Mobile terminal and control method therof

A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to provide wireless communication; a camera configured to obtain an image of at least one user; a display configured to display the image obtained by the camera; and a controller configured to extract a gaze direction of the at least one user from the captured image, and display a guide image for guiding the gaze direction based on the extracted gaze direction on the display unit in proximate relationship with the camera.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0117825, filed on Oct. 2, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and corresponding method for capturing a high-quality portrait of a user by correctly guiding a gaze direction of the user being captured.

Description of the Related Art

Terminals have become multimedia players with multiple functions such as capturing pictures or moving images, playing music, displaying moving image files and playing games and receiving broadcasting programs. Terminals can be categorized as mobile terminals and stationary terminals. The mobile terminals can be further classified into handheld terminals and vehicle mounted terminals according.

However, the camera included with the terminals has limited capabilities and often is cumbersome for the user to use, especially because of the small sized display included in most terminals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel mobile terminal and corresponding method for capturing a high-quality portrait of a user by correctly guiding a gaze direction of the user being captured.

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 terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to provide wireless communication; a camera configured to obtain an image of at least one user; a display configured to display the image obtained by the camera; and a controller configured to extract a gaze direction of the at least one user from the captured image, and display a guide image for guiding the gaze direction based on the extracted gaze direction on the display unit in proximate relationship with the camera.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of controlling a mobile terminal, and which includes obtaining, via a camera of the mobile terminal, an image of at least one user; displaying, via a display of the mobile terminal, the image obtained by the camera; extracting, via a controller of the mobile terminal, a gaze direction of the at least one user from the captured image; and displaying a guide image for guiding the gaze direction based on the extracted gaze direction on the display unit in proximate relationship with the camera.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, suffixes “module” and “unit” may be given to components of the mobile terminal in consideration of only facilitation of description and do not have meanings or functions discriminated from each other. The mobile terminal may include a cellular phone, a smart phone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, personal digital assistants (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation system and/or so on.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment. Other embodiments, configurations and arrangements may also be provided. As shown, the mobile terminal100may include a wireless communication unit110(or radio communication unit), an audio/video (AN) input unit120, a user input unit130, a sensing unit140, an output unit150, a memory160, an interface170, a controller180, and a power supply190. The components shown inFIG. 1may vary.

The wireless communication unit110may include at least one module that enables radio communication between the mobile terminal100and a radio communication system or between the mobile terminal100and a network in which the mobile terminal100is located. For example, the wireless communication unit110may include a broadcasting receiving module111, a mobile communication module112, a wireless Internet module113, a short range communication module114(or local area communication module), and a location information module115(or position information module).

The broadcasting receiving module111may receive broadcasting signals and/or broadcasting related information from an external broadcasting management server through a broadcasting channel. The broadcasting channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrial channel, and the broadcasting management server may be a server that generates and transmits broadcasting signals and/or broadcasting related information or a server that receives previously created broadcasting signals and/or broadcasting related information and transmits the broadcasting signals and/or broadcasting related information to a terminal.

The broadcasting signals may include not only TV broadcasting signals, radio broadcasting signals, and data broadcasting signals but also signals in the form of a combination of a TV broadcasting signal and a radio broadcasting signal. The broadcasting related information may be information on a broadcasting channel, a broadcasting program or a broadcasting service provider, and may be provided even through a mobile communication network. In the latter case, the broadcasting related information may be received by the mobile communication module112.

The broadcasting related information may exist in various forms. For example, the broadcasting related information may exist in the form of an electronic program guide (EPG) of a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) system or in the form of an electronic service guide (ESG) of a digital video broadcast-handheld (DVB-H) system.

The broadcasting receiving module111may receive broadcasting signals using various broadcasting systems. More particularly, the broadcasting receiving module111may receive digital broadcasting signals using digital broadcasting systems such as a digital multimedia broadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T) system, a digital multimedia broadcasting-satellite (DMB-S) system, a media forward link only (MediaFLO) system, a DVB-H and integrated services digital broadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T) systems. The broadcasting receiving module111may receive signals from broadcasting systems providing broadcasting signals other than the above-described digital broadcasting systems.

The broadcasting signals and/or broadcasting related information received through the broadcasting receiving module111may be stored in the memory160. The mobile communication module112may transmit/receive a radio signal to/from at least one of a base station, an external terminal and a server on a mobile communication network. The radio signal may include a voice call signal, a video telephony call signal or data in various forms according to transmission and reception of text/multimedia messages.

The wireless Internet module113may correspond to a module for wireless Internet access and may be included in the mobile terminal100or may be externally attached to the mobile terminal100. Wireless LAN (WLAN or Wi-Fi), wireless broadband (Wibro), world interoperability for microwave access (Wimax), high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) and so on may be used as a wireless Internet technique.

The short range communication module114may correspond to a module for short range communication. Further, BLUETOOTH®, radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared data association (IrDA), ultra wideband (UWB) and/or ZIGBEE® may be used as a short range communication technique.

The location information module115may confirm or obtain a location or a position of the mobile terminal100. The location information module115may obtain position information by using a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). The GNSS is a terminology describing a radio navigation satellite system that revolves around the earth and transmits reference signals to predetermined types of radio navigation receivers such that the radio navigation receivers can determine their positions on the earth's surface or near the earth's surface. The GNSS may include a global positioning system (GPS) of the United States, Galileo of Europe, a global orbiting navigational satellite system (GLONASS) of Russia, COMPASS of China, and a quasi-zenith satellite system (QZSS) of Japan, for example.

A global positioning system (GPS) module is a representative example of the location information module115. The GPS module may calculate information on distances between one point or object and at least three satellites and information on a time when distance information is measured and apply trigonometry to the obtained distance information to obtain three-dimensional position information on the point or object according to latitude, longitude and altitude at a predetermined time.

A method of calculating position and time information using three satellites and correcting the calculated position and time information using another satellite may also be used. Additionally, the GPS module may continuously calculate a current position in real time and calculate velocity information using the location or position information.

The A/V input unit120may input (or receive) an audio signal and/or a video signal. The A/V input unit120may include a camera121and a microphone122. The camera121may process image frames of still images or moving images obtained by an image sensor in a video telephony mode or a photographing mode. The processed image frames may be displayed on a display151, which may be a touch screen.

The image frames processed by the camera121may be stored in the memory160or may be transmitted to an external device through the wireless communication unit110. The mobile terminal100may also include at least two cameras121.

The microphone122may receive an external audio signal in a call mode, a recording mode and/or a speech recognition mode, and the microphone122may process the received audio signal into electric audio data. The audio data may then be converted into a form that can be transmitted to a mobile communication base station through the mobile communication module112and output in the call mode. The microphone122may employ various noise removal algorithms (or noise canceling algorithm) for removing or reducing noise generated when the external audio signal is received.

The user input unit130may receive input data for controlling operation of the mobile terminal100from a user. The user input unit130may include a keypad, a dome switch, a touch pad (constant voltage/capacitance), a jog wheel, a jog switch and/or so on.

The sensing unit140may sense a current state of the mobile terminal100, such as an open/close state of the mobile terminal100, a position of the mobile terminal100, whether a user touches the mobile terminal100, a direction of the mobile terminal100, and acceleration/deceleration of the mobile terminal100, and the sensing unit140may generate a sensing signal for controlling operation of the mobile terminal100. For example, in an example of a slide phone, the sensing unit140may sense whether the slide phone is opened or closed. Further, the sensing unit140can sense whether the power supply190supplies power and/or whether the interface170is connected to an external device. The sensing unit140may also include a posture detection sensor141and a proximity sensor142. The sensing unit140can sense a motion of the mobile terminal100.

The output unit150can generate visual, auditory and/or tactile output, and the output unit150may include the display151, an audio output module152, an alarm153and a haptic module154. The display151can display information processed by the mobile terminal100. The display151can display a user interface (UI) and/or a graphic user interface (GUI) related to a telephone call when the mobile terminal100is in the call mode. The display151can also display a captured and/or received image, a UI or a GUI when the mobile terminal100is in the video telephony mode or the photographing mode.

The display151can include at least one of a liquid crystal display, a thin film transistor liquid crystal display, an organic light-emitting diode display, a flexible display and/or a three-dimensional display. The display151may be of a transparent type or a light transmissive type. That is, the display151may include a transparent display.

The transparent display may be a transparent liquid crystal display. A rear structure of the display151may also be of a light transmissive type. Accordingly, a user can see an object located behind the body (of the mobile terminal100) through the transparent area of the body of the mobile terminal100that is occupied by the display151.

The mobile terminal100can also include at least two displays151. For example, the mobile terminal100can include a plurality of displays151that are arranged on a single face at a predetermined distance or integrated displays. The plurality of displays151can also be arranged on different sides.

When the display151and a sensor sensing touch (hereafter referred to as a touch sensor) form a layered structure that is referred to as a touch screen, the display151can be used as an input device in addition to an output device. The touch sensor may be in the form of a touch film, a touch sheet, and/or a touch pad, for example.

The touch sensor can convert a variation in pressure applied to a specific portion of the display151or a variation in capacitance generated at a specific portion of the display151into an electric input signal. The touch sensor can sense pressure of touch as well as position and area of the touch.

When the user applies a touch input to the touch sensor, a signal corresponding to the touch input can be transmitted to a touch controller. The touch controller can then process the signal and transmit data corresponding to the processed signal to the controller180. Accordingly, the controller180can detect a touched portion of the display151.

The proximity sensor142(of the sensing unit140) may be located in an internal region of the mobile terminal100, surrounded by the touch screen, and/or near the touch screen. The proximity sensor142can sense an object approaching a predetermined sensing face or an object located near the proximity sensor142using an electromagnetic force or infrared rays without having mechanical contact. The proximity sensor142can have a lifetime longer than a contact sensor and can thus have a wide application in the mobile terminal100.

The proximity sensor142may include a transmission type photo-electric sensor, a direct reflection type photo-electric sensor, a mirror reflection type photo-electric sensor, a high-frequency oscillating proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, and/or an infrared proximity sensor. A capacitive touch screen may be constructed such that proximity of a pointer is detected through a variation in an electric field according to the proximity of the pointer. The touch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor142.

For ease of explanation, an action of the pointer approaching the touch screen without actually touching the touch screen may be referred to as a proximity touch and an action of bringing the pointer into contact with the touch screen may be referred to as a contact touch. The proximity touch point of the pointer on the touch screen may correspond to a point of the touch screen at which the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen.

The proximity sensor142can sense the proximity touch and a proximity touch pattern (e.g., a proximity touch distance, a proximity touch direction, a proximity touch velocity, a proximity touch time, a proximity touch position, a proximity touch moving state, etc.). Information corresponding to the sensed proximity touch action and proximity touch pattern may then be displayed on the touch screen.

The audio output module152can output audio data received from the wireless communication unit110or stored in the memory160in a call signal receiving mode, a telephone call mode or a recording mode, a speech recognition mode and a broadcasting receiving mode. The audio output module152may output audio signals related to functions, such as a call signal incoming tone and a message incoming tone, performed in the mobile terminal100. The audio output module152may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and/or the like. The audio output module152can output sounds through an earphone jack. The user can thus hear the sounds by connecting an earphone to the earphone jack.

The alarm153may output a signal for indicating generation of an event of the mobile terminal100. For example, an alarm may be generated when receiving a call signal, receiving a message, inputting a key signal, and/or inputting a touch. The alarm153can also output signals in forms different from video signals or audio signals, for example, a signal for indicating generation of an event through vibration. The video signals and/or the audio signals may also be output through the display151or the audio output module152.

The haptic module154can generate various haptic effects that the user can feel. One example of the haptic effects is vibration. An intensity and/or pattern of vibration generated by the haptic module154may also be controlled. For example, different vibrations may be combined and output or may be sequentially output.

The haptic module154can generate a variety of haptic effects including an effect of stimulus according to an arrangement of pins vertically moving against a contact skin surface, an effect of stimulus according to a jet force or sucking force of air through a jet hole or a sucking hole, an effect of stimulus of rubbing the skin, an effect of stimulus according to contact of an electrode, an effect of stimulus using an electrostatic force, and an effect according to a reproduction of cold and warmth using an element capable of absorbing or radiating heat in addition to vibrations.

The haptic module154may not only transmit haptic effects through direct contact but may also allow the user to feel haptic effects through a kinesthetic sense of the user's fingers or arms. The mobile terminal100may also include a plurality of haptic modules154.

The memory160can store a program for operations of the controller180and/or temporarily store input/output data such as a phone book, messages, still images, and/or moving images. The memory160can also store data about vibrations and sounds in various patterns that are output from when a touch input is applied to the touch screen.

The memory160may include at least a flash memory, a hard disk type memory, a multimedia card micro type memory, a card type memory, such as SD or XD memory, a random access memory (RAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM) magnetic memory, a magnetic disk and/or an optical disk. The mobile terminal100may also operate in relation to a web storage that performs a storing function of the memory160on the Internet.

The interface170can serve as a path to external devices connected to the mobile terminal100. The interface170may receive data from the external devices or power and transmit the data or power to internal components of the mobile terminal100or transmit data of the mobile terminal100to the external devices. For example, the interface170may include 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 a user identification module, an audio I/O port, a video I/O port, and/or an earphone port.

The interface170can also interface with a user identification module that is a chip that stores information for authenticating authority to use the mobile terminal100. For example, the user identification module may be a user identify module (UIM), a subscriber identify module (SIM) and/or a universal subscriber identify module (USIM). An identification device (including the user identification module) may also be manufactured in the form of a smart card. Accordingly, the identification device may be connected to the mobile terminal100through a port of the interface170.

The interface170may also be a path through which power from an external cradle is provided to the mobile terminal100when the mobile terminal100is connected to the external cradle or a path through which various command signals input by the user through the cradle are transmitted to the mobile terminal100. The various command signals or power input from the cradle may be used as signals for confirming whether the mobile terminal100is correctly set in the cradle.

The controller180can control overall operations of the mobile terminal100. For example, the controller180can perform control and processing for voice communication, data communication and/or video telephony. The controller180can also include a multimedia module181for playing multimedia. The multimedia module181may be included in the controller180or may be separated from the controller180.

The controller180can perform a pattern recognition process capable of recognizing handwriting input or picture-drawing input applied to the touch screen as characters or images. The power supply190may receive external power and internal power and provide power required for operations of the components of the mobile terminal100under control of the controller180.

According to a hardware implementation, embodiments may be implemented using at least one of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and/or electrical units for executing functions. Embodiments may be implemented by the controller180.

According to a software implementation, embodiments such as procedures or functions may be implemented with a separate software module that executes at least one function or operation. Software codes may be implemented according to a software application written in an appropriate software language. The software codes may be stored in the memory160and executed by the controller180.

Next,FIG. 2Ais a front perspective view of a mobile terminal (or a handheld terminal) according to an embodiment. The mobile terminal100may be a bar type terminal body. However, embodiments are not limited to a bar type terminal and can be applied to terminals of various types including slide type, folder type, swing type and/or swivel type terminals having at least two bodies that are relatively movably combined.

The terminal body may include a case (a casing, a housing, a cover, etc.) that forms an exterior of the mobile terminal100. In this embodiment, the case may be divided into a front case101and a rear case102. Various electronic components may be arranged in the space formed between the front case101and the rear case102. At least one middle case may be additionally provided between the front case101and the rear case102. The cases may be formed of plastics through injection molding or made of a metal material such as stainless steel (STS) or titanium (Ti).

The display151, the audio output unit152, the camera121, the user input unit130/131and132, the microphone122and the interface170may be arranged (or provided) in the terminal body, and more specifically may be arranged (or provided) in the front case101.

The display151may occupy most of the main face of the front case101. The audio output unit152and the camera121may be arranged in a region in proximity to one of both ends of the display151and the user input unit131, and the microphone122may be located in a region in proximity to another end of the display151. The user input unit132and the interface170may be arranged (or provided) on sides of the front case101and the rear case102.

The user input unit130can receive commands for controlling operation of the mobile terminal100, and include a plurality of operating units131and132. The operating units131and132can be referred to as manipulating portions and employ any tactile manner in which a user operates the operating units131and132while having tactile feeling.

The first and second operating units131and132may receive various inputs. For example, the first operating unit131may receive commands such as start, end and scroll and the second operating unit132may receive commands such as control of a volume of sound output from the audio output unit152or conversion of the display151to a touch recognition mode.

Next,FIG. 2Bis a rear perspective view of the mobile terminal100shown inFIG. 2Aaccording to an embodiment. Referring toFIG. 2B, a camera121′ may be additionally attached to the rear side of the terminal body (i.e., the rear case102). The camera121′ may have a photographing direction opposite to that of the camera121and may have pixels different from those of the camera121.

For example, it may be desirable that the camera121has low pixels such that the camera121can capture an image of a face of a user and transmit the image to a receiving part when video telephony while the camera121′ has high pixels because the camera121′ captures an image of a general object and does not immediately transmit the image in many cases. The cameras121and121′ may be attached (or provided) to the terminal body such that the cameras121and121′ may rotate or pop-up.

A flash bulb123and a mirror124may be additionally provided in proximity to the camera121′. The flash bulb123may light an object when the camera121′ takes a picture of the object. The mirror124may be used for the user to look at his/her face in the mirror when the user wants to self-photograph himself/herself using the camera121′.

An audio output unit152′ may be additionally provided on the rear side of the terminal body. The audio output unit152′ may achieve a stereo function with the audio output unit152(shown inFIG. 2A) and may be used for a speaker phone mode when the terminal is used for a telephone call.

A broadcasting signal receiving antenna may be additionally attached (or provided) to the side of the terminal body in addition to an antenna for telephone calls. The antenna constructing a part of the broadcasting receiving module111(shown inFIG. 1) may be set in the terminal body such that the antenna may be pulled out of the terminal body.

The power supply190for providing power to the mobile terminal100may be set in the terminal body. The power supply190may be included in the terminal body or may be detachably attached to the terminal body.

A touch pad135for sensing touch may be attached to the rear case102. The touch pad135may be of a light transmission type, such as the display151. In this example, if the display151outputs visual information through both sides thereof, the visual information may be recognized (or determined) by the touch pad135. The information output through both sides of the display151may be controlled by the touch pad135. Otherwise, a display may be additionally attached (or provided) to the touch pad135such that a touch screen may be arranged (or provided) even in the rear case102.

The touch pad135may operate in connection with the display151of the front case101. The touch pad135may be located in parallel with the display151behind the display151. The touch panel135may be identical to or smaller than the display151in size.

Next,FIGS. 3 and 4are flowcharts illustrating operations of the mobile terminal100shown inFIG. 1. Referring toFIG. 3, the controller180captures an image of an object in step S10. The object may be a target captured using the mobile terminal100by a user such as a person. For example, the object may be a user of the mobile terminal100or at least one person around the mobile terminal100.

An image of the object can be captured through the cameras121and121′ of the mobile terminal100. For example, the user of the mobile terminal100can capture an image of himself using the camera121′ provided to the backside of the mobile terminal100or capture images of other people using the camera121provided to the front of the mobile terminal100.

The controller180then senses a gaze direction of the object (S20). In more detail, when the object is a person, the face of the person is captured in general. When the face of the person is captured, the captured image includes an eye image of the person. In this instance, a gaze direction of the person can be sensed based on the direction of the pupils of the person.

Further, the controller180displays a guide image in proximity to the position of the camera capturing the object (S30) and captures and stores an image of the object (S40). The controller180can display the guide image used to capture the object in an optimized state. Thus, the guide image can guide the object, that is, a person to be suited to capturing. For example, the guide image can guide the person to gaze at the camera121such that the person gazing at the camera121is captured.

The controller180can display the guide image in proximity to the position of the camera121. That is, the controller180can display the guide image in an area of the display151, which is close to the camera121. When the guide image is displayed in proximity to the camera121, the person corresponding to the object can gaze at the camera121by viewing the guide image. Accordingly, a more natural image can be captured. The captured image can then be stored in the memory160.

Referring toFIG. 4, the step S30of displaying the guide image in proximity to the camera capturing the object includes determining whether the gaze direction of the person is appropriate (S31). The gaze direction can be sensed through analysis of an eye image of the person, which is included in the captured image.

When the gaze direction is appropriate (Yes in S31), the controller180can capture and store the image (S40). When the gaze direction is not appropriate (No in S31), the posture of the mobile terminal100is detected (S33). The mobile terminal100can perform image capture in a portrait or landscape direction according to how the user grips the mobile terminal100. That is, an image is captured in portrait or landscape mode.

The mobile terminal100can thus detect the posture thereof based on a result of the sensing unit140including the posture detection sensor141, and display the guide image in proximity to the position of the camera121(S35).

The position of the camera121attached to the mobile terminal100is determined in the manufacturing stage. For example, the camera may be positioned at the upper portion of the right side of the front of the mobile terminal100when the user grips the mobile terminal100in the portrait direction, and positioned at the lower portion of the right side of the front of the mobile terminal100when the user holds the mobile terminal100in the landscape direction.

The controller180can determine the position of the guide image based on the current grip direction of the mobile terminal100. That is, the guide image can be displayed at the lower portion of the right side of the display151when the mobile terminal100is held in the portrait direction and at the lower portion of the right side of the display151when the mobile terminal100is held in the landscape direction. Since the position of the guide image can be determined based on the direction in which the mobile terminal grip is oriented, the guide image can be displayed adjacent to the position of the camera121.

Next,FIGS. 5 to 7illustrate the operation of the mobile terminal shown inFIG. 4in which the mobile terminal100captures an image of a user U in a satisfactory pose by guiding a gaze direction of the user.

Referring toFIG. 5, the user U can grip the mobile terminal100and capture a self image. The user U can also grip the mobile terminal100in portrait mode. In this instance, the camera121is positioned at the upper portion of the right side of the mobile terminal100.

The controller180can display, on the display151, an image being captured through the camera121. For example, a user image CI can be displayed in the form of a preview. The controller180can determine a gaze direction of the user based on the captured user image CI. For example, the controller180can determine the gaze direction by analyzing a captured eye image.

As shown inFIG. 6, the gaze direction of the user can be determined based on first and second centerlines CL1and CL2and the positions of first and second pupils P1and P2. Referring toFIG. 6(a), the controller180can extract an eye image EI from the captured image and extract an image of the first and second pupils P1and P2corresponding to the left and right eyes from the eye image EI.

The positions of the first and second pupils P1and P2may be compared with the first and second virtual centerlines CL1and CL2. When the positions of the first and second pupils P1and P2are located on the first and second centerlines CL1and CL2, the controller180can determine that the person being captured gazes at the camera121.

Referring toFIG. 6(b)and (c), the positions of the first and second pupils P1and P2may deviate in a direction from the first and second centerlines CL1and CL2as a result of analysis of the eye image EI. In this instance, the controller180can determine that the person being captured does not gaze at the camera121.

Referring toFIG. 7, upon determining that the gaze direction of the user is not appropriate as a result of analysis of the captured user image CI, the controller180can display the guide image GI. The guide image GI can be displayed in proximity to the camera121capturing the user image CI.

Further, the controller180can not display the guide image GI when the gaze direction of the user is appropriate, and rather display the guide image GI when the gaze direction of the user is not appropriate. When the guide image GI is displayed, the user unconsciously or subconsciously gazes at the guide image GI. Thus, because the guide image GI is displayed in proximity to the camera121, the user can naturally gaze at the camera121while viewing the guide image GI.

In addition, when the user gazes at the camera121, the controller180can determine that the gaze direction of the user is appropriate for capture. The controller180can thus capture an image of the user upon determining that the gaze direction of the user is appropriate for capture.

FIGS. 8 to 12illustrate the operation of the mobile terminal, shown inFIG. 4, according to other embodiments of the present invention. That is, the mobile terminal100can display the guide image GI in an appropriate manner.

Referring toFIG. 8(a), the mobile terminal100can capture an image in portrait mode. When the user of the mobile terminal100captures an image of themself, the image can be captured using the camera121provided to the front of the mobile terminal100.

When the mobile terminal100is gripped by the user in the portrait direction and the camera121is positioned at the upper portion of the right side of the bezel of the mobile terminal100, the controller180can display the guide image GI on the upper portion of the right side of the display151. In this instance, the user sees the guide image GI displayed on the upper portion of the right side of the display151and thus naturally gazes at the camera121. When the user gazes at the camera121, a more natural image can be captured.

Referring toFIG. 8(b), the mobile terminal100can be rotated to the landscape state. In this instance, the position of the camera121is changed to the lower portion of the right side of the display151. Thus, the controller180can change the position of the guide image GI according to rotation of the mobile terminal100. For example, upon detection of a clockwise rotation of the mobile terminal100in the portrait mode, the controller180can display the guide image GI at the lower portion of the right side of the display151in the landscape mode such that the guide image GI corresponds to the position of the camera121.

In addition, upon detection of counter clockwise rotation of the mobile terminal100in the portrait mode, the controller180can display the guide image GI on the upper portion of the left side of the display151in the landscape mode such that the guide image GI corresponds to the position of the camera121.

Referring toFIG. 9, the controller180can represent the guide image GI as an indicator ID indicating the direction of the camera121. The indicator ID may be displayed on the display151when the gaze direction of the user is not appropriate for capturing. That is, the controller180can not display the indicator ID when the gaze direction is appropriate and display the indicator ID when the gaze direction is not appropriate.

Further, the indicator ID may take the form of an arrow. The arrow-shaped indicator ID can thus direct the user's attention to the position of the camera121. When the user gazes at the camera121upon re-recognition of the position of the camera121owing to the indicator ID, the controller180can capture an image of the user. That is, image capture can be automatically performed without receiving additional user input.

As shown inFIG. 10, the controller180of the mobile terminal100according to an embodiment of the present invention can effectively display the guide image GI even when an image of a plurality of persons is captured. Referring toFIG. 10(a), an image of a plurality of users U1and U2is captured. Further, the controller180can sense gaze directions of the respective users U1and U2while the image of the users U1and U2is captured. When the gaze directions of the users U1and U2are not appropriate for capture, the controller180can display a plurality of guide images GI1and GI2respectively corresponding to the users U1and U2. The guide images GI1and GI2can be displayed adjacent to the camera121.

Referring toFIG. 10(b), the gaze direction of one of the users U1and U2may not be appropriate. The controller180can display a guide image only for the corresponding user. For example, the gaze direction of the second user U2is not appropriate while the gaze direction of the first user U1is appropriate. The controller180can display the second guide image GI2for the second user U2in proximity to the camera121.

Referring toFIG. 11, the controller180of the mobile terminal100according to an embodiment of the present invention can provide a guide image with respect to a mouth shape of a person being captured. The guide image GI may include a first guide image GI1and a second guide image GI2. The first guide image GI1may be a guide image based on the gaze direction of the user, whereas the second guide image GI2may be a guide image based on a mouth shape of the user. For example, it may be desirable that the user smile during image capture. In this instance, the controller180can display the second guide image GI2indicating that the mouth shape of the user is not appropriate.

Referring toFIG. 12, when images of a plurality of users U1and U2are captured using a plurality of cameras121and121′, the guide image GI can be displayed. As discussed previously, the mobile terminal100may be equipped with the front camera121′ and the rear camera121. Thus, the first user U1and the second user U2can be simultaneously captured through the front camera121′ and the rear camera121, respectively. The simultaneously captured images may be stored together.

The controller180can guide the first and second users U1and U2to gaze in the same direction. For example, the second user U2may gaze at a specific point EP. The controller180can sense the gaze direction of the second user U2through analysis of the captured images. Upon detection of the gaze direction of the second user U2, the controller180can display the guide image GL to guide the first user U1to gaze in the same direction.

The controller180can display the guide image GI in a different position according to the gaze direction of the second user U2. For example, when the specific point EP is moved from right to left, the guide image GI may be displayed at the left of the display151. The controller180can display the guide image GI only when the first user U1and the second user U2do not gaze at the same point. That is, the controller180can display the guide image GI in order to get the attention of the first user U1who does not gaze at an appropriate point.

The above-described method of controlling the mobile terminal may be written as computer programs and may be implemented in digital microprocessors that execute the programs using a computer readable recording medium. The method of controlling the mobile terminal may be executed through software. The software may include code segments that perform required tasks. Programs or code segments may also be stored in a processor readable medium or may be transmitted according to a computer data signal combined with a carrier through a transmission medium or communication network.

The computer readable recording medium may be any data storage device that can store data that can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable recording medium may include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, DVD±ROM, DVD-RAM, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage devices. The computer readable recording medium may also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distribution fashion.