Patent ID: 7432948

Claim:
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.