DESC:The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-
This application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 4210/CHE/2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relate to the field of portable electronic devices and more particularly to managing a preview area during media capture by the electronic devices.

BACKGROUND
[002] Rapid development in device technology has enabled portable electronic devices to provide higher computation and processing capabilities. The enhanced capabilities of an electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants enables a user to perform multiple tasks using applications installed on the electronic device. Application on the electronic device such as a visual media capture application displays a preview of the media being captured on a display screen of the electronic device. The media captured can be a still image, a video and the like. In most of the electronic devices, preview area may entirely or partially cover the display screen based on whether a shrink viewable area functionality of the electronic device is activated or deactivated. The shrink viewable area functionality is generally used by electronic devices having large display screens. One advantage of reducing the viewable area is minimizing battery power consumed by the display screen. Another advantage is user convenience while accessing the contents of the large display screen by bringing entire content displayed on the display screen within the reach of fingers of the user. However, shrinking of the viewable area functionality is applies to the content to be displayed in entirety and is not selective for a specific selected application.
[003] Further, with existing methods, once the viewable area is reduced, remaining area is blanked off and remains unused. Moreover, any notifications such as incoming calls, pop ups are displayed as overlay on the limited viewable area, reducing content clarity and further cluttering the contents. This effectively degrades user experience.

OBJECT OF INVENTION
[004] The principal object of the embodiments herein is to provide methods and systems for managing a preview area on a display screen of an electronic device during media capture by shrinking the preview area when a media preview mode is activated for a visual media capture application.
[005] Another object of the embodiments herein is to activate the media preview mode on detection of a user gesture, wherein the user gesture is predefined for the media preview mode.
[006] Another object of the embodiments herein is to provide a method for blanking unused area of the display screen and utilizing the unused area of the screen real estate for at least one task based on a battery status of the electronic device.

SUMMARY
[007] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a method for managing a preview area on a display screen during media capture by an electronic device is described. The method comprises activating a media preview mode for a visual media capture application of the electronic device on detection of a user gesture. Further, the method comprises shrinking the preview area from a full screen to a partial screen on activation of the media preview mode, wherein display content corresponding to the visual media capture application is displayed in the preview area. Furthermore, the method comprises utilizing an unused area of the display screen for at least one task based on a battery status of the electronic device.
[008] Embodiments further disclose an electronic device for managing power consumed by a display of the electronic device. The electronic device comprises a preview area management module configured to activate a media preview mode for an application of the electronic device on detection of a user gesture. Further, the preview area management module is configured to shrink a preview area of a screen real estate of the display from a full screen to a partial screen, wherein display content corresponding to the application is displayed in the preview area when in the media preview mode. Furthermore, the preview area management module is configured to utilize an unused area of the screen real estate for at least one task based on a battery status of the electronic device.
[009] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0010] The embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a plurality of components of an electronic device, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for managing a preview area on a display screen during media capture by the electronic device based on a media preview mode, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] FIGs. 3a and FIG. 3b are example User Interface (UI) screen shots of the electronic device illustrating switching between a normal preview mode and the media preview mode for a camera application, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0014] FIGs. 4a, 4b and 4c are examples illustrating UI screen shots for utilization of an unused area of the display screen for one or more tasks, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0015] FIGs. 5a, 5b and 5c are examples illustrating utilization of the unused area of the display screen for one or more tasks, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0016] FIGs. 6a and 6b are examples illustrating utilization of the unused area of the display screen of the display for flash functionality for a front camera of the electronic device, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0017] FIGs. 7a and 7b illustrate an example indicating utilization of the unused area to display tilt of an image being captured using a camera application, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0019] The embodiments herein achieve methods and systems for managing a preview area on a display screen of an electronic device during media capture by shrinking the preview area when a media preview mode is activated for a visual media capture application. The media preview mode can be activated for the visual media application of the electronic device on detection of a user gesture. Further, the method includes shrinking the preview area of the display screen, also referred as display, from a full screen to a partial screen and displaying content corresponding to the visual media application in the preview area. Further, the method includes blanking an unused area of the display screen. Further, the method includes utilizing the unused area for one or more tasks based on a battery status of the electronic device. Thus, the method provides control to a user to activate the media preview mode for the visual media application activated by the user. Utilization of the unused portion of the display screen for other multiple tasks enables maintaining the visual media application’s viewable area clutter free with better visibility of the visual media application content being displayed. However, the unused area is utilized for one or more tasks only if the battery status indicates sufficient battery power with reference to a battery power threshold predefined for the electronic device. Further, to implement selective blanking of the display screen the electronic devices utilizing display screens such Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED) and the like can be used.
[0020] In embodiment, the electronic device can be a mobile phone, a tablet, a personal digital assistant, a laptop, a wearable device or any other electronic device wherein the display of the electronic device can be blanked selectively.
[0021] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 7, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a plurality of components of an electronic device 100, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.
[0023] Referring to figure 1, the electronic device 100 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the electronic device 100 may include at least one processor 102, an input/output (I/O) interface 104 (herein a configurable user interface), and a memory 106. The at least one processor 102 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices such as a mobile phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant, a tablet and so on that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the at least one processor 102 is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 106.
[0024] The I/O interface104 may include a variety of software and hardware interfaces, for example, a web interface, a graphical user interface for the display and the like. The I/O interface 104 may allow the electronic device 100 to communicate with other devices such as wearable devices and other electronic devices. The I/O interface 104 may facilitate multiple communications within a wide variety of networks and protocol types, including wired networks, for example, Local Area network (LAN), cable and the like and wireless networks, such as Wireless LAN, cellular, Device to Device (D2D) communication network, Wi-Fi networks and so on. The modules 108 include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and so on, which perform particular tasks, functions or implement particular abstract data types. The modules 108 may include programs or coded instructions that supplement applications and functions of the electronic device 100 such as functions of a preview area management module 112. Data 110, amongst other things, serves as a repository for storing data processed, received, and generated by one or more of the modules 108 and/or the display power management module 112.
[0025] In an embodiment, the preview area management module 112 can be configured to manage the preview area on the display screen of the electronic device 100 during media capture by shrinking the preview area when a media preview mode is activated for the visual media capture application. The media preview mode can be activated for the visual media application of the electronic device 100 on detection of a user gesture. The user gesture can be predefined for activating or deactivating the media preview mode. For example, the user gesture can be a single tap, a double tap, a swipe on a media preview mode icon displayed on the display. In an example, a voice command can activate or deactivate the media preview mode. Further, on detection of the activated media preview mode, the preview area management module 112 can be configured to shrink the viewable area of the display screen from the full screen to the partial screen and then display content corresponding to the visual media application in the viewable area. Further, the preview area management module 112 can be configured to blank the unused area of the display screen (display screen area other than the viewable area). Further, the preview area management module 112 can be configured to utilize the unused area for one or more tasks based on the battery status of a battery in the electronic device 100. Thus, the method provides control to the user to activate the media preview mode for the visual media application intended by the user. Further, utilizing the unused portion for other multiple tasks enables maintaining the visual media application’s viewable area clutter free with better visibility of the visual media application content being displayed. However, the unused area is utilized for one or more tasks after identifying that an Ultra Power Saving (UPS) mode of the electronic device is inactive. The USP mode is activated by the electronic device 100 when the battery status indicates a battery power below the battery power threshold.
[0026] The proposed media preview mode can be activated for visual media application such as a camera application when used for long duration photography modes such as a video mode, a fast motion / a time lapse mode and the like. When utilizing such long duration video modes user generally intends to be aware and updated about live images being captured rather than viewing them on the full screen. Thus, there may not be a need to display the images captured on the full screen, rather displaying on the partial screen can serve the purpose. Thus the unused display screen can be blanked and used for other tasks.
[0027] Further, the names of the components and modules of the electronic device 100 are illustrative and need not be construed as a limitation.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 200 for managing the preview area on the display screen during media capture by the electronic device 100 based on the media preview mode , according to embodiments as disclosed herein. At step 202 the method 200 includes allowing the preview area management module 112 to detect the user gesture, wherein the user gesture is predefined for activating or deactivating the media preview mode. For example, the user gesture can be a single tap, a double tap, a swipe on a media preview mode icon displayed on the display. In an example, a voice command can activate or deactivate the media preview mode. At step 202 the method 200 includes allowing the preview area management module 112 to activate the media preview mode for the visual media application on detection of the user gesture. The proposed media preview mode can be activated for visual media application such as the camera application when used for long duration photography modes such as a video mode, a fast motion / a time lapse mode and the like. Once the media preview mode is activated then at step 206 the method 200 includes allowing the preview area management module 112 to shrink the preview area of the display screen from the full screen to the partial screen and then the display content corresponding to the visual media application in the preview area. The size of the partial screen can be decided based on one or more parameters such as the current battery status and a user input indicating an intended size. Thus, if the battery status indicates sufficient battery power the viewable area (partial screen size) can be fixed to a predefined size, which can gradually decreases as battery power decreases. However, if the user intends to retain a fix size of the partial screen, the fixed size can be retained.
[0029] In an embodiment, when the battery status is low below a preset level then the viewable area (partial screen) can be displayed as a black and white screen instead of a colored screen to save battery power consumed.
[0030] At step 208 the method 200 includes allowing the preview area management module 112 to utilize the unused area for one more tasks based on the battery status of the electronic device. The method 200 includes allowing the preview area management module 112 to blank the unused area of the display screen. In an embodiment, one or more tasks displayed on the unused area (blank screen) are in context with the visual media application being displayed on the partial screen. Few use case examples of the tasks displayed on the unused area are explained in conjunction with FIG. 3 through FIG. 7.
[0031] The various actions in method 200 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 2 may be omitted.
[0032] FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b are example User Interface (UI) screen shots of the electronic device 100 illustrating switching between a normal preview mode and the media preview mode for a camera application, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The FIG. 3a illustrates UI for the normal preview mode for the camera application. A video image being captured by a camera is displayed on full screen of the display with preview area of covering the full screen. An icon 302 for the media preview mode is also displayed in the normal preview mode along with one or more menu options as an overlay on the displayed image. A user gesture such as a tap on the icon 302 can activate the media preview mode and shrink the preview area to partial screen while blanking the unused display screen. However, the menu options and the icon can be displayed on the blank screen to avoid cluttering of the contents on the partial screen.
[0033] FIG. 4a, Fig 4b and FIG. 4c are examples illustrating UI screen shots for utilization of the unused area of the display screen of the display for one or more tasks, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig 4a, FIG 4b and Fig 4c show the media preview mode activated for the camera application, wherein a long duration video being captured is displayed on the partial screen 402. The unused area is blanked out. In case an incoming call is detected during the video capture when in media preview mode, the incoming call (task) is displayed on the unused blank area, avoiding any interference of the call indication with the displayed image and enhancing user experience. FIG 4b illustrates the unused area utilized for a quick preview 408 task. The quick preview is a thumbnail providing a previously captured video by the camera application 406. Thus, the already captured video 408 (video image or still image) is being displayed on the unused area. FIG. 4c illustrates a task such as an upfront setting for recording speed 410 while fast motion / time lapse capture by the camera application 406. However, the blank screen corresponding to the unused area may not be used for one or more tasks when the UPS mode is active for the electronic device 100. This enables retaining battery power to ensure electronic device’s 100 in operating condition for a longer time.
[0034] FIG. 5a, FIG. 5b and FIG. 5c are examples illustrating utilization of the unused area of the display screen for one or more tasks, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Fig. 5a illustrates the media preview mode for the camera application with menu options displayed in the unused area. With a tap gesture on a gallery icon 502 in the menu, a gallery thumbnail strip appears by tapping on gallery icon as shown in FIG. 5b and may disappear by tapping on a back button. The user can scroll through thumbnail of images by swiping to left or right. The user can perform actions such as swipe up to delete the image / video corresponding to a selected thumbnail 506 as shown in FIG. 5c. However, the blank screen corresponding to the unused area may not be used for one or more tasks when the UPS mode is active for the electronic device 100. This enables retaining battery power to ensure electronic device’s 100 in operating condition for a longer time.
[0035] FIG. 6a and Fig. 6b are examples illustrating utilization of the unused area of the display screen of the display for flash functionality for a front camera of the electronic device, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. FIG. 6a illustrates the camera application in the media preview mode with an active front camera 602. The unused are is used to display tasks such as menu options and an additional flash icon 604. A tap gesture on the flash icon illuminates the unused area 606 (blank screen), as shown in FIG. 6b. The unused blank screen can be illuminated fully or partially to provide a flash effect for clicking an image using the front camera. The flash can be provided with three states such as off, on and auto. When in auto mode and the UPS mode is activated by the electronic device 100 due to battery status indicating the battery power below the battery power threshold, the blank screen is not utilized for flash so as to retain battery power.
[0036] FIG. 7a and Fig. 7b illustrate an example indicating utilization of the unused area to display tilt of an image being captured using a camera application, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Tilt correction helps user to capture tilt free video. Atilt feature (task) can be activated by a tap gesture on a tilt icon 702 as shown in Fig 7a. The tilt feature can have three states such as off, show tilt and correct tilt. The off state does not provide any tilt indication. The show tilt state indicates tilt value with respect to a vertical axis when the electronic device 100 is kept in portrait position 704. The show tilt shows tilt value indicates orientation of the captured image with reference to a horizontal axis when the electronic device 100 is kept in landscape orientation. The correct tilt captures vertical video when the electronic device 100 is kept in portrait orientation and horizontal video when the electronic device 100 is kept in landscape orientation by automatically correcting the tilt.
[0037] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the network elements. The network elements shown in FIG. 1 through FIG. 7 include blocks which can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.
[0038] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS: STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
We claim:
1. A method for managing a preview area on a display screen during media capture by an electronic device, the method comprising:
activating, by the electronic device, a media preview mode for a visual media capture application of the electronic device on detection of a user gesture;
shrinking, by the electronic device, the preview area from a full screen to a partial screen on activation of the media preview mode, wherein display content corresponding to the visual media capture application is displayed in the preview area; and
utilizing, by the electronic device, an unused area of the display screen for at least one task based on a battery status of the electronic device.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein utilizing the unused area of the display screen for the at least one task based on the battery status of the electronic device comprises:
blanking the unused area;
identifying whether a ultra power saving mode of the electronic device is inactive, wherein the Ultra Power Saving (UPS) mode is activated by the electronic device when the battery status indicates a battery power below a predefined threshold; and
utilizing the unused area for the at least one task when the USP mode is identified as inactive.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein size of the preview area for the partial screen is based on at least one parameter, wherein the at least one parameter comprises the current battery status and a user input indicating an intended size.
4. An electronic device for managing power consumed by a display of the electronic device, wherein the electronic device comprises a preview area management module configured to:
activate a media preview mode for an application of the electronic device on detection of a user gesture;
shrink a preview area of a screen real estate of the display from a full screen to a partial screen, wherein display content corresponding to the application is displayed in the preview area when in the media preview mode; and
utilize an unused area of the screen real estate for at least one task based on a battery status of the electronic device.
5. The electronic device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the preview area management module is configured to utilize the unused area of the display screen for the at least one task based on the battery status of the electronic device by:
blanking the unused area;
identifying whether a ultra power saving mode of the electronic device is inactive, wherein the Ultra Power Saving (UPS) mode is activated by the electronic device when the battery status indicates a battery power below a predefined threshold; and
utilizing the unused area for the at least one task when the USP mode is identified as inactive.

6. The electronic device as claimed in claim 4, wherein size of the preview area for the partial screen is based on at least one parameter, wherein the at least one parameter comprises the current battery status and a user input indicating an intended size.

Dated this 7th of July 2016 Signature:

Name of the Signatory: Dr. Kalyan Chakravarthy