Picture-based video indexing system

• US 6,526,219 B1
• Filed: 11/02/1995
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: InMotion Imagery Technologies LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Barry Schwab, John G. Posa
• Inventors: Schwab, Barry H., Posa, John G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chevalier, Robert
• Application Number:
  US08/556,746
• Time in Patent Office: 2,672 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.591, H04/N.700, 386/1, 386/4, 386/33, 386/46, 386/52, 386/96, 386/109, 386/125, 386/126, 386/55, 386/68, 386/69, 386/107, 386/117, 386/120, 386/6, 360/32, 360/33, 348/384
• US Class Current: 386/240
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/54 Browsing; Visualisation therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/739 in form of a video summary, e.g. the video summary being a video sequence, a composite still image or having synthesized frames
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/20 Disc-shaped record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/65 wherein solid state memory is used for storing indexing information or metadata
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/107 of operating tapes
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 the inserted signal being digital

Abstract

A video indexing system uses pictures representative of a recorded video program to assist a user in determining the contents of a recorded medium without having to view the program itself. The pictures preferably represent segments of the program which are spaced apart in time, enabling a relatively small number of such pictures to characterize a lengthy program, and are presented in separate windows on the screen of the same device used to display the video program. The pictures may include still or moving imagery. A viewer optionally may select a particular picture with a pointing device, to commence replay of the recorded program from that period in the program, or to recall stored audio information so as to assist in identifying the selection. The picture information may be stored on the same medium as that used to record the video program, or a different medium may be used.

Claims

1. A video indexing method, comprising the steps of:

recording a video program having a sequence of images;

separately storing information representative of a subset of the images, the image subset representing segments of the program which are separated in time; and

displaying images from the subset in separate windows on a display device as a way of identifying the contents of the video program, at least one of the windows displaying a segment including motion imagery.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information representative automatically the images of the subset is derived through the step of periodically sampling images of video program.

3. The method of claim 1, further including the step of user-selecting a displayed image from the subset to initiate a replay of the recorded program from a point in the program corresponding to the selected image.

4. The method of claim 1, further including the steps of:

storing audio information in conjunction with an image of the subset;

user-selecting a displayed image from the subset; and

replaying the stored audio information corresponding to the selected image.

5. The method of claim 1, further including the step of analyzing the video program to ensure that the separately stored image information contains subject matter from the video program.

6. A picture-based video indexing system configured for use with a video recorder and display device, the system comprising:

an input for receiving a video program to be recorded by the video recorder;

means for deriving pictures representative of time-separated segments of the program;

means for storing the pictures; and

means for displaying the stored pictures on the display device, including one or more segments containing motion imagery to provide an index of the recorded video program.

7. The picture-based video indexing system of claim 6, including means for sampling the video program on a periodic basis to derive the pictures.

8. The picture-based video indexing system of claim 6, including means for detecting information encoded in the received video program to derive the pictures.

9. The picture-based video indexing system of claim 6, wherein the means for storing the pictures includes means for storing the pictures on the same medium as the recorded video program.

10. The picture-based video indexing system of claim 6, wherein the means for storing the pictures includes means for storing the pictures separately from the recorded video program.

11. The picture-based video indexing system of claim 6, further including means for printing the stored pictures.

12. The picture-based video indexing system of claim 6, wherein the means for displaying the stored pictures on the display device includes means for displaying the pictures in an array of windows.

13. The picture-based video indexing system of claim 6, further including means for storing and replaying audio information to be reproduced in conjunction with the displayed pictures.

14. The picture-based video indexing system of claim 6, further including:

a picture memory storing information representative of groups of images associated with each time-spaced period of the program;

a frame buffer in communication with the picture memory and display device;

video display generation means for outputting the contents of the frame buffer to the display device in the form of a video signal; and

means for periodically updating the frame buffer with individual images from a particular group to convey motion.

15. The picture-based video indexing system of claim 14, wherein the picture memory, frame buffer, video display generation means, and means for updating are cooperatively operative to display an array of moving pictures on the display device.

16. The picture-based video indexing system of claim 14, further including:

a multi-channel tuner having a video output in communication with the frame buffer and video display generation means; and

means for sequencing through a plurality of tuned channels,

whereby pictures representative of the video programs available on each of the tuned channels appear in separate windows on the display device.

17. The picture-based video indexing system of claim 16, wherein the means for sequencing through a plurality of tuned channels continuously cycles through the channels enabling moving pictures representative of the video programs available on each of the tuned channels to appear in the separate windows.

22. The method of claim 12, including pictures containing motion imagery.

18. A video indexing method, comprising the steps of:

receiving a video program having a sequence of images along with separately encoded image information representing segments of the program which are separated in time;

recording the video program;

separately storing the encoded image information; and

displaying images derived from the encoded image information as a way of identifying the contents of the video program.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the separately encoded information is data compressed and the information is decompressed prior to displaying the images from the subset.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the data is compressed at least in part by a two-dimensional area of an image to encode the image information.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of displaying images from the subset includes the display of a still image.

23. The method of claim 18, wherein the encoded image information includes audio information.