Mobile communication terminal having camera function and method of controlling photographing process thereof

Disclosed is a mobile communication terminal having a camera function and a method of controlling a photographing process thereof. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the mobile communication terminal comprises two buttons relating to the camera function positioned separately on a main body of the terminal. A first button is a photographing button that captures an image when on-state and a second button is a supporting button, provided the user chooses to activate this function. In this setup, the mobile communication terminal protrudes a camera lens or takes a photograph only when the first and the second buttons are in the on state. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the possibility of dropping the terminal due to carelessness during photography, and to decrease the possibility of damaging the camera lens even when the terminal is dropped on the ground.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is claiming priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2004-108855, filed on Dec. 20, 2004, the content of which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a mobile communication terminal having a camera function and a method of controlling a photographing process thereof. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to a mobile communication terminal having a camera function, and to a method of controlling a photographing process thereof capable of reducing the possibility of dropping the terminal due to carelessness, decreasing the chance of damage to the camera lens even if the terminal is dropped. The present disclosure relates also to a method for obtaining an upright photographed image even when taking a photograph with the mobile communication terminal turned upside down.

2. Background of the Related Art

In recent years, as communication-related technology has rapidly developed, mobile communication terminals with camera functionality have become increasingly widespread.FIG. 1shows how photographs were captured by prior state of the art mobile communication terminals with cameras.

Typically, when taking a photograph with the prior mobile communication terminal10, as shown inFIG. 1, a user supports a bottom surface of a main body11with fingers15,16, and then pushes a button12with another finger to take a photograph of a subject for photography.

In this case, a camera lens13may be structured to outwardly protrude from the main body11by a predetermined distance or to return to the main body11, according to an operation of a zoom mode of the mobile communication terminal10. By doing so, the user can fit the subject located at a long or short distance to a desired focus and then take a photograph precisely.

When taking a photograph with the mobile communication terminal10, the user pushes button12with finger14. To take the photograph, the user must simultaneously support the bottom surface of main body11with fingers15and16in order to counteract the downward force of pushing button12, thereby preventing the terminal from falling to the floor.

That is, when taking a photograph, the mobile communication terminal10may be supported by applying force, which corresponds to the force of pushing the button12, to the opposite surface of the button12. In this case, we refer to the pressing of button12as the “forcing point” and the corresponding force provided by fingers15and16as the “supporting point.” Mobile communication terminal10is thus best supported when the forces applying the forcing point and the supporting point are in balance to one other.

If the mobile communication terminal10receives a call or message when not supported stably in a user's grasp, the user's distraction may cause the user to drop the mobile communication terminal10on the ground. In this way, if the mobile communication terminal10is dropped on the ground during the photographing, the mobile communication terminal10may receive an unexpected great shock.

Since most constituent parts of the mobile communication terminal10are stably mounted in the main body11, most consitutuent parts can still maintain normal function even after receiving a shock. However, if the mobile communication terminal10is dropped on the ground with camera lens13protruding outwardly from main body11, camera lens13is highly damaged compared to other parts.

In the mean time, when taking a photograph of a specific subject (for example, a user's face) with the mobile communication terminal10, as shown inFIG. 2, the user performs an unnatural action such as changing a position of a hand or up-and down positions of the mobile communication terminal10.FIG. 2shows a situation where a mobile communication terminal10is turned upside down for use of the camera function. As shown inFIG. 2, camera lens13faces the user. InFIG. 2, the user can take a photograph by pushing the camera button12with finger15.

However,FIG. 2also reveals that grasping the mobile communication terminal10unnaturally (turned upside down) and taking a photograph in this fashion increases the possibility of dropping mobile communication terminal10. Further, photographed images taken from an upside down mobile communication terminal10appear inverted.

In order to turn the photographed image (I) 180 degrees into an upright position, the user must enter the “photographed product-previewing mode”—one of the many functions included in mobile communication terminal10—and adjust the up-down position of the photographed image (I). This function is the only way in which the user can accommodate the inconvenience of correcting photographed images that are stored upside down.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art. The object of the present disclosure is to provide a mobile communication terminal having a camera function capable of basically interrupting the protrusion of the camera lens unless a user supports the mobile communication terminal stably when taking a photograph. This would prevent the camera lens from being damaged if the mobile communication terminal were to be dropped during photography.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a mobile communication terminal capable of storing an erect photographed image even when the mobile communication terminal is turned upside downduring photography.

In order to accomplish the objects, there is provided a mobile communication terminal, having a camera function, comprising: a main body having a camera lens; at least one photographing button and at least one supporting button mounted to an outside of the main body; a camera function module for performing a camera function according to pushed states of the photographing button and the supporting button to produce a photographed image; and a lens protruding control module for checking whether the supporting button is pushed when the photographing button is pushed to outwardly protrude the camera lens from the main body or return the camera lens to the main body according to the checking result.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of controlling a photographing process of a mobile communication terminal having a camera function module, comprising steps of: determining whether a photographing button is pushed; determining whether a supporting button is pushed when the photographing button is pushed; and communicating with the camera function module to protrude a camera lens when the supporting button is pushed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

FIG. 4is a block diagram showing an internal structure of a mobile communication terminal according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown inFIG. 4, a mobile communication terminal20according to an embodiment of the invention comprises a main body21, terminal controlling module25mounted in main body21, terminal function auxiliary module28(for example, contents memory, program memory and keypad driving module, etc.) which is computer-managed under control of terminal controlling module25, call-related circuit module29(for example, signal transmitter, signal receiver, antenna, duplexer, base-band, frequency synthesizer, modulator, demodulator, etc.), display driving module33, camera function module35and photographed image storing module27.

Display driving module33serves to display various characters (or numerals), pictures and images, etc., through display window34, under control of the terminal controlling module25.

Camera function module35performs a camera function to produce a photographed image according to pushed states of a first button22and a second button24which are mounted to be outwardly exposed from the main body21. Preferably, the camera function module35may be structured to perform the camera function only when the first and second buttons22,24are pushed together. In this case, the camera function module35protrudes or returns a camera lens23to focus and then electrically (electronically) processes incident light through the camera lens23, thereby producing a photographed image.

Photographed image storing module27serves to store and manage the photographed image produced by camera function module35, under control of the terminal controlling module25.

The first and second buttons22,24are buttons related to the camera function, wherein one of the buttons is set as a photographing button and the other is set as a supporting button. Preferably, the first and second buttons22,24may be settled separately on opposing surfaces of the main body, for example, an upper surface and a bottom surface of the main body21. Settling positions and number of the first and second buttons may be variously changed according to using conditions. The first and second buttons will be more specifically explained later.

Button operation checking module26checks whether first and second buttons22and24are pushed while not controlled by terminal controlling module25, and transmits the result to terminal controlling module25. By doing so, a series of photographed image producing processes performed by camera function module35proceed normally.

FIGS. 5 and 6illustrate photographing states using the mobile communication terminal having a camera function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Since the buttons related to the camera function are located separately as the first and second buttons22,24, a user can take a photograph with the mobile communication terminal being turned upside down as shown inFIG. 6as well as with the mobile communication terminal being set upright as shown inFIG. 5. In other words, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 5, a user supports the bottom surface of main body21with fingers15and16and then can take a photograph of a subject for photography by pushing first button22with finger14. Alternatively, in the embodiment shown inFIG. 6, a user can also support the upper surface of main body21with fingers15and16and then take a photograph of a subject for photography (for example, a user's face, etc.) by pushing second button24located on the bottom surface of the main body with finger17.

In this case, camera lens23protrudes outwardly from main body21by a predetermined length or returns to main body21under control of a camera lens driving part35a(refer toFIG. 4) belonging to camera function module35, thereby guiding the user to fit a subject for photography located at a long or short distance into focus so as to take a photograph of it precisely.

The mobile communication terminal20according to the present disclosure may further comprise a lens protruding control module30and a button settling specification-storing buffer31so that damage to the camera lens23can be minimized even if the mobile communication terminal20is dropped on the ground during photography. The detailed explanations are as follows.

Each ofFIGS. 7A and 7Bdisplays the state in which information is stored by the button settling specification-storing buffer. As shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B, first and second buttons22and24can be set such that one of the two buttons is set as a photographing button and the other is set as a supporting button according to the user's choice. Like this, the photographing button and the supporting button can be set so that their settling functions are changed each other according to a user's choice. These settling information are stored in button settling specification-storing buffer31.

When the photographing button (either first button22or second button24) is pushed, lens protruding control module30, in conjunction with button settling specification-storing buffer31, checks whether the other button set as the supporting button is also pushed and thereby performs the function of protruding camera lens23outwardly or returning it to the main body.

For example, if first button22and second button24were set as the photographing button and the supporting button, respectively, the user could push first button22with a finger and also second button24with another finger at the same time, causing the lens to protrude once control module30determines that “main body21is stably supported.” In this case, lens protruding control module30immediately communicates with terminal controlling module25and camera function module35, thereby causing camera lens23to normally protrude outwardly from main body21.

In contrast, if the user pushes first (photographing) button22but does not push the second (supporting) button24by mistake (or inevitably), lens protruding control module30determines that “main body21is in an unstable state.” In this case, the lens protruding control module30would then immediately communicates with the terminal controlling module25and camera function module35, thereby causing camera lens23to return to main body21or to maintain its original returned state.

In the same manner, if first button22and second button24were set as the supporting button and the photographing button, respectively, pushing the second (photographing) button24with a finger and the first (supporting) button22with another finger or the palm of his or her hand at the same time as shown inFIG. 6, would cause lens protruding control module30to determine that “the main body21is stably supported.” Accordingly, lens protruding control module30immediately communicates with terminal controlling module25and camera function module35, thereby causing camera lens23to normally protrude outwardly from main body21.

In contrast, when the user pushes second (photographing) button24but does not push first (supporting) button22, lens protruding control module30determines that “main body21is in an unstable state.” Accordingly, lens protruding control module30immediately communicates with terminal controlling module25and camera function module35, thereby causing camera lens23to return to main body21or to maintain its position if already in its original returned state.

Also according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, mobile communication terminal20comprises a photographed image position-adjusting module32. Photographed image position-adjusting module32performs a function of finally producing an upright photographed image, i.e., an erect photographed image, even when the photographing is undertaken while mobile communication terminal20is turned upside down, as shown inFIG. 6.

As soon as camera function module35produces a photographed image and the photographed image is secured through terminal controlling module25, photographed image position-adjusting module32, in conjunction with button settling specification-storing buffer31, automatically vertically adjusts the positions of the photographed image, based on the position of the photographing button.

FIG. 6exhibits this function by showing a user take a photograph while mobile communication terminal20is turned upside down as shown, and second button24is set as the photographing button. Photographed image position-adjusting module32adjusts the vertical position of the photographed image so that it is produced upright on the screen, based on the position of second button24.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling a photographing process with mobile communication terminal20according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be specifically described.

Firstly, a user sets which one of first and second buttons22and24is used as a photographing or supporting button. Then button settling specification-storing buffer31stores and manages the button settings under the direction of terminal controlling module25, thereby assisting lens protruding control module30and photographed image position-adjusting module32, etc. to smoothly perform each of the functions.

The user then pushes the button set as a photographing button to commence the photographing process (S100). A detailed description thereof is as follows.

Lens protruding control module30continuously comparison-checks information outputted from terminal controlling module25and the information stored in button settling specification-storing buffer31, thereby determining whether the button set as the photographing button is pushed or not (S1).

As a result of the determination in the step found in S1, pushing the button set as the photographing button sends an electronic signal checking whether the button set as the supporting button is also pushed (S2). This determination may be performed by lens protruding control module30which comparison-checks the information outputted from terminal controlling module25and the information stored in button settling specification-storing buffer31once more.

As a result of the determination in the step of S2, if the photographing button and the supporting button are pushed together, lens protruding control module30determines that “main body21is stably supported”, and immediately transmits a signal requesting a start of the camera function or maintenance of the camera function already commenced (S5) and also transmits a signal requesting protrusion of camera lens23or maintenance of the protruded state as it is already positioned to terminal controlling module25and camera function module35(S6).

When the request signal is received, camera function module35immediately protrudes camera lens23to focus and then electronically processes the surrounding light received through camera lens35to produce a photographed image (S101).

Going back to S2, if the photographing button is pushed but the supporting button is not pushed, lens protruding control module30determines that “the main body21is unstable,” and immediately transmits a signal stopping the camera from functioning or maintaining the camera in a stand-by state according to terminal controlling module25and camera function module35(S3). Then, it transmits a signal requesting a return of camera lens23to main body21or maintenance of camera lens23in its returned state (S4).

When the request signal is received, camera function module35immediately prevents the camera from functioning (or makes the camera remain in stand-by mode), or returns protruded camera lens23to main body21(keeps the camera lens inserted in the main body).

When camera lens23is returned to main body21or stably inserted into the main body21, it is possible to considerably reduce the possibility of damage to the camera lens due to a shock even if the mobile communication terminal20is dropped on the ground.

When the photographing process (S101) is in progress, lens protruding control module30continues to check the information transmitted from terminal controlling module21, thereby determining whether the required photographing process (both supporting and photographing buttons pressed) by camera function module35continues to be complete (S7).

As a result of the determination in the step found in S7, if the photographing process is not completed, lens protruding control module30reacts according to the step found in S2and will continue to check whether the supporting button is pushed or not.

Contrary to the scenario found in S7, when the photographing process is complete, the lens protruding control module30immediately transmits a signal informing of the completion of a production of the photographed image to photographed image position-adjusting module32via terminal controlling module25.

The photographed image position-adjusting module32, having received the signal, immediately operates a series of image-adjusting routines to automatically adjust the vertical positions of the photographed image (I) produced by the camera function module35, based on the position of the photographing button (the first or second button22,24), as shown inFIG. 9(S8).

For example, as shown inFIG. 6, even though the user takes a photograph with the mobile communication terminal20turned upside down, if second button24is set as the photographing button, photographed image position-adjusting module32adjusts the top of the photographed image (I) to correspond with the direction of the position of second button24. Accordingly, the vertical position of the photographed image (I) produced on screen is inverted to the positioning of first button22when it is set as the photographing button. This is how the user can obtain an upright photographed image in case ofFIG. 6.

The photographed image (I), which is vertically adjusted, is then transmitted to terminal controlling module25(S9) by photographed image position-adjusting module32, which is finally stored in the photographed image storing module27(S102).

As described above, according to the present disclosure, when a user takes a photograph, a protruding of the camera lens is basically excluded and the camera function is not performed unless the mobile communication terminal is stably supported. Accordingly, it is scarcely possible for the user to drop the mobile communication terminal while photographing and even less possibility of damage to the camera lens resulting from the terminal being dropped.

In addition, according to the invention, even when the user takes a photograph when the mobile communication terminal is turned upside down, the finally produced image will be upright.

The present disclosure is not limited to mobile communication terminals and may be useful on the whole in various electronics which use a camera lens.

While the present disclosure have been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.