Highlight video generator

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 generation device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a camcorder in which a video camera device for video shooting and a recorder device for recording the shot video are integrated has become widespread. Some camcorders have a function of generating a highlight video by extracting a highlight scene from the recorded captured video. By using this function to generate and record the highlight video of the captured video in a recording device, the user can easily view the highlight scene of the captured video.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The above-described highlight video is generated by the user performing a predetermined instruction operation on the camcorder and recorded in the recording device. At that time, the user needs to make settings according to the viewing environment. If the settings are not made, there may be inconveniences such as creating a highlight video with an unnecessarily large capacity or viewing a highlight video with insufficient resolution on a high-resolution display.

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

[0006] The present invention aims to provide a highlight video generation device that generates highlight videos with optimized resolution and duration, taking into account the user's viewing environment and remaining recording capacity. [Means for solving the problem]

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

[0008] Another embodiment of the highlight video generation apparatus according to the present invention is a highlight video generation apparatus that generates a highlight video for an image video captured by an imaging unit and recorded by 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 as shooting time information to the image video captured by the imaging unit and records it in the recording device; and a highlight video generation unit that identifies a group of image video files captured within a predetermined time as a single highlight video generation processing unit, generates a single highlight video from the identified group of image video files, and records it in the recording device.

[0009] Another embodiment of the highlight video generation apparatus according to the present invention is a highlight video generation apparatus that generates a highlight video for an image video captured by an imaging unit and recorded by 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 image video captured by the imaging unit and records it in the recording device; and a highlight video generation unit that identifies a group of image video files captured continuously within a predetermined distance from home, or a group of image video files captured continuously at a location more than a predetermined distance from home, as a single highlight video generation processing unit, generates a single highlight video from the identified group of image video files, and records it in the recording device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the highlight video generation device of the present invention, it is possible to provide a highlight video with optimized resolution and duration, taking into account the user's viewing environment and remaining recording capacity. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a camcorder equipped with a highlight video generation device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This flowchart shows the operation of the process executed when the timing for generating a highlight video file arrives in a highlight video generation device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows the operation of a highlight video generation device according to one embodiment of the present invention when generating a highlight video file from a predetermined image video file. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

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

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

[0014] The recording device 50 is composed of, for example, a hard disk or SSD (Solid State Drive) and records the imaging information captured by the imaging unit 40 as an imaging video file. The recording device 50 also records the highlight video file generated by the highlight video generation device 60, as described later, and associates it with the corresponding imaging video file. The recording device 50 also records information about the past viewing environment (viewing environment information) related to the recorded video file.

[0015] The highlight video generation device 60 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and is equipped with a function to generate highlight video files, and includes a time information acquisition unit 61, a location information acquisition unit 62, a recording control unit 63, a movement status information acquisition unit 64, a battery level information acquisition unit 65, a recording remaining capacity information acquisition unit 66, and a highlight video generation unit 67.

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

[0017] The highlight video generation unit 67 starts the process of generating a highlight video file from the captured video file recorded in the recording device 50 when it is time to automatically generate a highlight video file for the captured video file recorded in the recording device 50, provided that the camcorder 1 is within a predetermined range, the camcorder 1 is stationary, the battery level of the battery 30 is above a predetermined value, and the time at that time falls within a period in which the camcorder 1 is judged to be used infrequently. The frequency of use of the camcorder 1 is obtained, for example, by dividing 24 hours into 1-hour intervals and calculating the average number of uses per hour over the past month, and periods in which this average number of uses is below a predetermined value are judged to be periods in which the camcorder 1 is used infrequently.

[0018] When the highlight video generation unit 67 starts the process of generating a highlight video file, it acquires from the recording device 50 an image video file for which a highlight video file has not yet been generated as the target for processing. 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 acquisition unit 66, the highlight video generation unit 67 determines the resolution and duration of the highlight video file to be generated from the target image video file, generates the highlight video file, and has the recording device 50 record it.

[0019] The display unit 70 controls the highlight video generation device 60 to play the video file recorded in the recording device 50 and display notification information to the user.

[0020] <Operation of the highlight video generation unit 67 according to an embodiment> The operation of the highlight video generation unit 67 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3. In the recording device 50 of the camcorder 1 in this embodiment, a first captured video file 51A, a second captured video file 52A, a third captured video file 53A, a fourth captured video file 54A, and a fifth captured video file 55A captured by the imaging unit 40 of the camcorder 1 are recorded. Also, in the recording device 50, a first highlight video file 51B generated from the first captured video file 51A is recorded linked to the first captured video file 51A.

[0021] In the first captured video file 51A, information indicating the location of school S, which is 1 km away from the home, is added as shooting position information, and 13:00 on July 1, 2020 is added as shooting date and time information under the control of the recording control unit 63. In the second captured video file 52A, information indicating the location of tourist destination T, which is 100 km away from the home, is added as shooting position information, and 15:10 on July 10, 2020 is added as shooting date and time information. In the third captured video file 53A, information indicating the location of tourist destination T, similar to that in the second captured video file 52A, is added as shooting position information, and 11:10 on July 11, 2020 is added as shooting date and time information. In the fourth captured video file 54A, information indicating the location of tourist destination T is added as shooting position information, and 13:10 on July 11, 2020 is added as shooting date and time information. In the fifth captured video file 55A, information indicating the location of park P, which is 0.5 km away from the home, is added as shooting position information, and 13:10 on July 12, 2020 is added as shooting date and time information. These 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 are shot at a resolution corresponding to 4K (Ultra High Definition).

[0022] Also, viewing environment information 56 is recorded in the highlight video generation unit 67 as information on the past viewing environment regarding the recorded video file. Details of the viewing environment information 56 will be described later.

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

[0024] Furthermore, the highlight video generation unit 67 has a preset timing for automatically generating a highlight video file from the captured video files recorded in the recording device 50. For example, this timing for automatically generating the highlight video file can be set to a predetermined time (for example, 6 hours) after the last shooting by the camcorder 1 is completed. Alternatively, the timing for automatically generating the highlight video file may be set to when the camcorder 1 is not in use. When the camcorder 1 is not in use, it means that shooting, playback of captured video files, setting various functions, etc., are not being performed.

[0025] Furthermore, you may use a combination of the above conditions, or just one of them, to determine when to automatically generate the highlight video file.

[0026] Furthermore, the highlight video generation unit 67 has pre-stored information on five resolution levels for the highlight video files to be generated: first resolution (resolution corresponding to 4K), second resolution (resolution corresponding to FHD; Full High Definition), third resolution (resolution corresponding to HD; High Definition Video), fourth resolution (standard quality corresponding to SD; Standard Definition Video), and fifth resolution (resolution of the display unit 70 of the camcorder 1). In addition, it may also store information on resolutions specific to devices with special resolutions other than those mentioned above, such as smartphones and tablet devices.

[0027] With this information set, the highlight video generation unit 67 detects that it is time to automatically generate a pre-configured highlight video file (YES in S1), and acquires the location information of the camcorder 1 from the location information acquisition unit 62. Based on the acquired location information of the camcorder 1, it then determines whether the camcorder 1 is within a predetermined range, for example, within the range of the home, or at a location more than a predetermined distance away from the final shooting position (S2).

[0028] If the system determines that the camcorder 1 is within a predetermined range (YES in S2), the highlight video generation unit 67 further acquires movement status information of the camcorder 1 from the movement status information acquisition unit 64. Based on the acquired movement status information of the camcorder 1, the system then determines whether the camcorder 1 is stationary and not moving. The highlight video generation unit 67 may further determine whether any buttons (not shown) or touch panel (not shown) within the camcorder 1 have been operated within a predetermined time.

[0029] At this point, if the camcorder 1 is stationary and no operations are being performed, the highlight video generation unit 67 determines that the camcorder 1 is not being used (YES in S3), and further obtains battery level information for the battery 30 from the battery level information acquisition unit 65. The highlight video generation unit 67 then determines whether the remaining charge of the battery 30 is greater than or equal to the amount of power required to perform the highlight video generation process (S4).

[0030] Here, if the highlight video generation unit 67 determines that the battery 30 has more power remaining than the amount necessary to perform the highlight video generation process (YES in S4), it further determines whether the current time is a time when the camcorder 1 is used infrequently, as determined by the method described above (S5).

[0031] Here, if the highlight video generation unit 67 determines that the current time is a period when the camcorder 1 is not used frequently (YES in S5), the highlight video generation unit 67 extracts files from the captured video files recorded in the recording device 50 for which a highlight video file has not yet been generated. The highlight video generation unit 67 determines whether or not a highlight video file has been generated based on whether or not a highlight video file associated with the corresponding captured video file has been recorded.

[0032] In this case, of the captured video files recorded in the recording device 50, a highlight video file 51B has already been generated for the first captured video file 51A, but highlight video files have not yet been generated for 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. Therefore, the highlight video generation unit 67 extracts 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 from the recording device 50.

[0033] Next, the highlight video generation unit 67 identifies a group of captured video files to be used as the unit for generating a single highlight video file, based on the shooting location information and shooting date and time information of the extracted video files to be processed as highlight videos, using the following identification methods (1) to (3) (S6).

[0034] [Method for identifying a group of captured video files (1)] Multiple video files captured consecutively within a predetermined distance (e.g., 500m) are identified as a single unit for generating a highlight video file. This allows for the generation of a single highlight video file from multiple video files captured at a specific tourist destination, for example. It also allows for the generation of a single highlight video file from multiple video files captured consecutively within a predetermined distance from one's home.

[0035] [Method for identifying a group of captured video files (2)] Multiple video files captured consecutively within a predetermined time period (e.g., one day) are identified as the processing unit for generating a single highlight video file. This allows for the generation of one highlight video file per day from multiple video files.

[0036] [Method for identifying a group of captured video files (3)] For multiple video files captured consecutively at a predetermined distance from home (for example, 50 km, a pre-set metric for determining whether or not it's a travel destination), even if they span different days, they are identified as a single unit for generating a highlight video file. This allows a multi-day trip to be recognized as a single event, and a single highlight video file to be generated from the relevant video files.

[0037] In this embodiment, the case in which processing is performed based on the identification method (3) described above will be explained. Here, the video files to be processed for highlight video generation are the second image video file 52A, the third image video file 53A, the fourth image video file 54A, and the fifth image video file 55A. Of these, the highlight video generation unit 67 detects that the second image video file 52A, the third image video file 53A, and the fourth image video file 54A were continuously filmed at a tourist destination T located at a predetermined distance (for example, 50 km) or more from the home.

[0038] As a result, the highlight video generation unit 67 determines that the second image video file 52A, the third image video file 53A, and the fourth image video file 54A were captured during a single trip (single event), and designates them as the first image video file group 52C, which is a single highlight video generation processing unit. Consequently, the highlight video generation unit 67 designates the first image video file group 52C and the fifth image video file 55A as targets for highlight video generation processing.

[0039] Next, the highlight video generation unit 67 generates highlight video files for the first group of captured video files 52C and the fifth captured video file 55A, which are the targets for the highlight video generation process (S7). The highlight video file generation process can be performed by determining the resolution and duration of the highlight video file using one of the following methods (1) to (3).

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

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

[0042] The highlight video generation unit 67 determines, based on the recorded viewing environment information 56, that the device with the highest aggregate value was the device that most frequently played video files. Furthermore, if there are multiple devices with the highest aggregate value, the highlight video generation unit 67 determines that the device with the higher resolution was the device that most frequently played video files.

[0043] The highlight video generation unit 67 then determines the resolution based on the viewing environment information 56 recorded in the camcorder 1. For example, if the user frequently plays back video files recorded by connecting the camcorder 1 to a 4K television, it determines that the resolution is the first resolution. If the user frequently plays back video files recorded by connecting the camcorder 1 to an FHD television, it determines that the resolution is the second resolution. If the user frequently plays back video files recorded by connecting the camcorder 1 to a personal computer, it determines that the resolution is the third resolution. If the user frequently plays back video files recorded by connecting the camcorder 1 to a smartphone or tablet, it determines that the resolution is the fourth resolution. If the user frequently plays back recorded video files on the display unit 70 of the camcorder 1, it determines that the resolution is the fifth resolution.

[0044] Here, the highlight video generation unit 67 determines that the aggregated values ​​for 4K television devices were the most numerous, and therefore determines that the resolution based on past viewing environments is the first resolution.

[0045] In this embodiment, the highlight video generation unit 67 determined the resolution based on the viewing environment to be a third resolution if the video file recorded on the camcorder 1 was frequently played back on a personal computer, and a fourth resolution if it was frequently played back on a smartphone or tablet device. However, it is not limited to this, and the highlight video generation unit 67 may also determine the resolution based on the viewing environment based on the specifications of the display of the television, personal computer, smartphone, tablet device, etc., used by the user.

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

[0047] Alternatively, the user may pre-set the specifications of these devices, and the highlight video generation unit 67 may determine the resolution based on the viewing environment based on the set information.

[0048] Next, the highlight video generation unit 67 determines the resolution of the highlight video file to be the lower of the resolution of the first group of captured video files 52C and the resolution based on past viewing environments. In this process, if the highlight video generation unit 67 includes multiple captured video files with different resolutions among the files to be processed for generating a single highlight video file, it makes its decision based on the lowest resolution among them. Here, since both the resolution of each captured video file and the resolution based on past viewing environments are the first resolution, the highlight video generation unit 67 determines the resolution of the highlight video file to be the first resolution.

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

[0050] If the recording device 50 determines that there is sufficient remaining capacity to record a highlight video file (YES in S72), the highlight video generation unit 67 generates a highlight video file at a first resolution for the first group of captured video files 52C. Known techniques can be used for generating the highlight video file. The duration of the highlight video file generated here can be any length. The highlight video generation unit 67 records the information of the generated highlight video file as a second highlight video file 52B in the recording device 50 (S73). At this time, the second highlight video file 52B is recorded in the recording device 50 and linked to the first group of captured video files 52C.

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

[0052] Furthermore, if step S73 determines that there is no remaining capacity in the recording device 50 to record a highlight video file (NO in S72), the highlight video generation unit 67 determines whether it is possible to generate a highlight video file reduced to an amount of information that can be recorded in the recording device 50 by keeping the resolution at the default value (first resolution) and adjusting the time length (S74).

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

[0054] When using the adjustment method described in (i) above, the highlight video generation unit 67 determines that it is possible to generate a highlight video 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 video file if the determined time length is less than the predetermined value. Here, even if it is impossible to generate a highlight video file of 10 seconds or longer at the first resolution, if it is possible to generate a highlight video file of 10 seconds or longer by lowering the resolution, the highlight video generation unit 67 may determine that it is possible to generate a highlight video file by lowering the resolution.

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

[0056] If the recording device 50 determines that it is possible to generate a highlight video file with an amount of information that can be recorded (YES in S74), the highlight video generation unit 67 generates a reduced highlight video file with the corresponding resolution and duration (S75). If the recording device 50 determines in step S74 that it is not possible to generate a highlight video file with an amount of information that can be recorded (NO in S74), the highlight video generation unit 67 generates notification information indicating that it is not possible to generate a highlight video file and outputs it to the display unit 70 (S76). Upon outputting the notification information, the user recognizes that it is not possible to generate a highlight video file and can perform operations such as deleting unnecessary files from the files recorded in the recording device 50 to execute the highlight video file generation process again.

[0057] Subsequently, the highlight video generation unit 67 similarly performs the process of generating a highlight video file for the unprocessed fifth image video file 55A (YES in S77 → S71), and records the information of the generated highlight video file as the third highlight video file 55B in the recording device 50. At this time, the highlight video generation unit 67 records the third highlight video file 55B in association with the fifth image video file 55A within the recording device 50.

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

[0059] Next, the highlight video generation unit 67 determines whether there is sufficient remaining capacity in the recording device 50 to record a highlight video file (S72). Whether there is sufficient remaining capacity in the recording device 50 to record a highlight video file is determined, for example, by calculating the amount of information when a highlight video file is generated for the first imaging video file group 52C with a set first time length, and determining whether there is sufficient remaining capacity for that amount of information. At this time, the resolution of the highlight video file can be set in the same way as in the highlight video file generation method (1). Here, it is assumed that the first resolution has been set.

[0060] If the recording device 50 determines that there is 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 time length and first resolution set for the first group of captured video files 52C and records it to the recording device 50 (S73).

[0061] Furthermore, if the recording device 50 determines that there is no remaining capacity to record a highlight video file (NO in S72), the highlight video generation unit 67 determines whether it is possible to generate a highlight video file with sufficient information to be recorded in the recording device 50 from the fifth imaging 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 that generates a highlight video file that can be recorded on the recording device 50 for a first time length, the highlight video generation unit 67 determines that it is possible to generate a highlight video file. If there are multiple such resolutions, the highlight video generation unit 67 can select the highest resolution among them. The resolution selected by the highlight video generation unit 67 is not limited to the highest resolution; it may be the lowest resolution, a resolution close to the median among the multiple resolutions, or a resolution pre-set by the user. Furthermore, if there is no resolution that generates a highlight video file that can be recorded on the recording device 50 for a first time length, the highlight video generation unit 67 determines that it is impossible to generate a highlight video file.

[0063] If it is determined that a highlight video file with an amount of information that can be recorded on the recording device 50 can be generated (YES in S74), the highlight video generation unit 67 generates a reduced highlight video file with the corresponding resolution and duration (S75). If it is determined in step S74 that a highlight video file with an amount of information that can be recorded on the recording device 50 cannot be generated (NO in S74), the process is the same as the process described in the highlight video file generation method (1), so a detailed explanation is omitted. Subsequently, the highlight video generation unit 67 also performs the same highlight video file generation process for the unprocessed fifth imaging video file 55A (YES in S77 → S71).

[0064] [How to generate a highlight video file (3)] The highlight video generation unit 67 first acquires the first group of image video files 52C from the files identified as targets for highlight video generation processing (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 "30 seconds" and the first resolution have been set.

[0065] Next, the highlight video generation unit 67 determines whether or not there is remaining capacity in the recording device 50 to record a highlight video file, similar to the case of the highlight video file generation method (2) (S72).

[0066] If the recording device 50 determines that there is 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 time length and first resolution set for the first group of captured video files 52C and records it to the recording device 50 (S73).

[0067] Furthermore, if the recording device 50 determines that there is no remaining capacity to record a highlight video file (NO in S72), the highlight video generation unit 67 determines whether it is possible to generate a highlight video file with an amount of information that can be recorded on the recording device 50 by adjusting both the resolution and the duration (S74). For example, the highlight video generation unit 67 determines whether there is a combination of resolution and duration for which a highlight video file that can be recorded on the recording device 50 can be generated by lowering the resolution by at least one step and shortening the duration by at least one step.

[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 matching combination of resolution and duration. If there are multiple matching combinations of resolution and duration, the highlight video generation unit 67 selects the combination with the highest resolution and the longest duration.

[0069] Furthermore, if there is no combination of resolution and duration that can generate a highlight video file that can be recorded in the recording device 50, the highlight video generation unit 67 will further reduce either the resolution, duration, or both. If generation is still not possible, the highlight video generation unit 67 will determine that it is impossible to generate a highlight video file.

[0070] If it is determined that a highlight video file with an amount of information that can be recorded on the recording device 50 can be generated (YES in S74), the highlight video generation unit 67 generates a reduced highlight video file with the corresponding resolution and duration (S75). If it is determined in step S74 that a highlight video file with an amount of information that can be recorded on the recording device 50 cannot be generated (NO in S74), the process is the same as the process described in the highlight video file generation method (1), so a detailed explanation is omitted. Subsequently, the highlight video generation unit 67 also performs the same highlight video file generation process for the unprocessed fifth imaging video file 55A (YES in S77 → S71).

[0071] When the generation process is completed for all files targeted for highlight video generation by any of the above processes, the highlight video generation unit 67 terminates its processing.

[0072] According to the above embodiment, the camcorder 1 automatically determines the timing for generating a highlight video file from the recorded image video file, and when the appropriate timing arrives, it generates and records a highlight video file with optimized resolution and duration, taking into account the user's viewing environment and remaining recording capacity.

[0073] In the embodiment described above, the case was explained in which the system proceeds to step S3 and the highlight video generation process proceeds when it is determined in step S2 that the camcorder 1 is located inside the home. However, the system may also proceed to step S3 when it is determined that the camcorder 1 is located within a predetermined range, not limited to the home. This allows the system to perform the highlight video file generation process at locations other than the home, such as locations registered by the user as bases. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1 Camcorder 10 GPS receivers 20 Accelerometer 30 batteries 40 Imaging Unit 50 Recording device 51A First imaging video file 51B First Highlight Video File 52A Second imaging video file 52B Second Highlight Video File 52C First set of video files 53A Third imaging video file 54A Fourth imaging video file 55A Fifth imaging video file 55B Third Highlight Video File 61 Time information acquisition section 62 Location information acquisition unit 63 Recording Control Unit 64 Movement status information acquisition unit 65 Battery level information acquisition unit 66 Recording capacity remaining information acquisition unit 67 Highlight Video Generation Unit 70 Display section

Claims

1. A highlight video generation device that generates a highlight video for an image video captured by an imaging unit and recorded in a recording device, A location information acquisition unit that acquires location information including the shooting location information by the aforementioned imaging unit, A recording control unit that adds the shooting position information to the captured video captured by the imaging unit and records it in the recording device, The aforementioned shooting position information identifies a group of multiple captured video files taken within a predetermined distance as a single highlight video generation processing unit, generates a single highlight video from the identified group of captured video files, and records it in the recording device; A highlight video generation device characterized by comprising the following features.

2. A highlight video generation device that generates a highlight video for an image video captured 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 recording time information to the video captured by the imaging unit and records it in the recording device, The aforementioned shooting time information identifies a group of multiple captured video files taken within a predetermined time as a single highlight video generation processing unit, generates a single highlight video from the identified group of captured video files, and records it in the recording device; A highlight video generation device characterized by comprising the following features.

3. A highlight video generation device that generates a highlight video for an image video captured by an imaging unit and recorded in a recording device, A location information acquisition unit that acquires location information including the shooting location information by the aforementioned imaging unit, A recording control unit that adds the shooting position information to the captured video captured by the imaging unit and records it in the recording device, The aforementioned shooting location information identifies a group of multiple captured video files taken consecutively within a predetermined distance from the home, or a group of multiple captured video files taken consecutively at a location more than a predetermined distance from the home, as a single highlight video generation processing unit, generates a single highlight video from the identified group of captured video files, and records it in the recording device. A highlight video generation device characterized by comprising the following features.

4. The highlight video generation unit automatically generates a highlight video after a predetermined time has elapsed since the last shooting by the imaging unit, or when the location information is within the range of the home or at a location more than a predetermined distance away from the final shooting location. A highlight video generation device according to claim 1 or 3.

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