Patent ID: 8147066

Claim:
A portable information device, comprising: a projector device that includes an image generation unit for generating an image, and projects the image generated at the image generation unit to an exterior of the portable information device; an imaging device that takes an image of a subject; a mode setting device that selects one of a projector mode for projecting an image with the projector device and a photographic mode for taking the image of the subject with the imaging device; and a control device that controls the projector device to project an image for projection generated at the image generation unit when the projector mode is selected, and controls the projector device to project a projection pattern for photographic assistance generated at the image generation unit on the subject continuously when the photographic mode is selected to take the image of the subject with the imaging device, wherein: the image for projection in the projector mode is different from the projection pattern for photographic assistance in the photographic mode.