Moving image management apparatus and method

A moving image data management apparatus which manages moving image data and representative image data by using one or plural representative image data in correspondence with each moving image data. A thumbnail representing an arbitrary section in a moving image represented by moving image data is generated, and stored in a thumbnail area of the moving image file. Indexes corresponding to the respective thumbnails are stored in an index area of the moving image file. Each index includes start point/end point indicating a section in moving image data represented by the thumbnail image and attribute information indicating usage of the thumbnail. By this attribute information, operability of moving image data using representative images can be improved upon execution of various moving image data processing, and management of the representative images can be simplified.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to moving image data management apparatus and method for management of moving image data recorded on a storage medium by one or plural representative images.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, a method of managing moving images recorded on a storage medium by using representative images has been proposed. Japanese Patent No. 03081304 discloses utilizing representative images in general reproduction apparatus for moving and still images, and especially discloses using representative images for simplified display upon selection of still or moving image. Further, Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application Nos. Hei 11-176137 and 2000-322875 disclose assigning a representative image to a moving image section, and selecting a section as a target of reproduction designation by using the representative image.

As such representative image is generally used, variety of usage of representative image increases. For example, image management using the representative images can be applied to an editing apparatus as well as the above-described reproduction apparatus.

However, even regarding the same moving image, a representative image appropriate to a user interface upon reproduction and a representative image appropriate to a user interface upon editing are different from each other. Accordingly, if the same representative image is to be used in various apparatuses including an editing apparatus, the following problem occurs.

For example, inFIG. 1, reference numeral11denotes a moving image. In this moving image, the motion of a batter who holds a bat at the ready and hits a ball is recorded in a section (a). Numerals12and13denote representative images regarding the same section (a). The representative image12, formed from a head frame of the section (a), is an image of the batter at the ready. The representative image13, which is an image of the batter when he hits the ball, is a most appropriate representative image to indicate the content of the section (a).

Generally, as one representative image is assigned to one section, one of the representative images12and13is actually registered as a representative image of the section (a). The registered representative image can be used as an index image for e.g. a reproduction apparatus. However, if the representative image13is registered, upon selection of representative image in the reproduction apparatus, reproduction starts from a status prior to the hit, thus a user feels unnatural. On the other hand, if the representative image12is registered, when the image is used in an editing apparatus, the content of the section (a) cannot be precisely grasped by the image12. That is, in the example ofFIG. 1, it cannot be determined from the representative image12whether the section (a) indicates a scene where the batter hits the ball or a scene where the batter swings at the ball and miss. In this manner, an appropriate representative image in one section of moving image depends on the purpose of apparatus to be used.

Conventionally, assignment and management of representative images are necessary in accordance with purpose and usage of moving image data such as reproduction and editing. Accordingly, information on the representative images are redundantly held by moving image or still image, or by apparatus or usage. Further, program code for processing to utilize the information is respectively held for the representative images. That is, when the representative images are utilized in various moving image data processing, the information on the representative images are respectively managed by apparatus or program. Accordingly, it is wasteful to independently store the representative image data. To attain excellent operability upon use of appropriate representative image, management of representative images becomes complicated.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problem, and has its object to improve operability of moving image data using representative images upon execution of various moving image data processing and to simplify management of the representative images.

According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing a moving image management apparatus for management of plural moving images recorded on a storage medium in correspondence with one or plural representative images, comprising: means for recording a representative image representing an arbitrary section or the whole of a moving image; means for recording information indicating the section or the whole of the moving image represented by said representative image in correspondence with said representative image; and means for recording information indicating a position of an image as a base of said representative image in correspondence with said representative image, wherein in case of said representative image is designated by a user, it is interpreted that the section or the whole of the moving image represented by the representative image is selected.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing a moving image management apparatus for management of plural moving images recorded on a storage medium in correspondence with one or plural representative images, comprising: generation means for generating a representative image representing an arbitrary section or the whole of a moving image; first recording means for recording information indicating the section or the whole of the moving image represented by said representative image in correspondence with said representative image; and second recording means for recording information indicating a position of an image as a base of said representative image in correspondence with said representative image.

Still another aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing a moving image management method for management of plural moving images recorded on a storage medium in correspondence with one or plural representative images, comprising: a step of recording a representative image representing an arbitrary section or the whole of a moving image; a step of recording information indicating the section or the whole of the moving image represented by said representative image in correspondence with said representative image; and a step of recording information indicating a position of an image as a base of said representative image in correspondence with said representative image, wherein in case of said representative image is designated by a user, it is interpreted that the section or the whole of the moving image represented by the representative image is selected.

Still another aspect of the present invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing a moving image management method for management of plural moving images recorded on a storage medium in correspondence with one or plural representative images, comprising: a generation step of generating a representative image representing an arbitrary section or the whole of a moving image; a first recording step of recording information indicating the section or the whole of the moving image represented by said representative image in correspondence with said representative image; and a second recording step of recording information indicating a position of an image as a base of said representative image in correspondence with said representative image.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same name or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the present embodiment, in a method for utilizing representative images, to manage/utilize information related to representative images in a simple manner, the information is prepared for shared access, and redundant information for distinction or shared access is added to the information related to representative images in correspondence with usage or the like. In this arrangement, information on the representative images or the like can be recorded and stored in a simple manner, thus waste is avoided. Further, according to the present embodiment, as information necessary for realizing unique functions of respective apparatuses and programs is included in the information on representative images or the like, the functions can be realized. Further, upon storage of the information related to representative image, the arrangement, format or the like of the storage is changed in accordance with usage or format of the information.

FIG. 2is a block diagram showing a control construction of a moving image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. InFIG. 2, numeral201denotes a CPU which performs various controls in the moving image management apparatus. Numeral202denotes a ROM in which a boot program executed upon boot-up of the apparatus and various data are stored. Numeral203denotes a RAM in which a control program for processing by the CPU201is stored, and which provides a work area for execution of various controls by the CPU201. Numeral204denotes a keyboard, and205, a mouse, providing an environment for user's various input operations.

Numeral206denotes an external storage device comprising a hard disk, a floppy disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optic disk, a magnetic tape, non-volatile type semiconductor memory (e.g. flash memory) or the like. Numeral207denotes a display unit comprising a display or the like which displays a user interface upon image editing, the result of image editing and the like for the user. Numeral208denotes a network interface which enables communication with respective devices on a network. Numeral209denotes a video interface which reads a moving image from a video camera210and a VTR212. Numeral211denotes a bus interconnecting the above respective elements.

Note that the video camera210, the VTR212and the external storage device206are not limited to those incorporated in or directly connected to the apparatus, but devices arranged on the network can be used.

FIG. 3is a block diagram showing a functional construction of the moving image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. Numeral300denotes a user operation unit which obtains the user's designation or input via the keyboard204, the mouse205and the like. Numeral301denotes a moving image input unit which reads a moving image from the video camera210, the VTR212or the like via the video I/F209, and inputs the image into the apparatus. Numeral302denotes a moving image file storage unit comprising the external storage device206, which holds moving images inputted by the moving image input unit301in file format.

Numeral303denotes a thumbnail formation unit which presents a moving image stored in the moving image file storage unit302on the display unit207, such that the user designates a desired section and a frame image in the section. The thumbnail formation unit forms a reduced image (hereinbelow, thumbnail image) based on the designated frame image, and stores it, with information on the designated section or the like, into the moving image file storage unit302. That is, by the thumbnail formation unit303, the user can refer to the moving image presented on the display unit207, and designate a section in the moving image and a frame representing the section via the user operation unit300. Then the thumbnail image based on the designated frame image is stored, with the information on the designated section or the like, into the moving image file storage unit302.

Numeral304denotes a browser unit which reads a thumbnail from the moving image file storage unit302and displays it via the display unit207, and reproduces a moving image corresponding to the thumbnail selected by the user. Numeral305denotes an editing unit which performs editing on a moving image in the moving image file storage unit302. Further, the progress and result of the editing are displayed via the display unit207.

Note that the functions of the above-described respective elements are realized by execution of the control program stored in the ROM202by the CPU201. Otherwise, it may be arranged such that the control program is appropriately loaded from the external storage device206onto the RAM203and executed by the CPU201.

FIG. 4is a schematic diagram showing an example of thumbnail storage status in a moving image file according to the embodiment.

Numeral400denotes a moving image file stored on a storage medium by a moving image file storage unit302. Note that the unit of storage is not limited to 1 moving image file, but the unit may be a shot from depression of recording button of the image sensing device to stoppage of image sensing, or may be 1 TV broadcast program. The moving image file400comprises a header401in which management information or the like is recorded, a moving image402in which moving image data itself is recorded, and a footer403in which mainly a thumbnail is recorded.

In the header401, moving image file management information404on the data size, the format, the date of formation and the like of the moving image file, and 1 image of thumbnail405are recorded. The footer403has a thumbnail area407in which plural thumbnails can be recorded and an index area406in which index information on the respective thumbnails are recorded.

FIG. 5is a table showing an example of data structure for 1 index in the index area406in the footer403inFIG. 4. In the figure, “Start Point” and “End Point” are start point and end point of a section in a moving image represented by the thumbnail. The form of the start point and the end point is not particularly limited as long as the points specify the section in the moving image, however, it is preferable that the points are described in time code or frame ID. In “Thumbnail Type ID”, an ID indicating the purpose of the thumbnail is described. In the present embodiment, Thumbnail Type IDs are determined for purposes of thumbnail as follows.Thumbnail Type ID=1: for browserThumbnail Type ID=2: for moving image editingThumbnail Type ID=3: for printing
In this example, IDs are defined for application types to use the thumbnail.

Further, in “Thumbnail Offset”, an offset to the thumbnail indicated by the index is described.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bare tables showing examples of data structure of thumbnail405in the header401and 1 thumbnail in the thumbnail area407in the footer403inFIG. 4. InFIG. 6A, in “Thumbnail Header”, management information of the thumbnail image or the like is described. Further, in “Thumbnail Image”, the thumbnail image data itself is described. Further,FIG. 6Bshows an example of data structure of the “Thumbnail Header”. In “Thumbnail Image Offset”, an offset from the head of the “Thumbnail Header” to the storage position of the thumbnail image is described. In “Thumbnail Image Size”, the size of the thumbnail image is described. In “Thumbnail Key Relative Point”, the frame position in the moving image as a base of the thumbnail is described as a relative position from the “Start Point”.

FIG. 7is a flowchart showing an example of thumbnail registration operation according to the embodiment.

First, at step S100, the moving image input unit301inputs a moving image, and records it in the format of the moving image file400shown inFIG. 4into the moving image file storage unit302. At this time, an area for storing a thumbnail in the header401and a footer area are ensured as reserved areas (physical area of the storage medium). For example, in case of optical disk, the reserved areas are ensured in inner circumferential area. Next, at step S101, it is determined whether or not thumbnail designation has been made by the user. The thumbnail designation means designation of arbitrary frame in the moving image as a base of the thumbnail, a section in the moving image represented by the thumbnail, the purpose of the thumbnail, designation as to whether the thumbnail is important or not, and the like, made by the user utilizing the function of the apparatus at this step S101. When the user makes setups, the user sets the apparatus to a setting mode, then designates a desired section in the moving image by the keyboard or the mouse, then performs reproduction, and when an image from which the user wants to form a thumbnail is displayed, the user designates a frame to be a thumbnail by the keyboard or the mouse. In this case, the designated frame is a base image of the thumbnail, and the designated desired section is the section in the moving image represented by the thumbnail. Note that in the thumbnail setting, various methods of e.g. user's setting and automatic setting by the apparatus may be used. In the present invention, any of setting may be employed. Further, designation of the purpose of thumbnail, designation as to whether the thumbnail is important or not, may be made by the keyboard or the mouse via a predetermined user interface.

Next, at step S102, it is determined whether or not the designation that the thumbnail is important has been made. The designation of important thumbnail means that the thumbnail most properly represents the entire moving image file. If the designation of important thumbnail has been made by the user, process proceeds to step S103, at which the frame position designated for the generation of thumbnail is corrected to a relative position from the head of the moving image file, to obtain the “Thumbnail Key Relative Point”. Next, at step S104, a thumbnail is generated from the designated frame, and the thumbnail, having the “Thumbnail Key Relative Point” calculated at step S103, the size of the thumbnail image (Thumbnail Image Size), and information on relative distance to the storage position of the thumbnail image (Thumbnail Image Offset) as a header, is recorded into the header401. At this time, the header401is stored in a position for comparatively quick and easy access on the storage medium, e.g., in use of optical disk, in an inner peripheral portion. Then, the process returns to step S101.

On the other hand, if it is determined at step S102that the designation of significant thumbnail has not been made, the process proceeds to step S105. At step S105, a new index is ensured in an unused area of the index area406in the footer403in the moving image file400. Next, at step S106, a new thumbnail is ensured in an unused area of the thumbnail area407. Next, at step S107, an offset value to the thumbnail ensured at step S106is calculated.

Next, at step S108, the type of designated thumbnail is determined based on the purpose designated by the user. In the present embodiment, any one of browsing, moving image editing and printing is designated by the user as the purpose. The process branches to one of steps S109to S111in accordance with the designated type, and a corresponding Thumbnail Type ID is set. The ID setting is made by holding a table of the above-described Thumbnail Type IDs in advance and referring to the table. In the present embodiment, if the purpose is browsing, setting is made as Thumbnail Type ID=1 (S109); if the purpose is moving image editing, setting is made as Thumbnail Type ID=2 (S110); and if the purpose is printing, setting is made as Thumbnail Type ID=3 (S111). In the present embodiment, 3 types are given, however, the number of types is not limited to 3.

Next, at step S112, an index having the offset (Thumbnail Offset) calculated at step S107, the Thumbnail Type ID set at steps S108to S111, and the Start Point and the End Point indicating the section designated by the user, is generated, and stored into the footer403.

Next, at step S113, the position of the frame adopted as the thumbnail is corrected to a relative position from the header of the section, and the Thumbnail Key Relative Point is obtained. At step S114, a thumbnail is generated by reducing the frame designated at step S101, and the thumbnail is stored, with the Thumbnail Key Relative Point calculated at step S113, the image size (Thumbnail Image Size) of the thumbnail and information on a relative distance to the storage position of the thumbnail image (Thumbnail Image Offset) as the Thumbnail Header (FIG. 6A), into the footer403. Next, the process returns to step S101, and if the designation of thumbnail is made again, the processing at steps S102to S114is repeated. Note that it is preferable that the footer403, especially the thumbnail area407, is stored in a continuous area on the storage medium.

Further, if it is determined at step S101that the designation of thumbnail has not been made, the process proceeds to step S115, at which if it is determined that termination of registration processing has been instructed, the process ends. If it is determined that the termination of registration processing has not been instructed, the process returns to step S101, to repeat the above processing.

By the above processing, an significant thumbnail can be stored in a position for quick and easy access (e.g. in use of optical disk, an inner peripheral portion) on the storage medium. Further, thumbnails for different purposes can be discriminated by Thumbnail Type IDs, these thumbnails can be stored in the same file, thus management can be simplified.

Processing upon utilization of thumbnail registered by the above thumbnail registration processing will be described.

First, utilization of thumbnail in a browser will be described.FIGS. 8A and 8Bare examples of user interface of a browser. InFIG. 8A, numeral801denotes an entire display area of the browser. Numeral802denotes an area where arrayed thumbnails are displayed. The thumbnails are displayed from the top line, from the left to the right. Numeral803denotes a scroll bar. In a case where the thumbnails cannot be displayed within the thumbnail display area802at once, they can be sequentially displayed by dragging in the scroll bar. Numeral804denotes a pointer. The user moves the pointer804by operation at the user operation unit300, to designate a desired thumbnail in the thumbnail display area802. When the thumbnail is selected by the pointer804, the display screen image changes to a moving-image reproduction screen image805as shown inFIG. 8B, and moving image reproduction is started.

Hereinbelow, processing to realize the utilization of thumbnail in a browser will be described.FIGS. 9A and 9Bare flowcharts showing processing upon browser operation in the moving image management apparatus. Note that the processing shown inFIGS. 9A and 9Bis executed when browser processing is started in the moving image management apparatus and a moving image file to be browsed is designated. Note that upon designation of moving image file to be browsed, the thumbnails representing the respective moving image files (thumbnails stored in the headers of the respective moving image files) are displayed in the thumbnail display area inFIG. 8A, and a desired moving image file is selected by designating a desired thumbnail by the pointer804. When the desired moving image file is selected, the processing shown inFIGS. 9A and 9Bis started.

First, at step S201, the browse unit304reads the header401of the moving image file400selected by the above operation among the moving image files stored by the moving image file storage unit302. Then the browse unit obtains various basic management information such as the file size from the moving image file management information404, and stores the information into the memory (RAM203). Next, at step S202, the unit reads the index area406in the footer403, and performs sorting on the indexes included in the index area406read at step S202by start position (Start Point inFIG. 5) in ascending order, for display of thumbnails to be described later in time sequential order.

Next, at step S204, a thumbnail display start number N is obtained from the current position of the bar of the scroll bar803. For example, if the scroll bar803is at an upper end (as shown inFIG. 8), display start number N=1 holds. Accordingly, display is started from the first thumbnail.

Next, by performing the following processing at steps S205to S212sequentially from the head index, thumbnails for browsing are displayed in the thumbnail display area802from the N-th and subsequent thumbnails.

First, at step S205, it is checked whether or not the thumbnail in the index is for browsing by checking the Thumbnail Type ID in the index. As described above, assuming that Thumbnail Type ID=1 to 3 are defined, it is determined that a thumbnail for which Thumbnail Type ID=1 is set is a thumbnail for browsing. Note that upon start of processing, checking is started from the head after the sorting.

If it is determined at step S205that it is a thumbnail for browser, the process proceeds to step S206. At step S206, the number C (the order in the thumbnails for browser) is counted. At step S207, it is checked whether or not the counted number C is less than the display start number N (C<N). This processing is made for skipping thumbnails before the number N without display.

If the number C is equal to or greater than the display start number N, the thumbnail image is read for thumbnail display at the next step S208. Next, at step S209, the thumbnail image is displayed in the thumbnail display area802, and the process proceeds to step S210. On the other hand, if it is determined at step S205that the thumbnail is not for browsing, or if it is determined at step S207that the number C is less than the number N, the process proceeds to step S210.

At step S210, the processing subject is moved to the next index to process the next thumbnail. In a case where the immediately previous processing has been performed on the last index and there is no next index, the process proceeds to step S213. If the next index exists, the process proceeds to step S212, at which it is checked whether or not the number has exceeded the number of displayable thumbnails in the thumbnail display area802. For example, in the example inFIG. 8, the number of displayable thumbnails is9. If the number is not over the number of displayable thumbnails, the process returns to step S205. That is, the processing at steps S205to S210is performed to sequentially check the indexes until there is no index to be processed or the number exceeds the number of displayable thumbnails.

If there is no index to be processed or the number exceeds the number of displayable thumbnails in the thumbnail display area802, the process proceeds to step S213. At step S213, it is checked whether or not the scroll bar has been operated by the user. If it has been operated, the processing at steps S204to S212is repeated, thereby a thumbnail corresponding to the position of the operated scroll bar is displayed. If the scroll bar has not been operated, the process proceeds to step S214.

Next, at step S214, it is determined whether or not one of the thumbnails displayed in the thumbnail display area802has been selected by the user. If a thumbnail has been selected, the process proceeds to step S215, at which the Start Point is read from the index corresponding to the selected thumbnail. Next, at step S216, moving image reproduction is started from the Start Point, and the moving image is displayed in the moving image reproduction screen image805. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S217. On the other hand, if it is determined at step S214that a thumbnail has not been selected, the process proceeds to step S217.

At step S217, it is determined whether or not termination of browsing by the browse unit304has been instructed. If it is determined that termination has not been instructed, the process returns to step S213. If it is determined that termination has been instructed, the process ends.

Note that in the above example, when a thumbnail is selected, the Start Point is obtained from the corresponding index and reproduction is started from the position, however, the reproduction is not limited to this arrangement. It may be arranged such that the Start Point and the End Point are obtained from the index corresponding to the selected thumbnail and only the section is reproduced.

In the above description, browsing is made in one moving image file for the sake of simplicity of explanation, however, even in thumbnail selection in plural moving image files, the selection can be made by repeating the processing to display a thumbnail for the respective moving image files.

By the above processing, the browse unit304reads only thumbnail(s) for browsing from the thumbnail area407and utilizes it.

Next, utilization of thumbnail in moving image editing will be described. In this example, the following case is supposed. That is, thumbnails for editing has been added to each moving image file beforehand. These thumbnails are utilized to collect favorite scenes which are scattered in the plurality of files, in order to create single moving image data or create a play-list describing reproduction designation information of a plurality of moving image files.FIG. 10is an example of the user interface upon moving image editing by an editing unit305. Numeral1000denotes an editing operation window in which an editing operation is performed. Numeral1001denotes a reproduction window in which a selected moving image file or the result of editing is reproduced for checking. Numeral1002denotes a moving image file window for display of a list of thumbnails in the headers of the respective moving image files. Numeral1003denotes operation buttons for operation of moving image reproduced in the reproduction window1001, for “reproduction, temporary stoppage, stoppage, reverse and fast-forward” operations from the left.

Numeral1004denotes a scene designation window in which selected moving image files are arrayed for designation of section in the respective moving images. Note that as display of the respective moving image files, thumbnail images are overlay-displayed for the user's recognition. Numeral1005denotes a scene designation bar. The start point and the end point of selected clip (hatched portion) can be designated by operating the scene designation bar. For this purpose, contents of frames corresponding to a portion of the moving image indicated by the scene designation bar1005, are displayed in the reproduction window1001while the scene designation bar1005is operated. Accordingly, the user can accurately specify the start point and the end point by confirming the image displayed in the reproduction window1001and operating the scene designation bar1005.

Numeral1006denotes a pointer. The user moves the pointer1006by operating the user operation unit300, to designate selection of various buttons and designation of operation. In an operation procedure, a moving image files are selected from the moving image file window1002and dragged and dropped into the scene designation window1004in the order of reproduction. Then, the start point and the end point area corrected by using the scene designation bar1005. At this time, the user performs moving image reproduction in the reproduction window1001by operating the operation unit1003in accordance with necessity thereby checks the image.

FIG. 11is a flowchart showing a thumbnail display operation upon the moving image editing by the editing unit305. Note that the processing inFIG. 11is started when moving image editing processing is executed in the moving image management apparatus.

First, at step S300, the editing unit305reads the header401of all the moving image files from the moving image file storage unit302. Next, at step S301, the editing unit reads the thumbnail405in the header401of the respective files. Then at step S302, the editing unit displays the thumbnails in the headers as representative images of the respective moving image files in the moving image file window1002.

Next, at step S303, it is determined whether or not a moving image file has been selected. In the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not the moving image file(s) has been dragged and dropped from the moving image file window1002to the scene designation window1004by operation of the pointer1006. If moving file(s) has been selected, the process proceeds to step S304, at which the index area406is read from the footer in the moving image file selected by the user. Then, bar display is performed to display the moving image file in the scene designation window1004. At this time, the entire moving image is the range of designation for the selected moving image file. Further, at this time, a representative thumbnail of the moving image file is displayed as the bar display of the moving image file displayed in the scene designation window1004. On the other hand if it is determined at step S303that moving image file selection has not been made, step S304is skipped.

Next, at step S305, it is checked whether or not the user has designated a range of scene regarding the moving image file by the scene designation bar1005in the scene designation window1004. If the range designation has been made, thumbnail(s) for editing existing within the range designated by the user is extracted and displayed at steps S306to S311.

First, at step S306, the Start Point and the End Point in the index (upon start of processing, the head index) are referred to, and it is determined whether or not a section indicated by the Start Point and the End Point is within the range designated by the user. If it is within the range, the process proceeds to step S307, at which it is determined whether or not the thumbnail corresponding to the index is a thumbnail for editing. The checking is made by checking the Thumbnail Type ID in the index. In a case where the Thumbnail Type IDs are defined as described above, if Thumbnail Type ID=2 holds, it is determined that the thumbnail is for editing. If it is a thumbnail for editing, the process proceeds to step S310.

On the other hand, if it is determined at step S306that the section corresponding to the index is not within the range designated by the user, or if it is determined at step S307that the thumbnail is not for editing, the process proceeds to step S308to process the next index. At step S309, it is determined whether or not the next index exists. If the next index exists, the processing at steps S306and S307is repeated.

If the condition at step S307is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S310, at which a thumbnail image corresponding to the index is read. Then at step S311, the thumbnail image is displayed. For example, as shown inFIG. 10, in the scene designation window1004, the thumbnail image is overlay-displayed on a bar indicating the scene. By this display, the user can easily recognize the scene in the designated range. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S308, to repeat the above-described processing on the next index.

By the above processing, thumbnails of all the sections within the range designated by the user are overlay-displayed on the bars indicating the scenes. Note that the display range of thumbnail is an area designated by 2 scene designation bars1005. If the size of area between the designation bars is insufficient, a part of the thumbnail may be overlaid or a scroll bar may be displayed for scrollable display.

If it is determined at step S305that a scene range has not been designated by the user, or if it is determined at step S309that there is no index to be processed, the process proceeds to step S312. At step S312, it is determined whether or not termination of the moving image editing operation has been instructed. If the termination of the editing operation has not been instructed (the moving image editing is performed), the process returns to step S303to repeat the above processing. On the other hand, if it is determined that the termination of the editing operation has been instructed, the process ends.

By the above processing, upon file selection, the editing unit305can use a significant thumbnail stored in the header, and utilize only thumbnails for moving image editing corresponding to the designated range from the thumbnail area407.

Note that in the above embodiment, the browsing and moving image editing have been described as utilization of thumbnail images, however, the usage is not limited to these 2 operations, but thumbnail images can be used for various purposes such as printing of frame image corresponding to a selected thumbnail. For example, if a frame image corresponding to a selected thumbnail is printed, processing as shown in the flowchart ofFIG. 12is performed. First, a thumbnail is obtained from the header401of the respective moving image files, and the thumbnails are displayed in a list, then a desired moving image file (moving image data) is designated by the user (S401). Among the thumbnails corresponding to the designated image data (thumbnails recorded in the footer), thumbnails where the Thumbnail Type ID is “3” are extracted and displayed (S402and S403). In the subsequent processing, one of the thumbnail is selected, and a frame as a base of the selected thumbnail is printed. That is, an image of the frame specified by the Thumbnail Key Relative Point as shown inFIG. 6of the designated thumbnail is obtained (S404to S406), and it is outputted for printing (S407). Accordingly, another function such as a printing unit may be added to the moving image processing apparatus inFIG. 3. Note that if selection from the displayed thumbnail is not performed and termination is instructed, the process ends (S404and S408).

Note that in the above embodiment, the browsing unit and the editing unit are provided as functions for utilizing thumbnails, however, 3 or more functions including the above-described printing unit or the like, or only one of them, or another combination of other functions may be used.

Note that in the above embodiment, the moving image processing shown inFIG. 3is a single apparatus including the moving image input unit301, the thumbnail formation unit303, the browse unit304, and the editing unit305. However, the moving image processing apparatus may be constructed as plural apparatuses of respective functions, including the above-described printing unit, or apparatuses having combinations of several functions. In such case, a moving image file including thumbnails may be transmitted among the respective apparatuses via a storage medium or communication means such as IEEE 1394.

Note that in the above embodiment, since there is no index for the header thumbnails, the header thumbnails do not have the Start Point, the End Point and the Thumbnail Type ID, however, these information may be held as management information. In this case, a number or the like indicating the purpose of thumbnail is stored, and it can be utilized in various applications.

Note that in the above embodiment, the thumbnail recorded in the header (thumbnail representing the file) is not recorded in the footer, but the thumbnail may be recorded in the header and the footer.

Further, if one thumbnail is used for plural purposes (e.g., browsing and editing), such plural purposes can be designated by deciding a value stored in the Thumbnail Type ID to an appropriate value. Further, according to operation purposes, thumbnail can be properly utilized. For example, head image of a certain scene is used for thumbnail for browsing while representative image of the scene is used for thumbnail for editing.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, as thumbnails for different purposes can be stored in 1 file, management of the thumbnails is simplified. Further, upon use of the thumbnails, only thumbnail(s) corresponding to the purpose can be utilized by referring to the type information attached to the thumbnails (Thumbnail Type ID).

Further, the object of the present invention can be also achieved by providing a storage medium storing program code for performing the aforesaid processes to a system or an apparatus, reading the program code by a computer (e.g., CPU, MPU) of the system or apparatus from the storage medium, then executing the program.

In this case, the program code read from the storage medium realize the functions according to the embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the invention.

Further, the storage medium, such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile type memory card, and a ROM can be used for providing the program code.

Furthermore, besides aforesaid functions according to the above embodiment are realized by executing the program code which are read by a computer, the present invention includes a case where an OS (operating system) or the like working on the computer performs a part or entire processes in accordance with designations of the program code to realize functions according to the above embodiment.

Furthermore, the present invention also includes a case where, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in a function expansion board which is inserted into the computer or in a memory provided in a function expansion unit which is connected to the computer, CPU or the like contained in the function expansion board or unit performs a part or entire process in accordance with designations of the program code and realizes functions of the above embodiment.

EFFECT OF INVENTION

As described above, according to the present invention, operability of moving image data using a representative image is improved upon execution of various moving image data processing by adding a type attribute to a representative image, and management of representative images can be simplified.