Abstract:
In a mobile communication terminal having a camera rotatively connected thereto, an apparatus and a method for controlling an image is provided. A photographic image generated by the camera can be reoriented so that the image appears inversed as a result of sensing a rotational position of the camera relative to the terminal. A position sensing unit detects a rotational position of a camera; a control unit compares the detected position to a default position and reorients the photographic image if the detected position does not correspond to the default position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(a), this application claims the benefit of earlier filing date and right of priority to Korean Application No. 2003-62388, filed on Sep. 6, 2003, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for controlling a photographic image according to the rotation of a camera in a mobile communication terminal.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a mobile communication terminal according to the related art, in which a camera is installed on a hinge.  
         [0006]     As shown therein, a related art terminal to which a camera is mounted includes: a main body  10 , a first and second folding parts  10  and  11 , respectively, a hinge portion  21  that rotatably connects the first and second folding parts  10  and  11 , and a camera  35  installed in the hinge portion  21 . On the inner surface of the first folding part  10 , a plurality of terminal manipulation devices  13 , shown here as buttons of a keypad, is installed. On the inner surface of the second folding part, a display screen  23  for displaying images and information is installed.  
         [0007]     The hinge portion  21  includes first and second hinge parts  17  and  27 , respectively, for coupling the first and second folding parts  10  and  11 . The camera  35  is disposed adjacent to the first hinge part  17  along the outer edges of the terminal for ease of manual rotation of the camera. The camera  35  includes a module  36  for photographing a subject and a collar  38  for rotating the camera  35  so as to be able to photograph the subject.  
         [0008]     When a still or dynamic image is photographed by the camera  35 , a user holds and rotates the collar  38  in order to direct the camera module  36  onto the subject. The user then properly manipulates a one or more the terminal manipulation devices  13  to photograph the subject and reproduce the image on the display screen  23 .  
         [0009]     The terminal according to the related art generally has an internal default setting such that subjects photographed with the integrated camera appear properly oriented (i.e., right-side up) when the subjects are situated opposite to the display screen  23  (i.e., facing the back of the first folding part  11 ). However, when the camera is rotated such that the camera  35  is generally directed in the same direction as the display screen  23 , the reproduced image created by the camera is inversely reproduced on the display screen  23  with respect to orientation. In other words, the image is inverted so that it appears upside-down. Alternatively, the image may appear upside-down if the camera is oriented in the opposite direction. Consequently, a correcting apparatus is required to allow for proper image reproduction.  
         [0010]     As so far described, in the related art, when an image of a subject photographed by a camera mounted to a terminal is inversely displayed on a display unit according to a position of the camera, the user must either rotate the terminal or manipulate specific buttons to correct the orientation of the image. Therefore, an improved solution is needed to correctly display an inverted image reproduced by a rotating camera of a mobile communication terminal.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a mobile communication terminal with an integrated camera that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art above.  
         [0012]     An object of the present invention is to provide for a method and apparatus for controlling a photographic image according to the rotation of a camera in a mobile communication terminal.  
         [0013]     Additional 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.  
         [0014]     To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a mobile communication terminal having an integrated camera rotatively connected thereto, the terminal comprising: a position sensing unit for detecting an orientation of the camera and outputting a detection signal; a control unit for receiving the detection signal and reorienting a photographic image generated by the camera according to the received detection signal; and a display unit for displaying the reoriented image.  
         [0015]     According to one aspect of the present invention, the position sensing unit may comprise a protrusion disposed on an inner edge of the camera, wherein the protrusion correspondingly rotates with the camera, and a switch fixedly mounted in the terminal and in operational relationship with the protrusion according to the rotation angle of the camera. Furthermore, the switch may output the detection signal upon operational contact with the protrusion.  
         [0016]     According to another aspect of the present invention, the position sensing unit may comprise a magnet disposed on an inner edge of the camera, wherein the magnet generates a magnetic flux and correspondingly rotates with the camera; and a magnetic sensing device fixedly mounted in the terminal, wherein the magnetic sensing device senses the magnetic flux generated by the magnet. Furthermore, the magnetic sensing device may output the detection signal upon sensing the magnetic flux generated by the magnet.  
         [0017]     There is also provided a method for controlling an image in a mobile communication terminal, the method comprising the steps of: detecting a rotational position of a camera rotatively connected to the terminal; comparing the detected rotational position of the camera to a default position; and reorienting a photographic image generated by the camera if the detected rotational position of the camera does not correspond to the default position.  
         [0018]     According to one aspect of the present invention, if the detected rotational position of the camera does correspond to the default position, then the photographic image is not reoriented and is displayed. Also, if the detected rotational position of the camera does correspond to the default position, then the photographic image is not reoriented and is displayed.  
         [0019]     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to further describe the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0020]     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. In the drawings:  
         [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a mobile communication terminal with an integrated camera in accordance with the related art.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus for controlling an image in a mobile communication terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  illustrates a sectional view of an integrated camera having an apparatus for controlling an image in a mobile communication terminal in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  illustrates a sectional view taken along line III-III of  FIG. 3 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  illustrates a flow chart of operations for inversing an image by a control unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  illustrates a sectional view of an integrated camera having an apparatus for controlling an image in a mobile communication terminal in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  illustrates a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
       [0028]     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.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram of an apparatus for controlling an image in a mobile communication terminal, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown. The apparatus for controlling an image in a mobile communication terminal comprises a position sensing unit  100  for sensing a position of a camera and a control unit  101  for controlling an image signal processing unit  102 . According to the sensory result of the position sensing unit  100 , the control unit  101  controls the image signal processing unit  102  to reorient an image of a photographed subject, which is then displayed on a display unit  103 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates a sectional view of an integrated camera having an apparatus for controlling an image in a mobile communication terminal, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along line III-III of  FIG. 3  and is an example of an embodiment using a mechanical switch. In  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the same reference numerals are applied to the same components as those of the related art for convenience.  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the position sensing unit  100  comprises a protrusion  43  formed at a side of a camera  35 , which is disposed adjacent to the first hinge part  17  along the outer edges of the terminal for ease of manual rotation of the camera. The camera  35  comprises a module  36  for photographing a subject and a collar  38  for rotating the camera  35  so as to be able to photograph the subject. A photographic apparatus  33  is mounted in a radial direction within the module  36 . A switch  45  is formed inside a first hinge part  17  and is to be in operational contact with the protrusion  43 , according to the rotation of the camera  35 .  
         [0033]     In  FIG. 4 , the switch  45  is shown to be electrically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB)  18  so as to output a signal, such as an on/off signal, to the control unit  101  (which may be a processor for the mobile communication terminal) disposed in the PCB  18  when the protrusion  43  is rotated as a result of the rotation of the camera  35 . Alternatively, the switch need not be connected to the PCB  18 , but rather may be in electrical communication with the control unit  101  by other means, such as a communication cable, etc. Accordingly, if a user turns the collar  38  of the camera  35  so that the camera module  36  is directed towards a subject situated opposite to the direction of a display screen, the protrusion  43  comes in operational contact with the switch  45 . As a result, an output, such as a switch-on signal (or a switch-off signal), for example, is inputted to the control unit  101 .  
         [0034]     In the example of the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , the protrusion  43  contacts the switch  45 , which comprises a button that is activated when pushed down by the protrusion  43 . Accordingly, as the camera  35  is rotated, the protrusion  43  is correspondingly rotated and depresses the switch  45  upon contact. Subsequently, an output, such as a switch-on signal (or a switch-off signal), for example, is inputted to the control unit  101 . The switch  45  remains depressed or activated (i.e., inverting the image received from the camera  35 ) until the camera  35  is rotated in the opposite direction. Alternatively, the protrusion  43  may be elongated so as to span approximately 135° in order to maintain the switch  45  in a depressed state when an inverted image is required. When the camera  35  is rotated in the opposite direction, the protrusion  43  contacts and depresses the switch  45 , thereby deactivating the switch  45  or outputting a switch-off signal to the control unit  101 , for example.  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the control unit  101  recognizes a position of the camera  35 , namely, whether the camera  35  is directed towards the front side of the terminal or the rear side, based upon a signal outputted from the position sensing unit  100  (S 10 ). In step S 11 , the control unit  101  compares a current position of the camera  35  to a default setting position of the camera  35 . If the current position of the camera  35  is the same as the default position, the control unit  101  controls the image signal processing unit  102  (step S 12 ) to normally display an image of the photographed subject on the display unit  103 , (i.e., the displayed image need not be reoriented or inversed). However, if the current position of the camera  35  is not the default position of the camera  35 , the control unit  101  controls the image signal processing unit  102  to inverse the image of the subject to be displayed on the display unit  103  (step s 13 ).  
         [0036]      FIG. 6  illustrates a sectional view of an integrated camera having an apparatus for controlling an image in a mobile communication terminal in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of  FIG. 6  and is an example of an embodiment using a magnetic switch.  
         [0037]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the position sensing unit  100  comprises a magnet  63  mounted on an inner edge of the camera module  36  adjacent to the first hinge part  17 . A magnetic sensing device  65  is fixedly mounted, preferably in the first hinge part, so that the magnet  63  comes in close proximity to the sensing device  65  during rotation of the camera  35 . Preferably, the magnetic sensing device  65  comprises a switch, which is activated or deactivated in response to the magnetic field generated by the magnet  63 .  
         [0038]     As exemplified in  FIG. 7 , the magnetic sensing device  65  is preferably mounted on the PCB  18 . Alternatively, the magnetic sensing device may be operationally connected, such as via an electrical connection, to the PCB  18 . If a user rotates the camera  35 , the magnet  63  rotates correspondingly and approaches the magnetic sensing device  65 , which senses the magnet  63 . Accordingly, the sensing device  65  outputs a signal, such as an on/off signal, to the controlling unit  101  upon sensing the polarity of the magnet  63 .  
         [0039]     An operational logic similar to that described in  FIG. 5  is applicable to the embodiment described in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . That is, the control unit  101  recognizes a position of the camera, namely, whether the camera is directed towards the front side of the terminal or the rear side, based upon a signal outputted from the position sensing unit  100 , which comprises the magnet  63  and the magnetic sensing device  65 . Accordingly, the control unit  101  compares a current position of the camera, based upon the position of the magnet  63  relative to the magnetic sensing device  65 , to a default setting position of the camera  35 . If the current position of the camera  35  is the same as the default position, the control unit  101  controls the image signal processing unit  102  to normally display an image of the photographed subject on the display unit  103 , (i.e., the displayed image need not be inversed). However, if the current position of the camera  35  is not the default position of the camera  35 , the control unit  101  controls the image signal processing unit  102  to inverse the image of the subject displayed on the display unit  103 .  
         [0040]     In an alternative embodiment, the magnet  63  may be elongated circumferentially to span an arc, preferably of approximately 135°, thereby maintaining the magnetic sensing device  65  in an activated state (i.e., outputting signal to the control unit  101 ) throughout the rotation of the camera corresponding to the arc. In another alternative embodiment, the magnet  63  may generate a magnetic field that spans an arc, preferably of approximately 135°.  
         [0041]     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the foregoing description of these embodiments of the present invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Preferred embodiments were shown in the context of folding type mobile communication terminals. In alternative embodiments, bar and PDA type terminals can be substituted for the present invention.