U.S. patent application number 10/621390 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-05 for digital video processing method and apparatus thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Choi, Yang-Lim, Manjunath, B.S., Shin, Hyun-Doo, Sun, Xinding.
Application Number | 20040022317 10/621390 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 31190576 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040022317 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shin, Hyun-Doo ; et
al. |
February 5, 2004 |
Digital video processing method and apparatus thereof
Abstract
A digital video processing method and an apparatus thereof are
provided. The method for processing digital images received in the
form of compressed video streams comprising the step of determining
a region intensity histogram (RIH) based on information on motion
compensation of inter frames. The RIH information is obtained based
on the motion compensation values of inter frames, and the RIH
information is a good indicator of motion information of a video
scene. Also, since the RIH information is quite a good indicator of
intensity of the video scene, video streams having similar
intensities can be effectively searched by searching for similar
video scenes based on the RIH information obtained by the digital
video processing method.
Inventors: |
Shin, Hyun-Doo;
(Sungnam-City, KR) ; Choi, Yang-Lim; (Paldal-gu,
KR) ; Manjunath, B.S.; (Santa Barbara, CA) ;
Sun, Xinding; (Santa Barbara, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD.
THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIF.
|
Family ID: |
31190576 |
Appl. No.: |
10/621390 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10621390 |
Jul 18, 2003 |
|
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09497522 |
Feb 4, 2000 |
|
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60118750 |
Feb 5, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
375/240.08 ;
375/240.16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/147 20130101;
H04N 19/48 20141101; G06F 16/783 20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
375/240.08 ;
375/240.16 |
International
Class: |
H04N 007/12 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for processing digital images received in the form of
compressed video streams comprising the step of (a) determining a
region intensity histogram (RIH) based on information on motion
compensation of inter frames.
2. The digital video processing method according to claim 1, before
the step (a), further comprising the steps of: (p-a) receiving
video streams; (p-b) grouping the video streams into a plurality of
groups using a predetermined algorithm; (p-c) selecting a group to
be processed, wherein in the step (a), the RIH of the selected
group is determined based on information on motion compensation of
inter frames.
3. A method for processing digital images received in the form of
compressed video streams comprising the step of: (a) selecting an
inter frame from the video streams; (b) with respect to the
selected inter frame, calculating the ratio of the number of blocks
whose motion compensation values are zero to the total number of
macroblocks; (c) quantizing the ratio into i levels, where i is a
predetermined positive number; (d) checking whether the processed
inter frame is the last one; (e) if it is determined in the step
(d) that the processed inter frame is not the last one, selecting
the next inter frame and performing the steps (b) through (d); (f)
if it is determined in the step (d) that the processed inter frame
is the last one, calculating the ratio of the number of inter
frames in the ith level to the total number of inter frames in a
given region; and (g) determining the ratio obtained in the step
(f) as predetermined histogram information.
4. The digital video processing method according to claim 3,
further comprising the steps of: (p-a) receiving video streams;
(p-b) grouping the video streams into a plurality of groups using a
predetermined algorithm; (p-c) selecting a group to be processed,
wherein in the step (a), an inter frame is selected from the video
stream group selected in the step (p-c).
5. The digital video processing method according to claim 4, after
the step (g), further comprising the steps of: (h) checking whether
the selected group is the last one; (i) if it is determined in the
step (h) that the selected group is not the last one, selecting the
next group; and (j) performing the steps (a) through (h) with
respect to the next group selected in the step (i).
6. The digital video processing method according to claim 4,
wherein the predetermined algorithm is a scene cut detection
algorithm.
7. The digital video processing method according to claim 5,
wherein the predetermined algorithm is a scene cut detection
algorithm.
8. The digital video processing method according to claim 4,
wherein the video streams are moving picture expert group (MPEG)-7
video streams.
9. The digital video processing method according to claim 5,
wherein the video streams are moving picture expert group (MPEG)-7
video streams.
10. The digital video processing method according to claim 6,
wherein the video streams are moving picture expert group (MPEG)-7
video streams.
11. The digital video processing method according to claim 7,
wherein the video streams are moving picture expert group (MPEG)-7
video streams.
12. The digital video processing method according to claim 3,
wherein the predetermined histogram information is defined by a
region intensity histogram (RIH) which indicates the intensity of a
given video scene region.
13. The digital video processing method according to claim 4,
wherein the predetermined histogram information is defined by a
region intensity histogram (RIH) which indicates the intensity of a
given video scene region.
14. The digital video processing method according to claim 5,
wherein the predetermined histogram information is defined by a
region intensity histogram (RIH) which indicates the intensity of a
given video scene region.
15. The digital video processing method according to claim 6,
wherein the predetermined histogram information is defined by a
region intensity histogram (RIH) which indicates the intensity of a
given video scene region.
16. The digital video processing method according to claim 7,
wherein the predetermined histogram information is defined by a
region intensity histogram (RIH) which indicates the intensity of a
given video scene region.
17. The digital video processing method according to claim 8,
wherein the predetermined histogram information is defined by a
region intensity histogram (RIH) which indicates the intensity of a
given video scene region.
18. The digital video processing method according to claim 9,
wherein the predetermined histogram information is defined by a
region intensity histogram (RIH) which indicates the intensity of a
given video scene region.
19. The digital video processing method according to claim 10,
wherein the predetermined histogram information is defined by a
region intensity histogram (RIH) which indicates the intensity of a
given video scene region.
20. The digital video processing method according to claim 11,
wherein the predetermined histogram information is defined by a
region intensity histogram (RIH) which indicates the intensity of a
given video scene region.
21. A digital video processing method comprising the step of
defining the distribution of blocks whose motion compensation
values are zero as motion activity, with respect to inter
frames.
22. A computer readable medium having program codes executable by a
computer to perform a digital video processing method comprising
the steps of: (a) selecting an inter frame from the video streams;
(b) with respect to the selected inter frame, calculating the ratio
of the number of blocks whose motion compensation values are zero
to the total number of macroblocks; (c) quantizing the ratio into i
levels, where i is a predetermined positive number; (d) checking
whether the processed inter frame is the last one; (e) if it is
determined in the step (d) that the processed inter frame is not
the last one, selecting the next inter frame and performing the
steps (b) through (d); (f) if it is determined in the step (d) that
the processed inter frame is the last one, calculating the ratio of
the number of inter frames in the ith level to the total number of
inter frames in a given region; and (g) determining the ratio
obtained in the step (f) as predetermined histogram
information.
23. The computer readable medium according to claim 22, wherein the
digital video processing method further comprises: (p-a) receiving
video streams; (p-b) grouping the video streams into a plurality of
groups using a predetermined algorithm; and (p-c) selecting a group
to be processed, and wherein in the step (a), an inter frame is
selected from the video stream group selected in the step
(p-c).
24. The computer readable medium according to claim 23, wherein
after the step (g), the digital video processing method further
comprises the steps of: (h) checking whether the selected group is
the last one; (i) if it is determined in the step (h) that the
selected group is not the last one, selecting the next group; and
(j) performing the steps (a) through (h) with respect to the next
group selected in the step (i).
25. The computer readable medium according to claim 23, wherein the
predetermined algorithm is a scene cut detection algorithm.
26. The computer readable medium according to claim 24, wherein the
predetermined algorithm is a scene cut detection algorithm.
27. The computer readable medium according to claim 22, wherein the
video streams are MPEG-2 video streams.
28. The computer readable medium according to claim 23, wherein the
video streams are MPEG-2 video streams.
29. The computer readable medium according to claim 24, wherein the
video streams are MPEG-2 video streams.
30. The computer readable medium according to claim 25, wherein the
video streams are MPEG-2 video streams.
31. The computer readable medium according to claim 26, wherein the
video streams are MPEG-2 video streams.
32. The computer readable medium according to claim 22, wherein the
predetermined histogram information is defined by a region
intensity histogram (RIH) which indicates the intensity of a given
video scene region.
33. A digital video processing apparatus comprising: grouping means
for grouping video streams using a predetermined algorithm,
selecting a group to be processed, and selecting and outputting
each inter frame from the selected group in sequence; ratio
calculating means for calculating the ratio of the number of blocks
whose motion compensation values are zero to the total number of
macroblocks, with respect to the selected inter frame; quantizing
means for quantizing the ratio into i levels, where i is a
predetermined positive number, and outputting level indication
signals which indicate the respective levels; and region intensity
histogram (RIH) calculating means for calculating the ratio of the
number of inter frames in the ith level to the total number of
inter frames in a region, and outputting the calculation result as
RIH information.
34. The digital video processing apparatus according to claim 33,
wherein the predetermined histogram information is defined by a
region intensity histogram (RIH) which indicates the intensity of a
given video scene region.
35. The digital video processing apparatus according to claim 33,
further comprising RIH information storage means for receiving the
RIH information and storing the same.
36. The digital video processing apparatus according to claim 34,
further comprising RIH information storage means for receiving the
RIH information and storing the same.
37. The digital video processing apparatus according to claims 35,
wherein the RIH information storage means receives video stream
data, interleaves the RIH information into the video stream data
and outputs RIH information interleaved video streams.
38. The digital video processing apparatus according to claims 36,
wherein the RIH information storage means receives video stream
data, interleaves the RIH information into the video stream data
and outputs RIH information interleaved video streams.
39. A digital video analyzing method comprising the step of
calculating the difference between RIH.sub.1 and RIH.sub.2, which
is denoted by Distance (RIH.sub.1, RIH.sub.2), as represented by
the following Expression: Distance(RIH.sub.1,
RIH.sub.2)=(RIH.sub.1-RIH.sub.2).sup.T M.sup.-1(RIH.sub.1,
RIH.sub.2) wherein, of two video streams in a given video scene,
RIH information of the first video stream is RIH.sub.1, RIH
information of the second video stream is RIH.sub.2, and M is a
covariance matrix.
40. The digital video analyzing method according to claim 39,
further comprising the step of determining the calculated
difference by the difference in intensity between two video
streams.
41. A method for searching for a desired digital video scene in
compressed video streams comprising the step of: (a) receiving
video streams; (b) grouping the video streams into a plurality of
groups using a predetermined algorithm; (c) selecting a group to be
processed; (d) determining a region intensity histogram (RIH) of
the selected group based on information on motion compensation of
inter frames in the selected group; (e) selecting a video scene to
be searched; (f) retrieving RIH information of the selected video
scene; and (g) searching regions having similar RIH information
based on the retrieved RIH information, in each of the processed
video streams.
42. An apparatus for searching for a desired digital video scene in
compressed video streams comprising: grouping means for grouping
input video streams into a plurality of groups using a
predetermined algorithm; motion compensation information retrieving
means for retrieving information on motion compensation of inter
frames from a selected group and outputting processed video streams
including the information as the RIH information of the selected
group; and searching means for retrieving RIH information of a
selected group to be searched and searching for regions having
similar RIH information based on the retrieved RIH information.
43. A digital video processing apparatus comprising: a grouping
unit for grouping video streams using a predetermined algorithm,
selecting a group to be processed, and selecting and outputting
each inter frame from the selected group in sequence; b a ratio
calculating unit for calculating the ratio of the number of blocks
whose motion compensation values are zero to the total number of
macroblocks, with respect to the selected inter frame; a quantizing
unit for quantizing the ratio into i levels, where i is a
predetermined positive number, and outputting level indication
signals which indicate the respective levels; and a region
intensity histogram (RIH) calculating unit for calculating the
ratio of the number of inter frames in the ith level to the total
number of inter frames in a region, and outputting the calculation
result as RIH information.
44. The digital video processing apparatus according to claim 43,
wherein the predetermined histogram information is defined by a
region intensity histogram (RIH) which indicates the intensity of a
given video scene region.
45. The digital video processing apparatus according to claim 43,
further comprising a region intensity histogram (RIH) information
storage unit for receiving the RIH information and storing the
same.
46. The digital video processing apparatus according to claim 44,
further comprising a region intensity histogram (RIH) information
storage unit for receiving the RIH information and storing the
same.
47. The digital video processing apparatus according to claims 43,
wherein the RIH information storage unit receives video stream
data, interleaves the RIH information into the video stream data
and outputs RIH information interleaved video streams.
48. An apparatus for searching for a desired digital video scene in
compressed video streams comprising: a grouping unit for grouping
input video streams into a plurality of groups using a
predetermined algorithm; a motion compensation information
retrieving unit for retrieving information on motion compensation
of inter frames from a selected group and outputting processed
video streams including the information as the RIH information of
the selected group; and a searching unit for retrieving RIH
information of a selected group to be searched and searching for
regions having similar RIH information based on the retrieved RIH
information.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
application Ser. No.60/118,750, filed Feb. 5, 1999, the disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a digital video processing
method and apparatus thereof, and more particularly, to a digital
video processing method and apparatus for classifying video scenes
based on the motion information of a given scene.
[0004] Intensity of a video scene refers to the visual intensity
experienced by a viewer when the viewer sees the video scene. This
is an abstract concept indicating that the scene is very important
in view of an overall video program. Thus, methods for searching
video streams based on the intensity are required. However, as yet,
there are no known methods for searching video streams based on the
intensity nor methods for processing the same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is a first object of the present invention to provide a
digital video processing method which allows for video search based
on intensity.
[0006] It is a second object of the present invention to provide a
computer readable medium for embodying the digital video processing
method.
[0007] It is a third object of the present invention to provide a
digital video processing apparatus for embodying the digital video
processing method.
[0008] It is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a
digital video analyzing method for comparing the intensities of
video streams processed by the digital video processing method.
[0009] It is a fifth object of the present invention to provide a
digital video searching method for searching video streams based on
the intensities of video streams processed by the digital video
processing method.
[0010] It is a sixth object of the present invention to provide a
digital video search apparatus for embodying the digital video
searching method.
[0011] To achieve the first object of the present invention, there
is provided a method for processing digital images received in the
form of compressed video streams comprising the step of (a)
determining a region intensity histogram (RIH) based on information
on motion compensation of inter frames.
[0012] Also, before the step (a), there may be further included the
steps of (p-a) receiving video streams, (p-b) grouping the video
streams into a plurality of groups using a predetermined algorithm,
(p-c) selecting a group to be processed, wherein in the step (a),
the RIH of the selected group is determined based on information on
motion compensation of inter frames.
[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method for processing digital images received in the
form of compressed video streams including the step of (a)
selecting an inter frame from the video streams, (b) with respect
to the selected inter frame, calculating the ratio of the number of
blocks whose motion compensation values are zero to the total
number of macroblocks, (c) quantizing the ratio into i levels,
where i is a predetermined positive number, (d) checking whether
the processed inter frame is the last one, (e) if it is determined
in the step (d) that the processed inter frame is not the last one,
selecting the next inter frame and performing the steps (b) through
(d), (f) if it is determined in the step (d) that the processed
inter frame is the last one, calculating the ratio of the number of
inter frames in the ith level to the total number of inter frames
in a given region, and (g) determining the ratio obtained in the
step (f) as predetermined histogram information.
[0014] Also, the digital video processing method may further
include the steps of (p-a) receiving video streams, (p-b) grouping
the video streams into a plurality of groups using a predetermined
algorithm, (p-c) selecting a group to be processed, wherein in the
step (a), an inter frame is selected from the video stream group
selected in the step (p-c).
[0015] Preferably, after the step (g), there are further included
the steps of (h) checking whether the selected group is the last
one, (i) if it is determined in the step (h) that the selected
group is not the last one, selecting the next group, and (j)
performing the steps (a) through (h) with respect to the next group
selected in the step (i).
[0016] Also, the predetermined algorithm is preferably a scene cut
detection algorithm.
[0017] Preferably, the video streams are moving picture expert
group (MPEG)-7 video streams.
[0018] Also, the predetermined histogram information is defined by
a region intensity histogram (RIH) which indicates the intensity of
a given video scene region.
[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a digital video processing method comprising the step
of defining the distribution of blocks whose motion compensation
values are zero as motion activity, with respect to inter
frames.
[0020] To achieve the second object of the present invention, there
is provided a computer readable medium having program codes
executable by a computer to perform a digital video processing
method comprising the steps of (a) selecting an inter frame from
the video streams, (b) with respect to the selected inter frame,
calculating the ratio of the number of blocks whose motion
compensation values are zero to the total number of macroblocks,
(c) quantizing the ratio into i levels, where i is a predetermined
positive number, (d) checking whether the processed inter frame is
the last one, (e) if it is determined in the step (d) that the
processed inter frame is not the last one, selecting the next inter
frame and performing the steps (b) through (d), (f) if it is
determined in the step (d) that the processed inter frame is the
last one, calculating the ratio of the number of inter frames in
the ith level to the total number of inter frames in a given
region, and (g) determining the ratio obtained in the step (f) as
predetermined histogram information.
[0021] To achieve the third object of the present invention, there
is provided a digital video processing apparatus including grouping
means for grouping video streams using a predetermined algorithm,
selecting a group to be processed, and selecting and outputting
each inter frame from the selected group in sequence, ratio
calculating means for calculating the ratio of the number of blocks
whose motion compensation values are zero to the total number of
macroblocks, with respect to the selected inter frame, quantizing
means for quantizing the ratio into i levels, where i is a
predetermined positive number, and outputting level indication
signals which indicate the respective levels, and a region
intensity histogram (RIH) calculating means for calculating the
ratio of the number of inter frames in the Ah level to the total
number of inter frames in a region, and outputting the calculation
result as RIH information.
[0022] To achieve the fourth object of the present invention, there
is provided a digital video analyzing method comprising the step of
calculating the difference between RIH, and RIH.sub.2, which is
denoted by Distance (RIH.sub.1, RIH.sub.2, as represented by the
following Expression:
Distance(RIH.sub.1, RIH.sub.2)=(RIH.sub.1-RIH.sub.2).sup.T
M.sup.-1(RIH.sub.1, RIH.sub.2)
[0023] wherein, of two video streams in a given video scene, RIH
information of the first video stream is RIH.sub.1, RIH information
of the second video stream is RIH.sub.2, and M is a covariance
matrix.
[0024] To achieve the fifth object of the present invention, there
is provided a method for searching for a desired digital video
scene in compressed video streams including the step of (a)
receiving video streams, (b) grouping the video streams into a
plurality of groups using a predetermined algorithm, (c) selecting
a group to be processed, (d) determining a region intensity
histogram (RIH) of the selected group based on information on
motion compensation of inter frames in the selected group, (e)
selecting a video scene to be searched, (f) retrieving RIH
information of the selected video scene and (g) searching regions
having similar RIH information based on the retrieved RIH
information, in each of the processed video streams.
[0025] To achieve the sixth object of the present invention, there
is provided an apparatus for searching for a desired digital video
scene in compressed video streams including grouping means for
grouping input video streams into a plurality of groups using a
predetermined algorithm, motion compensation information retrieving
means for retrieving information on motion compensation of inter
frames from a selected group and outputting processed video streams
including the information as the RIH information of the selected
group, and searching means for retrieving RIH information of a
selected group to be searched and searching for regions having
similar RIH information based on the retrieved RIH information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] The above objects and advantages of the present invention
will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred
embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in
which:
[0027] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram showing a digital video processing
method according to the present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a digital video processing
apparatus according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0030] In the present invention, in order to classify intensity of
a video scene, motion information is used. Referring to FIG. 1, the
digital video processing method according to the present invention
includes the step of inputting video streams, preferably, MPEG-2
video streams, (step 100). Next, the video streams are grouped
using a scene cut detection algorithm (step 102). Then, a group of
video streams to be processed is selected (step 104). As known to
one skilled in the art of MPEG, each of the video streams consists
of a plurality of video frames. Video frames are classified as
intra frames and inter frames. In the field of MPEG technology, the
intra frames are generally referred to as I frames, and the inter
frames include P frames and B frames. For convenience' sake of
explanation, let B frames be P frames, then, the video frames are
classified as I frames and P frames. In other words, the selected
group of video streams consist of I frames and P frames.
[0031] Next, each P frame of the selected group of video streams is
selected in sequence (step 106). Then, in step 108, with respect to
the selected P frame, the ratio (R) of the number of blocks whose
motion compensation values are zero to the total number of
macroblocks is calculated, as expressed in Expression (1): 1 R =
Number of NO_MCblocks Total number of macroblocks ( 1 )
[0032] wherein NO_MC blocks are blocks whose motion compensation
values are zero, among macroblocks constituting the P frame. With
respect to inter frames, the distribution of the blocks whose
motion compensation values are zero is defined as motion
activity.
[0033] Next, the ratio R is quantized into one of five levels
I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, I.sub.4 and I.sub.5. For example, the
levels I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, I.sub.4 and I.sub.5 refer to the
cases where the ratios R are less than 5%, greater than or equal to
5% and less than 10%, greater than or equal to 10% and less than
30%, greater than or equal to 30% and less than 50%, and greater
than or equal to 50%, respectively. In such a manner, processing of
each P frame is completed.
[0034] Next, it is checked whether the processed P frame is the
last one (step 112). If not, the next P frame is selected (step
114) and the steps 106 through 110 are performed until the last P
frame is processed. Then, supposing i is an integer from 1 to 5,
and the ratio of the number of P frames in the ith level (I.sub.i)
to the total number of P frames in a region is denoted by P.sub.i,
P.sub.i is calculated as follows: 2 P i = Number of P frames in l i
Total number of P frames in a region ( 2 )
[0035] to determine a region intensity histogram (RIH) as
follows:
RIH=(P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5) (3)
[0036] where the region denotes a selected group (step 116).
[0037] Then, it is checked whether the selected group is the last
one (step 118). If not, the next group is selected (step 120) and
the steps 106 through 116 are performed. In such a manner, the
video processing for all groups is completed.
[0038] According to the digital video processing method, the RIH
information is obtained based on the motion compensation values of
P frames. The RIH information is a good indicator of the motion
information of a video scene. Also, RIH information is quite a good
indicator of the intensity of the video scene.
[0039] The digital video processing method is programmable by a
computer. Codes and code segments constituting a computer program
can be easily derived by a computer programmer in the art. Also,
the program is stored in computer readable media and is read and
executed by the computer, thereby embodying the digital video
processing method. The media include magnetic recording media,
optical recording media, carrier wave media, and the like.
[0040] Also, the digital video processing method can be implemented
on a digital video processing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram
of the digital video processing apparatus according to the present
invention. Referring to FIG. 2, the digital video processing
apparatus includes a grouping unit 200, a NO_MC block ratio
calculating unit 202, a quantizing unit 204, an RIH calculating
unit 206, and an RIH information storage unit 208.
[0041] In the operation of the digital video processing apparatus,
the grouping unit 200 groups video streams using a scene cut
detection algorithm, selects a group to be processed, and selects
and outputs each P frame from the selected group in sequence.
[0042] The NO_MC block ratio calculating unit 202 calculates the
ratio of the number of blocks whose motion compensation values are
zero to the total number of macroblocks, as defined in Expression
(1) to output a ratio data R representing the calculated ratio.
[0043] The quantizing unit 204 quantizes the ratio R into one of
five levels I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, I.sub.4 and I.sub.5 to then
output level indication signals I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, I.sub.4
and I.sub.5, which indicate the respective levels. The respective
levels I.sub.1, I.sub.2, I.sub.3, I.sub.4 and I.sub.5 are for the
cases where the ratios R are less than 5%, greater than or equal to
5% and less than 10%, greater than or equal to 10% and less than
30%, greater than or equal to 30% and less than 50%, and greater
than or equal to 50%, respectively. In such a manner, processing of
each P frame is completed.
[0044] If processing of the last P frame is completed, the RIH
calculating unit 206 calculates the ratio of the number of P frames
in the ith level (I.sub.i) to the total number of P frames in a
region, which is denoted by P.sub.i, as represented by Expression
(2) to then output region intensity histogram (RIH) data, as
represented by Expression (3).
[0045] The RIH information storage unit 208 receives the RIH
information (P.sub.1, P.sub.2, P.sub.3, P.sub.4, P.sub.5) and
stores the same therein. More preferably, the RIH information
storage unit 208 receives video stream data, interleaves the RIH
information with the video stream data and outputs RIH information
interleaved video streams.
[0046] By the video streams processed by the digital video
processing method shown in FIG. 1 and using the digital video
processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the intensities of two
arbitrary video streams can be compared and analyzed.
[0047] According to a digital video analyzing method of the present
invention, the difference between RIH.sub.1 and RIH.sub.2, i.e.,
Distance (RIH.sub.1, RIH.sub.2, is calculated as represented by
Expression (4):
Distance(RIH.sub.1, RIH.sub.2)=(R.sub.1-RIH.sub.2).sup.T
M.sup.-1(RIH.sub.1, RIH.sub.2) (4)
[0048] wherein, of two video streams in a given video scene, RIH
information of the first video stream is RIH.sub.1, RIH information
of the second video stream is RIH.sub.2, and M is a covariance
matrix.
[0049] The Distance (RIH.sub.1, RIH.sub.2) calculated by the
above-described digital video analyzing method is properly
indicative of the difference in intensity between two video
streams.
[0050] Using the video streams processed by the digital video
processing method shown in FIG. 1, which is implemented on the
digital video processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2, region
searching can be effectively performed by a digital video searching
method according to the present invention.
[0051] The digital video searching method according to the present
invention is based on the assumption that the video streams are
processed by the digital video processing method shown in FIG. 1.
In other words, it should be understood that the digital video
searching method according to the present invention encompasses the
digital video processing method which has been described with
reference to FIG. 1.
[0052] According to the digital video searching method of the
present invention, the RIH information of a selected video scene,
that is, a video region, is first obtained.
[0053] Next, with respect to the video streams processed by the
digital video processing method shown in FIG. 1, regions having
similar RIH information, that is, video scenes having similar
intensity, are searched for based on the obtained RIH
information.
[0054] Since the RIH information is determined based on motion
compensation values of P frames, it is properly indicative of
motion information of the video scene. Also, the distribution of
blocks whose motion compensation values with respect to inter
frames are zero, accounts for motion activity quite well. Further,
in a video program, in particular, in a sports program, the motion
information is very closely related to the content of the pertinent
video stream. The RIH information which is based on motion
information is quite a good indicator of the intensity of a video
scene. In other words, the video streams of scenes having similar
intensities can be effectively searched by searching for similar
video scenes based on the RIH information.
[0055] The above-described digital video searching method can be
applied to multi-media push/pull application fields such as content
based video search engines.
[0056] Also, the digital video searching method is programmable by
a computer program. Codes and code segments constituting a computer
program can be easily derived by a computer programmer in the art.
Also, the program is stored in computer readable media and is
readable and executable by the computer, thereby embodying the
digital video searching method. The media include magnetic
recording media, optical recording media, carrier wave media, and
the like.
[0057] Also, the digital video processing method can be embodied on
a digital video searching apparatus (not shown). The digital video
searching apparatus according to the present invention includes a
grouping unit, a motion compensation information retrieving unit,
and a searching unit.
[0058] In the operation of the digital video searching apparatus,
the grouping unit groups input video streams into a plurality of
groups using a scene cut detection algorithm.
[0059] The motion compensation information retrieving unit extracts
information on motion compensation of P frames from a selected
group and outputs processed video streams including the information
as the RIH information of the selected group.
[0060] The searching unit extracts RIH information of a selected
group to be searched and searches for regions having similar RIH
information based on the retrieved RIH information.
[0061] The aforementioned digital video searching apparatus can
effectively search the video streams of scenes having similar
intensities by searching for similar video scenes based on the RIH
information.
[0062] As described above, according to the present invention, the
RIH information is obtained based on the motion compensation values
of inter frames, and the RIH information is a good indicator of
motion information of a video scene. Also, since the RIH
information is quite a good indicator of intensity of the video
scene, video streams having similar intensities can be effectively
searched by searching for similar video scenes based on the RIH
information obtained by a digital video processing method of the
present invention.
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