Abstract:
A flash-related function involves flash range indication to indicate when one or more subjects are in the range of a flash and indicate when one or more subjects are not in the range of the flash. The indications may be made to a user on an electronic viewfinder during photograph composition to assist the user in composing a quality photograph. Another flash-related function involves automatically turning on a fill flash when a potential subject is backlight.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The technology of the present disclosure relates generally to photography and, more particularly, to camera systems and methods for improving image quality with the use of flash-related functionality. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Photographing a scene sometimes may be improved with the use of a flash. For instance, in low light situations, the appearance of persons in a photograph may be improved when the photograph is taken during the firing of a flash. But the user may not appreciate when one or more subjects are in the range of the flash. As another example, when a subject is backlight, the appearance of the subject in a photograph may be improved when the photograph is taken during the firing of a flash. But the backlighting may indicate to automated camera setting functionality that a flash is not needed and/or to use a fast shutter speed. The result is that the subject may appear unintentionally dark in the photograph. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    To enhance taking photographs in various illumination situations, the present disclosure describes an improved camera systems and methods that include flash-related functionality. One flash-related function involves flash range indication to indicate when one or more subjects are in the range of a flash and indicate when one or more subjects are not in the range of a flash. The indications may be made to a user on an electronic viewfinder during photograph composition to assist the user in composing a quality photograph. In one embodiment, the range of plural potential subjects in the camera&#39;s field of view is determined. These ranges are individually compared to an effective range of the camera&#39;s flash. Subjects within the flash&#39;s effective range may be marked in a first manner on the camera&#39;s electronic viewfinder and subjects located beyond the flash&#39;s effective range may be marked in a second manner on the camera&#39;s electronic viewfinder. 
         [0004]    Another flash-related function involves automatically turning on a fill flash when a potential subject is backlight. In one embodiment, if illumination conditions indicate that a flash is not needed, a scan for subjects may be made. Scanning for subjects may involve, for example, face detection, hand detection, silhouette detection, human gait detection, animal detection, or the like. If a subject is detected, a fill flash may be used during the taking of a photograph. In addition, other settings may be adjusted, such as aperture and/or shutter speed. 
         [0005]    According to one aspect of the disclosure, a camera assembly includes a light source that provides supplemental illumination to a scene; a sensor that converts light from the scene into corresponding image data; an electronic viewfinder that displays a preview image of the scene; and a controller configured to analyze image data used to generate the preview image and detect the presence of plural subjects in the scene, and for each detected subject that is not in a range of the light source, cause display of an indicator that the subject is not in the range of the light source in conjunction with the preview image on the electronic viewfinder. 
         [0006]    According to one embodiment of the camera assembly, for each detected subject that is in range of the light source, the controller is further configured to cause display of an indicator that the subject is in range of the light source in conjunction with the preview image on the electronic viewfinder. 
         [0007]    According to one embodiment of the camera assembly, the indicator is a frame around the corresponding detected subject. 
         [0008]    According to one embodiment, the camera assembly further includes a distance meter configured to measure distance between each detected face and the camera assembly. 
         [0009]    According to one embodiment of the camera assembly, the subjects are faces of persons. 
         [0010]    According to one embodiment of the camera assembly, distance between each detected face and the camera assembly is approximated by analyzing characteristics of the face and comparing an area of the scene that the face occupies with a predetermined value for persons of similar characteristics, and after compensating for zoom, determining that the face is out of range if the area occupied by the face is smaller than the predetermined value. 
         [0011]    According to one embodiment of the camera assembly, the camera assembly is part of a mobile telephone. 
         [0012]    According to one embodiment of the camera assembly, the light source is a flash. 
         [0013]    According to another aspect of the disclosure, a camera assembly includes a light source that provides supplemental illumination to a scene; a sensor that converts light from the scene into corresponding image data; and a controller configured to a) analyze illumination data to detect presence of illumination conditions that indicate that no supplemental light source is needed for photograph image capture; b) analyze image data from a sensor to detect the presence of a subject and determine that the subject is within a range of the light source; c) analyze the image data from the sensor to detect that a tonal range of the subject is outside predetermined limits; and d) when a), b) and c) are satisfied, activate the light source during capturing of image data in response to user command. 
         [0014]    According to one embodiment of the camera assembly, illumination conditions that satisfy a) include the presence of backlighting of the subject. 
         [0015]    According to one embodiment of the camera assembly, the subject is detected by at least one of face detection, hand detection, human gait detection or silhouette detection. 
         [0016]    According to one embodiment of the camera assembly, the camera assembly is part of a mobile telephone. 
         [0017]    According to another aspect of the disclosure a method of camera assembly operation includes analyzing image data output by a sensor and used to generate a preview image for an electronic viewfinder to detect the presence of plural subjects in the scene; and for each detected subject that is not in a range of a supplemental light source, displaying an indicator that the subject is not in the range of the supplemental light source in conjunction with the preview image on the electronic viewfinder. 
         [0018]    According to one embodiment, the method further includes, for each detected subject that is in range of the supplemental light source, displaying of an indicator that the subject is in range of the supplemental light source in conjunction with the preview image on the electronic viewfinder. 
         [0019]    According to one embodiment of the method, the indicator is a frame around the corresponding detected subject. 
         [0020]    According to one embodiment, the method further includes measuring distance between each detected subject and the camera assembly with a distance meter. 
         [0021]    According to one embodiment of the method, the subjects are faces of persons. 
         [0022]    According to one embodiment of the method, distance between each detected face and the camera assembly is approximated by analyzing characteristics of the face and comparing an area of the scene that the face occupies with a predetermined value for persons of similar characteristics, and after compensating for zoom, determining that the face is out of range if the area occupied by the face is smaller than the predetermined value. 
         [0023]    According to one embodiment of the method, the camera assembly is part of a mobile telephone. 
         [0024]    According to one embodiment of the method, the supplemental light source is a flash. 
         [0025]    According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of camera assembly operation includes a) analyzing illumination data to detect presence of illumination conditions that indicate that no supplemental light source is needed for photograph image capture; b) analyzing image data from a sensor to detect the presence of a subject and determining that the subject is within a range of a supplemental light source of the camera assembly; c) analyzing the image data from the sensor to detect that a tonal range of the subject is outside predetermined limits; and d) when a), b) and c) are satisfied, activating the supplemental light source during capturing of image data in response to user command. 
         [0026]    According to one embodiment of the method, illumination conditions that satisfy a) include the presence of backlighting of the subject. 
         [0027]    According to one embodiment of the method, the subject is detected by at least one of face detection, hand detection, human gait detection or silhouette detection. 
         [0028]    According to one embodiment of the method, the camera assembly is part of a mobile telephone. 
         [0029]    These and further features will be apparent with reference to the following description and attached drawings. In the description and drawings, particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail as being indicative of some of the ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed, but it is understood that the invention is not limited correspondingly in scope. Rather, the invention includes all changes, modifications and equivalents coming within the scope of the claims appended hereto. 
         [0030]    Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are respectively a front view and a rear view of an exemplary electronic device that includes a representative camera assembly; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of the electronic device of  FIGS. 1 and 2  as part of a communications system in which the electronic device may operate; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an exemplary technique for indicating flash range; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary representation of a scene in which flash range is indicated using an electronic viewfinder under the technique of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of an exemplary technique for fill flash operation; and 
           [0036]      FIGS. 7 and 8  are exemplary representations of conditions under which a fill flash may be employed using the technique of  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    Embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale. 
         [0038]    Described below in conjunction with the appended figures are various embodiments of improved camera systems and methods of camera operation. In the illustrated embodiments, the camera system is embodied as a digital camera assembly that is made part of a mobile telephone. It will be appreciated that the disclosed camera technology may be applied to other operational contexts such as, but not limited to, a dedicated camera or another type of electronic device that has a camera. Examples of these other devices include, but are not limited to a video camera, a navigation device (commonly referred to as a “GPS” or “GPS device”), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a media player (e.g., an MP3 player), a gaming device, a “web” camera, a computer (including a laptop, an “ultra-mobile PC” or other type of computer), and an accessory for another electronic device. The camera assembly may be used to capture image data in the form of still images, also referred to as pictures and photographs, but it will be understood that the camera assembly may be capable of capturing video images in addition to still images. The camera operation techniques are described in the exemplary context of still photography, but it will be appreciated that the techniques may be used in connection with videography. 
         [0039]    Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an electronic device  10  is shown. The illustrated electronic device  10  is a mobile telephone. The electronic device  10  includes a camera assembly  12  for taking digital still pictures and/or digital video clips. It is emphasized that the electronic device  10  need not be a mobile telephone, but could be a dedicated camera or some other device as indicated above. 
         [0040]    With additional reference to  FIG. 3 , the camera assembly  12  may be arranged as a typical camera assembly that includes imaging optics  14  to focus light from a scene within the field of view of the camera assembly  12  onto a sensor  16 . The sensor  16  converts the incident light into image data. The imaging optics  14  may include a lens assembly and components that that supplement the lens assembly, such as a protective window, a filter, a prism, and/or a mirror. To adjust the focus of the camera assembly  12 , a focusing assembly that includes focusing mechanics and/or focusing control electronics may be present in conjunction with the imaging optics  14 . A zooming assembly also may be present to optically change the magnification of captured images. 
         [0041]    Other camera assembly  12  components may include a distance meter  18  (also referred to as a rangefinder), a supplemental illumination source (e.g., a flash  20 ), a light meter  22 , a display  24  for functioning as an electronic viewfinder and as part of an interactive user interface, a keypad  26  and/or buttons  28  for accepting user inputs, an optical viewfinder (not shown), and any other components commonly associated with cameras. One of the buttons  28  may be a shutter key that the user may depress to command the taking of a photograph. Alternatively, the shutter key and other user input functionality may be implemented using touch screen technology associated with the display  24 . 
         [0042]    Another component of the camera assembly  12  may be an electronic controller  30  that controls operation of the camera assembly  12 . The controller may be embodied, for example, as a processor that executes logical instructions that are stored by an associated memory, as firmware, as an arrangement of dedicated circuit components or as a combination of these embodiments. Thus, the method of operating the camera assembly  12  may be physically embodied as executable code (e.g., software) that is stored on a computer or machine readable medium, or may be physically embodied as part of an electrical circuit. In another embodiment, the functions of the electronic controller  30  may be carried out by a control circuit  32  that is responsible for overall operation of the electronic device  10 . In this case, the controller  30  may be omitted. In another embodiment, camera assembly  12  control functions may be distributed between the controller  30  and the control circuit  32 . 
         [0043]    The sensor  16  may capture data at a predetermined frame rate to generate a preview video signal that is displayed on the display  24  for operation as an electronic viewfinder to assist the user compose photographs. 
         [0044]    Certain objects from the scene may be classified as subjects and the controller  30  may be configured to ascertain the presence of subjects in the field of view of the camera assembly  12 . In one embodiment, subjects are persons. The identification of persons as subjects may be made by one or more techniques including, by not limited to, face detection, hand detection, silhouette detection, and human gait detection (e.g., detecting an object is human by recognizing a movement that is attributable to a person). In other embodiments, subjects may include other objects in addition to persons. Other objects may include, for example, animals, flowers, cars, text, and so forth. Subjects may be identified by processing of image data output by the sensor. Non-human subjects may be identified using object and/or scene theme recognition techniques. Text may be recognized using, for example, optical character recognition (OCR), and may be useful to identify signs that are present in the scene. 
         [0045]    Subject identification processing may be made even in low illumination conditions using infrared (or “see-in-the-dark”) image data capturing and processing. In addition, facial recognition may be used to determine the identity of persons in the scene and/or identify characteristics of persons in the scene. Identifiable characteristics may include, for example, a subject&#39;s gender, a subject&#39;s approximate age, and so forth. 
         [0046]    The distance meter  18  may determine a distance between subjects in the scene and the camera assembly  12 . In other embodiments, the distance between subject in the scene and the camera assembly  12  may be approximated by the controller  30  without the use of a distance meter that measures actual distance. For instance, face detection may be used to identify subjects in the scene. Then, the size of each face may be determined, such as by calculating the area of the scene that the face consumes. Using average face size information at the limit of the range of the flash, and compensating for an amount of zoom, a determination of the approximate distance between the subject and the camera assembly  12  may be made. For instance, if the determined face size is larger than average, the face may be in the range of the flash. But if the determined face size is smaller than average, the face may not be in range of the flash. More accurate approximation may be made if the subject&#39;s identity, gender, age and/or other characteristic is determined. In this case, the face size information to which the detected face size is compared may be selected with more specificity for more accurate range determination. For example, if a determination is made that the subject is an adult female, the detected face size may be compared to an appropriate adult female control value. As another example, if a determination is made that the subject is a male child, a male child value may be used. 
         [0047]    The light meter  22  may be used to evaluate illumination conditions in the scene. Data from the light meter  22  may be analyzed by the controller  30  to adjust settings of the camera assembly  12 , such as flash operation (on or off), flash power (if variable), aperture size, shutter speed, etc. 
         [0048]    In the following description of exemplary camera operations, the flash  20  is the supplemental illumination source. It will be understood that the supplemental illumination source may be another type of source, such as a lamp (e.g., for supporting videography), a photo lamp (e.g., a non-flash LED), or other illumination device. Also, the display  24  may be used as a light source. For instance, if the camera assembly  12  is a webcam or a camera for video telephony, the display  24  may be driven to display a large amount of white or to produce other light output so as to assist in illuminating the user. In addition, the exemplary camera operations may be used in conjunction with red-eye reduction techniques where the scene is illuminated prior to photo imaging to reduce pupil size of any human subjects. 
         [0049]    With additional reference to  FIG. 4 , illustrated is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of operating a camera assembly  12  while indicating flash range to a user of the camera assembly  12 . In this operational mode, face detection is used to discern distances of human targets and/or other types of subjects. For purposes of the description, the following describes indicating whether persons are within range of a flash. But the techniques equally apply to other types of subjects. Using the distance values, facial targets that are in range of the flash  20  may be graphically indicated on the electronic viewfinder  24  and/or facial targets that are not in range of the flash  20  may be graphically indicated on the electronic viewfinder  24 . The graphic indications provide the use with feedback with respect to which faces may be exposed with the assistance of the flash  20  if a picture were to be taken, thereby assisting the user in composing the photograph before the photographic is taken. The method depicted by  FIG. 4  may be carried out only when illumination conditions or manual settings indicate that the flash  20  is to be operated. In other situations, the method need not be carried out. 
         [0050]    The exemplary method may be carried out by executing code stored by the electronic device  10 , for example. Thus, the flow chart of  FIG. 4  may be thought of as depicting steps of a method carried out by the electronic device  10 . 
         [0051]    Variations to the illustrated method are possible and, therefore, the illustrated embodiment should not be considered the only manner of carrying out the techniques that are disclosed in this document. Also, while  FIG. 4  shows a specific order of executing functional logic blocks, the order of executing the blocks may be changed relative to the order shown. In addition, two or more blocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Certain blocks also may be omitted. 
         [0052]    The logical flow may begin in block  34  where, during viewfinder operation, faces in the field of view of the camera assembly  12  are detected. The distance between each face and the camera assembly  12  also is determined. Next, in block  36 , a determination may be made as to whether a detected face is within the effective range of the flash  20 . The range of the flash  20  may be predetermined. For instance, the range of the flash  20  may be based on known characteristics of the model of the flash that is made part of the camera assembly  12 . 
         [0053]    If a positive determination is made, the logical flow may proceed to block  38  where the face is graphically marked on the preview image of the electronic viewfinder  24  as being in range of the flash  20 . If a negative determination is made, the logical flow may proceed to block  40  where the face is graphically marked on the preview image of the electronic viewfinder  24  as not being in range of the flash  20 . 
         [0054]    With additional reference to  FIG. 5 , illustrated is an exemplary preview image  42  that is displayed on the electronic viewfinder  24 . As will be appreciated, the illustrated preview image  42  is frozen at a moment in time, but will typically be displayed in dynamic fashion to be updated with the corresponding scene. The determination of faces that are in and/or out of flash range, together with the graphical indications thereof, also may be dynamically updated. 
         [0055]    In the illustrated example, the preview image  42  is of a group of five persons where five corresponding faces  44   a  through  44   e  have been detected. Exemplary faces  44   a,    44   b  and  44   e  are closer to the camera assembly  12  than exemplary faces  44   c  and  44   d,  which appear more in the background of the scene. For purposes of the example, it will be assumed that faces  44   a,    44   b  and  44   e  are in range of the flash  20  and that faces  44   c  and  44   d  are not in range of the flash  20 . 
         [0056]    Graphically marking a face as being in range or out of range of the flash  20  may be made in any suitable manner. In the illustrated example, a solid frame  46  (e.g., a frame drawn with a solid line) is placed around each face that is in range of the flash  20  and a dashed frame  48  (e.g., a frame drawn with a broken line) is placed around each face that is not in range of the flash  20 . As another example, all detect faces may be framed with a solid line, but where faces in range of the flash  20  receive a frame having a first color (e.g., green) and faces not in range of the flash  20  receive a frame having a second color (e.g., red). The illustrated frames are generally rectangular. It will be appreciated that other shapes (e.g., ovals, circles, polygons, etc.) may be used. Also, marking may be made using other techniques. For example, semi-transparent color areas may be positioned over the subjects, arrows may be used, or text may be used. As another example, a lighting bolt icon representing flash operation may be displayed in connection with faces that are in range of the flash  20  and an icon with a lighting bolt that has been crossed-through may be displayed in connection with faces that are not in range of the flash  20 . 
         [0057]    Following block  38  or block  40 , the logical flow may proceed to block  50  where a determination is made as to whether the last detected face has been analyzed. If a negative determination is made, the logical flow may return to block  36  to analyze another detected face. If a positive determined is made in block  50 , the logical flow may proceed to block  52 . In block  52 , a photograph may be captured and stored in memory in response to user action, such as depression of a shutter release button. 
         [0058]    The foregoing flash range indication technique provides the photographer with feedback as to which subjects may appear well exposed due to the flash  20  and which subjects may appear dark because they are too far away from the camera assembly  12  to be effectively illuminated with the flash  20 . Most users do not have a good idea of the effective range of the flash  20 . Therefore, the indication technique may assist the user compose desirable photographs by repositioning the camera assembly  12  relative to the scene and/or repositioning the subjects within the scene. The disclosed techniques have advantage over conventional photography. For example, the user may be able to better predict when a “good” photo will be taken versus when a “bad” photo will be taken that has subjects that are not well exposed. This may be especially true when zoom is used and the field of view of the camera is concentrated on a distant scene where flash operation will not have much of an effect in providing supplemental illumination. 
         [0059]    In one embodiment, the camera assembly  12  may be further configured to detect if a subject is positioned behind another subject or other object in such a manner that the presence of the item in the foreground may cast a shadow on the subject during firing of the flash. Subjects that may be fully or partially exposed to a cast shadow may be marked on the electronic viewfinder as being out of range of the flash (e.g., in accordance with block  40 ) or with another graphical indicator that conveys the possibility of the occurrence of a cast shadow on the subject during firing of the flash. 
         [0060]    With additional reference to  FIG. 6 , illustrated is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of operating a camera assembly  12  in a manner to improve exposure of one or more subjects that are backlit. In this operational mode, one or more of the above-described techniques for identifying a human subject (or part of a person) and/or other types of subjects may be employed. 
         [0061]    Additional reference is made to  FIGS. 7 and 8  for exemplary situations where human subjects are backlit. In the example of  FIG. 7 , face and/or silhouette detection may be able to identify a human subject  44   f  that is backlit by a light source  54   a.  In the illustrated embodiment, the light source  54   a  is the sun. In the example of  FIG. 8 , human gait detection and/or face detection may be able to identify a human subject  44   g  that is engaged in dance and backlit by a light source  54   b.  In the illustrated embodiment, the light source  54   b  is light coming through a window. Another typical backlight source is a lamp. While these examples relate to human subjects, the disclosed techniques are equally applicable to non-human subjects. 
         [0062]    The exemplary method may be carried out by executing code stored by the electronic device  10 , for example. Thus, the flow chart of  FIG. 6  may be thought of as depicting steps of a method carried out by the electronic device  10 . 
         [0063]    Variations to the illustrated method are possible and, therefore, the illustrated embodiment should not be considered the only manner of carrying out the techniques that are disclosed in this document. Also, while  FIG. 6  shows a specific order of executing functional logic blocks, the order of executing the blocks may be changed relative to the order shown. In addition, two or more blocks shown in succession may be executed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Certain blocks also may be omitted. 
         [0064]    The logical flow may begin in block  56  where light metering of the scene indicates that there is a backlighting condition, such as by detecting a region of relatively high illumination level. In another embodiment, directly detecting a backlighting condition need not be made. Rather, the light metering of the scene may indicate that there is sufficient light to not use the flash. 
         [0065]    Next, in block  58 , a determination may be made as to whether a subject is detected in the scene using any one or more of the foregoing subject-detection techniques. Also, if a subject is detected, the distance between the subject and the camera assembly  12  may be determined using any one or more of the foregoing distance-determining techniques. A further determination may be made as to whether the subject is within the effective range of the flash  20 . If a negative determination is made in block  58  (e.g., no subject is detected or, if a subject is detected, the subject is outside the range of the flash  20 ), then the logical flow may proceed to block  60 . In block  60  a photograph may be captured and stored in memory in response to user action, such as depression of a shutter release button. In one embodiment, no flash may be used during the capture of the photograph in block  60 . However, shutter speed and/or aperture may be adjusted based on the lighting conditions. 
         [0066]    If a positive determination is made in block  58  (e.g., a subject is present within the effective range of the flash  20 ), the logical flow may proceed to block  62 . In block  62  a determination may be made as to whether the subject has an acceptable tonal range. In one embodiment, acceptable tonal range may be found if color presence is found above a predetermined threshold (e.g., below the threshold indicating a dark subject that is silhouetted by the light source  54 ). If the subject has acceptable tonal range, the backlighting may not have a significant negative effect on the imaging of the subject. Therefore, if a positive determination is made in block  62 , the logical flow may proceed to block  60 . In one embodiment, the functionality of block  62  may be reserved for human subjects and need not be carried out for non-human subjects. In this embodiment, tonal range acceptability may be determined by detecting the presence of flash tones in the area of the subject in an amount that exceeds a predetermined threshold. 
         [0067]    If a negative determination is made in block  62 , the logical flow may proceed to block  64 . In block  64  a photograph may be captured and stored in memory in response to user action, such as depression of a shutter release button. During the taking of the photograph in block  64 , the flash  20  may be fired to serve as a fill flash for the subject. Also, shutter speed and/or aperture may be adjusted based on the lighting conditions and the use of the flash  20 . 
         [0068]    In the technique described in connection with  FIG. 6 , the fill flash is fired under appropriate conditions without user action. In that sense, the fill flash is employed automatically when conditions indicate that the fill flash will be of value to exposing the subject. If the user is interested in capturing a silhouette of a subject for artistic reasons, the functionality may be turned off. However, in most situations, the functionality will lead to improved photographic results without added action by the user. 
         [0069]    As indicated, the illustrated electronic device  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is a mobile telephone. Features of the electronic device  10 , when implemented as a mobile telephone, will be described with additional reference to  FIG. 3 . The display  24  displays graphical user interfaces, information and content (e.g., images, video and other graphics) to a user to enable the user to utilize the various features of the electronic device  10 . The display  24  may be coupled to the control circuit  32  by a video processing circuit  66  that converts video data to a video signal used to drive the display  18 . The video processing circuit  66  may include any appropriate buffers, decoders, video data processors and so forth. 
         [0070]    The keypad  26  and/or buttons  28  provide for a variety of user input operations. For example, the keypad  26  may include alphanumeric keys for allowing entry of alphanumeric information. Navigation and select keys or a pointing device also may be present. Keys or key-like functionality also may be embodied as a touch screen associated with the display  24 . 
         [0071]    The electronic device  10  includes communications circuitry that enables the electronic device  10  to establish communication with another device. Communications may include voice calls, video calls, data transfers, and the like. Communications may occur over a cellular circuit-switched network or over a packet-switched network (e.g., a network compatible with IEEE 802.11, which is commonly referred to as WiFi, or a network compatible with IEEE 802.16, which is commonly referred to as WiMAX). Data transfers may include, but are not limited to, receiving streaming content, receiving data feeds, downloading and/or uploading data (including Internet content), receiving or sending messages (e.g., text messages, instant messages, electronic mail messages, multimedia messages), and so forth. This data may be processed by the electronic device  10 , including storing the data in a memory  68 , executing applications to allow user interaction with the data, displaying video and/or image content associated with the data, outputting audio sounds associated with the data, and so forth. 
         [0072]    In the exemplary embodiment, the communications circuitry may include an antenna  70  coupled to a radio circuit  72 . The radio circuit  72  includes a radio frequency transmitter and receiver for transmitting and receiving signals via the antenna  70 . The radio circuit  72  may be configured to operate in a mobile communications system  74 . Radio circuit  72  types for interaction with a mobile radio network and/or broadcasting network include, but are not limited to, global system for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband CDMA (WCDMA), general packet radio service (GPRS), WiFi, WiMAX, integrated services digital broadcasting (ISDB), high speed packet access (HSPA), etc., as well as advanced versions of these standards or any other appropriate standard. It will be appreciated that the electronic device  10  may be capable of communicating using more than one standard. Therefore, the antenna  70  and the radio circuit  72  may represent one or more than one radio transceiver. 
         [0073]    The system  74  may include a communications network  76  having a server  78  (or servers) for managing calls placed by and destined to the electronic device  10 , transmitting data to and receiving data from the electronic device  10  and carrying out any other support functions. The server  78  communicates with the electronic device  10  via a transmission medium. The transmission medium may be any appropriate device or assembly, including, for example, a communications base station (e.g., a cellular service tower, or “cell” tower), a wireless access point, a satellite, etc. The network  76  may support the communications activity of multiple electronic devices  10  and other types of end user devices. As will be appreciated, the server  78  may be configured as a typical computer system used to carry out server functions and may include a processor configured to execute software containing logical instructions that embody the functions of the server  78  and a memory to store such software. In alternative arrangements, the electronic device  10  may wirelessly communicate directly with another electronic device  10  (e.g., another mobile telephone or a computer) and without an intervening network. 
         [0074]    As indicated, the electronic device  10  may include the primary control circuit  32  that is configured to carry out overall control of the functions and operations of the electronic device  10 . The control circuit  32  may include a processing device  80 , such as a central processing unit (CPU), microcontroller or microprocessor. The processing device  80  executes code stored in a memory (not shown) within the control circuit  32  and/or in a separate memory, such as the memory  68 , in order to carry out operation of the electronic device  10 . The memory  68  may be, for example, one or more of a buffer, a flash memory, a hard drive, a removable media, a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a random access memory (RAM), or other suitable device. In a typical arrangement, the memory  68  may include a non-volatile memory for long term data storage and a volatile memory that functions as system memory for the control circuit  32 . The memory  68  may exchange data with the control circuit  32  over a data bus. Accompanying control lines and an address bus between the memory  68  and the control circuit  32  also may be present. 
         [0075]    The electronic device  10  further includes a sound signal processing circuit  82  for processing audio signals transmitted by and received from the radio circuit  72 . Coupled to the sound processing circuit  82  are a speaker  84  and a microphone  86  that enable a user to listen and speak via the electronic device  10 , and hear sounds generated in connection with other functions of the device  10 . The sound processing circuit  82  may include any appropriate buffers, decoders, amplifiers and so forth. 
         [0076]    The electronic device  10  may further include one or more input/output (I/O) interface(s)  88 . The I/O interface(s)  88  may be in the form of typical mobile telephone I/O interfaces and may include one or more electrical connectors for operatively connecting the electronic device  10  to another device (e.g., a computer) or an accessory (e.g., a personal handsfree (PHF) device) via a cable. Further, operating power may be received over the I/O interface(s)  88  and power to charge a battery of a power supply unit (PSU)  90  within the electronic device  10  may be received over the I/O interface(s)  88 . The PSU  90  may supply power to operate the electronic device  10  in the absence of an external power source. 
         [0077]    The electronic device  10  also may include various other components. A position data receiver  92 , such as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, may be involved in determining the location of the electronic device  10 . A local wireless transceiver  94 , such as a Bluetooth chipset, may be used to establish communication with a nearby device, such as an accessory (e.g., a PHF device), another mobile radio terminal, a computer or another device. 
         [0078]    Although certain embodiments have been shown and described, it is understood that equivalents and modifications falling within the scope of the appended claims will occur to others who are skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification.