Video browser based on character relation

Abstract

A video data structure and a video browser for video browsing are disclosed. The data structure includes segment group information indicating that a first segment group represents highlights sharing at least two objects in a program's content. The segment group information is used to display the highlights represented by the first segment group. The present invention can be implemented to allow users to easily understand relations between characters and changes in relations between characters in a movie or a drama by displaying significant events in the corresponding relations and by displaying character relations in a tree structure.

1 . A method for processing multimedia data, the method comprising: 
 receiving a content description for a multimedia program, the content description including segment group information identifying a first segment group that includes a plurality of segments from the multimedia program, the segment group information indicating that the first segment group represents highlights sharing at least two objects in the content of the multimedia program; and    using the segment group information to display the highlights represented by the first segment group.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment group represents highlights sharing at least two characters in the content of the multimedia program.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the content description specifies a duration for a running time of the highlights represented by the first segment group.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the segment group information identifies a second segment group as an alternative group that represents highlights from the content of the multimedia program.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the segment group information specifies different durations for the first and second segment groups.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second groups represent highlights with different levels of detail.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the content description includes segment information.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the segment information specifies a respective starting point for each segment in the first segment group.  
   
   
       9 . A system for processing multimedia data, the system comprising: 
 a display device; and    data processing apparatus configured to perform operations comprising:    receiving a content description for a multimedia program, the content description including segment group information identifying a first segment group that includes a plurality of segments from the multimedia program, the segment group information indicating that the first segment group represents highlights sharing at least two objects in the content of the multimedia program; and    using the segment group information to display the highlights represented by the first segment group on the display device.    
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the first segment group represents highlights sharing at least two characters in the content of the multimedia program.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the content description specifies a duration for a running time of the highlights represented by the first segment group.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the segment group information identifies a second segment group as an alternative group that represents highlights from the content of the multimedia program.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the segment group information specifies different durations for the highlights represented by the first and second segment groups.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second groups represent highlights with different levels of detail.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the content description includes segment information.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the segment information specifies a respective starting point for each segment in the first segment group.  
   
   
       17 . A computer program product for processing multimedia data, the computer program comprising instructions to cause data processing apparatus to perform operations comprising: 
 receiving a content description for a multimedia program, the content description including segment group information identifying a first segment group that includes a plurality of segments from the multimedia program, the segment group information indicating that the first segment group represents highlights sharing at least two objects in the content of the multimedia program; and    using the segment group information to display the highlights represented by the first segment group.    
   
   
       18 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein the first segment group represents highlights sharing at least two characters in the content of the multimedia program.  
   
   
       19 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein the content description specifies a duration for a running time of the highlights represented by the first segment group.  
   
   
       20 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein the segment group information identifies a second segment group as an alternative group that represents highlights from the content of the multimedia program.  
   
   
       21 . The computer program product of  claim 20 , wherein the segment group information specifies different durations for the first and second segment groups.  
   
   
       22 . The computer program product of  claim 20 , wherein the first and second groups represent highlights with different levels of detail.  
   
   
       23 . The computer program product of  claim 17 , wherein the content description includes segment information.  
   
   
       24 . The computer program product of  claim 23 , wherein the segment information specifies a respective starting point for each segment in the first segment group.