Patent US6021231A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6021231A
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Video retrieval method and apparatus
Assignee: Maxell Ltd
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Filing: 1997-08-11
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Granted: 2000-02-01
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Expires: 2017-08-11
Abstract
Abstract There is provided a video retrieval method, and apparatus, capable of fast matching a feature of a target video with a feature of an enquiry video without conducting work of providing keywords for video retrieval. As for the target video, both a video which is being broadcasted and a video included in a data base can be dealt with. A retrieval method includes the steps of providing a representative frame image specified by a user with a code or a code string as a name thereof, and registering beforehand code strings of a plurality of representative frame images as enquiry video names; inputting a target video; extracting a representative frame image from the video; calculating one feature or a plurality of features from a whole or a part of the frame image; assigning a corresponding code to the feature or each of the features; providing the frame image with the code or a code string arranged in a predetermined order as a name thereof, and producing a video name for the video in a form of a frame name string corresponding to a string of the frames; and matching the enquiry video names with the video name by using the frame name string and outputting a result.
Inventors
- 👤 Takafumi Miyatake
- 👤 Shigeo Sumino
- 👤 Katsumi Taniguchi
- 👤 Akio Nagasaka
- 👤 Mitsuru Ikezawa
- 👤 Hirotada Ueda
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:05
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04H; H04H60/00; H04H60/56; H04H60/59; G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/70; G06F16/71; G06F16/73; G06F16/732; G06F16/7328; G06F16/78; G06F16/783; G06F16/7834; G06F16/7847; G06F16/785; H04H60/35; H04H60/37; G11; G11B; G11B27/00; G11B27/10; G11B27/102; G11B27/105; G11B27/19; G11B27/28; G11B31/00; H04H60/48; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/14; H04N5/147
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 57
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A video retrieval method comprising the steps of: providing first representative frame images from an enquiry video specified by a user; calculating at least one feature of each of the first representative frame images; generating a code string serving as an enquiry video name for the enquiry video by replacing the calculated feature of each of the first representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; registering beforehand the enquiry video name; inputting a target video; extracting second representative frame images from the target video; calculating at least one feature of each of the second representative frame images; generating a code string serving as a target video name for the target video by replacing the calculated feature of each of the second representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; and matching the enquiry video name with the target video name.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A video retrieval method comprising the steps of: providing first representative frame images from an enquiry video specified by a user; calculating at least one feature of each of the first representative frame images; generating a code string serving as an enquiry video name for the enquiry video by replacing the calculated feature of each of the first representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; registering beforehand the enquiry video name; inputting a target video; extracting second representative frame images from the target video; calculating at least one feature of each of the second representative frame images; generating a code string serving as a target video name for the target video by replacing the calculated feature of each of the second representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; and matching the enquiry video name with the target video name.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 1, wherein the representative frame images include head frame images located at scene changes or frame images inputted at fixed intervals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 1, wherein the feature is calculated from a digitized image.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 1, wherein the feature is calculated from a digitized image and a time length of a scene change between frames forming a frame string.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 1, wherein for the code assignment a feature is divided into specific ranges and a code to be assigned is determined on the basis of which range the feature belongs to.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 5, wherein when the feature is located near a boundary of a range of the code, a supplementary code is added.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 6, wherein in case there is the supplementary code, the matching is conducted by comparing code strings including the supplementary code constituting the enquiry video names with a code string including the supplementary code constituting the video name.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 1, wherein an existing character code is assigned as the code.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 1, wherein an attribute name is added to each of the enquiry video names.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 1, wherein the matching is conducted only when a representative frame image has been extracted.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 1, wherein the matching is conducted only when a time length between representative frame images is within a predetermined range.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 1, wherein the matching is conducted by comparing code strings constituting the enquiry video names with a code string constituting the video name.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 9, wherein an output result of matching includes at least one of time information, a video name and a video attribute name, on the successful matching.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
85 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: presenting a video having an entire length falling in a predetermined range and having a video name noncoincident with any video name to the user as a candidate of a new enquiry video, as a result of matching using names of enquiry videos already produced in the registration of the enquiry video names; inputting a video name and a video attribute according to the user's judgment; and newly adding an enquiry video.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 1, wherein the target video is video images which are being broadcasted, a video to be matched is a commercial video, and an output includes at least one of broadcast time, a commercial name, and a sponsor name.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
78 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 1, wherein each calculated feature is an area of a specific color in a representative frame image, a time interval between representative frame images, an integrated value of sound intensity associated with a representative frame image, a time length of sound having a fixed intensity or above associated with a representative frame image, or an average value of each of R, G, and B color elements of a representative frame image.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
237 words
A video retrieval method comprising the steps of: providing a representative frame image specified by a user with a code or a code string as a name thereof, and registering beforehand code strings of a plurality of representative frame images as enquiry video names; inputting a target video; extracting a representative frame image from the video; calculating one feature or a plurality of features from a whole or a part of the representative frame image extracted from the video; assigning a corresponding code to the feature or each of the features; providing the representative frame image extracted from the video with the code or a code string arranged in a predetermined order as a name thereof, and producing a video name for the video in a form of a frame name string corresponding to a string of the frames; and matching the enquiry video names with the video name; wherein for the code assignment a feature is divided into specific ranges and a code to be assigned is determined on the basis of which range the feature belongs to; wherein when the feature is located near a boundary of a range of the code, a supplementary code is added; and wherein in case there is the supplementary code, the matching is conducted by comparing code strings including the supplementary code constituting the enquiry video names with a code string including the supplementary code constituting the video name.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
237 words
A video retrieval method comprising the steps of: providing a representative frame image specified by a user with a code or a code string as a name thereof, and registering beforehand code strings of a plurality of representative frame images as enquiry video names; inputting a target video; extracting a representative frame image from the video; calculating one feature or a plurality of features from a whole or a part of the representative frame image extracted from the video; assigning a corresponding code to the feature or each of the features; providing the representative frame image extracted from the video with the code or a code string arranged in a predetermined order as a name thereof, and producing a video name for the video in a form of a frame name string corresponding to a string of the frames; and matching the enquiry video names with the video name; wherein for the code assignment a feature is divided into specific ranges and a code to be assigned is determined on the basis of which range the feature belongs to; wherein when the feature is located near a boundary of a range of the code, a supplementary code is added; and wherein in case there is the supplementary code, the matching is conducted by comparing code strings including the supplementary code constituting the enquiry video names with a code string including the supplementary code constituting the video name.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
120 words
A video retrieval method comprising the steps of: when storing a video on a storage medium, extracting a representative frame image from the video; calculating one feature or a plurality of features from a whole or a part of the frame image; assigning a corresponding code to the feature or each of the features; providing the frame image with the code or a code string arranged in a predetermined order as a name thereof, and producing a video name for the video in a form of a frame name string corresponding to a string of the frame, storing the video name as index information, and performing video retrieval by using the index information as index information of the storage medium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
120 words
A video retrieval method comprising the steps of: when storing a video on a storage medium, extracting a representative frame image from the video; calculating one feature or a plurality of features from a whole or a part of the frame image; assigning a corresponding code to the feature or each of the features; providing the frame image with the code or a code string arranged in a predetermined order as a name thereof, and producing a video name for the video in a form of a frame name string corresponding to a string of the frame, storing the video name as index information, and performing video retrieval by using the index information as index information of the storage medium.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
164 words
A video retrieval apparatus comprising: means for providing first representative frame images from an enquiry video specified by a user; means for calculating at least one feature of each of the first representative frame images; means for generating a code string serving as an enquiry video name for the enquiry video by replacing the calculated feature of each of the first representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; means for registering beforehand the enquiry video names; means for inputting a target video; means for extracting second representative frame images from the target video; means for calculating at least one feature of each of the second representative frame images; means for generating a code string serving as a target video name for the target video by replacing the calculated feature of each of the second representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; and means for matching the enquiry video name with the target video name.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
164 words
A video retrieval apparatus comprising: means for providing first representative frame images from an enquiry video specified by a user; means for calculating at least one feature of each of the first representative frame images; means for generating a code string serving as an enquiry video name for the enquiry video by replacing the calculated feature of each of the first representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; means for registering beforehand the enquiry video names; means for inputting a target video; means for extracting second representative frame images from the target video; means for calculating at least one feature of each of the second representative frame images; means for generating a code string serving as a target video name for the target video by replacing the calculated feature of each of the second representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; and means for matching the enquiry video name with the target video name.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
78 words
A video retrieval apparatus according to claim 19, wherein each calculated feature is an area of a specific color in a representative frame image, a time interval between representative frame images, an integrated value of sound intensity associated with a representative frame image, a time length of sound having a fixed intensity or above associated with a representative frame image, or an average value of each of R, G, and B color elements of a representative frame image.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
164 words
A video reproducing apparatus comprising: means for providing first representative frame images from an enquiry video specified by a user; means for calculating at least one feature of each of the first representative frame images; means for generating a code string serving as an enquiry video name for the enquiry video by replacing the calculated feature of each of the first representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; means for registering beforehand the enquiry video name; means for inputting a target video; means for extracting second representative frame images from the target video; means for calculating at least one feature of each of the second representative frame images; means for generating a code string serving as a target video name for the target video by replacing the calculated feature of each of the second representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; and means for matching the enquiry video name with the target video name.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
164 words
A video reproducing apparatus comprising: means for providing first representative frame images from an enquiry video specified by a user; means for calculating at least one feature of each of the first representative frame images; means for generating a code string serving as an enquiry video name for the enquiry video by replacing the calculated feature of each of the first representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; means for registering beforehand the enquiry video name; means for inputting a target video; means for extracting second representative frame images from the target video; means for calculating at least one feature of each of the second representative frame images; means for generating a code string serving as a target video name for the target video by replacing the calculated feature of each of the second representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; and means for matching the enquiry video name with the target video name.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
78 words
A video reproducing apparatus according to claim 21, wherein each calculated feature is an area of a specific color in a representative frame image, a time interval between representative frame images, an integrated value of sound intensity associated with a representative frame image, a time length of sound having a fixed intensity or above associated with a representative frame image, or an average value of each of R, G, and B color elements of a representative frame image.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
173 words
A television set having a broadcast receiver, a video inputting apparatus, and a video reproducing apparatus, the television set comprising: means for providing first representative frame images from an enquiry video specified by a user; means for calculating at least one feature of each of the first representative frame images; means for generating a code string serving as an enquiry video name for the enquiry video by replacing the calculated feature of each of the first representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; means for registering beforehand the enquiry video names; means for extracting second representative frame images from a target video; means for calculating at least one feature of each of the second representative frame images; means for generating a code string serving as a target video name for the target video by replacing the calculated feature of each of the second representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; and means for matching the enquiry video name with the target video name.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
173 words
A television set having a broadcast receiver, a video inputting apparatus, and a video reproducing apparatus, the television set comprising: means for providing first representative frame images from an enquiry video specified by a user; means for calculating at least one feature of each of the first representative frame images; means for generating a code string serving as an enquiry video name for the enquiry video by replacing the calculated feature of each of the first representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; means for registering beforehand the enquiry video names; means for extracting second representative frame images from a target video; means for calculating at least one feature of each of the second representative frame images; means for generating a code string serving as a target video name for the target video by replacing the calculated feature of each of the second representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; and means for matching the enquiry video name with the target video name.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
77 words
A television set according to claim 23, wherein each calculated feature is an area of a specific color in a representative frame image, a time interval between representative frame images, an integrated value of sound intensity associated with a representative frame image, a time length of sound having a fixed intensity or above associated with a representative frame image, or an average value of each of R, G, and B color elements of a representative frame image.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
106 words
A video retrieval method comprising the steps of: storing a first code string representing enquiry video frame images, the first code string having been generated according to predetermined relationships between video image features and codes; inputting a target video; extracting representative frame images from a portion of the target video associated with a change of scene; calculating at least one feature of each of the representative frame images; generating a second code string based on the calculated feature of each of the representative frame images and the predetermined relationships between video image features and codes; and matching the first code string with the second code string.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
106 words
A video retrieval method comprising the steps of: storing a first code string representing enquiry video frame images, the first code string having been generated according to predetermined relationships between video image features and codes; inputting a target video; extracting representative frame images from a portion of the target video associated with a change of scene; calculating at least one feature of each of the representative frame images; generating a second code string based on the calculated feature of each of the representative frame images and the predetermined relationships between video image features and codes; and matching the first code string with the second code string.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 25, wherein the representative frame image is a first frame image appearing after a change of scene occurs, or a frame image appearing at a predetermined interval after a change of scene occurs.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
42 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 25, wherein the calculating step includes the steps of: digitizing the representative frame image; and calculating one feature or a plurality of features from a whole or a part of the digitized representative frame image.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
50 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 25, wherein the calculating step includes the steps of: digitizing the representative frame image; and calculating one feature or a plurality of features from a whole or a part of the digitized representative frame image and a length of time between scene changes.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
65 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 25, wherein the table includes a plurality of ranges for each of the video features, and respective codes assigned to the ranges; and wherein the assigning step includes the step of assigning a corresponding code to the feature or each of the features based on which of the ranges the feature or each of the features belongs to.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
108 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 25, wherein the table includes a plurality of ranges for each of the video features, respective codes assigned to the ranges, and respective supplementary codes assigned to boundaries between the ranges; and wherein the assigning step includes the steps of: assigning a corresponding code to the feature or each of the features based on which of the ranges the feature or each of the features is in; and assigning, in addition to the corresponding code, a corresponding supplementary code to the feature or each of the features if the feature or each of the features is near one of the boundaries.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
145 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 25, wherein the video image features include an area of a specific color in a frame image, a time interval between frame images, an integrated value of sound intensity associated with a frame image, a time length of sound having a fixed intensity or above associated with a frame image, and an average value of each of R, G, and B color elements of a frame image; and wherein each calculated feature is an area of a specific color in a representative frame image, a time interval between representative frame images, an integrated value of sound intensity associated with a representative frame image, a time length of sound having a fixed intensity or above associated with a representative frame image, or an average value of each of R, G, and B color elements of a representative frame image.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
88 words
A video retrieval method comprising the steps of: extracting representative frame images from an enquiry video; calculating at least one feature of each of the representative frame images; replacing the calculated feature of each of the representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; generating a code string for the enquiry video by stringing together the codes assigned to the calculated features of the representative frame images; storing the code string as index information; and retrieving a target video based on the index information.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
88 words
A video retrieval method comprising the steps of: extracting representative frame images from an enquiry video; calculating at least one feature of each of the representative frame images; replacing the calculated feature of each of the representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; generating a code string for the enquiry video by stringing together the codes assigned to the calculated features of the representative frame images; storing the code string as index information; and retrieving a target video based on the index information.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 32, wherein the representative frame images include head frame images located at scene changes or frame images inputted at fixed intervals.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
49 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 32, further comprising the steps of: storing a video attribute of the enquiry video; and when a target video is successfully retrieved based on the index information, outputting a retrieval result including at least one of time information and a video attribute.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 32, wherein the target video is a video which is being broadcast or a video which is included in a data base.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
78 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 32, wherein each calculated feature is an area of a specific color in a representative frame image, a time interval between representative frame images, an integrated value of sound intensity associated with a representative frame image, a time length of sound having a fixed intensity or above associated with a representative frame image, or an average value of each of R, G, and B color elements of a representative frame image.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
153 words
A video retrieval method comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of first code strings and a plurality of enquiry video attributes respectively corresponding to the first code strings, the first code strings and the enquiry video attributes respectively representing a plurality of enquiry videos, each of the first code strings having been generated according to predetermined relationships between video image features and codes; inputting a target video; extracting representative frame images from the target video; calculating at least one feature of each of the representative frame images; generating a second code string based on the calculated feature of each of the representative frame images and the predetermined relationships between video image features and codes; matching the first code strings with the second code string; and when one of the first code strings is successfully matched with the second code string, outputting the enquiry video attribute corresponding to the matched first code string.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
153 words
A video retrieval method comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of first code strings and a plurality of enquiry video attributes respectively corresponding to the first code strings, the first code strings and the enquiry video attributes respectively representing a plurality of enquiry videos, each of the first code strings having been generated according to predetermined relationships between video image features and codes; inputting a target video; extracting representative frame images from the target video; calculating at least one feature of each of the representative frame images; generating a second code string based on the calculated feature of each of the representative frame images and the predetermined relationships between video image features and codes; matching the first code strings with the second code string; and when one of the first code strings is successfully matched with the second code string, outputting the enquiry video attribute corresponding to the matched first code string.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
36 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 37, wherein each of the code strings is a series of codes corresponding to video image features arranged in an order of representative frame images extracted from a video.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
145 words
A video retrieval method according to claim 37, wherein the video image features include an area of a specific color in a frame image, a time interval between frame images, an integrated value of sound intensity associated with a frame image, a time length of sound having a fixed intensity or above associated with a frame image, and an average value of each of R, G, and B color elements of a frame image; and wherein each calculated feature is an area of a specific color in a representative frame image, a time interval between representative frame images, an integrated value of sound intensity associated with a representative frame image, a time length of sound having a fixed intensity or above associated with a representative frame image, or an average value of each of R, G, and B color elements of a representative frame image.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
165 words
A video retrieval apparatus comprising: means for storing a plurality of first code strings and a plurality of enquiry video attributes respectively corresponding to the first code strings, the first code strings and the enquiry video attributes respectively representing a plurality of enquiry videos, each of the first code strings having been generated according to predetermined relationships between video image features and codes; means for inputting a target video; means for extracting representative frame images from the target video; means for calculating at least one feature of each of the representative frame images; means for generating a second code string based on the calculated feature of each of the representative frame images and the predetermined relationships between video image features and codes; means for matching the first code strings with the second code string; and means, operative when one of the first code strings is successfully matched with the second code string, for outputting the enquiry video attribute corresponding to the matched first code string.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
165 words
A video retrieval apparatus comprising: means for storing a plurality of first code strings and a plurality of enquiry video attributes respectively corresponding to the first code strings, the first code strings and the enquiry video attributes respectively representing a plurality of enquiry videos, each of the first code strings having been generated according to predetermined relationships between video image features and codes; means for inputting a target video; means for extracting representative frame images from the target video; means for calculating at least one feature of each of the representative frame images; means for generating a second code string based on the calculated feature of each of the representative frame images and the predetermined relationships between video image features and codes; means for matching the first code strings with the second code string; and means, operative when one of the first code strings is successfully matched with the second code string, for outputting the enquiry video attribute corresponding to the matched first code string.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
145 words
A video retrieval apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the video image features include an area of a specific color in a frame image, a time interval between frame images, an integrated value of sound intensity associated with a frame image, a time length of sound having a fixed intensity or above associated with a frame image, and an average value of each of R, G, and B color elements of a frame image; and wherein each calculated feature is an area of a specific color in a representative frame image, a time interval between representative frame images, an integrated value of sound intensity associated with a representative frame image, a time length of sound having a fixed intensity or above associated with a representative frame image, or an average value of each of R, G, and B color elements of a representative frame image.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
85 words
A computer program comprising: a program section for extracting representative frame images from a video; a program section for calculating at least one feature of each of the representative frame images; a program section for generating a code string by replacing the calculated feature of each of the representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; and a program section for matching a first code string generated for an enquiry video with a second code string generated for a target video.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
85 words
A computer program comprising: a program section for extracting representative frame images from a video; a program section for calculating at least one feature of each of the representative frame images; a program section for generating a code string by replacing the calculated feature of each of the representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; and a program section for matching a first code string generated for an enquiry video with a second code string generated for a target video.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
77 words
A computer program according to claim 42, wherein each calculated feature is an area of a specific color in a representative frame image, a time interval between representative frame images, an integrated value of sound intensity associated with a representative frame image, a time length of sound having a fixed intensity or above associated with a representative frame image, or an average value of each of R, G, and B color elements of a representative frame image.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
82 words
A computer program comprising: a program section for extracting representative frame images from a video; a program section for calculating at least one feature of each of the representative frame images; a program section for replacing the calculated feature of each of the representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; and a program section for generating a code string for the video by stringing together the codes which replaced the calculated features of the representative frame images.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
82 words
A computer program comprising: a program section for extracting representative frame images from a video; a program section for calculating at least one feature of each of the representative frame images; a program section for replacing the calculated feature of each of the representative frame images by a corresponding code assigned to the calculated feature; and a program section for generating a code string for the video by stringing together the codes which replaced the calculated features of the representative frame images.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
77 words
A computer program according to claim 44, wherein each calculated feature is an area of a specific color in a representative frame image, a time interval between representative frame images, an integrated value of sound intensity associated with a representative frame image, a time length of sound having a fixed intensity or above associated with a representative frame image, or an average value of each of R, G. and B color elements of a representative frame image.
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