Digital image storage system and digital image storage that cause transmission of digital images from digital camera

Abstract

A digital image storage system is for use with a digital camera having a memory. The digital image storage system includes a docking station on which the digital camera is to be placed for taking out digital images stored in the memory of the digital camera, and a digital image storage. The digital image storage is located apart from the docking station for communicating with the docking station. The digital image storage includes a controller that detects a signal from the docking station and automatically causes the taking out of the digital images from the memory of the digital camera subsequent to receipt of the signal, and a storage medium that stores the taken out digital images.

1 . A digital image storage system for use with a digital camera having a memory, the digital image storage system comprising:
 a docking station on which the digital camera is to be placed for taking out digital images stored in the memory of the digital camera; and   a digital image storage located apart from the docking station for communicating with the docking station, wherein the digital image storage includes a controller that detects a signal from the docking station and automatically causes the taking out of the digital images from the memory of the digital camera subsequent to receipt of the signal, and a storage medium that stores the taken out digital images.   
   
   
       2 . The digital image storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller causes the taking out of all the digital images in the memory subsequent to receipt of the signal. 
   
   
       3 . The digital image storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the controller causes the taking out of the digital images in order of the time when respective digital images were taken by the digital camera. 
   
   
       4 . The digital image storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the docking station is designed to charge a battery of the digital camera when the digital camera is coupled with the docking station. 
   
   
       5 . The digital image storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the signal is caused by the placing of the digital camera on the docking station. 
   
   
       6 . The digital image storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the docking station has a shape to fit a bottom of the digital camera. 
   
   
       7 . A digital image storage for use with a digital camera having a memory, digital images in the memory being transmitted from the memory to the digital image storage by way of a docking station capable of being coupled with the digital camera, the digital image storage being located apart from the docking station and comprising:
 a controller that detects a signal from the docking station and that automatically causes the transmission of the digital images from the memory of the digital camera to the digital image storage subsequent to the detection of the signal; and   a memory that stores the transmitted digital images.   
   
   
       8 . The digital image storage according to  claim 7 , wherein the controller causes the taking-out of all the digital images in the memory of the digital camera subsequent to receipt of the signal. 
   
   
       9 . A computer-readable storage medium that stores a computer program that is executable by a controller of a digital image storage for use with a digital camera having a memory, digital images in the memory being transmitted from the memory of the camera to the digital image storage by way of a docking station capable of being coupled with the digital camera, the digital image storage located apart from the docking station, the computer program comprising instructions to cause the controller to perform the steps of:
 detecting receipt of a signal from the docking station which is located apart from the digital image storage and the controller;   automatically causing the transmission of the digital images from the memory of the digital camera to the digital image storage subsequent to the detection of the receipt of the signal; and   storing the transmitted digital images in a memory of the digital image storage.   
   
   
       10 . A digital image storage system for use with a digital camera having a memory, the digital image storage system comprising:
 a docking station on which the digital camera is to be placed for taking out digital images stored in the memory of the digital camera; and   a digital image storage located apart from the docking station for communicating with the docking station, wherein the digital image storage includes a controller that detects a signal from the docking station and that executes a program for taking out the digital images from the memory of the digital camera, and a storage medium that stores the taken out digital images, the program being automatically started subsequent to detection of the signal.   
   
   
       11 . The digital image storage system according to  claim 10 , wherein the docking station has a shape to fit a bottom of the digital camera. 
   
   
       12 . A digital image storage system for use with a digital camera having a memory, the digital image storage system comprising:
 a docking station on which the digital camera is to be placed for taking out digital images stored in the memory of the digital camera; and   a digital image storage located apart from the docking station for communicating with the docking station, wherein the digital image storage includes a controller that detects a change of status of the docking station and that automatically causes the taking out of the digital images from the memory of the digital camera subsequent to the detection of the change in status, and a storage medium that stores the taken out digital images.   
   
   
       13 . The digital image storage system according to  claim 12 , wherein the docking station has a shape to fit a bottom of the digital camera.