Data describing method and data processor

• US 6,996,171 B1
• Filed: 01/27/2000
• Issued: 02/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Matsubara, Hiroshi, Walker, Toby
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, TUNG T
• Application Number:
  US09/647,265
• Time in Patent Office: 2,203 Days
• Field of Search: 375/240.09, 375/240.01, 375/240.1, 375/240.11, 375/240.12, 345/723, 345/745, 345/473, 382/199, 382/100, 382/232, 382/190, 382/173, 382/165, 386/46, 707/102, 348/722
• US Class Current: 375/240.09
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/28 by using information signals recorded by the same method as the main recording G11B27/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/329 on a disc [VTOC]
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D

Abstract

As a unit element for defining a describing procedure for description of a feature data characteristic of the content of a video data, a descriptor is formed in a description format structured to have its attribute as lower-level element and which may include other descriptor as attribute. That is, the description format for the descriptor consists of a feature indicative of a descriptor or attribute as lower level element, and a feature type indicative of the data type of the feature.

Claims

1. A signal describing method for describing feature data characteristic of input data, comprising the steps of:

dividing said input data into a plurality of segments;

calculating features of a respective segment, wherein a color feature is calculated by denoting a color histogram;

measuring similarities between segments based on their calculated features;

grouping said segments into scenes based on their calculated features and measured similarities;

generating feature data corresponding to said scenes;

transmitting said feature data with said input data,

wherein said feature data is described using descriptors each having its attributes defined as lower-level elements;

establishing a dissimilarity threshold by a user-defined setting or an automated setting; and

establishing a temporal threshold as a maximum interval between two segments on a time base,

wherein two segments that have a time gap that exceeds the temporal threshold are determined to be in different scenes.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the input data includes at least one of visual data and audio data included in a video data.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the descriptor is generated to inherit functions from a higher-class descriptor including the capability of structuring.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the attribute as the lower-level element is structured by defining the attribute of the descriptor and/or a special attribute.

5. A data processor for generating feature data characteristic of input data, comprising:

dividing means for dividing said input data into a plurality of segments;

calculating means for calculating features of a respective segment, said calculating means being operable to calculate a color feature denoting a color histogram;

measuring means for measuring similarities between segments based on their calculated features;

grouping means for grouping said segments into scenes based on their calculated features and measured similarities;

generating means for generating feature data corresponding to said scene;

transmitting means for transmitting said feature data with said input data,

wherein said feature data is described using descriptors each having its attributes defined as lower-level elements;

means for establishing a dissimilarity threshold by a user-defined setting or an automated setting; and

means for establishing a temporal threshold as a maximum interval between two segments on a time base,

wherein two segments that have a time gap that exceeds the temporal threshold are determined to be in different scenes.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the input data includes at least one of visual data and audio data included in a video data.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the descriptor is generated to inherit functions from a higher-class descriptor including the capability of structuring.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the attribute as the lower-level element is structured by defining the attribute of the descriptor and/or a special attribute.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein the feature data is sent along with the input data to an external apparatus.

10. A data processor for utilizing feature data characteristic of input data, comprising:

dividing means for dividing said input data into a plurality of segments;

calculating means for calculating features of a respective segment, said calculating means being operable to calculate a color feature denoting a color histogram;

measuring means for measuring similarities between segments based on their calculated features;

grouping means for grouping said segments into scenes based on their calculated features and measured similarities;

generating means for generating feature data corresponding to said scene;

transmitting means for transmitting said feature data with said input data;

means for restoring a feature of the input data using feature data described with descriptors each having its attributes defined as lower-level elements;

means for establishing a dissimilarity threshold by a user-defined setting or an automated setting; and

means for establishing a temporal threshold as a maximum interval between two segments on a time base,

wherein two segments that have a time gap that exceeds the temporal threshold are determined to be in different scenes.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the input data includes at least one of visual data and audio data included in a video data.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the descriptor is generated to inherit functions from a higher-class descriptor including the capability of structuring.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the attribute as the lower-level element is structured by defining the attribute of the descriptor and/or a special attribute.

14. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein the feature data is received along with the input data from an external apparatus.