Mobile device camera viewfinder punch through effect

Abstract

In an example embodiment, an application is executed on a mobile device, causing generation of application graphical output in an application layer. The application layer is rendered on a touchscreen display. A first gesture of a user is detected, and in response to the first gesture a viewfinder layer is generated, the viewfinder layer containing real-time image data from the embedded camera via a camera service. A composite of the application layer, the viewfinder layer, and a transparency mask is rendered so that a portion of the viewfinder layer is visible and a portion of the application layer is visible on the touchscreen display at the same time. Then a second gesture by the user is detected, and in response to the second gesture, viewfinder data from the viewfinder layer is captured and the viewfinder layer and transparency mask are removed.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method comprising:
 displaying graphical output of a text message application including a text input region;   obscuring a portion of the displayed graphical output with a viewfinder that displays a live camera feed;   while the viewfinder is displaying the live camera feed:
 updating the graphical output of the text message application, and 
 receiving user input to the viewfinder; and 
   in response to receiving the user input, capturing an image from the live camera feed.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user input comprises a single tap on the viewfinder. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: receiving second user input on the graphical output of the text message application wherein the second user input indicates interaction with the text message application. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: detecting a camera launching gesture, in response to the detection of the camera launching gesture, launching a camera service to display the viewfinder. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user input to the viewfinder is defined by a mapping. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising receiving user input to modify the mapping. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: receiving user interaction with the graphical output of the text message application; and based on the interaction, passing the interaction to the text message application for handling of the interaction. 
     
     
         9 . A mobile device comprising:
 a memory storing a text message application;   an embedded camera;   a touchscreen display; and   one or more processors coupled with the memory, the embedded camera and the touchscreen display, wherein the one or more processors are configured to:   display graphical output of a text message application including a text input region;   obscure a portion of the displayed graphical output with a viewfinder that displays a live camera feed;   while the viewfinder is displaying the live camera feed:
 update the graphical output of the text message application, and 
 receive user input to the viewfinder; and 
   in response to receiving the user input, capture an image from the live camera feed.   
     
     
         10 . The mobile device of  claim 9 , wherein the user input comprises a single tap on the viewfinder. 
     
     
         11 . The mobile device of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receive second user input on the graphical output of the text message application wherein the second user input indicates interaction with the text message application. 
     
     
         12 . The mobile device of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: detect a camera launching gesture, in response to the detection of the camera launching gesture, launch a camera service to display the viewfinder. 
     
     
         13 . The mobile device of  claim 9 , wherein the user input to the viewfinder is defined by a mapping. 
     
     
         14 . The mobile device of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receive user input to modify the mapping. 
     
     
         15 . The mobile device of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more processors are further configured to: receive user interaction with the graphical output of the text message application; and based on the interaction, pass the interaction to the text message application for handling of the interaction. 
     
     
         16 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by at least one processor of a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:
 displaying graphical output of a text message application including a text input region;   obscuring a portion of the displayed graphical output with a viewfinder that displays a live camera feed;   while the viewfinder is displaying the live camera feed:
 updating the graphical output of the text message application, and 
 receiving user input to the viewfinder; and 
   in response to receiving the user input, capturing an image from the live camera feed.   
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein the user input comprises a single tap on the viewfinder. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 17 , further comprising: receiving second user input on the graphical output of the text message application wherein the second user input indicates interaction with the text message application. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 16 , further comprising: detecting a camera launching gesture, in response to the detection of the camera launching gesture, launching a camera service to display the viewfinder. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein the user input to the viewfinder is defined by a mapping. 
     
     
         21 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 16 , further comprising: receiving user interaction with the graphical output of the text message application; and based on the interaction, passing the interaction to the text message application for handling of the interaction.