Digital camera and function appending method for the same

Abstract

There is provided a digital camera to which external programs can be installed for appending desired functions thereto. Print image data generating programs to be stored in a recording medium in the digital camera are transmitted from a personal computer, an external extended recording medium of the digital camera, or an external device via a modem and a communication line. In any cases, the stored programs are read out at a desired time to execute an print image data generating processing which transmits the print image data to a printer for printing the image. The stored program can be deleted at a desired time.

1 . A function appending method for a digital camera which records image data by converting an image pickup light photoelectrically, comprising: 
 receiving an instruction from one of program installing switch and a program installing menu;    after receiving the instruction, receiving a program recorded on an external recording medium connected to the digital camera;    storing the received program into a storage provided in the digital camera; reading out the program from the storage; and    executing the program.    
   
   
       2 . The function appending method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 when receiving the instruction, checking a program registration list on the external recording medium; and    selecting the program from the program registration list in accordance with the instruction, to receive the selected program.    
   
   
       3 . The function appending method as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 waiting for a program transmitting command from the external recording medium;    receiving the program transmitting command from the external recording medium; and    transmitting a request-to-send program command to the external recording medium after receiving the program transmitting command, to receive the program;    
   
   
       4 . The function appending method as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 when the program is received, searching a file registration list of the storage to find write enable areas of the storage; and    when the write enable areas are found, writing management information of the program into the file registration list before storing the received program into the write enable areas,    wherein the management information includes t least one of storing start location, data type of the program and an ID of the program.    
   
   
       5 . The function appending method as set forth in  claim 4 , further comprising writing storing end location and write inhibit flag into the file registration list after the received program is stored into the write enable areas.  
   
   
       6 . A digital camera for recording image data by converting an image pickup light photoelectrically, comprising: 
 one of a program installing switch and a display operable to display a program installing menu;    an external program receiver operable to receive an instruction from one of the program installing switch and the program installing menu, receive a program recorded on an external recording medium connected to the digital camera after receiving the instruction, and store the received program into a storage provided in the digital camera; and    an execution controller operable to read out the program from the storage to execute the read out program.    
   
   
       7 . The digital camera as set forth in  claim 6  wherein: 
 when receiving the instruction, the external program receiver checks a program registration list on the external recording medium; and    the external program receiver selects the program from the program registration list in accordance with the instruction, to receive the selected program.    
   
   
       8 . The digital camera as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein: 
 the external program receiver waits for a program transmitting command from the external recording medium;    the external program receiver receives the program transmitting command from the external recording medium; and    the external program receiver transmits a request-to-send program command to the external recording medium after receiving the program transmitting command, to receive the program.    
   
   
       9 . The digital camera as set forth in  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 a data manager that searches a file registration list of the storage to find write enable areas of the storage when the program is received,    wherein when the write enable areas are found, the data manger writes management information of the program into the file registration list before the external program receiver stores the received program into the write enable areas; and    wherein the management information includes at least one of storing start location, data type of the program and an ID of the program.    
   
   
       10 . The digital camera as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the data manager writes storing end location and write inhibit flag into the file registration list after the received program is stored into the write enable areas.