Digest creating method and device

• US 8,544,037 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2005
• Issued: 09/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Corporation of America (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Terada, Yoshihisa, Kasahara, Hiroshi, Nakada, Toru
• Primary Examiner(s): Goodarzi, Nasser
• Assistant Examiner(s): KAY, MARY ANNE
• Application Number:
  US11/572,957
• Publication Number:
  US 20080196058A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,983 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 725/32
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00086 Circuits for prevention of unauthorised reproduction or copying, e.g. piracy indicating unauthorised use of record carriers in general G11B23/28; scrambling for television signal recording H04N5/913; network architectures or network protocols for network security H04L63/00; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for secret or secure communication H04L9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 20/00797 wherein the usage restriction limits the number of times a content can be reproduced, e.g. using playback counters
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/102 Programmed access in sequence to addressed parts of tracks of operating record carriers access by moving the head G11B3/08, G11B5/54, G11B7/085, G11B21/022; by moving the record carrier G11B15/005, G11B17/005, by driving of both record carrier and head G11B15/1816
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/8205 involving the multiplexing of an additional signal and the colour video signal

Abstract

An apparatus includes an input unit to which replay information including a broadcasting section of a replay video and a reference section representing an actual filming time zone, and information for designating a length of a digest are input; a replay importance degree computing unit that obtains the number of replays, an interval between predetermined positions of the replay broadcasting section and the replay reference section, a time length of replay broadcasting, speed of replay broadcasting, the number of cut switches of the replay from the replay information, and computes the importance degree of the replay video on the basis of these items; and a digest creating unit that sets the replay video as a digest candidate, and selects a combination of the digest candidates based on a length condition of the digest and a composite importance degree of the combination of digest candidates.

Claims

1. A digest creating device, comprising:

an input unit for inputting replay information, the replay information including;

(a) replay broadcasting section information for specifying a broadcasting time zone of a replay video/sound;

(b) replay reference section information for specifying an actual filming/recording time zone of the replay video/sound, and

(c) digest condition information for designating a length of a digest;

a replay importance degree computing unit that computes an importance degree of the replay video/sound by executing a plurality of processes, the plurality of processes including;

(1) computing a number of replays and judging that in the case where the number of replays is greater than a predetermined number, the replay has a high importance degree;

(2) computing an interval between predetermined positions of the replay broadcasting section and the replay reference section and judging that in the case where an interval between the replay broadcasting section start time and the replay reference section start time is greater than a predetermined length, the replay has a high importance degree;

(3) computing a speed of replay broadcasting, and judging that in the case where the replay broadcasting speed is less than a predetermined speed, the replay has a high importance degree; and

(4) computing a number of cut switches of the replay and judging that in the case where the number of cut switches in the replay broadcasting section is greater than a predetermined number of cut switches, the replay has a high importance degree;

wherein parameters for the processes are obtained from the replay information, and the replay information is output with the importance degree in which the importance degree is added to the replay information; and

a digest creating unit that receives the replay information with the importance degree and the digest condition information, and sets the replay video/sound as a digest candidate among a plurality of digest candidates to form a group of digest candidates;

wherein the group of digest candidates includes a plurality of combinations of digest candidates and a combination of digest candidates is selected from the plurality of combinations based on;

(i) a composite importance degree of the combination of digest candidates that is computed from the importance degrees of each digest candidate and

(ii) a range of the designated length of the digest; and

wherein the digest creating unit, in the procedure of selecting a combination of digest candidates, assumes all the replays as digest candidates, determines whether or not the total time length of the replays of the digest candidates exceeds a designated scale of the digest, further if exceeding, the digest creating unit checks whether or not there are any pieces of replay information in which the replay reference sections overlap with each other, and further if existing, the digest creating unit deletes the replay information with the smallest replay importance degree from the digest candidates.

2. The digest creating device according to claim 1,

wherein the digest creating unit selects the combination of the digest candidates by excluding the replay video/sound of which the importance degree is not the largest among a plurality of replay videos/sounds in which the replay reference sections overlap with each other, from the digest candidates.

7. The digest creating device as in claim 1, 3, 4 or 5,

wherein the replay importance degree computing unit adds the importance degrees to a plurality of replay videos/sounds in which the replay broadcasting sections are arranged in series and the replay reference sections do not overlap with each other.

8. The digest creating device as in claim 1, 3, 4 or 5,

wherein the replay importance degree computing unit includes:

a first replay importance degree computing unit that computes at least one importance degree of the number of replays, the interval between predetermined positions of the replay broadcasting section and the replay reference section, the speed of replay broadcasting, and the number of cut switches of the replay on the basis of the replay information; and

a second replay importance degree computing unit that computes the importance degree of the replay information on the basis of each importance degree computed by the first replay importance degree computing unit.

9. The digest creating device according to claim 8,

wherein the first replay importance degree computing unit is provided on the broadcasting station side, and the second replay importance degree computing unit is provided on the receiving station side.

10. The digest creating device as in claims 1, 3, 4 or 5,

wherein the replay interval importance degree computed on the basis of the interval between predetermined positions of the replay broadcasting section and the replay reference section is obtained by multiplying a difference by a constant or a logarithm.

11. The digest creating device as in claims 1, 3, 4 or 5,

wherein the replay interval importance degree computed on the basis of the interval between predetermined positions of the replay broadcasting section and the replay reference section is computed by use of the following formula:

replay interval importance degree=predetermined position of replay broadcasting section−

predetermined position of replay reference section/broadcasting program end time−

predetermined position of replay reference section 

 

[Formula 1].

12. The digest creating device as in claims 1, 3, 4 or 5,

wherein in the case where the replay reference sections overlap with each other and the replay broadcasting sections are used in series, the replay interval importance degree is computed on the basis of the interval between predetermined positions of the replay broadcasting section and the replay reference section is computed by assuming the predetermined position of the replay broadcasting section to be used first as a predetermined position of the replay broadcasting sections of events to be used in series.

13. The digest creating device as in claims 1, 3, 4 or 5,

wherein the replay interval importance degree is computed on the basis of the interval between predetermined positions of the replay broadcasting section and the replay reference section is computed in such a manner that the replay videos/sounds are classified into groups by use of a threshold set for the interval between predetermined positions of the replay broadcasting section and the replay reference section and the replay interval importance degree of the replay video/sound in the corresponding group is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient in accordance with digest contents selected by a user.

3. A digest creating device, comprising:

an input unit for inputting replay information, the replay information including;

(a) replay broadcasting section information for specifying a broadcasting time zone of a replay video/sound,

(b) replay reference section information for specifying an actual filming/recording time zone of the replay video/sound,

(c) digest condition information for designating a length of a digest, and

(d) information for indicating a section of a video/sound;

a replay importance degree computing unit that computes an importance degree of the replay video/sound by executing a plurality of processes, the plurality of processes including;

(1) computing a number of replays and judging that in the case where the number of replays is greater than a predetermined number, the replay has a high importance degree,

(2) computing an interval between predetermined positions of the replay broadcasting section and the replay reference section and judging that in the case where an interval between the replay broadcasting section start time and the replay reference section start time is greater than a predetermined length, the replay has a high importance degree;

(3) computing a speed of replay broadcasting, and judging that in the case where the replay broadcasting speed is less than a predetermined speed, the replay has a high importance degree; and

(4) computing a number of cut switches of the replay and judging that in the case where the number of cut switches in the replay broadcasting section is greater than a predetermined number of cut switches, the replay has a high importance degree;

wherein parameters for the processes are obtained from the replay information, and the replay information is output with the importance degree in which the importance degree is added to the replay information; and

a digest creating unit that receives the replay information with the importance degree and the digest condition information, and sets the video/sound of the section containing the replay reference section of the replay video/sound as a digest candidate having the importance degree of the replay video/sound among a plurality of digest candidates to form a group of digest candidates;

wherein the group of digest candidates includes a plurality of combinations of digest candidates and a combination of digest candidates is selected from the plurality of combinations based on;

(i) a composite importance degree of the combination of digest candidates that is computed from the importance degrees of each digest candidate and

(ii) a range of the designated length of the digest; and

wherein the digest creating unit, in the procedure of selecting a combination of digest candidates, assumes all the replays as digest candidates, determines whether or not the total time length of the replays of the digest candidates exceeds a designated scale of the digest, further if exceeding, the digest creating unit checks whether or not there are any pieces of replay information in which the replay reference sections overlap with each other, and further if existing, the digest creating unit deletes the replay information with the smallest replay importance degree from the digest candidates.

6. The digest creating device according to claim 3 or 5,

wherein the digest creating unit changes a size of the scene of the video/sound containing the replay reference section in accordance with the importance degree of the replay video/sound.

4. A digest creating device, comprising:

an input unit for inputting replay information, the replay information including;

(a) replay broadcasting section information for specifying a broadcasting time zone of a replay video/sound,

(b) replay reference section information for specifying an actual filming/recording time zone of the replay video/sound,

(c) digest condition information for designating a length of a digest, and

(d) cut specifying information for indicating a switching point of a broadcasting cut of a video/sound;

a replay importance degree computing unit that computes an importance degree of the replay video/sound by executing a plurality of processes, the plurality of processes including;

(1) computing a number of replays and judging that in the case where the number of replays is greater than a predetermined number, the replay has a high importance degree;

(2) computing an interval between predetermined positions of the replay broadcasting section and the replay reference section and judging that in the case where an interval between the replay broadcasting section start time and the replay reference section start time is greater than a predetermined length, the replay has a high importance degree;

(3) computing a speed of replay broadcasting, and judging that in the case where the replay broadcasting speed is less than a predetermined speed, the replay has a high importance degree; and

(4) computing a number of cut switches of the replay and judging that in the case where the number of cut switches in the replay broadcasting section is greater than a predetermined number of cut switches, the replay has a high importance degree;

wherein parameters for the processes are obtained from the replay information, and the replay information is output with the importance degree in which the importance degree is added to the replay information; and

a digest creating unit that receives the replay information with the importance degree, the digest condition information, and the cut specifying information, and sets

the broadcasting cut containing the replay reference section of the replay video/sound as a digest candidate having the importance degree of the replay video/sound among a plurality of digest candidates to form a group of digest candidates;

wherein the group of digest candidates includes a plurality of combinations of digest candidates and a combination of digest candidates is selected from the plurality of combinations based on;

(i) a composite importance degree of the combination of digest candidates that is computed from the importance degrees of each digest candidate and

(ii) a range of the designated length of the digest; and

wherein the digest creating unit, in the procedure of selecting a combination of digest candidates, assumes all the replays as digest candidates, determines whether or not the total time length of the replays of the digest candidates exceeds a designated scale of the digest, further if exceeding, the digest creating unit checks whether or not there are any pieces of replay information in which the replay reference sections overlap with each other, and further if existing, the digest creating unit deletes the replay information with the smallest replay importance degree from the digest candidates.

5. A digest creating device, comprising:

an input unit for inputting replay information, the replay information including;

(a) replay broadcasting section information for specifying a broadcasting time zone of a replay video/sound;

(b) replay reference section information for specifying an actual filming/recording time zone of the replay video/sound,

(c) digest condition information for designating a length of a digest, and

(d) scene information for indicating a scene of a broadcasting video/sound;

a replay importance degree computing unit that computes an importance degree of the replay video/sound by executing a plurality of processes, the plurality of processes including;

(1) computing a number of replays and judging that in the case where the number of replays is greater than a predetermined number, the replay has a high importance degree;

(2) computing an interval between predetermined positions of the replay broadcasting section and the replay reference section and judging that in the case where an interval between the replay broadcasting section start time and the replay reference section is greater than a predetermined length, the start time is the replay has a high importance degree;

(3) computing a speed of replay broadcasting, and judging that in the case where the replay broadcasting speed is less than the predetermined speed, the replay has a high importance degree; and

(4) computing a number of cut switches of the replay and judging that in the case where the number of cut switches in the replay broadcasting section is greater than a predetermined number of cut switches, the replay has a high importance degree;

wherein parameters for the processes are obtained from the replay information, and the replay information is output with the importance degree in which the importance degree is added to the replay information; and

a digest creating unit that receives the replay information with the importance degree, the digest condition information, and the scene information, and sets the video/sound segment of the scene information containing the replay reference section of the replay video/sound as a digest candidate having the importance degree of the replay video/sound among a plurality of a plurality of digest candidates to form a group of digest candidates;

wherein the group of digest candidates includes a plurality of combinations of digest candidates and a combination of digest candidates is selected from the plurality of combinations based on;

(i) a composite importance degree of the combination of digest candidates that is computed from the importance degrees of each digest candidate and

(ii) a range of the designated length of the digest; and

wherein the digest creating unit, in the procedure of selecting a combination of digest candidates, assumes all the replays as digest candidates, determines whether or not the total time length of the replays of the digest candidates exceeds a designated scale of the digest, further if exceeding, the digest creating unit checks whether or not there are any pieces of replay information in which the replay reference sections overlap with each other, and further if existing, the digest creating unit deletes the replay information with the smallest replay importance degree from the digest candidates.

14. A digest creating method, comprising the steps of:

computing an importance degree of a replay video/sound by executing a plurality of processes, the plurality of processes including;

(1) computing a number of replays and judging that in the case where the number of replays is greater than a predetermined number, the replay has a high importance degree;

(2) computing an interval between predetermined positions of a replay broadcasting section and a replay reference section and judging that in the case where an interval between the replay broadcasting section start time and the replay reference section start time is greater than a predetermined length, the replay has a high importance degree;

(3) computing a speed of replay broadcasting, and judging that in the case where the replay broadcasting speed is less than a predetermined speed, the replay has a high importance degree; and

(4) computing a number of cut switches of the replay and judging that in the case where the number of cut switches in the replay broadcasting section is greater than a predetermined number of cut switches, the replay has a high importance degree;

wherein parameters for the processes are obtained from replay information, the replay information including;

(a) replay broadcasting section information for specifying a broadcasting time zone of the replay video/sound, and

(b) replay reference section information for specifying an actual filming/recording time zone of the replay video/sound;

setting the replay video/sound as a digest candidate among a plurality of digest candidates to form a group of digest candidates; and

selecting a combination of digest candidates from a plurality of combinations of digest candidates included in the group of digest candidates based on;

(i) a composite importance degree of the combination of digest candidates that is computed from the importance degrees of each digest candidate, and

(ii) a range of a designated length of a digest; and

in the step of selecting a combination of digest candidates, all the replays are assumed as digest candidates, and it is determined whether or not the total time length of the replays of the digest candidates exceeds a designated scale of the digest, further if exceeding, it is checked whether or not there are any pieces of replay information in which the replay reference sections overlap with each other, and further if existing, the replay information with the smallest replay importance degree is deleted from the digest candidates.

15. The digest creating method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of selecting, in the case where there are a plurality of replay videos/sounds in which the relay reference sections overlap with each other, the combination by excluding the replay video/sound of which the importance degree is not the largest among the replay videos/sounds from the digest candidates.

20. The digest creating method according to any one of claims 14, 16, 17 or 18, further comprising the step of adding the importance degrees to a plurality of replay videos/sounds in which the replay broadcasting sections are arranged in series and the replay reference sections do not overlap with each other.

16. A digest creating method, comprising the steps of:

computing an importance degree of a replay video/sound by executing a plurality of processes, the plurality of processes including;

(1) computing a number of replays and judging that in the case where the number of replays is greater than a predetermined number, the replay has a high importance degree;

(2) computing an interval between predetermined positions of a replay broadcasting section and a replay reference section and judging that in the case where an interval between the replay broadcasting section start time and the replay reference section start time is greater than a predetermined length, the replay has a high importance degree;

(3) computing a speed of replay broadcasting, and judging that in the case where the replay broadcasting speed is less than a predetermined speed, the replay has a high importance degree; and

(4) computing a number of cut switches of the replay and judging that in the case where the number of cut switches in the replay broadcasting section is greater than a predetermined number of cut switches, the replay has a high importance of degree;

wherein parameters for the processes are obtained from replay information, the replay information including;

(a) replay broadcasting section information for specifying a broadcasting time zone of the replay video/sound and

(b) replay reference section information for specifying an actual filming/recording time zone of the replay video/sound; and

setting a video/sound of a section containing the replay reference section of the replay video/sound as a digest candidate having the importance degree of the replay video/sound, wherein the digest candidate is set among a plurality of digest candidates to form a group of digest candidates;

selecting a combination of digest candidates from a plurality of combinations of digest candidates included in the group of digest candidates based on;

(i) a composite importance degree of the combination of digest candidates that is computed from the importance degrees of each digest candidate, and

(ii) a range of a designated length of a digest; and

in the step of selecting a combination of digest candidates, all the replays are assumed as digest candidates, and it is determined whether or not the total time length of the replays of the digest candidates exceeds a designated scale of the digest, further if exceeding, it is checked whether or not there are any pieces of replay information in which the replay reference sections overlap with each other, and further if existing, the replay information with the smallest replay importance degree is deleted from the digest candidates.

19. The digest creating method according to claim 16 or 18, further comprising the step of changing a size of the scene of the video/sound containing the replay reference section in accordance with the importance degree of the replay video/sound.

17. A digest creating method, comprising the steps of:

computing an importance degree of a replay video/sound by executing a plurality of processes, the plurality of processes including;

(1) computing a number of replays and judging that in the case where the number of replays is greater than a predetermined number, the replay has a high importance degree;

(2) computing an interval between predetermined positions of a replay broadcasting section and a replay reference section and judging that in the case where an interval between the replay broadcasting section start time and the replay reference section start time is greater than a predetermined length, the replay has a high importance degree;

(3) computing a speed of replay broadcasting, and judging that in the case where the replay broadcasting speed is less than a predetermined speed, the replay has a high importance degree; and

(4) computing a number of cut switches of the replay and judging that in the case where the number of cut switches in the replay broadcasting section is greater than a predetermined number of cut switches, the replay has a high importance degree;

wherein parameters for the processes are obtained from replay information, the replay information including;

(a) replay broadcasting section information for specifying a broadcasting time zone of the replay video/sound; and

(b) replay reference section information for specifying an actual filming/recording time zone of the replay video/sound; and

setting a broadcasting cut of a video/sound containing the replay reference section of the replay video/sound as a digest candidate having the importance degree of the replay video/sound, wherein the digest candidate is set among a plurality of digest candidates to form a group of digest candidates;

selecting a combination of digest candidates from a plurality of combinations of digest candidates included in the group of digest candidates based on;

(i) a composite importance degree of the combination of digest candidates that is computed from the importance degrees of each digest candidate, and

(ii) a range of a designated length of a digest; and

in the step of selecting a combination of digest candidates, all the replays are assumed as digest candidates, and it is determined whether or not the total time length of the replays of the digest candidates exceeds a designated scale of the digest, further if exceeding, it is checked whether or not there are any pieces of replay information in which the replay reference sections overlap with each other, and further if existing, the replay information with the smallest replay importance degree is deleted from the digest candidates.

18. A digest creating method, comprising the steps of:

computing an importance degree of a replay video/sound by executing a plurality of processes, the plurality of processes including;

(1) computing a number of replays and judging that in the case where the number of replays is greater than a predetermined number, the replay has a high importance degree;

(2) computing an interval between predetermined positions of a replay broadcasting section and a replay reference section and judging that in the case where an interval between the replay broadcasting section start time and the replay reference section start time is greater than a predetermined length, the replay has a high importance degree;

(3) computing a speed of replay broadcasting, and judging that in the case where the replay broadcasting speed is less than a predetermined speed, the replay has a high importance degree; and

(4) computing a number of cut switches of the replay and judging that in the case where the number of cut switches in the replay broadcasting section is greater than a predetermined number of cut switches, the replay has a high importance degree;

wherein parameters for the processes are obtained from replay information, the replay information including

(a) replay broadcasting section information for specifying a broadcasting time zone of the replay video/sound; and

(b) replay reference section information for specifying an actual filming/recording time zone of the replay video/sound;

setting a scene of a video/sound segment of scene information containing the replay reference section of the replay video/sound as a digest candidate having the importance degree of the replay video/sound, wherein the digest candidate is set among a plurality of digest candidates to form a group of digest candidates; and

outputting information for selecting a combination of digest candidates from a plurality of combinations of digest candidates included in the group of digest candidates based on;

(i) a composite importance degree of the combination of digest candidates that is computed from the importance degrees of each digest candidate, and

(ii) a range of a designated length of a digest; and

in the step of selecting a combination of digest candidates, all the replays are assumed as digest candidates, and it is determined whether or not the total time length of the replays of the digest candidates exceeds a designated scale of the digest, further if exceeding, it is checked whether or not there are any pieces of replay information in which the replay reference sections overlap with each other, and further if existing, the replay information with the smallest replay importance degree is deleted from the digest candidates.

21. A non-transitory computer readable medium including a program that causes a computer to execute the procedures of:

computing an importance degree of a replay video/sound by executing a plurality of parameters, the plurality of processes including;

(1) computing a number of replays and judging that in the case where the number of replays is greater than a predetermined number, the replay has a high importance degree;

(2) computing an interval between predetermined positions of a replay broadcasting section and a replay reference section and judging that in the case where an interval between the replay broadcasting section start time and the replay reference section start time is greater than a predetermined length, the replay has a high importance degree;

(3) computing a speed of replay broadcasting, and judging that in the case where the replay broadcasting speed is less than a predetermined speed, the replay has a high importance degree; and

(4) computing a number of cut switches of the replay and judging that in the case where the number of cut switches in the replay broadcasting section is greater than a predetermined number of cut switches, the replay has a high importance degree;

wherein parameters for the processes are obtained from replay information, the replay information including;

(a) replay broadcasting section information for specifying a broadcasting time zone of the replay video/sound; and

(b) replay reference section information for specifying an actual filming/recording time zone of the replay video/sound;

setting the replay video/sound as a digest candidate among a plurality of digest candidates to form a group of digest candidates; and

selecting a combination of digest candidates from a plurality of combinations of digest candidates included in the group of digest candidates based on;

(i) a composite importance degree of the combination of digest candidates that is computed from the importance degrees of each digest candidate, and

(ii) a range of a designated length of a digest; and

in the procedure of selecting a combination of digest candidates, all the replays are assumed as digest candidates, and it is determined whether or not the total time length of the replays of the digest candidates exceeds a designated scale of the digest, further if exceeding, it is checked whether or not there are any pieces of replay information in which the replay reference sections overlap with each other, and further if existing, the replay information with the smallest replay importance degree is deleted from the digest candidates.

22. A non-transitory computer readable medium including a program which causes a computer to execute the procedures of:

computing an importance degree of a replay video/sound by executing a plurality of processes, the plurality of processes including;

(1) computing a number of replays and judging that in the case where the number of replays is greater than a predetermined number, the replay has a high importance degree;

(2) computing an interval between predetermined positions of a replay broadcasting section and a replay reference section and judging that in the case where an interval between the replay broadcasting section start time and the replay reference section start time is greater than a predetermined length, the replay has a high importance degree;

(3) computing a speed of replay broadcasting, and judging that in the case where the replay broadcasting speed is less than a predetermined speed, the replay has a high importance degree; and

(4) computing a number of cut switches of the replay and judging that in the case where the number of cut switches in the replay broadcasting section is greater than a predetermined number of cut switches, the replay has a high importance degree;

wherein parameters for the processes are obtained from replay information, the replay information including;

(a) replay broadcasting section information for specifying a broadcasting time zone of the replay video/sound; and

(b) replay reference section information for specifying an actual filming/recording time zone of the replay video/sound;

setting a video/sound of a section containing the replay reference section of the replay video/sound as a digest candidate having the importance degree of the replay video/sound, wherein the digest candidate is set among a plurality of digest candidates to form a group of digest candidates; and

selecting a combination of digest candidates from a plurality of combinations of digest candidates included in the group of digest candidates based on;

(i) a composite importance degree of the combination of digest candidates that is computed from the importance degrees of each digest candidate, and

(ii) a range of the designated length of a digest; and

in the procedure of selecting a combination of digest candidates, all the replays are assumed as digest candidates, and it is determined whether or not the total time length of the replays of the digest candidates exceeds a designated scale of the digest, further if exceeding, it is checked whether or not there are any pieces of replay information in which the replay reference sections overlap with each other, and further if existing, the replay information with the smallest replay importance degree is deleted from the digest candidates.

23. A non-transitory computer readable medium including a program which causes a computer to execute the procedures of:

computing an importance degree of a replay video/sound by executing a plurality of processes, the plurality of processes including;

(1) computing a number of replays and judging that in the case where the number of replays is greater than a predetermined number, the replay has a high importance degree;

(2) computing an interval between predetermined positions of a replay broadcasting section and a replay reference section and judging that in the case where an interval between the replay broadcasting section start time and the replay reference section start time is greater than a predetermined length, the replay has a high importance degree;

(3) computing a speed of replay broadcasting, and judging that in the case where the replay broadcasting speed is less than a predetermined speed, the replay has a high importance degree; and

(4) computing a number of cut switches of the replay and judging that in the case where the number of cut switches in the replay broadcasting section is greater than a predetermined number of cut switches, the replay has a high importance degree;

wherein parameters for the processes are obtained from replay information, the replay information including;

(a) replay broadcasting section information for specifying a broadcasting time zone of the replay video/sound; and

(b) replay reference section information for specifying an actual filming/recording time zone of the replay video/sound;

setting a broadcasting cut of a video/sound containing the replay reference section of the replay video/sound as a digest candidate having the importance degree of the replay video/sound, wherein the digest candidate is set among a plurality of digest candidates to form a group of digest candidates; and

selecting a combination of digest candidates from a plurality of combinations of digest candidates included in the group of digest candidates based on;

(i) a composite importance degree of the combination of digest candidates that is computed from the importance degrees of each digest candidate, and

(ii)a range of a designated length of a digest; and

in the procedure of selecting a combination of digest candidates, all the replays are assumed as digest candidates, and it is determined whether or not the total time length of the replays of the digest candidates exceeds a designated scale of the digest, further if exceeding, it is checked whether or not there are any pieces of replay information in which the replay reference sections overlap with each other, and further if existing, the replay information with the smallest replay importance degree is deleted from the digest candidates.

24. A non-transitory computer readable medium including a program which causes a computer to execute the procedures of:

computing an importance degree of a replay video/sound by executing a plurality of processes, the plurality of processes including;

(1) computing a number of replays and judging that in the case where the number of replays is greater than a predetermined number, the replay has a high importance degree;

(2) computing an interval between predetermined positions of a replay broadcasting section and a replay reference section and judging that in the case where an interval between the replay broadcasting section start time and the replay reference section start time is greater than a predetermined length, the replay has a high importance degree;

(3) computing a speed of replay broadcasting, and judging that in the case where the replay broadcasting speed is less than a predetermined speed, the replay has a high importance degree; and

(4) computing a number of cut switches of the replay and judging that in the case where the number of cut switches in the replay broadcasting section is greater than a predetermined number of cut switches, the replay has a high importance degree;

wherein parameters for the processes are obtained from replay information, the replay information including;

(a) replay broadcasting section information for specifying a broadcasting time zone of the replay video/sound; and

(b) replay reference section information for specifying an actual filming/recording time zone of the replay video/sound;

selecting a class for a scene of a video/sound segment of scene information in accordance with the importance degree of the replay video/sound;

setting the scene, in the class, of the video/sound containing the replay reference section of the replay video/sound as a digest candidate having the importance degree of the replay video/sound, wherein the digest candidate is set among a plurality of digest candidates to form a group of digest candidates; and

selecting a combination of digest candidates from a plurality of combinations of digest candidates included in the group of digest candidates based on;

(i) a composite importance degree of the combination of digest candidates that is computed from the importance degrees of each digest candidate, and

(ii) a range of a designated length of a digest; and

in the procedure of selecting a combination of digest candidates, all the replays are assumed as digest candidates, and it is determined whether or not the total time length of the replays of the digest candidates exceeds a designated scale of the digest, further if exceeding, it is checked whether or not there are any pieces of replay information in which the replay reference sections overlap with each other, and further if existing, the replay information with the smallest replay importance degree is deleted from the digest candidates.