Patent Description:
Generally, terminals can be classified into mobile/portable terminals and stationary terminals. The mobile terminals can be further classified into handheld terminals and vehicle mount terminals according to possibility of user's direct portability.

A mobile terminal is a device which may be configured to perform various functions. Examples of such functions include data and voice communications, capturing images and video via a camera, recording audio, playing music files and outputting music via a speaker system, and displaying images and video on a display. Some terminals include additional functionality which supports game playing, while other terminals are also configured as multimedia players. More recently, mobile terminals have been configured to receive broadcast and multicast signals which permit viewing of contents, such as videos and television programs.

Generally, terminals can be classified into mobile terminals and stationary terminals according to a presence or non-presence of mobility. And, the mobile terminals can be further classified into handheld terminals and vehicle mount terminals according to availability for hand-carry.

There are ongoing efforts to support and increase the functionality of mobile terminals. Such efforts include software and hardware improvements, as well as changes and improvements in the structural components which form the mobile terminal.

Recently, as many mobile terminals are released as smartphones, an online community of a new type called SNS (social network service) is established. Users of the online community perform social intercourse and information sharing through mutual exchange of various multimedia contents as well as exchange of simple text data. A multimedia content desired to be changed may include a previously saved content or a content instantly photographed through a camera provided to a mobile terminal. Thus, in forming a content instantly using a camera and then transmitting the formed content, the demand for a convenience-enhanced control method is rising. <CIT> relates to a method and apparatus for capturing and transmitting an image, in a state where a message transmission/reception history is displayed in an electronic device. <CIT> relates to a mobile terminal capable of performing a touch input and a control method therefor. <CIT> relates to an image distribution system which distributes image data from a server via a network, a client terminal and a control method thereof.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a mobile terminal and controlling method thereof that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. And, the technical task of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal and controlling method thereof, by which a size of instantly photographed image data can be easily controlled.

In one technical aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a mobile terminal, including a <NUM>st camera,.

a touchscreen, and a controller controlling the touchscreen to output a running screen of a prescribed application and a preview screen of the <NUM>st camera to a <NUM>st region and a <NUM>nd region on the touchscreen, respectively, the controller, if a photograph command is received, attaching an image data photographed through the <NUM>st camera to the prescribed application, wherein a data size of the attached image data is based on a size of the <NUM>nd region.

In another technical aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a method of controlling a mobile terminal, including the steps of controlling a touchscreen to output a running screen of a prescribed application and a preview screen of a <NUM>st camera to a <NUM>st region and a <NUM>nd region on the touchscreen, respectively and if a photograph command is received, attaching an image data photographed through the <NUM>st camera to the prescribed application, wherein a data size of the attached image data is based on a size of the <NUM>nd region.

Accordingly, a mobile terminal and controlling method thereof according to the present invention provide the following effects and/or features.

According to at least one of embodiments of the present invention, a multimedia content can be transmitted easily.

According to at least one of embodiments of the present invention, if a transmitted multimedia content is an image instantly photographed through a camera, a size of a photographed image data can be easily controlled.

The additional scope of applicability of the present invention can become obvious from the detailed description in the following. The detailed description and a specific embodiment such as a preferred embodiment of the present invention should be understood as taken as one example only.

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein: <FIG> is a block diagram of a mobile terminal in accordance with the present disclosure.

Description will now be given in detail according to exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of brief description with reference to the drawings, the same or equivalent components may be provided with the same reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated. In general, a suffix such as "module" and "unit" may be used to refer to elements or components. Use of such a suffix herein is merely intended to facilitate description of the specification, and the suffix itself is not intended to give any special meaning or function. In the present disclosure, that which is well-known to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art has generally been omitted for the sake of brevity. The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand various technical features and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected with" another element, the element can be connected with the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected with" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

Mobile terminals presented herein may be implemented using a variety of different types of terminals. Examples of such terminals include cellular phones, smart phones, user equipment, laptop computers, digital broadcast terminals, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable multimedia players (PMPs), navigators, portable computers (PCs), slate PCs, tablet PCs, ultra books, wearable devices (for example, smart watches, smart glasses, head mounted displays (HMDs)), and the like.

By way of non-limiting example only, further description will be made with reference to particular types of mobile terminals. However, such teachings apply equally to other types of terminals, such as those types noted above. In addition, these teachings may also be applied to stationary terminals such as digital TV, desktop computers, and the like.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, where <FIG> is a block diagram of a mobile terminal in accordance with the present disclosure, and <FIG> and <FIG> are conceptual views of one example of the mobile terminal, viewed from different directions.

The mobile terminal <NUM> is shown having components such as a wireless communication unit <NUM>, an input unit <NUM>, a sensing unit <NUM>, an output unit <NUM>, an interface unit <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a power supply unit <NUM>. It is understood that implementing all of the illustrated components is not a requirement, and that greater or fewer components may alternatively be implemented.

For instance, the wireless communication unit <NUM> typically includes one or more components which permit wireless communication between the mobile terminal <NUM> and a wireless communication system or network within which the mobile terminal is located.

The sensing unit <NUM> is typically implemented using one or more sensors configured to sense internal information of the mobile terminal, the surrounding environment of the mobile terminal, user information, and the like. For example, in <FIG>, the sensing unit <NUM> is shown having a proximity sensor <NUM> and an illumination sensor <NUM>. If desired, the sensing unit <NUM> may alternatively or additionally include other types of sensors or devices, such as a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor, a G-sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor, an RGB sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a finger scan sensor, a ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (for example, camera <NUM>), a microphone <NUM>, a battery gauge, an environment sensor (for example, a barometer, a hygrometer, a thermometer, a radiation detection sensor, a thermal sensor, and a gas sensor, among others), and a chemical sensor (for example, an electronic nose, a health care sensor, a biometric sensor, and the like), to name a few. The mobile terminal <NUM> may be configured to utilize information obtained from sensing unit <NUM>, and in particular, information obtained from one or more sensors of the sensing unit <NUM>, and combinations thereof.

The controller <NUM> typically functions to control overall operation of the mobile terminal <NUM>, in addition to the operations associated with the application programs.

As one example, the controller <NUM> controls some or all of the components illustrated in <FIG> according to the execution of an application program that have been stored in the memory <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may provide or process information or functions appropriate for a user by processing signals, data, information and the like, which are input or output by the various components depicted in <FIG>, or activating application programs stored in the memory <NUM>.

Referring still to <FIG>, various components depicted in this figure will now be described in more detail.

The mobile communication module <NUM> can transmit and/or receive wireless signals to and from one or more network entities. Typical examples of a network entity include a base station, an external mobile terminal, a server, and the like. Such network entities form part of a mobile communication network, which is constructed according to technical standards or communication methods for mobile communications (for example, Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Code Division Multi Access (CDMA), CDMA2000(Code Division Multi Access <NUM>), EV-DO(Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet access (HSDPA), HSUPA(High Speed Uplink Packet Access), Long Term Evolution (LTE) , LTE-A(Long Term Evolution-Advanced), and the like).

In some embodiments, another mobile terminal (which may be configured similarly to mobile terminal <NUM>) may be a wearable device, for example, a smart watch, a smart glass or a head mounted display (HMD), which is able to exchange data with the mobile terminal <NUM> (or otherwise cooperate with the mobile terminal <NUM>). The short-range communication module <NUM> may sense or recognize the wearable device, and permit communication between the wearable device and the mobile terminal <NUM>. In addition, when the sensed wearable device is a device which is authenticated to communicate with the mobile terminal <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, for example, may cause transmission of data processed in the mobile terminal <NUM> to the wearable device via the short-range communication module <NUM>. Hence, a user of the wearable device may use the data processed in the mobile terminal <NUM> on the wearable device. For example, when a call is received in the mobile terminal <NUM>, the user may answer the call using the wearable device. Also, when a message is received in the mobile terminal <NUM>, the user can check the received message using the wearable device.

The input unit <NUM> may be configured to permit various types of input to the mobile terminal <NUM>. Examples of such input include audio, image, video, data, and user input. Image and video input is often obtained using one or more cameras <NUM>. Such cameras <NUM> may process image frames of still pictures or video obtained by image sensors in a video or image capture mode. The processed image frames can be displayed on the display unit <NUM> or stored in memory <NUM>. In some cases, the cameras <NUM> may be arranged in a matrix configuration to permit a plurality of images having various angles or focal points to be input to the mobile terminal <NUM>. As another example, the cameras <NUM> may be located in a stereoscopic arrangement to acquire left and right images for implementing a stereoscopic image.

The sensing unit <NUM> is generally configured to sense one or more of internal information of the mobile terminal, surrounding environment information of the mobile terminal, user information, or the like. The controller <NUM> generally cooperates with the sending unit <NUM> to control operation of the mobile terminal <NUM> or execute data processing, a function or an operation associated with an application program installed in the mobile terminal based on the sensing provided by the sensing unit <NUM>. The sensing unit <NUM> may be implemented using any of a variety of sensors, some of which will now be described in more detail.

The proximity sensor <NUM> may include a sensor to sense presence or absence of an object approaching a surface, or an object located near a surface, by using an electromagnetic field, infrared rays, or the like without a mechanical contact. The proximity sensor <NUM> may be arranged at an inner region of the mobile terminal covered by the touch screen, or near the touch screen.

The proximity sensor <NUM>, for example, may include any of a transmissive type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflective type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflective type photoelectric sensor, a high-frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitance type proximity sensor, a magnetic type proximity sensor, an infrared rays proximity sensor, and the like. When the touch screen is implemented as a capacitance type, the proximity sensor <NUM> can sense proximity of a pointer relative to the touch screen by changes of an electromagnetic field, which is responsive to an approach of an object with conductivity. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may also be categorized as a proximity sensor.

The term "proximity touch" will often be referred to herein to denote the scenario in which a pointer is positioned to be proximate to the touch screen without contacting the touch screen. The term "contact touch" will often be referred to herein to denote the scenario in which a pointer makes physical contact with the touch screen. For the position corresponding to the proximity touch of the pointer relative to the touch screen, such position will correspond to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen. The proximity sensor <NUM> may sense proximity touch, and proximity touch patterns (for example, distance, direction, speed, time, position, moving status, and the like). In general, controller <NUM> processes data corresponding to proximity touches and proximity touch patterns sensed by the proximity sensor <NUM>, and cause output of visual information on the touch screen. In addition, the controller <NUM> can control the mobile terminal <NUM> to execute different operations or process different data according to whether a touch with respect to a point on the touch screen is either a proximity touch or a contact touch.

A touch sensor can sense a touch applied to the touch screen, such as display unit <NUM>, using any of a variety of touch methods. Examples of such touch methods include a resistive type, a capacitive type, an infrared type, and a magnetic field type, among others.

As one example, the touch sensor may be configured to convert changes of pressure applied to a specific part of the display unit <NUM>, or convert capacitance occurring at a specific part of the display unit <NUM>, into electric input signals. The touch sensor may also be configured to sense not only a touched position and a touched area, but also touch pressure and/or touch capacitance. A touch object is generally used to apply a touch input to the touch sensor. Examples of typical touch objects include a finger, a touch pen, a stylus pen, a pointer, or the like.

When a touch input is sensed by a touch sensor, corresponding signals may be transmitted to a touch controller. The touch controller may process the received signals, and then transmit corresponding data to the controller <NUM>. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may sense which region of the display unit <NUM> has been touched. Here, the touch controller may be a component separate from the controller <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may execute the same or different controls according to a type of touch object that touches the touch screen or a touch key provided in addition to the touch screen. Whether to execute the same or different control according to the object which provides a touch input may be decided based on a current operating state of the mobile terminal <NUM> or a currently executed application program, for example.

The touch sensor and the proximity sensor may be implemented individually, or in combination, to sense various types of touches. Such touches includes a short (or tap) touch, a long touch, a multi-touch, a drag touch, a flick touch, a pinch-in touch, a pinch-out touch, a swipe touch, a hovering touch, and the like.

If desired, an ultrasonic sensor may be implemented to recognize position information relating to a touch object using ultrasonic waves. The controller <NUM>, for example, may calculate a position of a wave generation source based on information sensed by an illumination sensor and a plurality of ultrasonic sensors. Since light is much faster than ultrasonic waves, the time for which the light reaches the optical sensor is much shorter than the time for which the ultrasonic wave reaches the ultrasonic sensor. The position of the wave generation source may be calculated using this fact. For instance, the position of the wave generation source may be calculated using the time difference from the time that the ultrasonic wave reaches the sensor based on the light as a reference signal.

The camera <NUM> typically includes at least one a camera sensor (CCD, CMOS etc.), a photo sensor (or image sensors), and a laser sensor.

Implementing the camera <NUM> with a laser sensor may allow detection of a touch of a physical object with respect to a 3D stereoscopic image. The photo sensor may be laminated on, or overlapped with, the display device. The photo sensor may be configured to scan movement of the physical object in proximity to the touch screen. In more detail, the photo sensor may include photo diodes and transistors at rows and columns to scan content received at the photo sensor using an electrical signal which changes according to the quantity of applied light. Namely, the photo sensor may calculate the coordinates of the physical object according to variation of light to thus obtain position information of the physical object.

In some embodiments, the display unit <NUM> may be implemented as a stereoscopic display unit for displaying stereoscopic images.

A typical stereoscopic display unit may employ a stereoscopic display scheme such as a stereoscopic scheme (a glass scheme), an auto-stereoscopic scheme (glassless scheme), a projection scheme (holographic scheme), or the like.

When the mobile terminal <NUM> is connected with an external cradle, the interface unit <NUM> can serve as a passage to allow power from the cradle to be supplied to the mobile terminal <NUM> or may serve as a passage to allow various command signals input by the user from the cradle to be transferred to the mobile terminal there through. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may operate as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal is properly mounted on the cradle.

The memory <NUM> can store programs to support operations of the controller <NUM> and store input/output data (for example, phonebook, messages, still images, videos, etc.). The memory <NUM> may store data related to various patterns of vibrations and audio which are output in response to touch inputs on the touch screen.

The memory <NUM> may include one or more types of storage mediums including a Flash memory, a hard disk, a solid state disk, a silicon disk, a multimedia card micro type, a card-type memory (e.g., SD or DX memory, etc), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a Programmable Read-Only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and the like. The mobile terminal <NUM> may also be operated in relation to a network storage device that performs the storage function of the memory <NUM> over a network, such as the Internet.

The controller <NUM> may typically control the general operations of the mobile terminal <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may set or release a lock state for restricting a user from inputting a control command with respect to applications when a status of the mobile terminal meets a preset condition.

The power supply unit <NUM> receives external power or provide internal power and supply the appropriate power required for operating respective elements and components included in the mobile terminal <NUM>. The power supply unit <NUM> may include a battery, which is typically rechargeable or be detachably coupled to the terminal body for charging.

The power supply unit <NUM> may include a connection port. The connection port may be configured as one example of the interface unit <NUM> to which an external charger for supplying power to recharge the battery is electrically connected.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a computer-readable medium, a machine-readable medium, or similar medium using, for example, software, hardware, or any combination thereof.

Further preferred embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to additional drawing figures. It is understood by those skilled in the art that the present features can be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof.

<FIG> is a flowchart for a control method of easily attaching an image data photographed through a camera according to one embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a diagram of a configuration for a control method of easily attaching an image data photographed through a camera according to one embodiment of the present invention. The following description is made with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

In a step S201, the controller <NUM> outputs a running screen of a prescribed application through the touchscreen. Referring to <FIG>, for example of the running screen, the mobile terminal <NUM> currently outputs a running screen of an SNS (social network service) application (hereinafter named a message transceiving application) capable of transceiving a message. The message transceiving application is the application capable of transceiving text, image and/or audio data with at least one receiving counterpart and is able to transceive such data using the wireless communication unit <NUM>.

The running screen of the message transceiving application (i.e., example) is described in detail with reference to the running state diagram shown in <FIG> as follows. According to the example shown in <FIG>, a user of the mobile terminal currently transceives messages with a counterpart 'Jane'. This running screen includes a transceiving record region <NUM> through which transceived messages are outputted. Regarding the transceiving record region <NUM>, left-sorted messages <NUM>-<NUM> include the messages (hereinafter named received messages) received from a counterpart terminal by the mobile terminal <NUM>, while right-sorted messages <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM> include the messages (hereinafter named sent messages) sent to the counterpart terminal by the mobile terminal <NUM>. On the running screen of the message transceiving application mentioned in the detailed description of the present invention, the sent messages may be indicated by the reference numbers <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>. and the received messages may be indicated by the reference numbers <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>.

In a step S202, the controller <NUM> can display a preview screen of the camera on a prescribed region of the outputted running screen. Referring to <FIG>, the preview screen is outputted as a popup window <NUM> (hereinafter named a preview popup window). In this case, the preview popup window <NUM> is outputted to a prescribed region on the running screen of the prescribed application.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the preview popup window <NUM> is proposed to be always outputted to the touchscreen <NUM> as if floating on the touchscreen <NUM> irrespective of an output of a running screen of another application. For instance, a physical layer for controlling an output of the preview popup window <NUM> is proposed to be implemented not one an application stage but on a framework stage. Hence, although the preview popup window <NUM> is floating, a running screen of another application can perform an operation (e.g., an output of information and/or an input of a touch gesture, etc.) irrespective of the output of the preview popup window <NUM>.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, proposed is a method of attaching image data to a prescribed application easily. Generally, in order to attach image data to a prescribed application, if a camera activation command is received, a camera preview screen is outputted by being switched from a currently outputted running screen of an application. Subsequently, after a photo has been photographed, the camera preview screen is switched to the previously outputted running screen of the application and the photographed image data is then attached. In this process, the application previously run before the camera activation may be temporarily run on a background or the output of the running screen of the application previously run before the camera activation may be temporarily paused.

Hence, according to one embodiment of the present invention, it is proposed in detail that a preview screen of a camera is outputted to a prescribed region of a running screen of a previously outputted application while the corresponding running screen is outputted intactly. Moreover, if a prescribed command is received, an image is photographed through the camera and the photographed image data is directly attached to the corresponding application.

In a step S203, the controller <NUM> waits for a reception of an attachment command from a user. In this case, the attachment command means a command, which is received from the user, for photographing an image through the activated camera and attaching the photographed image data to the application in direct. If the attachment command is not received in the step S203, the controller <NUM> can return to the step S202. If the attachment command is received in the step S203, the controller <NUM> goes to a step S204.

In the step S204, the controller <NUM> can attach the image data photographed through the camera to the prescribed application.

Moreover, according to one embodiment of the present invention, if the prescribed application is a message transceiving application, the controller <NUM> can control the wireless communication unit <NUM> to directly send the attached image data. In particular, according to this embodiment, when the user intends to send the photographed image data to a message receiving counterpart, the user can send an image in a manner of attaching the image simply and easily using a one-time attachment command [Direct Attachment].

Since the image data directly photographed through the camera is attached, it may be attached (attached and then sent in the message transceiving application) without being checked by a user. If so, although an undesired image data is photographed, the corresponding image data may be attached (sent) in the message transceiving application. In a step S204 according to another embodiment of the present invention, in response to the reception of the attachment command, after a popup window for checking whether to send the photographed image data has been outputted, if a user inputs a command for confirming whether to attach through the popup window, the photographed image data is proposed to be attached. In case of not intending to send the photographed image data, a cancellation may be made through the popup window [Attachment after Check].

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the controller <NUM> may be able to distinguish the operation 'Direct Attachment" from the operation 'Attachment after Check' through a user command by combining the above two embodiments together. In particular, if a <NUM>st command is received, the controller <NUM> performs a photographing and is then able to directly attach the photographed image data to an application. If a <NUM>nd command is received, the controller <NUM> outputs a popup window for attaching an image data photographed through the camera. If a conformation command is received through the outputted popup window, the controller <NUM> can attach the photographed image data to an application. For example, the <NUM>st command may include a double touch (i.e., a short touch applied twice in a prescribed time) received through the preview popup window <NUM>. For example, the <NUM>nd command may include a short touch received through the preview popup window <NUM>.

]Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present invention, in performing the attachment operation in the step S204, it is proposed to change a size of image data, which is to be attached, based on a size of the preview popup window <NUM>. This shall be described with reference to <FIG> later. In response to a user's command or a prescribed condition, the controller <NUM> can change a size of the preview popup window <NUM>. In response to the reception of the attachment command, if a size of the preview popup window <NUM> is a <NUM>st size, the controller <NUM> changes a data size of image data, which is to be attached, into a <NUM>st data size. In response to the reception of the attachment command, if a size of the preview popup window <NUM> is a <NUM>nd size, the controller <NUM> changes a data size of image data, which is to be attached, into a <NUM>nd data size.

<FIG> shows a running screen to which a photographed image data is attached. Referring to <FIG>, an attached image data is sent and a sent message <NUM>-<NUM> having the image data attached thereto is displayed on the transceiving record region <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the above-mentioned embodiment is described by taking the message transceiving application as an example, by which the present invention is non-limited. And, the above-mentioned embodiment is applicable to applications of various types. In particular, an embodiment of the present invention is applicable to an application capable of a copy operation on an image data and a paste operation on the copied image data.

Aside from the above-mentioned examples of the applications, other examples to which one embodiment of the present invention is applicable are described as follows.

Meanwhile, in the aforementioned step S202, the controller <NUM> outputs the preview popup window <NUM> of the camera. Although the preview popup window <NUM> can be outputted by the controller <NUM> under a prescribed condition, it is proposed to be outputted in response to a user command according to one embodiment of the present invention. One example of a user command for outputting the preview popup window <NUM> is described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> as follows.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams for examples of a user command for outputting a camera preview popup window <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention.

<FIG> is a diagram for a configuration of outputting a home screen. The home screen is described in detail as follows. First of all, the home screen can be defined as a screen initially displayed on the touchscreen when a locked state of the touchscreen <NUM> is unlocked. And, at least one icon or widget for running an application or an internal function may be displayed on the displayed screen. At least two home screens may exist in the mobile terminal <NUM> as well as one home screen. In this case, when a prescribed touch gesture is applied to the touchscreen <NUM>, the at least two home screens can be sequentially displayed one by one. And, different icons (widgets) may be disposed on the home screens, respectively. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the controller <NUM> outputs an icon (hereinafter named a fast photograph icon) <NUM> for outputting a preview popup window <NUM> to the home screen and is then able to output the preview popup window <NUM> in response to an input 10a of selecting the fast photograph icon <NUM>.

Meanwhile, according to the above-described method, it is not easy to output the preview popup window <NUM> in the course of outputting a running screen of an application. The reason for this is that the fast photograph icon <NUM> should be selected after switching to the home screen again in the course of outputting the running screen of the application. Therefore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, further proposed is a control method of outputting a preview popup window <NUM> on a running screen of an application. Such an embodiment is described in detail with reference to <FIG> as follows.

Referring to <FIG>, the controller <NUM> currently outputs a running screen of a text message sending application through the touchscreen <NUM>. According to one embodiment of the present invention, in response to a prescribed input received from a user, it is proposed to output a preview popup window <NUM> through a function (i.e., a quick launcher function, cf. <FIG>) of outputting at least one run icon. A user input for paging the quick launcher function may include an input performed in a manner of touching a home button 10b and then applying a drag 10c in a prescribed direction by maintaining the touch. If the user input for paging the quick launcher function is received, referring to <FIG>, the controller <NUM> can output at least one icon including a fast photograph icon <NUM>.

If an input for selecting the fast photograph icon <NUM> is received in <FIG>, referring to <FIG>, the controller <NUM> can output a preview popup window <NUM>.

The control method for paging the preview popup window <NUM> is described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. In the following description, a control method of controlling a preview popup window <NUM> after outputting the preview popup window <NUM> is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> are diagrams for a method of controlling a preview popup window <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is proposed that a location, size and/or transparency of the preview popup window <NUM> can be adjusted. Since the preview popup window <NUM> should be outputted to a prescribed region of a running screen of another application, the preview popup window <NUM> may block an output of the running screen of the another application in part or interrupt the output of the running screen of the another application. Moreover, according to one embodiment of the present invention, if the mobile terminal includes a plurality of cameras, a method of facilitating a plurality of the cameras to be switched to one another is proposed.

Referring to <FIG>, a preview popup window <NUM> is currently outputted through a running screen of a message transceiving application. According to one embodiment of the present invention, if a user command (hereinafter named a movement command) for moving a location of the preview popup window <NUM> is received, the controller <NUM> can control the touchscreen <NUM> to output the preview popup window <NUM> in a manner of changing a location of the currently outputted preview popup window <NUM>.

For example, after an input of applying a touch 10e to the outputted preview popup window <NUM> has been received, the movement command may include an input of applying a drag 10f to a desired location by maintaining the touch 10e.

<FIG> is a diagram for a configuration of outputting the preview popup window <NUM> shown in <FIG> by moving the preview popup window <NUM> in response to the movement command.

Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present invention, if a location of the preview popup window <NUM> is moved to a prescribed corner of the touchscreen <NUM>, it is further proposed to control the preview popup window <NUM> to be displayed as a reduced icon.

Referring to <FIG>, a preview popup window <NUM> is currently outputted through a running screen of a message transceiving application. According to one embodiment of the present invention, if a user command (hereinafter named a size adjustment command) for adjusting a size of the preview popup window <NUM> is received, the controller <NUM> controls the touchscreen <NUM> to output the preview popup window <NUM> in a manner of changing a size of the currently outputted preview popup window <NUM>.

For example, after an input of applying a touch <NUM> to the outputted preview popup window <NUM> has been received, the size adjustment command may include an input of applying a drag <NUM> to a desired location by maintaining the touch <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram for a configuration of outputting the preview popup window <NUM> shown in <FIG> by adjusting to increase the size of the preview popup window <NUM> in response to the size adjustment command.

Referring to <FIG>, a preview popup window <NUM> is currently outputted through a running screen of a message transceiving application. According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the mobile terminal <NUM> includes a plurality of cameras, if a camera switching command is received, the controller <NUM> can control a preview screen, which is currently outputted through the preview popup window <NUM>, to be switched to a preview screen of another camera. In particular, while a preview screen <NUM>-<NUM> of a <NUM>st camera is outputted, if a camera switching command is received, the controller <NUM> can control a preview screen <NUM>-<NUM> of a <NUM>nd camera to be outputted.

For example, the camera switching command may include an input of applying a flicking 10j and <NUM> to the outputted preview popup window <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram for a configuration of outputting the preview popup window <NUM> by switching the camera outputting the preview popup window <NUM> shown in <FIG> to another camera in response to the camera switching command.

Referring to <FIG>, a preview popup window <NUM> is currently outputted through a running screen of a message transceiving application. According to one embodiment of the present invention, if a user command (hereinafter named a transparency adjustment command) for adjusting a transparency of the preview popup window <NUM> is received, the controller <NUM> can control the touchscreen <NUM> to output the preview popup window <NUM> in a manner of changing a transparency of the currently outputted preview popup window <NUM>.

For example, the transparency adjustment command may include an input of adjusting a transparency adjustment bar. According to one embodiment of the present invention, in order to adjust a transparency of the preview popup window <NUM>, it is proposed to further output a transparency adjustment bar and a transparency adjustment object <NUM>. And, it is also proposed to control the transparency by moving a location of the transparency adjustment object <NUM> on the transparency adjustment bar. For example, a control command for controlling the location of the transparency adjustment object <NUM> may include an input of receiving an input of applying a touch to the outputted transparency adjustment object <NUM> and then applying a drag to a desired location by maintaining the touch.

<FIG> is a diagram for a configuration of outputting the preview popup window <NUM> shown in <FIG> by adjusting to increase the transparency of the preview popup window <NUM> in response to the transparency adjustment command.

Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present invention, an image data photographed through a camera is controlled to be automatically cropped in response to a location and/or size of a preview popup window <NUM>. An operation of cropping an image means an operation of separately designating (or, selecting) a prescribed region desired by a user (or, determined on a prescribed condition) in a full image. In particular, a user may be able to save and/or use an image data in a designated region of a full image by a crop operation.

<FIG> is a diagram for a control method of performing an auto-crop operation based on a location and/or size of a preview popup window <NUM> according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to <FIG>, a preview popup window <NUM> is currently outputted through a running screen of a message transceiving application. The preview popup window <NUM> is outputted through a prescribed region of the full running screen of the application (or, a full output region of the touchscreen). According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is proposed to crop a portion of a whole camera image received through the camera in order to correspond to an output region of the preview popup window <NUM> in the full output region of the touchscreen. In particular, referring to <FIG>, it is able to create a <NUM>st auto crop image <NUM>-<NUM> in order for a full touchscreen output region and an output region of the preview popup window <NUM> to correspond to a full camera image <NUM> and the <NUM>st auto crop image <NUM>-<NUM>, respectively.

<FIG> is a diagram for a configuration that a location of the preview popup window <NUM> shown in <FIG> is changed. If an attachment command is received, it is able to crop a <NUM>nd auto crop image <NUM>-<NUM> in a manner of photographing an image automatically through the camera and then cropping the photographed full camera image <NUM>. In particular, the <NUM>nd auto crop image <NUM>-<NUM> is cropped to correspond to the moved location of the preview popup window <NUM>.

Meanwhile, an image data attached (or sent) by a control method according to one embodiment of the present invention can be controlled to be directly deleted without being saved separately. Yet, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the photographed image data can be temporarily saved in order to be attached to an application. Yet, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the object is to photograph and attach (or send) a photographed image data quickly rather than to save.

A control method according to another embodiment of the present invention proposes that an attached (sent) image data is saved in a separate folder (or, identified) on a gallery application. Such an embodiment is described in detail with reference to <FIG> as follows.

<FIG> is a diagram for a control method of sorting and keeping image data attached to a prescribed application in a separate folder according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to <FIG>, a configuration of running a gallery application is illustrated. This configuration includes <NUM> image folders 'camera roll', 'panorama' and 'photo'. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the controller <NUM> is proposed to sort and keep the data attached (sent) by the aforementioned embodiment in the quick photo folder <NUM>. Meanwhile, a folder name 'quick photo' is just one example, by which the present embodiment is non-limited.

<FIG> is a diagram for a configuration that the quick photo folder <NUM> is entered. A list <NUM> of image data attached (sent) by the aforementioned embodiment is outputted. The list <NUM> shown in in the example includes <NUM> image data items <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-<NUM>. Each of the image data items can be displayed together with a type of an attached application, an date and hour of the attachment, and/or a location information at a timing point of the attachment.

Claim 1:
A mobile terminal (<NUM>) comprising:
a first camera (<NUM>);
a memory (<NUM>) for storing a message transceiving application;
a touchscreen (<NUM>); and
a controller (<NUM>) configured to:
cause the touchscreen (<NUM>) to display a running screen of the message transceiving application, wherein a popup window is displayed on a first region of the touchscreen (<NUM>) and a first preview image of the first camera is displayed in the popup window,
wherein the controller (<NUM>) is further configured to:
in response to a user input for a size change of the popup window, cause the touchscreen (<NUM>) to display in the popup window a first portion of a whole camera image received through the camera (<NUM>), the first portion of the whole camera image being selected based on the changed size of the popup window, wherein the user input comprises a drag touch input applied to the popup window and the first portion of the whole camera image corresponds to the changed size of the popup window; and
in response to an attachment command, photograph the whole camera image, crop the first portion of the whole camera image and attach an image of the cropped first portion to the message transceiving application,
wherein a data size of the attached image is based on the size of the popup window.