Abstract:
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a mobile communication terminal comprises a first display and a second display and a user interface for allowing a user to select one or more images to be displayed on either of the first and second displays, wherein images displayed on both the first and the second display are viewable from a first viewing angle.

Description:
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. 10-2005-0084129, filed on Sep. 9, 2005 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2005-0086156, filed on Sep. 15, 2005, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a mobile terminal capable of simultaneously capturing images of two objects or simultaneously displaying two or more images. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Recently, the developments in mobile terminal fabrication techniques and mobile communication technology and the trend of digital convergence have resulted in mobile terminals being combined with various digital devices For example, an MP3 player, a digital camera, a TV receiver, or the like, may be combined in a mobile communication terminal for providing diverse supplementary functions such as video, music, games, banking transactions, image capturing, broadcasting, etc. 
     In particular, mobile terminals that can provide various display functions are receiving much attention. Accordingly, many mobile terminals on the market today include a camera module to provide a digital camera function, and more advanced mobile terminals include a camera module with performance of about 3 to 7 million pixels which is similar to typical digital cameras. 
     However, the related art mobile terminals include only a single camera and a single main display unit and provide simple functions similar to a basic digital camera, without taking advantage of other mobile terminals functionality. 
     SUMMARY 
     Features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
     To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, in accordance with one aspect of the invention, a mobile terminal comprises a transceiver unit for transmitting and receiving signals; first and second camera units for capturing still images and video; first and second display units for displaying images; a storage unit for storing data; and a controller for controlling the mobile terminal such that at least one of an image captured through at least one of the first and second camera units, an image received through the transceiver unit and an image stored in the storage unit is displayed on at least one of the first and second display units. 
     At least one of the images captured by the first and second camera units, or the received image, or the stored image are displayed on the first display unit, and at least another image is displayed on the second display unit. In one embodiment, at least one of the images captured by the first and second camera units, the received image and the stored image is entirely displayed on one of the first and second display units. 
     In another embodiment, the image captured by at least one of the first and second camera units is displayed on the first display unit, and the image received through the transceiver is displayed on the second display unit. In certain embodiments, a first image stored in the storage unit is displayed partially on the first display unit and partially on the second display unit. An image stored in the storage unit can be transmitted to a designated subscriber through the transceiver. 
     An image stored in the storage unit is displayed on the first display unit and an image for performing a function of the mobile terminal is displayed on the second display unit, wherein the second display unit is a touch screen. First and second images stored in the storage unit are displayed together on the first display unit. The first and second images are displayed on a screen of the first display unit divided into a plurality of viewable sections. 
     In one embodiment, the screen is divided according to a picture-in-picture method, such that the screen is divided into a main screen and at least one sub-screen, wherein an image with higher importance is displayed on the main screen and at least one image is displayed on the at least one sub-screen. In one embodiment, images of the main screen and the sub-screen can be switched. First and second images stored in the storage unit can be combined for display, storage and transmission. Images can be also virtually combined through a preview function. 
     In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a mobile communication terminal comprises a first display and a second display, wherein images displayed on both the first and the second display are viewable from a first viewing angle; and a user interface for allowing a user to select one or more images to be displayed on either of the first and second displays. 
     The mobile communication terminal may further comprise at least one camera for capturing at least one of still and moving images; and a storage unit for storing images captured and received by the mobile communication device, such that a first image is displayed on the first display and a second image is displayed on the second display. 
     In some embodiments, a first potion of a first image can be displayed on the first display and a second portion of the first image can be displayed on the second display. In other embodiments, a first image and a second image are displayed on the first display. The first and second images can be displayed in a picture-in-picture format. The first display can be divided into a main screen and at least one sub-screen, wherein the first image is displayed in the main screen and the second image is displayed in said at least one sub-screen. In a preferred embodiment, the first display comprises a touch screen for allowing a user to interact with the mobile communication terminal. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention will also become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiments disclosed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows exemplary embodiments of a mobile terminal with multiple display units according to one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  show an exemplary embodiment of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  shows the construction of the mobile terminal according to another exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 4 to 12  show various embodiments of an image capturing and displaying method of the mobile terminal according to one or more embodiments. 
         FIGS. 13 to 15  are flowcharts illustrating an exemplary method for image capturing and displaying according to one embodiment. 
       Features, elements, and aspects of the invention that are referenced by the same numerals in different figures represent the same, equivalent, or similar features, elements, or aspects in accordance with one or more embodiments of the system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention can be applied to a mobile terminal (or other digital devices) having two or more cameras and two or more display units. A mobile terminal having dual cameras and dual displays is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As shown, any type of mobile terminal, such as a bar type, a folder type or a slide type mobile terminal, can have two display units. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A , two cameras  250  and  260  can be provided on a rear side of an upper body  210 , or at a hinge part that connects the upper body  210  and a lower body  220 , respectively. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 2B , the two cameras  250  and  260  can be provided in a side-by-side manner at the hinge part, for example. 
     A folder type mobile terminal as shown in  FIG. 2A  may include display units  230  and  240  provided on the upper body  210  and the lower body  220 , respectively. A fixed camera  250  may be provided at the opposite side of the display unit  230  of the upper body  210 , and a rotary camera  260  may be provided at the hinge part. A folder type mobile terminal as shown in  FIG. 2B  may include display units  230  and  240  provided at the upper body  210  and the lower body  220 , and two rotary cameras  250  and  260  provided at the hinge part, for example. 
     Although not shown, two cameras can be provided at upper and lower ends of the upper body  210 . For example, a fixed camera can be provided on the rear side of the upper body  210  and a fixed camera can be provided at a lower end of the upper body  210 . In one embodiment, a rotary camera can be provided at an upper end of the upper body  210 . In another embodiment, the mobile terminal includes display units provided at the lower body  220  as well as the upper body  210  and the two cameras  250  and  260  for capturing images in different directions. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the mobile terminal  300  may include a transceiver  310  for transmitting and receiving signals; first and second camera units  320  and  330  for capturing still images and videos; first and second display units  340  and  350  for displaying images; a storage unit  360  for storing data; and a controller  370  for controlling the first and second camera units  320  and  330  and controlling at least one of the first and second display units  340  and  350  to display at least one image captured through at least one of the first and second camera units  320  and  330 , an image received through the transceiver; or an image stored in the storage unit  360 . 
     The controller  370  may provide control such that an image captured by the first camera unit  320  is displayed on the first display unit  340  and an image captured by the second camera unit  330  is displayed on the second display unit  350 , or may provide control such that the images captured by the first and second camera units  320  and  330  are all displayed on one of the first and second display units  340  or  350 . 
     In another embodiment, the controller  370  may provide control such that the image captured by the first camera unit  320  or the second camera unit  330  or the image received through the transceiver  310  is simultaneously displayed on the first and second display units  340  and  350 . So, the same image may be displayed on both display units  340  and  350 , respectively, or one image can be divided into two parts and each displayed on one of the two display units  340  or  350 . 
     In one embodiment, the controller  370  may provide control such that the image captured by the first camera unit  320  or the second camera unit  330  is displayed on the first display unit  340 , and the image received through the transceiver  310  is displayed on the second display unit  350 , for example. Preferably, the controller  370  may provide control such that the image captured by the first camera unit  320  or the second camera unit  330  or an image stored in the storage unit  360  is transmitted to a designated subscriber (user) through the transceiver  310 . 
     In certain embodiments, the controller  370  may provide control such that at least one image captured by the first camera unit  320  or the second camera unit  330  is stored in the storage unit  360  and an image received through the transceiver  310  is displayed on one of the first and second display units  340  or  350 , and an image for performing a function of the mobile terminal is displayed on the other display unit. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the controller  370  may provide control such that two or more images among the images are captured through the first camera unit  320 . The images captured through the second camera unit  330 , the image stored in the storage unit  360  and the image received through the transceiver  310  can be displayed together on at least one of the first and second display units  340  and  350 . 
     When two or more images are displayed on at least one of the first and second display units  340  and  350 , one screen can be divided into multiple parts corresponding to the number of images to be displayed on one screen. For example, the screen can be divided according to a PIP (Picture In Picture) method. The divided screen can have a main screen and at least one sub-screen. Based on an importance of a pre-set image or the user&#39;s settings, a relatively more important image can be displayed on the main screen and a relatively less important image can be displayed on the sub-screen. Images on the main screen and the sub-screen can be switched. Thus, an image on the main screen can be displayed on the sub-screen, or an image on the sub-screen can be displayed on the main screen. 
     The controller  370  may provide control such that two or more images are captured through the first camera unit  320 , or through the second camera unit  330 . The images captured and stored in the storage unit  360  and the image received through the transceiver  310 , for example, may be combined to be displayed, stored or transmitted. 
     For example, in case of video communications (e.g., video telephony, video conference calls, etc.) as shown in  FIG. 4 , the controller  370  may provide control such that an image received from the other party is displayed on the first display unit  340 , and an image of a user captured by the first camera unit  320  or the second camera unit  330  is displayed on the second display unit  350 . Also, images received from three or more people can all be displayed on the first display unit  340  by dividing the screen of the first display unit  340  and the image of the user captured by the first camera unit  320  or the second camera unit  330  can be displayed on the second display unit  350 , for example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the controller  370  may provide control such that the image received from the a third party is displayed on the first display unit  340  and the image captured by the first camera unit  320  and the image captured by the second camera unit  330  are displayed together on the second display unit  350  by dividing the screen, for example. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the controller  370  may provide control such that the image received from another party and images captured through the first or second camera units  320  and  330  are displayed together on the first display unit  340  by splitting the screen, and another image inputted through the first or second camera units  320  and  330  is displayed on the second display unit  350 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the image received from another party or the image captured through the first camera unit  320  or the second camera unit  330  may be displayed on the first display unit  340 , while the image for performing a function of the mobile terminal, such as creating a message, can be displayed on the second display unit  350 , for example. 
     In one embodiment, considering the overall design of the mobile terminal or to maximize the size of the display units, a hardware type keypad may be omitted and the second display unit  350 , for example, can have a touch sensitive screen to receive user touch inputs. Preferably, both of the first and second display units  340  and  350  can be touch screens. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the controller  370  may provide control such that the image received or the image captured by the first camera unit  320  or the second camera unit  330  can be divided to be partly displayed on the first  340  and second  350  display units, respectively. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the controller  370  may provide control such that one of the images may be displayed divided on the two display units  340  and  350 , for example. In another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 10 , at least one of the images can be scaled up or down (i.e., magnified) through a zoom function (e.g., lens hardware or software) and displayed on one of the first and second display units  340  and  350 . The other image may be displayed on the other display unit or the same display unit, depending by implementation. 
     The controller  370  may obtain the image captured via the first camera unit  320 , or the second camera unit  330 , or the image received from another party, and store such image as a still image or video in the storage unit  360 , or may capture two or more images and combine them into a single image and store it. In one embodiment, the controller  370  may provide control such that at least two or more images are virtually combined through a preview function, and then the combined image is captured and stored in the storage unit  360 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 11 , images are captured by the first and second camera units  320  and  330 , respectively, and the respective images from the first camera unit  320  and the second camera unit  330  are obtained simultaneously or within a certain time interval, and then, combined into one image and stored. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the controller  370  may control the mobile terminal  300  such that at least two or more of the images are virtually combined through a preview function. The virtually combined image can be edited and stored. The controller  370  can transmit the stored image after having been captured, captured/combined or combined/captured to another subscriber (e.g., a mobile terminal of a different subscriber) designated by the user or a particular server through the transceiver  310 . The particular server can be a telecommunications provider server or can be a general server of a service provider that provides a particular Internet service. 
     As mentioned above, at least one of the first and second display units  340  and  350  can be formed as a touch screen and perform a function of receiving touch sensitive inputs from the user. The mobile terminal  300  may include an input unit such as a keypad, a touch pad or a microphone, and may include an input terminal for receiving a signal by being connected with an external input unit such as a keyboard. The mobile terminal  300  may include an output unit such as a speaker, or may include an output terminal for outputting an image signal or a voice signal by being connected with an external display unit such as a television or a monitor. 
     The mobile terminal  300  may include other functional units having a supplementary function such as a storage medium insertion unit for allowing using of an external storage medium by inserting an external storage medium such as a memory card, a broadcast reception module, an MP3 module, an internet banking module, a local area wireless communication module, etc. 
       FIGS. 13 to 15  are flowcharts illustrating the exemplary processes of the image capturing and displaying method of the mobile terminal according to the present invention. With reference to  FIG. 13 , the image capturing and displaying method in the mobile terminal which has at least two display units and at least two camera units, may comprise displaying at least one image on the first display unit  340  (S 1310 ); and displaying at least one image on the second display unit  350  (S 1320 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 to 10 , at least one of the images captured by the first camera unit  320 , or the second camera unit  330 , or an image received from another party, or a previously stored image can be displayed on the first display unit  340 , or on the second display unit  350 . At least one of the first and second display units  340  and  350  can display an image for performing a function of the mobile terminal  300 . In some embodiments, when two or more images are displayed on at least one of the first and second display units  340  and  350 , the screen can be divided or split up (e.g., a PIP method) in order to display multiple images on each screen. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , the image capturing and displaying method of the mobile terminal may further comprise capturing and storing at least one of the images displayed on the first and second display units (S 1410 ). The two or more captured images can be, for example, combined into one image and stored. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the image capturing and displaying method of the mobile terminal  300  may further comprise combining at least two images displayed on the first and second display units  340 ,  350  and capturing and storing the images (S 1510 ). In one embodiment, a virtual combining is performed on the screen through the preview function and then the virtually combined image is captured. 
     Although not shown, the image capturing and displaying method of the mobile terminal  300  may further transmit the stored image to a different subscriber or the particular server. As so far described, the mobile terminal and the image capturing and displaying method using the same according to the present invention have many advantages. 
     Preferably, at least one image can be captured and displayed in various forms through the two or more cameras or two or more display units. Two or more images can be displayed on one display unit, while an image for performing a function of the mobile terminal can be displayed on the other display unit, whereby the user can freely perform different operations (i.e., can perform multi-tasking) by using the mobile terminal  300  even while video telephony or image capturing is being performed. Moreover, two or more images can be combined to create a new image. 
     The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. The description of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structure described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.