SWIVEL TYPE PORTABLE TERMINAL WITH DEVICE FOR DETECTING RATATIONAL DERECTION OF SWIVEL BODY AND METHOD FOR DETECTING ROTATIONAL DERECTION USING THE SAME

A swivel type portable terminal having a rotational direction sensing device of a swivel body and a rotational direction sensing method of the swivel body by using the terminal are provided to sense a rotational direction of the swivel body automatically by using low-priced and relatively simple sensing units, thereby presetting functions of the terminal in accordance with the rotational direction. A swivel body performs a rotational action at certain angle at a certain shaft on a main body. The first and second magnets(156,157) are installed at certain intervals on one of the main body and the swivel body. The first and second magnetic force sensing units are installed at positions for simultaneously sensing magnetic forces of the first and second magnets if the swivel body is located at the first position. A controller is applied with signals sensed by the first and second magnetic force sensing units according to rotation of the swivel body, decides on a rotational direction of the swivel body, and controls corresponding terminal functions.