IP Library Granted Patent US 9,942,467
Granted Patent B2
US 9,942,467 · App. 15/248,606 · Granted Apr 10, 2018

Electronic device and method for adjusting camera exposure

Inventor: Dongsoo Kim (Gwacheon-si, KR)
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
H04N5/23216H04N5/23293
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,942,467
App. No.
15/248,606
Granted
Apr 10, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

An apparatus and method for adjusting camera exposure are disclosed. The apparatus includes an electronic device The electronic device includes a camera, a display, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive a first user input for selecting a first area of a preview image from a first screen for displaying the preview image, to identify an exposure state of the selected first area responding to the first user input, to provide a second screen for displaying a portion of the preview image corresponding to the first area if the exposure state of the selected first area is an over-exposure state, to receive a second user input for selecting a second area of the preview image from the second screen, and to adjust an exposure of the preview image based on the exposure state responding to the second user input.

Claims (54)

1. An electronic device comprising:

at least one camera configured to obtain a preview image;

a display configured to display the preview image; and

a processor configured to:

receive a first user input for selecting a first area of the preview image from a first screen for displaying the preview image,

identify an exposure state of the selected first area in response to the first user input,

provide a second screen for displaying a portion of the preview image corresponding to the selected first area if the exposure state of the selected first area is an over-exposure state,

receive a second user input for selecting a second area of the preview image from the second screen, and

adjust an exposure of the preview image based on the exposure state in response to the second user input.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

calculate an average brightness value of the first area by collecting brightness values of each unit section in the first area, and

identify whether a ratio of unit sections having a difference greater than a predetermined value from the average brightness value of the first area is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio.

3. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine that the exposure state of the first area is an over-exposure state, if the ratio of unit sections having a difference greater than a predetermined value from the average brightness value of the first area is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio.

4. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the processor is further configured to determine that the exposure state of the first area is a proper exposure state, if the ratio of unit sections having a difference greater than a predetermined value from the average brightness value of the first area is less than a predetermined ratio.

5. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to provide the second screen for displaying an image enlarged from the preview image corresponding to the first area through at least a partial area of the first screen.

6. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

provide the second screen for displaying the preview image corresponding to the first area through the entire display, and

provide the first screen for displaying the entire preview image through at least a partial area of the second screen.

7. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

provide the second screen for displaying the preview image corresponding to the first area through the whole display module, and

provide the first screen for displaying the entire preview image through at least a partial area of the second screen.

8. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:

provide an exposure adjustment slide bar through at least a partial area of the first screen if the exposure state of the first area is an over-exposure state, and

adjust an exposure of the preview image based on a user input received through the exposure adjustment slide bar.

9. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to perform a function related to the at least one camera if the exposure state of the first area is a proper exposure state.

10. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to obtain the preview image through the at least one camera module responding to a request for executing a camera application.

11. A method for operating an electronic device, the method comprising:

receiving a first user input for selecting a first area of a preview image from a first screen for displaying the preview image;

identifying an exposure state of the selected first area in response to the first user input;

providing a second screen for displaying a portion of the preview image corresponding to the first area if the exposure state of the selected first area is an over-exposure state;

receiving a second user input for selecting a second area of the preview image from the second screen; and

adjusting an exposure of the preview image based on the exposure state of the selected second area in response to the second user input.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the identifying of the exposure state comprises:

calculating an average brightness value by collecting brightness values of each unit section in the first area; and

identifying whether a ratio of unit sections having a difference greater than a predetermined value from the average brightness value of the first area is equal to or greater than a predetermined ratio.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the identifying of the exposure state comprises:

determining that the exposure state of the first area is a proper exposure state, if the ratio of unit sections having a difference greater than a predetermined value from the average brightness value of the first area is less than a predetermined ratio.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the identifying of the exposure state comprises:

determining that the exposure state of the first area is a proper exposure state, if the ratio of unit sections having a difference greater than a predetermined value from the average brightness value of the first area is less than a predetermined ratio.

15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the providing of the second screen comprises:

providing the second screen for displaying an image enlarged from the preview image corresponding to the first area through at least a partial area of the first screen.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the providing of the second screen comprises:

providing the second screen for displaying the preview image corresponding to the first area through the whole display module; and

providing the first screen for displaying the entire preview image through at least a partial area of the second screen.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the providing of the second screen comprises:

providing the second screen for displaying the preview image corresponding to the first area through the whole display module; and

providing the first screen for displaying the entire preview image through at least a partial area of the second screen.

18. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

providing an exposure adjustment slide bar through at least a partial area of the first screen if the exposure state of the first area is an over-exposure state; and

adjusting an exposure of the preview image based on a user input received through the exposure adjustment slide bar.

19. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

performing a function related to the at least one camera if the exposure state of the first area is a proper exposure state.

20. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

obtaining the preview image through the at least one camera module responding to a request for executing a camera application.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 26, 2016
From: KIM, DONGSOO
To: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 039556/0093 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2015-0127826 · Sep 9, 2015 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170070666A1 · Mar 9, 2017