Patent ID: 7865220

Claim:
A portable electronic appliance, comprising: a first housing element with an outer side and an opposing inner first side, the first housing element having a light channel to allow light to pass between the outer side and the inner first side; a second housing element with a second side; a linking device to link the first and second housing elements in such a manner that the first and second housing elements can be moved in relation to each other between a first movement state and a second movement state, with the first side facing the second side in the first movement state, the linking device maintaining the first and second sides in a parallel orientation during movement of the first and second housing elements; a camera for acquiring images, which is disposed on the first side in such a manner that it is oriented to face away from the first housing element; an optical deflection device, which is disposed on the second side in such a manner that it reflects back light striking the second side, the camera and the light channel being located opposite the optical deflection device in the first movement state so that in the first movement state, the camera receives light from the outer side of the first housing element via passage through the light channel and via deflection by the optical deflection device, the optical deflection device being selected from the group consisting of a mirror, a prism with mirror-plated legs and an optical waveguide; and electronic elements provided in at least one of the first and second housing elements, the electronic elements being selected from the group consisting of a mobile radio appliance, a mobile telephone and a portable computer, wherein in the second movement state, the camera receives light without deflection by the optical deflection device.