Patent ID: 7957766

Claim:
A method for controlling a camera mode of a portable terminal, the method comprising the steps of: determining a status of a sliding key input unit of the portable terminal when the portable terminal mode is transitioned into the camera mode; activating only keys for a camera operation provided in the sliding key input unit when the sliding key input unit is closed; activating all keys provided in the sliding key input unit and a fixed key input unit located under the sliding key input unit when the sliding key input unit is open; controlling the lens unit to be automatically drawn out to protrude from the portable terminal when the portable terminal mode is transitioned into the camera mode; and determining a status of a sliding key input unit of the portable terminal when the portable terminal mode is transitioned into the camera mode; activating only keys for a camera operation provided in the sliding key input unit when the sliding key input unit is closed; activating all keys provided in the sliding key input unit and a fixed key input unit located under the sliding key input unit when the sliding key input unit is open; and controlling the lens unit to be automatically retracted into the portable terminal when the camera mode is terminated.