WO2001077864A1

WO2001077864A1 - Method and system for managing multimedia databases

Info

Publication number: WO2001077864A1
Application number: PCT/IL2001/000307
Authority: WO
Inventors: Asher Hershtik
Original assignee: CONTENTWISE Ltd
Current assignee: CONTENTWISE Ltd
Priority date: 2000-04-10
Filing date: 2001-04-04
Publication date: 2001-10-18
Anticipated expiration: 2002-10-10
Also published as: AU2001246797A1

Abstract

System for managing a media database (110), the media database (110) including a plurality of media records, each media record including at least one media segment, the system including a pointer database (114) and a processor (102), the pointer database (114) including a plurality of pointer records, each of the pointer records linking at least two of the media segments, the processor (102) being connected to the pointer database (114), for managing the pointer database (114), wherein the linked media segments include similar media content.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANAGING MULTIMEDIA DATABASES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to databases in general, and to methods and systems for managing multimedia databases, in particular.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Methods and systems for managing video databases are known in the art. Conventionally, a video database includes a plurality of records, each including a video clip and some text fields which aid the user in locating a specified clip, using textual queries.

US patent no. 6,047,286 to Burrows, entitled "Method for optimizing entries for searching an index" is directed to a system for indexing information. The system includes a memory and a processor. The memory stores an index to information. The processor receives a first signal representing a query for a phrase corresponding to a concatenation of adjacent portions of the information. The processor processes the first signal so as to generate a second signal representing an entry for the phrase to be stored as part of the index in the memory. The system addresses various situations where a specified string occurs many times within a phrase.

US patent no. 6,032,151 to Arnold, et al, entitled "Database system employing polymorphic entry and entry matching" is directed to a database system wherein one or more entry databases store a plurality of entries. Each entry is of a given type that defines the fields of the entry. Each of the fields contains or identifies an object with associated attributes or data. The type of each entry may further define behavior in the form of methods the entry is configured to implement. An entry type, which is a subtype of another, inherits all of the fields and behavior of its supertype, and contains additional fields and/or defines new/modified behavior. Entries may be expressed in a Java.TM. class of the Java.TM. programming language. The database system may further employ a search engine, which allows queries to be made upon entries in the database. In one implementation, the queries include a read operation, a take operation, and a notify operation. Each query request includes a command indicating the type of operation, and a template which is an entry object having some or all of its fields set to specified values that must be matched exactly. Other fields of the template entry may be specified as wildcards, whose values do not matter. The search engine may further be configured to create an index for entries having characteristics, which are commonly specified by queries. Thus, the search engine may detect a pattern of usage and create an index which points to entries having attributes which are commonly specified by received templates. In this manner, expedient entry searching may be accommodated. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel method and system for managing multi-media databases, which overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

In accordance with the present invention, there is thus provided a system for managing a media database. The media database includes a plurality of media records. Each media record includes at least one media segment. The system includes a pointer database and a processor, connected to the pointer database, for managing the pointer database. The pointer database includes a plurality of pointer records, each linking at least two of the media segments of the media database. The linked media segments include similar media content.

The system can further include a signature database, and a comparator, connected to the signature database and to the pointer database. The signature database includes a plurality of media signatures, each associated with at least one of the media segments. The comparator compares between the media signatures, thereby producing a pointer record for media segments having at least similar media signatures. It is noted that the pointer record is further stored in the pointer database.

The system can further include a signature generator, connected between the signature database and the media database. The signature generator generates a media signature record for each of the media segments. Each media signature record is further stored in the signature database.

The signature record can be further stored in the signature database in association with the media segment respective thereof. The media segment can include a video shot, an audio clip, an audio portion associated with a respective video shot, sequenced at the same time period within a mutual media record, and the like.

The processor can further be connected to either of the comparator, the signature database and the signature generator. The signature database and the pointer database can be merged into a single signature and pointer database, where each pointer record includes a signature header and at least one pointer segment pointing at a respective one of the media segments associated with the signature header. The system can further include a user interface, connected to the processor. The user interface can include any known input or output device such as a display, a pointing device, a mouse, a trackball, a tablet, a keyboard, a touch screen, a joystick a voice operated device, and the like. In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method for managing media databases, including the steps of: comparing between a plurality of media signatures, each being associated with at least one media segment, and producing a pointer record for each media signatures, which are at least similar. The produced pointer record can point at the at least similar media signatures or at the media segments which are associated with the at least similar media signatures.

The method can further include the step of storing the pointer record in a pointer database. The method can also include the step of generating a media signature from each of the media segments. The method can further include the step of storing the media signature in a signature database. The method can also include the step of attaching media record information to the pointer record, where the media record information is respective of a media record, which includes the media segments associated with the at least similar media signatures.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for managing a media database, including the step of retrieving a pointer record according to a given media segment. The pointer record points at at least another media segment, which is at least similar to the given media segment.

The method can further include the step of retrieving the other media segment. The method can also include an initial step of displaying a representation of the given media segment with a visual indication of the existence of the pointer record associated therewith.

The method can further include an initial step of receiving a user selection instruction of the given media segment, from a plurality of media segments. Each of the media segments is displayed as a representation of that media segment (such as the first frame thereof) with a visual indication of the existence of a pointer record associated therewith.

The method can also include an initial step of receiving a user selection instruction of the given media segment, from a plurality of media segments, where each media segment is being displayed as a representation of that media segment (such as the first frame thereof) with a visual indication of the existence of a pointer record associated therewith. The method can further include the step of receiving a user selection instruction of one of the other media segments. The method can also include the step of displaying a representation of one of the other media segments. The method can further include the step of displaying a visual link between the representation of the given media segment and the representation of one of the other media segments.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is thus provided a pointer record which includes at least two pointers, each pointing at a media segment, where the media segments are at least similar. The pointer record can also include a media signature header, associated with the media segments. It is noted that each of the pointers can point at a media segment via a respective media signature associated therewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a system, for creating an index of video clip shots, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an illustration of a method for operating the system of Figure 1 , operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3A is a schematic illustration of two video clip records, undergoing a video shot comparison and association process, according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3B is a schematic illustration of the two video clip records of Figure 3A, undergoing an audio comparison and association process, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4A is a schematic illustration of a pointer record, constructed and operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4B is a schematic illustration of a plurality of video shots and a combined signature-pointer record, constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4C is a schematic illustration of a plurality of signature records, and two video shots; Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a system, for creating an index of video clip shots, constructed and operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6A is an illustration of two video shots, which are identical to each other; Figure 6B is an illustration of two video shots, which partially overlap each other, where there is a portion in each of the video shots which is not included in the other video shot;

Figure 6C is an illustration of two video shots, where the first video shot is completely included in the second video shot;

Figure 6D is an illustration of two video shots, where the first video shot includes the entire of the second video shot;

Figure 7A is a schematic illustration of a video clip presentation, which is a result of a search query on a video clip database, presented in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7B is a schematic illustration of the video clip presentation of Figure 7A and an additional video clip presentation;

Figure 7C is a schematic illustration of the video clip presentations of Figure 7B and an additional video clip presentation; and Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of a method for operating the system of Figure 1 in a retrieval procedure, presented in Figures 7A, 7B and 7C, operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a method and a system for linking between segments of media records and for retrieving records according to these links. Reference is now made to Figure 1 , which is a schematic illustration of a system, generally referenced 100, for creating an index of video clip shots, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. System 100 includes a processor 102, a user interface 104, a signature generator 106, a comparator 108, a media database 110, a signature database 112 and a pointer database 114.

Processor 102 is connected to user interface 104, signature generator 106, comparator 108, signature database 112, media database 110, and to pointer database 114. Signature generator 106 is further connected to media database

110 and to signature database 112. Comparator 108 is further connected to signature database 112 and to pointer database 114.

Media database 110 contains a plurality of video clip records. Each video clip record includes a plurality of video shots, an audio track and other data fields such as text, alternative audio tracks, animation fields, and the like. The text fields can include information such as a description of the content of the video clip, the script of the audio track, information about who made the clip, various ratings, and the like.

The signature generator 106 generates a signature for each shot of each video clip and stores it in signature database 112.

Comparator 108 compares between signatures and creates pointers between similar signatures. Comparator 108 generates pointer records and stores them in pointer database 114. Each pointer record points at the shots, respective of the similar signatures and the clip records, which contain these shots. Reference is further made to Figure 4A, which is a schematic illustration of a pointer record, generally referenced 250, constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Pointer record 250 points at signature 256, at video shot 254, and video shot 252. Both video shots are associated with signature 256. Hence, the database structure of pointer database 1 14 enables finding similar shots. Alternatively, it points to video clip shots in a manner, which enables finding similar shots.

Signature generator 106 retrieves a video clip, from media database 1 10, and produces a signature for each shot of the video clip. Signature generator 106 stores the signatures in signature database 1 12. Comparator 108 compares between the signatures in the signature database 1 12 in order to find similar signatures. Comparator 108 generates a pointer record for each detected similar signatures and stores that pointer record in pointer database 1 14.

Each pointer record points at at least two similar shots. Alternatively, each pointer record points at at least two similar signatures, which have to be linked to their respective shots, from which they were generated, so as to maintain a link between the pointer record and the shots.

User interface 104 provides the user with access to a variety of services such as retrieving a selected video clip from the media database, according to conventional text driven queries and selecting one of the video shots therein. According to the invention, the user interface is also operative to receive a query from the user, for retrieving video shots (from other video clips), which are similar to that selected video shot, by means of pointer database 1 14. The processor 102 coordinates between the various units of the system. Reference is now made to Figures 2, 3A and 3B. Figure 2 is an illustration of a method for operating system 100 of Figure 1 , operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3A is a schematic illustration of two video clip records, undergoing a video shot comparison and association process, according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3B is a schematic illustration of the two video clip records of Figure 3A, undergoing an audio comparison and association process, according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to Figure 3A, media record 150 includes text fields 152, an audio clip 154, and a video clip 156. Video clip 156 includes a plurality of video shots 158A, 158B, 158C, 158D and 158E. Media record 170 includes text fields 172, an audio clip 174, and a video clip 176. Video clip 176 includes a plurality of video shots 178A, 178B, 178C, 178D and 178E. With reference to Figure 3B, audio clips 154 and 174 are divided, according to the invention to a plurality of audio shots, according to the structure of the video shots presented in Figure 3A. Hence, audio clip 154 includes a plurality of audio shots 164A, 164B, 164C, 164D and 164E and audio clip 174 includes a plurality of audio shots 184A, 184B, 184C, 184D and 184E.

In step 132, a signature is generated for every media shot of each media clip. With reference to Figure 1 , the signature generator 106 retrieves video clips from the media database 110 and generates a signature for each shot of each video clip and stores it in signature database 112. It is noted that the video record can be replaced by any function like media record such as an audio record, and the like. With reference to Figure 3A, video signatures 160A, 160B, 160C, 160D, 160E 180A, 180B, 180C, 180D and 180E are generated from video shots 158A, 158B, 158C, 158D, 158E, 178A, 178B, 178C, 178D and 178E, respectively. With reference to Figure 3B, audio signatures 166A, 166B, 166C, 166D, 166E, 186A, 186B, 186C, 186D and 186E are generated from audio shots 164A, 164B, 164C, 164D, 164E, 184A, 184B, 184C,

184D and 184E, respectively. In addition, audio signatures 168 and 188 are generated for each complete audio clip 154 and 174, respectively. It is noted that a method according to the present invention can either utilize video signatures, audio signatures or both, in the processes set forth. The present invention can thus operate on any media segment (video, audio or other) which can be represented using a content based signature generation process.

In step 134, the signatures are compared there between. In general, each new signature of a given media type (audio, video, and the like) is compared against all of the existing signatures of the same media type within the database. With reference to Figure 1 , comparator 108 retrieves signatures, of the same type as of the compared signature, from the signature database 112 and compares between signatures. With reference to Figure 3A, video signature 160A is compared with video signatures 160B, 160C, 160D, 160E, 180A, 180B, 180C, 180D and 180E. To complete this step, each of signatures 160A, 160B, 160C, 160D, 160E, 180A, 180B, 180C, 180D and 180E, is compared with all of the rest of the video signatures 160A, 160B, 160C, 160D, 160E, 180A, 180B, 180C, 180D and 180E. The outcome of the comparison yields that signature 160E is similar to signature 180E, signature 160B is similar to signature 180A and that signature 160A is similar to signature 180D.

With reference to Figure 3B, audio signature 166E is compared with audio signatures 166A, 166B, 166C, 166D, 186A, 186B, 186C, 186D, and 186E. In addition, each of signatures 166A, 166B, 166C, 166D, 186A, 186B, 186C, 186D and 186E is compared with all of the rest of the audio signatures. Furthermore, audio signatures 168 and 188 are compared therebetween and also to each audio signature which is not derived from a segment thereof. Accordingly, audio signature 168 is compared with audio signatures 188, 186A, 186B, 186C, 186D and 186E.

The outcome of the video comparison yields that video signature 160E is similar to video signature 180E, video signature 160A is similar to signature video 180D and video signature 160B is similar to signature video 180A. The outcome of the audio comparison yields that audio signature 166E is similar to audio signature 186E and that audio signature 166A is similar to audio signature 186D.

In step 136, a pointer record is produced, for each signature match. This pointer record links between all of the media shots (and their respective media clips) which are associated with the matched signatures. It is noted that the pointer can be directed at the shots themselves or at their respective signatures, provided the signatures are linked to their respective shots. With reference to Figure 1 , comparator 108 generates pointers between similar signatures and stores the pointer record in pointer database 114.

With reference to Figure 3A, pointer record 190 is generated so as to link video signature 160E to video signature 180E, pointer record 192 is generated so as to link video signature 160A to video signature 180D, and pointer record 194 is generated so as to link video signature 160B to video signature 180A. With reference to Figure 3B, pointer record 198 is generated so as to link audio signature 166E to audio signature 186E and pointer record 196 is generated so as to link audio signature 166A to audio signature 186D. As stated above, the pointer records can be made to link directly between the shots, which are associated with the similar signature records.

It is further noted that additional pointers can be produced so as to link between signatures of different types. Such a pointer, for example can link first video shot to a second video shot, even if the audio portion associated with the first video shot is not similar to the audio portion associated with the second video shot.

Reference is now made to Figure 5, which is a schematic illustration of a system, generally referenced 200, for creating an index of video clip shots, constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. System 200 includes a processor 202, a user interface 204, a signature generator 208, a media database 210, a signature & pointer database 212 and a comparator 206.

Processor 202 is connected to user interface 204, signature generator 208, comparator 206, media database 210, and signature & pointer database 212. Comparator 206 is further connected to signature & pointer database 212. Signature generator 208 is further connected to media database 210 and signature & pointer database 212.

The signature generator 208 generates a signature for each shot of each video clip and stores it in signature & pointer database 212. Comparator 206 retrieves signatures from the signature and pointer database 212. The signature and pointer database 212 includes a plurality of signature & pointer records. Each of these records contains a signature header and one or more pointers. Each of the pointers is directed at a different shot (and its respective video clip), which is associated with the signature header.

Reference is further made to Figure 4B, which is a schematic illustration of a plurality of video shots and a combined signature-pointer record, generally referenced 260, constructed and operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention. Record 260 includes a signature header 264 and a plurality of pointers 266A, 266B, 266C and 266D, each directed at a different shot 262A, 262B, 262C and 262D (and its respective video clip), where each of these shots is associated with that signature 264. Signature & pointer database 212 (Figure 5) includes a plurality of records such as signature-pointer record 260.

With reference to Figure 5, user interface 204 provides the user with access to a variety of services such as retrieving a selected video clip from the media database 210, for example, according to conventional text driven queries, and selecting one of the video shots therein. According to another aspect of the invention, user interface 204 is also operative to receive a query from the user, for retrieving video shots (from other video clips), which are similar to that selected video shot, by means of signature and pointer database 212.

Reference is now made to Figure 4C, which is a schematic illustration of a plurality of signature records, generally referenced 286, 288, 290, 292 (also designated A, B, C, D and A', respectively) and 294 and two video shots, generally referenced 280 and 282. Signature A 286 is generated from video shot 280. Signature A' 294 is generated from video shot 282. It is noted that video shots 280 and 282 are partial to each other, thereby maintaining some overlap therebetween. Hence, the signatures derived therefrom are similar, but not equal to each other. According to the present invention, both signatures are stored in the signature database and linked therebetween by a pointer 296, indicating that these are similar records.

Reference is further made to Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D, which are schematic illustrations of overlap situations, which are supported by the present invention. Figure 6A is an illustration of two video shots 300 and 302, which are identical to each other. It is noted that the situation set forth in Figure 6A can be handled either by two copies of the same signature or by a single signature which is associated with both video shots 300 and 302.

Figure 6B is an illustration of two video shots 304 and 306, which partially overlap each other, where there is a portion in each of the video shots which is not included in the other video shot. Figure 6C is an illustration of two video shots 308 and 310, where the first video shot 308 is completely included in the second video shot 310. Figure 6D is an illustration of two video shots 312 and 314, where the first video shot 312 includes the entire of the second video shot 314. It is noted that the situations set forth in Figures 6B, 6C and 6D are handled by producing two different signatures, each signature corresponding with each one of the compared shots, and by linking therebetween. Reference is now made to Figures 7A, 7B, 7C and 8. Figure 7A is a schematic illustration of a video clip presentation, generally referenced 400, which is a result of a search query on a video clip database, presented in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7B is a schematic illustration of the video clip presentation 400 of Figure 7A, and an additional video clip representation 410. Figure 7C is a schematic illustration of the video clip presentations 400 and 410 of Figure 7B, and an additional video clip presentation 420. Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of a method for operating system 100 of Figure 1 in the retrieval procedure presented in Figures 7A, 7B and 7C, operative in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the present invention.

With reference to Figure 7A, video clip presentation 400 includes presentations of a video clip header 402, and a plurality of video shots 404A, 404B, 404C, 404D and 404E. The presented video clip is initially selected by the user, for example, by using a query 440, which can be textual, random, pre-stored, and the like.

In step 452 (Figure 8) a first frame of each of the shots of the selected video clip, are displayed. The processor 102 (Figure 1 ) accesses media database 1 10, retrieves a selected record and provides it to user interface 104 for display to the user. With reference to Figure 7A, each of the first video shot representations 404A, 404B, 404C, 404D and 404E, presents the first frame of the video shot respective thereof, so that the user is provided with initial information as to the content of that shot. In step 454, video shots, which are associated with other shots of other clips are detected. With reference to Figure 1 , the processor 102 accesses pointer database 1 14 for each of the video shots in the selected video clip and detects which of the shots is associated with a pointer record. In step 456, the video shots, which were detected as associated with pointer record, are visually indicated. With reference to Figure 1 , processor 102 provides the information detected in the previous step to user interface 104, with a command to provide visual indication thereof. With reference to Figure 7A, the dashed frame of video shot presentations 404A, and 404C indicates that each of these shots is associated with at least another shot of a different clip. This other shot can be accessed simply by selecting and clicking on one of these video shot representations 404A or 404C.

In the present example, the user selects (step 458 of Figure 8) video shot 404A (Figure 7A) by pointing at it with a cursor 442 and clicking thereon using a pointing device. It is noted that any user interface device can be used for this operation such as a mouse, a trackball, a tablet, a keyboard, a touch screen, a joystick, a voice operated device, and the like.

Where there are more than one shot associated with the selected shot or where the pointer includes additional information, the system can provide and display a list (not shown) of the clips, which includes all of the shots, which are associated with the selected shot (step 460). This list can further include sub-lists, such as a sub-list of associated shots which are identical to the selected shot, a sub-list of associated shots which are included in the selected shot, a sub-list of associated shots which include the selected shot, and a sub-list of associated shots which overlap with the selected shot, and the like. It is noted that other types of sub-lists such as those which associate a mixture of record types are also available. It is noted that such a list can further include information relating to the clip, which includes the associated shot, and the like.

In step 462, a selection of one of the video clips, which includes an associated shot, is received from the user. With reference to Figure 1 , processor 102 receives a user selection via user interface 104. It is noted that steps 460 and 462 can be skipped where there is only one shot associated with the selected shot, and hence only one selection in the list can be made. In step 464, the selected video clip is displayed in a manner, which is similar to the one used for the initial video clip. With reference to Figure 1 , processor 102 accesses media database 110, retrieves the relevant information relating to the selected clip record and provides it to user interface 104. With reference to Figure 7B, the selected video clip is displayed as video clip representation 410 which includes a video clip header 412 and four shots, 414A, 414B 414C and 414D, where each of the shots is presented by the first frame thereof. In addition, video shot representations 414A and 414C include a dashed frame which indicates that these shots are associated with video shots of other clips. Again, this information is retrieved by processor 102 from pointer database 114 (Figure 1 ).

In step 466, a link between each associated pair of video shots, is displayed. With reference to Figure 7B, arrow 430 denotes an association between video shots 404A and 414A. It is noted that attributes of this link (such as partial similarity - see Figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D) can also be displayed by attaching text to arrow 430, using different colors or line styles for arrow 430, and the like.

The above procedure can be further repeated as presented herein below in conjunction with Figure 7C. The user can further select from video clip representation 410. In the present example, the user selects video shot 414C and then selects video clip representation 420 from the list of shots which are associated with the selected shot. Again, video clip representation 420 is displayed in a manner which is similar to the one used for displaying video clip representations 410 and 400. In the present example, video clip representation 420 is presented as header 422 and shots 424A, 424B, 424C, 424D, 424E and 424F.

In addition, any association to any clip, which is already presented, is visually indicated such as link 434, associating between shots 414A and 424B, link 432 associating between shots 414C and 424F, and link 436 associating between shots 404C and 424C. It is noted that the above methods can be easily adapted to operate on system 200 of Figure 5.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims, which follow.

Claims

1. System for managing a media database, the media database includes a plurality of media records, each media record includes at least one media segment, the system comprising:

5 a pointer database, including a plurality of pointer records, each said pointer records linking at least two of said media segments; and a processor, connected to said pointer database, for managing said pointer database, wherein said linked media segments include similar media o content.

2. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising: a signature database; and a comparator, connected to said signature database and to said 5 pointer database, wherein said signature database includes a plurality of media signatures, each associated with at least one of said media segments, wherein said comparator compares between said media o signatures, thereby producing a pointer record for media segments having at least similar media signatures, said pointer record being further stored in said pointer database.

3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising a signature 5 generator, connected between said signature database and said media database, said signature generator generating a media signature record for each said media segments, said media signature record being further stored in said signature database.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said media signature record is further stored in said signature database in association with said media segment respective thereof.

5. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said media segment includes a video shot.

6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said media segment includes an audio clip.

7. The system according to claim 1 , wherein said media segment includes an audio portion associated with a respective video shot, sequenced at the same time period within a mutual media record.

8. The system according to claim 2, wherein said processor is further connected to said comparator.

9. The system according to claim 2, wherein said processor is further connected to said signature database.

10. The system according to claim 3, wherein said processor is further connected to said signature generator.

1 1 . The system according to claim 2, wherein said signature database and said pointer database are included into a single signature and pointer database, where each said pointer record comprises a signature header and at least one pointer segment pointing at a respective one of said media segments associated with said signature header.

12. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a user interface, connected to said processor.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said user interface comprises at least one of the list consisting of: a display; a pointing device; a mouse; a trackball; a tablet; a keyboard; a touch screen; a joystick; and a voice operated device.

14. Method for managing media databases, comprising the steps of: comparing between a plurality of media signatures, each said media signatures being associated with at least one media segment; and producing a pointer record for similar ones of said media signatures.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said pointer record points at said similar media signatures.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein said pointer record points at said media segments associated with said similar media signatures.

17. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of storing said pointer record in a pointer database.

18. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of generating a media signature from each said at least one media segment.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of storing said media signature in a signature database.

20. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of attaching media record information to said pointer record, said media record information being respective of a media record which includes said media segments associated with said similar media signatures.

21. The method according to claim 14, wherein said at least one media segment includes a video shot.

22. The method according to claim 14, wherein said at least one media segment includes an audio clip.

23. The method according to claim 14, wherein said at least one media segment includes an audio portion associated with a respective video shot, sequenced at the same time period within a mutual media record.

24. Method for managing a media database, comprising the step of retrieving a pointer record according to a given media segment, said pointer record pointing at at least another media segment being at least similar to said given media segment.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising the step of retrieving said at lest other media segment.

26. The method according to claim 24, further comprising an initial step of displaying a representation of said given media segment with a visual indication of the existence of said pointer record associated therewith.

27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising an initial step of receiving a user selection instruction of said given media segment, from a plurality of media segments, each said media segments being displayed as a representation of said media segment with a visual indication of the existence of a pointer record associated therewith.

28. The method according to claim 24, further comprising an initial step of receiving a user selection instruction of said given media segment, from a plurality of media segments, each said media segments being displayed as a representation of said media segment with a visual indication of the existence of a pointer record associated therewith.

29. The method according to claim 24, further comprising the step of receiving a user selection instruction of one of said at least other media segment.

30. The method according to claim 24, further comprising the step of displaying a representation of one of said at least other media segment.

31. The method according to claim 30, further comprising the step of displaying a visual link between said representation of said given media segment and said representation of said at least one other media segment.

32. The method according to claim 24, wherein said at least one media segment includes a video shot.

33. The method according to claim 24, wherein said at least one media segment includes an audio clip.

34. The method according to claim 24, wherein said at least one media segment includes an audio portion associated with a respective video shot, sequenced at the same time period within a mutual media record.

35. Pointer record comprising at least two pointers, each said pointers pointing at a media segment, said media segments being at least similar.

36. Pointer record according to claim 35, further comprising a media signature header, associated with said media segments.

37. Pointer record according to claim 35, wherein each said pointers points at a media segment via a respective media signature associated therewith.

38. A system for managing a media database according to any of claims

1-13, substantially comprising any and all features of novelty as

described, referred to, exemplified, illustrated or shown, herein above

or in the accompanying drawings.

39. A method for managing media databases according to any of claims

14-23, substantially comprising any and all features of novelty as described, referred to, exemplified, illustrated or shown, herein above

or in the accompanying drawings.

40. A method for managing a media database according to any of claims

24-34, substantially comprising any and all features of novelty as

described, referred to, exemplified, illustrated or shown, herein above

or in the accompanying drawings.

41. A pointer record according to any of claims 35-37, substantially

comprising any and all features of novelty as described, referred to,

exemplified, illustrated or shown, herein above or in the

accompanying drawings.