DE102004056445A1 - Searching of a video image sequence displayed on a mobile telephone uses data stored as a sequence of time periods - Google Patents

Abstract

Video data accessed using a mobile telephone uses a fixed time period separated into a sequence of video information sections. For example, a developing weather situation is represented by images in 9 minute periods [B1-B4]. By selecting a time period more detailed information may be shown on the video display screen.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for finding a searched Image sequence in a video file in a mobile communication terminal as well one for Such a method trained mobile communication terminal.

A Variety commercially available mobile communication terminals, especially mobile phones, allow to handle video files, the example over an air interface has been received. Also, many are mobile phones nowadays equipped with integrated digital cameras, the not only the capture of individual images, but also the capture of image sequences and thus allow video files.

Now it happens often before that you're inside a video file that's on a mobile communication terminal is stored, looking for a particular image sequence, that of particular Interest is. In this respect, the problem arises, a user of the mobile communication terminal a possibility to quickly give the image sequence of interest within the To find video file, for example, a reproduction of a through a disorder, for example, a phone call, interrupted, just heard Continue movie that is in the form of a video file.

there can be a length the video file in which a picture sequence is to be searched, basically very strong vary.

mobile communication terminals offer for example a search function within a video file the possibility of using a provided switch or a joystick with a kind of fast forward and fast reverse to move within the video file. Especially with very long Video files then the problem occurs that the search for a desired Picture sequence the longer lasts, the longer the video file itself is. It is also known in the prior art for one Video file to specify an entry time in minutes and / or seconds directly, to jump to a certain time position. Also this procedure is not very user friendly, as the user in this case know the time position of the sequence of interest or at least must foresee well in order to arrive at a satisfactory result. The two possibilities shown are therefore not in particular with regard to longer video files on mobile communication terminals well suited to find a direct entry into a video file or Find a searched image sequence with acceptable time.

outgoing This is the object of the invention, a method to find a desired Picture sequence in a video file as well as a to carry out the Specify method designed mobile communication terminal, which allow, searched image sequences in a time-saving manner and Way within a video file.

• a) Speichern der Videodatei auf einer Zeitbasis,
• b) Erzeugen einer ersten Darstellung der Videodatei durch Aufteilen derselben in n im Wesentlichen gleichlange, aufeinander folgende Zeitabschnitte, wobei für jeden Zeitabschnitt ein ihn repräsentierendes Bild angezeigt wird,
• c) Auswählen eines gewünschten Zeitabschnitts durch Auswahl des ihn repräsentierenden Bildes und Aufteilen dieses Zeitabschnitts in m im wesentlichen gleich lange, aufeinander folgende Unterzeitabschnitte, wobei als zweite Darstellung der Videodatei für jeden Unterzeitabschnitt ein ihn repräsentierendes Bild angezeigt wird, und
• d) Auswählen eines gewünschten Unterzeitabschnitts und Abspielen desselben auf dem mobilen Kommunikationsendgerät.

With regard to the method, this object is achieved by a method for finding a searched picture sequence in a video file in a mobile communication terminal, with the following steps:

• a) Save the video file on a timebase,
• b) generating a first representation of the video file by dividing it into n substantially equal successive time segments, displaying an image representing it for each period of time,
• c) selecting a desired period of time by selecting the image representing it and dividing this period in m substantially equally long, consecutive sub-periods, displaying as the second representation of the video file for each sub-period an image representing it, and
• d) selecting a desired sub-period and playing it on the mobile communication terminal.

After that the video file is stored in step a) on a timebase, what condition for the following process steps b), c) is.

by virtue of the chosen one Time base in contrast to otherwise usual for video files Manner used "frames" it is possible in step b) the video file is in the form of a total of n pictures is displayed, each time assigned to them represent. On a display device of a mobile communication terminal, the Images are shown next to each other or below each other Be that a sequence of periods of time for the user of the device intuitive results.

In the subsequent step c), a period of time expected to contain the desired image sequence may be selected by selecting the image representing it. Then this selected period of time is subdivided again, in m different, successive periods of the lower part of the time. In this way, by selecting a specific sub-period section by, for example, clicking on the picture representing it, it is possible to approach the searched picture sequence on a display device. The step c) can be performed multiple times, a number depending primarily on an initial length of the video file to be searched. Each time the method step c) is carried out, subordinate sub-time sections are generated, which are each indicated by an image representing them.

As soon as it is ensured that a displayed sub-period of time the desired image sequence contains This time period can be played on the mobile communication terminal be, if only the desired Image sequence of interest. In the case when the desired image sequence as Entry point to the video file is used and the video file from this Of course, the entry point should not be played until the end only the relevant period of time, which contains the desired image sequence, played, but also all subsequent periods until the end of the video file.

at a preferred embodiment is the period of time or sub-period representing Picture in each case the first picture of the relevant period or Under such period. This has the advantage that the user based this picture about it is informed, which is a first scene of the relevant (sub) time period is, according to his memory previously occurred scenes in the preceding (sub) period of time.

A especially user-friendly presentation of the video file when the number n of periods of time equals the number m of sub-periods is. If for the step b), for example, an existing surface of a display device of mobile communication terminal best possible has been exploited, this is also true for the following after execution of the Step c) to be displayed sub-period sections apply. For the numbers n, m at periods or sub-periods, the same time displayed on the display device of the mobile communication terminal be, that is, the higher these numbers are, i. H. the more periods of time or sub-periods displayed at the same time, the faster a fanning can be refine, and exponentially.

It is advantageous if optional to step c) to a previous one Jump back to the video file can be. This option is especially perceived when the previous selection of a period or sub-period has been erroneous, so that the selected period / Unterzeitabschnitt does not contain the searched image sequence. In such a case can to a previous presentation of the video file with a lower one time resolution jumps back then a new selection can be made.

The Playback of the periods or sub-periods can each for the images contain a time indication. This can be used as a support for the user the mobile communication terminal serve when trying to find the desired image sequence. Even with a faulty selection of a (sub) time period Such a representation containing minutes is useful.

Of the Step C) can easily be carried out several times, wherein for a new execution of step c) the previously obtained sub-period sections the time periods in the sense of this step. This way will also be special for you long video files ensured that a time resolution for the presentation a portion of the video file can become so low that finding the desired Image sequence is enabled.

The o. g. Task is solved as well by a mobile communication terminal used for handling video files is formed, with a memory for the video file and a Reproduction device for playing the video file on a display device the mobile communication terminal, wherein in the memory the video file is associated with a time base is stored, the playback device for generating a first Presentation of the video file by dividing it into n essentially the same length of time and to display of pictures representing a particular period of time, is formed, a selector to choose a desired one Period provided by selecting the image representing him and the playback device for splitting this time period in m substantially equal to each other sub-period sections is trained.

One such mobile communication terminal allows the implementation of the method explained above, wherein in particular the reproduction device is such that the method steps become feasible. The intended Playback device can thus both stored to play Video files in one piece as part of a first functionality as well as to find one searched image sequence used in a second functionality become. For this purpose, the mobile communication terminal a suitable switching device exhibit.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. Show it:

1a . 1b . 1c each a representation of a video file or a portion thereof on a time base;

2a . 2 B . 2c each content of a display device of a mobile communication terminal according to the 1a . 1b respectively. 1c ,

The in the figures illustrated example of the invention relates on the use case, that within a video file of 27 minutes Length one desired Image sequence is to be found. For a better understanding of the following embodiment It should be noted that the exemplary video file content Case concerns a person taking a walk in nature various types of weather conditions are experienced, being at the beginning Sunshine prevails, then the weather gets worse and the Person first a thunderstorm and then experienced a storm. We are looking for a picture sequence in which the weather situation "thunderstorm" is present.

The Video file is in a memory of a mobile phone on a timebase stored. The mobile phone has one Reproduction device for playing video files, these being Playback device between a play mode and a search mode is switchable.

First, the playback device is switched to search mode. To generate a first representation of the video file, the display device divides the video file into n = 3 time sections, each 9 minutes in length, by means of a corresponding, suitable application program. In 1a Each time segment is represented by an associated image B1, B2, B3 at the beginning of the relevant period, wherein in the 1a as in the other figures, the images shown B1, B2, B3 are simplified to the effect that only the current weather situation is illustrated. The sake of completeness is in the 1a with reference to the minute 27, the last picture of the video file is shown in addition.

A content of the display device of the mobile phone according to 1a now results from the 2a , There, one above the other combinations K1, K2, K3 are shown from a representative image and the associated time, in the present embodiment for the times 0 minutes, 9 minutes and 18 minutes. Of course, in other embodiments, a different arrangement can be selected on the display device of the mobile phone, for example, side by side.

There the picture assigned to the minute 18 is a transition to cloudy weather plays and the image sequence for Thunderstorm is sought, chooses the user in Figure 2a shows the time period corresponding to the minute 18, d. H. Combination K3, out.

On the timeline view of the 1b In a second representation of the video file, more precisely a portion thereof, a total of m = 3 sub-time segments, namely represented by the minutes 18, 21 and 24, in turn represented by a representative image B3, B4, B5 at the very beginning of the respective sub-period are. Again for the sake of completeness is in 1b in addition, the picture assigned to the minute 27 is shown.

The content of the display device of the mobile phone changes as shown in FIG 2 B to see now, to a representation which indicates the minutes themselves and the associated images in combinations K3, K4, K5 respectively for the minutes 18, 21 and 24. From the pictures B4, B5 to the minutes 21 and 24, rain beginning or storm, it follows that the searched image sequence must lie between these two images B4, B5, so that now the combination K4 of image and minutes for the minute 21 of the user is selected.

On the timeline view of the 1c Due to the latter selection, an image sequence of images B4, B6, B7 for the minutes 21, 22, 23 and for completion 24, ie the higher-resolution sub-periods of the 1c each have a length of one minute. In the 2 B It can be seen that the display device of the mobile phone now represents combinations of images and minutes, according to the 1c for the minutes 21, 22 and 23. Since the picture for the minute 23 belongs to the desired picture sequence representing thunderstorms, now the playback device of the mobile phone can be switched to the play mode, so that the video file from the minute 23 belonging Picture B7 is played.

It should be emphasized that a respective content of the display device of the mobile phone contains, in addition to the representations of combinations of images and times, three further fields, namely a field "back" F1, an arrowed field F2 and a field "more" F3. An actuation of the field "more" F3 entails an respectively increased resolution of the representation of the video file or of a section thereof, as has been explained with reference to the figures The field F2 marked with an arrow causes a switchover of the reproduction device into the play mode Field "back" F1 has a return function for the case in which, for example, in one of the successive steps for finding the searched image sequence, an incorrect combination of image and time has been selected, so that the result is a lower resolution for the representation of the video file.

If the case is considered that the searched image sequence in the one Period or sub-period, which by a corresponding image represents is, but ends, before the time period or sub-period representing Picture starts, can be done as follows. Either is through activity of the field "back" F1 to the next lower one resolution jumps back and the preceding period of time or sub-period is selected and fanned out further, to find the exact beginning of the image sequence, or the video file is from the previous period or sub-period played.

Claims (8)

Method for finding a searched image sequence in a video file at a mobile communication terminal, with the steps: a) Save the video file on a timebase, b) Generating a first representation of the video file by splitting the same in n substantially the same, consecutive Time periods, where for every period a representative of him Image is displayed, c) selecting a desired one Time segment by selecting the image representing it and splitting this period of time in m essentially the same time, each other following subsections, where as a second representation of the video file for each Sub period a representative of him Image is displayed, and d) Selecting a desired Unterzeitabschnitts and playing the same on the mobile communication terminal. The method of claim 1, wherein said one period of time or sub-period representing Picture in each case the first picture of the relevant period or Sub period is. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the number n is equal to the number m of sub-periods in time periods. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein optionally to step c) to a previous presentation of the video file be jumped back can. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the reproduction the periods of time or sub-periods respectively for the illustrated Pictures contains a time stamp so that combinations of images and times are displayed. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the step c) executed several times is, where for a new implementation of step c) the previously obtained sub-period sections the time periods in the sense of step c). Mobile communication terminal for handling video files is trained with a memory for the video file and one Reproduction device for playing the video file on a display device the mobile communication terminal, thereby marked that in memory the video file in association is stored at a time base, the playback device for generating a first representation of the video file by splitting the same in n substantially the same successive Time periods and to view images that have a respective Represent period of time, is formed, a selector to choose a desired one Period provided by selecting the image representing him and the playback device for splitting this time period in m substantially equal to each other sub-period sections is trained. Mobile communication terminal according to claim 7, characterized characterized in that the playback device between a playback mode and a search mode is switchable.