Patent Publication Number: US-2023133394-A1

Title: Method for processing photographed image and electronic device therefor

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Various embodiments of the disclosure relate to an electronic device, and relate to a method for processing a photographed image and an electronic device therefor. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     An electronic device such as a smartphone provides various functions. One of functions frequently used by users is an image-capturing function using a camera. Accordingly, the importance of the camera is becoming more emphasized, and the users pay great attention to the performance, the quality, the usability, and the like of the camera. For improvement of the quality of an image, a technology of modifying an image through separate processing after image capturing may be used. Such a processing technology may require consumption of lots of resources of an electronic device. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     A memory and a time are consumed to improve the quality of an image and add an effect to an image, and accordingly, a problem in image-capturing speed reduction and overheating may occur. The speed reduction and overheating may constrain image quality improvement. 
     Various embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for more effectively processing a captured image and an electronic device therefor. 
     Solution to Problem 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an operation method of an electronic device may include acquiring multiple images, storing one of the multiple images as a first representative image, generating a modified image by using at least one remaining image of the multiple images, and storing the modified image as a second representative image for replacing the first representative image. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device may include, a camera, a memory, and a processor operatively connected to the camera and the memory, wherein the processor performs control to acquire multiple images by using the camera, store one of the multiple images as a first representative image, generate a modified image by using at least one remaining image of the multiple images, and store the modified image as a second representative image for replacing the first representative image. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     A method and an electronic device therefor according to various embodiments can process an image according to a scheme determined in consideration of a situation and update a stored image, thereby resolving the constraint on the image quality improvement and expanding a user experience. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device  101  in a network environment  100  according to various embodiments. 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram  200  illustrating the camera module  180  according to various embodiments. 
         FIG.  3    is a functional block diagram of the processor in an electronic device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  4    illustrates an example of image processing operations according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  5    is a flow chart illustrating processing of an image in an electronic device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates an example of image capturing sequences in an electronic device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  7    is a flow chart illustrating determining of an image processing scheme in an electronic device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  8    is a flow chart illustrating determining of an image processing scheme according to the state of an electronic device according to various embodiments 
         FIG.  9    is a flow chart illustrating displaying of information on image modification in an electronic device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates an example of indicating that image modification is being performed in an electronic device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates an example of an indicator indicating a progress rate of image modification in an electronic device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  12    illustrates an example of a notification indicating a progress rate of image modification in an electronic device according to various embodiments; 
         FIG.  13    is a flow chart illustrating processing of an exceptional situation in an electronic device according to various embodiments; and 
         FIG.  14    illustrates an example at a time point of occurrence of an exceptional situation in an electronic device according to various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings. 
       FIG.  1    is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device  101  in a network environment  100  according to various embodiments. Referring to  FIG.  1   , the electronic device  101  in the network environment  100  may communicate with an electronic device  102  via a first network  198  (e.g., a short-range wireless communication network), or an electronic device  104  or a server  108  via a second network  199  (e.g., a long-range wireless communication network). According to an embodiment, the electronic device  101  may communicate with the electronic device  104  via the server  108 . According to an embodiment, the electronic device  101  may include a processor  120 , memory  130 , an input device  150 , a sound output device  155 , a display device  160 , an audio module  170 , a sensor module  176 , an interface  177 , a haptic module  179 , a camera module  180 , a power management module  188 , a battery  189 , a communication module  190 , a subscriber identification module(SIM)  196 , or an antenna module  197 . In some embodiments, at least one (e.g., the display device  160  or the camera module  180 ) of the components may be omitted from the electronic device  101 , or one or more other components may be added in the electronic device  101 . In some embodiments, some of the components may be implemented as single integrated circuitry. For example, the sensor module  176  (e.g., a fingerprint sensor, an iris sensor, or an illuminance sensor) may be implemented as embedded in the display device  160  (e.g., a display). 
     The processor  120  may execute, for example, software (e.g., a program  140 ) to control at least one other component (e.g., a hardware or software component) of the electronic device  101  coupled with the processor  120 , and may perform various data processing or computation. According to one embodiment, as at least part of the data processing or computation, the processor  120  may load a command or data received from another component (e.g., the sensor module  176  or the communication module  190 ) in volatile memory  132 , process the command or the data stored in the volatile memory  132 , and store resulting data in non-volatile memory  134 . According to an embodiment, the processor  120  may include a main processor  121  (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor (AP)), and an auxiliary processor  123  (e.g., a graphics processing unit (GPU), an image signal processor (ISP), a sensor hub processor, or a communication processor (CP)) that is operable independently from, or in conjunction with, the main processor  121 . Additionally or alternatively, the auxiliary processor  123  may be adapted to consume less power than the main processor  121 , or to be specific to a specified function. The auxiliary processor  123  may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the main processor  121 . 
     The auxiliary processor  123  may control at least some of functions or states related to at least one component (e.g., the display device  160 , the sensor module  176 , or the communication module  190 ) among the components of the electronic device  101 , instead of the main processor  121  while the main processor  121  is in an inactive (e.g., sleep) state, or together with the main processor  121  while the main processor  121  is in an active state (e.g., executing an application). According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor  123  (e.g., an image signal processor or a communication processor) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module  180  or the communication module  190 ) functionally related to the auxiliary processor  123 . 
     The memory  130  may store various data used by at least one component (e.g., the processor  120  or the sensor module  176 ) of the electronic device  101 . The various data may include, for example, software (e.g., the program  140 ) and input data or output data for a command related thererto. The memory  130  may include the volatile memory  132  or the non-volatile memory  134 . 
     The program  140  may be stored in the memory  130  as software, and may include, for example, an operating system (OS)  142 , middleware  144 , or an application  146 . 
     The input device  150  may receive a command or data to be used by other component (e.g., the processor  120 ) of the electronic device  101 , from the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device  101 . The input device  150  may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, or a digital pen (e.g., a stylus pen). 
     The sound output device  155  may output sound signals to the outside of the electronic device  101 . The sound output device  155  may include, for example, a speaker or a receiver. The speaker may be used for general purposes, such as playing multimedia or playing record, and the receiver may be used for an incoming calls. According to an embodiment, the receiver may be implemented as separate from, or as part of the speaker. 
     The display device  16   o  may visually provide information to the outside (e.g., a user) of the electronic device  101 . The display device  16   o  may include, for example, a display, a hologram device, or a projector and control circuitry to control a corresponding one of the display, hologram device, and projector. According to an embodiment, the display device  16   o  may include touch circuitry adapted to detect a touch, or sensor circuitry (e.g., a pressure sensor) adapted to measure the intensity of force incurred by the touch. 
     The audio module  170  may convert a sound into an electrical signal and vice versa. According to an embodiment, the audio module  170  may obtain the sound via the input device  15   o , or output the sound via the sound output device  155  or a headphone of an external electronic device (e.g., an electronic device  102 ) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly coupled with the electronic device  101 . 
     The sensor module  176  may detect an operational state (e.g., power or temperature) of the electronic device  101  or an environmental state (e.g., a state of a user) external to the electronic device  101 , and then generate an electrical signal or data value corresponding to the detected state. According to an embodiment, the sensor module  176  may include, for example, a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a proximity sensor, a color sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor. 
     The interface  177  may support one or more specified protocols to be used for the electronic device  101  to be coupled with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  102 ) directly (e.g., wiredly) or wirelessly. According to an embodiment, the interface  177  may include, for example, a high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a secure digital (SD) card interface, or an audio interface. 
     A connecting terminal  178  may include a connector via which the electronic device  101  may be physically connected with the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  102 ). According to an embodiment, the connecting terminal  178  may include, for example, a HDMI connector, a USB connector, a SD card connector, or an audio connector (e.g., a headphone connector). 
     The haptic module  179  may convert an electrical signal into a mechanical stimulus (e.g., a vibration or a movement) or electrical stimulus which may be recognized by a user via his tactile sensation or kinesthetic sensation. According to an embodiment, the haptic module  179  may include, for example, a motor, a piezoelectric element, or an electric stimulator. 
     The camera module  180  may capture a still image or moving images. According to an embodiment, the camera module  180  may include one or more lenses, image sensors, image signal processors, or flashes. 
     The power management module  188  may manage power supplied to the electronic device  101 . According to one embodiment, the power management module  188  may be implemented as at least part of, for example, a power management integrated circuit (PMIC). 
     The battery  189  may supply power to at least one component of the electronic device  101 . According to an embodiment, the battery  189  may include, for example, a primary cell which is not rechargeable, a secondary cell which is rechargeable, or a fuel cell. 
     The communication module  190  may support establishing a direct (e.g., wired) communication channel or a wireless communication channel between the electronic device  101  and the external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  102 , the electronic device  104 , or the server  108 ) and performing communication via the established communication channel. The communication module  190  may include one or more communication processors that are operable independently from the processor  120  (e.g., the application processor (AP)) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication. According to an embodiment, the communication module  190  may include a wireless communication module  192  (e.g., a cellular communication module, a short-range wireless communication module, or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) communication module) or a wired communication module  194  (e.g., a local area network (LAN) communication module or a power line communication (PLC) module). A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with the external electronic device via the first network  198  (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or infrared data association (IrDA)) or the second network  199  (e.g., a long-range communication network, such as a cellular network, the Internet, or a computer network (e.g., LAN or wide area network (WAN)). These various types of communication modules may be implemented as a single component (e.g., a single chip), or may be implemented as multi components (e.g., multi chips) separate from each other. The wireless communication module  192  may identify and authenticate the electronic device  101  in a communication network, such as the first network  198  or the second network  199 , using subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the subscriber identification module  196 . 
     The antenna module  197  may transmit or receive a signal or power to or from the outside (e.g., the external electronic device) of the electronic device  101 . According to an embodiment, the antenna module  197  may include an antenna including a radiating element composed of a conductive material or a conductive pattern formed in or on a substrate (e.g., PCB). According to an embodiment, the antenna module  197  may include a plurality of antennas. In such a case, at least one antenna appropriate for a communication scheme used in the communication network, such as the first network  198  or the second network  199 , may be selected, for example, by the communication module  190  (e.g., the wireless communication module  192 ) from the plurality of antennas. The signal or the power may then be transmitted or received between the communication module  190  and the external electronic device via the selected at least one antenna. According to an embodiment, another component (e.g., a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC)) other than the radiating element may be additionally formed as part of the antenna module  197 . 
     At least some of the above-described components may be coupled mutually and communicate signals (e.g., commands or data) therebetween via an inter-peripheral communication scheme (e.g., a bus, general purpose input and output (GPIO), serial peripheral interface (SPI), or mobile industry processor interface (MIPI)). 
     According to an embodiment, commands or data may be transmitted or received between the electronic device  101  and the external electronic device  104  via the server  108  coupled with the second network  199 . Each of the electronic devices  102  and  104  may be a device of a same type as, or a different type, from the electronic device  101 . According to an embodiment, all or some of operations to be executed at the electronic device  101  may be executed at one or more of the external electronic devices  102 ,  104 , or  108 . For example, if the electronic device  101  should perform a function or a service automatically, or in response to a request from a user or another device, the electronic device  101 , instead of, or in addition to, executing the function or the service, may request the one or more external electronic devices to perform at least part of the function or the service. The one or more external electronic devices receiving the request may perform the at least part of the function or the service requested, or an additional function or an additional service related to the request, and transfer an outcome of the performing to the electronic device  101 . The electronic device  101  may provide the outcome, with or without further processing of the outcome, as at least part of a reply to the request. To that end, a cloud computing, distributed computing, or client-server computing technology may be used, for example. 
       FIG.  2    is a block diagram  200  illustrating the camera module  180  according to various embodiments. Referring to  FIG.  2   , the camera module  180  may include a lens assembly  210 , a flash  220 , an image sensor  230 , an image stabilizer  240 , memory  250  (e.g., buffer memory), or an image signal processor  260 . The lens assembly  210  may collect light emitted or reflected from an object whose image is to be taken. The lens assembly  210  may include one or more lenses. According to an embodiment, the camera module  180  may include a plurality of lens assemblies  210 . In such a case, the camera module  180  may form, for example, a dual camera, a 360-degree camera, or a spherical camera. Some of the plurality of lens assemblies  210  may have the same lens attribute (e.g., view angle, focal length, auto-focusing, f number, or optical zoom), or at least one lens assembly may have one or more lens attributes different from those of another lens assembly. The lens assembly  210  may include, for example, a wide-angle lens or a telephoto lens. 
     The flash  220  may emit light that is used to reinforce light reflected from an object. According to an embodiment, the flash  220  may include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) (e.g., a red-green-blue (RGB) LED, a white LED, an infrared (IR) LED, or an ultraviolet (UV) LED) or a xenon lamp. The image sensor  230  may obtain an image corresponding to an object by converting light emitted or reflected from the object and transmitted via the lens assembly  210  into an electrical signal. According to an embodiment, the image sensor  230  may include one selected from image sensors having different attributes, such as a RGB sensor, a black-and-white (BW) sensor, an IR sensor, or a UV sensor, a plurality of image sensors having the same attribute, or a plurality of image sensors having different attributes. Each image sensor included in the image sensor  230  may be implemented using, for example, a charged coupled device (CCD) sensor or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. 
     The image stabilizer  240  may move the image sensor  230  or at least one lens included in the lens assembly  210  in a particular direction, or control an operational attribute (e.g., adjust the read-out timing) of the image sensor  230  in response to the movement of the camera module  180  or the electronic device  101  including the camera module  180 . This allows compensating for at least part of a negative effect (e.g., image blurring) by the movement on an image being captured. According to an embodiment, the image stabilizer  240  may sense such a movement by the camera module  180  or the electronic device  101  using a gyro sensor (not shown) or an acceleration sensor (not shown) disposed inside or outside the camera module  180 . According to an embodiment, the image stabilizer  240  may be implemented, for example, as an optical image stabilizer. 
     The memory  250  may store, at least temporarily, at least part of an image obtained via the image sensor  230  for a subsequent image processing task. For example, if image capturing is delayed due to shutter lag or multiple images are quickly captured, a raw image obtained (e.g., a Bayer-patterned image, a high-resolution image) may be stored in the memory  250 , and its corresponding copy image (e.g., a low-resolution image) may be previewed via the display device  160 . Thereafter, if a specified condition is met (e.g., by a user&#39;s input or system command), at least part of the raw image stored in the memory  250  may be obtained and processed, for example, by the image signal processor  260 . According to an embodiment, the memory  250  may be configured as at least part of the memory  130  or as a separate memory that is operated independently from the memory  130 . 
     The image signal processor  260  may perform one or more image processing with respect to an image obtained via the image sensor  230  or an image stored in the memory  250 . The one or more image processing may include, for example, depth map generation, three-dimensional (3D) modeling, panorama generation, feature point extraction, image synthesizing, or image compensation (e.g., noise reduction, resolution adjustment, brightness adjustment, blurring, sharpening, or softening). Additionally or alternatively, the image signal processor  260  may perform control (e.g., exposure time control or read-out timing control) with respect to at least one (e.g., the image sensor  230 ) of the components included in the camera module  180 . An image processed by the image signal processor  260  may be stored back in the memory  250  for further processing, or may be provided to an external component (e.g., the memory  130 , the display device  160 , the electronic device  102 , the electronic device  104 , or the server  108 ) outside the camera module  180 . According to an embodiment, the image signal processor  260  may be configured as at least part of the processor  120 , or as a separate processor that is operated independently from the processor  120 . If the image signal processor  260  is configured as a separate processor from the processor  120 , at least one image processed by the image signal processor  260  may be displayed, by the processor  120 , via the display device  160  as it is or after being further processed. 
     According to an embodiment, the electronic device  101  may include a plurality of camera modules  180  having different attributes or functions. In such a case, at least one of the plurality of camera modules  180  may form, for example, a wide-angle camera and at least another of the plurality of camera modules  180  may form a telephoto camera. Similarly, at least one of the plurality of camera modules  180  may form, for example, a front camera and at least another of the plurality of camera modules  180  may form a rear camera. 
     As described above, the electronic device  101  may include the camera module  180 . The electronic device  101  may provide a function of taking a photograph or capturing an image, by using the camera module  180 . Processing for improving the quality a captured image and/or adding an effect to the captured image can be performed, wherein the electronic device  101  according to various embodiments can efficiently manage an image and provide the optimal experience for a user, by adjusting an image processing scheme according to a capturing condition. Hereinafter, various embodiments of image processing will be described. 
       FIG.  3    is a functional block diagram of the processor  120  in the electronic device  101  according to various embodiments. Referring to  FIG.  3   , the processor  120  may include an image-capturing determination unit  302 , an image acquisition unit  304 , a representative image processing unit  306 , an image processing unit  308 , and/or an image management unit  310 . 
     The image-capturing determination unit  302  may determine an image processing scheme by using information on an electronic device and image capturing. According to an embodiment, the image-capturing determination unit  302  may determine the image processing scheme by using a capturing mode or the state of the electronic device. For example, the image processing scheme may include immediate photo processing (IPP) or post photo processing (PPP). The PPP is a scheme in which an image is post-processed in a background service or a background process, wherein processing other commands of the user is allowed during the image processing operation. The IPP is a scheme of processing an image in a foreground process used for image capturing, wherein image processing can be performed in the IPP faster than the PPP, but inputs of other commands of the user may be blocked during the image processing. For example, the image-capturing determination unit  302  may dynamically determine whether to process an acquired image in a current image-capturing sequence (e.g., the IPP scheme) or in a background service (e.g., the PPP scheme), or to operate the image processing operation as a file or as a buffer, according to at least one of overheating, a memory state, a file input/output state, or a currently processing task, at an image-capturing time point. When there are multiple background service tasks, the image-capturing determination unit  302  may perform a role of adjusting processing scheduling in the current image-capturing sequence. The background service may be referred to as a background process. 
     According to another embodiment, the image-capturing determination unit  302  may determine whether to perform single image-capturing or compound image-capturing according to a feature of a current scene and the performance of the electronic device  101 , and determine the number of consecutive times of image capturing, an image-capturing format, and/or an image size. For example, in a case of a multi-frame high dynamic range (MFHDR) in which an image is captured three times, the electronic device  101  may acquire a thumbnail image, a first compound source image, and/or a temporary representative image, through first image-capturing, acquire a second compound source image through second image-capturing, and acquire a third compound source image through third image-capturing. The thumbnail image, the first compound source image, and/or the temporary representative image, acquired through the first image-capturing, corresponds to images that are simultaneously captured, wherein the sizes and/or formats thereof may be different from each other. For example, the thumbnail image may be a small-sized image which follows a YUV format, the first compound source image may be a real picture-sized image which follows a YUV format, and the temporary representative image may be a real picture-sized image which follows a joint photograph experts group (JPEG) or a high efficiency image file (HEIF) format. 
     The image acquisition unit  304  may acquire at least one image required to store or process an image. For example, at least one image required according to the determination by the image-capturing determination unit  302  may be determined, wherein at least one stream may be operated to acquire the at least one determined image. The number of operated streams may depend on the image processing scheme determined by the image-capturing determination unit  302 . The at least one acquired image may be provided for the representative image processing unit  306  and the image processing unit  308 . 
     The representative image processing unit  306  may process an image temporarily displayed as a representative image among at least one image acquired by the image acquisition unit  304 . The representative image is an image displayed as a result of the image capturing, wherein one representative image corresponds to one image-capturing command (e.g., a touch on a shutter button) that is generated by the user. The representative image may be displayed according to a selection by the user from a photographing or image viewer application. When a scheme (e.g., the PPP scheme) of modifying an image in the background service is selected, the initial image before the modification is displayed as a representative image, and the representative image may be replaced with the modified image once the modification is completed. 
     The temporary representative image until completion of the image modification may be different from a final representative image, and may be managed in a manner different from the final representative image. According to an embodiment, the representative image processing unit  306  may control authority to access the temporary representative image so that the temporary representative image is used within a range shown to the user as a final result. For example, the representative image processing unit  306  may restrict a function of attaching and/or uploading the temporary representative image to a cloud server. For example, the representative image processing unit  306  may store an image used as the temporary representative image in a memory area having restricted access authority, or may configure restricted authority to access to the image. 
     The image processing unit  308  may modify at least one acquired image. For example, the image processing unit  308  may perform at least one modification operation for improving the quality of the image and/or adding an effect to the image according to the usage of the image and the necessity. For example, the modification operation for improving the quality of the image may include noise reduction, super-wide angle lens distortion modification, wide angle face distortion modification, image tone changing, beauty effect application, resolution adjustment, brightness adjustment, a blurring, sharpening, or softening effect, a high dynamic range (HDR) effect, and/or a bokeh effect. The details of the modification may be determined by the image-capturing determination unit  302 . According to an embodiment, the image processing unit  308  may exchange data for image processing with the image management unit  310  so as to support an update of progress, a notification and/or a database (DB). When multiple modification operations are sequentially performed, the image processing unit  308  may perform control so that the representative image can be replaced at least one time point among time points of completion of respective modification operations. That is, the representative image may be updated multiple times. 
     The image management unit  310  may manage a representative image. The image management unit  310  may control a display operation for an image or image processing in association with the representative image processing unit  306  and the image processing unit  308 . According to an embodiment, the image management unit  310  may control a representative image shown to the user. For example, the image management unit  310  may control an image before the modification and/or a modified image to be displayed as a representative image. For example, the image management unit  301  may control an image managed by the representative image management unit  310  until completion of the modification to be displayed as a representative image, and may control an image processed by the image processing unit  308  after the completion of the modification to be displayed as a representative image. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates an example of image processing operations according to various embodiments.  FIG.  4    illustrates an example of image processing operations in a case where a modification operation is performed in a background process after image capturing (e.g., a case where the PPP scheme is selected), and exemplifies image process operations by the image-capturing determination unit  302 , the image acquisition unit  304 , the representative image processing unit  306 , the image processing unit  308 , and/or the image management unit  310  described with reference to  FIG.  3   . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , after the PPP scheme is selected by the image-capturing determination unit  302 , images may be transferred from the camera module  180  to the image acquisition unit  304  through multiple streams. In an example of  FIG.  4   , the image-capturing determination unit  302  may control the camera module  180  so that three streams are used. According to another embodiment, the use of three streams may be controlled by the image acquisition unit  304 . 
     An image  411  acquired through a first stream may be used as a thumbnail image. The image  411  may be used as a thumbnail image representing a photograph taken when a photographing application is executed in the electronic device  101 , and also be used as a button for detecting a representative image display command of the user. For example, when the user selects (e.g., touches) a thumbnail image including the image  411 , the representative image may be displayed by the image management unit  310 . 
     An image  421  acquired through a second stream may be used a temporary representative image. The image  421  may be processed to be usable as a temporary representative image after access restriction is configured by the representative image processing unit  306 . For example, the representative image processing unit  306  may assign authority to access the image  421  to the image management unit  310 . As the image  421  is processed to be usable as the temporary representative image, the image  421  may be displayed when a thumbnail image before completion of the modification of the image processing unit  308  is selected. 
     Multiple images  431  to  435  acquired through a third stream may be used for modification operations (e.g., image quality improvement or effect addition) by the image processing unit  308 . In an example of  FIG.  4   , three modification operations may be performed, and the image processing unit  308  may control the representative image to be updated whenever each modification operation is completed. For example, the image processing unit  308  may provide information on the modified image to the image management unit  310 . As the representative image is updated, the user may identify the modified image. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  101 ) may include a camera (e.g., the camera module  180 ), a memory (e.g., the memory  130 ), and a processor (e.g., the processor  120 ) operatively connected to the camera and the memory, wherein the processor performs control to acquire multiple images by using the camera, to store one of the multiple images as a first representative image, to generate a modified image by using at least one remaining image of the multiple images, and to store the modified image as a second representative image for replacing the first representative image. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor (e.g., the processor  120 ) may perform control to generate the modified image in a background process. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor (e.g., the processor  120 ) may perform control to restrict authority to access the first representative image. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor (e.g., the processor  120 ) may identify at least one of a capturing mode or the state of the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  101 ), and determine whether to perform the generation of the modified image in the background process, according to the at least one of the capturing mode or the state of the electronic device. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor (e.g., the processor  120 ) may perform the generation of the modified image in the background process when a predefined condition is satisfied, wherein the predefined condition includes one of no requirement of immediacy of generating a final result of a captured image within a predetermined time, an inner temperature of the electronic device, corresponding to a threshold value or lower, or existence of an allocable storage space for modification in a memory or a file system. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the processor (e.g., the processor  120 ) may control the background process to be operated according to memory when an allocable storage space for modification exists in the memory, and may control the background process to be operated according to the file system when the allocable storage space for modification exists in the file system. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  101 ) may further include a display (e.g., the display device  160 , wherein the processor may control information on the modification operation for the generation of the modified image to be displayed on the display. 
     According to various embodiments, the information on the modification may include at least one of information indicating that the modification is being performed, information indicating a progress rate of the modification, and information indicating a type of a performed modification operation. 
     According to various embodiments, the information on the modification may be displayed while the first representative image is displayed, or may be displayed in a quick panel. 
     According to various embodiments, the processor may perform control to store the first representative image as a final representative image when an event causing suspension of the modification occurs during the modification for generating the modified image. 
       FIG.  5    is a flow chart  500  illustrating processing of an image in an electronic device according to various embodiments.  FIG.  6    illustrates an example of image capturing sequences in an electronic device according to various embodiments. The entity for performing an operation in the flow chart  500  illustrated in  FIG.  5    may be understood as the electronic device  101  or a component (e.g., the processor  120 ) of the electronic device  101 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , in operation  501 , the electronic device  101  (e.g., the processor  120 ) may acquire multiple images. The multiple images may be divided according to the usage. For example, the multiple images may include an image for thumbnail, an image for a temporary representative image, and/or at least one image for a modification operation. 
     In operation  503 , the electronic device  101  may store one of the multiple images as a representative image. One of unmodified multiple images may be used as a temporary representative image displayed while the modification operation is performed. The temporary representative image may be different from a final representative image, and thus, the electronic device  101  may restrict authority to access another application or function for the temporary representative image. 
     In operation  505 , the electronic device  101  may generate a modified image by using at least one of the remaining images. The electronic device  101  may use a background process to generate the modified image so as to process another input of the user while the modification operation is performed. Since the background process is used, the electronic device  101  may perform another image-capturing operation while the modification operation is performed. For example, referring to  FIG.  6   , the image modification operation may be performed in the background process after an image capturing time and an image collection time of a first sequence  610  at time point t 1 . A second sequence  620  may start after the image modification time of the first sequence  610  starts, and similarly, a third sequence  630  may start after the image modification time of the second sequence time starts. 
     In operation  507 , the electronic device  101  may store the modified image as a representative image. Once the modification is completed, the electronic device  101  may store the same as a final representative image so as to display the modified image. The electronic device  101  may store the modified image as another representative image for replacing the temporary representative image. Since the modified image is the final representative image and may thus have an access authority configuration different from that of the temporary representative image. 
     In the embodiment described with reference to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , after the image modification operation, the modified image may be stored as a representative image. According to an embodiment, when the modification includes multiple modification operations (e.g., image quality improvement according to a first technique and image quality improvement and effect addition according to a second technique), the modified image may be updated whenever each modification operation is completed. As the modified image is updated, the representative image may be also updated. 
       FIG.  7    is a flow chart  700  illustrating determining of an image processing scheme in an electronic device according to various embodiments. The entity for performing an operation in the flow chart  700  illustrated in  FIG.  7    may be understood as the electronic device  101  or a component (e.g., the processor  120 ) of the electronic device  101 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , in operation  701 , the electronic device  101  (e.g., the processor  120 ) may identify an image-capturing mode and/or the state of the electronic device  101 . The image-capturing mode may be divided by at least one applied modification operation. The image-capturing mode may be determined by a selection of a user or determination (e.g., determination based on a surrounding environment) of the electronic device  101 . The state of the electronic device  101  may include the state of a resource (e.g., a memory usage state), a physical condition (e.g., an overheating degree), and/or whether to perform a follow-up operation (e.g., an operation of attaching the captured image to another application after image capturing or an operation of displaying a final image after image capturing) for an image-captured result. 
     In operation  703 , the electronic device  101  may determine an image processing scheme according an image-capturing mode and/or the state of the electronic device  101 . The image processing scheme may be divided by whether to perform the modification operation by the background process and/or at least one applied modification operation. According to the image processing scheme, the electronic device  101  may determine the number of images to be acquired from a camera module (e.g., the camera module  180 ), at least one modification operation to be performed, and/or scheduling of image processing. For example, when a resource of the electronic device  101  is not sufficient, the electronic device  101  may determine not to use the background process. In another example, when, in the image-capturing mode, no image modification is required, or image modification which can be processed with an operation amount equal to or less than a predetermined level is required, the electronic device  101  may determine not to use the background process. 
       FIG.  8    is a flow chart  800  illustrating determining of an image processing scheme according to the state of an electronic device according to various embodiments. The entity for performing an operation in the flow chart  800  illustrated in  FIG.  8    may be understood as the electronic device  101  or a component (e.g., the processor  120 ) of the electronic device  101 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , in operation  801 , the electronic device  101  may identify the state of the electronic device  101 . The state of the electronic device  101  may include the state of a resource (e.g., a memory usage state), a physical condition (e.g., an overheating degree), and/or whether to perform a follow-up operation (e.g., an operation of attaching the captured image to another application after image capturing or an operation of displaying a final image after image capturing) for an image-captured result. 
     In operation  803 , the electronic device  101  may determine whether the electronic device  101  is in a situation where immediacy is required. The situation where the immediacy is required may mean a case where a final result of the captured image is to be generated within a predetermined time. For example, when an operation is performed in an attach mode in which a final image is provided for another application after image capturing or when the final image is to be displayed after image capturing, it may be determined that the immediacy is required. When the immediacy is required, the electronic device  101  may process the image according to the IPP scheme in operation  805 . 
     When the immediacy is not required, the electronic device  101  may identify, in operation  807 , whether the electronic device  101  is in an overheating state. The overheating state may mean a state in which an inner temperature of the electronic device  101  exceeds a threshold value. The electronic device  101  may measure the temperature by using a sensor (e.g., the sensor module  176  of  FIG.  1   ), and compare the measured temperature with the threshold value. When the electronic device  101  is in the overheating state, the electronic device  101  may process the image according to the IPP scheme in operation  805 . 
     When the electronic device  101  is not in the overheating state, the electronic device  101  may identify, in operation  809 , whether an available memory is equal to or greater than a threshold value. For example, the threshold value may be defined according to a limit for an out of memory (OOM) declaration (e.g., double of the limit). If the available memory is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the electronic device  101  may identify, in operation  811 , whether an available memory (e.g., a buffer pool) in the camera is equal to or greater than a threshold value. On the other hand, if the available memory is less than the threshold value, or an available memory in the camera is less than the threshold value, the electronic device  101  may identify, in operation  813 , whether an available space in the file system is equal to or greater than a threshold value. In order to perform the image modification operation in the background process, a space for storing multiple images (e.g., the images  431  to  435  of  FIG.  4   ) and storing data generated during the modification operation may be required. More prompt reading/writing can be performed in the space in the memory compared to the space in the file system, and thus, the electronic device  101  may determine availability of the memory first and then may determine availability of the file system. The threshold value in operation  809 , the threshold value in operation  811 , and the threshold value in operation  813  may be independent or different from each other, or at least a part of the threshold values may be identical to each other. 
     If the available memory in the camera is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the electronic device  101  may process an image according to a memory-based PPP scheme in operation  815 . The memory-based PPP scheme may mean a scheme of allocating a storage space in the memory to the background process for the image modification operation. For example, the electronic device  101  may perform control to operate the background process according to the memory. If the available memory in the camera is less than the threshold value, and the available memory in the file system is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the electronic device  101  may process the image according to a file-based PPP scheme in operation  817 . The file-based PPP scheme may mean a scheme of allocating a storage space in the file system to the background process for the image modification operation. For example, the electronic device  101  may perform control to operate the background process according to the file system. If the available space in the file system is less than the threshold value, the electronic device  101  may process the image according the IPP scheme in operation  819 . 
     According to the above-described various embodiments, the electronic device  101  may process an image in the background process. An image shown to the user while the modification operation is performed in the background process corresponds to a temporary representative image and may be different from the final representative image. In order to inform the user of possibility of the representative image update, the electronic device  101  may display information on the image modification according to various embodiments. Hereinafter, embodiments for displaying the information on the image modification will be described. 
       FIG.  9    is a flow chart  900  illustrating displaying of information on image modification in an electronic device according to various embodiments.  FIG.  10    illustrates an example of indicating that image modification is being performed in an electronic device according to various embodiments.  FIG.  11    illustrates an example of an indicator indicating a progress rate of image modification in an electronic device according to various embodiments.  FIG.  12    illustrates an example of a notification indicating a progress rate of image modification in an electronic device according to various embodiments. The entity for performing an operation in the flow chart  900  illustrated in  FIG.  9    may be understood as the electronic device  101  or a component (e.g., the processor  120 ) of the electronic device  101 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , in operation  901 , the electronic device  101  may store a temporary representative image. An image that is not modified may be used as a temporary representative image. The temporary representative image may be displayed as a representative image until a modification operation is completed. 
     In operation  903 , the electronic device  101  may generate a background process for image modification. When a modification operation for an image is performed in a background process, the electronic device  101  may perform another operation (e.g., detection of an input of a user) during the image modification operation. 
     In operation  905 , the electronic device  101  may display information on the image modification. The information on the image modification may include at least one of information indicating that the modification operation is being performed, information indicating a progress rate of the modification operation, and/or information indicating the type of the performed modification operation. For example, while the image is modified in the background process, the electronic device  101  may display an item (e.g., an icon, an indicator, or a notification) informing the user of the image modification in progress. 
     According to an embodiment, while the representative image is displayed, information indicating the image modification in progress may be displayed. For example, as shown in  FIG.  10   , the electronic device  101  may display that the image modification is being formed by displaying an indicator  1004  under a representative image  1002   a . As the modification operation is performed, the updated representative images  1002   b ,  1002 C, and  1002   d  may be sequentially displayed, and the indicator  1004  may rotate to represent that the image modification is in progress. In another example, as shown in  FIG.  11   , a bar-type indicator  1104  indicating a progress rate of the modification operation may be displayed under a representative image  1102 . 
     According to another embodiment, information indicating that the image modification is in progress may be displayed through a separate interface that is different from an interface for displaying the representative image. For example, as shown in  FIG.  12   , a notification  1210  indicating a progress rate of the modification operation may be displayed by using a quick panel. Referring to  FIG.  12   , the notification  1210  may include a phrase  1212  indicating that the modification is in progress, information  1214  indicating a time for which the modification operation is performed, a name  1216  of a file subject to modification, and/or a bar  1218  indicating a progress rate. 
     According to above-described various embodiments, a modification operation for an image is performed in the background process, and information on the modification operation may be displayed. According to an embodiment, during the modification operation, a situation in which it is difficult to maintain the modification operation due to a change in the state of the electronic device  101  (e.g., a change in the state of a software or hardware resource) may occur. When a situation (e.g., hereafter, referred to as an “exceptional situation”) in which the modification operation is to be suspended occurs, the final representative image may not be generated. Hereinafter, embodiments for dealing with the exceptional situation will be described. 
       FIG.  13    is a flow chart  1300  illustrating processing of an exceptional situation in an electronic device according to various embodiments.  FIG.  14    illustrates an example at a time point of occurrence of an exceptional situation in an electronic device according to various embodiments. The entity for performing an operation in the flow chart  900  illustrated in  FIG.  13    may be understood as the electronic device  101  or a component (e.g., the processor  120 ) of the electronic device  101 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  13   , in operation  1301 , the electronic device  101  (e.g., the processor  120 ) may start an image processing process. For example, the electronic device  101  may determine a modification operation in a background process according an image-capturing mode and the state of the electronic device  101 , store a temporary representative image, and then generate a background process. For example, referring to  FIG.  14   , the electronic device  101  may store the temporary representative image at time point t 1  and perform image collection and image modification. 
     In operation  1303 , the electronic device  101  may identify whether the image modification has been completed. Once the image modification has been completed, the electronic device  101  may store the modified image in operation  1305 . The modified image may replace the previously stored temporary representative image. 
     If the image modification has not been completed, the electronic device  101  may identify whether an exceptional situation occurs in operation  1307 . The exceptional situation corresponds to a state in which the modification operation cannot be continued, and may be detected by the change in the state of the electronic device  101 . For example, when a storage space of the electronic device  101  is physically separated, a battery is used up or separated, or a system is shut down, the electronic device  101  may detect occurrence of the exceptional situation. 
     When the exceptional situation occurs, the electronic device  101  may store the temporary representative image as a final representative image in operation  1309 . Since the modification operation cannot be performed any longer, a temporarily stored representative image is confirmed as a final representative image. For example, the electronic device  101  may move an image stored as the temporary representative image to another storage space (e.g., a storage space in which no access restriction is configured). For example, referring to  FIG.  14   , an exceptional situation at time point t 2 , and the electronic device  101  may store the temporary representative image as a final representative image. 
     According to an embodiment, when the modification operation includes multiple modification operations, at least a part of the modification operation may be completed before the exceptional situations occurs. When the at least a part of the modification operation is completed, the representative image is updated with the modified image. In a case in which there is an image to which the at least a part of the modification operation is applied, when the exceptional situation occurs, the electronic device may store the image to which the at least a part of the modification operation is applied, instead of the initial temporary representative image, as a final representative image. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an operation method of an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  101 ) may include acquiring multiple images, storing one of the multiple images as a first representative image, generating a modified image by using at least one remaining image of the multiple images, and storing the modified image as a second representative image for replacing the first representative image. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the generating of the modified image may include generating the modified image in a background process. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the method may further include performing control to restrict authority to access the first representative image. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the method may further include identifying at least one of a capturing mode or a state of the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  101 ), and determining whether to perform the generating of the modified image in the background process, according to the at least one of the capturing mode or the state of the electronic device. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the determining of whether to perform the generating of the modified image in the background process may include determining to perform the generating of the modified image in the background process when a predefined condition is satisfied, wherein the predefined condition may include one of no requirement of immediacy of generating a final result of a captured image within a predetermined, an inner temperature of the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device  101 ), corresponding to a threshold value or lower, or existence of an allocatable storage space for modification in a memory or a file system. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the determining whether to perform the generating of the modified image in the background process may include controlling the background process to be operated according to the memory when the allocable storage space for modification exists in the memory, and controlling the background process to be operated according to the file system when the allocable storage space for modification exists in the file system. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the method may further include displaying information on modification for generating the modified image. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the information on the modification may include at least one of information indicating that the modification is being performed, information indicating a progress rate of the modification, and information indicating a type of a performed modification operation. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the information on the modification may be displayed while the first representative image is displayed, or may be displayed in a quick panel. 
     According to various embodiments of the disclosure, the method may further include storing the first representative image as a final representative image when an event causing suspension of the modification occurs during the modification for generating the modified image. 
     The electronic device according to various embodiments disclosed herein may be one of various types of electronic devices. The electronic devices may include, for example, a portable communication device (e.g., a smart phone), a computer device, a portable multimedia device, a portable medical device, a camera, a wearable device, or a home appliance. The electronic device according to embodiments of the disclosure is not limited to those described above. 
     It should be appreciated that various embodiments of the disclosure and the terms used therein are not intended to limit the technological features set forth herein to particular embodiments and include various changes, equivalents, or alternatives for a corresponding embodiment. With regard to the description of the drawings, similar reference numerals may be used to designate similar or relevant elements. It is to be understood that a singular form of a noun corresponding to an item may include one or more of the items, unless the relevant context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” may include all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as “a first”, “a second”, “the first”, and “the second” may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding element from another, and does not limit the elements in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood that if an element (e.g., a first element) is referred to, with or without the term “operatively” or “communicatively”, as “coupled with,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second element), it means that the element may be coupled with the other element directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third element. 
     As used herein, the term “module” may include a unit implemented in hardware, software, or firmware, and may be interchangeably used with other terms, for example, “logic,” “logic block,” “component,” or “circuit”. The “module” may be a minimum unit of a single integrated component adapted to perform one or more functions, or a part thereof. For example, according to an embodiment, the “module” may be implemented in the form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). 
     Various embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., the program  140 ) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., the internal memory  136  or external memory  138 ) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device  101 ). For example, a processor (e.g., the processor  120 ) of the machine (e.g., the electronic device  101 ) may invoke at least one of the one or more instructions stored in the storage medium, and execute it. This allows the machine to be operated to perform at least one function according to the at least one instruction invoked. The one or more instructions may include a code generated by a complier or a code executable by an interpreter. The machine-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Wherein, the term “non-transitory” simply means that the storage medium is a tangible device, and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), but this term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium. 
     According to an embodiment, a method according to various embodiments of the disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as a product between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM)), or be distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) online via an application store (e.g., Play Store™), or between two user devices (e.g., smart phones) directly. If distributed online, at least part of the computer program product may be temporarily generated or at least temporarily stored in the machine-readable storage medium, such as memory of the manufacturer&#39;s server, a server of the application store, or a relay server. 
     According to various embodiments, each element (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described elements may include a single entity or multiple entities. According to various embodiments, one or more of the above-described elements may be omitted, or one or more other elements may be added. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of elements (e.g., modules or programs) may be integrated into a single element. In such a case, according to various embodiments, the integrated element may still perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of elements in the same or similar manner as they are performed by a corresponding one of the plurality of elements before the integration. According to various embodiments, operations performed by the module, the program, or another element may be carried out sequentially, in parallel, repeatedly, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order or omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.