of changing a focus area according to a user command according to an embodiment of the present invention. The controller 180 may set the focus area differently according to the shooting mode, but may change the set focus area according to a user command. In addition, the focus area may be changed by moving an object displayed on the focus area. First, the change of the focus area according to the user command will be described.

In a state in which the focus area is set differently according to the set shooting mode and the focus indicator is displayed on the edge area of the focus area, the controller 180 determines whether a drag is input after touching the focus area (S510). The user touches the focus area using a touch pointer such as a finger. Then, the touch point is formed in the focus area, and when the user moves the touch pointer in a predetermined direction, it is determined that the touch point is continuously moved and the drag is input.

If it is determined that a drag is input after touching the focus area (S510-Y), the controller 180 changes the position of the focus area in response to the dragged distance and direction (S520). In detail, the controller 180 sets the dragged area as a new focus area and displays the focus indicator on the edge area of the newly set focus area.

In addition, when it is determined that a drag is input after touching the area in which the focus indicator is displayed (S530), the controller 180 changes the size of the focus area in response to the dragged distance and direction, and places the focus indicator on the edge of the changed focus area. To display (S540). Specifically, when the user touches the area where the focus indicator is displayed and drags it to the area where the focus area is not displayed, the controller 180 enlarges the focus area to a size corresponding to the dragged distance. However, if the user touches the area where the focus indicator is displayed and then drags the area to the area where the focus area is displayed, the controller 180 reduces the size of the focus area correspondingly.

On the other hand, the area occupied by the area where the focus indicator is displayed is small. Accordingly, the controller 180 may be configured to determine that if a touch and a drag are input to an area including the area where the focus indicator is displayed, a touch and drag is input to the area on which the focus indicator is displayed.

As described above, since the user may change the focus area by touching and dragging while viewing the preview image displayed on the display unit 151, focus setting is easier. On the other hand, if the focus area is changed, the controller 180 focuses on the focus area of S450 of FIG. 4.

6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a portable terminal capable of changing a focus area according to movement of an object, according to an exemplary embodiment.

In a state in which the focus area is set differently according to the set shooting mode and the focus indicator is displayed at the edge of the focus area, the controller 180 displays an object displayed in the focus area when the focus area is set (hereinafter referred to as a 'target object'). Identify (S610). The controller 180 may identify the target object by extracting feature data of the target object.

The controller 180 determines whether there is an object movement (S620). The object in the preset focus area is identified from the newly input preview image, and it is determined whether the object is the same as the target object. If the object of the newly input preview image is not the same as the target object, the controller 180 determines that there is a movement of the object.

If it is determined that there is movement of the object (S620-Y), the controller 180 changes the focus area according to the movement of the object (S630). In detail, the controller 180 changes the focus area by tracking the target object by using an object tracking method such as a center tracking method and a correlation tracking method, and setting the area in which the target object is displayed as the focus area in the input preview image. The position and size of the focus area change according to the position and size of the area in which the target object is displayed.

Here, the center tracking method is a method of tracking an object by obtaining a center point of an object from a signal value of an object image separated from a signal of a background image, and moving the object so that the center point of the moved object is in the center of the tracking window. In addition, the correlation tracking method stores the object image in the tracking window in the previous image, and finds the same image corresponding to the object image of the previous image (that is, the image having the highest correlation with the object image) in the current image, and tracks it by the variation. It is a way to track by moving. There are various other object tracking methods, and an object can be tracked using various object tracking methods, but a detailed description thereof will be omitted for clarity.

Changing the focus area according to the movement of the object is particularly useful in the video mode. When the area in which the person is displayed in the preview image is set as the focus area in the video mode, the controller 180 may change the focus area and perform focusing every time the person moves, so that the person may obtain a clear video.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for describing a method of operating a mobile terminal in a self mode according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a screen displayed on a display unit.

As shown in (a) of FIG. 7, when the self mode is set in the shooting mode, the first icon 710 is displayed in the center of the display area of the display unit 151 on which the preview image is displayed. . When the predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds to 3 seconds) elapses, the first icon 710 disappears. By displaying the icon according to the mode in the center of the preview image, the user can easily grasp the current mode by viewing the preview image.

In addition, in the self-mode, the controller 180 sets an area in which the person is displayed (hereinafter referred to as a 'personal area') in the preview image as the focus area 720, and as shown in FIG. The focus indicator 730 is displayed at the edge of the focus area 720. In addition, the controller 180 sets the entire screen of the display unit 151 as a touch area that can input a photographing command, that is, the first photographing input area 740, and displays the entire screen of the display unit 151 in a self-mode. The photographing input area may also be distinguishably displayed for a predetermined time.

The controller 180 performs focusing on the focus area, and when the focusing is completed, the controller 180 changes the color of the focus indicator 730 as shown in (c) of FIG. 7. Can be provided as When the user touches an arbitrary area of the first photographing input area 740, the controller 180 converts the preview image into a still image format and stores the preview image in a memory.

In the present embodiment, an image may be captured by using the first camera 121a or the second camera 121b in the self mode. When the self mode is set using the first camera 121a, the first camera 121a may be disposed to face the user and the user may view the screen of the display unit 151. Thus, it is possible to check whether focusing has been performed by changing the color of the focus indicator displayed on the screen. However, when the self mode is set using the second camera 121b, the screen of the second camera 121b and the display unit 151 are arranged to be opposite to each other so that the user can see the screen of the display unit 151. none. In this case, the controller 180 preferably provides a notification informing that focusing has been performed in another method. For example, it is desirable to provide a notification to the light output of the flash, which is an auxiliary light source.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an operation method of a mobile terminal in a still image mode according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a screen displayed on a display unit.

As shown in (a) of FIG. 8, when the photographing mode is set to the still image mode, a second icon representing the still image mode is displayed in the center of the preview image for a predetermined time.

When a predetermined time elapses, the controller 180 sets the center area of the preview image to the focus area 820, and as shown in FIG. 8B, the focus indicator 830 of the focus area 820 is set. Mark on the edge. In addition, the controller 180 sets the focus area 820 as a second photographing input area, which is an area in which a photographing command can be input in the still image mode, and displays the focus area 820. The second capture input area may be distinguishably displayed by different colors from other screens of the display unit 151.

When the focusing is completed, the controller 180 changes the color of the focus indicator 830 to display a preview image in which focusing is performed along with a notification 832 indicating that focusing has been performed, as shown in FIG. 8C. As such, it can provide. When the user touches the second photographing input area 820, the controller 180 converts the preview image on which the focusing is performed into a still image format and stores it in a memory.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for describing a method of operating a mobile terminal in a video mode according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a screen displayed on a display unit.

As illustrated in FIG. 9A, when the video mode is set to the video mode, a third icon 910 is displayed in the center of the preview image to symbolize the video mode. When the predetermined time (for example, 2 seconds to 3 seconds) elapses, the third icon 910 disappears.

In the video mode, the controller 180 sets the center area of the preview image to the focus area 920, and as shown in FIG. 9B, the controller 180 sets the focus indicator 930 to the edge of the focus area 920. Mark on. In addition, the controller 180 sets a predetermined range of areas including the focus area 920 as the third capturing input area 940, which is an area in which a capturing command can be input in the moving image mode, and displays the capturing command. Preferably, the third imaging input area is wider than the focus area.

When the focusing is completed, the controller 180 changes the color of the focus indicator 930 to display a preview image in which focusing is performed along with a notification 932 indicating that focusing has been performed. As can be provided. When the user touches the third capturing input region 940, the controller 180 converts the preview image into a video format and stores the preview image in a memory.

As described above, by setting the focus area and the photographing input area differently according to the photographing mode, the user can more easily manipulate the portable terminal. In particular, since the user sets the self mode to capture his image, it is preferable to set the focus area in the self mode to the area where the face is displayed. In the self mode, the user cannot directly check the screen of the display unit 151. Therefore, it is preferable to set the photographing input area of the entire area of the display unit 151. In addition, since the mobility of the object is high in the moving picture mode, it is preferable to set the shooting input area wider than in the still picture mode.

In the present embodiment, the mode icon is displayed for a predetermined time, and when the predetermined time elapses, the focus area and the photographing input area are displayed, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The mode icon, the focus area, and the photographing input area may be displayed at the same time. When the predetermined time elapses, the portable terminal may be implemented such that the display of the mode icon and the photographing input area disappears.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for describing an operation method of a portable terminal capable of changing a location of a focus area according to a user command according to an embodiment of the present invention together with a screen displayed on a display unit.

As shown in FIG. 10A, one area of the preview image is set as the focus area 1010, and a focus indicator 1020 is displayed at the edge of the focus area 1010. When the user wants to change the position of the focus area 1010, the user may touch and drag the focus area. Then, as shown in FIG. 10B, the focus area and the focus indicator move in response to the drag operation 1030, a new focus area is set at the point where the drag is completed, and the focus indicator is located at the edge of the focus area. Is displayed.

FIG. 11 is a diagram for describing a method of operating a mobile terminal, in which a size of a focus area can be changed, according to an embodiment of the present invention, together with a screen displayed on a display unit.

As illustrated in FIG. 11A, one area of the preview image is set as the focus area 1010, and a focus indicator 1020 is displayed at the edge of the focus area 1010. When the user wants to change the size of the focus area, the user may touch and drag the area in which the focus indicator 1020 is displayed. Then, as shown in FIG. 11B, the focus indicator 1020 moves in response to the drag operation 1040 to change the size of the focus area. 11B illustrates a case in which a user touches an area in which the focus indicator is displayed and then drags in a direction away from the focus area, the size of the focus area is enlarged in response to the dragged distance, and the focus indicator is displayed at the edge of the focus area. It is a figure explaining. On the other hand, the user may reduce the size of the focus area by touching the area in which the focus indicator is displayed and dragging in the direction of the focus area.

FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an operation method of a portable terminal, in which a focus area may be changed according to movement of an object, together with a screen displayed on a display unit, according to an exemplary embodiment.

As illustrated in (a) of FIG. 12, when the region in which the face is displayed (hereinafter, referred to as the “face region”) of the preview image is set as the focus region 1210, the focus indicator 1220 is displayed at the edge of the region region. do. As shown in FIG. 12B, when the face region moves due to the movement of a person (1230), the controller 180 tracks the face region using an object tracking method and focuses on the face region. The region 1210 is moved to display the focus indicator 1220. In addition, focusing is performed on the moved focus area to display the focused preview image.

On the other hand, if the face area is not displayed on the screen of the display unit 151 due to the movement of a person, as shown in FIG. 12C, the focus target indicates that the face area is not present on the screen of the display unit 151. The notification 1240 may be displayed as a popup on the preview image. The notification may be provided as a color or an audio signal of the auxiliary light source. As shown in FIG. 12C, when the focus area is not on the screen of the display unit 151, the controller 180 changes focus to infinity and performs focusing. When the face area again appears on the screen of the display unit 151, as shown in FIG. 12D, the focus indicator 1220 is displayed at the edge of the focus area.

The change of the focus area according to the movement of the object may be applied not only to the preview image but also after the moving picture capturing command is input.

In the present embodiment, the position or size of the focus area is changed by dragging after touching, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The position of the focus area may be changed by the short touch, and the photographing command may be input by the long touch.

In this embodiment, the case where a single focus area is set is taken as an example, but is not limited thereto. There may be a plurality of focus areas, and information on a focus area on which focusing is performed may also be provided.

Meanwhile, the present invention can be embodied as processor readable codes on a processor readable recording medium provided in a mobile terminal such as a mobile station modem (MSM). The processor-readable recording medium includes all kinds of recording devices that store data that can be read by the processor. Examples of the processor-readable recording medium include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage device, and the like, and may be implemented in the form of a carrier wave such as transmission through the Internet. The processor-readable recording medium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the processor-readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It should be understood that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

110: wireless communication unit 120: A / V input unit
130: user input unit 140: sensing unit
150: output unit 151: display unit
160: memory 170: interface unit
180:

Claims (14)

Setting to any one of a plurality of shooting modes;
Displaying a preview image of a camera on a display unit;
Differently setting a focus area of the preview image according to the set shooting mode, and displaying the focus area in a distinguishable manner; And
And differently setting a photographing input area that receives a photographing command according to the set photographing mode, and displaying the photographing input area so as to be distinguished from each other. The method of claim 1,
The photographing input area is an area of a predetermined range including the focus area, and the predetermined range is different according to the set photographing mode. The method of claim 1,
If the photographing mode is set, displaying an icon corresponding to the set photographing mode in one region of the preview image. The method of claim 3,
And disappearing the icon after a predetermined time has elapsed. The method of claim 1,
If focusing is performed on the focus area, providing a notification indicating that the focusing is performed. The method of claim 1,
Displaying the focus area discernably,
And displaying a focus indicator indicating that the focus area is in an adjacent area of the focus area. The method of claim 1,
The display of the photographing input area to be distinguishable,
And displaying a color of the photographing input area differently from other areas of the display unit. The method of claim 1,
And when the set shooting mode is the first shooting mode, the focus area is an area in which the person of the preview image is displayed. The method of claim 1,
And the focus area is a center area of the preview image when the set shooting mode is the second shooting mode. The method of claim 1,
And after a drag is input to the focus area, the location of the focus area is displayed in response to the drag. The method of claim 1,
And when a drag is input after touching the area in which the focus indicator is displayed, the size of the focus area is displayed in response to the dragging. The method of claim 1,
And when the object displayed in the focus area moves, changing the focus area in response to the movement of the object, and moving and displaying the focus indicator in response to the movement of the object. Method of operation of the terminal. The method of claim 1,
And photographing the preview image in response to the set photographing mode when a touch is input to an area for receiving the photographing command. camera;
A touch screen displaying a preview image of the camera; And
And a controller configured to differently set a focus area of the preview image and a shooting input area for receiving a shooting command according to the set shooting mode when the shooting mode is set to any one of a plurality of shooting modes.

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