Highlight moving image generation device

Abstract

To provide a highlighted moving image generation device for generating a highlighted moving image having an optimum resolution in consideration of a viewing environment of a user.SOLUTION: A highlight moving image generation device 60 is a highlight moving image generation device 60 that generates a highlight moving image with respect to an imaged moving image captured by an imaging part 40 and recorded in a recording device 50, and includes: a position information acquisition part 62 that acquires position information including imaged position information of the imaging part 40; a recording control part 63 that adds the imaged position information to the imaged moving image captured by the imaging part 40 and records the imaged moving image in the recording device 50; and a highlighted moving image generation part 67 that specifies a plurality of captured moving image file groups captured within a predetermined distance of the imaging position information as one highlighted moving image generation processing part, generates one highlighted moving image from the specified plurality of captured moving image file groups, and records the generated one highlighted moving image in the recording device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a highlight video generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, camcorders that combine a video camera device for shooting moving images with a recorder device for recording the shot moving images have become widespread. Some camcorders have a function for generating a highlight moving image by extracting highlight scenes from a recorded shot moving image. By using this function to generate a highlight moving image of a shot moving image and recording it in a recording device, a user can easily view the highlight scenes of the shot moving image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-55147 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 2018-501533 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above-mentioned highlight video is generated by a user performing a predetermined instruction operation on a camcorder and recorded on a recording device. At that time, the user needs to configure the settings to suit the viewing environment. If the settings are not configured, an unnecessarily large highlight video may be created, or a highlight video with insufficient resolution may be viewed on a high-resolution display, resulting in inconvenience.

[0005] Furthermore, if the remaining storage capacity of the recording device is less than the amount of information in the generated highlight video, the highlight video cannot be recorded. In such a situation, in order to record the generated highlight video, the user must perform operations such as deleting other videos already recorded in the recording device, which is time-consuming.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a highlight video generating device that generates a highlight video with optimal resolution and duration, taking into consideration the user's viewing environment and remaining recording capacity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A highlight video generation device according to the present invention generates a highlight video for a captured video that is captured by an imaging unit and recorded in a recording device, the highlight video generation device including: a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information including information about a position where the image was captured by the imaging unit; The video recording device is characterized by comprising a recording control unit that adds the shooting location information to the video captured by the imaging unit and records the video in the recording device, and a highlight video generation unit that identifies a group of multiple video files captured within a predetermined distance according to the shooting location information as a generation processing unit for one highlight video, generates one highlight video from the identified group of multiple video files, and records the highlight video in the recording device.

[0008] Another aspect of the highlight video generation device according to the present invention is a highlight video generation device that generates a highlight video for a captured video that is captured by an imaging unit and recorded in a recording device, and is characterized by comprising: a time information acquisition unit that acquires current time information; a recording control unit that adds the current time information to the captured video captured by the imaging unit as shooting time information and records the captured video in the recording device; and a highlight video generation unit that identifies a group of multiple captured video files whose shooting time information is captured within a predetermined time as a generation processing unit for one highlight video, generates one highlight video from the identified group of multiple captured video files, and records the generated highlight video in the recording device.

[0009] Another aspect of the highlight video generation device according to the present invention is a highlight video generation device that generates a highlight video for a captured video that has been captured by an imaging unit and recorded in a recording device, and is characterized by comprising: a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information including shooting location information by the imaging unit; a recording control unit that adds the shooting location information to the captured video captured by the imaging unit and records the captured video in the recording device; and a highlight video generation unit that identifies, as a generation processing unit for one highlight video, a group of multiple captured video files that have been continuously captured within a predetermined distance from home, or a group of multiple captured video files that have been continuously captured at a location that is a predetermined distance or more from home, and generates one highlight video from the identified group of multiple captured video files and records it in the recording device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the highlight video generating device of the present invention, it is possible to provide a highlight video with an optimal resolution and duration, taking into consideration the user's viewing environment and remaining recording capacity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a camcorder equipped with a highlight movie generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a process executed when the timing for generating a highlight movie file arrives in the highlight movie generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the highlight movie generating device according to one embodiment of the present invention when generating a highlight movie file from a predetermined captured movie file. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] <Configuration of a camcorder equipped with a highlight video generating device according to one embodiment> The configuration of a camcorder equipped with a highlight movie production device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The camcorder 1 according to this embodiment has a GPS receiver 10, an acceleration sensor 20, a battery 30, an imaging unit 40, a recording device 50, a highlight movie production device 60, and a display unit 70.

[0013] The GPS receiver 10 receives GPS signals and acquires position information of the camcorder 1. The acceleration sensor 20 acquires moving state information of the camcorder 1 by measuring the movement, tilt, vibration, etc. of the camcorder 1. The battery 30 supplies power to the camcorder 1. The imaging unit 40 has an imaging lens and an imaging element that captures an optical image formed by the imaging lens and outputs an electrical signal.

[0014] The recording device 50 is configured with, for example, a hard disk or SSD (Solid State Drive), and records imaging information captured by the imaging section 40 as a captured video file. The recording device 50 also records highlight video files generated by the highlight video generating device 60, as will be described later, in association with the corresponding captured video files. The recording device 50 also records information about past viewing environments (viewing environment information) related to the recorded video files.

[0015] The highlight video generating device 60 is configured with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), has a function of generating a highlight video file, and has a time information acquiring unit 61, a location information acquiring unit 62, a recording control unit 63, a movement status information acquiring unit 64, a remaining battery capacity information acquiring unit 65, a remaining recording capacity information acquiring unit 66, and a highlight video generating unit 67.

[0016] The time information acquisition unit 61 acquires current time information. The position information acquisition unit 62 acquires position information of the camcorder 1 acquired by the GPS receiver 10. The recording control unit 63 is configured, for example, with a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and acquires image information captured by the imaging unit 40, adds the current time information acquired by the time information acquisition unit 61 at the time of capture as shooting time information, and adds the position information of the camcorder 1 acquired by the position information acquisition unit 62 at the time of capture as shooting position information, and records the information in the recording device 50. The movement status information acquisition unit 64 acquires movement status information of the camcorder 1 acquired by the acceleration sensor 20. The remaining battery capacity information acquisition unit 65 acquires remaining capacity information of the battery 30. The remaining recording capacity information acquisition unit 66 acquires remaining recording capacity information of the recording device 50.

[0017] When the time arrives to automatically generate a highlight video file for the captured video file recorded in the recording device 50, if the camcorder 1 is located within a predetermined range, the camcorder 1 is stationary, the remaining charge of the battery 30 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and the relevant time is within a time period determined to be one in which the camcorder 1 is used infrequently, the highlight video generation unit 67 starts processing to generate a highlight video file from the captured video file recorded in the recording device 50. The frequency of use of the camcorder 1 is obtained, for example, by dividing 24 hours into hourly intervals and calculating the average number of times the camcorder 1 has been used per hour over the past month, and a time period in which this average number of times is equal to or less than a predetermined value is determined to be a time period in which the camcorder 1 is used infrequently.

[0018] When the highlight movie generating unit 67 starts the process of generating a highlight movie file, it acquires, as a processing target, a shot movie file for which a highlight movie file has not yet been generated, from the recording device 50. Then, based on the resolution based on the viewing environment information recorded in the recording device 50 and the remaining recording capacity information acquired by the remaining recording capacity information acquiring unit 66, the highlight movie generating unit 67 determines the resolution and duration of a highlight movie file to be generated from the shot movie file to be processed, generates a highlight movie file, and causes the recording device 50 to record it.

[0019] The display unit 70, under the control of the highlight video generating device 60, plays back the video files recorded in the recording device 50 and displays notification information to the user.

[0020] <Operation of the highlight video generating unit 67 according to one embodiment> The operation of the highlight movie generating section 67 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. In this embodiment, a first captured movie file 51A, a second captured movie file 52A, a third captured movie file 53A, a fourth captured movie file 54A, and a fifth captured movie file 55A, which were captured by the imaging section 40 of the camcorder 1, are recorded in the recording device 50. In addition, a first highlight movie file 51B, which was generated from the first captured movie file 51A, is recorded in the recording device 50 in association with the first captured movie file 51A.

[0021] Under the control of the recording control unit 63, the first captured video file 51A has been added with information indicating the location of school S, which is located 1 km from the home, as shooting location information, and July 1, 2020, 13:00 as shooting date and time information. The second captured video file 52A has been added with information indicating the location of tourist attraction T, which is located 100 km from the home, as shooting location information, and July 10, 2020, 15:10 as shooting date and time information. The third captured video file 53A has been added with information indicating the location of tourist attraction T, as with the second captured video file 52A, as shooting location information, and July 11, 2020, 11:10 as shooting date and time information. The fourth captured video file 54A has been added with information indicating the location of tourist attraction T as shooting location information, and July 11, 2020, 13:10 as shooting date and time information. The fifth captured video file 55A has added shooting location information indicating the location of park P, which is 0.5 km from the home, and added shooting date and time information of 13:10 on July 12, 2020. The first captured video file 51A, second captured video file 52A, third captured video file 53A, fourth captured video file 54A, and fifth captured video file 55A were shot at a resolution corresponding to 4K (Ultra High Definition).

[0022] Furthermore, viewing environment information 56 is recorded as information about the past viewing environment related to the recorded video file in the highlight video generating section 67. The details of the viewing environment information 56 will be described later.

[0023] Furthermore, a value indicating the amount of power required to perform the highlight video generation process is preset in the highlight video generation unit 67. When the remaining battery charge exceeds the amount of power required to perform the highlight video generation process, the highlight video generation unit 67 generates a highlight video file.

[0024] Furthermore, the highlight movie generating unit 67 is preset with a timing for automatically generating a highlight movie file of the captured movie file recorded in the recording device 50. For example, the timing for automatically generating this highlight movie file is set to a predetermined time (for example, six hours) after the last shooting by the camcorder 1 has ended. Alternatively, the timing for automatically generating a highlight movie file may be set to a time when the camcorder 1 is not in use. A state in which the camcorder 1 is not in use refers to a state in which no shooting process, no playback process of a captured movie file, no setting operation of various functions, etc. is being performed.

[0025] Furthermore, the above conditions may be used in combination as the timing for automatically generating a highlight video file, or any one of them may be used alone.

[0026] Furthermore, the highlight video generating unit 67 stores in advance information on five levels of resolution regarding the resolution of the highlight video file to be generated: a first resolution (a resolution corresponding to 4K), a second resolution (a resolution corresponding to FHD; Full High Definition), a third resolution (a resolution corresponding to HD; High Definition Video), a fourth resolution (a standard image quality corresponding to SD; Standard Definition Video), and a fifth resolution (the resolution of the display unit 70 of the camcorder 1). In addition to this, the highlight video generating unit 67 may also store information on resolutions dedicated to devices having special resolutions other than those described above, such as smartphones and tablet terminals.

[0027] With this information set, when the highlight video generating unit 67 detects that the time has come to automatically generate a preset highlight video file ("YES" in S1), it acquires the location information of the camcorder 1 from the location information acquiring unit 62. Then, based on the acquired location information of the camcorder 1, it determines whether the camcorder 1 is within a predetermined range, for example, within the range of the user's home, or in a position that is a predetermined distance or more away from the last shooting position (S2).

[0028] Here, if it is determined that the camcorder 1 is within the predetermined range ("YES" in S2), the highlight movie generating unit 67 further acquires movement state information of the camcorder 1 from the movement state information acquiring unit 64. Then, based on the acquired movement state information of the camcorder 1, it determines whether the camcorder 1 is not moving and is in a stationary state. Here, the highlight movie generating unit 67 may further determine whether any of the various buttons (not shown) or touch panel (not shown) in the camcorder 1 have been operated within a predetermined time period.

[0029] Here, if the camcorder 1 is stationary and no operation is being performed, the highlight video creation unit 67 determines that the camcorder 1 is not in use ("YES" in S3), and further acquires remaining charge information of the battery 30 from the remaining battery charge information acquisition unit 65. Then, the highlight video creation unit 67 determines whether the remaining charge of the battery 30 is equal to or greater than the amount of power required to perform the highlight video creation process (S4).

[0030] Here, when the highlight video generating unit 67 determines that the battery 30 has a remaining amount of power equal to or greater than the amount required to perform the highlight video generating process ("YES" in S4), it further determines whether the current time is within a time period when the camcorder 1 is used infrequently, as determined by the method described above (S5).

[0031] Here, when the highlight movie generating unit 67 determines that the current time is within a time period when the camcorder 1 is not frequently used ("YES" in S5), the highlight movie generating unit 67 extracts files for which highlight movie files have not yet been generated from among the shot movie files recorded in the recording device 50. The highlight movie generating unit 67 determines whether a highlight movie file has been generated based on whether a highlight movie file linked to the corresponding shot movie file has been recorded.

[0032] Here, among the captured moving image files recorded in the recording device 50, a highlight moving image file 51B has already been generated for the first captured moving image file 51A, but highlight moving image files have not yet been generated for the second captured moving image file 52A, the third captured moving image file 53A, the fourth captured moving image file 54A, and the fifth captured moving image file 55A. Therefore, the highlight moving image generating section 67 extracts the second captured moving image file 52A, the third captured moving image file 53A, the fourth captured moving image file 54A, and the fifth captured moving image file 55A from the recording device 50.

[0033] Next, the highlight moving image generating unit 67 identifies a group of captured moving image files that will be used as a unit of processing to generate one highlight moving image file from the extracted files based on the shooting location information and shooting date and time information of the extracted moving image files that are the target of the highlight moving image generation processing, using the following identification methods (1) to (3) (S6).

[0034] [Method for identifying captured video files (1)] A group of multiple captured moving image files taken continuously within a predetermined distance (for example, 500 m) is identified as a processing unit for generating one highlight moving image file. This makes it possible to generate one highlight moving image file from multiple captured moving image files taken continuously at a predetermined tourist spot, for example. Also, it is possible to generate one highlight moving image file from multiple captured moving image files taken continuously within a predetermined distance from home.

[0035] [Method for identifying captured video files (2)] A group of multiple captured moving image files that have been continuously shot within a predetermined time (for example, one day) is identified as a unit of processing for generating one highlight moving image file. This makes it possible to generate one highlight moving image file for each day, for example, from multiple captured moving image files.

[0036] [Method for identifying captured video files (3)] A group of multiple captured video files that were continuously shot at a location that is at least a predetermined distance from home (for example, 50 km, which is preset as an index for determining whether or not the location is a travel destination) is identified as a unit of processing for generating a single highlight video file, even if the files span different days. This allows a trip spanning multiple days to be recognized as a single event, and one highlight video file can be generated from the corresponding multiple captured video files.

[0037] In this embodiment, a case will be described in which processing is performed based on the above-mentioned identification method (3). Here, the video files to be subjected to the highlight video generation process are the second captured video file 52A, the third captured video file 53A, the fourth captured video file 54A, and the fifth captured video file 55A. Of these, the highlight video generation unit 67 detects that the second captured video file 52A, the third captured video file 53A, and the fourth captured video file 54A were continuously shot at a tourist spot T that is at least a predetermined distance (for example, 50 km) away from the user's home.

[0038] As a result, the highlight video generating section 67 determines that the second captured video file 52A, the third captured video file 53A, and the fourth captured video file 54A were shot during one trip (one event), and sets these as a first captured video file group 52C, which is one highlight video generation processing unit. As a result, the highlight video generating section 67 sets the first captured video file group 52C and the fifth captured video file 55A as targets for highlight video generation processing.

[0039] Next, the highlight movie generating section 67 generates highlight movie files from the first captured movie file group 52C and the fifth captured movie file 55A that are the targets of the highlight movie generating process (S7). The highlight movie file generating process can be executed by determining the resolution and duration of the highlight movie file using any of the following methods (1) to (3).

[0040] [How to generate highlight video files (1)] First, the highlight movie generating unit 67 acquires the first captured moving image file group 52C as a target for highlight movie generation processing from among the files targeted for highlight movie generation processing (S71). Then, the highlight movie generating unit 67 sets the resolution of the highlight movie file based on the resolution of the corresponding captured moving image files 52A, 53A, and 54A and the resolution based on the viewing environment information 56 recorded in the camcorder 1.

[0041] As the viewing environment information 56, each time playback is performed, the highlight video generation device 60 determines the device to which the video file is output (4K television, FHD television, personal computer, smartphone, tablet terminal, display unit of camcorder 1, etc.), and the values ​​tallied for each device are recorded in the recording device 50. When the output destination device is a television, the highlight video generation device 60 determines the type of television by obtaining specification information of the television from EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) information of HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) (registered trademark) at the time of connection, or by obtaining the information based on information set by the user.

[0042] The highlight video generating unit 67 determines that the device with the highest aggregated value is the device that most often played back video files, based on the recorded viewing environment information 56. Furthermore, if there are multiple devices with the highest aggregated value, the highlight video generating unit 67 determines that the device with the highest resolution is the device that most often played back video files.

[0043] The highlight movie generator 67 then determines the resolution based on the viewing environment information 56 recorded in the camcorder 1 to be a first resolution if, for example, the user connected the camcorder 1 to a 4K television and played back recorded movie files. Alternatively, the highlight movie generator 67 determines the resolution to be a second resolution if the user connected the camcorder 1 to an FHD television and played back recorded movie files. Alternatively, the highlight movie generator 67 determines the resolution to be a third resolution if the user connected the camcorder 1 to a personal computer and played back recorded movie files. Alternatively, the highlight movie generator 67 determines the resolution to be a fourth resolution if the user connected the camcorder 1 to a smartphone or tablet and played back recorded movie files. Alternatively, the highlight movie generator 67 determines the resolution to be a fifth resolution if the user often played back recorded movie files on the display unit 70 of the camcorder 1.

[0044] Here, it is assumed that the highlight video generating unit 67 has determined that the aggregated value relating to the 4K television device was the most, and has determined that the resolution based on the past viewing environment is the first resolution.

[0045] In the present embodiment, the case has been described in which the highlight movie generating unit 67 determines the resolution based on the viewing environment to be the third resolution if the video file recorded on the camcorder 1 is often played back on a personal computer, and determines the resolution to be the fourth resolution if the video file is often played back on a smartphone or tablet terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the highlight movie generating unit 67 may determine the resolution based on the viewing environment based on the specification information of the display of the television device, personal computer, smartphone, tablet terminal, etc. used by the user.

[0046] For example, the highlight video generation unit 67 may acquire specification information of the display of a television device from EDID information, a line output, etc., and determine a resolution based on the viewing environment from the acquired information. Alternatively, the highlight video generation unit 67 may acquire specification information of the display of a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal by connecting the camcorder 1 to these devices via USB, and determine a resolution based on the viewing environment from the acquired information.

[0047] Alternatively, the user may set specification information of these devices in advance, and the highlight video generating section 67 may determine the resolution based on the viewing environment on the basis of the set information.

[0048] Next, the highlight movie generating unit 67 determines the resolution of the highlight movie file to be the lower of the resolution of the first captured movie file group 52C or the resolution based on the past viewing environment. In this process, if multiple captured movie files with different resolutions are included among the targets of generation processing for one highlight movie file, the highlight movie generating unit 67 makes a determination based on the lowest resolution among them. Here, because both the resolution of each captured movie file and the resolution based on the past viewing environment are the first resolution, the highlight movie generating unit 67 determines the resolution of the highlight movie file to be the first resolution.

[0049] Next, the highlight movie generating section 67 determines whether or not the recording device 50 has sufficient remaining capacity to record a highlight movie file (S72). Whether or not the recording device 50 has sufficient remaining capacity to record a highlight movie file is determined, for example, by calculating the amount of information when the highlight movie generating section 67 generates a highlight movie file at the first resolution for the first captured movie file group 52C, and determining whether or not there is sufficient remaining capacity for that amount of information. The amount of information of the highlight movie file may be automatically calculated by the highlight movie generating section 67 based on the amount of information of a representative frame of the corresponding captured movie file, or may be calculated by generating a temporary highlight movie file.

[0050] Here, when it is determined that the recording device 50 has sufficient remaining capacity to record a highlight movie file ("YES" in S72), the highlight movie generation section 67 generates a highlight movie file at the first resolution for the first captured movie file group 52C. A known technique can be used to generate a highlight movie file. The duration of the highlight movie file generated here can be any length. The highlight movie generation section 67 records information about the generated highlight movie file as a second highlight movie file 52B in the recording device 50 (S73). At this time, the second highlight movie file 52B is recorded in the recording device 50 in association with the first captured movie file group 52C.

[0051] Here, in step S73, if a temporary highlight movie file has already been generated in order to calculate the amount of information of the highlight movie file, the highlight movie generating unit 67 may record this highlight movie file in the recording device 50 as the second highlight movie file 52B.

[0052] Furthermore, when it is determined in step S73 that the recording device 50 does not have sufficient remaining capacity to record a highlight video file ("NO" in S72), the highlight video generation unit 67 determines whether or not it is possible to generate a highlight video file that has been reduced in size from the first captured video file group 52C to a size that can be recorded in the recording device 50 by leaving the resolution at the default value (first resolution) and adjusting the time length (S74).

[0053] Methods for adjusting the time length include (i) determining the time length so that the amount of information in the highlight video file to be generated is equal to the remaining capacity of the recording device 50, and (ii) retaining information on a plurality of pre-set time lengths (for example, four time lengths: a first time length of "30 seconds," a second time length of "20 seconds," a third time length of "15 seconds," and a fourth time length of "10 seconds") and selecting from among this information the time length that will generate a highlight video file with the amount of information that can be recorded in the recording device 50.

[0054] When the above adjustment method (i) is used, the highlight movie generating unit 67 determines that it is possible to generate a highlight movie file if the determined time length is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, 10 seconds), and determines that it is impossible to generate a highlight movie file if the determined time length is less than the predetermined value. Here, even if it is impossible to generate a highlight movie file of 10 seconds or more at the first resolution, if it is possible to generate a highlight movie file of 10 seconds or more by lowering the resolution, the highlight movie generating unit 67 may determine that it is possible to generate a highlight movie file by lowering the resolution.

[0055] Furthermore, when the above adjustment method (ii) is used, the highlight movie generation unit 67 determines that it is possible to generate a highlight movie file if there is at least one time length among a plurality of preset time lengths that will generate a highlight movie file that can be recorded in the recording device 50. Here, if there are a plurality of applicable time lengths, the highlight movie generation unit 67 can select the longest time length among them. The selected time length is not limited to the longest time length, and may be the shortest time length, a time length close to the median of the plurality of time lengths, or a time length that is preset by the user. Furthermore, if there is no time length that will generate a highlight movie file that can be recorded in the recording device 50, the highlight movie generation unit 67 determines that it is impossible to generate a highlight movie file.

[0056] If it is determined that a highlight movie file with an amount of information recordable in the recording device 50 can be generated ("YES" in S74), the highlight movie generation unit 67 generates a reduced highlight movie file with the appropriate resolution and duration (S75). If it is determined in step S74 that a highlight movie file with an amount of information recordable in the recording device 50 cannot be generated ("NO" in S74), the highlight movie generation unit 67 generates notification information indicating that a highlight movie file cannot be generated and outputs the notification information to the display unit 70 (S76). By outputting the notification information, the user recognizes that a highlight movie file cannot be generated, and can perform an operation such as deleting unnecessary files from the files recorded in the recording device 50 to execute the highlight movie file generation process again.

[0057] Thereafter, the highlight movie generating section 67 similarly executes the highlight movie file generation process for the unprocessed fifth captured movie file 55A ("YES" in S77→S71), and records information about the generated highlight movie file as a third highlight movie file 55B in the recording device 50. At this time, the highlight movie generating section 67 records the third highlight movie file 55B in the recording device 50 in association with the fifth captured movie file 55A.

[0058] [How to generate highlight video files (2)] Of the files identified as targets for highlight movie generation processing, the highlight movie generation unit 67 first acquires the first captured movie file group 52C as a target for highlight movie generation processing (S71), and sets a time length selected by the user from a plurality of preset time lengths (for example, four time lengths: a first time length of "30 seconds," a second time length of "20 seconds," a third time length of "15 seconds," and a fourth time length of "10 seconds") as the time length of the highlight movie file. Here, it is assumed that the first time length of "30 seconds" has been set.

[0059] Next, the highlight movie generating unit 67 determines whether or not the recording device 50 has sufficient remaining capacity to record a highlight movie file (S72). Whether or not the recording device 50 has sufficient remaining capacity to record a highlight movie file is determined, for example, by calculating the amount of information when a highlight movie file is generated with the first time length set for the first captured movie file group 52C, and determining whether or not there is sufficient remaining capacity for that amount of information. At this time, the resolution of the highlight movie file can be set in the same way as in the highlight movie file generating method (1). Here, it is assumed that the first resolution is set.

[0060] Here, if it is determined that the recording device 50 has sufficient remaining capacity to record a highlight video file ("YES" in S72), the highlight video generation unit 67 generates a highlight video file with the first duration and first resolution set for the first captured video file group 52C, and records it in the recording device 50 (S73).

[0061] Furthermore, if it is determined that the recording device 50 does not have sufficient remaining capacity to record a highlight video file ("NO" in S72), the highlight video generation unit 67 determines whether or not it is possible to generate a highlight video file with an amount of information that can be recorded in the recording device 50 from the fifth captured video file 55A by adjusting the resolution without changing the set first time length (S74).

[0062] Here, if there is at least one resolution among the second to fifth resolutions described above at which a highlight movie file recordable in the recording device 50 for the first time length is generated, the highlight movie generation unit 67 determines that it is possible to generate a highlight movie file. Here, if there are multiple applicable resolutions, the highlight movie generation unit 67 can select the highest resolution among them. The resolution selected by the highlight movie generation unit 67 is not limited to the highest resolution, but may be the lowest resolution, a resolution close to the median value among the multiple resolutions, or a resolution previously set by the user. Furthermore, if there is no resolution at which a highlight movie file recordable in the recording device 50 for the first time length is generated, the highlight movie generation unit 67 determines that it is impossible to generate a highlight movie file.

[0063] If it is determined that a highlight movie file with an amount of information recordable in the recording device 50 can be generated ("YES" in S74), the highlight movie generation unit 67 generates a reduced highlight movie file with the appropriate resolution and duration (S75). If it is determined in step S74 that a highlight movie file with an amount of information recordable in the recording device 50 cannot be generated ("NO" in S74), the processing is the same as the processing described in the highlight movie file generation method (1), and therefore a detailed description will be omitted. Thereafter, the highlight movie generation unit 67 similarly executes the processing for generating a highlight movie file for the unprocessed fifth captured movie file 55A ("YES" in S77→S71).

[0064] [How to generate highlight video files (3)] The highlight video generating unit 67 first acquires the first captured video file group 52C as a highlight video generation processing target from among the files identified as the highlight video generation processing targets (S71), and sets the duration and resolution of the highlight video file in the same manner as in the highlight video file generation method (2). Here, it is assumed that the first duration of "30 seconds" and the first resolution are set.

[0065] Next, the highlight movie generating section 67 determines whether or not the recording device 50 has sufficient remaining capacity to record a highlight movie file, as in the case of the highlight movie file generating method (2) (S72).

[0066] Here, if it is determined that the recording device 50 has sufficient remaining capacity to record a highlight video file ("YES" in S72), the highlight video generation unit 67 generates a highlight video file with the first duration and first resolution set for the first captured video file group 52C, and records it in the recording device 50 (S73).

[0067] Furthermore, when it is determined that the recording device 50 does not have sufficient remaining capacity to record a highlight video file ("NO" in S72), the highlight video generation unit 67 determines whether or not it is possible to generate a highlight video file with an amount of information that can be recorded in the recording device 50 by adjusting both the resolution and the duration (S74). For example, the highlight video generation unit 67 determines whether or not there is a combination of resolution and duration that will generate a highlight video file that can be recorded in the recording device 50 by lowering the resolution by at least one level and shortening the duration by at least one level.

[0068] Here, the highlight video generation unit 67 determines that it is possible to generate a highlight video file if there is at least one combination of the relevant resolution and duration. If there are multiple combinations of the relevant resolution and duration, the highlight video generation unit 67 selects the combination with the highest resolution and the longest duration.

[0069] Furthermore, the highlight movie generating unit 67 further lowers either the resolution or the time length, or both, if there is no combination of resolution and time length that will generate a highlight movie file that can be recorded in the recording device 50. If generation is still not possible, the highlight movie generating unit 67 determines that generation of a highlight movie file is not possible.

[0070] If it is determined that a highlight movie file with an amount of information recordable in the recording device 50 can be generated ("YES" in S74), the highlight movie generation unit 67 generates a reduced highlight movie file with the appropriate resolution and duration (S75). If it is determined in step S74 that a highlight movie file with an amount of information recordable in the recording device 50 cannot be generated ("NO" in S74), the processing is the same as the processing described in the highlight movie file generation method (1), and therefore a detailed description will be omitted. Thereafter, the highlight movie generation unit 67 similarly executes the processing for generating a highlight movie file for the unprocessed fifth captured movie file 55A ("YES" in S77→S71).

[0071] When the generation process is completed for all files that are the subject of the highlight movie generation process by any of the processes described above, the highlight movie generation section 67 ends the process.

[0072] According to the above embodiment, the camcorder 1 automatically determines the timing to generate a highlight video file from a recorded captured video file, and when the appropriate timing arrives, it takes into consideration the user's viewing environment and remaining recording capacity, generates and records a highlight video file with optimal resolution and duration.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, when it is determined in step S2 that the camcorder 1 is located inside the user's home, the process proceeds to step S3 and the highlight movie generation process is carried out. However, the process may proceed to step S3 when it is determined that the camcorder 1 is located within a predetermined range, not limited to the user's home. This allows the process of generating a highlight movie file to be carried out at a location other than the user's home, such as a location registered as a base by the user. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 Camcorder 10 GPS receiver 20 Acceleration sensor 30 Battery 40 Imaging unit 50 Recording Device 51A First captured video file 51B 1st highlight video file 52A Second captured video file 52B 2nd highlight video file 52C First captured video file group 53A Third captured video file 54A 4th captured video file 55A 5th captured video file 55B 3rd highlight video file 61 Time information acquisition section 62 Location information acquisition unit 63 Recording control section 64 Moving status information acquisition unit 65 Battery remaining capacity information acquisition unit 66 Remaining recording capacity information acquisition unit 67 Highlight video generation unit 70 Display section

Claims

1. A highlight video generation device that generates a highlight video from a captured video that is shot by an imaging unit and recorded in a recording device, a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information including information about a position at which the image is captured by the imaging unit; a recording control unit that adds the shooting location information to the video captured by the imaging unit and records the video in the recording device; a highlight video generation unit that identifies a group of multiple captured video files, each of which is captured within a predetermined distance according to the shooting position information, as a unit of processing for generating one highlight video, generates one highlight video from the identified group of multiple captured video files, and records the single highlight video in the recording device; A highlight video generating device comprising:

2. A highlight video generation device that generates a highlight video from a captured video that is shot by an imaging unit and recorded in a recording device, a time information acquisition unit that acquires current time information; a recording control unit that adds current time information as shooting time information to the video captured by the imaging unit and records the video in the recording device; a highlight video generation unit that identifies a group of multiple captured moving image files that have been captured within a predetermined time period as a unit of processing for generating one highlight video, generates one highlight video from the identified group of multiple captured moving image files, and records the single highlight video in the recording device; A highlight video generating device comprising:

3. A highlight video generation device that generates a highlight video from a captured video that is shot by an imaging unit and recorded in a recording device, a position information acquisition unit that acquires position information including information about a position at which the image is captured by the imaging unit; a recording control unit that adds the shooting location information to the video captured by the imaging unit and records the video in the recording device; a highlight video generation unit that specifies, as a unit of processing for generating one highlight video, a group of multiple captured video files that have been continuously captured within a predetermined distance from the user's home or a group of multiple captured video files that have been continuously captured at a location that is a predetermined distance or more from the user's home, generates one highlight video from the specified group of captured video files, and records the single highlight video in the recording device; A highlight video generating device comprising:

4. the highlight video generation unit automatically generates a highlight video after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last image capturing by the imaging unit was completed, or when the location information indicates that the location is within a home range or a location that is a predetermined distance or more away from the last image capturing location; The highlight video generating device according to claim 1 or 3.

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