Patent ID: 7616868
Filing Date: 2009-11-10
Classification: G11B

Abstract:
1. A method of producing digest video data from original video data including a plurality of frame images that are continuous in a time series, comprising the steps of: (a) calculating a frame evaluation level representing an importance of each frame image, the calculating of the frame evaluation level for each frame image including evaluating each frame image in terms of a plurality of parameters including zooming, panning, still, position of moving objects, size of moving objects, and extent of flesh tone, and adding up evaluation levels of the plurality of parameters for each frame image; (b) providing an interface screen for allowing a user to designate a user-selected frame image, which is desired to be used in the digest video data; (c) establishing, based on the frame evaluation levels of the frame images, reference indicator information representing an indicator display format of a reference indicator, which is to be presented on the interface screen to assist the user in specifying the user-selected frame image; (d) receiving designating information input by the user that designates the user-selected frame image; and (e) producing the digest video data including at least a portion of designated frame data which represent a series of frame images including the user-selected frame image, wherein the interface screen includes: a digest button for specifying one or more positions for designating the use-selected frame image; an evaluation criterion selection area for enabling selection of an evaluation criterion for use when calculating the frame evaluation level; a playback display area for playback of video based on the video data; a playback position indication area for graphically indicating a playback position of the video data with a slide bar; and a reference indicator display area for displaying the reference indicator according to the reference indicator information, the reference indicator including a division indicator indicating separation between different scenes and a most-valuable-frame indicator indicating a frame position having the highest frame evaluation level within each scene, the play back position indication area further displaying on the slide bar a segment of the video portion designated by the digest button by the user wherein the segment is displayed distinct from the other portions of the video.