Imaging communication system
First Claim
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 including 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 includes 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.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An imaging communication system which is adapted to communicate with a communication terminal and a host communication unit, the system comprising:
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an imaging apparatus including 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 includes 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. An imaging communication system which is adapted to communicate with a communication terminal and a host communication unit, the system comprising:
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an imaging apparatus including an imaging device, an image processing device, a memory device, and a first communication means for communicating with the communication terminal; and a support apparatus which includes second communication means for 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 second communication means of 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 means and the support apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An imaging communication system which is adapted to communicate with a communication terminal and a host communication unit, the system comprising:
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imaging means for communicating with the communication terminal; and support means for supporting the imaging means and providing electric power from a connected power supply to the imaging means, wherein said support means includes communication means for the host communication unit connected to the imaging means through signal line means to allow communication between the imaging means 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 means communicates with the host communication unit through the support means; and a second mode in which the imaging means acts as intervening communication means between the communication terminal and the host communication unit through the support means.
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Specification