Image retrieving apparatus performing retrieval based on coding information utilized for featured frame extraction or feature values of frames

Claim 2

The image retrieval information storing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an index information generating unit (401) connected to said frame feature value generating unit (102), determining a featured frame among said image data based on said frame feature value, and generating index information which is positional information of said featured frame; and an index information storing unit (601) connected to said index information generating unit (401) and storing said index information.

Claim 3

The image retrieval information storing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said coding information includes prediction mode information and motion vector information; and said frame feature value generating unit (102) includes a prediction mode counting unit (201) connected to said coding information reading unit (101), receiving said prediction mode information and counting number of blocks coded in accordance with respective prediction methods for each frame, a frequency information converting unit (202) connected to said prediction mode counting unit (201) and outputting prediction mode frame feature value which is a numerical representation of frame feature, based on the number of blocks for each prediction method, a motion vector statistic calculating unit (204) connected to said coding information reading unit (101), and calculating statistics of said motion vector based on said prediction mode information, and a statistic information converting unit (205) connected to said prediction mode counting unit (201) and said motion vector statistic calculating unit (204), and outputting a motion vector frame feature value which is a numerical representation of frame feature, base on outputs of said prediction mode counting unit (201) and said motion vector statistic calculating unit (204).

Claim 4

The image retrieving information storing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said coding information includes prediction mode information and motion vector information; and said frame feature value generating unit (102) includes a prediction mode counting unit (201) connected to said coding information reading unit (101), receiving said prediction mode information and counting number of blocks coded in accordance with respective prediction methods for each frame, a frequency information converting unit (202) connected to said prediction mode counting unit (201) and outputting a prediction mode frame feature value which is a numerical representation of frame feature, based on the number of blocks for each prediction method, a motion vector statistic calculating unit (204) connected to said coding information reading unit (101), and calculating said motion vector statics based on said prediction mode information, and a statistic information converting unit (205) connected to said prediction mode counting unit (201) and said motion vector statistic calculating unit (204), and outputting a motion vector feature value which is a numerical representation of frame feature, based on outputs of said prediction mode counting unit (201) and said motion vector statistic calculating unit (204).

Claim 5

An image retrieval information storing apparatus, comprising: a coding information reading unit (101) reading prescribed coding information which will be information representing frame feature from coded image data; and a coding information storing unit (801) connected to said coding information reading unit (101) and storing said coding information in correspondence with each frame of said image data.

Claim 6

The image retrieval information storing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a frame feature value generating unit (102) connected to said coding information reading unit (101), and generating a frame feature value which is a numerical representation of frame feature based on said coding information; an index information generating unit (401) connected to said frame feature value generating unit (102), determining a featured frame among said image data based on said frame feature value, and generating index information which is positional information of said featured frame; and an index information storing unit (601) connected to said index information generating unit (401) and storing said index information.

Claim 7

The image retrieval information storing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said coding information includes prediction mode information and motion vector information; and said frame feature value generating unit (102) includes a prediction mode counting unit (201) connected to said coding information reading unit (101), receiving said prediction mode information and counting number of blocks coded in accordance with respective coding methods for each frame, a frequency information converting unit (202) connected to said prediction mode counting unit (201) and outputting a prediction mode frame feature value which is a numerical representation of frame feature based on the number of blocks for each prediction method, a motion vector statistic calculating unit (204) connected to said coding information reading unit (101) and calculating statistics of said motion vector based on said prediction mode information, and a statistic information converting unit (205) connected to said prediction mode counting unit (201) and said motion vector statistic calculating unit (204), and outputting a motion vector frame feature value which is a numerical representation of frame feature based on outputs of said prediction mode counting unit (201) and said motion vector statistic calculating unit (204).

Claim 8

An image retrieval information storing apparatus, comprising: a coding information reading unit (101) reading prescribed coding information which will be information representing frame feature from coded image data; a frame feature value generating unit (102) connected to said coding information reading unit (101) and generating a frame feature value which is a numerical representation of frame feature based on said coding information; a first storing unit (1201, 103, 801) connected to said coding information reading unit (101) and to said frame feature value generating unit (102), and storing said coding information and said frame feature value in correspondence with each frame of said image data.

Claim 9

The image retrieval information storing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: an index information generating unit (401) connected to said frame feature value generating unit (102), determining a featured frame among said image data based on frame feature value and generating index information which is positional information of said featured frame; wherein said first storing unit (1201, 103, 801) includes a second storing unit (1201, 601, 103, 801) connected to said coding information reading unit (101), said frame feature value generating unit (102) and said index information generating unit (401), and storing said coding information and said frame feature value in correspondence with each frame of said image data and said index information.

Claim 10

The image retrieval information storing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said second storing unit (1201, 601, 103, 801) includes a storing information selecting unit (1201) connected to said coding information reading unit (101), said frame feature value generating unit (102) and said index information generating unit (401), and selecting and outputting any of said coding information, said frame feature value and said index information, an index information storing unit (601) connected to said storing information selecting unit (1201) and storing said index information, a frame feature value storing unit (103) connected to said storing information selecting unit (1201) and storing said frame feature value in correspondence with each frame of said image data, and a coding information storing unit (801) connected to said storing information selecting unit (1201) and storing said coding information in correspondence with each frame of said image data.

Claim 11

The image retrieval information storing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first storing unit(1201, 103, 801) includes a storing information selecting unit(1201) connected to said coding information reading unit(101) and said frame feature value generating unit(102), and selecting and outputting any of said coding information and said frame feature value, a frame feature value storing unit(103) connected said storing information selecting unit(1201) and storing said frame feature value in correspondence with each frame of said image data, and a coding information storing unit(801) connected said storing information selecting unit(1201) and storing said coding information in correspondence with each frame of said image data.

Claim 12

The image retrieval information storing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said coding information includes prediction mode information and motion vector information; and said frame feature value generating unit (102) includes a prediction mode counting unit (201) connected to said coding information reading unit (101), receiving said prediction mode information and counting number of blocks coded in accordance with respective prediction methods for each frame, a frequency information converting unit (202) connected to said prediction mode counting unit (201) and outputting a prediction mode frame feature value which is a numerical representation of frame feature based on the number of the blocks for each prediction method, a motion vector statistic calculating unit (204) connected to said coding information reading unit (101), and calculating statistics of said motion vector based on prediction mode information, and a statistic information converting unit (205) connected to said prediction mode counting unit (201) and said motion vector statistic calculating unit (204), and outputting a motion vector frame feature value which is a numerical representation of frame feature, based on outputs of said prediction mode counting unit (201) and said motion vector statistic calculating unit (204).

Claim 13

The image retrieval information storing apparatus according to frame 9. wherein said coding information includes prediction mode information and motion vector information; and said frame feature value generating unit (102) includes a prediction mode counting unit (201) connected to said coding information reading unit (101), receiving said prediction mode information and counting number of blocks coded in accordance with respective prediction methods for each frame, a frequency information converting unit (202) connected to said prediction mode counting unit (201) and outputting a prediction mode frame feature value which is a numerical representation of frame feature based on the number of the blocks for each prediction method, a motion vector statistic calculating unit (204) connected to said coding information reading unit (101), and calculating statistics of said motion vector based on prediction mode information, and a statistic information converting unit (205) connected to said prediction mode counting unit (201) and said motion vector statistic calculating unit (204), and outputting a motion vector frame feature value which is a numerical representation of frame feature, based on outputs of said prediction mode counting unit (201) and said motion vector statistic calculating unit (204).

Claim 14

The image retrieval information storing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said coding information includes prediction mode information and motion vector information; and said frame feature value generating unit (102) includes a prediction mode counting unit (201) connected to said coding information reading unit (101), receiving said prediction mode information and counting number of blocks coded in accordance with respective prediction methods for each frame, a frequency information converting unit (202) connected to said prediction mode counting unit (201) and outputting a prediction mode frame feature value which is a numerical representation of frame feature based on the number of the blocks for each prediction method, a motion vector statistic calculating unit (204) connected to said coding information reading unit (101), and calculating statistics of said motion vector based on prediction mode information, and a statistic information converting unit (205) connected to said prediction mode counting unit (201) and said motion vector statistic calculating unit (204), and outputting a motion vector frame feature value which is a numerical representation of frame feature, based on outputs of said prediction mode counting unit (201) and said motion vector statistic calculating unit (204).

Claim 15

An image retrieving apparatus, comprising: an index information generating unit (401) receiving a frame feature value which is a numerical representation of frame feature corresponding to each frame of coded image data, determining a featured frame among said image data based on said frame feature value in accordance with a request for extracting a featured frame, and generating index information which is positional information of said featured frame; and a first image retrieval executing unit (402) connected to said index information generating unit (401), transmitting said request for extracting a featured frame to said index information generating unit (401), receiving said index information from said index information generating unit (401), receiving said image data from outside, and outputting a frame specified based on said index information.

Claim 16

The image retrieving apparatus to claim 15, wherein said first image retrieval executing unit (402) includes a second image retrieval executing unit (402) connected to said index information generating unit (401), transmitting said request for extracting a featured frame to said index information generating unit (401), receiving said index information from said index information generating unit (401), receiving said image data and index information from outside, and outputting a frame specified based on said index information received from said index information generating unit (401) and from outside.

Claim 17

The image retrieving apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said index information generating unit (401) includes a frame determining unit (501, 503) receiving said frame feature value and said request for extracting a featured frame, comparing said frame feature value and a threshold value in accordance with said request for extracting a featured frame, and determining said featured frame, and an index generating unit (502, 504) connected to said frame determining unit and generating index information which is positional information of said featured frame.

Claim 18

The image retrieving apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said index information generating unit (401) includes a frame determining unit (501, 503) receiving said frame feature value and said request for extracting a featured frame, comparing said frame feature value and a threshold value in accordance with said request for extracting a featured frame, and determining said featured frame, and an index generating unit (502, 504) connected to said frame determining unit and generating index information which is positional information of said featured frame.

Claim 19

An image retrieving apparatus, comprising: a frame feature value generating unit (901) receiving prescribed coding information included in coded image data which will be information representing frame feature, and generating a frame feature value which is a numerical representation of the frame feature based on said coding information ; an index information generating unit (401) connected to said frame feature value generating unit (901), receiving said frame feature value from said frame feature value generating unit (901), determining a featured frame among said image data based on said frame feature value in accordance with a request for extracting a featured frame, and generating index information which is positional information of said featured frame, and a first image retrieval executing unit (902) connected to said frame feature value generating unit (901) and said index information generating unit (401), transmitting said request for extracting a frame feature value to said frame feature value generating unit (901), transmitting said request for extracting a featured frame to said index information generating unit (401), receiving said index information from said index information generating unit (401) and outputting a frame specified based on said index information.

Claim 20

The image retrieving apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said first image retrieval executing unit (902) includes a second image retrieval executing unit (902) connected to said frame feature value generating unit (901) and said index information generating unit (401), transmitting said request for extracting a frame feature value to said frame feature value generating unit (102), transmitting said request for extracting a featured frame to said index information generating unit (401), receiving said index information from said index information generating unit (401) and from outside, receiving said image data from outside, and outputting a frame specified based on said index information.

Claim 21

The image retrieving apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said index information generating unit (401) includes a frame determining unit (501, 503) receiving said frame feature value and said request for extracting a featured frame, comparing said frame feature value and a threshold value in accordance with said request for extracting a featured frame, and determining said featured frame, and an index generating unit (502, 504) connected to said frame determining unit and generating index information which is positional information of said featured frame.

Claim 22

The image retrieving apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said index information generating unit (401) includes a frame determining unit (501, 503) receiving said frame feature value and said request for extracting a featured frame, comparing said frame feature value and a threshold value in accordance with said request for extracting a featured frame, and determining said featured frame, and an index generating unit (502, 504) connected to said frame determining unit and generating index information which is positional information of said featured frame.

Claim 23

An image retrieving apparatus, comprising: a frame feature value generating unit (901) receiving prescribed coding information included in coded image data, which will be information representing frame feature, and generating a frame feature value which is a numerical representation of the frame feature based on said coding information, in accordance with a request for extracting a frame feature value; an index information generating unit (401) connected to said frame feature value generating unit (901), receiving said frame feature value from said frame feature value generating unit (901) and from outside, determining a featured frame among said image data based on said frame feature value in accordance with a request for extracting a featured frame, and generating index information which is positional information of said featured frame; and a first image retrieval executing unit (902) connected to said frame feature value generating unit (901) and said index information generating unit (401), transmitting said request for extracting a frame feature value to said frame feature value generating unit (901), transmitting said request for extracting a featured frame to said index information generating unit (401), receiving said index information from said information generating unit (401), receiving said image data from outside, and outputting a frame specified by said index information.

Claim 24

The image retrieving apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said first image retrieval executing unit (902) includes a second image retrieval executing unit (902) connected to said frame feature value generating unit (901) and said index information generating unit (401), transmitting said request for extracting a frame feature value to said frame feature value generating unit (901), transmitting said request for extracting a featured frame to said index information generating unit (401), receiving said index information from said index information generating unit (401) and from outside, receiving said image data from outside, and outputting a frame specified based on said index information.

Claim 25

The image retrieving apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said index information generating unit (401) includes a frame determining unit (501, 503) receiving said frame feature value and said request for extracting a featured frame, comparing said frame feature value and a threshold value in accordance with said request for extracting a featured frame, and determining said featured frame, and an index generating unit (502, 504) connected to said frame determining unit and generating index information which is positional information of said featured frame.

Claim 26

The image retrieving apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said index information generating unit (401) includes a frame determining unit (501, 503) receiving said frame feature value and said request for extracting a featured frame, comparing said frame feature value and a threshold value in accordance with said request for extracting a featured frame, and determining said featured frame, and an index generating unit (502, 504) connected to said frame determining unit and generating index information which is positional information of said featured frame.