Imaging communication system

• US 20040204083A1
• Filed: 03/10/2003
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co Limited (Fujifilm Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kawada, Yukihiro, Watanabe, Mikio
• Granted Patent: US 7,432,948 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00249 with a photographic apparatus, e.g. a photographic printer or a projector photographic apparatus per se G03B, G03D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00251 with an apparatus for taking photographic images, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0013 Arrangements for the control of the connected apparatus by the still picture apparatus arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus H04N2201/0074; control of image communication with the connected apparatus H04N2201/0015
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0058 Docking-station, cradle or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/772 the recording apparatus and the television camera being placed in the same enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/907 using static stores, e.g. storage tubes or semiconductor memories H04N5/91 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/185 from a mobile camera, e.g. for remote control

Abstract

A digital camera connects to a cradle through a signal line. In a first mode, the digital camera in combination with a personal computer forms a transmission path through a USB interface to allow for communication. In a second mode, the digital camera performs an intervening function for communication between a mobile telephone and the personal computer through a short-distance wireless communication interface and the USB interface. In the first mode, image and other data stored in a memory card of the digital camera can be transmitted to the personal computer and image and other data from the personal computer can be transmitted to the digital camera. In the second mode, the digital camera acts as a transmitter-receiver terminal for communication between the personal computer and the mobile telephone. According to this imaging communication system, since the imaging apparatus also serves as a communication adapter, a host communication unit can communicate with any terminal unit other than the imaging apparatus in a wireless manner, with the imaging apparatus connected to the host communication unit for communication.

Claims

1. An imaging communication system which is adapted to communicate with a communication terminal and a host communication unit, the system comprising:

an imaging apparatus having an imaging device, an image processing device, a memory device, and a first communication device which allows communication with the communication terminal; and

a support apparatus which is capable of being connected to a power supply to provide electric power from the connected power supply for the imaging apparatus and which has a second communication device for the host communication unit connected to the imaging apparatus through a signal line to allow communication between the imaging apparatus and the host communication unit,

wherein the imaging communication system is capable of selectively operating in each of the following modes;

a first mode in which the imaging apparatus is capable of communicating with the host communication unit through the support apparatus; and

a second mode in which the imaging apparatus is capable of acting as a communication intervening unit between the communication terminal and the host communication unit through the first communication device and the support apparatus.

2. The imaging communication system as defined in claim 1, wherein:

when the first mode is selected, the imaging apparatus is capable of transmitting a communication ID of the imaging apparatus and contents recorded on a memory medium connected to the imaging apparatus, to the host communication unit; and

when the second mode is selected, the imaging apparatus and the support apparatus relay data transmitted between the first communication device and the communication terminal and data transmitted between the second communication device and the host communication unit.

3. The imaging communication system as defined in claim 1, wherein when the second mode is selected, a transmission path formed between the first communication device and the communication terminal is wireless, and a transmission path formed between the second communication device and the host communication unit is wired.

4. The imaging communication system as defined in claim 3, wherein the imaging apparatus comprises:

a connecting terminal for connecting to the support apparatus through a signal line; and

an antenna element for communicating with the communication terminal, the antenna element being arranged on a face different from a face on which the connecting terminal is arranged.