Method and apparatus for locating a caption-added frame in a moving picture signal
First Claim
1. A moving picture search apparatus comprising:
- first means for dividing every frame represented by a moving picture signal into blocks;
second means for calculating a number of pixels forming portions of a caption in each of the blocks;
third means for comparing the number of pixels which is calculated by the second means with a threshold value;
fourth means for, when the calculated number of pixels is equal to or greater than the threshold value, deciding that the related block is a caption-containing block;
fifth means for detecting a time interval related to the moving picture signal during which every frame represented by the moving picture signal has a caption-containing block decided by the fourth means; and
sixth means for selecting a 1-frame-corresponding segment of the moving picture signal which represents a caption-added frame present in the time interval detected by the fifth means.
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Abstract
Every frame represented by a moving picture signal is divided into blocks. Calculation is made as to a number of pixels forming portions of a caption in each of the blocks. The calculated number of pixels is compared with a threshold value. When the calculated number of pixels is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is decided that the related block is a caption-containing block. Detection is made as to a time interval related to the moving picture signal during which every frame represented by the moving picture signal has a caption-containing block. A 1-frame-corresponding segment of the moving picture signal is selected which represents a caption-added frame present in the detected time interval.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A moving picture search apparatus comprising:
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first means for dividing every frame represented by a moving picture signal into blocks;
second means for calculating a number of pixels forming portions of a caption in each of the blocks;
third means for comparing the number of pixels which is calculated by the second means with a threshold value;
fourth means for, when the calculated number of pixels is equal to or greater than the threshold value, deciding that the related block is a caption-containing block;
fifth means for detecting a time interval related to the moving picture signal during which every frame represented by the moving picture signal has a caption-containing block decided by the fourth means; and
sixth means for selecting a 1-frame-corresponding segment of the moving picture signal which represents a caption-added frame present in the time interval detected by the fifth means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
means for deciding whether or not caption-containing blocks decided by the fourth means are successive along one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction in a predetermined range;
means for deciding whether or not caption-containing blocks of a same position which are decided by the fourth means are successive in at least a given number of frames;
means for, when the caption-containing blocks decided by the fourth means are successive along one of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction in the predetermined range and the caption-containing blocks of the same position which are decided by the fourth means are successive in at least the given number of frames, deciding that the related area is a caption area;
means for detecting a second time interval during which every frame represented by the moving picture signal has a caption area; and
means for selecting a 1-frame-corresponding segment of the moving picture signal which represents a caption-containing frame present in the second time interval.
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8. A moving picture search apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising:
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means for dividing every frame represented by the moving picture signal into zones;
means for calculating a number of frames having caption areas for each of the zones related to all the selected 1-frame-corresponding segments of the moving picture signal;
means for detecting a maximum number among the calculated numbers for the respective zones; and
means for selecting one of the 1-frame-corresponding segments of the moving picture signal which relates to the maximum number as a typical frame.
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9. A moving picture search apparatus as recited in claim 7, further comprising:
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means for designating one of the zones; and
means for selecting one of the 1-frame-corresponding segments of the moving picture signal which represents a caption-added frame having a caption area in the designed zone as a typical frame.
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10. A method comprising the steps of:
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a) dividing every frame represented by a moving picture signal into blocks;
b) calculating a number of pixels forming portions of a caption in each of the blocks;
c) comparing the number of pixels which is calculated by the step b) with a threshold value;
d) when the calculated number of pixels is equal to or greater than the threshold value, deciding that the related block is a caption-containing block;
e) detecting a time interval related to the moving picture signal during which every frame represented by the moving picture signal has a caption-containing block decided by the step d); and
f) selecting a 1-frame-corresponding segment of the moving picture signal which represents a caption-added frame present in the time interval detected by the step e).
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Specification