Apparatus and method for automatic display control in mobile terminal

Abstract

An apparatus and method for automatically controlling screens displayed on two display units installed in a mobile terminal are provided. The method includes receiving an input for request of operating a camera of the portable communication device; providing a video image that is obtained via the camera through a first display area disposed in a first surface of the portable communication device or a second display area disposed in a second surface being opposite to the first surface of the portable communication device, based on a camera mode, wherein the camera mode includes at least a first mode and a second mode; while providing the video image that is obtained via the camera through the first display area or the second display area, detecting a rotation of the portable communication device; and in response to detecting the rotation, switching a display area providing the video image between the first display area and the second display area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a portable communication device, the method comprising:
 receiving an input for request of operating a camera of the portable communication device;   providing a video image that is obtained via the camera through a first display area disposed in a first surface of the portable communication device or a second display area disposed in a second surface being opposite to the first surface of the portable communication device, based on a camera mode, wherein the camera mode includes at least a first mode and a second mode;   while providing the video image that is obtained via the camera through the first display area or the second display area, detecting a rotation of the portable communication device; and   in response to detecting the rotation, switching a display area providing the video image between the first display area and the second display area.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the video image comprises providing the video image that is obtained via the camera disposed in the first surface of the portable communication device through at least the first display area in the first mode, such that the portable communication device allows a user to take a picture of the user by the camera, while watching the video image of the user being obtained via the camera. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the video image comprises providing the video image that is obtained via the camera disposed in the first surface of the portable communication device through at least the second display area in the second mode, such that the portable communication device allows a user to take a picture of an object at which a user is looking, while watching the video image of the object being obtained via the camera. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 while providing the video image that is obtained via the camera through the first display area or through the second display area, detecting a user input on the first display area or the second display area for switching a display area providing the video image between the first display area and the second display area; and   based on detecting the user input for switching, switching the display area providing the video image between the first display area and the second display area.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the camera mode further comprises a third mode for displaying the video image on both the first display area and the second display area. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting the rotation of the portable communication device comprises detecting the rotation of an entirety of the portable communication device about a vertical axis or a horizontal axis. 
     
     
         7 . A portable communication device, comprising:
 a touchscreen display including a first display area disposed in a first surface of the portable communication device and a second display area disposed in a second surface being opposite to the first surface of the portable communication device;   a sensor;   a camera; and   a processor configured to:
 receive an input for request of operating the camera, 
 provide a video image that is obtained via the camera through the first display area or the second display area based on a camera mode, the camera mode including at least a first mode and a second mode, 
 while providing the video image obtained via the camera through the first display area or the second display area, detect, via the sensor, a rotation of the portable device, and 
 in response to detecting the rotation, switch a display area providing the video image between the first display area and the second display area. 
   
     
     
         8 . The portable communication device of  claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to provide the video image that is obtained via the camera disposed in the first surface of the portable communication device through at least the first display area in the first mode, such that the portable communication device allows a user to take a picture of the user by the camera, while watching the video image of the user being obtained via the camera. 
     
     
         9 . The portable communication device of  claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to provide the video image that is obtained via the camera disposed in the first surface of the portable communication device through at least the second display area in the second mode, such that the portable communication device allows a user to take a picture of an object at which a user is looking, while watching the video image of the object being obtained via the camera. 
     
     
         10 . The portable communication device of  claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 while providing the video image that is obtained via the camera through the first display area or through the second display area, detect a user input on the first display area or the second display area for switching a display area providing the video image between the first display area and the second display area, and   based on detecting the user input for switching, switch the display area providing the video image between the first display area and the second display area.   
     
     
         11 . The portable communication device of  claim 7 , wherein the camera mode further comprises a third mode for displaying the video image on both the first display area and the second display area. 
     
     
         12 . The portable communication device of  claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to detect, via the sensor, the rotation of an entirety of the portable communication device about a vertical axis or a horizontal axis.