DIGITAL ALBUM DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICE USING SAME

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to photography and, more particularly, to a digital album device and a method for providing a photography service using such a digital album device.

BACKGROUND

People use services of professional photographers for various purposes. For example, professional photographers are often requested to capture: pictures of an event (e.g., a wedding, an academic graduation, an anniversary, etc.); pictures of a baby or child; pictures of a model (i.e., a person that models); or pictures related by some other common subject.

Typically, a professional photographer uses a digital camera or a traditional camera (i.e., one that uses photographic film) to capture pictures for a client, prints or develops the captured pictures, and provides all or selected ones of the printed or developed pictures to the client, often as part of a photo album. This, at least to some extent, allows the professional photographer to charge the client for a desired number of copies of the printed or developed pictures and to limit opportunities for unauthorized reproduction of these pictures. In particular, when using a digital camera to capture pictures for a client, a professional photographer is usually reluctant to provide to the client the pictures in digital form since the client could easily reproduce the pictures using a computer without compensating the professional photographer.

As such, pictures captured by a professional photographer for a client are typically provided to the client as physical pictures (i.e., printed or developed pictures), often as

part of a photo album. Unsatisfactorily, picture quality of the physical pictures may degrade over time, some of the physical pictures may be lost or damaged, the photo album may be bulky, etc. Also, the physical pictures do not present several advantages associated with digital pictures, such as capabilities to zoom in or out; change contrast, brightness or color characteristics; etc.

For these and other reasons, there remains a need for improvements in photography services and for technology to facilitate provision of photography services.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides a digital album device. The digital album device comprises a casing, a display unit supported by the casing, a storage unit supported by the casing and adapted for storing digital pictures, and a control unit supported by the casing and coupled to the display unit and the storage unit. The control unit is responsive to commands input by a user for causing the display unit to display the digital pictures. The digital album device has at least one reproduction protection feature to prevent the user from reproducing the digital pictures.

The present invention also provides a method of providing a photography service to a client. The method comprises obtaining digital pictures for the client and storing the digital pictures in a digital album device that comprises: a casing; a display unit supported by the casing; a storage unit supported by the casing and storing the digital pictures; and a control unit supported by the casing and coupled to the display unit and the storage unit, the control unit being responsive to commands input by a user for causing the display unit to display the digital pictures, the digital album device being configured to prevent the user from reproducing the digital pictures. The method also comprises providing the digital album device to the client.

The present invention also provides a method of providing a photography service to a client. The method comprises: obtaining digital pictures for the client; storing the

digital pictures in a digital album device; configuring the digital album device to prevent unauthorized reproduction of the digital pictures by the client; and providing the digital album device to the client to allow the client to view the digital pictures on a display unit of the digital album device.

The present invention also provides a kit for enabling a party to provide a photography service to a client. The kit comprises a digital album device for storing digital pictures captured for the client. The digital album device comprises a casing, a display unit supported by the casing, a storage unit supported by the casing and adapted for storing the digital pictures, and a control unit supported by the casing and coupled to the display unit and the storage unit. The control unit is responsive to commands input by the client for causing the display unit to display the digital pictures. The digital album device has at least one reproduction protection feature to prevent the client from reproducing the digital pictures. The kit also comprises a data communication element for allowing the party to store the digital pictures in the storage unit.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following description of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of embodiments of the present invention is provided herein below, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a digital album device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows the digital album device of Figure 1 in a closed position;

Figure 3 illustrates components of the digital album device of Figure 1;

Figure 4 illustrates an example of a method for providing a photography service to a client, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a flowchart describing the method illustrated in Figure 4;

Figure 6 illustrates an example of a method for providing a photography service to a client, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 7 is a flowchart describing the method illustrated in Figure 6.

It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for purposes of illustration of example embodiments of the present invention and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Figures 1 and 2 show a digital album device 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The digital album device 10 is an electronic device that emulates an album. That is, the digital album device 10 stores and allows a user to view a collection of digital pictures that may be related by a common subject. For example, the digital pictures may be: digital pictures of an event (e.g., a wedding, an academic graduation, an anniversary, etc.); digital pictures of a baby or child; digital pictures of a model (i.e., a person that models); or digital pictures related by some other common subject. The digital pictures include static pictures (i.e., still photographs) that are viewable independently from one another, and/or one or more sequences of moving pictures that form one or more videos (e.g., video clips). In cases where one or more videos are stored therein, the digital album device 10 may also store and allow the user to hear digital sound associated with these one or more videos.

As further discussed below, the digital album device 10 is provided to a client of a photography service in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

In this photography service, a professional photographing entity, which may include one or more professional photographers, captures digital pictures for the client. The captured digital pictures include static pictures and/or one or more sequences of moving pictures forming one or more videos. Thus, as used herein, "photography" and "photographing" broadly refer to capture of static pictures or moving pictures, while "photographers" refer to individuals that capture static pictures or moving pictures. In cases where one or more sequences of moving pictures forming one or more videos are captured, digital sound associated with these one or more videos may also be captured as part of the photography service.

After capturing the digital pictures, the professional photographing entity causes some or all of the captured digital pictures to be stored in the digital album device 10. This may involve the professional photographing entity consulting the client to select which of the captured digital pictures are to be stored in the digital album device 10. This may also involve the professional photographing entity editing the digital pictures to be stored in the digital album device 10. In cases where one or more sequences of moving pictures forming one or more videos and digital sound associated therewith have been captured, the one or more videos and the digital sound are also stored in the digital album device 10, possibly after being edited by the professional photographing entity.

Once it stores the digital pictures, the digital album device 10 is provided to the client. The client and/or other users can then use the digital album device 10 to view the digital pictures when desired. However, in an effort to protect the professional photographing entity's rights, the digital album device 10 is configured so as to prevent unauthorized reproduction of the digital pictures stored therein. More particularly, the digital album device 10 is designed to allow the digital pictures to be viewed exclusively using the digital album device 10.

With additional reference to Figure 3, in this embodiment, the digital album device 10 comprises a display unit 12, a speaker unit 11, a storage unit 14, a control unit 16, and a power system 17, which are supported by a casing 18.

The casing 18 is sized and configured to allow a user of the digital album device 10 to easily carry and handle the digital album device 10. In this embodiment, the casing 18 comprises a main portion 28 and a cover portion 30. The main portion 28 supports the display unit 12, the speaker unit 11, the storage unit 14, the control unit 16, and the power system 17. The cover portion 30 is hingedly connected to the main portion 28 so as to be movable between a closed position in which the display unit 12 is covered by the cover portion 30 (as shown in Figure 2) and an open position in which the display unit 12 is not covered by the cover portion 30 (as shown in Figure 1). This results in the digital album device 10 having an external appearance that simulates a conventional photo album. In some embodiments, to further simulate a conventional photo album, the casing 18 may have an exterior surface that is (at least in part) covered by a conventional photo album covering material, i.e., a material used to externally cover conventional photo albums (e.g., leather or leatherette, fabric, etc.).

While in this embodiment the casing 18 has a particular size and configuration, the casing 18 may have various other sizes and configurations in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the casing 18 may not have any cover portion such as the cover portion 30.

The display unit 12 is adapted to display the digital pictures that are stored in the digital album device 10. More particularly, the display unit 12 comprises a display screen having a suitable size and resolution for displaying the digital pictures stored in the digital album device 10. In various embodiments, the display unit 12 may comprise a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, an electroluminescent display (ELD), a field emission display (FED), or any other display with suitable flatness and power consumption characteristics.

While in this embodiment the display screen of the display unit 12 has a particular size and configuration, the display screen may have various other sizes and

configurations in other embodiments. Also, while in this embodiment the display unit 12 comprises a single display screen, the display unit 12 may comprise two or more display screens in other embodiments.

The speaker unit 11 is adapted to emit digital sound that may be stored in the digital album device 10. More particularly, the speaker unit 11 comprises one or more speakers for emitting digital sound that may be stored in the digital album device 10. For example, in some cases, this digital sound may be associated with one or more sequences of moving pictures forming one or more videos that may be displayed by the display unit 12.

The storage unit 14 stores the digital pictures to be displayed by the display unit 12. More particularly, the storage unit 14 comprises one or more data storage elements storing data that represents the digital pictures to be displayed by the display unit 12. Each of the one or more data storage elements may be a solid-state memory (e.g., a memory card), a magnetic data storage medium, an optical data storage medium, or any other suitable data storage element. The storage unit 14 has a data storage capacity enabling it to store data representing the collection of digital pictures to be viewed using the digital album device 10. In cases where one or more sequences of moving pictures forming one or more videos are stored therein, the storage unit 14 may also store digital sound associated with these one or more videos that is to be emitted by the speaker unit 11 while these one or more videos are displayed by the display unit 12.

The control unit 16 is coupled to the display unit 12, the storage unit 14, and the speaker unit 11. In response to commands input by the user of the digital album device 10, the control unit 16 is operative control operation of the digital album device 10, including causing the display unit 12 to display the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14. The control unit 16 comprises suitable hardware and software (including firmware) that implement a plurality of functional components, including an input module 20 and a processing module 24.

The input module 20 enables the user of the digital album device 10 to input commands for controlling operation of the digital album device 10. For example, the user may use the input module 20 in order to input commands to: turn on or off the digital album device 10; select which of the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 is displayed by the display unit 12 (e.g., go through the digital pictures one by one so that they are displayed in turn; select a particular digital picture to be displayed from a list of the digital pictures such as a list of thumbnails of the digital pictures; etc.); automatically scroll through the digital pictures; zoom in on or out of a given one of digital pictures that is displayed by the display unit 12; rotate a given one of digital pictures that is displayed by the display unit 12; set one or more characteristics of a digital picture displayed by the display unit 12 (e.g., brightness, contrast, color, etc.); in cases where some of the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 form one or more videos, select a given video to play as well as play, pause, rewind and fast forward the given video and set a volume of sound emitted while the given video is played; or control operation of the digital album device 10 in other ways.

In this embodiment, the input module 20 comprises a set of buttons or keys 41 allowing the user of the digital album device 10 to input commands for controlling operation of the digital album device 10. In other embodiments, the input module 20 may comprise a touchpad, a microphone, a touchscreen, and/or one or more other suitable input elements, in order to enable the user to input commands for controlling operation of the digital album device 10. In some cases, the input module 20 may also comprise a component implementing a graphical user interface (GUI) to facilitate input of commands by the user. In these cases, the GUI may be displayed on the display screen of the display unit 12 or on another display screen of the digital album device 10.

The processing module 24 is operative to process commands inputted by the user via the input module 20 in order to control operation of the digital album device 10 in accordance with these commands. As part of its processing functions, the processing module 24 is operative to process the data stored in the storage unit 14, which represents the digital pictures viewable on the digital album device 10, so as to cause the display unit 12 to display these digital pictures. More particularly, for each given

digital picture to be displayed, the processing module 24 processes the data representing that given digital picture and stored in the storage unit 14 to generate signals that are applied to the display unit 12 in order to cause the display unit 12 to display that given digital picture. In cases where one or more sequences of moving pictures forming one or more videos are stored in the storage unit 14, for each given video to be played, the processing module 24 may process data representing digital sound associated with that given video and stored in the storage unit 14 to generate signals that are applied to the speaker unit 11 in order to cause the speaker unit 11 to emit that digital sound while the given video is being played. The processing module 24 may comprise various hardware and software components to implement its functionality.

The power system 17 is adapted to provide power to components of the digital album device 10. For example, the power system 17 may comprise a connector 67 for connecting the digital album device 10 to a power outlet. The power system 17 may also comprise a battery to power the digital album device 10 when the digital album device 10 is not plugged into a power outlet. The battery can be recharged by the power system 17 when the digital album device 10 is plugged into a power outlet.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the digital album device 10 is configured to prevent reproduction of the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14. Reproduction of the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 refers to: copying the digital pictures from the storage unit 14 to another storage unit external to the digital album device 10; printing the digital pictures to produce physical pictures corresponding to the digital pictures; or otherwise reproducing the digital pictures such that they become viewable without using the digital album device 10. Thus, the digital album device 10 protects the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 against reproduction. That is, the digital album device 10 protects the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 to prevent the user of the digital album device 10 from reproducing them.

More particularly, the digital album device 10 has one or more features to prevent unauthorized reproduction of the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14. These

one or more features, which are hereinafter referred to as "reproduction protection features", interpose one or more obstacles to an end-user of the digital album device 10 that would seek to reproduce the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14. In other words, the digital album device 10 is configured to prevent a typical end-user from reproducing the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 in that it has one or more reproduction protection features making it difficult, impractical, or virtually impossible for such typical end-user to reproduce the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14.

For example, in this embodiment, the storage unit 14 is mounted in the casing 18 so as to be irremovable from the casing 18 without tampering with the casing 18 (e.g., without unscrewing fasteners of the casing 18, breaking the casing 18, damaging covering material of the casing 18, or otherwise improperly altering the casing 18). More specifically, in this embodiment, the storage unit 14 is internal to the casing 18 and is an integral part of internal hardware of the digital album device 10. For instance, the storage unit 14 may be part of a circuit board inside the casing 18 or may be otherwise mounted inside the casing 18. By virtue of the storage unit 14 being physically inaccessible without tampering with the casing 18, removal of the storage unit 14 from the digital album device 10 is difficult and impractical. In that way, a user of the digital album device 10 cannot easily remove the storage unit 14 from the digital album device 10 in an attempt to reproduce the digital pictures stored therein by having the data stored in the storage unit 14, and representing these digital pictures, accessed by an external computer or other device that could be used to copy or print these digital pictures. Optionally, in some cases, the storage unit 14 may be mounted inside the casing 18 such that, upon being removed from the casing 18, the storage unit 14 is physically impaired in a manner that makes it essentially unusable thereafter (e.g., a portion of the storage unit 14 may be broken off, resulting in the data stored in the storage unit 14 becoming essentially unreadable).

As another example, in this embodiment, software of the control unit 16 prevents a user of the digital album device 10 from reproducing the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 by using the input module 20. That is, the software of the control unit 16 is such that the user cannot use the input module 20 to input commands to copy the

digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 to another device (e.g., a personal computer) or to print these digital pictures on a printer. In other words, the software of the control unit 16 lacks a copy function and a print function that are capable of being directly invoked by the user using the input module 20. As a result, the user is not provided with an easy means to copy or print the digital pictures stored in the digital album device 10.

As yet another example, in some embodiments, software of the control unit 16 may implement an authentication process to restrict use of the data stored in the storage unit 14, which represents the digital pictures displayable by the display unit 12, other than for display of the digital pictures by the display unit 12. More particularly, the authentication process authenticates a user of the digital album device 10 when the user attempts to use the data stored in the storage unit 14, which represents the digital pictures displayable by the display unit 12, for purposes other than display of the digital pictures by the display unit 12. If authentication is unsuccessful, the control unit 16 prevents the user from using the data stored in the storage unit 14, which represents the digital pictures displayable by the display unit 12, for purposes other than display of the digital pictures by the display unit 12. For example, in some embodiments, the control unit 16 may request the user to input authentication information (e.g., a password) required to be inputted into the control unit 16 in order to use the data stored in the storage unit 14 for purposes other than display of the digital pictures by the display unit 12. In some cases, the authentication information may be inputted via the input module 20 of the digital album device 10, while in other cases it may be inputted via an external device connected to the digital album device 10. With this authentication process, use of the data stored in the storage unit 14, for purposes other than display of the digital pictures by the display unit 14, may only be effected by an entity who has knowledge of the required authentication information (e.g., a professional photographing entity or a third party involved in providing the photography service contemplated herein).

As yet another example, in some embodiments, the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 may be correctly displayed when the data stored in the storage unit 14, which represents these digital pictures, is processed by the processing unit 24 of the

digital album device 10. For instance, the data stored in the storage unit 14 may be encrypted and a decryption key may be stored (e.g., hard-coded) in the processing unit 24 to allow the processing unit 24 to decrypt the encrypted data and cause the display unit 12 to correctly display the digital pictures stored in storage unit 14. As such, an attempt by a user to reproduce the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 by having the encrypted data stored therein accessed by an external computer or other device that could be used to display or print these digital pictures would fail since, without being processed by the processing unit 24 (which holds the decryption key), the encrypted data would not allow correct displaying or printing of these digital pictures.

As yet another example, in some embodiments, the control unit 16 may lack a data interface on an exterior surface of the casing 18 for connection to a computer or a printer in order to prevent a user of the digital album device 10 from reproducing the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 via such computer or printer. In some cases, the control unit 16 may comprise a data interface for connection to equipment used by a professional photographing entity or a third party involved in providing the digital photography service contemplated herein. However, such a data interface is not intended to be, and may be incapable of being, used by an end-user of the digital album device 10 to reproduce, the digital pictures stored therein. For example, the data interface in question may be inaccessible to an end-user without tampering with the digital album device 10. In one embodiment, the professional photographing entity or third party may load the digital pictures into the storage unit 14 via a cable connecting the control unit 16 to external equipment and, upon loading the digital pictures into the storage unit 14, the professional photographing entity or third party may pull on the cable such that it is disconnected from the control unit 16 at a point located inside the casing 18, thereby leaving, at that point, a data interface which is inaccessible to an end-user without tampering with the casing 18. Also, in these cases, the control unit 16 may implement the aforementioned authentication process to restrict use of the data stored in the storage unit 14, which represents the digital pictures displayable by the display unit 12, other than for purposes of display of the digital pictures by the display unit 12.

It will be appreciated that the above examples of reproduction protection features to make unauthorized reproduction of the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 difficult, impractical, or virtually impossible are presented for illustrative purposes only. In various embodiments, the digital album device 10 may have one or more of these features and/or one or more other features to protect the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 so as to prevent a typical end-user from reproducing these digital pictures.

It will also be appreciated that, despite the digital album device 10 being configured to make unauthorized reproduction of the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 difficult, impractical, or virtually impossible, a determined person may nevertheless manage to reproduce these digital pictures, possibly after significantly tampering with the digital album device 10. In that sense, the digital album device 10 is configured to prevent reproduction of the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 in that it has one or more reproduction protection features making it difficult, impractical, or virtually impossible for most end-users to reproduce these digital pictures.

It will further be appreciated that numerous modifications to and enhancements of the digital album device 10 are possible in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the storage unit 14 may be a first storage unit and the digital album device 10 may comprise a second storage unit (not shown) for storing other digital pictures (e.g., digital pictures personally captured by an owner of the digital album device 10). In these embodiments, the control unit 16 may be coupled to the second storage unit and allow a user of the digital album device 10 to input commands to load the other digital images into the second storage unit, delete the other digital pictures from the second storage unit, copy the other digital pictures from the second storage unit to an external device (e.g., a personal computer), and/or print the other digital pictures on a printer. In some cases, the second storage unit may be removable from the casing 18.

Turning now to Figures 4 and 5, there will be described an example of a method for providing the photography service contemplated herein to a client 40 (i.e., one or more persons, a business organization, or another entity), in accordance with an

embodiment of the present invention. In this example, it is assumed that the digital album device 10 described above is prepared for and provided to the client 40.

At step 400, a professional photographing entity 42, which includes one or more professional photographers, obtains digital pictures for the client 40. More specifically, in this embodiment, the professional photographing entity 42 captures digital pictures for the client 40. The client 40 may make a request to the professional photographing entity 42 to capture digital pictures in a particular context. For example, the client 40 may request the professional photographing entity 42 to capture digital pictures of an event (e.g., a wedding, an academic graduation, an anniversary, etc.), digital pictures of a baby or child, digital pictures of a model, etc. The professional photographing entity 42 proceeds to capture digital pictures in accordance with the request of the client 40.

In this embodiment, the professional photographing entity 42 captures the digital pictures by taking pictures with one or more digital cameras 44. The digital pictures include static pictures that are viewable independently from one another, and/or one or more sequences of moving pictures that form one or more videos (e.g., video clips). In cases where moving pictures forming one or more videos are captured, at least some of the one or more digital cameras 44 have digital video recording functionality. Also, in these cases, digital sound associated with the one or more videos may be captured by the one or more digital cameras 44 (or separate sound capturing equipment).

When captured, the digital pictures are stored in one or more data storage elements of the one or more digital cameras 44. In some embodiments, the professional photographing entity 42 may copy the digital pictures from the one or more data storage elements of the one or more digital cameras 44 to one or more external data storage elements. For example, the professional photographing entity 42 may copy the digital pictures from the one or more data storage elements of the one or more digital cameras 44 to one or more data storage elements of a computer system 50, which may be used by the professional photographing entity 42 to edit the digital pictures. For instance, the professional photographing entity 42 may use the computer system 50

to: delete or crop some of the digital pictures; remove red-eye effects in some of the digital pictures; modify colors, contrast and brightness of some of the digital pictures; remove unwanted elements from some of the digital pictures; add special effects to some of the digital pictures; make a montage with some of the digital pictures; in cases where the digital pictures include moving pictures forming one or more videos, edit these one or more videos; etc. In order to facilitate editing of the digital pictures, the computer system 50 may implement image editing software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop® or some other commercially-available or proprietary image editing software). The professional photographing entity 42 may then use the computer system 50 to store the digital pictures (which may have been edited) into one or more data storage elements removable from the computer system 50.

In other embodiments, the professional photographing entity 42 may capture the digital pictures by taking pictures with one or more traditional cameras (i.e., cameras using photographic film), developing these pictures, and subsequently scanning or otherwise digitizing the developed pictures in order to obtain the digital pictures. Scanning or other digitizing equipment used for this purpose may be part of the computer system 50 (or another computer system). Thus, in these embodiments, the digital pictures are stored in one or more data storage elements of the computer system 50. In a manner similar to that described above, the professional photographing entity 42 may use the computer system 50 to possibly edit the digital pictures and to store the digital pictures (which may have been edited) into one or more data storage elements removable from the computer system 50.

Thus, the digital pictures captured by the professional photographing entity 42 are stored in one or more data storage elements 54 (e.g., a solid-state memory such as a memory card, a magnetic data storage medium, an optical data storage medium, or any other suitable data storage element). As described above, in various embodiments, each of the one or more data storage elements 54 may be a data storage element of a digital camera 44, a data storage element of the computer system 50, or a data storage element removable from the computer system 50.

Upon obtaining the digital pictures (which are stored in the one or more data storage elements 54), the professional photographing entity 42 proceeds to prepare the digital album device 10, which will be subsequently provided to the client 40.

At step 410, the professional photographing entity 42 stores the digital pictures in the digital album device 10. Storage of the digital pictures in the digital album device 10 can be effected in various ways.

For example, in some embodiments, the professional photographing entity 42 may store the digital pictures in the digital album device 10 by physically installing the one or more data storage elements 54 into the casing 18 of the digital album device 10. In these embodiments, the one or more data storage elements 54, once installed in the casing 18, constitute part or all of the storage unit 14 of the digital album device 10.

The storage unit 14, which includes the one or more data storage elements 54, is coupled to the control unit 16 of the digital album device 10 to allow the display unit

12 to display the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14.

In other embodiments, where the storage unit 14 is already present in the digital album device 10, the professional photographing entity 42 may store the digital pictures in the digital album device 10 by copying the digital pictures stored in the one or more data storage elements 54 to the storage unit 14 of the digital album device 10. This may be accomplished using a data communication element enabling the professional photographing entity 42 to copy the digital pictures stored in the one or more data storage elements 54 to the storage unit 14 of the digital album device 10. For example, the data communication element may comprise a software application implemented by the computer system 50 (or another computer system) and/or a communication link (e.g., a wired or wireless communication link) linking the computer system 50 to the control unit 16 of the digital album device 10 to allow copying of the digital pictures stored in the one or more data storage elements 54 to the storage unit 14 of the digital album device 10. Connection of the computer system 50 to the control unit 16 may be effected via a data interface of the processing unit 24 of the control unit 16.

At step 420, the professional photographing entity 42 configures the digital album device 10 to prevent reproduction of the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14. That is, the professional photographing entity 42 configures the digital album device 10 such that it protects the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 against reproduction. As mentioned previously, this is achieved by configuring the digital album device 10 such that it has one or more reproduction protection features making it difficult, impractical, or virtually impossible for a typical end-user (e.g., the client 40 or another user) to reproduce the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14.

For example, in embodiments where the professional photographing entity 42 stores the digital pictures in the digital album device 10 by physically installing the one or more data storage elements 54 into the casing 18 of the digital album device 10 to constitute part or all of the storage unit 14, the professional photographing entity 42 may arrange the casing 18 such that the storage unit 14 is physically inaccessible, and irremovable from the casing 18, without tampering with the casing 18. Optionally, in some cases, the professional photographing entity 42 may mount the storage unit 14 inside the casing 18 such that, upon being removed from the casing 18, the storage unit 14 is physically impaired in a manner that makes it essentially unusable thereafter (e.g., a portion of the storage unit 14 may be broken off, resulting in the data stored in the storage unit 14 becoming essentially unreadable).

As another example, in this embodiment, the professional photographing entity 42 provides the control unit 16 with software that prevents a user of the digital album device 10 from reproducing the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 by using the input module 20. That is, the professional photographing entity 42 provides the control unit 16 with software that is such that the user cannot use the input module 20 to input commands to copy the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 to another device (e.g., a personal computer) or to print the digital pictures on a printer. In other words, the professional photographing entity 42 may provide the control unit 16 with software lacking a copy function and a print function that are capable of being directly invoked by the user using the input module 20.

As yet another example, in some embodiments, the professional photographing entity 42 may provide the control unit 16 with software implementing an authentication process to restrict use of the data stored in the storage unit 14, which represents the digital pictures displayable by the display unit 12, other than for display of the digital pictures by the display unit 12. More particularly, the authentication process authenticates a user of the digital album device 10 when the user attempts to use the data stored in the storage unit 14, which represents the digital pictures displayable by the display unit 12, for purposes other than display of the digital pictures by the display unit 12. If authentication is unsuccessful, the control unit 16 prevents the user from using the data stored in the storage unit 14, which represents the digital pictures displayable by the display unit 12, for purposes other than display of the digital pictures by the display unit 12. For example, in some embodiments, the control unit 16 may request the user to input authentication information (e.g., a password) required to be inputted into the control unit 16 in order to use the data stored in the storage unit 14 for purposes other than display of the digital pictures by the display unit 12. In some cases, the authentication information may be inputted via the input module 20 of the digital album device 10, while in other cases it may be inputted via an external device connected to the digital album device 10. With this authentication process, use of the data stored in the storage unit 14, for purposes other than display of the digital pictures by the display unit 14, may only be effected by an entity who has knowledge of the required authentication information (e.g., the professional photographing entity 42).

As yet another example, in some embodiments, the professional photographing entity 42 may configure the control unit 16 such that it enables the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 to be correctly displayed when the data stored in the storage unit 14, which represents these digital pictures, is processed by the processing unit 24 of the digital album device 10. For instance, the data stored in the storage unit 14 may be encrypted and the professional photographing entity 42 may configure the processing unit 24 such that it comprise a decryption key (e.g., firmware storing such a decryption key) to allow the processing unit 24 to decrypt the encrypted data and cause the display unit 12 to correctly display the digital pictures stored in storage unit 14. As such, an attempt by a user to reproduce the digital pictures stored in the storage

unit 14 by having the encrypted data stored therein accessed by an external computer or other device that could be used to display or print these digital pictures would fail since, without being processed by the processing unit 24 (which holds the decryption key), the encrypted data would not allow correct displaying or printing of these digital pictures.

As yet another example, in some embodiments, the professional photographing entity 42 may configure the control unit 16 such that it lacks a data interface on an exterior surface of the casing 18 for connection to a personal computer or a printer in order to prevent a user of the digital album device 10 from reproducing the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 via such personal computer or printer. In some cases, such as in embodiments where the professional photographing entity 42 stores the digital pictures in the digital album device 10 by copying the digital pictures stored in the one or more data storage elements 54 to the storage unit 14 of the digital album device 10, the control unit 16 may comprise a data interface for connection to the computer system 50 used by the professional photographing entity 42 to effect storage of the digital pictures in the storage unit 14. However, such a data interface is not intended to be, and may be incapable of being, used by an end-user of the digital album device 10 to reproduce the digital pictures stored therein. For example, the data interface in question may be inaccessible to an end-user without tampering with the digital album device 10. In one embodiment, the professional photographing entity 42 may load the digital pictures into the storage unit 14 via a cable connecting the control unit 16 to the computer system 50 and, upon loading the digital pictures into the storage unit 14, the professional photographing entity 42 may pull on the cable such that it is disconnected from the control unit 16 at a point located inside the casing 18, thereby leaving, at that point, a data interface which is inaccessible to an end-user without tampering with the casing 18. Also, in these cases, the control unit 16 may implement the aforementioned authentication process to restrict use of the data stored in the storage unit 14, which represents the digital pictures displayable by the display unit 12, other than for purposes of display of the digital pictures by the display unit 12.

It will be appreciated that the above examples of how the professional photographing entity 42 may configure the digital album device 10 such that it has one or more reproduction protection features to make reproduction of the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 difficult, impractical, or virtually impossible are presented for illustrative purposes only. In various embodiments, the professional photographing entity 42 may proceed in various other manners to configure the digital album device 10 such that it has one or more of these features and/or one or more other features to prevent the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 from being reproduced by a typical end-user of the digital album device 10.

It will also be appreciated that, in cases where the professional photographing entity 42 provides the control unit 16 with software designed to protect the digital pictures against reproduction, the professional photographing entity 42 may not necessarily install such software in the digital album device 10. In such cases, the software in question may have been installed by a third party. For example, a manufacturer of digital album devices such as the digital album device 10 may provide to the professional photographing entity 42 the digital album device 10 (possibly without the storage unit 14, in cases where the professional photographing entity 42 is to install the storage unit 14 in the digital album device 10) with the software in question already installed therein. In such circumstances, the professional photographing entity 42 provides the control unit 16 with the software in question by virtue of requesting and obtaining from the manufacturer the digital album device 10 with the control unit 16 already comprising the software in question.

At step 430, the professional photographing entity 42 provides the digital album device 10 to the client 40. For example, the professional photographing entity 42 may cause the digital album device 10 to be delivered to the client 40. Alternatively, the client 40 may pick up the digital album device 10 at a site managed or otherwise associated with the professional photographing entity 42.

Upon providing the digital album device 10 to the client 40, the professional photographing entity 42 may obtain payment from the client 40 for the photography service. Alternatively, in some cases, the professional photographing entity 42 may

obtain payment from the client 40 at an earlier moment (e.g., when the client 40 originally made the request to the professional photographing entity 42 to capture the digital pictures, when the client 40 placed an order with the professional photographing entity 42 for the digital album device 10, or at any other suitable moment).

Once provided to the client 40, the digital album device 10 can be conveniently used by the client 40 and/or other users to view on the display unit 12 the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14. By virtue of the digital album device 10 being configured so as to prevent unauthorized reproduction of the digital pictures stored therein, there is a level of confidence, from the perspective of the professional photographing entity 42, that the digital pictures will be viewed exclusively using the digital album device 10 and not reproduced in an unauthorized manner.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, there will be described another example of a method for providing the photography service contemplated herein to the client 40, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

In this example, it is assumed that the professional photographing entity 42 captures digital pictures for the client 40 as described above at step 400 in connection with . Figures 4 and 5. Upon obtaining the digital pictures, which are stored in the one or more data storage elements 54, the professional photographing entity 42 causes a third party 60 to prepare the digital album device 10 that will be subsequently provided to the client 40. For purposes of this example, the third party 60 is assumed to be a manufacturer of digital album devices such as the digital album device 10.

At step 510, the manufacturer 60 obtains the digital pictures for the client 40. More particularly, in this example, the manufacturer 60 receives the digital pictures that have been captured by the professional photographing entity 42 for the client 40. The manufacturer 60 may receive the digital pictures in various ways on a basis of the one or more data storage elements 54 storing the digital pictures.

For example, in some embodiments, the manufacturer 60 may use a computer system 70 connected to a data network (e.g., the Internet) to receive the digital pictures from the one or more data storage elements 54, which may be in communication with the data network. For instance, the manufacturer 60 may use the computer system 70 to copy the digital pictures from the one or more data storage elements 54 via the data network. Alternatively, the professional photographing entity 42 may upload the digital pictures from the one or more data storage elements 54 (e.g., using the computer system 50) to the computer system 70 via the data network. This may be facilitated by the computer system 70 (or another computer system connected thereto) implementing a data network site (e.g., a web site) designed to allow professional photographing entities (such as the professional photographing entity 42) to upload digital pictures to be stored in digital album devices (such as the digital album device 10). As yet another alternative, the professional photographing entity 42 may send (e.g., using the computer system 50) an electronic mail message to the computer system 70 via the data network, the electronic mail message conveying (e.g., as one or more attachments) the digital pictures stored in the one or more data storage elements 54. Upon being received by the computer system 70, the digital pictures are stored in one or more data storage elements of the computer system 70. In some cases, the manufacturer 60 may use the computer system 70 to copy the digital pictures from the one or more data storage elements of the computer system 70 to one or more data storage elements removable from the computer system 70.

In other embodiments, the manufacturer 60 may receive the digital pictures stored in the one or more data storage elements 54 by physically receiving the one or more data storage elements 54 from the professional photographing entity 42. In some cases, upon receiving the one or more data storage elements 54, the manufacturer 60 may use the computer system 70 (or another computer system) to copy the digital pictures from the one or more data storage elements 54 to one or more data storage elements of the computer system 70. Also, in some cases, the manufacturer 60 may then use the computer system 70 to copy the digital pictures from the one or more data storage elements of the computer system 70 to one or more data storage elements removable from the computer system 70.

Thus, upon reception by the manufacturer 60, the digital pictures captured by the professional photographing entity 42 are stored in one or more data storage elements 74 (e.g., a solid-state memory such as a memory card, a magnetic data storage medium, an optical data storage medium, or any other suitable data storage element). As described above, in various embodiments, each of the one or more data storage elements 74 may be a data storage element of the computer system 70 or a data storage element removable from the computer system 70.

At step 520, the manufacturer 60 stores the digital pictures in the digital album device 10. Storage of the digital pictures in the digital album device 10 can be effected in various ways.

For example, in some embodiments, the manufacturer 60 may store the digital pictures in the digital album device 10 by physically installing the one or more data storage elements 74 into the casing 18 of the digital album device 10. In these embodiments, the one or more data storage elements 74, once installed in the casing 18, constitute part or all of the storage unit 14 of the digital album device 10. The storage unit 14, which includes the one or more data storage elements 74, is coupled to the control unit 16 of the digital album device 10 to allow the display unit 12 to display the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14.

In other embodiments, where the storage unit 14 is already present in the digital album device 10, the manufacturer 60 may store the digital pictures in the digital album device 10 by copying the digital pictures stored in the one or more data storage elements 74 to the storage unit 14 of the digital album device 10. This may be accomplished using a data communication element enabling the manufacturer 60 to copy the digital pictures stored in the one or more data storage elements 74 to the storage unit 14 of the digital album device 10. For example, the data communication element may comprise a software application implemented by the computer system 70 (or another computer system) and/or a communication link (e.g., a wired or wireless communication link) linking the computer system 70 to the control unit 16 of the digital album device 10 to allow copying of the digital pictures stored in the one or more data storage elements 74 to the storage unit 14 of the digital album device 10.

Connection of the computer system 70 to the control unit 16 may be effected via a data interface of the processing unit 24 of the control unit 16.

At step 530, the manufacturer 60 configures the digital album device 10 to prevent reproduction of the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14. That is, the manufacturer 60 configures the digital album device 10 such that it protects the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 against reproduction. As mentioned previously, this is achieved by configuring the digital album device 10 such that it has one or more reproduction protection features making it difficult, impractical, or virtually impossible for a typical end-user (e.g., the client 40 or another user) to reproduce the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14.

For example, in embodiments where the manufacturer 60 stores the digital pictures in the digital album device 10 by physically installing the one or more data storage elements 74 into the casing 18 of the digital album device 10 to constitute part or all of the storage unit 14, the manufacturer 60 may arrange the casing 18 such that the storage unit 14 is physically inaccessible, and irremovable from the casing 18, without tampering with the casing 18. Optionally, in some cases, the manufacturer 60 may mount the storage unit 14 inside the casing 18 such that, upon being removed from the casing 18, the storage unit 14 is physically impaired in a manner that makes it essentially unusable thereafter (e.g., a portion of the storage unit 14 may be broken off, resulting in the data stored in the storage unit 14 becoming essentially unreadable).

As another example, in this embodiment, the manufacturer 60 provides the control unit 16 with software that prevents a user of the digital album device 10 from reproducing the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 by using the input module 20. That is, the manufacturer 60 provides the control unit 16 with software that is such that the user cannot use the input module 20 to input commands to copy the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 to another device (e.g., a personal computer) or to print the digital pictures on a printer. In other words, the manufacturer 60 may provide the control unit 16 with software lacking a copy function and a print function that are capable of being directly invoked by the user using the input module 20.

As yet another example, in some embodiments, the manufacturer 60 may provide the control unit 16 with software implementing an authentication process to restrict use of the data stored in the storage unit 14, which represents the digital pictures displayable by the display unit 12, other than for display of the digital pictures by the display unit 12. More particularly, the authentication process authenticates a user of the digital album device 10 when the user attempts to use the data stored in the storage unit 14, which represents the digital pictures displayable by the display unit 12, for purposes other than display of the digital pictures by the display unit 12. If authentication is unsuccessful, the control unit 16 prevents the user from using the data stored in the storage unit 14, which represents the digital pictures displayable by the display unit 12, for purposes other than display of the digital pictures by the display unit 12. For example, in some embodiments, the control unit 16 may request the user to input authentication information (e.g., a password) required to be inputted into the control unit 16 in order to use the data stored in the storage unit 14 for purposes other than display of the digital pictures by the display unit 12. In some cases, the authentication information may be inputted via the input module 20 of the digital album device 10, while in other cases it may be inputted via an external device connected to the digital album device 10. With this authentication process, use of the data stored in the storage unit 14, for purposes other than display of the digital pictures by the display unit 14, may only be effected by an entity who has knowledge of the required authentication information (e.g., the manufacturer 60).

As yet another example, in some embodiments, the manufacturer 60 may configure the control unit 16 such that it enables the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 to be correctly displayed when the data stored in the storage unit 14, which represents these digital pictures, is processed by the processing unit 24 of the digital album device 10. For instance, the data stored in the storage unit 14 may be encrypted and the manufacturer 60 may configure the processing unit 24 such that it comprise a decryption key (e.g., firmware storing such a decryption key) to allow the processing unit 24 to decrypt the encrypted data and cause the display unit 12 to correctly display the digital pictures stored in storage unit 14. As such, an attempt by a user to reproduce the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 by having the encrypted

data stored therein accessed by an external computer or other device that could be used to display or print these digital pictures would fail since, without being processed by the processing unit 24 (which holds the decryption key), the encrypted data would not allow correct displaying or printing of these digital pictures.

As yet another example, in some embodiments, the manufacturer 60 may configure the control unit 16 such that it lacks a data interface on an exterior surface of the casing 18 for connection to a personal computer or a printer in order to prevent a user of the digital album device 10 from reproducing the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 via such personal computer or printer. In some cases, such as in embodiments where the manufacturer 60 stores the digital pictures in the digital album device 10 by copying the digital pictures stored in the one or more data storage elements 74 to the storage unit 14 of the digital album device 10, the control unit 16 may comprise a data interface for connection to the computer system 70 used by the manufacturer 60 to effect storage of the digital pictures in the storage unit 14. However, such a data interface is not intended to be, and may be incapable of being, used by an end-user of the digital album device 10 to reproduce the digital pictures stored therein. For example, the data interface in question may be inaccessible to an end-user without tampering with the digital album device 10. In one embodiment, the manufacturer 60 may load the digital pictures into the storage unit 14 via a cable connecting the control unit 16 to the computer system 70 and, upon loading the digital pictures into the storage unit 14, the manufacturer 60 may pull on the cable such that it is disconnected from the control unit 16 at a point located inside the casing 18, thereby leaving, at that point, a data interface which is inaccessible to an end-user without tampering with the casing 18 Also, in these cases, the control unit 16 may implement the aforementioned authentication process to restrict use of the data stored in the storage unit 14, which represents the digital pictures displayable by the display unit 12, other than for purposes of display of the digital pictures by the display unit 12.

It will be appreciated that the above examples of how the manufacturer 60 may configure the digital album device 10 such that it has one or more reproduction protection features to make reproduction of the digital pictures stored in the storage

unit 14 difficult, impractical, or virtually impossible are presented for illustrative purposes only. In various embodiments, the manufacturer 60 may proceed in various other manners to configure the digital album device 10 such that it has one or more of these features and/or one or more other features to prevent the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14 from being reproduced by a typical end-user of the digital album device 10.

At step 540, the manufacturer 60 provides the digital album device 10 to the client 40.

In some embodiments, the manufacturer 60 may directly provide the digital album device 10 to the client 40. For example, the manufacturer 60 may cause the digital album device 10 to be delivered to the client 40. Alternatively, the client 40 may pick up the digital album device 10 at a site managed or otherwise associated with the manufacturer 60.

In other embodiments, the manufacturer 60 may indirectly provide the digital album device 10 to the client 40 via the professional photographing entity 42. For example, the manufacturer 60 may cause the digital album device 10 to be delivered to the professional photographing entity 42. Alternatively, the professional photographing entity 42 may pick up the digital album device 10 at a site managed or otherwise associated with the manufacturer 60. Once in possession of the professional photographing entity 42, the digital album device 10 may then be provided to the client 40. For instance, the professional photographing entity 42 may cause the digital album device 10 to be delivered to the client 40, or the client 40 may pick up the digital album device 10 at a site managed or otherwise associated with the professional photographing entity 42.

Upon providing the digital album device 10 to the client 40, the professional photographing entity 42 or the manufacturer 60 may obtain payment from the client 40 for the photography service. Alternatively, in some cases, the professional photographing entity 42 or the manufacturer 60 may obtain payment from the client 40 at an earlier moment (e.g., when the client 40 originally made the request to the professional photographing entity 42 to capture the digital pictures, when the client 40

placed an order with the professional photographing entity 42 for the digital album device 10, or at any other suitable moment).

Once provided to the client 40, the digital album device 10 can be conveniently used by the client 40 and/or other users to view on the display unit 12 the digital pictures stored in the storage unit 14. By virtue of the digital album device 10 being configured so as to prevent unauthorized reproduction of the digital pictures stored therein, there is a level of confidence, from the perspective of the professional photographing entity 42, that the digital pictures will be viewed exclusively using the digital album device 10 and not reproduced in an unauthorized manner.

It will be appreciated that, in some embodiments, certain functionality of a given component described herein (e.g., the digital album device 10, the computer system 50, the computer system 70, etc.) may be implemented as pre-programmed hardware or firmware elements (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), etc.) or other related elements. In other embodiments, a given component described herein (e.g., the digital album device 10, the computer system 50, the computer system 70, etc.) may comprise a processor having access to a code memory which stores program code (i.e., instructions) for operation of the processor to implement certain functionality of that given component. The program code may be stored on a medium which is fixed, tangible, and readable directly by the given component (e.g., removable diskette, CD- ROM, ROM, fixed disk, USB key, etc.). Alternatively, the program code may be stored remotely but transmittable to the given component via a modem or other interface device connected to a network over a transmission medium. The transmission medium may be either a tangible medium (e.g., optical or analog communications lines) or a medium implemented using wireless techniques (e.g., RF, microwave, infrared or other wireless transmission schemes).

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.