Imaging apparatus and imaging system

Abstract

An imaging system includes: an imaging device; and a terminal device configured to remotely operate the imaging device in response to an input received from a user of the terminal device. The imaging device includes an imager configured to capture an image; and a transmitter configured to transmit the image to the terminal device. The terminal device includes a receiver configured to receive the image transmitted from the transmitter. The imaging device is removably attachable to the terminal device. The transmitter of the imaging device is configured to start communication with the receiver of the terminal device when the imaging device and the terminal device are in proximity to each other.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An imaging system, comprising:
 an imaging device; and   a terminal device configured to remotely operate the imaging device in response to an input received from a user of the terminal device;   wherein the imaging device comprises,
 an imager configured to capture an image; and 
 a transmitter configured to transmit the image to the terminal device; 
   wherein the terminal device comprises,
 a receiver configured to receive the image transmitted from the transmitter; 
   wherein the imaging device is removably attachable to the terminal device, and   wherein the transmitter of the imaging device is configured to start communication with the receiver of the terminal device when the imaging device and the terminal device are in proximity to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the terminal device further comprises,
 a display configured to display the image received from the imaging device by the receiver. 
   
     
     
         3 . The imaging system according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the terminal device further comprises,
 an input device configured to receive an input from the user at the terminal device; 
   wherein the terminal device is configured to remotely operate the imaging device in response to an input received from the user through the input device.   
     
     
         4 . The imaging system according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the input device comprises a touch panel positioned on the display.   
     
     
         5 . The imaging system according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a retaining member configured to retain the imaging device to the terminal device.   
     
     
         6 . The imaging system according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the transmitter of the imaging device is configured to transmit the image to the receiver of the terminal device when the retaining member retains the imaging device to the terminal device.   
     
     
         7 . The imaging system according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the retaining member comprises a magnet disposed in the terminal device and another magnet disposed in the imaging device.   
     
     
         8 . The imaging system according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the retaining member is configured to fix a position of the imaging device relative to the terminal device.   
     
     
         9 . The imaging system according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the retaining member comprises a hook or a band.   
     
     
         10 . The imaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the transmitter is configured to transmit the image to the terminal device by wireless communication.   
     
     
         11 . The imaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the imaging device is configured to capture an image in response to remote operation by the terminal device when the imaging device is detached from the terminal device.   
     
     
         12 . The imaging system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the terminal device further comprises,
 a detector configured to detect whether the imaging device and the terminal device are in proximity to each other or not; 
   wherein the transmitter of the imaging device is configured to start communication with the receiver of the terminal device when the detector detects that the imaging device and the terminal device are in proximity to each other.   
     
     
         13 . An imaging apparatus, comprising:
 an imager configured to capture an image;   a communication device configured to transmit the image captured by the imager to a terminal apparatus; and   a detector configured to detect whether the terminal apparatus is proximate to the imaging apparatus or not;   wherein the communication device is configured to start communication with the terminal apparatus when the detector detects the terminal apparatus is proximate to the imaging apparatus.   
     
     
         14 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the communication device is configured to stop the transmission process when the detector does not detect the terminal apparatus.   
     
     
         15 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the imaging apparatus is removably attachable to the terminal apparatus.   
     
     
         16 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the imager is configured to capture the image in response to a remote operation corresponding to an input, into the terminal apparatus, received from a user of the terminal apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . The imaging apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the imager comprises an optical system including a lens.   
     
     
         18 . A terminal apparatus; comprising:
 a communication device configured to receive an image from an imaging apparatus by wireless communication; and   a display configured to display the picture received from the imaging apparatus by the communication device;   wherein the communication device is configured to start communication with the imaging apparatus when the imaging apparatus is proximate to the terminal apparatus.   
     
     
         19 . The terminal apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein
 the terminal apparatus is removably attachable to the imaging apparatus.   
     
     
         20 . The terminal apparatus according to  claim 18 , further comprising:
 an input device that receives an input from a user;   wherein the communication device is configured to transmit by wireless communication an operation signal to the imaging apparatus to capture an image.