Portable information processing apparatus

A portable information processing apparatus comprising:

• a first member provided with an information display unit, said first member having an outer surface for exposing the information display unit;
• a second member provided with an information input unit, said second member having an outer surface for exposing the information input unit;
• a hinge member pivotally connecting said first and second members with each other so that said first and second members are pivotable between:
• (i) a portable position in which said first and second members overlap each such that the outer surface of said first member and the outer surface of said second member oppose each other, and (ii) an open position in which the outer surface of said first member and the outer surface of said second member are moved away from each other so as to separate said first and second members from each other;
• a photographing unit for performing a photographing operation, said photographing unit being mounted in said hinge member;
• and
• an optical extending member optically connected to the photographing unit, said optical extending member projecting from said hinge member in a direction crossing rotational outer lines between said hinge member and said first and second members, and including means for orienting an optical axis of said photographing unit in a given direction;
• wherein said information display unit provided in said first member includes a display for displaying photographic image information obtained by said photographing unit, and
• wherein said information input unit provided in said second member includes at least one of:
• (i) a photographic conditions setting device for setting various photographing conditions of said photographing unit, and (ii) a shutter release device for controlling a shutter of said photographing unit.