Picture-based video indexing system

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 417,300, filed Apr. 16, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 191,573, filed Nov. 13, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,416, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08 / 556,746, filed Nov. 2, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,526,219. The entire content of each application and patent is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to video recording, and, more particularly, to a system for storing and displaying “thumbnail” images representative of the contents of a video recording medium, thereby enabling a user to locate a particular section rapidly and conveniently.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]As the popularity of video cassette recorders (VCRs) has spread, many users have amassed extensive libraries of recordings, representing a wide range of program materials collected...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"This patent describes a method and system for automatically indexing video programs using pictures based on the program material. This approach eliminates the need for textual or other identifying information and allows users to easily determine the contents of a recorded video program. The system stores picture information separately from the program material and displays them without needing to view the program itself. The pictures can represent periods of the program that are separated in time, making it easy to identify and index the program. The system can also analyze the program to ensure that only relevant pictures are stored and can automatically store pictures associated with the beginning and end of a program. The system includes a video recorder and display device and can use existing equipment like a VCR or disc drive. The system stores pictures in a memory and uses a frame buffer to output the program content to the display device in the form of a video signal. The system also supports moving pictures in multiple windows."

Problems solved by technology

Since the rigorous cataloging of tapes has little appeal to users, most users simply resort to notes affixed to individual cassettes, or they write descriptive information on a tape label.

However, once the number of tapes in a library exceeds ten or fifteen units, this method for marking becomes unmanageable.

Moreover, in the future, new, more compact, video recording media, such as smaller cassettes, magnetic disks, and recordable optical discs or “videodiscs,” are likely to make such marking methods increasingly impractical.

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