JP2002152617A - Device for detecting cm inserted position and home server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a CM inserted position detecting method for enabling a broadcast receiving side to detect a CM inserted position within a program with high accuracy without depending upon the existence/absence of an additional information service such as a CM identification tag from a broadcasting side and to obtain a home server. SOLUTION: A color layout structure proper to each of a plurality of CM images having different sources is preliminarily stored in a CM characteristic database 23, a color layout structure representing the characteristic of each image is extracted with a broadcasted program image as a target, similar image retrieval is carried out by comparing and collating the extracted color layout structure of each image with the color layout structures of CM images stored in the database 23, when the color layout structure of the broadcasted program image is similar to or coincides with the color layout structure of a CM image stored in the database 23 as the result of the similar image retrieval, the image within the range where the color layout structures are similar to or coincide with each other is decided to be a CM image, and the CM insertion position during the program is detected by acquiring time information corresponding to the image within the range where the color layout structures are similar or coincide.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technique for detecting the insertion position of a commercial message (hereinafter abbreviated as CM) in a broadcast program on a broadcast receiving side, and more particularly, from a broadcast transmitting side. Without depending on whether additional information services such as CM identification tags are provided,
The present invention relates to a CM insertion position detection method capable of detecting a CM insertion position in a program with high accuracy on a broadcast receiving side, and a home server.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art One of the functions realized by a VTR device for recording a broadcast program on a recording medium such as a magnetic tape is a CM skip function for preventing a CM portion in the program from being recorded.

In order to realize such a CM skip function in analog broadcasting, a CM insertion position detection technique which focuses on a change in an audio pattern or a change in a change in an average color of an image at a boundary between a program and a CM has been known. I have.

[0004] An example in which the CM skip function is applied to digital broadcasting is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-11-185317. According to the technology disclosed in the publication, based on insertion information (queue information) of a CM portion inserted in a digital broadcast program, the CM portion is not recorded on a recording medium or temporarily recorded on a recording medium as it is. The digital broadcast program is configured to be reproduced by skipping the CM part. Thus, the CM skip function realized in analog broadcasting can be realized in digital broadcasting.

[0005]

However, in the CM insertion position detection technology applied to analog broadcasting,
At the boundary between the main program and the CM, if the change in the audio pattern or the change in the average color of the image is not remarkable, there is an inherent problem that the detection accuracy of the CM insertion position in the program is reduced.

Also, in the CM insertion position detection technology applied to digital broadcasting, since the broadcast transmission side relies on insertion information (queue information) of a CM portion inserted into a broadcast program, If the cue information is not supplied, there is an inherent problem that the CM insertion position in the program cannot be detected.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and is effective for applications such as similar image retrieval called a color layout descriptor for expressing a color layout structure representing the characteristics of each image. Introduce a new mechanism and store in advance a color layout structure unique to each of a plurality of CM images with different sources in a CM feature database, and use the features of each image for broadcasted program images. Is extracted by comparing and comparing the color layout structure of each of the extracted images with the color layout structure of the CM image stored in the CM feature database. As a result of the similar image search, the color layout structure of the broadcast program image and the color layout structure stored in the CM feature database When the color layout structure of the CM image is similar or coincident, it is determined that the image in the similar or coincident range is regarded as a CM image, and time information corresponding to the image in the similar or coincident range is obtained. By detecting the CM insertion position in the broadcast program, the insertion position of the CM in the program can be determined on the broadcast receiving side without depending on whether or not an additional information service such as a CM identification tag is provided from the broadcast transmitting side. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a CM insertion position detection method and a home server that can be detected with high accuracy.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventor has developed MPEG-7, a global standard that defines a method for describing additional information for multimedia contents such as audio and video. We focused on a new mechanism called a color layout descriptor for expressing the color layout structure that represents the features of each image, which is scheduled to be adopted, and is effective for applications such as similar image retrieval.

A color layout descriptor is a descriptor for efficiently expressing a color layout structure of an image. The description information of the color layout descriptor is as follows.
(8) a step of dividing the unit block into 64 unit blocks, a step of obtaining a reduced image for each unit block by obtaining an average color for each unit block, and a step of forming an 8 × 8 reduced image. Extracting a low-frequency component from each of the × 8 reduced images.

[0010] According to the color layout descriptor, the collation information condensed to a very small capacity of 8 bytes per image can express the color layout structure of the image. Thus, for example, the image structure data per CM for 15 seconds can be reduced to 2.4 kilobytes, and the comparison operation time for image search can be significantly reduced.

Therefore, the CM insertion position detecting method according to the first aspect is called such a color layout descriptor.
It was created by introducing a new mechanism that is effective for similar image retrieval and other purposes. The unique color layout structure for each of multiple CM images with different sources is stored in the CM feature database in advance and broadcasted. A color layout structure representing the characteristics of each image is extracted from the program image that has been extracted, and the color layout structure of each extracted image and C stored in the CM characteristic database are extracted.
A similar image search is performed by comparing and matching the color layout structure of the M image with the color layout structure of the broadcast program image and the color of the CM image stored in the CM feature database. When the layout structure is similar or coincident with the layout structure, it is determined that an image in the similar or coincident range is regarded as a CM image, and time information corresponding to the image in the similar or coincident range is acquired, thereby enabling broadcasting. It is characterized by detecting a CM insertion position in a program.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the method of detecting a CM insertion position according to the first aspect, the time information corresponding to the image in the similar or coincident range is the same as the time information of this range. It is characterized by being time information corresponding to each of the first and last images among the images.

A CM insertion position detecting method according to a third aspect of the present invention is the CM insertion position detecting method according to any one of the first and second aspects, wherein the CM image stored in the CM feature database is provided. Is characterized in that it is provided externally via a broadcast or communication medium or a recording medium.

In the CM insertion position detecting method according to the first aspect, first, a color layout structure specific to each of a plurality of CM images having different sources is previously stored in a CM feature database. The color layout structure peculiar to each CM image stored in the CM feature database is information in which the characteristic portion of each image is condensed. It can be said that it is information.

Now, it is assumed that, for example, a program in which a main program and commercials are appropriately interwoven is broadcast to a home server having a digital broadcast receiving function. Then, a color layout structure representing the characteristics of each image is extracted for the broadcasted program image. Then, a similar image search is performed by comparing and comparing the extracted color layout structure of each image with the color layout structure of the CM image stored in the CM feature database. As a result of the similar image search, when the color layout structure of the broadcast program image and the color layout structure of the CM image stored in the CM feature database are similar or coincide with each other, an image in the similar or matching range is determined. By determining that the image is a CM image and acquiring time information corresponding to the image in the similar or coincident range, the CM insertion position in the broadcast program is detected.

The CM insertion position information thus obtained is C
It is used for applications such as M skipping or selectively extracting and viewing a favorite CM portion. With this, CM
Such a service can be provided to a user who wants to enjoy a program by skipping the portion, while providing such a service to a user who wants to enjoy watching a favorite CM portion repeatedly.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the insertion position of a CM in a program can be determined with high accuracy on the broadcast receiving side without depending on whether or not an additional information service such as a CM identification tag is provided from the broadcast transmitting side. Can be detected. According to the first aspect of the present invention, such a service is provided to a user who wants to enjoy a program by skipping a CM portion, while a user who wants to repeatedly watch and enjoy a favorite CM portion is provided with such a service. As a result of providing services that meet various user requests, such as providing services, it is possible to contribute to a dramatic improvement in customer satisfaction.

According to the CM insertion position detecting method of the present invention, as the time information corresponding to the image in the similar or coincident range, among the images in this range which are assumed to be most frequently used at present, It is illustratively defined that the time information corresponding to each of the images at the end is adopted. However, these definitions are only examples,
According to the present invention, in place of the definition in claim 2, for example, the time information corresponding to the image in the similar or matching range is defined by a combination of the time information corresponding to the first image and the duration thereof. Is not to be excluded.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the insertion position of the CM in the broadcast program is detected without error in a so-called in / out point mode, the detection accuracy of the CM insertion position in the broadcast program can be improved. We can expect improvement.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a CM insertion position detecting method for providing a color layout structure of CM images stored in the CM feature database, which is assumed to be most frequently used at present. It is illustratively defined that the information is provided from the outside via a medium or a recording medium. However, such a definition is merely an example, and the present invention, in place of the definition in claim 3, for example, constructs a CM feature database with a self-learning function inside a home server, and utilizes this to perform similar image search. It should be clearly stated that this does not exclude the aspect of self-completely detecting the CM insertion position.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, as a mode of providing the color layout structure of the CM image stored in the CM feature database, a broadcast or communication medium or a recording medium which is assumed to be most frequently used at present is used. By using the form provided from the outside through the system, the content enhancement of the CM feature database, which is indispensable in the present invention, depends on the provision of information from the outside, so the load on the internal information processing is expected to be reduced. can do.

As described above, when determining that an image in a similar or coincident range is regarded as a CM image, a series of images is displayed in a short time of 15 seconds or 30 seconds which is a characteristic characteristic of the CM image. Is added as a CM determination condition, C
It is not difficult to imagine that this would contribute to further improvement in the accuracy of detecting the M insertion position.

From such a viewpoint, the CM according to claim 4
The method for detecting the insertion position according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: determining that an image in the similar or matching range is a CM image. This image range is continuous, and a condition determination relating to whether or not the continuous time matches a predetermined time length is performed. As a result of the condition determination,
When it is determined that the condition is satisfied, an image in the range is determined to be a CM image.

According to the CM insertion position detecting method of the present invention, when judging that an image in a similar or coincident range is regarded as a CM image, the image range is further continuous, and A condition determination is performed as to whether or not the continuous time matches a predetermined time length, and as a result of this condition determination, an image in the range is converted to a CM image only when it is determined that the condition is satisfied. It was decided to determine that there was.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a point that a series of condensed expressions are packed in a short time of 15 seconds or 30 seconds, which is a characteristic tendency of a CM image, is added as a CM determination condition. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the CM insertion position detection accuracy.

On the other hand, claims 5 to 9 refer to the configuration of a home server which has a function for realizing the CM insertion position detecting method according to claims 1 to 4 described above.

[0027] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a home server, comprising: a CM feature database in which a specific color layout structure is stored for each of a plurality of CM images having different sources; recording means for recording broadcast program images; A feature extracting unit that extracts a color layout structure representing the feature of each image for a broadcasted program image, a color layout structure of each image extracted by the feature extracting unit, and a feature stored in the CM feature database. Image search means for performing a similar image search by comparing and comparing the color layout structure of a commercial image, a color layout structure of the broadcast program image, and a result of the similar image search by the image search means; When the color layout structure of the CM image stored in the A CM determining unit that determines that an image in the coincident range is regarded as a CM image, and time information corresponding to the image in the similar or coincident range regarded as a CM image by the CM determining unit. A CM insertion position detecting unit for detecting a CM insertion position in a broadcast program; and controlling whether or not a corresponding CM image is recorded in the recording unit based on the CM insertion position detected by the CM insertion position detecting unit. And recording control means.

Further, the home server according to claim 6 is
6. The home server according to claim 5, wherein the time information corresponding to the images in the similar or matching range is time information corresponding to each of the first and last images in the images in this range. And

Further, the home server according to claim 7 is the home server according to claim 5, wherein the color layout structure of the CM image stored in the CM feature database is: It is characterized by being provided from outside through a broadcast or communication medium or a recording medium.

In the home server according to the fifth aspect, first, a CM feature database in which a unique color layout structure is stored for each of a plurality of CM images having different sources is prepared in advance. The color layout structure peculiar to each CM image stored in the CM feature database is information in which the characteristic portion of each image is condensed. It can be said that it is information. Here, the CM feature database is a concept including a storage medium such as a cache memory in which collation information is only temporarily stored. More specifically, the present invention is intended to include, in its technical scope, a mode in which the home server makes an inquiry to an external CM feature database every time a similar image search request is issued.

Now, it is assumed that a program in which a main program and commercials are appropriately interwoven is broadcast to, for example, a home server having a digital broadcast receiving function. Then, the feature extracting unit extracts a color layout structure representing the feature of each broadcast program image. The image search means performs similar image search by comparing and matching the color layout structure of each image extracted by the feature extraction means with the color layout structure of the CM image stored in the CM feature database. As a result of the similar image search, when the color layout structure of the broadcast program image and the color layout structure of the CM image stored in the CM feature database are similar or identical, the CM determination unit determines It is determined that the image in the range to be performed is regarded as a CM image. In response to this, the CM insertion position detecting means detects the CM insertion position in the broadcast program by acquiring time information corresponding to images in a similar or coincident range. The CM insertion position information thus obtained is
It is used for applications such as skipping or selectively extracting a favorite CM portion for viewing. That is, the recording control unit controls whether or not the corresponding CM image is recorded in the recording unit based on the CM insertion position detected by the CM insertion position detection unit. Specifically, by providing the recording control function of the recording control means, a user who wants to enjoy the program by skipping the CM portion is provided with such a service, while the user can enjoy watching the favorite CM portion repeatedly. Such a service can be provided to a desired user.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the insertion position of a CM in a program can be determined with high accuracy on the broadcast receiving side without depending on whether or not an additional information service such as a CM identification tag is provided from the broadcast transmitting side. A detectable home server can be obtained. According to the invention of claim 5, such a service is provided to a user who wants to enjoy the program by skipping the CM portion, while providing such a service to a user who wants to repeatedly watch and enjoy the favorite CM portion. As a result of providing services that meet various user requests, such as providing services, it is possible to obtain a home server that contributes to a dramatic improvement in customer satisfaction.

In the home server according to the present invention, as the time information corresponding to the images in the similar or matching range, among the images in this range, which are assumed to be most frequently used at present, of the first and last images in this range, The adoption of time information corresponding to each image is exemplarily defined. However, these definitions are merely examples, and the present invention
Instead of the definition of claim 6, for example, the combination of time information corresponding to the first image and the duration thereof
It should be clearly stated that this does not exclude the aspect of defining the time information corresponding to the images in the similar or coincident range.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the insertion position of the CM in the broadcast program is detected without error in a so-called in-point / out-point manner. We can expect improvement.

In the home server according to the seventh aspect, as a mode of providing a color layout structure of a CM image stored in the CM feature database, a broadcast or communication medium or recording which is assumed to be most frequently used at present. It is illustratively defined that the content is provided from the outside via a medium. However, such a definition is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the definition in claim 7, but, for example, constructs a CM feature database with a self-learning function inside a home server, and utilizes this to search for similar images. Is not intended to exclude a mode in which the CM insertion position is detected in a self-contained manner.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, as a mode of providing a color layout structure of a CM image stored in the CM feature database, a broadcast or communication medium or a recording medium which is assumed to be most frequently used at present is used. By using an aspect provided from the outside via the Internet, the content enhancement of the CM feature database, which is indispensable in the present invention, depends on the provision of information from the outside, so that the load on the information processing inside the home server is reduced. Can be expected.

As described above, when determining that an image in a similar or coincident range is regarded as a CM image, a series of images having a tendency of 15 seconds or 30 seconds, which is a characteristic characteristic of the CM image, is performed. Is added as a CM determination condition, C
It is not difficult to imagine that this would contribute to further improvement in the accuracy of detecting the M insertion position.

[0038] From such a viewpoint, the home server according to claim 8 is the home server according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the CM determination unit determines the image in the similar or coincident range. In making the determination that the image is a CM image, a condition determination is further made as to whether or not this image range is continuous and the continuous time matches a predetermined time length. As a result, when it is determined that the condition is satisfied, it is determined that an image in the range is regarded as a CM image.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the home server according to the eighth aspect, the predetermined time length is 15 seconds or 30 seconds, which is a time length exhibited by a general CM. The second is adopted.

In the home server according to the present invention, when judging that an image in a similar or coincident range is regarded as a CM image, furthermore, the image range is continuous and the continuous time is determined. A condition determination is performed as to whether or not the time period matches a predetermined time length. As a result of the condition determination,
Only when it is determined that the condition is satisfied,
It is determined that an image in the above range is regarded as a CM image.

According to the invention of claim 8, the point that a series of condensed expressions are packed in a short time of 15 seconds or 30 seconds, which is a characteristic tendency of a CM image, is added as a CM determination condition. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a home server that contributes to further improvement in CM insertion position detection accuracy.

[0042]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a CM insertion position detecting method and a home server according to the present invention will be described.
This will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram around a home server according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram around a home server according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, common functional members are denoted by common reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

(Embodiment 1) First, a home server 11 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the example of FIG. 1, the functional blocks implemented in the home server 11 on the premise of the current terrestrial analog broadcasting are mainly disclosed.

As shown in the figure, the home server 11
A broadcast receiving unit 15 for receiving a terrestrial analog television broadcast wave broadcast via the transmitting antenna 3 via a receiving antenna (not shown), and a main part and a CM received by the broadcast receiving unit 15 are appropriately interwoven. 17 that has a function of converting the format of an analog video signal of a program included in the program into digital data such as MPEG-2 and a function of temporarily storing the converted image data in frame units. The feature extraction unit 19 has a function of sequentially reading out the images stored in the frame unit in units of frames and extracting a color layout structure representing the feature of each image from the read out images.
A function of performing similar image search by comparing and comparing the color layout structure of each image extracted by the feature extraction unit 19 with the color layout structure of a CM image stored in the CM feature database 23 described below. An image search unit 21, a CM feature database 23 in which a unique color layout structure is stored for each of a plurality of CM images having different sources, and a similar image search result in the image search unit 21.
The color layout structure of the broadcast program image and C
When the color layout structure of the CM image stored in the M feature database 23 is similar or identical, the CM determining unit 25 that determines that the image in the similar or matching range is regarded as a CM image is similar to the CM determining unit 25. A CM insertion position detection unit 27 having a function of detecting a CM insertion position in a broadcast program by acquiring time information corresponding to images in a matching range, a CM insertion position detected by the CM insertion position detection unit 27, and the like. , A recording control unit 29 having a function of controlling whether or not the corresponding CM image is recorded in a video recording unit 31 described below, and a video recording unit 31 for recording a video, for example, including a hard disk device. And a video output unit 33 having a function of outputting a video recorded in the video recording unit 31 to the outside, and a communication line such as a public telephone line. Is connected to the Internet network 37, it is configured to include a communication unit 35 having a function of communicating with the outside.

Here, referring to the correspondence between the function blocks shown in FIG. 1 and the function means described in the claims, the feature extraction section 19 corresponds to the feature extraction means, and the image search section 21 has the image search means. , The CM feature database 23 literally corresponds to the CM feature database, and the CM determination unit 25
Corresponds to the CM determination means, and the CM insertion position detection unit 27
The recording control unit 29 corresponds to the recording control unit, and the video recording unit 31 corresponds to the recording unit, respectively.

Now, the home server 1 thus configured
CM data having a function of providing a color layout structure that is information obtained by condensing characteristic parts of each CM image and has high self-other image discrimination power despite its small volume. The bank 41 includes a broadcast receiving unit 43
, A capture 45, a feature extraction unit 47, a CM determination unit 49, a CM extraction unit 51, and a CM feature database 53.
And a communication unit 55. In the CM data bank 41 having such a configuration, a CM video inserted in a broadcast program is extracted in the form of a color layout structure to be standardized by MPEG-7, and the collation information of the extracted CM video is set to CM Feature database 53
Will be accumulated. And the C thus accumulated
The verification information of the M video is provided from the CM data bank 41 to the home server 11 via a communication medium such as the Internet network 37, for example.

Now, it is assumed that a terrestrial analog broadcast program in which the main part and CM are appropriately interwoven has been broadcast under the home server 11 of the first embodiment. Then, the broadcast receiving unit 15 receives this, and the capture 17 converts the format of the received analog video signal into digital data such as MPEG-2, and temporarily stores the converted image data in frame units. . The feature extraction unit 19
The images stored in the capture 17 are sequentially read out on a frame-by-frame basis.
A color layout structure representing a feature of each image is extracted.
The image search unit 21 performs similar image search by comparing and matching the color layout structure of each image extracted by the feature extraction unit 19 with the color layout structure of a CM image stored in the CM feature database 23. CM determination unit 2
Reference numeral 5 denotes a color layout structure of a broadcast program image as a result of a similar image search in the image search unit 21 and a CM.
When the color layout structure of the CM image stored in the feature database 23 is similar or coincident, it is determined that an image in the similar or coincident range is regarded as a CM image. The CM insertion position detection unit 27 detects a CM insertion position in a broadcast program by acquiring time information corresponding to images in a similar or matching range. The CM insertion position information thus obtained is used for purposes such as CM skipping or selectively extracting a desired CM portion for viewing. That is, the recording control unit 29 controls whether or not the corresponding CM image is recorded in the video recording unit 31 based on the CM insertion position detected by the CM insertion position detection unit 27 and the like. Specifically, the recording control unit 29 exerts a recording control function to provide such a service to a user who wants to enjoy a program by skipping the CM portion, while repeatedly viewing the favorite CM portion. Such services are provided to users who want to enjoy.

According to the home server 11 according to the first embodiment, the C in the program does not depend on whether the additional information service such as the CM identification tag is provided from the broadcast transmitting side.
A home server that can detect the insertion position of M with high accuracy on the broadcast receiving side can be obtained. Further, according to the home server 11 according to the first embodiment, such a service is provided to a user who wants to enjoy a program by skipping a CM portion, while providing a user who wants to repeatedly watch and enjoy a favorite CM portion. As a result of providing services that meet the needs of various users, such as providing such services, it is possible to obtain a home server that contributes to a dramatic improvement in customer satisfaction.

(Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention
Will be described with reference to FIG. In the example of FIG. 2, the functional blocks implemented in the home server 61 on the assumption of satellite digital broadcasting scheduled to start from the end of this year are mainly disclosed.

The home server 61 according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and the home server 11 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG.
And the configuration difference between the home server 61
In the above, the point that the broadcast receiving unit 15 receives the satellite digital broadcast radio wave via the broadcast satellite 63 and the buffer memories 65 and 67 are capable of converting the broadcasted MPEG-2 video / audio data without format conversion The difference is that the data is stored as it is, and that the CM data bank 71 receives the provision of the CM collation information. The configuration of other functional blocks is the same as that of the home server 11 according to the first embodiment.

According to the home server 61 according to the second embodiment, the C in the program is not dependent on the provision of the additional information service such as the CM identification tag from the broadcast transmitting side.
A home server that can detect the insertion position of M with high accuracy on the broadcast receiving side can be obtained. Further, according to the home server 61 according to the second embodiment, such a service is provided to a user who wants to enjoy the program by skipping the CM part, while providing a user who wants to repeatedly watch and enjoy the favorite CM part. As a result of providing services that meet the needs of various users, such as providing such services, it is possible to obtain a home server that contributes to a dramatic improvement in customer satisfaction.

The above-described embodiment has been described by way of example in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention.
It is not described to limit the technical scope of the present invention. That is, the present invention naturally includes all embodiments belonging to the technical scope and includes any equivalents thereof.

[0054]

As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, insertion of a CM into a program can be performed without depending on whether or not an additional information service such as a CM identification tag is provided from a broadcast transmitting side. The position can be detected with high accuracy on the broadcast receiving side. According to the first aspect of the present invention, such a service is provided to a user who wants to enjoy a program by skipping a CM portion, while a user who wants to repeatedly watch and enjoy a favorite CM portion is provided with such a service. As a result of providing services that meet various user requests, such as providing services, it is possible to contribute to a dramatic improvement in customer satisfaction.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the insertion position of the CM in the broadcast program is detected without error in a so-called in / out point manner, the detection accuracy of the CM insertion position in the broadcast program can be improved. We can expect improvement.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, as a mode of providing a color layout structure of CM images stored in the CM feature database, a broadcast or communication medium or a recording medium which is assumed to be most frequently used at present is used. By using the form provided from the outside through the system, the content enhancement of the CM feature database, which is indispensable in the present invention, depends on the provision of information from the outside, so the load on the internal information processing is expected to be reduced. can do.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the fact that a series of condensed expressions are packed in a short time of 15 seconds or 30 seconds, which is a characteristic tendency of a CM image, is added as a CM determination condition. Therefore, it is possible to further improve the CM insertion position detection accuracy.

On the other hand, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the insertion position of a CM in a program can be set higher on the broadcast receiving side without depending on whether or not an additional information service such as a CM identification tag is provided from the broadcast transmitting side. A home server that can be detected with high accuracy can be obtained. According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, such a service is provided to a user who wants to enjoy a program by skipping a CM portion, while providing a desired C
As a result of providing services that meet the needs of various users, such as providing such services to users who want to enjoy viewing the M part repeatedly, a home server that contributes to a dramatic improvement in customer satisfaction is obtained. be able to.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the insertion position of the CM in the broadcast program is detected without error in a so-called in-point / out-point manner, so that the detection accuracy of the CM insertion position in the broadcast program can be improved. We can expect improvement.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, as a mode of providing the color layout structure of the CM image stored in the CM feature database, a broadcast or communication medium or a recording medium which is assumed to be most frequently used at present is used. By using an aspect provided from the outside via the Internet, the content enhancement of the CM feature database, which is indispensable in the present invention, depends on the provision of information from the outside, so that the load on the information processing inside the home server is reduced. Can be expected.

According to the invention of claim 8, the point that a series of condensed expressions are packed in a short time of 15 seconds or 30 seconds, which is a characteristic tendency of a CM image, is added as a CM judgment condition. Therefore, there is an extremely excellent effect that a home server that contributes to further improvement of the CM insertion position detection accuracy can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram around a home server according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram around a home server according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 Home server according to the first embodiment 13 Transmission antenna 15 Broadcast receiving unit 17 Capture 19 Feature extraction unit (feature extraction unit) 21 Image search unit (image search unit) 23 CM feature database 25 CM determination unit (CM determination unit) 27 CM Insertion position detection unit (CM insertion position detection unit) 29 Recording control unit (Recording control unit) 31 Video recording unit (Recording unit) 33 Video output unit 35 Communication unit 37 Internet network 41, 71 CM data bank 43 Broadcast reception unit 45 Capture 47 Feature extraction unit 49 CM determination unit 51 CM extraction unit 53 CM feature database 55 communication unit 61 Home server according to the second embodiment 63 Broadcast satellite 65, 67 Buffer memory

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 5/93

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A color layout structure which stores in advance a color layout structure peculiar to each of a plurality of CM images having different sources in a CM feature database, and which represents a feature of each image for a broadcast program image. A color layout structure of each of the extracted images;
A similar image search is performed by comparing and matching the color layout structure of the CM image stored in the M feature database. As a result of the similar image search, the color layout structure of the broadcast program image and the CM feature database When the color layout structure of the stored CM image is similar or coincident, it is determined that an image in the similar or coincident range is regarded as a CM image, and a time corresponding to the image in the similar or coincident range is determined. A method for detecting a CM insertion position, comprising detecting information to detect a CM insertion position in a broadcast program. 2. The CM insertion position detecting method according to claim 1, wherein the time information corresponding to the images in the similar or matching range corresponds to the first and last images in the images in the range, respectively. A CM insertion position detection method, characterized in that the CM insertion position is time information. 3. The CM insertion position detecting method according to claim 1, wherein the color layout structure of the CM image stored in the CM feature database is a broadcast or communication medium or a recording medium. Characterized in that it is provided externally through
M insertion position detection method. 4. The CM insertion position detecting method according to claim 1, further comprising: determining whether an image in the similar or coincident range is a CM image. When the image range is continuous, and a condition determination is made as to whether or not the continuous time matches a predetermined time length, and as a result of the condition determination, it is determined that the condition is satisfied. Determining that the image in the range is a CM image. 5. A CM feature database in which a unique color layout structure is stored for each of a plurality of CM images having different sources, recording means for recording broadcasted program images, and broadcasted program images A feature extracting unit for extracting a color layout structure representing a feature of each image; a color layout structure of each image extracted by the feature extracting unit; and C stored in the CM feature database.
Image search means for performing a similar image search by comparing and matching the color layout structure of the M image; and a result of the similar image search by the image search means, the color layout structure of the broadcast program image and the CM feature database. When the color layout structure of the stored CM image is similar or coincident, a CM judging means for judging that an image in the similar or coincident range is regarded as a CM image. CM insertion position detection means for detecting a CM insertion position in a broadcast program by acquiring time information corresponding to the image in the similar or coincident range regarded as being present, and CM detected by the CM insertion position detection means Recording control means for controlling whether or not a corresponding CM image is recorded in the recording means based on an insertion position or the like. A home server characterized by comprising: 6. The home server according to claim 5, wherein the time information corresponding to the images in the similar or matching range is the time information corresponding to each of the first and last images in the images in the range. A home server, characterized in that: 7. The home server according to claim 5, wherein the color layout structure of the CM image stored in the CM feature database is via a broadcast or communication medium or a recording medium. Home server characterized by being provided from outside. 8. The home server according to claim 5, wherein the CM determination unit performs a determination that the image in the similar or matching range is regarded as a CM image. Further, a condition determination is performed as to whether or not the image range is continuous and the continuous time matches a predetermined time length. As a result of the condition determination, it is determined that the condition is satisfied. A determination unit that determines that the image in the range is a CM image when the determination is made. 9. The home server according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined time length is 15 seconds or 3 seconds, which is a time length exhibited by a general CM.
A home server wherein 0 seconds is employed.