Image storage

Abstract

An image storage includes a built-in memory having large capacity for storing plural image data taken by a digital camera. A digital circuit retrieves desired one of the image data from the built-in memory. A connector electrically connects with the digital camera for data transmission. A detector detects the connection of the digital camera to the connector. A controller causes the image storage to receive the image data transmitted from the digital camera through the connector to store that data in the built-in memory in response to detection of the connection by the detector. The controller can transmit a signal to the digital camera to delete the image data that has been transmitted to and stored in the built-in memory. The signal is effective to forcibly delete the image data from the digital camera even if the image data is protected against deletion according to a digital camera setting.

1 . An image storage from which a stored image is retrievable comprising: 
 a built-in memory of a large capacity for storing a plurality of image data taken by a digital camera;    a digital circuit for retrieving desired one of the plurality of image data from the built-in memory;    a connector for electric connection with the digital camera for data transmission therewith;    a detector capable of detecting the connection of the digital camera to the connector; and    a controller for causing the image storage to receive the image data transmitted from the digital camera through the connector to store the image data in the built-in memory in response to the detection of the connection by the detector, wherein the controller transmits a signal to the digital camera to delete the image data that has already been transmitted to the image storage and stored in the built-in memory, and the signal is effective to forcibly delete the image data from the digital camera even if the image data is protected against a deletion according to a digital camera setting.    
   
   
       2 . The image storage according to  claim 1 , wherein the detector includes a mechanical contact and a sensor for sensing the movement of the mechanical contact.  
   
   
       3 . The image storage according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller receives the image data that is retrievable by the digital circuit.  
   
   
       4 . The image storage according to  claim 1 , further comprising a power source, wherein the controller automatically turns on the power source in response to the detection of the connection by the detector.  
   
   
       5 . The image storage according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller causes the image storage to store the image data in accordance with a program that is started in response to the detection of the connection by the detector.  
   
   
       6 . The image storage according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller automatically transmits a signal to the digital camera to turn on the digital camera in response to the detection of the connection by the detector.  
   
   
       7 . The image storage according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller causes the image storage to receive the image data in accordance with a program that is started in response to the detection of the connection by the detector.  
   
   
       8 . The image storage according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller executes a program to automatically delete an incomplete image data from the built-in memory, which may be caused by an interruption of the image data transmission from the digital camera.  
   
   
       9 . The image storage according to  claim 1 , wherein the image data is managed in accordance with a directory structure in the digital camera, and wherein the controller causes at least a part of the directory structure to be created in the built-in memory when storing the image data transmitted from the digital camera.  
   
   
       10 . The image storage according to  claim 1 , wherein the digital camera includes a rechargeable power source, and the controller automatically causes the rechargeable power source to be charged in response to a termination of the image data transmission from the digital camera to the image storage.  
   
   
       11 . The image storage according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller automatically transmits a signal to the digital camera to turn off the digital camera in response to a termination of the image data transmission from the digital camera to the image storage.  
   
   
       12 . The image storage according to  claim 1 , wherein the digital camera includes a rechargeable power source, and the image storage includes a power source, wherein the controller automatically turns off the power source of the image storage in response to a completion of charging of the rechargeable power source of the digital camera.  
   
   
       13 . The image storage according to  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface that receives user input on whether to forcibly delete the image data from the digital camera even if the image data is protected against the deletion.  
   
   
       14 . The image storage according to  claim 1 , further comprising an adapter coupled between the digital camera and the image storage, wherein the connection and the image data transmission are carried out via the adapter.  
   
   
       15 . The image storage according to  claim 14 , wherein the adapter includes a terminal for connecting to the digital camera when the digital camera is coupled with the adapter, and thereby the digital camera is capable of data communication with the adapter.  
   
   
       16 . A camera system comprising: 
 a digital camera having an internal storage capable of storing image data of plural images, and the digital camera capable of protecting specified ones of the plural images from deletion while other images are not protected from deletion;    an external storage connectable with the digital camera;    a detector that detects a connection between the digital camera and the external storage; and    a controller that causes the digital camera to transmit the image data stored in the internal storage of the digital camera, from the internal storage to the external storage, after the detector detects the connection between the digital camera and the external storage, and the controller automatically causing the deletion from the internal storage of the digital camera only the image data that was transmitted and that is not protected from deletion.    
   
   
       17 . The camera system according to  claim 16 , wherein the detector includes a mechanical contact and a sensor for sensing the movement of the mechanical contact.  
   
   
       18 . The camera system according to  claim 16 , wherein the controller selectively receives the image data that is retrievable from the internal storage.  
   
   
       19 . The camera system according to  claim 16 , further comprising a power source for the external storage, wherein the controller automatically turns on the power source in response to the detection of the connection by the detector.  
   
   
       20 . The camera system according to  claim 16 , wherein the controller causes the external storage to store the image data in accordance with a program that is started in response to the detection of the connection by the detector.  
   
   
       21 . The camera system according to  claim 16 , wherein the controller automatically transmits a signal to the digital camera to turn on the digital camera in response to the detection of the connection by the detector.  
   
   
       22 . The camera system according to  claim 16 , wherein the controller causes the external storage to receive the image data in accordance with a program that is started in response to the detection of the connection by the detector.  
   
   
       23 . The camera system according to  claim 16 , wherein the controller executes a program to automatically delete an incomplete image data from the external storage, which is caused by an interruption of the image data transmission from the digital camera.  
   
   
       24 . The camera system according to  claim 16 , wherein the image data is managed in accordance with a directory structure in the digital camera internal storage, and wherein the controller causes at least a part of the directory structure to be created in the external storage when storing the image data transmitted from the digital camera.  
   
   
       25 . The camera system according to  claim 16 , wherein the digital camera includes a rechargeable power source, and the controller automatically causes the rechargeable power source to be charged in response to a termination of the image data transmission from the digital camera to the external storage.  
   
   
       26 . The camera system according to  claim 16 , wherein the controller automatically transmits a signal to the digital camera to turn off the digital camera in response to a termination of the image data transmission from the digital camera to the external storage.  
   
   
       27 . The camera system according to  claim 16 , wherein the digital camera includes a rechargeable power source, and the external storage includes a power source, wherein the controller automatically turns off the power source of the external storage after completion of charging of the rechargeable power source of the digital camera.  
   
   
       28 . The camera system according to  claim 16 , further comprising a user interface that receives user input on whether to forcibly delete the image data from the digital camera internal storage even if the image data is protected against a deletion.  
   
   
       29 . The camera system according to  claim 16 , further comprising an adapter coupled between the digital camera and the external storage, wherein the connection and the data transmission are carried out via the adapter.  
   
   
       30 . The camera system according to  claim 29 , wherein the adapter includes a terminal for connecting to the digital camera when the digital camera is coupled with the adapter, and thereby the digital camera is capable of data communication with the adapter.  
   
   
       31 . The camera system according to  claim 16 , wherein the internal storage of the digital camera is removable.