Cradle for information apparatus, cradle for digital camera and camera system

Abstract

The cradle is capable of supplementing convenience of a portable information apparatus such as a digital camera of which functions including an image display function and a removable medium are omitted. If the camera is mounted on a camera mounting section of the cradle, a camera connector is electrically connected to a cradle connector in synchronization with a mounting operation thereof. The control circuit contained in the cradle detects a connection of the camera, and automatically starts communication between them. The image stored in the internal memory of the camera is sent to the cradle side, and is displayed on a liquid crystal display. The user can erase unnecessary images while checking the images. In addition, a variation is also desirable wherein a data storing device such as the removable medium is provided on the cradle side to transfer the image in the camera to the data storing device on the cradle side and then erase the internal memory of the camera.

1 . A cradle for an information apparatus, the cradle comprising: 
 an apparatus mounting section for removably receiving and surrounding a portion of a body of the information apparatus;    the cradle having an electrical connector in the apparatus mounting section, so that when the portion of the body of the information apparatus is within the mounting section the electrical connector connects to an electrical contact located on the portion of the body of the information apparatus;    a communication device which performs communication with the information apparatus mounted on the apparatus mounting section;    a media insertion section which receives a removable medium;    a media interface section for performing at least one of a process of reading information from the removable medium to said information apparatus mounted on the media insertion section and a process of recording information on the removable medium received from said information apparatus; and    a control device which controls delivery of the data by the communication device and also controls at least one of the process of reading the information from the removable medium and the process of recording the information thereon.    
     
     
         2 . The cradle according to  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 a communication device for an external apparatus which performs communication with the external apparatus,    wherein the control device controls the delivery of data by the communication device for the external apparatus.