Abstract: Still shots are detected from a video signal by still shot detection means, and a representative image of the program is accordingly specified by representative image selection means, and as a result, an image that well reflects the contents of the program can be efficiently acquired. As a result, it differs from the case where a representative image is specified from superimposed text alone, in that a representative image that has substantive meaning can be efficiently acquired.

Abstract: It is determined whether the broadcast program of the stored video signal is a broadcast program of a predetermined genre. A predetermined feature image portion of each of frames in the video signal of the broadcast program of the predetermined genre is detected from the stored video signal. Video data of only a feature image portion of a frame satisfying a predetermined appearance condition from the detected predetermined feature image portion is extracted. A video signal representing an image including a feature image portion represented by the video data is created and output as the menu, each time the video data is extracted.

Abstract: A video processing apparatus performs a subtitle detection process for each frame in a video signal, wherein a two-step edge determining unit performs primary determination of a plurality of small blocks according to a first determination standard associated with edges, and performs a secondary determination of a plurality of large blocks according to a second determination standard associated with the presence of small blocks for which the first determination was satisfied.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing a television broadcast program digest which stores a broadcast signal indicative of contents of at least one television broadcast program and guide data of the at least one television broadcast program. The apparatus pre-stores a period of time and a weight point as data for at least one attribute concerning program contents every different television broadcast program. The apparatus reads the broadcast signal and guide data of the at least one television broadcast program when a digest reproduction is performed. In accordance with the guide data, the apparatus reads a period of time and a weight point for each attribute corresponding to a television broadcast program consistent in terms of content with or similar to the at least one television broadcast program. The apparatus reproduces a partial signal having a length of time based on the weight point and the period of time.

Abstract: An information serving system includes a broadcasting station module (TV), user module (RV), and advertising agency module (AD). The broadcasting station module (TV) broadcasts pieces of broadcast information including at least video information. The user module (RV) receives the broadcast information, selects an image component composing an image from the received broadcast information, and produces specification information indicative of the selected image component. The user module (RV) transmits the produced specification information, while receiving component information to represent the received component information. The advertising company module (AD) acquires the specification information, and transmits to the user module (RV) the component information indicating an image component specified by the acquired specification information.

Abstract: Provided is an image information summary device for reproducing the summary information, by which an operator is capable of grasping the image information appropriately by the use of the preliminary announcement information. A summary reproducing apparatus obtains the continuous voice image information which is provided in plural times and extracts a characteristic amount of each piece of voice image information. Simultaneously, upon carrying out the summary reproduction, the summary reproducing apparatus compares the object voice image information to be an object of the summary reproduction with the non-object voice image information having the preliminary announcement information in the object voice image information, detects the same shot from the object voice image information and decides the partial image information to be extracted on the basis of the same shot in this object voice image information.

Abstract: A contents retrieval system of the invention includes: a contents database constructed by a plurality of contents groups classified in accordance with classification criteria; a relation information setting unit which sets relation information indicative of relation among contents included in the plurality of contents groups; a relation information database for storing the relation information; and a control unit which selects a plurality of contents having high relation to each other from the plurality of contents stored in the contents database on the basis of the relation information in the relation information database and simultaneously reproducing the selected plurality of contents.

Abstract: A video recording apparatus is provided with: a primary storage of ring buffer type; a removable type secondary storage; a receiving device receiving broadcasting video signals simultaneously; an information detecting device detecting user's preference information; a program detecting device detecting broadcasting programs while assigning priorities to the broadcasting programs according to the preference information; a secondary storage control device detecting, as archived recording programs, broadcasting programs having higher priorities among the assigned priorities, acquiring the video signals of the archived recording programs, and causing the video signals to be recorded in the secondary storage; and primary storage control device detecting, as regular recording programs, several broadcasting programs which may be received as the video signals among the broadcasting programs according to the assigned priorities, acquiring the video signals of the regular recording programs from the receiving device, an

Abstract: A broadcast video signal of a broadcast program is stored. A predetermined feature portion of each of frames in a broadcast video signal of a music program is detected from the stored broadcast video signal. A frame section serving as a music section in which a display mode of the predetermined feature portion is stable and music is continuously included, is detected from the broadcast video signal in the music program as a performance scene. A video signal representing an image concerning the detected performance scene is created and output as the menu.

Abstract: A digest playback method involves accumulating plural pieces of information data each piece indicating information, selecting any one of plural pieces of information data responding to an input operation, reproducing information according to one piece of information data selected, detecting an information reproduction frequency for each of plural pieces of data, and, in response to a digest playback command, digest reproducing the information being in an order based on the number of the information reproducing frequency for the plural pieces of information data. The method, thus, provides the digest playback of the information which is expected that the user wants to really see and listen to from the recorded information.

Abstract: It is determined whether the broadcast program of the stored video signal is a broadcast program of a predetermined genre. A predetermined feature image portion of each of frames in the video signal of the broadcast program of the predetermined genre is detected from the stored video signal. Video data of only a feature image portion of a frame satisfying a predetermined appearance condition from the detected predetermined feature image portion is extracted. A video signal representing an image including a feature image portion represented by the video data is created and output as the menu, each time the video data is extracted.

Abstract: A disclosed system includes: a slow-motion image detection unit 10 for detecting a portion of a slow-motion image from an image signal; a recording unit 11 for recording on a recording medium 1 an image signal and information of a slow-motion image obtained from the slow-motion image detection unit 10; a reproduction unit 12 for reproducing the recording medium 1 in which the image signal and the information of the slow-motion image are stored; and a reproduction control unit 13 for controlling the reproduction unit 12. In recording, after the image signal is tele-recorded ordinarily, the information of the slow-motion image is recorded in a predetermined area on the recording medium 1, while in reproduction, after the slow-motion image information is reproduced and stored first, the image signal is reproduced. The reproduction is possible in a variety of modes.

Abstract: An apparatus for reproducing a television broadcast program digest which stores a broadcast signal indicative of contents of at least one television broadcast program and guide data of the at least one television broadcast program. The apparatus pre-stores a period of time and a weight point as data for at least one attribute concerning program contents every different television broadcast program. The apparatus reads the broadcast signal and guide data of the at least one television broadcast program when a digest reproduction is performed. In accordance with the guide data, the apparatus reads a period of time and a weight point for each attribute corresponding to a television broadcast program consistent in terms of content with or similar to the at least one television broadcast program. The apparatus reproduces a partial signal having a length of time based on the weight point and the period of time.

Abstract: Provided is an image information summary device for reproducing the summary information, by which an operator is capable of grasping the image information appropriately by the use of the preliminary announcement information.

Abstract: A summary reproducing apparatus includes a detection unit for detecting silent and noise sections based on information on sound waveforms of inputted audio/video information, and a control unit for deciding digest segments to be extracted while controlling a reproduction unit based on the digest segments. The control unit sets the digest segments and the importance of each of the digest segments based on the time-base position and/or section length of each of the silent and noise sections in the audio/video information. Based on the set importance of each of the digest segments, the control unit then controls the reproduction unit to play a digest of the audio/video information.

Abstract: An information serving system includes a broadcasting station module (TV), user module (RV), and advertising agency module (AD). The broadcasting station module (TV) broadcasts pieces of broadcast information including at least video information. The user module (RV) receives the broadcast information, selects an image component composing an image from the received broadcast information, and produces specification information indicative of the selected image component. The user module (RV) transmits the produced specification information, while receiving component information to represent the received component information. The advertising company module (AD) acquires the specification information, and transmits to the user module (RV) the component information indicating an image component specified by the acquired specification information.