Automatic image processing method and electronic device thereof

• US 9,413,969 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2014
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Baek, In-Ho
• Primary Examiner(s): Augustin, Marcellus
• Application Number:
  US14/282,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20150066511A1
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 704/235, 704/238, 704/253, 704/260, 704/270.1, 704/271
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/10 Character recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/142 using hand-held instruments; Constructional details of the instruments
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 30/1456 based on user interactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera

Abstract

A method and an electronic device for processing an image in an electronic device are provided. The method includes determining whether the electronic device is mounted in a cradle comprising at least one guide region, scanning an image in the guide region using a camera, and outputting the scanned image or image information based on the scanned image. The method can easily process the image and provide the user with the output information. Therefore, the output information is favorable to the blind people or the illiterate, and the usability and the reliability of the electronic device can be enhanced.

Claims

1. A method in an electronic device, the method comprising:

determining whether the electronic device is mounted in a cradle comprising at least one guide region;

automatically activating a camera and an Optical Character Reader (OCR) function in response to the determination that the electronic device is mounted in the cradle;

scanning, by the camera, an image in the guide region;

after scanning the image in the guide region, converting text of the scanned image into text data using the activated OCR function; and

outputting, by a display, the scanned image or image information based on the scanned image.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining of whether the electronic device is mounted in the cradle comprises receiving a signal from a sensor of the electronic device that detects a target of the cradle.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the target includes a magnet and the sensor includes one of a hall sensor or a reed switch for detecting a magnetic force of the magnet.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

after converting the image to the text data, automatically converting the converted text data into voice data using a Text to Speech (TTS) function.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the outputting of the scanned image or the image information based on the scanned image comprises:

displaying a corresponding image or image information on the display of the electronic device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the displayed image or image information is resized and output in a preset size.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the outputting of the scanned image or the image information comprises:

audibly or tactually outputting data corresponding to the image information.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the data is audibly output as voice or sound through a speaker and the data is tactually output as a vibration through a vibrator.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after determining whether the electronic device is mounted in the cradle:

confirming at least one of a distance between the camera and the guide region, an angle, an amount of light of a lighting device, a recognition range setting value, and a camera resolution setting value; and

scanning the image in the guide region using the camera based on the confirmed information.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

when the scanned image is color data, comparing the scanned color data with a color of the guide frame of the cradle;

correcting the scanned color data based on the comparison; and

displaying the color data based on the correction on the display of the electronic device.

11. An electronic device comprising:

a camera;

a display; and

a processor configured to;

determine whether the electronic device is mounted in a cradle comprising at least one guide region,

automatically activate a camera and an Optical Character Reader (OCR) function in response to the determination that the electronic device is mounted in the cradle,

scan an image in the guide region using the camera,

after scanning of the image, convert text of the scanned image into text data using the activated OCR function, and

control the display to output the scanned image or image information based on the scanned image.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, further comprising:

a speaker for audibly outputting information corresponding to the image information.

13. The electronic device of claim 11, further comprising:

a vibrator for tactually outputting information corresponding to the image information.

14. The electronic device of claim 11, further comprising:

a sensor configured to automatically scan the image by detecting a magnetic force of a magnet of the cradle.

15. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to convert the converted text data into voice data using a Text to Speech (TTS) function.

16. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the cradle comprises:

a lower support;

a guide frame comprising at least one recessed guide region in the lower support;

an upper support installed at a certain height from the lower support and comprising a mounting part for receiving the electronic device; and

at least one leg for interconnecting the upper support and the lower support.

17. The electronic device of claim 16,

wherein the guide frame is removeable,

further comprising another guide frame comprising a recessed guide region having a different shape.