Power control apparatus of a foldable portable mobile terminal

Abstract

A power control apparatus in a foldable portable radio terminal which includes a main body, a sub-body, a key-pad including a power key on the main body, an external function key which can be key-input by a user even if the sub-body is shut on the main body is disclosed. According to the invention, the external function key (the automatic folder switch for example) as the power key is realized so that the user can power-on the terminal without opening the sub-body even in the powered-off state of the terminal, and the terminal keys can perform their own functions in the powered-off state of the terminal.

1 . A power control apparatus in a portable radio terminal, comprising: 
 an external function key located in an accessible key input position by a user;    a power key for controlling power; and    a unit for controlling the portable radio terminal to be powered on in response to a key input from said power key when the portable radio terminal is powered-off and controlling a function of the portable radio terminal to be performed in response to a key input from said power key when the portable radio terminal is powered-on, and for controlling the portable radio terminal to be powered on in response to a key input from said external function key when the portable radio terminal is powered-off and controlling a function of the portable radio terminal to be performed in response to a key input from said external function key—when the portable radio terminal is powered-on.