Patent Description:
With the development of information and communication technology and semiconductor technology, electronic devices provide various functions, such as functions related to voice calls, messages, broadcasting, wireless Internet, cameras, and music playback.

An electronic device may acquire image content desired by a user using a camera (e.g., an image sensor). The image content may include a still image and/or a moving image. <CIT> discloses an electronic device and method for recording videos in super slow motion. <CIT>discloses an electronic device and method for image composition.

An electronic device may acquire image content using a camera included therein based on a user input related to photographing. When receiving a user input related to a still image, the electronic device may acquire a still image through the camera corresponding to the user input. When receiving a user input related to a moving image, the electronic device may acquire a moving image through the camera corresponding to the user input.

In order to obtain various types of image content for the same subject, the user of the electronic device may experience inconvenience of performing multiple inputs related to different types of image content (e.g., still images or moving images). In addition, the electronic device may not be able to acquire various types of image content through the camera at one time.

The disclosure is provided to address at least the problems and/or disadvantages described above and to provide at least the advantages described below.

An aspect of the disclosure is to provide an apparatus and method for providing various types of image content based on a single user input related to photographing in an electronic device.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device is provided, which includes a display device; a first camera; a processor; and a memory configured to store instructions, which when executed, instruct the processor to acquire a plurality of first images having a first attribute and one or more second images having a second attribute through the first camera for a predetermined time, when an input associated with image acquisition is received, generate one or more image content based on the plurality of first images or the one or more second images, and output the one or more image content through the display device.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a method is provided for operating an electronic device. The method includes acquiring a plurality of first images having a first attribute and one or more second images having a second attribute through a first camera of the electronic device for a predetermined time, when an input associated with image acquisition is received; generating one or more image content based on the plurality of first images or the one or more second images; and outputting the one or more image content.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> illustrates an electronic device <NUM> in a network environment <NUM> according to an embodiment.

According to an embodiment, the auxiliary processor <NUM> (e.g., an ISP or a CP) may be implemented as part of another component (e.g., the camera module <NUM> or the communication module <NUM>) functionally related to the auxiliary processor <NUM>.

The input device <NUM> may include, for example, a microphone, a mouse, a keyboard, or a digital pen (e.g., stylus pen).

According to an embodiment, the camera module <NUM> may include one or more lenses, image sensors, ISPs, or flashes.

The communication module <NUM> may include one or more CPs that are operable independently from the processor <NUM> (e.g., the AP) and supports a direct (e.g., wired) communication or a wireless communication. A corresponding one of these communication modules may communicate with the external electronic device via the first network <NUM> (e.g., a short-range communication network, such as Bluetooth™, wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) direct, or IR data association (IrDA)) or the second network <NUM> (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)). The wireless communication module <NUM> may identify and authenticate the electronic device <NUM> in a communication network, such as the first network <NUM> or the second network <NUM>, using subscriber information (e.g., international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) stored in the SIM <NUM>.

Each of the external electronic devices <NUM> and <NUM> may be a device of a same type as, or a different type, from the electronic device <NUM>.

The electronic device according to certain embodiments may be one of various types of electronic devices.

As used herein, such terms as "<NUM> st" and "2nd," or "first" and "second" may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order).

For example, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the module may be implemented in a form of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Certain embodiments as set forth herein may be implemented as software (e.g., the program <NUM>) including one or more instructions that are stored in a storage medium (e.g., internal memory <NUM> or external memory <NUM>) that is readable by a machine (e.g., the electronic device <NUM>). 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 of the disclosure, a method according to certain embodiments of the disclosure may be included and provided in a computer program product.

According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, each component (e.g., a module or a program) of the above-described components may include a single entity or multiple entities. According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, one or more of the above-described components may be omitted, or one or more other components may be added. In such a case, according to certain embodiments of the disclosure, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components in the same or similar manner as they are performed by a corresponding one of the plurality of components before the integration. According to certain embodiments of the disclosure, operations performed by the module, the program, or another component 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.

<FIG> illustrates a front side of an electronic device according to an embodiment. <FIG> illustrates a rear side of an electronic device according to an embodiment. For example, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG> may be at least partially similar to the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, or may include other embodiments of the electronic device.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, which includes a first surface (or a front surface) 210A, a second surface (or a rear surface) 210B, and a side surface 210C surrounding the space between the first surface 210A and the second surface 210B. The term "housing" may mean a structure forming some of the first surface 210A, the second surface 210B, and the side surface 210C in <FIG>. At least a portion of the first surface 210A may be formed by a substantially transparent front plate <NUM> (e.g., a glass plate or a polymer plate including various coating layers). The second surface 210B may be formed by a substantially opaque rear plate <NUM>. The rear plate <NUM> may be formed of coated or colored glass, ceramic, polymer, metal (e.g., aluminum, stainless steel (STS), or magnesium), or a combination of two or more of these materials. The side surface 210C may be formed by a side bezel structure (or a "side member") <NUM> coupled to the front plate <NUM> and the rear plate <NUM> and including metal and/or polymer. The rear plate <NUM> and the side bezel structure <NUM> may be integrally formed, and may include the same material (e.g., a metal material such as aluminum).

The front plate <NUM> includes first regions 210D, which are bent from the first surface 210A toward the rear plate <NUM> and extend seamlessly, at the long opposite side edges thereof. The rear plate <NUM> includes, at the long opposite side edges thereof, second regions 210E, which are bent from the second surface 210B toward the front plate <NUM> and extend seamlessly. The front plate <NUM> or the rear plate <NUM> may include only one of the first regions 210D or the second regions 210E. Alternatively, the front plate <NUM> may not include the first regions 210D and the second regions 210E, but may include only a flat plane disposed parallel to the second surface 210B. When viewed from a side of the electronic device <NUM>, the side bezel structure <NUM> may have a first thickness (or width) on the side surface portions where the first regions 210D or the second regions 210E are not included, and may have a second thickness (or width), which is smaller than the first thickness, on the side surface portions where the first regions 210D or the second regions 210E are included.

The electronic device <NUM> includes a display <NUM>, an input device <NUM> or <NUM>, a sound output device <NUM> or <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM> or <NUM>, a camera module <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, a key input device <NUM>, an indicator, or a connector <NUM>. In the electronic device <NUM>, at least one of the components ((e.g., the key input device <NUM> or the indicator) may be omitted, or other components may be additionally included.

The display <NUM> may be exposed through a substantial portion of the front plate <NUM>. Alternatively, at least a portion of the display <NUM> may be exposed through the front plate <NUM> forming the first surface 210A and the first regions 210D of the side surfaces 210C. The display <NUM> may be coupled to or disposed adjacent to a touch-sensing circuit, a pressure sensor capable of measuring touch intensity (pressure), and/or a digitizer configured to detect a magnetic-field-type stylus pen. At least some of sensor modules <NUM> or <NUM> and/or at least some of key input devices <NUM> may be disposed in the first regions 210D and/or the second regions 210E.

The input devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include microphones <NUM> and <NUM>. A first input device <NUM> may include a plurality of microphones <NUM> arranged to sense the direction of sound. A second input device <NUM> may be disposed on the second surface 210B so as to interlock with the second camera device <NUM>.

The sound output devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include speakers <NUM> and <NUM>. The speakers <NUM> and <NUM> may include an external speaker <NUM> and a phone call receiver <NUM>. The microphones <NUM> and <NUM>, the speakers <NUM> and <NUM>, and the connector <NUM> are disposed in the space in the electronic device <NUM>, and may be exposed to the external environment through one or more holes formed in the housing <NUM>. The holes formed in the housing <NUM> may be commonly used for the microphones <NUM> and <NUM> and the speakers <NUM> and <NUM>. The sound output devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include a speaker that operates without a separate speaker hole (e.g., a piezo speaker).

The sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> may generate an electrical signal or a data value corresponding to the internal operating state or an external environmental state of the electronic device <NUM>. The sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first sensor module <NUM> (e.g., a proximity sensor) and/or a second sensor module (e.g., a fingerprint sensor) disposed on the first surface 210A of the housing <NUM>, and/or a third sensor module <NUM> disposed on the second surface 210B of the housing <NUM>. The fingerprint sensor may be disposed on the first surface 210A of the housing <NUM> (e.g., a home key button), a region in the second surface 210B, or under the display <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may include other sensor modules, such as a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an IR sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

The camera modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a first camera device <NUM> disposed on the first surface 210A of the electronic device <NUM>, a second camera device <NUM> disposed on the second surface 210B, and/or a flash <NUM>. The camera modules <NUM> and <NUM> may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, and/or an ISP. The flash <NUM> may include a light-emitting diode or a xenon lamp. Two or more lenses (e.g., a wide-angle lens, a super-wide-angle lens, and a telephoto lens) and image sensors may be disposed on one surface of the electronic device <NUM>.

The key input devices <NUM> may be disposed on the side face 210C of the housing <NUM>. Alternatively, the electronic device <NUM> omit some or all of the key input devices <NUM>, and a key input device <NUM> not included in the electronic device <NUM> may be implemented in another form, such as a soft key on the display <NUM>. A key input device <NUM> may be implemented using a pressure sensor included in the display <NUM>.

The indicator may be disposed on the first surface 210A of the housing <NUM>. The indicator may provide the status information about the electronic device <NUM> in an optical form. The indicator may provide a light source that is interlocked with the operation of the camera module <NUM>. The indicator may include a light emitting diode (LED), an IR LED, and a xenon lamp.

The connector holes <NUM> may include a first connector hole <NUM> capable of accommodating a connector (e.g., a USB connector) for transmitting/receiving power and/or data to or from an external electronic device. The electronic device <NUM> may include a second connector hole (or an earphone jack) capable of accommodating a connector for transmitting/receiving an audio signal with respect to an external electronic device.

Some of the camera modules <NUM> and <NUM>, some of the sensor modules <NUM> and <NUM>, and/or the indicator may be disposed to be exposed through the display <NUM>. For example, the first camera device <NUM>, the first sensor module <NUM>, and/or the indicator may be disposed in the internal space in the electronic device <NUM> to be in contact with the external environment through a through hole perforated in the display <NUM> up to the front plate <NUM>.

Alternatively, the first sensor module <NUM> and/or the first camera device <NUM> may be disposed in the internal space in the electronic device so as to perform the functions thereof without being visually exposed through the front plate <NUM>. In this case, a through hole may not be necessary in the region in which the display <NUM> faces the first sensor module <NUM> and/or the first camera device <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an electronic device in an unfolded or flat state according to an embodiment. <FIG> illustrates a front side of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to an embodiment. <FIG> illustrates a rear side of an electronic device in an unfolded state according to an embodiment. For example, the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG> may be at least partially similar to the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, or may include other embodiments of the electronic device.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> includes a pair of housings <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., foldable housings), which are rotatably coupled to each other to be folded about a hinge module. The electronic device <NUM> includes a flexible display <NUM> (e.g., a foldable display) disposed in a region formed by the pair of housings <NUM> and <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> are disposed on opposite sides about a folding axis (axis A), and may have substantially symmetrical shapes with respect to the folding axis (axis A). The first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> may form an angle or a distance therebetween, which may be variable depending on whether the electronic device <NUM> is in an unfolded or flat state, in a folded state, or in an intermediate state.

The housings <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first housing <NUM> (e.g., a first housing structure) coupled to the hinge module and a second housing <NUM> (e.g., the second housing structure) coupled to the hinge module. The first housing <NUM> includes, in the unfolded state, a first surface <NUM> facing a first direction (e.g., front direction) (+z axis direction) and a second surface <NUM> facing a second direction (e.g., rear direction) (-z axis direction) opposite the first surface <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> includes, in the unfolded state, a third surface <NUM> facing the first direction (+z axis direction) and a fourth surface <NUM> facing the second direction (-z axis direction). The electronic device <NUM> may be operated such that, in the unfolded state, the first surface <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> and the third surface <NUM> of the second housing <NUM> face substantially the same direction, i.e., the first direction (+z axis direction) and in the folded state, the first surface <NUM> and the third surface <NUM> face each other. The electronic device <NUM> may be operated such that, in the unfolded state, the second surface <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> and the fourth surface <NUM> of the second housing <NUM> face substantially the same direction, i.e., the second direction (-z axis direction) and in the folded state, the second surface <NUM> and the fourth surface <NUM> face opposite directions. In the folded state, the second surface <NUM> may face the first direction (+z axis direction), and the fourth surface <NUM> may face the second direction (-z axis direction).

The electronic device <NUM> may be operated such that, in the unfolded state, the first surface <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> and the third surface <NUM> of the second housing <NUM> face substantially the same direction, i.e., the first direction (+z axis direction) and in the folded state, the first surface <NUM> and the third surface <NUM> face opposite directions. The electronic device <NUM> may be operated such that, in the unfolded state, the second surface <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> and the fourth surface <NUM> of the second housing <NUM> face substantially the same direction, i.e., the second direction (-z axis direction) and in the folded state, the second surface <NUM> and the fourth surface <NUM> face each other.

The first housing <NUM> includes a first side frame <NUM> forming at least a portion of the exterior of the electronic device <NUM> and a first rear cover <NUM> coupled to the first side frame <NUM> and forming at least a portion of the second surface <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. The first side frame <NUM> includes a first side surface 233a, a second side surface 233b extending from one end of the first side surface 233a, and a third side face 233c extending from the other end of the first side surface 233a. The first side frame <NUM> may be formed in a rectangular (e.g., square or rectangular) shape through the first side 233a, the second side 233b, and the third side 233c.

The second housing <NUM> includes a second side frame <NUM> forming at least a portion of the exterior of the electronic device <NUM> and a second rear cover <NUM> coupled to the second side frame <NUM> and forming at least a portion of the fourth surface <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>. The second side frame <NUM> includes a fourth side surface 243a, a fifth side surface 243b extending from one end of the fourth side surface 243a, and a sixth side face 243c extending from the other end of the fourth side surface 233a. The second side frame <NUM> may be formed in a rectangular shape through the fourth side 243a, the fifth side 243b, and the sixth side 243c.

The housing structures <NUM> and <NUM> are not limited to the illustrated shape and assembly, but may be implemented by other shapes or other combinations and/or assemblies of components. For example, the first side frame <NUM> and the first rear cover <NUM> may be integrally formed, and the second side frame <NUM> and the second rear cover <NUM> may be integrally formed.

When the electronic device <NUM> is in the unfolded state, the second side surface 233b of the first side frame <NUM> and the fifth side surface 243b of the second side frame <NUM> may be connected to each other without a gap. When the electronic device <NUM> is in the unfolded state, the third side surface 233c of the first side frame <NUM> and the sixth side surface 243c of the second side frame <NUM> may be connected to each other without a gap. The electronic device <NUM> may be configured such that, in the unfolded state, the total length of the second side surface 233b and the fifth side surface 243b is longer than the first side surface 233a and/or the fourth side surface 243a. In addition, the electronic device <NUM> may be configured such that the total length of the third side surface 233c and the sixth side surface 243c is longer than the first side surface 233a and/or the fourth side surface 243a.

The flexible display <NUM> may be disposed to extend from the first surface <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> to at least a portion of the third surface <NUM> of the second housing <NUM> across the hinge module. The flexible display <NUM> includes a first flat portion 250a substantially corresponding to the first surface <NUM>, a second flat portion 250b corresponding to the second surface <NUM>, and a bendable portion 250c interconnecting the first flat portion 250a and the second flat portion 250b and corresponding to the hinge module. The electronic device <NUM> includes a first protective cover <NUM> (e.g., a first protective frame or a first decorative member) coupled along edges of the first housing <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> includes a second protective cover <NUM> (e.g., a second protective frame or a second decorative member) coupled along edges of the second housing <NUM>. The flexible display <NUM> may be positioned such that edges of the first flat portion 250a are interposed between the first housing <NUM> and the first protective cover <NUM>. The flexible display <NUM> may be positioned such that the edges of the second flat portion 250b are interposed between the second housing <NUM> and the second protective cover <NUM>. The flexible display <NUM> may be positioned such that by a protective cap disposed a region corresponding to the hinge module, the edge of the flexible display <NUM> corresponding to the protective cap can be protected. Accordingly, the edges of the flexible display <NUM> can be substantially protected from the outside.

The electronic device <NUM> may include a hinge housing (e.g., a hinge cover) configured to support the hinge module. The hinge housing may be disposed such that, when the electronic device <NUM> is in the folded state, the hinge housing is exposed to the outside and when the electronic device <NUM> is in the unfolded state, the hinge housing is introduced into a first space and a second space so as to be invisible from the outside.

The electronic device <NUM> includes a sub-display <NUM> disposed separately from the flexible display <NUM>. The sub-display <NUM> is disposed on the second surface <NUM> of the first housing <NUM> to be at least partially exposed so as to display status information of the electronic device <NUM> in place of the display function of the flexible display <NUM> when the electronic device <NUM> is in the folded state. The sub-display <NUM> may be disposed to be visible from the outside through at least one region in the first rear cover <NUM>. The sub-display <NUM> may be disposed on the fourth surface <NUM> of the second housing <NUM>. In this case, the sub-display <NUM> may be disposed to be visible from the outside through at least one region in the second rear cover <NUM>.

The electronic device <NUM> includes an input device <NUM> (e.g., a microphone), sound output devices <NUM> and <NUM>, a sensor module <NUM>, camera devices <NUM> and <NUM>, a key input device <NUM>, and a connector port <NUM>. The input device <NUM> (e.g., a microphone), the audio output devices <NUM> and <NUM>, the sensor module <NUM>, the camera devices <NUM> and <NUM>, the key input device <NUM>, or the connector port <NUM> are indicated as holes or shapes formed in the first housing <NUM> or the second housing <NUM>, but may be defined as including substantial electronic components (an input device, a sound output device, a sensor module, or a camera device) operating through the holes or shapes.

The input device <NUM> may include at least one microphone <NUM> disposed in the second housing <NUM>. The input device <NUM> may include a plurality of microphones <NUM> arranged to sense the direction of sound. The plurality of microphones <NUM> may be disposed at appropriate positions in the first housing <NUM> and/or the second housing <NUM>.

The sound output devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include speakers <NUM> and <NUM>. The speakers <NUM> and <NUM> may include a call receiver <NUM> disposed in the first housing <NUM> and a speaker <NUM> disposed in the second housing <NUM>. The input device <NUM>, the sound output devices <NUM> and <NUM>, and the connector port <NUM> are provided in the first housing <NUM> and/or the second housing <NUM> of the electronic device <NUM>, and may be exposed to the external environment through one or more holes formed in the first housing <NUM> and/or the second housing <NUM>. At least one connector port <NUM> may be used to transmit/receive power and/or data with respect to an external electronic device. The at least one connector port (e.g., an ear jack hole) may accommodate a connector (e.g., an ear jack) for transmitting/receiving an audio signal with respect to an external electronic device. The holes formed in the first housing <NUM> and/or the second housing <NUM> may be commonly used for the input device <NUM> and the sound output devices <NUM> and <NUM>. The sound output devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include a speaker (e.g., a piezo speaker) that operates without holes formed in the first housing <NUM> and/or the second housing <NUM>.

The sensor module <NUM> may generate an electrical signal or a data value corresponding to an internal operating state of the electronic device <NUM> or an external environmental state. The sensor module <NUM> may detect an external environment through the first surface <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> may further include at least one sensor module disposed to detect an external environment through the second surface <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>. The sensor module <NUM> (e.g., an illuminance sensor) may be disposed under the flexible display <NUM> in order to detect an external environment through the flexible display <NUM>. The sensor module <NUM> may include at least one of a gesture sensor, a gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, a grip sensor, a color sensor, an IR sensor, a biometric sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an illuminance sensor, a proximity sensor, a biometric sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or an illuminance sensor.

The camera devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first camera device <NUM> (e.g., a front camera device) and a second camera device <NUM> disposed on the second surface <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>. The electronic device <NUM> further includes a flash <NUM> disposed near the second camera device <NUM>. The camera devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include one or more lenses, an image sensor, and/or an ISP. For example, the flash <NUM> may include an LED or a xenon lamp.

The camera devices <NUM> and <NUM> may be arranged such that two or more lenses (a wide-angle lens, an ultra-wide-angle lens, or a telephoto lens) and image sensors are located on one surface (e.g., the first surface <NUM>, the second surface <NUM>, the third surface <NUM>, or the fourth surface <NUM>) of the electronic device <NUM>. The camera devices <NUM> and <NUM> may include lenses for time-of-flight (TOF) lenses and image sensors.

The key input device <NUM> (e.g., a key button) may be disposed on the third side surface 233c of the first side frame <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>. The key input device <NUM> includes at least one of the other side surfaces 233a and 233b of the first housing <NUM> and/or the side surfaces 243a, 243b, and 243c of the second housing <NUM>. Alternatively, the electronic device <NUM> may not include some or all of the key input devices <NUM>, and a key input device <NUM> not included in the electronic device <NUM> may be implemented in another form such as a soft key on the flexible display <NUM>. The key input device <NUM> may be implemented using a pressure sensor included in the flexible display <NUM>.

Some of the camera devices <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., the first camera device <NUM>) and/or the sensor module <NUM> may be disposed to be exposed through the flexible display <NUM>. For example, the first camera device <NUM> and/or the sensor module <NUM> may be disposed the space inside the electronic device <NUM> to be in contact with the external environment through an opening (e.g., a through hole) at least partially formed in the flexible display <NUM>. Alternatively, the first camera device <NUM> and/or the sensor module <NUM> may be disposed in the space inside the electronic device <NUM> to perform the functions thereof without being visually exposed through the flexible display <NUM>. In this case, a region of the flexible display <NUM> that faces the sensor module <NUM> and/or the first camera device <NUM> may not need to be opened.

Alternatively, the electronic device <NUM> may include a pair of housings disposed on opposite sides of a folding axis, which is oriented in a direction different from that of the folding axis (axis A) illustrated in <FIG>, and rotatably coupled to each other so as to be folded to face each other.

The electronic device <NUM> may also include multiple pairs of housings that are rotatably coupled so as to be folded to face each other about a plurality of hinge modules.

<FIG> illustrates an electronic device for providing functions related to a camera according to an embodiment. For example, the electronic device of <FIG> may be at least partially similar to the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, or the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, or may include other embodiments of the electronic devices.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device includes a processor <NUM> (e.g., processor <NUM> of <FIG>), a camera <NUM> (e.g., camera module <NUM> of <FIG>), a display device <NUM> (e.g., display device <NUM> of <FIG>), and a memory <NUM> (e.g., memory <NUM> of <FIG>). The processor <NUM> may include an AP, a graphics processing device, and/or an ISP.

When receiving a user input for acquiring an image content, the processor <NUM> acquires a plurality of first images having a first attribute and one or more second images having a second attribute different from the first attribute based on image information (e.g., raw data) acquired through the camera <NUM> for a predetermined time. The first images are a plurality of preview images acquired in a first cycle for a predetermined time, and may have a first attribute having a relatively lower resolution compared to the second images. The second images may be one or more captured images acquired for a predetermined time, and may have a second attribute having a relatively higher resolution compared to the first images.

When the camera <NUM> supports an auto-focus (AF) function, the second images may be acquired based on focus information on an external object (e.g., a subject) for a predetermined time. For example, the second images may be acquired when the camera <NUM> is focused. When the camera <NUM> does not support the AF function, the second images may be acquired for a predetermined time in a second cycle different from the first cycle. For example, the second cycle may be relatively longer than the first cycle. Because the second images and the first images are generated based on image information acquired through the camera <NUM> for a predetermined time, the second images may include the same time information (e.g., time stamp) as at least some of the first images.

The second images may be acquired based on a first capture method (e.g., a multi-image capture method) or a second capture method (e.g., a single image capture method). The multi-image capture method may include generating one or more captured images by removing noise included in an image using a plurality of images continuously acquired through the camera <NUM> as inputs. The single image capture method may include generating a captured image based on one image acquired at a specific point in time through the camera <NUM>.

The predetermined time may include a predetermined time interval for acquiring the first images and/or the second images for generating various types of image content. The predetermined time may be set to be greater than a minimum image acquisition time set to acquire the first images and/or the second images for generating various types of image content, and may be set to be less than or equal to a maximum image acquisition time. For example, when acquiring the first images and/or the second images based on a user input for acquiring image content, the processor <NUM> may control the display device <NUM> to display the first images.

When the minimum image acquisition time has elapsed from the time at which acquisition of the first images and/or the second images starts, the processor <NUM> may control the display device <NUM> to activate a photographing end button. For example, when a user input related to a photographing end button is received or when the maximum image acquisition time expires, the processor <NUM> may control the camera to end the acquisition of the first images and/or the second images.

The processor <NUM> may detect scene information of the first images and/or the second images. The processor <NUM> may detect scene information for each of the plurality of first images. The processor <NUM> may control the memory <NUM> to store the first images and scene information detected from the first images. The processor <NUM> may acquire scene information of the second images based on the scene information detected from the first images. The processor <NUM> may identify a first image having the same time information as the second image among the plurality of first images. The processor <NUM> may determine the scene information of the first image having the same time information, as the scene information of the second image having the same time information. The processor <NUM> may control the memory <NUM> to store the second images and the detected scene information of the second images (e.g., the scene information of the first image having the same time information).

The processor <NUM> generates various types of image content based on the first images and/or the second images acquired for a predetermined time. The various types of image content may include at least one still image or at least one moving image.

The processor <NUM> may generate at least one moving image based on the plurality of first images. The processor <NUM> may generate a first moving image in which the plurality of first images are continuously reproduced, and may generate a second moving image in which the plurality of first images are reproduced at a relatively faster speed than the first moving image. The processor <NUM> may detect a section in which a motion of an external object occurs among the plurality of first images. The processor <NUM> may generate a third moving image in which the plurality of first images included in the section in which a motion occurs are continuously reproduced. The section in which a motion occurs may be detected based on motion information of at least one external object included in the first images or changes in feature points included in the first images. The changes in feature points may include a change in a photographing time point, a change in brightness, or a change in a background (e.g., a surrounding environment).

The processor <NUM> may generate at least one still image based on the one or more second images. The processor <NUM> may select at least one candidate image for generating a still image from among the one more second images. The candidate image may be selected based on image quality of the one or more second images, brightness information of the second images, color information of the second images, composition of an external object included in the second images, and/or face recognition information detected from the second images. The image quality may be set based on focus information (e.g., blur) of an external object included in the second images, noise information included in the second images, or contrast information of the second images. The processor <NUM> may remove a similar image from among one or more candidate images.

The processor <NUM> may determine whether to apply an image effect to one or more candidate image remaining after a similar image has been removed. When it is determined that the image effect is to be applied, the processor <NUM> may select an image effect to be applied to each candidate image. The processor <NUM> may generate at least one still image by applying an image effect to the candidate image. Based on scene information (e.g., scene category or scene attribute) of at least one candidate image, the processor <NUM> may determine whether to apply an image effect to the candidate image or an image effect to be applied to the candidate image. Applying an image effect may include a series of operations of changing at least one of color, transparency, style, contrast, or saturation of the second images. When it is determined that an image effect is not applied, the processor <NUM> may generate at least one still image corresponding to at least one candidate image from which a similar image has been removed.

The processor <NUM> may control the display device <NUM> to display simultaneously (or together or at once) various types of image content generated based on the first images and/or the second images. The processor <NUM> may generate thumbnails of various types of image content generated based on the first images and/or the second images. The processor <NUM> may generate thumbnails corresponding to respective image content. The processor <NUM> may generate a thumbnail in which various types of image content are displayed on one screen of the display device <NUM>.

The camera <NUM> may photograph a still image and/or a moving image. The camera <NUM> may be disposed on the first surface of the electronic device (e.g., the first surface 210A in <FIG> or the first surface <NUM> in <FIG>) or the second surface (e.g., the second surface 210B in <FIG> or the second surface <NUM> in <FIG>) facing away from the first surface. The camera <NUM> may include one or more lenses or image sensors.

The display device <NUM> may display information processed by the electronic device. The display device <NUM> may display various types of image content generated by the processor <NUM> at the same time point (or at once) in different regions.

The memory <NUM> may store various data to be used by at least one component of electronic device (e.g., the processor <NUM> or the camera <NUM>). The data may include at least one of a plurality of first images having a first attribute, one or more second images having a second attribute, and/or scene information. The data may include input data or output data for software and instructions related thereto.

The electronic device may include a plurality of cameras. The electronic device may also include at least one additional camera, other than the camera <NUM>. The camera <NUM> and the at least one additional camera may be arranged in the electronic device to acquire images of an external object (e.g., a subject) in the same direction or to acquire images of an external object (e.g., subject) in different directions. For example, the camera <NUM> may be disposed on a first surface of the electronic device and the additional camera may be disposed on a second surface (e.g., the second surface 210B in <FIG> or the second surface <NUM> in <FIG>). Alternatively, the additional camera may be disposed on the first surface of the electronic device and the camera <NUM> may be disposed on the second surface. The additional camera may include one or more lenses or image sensors. The camera <NUM> and the additional camera may be driven independently of each other.

When receiving a user input for acquiring an image content, the processor <NUM> may acquire one or more third images having a third attribute based on image information (e.g., raw data) acquired through the additional camera for a predetermined time. The third images may be one or more captured images acquired for a predetermined time, and may have a third attribute having a relatively higher resolution compared to the first images and/or a relatively wider field of view compared to the second images.

When the additional camera supports an AF function, the third images may be acquired based on focus information on an external object for a predetermined time. The third images may be acquired when the additional camera is focused. When the additional camera does not support the AF function, the third images may be acquired for a predetermined time in a third cycle different from the first cycle and/or the second cycle. The third cycle may be relatively longer than the first cycle, and may be set to be the same as or different from the second cycle.

The third images may be acquired based on a capture method that is the same as or different from the second images. The second images may be acquired based on a first capture method (e.g., a multi-image capture method) or a second capture method (e.g., a single image capture method). The second images and/or the third images may be generated in a hardware abstract layer (HAL).

The processor <NUM> may generate various types of image content based on the second images and/or the third images acquired for a predetermined time. The processor <NUM> may generate at least one still image based on the one or more second images and the one or more third images. The processor <NUM> may select one or more candidate images for generating a still image from among the one more second images.

The processor <NUM> may select the one or more third images corresponding to at least one candidate image. The processor <NUM> may set a display region for cropping the candidate images at a predetermined magnification from the third images corresponding to the candidate images. The processor <NUM> may generate one or more still images by extracting at least a portion of each candidate image based on the display region information.

The processor <NUM> may detect a remaining region from the one or more third images corresponding to the one or more candidate images, except for an external object identical to an external object included in the candidate images. The processor <NUM> may generate one or more still images using the external object included in the one or more candidate images and the remaining region detected from the one or more third images. The processor <NUM> may generate one or more still images based on the one or more third images corresponding to the one or more candidate images.

According to the invention, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, or the electronic device in <FIG>) includes a display device (e.g., the display device <NUM> in <FIG> or the display device <NUM> in <FIG>); a first camera (e.g., the camera module <NUM> in <FIG> or the camera <NUM> in <FIG>); at least one processor (e.g., the processor <NUM> in <FIG> or the processor <NUM> in <FIG>) operatively connected to the first camera and the display device; and a memory (e.g., the memory <NUM> in <FIG> or the memory <NUM> in <FIG>) operatively connected to the at least one processor, wherein the memory is configured to cause the at least one processor to acquire a plurality of first images having a first attribute and one or more second images having a second attribute through the first camera for a predetermined time when an input associated with image acquisition is received; generate one or more image content based on the plurality of first images or the one or more second images; and output the one or more image content through the display device.

The electronic device may further include a housing (e.g., the housing <NUM> in <FIG> or the housings <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>) including a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface, wherein the display device is exposed through the first surface of the housing, and the first camera is configured to acquire an image related to an external environment through the first surface or the second surface of the housing.

The plurality of first images having the first attribute include a plurality of images acquired in a first cycle and having a first resolution, and the one or more second images having the second attribute include one or more images having a second resolution different from the first resolution.

The electronic device may further include a second camera, wherein the memory may be configured to cause the at least one processor to acquire one or more third images having a third attribute through the second camera for the predetermined time; generate one or more image content based on at least one of the plurality of first images, the one or more second images, or the one or more third images; and output the one or more image content through the display device.

The second camera may be configured to acquire an image related to an external environment in a direction that is the same as or different from the first camera in the electronic device.

The one or more image content may include at least one of one or more moving images generated based on the plurality of first images or one or more still images generated based on the one or more second images.

The memory may be configured to cause the at least one processor to select one or more first images based on a motion image of an external object included in the plurality of first images; and generate the one or more image content including at least one moving image based on the one or more first images.

The memory may be configured to cause the at least one processor to detect one or more first candidate images from among the one or more second images based on at least one of image quality of the one or more second images, brightness information of the one or more second images, a composition of an external object included in the one or more second images, or face recognition information detected from the one or more second images; detect one or more second candidate images by removing an overlapping image from among the one or more first candidate images; select an image effect to be applied to the one or more second candidate images based on scene information of the one or more candidate images; and generate the one or more image content including one or more still images by applying the selected image effect to the one or more second candidate images.

The memory may be configured to cause the at least one processor to detect scene information from the plurality of first images; detect one or more first images having time information which is identical to time information of the one or more second candidate images from among the plurality of first images; and determine the scene information detected from the plurality of first images as scene information of the one or more second candidate images.

The memory may be configured to cause the at least one processor to control the display device to display the one or more image content in different regions of one screen.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing functions related to a camera in an electronic device according to an embodiment. In the following embodiments, respective operations may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of operations may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel. For example, the electronic device may be the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, or the electronic device of <FIG>. As an example, at least some components in <FIG> may be described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, an electronic device (e.g., a processor thereof) receives a user input related to image acquisition in operation <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a screen configuration related to a camera according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, when a camera application is executed, the processor may control the display device to display a camera application execution screen including a preview image <NUM>. The processor may identify whether or not a user input related to the photographing button <NUM> is received in the camera application execution screen displayed on the display device. The camera application execution screen includes at least one of a preview image <NUM>, a photographing button <NUM>, a photographed image identification button <NUM>, a camera switch button <NUM>, or photographing mode information <NUM> (e.g., "single take"). The photographed image identification button <NUM> may include a menu for identifying an image content acquired based on a user input related to the photographing button <NUM>. The camera switch button <NUM> may include a menu for switching a camera for acquiring an image to another camera.

Referring again to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device acquires a plurality of first images having a first attribute and one or more second images having a second attribute based on image information (e.g., a raw image) acquired through the first camera for a predetermined time.

<FIG> illustrates time points at which images are acquired using a camera according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the first images may be acquired in a first cycle <NUM> through a first camera <NUM> for a predetermined time <NUM> from the time point <NUM> at which photographing was started based on a user input related to image acquisition, and may have a first attribute having a relatively lower resolution than the second images. The second images are acquired through the first camera <NUM> for the predetermined time <NUM> from the time point <NUM> at which the photographing was started, and may have a second attribute having a relatively higher resolution than the first images. The time points <NUM> at which the second images are acquired may be determined based on a user input related to the time point <NUM> at which photographing was started and/or at least one request signal <NUM> generated for the predetermined time <NUM>. When using the first capture method (e.g., a multi-image capture method), the processor may acquire one second image from which noise has been removed using a plurality of images (e.g., about <NUM> images) that are successively acquired at each time point at which the request signal <NUM> is generated. The second image may be acquired based on a second capture method (e.g., a single image capture method) at each time point at which the request signal <NUM> is generated. When the first camera <NUM> supports an AF function, the request signal may be generated based on focus information on an external object (e.g., a subject) for the predetermined time <NUM>. When the first camera <NUM> does not support the AF function, the request signal may be generated in a second cycle different from the first cycle for the predetermined time <NUM>. The first images and the second images may be generated using the same image information (e.g., a raw image) acquired through the same first camera <NUM>. The first images may include an image processed to have a first attribute using a raw image acquired through the first camera <NUM>. The second images may include an image processed to have a second attribute using a raw image acquired through the first camera <NUM>.

The electronic device may further include a second camera. The electronic device may acquire one or more third images having a third attribute based on image information (e.g., a raw image) acquired through the second camera for a predetermined time.

Referring again to <FIG>, the third images are acquired through the second camera <NUM> for the predetermined time <NUM>, and may have a third attribute having a relatively higher resolution compared to the first images and/or a relatively wider field of view compared to the second images. The time points <NUM> at which the third images are acquired may be determined based on a user input related to the time point <NUM> at which photographing was started and/or at least one request signal <NUM> generated for the predetermined time <NUM>. When the second camera <NUM> supports the AF function, the third images may be generated based on the request signal <NUM> generated based on focus information on an external object (e.g., a subject) for the predetermined time <NUM>. When the second camera <NUM> does not support the AF function or is in a low-illuminance situation, the third images may be acquired in a third cycle based on at least one request signal <NUM> generated for the predetermined time <NUM>. The third cycle may be relatively longer than the first cycle, and may be set to be the same as or different from the second cycle. When using the second capture method (e.g., a single image capture method), the processor may acquire one third image at each time point at which the request signal <NUM> is generated. The third image may also be acquired based on a first capture method (e.g., a multi-image capture method) at each time point at which the request signal <NUM> is generated. Because the third images are acquired through the second camera <NUM>, the third images may include a captured image at a time point that is the same as or different from the time point at which the second images are acquired through the first camera <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device generates one or more image content of various types based on the plurality of first images and/or the one or more second images. The image content may include at least one moving image generated based on the plurality of first images and/or at least one still image generated based on the one or more second images.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device outputs, through the display device, the one or more image content of various types generated based on the first images and/or the second images.

Referring again to <FIG>, when receiving a user input related to the photographed image identification button <NUM> in the camera application execution screen, the processor may control the display device to simultaneously display a first still image <NUM>, a second still image <NUM>, a third still image <NUM>, a first moving image <NUM>, or a second moving image <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an image content output screen according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, when receiving a user input related to the photographed image identification button <NUM> in the camera application execution screen of <FIG>, the processor may control the display device to simultaneously display the first still image <NUM>, the second still image <NUM>, the third still image <NUM>, the first moving image <NUM>, or the second moving image <NUM>. A composition in which various types of image content are displayed may be changed based on an image content display method or a user input.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for acquiring an image in an electronic device according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, the operations of <FIG> may correspond to an embodiment of operation <NUM> of <FIG>. In the following embodiments, respective operations may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of operations may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel. For example, the electronic device may be the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, or the electronic device of <FIG>. As an example, at least some components in <FIG> may be described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, an electronic device starts acquisition of a plurality of first images having a first attribute and one or more second images having a second attribute based on image information (e.g., a raw image) acquired through a first camera based on a user input related to image acquisition. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, when receiving a user input related to the photographing button <NUM> in the camera application execution screen displayed on the display device, the processor may start acquisition of the first images having the first attribute and the second images having the second attribute through the camera.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration of a screen for acquiring an image according to an embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, when acquiring the first images and/or the second images, the display device may continuously display the first images (e.g., preview images) <NUM> in at least a portion of the camera application execution screen. The camera application execution screen may include information <NUM> (e.g., "capturing") indicating that the first images and/or the second images are being acquired in at least one region. When the acquisition of the first images and/or the second images starts, the photographing button <NUM> included in the camera application execution screen may be switched to the photographing end button <NUM>. The capturing end button <NUM> may be deactivated from the start of acquisition of the first images and/or the second images until a minimum image acquisition time (e.g., about <NUM> seconds) elapses.

Referring again to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device determines whether or not the acquisition time of the first images and/or the second images exceeds the minimum image acquisition time. The processor may determine whether or not the time elapsed from the start of acquisition of image information (e.g., a raw image) through the camera exceeds a predetermined minimum image acquisition time based on a user input related to image acquisition. The predetermined minimum image acquisition time may include a predetermined minimum time for acquiring the first images and/or the second images in order to generate various types of image content.

When the acquisition time of the images and/or the second images does not exceed the minimum image acquisition time in operation <NUM>, the electronic device continues to determine whether or not the acquisition time of the first images and/or the second images exceeds the minimum image acquisition time. The processor may determine whether or not the minimum image acquisition time elapses while acquiring the first images having the first attribute and/or the second images having the second attribute through the camera.

When the acquisition time of the first images and/or the second images exceeds the minimum image acquisition time in operation <NUM>, the electronic device activates the photographing end button in operation <NUM>.

<FIG> is a configuration of a screen related to the end of photographing according to various embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, when the acquisition time of the first images and/or the second images exceeds the minimum image acquisition time, the processor may activate the photographing end button <NUM>.

Referring again to <FIG>, in operation <NUM>, the electronic device determines whether or a user's selection input related to the photographing end button is received.

When the user's selection input related to the photographing end button is not received in operation <NUM>, the electronic device determines whether or not the acquisition time of the first images and/or the second images exceeds a predetermined maximum image acquisition time (e.g., about <NUM> seconds) in operation <NUM>. The processor may determine whether or not the time elapsed from the start of acquisition of image information (e.g., a raw image) through the camera exceeds a predetermined maximum image acquisition time based on a user input related to image acquisition.

When the acquisition time of the first images and/or the second images does not exceed the maximum image acquisition time in operation <NUM>, the electronic device determines whether or not a user's selection input related to the photographing end button is received in operation <NUM>. The processor may determine whether or not the user's selection input related to the photographing end button is received while acquiring the first images having the first attribute and/or the second images having the second attribute through the camera.

When the user's selection input related to the photographing end button is received in operation <NUM> or when the acquisition time of the first images and/or the second images exceeds the maximum image acquisition time in operation <NUM>, the electronic device ends the acquisition of the first images and/or the second images in operation <NUM>. For a predetermined time based on a maximum frame acquisition time or a time point at which a selection input related to the photographing end button is received, the processor may acquire the plurality of first images having the first attribute and the one or more second images having the second attribute through a first camera. The predetermined time may include a maximum frame acquisition time or a time from a time point at which photographing starts to a time point at which a selection input related to the photographing end button is received.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for acquiring images using a plurality of cameras in an electronic device according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, the operations of <FIG> may correspond to an embodiment of operations <NUM> and <NUM> of <FIG>. In the following embodiments, respective operations may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of operations may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel. For example, the electronic device may be the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, or the electronic device of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, when a user input related to image acquisition is received, an electronic device determines whether or not the plurality of cameras are driven in operation <NUM>. The processor of the electronic device may determine whether or not a camera and at least one additional camera are driven to generate an image content. Whether the camera and at least one additional camera are driven may be determined based on at least one of an image content generation policy, camera arrangement information, or a user input.

When the plurality of cameras are driven in operation <NUM>, the electronic device acquires a plurality of first images having a first attribute and one or more second images having a second attribute based on image information (e.g., a raw image) acquired through the first camera for a predetermined time in operation <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first images are a plurality of preview images acquired in the first cycle <NUM> through the first camera <NUM> for the predetermined time <NUM>, and may have a first attribute having a relatively lower resolution than the second images. The second images are one or more captured images acquired through the first camera <NUM> for the predetermined time <NUM>, and may have a second attribute having a relatively higher resolution than the first images. The time points <NUM> at which the second images are acquired may be determined based on one or more request signals <NUM> generated during the predetermined time <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device acquires one or more third images having a third attribute based on image information (e.g., a raw image) acquired through the second camera for a predetermined time. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the third images are one or more captured images acquired through the second camera <NUM> for the predetermined time <NUM>, and may have a third attribute having a relatively higher resolution compared to the first images and/or a relatively wider field of view compared to the second images. The time points <NUM> at which the third images are acquired may be determined based on at least one request signal <NUM> generated during the predetermined time <NUM>. When using the second capture method (e.g., a single image capture method), the processor may acquire a third image based on the generation of the request signals <NUM>. The third image may be acquired based on a first capture method (e.g., a multi-image capture method) based on the generation of the request signal <NUM>. Because the third images are acquired through the second camera <NUM>, the third images may include a captured image at a time point that is the same as or different from the time point at which the second images are acquired through the first camera <NUM>.

Although operation <NUM> is indicated as being performed after operation <NUM>, operations <NUM> and <NUM> may be performed in parallel.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device generates one or more image content of various types based on the first images, the second images, and/or the third images. The image content may include at least one moving image generated based on the first images and/or at least one still image generated based on the second images and/or the third images.

When the plurality of cameras are not driven in operation <NUM>, the electronic device acquires a plurality of first images having a first attribute and one or more second images having a second attribute based on image information (e.g., a raw image) acquired through the first camera for a predetermined time in operation <NUM>.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device generates one or more image content of various types based on the first images and/or the second images. The image content may include at least one moving image generated based on the first images, at least one still image to which an image effect generated based on the second images is applied, and/or at least one still image to which no image effect is applied.

When the plurality of cameras are driven, the electronic device may acquire second images and the third images through the first camera and the second camera at similar time points. As illustrated in <FIG>, when acquiring a second image based on a first capture method (e.g., a multi-image capture method) and acquiring a third image based on a second capture method (e.g., a single image capture method), the processor may acquire a third image through the second camera at a time point similar to a time point at which an image for the second camera is acquired through the first camera, based on the request signal <NUM>. When acquiring a second image and a third image based on a second capture method (e.g., a single image capture method), the processor may acquire a third image through the second camera at a time point similar to a time point at which the second image is acquired through the first camera, based on the request signal <NUM>. Images at similar time points may include images including the same time information or images in which a difference in time information included therein is included within a predetermined range.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for storing scene information in an electronic device according to an embodiment. In the following embodiments, respective operations may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of operations may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel. For example, the electronic device may be the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, or the electronic device of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, when a plurality of first images and one or more second images are acquired through a first camera for a predetermined time, the electronic device detects scene information based on the first images in operation <NUM>. A processor of the electronic device may detect scene information for each of the plurality of first images acquired through the camera.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device identifies scene information related to the one or more second images. The processor may detect one or more first images having the same time information (e.g., time stamp) as the second images among the plurality of first images. The processor may determine that the scene information, detected in the one or more first images including the same time information as the one or more second images, is the scene information of the second images including the same time information as the first images.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device stores the first images and the scene information related to the first images and/or the second images and the scene information related to the second images. The processor may control the memory to store the first images and the scene information related to the first images and the second images and the scene information related to the second images in different regions of the memory.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating a moving image in an electronic device according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, the operations of <FIG> may correspond to an embodiment of operation <NUM> of <FIG>. In the following embodiments, respective operations may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of operations may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel. For example, the electronic device may be the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, or the electronic device in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device detects motion information in a plurality of first images acquired through a first camera for a predetermined time in operation <NUM>. A processor of the electronic device may detect motion information of one or more external objects in the plurality of first images acquired for the predetermined time and/or information on changes in feature points included in the plurality of first images. The changes in feature points may include a change in a photographing time point, a change in brightness, or a change in a background (e.g., a surrounding environment).

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device sets a motion section based on motion information of the plurality of first images acquired for the predetermined time. In the motion section, at least a portion of a sequence of the plurality of first images acquired for the predetermined time in which the motions of the external objects are continuously detected.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device generates one or more moving images based on one or more first images included in the motion section. The moving images may include a fourth moving image in which the one or more first images included in the motion section are continuously and repeatedly reproduced and a fifth moving image in which the one or more first images included in the motion section are reproduced in the reverse order of the playback time points.

The electronic device may reproduce one or more moving images using a plurality of first images acquired for the predetermined. The moving images may include at least one of a first moving image in which a plurality of first images are continuously reproduced and a second moving image in which the plurality of first images are reproduced at a relatively higher speed than that in the first moving image.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating a still image in an electronic device according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, the operations of <FIG> may correspond to an embodiment of operation <NUM> of <FIG>. In the following embodiments, respective operations may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of operations may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel. For example, the electronic device may be the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, or the electronic device in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device detects one or more candidate images in the one or more second images acquired through a first camera for a predetermined time in operation <NUM>. The candidate images may include one or more second images that are determined to be captured at an optimal photographing time point (e.g., a time point at which AF is focused) among the one or more second images. A processor of the electronic device may select one or more candidate images based on image quality of the one or more second images, brightness information of the second images, color information of the second images, composition of an external object (e.g., a subject) included in the second images, or face recognition information detected from the second images. The processor may detect at least one final candidate image by removing similar images from among the one or more candidate images. The image quality may be set based on focus information (e.g., blur) of an external object included in the second images, noise information included in the second images, or contrast information of the second images.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device selects an image effect related to the one or more candidate images (or the at least one final candidate image). The processor may select an image effect to be applied to the one or more candidate images (e.g., the at least one final candidate image) based on scene information (e.g., a scene category or scene attribute) related to the second images stored in the memory. The image effect to be applied to the candidate images may be selected based on a machine-learning result based on the scene information.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device determines whether to apply the image effect to the candidate images (or the final candidate image) based on the result of selecting the image effect related to the one or more candidate images (or the at least one final candidate image). When an image effect to be applied to the candidate images (or the final candidate image) is not selected, a processor of the electronic device may determine that the image effect is not applied to the candidate images (or the final candidate image). When an image effect to be applied to the candidate images (or the final candidate image) is selected, the processor may determine that the image effect is applied to the candidate images (or the final candidate image).

When it is determined that the image effect is applied to the candidate images (or the final candidate image) in operation <NUM>, the electronic device applies the image effect to the one or more candidate images (or the at least one final candidate image) in order to generate one or more still images in operation <NUM>. The processor may generate one or more still images by changing at least one of the color, transparency, style, contrast, or color of the candidate images (or the final candidate image) based on an image effect corresponding to the one or more candidate images (or the least one final candidate image).

When it is determined that the image effect is not applied to the candidate images (or the final candidate image) in operation <NUM>, the electronic device generates one or more still images corresponding to the one or more candidate images (or the at least one final candidate image) in operation <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for generating still images using a plurality of cameras in an electronic device according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, the operations of <FIG> may correspond to an embodiment of operation <NUM> or operation <NUM> of <FIG>. In the following embodiments, respective operations may be performed sequentially, but are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of operations may be changed, and at least two operations may be performed in parallel. For example, the electronic device may be the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> of <FIG>, or the electronic device in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electronic device detects one or more third images corresponding to one or more candidate images (or at least one final candidate image) among one or more third images acquired through the second camera for a predetermined time in operation <NUM>. The one or more third images corresponding to the one or more candidate images (or the at least one final candidate image) may include one or more third images acquired at a capture time point, which is the same as or similar to the capture time point (e.g., a time stamp) of the candidate images (or the final candidate image). The third images having a capture point similar to that of the candidate images (or the final candidate image) may include one or more third images, which differ from the candidate images within a predetermined range in terms of difference in time information. The candidate images (or the final candidate image) may include one or more second images determined to be captured at an optimal photographing time among the one or more second images.

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device sets a display region for the candidate images (or the final candidate image) based on the third images corresponding to the candidate images (or the final candidate image). The display region may include one or more regions in the candidate images (or the final candidate image) for extraction or cropping in order to adjust the image magnification of the candidate images (or the final candidate image).

In operation <NUM>, the electronic device extracts (or crops) at least a portion of the candidate images (or the final candidate image) corresponding to the display region, and generates at least one still image based on the third images corresponding to the candidate images (or the final candidate image). When applying an image effect to a candidate image (or a final candidate image), the processor may extract (or crop) at least a portion corresponding to the display region from the candidate image (or the final candidate image) to which the image effect is applied so as to generate at least one still image.

According to an embodiment, a method is provided for operating an electronic device. (e.g., the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, the electronic device <NUM> in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, or the electronic device in <FIG>). The method includes an operation of acquiring a plurality of first images having a first attribute and one or more second images having a second attribute through a first camera (e.g., the camera module <NUM> in <FIG> or the camera <NUM> in <FIG>) of the electronic device for a predetermined time when an input associated with image acquisition is received; an operation of generating one or more image content based on the plurality of first images or the one or more second images; and an operation of outputting the one or more image content.

The method may further include an operation of acquiring one or more third images having a third attribute through the second camera for the predetermined time, wherein the operation of generating the one or more image content may include an operation of generating the one or more image content based on at least one of the plurality of first images, the one or more second images, or the one or more third images.

The second camera may be configured to acquire an image related to an external environment in a direction that is the same as or different from the first camera in the housing of the electronic device.

The operation of generating the one or more image content may include an operation of selecting one or more first images based on a motion image of an external object included in the plurality of first images, and an operation of generating one or more moving images based on the one or more first images.

The operation of generating the one or more image content may include an operation of detecting one or more first candidate images from among the one or more second images, an operation of detecting one or more second candidate images by removing an overlapping image from among the one or more first candidate images, an operation of selecting an image effect to be applied to the one or more second candidate images based on scene information of the one or more candidate images, and an operation of generating one or more still images by applying the selected image effect to the one or more second candidate images.

The operation of detecting the one or more first candidate images may include an operation of detecting the one or more first candidate images based on at least one of image quality of the one or more second images, brightness information of the one or more second images, a composition of an external object included in the one or more second images, or face recognition information detected from the one or more second images.

The scene information of the one or more second candidate images may include scene information detected from the one or more first images which have time information identical to time information of the one or more second candidate images from among the plurality of first images.

The operation of outputting the one or more image content may include an operation of displaying the one or more image content in different regions of one screen in a display device operatively connected to the electronic device.

The electronic device may provide various types of image content to the user by generating the various types of image content based on a single user input related to photographing.

In the above-described embodiments, although respective operations are described as being performed sequentially, these operations are not necessarily performed sequentially. For example, the order of operations may be changed, and/or at least two operations may be performed in parallel.

Claim 1:
An electronic device (<NUM>) comprising:
a display device (<NUM>);
a first camera (<NUM>);
a processor (<NUM>); and
a memory (<NUM>) configured to store instructions, which when executed, instruct the processor to:
acquire image information through the first camera for a predetermined time, when an input associated with image acquisition is received;
acquire, based on the acquired image information, a plurality of first images having a first attribute and one or more second images having a second attribute;
generate one or more image content based on the plurality of first images or the one or more second images, and
output the one or more image content through the display device.