Abstract: Video data pieces are classified into groups according to prescribed rules. A cut number assigned to each of the groups is decided on the basis of the length or lengths of a video data piece or pieces in each of the groups and the number of the video data piece or pieces in each of the groups. A cut or cuts are extracted from the video data piece or pieces in each of the groups. Regarding each of the groups, the number of the extracted cut or cuts is equal to the decided cut number. Digest data is generated from the extracted cuts for all the groups.

Abstract: A feature analysis unit acquires feature data representing the features of each scene in image information. A group classification unit classifies a group composed of plural scenes to any one of a plurality of group types based on the feature data. A cut determination unit determines cuts from the scenes based on the importance calculated from the feature data using a formula corresponding to the group type of the group. A digest reproduction unit reproduces the cuts.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing image information regarding image data pieces each having retrievable information including shooting time and a shooting interval includes a grouping unit configured to group the image data pieces, which are arranged in order of the shooting time, by sequentially carrying out grouping steps that each divide or merge the image data pieces into groups according to the shooting intervals, an evaluation unit configured to calculate a score for each of the grouping steps according to one or a plurality of predetermined evaluation items, and a determination unit configured to determine a specific one of the grouping steps according to the calculated scores.

Abstract: Video data pieces are classified into groups according to prescribed rules. A cut number assigned to each of the groups is decided on the basis of the length or lengths of a video data piece or pieces in each of the groups and the number of the video data piece or pieces in each of the groups. A cut or cuts are extracted from the video data piece or pieces in each of the groups. Regarding each of the groups, the number of the extracted cut or cuts is equal to the decided cut number. Digest data is generated from the extracted cuts for all the groups.

Abstract: An in-scene digest segment number determining unit allocates the total number of cuts to be extracted as digest segments to each scene of digest creation objective scenes. A feature quantity detecting unit selects a plurality of representative frames from respective frames included in a cut extraction scene where the number of digest segments to be extracted is one or more and further detects a feature quantity of each representative frame. An importance calculating unit calculates the degree of importance of each representative frame, based on the feature quantities of each representative frame. A digest segment selecting unit determines a digest segment to be selected from each cut extraction scene, based on both feature quantities and importance degrees of representative frames in each cut extraction scene.

Abstract: An image data recording apparatus includes a menu picture data managing section and a recording section. The menu picture data managing section operates for managing first menu picture data containing control information designed to allow switching from reproduction of first image data pieces to reproduction of second image data pieces or switching from reproduction of the second image data pieces to reproduction of the first image data pieces. The recording section operates for obtaining the first menu picture data from the menu picture data managing section, and for recording the obtained first menu picture data, the first image data pieces, and the second image data pieces on a recording medium.

Abstract: Video data pieces are classified into groups according to prescribed rules. A cut number assigned to each of the groups is decided on the basis of the length or lengths of a video data piece or pieces in each of the groups and the number of the video data piece or pieces in each of the groups. A cut or cuts are extracted from the video data piece or pieces in each of the groups. Regarding each of the groups, the number of the extracted cut or cuts is equal to the decided cut number. Digest data is generated from the extracted cuts for all the groups.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing image information regarding image data pieces each having retrievable information including shooting time and a shooting interval includes a grouping unit configured to group the image data pieces, which are arranged in order of the shooting time, by sequentially carrying out grouping steps that each divide or merge the image data pieces into groups according to the shooting intervals, an evaluation unit configured to calculate a score for each of the grouping steps according to one or a plurality of predetermined evaluation items, and a determination unit configured to determine a specific one of the grouping steps according to the calculated scores.

Abstract: Main image data pieces in a recording medium are classified into groups according to recording date and time. A digest image data piece is generated from a main image data piece or pieces in each of the groups. Each of the generated digest image data pieces represents a digest of contents of the corresponding main image data piece or pieces. Contents of the digest image data pieces are sequentially reproduced in response to user's command in an order accorded with the recording dates and times of the main image data pieces corresponding to the digest image data pieces.

Abstract: A tag is generated for each of moving-image files. The tag includes genre information and event identification information. The genre information represents a genre of an event relating to the moving-image file. The event identification information identifies the event relating to the moving-image file. The moving-image files are classified into groups corresponding to respective events in response to the event identification information in the tags. Time intervals in shooting between the moving-image files are detected. Moving-image files in each of the event corresponding groups are classified into groups corresponding to respective scenes in response to the detected time intervals. Portions are extracted from moving-image files in each of the scene corresponding groups in response to the genre information in the tags. Data representative of a digest is generated from the extracted portions.