Abstract:
The present invention relates to a digital photo album having a hard drive and built-in scanner configured to scan photographic prints. The digital photo album allows a user to save the photographic prints as digital images on the hard drive, or another medium, and then view individual images or play photo album slideshows comprising a plurality of digital images. Additionally, a user may upload digital images from an external medium to the hard drive of the photo album, and then view those images and/or include them in a playlist. The digital photo album of the present invention advantageously allows a user to scan photographic prints, upload or download digital images, and view digital images individually or in an album format, in a substantially automated manner and without the need for complex peripheral devices.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a digital photo album, and more specifically, a digital photo album having a hard drive and built-in scanner configured to scan photographic prints, save the prints as digital images, transfer digital images to and from external mediums, and view digital images individually or in a slideshow format, all-in-one device.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Photographs are an important piece of memorabilia in the lives of many people. Photographic prints relating to childhood, weddings, vacations and other occasions are commonly placed in photo albums, whereby each photo album may be dedicated to a specific occasion.  
           [0003]    A conventional photo album holds a plurality of conventional photographic prints, i.e., those recorded on photographic paper. However, as the number of photographic prints in an album becomes substantial, the size of the photo album may become bulky and storage may become a problem. Moreover, if individual photographic prints are not stored in photo albums, simply locating a desired photo print or group of photos may prove to be a difficult task amid a large collection of prints.  
           [0004]    Photo scanners have proven to be a popular means for converting conventional photographic prints into digital images, thereby enabling storage of the images on a hard drive. Advantageously, a person then may discard the conventional photographic print, if desired, thereby eliminating the need to store a large number of individual prints. Moreover, a person can easily locate the digital image, e.g., using identification information associated with the image.  
           [0005]    However, the scanning of photographic prints can be a complex process, generally involving coupling the scanner to a computer, selecting desired settings, and then saving the images from the scanner to a hard drive of the computer. If it is desired to display the scanned digital images in a slideshow format, then additional connections, software and/or hardware may be required.  
           [0006]    There exists a need for a digital photo album that is capable of scanning conventional photographic prints, storing the photographic prints as digital images, and displaying the digital images in a slideshow format that preferably is analogous to a display format associated with a conventional photo album. The use of such an all-in-one digital photo album is expected to reduce the burden experienced by a user in scanning and storing images, as well as creating, editing and viewing a desired photo album.  
           [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,648 to Takeuchi et al. (Takeuchi) describes an electronic album configured to record, store and display images. In one embodiment, an image reader is configured to convert photographs, pictures or documents into electric signals to obtain corresponding image information that is stored in an image memory and displayed on a display. Index information associated with each image allows a particular image to be retrieved from the memory and displayed on the display. The device also has a keyboard and editor that allows a user to edit stored images.  
           [0008]    Additionally, the device described in the Takeuchi patent comprises a disk reader configured to read image information from an image recording medium, e.g., a magnetic disk, and convert the image information into digital signals configured to be displayed on the image display. Furthermore, image information associated with an image may be uploaded to another equipment using an external interface.  
           [0009]    The electronic album described in the Takeuchi patent has several drawbacks. First, it is unclear whether flat display  9  may be provided in a closed position during the scanning of a photographic print, i.e., in a position enclosing the print and reducing ambient light during the scanning process. Assuming that the flat display is not provided in such a closed position, then it is expected that a relatively poor scan quality will result since the print is not protected from ambient light. However, assuming that the flat display is closed during the scanning process, then an image may not be viewed on flat display  9  until the display is returned to an upright viewing position. Accordingly, it is expected that either a poor image quality will result, or the user must inconveniently close flat display  9  every time a photo is scanned and then open the display merely to view the image.  
           [0010]    Another drawback associated with the device of the Takeuchi patent is the bulky size of the electronic album. It is expected that the device may not be easily transported, and therefore, may not be well-suited for use in certain household applications. Moreover, it would be desirable to use an electronic photo album in conjunction with modern technologies, such as USB ports, firewire ports, and infrared data association (IrDA) ports, thereby facilitating transfer of information between mediums.  
           [0011]    In view of these drawbacks of previously known systems, it would be desirable to provide apparatus and methods for a digital photo album having a hard drive and built-in scanner to allow a user to scan, store and view individual photos or photo album slideshows without the need for complex or expensive peripheral devices.  
           [0012]    It further would be desirable to provide apparatus and methods for a digital photo album that is configured to scan conventional photographic prints and save the prints as digital images, in addition to being configured to download existing digital images from any number of origin mediums.  
           [0013]    It also would be desirable to provide apparatus and methods for a digital photo album that is configured to upload scanned digital images to any number of external destinations or storage destinations.  
           [0014]    It also would be desirable to provide apparatus and methods for a digital photo album having editing capabilities and slideshow functionalities.  
           [0015]    It still further would be desirable to provide apparatus and methods for a digital photo album having several automated features for ease of use.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0016]    In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for a digital photo album having a hard drive and built-in scanner to allow a user to scan, store and view individual photos or photo album slideshows without the need for complex or expensive peripheral devices.  
           [0017]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for a digital photo album that is configured to scan conventional photographic prints and save the prints as digital images, in addition to being configured to download existing digital images from any number of origin mediums.  
           [0018]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for a digital photo album that is configured to upload scanned digital images to any number of external destinations or storage destinations.  
           [0019]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for a digital photo album having editing capabilities and slideshow functionalities.  
           [0020]    It is still a further object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for a digital photo album having several automated features for ease of use.  
           [0021]    These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by providing a digital photo album comprising a hard drive and built-in scanner configured to scan photographic prints. The digital photo album allows a user to save the photographic prints as digital images on the hard drive, or another medium, and then view individual images or play photo album slideshows comprising a plurality of digital images. Additionally, a user may upload digital images from an external medium to the hard drive of the digital photo album, and then view those images and/or include them in a playlist associated with a slideshow.  
           [0022]    In a first embodiment of the present invention, the digital photo album comprises a frame having a screen configured to display one or more digital images. The frame is coupled to a scanner housing, wherein the scanner housing encloses a scanner configured to scan a photographic print. The scanner housing in turn is coupled to a computer housing, the computer housing preferably enclosing a hard drive, a CD/DVD/RW drive, and a microprocessor and memory coupled to the microprocessor. In this embodiment, the computer housing is configured to serve as a support stand for the frame, thereby enabling viewing of images on the screen at a convenient viewing angle.  
           [0023]    The digital photo album preferably further comprises an auto-feed scan mechanism comprising a slot formed in a lateral surface of the scanner housing. When a leading edge of a photographic print is inserted into the slot, the auto-feed scan mechanism pulls the print into the scanner housing and into a position suitable for scanning. In a preferred embodiment, the scanner automatically begins to scan the print once the print is completely pulled into the scanner housing via the auto-feed scan mechanism. A digital image corresponding to the print then is automatically displayed on the screen.  
           [0024]    A user then may save the digital image to the hard drive or the CD/DVD/RW drive of the digital photo album, or alternatively, the user may save the digital image to an external destination or storage destination. Additionally, a user may choose to edit a digital image, either before or after saving the image. Saved digital images may be added to a playlist, whereby a plurality of images associated with the playlist may be viewed in a slideshow format in a predetermined sequence.  
           [0025]    Additionally, digital images may be uploaded from an external medium to the hard drive of the digital photo album. Uploaded images then may be viewed individually on the screen of the digital photo album and/or included in a playlist.  
           [0026]    Advantageously, according to one aspect of the present invention, a user may scan photographic prints and save the prints as digital images in a substantially automated manner. Additionally, a user may view scanned images individually or in a photo album slideshow format on the screen, all-in-one device, and without the need for complex or expensive peripheral devices and attachments.  
           [0027]    In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the auto-feed scan mechanism of the digital photo album is omitted. In this embodiment, the frame and the scanner housing may be at least partially separated, and a photographic print may be manually inserted into a position facing the scanner.  
           [0028]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the digital photo album comprises a scanner housing enclosing a scanner, and further comprises a conventional laptop computer disposed in a conventional laptop computer housing. In this embodiment, a screen coupled to the scanner housing serves as a display for use with the laptop computer, and also serves to display scanned images and slideshows.  
           [0029]    When a digital photo album of the present invention is used in conjunction with a conventional laptop computer, the scanner housing may employ the auto-feed scan mechanism described hereinabove to automatically pull a photographic print into the scanner housing for scanning. Alternatively, the digital photo album may employ a top cover, which may be opened to manually insert a photographic print onto a scanner glass for scanning the print. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0030]    Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, in which:  
         [0031]    [0031]FIGS. 1A-1B are, respectively, front and rear perspective views of a digital photo album provided in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of components of a scanner that may be used in conjunction with the digital photo album of FIG. 1;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIGS. 3A-3C are, respectively, a rear view showing various internal components of the digital photo album of FIG. 1, a rear view showing details of an auto-feed mechanism, and a photographic print configured to be inserted into the auto-feed mechanism of FIG. 3B;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 4 is a rear view showing various internal components and connections associated with a computer of the digital photo album of FIG. 1;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 5 is a schematic depicting various electronic connections associated with the digital photo album of FIG. 1;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIGS. 6A-6B are, respectively, side views depicting a swivel mechanism and hinge mechanism for use in conjunction with the digital photo album of FIG. 1;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIGS. 7A-7B are schematic views depicting the digital photo album of FIG. 1 in landscape and portrait configurations, respectively;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative configuration of control buttons of the digital photo album of the present invention;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 9 is a flowchart describing one exemplary operational sequence of a digital photo album in accordance with principles of the present invention;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 10 is a flowchart depicting various mediums that may be used in conjunction with a digital photo album of the present invention;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIGS. 11A-11B are front perspective views of an alternative digital photo album of the present invention in closed and open modes, respectively;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIGS. 12A-12C are, respectively, a rear view showing internal components of the digital photo album of FIG. 11, a rear view of the frame of FIG. 12A, and a detailed view of a loading tray of FIG. 12B;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIGS. 13A-13B are schematic views showing a further alternative digital photo album provided in accordance with principles of the present invention in closed and open states, respectively; and  
         [0044]    [0044]FIGS. 14A-14C are, respectively, schematic views showing yet a further alternative digital photo album in a closed state, a conventional laptop usage mode, and an open state configured to receive a photographic print for scanning. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0045]    Referring now to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a digital photo album provided in accordance with principles of the present invention is described. Digital photo album  20  comprises frame  22  having screen  23 , scanner housing  30 , and computer housing  42 . Scanner housing  30  is coupled to frame  22 , while computer housing  42  is coupled to scanner housing  30 , preferably via swivel mechanism  36 , as depicted in FIG. 1B. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, other modes of coupling the scanner housing to the computer housing may also be used.  
         [0046]    Computer housing  42  houses various electronic components for performing functional operations of digital photo album  20 , as described hereinbelow with respect to FIGS. 4-5. Also, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, computer housing  42  serves as a support stand for frame  22 , thereby facilitating viewing of digital images on screen  23 . Specifically, computer housing  42  and scanner housing  30  may be positioned at a desired angle with respect to one another, thereby allowing digital photo album  20  to stand by itself in an upright position, as depicted in FIG. 1B.  
         [0047]    To further facilitate support of digital photo album  20  in an upright position, computer housing  42  preferably comprises at least one non-skid pad  56 , as shown in FIG. 1B. Additionally, frame  22  preferably comprises at least one non-skid pad  57  for stability in a landscape configuration, and further comprises at least one non-skid pad  58  for stability in a portrait configuration (see FIG. 7 hereinbelow).  
         [0048]    Referring still to FIG. 1A, frame  22  of digital photo album  20  preferably further comprises infrared data association (IrDA) port  24 , which is configured to enable infrared data communication between digital photo album  20  and an exterior device, such as a personal computer, laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), printer, or the like.  
         [0049]    Digital photo album  20  further comprises auto-feed scan slot  35 , which is disposed in a lateral surface of scanner housing  30 , as depicted in FIG. 1B. Auto-feed scan slot  35  may be an external component of auto-feed scan mechanism  25  of FIG. 3B, which is configured to receive photographic prints and automatically pull the prints into scanner housing  30  for scanning, as described in detail hereinbelow with respect to FIG. 3.  
         [0050]    Referring now to FIG. 2, components relating to a preferred scanner mechanism of digital photo album  20  are described in greater detail. In FIG. 2, screen  22  of FIG. 1A is omitted for clarity. Scanner  27  of digital photo album  20  preferably comprises lamp  28  and charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor array  29 , each of which is disposed on sliding bar  38 . CCD sensor array  29  preferably is a light-sensitive integrated circuit that stores and displays data associated with a photographic print by converting each pixel of the print into an electrical charge, wherein each electrical charge has an intensity associated with a color in the color spectrum. Ribbon cable  39  relays the electrical charges to memory  46   b  of computer  40  (see FIG. 5) as the image is scanned.  
         [0051]    Scanner  27  preferably further comprises track  31 , drive motor  32 , screw feed  33 , and carriage  34 , which is coupled to sliding bar  38 . When a signal is sent to drive motor  32  to begin the scanning process, rotation of drive motor  32  is translated into longitudinal movement of carriage  34  via screw feed  33 . The longitudinal movement of carriage  34  in turn enables longitudinal movement of sliding bar  38 , guided by track  31 , to facilitate scanning of a photographic print. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to scanner  27 , for example, by varying the drive mechanisms employed, without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0052]    Referring now to FIG. 3, features of an auto-feed scan mechanism that may be used in conjunction with digital photo album  20  are described in greater detail. FIG. 3B provides an enlarged view of a corresponding region of FIG. 3A, to better illustrate components of auto-feed scan mechanism  25 . It should be noted that, in FIG. 3B, frame  22  and computer housing  42  have been removed for purposes of illustration.  
         [0053]    As shown in FIG. 3B, auto-feed scan mechanism  25  preferably comprises slot  35 , optical sensor  71 , drive motor  72 , which is coupled to reduction gear assembly  74 , and at least one pinch roller  73 . As shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, auto-feed scan slot  35  is disposed in a lateral surface of scanner housing  30 , while the other components of auto-feed scan mechanism  25  are disposed within scanner housing  30 .  
         [0054]    Optical sensor  71  is configured to provide feedback to microprocessor  46   a  of computer  40  (see FIG. 5) to notify the microprocessor as to when leading edge  67  of photographic print  66  has passed through slot  35 . In response to instructions received from microprocessor  46   a,  drive motor  72  is actuated to cause rotation of gear assembly  74 . At this time, pinch roller  73 , which is coupled to gear assembly  74 , is actuated to pull photographic print  66  into slot  35  and position print  66  so that front side  68  of the print is facing CCD array  29  of scanner  27  of FIG. 2.  
         [0055]    A second optical sensor (not shown), coupled to microprocessor  46   a,  may be employed to facilitate proper positioning of photographic print  66  with respect to scanner  27 . Additionally, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that any number of gearing mechanisms and pinch rollers may be employed to facilitate actuation of auto-feed scan mechanism  25 .  
         [0056]    Referring now to FIG. 4, components associated with computer  40  and computer housing  42  are described in greater detail. Computer  40  preferably comprises hard drive  45 , motherboard  46  comprising microprocessor  46   a  and memory  46   b  (see FIG. 5), and CD/DVD/RW Drive  47 , each of which is housed within computer housing  42  having vent holes  43 , as depicted in FIG. 4. A user may access CD/DVD/RW drive  47  via drive opening  41 , which is coupled to a lateral surface of computer housing  42 .  
         [0057]    Computer housing  42  preferably comprises at least one support leg  55  having non-skid pad  56 , and more preferably, comprises first support leg  55   a  separated a distance apart from second support leg  55   b,  as illustratively depicted in FIG. 4. Computer housing  42  preferably is coupled to power-in port  51   a,  which in turn is configured to be coupled to power input wire  51 . Computer housing  42  further is coupled to USB data port  52   a  and firewire data port  53   a,  which are configured to be coupled to USB wire  52  and firewire  53 , respectively.  
         [0058]    In a preferred embodiment, at least one of ports  51   a,    52   a  and  53   a  is disposed between first and second legs  55   a  and  55   b,  as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the ports may be coupled to any other suitable surface of computer housing  42 .  
         [0059]    Referring now to FIG. 5, a schematic of a preferred electronic configuration of digital photo album  20  is shown, whereby solid lines are indicative of power transfer, and dashed lines are indicative of data transfer. As depicted in FIG. 5, power may be supplied to various components of digital photo album  20  via power input  51  and/or battery  49 .  
         [0060]    USB wire  52  and firewire  53  are configured to transfer data from digital photo album  20  to external mediums via ports  52   a  and  53   a,  respectively, as well as receive data from the external mediums. As will be described hereinbelow with respect to FIG. 10, data may be received from one or more origin mediums  111 , such as a computer or digital camera, and data also may be transferred from computer  40  to any number of storage destinations  114  and/or external media destinations  116 .  
         [0061]    Referring still to FIG. 5, and as described in part hereinabove, optical sensor  71  provides feedback to microprocessor  46   a  to notify the microprocessor as to when leading edge  67  of photographic print  66  has passed through slot  35 . In response to data instructions received from microprocessor  46   a,  drive motor  72  is actuated to enable the photographic print to be pulled into an area in front of scanner  27 . Scanner  27  then may be automatically actuated to scan the photographic print. Digital image data associated with the scanned print may be saved to hard drive  45 , CD/DVD/RW drive  47 , another internal destination  115 , or any one of storage destinations  114  and/or external destinations  116  of FIG. 10.  
         [0062]    Referring now to FIG. 6, different means for coupling scanner housing  30  to computer housing  42  are described. In FIG. 6A, swivel mechanism  36  of FIG. 1B is employed as the means for coupling, thereby permitting a user to rotate frame  22  with respect to computer housing  42 . In a preferred embodiment, swivel mechanism  36  enables rotation of frame  22  between first and second positions, illustratively depicted FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B, respectively. In the first position, digital image  77  playing on screen  23  may be viewed in a landscape orientation, as shown in FIG. 7A. In the second position, digital image  77  playing on screen  23  may be viewed in a portrait orientation, as shown in FIG. 7B. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, image  77  may be converted from a landscape orientation to a portrait orientation to fill the entire screen, as illustratively depicted, when frame  22  is rotated from the first position to the second position, or vice versa.  
         [0063]    Referring to FIG. 6B, in an alternative embodiment, hinge mechanism  37  may be employed as the means for coupling scanner housing  30  to computer housing  42 , in lieu of swivel mechanism  36 . When hinge mechanism  37  is employed, angle α, formed between a main axis of scanner housing  30  and a main axis of computer housing  42 , may be adjusted to vary a viewing angle of screen  23 , or to increase upright stability of digital photo album  20 .  
         [0064]    Referring now to FIG. 8, a preferred configuration of control buttons  26  of FIG. 1A is described. Control buttons  26  preferably are coupled to frame  22 , as shown in FIG. 1A, and electronically coupled to microprocessor  46   a  of computer  40 . In one embodiment, memory  46   b  may store a plurality of preset commands corresponding to a predefined function of digital photo album  20 . Microprocessor  46   a  may be configured to receive data from control buttons  26 , match the data against the plurality of preset commands in memory  46   b,  and cause digital photo album  20  to perform the predefined function that corresponds to the input command.  
         [0065]    Control buttons  26  preferably comprise menu button  61 , fast-forward button  62 , play/pause button  63 , rewind button  64 , and enter button  65 , as shown in FIG. 8. Buttons  61 ,  62  and  64  are depicted as being configured to perform a plurality of functions based on the number of times a user pushes the button.  
         [0066]    For example, in one method of use, a user may view a slideshow, i.e., by creating a playlist comprising a plurality of digital images (see FIG. 9). While viewing the slideshow, a user may push fast-forward button  62  three times and then press enter button  65  once. Microprocessor  46   a  recognizes the input, and compares the input against the plurality of preset commands in memory  46   b.  Once microprocessor  46   a  recognizes the match, the microprocessor instructs digital photo album  20  to forward to the end of the slide show.  
         [0067]    It will be understood by one skilled in the art that control buttons  26  may be used to perform any number of functions associated with digital photo album  20 , and are not intended to be limited by the illustrative functions depicted in FIG. 8. Similarly, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that control buttons  26  may be coupled to digital photo album  20  at a different location, or at a remote location, e.g., using a remote control. Further, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that control buttons  26  may comprise any number of buttons that are arranged in any number of configurations, and are not intended to be limited by the exemplary configuration depicted herein.  
         [0068]    Referring now to FIG. 9, a flow diagram is provided to illustrate one exemplary manner in which digital photo album  20  of FIG. 1 may be used. As described hereinabove, digital photo album  20  advantageously may be used to scan conventional photographic prints, then display, save, edit, organize and/or transfer digital images, among other functions described herein.  
         [0069]    In a first step, shown in block  80 , a user performs preliminary operations, such as connecting power-in wire  51  into input port  51   a.  The user then turns the unit on, e.g., by pressing a conventional power button (not shown).  
         [0070]    In a next step, shown in block  82 , a user may place a photographic print into auto-feed scan slot  35  of FIG. 1B. As described hereinabove, optical sensor  71  of FIG. 3B is actuated when it recognizes that leading edge  67  of photographic print  66  is inserted at least partially into slot  35 . Optical sensor  71  relays this data to microprocessor  46   a,  which in turn causes actuation of drive motor  72 , gear assembly  74  and pinch roller  73 . This causes the photographic print to be loaded within an area inside of scanner housing  30 , and in a position facing CCD sensor array  29  of scanner  27 .  
         [0071]    In an alternative method step, described hereinbelow with respect to alternative digital photo album  120  of FIGS. 11-12, a user may “open” the digital photo album by at least partially separating frame  122  from scanner housing  130 . The user then may manually insert the photographic print into tray  171  (see FIGS. 12A-12C). This step, shown in block  84 , may be used in lieu of step  82 , depending on which digital photo album is used.  
         [0072]    When the photographic print is properly positioned facing the CCD array of the scanner, scanner  27  preferably is automatically actuated, e.g., using a sensor (not shown), and the photographic print is scanned, as shown in block  86 . Alternatively, a series of prompts may be provided on screen  23 , and a user may actuate control buttons  26 , in response to the prompts, to begin the scanning process. Once the photographic print is scanned, a digital image corresponding to the print is automatically displayed on screen  23 , as represented by block  87 .  
         [0073]    When the digital image is displayed, a user may perform a wide range of functions, e.g., save, edit, send to personal computer, etc. For simplicity, only two options are illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 9. Block  88  depicts a “save” option that a user may select, for example, in response to prompts automatically provided on screen  23 . If the user desires to discard of the digital image, then the image is not saved (block  92 ).  
         [0074]    If a user chooses to save a displayed image, the user may first be asked to select an image format (block  94 ). Exemplary image formats are represented by object-based image group  112  and pixel-based image group  113  of FIG. 10. Object-based image formats may include, for example, TXT, DWG, CDR, DOC or other formats, while pixel-based formats may include, for example, BMP, JPG, GIF, TIFF or other image formats.  
         [0075]    As illustratively depicted by block  110  of FIG. 10, when a scanned or uploaded image is displayed on screen  23 , a user may choose to format the displayed image, and then save the displayed image to a desired destination. Accordingly, once a user selects a desired format, the user then may be prompted to provide a desired destination (block  95  of FIG. 9). Several illustrative destinations are shown in FIG. 10, including a variety of storage destinations  114 , internal destinations  115  and external destinations  116 . The image may be saved to external destinations, such as a computer, an internet storage site, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or other destination by way of USB wire  52 , firewire  53 , or by using infrared data communication via IrDA port  24 .  
         [0076]    Once the user has selected a storage destination, the user may be asked to enter identification information associated with the image (block  96 ). The identification information, such as a name or date associated with the image, is used to facilitate retrieval of the image from the storage destination.  
         [0077]    Referring still to FIG. 9, at any time that an image is displayed on screen  23 , a user may choose to edit the image (block  90 ). Editing software, for example, Adobe® Photoshop®, may be provided on computer  40  of digital photo album  20 , or may be accessed using CD/DVD/RW drive  47  or another drive. Alternatively, the editing software may be provided on an external computer (not shown) or drive that is electronically coupled to digital photo album  20 . Editing functions that may be performed include, for example, formatting the size of the image, changing a resolution associated with the image, red eye reduction, or otherwise varying the size, shape or content of the image (block  91 ). As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, a user may choose to edit an image at any time before or after the image is saved to any one of destinations  114 - 116  of FIG. 10, i.e., editing functions  90 - 91  may be performed before or after the saving functions depicted in blocks  94 - 96 .  
         [0078]    After an image has been saved (blocks  94 - 96 ), a user may decide to add the saved image to a playlist (block  97 ). The user may add the digital image to an existing playlist, or create a new playlist and add the image to the new playlist (block  98 ). Exemplary playlists may include “Vacation,” “Childhood,” “Wedding,” “Christmas,” and “All Pictures,” although any number of possibilities exist. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, each playlist may be organized, for example, so that a plurality of images may be displayed in a desired photo album sequence (block  99 ). In this sequence, a slideshow may be viewed using navigational commands associated with control buttons  26  (see FIG. 8).  
         [0079]    Once a playlist has been organized in a desired manner, the playlist may be saved to any one of storage destinations  114 - 116  of FIG. 10, in a manner similar to that described hereinabove with respect to saving an individual image. Therefore, in the flowchart of FIG. 9, functions performed in blocks  102  and  103  may correspond to functions described hereinabove with respect to block  95 .  
         [0080]    In a preferred embodiment, a user may choose to save an image directly from digital photo album  20  to an internet storage location. For example, the user may subscribe to a service that allows subscribers to pay a small monthly fee for purposes of accessing internet data storage space. The internet storage service may be operatively coupled to digital photo album  20 , e.g., using a DSL line, a cable line, or by satellite hookup. A user of digital photo album  20  may be prompted for authentication information associated with the internet storage site, such as a username and password. Once the authentication information is verified, the user may conveniently store large files directly from digital photo album  20  to the internet storage site.  
         [0081]    It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the enumerated lists depicted in FIG. 10 are merely for purposes of illustration, and other mediums not specifically enumerated herein may be used in conjunction with digital photo album  20  of the present invention.  
         [0082]    Additionally, for simplicity, several other operational method steps that may be used in conjunction with digital photo album  20  have been omitted from the flow diagram of FIG. 9. For example, at any time during operation, at least one digital image may be uploaded to hard drive  45  of digital photo album  20 , for example, via USB line  52 , firewire  53  or IrDA port  24 . The images may be uploaded from any number of origins  111 , as illustratively enumerated in FIG. 10. Uploaded images are displayed on screen  23  (block  110  of FIG. 10), and may be formatted and saved as individual images on hard drive  45  and/or added to playlists associated with digital photo album  20 , as described hereinabove. Also, at any time during operation, one or more saved photos may be deleted from hard drive  45  or deleted from a playlist.  
         [0083]    An “eject” button (not shown) may be provided, thereby allowing a user to eject photographic print  66  from auto-feed scan slot  35 . The eject button may be operatively coupled to drive motor  72  of auto-feed scan mechanism  25 , such that drive motor  72  causes a rotation of pinch roller  73  that causes the photographic print to be ejected from scanner housing  30 .  
         [0084]    Referring now to FIGS. 11-12, digital photo album  120  of an alternative embodiment of the present invention is substantially the same as digital photo album  20  of FIGS. 1-10, with a main exception that auto-feed scan mechanism  25  is omitted. Also, in the embodiment of FIGS. 11-12, scanner housing  130  and frame  122  of digital photo album  120  are configured to be at least partially separated in an “open” mode, as depicted in FIG. 11B. In the open mode, a hinge (not shown), which may be used to couple scanner housing  130  to frame  122 , enables a partial separation between upper portion  133  of frame  122  and upper portion  131  of scanner housing  130 , as depicted in FIG. 11B. In the open mode, a user may manually insert a photographic print, as described hereinbelow.  
         [0085]    Referring now to FIG. 12, alternative digital photo album  120  further comprises foam backing  170  and tray  171 . Foam backing  170  and tray  171  preferably are disposed on a reverse side of screen  123 , i.e., a side of screen  123  that is not externally visible to a user in a closed mode. Tray  171  preferably surrounds three of the four sides of foam backing  170 , as shown in FIG. 12B, so that a user may load a photographic print into tray  171  manually. As shown in FIG. 12C, tray  171  comprises groove  175  in which the photographic print may be placed for subsequent scanning. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, at least one textual or graphic instruction (not shown) may be provided in an instruction manual or disposed on digital photo album  120  to instruct a user of a proper manner in which to insert the photographic print into scanning tray  171 .  
         [0086]    Once a photographic print is properly positioned within tray  171 , a user may return digital photo album  120  to the closed mode, depicted in FIG. 11A, for example, by manually moving upper portion  133  of frame  122  towards upper portion  131  of scanner housing  130 . Once digital photo album  120  is returned to the closed mode, an optical sensor (not shown) may detect that a photographic print has been loaded into tray  171 . The optical sensor may relay a message to the microprocessor to begin the scanning process. Scanner  127  of FIG. 11B, which preferably is substantially identical to scanner  27  of FIG. 2, then scans the photographic print.  
         [0087]    In a preferred embodiment, the scanning process automatically begins when the optical sensor detects the photographic print in tray  171 . Alternatively, once digital photo album  120  is returned to the closed mode, a prompt may be provided on screen  123 , for example, to instruct the user to press one or more of buttons  126  to actuate scanner  127 .  
         [0088]    When the scanning process is complete, digital photo album  120  preferably automatically displays a digital image corresponding to the scanned photo on screen  123  (block  110  of FIG. 10). Then, the digital image may be formatted and saved to one or more destinations  114 - 116  of FIG. 10. Additionally, the image may be edited, added to a playlist, etc., as set forth hereinabove.  
         [0089]    Referring now to FIG. 13, yet a further alternative embodiment of the present invention is described. Digital photo album  220  of FIG. 13 is similar to digital photo album  20  of FIGS. 1-10, with a main exception that conventional laptop computer housing  242  is used in lieu of computer housing  42 , and conventional laptop computer  240  having keyboard  260  is employed instead of computer  40 . Except as otherwise noted, components of digital photo album  220  correspond to like numbers of digital photo album  20 , e.g., auto-feed scan slot  235  of FIG. 13 corresponds to auto-feed scan slot  35  of FIG. 1B.  
         [0090]    Digital photo album  220  comprises power-in port  268  and at least one storage drive  267 , e.g., for use with a CD or DVD. Digital photo album  220  also preferably comprises a USB port, firewire port and irDA port, as described hereinabove, and may comprise any other ports associated with a conventional laptop computer, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.  
         [0091]    Digital photo album  220  comprises a closed state, which may be used for storage, as shown in FIG. 13A, and an open state, which is used during operation, as shown in FIG. 13B. Hinge mechanism  237  preferably is used to allow digital photo album  220  to transition between the open and closed states, and latch mechanism  269  may be employed to secure frame  222  to computer housing  242  in the closed state.  
         [0092]    In the embodiment of FIG. 13, frame  222  having screen  223  is, in effect, the same entity as scanner housing  230 . Accordingly, frame  222  houses a scanner and related components that preferably are provided in accordance with scanner  27  of FIG. 2. Similarly, digital photo album  220  comprises an auto-feed scan mechanism similar to auto-feed scan mechanism  25  of FIG. 3. Accordingly, digital photo album  220  is configured to automatically receive and scan photographic prints.  
         [0093]    Digital photo album  220  may operate in accordance with any of the methods set forth hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 1-10. For example, digital photo album  220  may transfer data to, and upload data from, any of the mediums illustratively depicted in FIG. 10.  
         [0094]    Advantageously, in the embodiment of FIG. 13, a user may operate a conventional laptop computer and, if desired, automatically scan and save images to a hard drive of the laptop computer, without the need for an additional scanner and other peripheral devices. Keyboard  260  may be used to perform the functions associated with control buttons  26 , and therefore may be used to view, edit, add images to playlists, play the playlists, and so forth, as generally set forth hereinabove.  
         [0095]    Referring now to FIG. 14, a further alternative embodiment of the present invention is described. Digital photo album  320  of FIG. 14 is similar to digital photo album  120  of FIGS. 11-12, and components of digital photo album  320  correspond to like numbers of digital photo album  120 , except as noted hereinbelow.  
         [0096]    Digital photo album  320  comprises computer housing  342 , scanner housing  330 , and top cover  377 . In a preferred embodiment, latch mechanisms  369  and  379  releasably secure computer housing  342  to scanner housing  330  and scanner housing  330  to top cover  377 , respectively.  
         [0097]    Conventional laptop computer  340  is disposed within computer housing  342 , which is coupled to power-in port  368  and access drive  375 . Digital photo album  320  also preferably comprises a USB port, firewire port and irDA port, as described hereinabove, and any other ports associated with a conventional laptop computer, as will be apparent to one skilled in the art.  
         [0098]    Scanner housing  330  is coupled to screen  323  on a first surface, and further is coupled to scanner glass  327  on an opposing surface, as depicted in FIGS. 14B-14C, respectively. Scanner housing  330  houses a scanner that preferably is provided in accordance with scanner  27  of FIG. 2. Scanner housing  330  preferably comprises auxiliary access drive  367 . It should be noted that, in the embodiment of FIG. 14, the auto-feed scan mechanisms associated with digital photo albums  20  and  220  are omitted.  
         [0099]    In a first mode, depicted in FIG. 14B, digital photo album  330  is configured to be used in accordance with a conventional laptop computer using keyboard  360  and display screen  323 . In an alternative mode, a photographic print may be scanned by placing the print face-down on scanner glass  327 , closing top cover  377  having foam layer  370 , and actuating the scanner.  
         [0100]    As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, scanned images may be saved on a hard drive associated with computer  340 . Moreover, digital photo album  320  is intended to operate in accordance with any of the methods set forth hereinabove with respect to digital photo albums  20 ,  120  and  220 .  
         [0101]    While preferred illustrative embodiments of the invention are described above, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention. The appended claims are intended to cover all such changes and modifications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.