Image manager and digital camera

Abstract

An image manager includes a communicator that communicates with a server computer storing image data, a detector that detects a storage capacity of image data stored into the server computer by the communicator and a controller that controls download of image data stored into the server computer in response to a detection result of the detector.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An image manager comprising; 
 a communicator that communicates with a server computer storing image data,    a detector that detects a storage capacity of image data stored into the server computer by the communicator, and    a controller that controls download of image data stored into the server computer in response to a detection result of the detector.    
     
     
         2 . The image manager according to  claim 1 , further comprising a judgment device that judges whether a capacity of image data stored into the server computer is more than a given capacity, 
 wherein the controller controls download of image data stored into the server computer when the judgment device judges that the capacity of image data becomes more than the given capacity.    
     
     
         3 . The image manager according to  claim 2 , wherein the controller deletes image data in the server computer in response to the download.  
     
     
         4 . An image manager comprising; 
 a communicator that communicates with a server computer storing image data,    a detector that detects a storage period of image data stored into the server computer by the communicator, and    a controller that controls download of image data stored into the server computer in response to a detection result of the detector.    
     
     
         5 . The image manager according to  claim 4 , further comprising a judgment device that judges whether a storage period of image data stored into the server computer is more than a given period, 
 wherein the controller controls download of image data when the judgment device judges that the given period has elapsed.    
     
     
         6 . An image manager comprising; 
 a memory that stores image data recorded onto a connected storage medium, and    a management controller that performs a first management control storing image data into the memory and registering information about image data as management data and a second management control not storing image data into the memory but registering information about image data as management data.    
     
     
         7 . The image manager according to  claim 6 , further comprising a judgment device that judges a connected storage medium, 
 wherein the management controller performs either the first management control or the second management control depending on a judgment of the judgment device.    
     
     
         8 . The image manager according to  claim 7 , wherein the management controller performs the second management control when it is judged that the storage medium connected by the judgment device is a write-once medium.  
     
     
         9 . The image manager according to  claim 6 , wherein the management controller stores image data for a backup apart from image data to be stored into the memory.  
     
     
         10 . The image manager according to  claim 6 , further comprising an inhibitor that inhibits an automatic startup of an automatic running program responding to an connection of the storage medium.  
     
     
         11 . The image manager according to  claim 6 , wherein the judgment device judges whether or not the connected storage medium has been already registered when it is judged that the connected storage medium is the write-once medium.  
     
     
         12 . The image manager according to  claim 11 , wherein the judgment device judges whether or not the connected storage medium has been already registered by utilizing its own medium information recorded onto the storage medium.  
     
     
         13 . The image manager according to  claim 12 , wherein the judgment device judges whether or not the connected storage medium has been already registered by utilizing a serial number of a medium recorded into the storage medium.  
     
     
         14 . The image manager according to  claim 6 , wherein when it is judged that the connected storage medium has been already registered by the judgment device, 
 image data is searched for and image data other than already registered image data is registered.    
     
     
         15 . An image manager comprising; 
 a connector that connects to a digital camera capable of creating contracted image data from photographed image data, storing the contracted image data and sending the image data to an outside storage device, and    a register that registers information about the image data into management data based upon the contracted image data when connecting to the digital camera via the connector.    
     
     
         16 . The image manager according to  claim 15 , wherein the contracted image data in a digital camera, contracted image data that a registration of information about image data into management data has been completed is deleted.  
     
     
         17 . The image manager according to  claim 15 , wherein the contracted image data in a digital camera is a file format that attaches shooting information.  
     
     
         18 . An image manager comprising; 
 a connector that connects to a digital camera capable of storing shooting information obtained at a time of shooting and sending the image data to an outside storage device, and    a register that registers information about the image data into management data based upon the shooting information when connecting to the digital camera via the connector.    
     
     
         19 . The image manager according to  claim 18 , wherein the shooting information includes information about a receiving party of image data.  
     
     
         20 . The image manager according to  claim 19 , further comprising a communicator that communicates with an outside device of a receiving party to which image data has been sent according to information about a receiving party of the shooting information, and 
 a detector that detects capability of communicating with the outside device of a receiving party,    wherein the register registers information about the image data into management data based upon the shooting information when the detector detects no communication capability.    
     
     
         21 . The image manager according to  claim 19 , further comprising a communicator that communicates with an outside device of a receiving party to which image data has been sent according to information about a receiving party of the shooting information, and 
 a detector that detects capability of communicating with the outside device of a receiving party,    wherein the register registers information about the image data based upon sent image data when the detector detects communication capability.    
     
     
         22 . The image manager according to  claim 18 , wherein the shooting information in a digital camera, shooting information that a registration of information about image data into management data has been completed is deleted.  
     
     
         23 . A digital camera comprising; 
 a creator that creates contracted image data from photographed image data,    a sending device that stores the contracted image data and sends the image data to an outside storage device, and    an information attaching device that attaches shooting information obtained at a time of shooting to the contracted image data.    
     
     
         24 . The digital camera according to  claim 23 , wherein the contracted image data is a file format that attaches shooting information to a header.  
     
     
         25 . An image manager comprising; 
 a register that registers information about image data as management data,    an obtaining device that obtains information to register into management data for controlling image data, and    an attachment device that attaches obtained information obtained by the obtaining device to image data.    
     
     
         26 . The image manager according to  claim 25 , wherein the attachment device attaches obtained information to a file header portion of image data.  
     
     
         27 . The image manager according to  claim 26 , further comprising a detector that detects obtained information, 
 wherein the attachment device attaches obtained information to a file header of image data when information attachable to a file header portion of image data is detected by the detector.    
     
     
         28 . The image manager according to  claim 25 , wherein the attachment device attaches obtained information to image data when the obtained information is not attached to image data.  
     
     
         29 . The image manager according to  claim 25 , wherein the obtaining device is a device for causing a user to manually input image data information.  
     
     
         30 . The image manager according to  claim 25 , wherein the obtaining device displays a screen to request input of information when information necessary for management data is not obtained.  
     
     
         31 . The image manager according to  claim 25 , further comprising a connector that communicably connects to another device, 
 wherein the obtaining device obtains information to be registered into management data from another device connected by the connector.    
     
     
         32 . The image manager according to  claim 31 , wherein the another device is a mobile device.  
     
     
         33 . The image manager according to  claim 32 , wherein the mobile device is a portable storage device capable of storing image data.  
     
     
         34 . The image manager according to  claim 32 , wherein the mobile device is an electric organizer.  
     
     
         35 . The image manager according to  claim 32 , wherein the mobile device is a mobile phone.  
     
     
         36 . An image manager comprising; 
 a register that registers information about image data as management data, and    an obtaining device that obtains information to register into management data for controlling image data based upon schedule data.    
     
     
         37 . The image manager according to  claim 36 , wherein the schedule data is created by scheduling management software.  
     
     
         38 . The image manager according to  claim 37 , further comprising a connector that communicably connects to a mobile device, 
 wherein the schedule data is created by scheduling management software activated by the mobile device and the scheduling management software is obtained via the connector.    
     
     
         39 . The image manager according to  claim 36 , wherein the obtaining device obtains an image title to be registered into management data based upon the schedule data.  
     
     
         40 . The image manager according to  claim 36 , wherein the obtaining device obtains a keyword to be registered into management data based upon the schedule data.  
     
     
         41 . The image manager according to  claim 36 , wherein the obtaining device obtains information of management data based upon information about a shooting date/time of image data and the schedule data.  
     
     
         42 . The image manager according to  claim 31 , wherein the obtaining device obtains information of management data from the schedule data corresponding to information about a shooting date/time of image data.  
     
     
         43 . An image manager comprising; 
 a register that registers information about image data as management data,    an connector that communicably connects to a mobile device, and    an obtaining device that obtains information to register into management data for controlling image data based upon data from the mobile device.    
     
     
         44 . The image manager according to  claim 43 , wherein the mobile device is a mobile phone and the obtaining device obtains information of management data based upon any of e-mail data, schedule data or chronicle call data.  
     
     
         45 . An image manager comprising; 
 a memory that stores a plurality of image data,    a connector that connects a storage medium,    a detector that detects information about the storage medium, and    a selector that selects a group of image data to be recorded onto the storage medium based upon a detection result of the detector.    
     
     
         46 . The image manager according to  claim 45 , wherein the selector selects a group of image data based upon an empty capacity of the storage medium.  
     
     
         47 . The image manager according to  claim 46 , wherein the selector selects a group of image data having a capacity nearly equaling to an empty capacity of the storage medium.  
     
     
         48 . An image manager comprising; 
 a memory that stores a plurality of image data,    a recorder that records management information controlling image data stored into the memory,    a connector that connects the storage medium, and    a selector that selects a group of image data to be recorded into the storage medium based upon the management information.    
     
     
         49 . The image manager according to  claim 48 , wherein the management information includes shooting information about image data.  
     
     
         50 . The image manager according to  claim 49 , wherein a selector selects a group of image data to be recorded into the storage medium based upon information about a shooting date/time of image data.  
     
     
         51 . An image manager comprising; 
 a memory that stores a plurality of image data, and    a selector selects a group of image data to be recorded onto the storage medium based upon image data instructed to be recorded onto the storage medium from the plurality of image data stored into the memory.    
     
     
         52 . The image manager according to  claim 51 , wherein the selector selects a group of image data relating to the instructed image data.  
     
     
         53 . The image manager according to  claim 52 , wherein the selector selects a group of image data to be recorded responding to shooting date/time data of the instructed image data.  
     
     
         54 . The image manager according to  claim 52 , wherein the selector selects a group of image data to be recorded responding to a title data of the instructed image data.  
     
     
         55 . An image manager comprising; 
 a searcher that searches for image data,    a selector that automatically selects image data to be registered from image data searched by the searcher, and    a register that registers information about image data selected by the selector as management data.    
     
     
         56 . The image manager according to  claim 55 , wherein the selector selects image data that meets a given criterion.  
     
     
         57 . The image manager according to  claim 56 , wherein the given criterion is settable by user.  
     
     
         58 . The image manager according to  claim 56 , wherein the given criterion is related to shooting information attached to image data.  
     
     
         59 . The image manager according to  claim 56 , wherein the given criterion is related to information about a shooting date/time.  
     
     
         60 . The image manager according to  claim 56 , wherein the given criterion is related to information about an image title.  
     
     
         61 . The image manager according to  claim 55 , wherein the selector selects image management data based upon user information of an image manager.  
     
     
         62 . The image manager according to  claim 55 , wherein the selector selects image data based upon login information of an image manager.  
     
     
         63 . The image manager according to  claim 55 , wherein the login information is linked to a given criterion to search for image data, and 
 the selector selects image data that meets the given criterion linked to login information.    
     
     
         64 . An image manager comprising; 
 an obtaining device that obtains user information about an image manager,    a register that registers information about image data as management data, and    a retriever that retrieves image data allowed to be accessed from registered image data based upon the user information.    
     
     
         65 . The image manager according to  claim 64 , wherein the user information is linked to a given criterion to search for image data and 
 the retriever retrieves image data meeting the given criterion linked to the user information.    
     
     
         66 . The image manager according to  claim 64 , wherein the user information is login information of an image manager.  
     
     
         67 . The image manager according to  claim 65 , wherein the retriever retrieves image data meeting the given criterion.  
     
     
         68 . The image manager according to  claim 65 , wherein the given criterion is settable by a user.  
     
     
         69 . The image manager according to  claim 65 , wherein the given criterion is related to shooting information attached to image data.  
     
     
         70 . The image manager according to  claim 65 , wherein the given criterion is information about a shooting date/time.  
     
     
         71 . The image manager according to  claim 65 , wherein the given criterion is information about an image.  
     
     
         72 . An image manager comprising; 
 a register that registers information about the image data as management data,    a connector that communicably connects to a portable storage device to receive image data from the portable storage device capable of being portable and storing a plurality of image data, and    a controller that controls a registration of management data controlling image data in the portable storage device by utilizing information about image data created by the portable storage device.    
     
     
         73 . The image manager according to  claim 72 , further comprising an obtaining device that obtains information about image data created by the portable storage device.  
     
     
         74 . The image manager according to  claim 73 , wherein the obtaining device obtains management information for controlling image data.  
     
     
         75 . The image manager according to  claim 72 , wherein information about image data created by the portable storage device is information used for image management in the portable storage device.  
     
     
         76 . The image manager according to  claim 72 , further comprising a controller that controls deletion of image data in the portable storage device that a registration of management data has been completed by the register.  
     
     
         77 . An image manager comprising; 
 a plurality of memories that store image data,    a register that registers management data for controlling image data, and    a recorder that records the management data into each of the plurality of memories independently.    
     
     
         78 . The image manager according to  claim 77 , wherein the recorder records management data corresponding to image data into a same memory storing the image data.  
     
     
         79 . The image manager according to  claim 77 , wherein the memory is a removable memory that is detachable/attachable to and from an image manger.  
     
     
         80 . The image manager according to  claim 77 , wherein the memory is a hard disk memory.  
     
     
         81 . The image manager according to  claim 77 , wherein management data independently recorded into each of the plurality of memories are consolidated and then controlled.  
     
     
         82 . The image manager according to  claim 81 , wherein management data independently recorded into each of the plurality of memories are temporarily consolidated when starting up an image management program.  
     
     
         83 . The image manager according to  claim 77 , wherein the consolidated management data is created into a memory storing an image management program.  
     
     
         84 . An image manager comprising; 
 a fixed memory that stores image data,    a detachable/attachable removable memory that stores image data,    a register that registers management data for controlling image data, and    a recorder that records the management data into the fixed memory.    
     
     
         85 . The image manager according to  claim 84 , wherein the fixed memory is a hard disk memory.  
     
     
         86 . The image manager according to  claim 84 , wherein the fixed memory stores image management program.  
     
     
         87 . An image manager comprising; 
 a register that registers management data for controlling image data,    a first storage port that stores image data registered into the management data, and    a second storage port that stores a backup image data of image data registered into the management data,    wherein the register registers management data for controlling the backup image data with the image data.    
     
     
         88 . The image manager according to  claim 87 , further comprising a creator that creates contracted image data for image management from image data, 
 wherein the creator does not create an independent thumbnail image of the backup image data.    
     
     
         89 . The image manager according to  claim 87 , wherein the first storage port and the second storage port are stored into a same memory.  
     
     
         90 . The image manager according to  claim 87 , wherein the first storage port and the second storage port are stored into a different memory.  
     
     
         91 . The image manager according to  claim 87 , wherein the management data records information about a storage location of the backup image data.  
     
     
         92 . The image manager according to  claim 88 , wherein the thumbnail image data for image management is created in a conventional image file format.  
     
     
         93 . The image manager according to  claim 92 , wherein the conventional image file format is a file format capable of attaching shooting information and so to a header.  
     
     
         94 . The image manager according to  claim 88 , wherein the thumbnail image data for image management is used when images are collectively displayed at a time.  
     
     
         95 . The image manager according to  claim 87 , further comprising a controller that controls access to the backup data stored into the second storage port when image data stored into the first storage port cannot be accessed.  
     
     
         96 . The image manager according to  claim 95 , wherein the controller indicates that image data is an image of a backup data when image data stored as a backup data is accessed.  
     
     
         97 . The image manager according to  claim 95 , further comprising an output port that outputs image information on a monitor, 
 wherein the controller can accesses backup image data and can display the backup image on the monitor even when image data stored into the first storage port is not accessed.    
     
     
         98 . The image manager according to  claim 95 , further comprising an output port that outputs image information to a printer, 
 wherein the controller accesses backup image data and can print out the backup image with the printer even when image data stored into the first storage port cannot be accessed.    
     
     
         99 . An image manager comprising; 
 a memory that stores image data,    a register that registers management data for controlling image data to be stored into the memory, and    a controller that controls a registration of management data for controlling information about a film.    
     
     
         100 . The image manager according to  claim 99 , wherein the register registers information about a storage location of the film.  
     
     
         101 . The image manager according to  claim 99 , wherein the register registers information about an picture frame number of the film.  
     
     
         102 . The image manager according to  claim 99 , wherein the register registers information about an owner of the film.  
     
     
         103 . An image manager comprising; 
 a selector that selects image data, and    a display device that displays information of a film having a picture number corresponding to the selected image data.    
     
     
         104 . The image manager according to  claim 103 , further comprising a register that registers management data controlling image data, 
 wherein the film information is registered into the management data.    
     
     
         105 . An image manager comprising; 
 a selector that selects image data, and    a creator that creates a print order sheet for actually placing an order to make a print of image data selected by the selector at a photo print lab.    
     
     
         106 . The image manager according to  claim 105 , wherein the print order sheet is for placing an order of an extra print from a silver halide film.  
     
     
         107 . The image manager according to  claim 105 , further comprising a register that registers management data controlling image data, 
 wherein the creator that creates the print order sheet based upon the management data.    
     
     
         108 . The image manager according to  claim 107 , wherein the register registers information indicative of an image having been printed into management data of image data of which a print is ordered.  
     
     
         109 . The image manager according to  claim 105 , further comprising an output that outputs a print order sheet created by the creator to a printer.  
     
     
         110 . The image manager according to  claim 105 , further comprising an obtaining device that obtains a print order sheet template applicable to a ordered photo print lab.  
     
     
         111 . The image manager according to  claim 110 , wherein the obtaining device downloads the print order sheet template a print order sheet template connecting to a suitable website via a network.  
     
     
         112 . The image manager according to  claim 111 , wherein the network is the Internet.  
     
     
         113 . The image manager according to  claim 105 , wherein an obtaining device that obtains information about a print time schedule of a print to be ordered.