It depends on how much you pay for the camera !

For cameras like the Nikon and Canon Digital SLRs (thousands of dollars) there are network interfaces available, they send the image via 801.11 straight to a computer.

For mid-range cameras like the Minolta A1, A2 and so on, they have capture programs that will drive the camera from the computer and store the image on the copmuter

I don't know of anything that does exactly what you want for a point and shoot style of camera.
As you're into programming, perhaps you can get on the manufacturer's software development program (Konica Minolta have one) and write one?