Abstract: Methods for fast generating spatially reduced-size images directly from compressed video streams supporting the coding of interlaced frames through transform coding and motion compensation. A sequence of reduced-size images are rapidly generated from compressed video streams by efficiently combining the steps of inverse transform, down-sampling and construction of each field image. The construction of reduced-size field images also allows the efficient motion compensation. The fast generation of reduced-size images is applicable to a variety of low-cost applications such as video browsing, video summary, fast thumbnail playback and video indexing.

Abstract: Methods for fast generating spatially reduced-size images directly from compressed video streams supporting the coding of interlaced frames through transform coding and motion compensation. A sequence of reduced-size images are rapidly generated from compressed video streams by efficiently combining the steps of inverse transform, down-sampling and construction of each field image. The construction of reduced-size field images also allows the efficient motion compensation. The fast generation of reduced-size images is applicable to a variety of low-cost applications such as video browsing, video summary, fast thumbnail playback and video indexing.

Abstract: Locally generating content characteristics for a plurality of video programs which have been recorded and displaying the content characteristics of the plurality of video programs, thereby enabling users to easily select the video of interest as well as a segment of interest within the selected video. The content characteristic can be generated according to user preference, and will typically comprise at least one key frame image or a plurality of images displayed in the form of an animated image or a video stream shown in a small size.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for tagging, indexing, searching, retrieving, manipulating, and editing video images on a wide area network such as the Internet. A first set of methods is provided for enabling users to add bookmarks to multimedia files, such as movies, and audio files, such as music. The multimedia bookmark facilitates the searching of portions or segments of multimedia files, particularly when used in conjunction with a search engine. Additional methods are provided that reformat a video image for use on a variety of devices that have a wide range of resolutions by selecting some material (in the case of smaller resolutions) or more material (in the case of larger resolutions) from the same multimedia file. Still more methods are provided for interrogating images that contain textual information (in graphical form) so that the text may be copied to a tag or bookmark that can itself be indexed and searched to facilitate later retrieval via a search engine.

Abstract: A device and method for automatically vibrating the working members of a power construction vehicle such as a power excavator is disclosed. The device and method effectively change both the amplitude of vibration and the number of vibrations of a working member in proportion to a levering angle of an associated control lever during an excavating, breaking or ground hardening operation of a construction vehicle. The automatic vibration device is thus free from any select switch. The device simplifies the construction of the hydraulic system and more easily controls the automatic vibration operations, and thereby is convenient to operators.