JP2000059724A - Multimedia authoring method, its system and recording medium thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To produce multimedia contents with high visibility. SOLUTION: This system is provided with storage sections 2, 3 for storing media data, multimedia defining sections 12-14 that stick a media object to an authoring screen upon the receipt of media definition instruction, extract a file relating to the object from the media data storage sections and display the file on a data file selection screen, fetch the name of file data selected from the selection screen and control the information of the object and store them to a contents information storage section 16, and a dynamic image reproduction start time defining section 17, that selects a still image object on the authoring screen upon the receipt of definition instruction of a dynamic image reproduction start time, inputs the dynamic image reproduction start time corresponding to this still image and writes the time to be made to correspond to the still image data in the contents information storage section.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multimedia authoring device used in, for example, a broadcasting station or a movie company, and more particularly to a multimedia authoring device devised for producing multimedia contents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 15, a conventional authoring apparatus comprises an authoring apparatus main body 100 for producing multimedia contents and a multimedia content storage section 110, and each of the authoring apparatus main bodies 100 implements an authoring function. An authoring control unit 101 for controlling the entire components, a video data name of a video constituting the multimedia content, a video information definition unit 102 for defining a display position and a size, a still image data name of a still image constituting the multimedia content, A still image information defining unit 103 for defining a display position and a size, a text information defining unit 104 for defining character information related to text,
A multimedia content creation unit 105 for finally generating multimedia content is provided, while a multimedia information storage unit 110 for storing multimedia content information is provided in a multimedia content storage unit 110.
Further, a storage unit such as moving image data 112, still image data 113, and text information 114, which are entities described in the content information, is provided.

[0003] By the way, multimedia contents are
As described above, it is manufactured by combining objects such as moving images, still images, and text (character strings). When producing the multimedia content, the association of these objects is performed from the arrangement in the display space, and the association with other objects (still images and text) according to the timing of the moving image is not performed.

[0004]

Therefore, in the production of multimedia contents as described above, for example, a still image is associated with a multimedia content such as defining a reproduction start time of a moving image for a still image or a moving image. It is not possible to produce multimedia contents that are rich and flexible.

As a result, it has been difficult for users to produce multimedia contents with higher visibility. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a multimedia authoring method and apparatus for easily producing multimedia contents with higher visibility. Another object of the present invention is to provide a storage medium storing a program for producing highly visible multimedia content.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention sets a still picture object together with a moving picture object on a predetermined authoring screen and displays a still picture data file related to the moving picture object. . In this state, a required still image data file is sequentially selected from the still image data files, a moving image reproduction start time is set in association with the still image, and written in correspondence with the corresponding still image data name in the content information storage unit. Is a method for defining a moving image reproduction start time for each still image.

Therefore, a required still image can be selected from a plurality of still image data files stored in the still image storage means corresponding to each moving image, and the moving image reproduction start time of the still image can be sequentially defined.

[0008] A multimedia data storage means for storing multimedia data such as moving image data and still image data, and when receiving a multimedia definition instruction, sets a multimedia object on a predetermined authoring screen and sets a data file. A still image data file related to the moving image object stored in the multimedia data storage unit is extracted and displayed on the selection screen, and the still image data name of the still image data file selected from the selection screen and the operation of the still image are selected. Multimedia definition means for taking in information and defining multimedia information and storing the information in the content information storage means; and when receiving an instruction to define a moving image reproduction start time, moving image reproduction in association with each still image corresponding to the moving image object. Setting a start time, the content information storage means A storage multimedia authoring apparatus provided with a video reproduction start time definition means.

By taking such means, a moving image reproduction start time is set for each still image data of each moving image and written in the content information storage means, thereby associating each still image with the moving image reproduction start time. Therefore, multimedia contents can be easily produced, and visibility can be improved.

Another aspect of the present invention is a recording medium in which a program for producing multimedia contents is recorded in a readable manner, and when a multimedia definition instruction is received by a computer of an authoring apparatus main body, a predetermined authoring is performed. A data selection screen display function of pasting a moving image and a still image object on a screen, and selectively displaying a still image data file related to the moving image object stored in the multimedia data storage unit on a data file selection screen; A multimedia definition function for taking in the data name of the still image data file and the operation information of the object selected from the selection screen displayed by the data selection screen display function, defining multimedia information, and storing the multimedia information in the content information storage means. And the video playback start time A computer-readable recording in which a program for realizing a moving image reproduction start time definition function stored in the content information storage means by associating a moving image reproduction start time with a still image object of the authoring screen is received. Medium.

Thus, by causing a computer to read the program recorded on the recording medium, the computer can automatically produce multimedia content by associating a moving image reproduction start time with each of a plurality of still images for each moving image.

Another invention is a multimedia data storage means for storing multimedia data such as moving image data and still image data, and a representative scene setting screen and a scene cutout screen when a representative scene definition request is received. Screen display means for displaying, and when a scene cutout request is received, and when a moving picture data name is input to a moving picture data name area on the scene cutout screen, a video related to the corresponding moving picture is outputted from the multimedia data storage means. A scene extracting means for extracting a still image of the switching portion and sequentially displaying the still image on the scene extracting screen; and when a representative scene is selected from the displayed still images, the still images of the representative scene are sequentially displayed. The representative scene data and the reproduction start time information of these representative scene still images are read out and stored in the content information storage means. A multimedia authoring apparatus provided with a defining means.

[0013] By adopting such means, a still image of a video switching portion relating to a moving image is cut out, representative scenes are selected from the cut out still images, the still image data names of these representative scene still images, and the reproduction start. Since the time information is sequentially stored in the content information storage means, multimedia contents with higher visibility can be produced.

Still another aspect of the present invention is a content information storage unit in which a data name of a still image for each moving image is stored in advance, a timer counting unit for displaying a video of a certain moving image and simultaneously performing a time counting operation, In response to an external display / non-display instruction timing during the display of the moving image, the display start time and the display end time of the still image of the relevant moving image are fetched from the timer counting means, and the still image This is a multimedia authoring device provided with a still image automatic display information defining means for writing and defining in correspondence with an image.

By taking such means, when a display / non-display instruction timing is issued from the outside during the display of a moving image, the display start time and the display end time of the still image of the relevant moving image are determined by the timer counting means. Since the content is fetched and stored in the content information storage means, multimedia content with higher visibility to the user can be produced.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a multimedia authoring method and apparatus according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, it is possible to produce a multimedia content in which a moving image reproduction start time is defined for a still image or text object. The authoring apparatus is provided with an authoring apparatus main body 1 using a personal computer, a workstation, or the like, which produces multimedia contents. The authoring processing apparatus main body 1 has a moving image data storage unit 2 in which moving image data is stored in advance. A still image data storage unit 3 in which still image data is stored in advance and a multimedia content storage / display unit 4 are connected.

The authoring apparatus main body 1 has an authoring control unit 11 for controlling all the components for realizing the authoring function, and defines a moving image data name, a display position, a size, and other necessary contents of a moving image constituting the multimedia contents. A moving image information definition unit 12, a still image data definition unit 13 for defining still image data names, display positions, sizes, and other necessary contents of still images constituting multimedia contents, and character information and other data related to text are defined. It comprises a text information definition unit 14, a multimedia content creation unit 15 that finally creates multimedia content, and a content information storage unit 16 that stores multimedia content information being created by the creation unit 15.

Further, a feature of this embodiment is that the authoring apparatus main body 1 defines, for still image data and text data, a reproduction start time of a moving image constituting multimedia contents together with the still image data and the text data. A reproduction start time definition unit 17 is provided.

Further, the multimedia content storage / display unit 4 includes a multimedia content creation unit 15
It has a role as a server that stores and displays the multimedia contents created by, for example, a personal computer or a workstation.

The storage portion of the multimedia content storage / display section 4 includes, for example, content information 41 relating to moving image data and still image data constituting the multimedia content, and an entity described in the content information 41. Moving image data 42, still image data 43, text information 44, and the like are stored.

The content information storage section 16 is a section for storing moving picture information and still picture information constituting the Maltese media content during the production of the Maltese media content. Is equivalent to

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a data array in the content information storage section 16. For each moving image data, a moving image data name, a total reproduction time, a display position, a display size and other necessary data, Still image data 1,
, N, still image data name, display position, display size, moving image reproduction start time and other necessary data, text information for each moving image data 1,.
Font size and other necessary data are stored.

Various data stored in the content information storage section 16 are stored in the multimedia content creation section 1.
When the multimedia content is created at 5, the multimedia content is stored in a storage function part in the multimedia content storage / display unit 4 as a content information file, for example. 17
Denotes a display unit, and 18 denotes an input device such as a keyboard or a pointing device. Reference numeral 19 denotes a recording medium for recording a program for causing a computer as the apparatus main body 1 to execute a series of processes. In addition, a CD-ROM is generally used as the recording medium 19, but other than that, for example, a magnetic tape, a DVD-ROM, a floppy disk, an MO, an MD, a CD-R, a memory card, or the like may be used. Good.

Next, the operation of the above apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. Now, the user who produces the multimedia content has the authoring device body 1
Is started, a series of processes shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 are executed. Note that a series of processing programs shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 are recorded in the storage medium 19 in advance, and the apparatus main body 1 reads the processing programs recorded in the storage medium 19 and implements required functions. .

That is, when the apparatus main body 1 is started, the processing program recorded on the storage medium 19 is read and the following functions are realized. That is, the authoring control unit 11 displays an authoring screen 50 shown in FIG. 4A, which is an initial screen previously stored in an appropriate storage unit, on the display unit 17 such as a color CRT (S1).

On the authoring screen 50, a moving image information definition button 51, a still image information definition button 52, a text information definition button 53, a creation button 54, and an end button 55
In addition, a Maltese media content display section 56 for displaying the defined information is displayed.

After such an authoring screen 50 is displayed, it is determined which event instruction is given by the user (S2). When the user touches or selects the moving image information definition button 51, the authoring control unit 11
Sends a moving image information definition request to the moving image information defining unit 12. Here, the moving picture information definition unit 12 executes a moving picture information defining process (S3).

In this moving image information defining process, the moving image object 56a is pasted on the Maltese media content display unit 56, and a data file selection screen 57 as shown in FIG. .. Can be selected from the moving image data files 1, 2,. The steps S1 to S3 are to realize a data selection screen display function in the computer.

When the user selects a certain moving image data file from the data file selection screen 57, the selected moving image data name is described in the content information storage unit 16. When the user picks the moving object 56a on the Marz media content display unit 56 using a mouse or the like as the input device 18 and performs a moving process, a frame enlargement operation, and a frame reduction operation, the authoring control unit 11 The information is fetched and passed to the moving image information definition unit 12. Here, the moving image information definition unit 12 acquires the display position and the display size of the moving image from the received information, and describes them in the content information storage unit 16 (see (1) in FIG. 2).

When the moving image information defining process is completed as described above, the process returns to the user event wait state (S2). Here, when the user selects the still image information definition button 52,
The authoring control unit 11 sends a still image information definition request to the still image information definition unit 13. Here, the still image information definition unit 13 executes a still image information definition process (S4).

This still picture information definition processing is performed by displaying a still picture object 56 b on the Marz media content display section 56.
Are displayed, and a data file selection screen 57 as shown in FIG. 4B is displayed, and the still image data files 1, 2,...
From the still image data file on the display unit 17. The still image data storage unit 3 stores, for example, still image data which is a scene in the middle of a moving image selected in advance.

When the user selects a still image data file, which is a scene in the middle of one moving image, from each of the still image data files displayed on the data file selection screen 57 of the display unit 17, the selected still image data name Is described in the content information storage unit 16.

The user inputs the still image object 56b on the Marz media content display section 56 to the input device 1
When a picking operation is performed using a mouse or the like 8 and a moving process, a frame enlarging operation, and a frame reducing operation are performed, the authoring control unit 11 takes in the information and passes it to the still image information defining unit 13. Here, the still image information definition unit 13 acquires the display position and the display size of the moving image from the received information, and describes them in the content information storage unit 16 (see (2) in FIG. 2).

The text information definition processing by the text information definition section 14 is executed in the same procedure (S5).
These steps S3 to S5 are to realize a multimedia definition function in the computer.

[0036] Further, a still image object 56 stuck on the Martz media content display section 56 by the user.
For example, when b is double-clicked with a mouse or the like, the moving image reproduction start time definition unit 17 receives the event and executes a moving image reproduction start time definition process (S6).

The moving image reproduction start time definition unit 17 is adapted to, when the still image object 56b pasted is double-clicked with a mouse, obtain information on the clicked still image object 56b, for example, an ID and a pointer for recognizing the object. Then, the information of the handler and the like is acquired (S11), and the moving image reproduction start time definition screen 58 shown in FIG. 4C is displayed (S12). After displaying the video playback start time definition screen 58, the video playback start time definition unit 17 waits for an event from the user (S13). Here, when the user inputs a moving image playback start time for determining whether to output a still image from, for example, XX seconds of the moving image to which the still image should correspond, the moving image playback start time is set in the time input area 58a.
(S14).

In this state, the user presses the OK button 58
When clicking on b, the video playback start time definition unit 17
It is determined whether or not the moving image reproduction start time has been input to the time input area 58a (S14). When it is determined that the time has been input, the time information input from the time input area 58a is read (S15), and the content information is read. The data is written in the moving image reproduction start time area of the clicked object in the storage unit 16 (S16, see “3” in FIG. 2). These steps S11 to S16 are to realize a moving image reproduction start time definition function.

When the definition of various necessary information is completed as described above, the user operates the create button 54 on the authoring screen shown in FIG. The creation request is passed to the multimedia content creation unit 15.

Here, the content creation section 15 extracts the content information from the content information storage section 16 and executes the multimedia content creation processing shown in FIG. 3 (S7). That is, the content creation unit 15 extracts the content information from the content information storage unit 16, converts the content information into a content information file, stores the content information file in the storage function part of the multimedia content storage / display unit 4, and stores the content information in the content information storage unit 16. The moving image data, the still image data, and the text information are also stored in the storage function section of the multimedia content storage / display unit 4 together.

Therefore, according to the above embodiment, the moving image reproduction start time definition unit 1 for a still image object
When the still image object 56b pasted on the Marz media content display unit 56 is selected, the moving image reproduction start time definition screen 58 shown in FIG. When the moving image reproduction start time is input to the time input area 58a corresponding to the image data name, the moving image reproduction start time is read and stored in the content information storage unit 16, so that the user can easily input the video reproduction start time to the still image object. It is possible to produce the associated Maltese media content, and to enhance the visibility of the produced Maltese media content to a user. (Embodiment 2) FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the multimedia authoring apparatus according to the present invention.
In this figure, the same parts as those in FIG.

In this embodiment, in the first embodiment, multimedia contents in which the reproduction start time of a moving image is defined for a still image can be produced. Operability is required, for example, by investigating matters related to the image, but the operability is to be improved.

The authoring apparatus main body 1 of the authoring apparatus includes a multimedia information definition section 12 to 14, a multimedia content creation section 15, a content information storage section 16, a moving picture reproduction start time definition section 17, and a still scene serving as a representative scene. A representative scene definition unit 21 for setting an image, a scene extraction engine 22 for extracting a moving image from the moving image data storage unit 2 and extracting a still image, and information for extracting a still image extracted by the scene extraction engine 22 are stored. It comprises a scene cutout information storage unit 23 and a representative scene cutout information storage unit 24.

Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. Now, when a user who produces multimedia content activates the authoring apparatus main body 1, a series of processes shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 are executed. Note that a series of processing programs shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 are recorded in the storage medium 19 in advance, and the apparatus main body 1 reads the processing programs recorded in the storage medium 19 and implements required functions. .

That is, when the apparatus main body 1 is started, the processing program recorded on the storage medium 19 is read, and the following functions are realized. That is, the authoring control unit 11 color-displays, for example, an authoring screen 50 shown in FIG. 8A, which is an initial screen previously stored in an appropriate storage unit, on the display unit 17 such as a CRT (S1).
On the authoring screen, a representative scene definition button 61 is newly assigned in addition to the buttons shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, the setting of the representative scene, which is a feature of this embodiment, will be described. Here, the representative scene is assumed to convert a part of the intermediate video of the moving image data used for the multimedia content into a still image, and define a moving image reproduction start time position in the still image.

The representative scene is set by the user in FIG.
When the representative scene definition button 61 on the authoring screen as the initial screen or the main screen shown in FIG.
The authoring control unit 11 sends a representative scene definition request to the representative scene definition unit 21. Here, the representative scene definition unit 21 executes the representative scene definition processing S8 as shown in the flow shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows a representative scene definition process S8 newly performed by the representative scene definition unit 21 in the processing flow shown in FIG.
Is added.

In the representative scene definition process S8 by the representative scene definition unit 21, a representative scene setting screen shown in FIG. 8B is displayed in advance, separately from the authoring screen 50 shown in FIG. 8A (S21). In this representative scene setting screen, a still image data name input area 62 for inputting a still image data name of a still image serving as a representative scene, and a reproduction start time for reproducing a moving image for each still image are input. Play start time input area 63, scene cutout button 64
And an OK button 65 are arranged. Incidentally, on this screen, N representative scenes can be set.

After the representative scene definition section 21 displays the representative scene setting screen in this way, the system waits for an event instruction from the user (S22). Here, when the user selects and operates the scene cutout button 64, a scene cutout screen shown in FIG. 8C is displayed (S23). The scene cutout screen includes a moving image data name input area 66 for inputting a moving image data name, a scene cutout still image display section 67 for displaying a still image cut out from a moving image, and a representative scene further selected from the cutout scene still images. A representative scene still image display section 68 for displaying a still image, a cutout start button 69 for requesting start of still image cutout from a moving image, a representative scene selection button 70 for selecting a cutout still image as a representative scene still image, and a representative scene determination button 71 are arranged. The above steps S21 to S23 are to realize a screen display function in the computer.

After displaying the scene cutout screen in step S23, the user inputs a moving image data name in the moving image data name input area 66, and waits for an event (S24). Here, when the user selects and operates the extraction start button 69,
The representative scene definition unit 21 sends a scene request to the scene cutout engine 22 together with the moving image data name in the input area 66 (S25). The scene extraction engine 22 extracts, for example, extraction parameters ｛such as whether to extract many scenes (long time intervals) or a few scenes (short time intervals) stored in the scene extraction information storage unit 23 in advance. For example, MPEG
High-speed cut detection technology for video images (Information Processing Society of Japan 53
(National Convention, 1996) and visual media editing technology (image recognition / understanding symposium MIR)
U, 96, sponsored by the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers) Based on other necessary setting data, the location where the video was switched is detected, and the still images at the time of the detection are cut out and sequentially stored in the still image data storage unit 3, Further, the still image data name and the playback time of the extracted moving image are stored in the scene extraction information storage unit 23 (S26). The above steps S24 to S26 are to realize the engine cutout function in the computer.

The representative scene definition unit 21 confirms the end of the scene extraction by the scene extraction engine 22, reads all the extracted still image data from the scene extraction information storage unit 23, and displays the data on the scene extraction still image display unit 67. Display (S27),
It waits for an event from the user (S24). The scene cutout still image display section 67 on which the still image data is displayed can be selected by, for example, a cursor.

When the user operates the representative scene selection button 70 after selecting one of the displayed scene cutout still images with the cursor, the representative scene definition unit 2
1 retrieves the still image data file name and start time information on the cursor from the scene cutout information storage unit 23 (S2).
8) The still image data is stored in the representative scene cutout information storage unit 2
4 (S29) and displayed on the representative scene still image display unit 68 (S30). For example, up to N representative scenes can be set. The above steps S27 to S30
Is to realize a representative scene setting function in a computer.

After all the representative scenes have been selected and completed, when the user operates the representative scene determination button 71,
At the end of the scene extraction, the data is extracted from the representative scene extraction information storage unit 24, and the still image data name input area 62 and the reproduction start time area 63 on the representative scene setting screen shown in FIG. After inputting the playback start time (S31), the scene cutout screen shown in FIG. 8C is deleted (S32), and an event from the user is waited (S22).

Thereafter, when the user operates the OK button 65 on the representative scene setting screen shown in FIG. 8B, the still image data name and the start time are read from the representative scene cutout information storage unit 24 (S33). It is determined whether the data matches the data in FIG. 8B (S34).
Each data of (b) is written to the representative scene cutout storage unit 24 (S35). On the other hand, if they match or after each data is written in the representative scene cutout information storage unit 24, the still image data name and start time of the representative scene cutout information storage unit 24 are described in the content information storage unit 16. (S3
6). These steps S31 to S36 are to realize the content information creation and storage function in the computer.

When the definition is completed as described above, the authoring control unit 11 operates the create button 54 on the authoring screen shown in FIG. Send the request. Here, the multimedia content creation unit 15 extracts the content information from the content information storage unit 16, appropriately converts the content information into a file, stores the file in the storage function part of the multimedia content storage / display unit 4, and stores the content information in the content information storage unit 16. The stored moving image data and still image data are also stored in the storage function part of the storage / display unit 4.

Therefore, according to the above-described embodiment, in response to a scene cutout request, the representative scene definition unit 21 displays a scene cutout screen as an initial screen. Here, when the moving image data name is written in the moving image data name input area 66 of the screen, the scene cut-out engine 22 detects the switching part of the video of the corresponding moving image and accumulates the same in the still image data accumulating unit 3. The image data name and the start information are stored in the scene cutout information storage unit 23. Then, for example, all the still images stored in the scene cutout information storage unit 23 are extracted and displayed on the scene cutout still image display unit 67. When there is a request to select a still image to be a representative scene from among them, the still image data name and start time information are taken out as a representative scene, saved in the representative scene cutout information storage unit 24, and then stored in the content information storage unit 24. The information is stored in the unit 16. Therefore, a still image at the time of video switching for each moving image data is cut out, the still image data name and start time are extracted and stored in the content information storage unit 16, so that the still image can be easily prepared in advance and the content information can be extracted. , It is possible to reliably reproduce a scene that the user wants to see, and multimedia contents with higher visibility can be produced. (Embodiment 3) FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the multimedia authoring apparatus according to the present invention. 1 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

This embodiment is to realize authoring for defining the setting of display / non-display of a still image in synchronization with a moving image. The authoring apparatus includes a still image automatic display information definition unit 31 for executing setting of a still image newly synchronized with a moving image in the components shown in FIG. Part 3
This is a configuration in which a timer count unit 32 to be passed to 1 is added.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a data arrangement in the content information storage unit 16. Next, the operation of the above apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

Now, when a user who produces multimedia contents starts up the authoring apparatus main body 1, FIG.
And a series of processes shown in FIG. A series of processing programs shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 are recorded in the storage medium 19 in advance, and the apparatus main body 1 reads the processing programs recorded in the storage medium 19 and implements required functions. .

That is, when a user who produces multimedia contents activates the authoring apparatus body 1,
The authoring control unit 11 displays the initial screen or the authoring screen 50 shown in FIG. 13A, which is the main screen as shown in FIG. 12, on the CRT display unit 17 in color (first screen display function). Figure 8 shows the authoring screen.
(A) In addition to the various buttons, a still image display time definition button 7
3 is assigned.

Hereinafter, the setting of a still image synchronized with the video of a moving image, which is a feature of the present embodiment, that is, the automatic still image display information defining process will be described. When the user selects the still image information definition button 52 on the authoring screen as the initial screen or the main screen shown in FIG. 13A, the authoring control unit 11 sets the still image information defined in synchronization with the video. A still image information definition request is sent to the unit 13.
The still image information definition unit 13 pastes a still image object on the multimedia content display unit 56 of the authoring screen, displays a data file selection screen shown in FIG. Selection from image data is enabled. In the still image data storage unit 3, for example, a still image such as detailed information of a video is stored in advance. When the user selects one still image from the data file selection screen, the still image information definition unit 13
The selected still image data name is stored in the content information storage unit 16.
Describe in. Further, the user moves the still image object on the multimedia content display unit 56, enlarges the frame,
When the frame is reduced, the information is transmitted to the authoring control unit 11.
And passes it to the still image information definition unit 13. Here, when receiving the position information and the size information of the still image, the still image information definition unit 13 writes the information into the content information storage unit 16 (still image data name definition function). FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data arrangement in the content information storage unit 16, in which position information and size information of a still image are stored as shown in (1) of FIG.

A plurality of still images are defined while repeating the above processing. Incidentally, in this embodiment, it is assumed that up to M items can be defined. When the definition of the still image data name, position, size, etc. is completed for each still image,
Subsequently, the still image display time is defined.

That is, when the still image display time definition button 73 on the authoring screen is selected, the authoring control section 11 sends a still image display time definition request to the still image automatic display information definition section 31, and the still image automatic display information definition request is sent. The unit 31 executes a still image automatic display information definition process S9 as shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is obtained by adding a still image automatic display information definition process S9 to the process flow shown in FIG.

The automatic still image display information defining process S9 by the automatic still image display information defining section 31 is executed when the still image display time definition request is received as shown in FIG. After displaying the setting screen 76 (S4
1) The still image data 1 to
The still image data names of M are read out and sequentially displayed in the still image data name area 77 of the still image display time setting screen 76 (S
42). The screen 76 is provided with a display start time area 78 and a display end time area 79 for up to M defined still images. These areas 78 and 79 are manually input, for example, from the input device 18 to display from the start of a moving image. You can set the start time and display end time. These steps S
41 and S42 are to realize the second screen display function in the computer.

After the setting screen 76 is displayed in this way, an event from the user is waited for (S43). Here, when the user operates the automatic setting start button 80, the still image automatic display information definition unit 31 displays a moving image on the moving image object of the multimedia content display unit 56 in FIG. 13A (S44). Then, a count request is sent to the timer count unit 32 (S45). The timer counting unit 32 continues counting until a stop request is received from the automatic still image display information defining unit 31, while waiting for an event by the user (S43). These steps S43 to S45 are to realize a time keeping function in the computer.

Here, the user sets the timing of displaying or ending the still image data 1 to M with the automatic setting button 81 while watching the displayed moving image. For example, the automatic setting button 81 for the still image data 1 is clicked at a timing when it is desired to display or end the still image data 1 in the middle of the video. Then, the still image automatic display information defining unit 31 requests the time of the timer counting unit 32 up to the timing of clicking, obtains the time from when the video is reproduced from the timer counting unit 32 (S46), and It is determined whether the number of clicks on the automatic setting button 81 is odd or even (S47). If the number is odd, the display start area 78 corresponding to the still image data 1 is determined.
The display start time is described and displayed (S48), and if it is an even number, the display start time is described and displayed in the display end time area 79 (S49).

The above processing is repeatedly executed for each of the still image data 1 to M, and when the display time and the end time are set, the OK button 82 in FIG. 13B is operated.
Then, the still image automatic display information defining unit 31 sequentially reads the display start time and the display end time for each still image data displayed on the setting screen 76 (S50), and there is no contradiction between the start time and the end time. It is checked whether or not there is (S5
1) If there is no inconsistency, describe it in the content information storage unit 16 {S52, FIG. 11 (2)}; if there is an inconsistency, send a message with inconsistency (S53), and repeat the step for the corresponding still image XX The processes of S46 to S52 are repeatedly executed. These steps S43, S46 to S53 are to realize a function of automatically defining still image display information in a computer.

Therefore, according to the above embodiment, in addition to the components 21 to 24 related to the representative scene definition, the automatic still image display information definition unit 31 and the timer count unit 32 are newly provided. By performing the definition by taking in the display start time and the display end time for the still image data while synchronizing with the desired scene of the moving image,
Multi-contents with higher visibility to the user can be produced.

[0069]

As described above, according to the present invention, multi-contents are produced so as to associate a moving image reproduction start time with a still image data name of a still image object.
If the still image data name is selected, the moving image video can be reproduced from the moving image reproduction start time, and the visibility can be improved.

Further, a still image is cut out for each switching portion of the moving image and only the representative scene is extracted from the still image and the still image data name and the reproduction start time information are stored in association with each other. Produce media content.

Further, a timer count operation is started at the start of display of a moving image, and a still image of the moving image is obtained while synchronizing with the instruction timing of display / non-display of the moving image. Since the start time and the display end time are taken in and defined, the required still image playback time width can be accurately defined, multimedia contents with higher visibility can be produced, and operability is improved. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a multimedia authoring apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a data array in a content information storage unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of defining a moving image reproduction start time newly added in the apparatus in addition to the definition of multimedia information.

FIG. 4 is a view showing various screen examples displayed in the course of the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation procedure of a moving image reproduction start time definition process according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the multimedia authoring apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a representative scene definition process newly added in the present apparatus in addition to the multimedia information definition and the moving image reproduction start time definition.

FIG. 8 is a view showing various screen examples displayed in the course of the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining an operation procedure of a representative scene definition process according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the multimedia authoring apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a data array in a content information storage unit in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining still image automatic display information definition processing newly added in the present apparatus, in addition to multimedia information definition, moving image reproduction start time definition, and representative scene definition processing.

FIG. 13 is a view showing various screen examples displayed in the course of the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 14 is a view for explaining an operation procedure of a still image automatic display information definition process according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a conventional multimedia authoring apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Authoring apparatus main body 2 ... Video data storage part 3 ... Still image data storage part 4 ... Multimedia content storage / display part 11 ... Authoring control part 16 ... Content information storage part 17 ... Video reproduction start time definition part 19 ... Recording medium 21 representative scene definition unit 22 scene extraction engine 31 still image automatic display information definition unit 32 timer count unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Chihiro Nakazawa 1 Toshiba-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo F-term in the Fuchu Plant of Toshiba Corporation 5B050 AA08 BA06 EA19 EA20 EA24 FA02 FA14 5C053 FA07 FA14 GB05 GB37 HA29 HA31 JA21 KA24 LA11 5D077 BA14 BA18 BB18 CA11 DC12 HA07 HC25 5D110 BB20 BB24 DA11 DA15 DB10 FA05

Claims (7)

[Claims] In a multimedia authoring method for producing multimedia contents, a still image object is set on a predetermined authoring screen, a moving image reproduction start time is associated with the still image object, and a corresponding still image in a content information storage unit is stored. A multimedia authoring method characterized by writing data corresponding to a data name. 2. A multimedia authoring device for producing multimedia contents, comprising: multimedia data storage means for storing multimedia data such as moving image data and still image data; A multimedia object is pasted on the screen, and a still image data file related to the moving image object stored in the multimedia data storage unit is taken out and displayed on a data file selection screen, and a still image selected from the selection screen is displayed. When receiving a still image data name of a data file and multimedia information by defining operation information of the still image and defining multimedia information to be stored in the content information storage means, and a definition instruction of a moving image reproduction start time, For the video object Multimedia authoring apparatus to set the video playback starting time associated with each still picture, characterized by comprising a video playback start time definition means for storing in the content information storage means for. 3. A recording medium in which a program for producing multimedia content is recorded in a readable manner, and when a multimedia definition instruction is received by a computer of an authoring apparatus main body, a moving image and a still image are displayed on a predetermined authoring screen. Paste the picture object,
A data selection screen display function for selectively displaying a still image data file related to the moving image object stored in the multimedia data storage means on the data file selection screen; and a selection displayed by the data selection screen display function. A multimedia definition function for taking in the data name of the still image data file selected from the screen and the operation information of the object, defining multimedia information and storing the multimedia information in the content information storage means, and receiving a definition instruction of a moving image reproduction start time. A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for realizing a moving image reproduction start time definition function stored in the content information storage means by associating a moving image reproduction start time with a still image object of the authoring screen. 4. A multimedia authoring apparatus for producing multimedia contents, comprising: multimedia data storage means for storing multimedia data such as moving image data and still image data; and a representative scene setting when a representative scene definition request is received. Screen display means for displaying a screen and a scene cutout screen; and a multimedia data storage means when a scene cutout request is received and a moving picture data name is input to a moving picture data name area on the scene cutout screen. A scene extracting means for extracting a still image of a video switching portion relating to a corresponding moving image from the displayed still image and sequentially displaying the extracted still image on the scene extracting screen; and selecting a representative scene from the displayed still image when a representative scene is selected. Are sequentially displayed, and the still image data name and time information of these representative scene still images are displayed. That a representative scene definition means for storing the content information storage unit out look multimedia authoring system according to claim. 5. A recording medium in which a program for producing multimedia content is recorded in a readable manner, and when a representative scene definition request and a scene cut-out request are received by a computer of the authoring apparatus main body, the request is sent to the computer. A screen display function for displaying a representative scene setting screen and a scene cutout screen in response to inputting a desired moving image data name in a moving image data name input area of the scene cutout screen and receiving a cutout start instruction; The corresponding moving image stored in advance in the moving image data storage unit is taken out, the still image of the switched portion of the video is sequentially cut out and stored in the still image data storage unit, and the still image data name and start time information of the still image Based on the data stored in the scene cut-out information storage means. A still image is taken out from the still image data storage means and displayed on the scene cutout screen. When a representative scene is selected from the still images, the still image data of the corresponding still image is stored from the scene cutout information storage means. A representative scene setting function for taking out the name and the reproduction start time information and storing it in the representative scene cutout information storage means and setting and displaying the information on the representative scene setting screen, and storing in the representative scene cutout information storage means by the representative scene setting function. The still image data name and the playback start time information of the still image to be taken out are taken out, compared with the still image data name and the playback start time information set and displayed on the representative scene setting screen, and the content information to be stored in the content information storage means. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for realizing the creation and storage function is recorded. 6. A multimedia authoring apparatus for producing multimedia contents, comprising: content information storage means in which data names of still images for respective moving images are stored in advance; and a timer for displaying a video of a certain moving image and performing a timing operation at the same time. Counting means, receiving display / non-display instruction timing from the outside during display of the selected moving image, fetching a display start time and a display end time of a still image of the moving image from the timer counting means, and A multimedia authoring device comprising: a still image automatic display information defining means for writing and defining the still image of a corresponding moving image in a storage means. 7. A recording medium in which a program for producing multimedia content is recorded in a readable manner, wherein a multimedia content display section, a still image information, A first screen display function for displaying an authoring screen having a definition button and a still image display time definition button, and a still image object displayed on the multimedia content display unit when a still image information definition button of the authoring screen is selected. Is pasted, a still image data file related to the still image object is read from the still image storage means and displayed as a selection screen,
A still image data name definition function for taking in the still image data name of one still image data file selected from the selection screen and storing it in the content information storage means, and a still image display time definition button for the authoring screen are selected. When
A certain moving image is displayed on the multimedia content display unit, a still image data name, a still image display time setting screen having respective areas of a display start time and a display end time are displayed, and the still image data name area is displayed. A second screen display function for reading and displaying a still image data name from the content information storage means, a time counting function for operating a timer count unit when the moving image is displayed,
In response to external display / non-display instruction timing during the display of the selected moving image, the display start time and the display end time of the still image of the corresponding moving image are acquired from the timer count unit, A computer-readable recording medium storing a program for realizing a still image automatic display information defining function of writing the still image data corresponding to the still image data name of the moving image.