Digital image storage system and digital camera system

Abstract

A digital image storage system includes a digital camera having a first terminal for data communication in accordance with a data communication interface standard and an adapter for the digital camera for communicating with the digital camera. The adapter has a second terminal for data communication in accordance with the same data communication interface standard as in the first terminal. The digital image storage system further includes a data storage having a third terminal for data communication in accordance with the same data communication interface standard as in the first terminal. The data storage is capable of communicating with the digital camera by way of the adapter through a connection between the third and the second terminals and also capable of directly communicating with the digital camera through a connection between the third and the first terminals.

1 . A digital camera comprising: 
 an imaging portion that takes a picture of a subject and generates image data thereof;    a first terminal that outputs signals based on the image data; and    a second terminal arranged separately from the first terminal and that outputs signals based on the image data;    wherein the first terminal outputs digital signals based on the image data in accordance with a data communication interface standard, the second terminal outputs digital signals based on the image data in accordance with the same data communication interface standard as in the first terminal, and the second terminal further includes an integrated power supply connector.    
   
   
       2 . The digital camera according to  claim 1 , further comprising a rechargeable battery, wherein the rechargeable battery is charged when a power supply is connected to the integrated power supply connector.  
   
   
       3 . A digital camera comprising: 
 an imaging portion that takes a picture of a subject and generates image data thereof;    a first terminal that outputs signals based on the image data; and    a second terminal arranged separately from the first terminal and that outputs signals based on the image data;    wherein the first terminal outputs digital signals based on the image data in accordance with a data communication interface standard, the second terminal outputs digital signals based on the image data in accordance with the same data communication interface standard as in the first terminal, and the second terminal has a structure different from a structure of the first terminal.    
   
   
       4 . The digital camera according to  claim 3 , wherein the second terminal is connectable with an adapter to relay the signals based on the image data from the digital camera to an external storage.  
   
   
       5 . The digital camera according to  claim 3 , wherein the second terminal further includes an integrated power supply connector.  
   
   
       6 . The digital camera according to  claim 5 , further comprising a rechargeable battery, wherein the rechargeable battery is charged through the integrated power supply connector.  
   
   
       7 . The digital camera according to  claim 3 , wherein the first terminal is connectable to a plurality of different devices having terminals that are structurally similar to the first terminal, and the second terminal is connectable to a docking station having a dedicated terminal that is structurally similar to the second terminal.  
   
   
       8 . A digital camera system for use with a data storage comprising: 
 a digital camera having a first terminal for data communication in accordance with a data communication interface standard;    an adapter having a shape to fit the digital camera and for receiving digital image data from the digital camera, the adapter having a second terminal for data communication in accordance with the same data communication interface standard as in the first terminal;    wherein the digital camera is capable of transmitting the digital image data to the data storage by way of the adapter and also capable of directly transmitting the digital image data to the data storage through the first terminal.    
   
   
       9 . The digital camera system according to  claim 8 , 
 wherein the adapter has a shape to fit at a bottom of the digital camera.    
   
   
       10 . A digital camera system for use with a data storage comprising: 
 a digital camera having a first terminal for data communication in accordance with a data communication interface standard;    a docking station on which the digital camera is to be mounted and for receiving digital image data from the digital camera, the docking station having a second terminal for data communication in accordance with the same data communication interface standard as in the first terminal;    wherein the digital camera is capable of transmitting the digital image data to the data storage by way of the docking station and also capable of directly transmitting the digital image data to the data storage through the first terminal.    
   
   
       11 . The digital camera system according to  claim 10 , 
 wherein the docking station has a shape to fit at a bottom of the digital camera.