JP3640615B2 - Digest creation device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a digest creation device that creates a digest from video or audio information or the like, and to a technique for creating a digest of a length or content desired by a user using predetermined information added to video signal or audio signal software. Involved.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, various video software such as VTRs and DVDs have been provided, and opportunities for recording television programs have increased. Viewing all such video data requires a limited amount of time, and it is necessary to grasp the video content in a short time and determine whether it should be viewed. Therefore, there has been proposed a digest that allows the user to easily grasp the contents.
[0003]
The digest video creation in the prior art is performed as disclosed in JP-A-8-294083, JP-A-9-284698, JP-A-10-232984, and JP-A-11-88807. There is disclosed a technique of extracting scenes having high importance from recorded videos and connecting them based on a criterion preset in a creation apparatus. However, in this case, since the digest video extraction criteria are set in advance, there is a drawback that a digest video different from the user's interests and requests is created.
[0004]
Therefore, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-238071, predetermined attribute information (for example, importance) is added to a scene that forms stream information including video, audio, and the like, and a preset reference and adjustment specified by the user are performed. A method has been proposed in which scenes are extracted from attribute information and connected to each other in consideration of values.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in any of the above-described digest videos, the created digest is a continuous and short time of still images, so the purpose of auditioning the digest video is to check the contents of movies, dramas, etc. If you are interested in the content of the video, you are limited to checking the results.
[0006]
Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of such problems of the conventional technology, and its purpose is to allow the user to arbitrarily and simply set the digest time and content according to their preferences. An object of the present invention is to provide a digest creation device that can create a more accurate digest. It is another object of the present invention to provide a digest creation apparatus that can suppress a section to be cut off without selecting a playback speed and play back as much as possible and create a digest in a form that retains the original contents.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In the present invention, in order to create a digest by selecting stream information, a user inputs information acquisition means for acquiring digest creation information added to the stream information and a part of the conditions for creating the digest A condition input means for setting, a time schedule creation means for creating a time schedule by setting all creation conditions including a time for playing a digest based on the created creation information and the created creation condition, Digest generating means for generating and outputting a digest from stream information based on the time schedule,The creation condition includes playing back audio or subtitles independently from video, and the digest creation means plays back the audio or subtitles independently from video during digest playback. The creation conditions include standard speed reproduction and several times speed reproduction, and the digest creation means can perform several times speed reproduction. Furthermore, the playback speed can be varied in the multiple speed playback.
[0009]
In addition, the present invention is characterized by comprising means for displaying the contents of the time schedule created by the time schedule creating means, and the user can check the displayed time schedule.
[0010]
Further, in the present invention, when the digest playback time is input by the condition input unit, the time schedule generating unit is configured so that the actual playback time of the digest is closest to the input playback time. It is characterized by setting conditions.
[0011]
Further, according to the present invention, the digest creation information includes information indicating importance of video, audio, or subtitles, and the time schedule creation means receives a creation condition indicating importance from the condition input means If the digest playback time is selected from the selected stream information and the digest playback time is input from the condition input means, the playback time is closest. It is characterized by determining importance.
[0012]
Further, according to the present invention, the digest creation information includes information indicating the presence or absence of audio or subtitles, and the time schedule creation means does not select or reproduce the stream information of a portion where there is no audio or subtitles. The creation condition is set in
[0013]
Further, according to the present invention, the digest creation information includes information indicating a continuation of similar videos, and the time schedule creation means does not select stream information of continuous parts of similar videos or reproduces them at several times speed The creation conditions are set as described above.
[0014]
Further, the present invention is characterized in that, when an instruction for normal reproduction of stream information is input, normal reproduction is given priority over digest reproduction.
[0015]
According to this configuration, since the setting means for setting the creation condition including the digest time to be created or the details of the digest is provided, it is possible to create a digest that matches the user's preference.
[0016]
In addition, by using digest creation information, creation conditions, and the availability of use of multiple speed playback, it becomes possible to create a time schedule, and to create a digest that more accurately matches the user's preference It is possible to select a playback speed and suppress a section that is discarded without being played back as much as possible, and to create a digest in a form that retains the original contents.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a digest creation apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a playback device such as a VTR or DVD recording / playback device, and reference numeral 2 denotes a display device including a display device, a speaker, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1, the digest creation device 3 is installed between a separate playback device 1 and a display device 2.
The digest creation device 3 includes a memory 13 for storing each information, a control unit 15 for controlling each unit, a schedule creation unit 16 for creating a time schedule by setting all creation conditions for creating a digest, and a user Input means 23 for inputting digest creation conditions, digest information acquisition means 24 for acquiring digest creation information added from stream information reproduced from the playback device 1, and digest creation means for creating and outputting a digest based on a time schedule 25.
[0018]
The memory 13 includes a digest creation information storage unit 13a, a digest schedule storage unit 13b, a setting condition storage unit 13c, and the like. The input unit 23 includes an input device 23 such as a remote controller or a keyboard, an input interface unit 21, and a setting condition processing unit 18. The digest information acquisition unit 24 includes a data slicer 11 and a data decoder 12. The digest creating means 25 includes a video signal processing unit 14, an OSD output unit 17, a video output unit 19, and an audio output unit 20.
[0019]
The digest creation device 3 takes in the digest creation information added to the stream information (video, audio, caption information) from the playback device 1, and the user inputs the creation conditions, and the digest creation information and the creation conditions are input. Create a time schedule to play the digest according to Then, the stream information is reproduced on the display device 2 according to the time schedule.
[0020]
The stream information played back by the playback device 1 is information such as video, audio, subtitles, etc., and is recorded software for sales and rental or broadcast programs. This stream information is stored in a storage medium such as a video tape or a DVD. Further, the stream information includes information necessary for creating a digest in advance. For example, information indicating the importance of video, audio, and subtitles, information indicating the presence / absence of video, audio, and subtitles.
[0021]
In addition, it is desirable that the data related to the digest creation information is inserted in a lump at the beginning of the software, but considering the case where the above data is inserted in a portion other than the beginning or in several places, a lump of the above It is desirable to insert a label indicating the start point of data at the beginning of the data. As the label indicating the starting point, a label that can be detected even if playback is performed at a fast forward speed in order to shorten the data detection time is employed. In addition, when the data is inserted in several places in the software, it is possible to distinguish the end point label of each place from the end point label of the final place, or data indicating the number of the above data collectively Insert. It is most desirable that data indicating the insertion position of the data is inserted at the beginning of the software. In this case, the control unit 15 can instruct the playback device 1 to skip or the like, and can quickly extract and store data.
[0022]
Now, assume that the user presses a digest creation key from the input device 22 to create a digest. This signal is input to the control unit 15 via the input interface unit 21. The control unit 15 controls the OSD output unit 17 to form a composite screen output in the video output unit 19, displays a setting input screen on the display device 2, and controls the setting condition processing unit 18 to a setting receiving state. .
[0023]
The user inputs a part of the digest creation conditions using the input device 22 of the input means 23 while looking at the setting input screen. Information on conditions input via the input device 22 is supplied to the setting condition processing unit 18 via the input interface unit 21. The setting condition processing unit 18 supplies information indicating the digest creation conditions to the memory 13 and stores the information in the setting condition accumulation unit 13c.
[0024]
Further, the control unit 15 sends a playback instruction to the playback device 1, and the playback device 1 plays back the stream information. The video signal output from the playback device 1 is supplied to the data slicer 11 of the digest creation information acquisition unit 24, and the output of the data slicer 11 is supplied to the data decoder 12 and decoded. In this way, the digest creation information related to the above-described digest creation is separated and extracted. The separated and extracted digest creation information is supplied to the memory 13 and stored in the digest creation information storage unit 13a.
Data indicating a label indicating the end of the data is inserted at the end point of the data of the digest creation information, and the control unit 15 detects the data indicating the end and instructs the playback device 1 to stop playback. Send and end the acquisition of digest creation information.
[0025]
The schedule creation unit 16 sets digest creation conditions such as a playback time, a playback speed, and stream information to be selected based on the digest creation conditions and digest creation information set as described above, and a digest time schedule. Create The time schedule created in the schedule creation unit 16 is supplied to the memory 13 and stored in the digest schedule storage unit 13b.
[0026]
When the digest is reproduced, the user performs a predetermined operation for performing the digest reproduction on the input device 22. Upon receiving this operation signal, the control unit 15 reads the time schedule stored in the digest schedule storage unit 13c of the memory 13, and controls the playback device 1 according to the read time schedule. In the playback device 1, the video signal reproduced from the stream information selected as the digest is supplied to the video signal processing unit 14 of the digest creating means 25, and from there to the video output unit 19.
[0027]
Also, the reproduced subtitle information is supplied to the OSD output unit 17 of the digest creation means 25, and is output from there to the video output unit 19, where it is combined with the output of the video signal processing unit 14. This synthesized screen output is supplied to the display device 2, and a digest video and subtitles are displayed.
Also, the reproduced audio information is supplied to the audio output unit 20 of the digest creating means 25 and is output to the display device 2 so that the display device 2 generates audio. Thus, the display device 2 displays and outputs a digest including video, audio, and subtitles. At the time of digest playback, when the operation button for the operation input unit of the playback device 1 or the playback device 1 of the input device 22 is pressed, the control unit 15 instructs the pressed button from the playback operation of the digest. Give priority to action.
[0028]
Next, the digest reproduction operation and the time schedule creation operation in the digest creation device 3 will be described in more detail.
When the user performs a predetermined operation on the input device 22, the control unit 15 controls the video output unit 19 to display the menu display 31 on the display device 2 as shown in FIG. For example, when the user selects the digest setting 32 by operating the up and down cursor keys and the confirmation key of the input device 22, the control unit 15 indicates whether or not digest reproduction is possible and setting selection as shown in FIG. The display 33 is displayed on the display device 2.
[0029]
FIG. 2B shows a state where “Digest: ON” is selected. In this state, the playback device 1 performs a playback operation according to the time schedule created according to the digest creation conditions. In this state, the user instructs the playback device 1 to perform operations such as playback, rewind, and fast forward using the operation buttons of the operation input unit of the playback device 1 and the operation buttons of the external control unit. can do.
As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the selection made on the display 33 is made easy to understand for the user by the mower marker 34.
[0030]
Whether or not the digest playback is possible is switched from “digest: ON” to “digest: OFF” and “digest: OFF” to “digest: ON” by operating the left and right cursor keys of the input device 22, for example. Selected. In the “Digest: OFF” state, the digest playback operation is not executed, and playback, rewind, fast forward, and other operations are performed using the operation buttons of the operation input unit of the playback device 1 and the operation buttons of the external control unit. Only an instruction can be given to the device 1.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 3A, it is assumed that “time setting” is selected on the display 33. The control unit 15 displays the time setting screen 35 shown in FIG. An input space 36 for setting time is provided on the upper side of the time setting screen 35, and the details of the digest are displayed on the lower side. As shown in FIG. 3B, the details of the digest creation conditions are provided with items of normal playback time, digest setting time, digest playback time, importance, and use of double speed playback.
[0032]
The user uses the input device 22 to move the cursor to the upper input space 36 and input the digest reproduction time. The digest time may be input by either a method in which the user directly inputs with the numeric keypad or a method in which a number is selected with the up / down cursor keys or the like.
[0033]
The input time data is stored in the setting condition storage unit 13c of the memory 13 via the input interface unit 21 and the setting condition processing unit 18, and is also sent to the control unit 15 so that the upper space of the time setting screen 35 is displayed. 36. This input time data is input from the memory 13 to the schedule creation unit 16. At the same time, digest creation information is input from the digest creation information storage unit 13 to the schedule creation unit 16. Thus, the schedule creation unit 16 automatically sets the details of the digest creation conditions so as to be closest to the input time data, and creates a time schedule. The time schedule data is stored in the digest schedule storage unit 13 b and simultaneously sent to the control unit 15 and displayed in the lower part of the time setting display screen 35.
[0034]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen 35 showing this specific example.
The set time entered by the user is 90 min, the normal play time of the software that is the digest creation target is 132 min, and the digest play time set by the schedule creation unit 16 is 86 min. Furthermore, the condition set by the schedule creation unit 16 is that the display importance level 3 or lower is deleted, and the video and audio are used for double speed reproduction. In order to set the actual digest setting time to 86 min, the schedule creation unit 16 performs the following operation.
[0035]
Here, the numerical value shown in the importance on the time setting screen is assigned to 10 levels with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest for each screen (scene) formed by software. Information indicating this importance is added to stream information corresponding to each screen, and this information is stored as digest creation information in the digest creation information storage unit 13a.
[0036]
The operation in which the schedule creation unit 16 sets detailed digest creation conditions will be described below.
First, the lower limit of the importance of stream information to be selected is varied from 1 to 10, and the playback time of the selected stream information is calculated. At this time, it is also determined whether or not to perform double speed reproduction. Among them, a condition that is closest to the set time 90 min is adopted. In addition, when it is difficult to delete due to the context of the screen to be deleted or due to the convenience of the playback device 1 or when it is inefficient, it will not be deleted even if the screen is below the importance criterion. A digest is created.
[0037]
When changing from the setting state shown in FIG. 4, the detailed setting on the time setting screen 35 is selected. FIG. 5 shows an example when the time setting screen 35 shown in FIG. 4 is switched to the detailed setting screen 37. As shown in FIG. 5, in this case, the details of the digest creation conditions are displayed on the upper side, the digest time is displayed on the lower side, and the detailed settings can be changed.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 6A, it is assumed that “detailed setting” is selected on the display 33. The control unit 15 displays the time setting screen 37 shown in FIG. On the upper side of the time setting screen 37, an input space 39 of importance, which is a detailed creation condition, is provided, and input spaces 39, 40 indicating whether to use double-speed playback are provided. The normal playback time and digest playback time are displayed on the lower side.
[0039]
The user uses the input device 22 to move the cursor to each of the input spaces 37, 38, and 39 to perform an input operation. The condition data is stored in the setting condition accumulation unit 13c of the memory 13 via the input interface unit 21 and the setting condition processing unit 18, and is simultaneously sent to the control unit 15 to be the upper space 37 in the time setting screen 35. , 38, 39. The input condition data is input from the memory 13 to the schedule creation unit 16. At the same time, digest creation information is input from the digest creation information storage unit 13 to the schedule creation unit 16. In this way, the schedule creation unit 16 selects the stream information from the digest creation information based on the input condition data, and creates a time schedule. The time schedule data is stored in the digest schedule storage unit 13b and simultaneously sent to the control unit 15, and the digest playback time is displayed in the lower part of the display screen 35.
[0040]
FIG. 7 shows a specific example of the detail setting screen 37 in which the details of the digest creation conditions are input and set and selected as described above. As shown in FIG. 7, the input condition is that the importance is 5 and the double-speed playback is used. The time schedule created by the schedule creation unit 16 has a normal playback time of 123 min and a digest playback time of 57 min of the software that is the digest creation target.
[0041]
When changing from the setting state shown in FIG. 7, the detailed setting on the detailed setting screen 37 is selected. FIG. 8 shows an example when the detailed setting screen 37 shown in FIG. 7 is switched to the detailed setting screen 35. As shown in FIG. 8, in this case, as in the case described above, the digest time is displayed on the upper side, the details of the digest are displayed on the lower side, and the time setting can be changed.
[0042]
Further, in the description of the specific example described above, the case where the screen below the selection criterion of importance is deleted without being reproduced has been described, but in this embodiment, the screen below the criterion is deleted several times without deleting the screen. It is also possible to set it to be reproduced, and it is also possible to arbitrarily set the reproduction speed at several times different speeds.
[0043]
In this way, it is possible to more accurately create a digest that matches the user's preference, select the playback speed and suppress the section to be discarded without playback, and create the digest in a form that preserves the original content as much as possible. it can. In addition, since audio or subtitles are independent of video, it is possible to use video deletion or multi-speed playback without sacrificing audio and subtitles. While the digest is being played, the operation buttons of the playback device are enabled and the operation can be instructed by the external control unit, so that the usability is improved and the user can flexibly respond to the user's intention.
[0044]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the schedule creation unit 16 designates the period for standard reproduction based on the digest creation conditions and the digest creation information, and the stream information to be played at several times speed or the stream information not to be played back. The case of creating a digest time schedule has been described. Further, a continuous portion of similar video or a portion with less audio or subtitles is detected, and the schedule creation unit 16 takes into account this detection result and performs standard playback and multiple speed playback. It is also possible to create a digest time schedule by designating no playback. In this way, even when there is a lack of specific information related to digest creation, it is possible to generate information necessary for creating a digest time schedule by itself, and more accurately It is possible to create a digest that matches
[0045]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, when only one criterion for determining the degree of importance of the details of the digest is provided and a screen below the criterion is not reproduced, or a time schedule is created so as to reproduce several times faster However, it is also possible to divide the selection criteria for the importance into two parts, divide them into three types of normal reproduction, several times speed reproduction, and no reproduction, and create a time schedule by combining them. In addition, the playback speed may be increased as the lower importance screen continues in the section to be played at several times speed, and the playback speed may be automatically decreased as the higher importance screen continues. .
[0046]
Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which predetermined information related to digest creation includes information indicating the importance of video, audio, and subtitles, and information indicating the presence / absence of video, audio, and subtitles. However, instead of such information, it may be possible to include information instructing not to reproduce the target screen or to perform several times speed reproduction if the digest setting time is several minutes. Since the information directly corresponding to the set time is included in the target software side, the processing is simplified as compared with the case where the time schedule is created based on the selection criterion of importance. In addition, it is possible to create a time schedule by including both of these information and setting either one to be used, or creating a time schedule using both information. good.
[0047]
In the above-described embodiment, a time schedule for creating a digest is created according to the creation conditions set between the separate playback device 1 and the display device 2, and the time schedule is used. Although the case where the playback device 1 is controlled and a digest composed of video, audio, or subtitles is output using the display device 2 has been described, the playback device 1 and the display device 2 are not separated and may be integrated. good. In addition, a separate display device that displays only subtitles or a dedicated display device that performs display related to the setting of digest creation conditions may be provided.
[0048]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is obvious that the embodiments can be appropriately changed within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Further, the number, position, shape, and the like of the constituent members are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be set to a suitable number, position, and shape in carrying out the present invention. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the same components in the respective drawings.
[0049]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the user inputs an arbitrary digest creation condition using the input means, and the time schedule creation means sets other creation conditions based on the digest creation information and the created creation conditions. However, it is possible to arbitrarily and easily set the digest time and content according to the preference.
[0050]
Furthermore, according to the present invention, since audio or subtitles can be reproduced independently from video, video can be deleted or reproduced at several times speed without sacrificing audio or subtitles.
[0051]
Further, according to the present invention, both standard speed playback and several times speed playback can be used together, so that playback time can be shortened without sacrificing video. Furthermore, since the playback speed can be varied in the multiple-speed playback, a digest can be created without sacrificing the video as much as possible in accordance with the digest playback time set by the user.
[0052]
In addition, according to the present invention, since a means for displaying the contents of the time schedule is provided, the user can easily confirm it, can change the digest creation conditions from the condition input means, and can easily make fine adjustments. .
[0053]
Also, according to the present invention, the creation condition is set so that the actual playback time of the digest is closest to the playback time input by the user, so the user only has to input the playback time. Well, the operation can be simplified.
[0054]
Further, according to the present invention, the time schedule creation means sets the creation conditions in accordance with the digest creation information, so that it is not necessary for the user to set the details of the creation conditions, and the operation is simplified.
[0055]
According to the present invention, when a normal playback instruction for stream information is input, normal playback is prioritized over digest playback. Therefore, normal playback can be performed even during digest playback.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a digest creation apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a digest setting selection screen;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a digest time setting input screen;
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen when a specific digest time is set.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a change input screen for a detailed setting of digest creation conditions.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a setting input screen for setting details of digest creation conditions.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen when a specific setting of digest creation condition details is set.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a digest time change input screen;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Playback equipment
2 display devices
11 Data slicer
12 Data decoder
13 memory
14 Video signal processor
15 Control unit
16 Schedule creation department
17 OSD output section
18 Setting condition processing section
19 Video output section
20 Audio output unit
21 Input interface section
22 Input device
23 Input means
24 Digest creation information acquisition means
25 Digest creation means

Claims (9)

In order to create a digest by selecting stream information, an information acquisition unit that acquires digest creation information added to the stream information, and a condition input in which the user inputs a part of the conditions for creating the digest A time schedule creation means for creating a time schedule by setting all creation conditions including a time for reproducing a digest based on the created creation information and the creation conditions input and set; A digest generating means for generating and outputting a digest based on the stream information,
The creation condition includes playback of audio or subtitles independently from video, and the digest creation means plays back the audio or subtitles independently of video during digest playback. Creation device. 2. The digest creation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the creation conditions include standard speed reproduction and multiple speed reproduction, and the digest creation means is capable of performing multiple speed reproduction . The digest creation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a playback speed can be varied in the multiple-speed playback . The digest according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means for displaying contents of the time schedule created by the time schedule creation means, wherein the user can check the displayed time schedule. Creation device. When the digest playback time is input by the condition input unit, the time schedule generation unit sets the generation condition so that the actual playback time of the digest is closest to the input playback time. The digest production apparatus of any one of Claims 1-3 characterized by the above-mentioned. The digest creation information includes information indicating the importance of video, audio or subtitles,
The time schedule creation means includes:
When the creation condition indicating the importance is input from the condition input means, the stream information of the importance or higher is selected, and at the same time, the digest playback time is determined from the selected stream information,
The digest creation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when a digest reproduction time is input from the condition input unit, an importance level at which the reproduction time is closest is determined. . The digest creation information includes information indicating the presence or absence of audio or subtitles, and the time schedule creation means sets the creation conditions so as not to select or reproduce the stream information of a portion without audio or subtitles. The digest creation apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein The digest creation information includes information indicating the continuation of similar videos, and the time schedule creation means sets the creation conditions so as not to select stream information of continuous parts of similar videos or to play back several times faster. The digest creation apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein The digest creation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein when a normal reproduction instruction for stream information is input, normal reproduction is given priority over digest reproduction .

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