MODE SWITCHING METHOD FOR MOBILE TERMINAL

A mode switching method and a mobile terminal operating with the mode switching method capable of switching an operation mode in accordance with a geographic placement attitude of the mobile terminal are disclosed. A mobile terminal includes a placement attitude detection unit for capturing a placement attitude of the mobile terminal; a placement attitude retrieval unit for comparing a captured geographic placement attitude with previously stored reference placement attitudes and outputting a mode signal corresponding to a reference placement attitude matching the captured placement attitude; a key arrangement configuration unit for reconfiguring a key arrangement according to the mode signal; a control unit for switching to an operation mode indicated by the mode signal and determining a rotation of a screen image; and a display unit for displaying the screen image at different angle adaptive to the placement attitude of the mobile terminal under the control of the control unit.