Identification of blank segments in a set of visual recording data

Abstract

The invention identifies a blank segment (i.e., a segment that does not correspond to recorded visual content) in a set of visual recording data. The invention identifies a blank segment using a blank frame detector that is adapted to evaluate a frame of visual recording data to determine whether the frame of visual recording data is a blank frame, and a blank segment detector that is adapted to evaluate a characteristic of a group of frames of visual recording data to determine whether the group of frames of visual recording data is a blank segment comprising a plurality of blank frames. Identification of a blank segment can be used to, for example, decide whether to terminate digitization of a set of analog visual recording data.

1 . Apparatus for identifying a blank segment in a set of visual recording data, comprising:
 a plurality of blank frame detectors, each blank frame detector adapted to evaluate a frame of visual recording data to determine whether the frame of visual recording data is a blank frame; and   a blank segment detector, the blank segment detector adapted to evaluate a characteristic of a plurality of frames of visual recording data to determine whether the plurality of frames of visual recording data is a blank segment comprising a plurality of blank frames.   
     
     
         2 - 52 . (canceled)