Method for controlling a camera mode in a portable terminal

• US 7,957,766 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2009
• Issued: 06/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Gong, Sung-Hwa, Lee, Jong-Kerl
• Primary Examiner(s): Karikari; Kwasi
• Application Number:
  US12/458,060
• Publication Number:
  US 20090268077A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 455/575.4, 455/550.1, 455/403, 455/575.1, 455/557, 455/556.1, 455/556, 348/211.99, 348/14.01, 348/14.02, 348/207.99
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/04 collapsible, foldable or extensible, e.g. book type
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0264 for a camera module assembly
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72484 wherein functions are triggered by incoming communication events
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

Disclosed is a camera control method for a portable terminal, by which a lens unit of a camera of the portable terminal can be automatically drawn into or out of the portable terminal when a call is received in a camera mode of the portable terminal. The method comprises the steps of: determining if a call is received in the camera mode in which a lens unit of the portable terminal has been drawn out of the portable terminal; controlling the lens unit to be automatically drawn into the portable terminal while reporting call reception when the call is received; shifting the portable terminal into a communication mode and performing communication when a communication key is input; shifting the portable terminal into an initial camera mode when the initial camera mode is selected after the communication is performed and shifting the portable terminal into a previous camera mode when the previous camera mode is selected after the communication is performed; and interrupting call reception and controlling the lens unit to be automatically drawn out of the portable terminal while maintaining the camera mode when a cancel key is selected.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a camera mode of a portable terminal, the method comprising the steps of:

determining a status of a sliding key input unit of the portable terminal when the portable terminal mode is transitioned into the camera mode;

activating only keys for a camera operation provided in the sliding key input unit when the sliding key input unit is closed;

activating all keys provided in the sliding key input unit and a fixed key input unit located under the sliding key input unit when the sliding key input unit is open;

controlling the lens unit to be automatically drawn out to protrude from the portable terminal when the portable terminal mode is transitioned into the camera mode; and

determining a status of a sliding key input unit of the portable terminal when the portable terminal mode is transitioned into the camera mode;

activating only keys for a camera operation provided in the sliding key input unit when the sliding key input unit is closed;

activating all keys provided in the sliding key input unit and a fixed key input unit located under the sliding key input unit when the sliding key input unit is open; and

controlling the lens unit to be automatically retracted into the portable terminal when the camera mode is terminated.

2. A method for controlling a camera mode of a portable terminal, the method comprising the steps of:

controlling the lens unit to be automatically drawn out to protrude from the portable terminal when the portable terminal mode is transitioned into the camera mode;

determining a status of a sliding key input unit of the portable terminal;

activating only keys for a camera operation provided in the sliding key input unit when the sliding key input unit is closed;

activating all keys provided in the sliding key input unit and a fixed key input unit located under the sliding key input unit when the sliding key input unit is open; and

interrupting the camera mode and controlling the lens unit to be automatically retracted into the portable terminal when no operation is performed during a predetermined time interval in the camera mode.

3. A method for controlling a camera mode of a portable terminal, the method comprising the steps of:

controlling the lens unit to be automatically drawn out to protrude from the portable terminal when the portable terminal mode is transitioned into the camera mode;

determining a status of a sliding key input unit of the portable terminal;

activating only keys for a camera operation provided in the sliding key input unit when the sliding key input unit is closed;

activating all keys provided in the sliding key input unit and a fixed key input unit located under the sliding key input unit when the sliding key input unit is open;

interrupting the camera mode and controlling the lens unit to be automatically retracted n into the portable terminal when no operation is performed during a predetermined time interval in the camera mode; and

controlling the lens unit to be automatically retracted into the portable terminal when a camera-mode-end key is selected in the camera mode.

4. A method for controlling a camera mode of a portable terminal, the method comprising the steps of:

controlling the lens unit to be automatically drawn out to protrude from the portable terminal when the portable terminal mode is transitioned into the camera mode;

determining a status of a sliding key input unit of the portable terminal;

activating only keys for a camera operation provided in the sliding key input unit when the sliding key input unit is closed;

activating all keys provided in the sliding key input unit and a fixed key input unit located under the sliding key input unit when the sliding key input unit is open; and

controlling the lens unit to be automatically retracted into the portable terminal while maintaining the camera mode when no operation is performed during a predetermined time interval in the camera mode.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising the step of controlling the lens unit to be automatically drawn out of the portable terminal when a particular key is input in the camera mode in which the lens unit has been retracted in the portable terminal.

6. A method for controlling a camera mode of a portable terminal, the method comprising the steps of:

controlling the lens unit to be automatically drawn out to protrude from the portable terminal when the portable terminal mode is transitioned into the camera mode;

determining a status of a sliding key input unit of the portable terminal;

activating only keys for a camera operation provided in the sliding key input unit when the sliding key input unit is closed;

activating all keys provided in the sliding key input unit and a fixed key input unit located under the sliding key input unit when the sliding key input unit is open;

controlling the lens unit to be automatically retracted into the portable terminal while maintaining the camera mode when no operation is performed during a predetermined time interval in the camera mode; and

controlling the lens unit to be automatically retracted into the portable terminal when a camera-mode-end key is selected in the camera mode.