Image storage and camera system in which protected image data in camera can be forcibly deleted

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, from the digital camera, the image data which is protected against a deletion according to a digital camera setting and the image data which is not protected against deletion.   
   
   
       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.