JP2014225118A - Image processing apparatus and image processing program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate a scene sequence with high accuracy.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus which generates a scene sequence from a video image includes: sampling acquisition means which samples a predetermined frame image from a sample video image; block feature information generation means which divides frame images obtained by the sampling acquisition means for each one or multiple scales to generate feature information for each divided block image; shot division means which divides a video image to be processed for generating a scene sequence for each shot; histogram generation means which generates a histogram based on an appearance ratio of the block image, in association with the block image obtained by the block feature information generation means, for each shot divided by the shot division means; and scene sequence generation means which generates a scene sequence for the video image to be processed, by use of the histogram generated by the histogram generation means.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technique for dividing a video based on a video change point (shot (also referred to as a cut)) caused by camera switching is known. However, when video handling used in search processing or the like is performed, it may be desired to use a video that is longer in time than a shot as a basic unit, such as a scene segmented by scene change or the like. The above-mentioned video handling refers to, for example, processing video material to present important parts of video content in an easy-to-understand manner so that the contents can be better understood.

  Therefore, as a method of dividing the video, a method of detecting “scene change” serving as a reference for shot integration based on the amount of change in the color histogram of representative images of consecutive shots is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ).

JP 2006-254486 A

  However, in the method as shown in Patent Document 1 described above, there is a case where a scene change point is erroneously determined when the color feature of the background changes greatly despite the shot representative image of the same scene.

  As another method, a method of detecting a scene turning point on the basis of the content ratio of the “color list” of the current image with respect to the “integrated color list” is also conceivable, but this method can be used for the color used in the image. Because it is based on the type, it is vulnerable to noise.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing program for generating a highly accurate scene sequence from video.

  An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention provides a sampling acquisition unit that samples a predetermined frame image from a sample video and an image processing apparatus that generates a scene series from the video, and each frame image obtained by the sampling acquisition unit. Block feature information generating means for generating feature information for each of the divided block images, and shot division for dividing the processing target video for generating the scene series for each shot. Means for generating a histogram based on the appearance ratio of the block image corresponding to the block image obtained by the block feature information generating unit for each shot divided by the shot dividing unit, and the histogram Histog generated by generating means And a scene sequence generating means for generating scene sequences for the processing target image by using the beam.

  An image processing program according to an aspect of the present invention is an image processing program for causing a computer to function as each unit included in the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

  According to the present invention, a highly accurate scene sequence can be generated.

It is a conceptual diagram of a multiscale image piece word histogram. It is a figure which shows the example of a block image in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of an image processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the image process in this embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process in an image piece word production | generation means. It is a figure which shows the flow of a production | generation of an image fragment word. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process in a histogram production | generation means. It is a figure which shows the flow of a production | generation of an image piece word histogram. It is a flowchart which shows an example of a scene production | generation process. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of a scene production | generation. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of the scene production | generation at the time of using multi-value data. It is a figure which shows an example of the production | generation result of the scene series in this embodiment.

<About the present invention>
The present invention acquires feature information for a video (for example, for each scene) using, for example, a plurality of frame images included in the video. Specifically, a histogram of image fragment words having one or a plurality of different image sizes (hereinafter referred to as “multi-scale”) for each frame image (multi-scale image fragment word histogram, Histogram of Multi-scale Image Piece Word). Hereinafter, the scenes are classified using feature information based on “H-MIPW” as necessary.

  An image piece is, for example, each block image obtained by dividing one frame image by dividing it into a predetermined image size. The image size (scale) may be, for example, a square or other shapes. The word is, for example, predetermined feature information such as a reference vector, but is not limited thereto. H-MIPW is based on a still image classification method based on, for example, the type and appearance ratio (frequency) of a block image, and expands the block size to a multi-scale and a moving image feature.

  Here, FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a multiscale image fragment word histogram. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a block image in the present embodiment. In the example of FIG. 1, a frame image sampled from a predetermined scene included in a preparation video (sample video) prepared for learning in advance is divided into blocks for each one or a plurality of types of image sizes and divided. A multi-scale image fragment word histogram (H-MIPW) based on the similarity of feature information to an image fragment (block image) is generated, and how many types of block images exist in the scene (appearance ratio) is acquired.

  Here, the type of block image has a strong causal relationship with the content (subject) being shown. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the contents of the video such as “sky”, “mountain, forest”, “sunset”, and the like can be acquired from each block obtained by dividing the frame image. Therefore, the above-described H-MIPW can be considered as one of the features that comprehensively express the contents of the scene. In the present embodiment, scene feature information including a plurality of frame images is acquired based on H-MIPW, for example.

  In this embodiment, an image fragment word histogram for each shot of each video file is calculated, and shots are integrated based on the amount of change to generate a scene. Thereby, in this embodiment, since the scene is represented by one histogram, the similarity can be calculated at high speed by appropriate classification of the scene, and the similarity of the video content can be calculated using the acquired feature information. A scene sequence can be generated based on the result. Hereinafter, embodiments in which an image processing apparatus and an image processing program in the present embodiment are preferably implemented will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<Example of functional configuration of image processing apparatus>
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus 10 shown in the example of FIG. 3 includes a sampling acquisition unit 11, a divided block setting unit 12, an image fragment word generation unit (block feature information generation unit) 13, a shot division unit 14, and a histogram generation unit 15. And a scene series generation means 16.

The sampling acquisition means 11 samples a frame image from a preliminarily stored preparation video set (sample video) 21 at a predetermined interval (for example, T ₁ frame), and prepares a preparation frame image set 22 (P ₁ ,. _.. , P _{N —} P) is output. The predetermined interval (T ₁ ) is, for example, a predetermined constant frame interval, but is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a constant time interval, and each shot ( For example, it may be the first image of video switching).

  The divided block setting unit 12 sets at least one of the size (scale, image size), type, number, and the like of one or a plurality of image pieces (block images) generated by the image piece word generation unit 13. To do. For example, the divided block setting means 12 can set three types of image pieces as 4 × 4 pixels, 8 × 8 pixels, and 16 × 32 pixels as multiple scales. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  The block image may be set by the user in advance, and it corresponds to the resolution of the input video and the genre of the video (eg news program, sports, drama, travel program with many landscape videos), etc. And may be set automatically. Further, the divided block setting means 12 has at least one of the size, type, number, and the like of the image pieces based on the saliency map (Saliency Map) representing the “conspicuous area” in the entire image with respect to the video. May be set. In the saliency map, for example, an area having a property different from that of the surrounding area is extracted as an “area having high saliency (attracting attention)”.

  The image fragment word generating unit 13 divides each frame included in the preparation frame image set 22 into block images based on, for example, the condition (multiple scale) set by the divided block setting unit 12. Further, the image fragment word generation means 13 acquires feature information for each divided block image, and generates an image fragment word 23 (W) for the preparation frame image set 22 based on the acquired feature information. A specific method for generating the image fragment word 23 in the image fragment word generating means 13 will be described later.

Shot segmentation means 14, relative to the scene generation of the processing target image 24 which is designated using such input means by a user or the like (V), a predetermined interval (e.g., T ₂ frames) automatically divided into shot units per , A shot sequence 25 (ST ₁ ,..., ST _{N_ST} ) is generated. Note that the processing target video 24 (V) is a target video from which feature information for each shot is extracted in the present embodiment, for example. Further, the predetermined interval (T ₂ ) is, for example, a preset constant frame interval, but is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a fixed time interval, or may be the first of video segmentation. It may be an interval of frames. Further, the predetermined interval (T ₂ ) may be the same interval as the predetermined interval (T ₁ ) described above, or may be a different interval.

The histogram generation means 15 inputs a shot sequence 25 (ST ₁ ,..., S _{N —} ST) that is a scene obtained by dividing a video at a predetermined interval, and divides each shot into one or a plurality of scales. The feature information of the block image of each shot is acquired. Further, the histogram generation means 15 calculates, for example, the appearance ratio of each block image with respect to each shot from the similarity of the acquired feature information, and the image fragment word histogram 26 (H ₁ ,. , H _{N — ST} ). A specific generation example of the image fragment word histogram 26 in the histogram generation means 15 will be described later.

The scene series generation means 16 uses the above-described shot series 25 (ST ₁ ,..., ST _{N_ST} ) and image fragment word histogram 26 (H ₁ ,..., H _{N_ST} ) to _generate a scene series (SN _{1 ,. ..} , ST _{N_SN} ) is generated. For example, the scene series generation unit 16 generates a scene by integrating shots based on the amount of change in the image fragment word histogram calculated for each shot of each video file, but the scene generation method is limited to this. It is not a thing.

  As described above, the image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment uses the feature of each image piece (block region) to extract, for example, high-precision image feature information that leads to improvement in accuracy of scene sequence generation. Can do. Further, in the present embodiment, a scene sequence of program video can be generated with higher accuracy than the conventional method. Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a high-accuracy video search for each scene, for example, using the generated scene series.

  The above-described preparation video set 21, preparation frame image set 22, image fragment word 23, processing target image 24, shot sequence 25, image fragment word histogram 26, and scene sequence 27 are provided in the image processing apparatus 10. Stored in a storage unit or the like, or may be managed by an external device (for example, a database server). When managed by an external device, the image processing apparatus 10 is connected in a state where data can be transmitted to and received from the external device via a communication network represented by the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network), for example. Reading stored data and writing to an external device can be performed.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, since the image piece is considered to have a strong correlation with the content in the image, H-MIPW can be an effective moving image feature for scene search based on the similarity of the video content. Therefore, a highly accurate search can be performed on the requested scene, and a scene with high similarity can be acquired.

<Example of image processing>
Next, an example of image processing in the above-described image processing apparatus 10 will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of image processing in the present embodiment. In the example of FIG. 4, the sampling acquisition means 11 inputs, for example, a preparation video set 21 randomly selected from a plurality of video sets of one or a plurality of genres (S01), and from the input preparation video set 21 A predetermined frame image is sampled (S02). For sampling, for example, frame images at regular intervals may be acquired, or frame images may be acquired based on video segmentation or the like.

  Next, the image fragment word generating unit 13 generates an image fragment word (for example, a multiscale image fragment word (MIPWord)) based on the divided blocks set in advance by the divided block setting unit 12 (S03). Next, the shot dividing unit 14 automatically divides the input processing target video 24 into shot units or the like to generate a shot sequence 25 (S04).

  Next, the histogram generation means 15 generates the image fragment word histogram 26 using the shot series and the image fragment word (S05). Next, the scene series generation means 16 generates a scene series using the shot series 25 and the image fragment word histogram 26 (S06), and outputs the generated scene series (S07).

<Example of Image Fragment Word Generation in Image Fragment Word Generation Unit 13>
Next, a method for generating a multi-scale image fragment word (MIPWord) in the image fragment word generation means 13 described above will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the image fragment word generating means. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a flow of generation of an image fragment word.

In the example of FIG. 5, the image fragment word generating unit 13 converts each frame image sampled from the preparation video set 21 under a predetermined condition into one or a plurality of scales based on the condition set by the divided block setting unit 12. Block division is performed (S11). As sampling conditions, for example, frame images at regular intervals may be acquired, or frame images may be acquired based on video segmentation or the like. Further, in the processing of S11, for example, each frame image has a plurality of scales (multiple scales) of scale 1 (n _W1 × n _H1 ),..., Scale N _d (n _WNd × n _HNd ), respectively. To divide.

  Next, the image fragment word generation means 13 calculates a predetermined feature vector (feature information) for each divided block image (S12). Examples of the predetermined feature vector include a color feature and a texture feature, but are not limited thereto. Other features may be used, or a plurality of feature information may be combined. Examples of the color feature include an RGB average value vector and a hue histogram. The texture features include, for example, a fractal sequence, an edge direction histogram, a CS-LBP (Center Symmetric-Local Binary Pattern) feature, and the like.

Next, the image fragment word generation means 13 clusters (classifies) the block image sets based on the similarity of the feature vectors at each scale i (i = 1,..., N _d ) (S13). In the process of S13, the clustering method can use a division optimization method such as the K-Means method, but is not limited to this. The _{K i} pieces of clusters in each scale i generated by the processing of S13 C [i, 1], ···, and C _{[i, K} i].

Next, the image fragment word generation means 13 is, for example, an image fragment word W = {v [1,1],... Having the center vector w [i, k] of each cluster C [i, k] as an element. v [i, k],..., v [N _d , K _Nd ]} are generated as multi-scale image fragment words (MIPWord) (S14). Then, the image fragment word generation unit 13 stores the generated multiscale image fragment word (MIPWord) in a storage unit (for example, the image fragment word 23) or the like (S15).

In the example of FIG. 6, the flow of MIPWord generation when the block division scale N _d = 2 is shown in the processing shown in FIG. 5 described above, but the number of scales in block division is not limited to this. Absent.

As shown in FIG. 6, a set of frame images sampled from the same preparation (sample) video is divided into blocks at a plurality of scales (image sizes), and divided at each scale (scale 1, scale 2). Clustering is performed for each image piece (block image set) based on the feature vector, and a multi-scale image piece word is generated using, for example, the center vector of each cluster. In the example of FIG. 6, “MIPWord W = {v [1,1], v [1,2],..., V [1, k ₁ ], v [2,1] ], V [2, 2],..., V [1, k ₂ ]} ”.

  Note that the preparation video set 21 is used for preparation of the same genre when a genre (for example, news, various sports (soccer, baseball), etc.) such as a search target video or a search request scene is determined in advance. Although it is preferable to use an image, the present invention is not limited to this. Further, the scale is set to an arbitrary scale, type, and number, for example, by the divided block setting means 12 described above. The scale may be arbitrarily set according to the resolution of the input video.

<Generation Example of Image Piece Word Histogram in Histogram Generation Unit 15>
Next, an example of generating an image fragment word histogram of each shot of the processing target video 24 in the histogram generation unit 15 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the histogram generation means. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a flow of generating an image fragment word histogram.

  The histogram generation unit 15 calculates the H-MIPW for each shot of the processing target video 24 based on the multiscale image piece word (MIPWord). Note that the division processing into shot units for generating the shot ST input to the histogram generation unit 15 is performed by the shot division unit 14, for example, an existing cut change point detection method (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-83894). However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  The above-described cut change point detection method generates, for example, a luminance or color histogram of each of the first and second images, and is a space that represents the correlation between the spatial arrangements of the first and second images. A correlation image is generated, and a histogram similarity that is a similarity between the histogram of the first image and the histogram of the second image is calculated. In addition, a spatial correlation image similarity that is a similarity between the spatial correlation image of the first image and the spatial correlation image of the second image is calculated, and the first correlation is calculated based on the histogram similarity and the spatial correlation image similarity. It is determined whether the boundary between the image and the second image is a cut change. The histogram similarity is, for example, the overlapping rate between histograms. The spatial correlation image similarity is, for example, the absolute difference or the difference 2 calculated while shifting the relative positions of the whole or a part of the respective spatial correlation images of the first image and the second image. This is the minimum value of multiplication.

In the example of FIG. 7, the histogram generation means 15 firstly has a histogram H = {h [1, 1] having the same number as the number of vectors w {i, k} constituting MIPWord (W) generated from each scale. ],..., H [i, k],..., H [N _d , K _Nd ]} are prepared in advance (S21), and each element is set to an initial value 0 (S22).

Next, the histogram generation unit 15 samples a frame image at predetermined intervals (for example, T frames) from the shot series 25 divided by the shot division unit 14 (S23). Next, the histogram generation means 15 divides each sampled frame image into blocks on one or a plurality of scales (S24). The scale at this time may be, for example, the same scale as S11 described above (scale 1 (n _W1 × n _W1 ),..., Scale N _d (n _WNd × N _HNd ). Of a plurality of scales (for example, five types) obtained by the processing, a predetermined number (for example, three types) of scales may be used.

Next, the histogram generation means 15 calculates a feature vector for each block image obtained by the process of S24, similarly to the process of S12 described above (S25). Next, each element of the histogram H is added at each scale i (i = 1,..., N _d ) (S26). In the processing of S26, for example, among the vectors v [i, k] (k = 1,..., K _i ) of MIPWord (W), the one having the highest similarity with the feature vector of the block image is represented by v [ i, k ′]. In the process of S26, 1 is added to the element h [i, k ′] of the histogram H corresponding to the feature vector v [i, k ′] having the highest similarity.

Here, the histogram generation means 15 determines whether or not the above-described addition processing of each element has been performed for all block images (S27). If the processing has not been performed (NO in S27), the process returns to S26. The addition of each element is performed on the scale where addition is not performed. In addition, when the above-described addition processing of each element is performed on all block images (YES in S27), the histogram generation unit 15 divides each element of the histogram H by the total number of sampled frame images (S28) and calculates. The histogram H = {h [1, 1],..., H [i, k],..., H [N _d , K _Nd ]} is taken as H-MIPW of the shot sequence 25, and storage means ( For example, it is stored in the image fragment word histogram 26) (S29).

The example of FIG. 8 shows the flow of processing when the block division scale N _d = 2 for the multiscale image fragment word histogram generation processing shown in FIG. 7 described above, but the number of block division scales is limited to this. Is not to be done. In the example of FIG. 8, a frame image is sampled at a predetermined interval (T) for each scene S (for example, a shot sequence ST composed of a plurality of shots) included in the processing target video 24, and is divided into a plurality of scales.

  In the example of FIG. 8, the feature vector of each divided block is acquired, and based on the acquired feature vector, the feature vector of each block is compared with the MIPWord (W) generated by the image fragment word generation unit 13. The vector v [j, k] of w closest to is obtained, and the corresponding h [j, k] is added. Thereby, the H-MIPW of the scene S can be acquired as shown in the example of FIG. Therefore, in this embodiment, feature information for each scene can be extracted, and image classification can be performed quickly and appropriately. Therefore, high-accuracy scene generation can be realized by integrating shots based on the amount of change in the image fragment word histogram calculated for each shot of each video file.

<Example of Scene Series Generation in Scene Series Generation Unit 16>
Next, an example of scene generation in the scene series generation unit 16 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the scene generation process. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an outline of scene generation.

In the example of FIG. 9, the scene sequence generation means 16 includes a shot sequence 25 (ST ₁ ,..., ST _{N_ST} ) of a processing target video 24 (for example, a program video), and an image fragment word histogram 26 (H ₁ ,..., H _{N_ST} ), and binarizes each element of each image fragment histogram H _i (i = 1, 2,..., N_ST) with a preset binarization threshold value. _i (S31).

  In the processing of S31, as shown in the example of FIG. 10, a binarization threshold for binarization is set in advance, and the appearance ratio of the above-described image piece histogram is equal to or higher than the preset binarization threshold. Judgment is based on whether or not there is. In the example of FIG. 10, binarization is performed with “1” when the appearance ratio is equal to or higher than the binarization threshold, and “0” when the appearance ratio is less than the binarization threshold. Is not to be done.

Then, the scene sequence generating unit 16 sets 1 to the initial value of the variable k indicating a break of a scene, add shot ST ₁ to the scene SN _k. Also, a variable n = 2 indicating the position of the shot to be linked is defined, and N = MIN (N_BK, the number of shots belonging to the scene SN _k ) is defined. Note that MIN (a, b) represents “the minimum value of a and b”.

Next, the scene series generation means 16 merges the binary data B _n−N , B _{n−N + 1} ,..., B _n−1 with OR to generate the integrated binary data B _M (S32). . In the example of FIG. 10, an example in the case of N_BK = 3 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The above-mentioned OR merge means that each binary data is compared in order from the first bit, and when the two binary data compared are “0” and “0”, “0” is set and “0” is set. “1” and “1” and “1” and “1” are set to “1”, but the merge method is not limited to this.

Next, the scene series generation unit 16 calculates a scene series parameter R (S33). The scene series parameter R is a parameter for determining whether or not the shot is included in the immediately preceding scene. As a method for calculating the scene series parameter R, for example, “R = (the number of flags being“ 1 ”in both B _n and B _M ) / (the number of flags being“ 1 ”in Bn)” can be calculated. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

Next, the scene series generation means 16 compares the scene series parameter R obtained in the process of S23 with a preset threshold value R _TH, and as shown in the example of FIG. It is determined whether or not it is greater than _TH (S34). When the scene series parameter R is equal to or greater than the threshold value R _TH (YES in S34), the scene series generation unit 16 determines that there is no scene change in the shot ST _n to be determined, and sets ST _n as the current scene series SN _k. (S35). In the process of S35, for example, the determination target shot _Sn is connected to the end of the immediately preceding scene series.

Further, the scene sequence generating means 16, (in S34, NO) when the scene sequence parameter R is less than the threshold value _{R TH,} determines that the scene change has occurred in the shot ST _n of determination target, as k = k + 1, ST _n Then, a new scene SN _k is generated (S36).

  Next, the scene series generation unit 16 determines whether or not the scene series generation process has been completed for all shots included in the processing target video 24 (S37). In the process of S37, for example, if n = n + 1 and n> N_ST, it is determined that the process is completed, and if n ≦ N_ST, it is determined that the process is not completed.

When the scene series generation process is not completed in the process of S37 (NO in S37), the scene series generation unit 16 returns to S33 and processes the next shot. If the scene series generation process has been completed for all shots (YES in S37), the scene series generation unit 16 outputs the scene series and ends the process (S38). In the process of S38, the scene series 27 (SN ₁ ,..., SN _{N_SN} ) is output.

In the above-described example, each element of each image fragment histogram H _i (i = 1, 2,..., N_ST) is binarized with a preset binarization threshold value to generate binary data B _i . For example, multi-value data may be generated. Here, FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an outline of scene generation when multi-value data is used.

  In this case, in the process of S31 of the scene series generation process shown in the example of FIG. 9 described above, the scene series generation unit 16 converts each element of each image fragment histogram into K values (for example, multi-values of 3 or more). . Note that multi-leveling in the present embodiment may include the above-described binarization.

  In the process of S22, the scene series generation unit 16 merges the K-valued data (K value data) and generates integrated K value data (integrated multi-value data).

The above-described processing will be specifically described. The scene series generation unit 16 converts each element of each image fragment histogram H _i (i = 1, 2,..., N_ST) into a K value with a preset K value threshold. , This K value data B _i = {b _i [1,1], b _i [1,2],..., B _i [N_R, K _{N_R} ]}. Incidentally, i = 1,2, ..., subscript N_ST and _{b i} [j, k] is the image piece word generated by the image piece word generating means 13 W = {v [1,1] , v [1, 2],..., V [N_R, K _{N_R} ]}, and b _i [j, k] = (integer value of 0 to K−1). When K = 5, the value is a data string that can have numerical values of “0”, “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4”.

Then, the scene sequence generating means 16, as described above, the initial values k = 1, putting shots ST ₁ to the scene SN _k, and n = 2, N = MIN ( N_BK, belonging to the scene SNk shot Number).

Next, as shown in the example of FIG. 11, the scene series generation unit 16 sets the following K value data B _n−N = {b _n−N [1,1], b _{n that is N} times backward from the current shot. _−N [1,2],..., B _n−N [N_R, K _{N_R} ]}
B _{n−N + 1} = {b _{n−N + 1} [1,1], b _{n−N + 1} [1,2],..., B _{n−N + 1} [N_R, K _{N_R} ]}
...
B _n−1 = {b _n−1 [1,1], b _n−1 [1,2],..., B _n−1 [N_R, K _{N_R} ]}
The _{"B M = {b M [1,1} ], b M [1,2], ···, b M [N_R, K N_R]} " integration to integrate K value data _{B M} as get. However, b _M [j, k] = MAX (b _n−N [j, k], b _{n−N + 1} [j, k],..., B _n−1 [j, k]). MAX (a1, a2,..., AN) represents “the maximum value among a1, a2,.

Next, as shown in the example of FIG. 11, the scene series generation unit 16 uses Bn = {b _n [1,1], b _n [1,2],..., B _n [N_R, K _{N_R} ]. } to generate the following B _'M by comparing each element of B _M.
B ′ _M = {b ′ _M [1,1], b ′ _M [1,2],..., B ′ _M [N_R, K _{N_R} ]}
However, when bn [j, k]> 0, b ′ _M [j, k] = b _M [j, k], and when bn [j, k] = 0, b ′ _M [j, k] = 0. j, k] = 0.

Then, the scene sequence generating means 16, as shown in the example of FIG. 11, calculates the following R from Bn and B _{'M.
R = (b 'M [1,1} ] + b' M [1,2] + ... + b 'M [N_R, K N_R]) / (b n [1,1] + b n [1,2] + ... + b _n [N_R, K _{N_R} ])
Next, as described above, the scene series generation means 16 compares the scene series generation parameter R with the threshold value R _TH and, as shown in the example of FIG. 11, the scene series generation parameter R is _{equal to} or greater than the threshold value R _TH (R If ≧ R _TH ), it is determined that there is no scene change in shot ST _n and ST _n is entered into scene SN _k . If the scene sequence generation parameter R is not equal to or greater than the threshold value R _TH , the scene sequence generation means 16 determines that a scene change has occurred in the shot ST _n , sets k = k + 1, and sets a new scene SN _k at ST _n. Generate. If n = n + 1 and n> N_ST, the scene series generation unit 16 determines that the scene series generation process is finished, outputs the scene series, and otherwise returns to the above-described process of S33. . Thereby, the scene series generation means 16 can output an appropriate scene series 27 (SN ₁ ,..., SN _{N_SN} ) for the processing target video 24 (V).

  As described above, this embodiment can show the superiority of this embodiment using words based on image pieces (block images) instead of local features (Color-SIFT). Further, it can be seen that the image pieces preferably generate multiple scales. According to the present embodiment, by using H-MIPW, a scene series can be generated with high accuracy based on the similarity of video contents.

  Here, FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scene series generation result in the present embodiment. In the example of FIG. 12, an example of a frame image corresponding to a plurality of shots (for example, shots 1 to 14) is shown. In the present embodiment, the above-described image processing (for example, scene series generation processing) is applied to the processing target video 24 including a plurality of shots as illustrated in FIG. The scenes can be segmented with high accuracy by “appropriate change points of the situation and the situation)”.

  In the example of FIG. 12, shots 1 to 5 are generated as scene 1, shots 6 to 8 are generated as scene 2, shot 9 is generated as scene 3, and shots 10 to 14 are generated as scene 4. However, the generation result of the scene series is not limited to this. That is, in the scene series in the present embodiment, each scene has at least one shot.

<Execution program>
Here, the above-described image processing apparatus 10 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a volatile storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a nonvolatile storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a mouse and a keyboard. It can be configured by a computer having an input device such as a pointing device, a display device for displaying images and data, and an interface device for communicating with the outside.

  Therefore, the above-described functions of the image processing apparatus 10 can be realized by causing the CPU to execute a program describing these functions. These programs can also be stored and distributed in a recording medium such as a magnetic disk (floppy (registered trademark) disk, hard disk, etc.), an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.), or a semiconductor memory.

  That is, by generating an execution program (image processing program) for causing a computer to execute the processing in each configuration described above and installing the program in, for example, a general-purpose personal computer or server, the image processing in the present embodiment, etc. Can be realized.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, a highly accurate scene sequence can be generated. According to the present embodiment, for example, a scene series can be generated with higher accuracy than conventional methods in a program video or the like. Also, in the present embodiment, for example, an “image fragment word histogram” for each shot of each video file is calculated, and shots are integrated based on the amount of change to generate a scene, thereby generating a highly accurate scene sequence. can do.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, for example, feature information for each scene included in a video can be appropriately acquired, and similarity can be quickly acquired by appropriate scene classification based on the feature information. Therefore, it is possible to realize a highly accurate scene search based on the similarity of the image features of the entire scene.

  The preferred embodiment has been described in detail above, but the disclosed technique is not limited to the specific embodiment, and various modifications, within the scope of the disclosed technique described in the claims, It can be changed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image processing apparatus 11 Sampling acquisition means 12 Division | segmentation block setting means 13 Image piece word production | generation means (block characteristic information production | generation means)
14 Shot division means 15 Histogram generation means 16 Scene series generation means 21 Preparation video set 22 Preparation frame image set 23 Image fragment word 24 Processing target image 25 Shot sequence 26 Image fragment word histogram 27 Scene sequence

Claims (6)

In an image processing apparatus that generates a scene series from video,
Sampling acquisition means for sampling a predetermined frame image from a sample video;
Block feature information generating means for dividing each frame image obtained by the sampling acquisition means for each one or a plurality of scales and generating feature information for each divided block image;
Shot dividing means for dividing the processing target video for generating the scene series for each shot;
Histogram generating means for generating a histogram based on the appearance ratio of the block image corresponding to the block image obtained by the block feature information generating means for each shot divided by the shot dividing means;
An image processing apparatus comprising: a scene series generation unit that generates a scene series for the processing target video using the histogram generated by the histogram generation unit.   2. The image according to claim 1, further comprising: a divided block setting unit that sets at least one of a size, a type, and a number of one or a plurality of blocks generated by the block feature information generation unit. Processing equipment. The scene series generation means includes
Based on the integrated multi-value data obtained by multi-value each element of the histogram for each shot generated by the histogram generation means with a numerical value of 2 or more and merging the multi-value data string for each shot The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a divided part of the scene series is determined. The scene series generation means includes
4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein multi-value processing is performed by comparing an appearance ratio for each block image in the histogram for each shot and a preset threshold value or a plurality of threshold values.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the feature information is a color feature or a texture feature. Computer
An image processing program for functioning as each unit of the image processing apparatus according to claim 1.