Method of providing preview image and mobile communication terminal

A mobile communication terminal including a wireless transceiver configured to perform a video telephony call with at least one other terminal, a display configured to display a first image corresponding to a user of the mobile communication terminal and a second image corresponding to a user of the at least one other terminal during the video telephony call, an input device configured to input a request for an image processing of the first image, and a controller configured to perform a predetermined image processing on the first image according to the input request for the image processing and to control the display to display the image-processed first image as a preview image.

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No. 10-2007-0081892 filed in Republic of Korea on Aug. 14, 2007, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This document relates to a method of providing a preview image when performing video telephony, a method of capturing an image, and a mobile communication terminal.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mobile communication technology has developed from second generation mobile communication technology providing a voice service and a short message service to third generation mobile communication technology providing a high speed data service. The third generation mobile communication technology can provide a new type data service using a band width (1.9 GHz or more) greater than a band width (1.8 GHz or less) of the second generation mobile communication technology and enables consumers to use the data service without restriction of a time and a place. Further, the mobile communication technology has rapidly developed by linking with multimedia technology, voice recognition technology, mobile phone position detecting technology, and Bluetooth technology.

That is, the mobile communication technology has provided a wireless multimedia service that can provide a high speed data service and a video service as well as an existing voice service. Accordingly, a mobile communication terminal uses a high-tech function such as a color display, a mass storage memory, a digital camera, a wireless Internet platform, a multiple chord, a MPEG Audio Layer-3 (MP3) function, and a Video On Demand (VOD) function. Technology development of a mobile communication service and a request of consumers accelerate the mobile communication terminal to provide a multimedia service.

A conventional video telephony method has provided only a function of transmitting a user image photographed with a camera attached to a mobile communication terminal to an another party mobile communication terminal or a function of transmitting a replacement image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to address the above-noted and other problems of the related art.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides in one aspect a mobile communication terminal including a wireless transceiver configured to perform a video telephony call with at least one other terminal, a display configured to display a first image corresponding to a user of the mobile communication terminal and a second image corresponding to a user of the at least one other terminal during the video telephony call, an input device configured to input a request for an image processing of the first image, and a controller configured to perform a predetermined image processing on the first image according to the input request for the image processing and to control the display to display the image-processed first image as a preview image.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling a mobile communication terminal. The method includes displaying a first image corresponding to a user of the mobile communication terminal and a second image corresponding to a user of at least one other terminal during a video telephony call between the mobile communication terminal and the at least one other terminal, receiving an input request for an image processing of the first image, performing a predetermined image processing on the first image according to the input request for the image processing, and displaying the image-processed first image as a preview image.

In still another aspect, the present invention provides a mobile communication terminal including a display configured to display an image of a user corresponding to another mobile communication terminal that is performing a video telephony call with the mobile communication terminal, an input unit configured to recognize a touching of an area corresponding to the image of the user corresponding to the another mobile communication terminal, and a memory configured to save the touched image of the user corresponding to the another mobile communication terminal as a still image.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling a mobile communication terminal. The method includes displaying an image of a user corresponding to another mobile communication terminal that is performing a video telephony call with the mobile communication terminal, touching an area corresponding to the image or the user corresponding to the another mobile communication terminal, and saving the touched image of the user corresponding to the another mobile communication terminal as a still image.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, implementations will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is a block diagram illustrating an implementation of a network to which this document is applied,

Referring toFIG. 1, the network comprises a user mobile communication terminal100, another party mobile communication terminal20, a mobile communication network30, a data core network (DCN)40, and an video telephony system50.

The mobile communication network30comprises a base station24, a controller26, and a mobile exchanger28.

The base station24adjusts a data transmission and reception speed with mobile communication terminals (20,100), and the controller26controls to connect audiovisual communication, a multimedia service, or a VOD service. The mobile exchanger28is connected to the controller26to perform a call control function, a mobility control function, and various additional service functions. The call control of the mobile exchanger28can be performed with a cell unit using an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) method.

The DCN40connected to the controller26of the mobile communication network30converts a connection signal of the mobile communication terminals (20,100) to be suitable to video telephony, a multimedia service, and a VOD service.

The video telephony system50may comprise an encoding server, a digital server, and a network streaming server in order to process video telephony. The encoding server performs a function of providing data to the mobile communication terminals (20,100). The digital server stores a motion picture or voice data such as MP3 to digital data and provides the digital data. The network streaming server supplies motion picture data or sound data such as music in a streaming method to the mobile communication network30. Further, when the mobile communication terminals (20,100) use a video telephony service, a multimedia service, and a VOD service, the video telephony system50also performs a functional of processing a service fee.

In the implementation, when a call for performing video telephony is connected between the user mobile communication terminal100and the another party mobile communication terminal20, the mobile communication network30connects a call channel, whereby video telephony is performed while transmitting and receiving image data via the DCN40and the video telephony system50.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a mobile communication terminal in an implementation.

Referring toFIG. 2, the mobile communication terminal100comprises a wireless transceiver110, a camera unit120, a memory130, an input device140, a controller150, a display160, and an audio processor170. Each of the elements is connected by a bus180.

The wireless transceiver10receives another party's image data by performing communication with an external network through an antenna ANT when performing video technology and transmits user image data to another party mobile communication terminal20. Image data of another party or the user may be still image data or real time motion picture data.

The camera unit120generates image data by photographing a user image of the mobile communication terminal100when performing video telephony and transmits the image data to the controller150.

The memory130comprises a program memory and a data memory. In the program memory, a program for controlling general operations of the mobile communication terminal100and a software program for controlling an execution of video telephony controls are stored. Further, the memory130can store a motion picture or a still image photographed through the camera unit120, a still image or a motion picture received from another party mobile communication terminal20through the wireless transceiver110, or a motion picture or a still image downloaded by connecting to Internet.

The input device140may comprise a key for inputting numeral and character information, a function key for setting or executing various functions, and a direction key for selecting a direction. The input device140can use a keypad, a jog dial, a touch pad, a touch screen, and a joy stick. In the implementation, the input device140can be used to request an image processing to a user image photographed by the camera unit120.

The controller150controls general operations of the mobile communication terminal100and in the implementation, the controller150is used as a wide meaning comprising a processor. In the implementation, the controller150controls to perform various image processing to the user image and to provide a user image in which an image processing is performed as a preview image.

The display160can output various display information and various menu screens output to the mobile communication terminal100and use a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED). Further, the display160can use at least two display units.

The audio processor170performs a function of reproducing an audio signal decoded and output in the controller150through a speaker SPK or processing an audio signal that is input from a microphone MIC and transmitting the audio signal to the controller150.

FIG. 3is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing video telephony in an implementation.

Referring toFIG. 3, when video telephony is started between a user of the mobile communication terminal100and another party, an video telephony screen330comprising a user image310and an another party image320is displayed in the display160of the mobile communication terminal100(S300).

The video telephony screen330displayed at step S300displays a case to which a function of “largely viewing another party” is set. In this case, the another party image320is displayed to be greater than the user image310.

If the user of the mobile communication terminal100selects a menu340at a lower end of the video telephony screen330while performing video telephony with another party, a camera setting menu350for setting the camera is displayed (S310). The camera setting menu can be displayed in a pop-up window form.

The camera setting menu350comprises a sub-menu such as “1. external camera, 2. night mode, 3. filter, and 4. balance”. In the implementation, the user of the mobile communication terminal100can apply various image processing effects (hereinafter, referred to as a “camera effect”) to the user image310using the camera setting menu350and check a preview image to which the camera effect is applied.

When the user of the mobile communication terminal100selects “3. filter menu” at step S310, a filter menu window360is displayed in an On Screen Display (OSD) method in a predetermined area that does not cover the user image310(S320). In the implementation, the filter menu window360is displayed in an area where the another party image320is positioned in order not to cover the user image310.

The filter menu window360may comprises a sub-menu such as “1. nothing, 2. automatic, 3. sepia, and 4. negative”, and a cursor is positioned at a currently setting sub-menu (e.g. “1. nothing”). The user of the mobile communication terminal100can move a cursor to a sub-menu to select by manipulating a vertical direction key of the input device140.

When the user of the mobile communication terminal100moves a cursor from one sub-menu to another sub-menu, for example from “1. nothing” to “3. sepia”, the user image310is processed in a state to which a sepia effect is applied and is displayed. That is, whenever the user of the mobile communication terminal100changes a sub-menu of a filter menu, a user image to which a filter effect corresponding to the corresponding sub-menu is applied is displayed on a preview screen. The user image displayed on the preview screen may be a real time motion picture or a captured still image.

Further, when the user of the mobile communication terminal100selects “4. balance” at step S310, a balance menu window370is displayed in an OSD method in a predetermined area that does not cover the user image310(S330). In the implementation, the balance menu window370is displayed in an area where the another party image320is positioned in order not to cover the user image310.

The balance menu window370comprises a sub-menu such as “1. automatic, 2. sunlight, 3. incandescent lamp, and 4. fluorescent lamp”, and a cursor is positioned at a currently setting submenu. The user of the mobile communication terminal100can move a cursor to another sub-menu to select using a vertical direction key of the input device140.

When the user of the mobile communication terminal100moves the cursor from one sub menu to another sub menu, for example from “1. automatic” to “2. sunlight”, the user image310is processed to apply a sunlight effect and is displayed at step S330. That is, whenever the user of the mobile communication terminal100changes a sub-menu of the balance menu, the user image310processed to apply an effect of the corresponding sub-menu is displayed on a preview screen.

When the filter menu window360or the balance menu window370is displayed, if the user selects a left direction key or a right direction key of the input device140, another camera setting menu can be displayed. For example, when the filter menu window360is displayed, if the user presses once a right direction key of the input device140, the filter menu window360can be changed to the balance menu window370. Similarly, if the user presses once a left direction key of the input device140in the balance menu window370, the balance menu window370can be changed to the filter menu window360.

In the implementation, when any one of the camera setting menus is selected and a pop-up window such as the filter menu window360or the balance menu window370is displayed, if the user presses the left direction key or the right direction key of the input device140, the pop-up window is changed to a pop-up window related to another camera setting menu, thereby improving user convenience,

Further, when a cursor is positioned at any one sub-menu and a preview screen is displayed, if the user presses a confirmation button of the input device140or selects a confirmation menu365, which is a soft menu, a specific subs menu of a filter menu or a balance menu is finally set by the user.

Until a specific sub-menu of a filter menu or a balance menu is finally set by the user, the user image210to which a filter effect or a balance effect is not applied is transmitted to the another party mobile communication terminal20through the wireless transceiver110. In this case, a user image transmitted to another party mobile communication terminal20may be a real time motion picture.

A screen S400ofFIG. 4illustrates a user image displayed in another party mobile communication terminal before a filter effect or a balance effect is set.

Referring to the screen S400ofFIG. 4, before a filter effect or a balance effect is finally set by the user, the user image310to which the filter effect or the balance effect is not applied is transmitted to the another party mobile communication terminal20and is displayed.

Alternatively, when the user presses a confirmation button of the input device140or selects the confirmation menu365, which is a soft menu, thereby finally setting a specific sub-menu of a filter menu or a balance menu, the user image310processed to apply the filter effect or the balance effect is displayed on the video telephony screen430of the another party mobile communication terminal20.

A screen S410ofFIG. 4illustrates a user image displayed in another party mobile communication terminal after a filter effect or a balance effect is set.

Referring to the screen S410ofFIG. 4, after the filter effect or the balance effect is set, the user image310processed to apply an effect of the corresponding sub-menu (e.g. sepia, negative, incandescent lamp, and fluorescent lamp) is displayed on the video telephony screen430of another party mobile communication terminal20.

Further, until a specific sub-menu of a filter menu or a balance menu is finally set by the user, the user may preview a user image using the filter menu or the balance menu and transmit a replacement image to another party mobile communication terminal20.

A screen S420ofFIG. 4illustrates the replacement image380displayed on the video telephony screen430of another party mobile communication terminal20before a camera effect such as a filter effect or a balance effect is set.

FIG. 5illustrates a filter menu window in another implementation of this document.

If the user of the mobile communication terminal100selects “3. filter” of the camera setting menu350at step S310ofFIG. 3, a filter menu window500comprising thumbnail images (a to d) processed to apply a different filter effect to the user image310can be displayed. In the implementation, unlike the case ofFIG. 3, the filter menu window500can be displayed in an area that does not cover another party image320.

When the user selects a thumbnail image to which a specific filter effect (e.g. sepia) is applied among thumbnail images (a to d) processed to apply a different filter effect, a filter effect corresponding to the selected thumbnail image is applied to the user image310.

In this case, a method of selecting a thumbnail image is performed by touching and selecting the corresponding thumbnail image when the display160uses a touch screen. Further, by pressing a confirmation button of the input device140or selecting the confirmation menu365, which is a soft menu after positioning a cursor at a specific thumbnail image, a specific thumbnail image can be selected. When a specific filter effect is set to the user image310, the user image310to which a filter effect is set is transmitted to another party mobile communication terminal20and is displayed. In the above-described implementation, the filter menu window500is exemplified, however the implementation can be equally applied to a balance menu window.

FIG. 6illustrates a method of capturing another party's motion picture through a touch and drag action while performing video telephony in another implementation. In the implementation, it is assumed that the display160uses a touch screen and image data received from another party is a real time motion picture.

First, referring to a screen S600ofFIG. 6, when video telephony is started between the user of the mobile communication terminal100and another party, the user image310and the another party image320are displayed on an video telephony screen630of the mobile communication terminal100(S600).

The video telephony screen630displayed at step S600displays a case to which a function of “largely viewing a user image” is set. In this case, the user image310is displayed greater than another party image320.

Another party image320may be a real time motion picture. In this case, the user can capture and store a specific screen of motion pictures of another party.

Referring to a screen S610ofFIG. 6, when another party image320is a motion picture, the user touches another party image320and captures a still image from the motion picture. That is, when the user touches another party image320, another party image320is converted to a still image.

Further, when the user wants to store another party image320converted to a still image, the user can store another party's still image in the memory130through a touch and drag action.

A screen S620ofFIG. 6illustrates a touch and drag action for storing the captured still image of another party. That is, after the user touches another party's motion picture with a finger, a stylus pen, etc. and captures another party image320of a touch time point into a still image, by moving a touch point to a save menu390through a drag action, the captured still image of another party can be stored in the memory130.

In the above-described implementation, after another party's motion picture is captured into a still image through a touch, a process of storing the captured still image through a drag action is described, however the implementation is not limited thereto.

That is, after a still image is captured by a simple touch action, a function of storing the captured still image in the memory130can be performed. For example, when another party's motion picture is touched, another party image320is captured into a still image and displayed. In this case, when the save menu390is touched, the captured still image of another party may be stored in the memory130.

In the implementation, by processing a user image using a filter effect or a balance effect of a camera function while performing video telephony, a preview screen can be provided and a user image to which the filter effect or the balance effect is applied can be transmitted to another party.

Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.