Automated Video Chapter File Generation via OCR and Audio Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual creation of chapter files for video players is time-consuming and inefficient, especially in large-scale scenarios, as it requires post-production processes that involve manually adding timestamps and chapter numbers, which is not feasible for quick video production.
Innovation Solution
An automated method using audio-visual software to split video files into still images, optical character recognition (OCR) to identify indices, and computer programs to write timestamps into a chapter file, allowing for the creation of chapter files without manual post-production, including embodiments that use audio analyzers and speech recognition software to identify discrete sounds or spoken phrases for indexing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual post-production process is used to create chapter files, then chapter files can be created with timestamps and chapter numbers, but the process is very time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated optical and acoustic systems. OCR software automatically extracts text from video frames to identify page numbers, while audio analysis automatically detects page turn sounds. This substitution eliminates manual post-production work while maintaining accurate chapter file generation, directly resolving the contradiction between accuracy and creation speed.
2Reliability
If manual post-production process is used to create chapter files, then chapter files can be created, but it involves significant time and money investment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by capturing audio and visual data during the original video recording process. Page turn sounds and visual changes are recorded and stored with their timestamps, eliminating the need for later manual analysis. This preliminary capture ensures reliable chapter file creation while preventing time loss during post-production, as all necessary data is already available when the video is recorded.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual creation method is used, then chapter files can be produced, but it is not feasible for quick video production or large-scale scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the video recording system to automatically generate chapter files without external manual intervention. The system uses its own recorded audio and visual data to identify page turns and create chapter markers automatically. This self-service capability makes video production easier and significantly increases throughput, allowing multiple videos to be processed without requiring manual post-production for each one.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This automated process significantly reduces the time and effort required to create chapter files, enabling quick production of instructional videos without manual post-production, allowing for efficient video creation and navigation within video players.
Implementation Method 1
the still images are input into optical character recognition (OCR) software which produces a machine-readable file or files corresponding to the still images
Implementation Method 2
inputting a video file or an audio file into an audio analyzer in order to identify a number of discrete sounds that each indicate an index into an associated video file. The sounds are identified by comparison to an expected sound or spoken phrase.
Implementation Method 3
inputting a video file or an audio file into speech recognition software in order to transcribe spoken words to produce a transcript text file readable by a word processing program
Data Source
AI summary
A camera films a workbook and records a video file while an instructor teaches from the workbook and flips pages. The video file is uploaded to a computer in the cloud and is input into audio-visual software which splits the video file into still images at a frame rate. The images are input into OCR software which produces an alphanumeric machine-readable file or files corresponding to the images. This file or files is input into a program which identifies an index in each of the images. Or, the video file or an audio file is input into an audio analyzer or speech recognition software to identify spoken words or sounds that each indicate an index. Each index with its timestamp is written into a chapter file in order and saved into storage of a computer. Filtering removes duplicates. A video player combines the chapter file with the video file and the images to play the video file.