Mobile terminal and method for generating an out-of-focus image

1. A method for generating an out-of-focus image in a mobile terminal, the method comprising:

receiving a selection of an out-of-focus function;

displaying a preview image and a depth map on a display unit of the mobile terminal when the out-of-focus function is selected;

receiving a selection of a specific object from the displayed preview image;

adjusting the displayed depth map based on a convergence of the specific object when the specific object is selected;

capturing an image using at least one camera of the mobile terminal; and

generating an out-of-focus image by blurring the captured image based on the adjusted depth map,

wherein adjusting the displayed depth map comprises:

setting the selected specific object as a zero-point of convergence;

determining whether one or more objects with a negative convergence are present in at least the displayed preview image or displayed depth man;

displaying the one or more objects on a screen of the mobile terminal when the one or more objects are present;

extracting the displayed one or more objects when no user selection of the displayed one or more objects is received within a specific period of time;

resetting a convergence of the extracted one or more objects to a positive convergence relative to the zero-point of convergence; and

adjusting the depth map based on the reset positive convergence of the extracted one or more objects.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the displayed preview image is at least a still image or a video.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

generating the displayed depth map from preview images each acquired from one of two cameras of the mobile terminal when the out-of-focus function is selected or the specific object is selected.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the depth map is displayed as a mini-map at a side of the displayed preview image.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the depth map is displayed semi-transparently and overlapping the displayed preview screen.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the displayed depth map comprises a size, a shape, a color and a display time that are either initially set via a first menu or set via a second menu when the displayed depth map is selected.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the displayed depth map includes a negative convergence region and a positive convergence region; and

a color of the negative convergence region is different than a color of the positive convergence region.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

displaying a control bar at a specific area of the displayed preview image or displayed depth map;

process an input to move the displayed control bar; and

adjusting the displayed depth map in order to change a blurring level of a background region of the displayed preview image in response to the input to move the displayed control bar.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the out-of-focus image comprises:

enlarging the display of the adjusted depth map to a size that is similar to a size of the captured image;

comparing the captured image to the enlarged depth map based on block units or a pixel units; and

performing filtering to blur a positive convergence region of the captured image according to the enlarged display of the depth map.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein filtering is performed via Gaussian blur filtering.

11. A mobile terminal comprising:

a display unit configured to display information;

at least one camera configured to capture an image;

a memory configured to store the captured image; and

a controller configured to:

process a selection of an out-of-focus function,

control the display unit to display a preview image and a depth map,

process a selection of a specific object from the displayed preview image,

control the display unit to adjust the displayed depth map based on a convergence of the specific object when the specific object is selected,

control the at least one camera to capture the images, and

generate an out-of-focus image by blurring the captured image based on the adjusted depth map,

wherein adjusting the displayed depth map comprises:

setting the selected specific object as a zero-point of convergence;

determining whether one or more objects with a negative convergence are present in at least the displayed preview image or displayed depth map;

displaying the one or more objects on a screen of the mobile terminal when the one or more objects are present;

extracting the displayed one or more objects when no user selection of the displayed one or more objects is received within a specific period of time;

resetting a convergence of the extracted one or more objects to a positive convergence relative to the zero-point of convergence; and

adjusting the depth map based on the reset positive convergence of the extracted one or more objects.

12. The terminal of claim 11 , wherein the displayed preview image is at least a still image or a video.

13. The terminal of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

generate the displayed depth map from preview images acquired by two cameras of the mobile terminal when the out-of-focus function is selected or the specific object is selected.

14. The terminal of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the display unit to display the depth map as a mini-map at a side of the displayed preview image.

15. The terminal of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured to control the display unit to display the depth map semi-transparently and overlapping the displayed preview screen.

16. The terminal of claim 11 , wherein the displayed depth map comprises a size, a shape, a color and a display time that are either initially set via a first menu or set via a second menu when the displayed depth map is selected.

17. The terminal of claim 11 , wherein:

the displayed depth map includes a negative convergence region and a positive convergence region; and

a color of the negative convergence region is different than a color of the positive convergence region.

18. The terminal of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

control the display unit to display a control bar at a specific area of the displayed preview image or displayed depth map,

process an input to move the displayed control bar; and

adjust the displayed depth map in order to change a blurring level of a background region of the displayed preview image in response to the input to move the control bar.

19. The terminal of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured to:

enlarge the display of the adjusted depth map to a size that is similar to a size of the captured image;

compare the captured image to the enlarged depth map based on block units or pixel units; and

perform filtering to blur a positive convergence region of the captured image according to the enlarged display of the depth map.

20. The terminal of claim 19 , wherein filtering is performed via Gaussian blur filtering.

21. The terminal of claim 11 , further comprising a control bar that is located at a specific area of the display unit and configured to control a blurring level of a background region of the displayed preview image.