Abstract: Multi-user playlist generation is provided. Users submit their playlists; a pie chart (3-1) is displayed (S3) representing the multi-user playlist generated from the plurality of playlists, such that m the pie chart each user playlist is represented as a piece of the pie (3-11, 3-12); a first piece of the pie is selected as the user playlist from which a selection is next chosen by displaying (S5) a spinning effect with respect to the pie for a random or a pseudorandom period of time; and choosing (S7) the selection from the determined user playlist and playing the selection chosen. The selection may include a song, a piece of music, a picture, a video, a film, or a TV program. The user playlists may be provided by a user as a list of songs, a genre, an artist, or a user preference profile.

Abstract: A method of generating a video summary of a content signal including at least a video sequence (18) includes classifying segments of the video sequence (18) into one of at least a first and a second class based on an analysis of properties of respective parts of the content signal and at least a first set of criteria for identifying segments (19-21) of the first class. A sequence (37) of images is formed by concatenating sub-sequences (38-40) of images, each sub-sequence (38-40) based at least partly on a respective segment (19-21) of the first class, such that in at least one of the sub-sequences (38-40) of images, moving images based on the respective segment (19-21) of the first class are displayed in a window of a first type. A representation of a segment (25-27) of the second class is caused to be displayed with at least some images of the sequence (37) of images in a window (41,42) of a different type.

Abstract: A plurality of summaries of a multimedia file are automatically generated. A first summary of a multimedia file is generated (step 308). At least one second summary of the multimedia file is then generated (step 314). The at least one second summary includes content excluded from the first summary. The content of the at least one second summary is selected such that it is semantically different to the content of the first summary (step 312).

Abstract: A system for facilitating accompanying an image or video rendering with a concurrent controlled ambient lighting, comprises a color selector (302) for selecting a color of the controlled ambient lighting in dependence on scene lighting information associated with the image or with at least one image of the video. An image analyzer (304) is provided for computing an illuminant parameter indicative of the scene lighting based on the image or video, wherein the color selector is arranged for selecting the color in dependence on the illuminant parameter.

Abstract: A refrigerating plant includes a coolant fluid, a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, an evaporator, a collecting receptacle for collecting the coolant fluid, and a control device for piloting the expansion valve. The collecting receptacle is interposed between an outlet of the evaporator and an inlet of the compressor.

Abstract: Method of creating a summary (110) of a content item (100) that comprises a plurality of segments (101-1 . . . 101-7), each having a respective segment importance score. The method comprises deriving a cut point importance score for each one of N a plurality of potential cut points (102-1 . . . 102-8), each potential cut point being a boundary between two respective segments, the cut point importance score of a particular potential cut point being based on content characteristics of the two segments aligned to said potential cut point; and creating a summary (110) comprising a subset of the plurality of segments of the content item selected based on a combination of the segment importance scores and the cut point importance scores.

Abstract: A system (1) for producing a depth map of a video sequence comprises a client (C) and a server (S) connected by a network (N). A secondary video sequence (M*) available at the client (C) is derived from a primary video sequence (M) available at the server (S), the primary video sequence (M) having a primary depth map (D). The server comprises a transmission unit for transmitting the primary depth map (D) to the client. The client comprises an alignment unit for aligning the primary depth map (D) with the secondary video sequence (M*) so as to produce alignment information (AI), and a derivation unit for deriving the secondary depth map (D*) from the primary depth map (D) using the alignment information (AI).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a summary of a plurality of distinct data streams (for example video data streams). A plurality of related data streams are collected. The data streams comprise a plurality of segments and each segment is synchronized (205). Overlapping segments of the synchronized data streams are detected (207, 309) and one the overlapping segments is selected (215) to generate a summary (217) which includes the selected overlapping segment.

Abstract: Photo or video content of a person is acquired (401). A dimension of at least one iris of a person such as radius of the iris is measured (405, 411). A dimension of the face of the person, such as width of the face, is measured. The person is then classified (413) as an adult or child on the basis of a ratio of the dimension of the face and the dimension of the iris.

Abstract: The occurrence of slow motion in a video sequence is detected by: extracting a feature of luminosity for each of a plurality of frames of a video sequence, step 103; determining differences between the extracted features of luminosity, step 105; performing frequency analysis on the determined differences, step 109; and detecting the occurrence of slow motion in said video sequence when a frequency variation between the differences exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Representation of textual information (such as a Scoreboard) is detected (105) in a video data stream and is incorporated (107) into the summary of the video data stream. The summary includes textual information that may not have been displayed in a frame selected for the summary.

Abstract: The method of creating an image collage of the invention comprises the steps of determining a region of interest (43) in a background image (41) and displaying at least one foreground image over the background image (41) outside the region of interest (43). The electronic device of the invention is operative to perform the method of the invention. The computer program of the invention is operative to make a programmable device perform the method of the invention.

Abstract: Silences are detected when a local signal power is below a given fixed or relative threshold value, the duration of the local signal power being below the given fixed or relative threshold value is within a first range and at least one of the parameters signal power fall/rise rate and local power deviation falls within a respective further range. The invention further relates to the use of such a silence detection in a receiver (1).

Abstract: A summary of a multimedia content item input at step (101) is automatically generated. A perceived pace of the content of a multimedia content item is determined, step (105). The multimedia content item comprises a plurality of segments. At least one segment of the multimedia content item is selected, step (107), to generate a summary, step (109), which has a pace similar to the perceived pace of the multimedia content item determined in step (105).

Abstract: Multi-user playlist generation is provided. Users submit their playlists; a pie chart (3-1) is displayed (S3) representing the multi-user playlist generated from the plurality of playlists, such that m the pie chart each user playlist is represented as a piece of the pie (3-11, 3-12); a first piece of the pie is selected as the user playlist from which a selection is next chosen by displaying (S5) a spinning effect with respect to the pie for a random or a pseudorandom period of time; and choosing (S7) the selection from the determined user playlist and playing the selection chosen. The selection may include a song, a piece of music, a picture, a video, a film, or a TV program. The user playlists may be provided by a user as a list of songs, a genre, an artist, or a user preference profile.

Abstract: A method of substituting a primary content (110) being transmitted on a primary channel (100) with a secondary content (220), characterized by said secondary content being a summary of a program (210) being currently transmitted on a secondary channel (200). Preferably the method comprises substitution of the secondary content (220) in response to a commercial break (120) being transmitted on the primary channel (100). Preferably the method comprises transmission of the primary content (110) following the substituted secondary content (220) that is time-shifted to allow the secondary content to be presented to its end. Preferably the method comprises subsequent to presenting the secondary content (220), the program being currently transmitted on the secondary channel (210) that is presented instead of the primary content (110).

Abstract: A device and a method for sharing resources in a network of peers are disclosed. A user may compile a wish list (420) of programs to be recorded on a recording device (400) that is a peer in the network. A resource list (421) is compiled of resources that the device shares within the network. The wish list and resource list are communicated to a coordinator (440) comprised within the network. The coordinator makes assignments of who records what and communicates an assignment list (422) to each peer. Each peer plans (405) and executes (407) the assigned recordings, which can be retrieved from a peer (410), or sent to the user device. Deletion control is applied to prevent the loss of recordings by deletion on a local peer. The coordinator may be comprised within a peer, as a standalone service within the network or implemented as a distributed algorithm between the peers.

Abstract: A method of creating a collection (300) of relevant video segments (302-314) by selecting respective portions (202-214) from a video stream (200) which corresponds to a video program is disclosed. The collection (300) of relevant video segments (302-314) can be applied as video trailer or as video abstract. Hence the duration of the collection of relevant video segments is relatively short compared with the duration of the video program. The method comprises retrieving a further collection (201) of relevant images (222-234) corresponding to the video program; selecting a first video image from the video stream on basis of a comparison which is based on a first one of the relevant images (222) of the further collection (201) and the first video image; and creating a first one (302) of the relevant video segments (302-314) on basis of the selected first video image.

Abstract: A PVR (A) includes an output (70) wherein a TV channel selected for viewing is output, and a storage device (20) that selectively stores a channel indicator (24) therein. A user interface (60) provides means for selectively loading the storage device (20) with a desired channel indicator (24), and means for selecting a TV channel to be sent to the output (70). A buffer (82) is also included. The buffer (82) automatically records the TV channel output for viewing if the storage device (20) has no channel indicator (20) stored therein, and automatically records that TV channel indicated by the channel indicator (24) when one is stored in the storage device (20) even when the TV channel output for viewing is selected to be different from the TV channel indicated by the channel indicator (24).

Abstract: In order to further develop a method for summarizing at least one data stream (12) as well as a corresponding data summarization system (100) comprising at least one receiving means (10) for receiving at least one data stream (12) in such way that at least one summary is available immediately after receiving of the data stream (12), in particular immediately after content acquisition and/or recording and/or encoding and/or decoding of the data stream without any post-processing operation, it is proposed to provide—at least one selecting means (30) for selecting part (32, 32?) of the data stream portions and at least one processing means (70) for generating at least one summary by summarizing at least part of the selected data stream portions (32?) in particular until at least one predetermined summary volume is obtained, wherein the summary is generated during the receiving of the data stream (12).