JP2007195051A - Digest generation system and method, selection information transmitter and transmitting method, digested data generating apparatus and method, digestion editing device and method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow a video providing side such as a broadcasting station to generate a digest reflecting viewer's interest without any time and labor, to enable the viewer to view the digest during an optional time and to prevent detailed information showing an audience rate from being generally circulated. <P>SOLUTION: This selection information transmitter transmits information showing an area selected by the viewer in an image of a displaying means, information for identifying video data displayed on the displaying means and information showing time when selection is performed to this digested data generating device 4 via a network 5. The digested data generating device 4 accumulates received information, generates digested data showing a video section to be digested in video data and transmits the digested data to this digestion editing device 3 via the network 5. The digestion editing device 3 edits video data stored in a storing means and generates a digest. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a system, method, apparatus, and program that can automatically create a digest of video content such as a broadcast program in consideration of an actual viewing trend of a viewer.

  There are programs that are broadcast for a long time, especially in games such as baseball games and movies in television broadcasting, and viewers must spend their time in life other than watching programs, not watching all long-time programs. There is a need to view a digest program edited only for points. This can be seen from the fact that after a baseball game or the like, the broadcast station often creates a digest version and broadcasts a digest program with news or the like.

  Conventionally, in a broadcasting station, it is common to create this digest by manually selecting only portions that are likely to be points in a long-time program and editing them so as to fit within the broadcast time frame.

  However, when manually creating a digest in this way, the program that needs to be digested in the first place takes a relatively long time, so the work of selecting a point portion from it takes a long time as well. , Requires a lot of time and effort. In addition to being a burden on the broadcasting station, since the digest is not provided for the viewer after a while after the live broadcast is finished, there is a restriction that the follow-up digest viewing during broadcasting or the digest viewing immediately after broadcasting cannot be performed.

  In addition, since the digest program may be provided as a part of the news, the viewer may miss the broadcast time without clearly specifying the digest broadcast time. Furthermore, the digest created in this way is a digest composed of points selected by the person in charge of the broadcasting station, and is not necessarily composed of points reflecting the viewer's interest.

  For this reason, the broadcasting station is forced to create a digest, and the digest does not always have a configuration that captures the viewer's heart. Also, as a viewer, digest viewing is not only influenced by the broadcast time, but even if it can be viewed, it is not necessarily the desired digest. For this reason, viewers are overwhelmed by viewing by overlooking the digest or by recording a long program and forcibly watching it quickly.

  On the other hand, on the literature, channel information and viewing time information are received from the broadcast receiving terminal of each viewer, and the audience rating for each hour is calculated based on this information, and this audience rating exceeds a predetermined threshold A digest creation device that automatically creates a digest by extracting a video of a time interval has also been proposed (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-200733 (paragraph numbers 0037 to 0055, FIGS. 2 to 6)

  However, if the digest creation apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is provided in a broadcasting station, for example, the created digest is provided as a program or a part thereof from the broadcasting station. Viewing will depend on the broadcast time.

  On the other hand, if this digest creation device is provided at each viewer's home, for example, the viewer's home device calculates the audience rating for each hour of the program, so detailed information indicating such audience rating is provided. In general, there is a possibility that (information that the broadcasting station does not want to be made public so much) will be disseminated.

  Also, when creating a digest at a broadcasting station, basically the video section to be digested is automatically determined, but the viewer can manually determine which object (person, product, facility, etc.) in the video. In some cases, it may be desired to insert a video (for example, CM) having contents suitable for the object as a part of the digest. However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, information indicating which object the viewer is paying attention to is not supplied to the digest creation device.

  In the present invention, in view of the above points, a video provider such as a broadcasting station creates a digest reflecting the viewer's interest without taking time and effort, and the viewer can create the digest at an arbitrary time. In addition to being able to watch and not disseminate detailed information indicating the audience rating in general, it is also possible to insert video with content suitable for the object that the viewer is paying attention as part of the digest This is the issue.

  In order to solve the above problems, a digest creation system according to the present invention includes a selection device for selecting an area on a screen of a display means, a selection information transmission device, a digest data generation device, and a digest editing device. The selection information transmitting device includes information indicating an area selected by the selection device, information for identifying video data displayed on the display means, and selection performed by the selection device. An acquisition means for acquiring information indicating time, and a communication means for performing communication via a network, and the information acquired by the acquisition means is transmitted to the digest data generation device by the communication means, and the digest The computerized data generation apparatus includes a communication unit for performing communication via a network, and the selection information by the communication unit. Storage means for storing information received from the communication device, and generation means for generating digested data indicating a video section to be digested out of the video data based on the information stored in the storage means, The digested data is transmitted to the digest editing apparatus by the communication means, and the digest editing apparatus stores the video data received by the receiving means and receiving means for receiving the video data. Storage means for communication, communication means for communicating via a network, and editing the video data stored in the storage means based on the digested data received from the digested data generating device by the communication means And editing means for creating a digest.

  This digest creation system includes a selection device for selecting an area on the screen of the display means, a selection information transmission device, a digest data generation device, and a digest editing device.

In the selection information transmitting apparatus, the following processes (1) to (2) are performed.
(1) Acquire information indicating an area selected by the viewer on the screen of the display means, information identifying video data displayed on the display means, and information indicating the time when the selection device performs selection To do.
(2) The acquired information is transmitted to the digest data generation device via the network.

In accordance with the processing of the selection information transmitting device, the digest data generation device performs the following processing (1) to (3).
(1) The information received from the selected information transmitting device is stored in the storage means.
(2) Based on the information stored in the storage unit, digest data indicating the video section to be digested is generated from the video data displayed on the display unit.
(3) The generated digest data is transmitted to the digest editing apparatus via the network.

In the digest editing apparatus, the following processes (1) to (2) are performed.
(1) The same video data as the video data displayed on the display means is received, and the video data is stored in the storage means.
(2) Based on the digest data received from the digest data generator, the video data stored in the storage means is edited to create a digest.
Thereby, a digest of the video data displayed on the display means is created.

  According to this system, based on information for identifying video data displayed on the display means and information indicating the time when the viewer makes a selection using the selection device, a digest composed of video sections having a high selection rate is automatically generated. Therefore, a video provider such as a broadcasting station can create a digest reflecting the viewer's interest without taking time and effort.

  In addition, since the digest data generation device and the digest editing device are connected via a network, the digest data generation device is provided on the video provider side such as a broadcast station, and the digest editing device is the viewer. It can be installed at home. Thus, by creating a digest with the device provided at the viewer's home, the viewer can view the digest at an arbitrary time. Then, only the digest data (data indicating the video section) is transmitted from the digest data generation device to the digest editing device, and information that can calculate a detailed audience rating is not transmitted. Therefore, there is no possibility that detailed information indicating the audience rating is generally disseminated.

  Furthermore, information indicating the area selected by the viewer on the screen of the display means is also sent from the selection information transmission apparatus to the digest data generation apparatus. In the digest data generation apparatus, basically, the video section to be digested is automatically determined, but the viewer is paying attention to which object in the video using the information indicating this area manually. It is also possible to add a video section having a content suitable for the object to the digest data. As a result, it is possible to insert a video having contents suitable for the object being watched by the viewer as a part of the digest.

  Next, a digest creation method according to the present invention includes a selection device for selecting an area on the screen of a display means, a selection information transmission device, and a digest data generation device connected to the selection information transmission device via a network. And a method of creating a digest of video data by a digest editing device connected to the digest data generation device via a network, the selection information transmitting device includes information indicating an area selected by the selection device, and A first step of acquiring information for identifying video data displayed on the display means and information indicating a time when selection is performed by the selection device; In the second step, the information acquired in the step is transmitted to the digest data generation device via the network. And a third step in which the digested data generating apparatus receives information from the selection information transmitting apparatus, and the digested data generating apparatus stores the information received in the third step in the storage means. A fourth step, and a digest data generation device that generates digest data indicating a video section to be digested from the video data based on the information stored in the storage means in the fourth step. Steps, a sixth step in which the digested data generating device transmits the digested data generated in the fifth step to the digested editing device via the network, and the digested editing device The seventh step of receiving the video data and the digest editing apparatus An eighth step in which the video data received in the seventh step is stored in a storage means; a ninth step in which the digest editing apparatus receives the digest data from the digest data generation device; Tenth step in which the digest editing apparatus edits the video data stored in the storage means in the eighth step based on the digested data received in the ninth step and creates a digest. It is characterized by having.

  This digest creation method corresponds to a series of processing procedures by the digest creation system according to the present invention described above, and a video provider such as a broadcast station spends time and effort on a digest reflecting the viewer's interest. The viewer can watch the digest at any time and prevent detailed information indicating the audience rating from being distributed to the general public. It is also possible to insert a video having a content suitable for the current object as part of the digest.

  Next, the selection information transmitting apparatus according to the present invention performs selection of information indicating the selected area on the screen of the display means, information for identifying video data displayed on the display means, and selection of this area. It is characterized by comprising an acquisition means for acquiring information indicating the transmitted time and a communication means for performing communication via a network, and the information acquired by this acquisition means is transmitted by this communication means.

  This selection information transmission device is a selection information transmission device constituting the digest creation system according to the present invention described above, and provides video like a broadcasting station by cooperating with other devices in the digest creation system. The side creates a digest that reflects the viewer's interest without taking time and effort, and the viewer can view the digest at any time, and detailed information indicating the audience rating is generally disseminated. In addition, it is possible to insert a video having a content suitable for the object being watched by the viewer as a part of the digest.

  Next, in the selection information transmitting method according to the present invention, information indicating the selected area on the screen of the display means, information for identifying video data displayed on the display means, and selection of this area are performed. And a second step of transmitting the information acquired in the first step via the network.

  This selection information transmission method corresponds to a series of processing procedures by the above-described selection information transmission apparatus according to the present invention, and together with the processing by other apparatuses constituting the digest creation system according to the present invention, A video provider, such as a broadcasting station, creates a digest that reflects the viewer's interest without spending time or effort, and the viewer can view the digest at any time, and shows the audience rating. It is possible to prevent such information from being disseminated in general and to insert a video having contents suitable for the object that the viewer is paying attention as a part of the digest.

  Next, the program according to the present invention causes the computer to select information indicating the selected area on the screen of the display means, information for identifying the video data displayed on the display means, and to select the area. It is characterized in that a first procedure for acquiring information indicating the transmitted time and a second procedure for transmitting the information acquired in the first procedure via a network are executed.

  This program corresponds to a program for executing the above-described series of processing procedures of the selection information transmitting apparatus according to the present invention under the control of a computer provided in the selection information transmitting apparatus. Combined with the processing by other devices that make up the digest creation system, the video provider, such as a broadcast station, creates a digest that reflects the viewer's interest without taking time or effort, However, the digest can be viewed at an arbitrary time, and detailed information indicating the audience rating is generally prevented from being disseminated, and a video having contents suitable for the object being watched by the viewer is selected. It can also be inserted as a part.

  Next, the digest data generation apparatus according to the present invention includes a communication means for performing communication via a network, information received by the communication means and indicating a selected area on the screen of the display means, and the display Based on the information stored in the storage means, the storage means for storing the information for identifying the video data displayed on the means and the information indicating the time when the selection of this area is performed. Generating means for generating digested data indicating a video section to be digested out of the video data, and transmitting the digested data by the communication means.

  This digest data generation device is a digest data generation device that constitutes the digest creation system according to the present invention described above. By cooperating with other devices in the digest creation system, an image such as a broadcasting station is provided. The provider provides a digest that reflects the viewer's interest without spending time or effort, and the viewer can view the digest at any time, and detailed information indicating the audience rating is generally disseminated. In addition, it is possible to insert a video having a content suitable for the object being watched by the viewer as a part of the digest.

  Next, the digest data generation method according to the present invention includes information indicating the selected area on the screen of the display means, information for identifying the video data displayed on the display means, and selection by the selection device. The first step of receiving information indicating the time at which the information is performed via the network, the second step of storing the information received in the first step in the storage means, and the storage of the information in the second step Based on the information stored in the means, a third step of generating digested data indicating a video section to be digested out of the video data, and the digested data generated in the third step via the network And a fourth step of transmitting the data.

  This digest data generation method corresponds to a series of processing procedures by the digest data generation apparatus according to the present invention described above, and is compatible with the processing by other apparatuses constituting the digest creation system according to the present invention. Thus, the video provider, such as a broadcasting station, creates a digest that reflects the viewer's interest without spending time or effort, and the viewer can view the digest at any time, while also increasing the audience rating. In addition to preventing the detailed information shown from being disseminated in general, it is also possible to insert a video having contents suitable for the object being watched by the viewer as part of the digest.

  Next, the digest editing apparatus according to the present invention communicates via a network with a receiving means for receiving video data and a storage means for storing the video data received by the receiving means. The communication means and the communication means edit the video data stored in the storage means to create a digest based on the fact that digested data indicating the video section to be digested is received from the video data. And an editing means.

  This digest editing apparatus is a digest editing apparatus that constitutes the digest creation system according to the present invention described above, and provides video like a broadcasting station by cooperating with other apparatuses in the digest creation system. The side creates a digest that reflects the viewer's interest without taking time and effort, and the viewer can view the digest at any time, and detailed information indicating the audience rating is generally disseminated. In addition, it is possible to insert a video having a content suitable for the object being watched by the viewer as a part of the digest.

  Next, the digest editing method according to the present invention includes a first step of receiving video data, a second step of storing the video data received in the first step in a storage means, and the video data. Among the third step of receiving the digested data indicating the video section to be digested via the network, and storing in the storage means in the second step based on the digested data received in the third step. And a fourth step of creating a digest by editing the video data.

  This digest editing method corresponds to a series of processing procedures by the digest editing apparatus according to the present invention described above, and together with processing by other apparatuses constituting the digest creation system according to the present invention, A video provider, such as a broadcasting station, creates a digest that reflects the viewer's interest without spending time or effort, and the viewer can view the digest at any time, and shows the audience rating. It is possible to prevent such information from being disseminated in general and to insert a video having contents suitable for the object that the viewer is paying attention as a part of the digest.

  According to the present invention, a video provider such as a broadcasting station creates a digest reflecting the viewer's interest without spending time or effort, and the viewer can view the digest at an arbitrary time, and In addition, it is possible to prevent the detailed information indicating the audience rating from being disseminated in general and to insert a video having contents suitable for the object being watched by the viewer as a part of the digest. It is done.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[How to create a digest]
First, a specific example of a method for creating a digest according to the present invention will be described. As an outline, the selection information transmitting apparatus does not feel a region of a certain object (person, product, facility, etc.) in the video data on the screen of the display (display means) on which the video data is displayed. By blinking at a cycle, the identification information of the object is output as an optical signal from the object area itself. When the viewer selects an object on the screen using the selection device, the selection device receives the identification information of the object and returns it to the transmission device. The selection information transmitting device discriminates the selected object from the returned identification information and causes the display to display image data for specifying the object on the screen.

  Further, the selection information transmitting device acquires information indicating the area of the object, information for identifying the video data displayed on the display means, and information indicating the time when the selection device performs selection, These pieces of information are transmitted to the digest data generation apparatus via the network.

  The digest data generation device generates digest data indicating a video section to be digested out of the video data displayed on the display means based on the information received from the selection information transmission device, and the digest data is generated. Send to digest editing device via network.

  The digest editing apparatus receives the same video data as the video data displayed on the display means, and stores the video data in the storage means. Then, based on the digest data received from the digest data generator, the video data stored in the storage means is edited to create a digest.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the range of the blinking display of the object on the display screen is as follows. For the object (automobile) 102 (FIG. 1A) displayed on the screen 101, the entire area 103 of the object 102 (in FIG. Or a region 104 of light source unit that irradiates the region 103 with light in the case of a non-self-luminous display (portion within the thick line frame in FIG. 1C). Alternatively, it may be a region 105 (a portion within a thick line frame in FIG. 1D) of a pixel unit (one or a plurality of pixels) constituting the region 103.

  Regarding the method of blinking display, when a cold cathode fluorescent tube (CCFL) 111 that is difficult to blink at high speed is used as a light source, such as an LCD (liquid crystal display) 110 shown in FIG. 32, visible light 113 from the light source is irradiated. Thus, high-speed blinking display is possible by switching between transmission and shielding of the liquid crystal cell in the liquid crystal panel 115 that obtains the image light 114.

  Further, when an LED (light emitting diode) 117 is used as a light source as in the LCD 116 shown in FIG. 2B, the LED 117 can be blinked at a very high speed. Instead of switching between transmission and shielding of the liquid crystal cell in the liquid crystal panel 120 that obtains the light 119, or together with this switching, the LED 117 can be blinked to enable high-speed blinking display.

  Further, in a display (plasma display, organic EL display, inorganic EL display, etc.) that obtains image light 122 by blinking of the self-light-emitting element 121 as shown in FIG. 2C, the self-light-emitting element 121 can blink at high speed. By blinking the self-luminous element 121, high-speed blinking display is possible. In this way, high-speed blinking display can be performed on various general displays.

  The period of this blinking display is set such that the viewer does not perceive it as blinking by using human visual characteristics that are difficult to recognize as fast blinking because the afterimage of the received light remains. Also, using the visual characteristic that the brightness perceived by humans is almost equal to the integrated value of the received light when considered in a short time, the relationship between the brightness of the area to be blinked and the brightness of the area not to be blinked is blinked. An integral value within a certain period of luminance (for example, one frame period) corresponding to a predetermined gradation level in the display area and this certain period of luminance corresponding to this predetermined gradation level in the area where no blinking display is performed. Is set to be substantially equal to the integral value. As a result, for humans, an optical signal can be recognized only as a normal lighting, and viewing is not affected.

  Further, the blinking period is modulated by the identification information for identifying the object, so that the identification information is output as an optical signal. A video source of 60 fps (frames / second) is shown as an example in FIG. 3A. In order to improve moving image blurring, a lighting period (Tua to Tda) once in one frame period (1000/60 milliseconds). And an extinguishing period (Tda to Tua ′). In addition, as shown in FIG. 3B, 120 fps display in which one frame period is subdivided into two frames may be performed. In that case, the lighting period (Tub once) is similarly performed in one frame period. To Tdb and Tuc to Tdc) and a light-off period (Tdb to Tuc and Tdc to Tub ′). As shown in FIGS. 3C to 3F, the same applies to the case where one frame period is divided into three or more frames for display.

  Therefore, as a first modulation method, blinking display is performed at a cycle shorter than the lighting period in the lighting period for improving the motion blur in each frame period, and the period is modulated by the identification information (intra-frame). Called modulation). For example, as shown in FIGS. 4A and B, in the case of 60 fps display (FIG. 4A), blinking display is performed at 1920 Hz during the lighting period (Tua to Tda) in each frame period (FIG. 4B). Further, as shown in FIGS. 4C and D, in the case of 120 fps display (FIG. 4C), blinking display is performed at 1920 Hz during the lighting period (Tub to Tdb or Tuc to Tdc) in each frame period (FIG. 4D). . Further, as shown in FIG. 4E in the case of 120 fps display, the blinking cycle is switched between 1920 Hz and 960 Hz.

  If binary “0” is expressed by one blink of 1920 Hz, and binary “11” is expressed by one blink of 960 Hz, “00000000”, A plurality of bits of data exemplified as “11011110” and “01100011” can be output as an optical signal. Thereby, the identification information of the object can be output as an optical signal.

  Note that the relationship between the luminance Ia and the luminance Ib shown in FIG. 4 is based on the human visual characteristics as described above, and the integral value of the luminance Ia within one frame period and the integral of the luminance Ib within one frame period. Set so that the value is approximately equal.

  As a second modulation method, the repetition period itself of the lighting period and the extinguishing period for improving the motion blur may be modulated so as to span a plurality of frames according to the identification information (referred to as frame rate modulation). For example, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, in the case of 120 fps display (FIG. 5B), one lighting period (Tub to Tuc) and one lighting period (Tuc to Tub ′) are provided across two frames (this The repetition period of the lighting period and the extinguishing period is the same as the repetition period of the lighting period and the extinguishing period in 60 fps display (FIG. 5A). Then, if two binary blinks of 120 fps represent a binary “0” and one blink of 60 fps represents a binary “1”, this frame rate modulation can be used as illustrated in FIGS. 5B and 5C. One-bit data per two frames can be output as an optical signal.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 5D and 5E, in the case of 240 fps display (FIG. 5D), one lighting period and extinguishing period are provided across two frames. If binary “0” is expressed by one blinking of 240 fps and binary “11” is expressed by one blinking of 120 fps, 1 is illustrated as shown in FIGS. 5D and 5E by frame rate modulation. One-bit data per frame can be output as an optical signal. The modulation method is not limited to these examples.

  Then, for each object displayed on the screen, the identification information for identifying the object and the area information indicating the area where the object is located on the screen are stored in association with each other in the storage means, and the identification information in the storage means The area of each object on the screen is blinked and displayed with the period modulated by.

  When the general high frame rate display as shown in FIG. 3 is performed by the modulation method shown in FIG. 4 or 5, the blinking display can be performed with the period modulated by the identification information.

Examples of a method for acquiring object identification information and region information include the following methods (a) and (b).
(A) When the identification information and area information of an object in the video of the program are provided in the program-linked digital data broadcasting, the identification information and area information are acquired from the data packet in the received digital broadcast signal. .
(B) When the identification information and area information of the object in the video are added to the video content distributed via the Internet, the identification information and area information are acquired.

  On the other hand, the selection device includes light receiving means for receiving light and converting it into an electrical signal. Therefore, the optical signal (identification information) from the area of the object that the viewer wants to select on the screen can be converted into an electrical signal.

  The selection device transmits the received signal to the selection information transmission device, and the selection information transmission device receives the signal from the selection device. Thereby, the identification information of the object selected by the viewer is returned to the selection information transmitting device.

  The selection information transmitting apparatus compares the received signal with the identification information in the storage means, and if they match, the area corresponding to the identification information is set as the area of the object selected by the viewer (hereinafter referred to as the selection information). This is called an area.

  Further, the selection information transmitting apparatus generates image data for specifying the selected area on the screen, and synthesizes the image data with video data to be displayed on the display. Thereby, even when it is difficult to know which object is selected from the shape of the selection device itself, the viewer can visually recognize on the screen which object is selected.

  In addition, the selection information transmitting apparatus, in addition to the information on the selection area, information for identifying the video data displayed on the display (for example, information on a channel of a television broadcast or a channel for distributing video content via the Internet). Information) and information indicating the time of selection by the selection device. Then, the acquired information is transmitted to the digest data generation device via the network.

  The digest data generation apparatus receives these pieces of information and stores them in the storage means. As a result, when a plurality of selection information transmission devices and digested data generation devices are connected via a network, the video data viewing status (object selection status) on the display controlled by each selection information transmission device is converted to a digest. Data can be collected by the data generation device. In addition, information indicating the size of the display screen viewed by the viewer and the attributes (age, sex, etc.) of the viewer is added to the information transmitted from the selection information transmitting device to the digested data generating device. Also good. As a result, it is possible to classify and aggregate the viewing situation for each viewer having a similar taste, and it is possible to more accurately aggregate the viewing situation suitable for the viewer.

  Further, the digest data generation apparatus selects a video section to be digested from the video data using the tabulated viewing situation, and generates digest data indicating the selected video section.

  As a method to divide the video section from continuous video data, for example, the automatic detection method of the scene switching position (a method of automatically detecting the scene switching position from the screen configuration and volume change) that is currently in practical use is adopted. Thus, the scene switching position is set as a segment of the video section.

  In this way, the scene switching position can be set as a segment of the video section, taking into account the time delay when the viewer makes a selection with the selection device, and a series of scenes including the previous video can be digested. There is an advantage that This will be described with reference to FIG. In the example of FIG. 6, the object selection rate per hour for a certain video data (based on the total result of the information received from each selection information transmission device (among all selection information transmission devices, the video at the current time). If the measured value exceeds the digest selection reference value r at time t1, the immediately preceding one is measured. The scene S2 is selected as a video section to be digested, with the switching position from the scene S1 to the scene S2 being the scene switching position as a break. As a result, after the scene S1 is switched to the scene S2, the viewer notices the change of the scene with a slight delay, and even when the object is selected by paying attention to the scene S2 after the change, the series of scenes S2 is selected. Can be made into a digest. Note that the assumed values in FIG. 6 are the measurement locations in the range where the measured value of the object selection rate in the scene is the highest (the entire range in the scene S1 and the range after the time t1 in the scene S2) for each scene. Is an estimated value of the object selection rate for the scene, obtained by averaging.

  As a method of generating digest data, for example, time information of each scene selected as a video section to be digested (information on the scene from what second to how many seconds from the top of the video data) is shown in FIG. A list (hereinafter referred to as a section list) arranged in descending order of assumed values as illustrated is created, and this section list is used as digest data. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating this section list. In this example, the digest selection reference value r is set to a value of less than 20%, the first is a scene with an assumed value of 30% from the 18th to the 25th, and the second is the 3rd and 53th. Are arranged in the order of a scene with an assumed value of 25% from 4 minutes to 5 seconds and a scene with an assumed value of 20% from 1 minute 20 seconds to 1 minute 31 seconds.

  Further, the order in which the video sections are arranged may be specified manually, or the video sections that should be included in the digest may be specified. This makes it possible not only to make a digest consisting of scenes that the viewer is really interested in, but also between the scenes that the viewer is interested in, for example, videos that are difficult for the viewer to be interested in It is also possible to make an inserted digest (so that the viewer has to watch the CM).

  Further, by using the information on the selected area received from the selection information transmitting device, the object that is watched by the viewer is confirmed in the video data, and the video section (for example, the object's content) suitable for the object is confirmed. The measurement value of the selection rate is low, but a video section in which the same object appears) may be incorporated into the digest. As a result, it is possible to view a video having a content suitable for the object being watched by the viewer as a part of the digest.

  The digest data generation apparatus transmits the digest data generated in this way to the digest editing apparatus via the network.

  The digest editing apparatus receives the digest data. As a result, the data necessary for digesting can be used in the digest editing apparatus.

  The digest editing apparatus receives the same video data as the video data displayed on the display controlled by the selection information transmitting apparatus, and stores the video data. As a result, video data can be digested as long as digest data is available.

  Then, the digest editing apparatus uses the stored digest data to edit the stored video data and create a digest. Thus, as long as the digest data is received, a digest of the video data up to that point can be created immediately after the viewer finishes viewing the video data or during viewing.

  The digest editing apparatus may allow the viewer to specify the digest time length. In this case, editing is performed so that the scenes in the digest data are preferentially included in the time length in the order of the scenes with the highest assumed rate (for example, when the time length is designated as 10 seconds, FIG. In the digest data, create a digest consisting of the entire first scene and a range of 3 seconds from the beginning of the second scene), or a part from each scene in the digest data The range is extracted and edited so as to be within the time length (for example, when the time length is designated as 10 seconds, 4 seconds from the beginning of the first scene in the digest data of FIG. For example, a digest consisting of 4 seconds from the beginning of the second scene and 2 seconds from the beginning of the third scene may be created). As a result, the viewer can view the digest of the desired length of time.

  As a method of editing video data, for example, a series of video data consisting only of the scene portion in the digested data in the original video data is newly stored in the storage means as digest video data (during playback). A method of reading out the video data of the digest from the storage means is employed. Thereby, it is easy to transfer the digest video data from the digest editing apparatus to another device for viewing (for example, storing it in a small memory card and moving it to a portable image display device).

  Alternatively, as a method of editing the video data, an index composed of information indicating the scenes in the digest data and the order thereof is created, and based on the index, the scene to be digested in the original video data is created. You may employ | adopt the method of reproducing | regenerating only video data. Thereby, since the digest is reproduced at the same time as editing, the viewer can view the digest at the same time as editing.

  According to the digest creation method described above, a video with a high selection rate is based on information for identifying video data displayed on the display and information indicating the time when the viewer makes a selection using the selection device. Since a digest composed of sections can be automatically created, a video provider such as a broadcasting station can create a digest reflecting the viewer's interest without taking time and effort.

  In addition, since the digest data generation device and the digest editing device are connected via a network, the digest data generation device is provided on the video provider side such as a broadcast station, and the digest editing device is the viewer. It can be installed at home. Thus, by creating a digest with the device provided at the viewer's home, the viewer can view the digest at an arbitrary time. Then, only the digest data (data indicating the video section) is transmitted from the digest data generation device to the digest editing device, and information that can calculate a detailed audience rating is not transmitted. Therefore, there is no possibility that detailed information indicating the audience rating is generally disseminated.

  Furthermore, information indicating the area selected by the viewer on the display screen is also sent from the selection information transmission apparatus to the digest data generation apparatus. In the digest data generation apparatus, basically, the video section to be digested is automatically determined, but the viewer is paying attention to which object in the video using the information indicating this area manually. It is also possible to add a video section having a content suitable for the object to the digest data. As a result, it is possible to insert a video having contents suitable for the object being watched by the viewer as a part of the digest.

  In addition, the viewer can easily select an object on the screen in a short time without selecting a place by using the selection device.

[System configuration example]
Next, a configuration example of a system for realizing the digest creation method as described above will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of this system. A television receiver 1 and a digest editing apparatus 3 provided in each viewer's house are connected to a digest data generation apparatus 4 provided in a television broadcasting station via the Internet 5. The television receiver 1 is an apparatus in which a selection information transmitting apparatus in the claims is integrated with a television receiver that receives a digital broadcast.

  A pointer 2 is also provided at each viewer's house. The pointer 2 is a selection device in the claims. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the appearance of the pointer 2. The pointer 2 is used by the viewer by hand, and when the object displayed on the screen 1a of the television receiver 1 is selected, the tip 2a of the pointer 2 is directed to the object.

The television receiver 1 is supplied with a digital broadcast signal transmitted from a television broadcast station. As is well known, a digital broadcast signal is obtained by multiplexing the following packets (a) to (d) in a transport stream, scrambled, and modulated by a predetermined modulation method.
(A) A video / audio packet of a television program.
(B) A packet of non-storage type data (such as a character telop to be inserted into a TV program video) which is a part of the content of data broadcasting.
(C) Storage type data that is a part of data broadcasting content.
(D) Transmission control signal (PSI = Program Specific Information) for mutually identifying packets for a plurality of channels transmitted in the same frequency band, and program arrangement information (SI = information for creating an electronic program guide) Service Information) packets.

  As the storage type data (c) above, various data relating to the contents of a television program are generally prepared. Here, an identification ID, which is identification information of a specific object (person, product, facility, etc.) in the video of a TV program, information indicating the timing (frame) at which the object is displayed on the screen, and a screen for each frame It is assumed that area information indicating the display area of the object is prepared.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the main part of the hardware configuration of the television receiver 1. The television receiver 1 includes an image display unit 11, a selection area detection unit 12, and a selection survey unit 13. The image display unit 11 includes a tuner 14, a demodulator 15, a descrambler 16, a demultiplexer 17, a video decoder 18, an image synthesis circuit 19, a display drive circuit 20, and a region-identification ID pair storage. A memory 21 and a display 22 are provided.

  The selection area detection unit 12 is provided with an infrared receiving unit 23, a comparison circuit 24, and an image generation circuit 25. The area-identification ID pair storage memory (hereinafter also simply referred to as memory) 21 in the image display unit 11 is also used as a part of the selection area detection unit 12.

  The selection investigation unit 13 is provided with a timer 26 and a communication interface 27 for network communication. The microprocessor 28 controls each part in the television receiver 1 and functions as a part of each of the image display part 11, the selection area detection part 12, and the selection investigation part 13 (connection line connecting the microprocessor 28 and each part). Are omitted except for some parts).

  The tuner 14 is supplied with a digital broadcast signal received by a receiving antenna (not shown) or the like. When watching a TV program, this digital broadcast signal is demodulated by a demodulator 15 after being selected by a tuner 14 based on a viewer's channel selection operation, descrambled by a descrambler 16 and transported. After being returned to the stream, the demultiplexer 17 uses a video / audio packet of the TV program for a plurality of channels (packet (a) above) and a non-storage type data packet (packet (b) above) , A storage-type data packet (packet (c) above), and a transmission control signal / program arrangement information packet (packet (d) above).

  Of the video / audio packets of the TV program corresponding to the plurality of channels, the video and audio of the packet for one channel extracted based on the viewer's channel selection operation are respectively converted into a video decoder 18 and an audio decoder (not shown). ). Further, each packet of storage type data, non-storage type data, and transmission control signal / program arrangement information is sent to the microprocessor 28.

  From the video decoder 15, display screen data, which is video data to be displayed in the frame, is supplied to the image composition circuit 19 for each frame. The image composition circuit 19 synthesizes the display screen data with the image data generated by the image generation circuit 25 and sends it to the display drive circuit 20.

  The microprocessor 28 refers to the storage type data and stores the identification ID and area information for the object in a frame in which any one or more objects for which the identification ID is prepared are to be displayed. 21.

  The memory 21 records the identification ID and area information of each object supplied from the microprocessor 28 in correspondence with each other for each frame (hereinafter referred to as a pair of identification ID and area information in the memory 21). And the area-identification ID pair) and the area-identification ID pair recorded in the immediately previous frame are deleted. In this way, the memory 21 always holds a region-identification ID pair for a specific object displayed in the current frame.

  The display drive circuit 20 is a driver that drives the display 22, and drives the display 22 with reference to data in the memory 21 as well as display screen data supplied from the image synthesis circuit 19.

  The infrared receiving unit 23 receives infrared rays incident on the front surface of the television receiver 1 (the surface on which the screen 1a exists). The comparison circuit 24 is a circuit that compares the signal received by the infrared receiving unit 23 with the identification ID in the memory 21. The image generation circuit 25 is a circuit that generates image data such as a frame surrounding an object on the screen or an arrow pointing to the object on the screen.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the pointer 2 in FIGS. 8 and 9. The pointer 2 is provided with a light receiving optical system 31, a light receiving element (photodiode) 32, a microprocessor 33, and an infrared transmission unit 34. The light receiving optical system 31 is disposed at the tip 2a (FIG. 7) of the pointer 2. The infrared transmission unit 34 is also arranged so as to transmit infrared rays from the tip 2a.

  The light receiving optical system 31 does not receive the light from the entire screen 1a of the television receiver 1 of FIG. 9 at a time, but receives the light from each region (individual object region) on the screen 1a. This is an optical system. The focal length of the lens used in the light receiving optical system 31 (narrow field angle) and maximum magnification (magnification of close-up ability) are determined by the size of the object on the screen or the object as shown in FIG. What is necessary is just to determine according to the magnitude | size of the range of the blink display, the size of the screen 1a of the television receiver 1, and the distance with the screen 1a when the pointer 2 is used. Further, the size and shape of the pointer 2 shown in FIG. 9 are merely examples, and the size and shape of the pointer 2 may be determined according to the size and shape of the light receiving optical system 31.

  12 to 15 are flowcharts showing processing by the television receiver 1 and the pointer 2. Among these, FIG. 12 shows processing by the image display unit 11 (FIG. 10) in the television receiver 1. FIG. 13 shows processing by the pointer 2. FIG. 14 shows processing by the selection area detection unit 12 (FIG. 10) in the television receiver 1. FIG. 15 shows processing by 13 selection survey units in the television receiver 1.

  In the image display unit 11 in the television receiver 1, as shown in FIG. 12, the image composition circuit 19 acquires display screen data for one frame (step S <b> 1), and the image data generated by the image generation circuit 25. Is acquired (step S2), and the image data is combined with the display screen data (step S3).

  Next, the display drive circuit 20 acquires data for one region of the display screen data from the image composition circuit 19 (step S4). The size of this one area is the same size as a normal driver acquiring data at a time. For example, the display 22 is an LCD using a cold cathode fluorescent tube (CCFL) as a light source as shown in FIG. 3A. In some cases, the area is illuminated by a single cold cathode fluorescent tube.

  The display drive circuit 20 confirms whether or not there is information in the memory 21 that corresponds to the area from which the data was acquired (at least part of the areas overlap each other) (step S5). If it exists, the identification ID paired with the corresponding area is acquired from the memory 21 (step S6). Then, the data for one area acquired in step S4 is displayed on the display 22, and among the one area, the area corresponding to the identification ID acquired in step S6 is blinked and displayed at a cycle modulated by the identification ID. (Step S7).

  For example, if one area from which data is acquired in step S4 is an area including the upper half of the automobile 102 in FIG. 1, in step S7, the upper half of the automobile 102 is modulated by the related information of the automobile 102. The blinking display is performed at the cycle. The blinking display range of the object, the blinking display method according to the display type, and the blinking period modulation method are as described with reference to FIGS.

  If it does not exist in step S5, the data for one area acquired in step S4 is displayed on the display 22 as in the case of normal video display (step S8).

  When step S7 or S8 is completed, it is confirmed whether there is an area from which data is to be acquired next from the image composition circuit 19 (whether all the display screen data for one frame has been acquired yet) (step S9). If it exists, data for the next one region is acquired from the image composition circuit 19 (step S10), and the processing from step S5 is repeated. If not, the process returns to step S1 for the display screen data of the next frame.

  By the processing of FIG. 12, the identification ID of the object is output as an optical signal from the object area itself on the screen 1a of the display device 1.

  In the pointer 2, as shown in FIG. 13, the light receiving element 32 converts the light received by the light receiving optical system 31 into an electric signal (step S11). Therefore, when the viewer points the pointer 2 to an object to be selected on the screen 1a of the display device 1, the identification ID output as an optical signal from the area of the object is converted into an electric signal.

  Then, the microprocessor 33 supplies this electrical signal to the infrared transmission unit 34 (step S12), and the infrared transmission unit 34 converts this electrical signal into an infrared signal and transmits it (step S13).

  As shown in FIG. 14, the selection area detection unit 12 in the display device 1 stands by until the infrared receiving unit 23 receives the infrared signal from the pointer 2 (step S21). Upon receipt, the comparison circuit 24 acquires one area-identification ID pair from the memory 21 (step S22), and confirms whether the received signal matches the identification ID in the area-identification ID pair ( Step S23).

  If they match, the comparison circuit 24 supplies information specifying the area paired with the identification ID as the selection area to the image generation circuit 25 and also to the microprocessor 28 (step S24). The image generation circuit 25 generates image data such as a frame surrounding the selection area or an arrow pointing to the selection area, and supplies the image data to the image composition circuit 19 (step S25). Therefore, in this case, this image data is combined with the display screen data in steps S2 and S3 of FIG. 12 and displayed on the screen 1a of the display device 1.

  In step S25, the length of the period during which the image generation circuit 25 supplies the image data to the image composition circuit 19 (that is, the length of the period in which the frame, arrow, etc. are displayed on the screen 1a) is immediately displayed. The frame may be deleted so that the frame, the arrow, or the like is displayed for a while.

  When step S25 ends, the process returns to step S21 for the next infrared signal. If they do not match in step S23, it is confirmed whether or not the next area-identification ID pair (area-identification ID pair not yet acquired) exists in the memory 21 (step S26). If it exists, the next area-identification ID pair is acquired (step S27), and the processes in and after step S23 are repeated.

  In the selection investigation unit 13 in the television receiver 1, as shown in FIG. 15, the microprocessor 28 waits until information on the selected area is supplied from the comparison circuit 24 (step S <b> 31). Then, when the information on the selected area is supplied from the comparison circuit 24 by the process of step S24 in FIG. 14, the information on the selected area is acquired (step S32). Subsequently, information on the channel currently selected by the viewer's channel selection operation is acquired (step S33), current time information is acquired from the timer 26 (step S34), and the obtained viewing status (object) (Selection status) is transmitted from the communication interface 27 to the digest data generation device 4 (FIG. 8) on the television broadcasting station side via the Internet 5 (FIG. 8) (step S35). Then, the process returns to step S31.

  Note that the remote controller attached to the television receiver 1 is provided with operation buttons for inputting information indicating the size of the screen 1a of the television receiver 1 and the attributes (age, sex, etc.) of the viewer. You may make it acquire these information received from the controller, and transmit these information collectively by step S35.

  FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the digest data generation device 4 of FIG. The digest data generation apparatus 4 includes a communication interface 41 for network communication, a selection status storage memory 42, a scene switching information storage memory 43, a digest data storage memory 44, an operation panel 45, a digest And a microprocessor 46 for controlling the entire data generation device 4.

  The scene switching information storage memory 44 stores in advance information on the scene switching position automatically detected from the video data of the program by another device in the television broadcasting station.

  On the operation panel 45, the operator uses the information on the object selection status (information stored in the selection status storage memory 42) on the television receiver 1 in each viewer's house to view the viewer in the video of the program. To check on the monitor screen the objects that are attracting attention, to specify the order in which video segments are arranged when creating digested data, and to specify video segments that must be included in the digest. Is.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing processing by the microprocessor 46 in the digest data generation apparatus 4. First, it is confirmed whether any information is received by the communication interface 41 (step S41).

  If it has been received, it is confirmed whether information on the object selection status (information transmitted in step S35 in FIG. 15) has been received from the television receiver 1 at any viewer's home (step S42). If yes, the selection status information is stored in the selection status storage memory 42 (step S43), and the process returns to step S41.

  If no in step S41, it is confirmed whether or not the information on the selection status is collected in the selection status storage memory 42 for the number of items necessary for generating the digest data (for example, initially 100) (step S41). S44). When the information on the screen size and the viewer attribute as described above is received together with the information on the selection status, the number of collected items is confirmed for each screen size and attribute in step S44.

  If no in step S44, the process returns to step S41. If the answer is yes in step S44, based on the channel information and the time information in the selection status information, as shown in FIG. 6, the program currently broadcast on the channel for each hour. Among the television receivers 1 of the object selection rate (for each viewer size (for each screen size or attribute if information on the screen size or viewer attribute is received together with information on the selection status) The ratio of the number of television receivers 1 that transmit information indicating that an object in the video of the program is selected at the current time), and information on the scene switching position from the memory 44 for storing scene switching information And an assumed value of the object selection rate for each scene of the program as illustrated in FIG. 6 is obtained (step S45).

  Then, based on this assumed value and the operation result on the operation panel 45, a section list as illustrated in FIG. 7 is created (step S46), and the digest data storage memory 44 uses the section list as digest data. (Step S47). Then, update the number of collections necessary to generate digest data (for example, if the first is 100, it is expected that the selection status will not change much with the same number of collections, so the next is 500, Next, the number of collections is gradually increased to 1000 (step S48), and the process returns to step S41.

  If the answer is no in step S42, it is confirmed whether a request for digest data (to be described later) has been received from the digest editing apparatus 3 (FIG. 8) (step S49). If yes, it is confirmed whether digested data has been generated (stored in the digested data storage memory 44) (step S50). If yes, the digest data is read from the digest data storage memory 44, and the digest data is transmitted from the communication interface 41 to the digest editing apparatus 3 via the Internet 5 (FIG. 8) (selection status information). When the information of the screen size and the attribute of the viewer is received together with the information, the digest data corresponding to the screen size and the attribute of each viewer's house is read out, and the digest editing apparatus 3 of the viewer's house is read. (Step S51). Then, the process returns to step S41.

  If NO in step S50, a status indicating that the generation of the digest data has not been completed is transmitted from the communication interface 41 to the digest editing apparatus 3 via the Internet 5 (step S52). Then, the process returns to step S41.

  FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the digest editing apparatus 3 of FIG. The digest editing apparatus 3 includes a television broadcast receiving unit 51, a video storage unit (for example, a hard disk drive) 52, a communication interface 53 for network communication, a digest data storage memory 54, an operation panel 55, a digest. A microprocessor 56 for controlling the entire editing / editing apparatus 3 and a video output terminal 57 are provided. Video data output from the video output terminal 57 is input to a video input terminal of an image display device (not shown) (may be a device different from the television receiver 1 or the television receiver 1). .

  The TV broadcast receiving unit 51 decodes video data for one channel extracted from a digital broadcast signal based on a viewer's channel selection operation. The TV broadcast receiver 51 includes a tuner 14 in the TV receiver 1 shown in FIG. The demodulator 15, descrambler 16, demultiplexer 17 and video decoder 18 have the same configuration. The video data decoded by the television broadcast receiving unit 51 is stored in the video storage unit 52.

  The operation panel 55 is for the viewer to perform a channel selection operation, an operation for instructing creation of a digest, and an operation for specifying a digest time length. Note that, as a method of using the digest editing apparatus 3, it is assumed that the viewer selects the same channel as the channel selected by the television receiver 1 using the digest editing apparatus 3.

  FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing processing executed by the microprocessor 56 in the digest editing apparatus 3 based on a digest creation instruction on the operation panel 55. First, a request for digest data is transmitted from the communication interface 51 to the digest data generation device 4 via the Internet 5 (FIG. 8) (step S61). Then, it waits for some answer from the digest data generation device 4 (step S62).

  When the answer is received, it is confirmed whether the status indicating that the generation of the digest data has not been completed is received (step S63). If yes, the process returns to step S61. On the other hand, if the answer is no (if the digested data is received), the digested data is stored in the digested data storage memory 54 (step S64).

  Subsequently, information on the time length of the digest designated on the operation panel 55 is acquired (step S65). Then, the range within the specified time length is selected from the scenes in the digest data stored in the digest data storage memory 54 (step S66).

  Then, the video data stored in the video storage unit 52 is edited to create a digest consisting only of the video data in the selected range (step S67), the digest is read from the video storage unit 52, and the video output terminal 57 is read out. (Step S68). Then, the process ends.

  The selection method of the scene range in step S66 and the video data editing method in step S67 are as described in the section [Digest creation method].

  According to this system, a TV broadcast station can create a digest that reflects the viewer's interest without spending time or effort, and the viewer can view the digest at any time regardless of the broadcast time. In addition, it is possible to prevent the detailed information indicating the audience rating from being circulated generally.

  In addition, the television broadcasting station allows a viewer to watch a digest in which a video that is difficult for the viewer to insert, such as a CM, is inserted between scenes in which the viewer is interested, or an object that the viewer is paying attention to. It is also possible to view a digest with a video content suitable for the video.

  In addition, the viewer can also view a digest of a time length arbitrarily designated according to the busyness when viewing the digest (a short digest when busy, a long digest when not busy).

  In addition, the viewer can easily select an object on the screen 1a of the television receiver 1 using the pointer 2 in a short time without selecting a place.

[Example of change]
Next, examples of changes to the items described above will be given as (1) to (10) below.

  (1) As a communication method for returning the signal (identification ID) received by the pointer 2 to the television receiver 1, a communication method other than infrared communication (for example, wireless communication or wired communication) may be employed.

  (2) Instead of realizing the selection device with dedicated hardware such as the pointer 2, the selection device is realized with various existing portable terminals (mobile phone, portable information terminal, portable media player, portable game machine, etc.). May be. In that case, the portable terminal is provided with components corresponding to the light receiving optical system 31 and the light receiving element 32 in FIG. 11, and is provided with transmitting means such as the infrared transmission unit 34 in FIG. 11 (having a transmitting means). In this case, the function of the microprocessor 33 in FIG. 11 may be executed by software.

  (3) An operation means (push button or the like) for switching on / off of the selection is provided on the pointer 2, and an infrared signal is transmitted from the infrared transmission unit 34 only when the selection is turned on by the operation means. You may do it.

  (4) Instead of the light receiving optical system 21 and the light receiving element 22, the pointer 2 is provided with a CCD camera or a CMOS camera similar to that mounted on an ordinary camera-equipped mobile phone, and an imaging region of a part of this camera (see FIG. And an operation means for designating an area having a size corresponding to the blinking display range of one object as exemplified in 1), and a signal of the imaging area designated by the operation means is extracted from the output signal of the camera. And a signal processing circuit that converts the signal extracted by the signal processing circuit into an infrared signal by the infrared transmission unit 24 and transmits the infrared signal.

  (5) A method other than the method of flashing the object area on the screen 1a of the television receiver 1, receiving the optical signal from the screen 1a, and returning it to the television receiver 1 (for example, the television receiver 1 The area of the object on the screen 1a may be selected by a method in which an operation button for selecting an area on the screen 1a is provided on the remote controller that operates.

  (6) The television receiver 1 includes a video output device (television receiver having no display) composed of circuits other than the display drive circuit 20, the area-identification ID pair storage memory 21 and the display 22 shown in FIG. It is divided into two devices: a circuit 20, a display device comprising a region-identification ID pair storage memory 21 and a display 22. From the image synthesis circuit 19 in this video output device, for example, a cable for digital audio / video signal transmission Display screen data may be sent to the display drive circuit 20 in the display device via a certain HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) cable.

  (7) The television receiver 1 and the digest editing device 3 at each viewer's house may be configured as an integrated device (a television receiver with a recording function). Alternatively, the television receiver 1 is provided with an iLink (IEEE 1394) terminal, and a hard disk drive connected to the television receiver 1 by iLink is used as the digest editing apparatus 3, or the television receiver 1 is provided with an Ethernet (registered trademark) terminal. Alternatively, a hard disk drive provided as NAS (Network Access Storage) may be connected to the television receiver 1 by Ethernet (registered trademark), and the hard disk drive may be used as the digest editing apparatus 3. In those cases, the television broadcast receiver 51 in the digest editing apparatus 3 in FIG. 18 may be omitted (the circuit in the television receiver 1 is shared). Alternatively, the same functions as those of the television receiver 1 and the digest editing apparatus 3 may be realized by a personal computer equipped with a tuner board.

  (8) The digested data generation device 4 stores the viewing status (object selection status), the editing operation and the digest data generation device, and the storage and transmission of the digest data. It is also possible to take a form in which the devices are separated from each other and are connected to each other and function substantially as one device. As a result, when the digest data generation device 4 is introduced into a television broadcasting station, it becomes easy to add later, and it is easy to use other applications such as using a device for storing viewing status for audience rating surveys. become.

  (9) When the digest editing apparatus 3 creates a digest in step S67 of FIG. 19, after storing a series of video data consisting only of the scene portion in the digest data in the video storage unit 52, The video data of the entire program may be deleted from the video storage unit 52. Thereby, it is possible to save and view digests of a large number of programs in the video storage unit 52 having a limited capacity.

  (10) When viewing video content distributed via the Internet, not limited to television broadcasting, a system similar to that described above may be configured at the video content distribution source and each viewer's house. Good.

It is a figure which illustrates the object on a screen, and its blink range. It is a figure which illustrates a general display. It is a figure which shows the example of a general high frame rate display. It is a figure which illustrates the modulation | alteration in a flame | frame. It is a figure which illustrates frame rate modulation. It is a figure which shows the example of selection of a video area. It is a figure which illustrates an area list. It is a figure which illustrates the whole structure of the system which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which illustrates the external appearance of the pointer of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the television receiver of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a pointer. It is a flowchart which shows the process by the image display part in a television receiver. It is a flowchart which shows the process by a pointer. It is a flowchart which shows the process by the selection area | region detection part in a television receiver. It is a flowchart which shows the process by the selection investigation part in a television receiver. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a digest-ized data production | generation apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process by a digest-ized data generation apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a digest edit apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process by a digest edit apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Television receiver, 2 Pointer, 3 Digest-ized edit apparatus, 4 Digest-ized data generation apparatus, 11 Image display part, 12 Selection area | region detection part, 13 Selection investigation part

Claims (29)

A selection device for selecting an area on the screen of the display means, a selection information transmission device, a digest data generation device, and a digest editing device,
The selection information transmitting device includes:
Acquisition means for acquiring information indicating an area selected by the selection device, information for identifying video data displayed on the display means, and information indicating a time when selection is performed by the selection device;
A communication means for performing communication via a network,
Sending the information acquired by the acquisition means to the digested data generation device by the communication means;
The digest data generation device is:
A communication means for communicating via a network;
Storage means for storing information received from the selection information transmitting device by the communication means;
Generating means for generating digest data indicating a video section to be digested out of the video data based on the information stored in the storage means, and the digest data is transmitted to the digest editing apparatus by the communication means. Send
The digest editing device is:
Receiving means for receiving the video data;
Storage means for storing the video data received by the receiving means;
A communication means for communicating via a network;
A digest unit that edits the video data stored in the storage unit to create a digest based on the digested data received from the digested data generation device by the communication unit; Creation system. The digest creation system according to claim 1,
The selection information transmitting device further includes a control unit, a storage unit, a display drive unit, a reception unit, a determination unit, an image generation unit, and an image synthesis unit,
The control means of the selection information transmitting device selects the video data, identification information for identifying a plurality of objects in the video data, and area information indicating areas where the plurality of objects are respectively located on the screen. When received from the outside of the information transmitting device, each of the objects is stored in the storage means in association with the identification information and the area information, and the video data is supplied to the display driving means,
The display driving means of the selection information transmitting device displays the video data on the display means, and at least part of the area of the display means where the area information is stored in the storage means. , Blinking display with a period modulated according to the identification information corresponding to the region,
The selection device is:
A light receiving means for receiving light and converting it into an electrical signal;
Transmitting means for transmitting the electrical signal converted by the light receiving means by a predetermined communication method,
The receiving means of the selection information transmitting device receives the signal of the communication method transmitted from the selection device,
The discriminating means of the selection information transmitting device discriminates an area corresponding to the identification information as a selected area when the signal received by the receiving means matches the identification information stored in the storage means. And
The image generation means of the selection information transmitting device generates image data for specifying the area determined by the determination means on the screen,
The image synthesizing unit of the selection information transmitting apparatus supplies video data to the display driving unit, and synthesizes the image data generated by the image generating unit with the video data,
The digest creation system, wherein the acquisition unit of the selection information transmission apparatus acquires information indicating an area selected by the selection unit from the determination unit. In the digest creation system according to claim 2,
The display means is a liquid crystal display using a fluorescent tube as a light source,
The digest creating system, wherein the display driving means of the selection information transmitting device performs the blinking display by switching between transmission and shielding in a liquid crystal cell of the liquid crystal display. In the digest creation system according to claim 2,
The display means is a liquid crystal display using a light emitting diode as a light source,
The display driving means of the selection information transmitting device causes the blinking display to be performed by at least one of switching between transmission and shielding in a liquid crystal cell of the liquid crystal display and blinking of the light emitting diode. system. In the digest creation system according to claim 2,
The display means is a display using a self-luminous element,
The digest creation system, wherein the display driving means of the selection information transmitting apparatus causes the blinking display to be performed by blinking of the self-luminous element. In the digest creation system according to claim 2,
The digest generating system, wherein the display driving means of the selection information transmitting device causes the blinking display to be performed at a cycle that is not perceived as blinking due to human visual characteristics. In the digest creation system according to claim 2,
The display driving unit of the selection information transmitting device includes an integral value within a certain period of luminance corresponding to a predetermined gradation level in the area where the blinking display is performed and the predetermined value in the area where the blinking display is not performed. A digest creation system, wherein a luminance relationship of each region is set so that a luminance value corresponding to a gradation level is substantially equal to an integrated value within the predetermined period. In the digest creation system according to claim 2,
The display driving means of the selection information transmitting device causes the blinking display to be performed in a lighting period of a lighting period and an extinguishing period for improving moving image blur at a cycle shorter than the lighting period. A digest creation system characterized by modulation according to identification information. In the digest creation system according to claim 2,
The display drive means of the selection information transmitting apparatus modulates a repetition period of a lighting period and a light extinguishing period for improving moving image blur so as to span a plurality of frames according to the identification information. . The digest creation system according to claim 1,
A plurality of viewers' homes are provided with the selection device, the selection information transmission device, and the digest editing device,
The digest creation system, wherein the generation unit of the digest data generation device generates the digest data based on information received from the selection information transmission device of the plurality of viewers' homes. The digest creation system according to claim 1,
The digest data generation device is:
Operation means for performing an operation of confirming an object attracting attention by a viewer in the video data and an operation of designating a video section to be incorporated in the list using information received from the selection information transmitting device. In addition,
The generation unit of the digest data generation device includes:
Of the information received from the selection information transmitting device, based on information identifying video data displayed on the display means and information indicating a time when the selection device performs selection, A digest creation system characterized in that a video section having a high selection rate is obtained, and a list indicating the video section having a high selection rate and the video section designated by the operation means is generated as the digest data. The digest creation system according to claim 1,
The digest editing device is:
It further comprises an operation means for specifying the digest time length,
The editing means edits the video data stored in the storage means based on the digested data so as to be within the time length specified by the operation means, and creates a digest. Creation system. The digest creation system according to claim 1,
The editing means of the digest editing apparatus creates a digest of only the video section indicated by the digest data from the video data stored in the storage means, stores the digest in the storage means, and A digest creation system, wherein the video data stored in the storage means is deleted from the storage means. A selection device for selecting an area on the screen of the display means;
A selection information transmitting device;
A digest data generator connected to the selection information transmitter via a network;
In a method for creating a digest of video data by a digest editing device connected to the digest data generation device via a network,
Information indicating an area selected by the selection information transmission device, information identifying video data displayed on the display means, and information indicating a time when selection is performed by the selection device A first step of obtaining
A second step in which the selection information transmission device transmits the information acquired in the first step to the digested data generation device via the network;
A third step in which the digest data generation device receives information from the selection information transmission device;
A fourth step in which the digest data generation device stores the information received in the third step in a storage means;
A fifth step in which the digested data generating device generates digested data indicating a video section to be digested out of the video data based on the information stored in the storage means in the fourth step;
A sixth step in which the digest data generation device transmits the digest data generated in the fifth step to the digest editing device via the network;
A seventh step in which the digest editing apparatus receives the video data;
An eighth step in which the digest editing apparatus stores the video data received in the seventh step in a storage means;
A ninth step in which the digest editing device receives the digest data from the digest data generation device;
A tenth step in which the digest editing apparatus edits the video data stored in the storage means in the eighth step based on the digest data received in the ninth step and creates a digest. A digest creation method characterized by comprising: Acquisition means for acquiring information indicating a selected area on the screen of the display means, information for identifying video data displayed on the display means, and information indicating a time when the area is selected; ,
And a communication means for performing communication via a network, wherein the information acquired by the acquisition means is transmitted by the communication means. In the selection information transmitting apparatus according to claim 15,
A control unit, a storage unit, a display drive unit, a reception unit, a determination unit, an image generation unit, and an image synthesis unit;
The control means sends video data, identification information for identifying a plurality of objects in the video data, and area information indicating areas where the plurality of objects are respectively located on the screen from the outside of the selection information transmitting apparatus. When received, each of the objects is stored in the storage means in association with the identification information and the area information, and the video data is supplied to the display driving means,
The display driving means causes the display means to display the video data, and corresponds to at least a part of the area of the screen of the display means in which the area information is stored in the storage means. Flashing display with a period modulated according to the identification information,
The receiving means receives a signal of a predetermined communication method,
When the signal received by the receiving unit matches the identification information stored in the storage unit, the determining unit determines an area corresponding to the identification information as a selected area;
The image generating means generates image data for specifying the area determined by the determining means on the screen;
The image synthesis means supplies video data to the display drive means, and synthesizes the image data generated by the image generation means with the video data,
The selection information transmitting apparatus, wherein the acquisition unit acquires information indicating the selected area from the determination unit. In the selection information transmitting apparatus according to claim 16,
The display means is a liquid crystal display using a fluorescent tube as a light source,
The selection information transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display driving unit of the selection information transmitting apparatus performs the blinking display by switching between transmission and shielding in a liquid crystal cell of the liquid crystal display. In the selection information transmitting apparatus according to claim 16,
The display means is a liquid crystal display using a light emitting diode as a light source,
The display driving means of the selection information transmitting device causes the blinking display to be performed by at least one of switching between transmission and shielding in a liquid crystal cell of the liquid crystal display and blinking of the light emitting diode. Transmitter device. In the selection information transmitting apparatus according to claim 16,
The display means is a display using a self-luminous element,
The selection information transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display driving unit of the selection information transmitting apparatus causes the blinking display to be performed by blinking of the self-luminous element. In the selection information transmitting apparatus according to claim 16,
The selection information transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display driving unit of the selection information transmitting apparatus causes the blinking display to be performed at a cycle that is not perceived as blinking due to human visual characteristics. In the selection information transmitting apparatus according to claim 16,
The display driving unit of the selection information transmitting device includes an integral value within a certain period of luminance corresponding to a predetermined gradation level in the area where the blinking display is performed and the predetermined value in the area where the blinking display is not performed. A selection information transmitting apparatus, wherein a luminance relationship of each region is set so that an integrated value of the luminance corresponding to the gradation level within the predetermined period is substantially equal. In the selection information transmitting apparatus according to claim 16,
The display driving means of the selection information transmitting device causes the blinking display to be performed in a lighting period of a lighting period and an extinguishing period for improving moving image blur at a cycle shorter than the lighting period. A selection information transmitting apparatus that modulates according to identification information. In the selection information transmitting apparatus according to claim 16,
The display driving means of the selection information transmitting device modulates a repetition period of a lighting period and a light extinction period for improving moving image blur so as to span a plurality of frames according to the identification information. apparatus. First information for acquiring information indicating the selected area on the screen of the display means, information for identifying the video data displayed on the display means, and information indicating the time when the area is selected Steps,
And a second step of transmitting the information acquired in the first step via a network. On the computer,
First information for acquiring information indicating the selected area on the screen of the display means, information for identifying the video data displayed on the display means, and information indicating the time when the area is selected Procedure and
A program for executing a second procedure for transmitting information acquired in the first procedure via a network. A communication means for communicating via a network;
Information received by the communication means indicating the selected area on the screen of the display means, information for identifying the video data displayed on the display means, and information indicating the time when the area is selected Storage means for storing information;
Generating means for generating digested data indicating a video section to be digested among the video data based on information stored in the storage means, and transmitting the digested data by the communication means. A digest data generator. Information indicating the selected area on the screen of the display means, information identifying video data displayed on the display means, and information indicating the time when the area is selected are received via the network. A first step;
A second step of storing in the storage means the information received in the first step;
A third step of generating digested data indicating a video section to be digested out of the video data based on the information stored in the storage means in the second step;
A digested data generation method, comprising: a fourth step of transmitting the digested data generated in the third step via the network. Receiving means for receiving video data;
Storage means for storing the video data received by the receiving means;
A communication means for communicating via a network;
Editing means for creating a digest by editing the video data stored in the storage means based on reception of digest data indicating a video section to be digested from the video data by the communication means. A digest editing device characterized by that. A first step of receiving video data;
A second step of storing the video data received in the first step in a storage means;
A third step of receiving, via a network, digested data indicating a video section to be digested among the video data;
And a fourth step of creating a digest by editing the video data stored in the storage means in the second step based on the digested data received in the third step. How to edit a digest.

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