JP2009272707A - Video content playback apparatus, video content playback method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

A video content reproduction apparatus capable of quickly and easily searching for a desired image is provided.
When an image generation unit and a first display format are instructed, a video content reproduction apparatus 1 reads video content data, and extracts a reference image and a reference image on the time axis of the video content. The image generation unit 14 is instructed to generate two images, each of which is temporally shifted by a predetermined time δ with respect to the position, and two images of which the positions are respectively temporally shifted by a predetermined time Δ. A plurality of image display units 31 to 35 that respectively display the reference image and the four images generated by the control unit 13 and the image generation unit 14 correspond to the first display format on the screen of the display device. The display control unit 23 displays the images in a predetermined arrangement.
[Selection] Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a video content playback device, a video content playback method, and a program, and more particularly, to a video content playback device, a video content playback method, and a program for searching for a desired scene from video content.

  In recent years, recording devices capable of recording video content such as TV programs and movies have become widespread. Such recording devices include so-called hard disk recorders (hereinafter referred to as HDD recorders), home servers, personal computers (hereinafter referred to as PCs), and the like, which incorporate a storage device such as a hard disk device.

  For example, when a user wants to view a desired scene from a content or a specific image in a certain scene, usually, playback or fast-forwarding is performed from the beginning of the content, and the user is watching a screen that has been played back. The desired scene is searched. However, in such a method, the user must wait for the desired scene or image to appear on the screen, and the search efficiency is not particularly good for a long-time content. For this reason, when a video content is being played and fast-forwarded, it may not be noticed even if it passes a desired scene or image.

  Therefore, in order to improve the search efficiency of a desired scene, there has been proposed a split display method in which the entire video content is divided at equal intervals on the time axis and thumbnail images at the time of each division are displayed ( For example, see Patent Document 1). A plurality of thumbnail screens are displayed on the screen, and the user can search for a scene to be reproduced or edited from the plurality of thumbnail images.

However, in the method according to the above-described proposal, only thumbnail images at each time point divided at equal intervals are displayed. Therefore, if a desired scene is not included in the displayed thumbnail images, The selected thumbnail image must be played back and the desired scene must be searched, which again takes time.
JP 2006-186617 A

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a video content playback device, a video content playback method, and a program that can quickly and easily search for a desired image.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, when an image generation unit that acquires data of video content and generates an image and a first display format is instructed, the video content data is read and the selected image is selected. A first two images each of which is temporally shifted by a first predetermined time with respect to the position of the selected image on the time axis of the video content, and the time axis on the time axis. A control unit for instructing the image generation unit to generate a second two images each of which is temporally shifted by a second predetermined time with respect to the position of the selected image; and the image A plurality of image display units, each of which displays the selected image, the first two images, and the second two images generated in the generation unit, are displayed on the screen of the display device. Supports 1 display format It is possible to provide a video content reproduction device and a display control unit for displaying side by side in a predetermined arrangement that.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the video content reproduction apparatus, the video content reproduction method, and program which can search a desired image rapidly and easily are realizable.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(Device configuration)
First, the configuration of the video content reproduction apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a video content reproduction apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The video content reproduction apparatus 1 includes a video storage unit 11, an input device 12, a control unit 13, an image generation unit 14, and a display unit 15.

  The video storage unit 11 is a device that records video content such as a broadcast program such as a TV, paid or free video content distributed over a network, self-made video content, video content of a package media, such as a hard disk device (hereinafter referred to as a hard disk device). Storage device). For example, the video content playback apparatus 1 is a TV receiver, HDD recorder, PC, or the like.

  The input device 12 as an input unit is a device that receives a command or data input by a user and transmits the input command or data to the control unit 13. For example, the input device 12 is a remote controller such as a TV or HDD recorder, a computer keyboard, a mouse, or the like. Here, as will be described later, the input device 12 is a remote controller having a selection button, an execution button, or the like for inputting commands, and commands such as display format instructions, various playback operations, parameter settings, etc. An input unit that inputs data and a transmission unit that can receive information such as the input command and transmit the input information to the control unit 13 are included. Note that the input device 12 may be an operation panel or the like provided in the apparatus main body instead of the remote controller.

  The control unit 13 includes a CPU and the like, and outputs various types of information together with instructions to the image generation unit 14 in accordance with input information from the input device 12. The control unit 13 includes a storage unit 13a that stores parameters and the like to be described later.

  The image generation unit 14 includes, for example, an image decoder such as an MPEG-2 decoder, a temporary storage device such as a buffer memory, and an image processing device that performs image size conversion and various decorations and effects. The image generation unit 14 reads the video content data from the video storage unit 11 according to the command from the control unit 13 and generates an image.

  The display unit 15 is a display device such as a display capable of displaying an image, and has a function of displaying the image generated by the image generation unit 14. The display unit 15 simultaneously processes the audio signal and outputs the audio signal to a speaker or the like (not shown).

  For example, when the video content playback apparatus 1 is an HDD recorder, various circuits and devices in the recorder body correspond to the video storage unit 11, the control unit 13, and the image generation unit 14, and the connected TV receiver is a display unit. It corresponds to 15. The input device 12 is a remote controller for the HDD recorder. When the video content playback apparatus 1 is a PC, the HDD provided in the PC main body or connected to the PC main body corresponds to the video storage unit 11, and the CPU and various circuits inside the PC main body are the control unit. 13 corresponds to a display device of a notebook PC or a display device connected to the PC main body.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of the image generation unit 14.
The image generation unit 14 includes a plurality of (here, three) decoders 21a, 21b, and 21c, a plurality of (here, three) buffer memories 22a, 22b, and 22c, and a display control unit 23. The output signals from the three decoders 21a, 21b, and 21c are input to the three buffer memories 22a, 22b, and 22c, respectively. The outputs of the three buffer memories 22a, 22b, and 22c are input to the display control unit 23. The display control unit 23 combines the input image data so as to be displayed in a predetermined arrangement corresponding to the specified display format, and outputs a signal of the combined image to the display unit 15.

  Commands and various information from the control unit 13 are transmitted to the video storage unit 11 via the image generation unit 14. The video storage unit 11 outputs data of video content (hereinafter also simply referred to as content) to the image generation unit 14 based on the command and information.

  Data from the video storage unit 11 is input to the three decoders 21a, 21b, and 21c. The decoder 21a is a circuit that performs a decoding process on a selected image, that is, a reference image, and the decoded image data is stored in the buffer memory 22a.

As will be described later, the decoder 21b is a circuit that performs a decoding process on an image at a time (T1−δ) that is previous (past) by a time δ set from the time position (T1) of the reference image. The image data is stored in the buffer memory 22b.
As will be described later, the decoder 21c is a circuit that performs a decoding process of an image at a time (T1 + δ) after (future) time δ set from the time position (T1) of the reference image, and the decoded image. Data is stored in the buffer memory 22c.

  Each decoder is provided with a buffer memory so that a plurality of images can be stored in a single decoder. This is because a plurality of images can be displayed only by reading. By increasing the capacity of the buffer memory, the problem of being unable to decode one by one in the reverse direction is solved, and a reverse frame advance operation can be realized.

The relationship between each decoder of the image generation unit 14 and each buffer memory when generating a screen of each display format to be described later will be described again after the description of the screen of each display format.
The control unit 13 also outputs a command related to the display format and various information to the display control unit 23.

  FIG. 3 shows a remote controller as an example of the input device 12. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the remote controller showing an example of the key arrangement of the remote controller 12A as the input device 12. As shown in FIG. On the surface of the remote controller 12A, a plurality of buttons and keys that can be operated by a user with a finger are arranged.

  The remote controller 12A includes a power button 91, a channel switching button 92, a volume change button 93, a channel direct switching button 94, a cross key 95 for moving the cursor up and down, left and right, a home button 96, and a program guide button 97a. , A submenu button 97b, a return button 98, and various recording and playback function key groups 99.

  The cross key 95 has double ring-shaped keys (hereinafter referred to as ring keys) 95a and 95b. An execution key 95c for a selection or execution function is provided inside the inner ring key 95a.

  Furthermore, the remote controller 12A has a GUI1 button 95d and a GUI2 button 95e. The functions of the GUI1 button 95d and the GUI2 button 95e will be described later. The remote controller 12A further has a GUI0 button 95f for full screen display.

  In the following description, a case where the input device 12 is the remote control 12A of FIG. 3 will be described. The user can transmit various commands and the like to the control unit 13 while operating the remote controller 12A while looking at the display screen of the display unit 15. The video storage unit 11 stores a plurality of contents, and the user can select and view desired contents by operating the remote controller 12A that is the input device 12. The control unit 13 executes various processes such as display, which will be described later, in response to commands from the remote controller 12A.

(Display screen)
(GUI1)
Next, display screens of two display formats displayed on the video content display apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Of the two display screens, the screen in the first display format (hereinafter referred to as the first display screen) is mainly a graphical user interface (hereinafter abbreviated as GUI) effective when performing a rough scene or image search. ). On the first display screen, the reference image and the images of the preceding and succeeding scenes are displayed at the same time, and in the display state, all displayed images can be reproduced at the same time, such as fast forward and rewind. The user can select a desired image while checking the previous and next images.

  Of the two display screens, the screen in the second display format (hereinafter referred to as the second display screen) is mainly a GUI that is effective when performing a detailed scene or image search. On the second display screen, a plurality of continuous images including a reference image are displayed side by side. In the display state, all displayed images can be fast-forwarded, stopped, etc. at the same time. By selecting an image, a desired image can be selected with a desired time resolution.

  Needless to say, the video content display device 1 can perform a full-screen display in which video content is displayed on the entire screen of the display unit 15. In the video content display device 1, the first display screen, the second display screen, and the full screen display screen can be displayed in association with each other.

  Hereinafter, the first display screen is referred to as GUI1, the second display screen is referred to as GUI2, and the full screen display screen is referred to as GUI0.

  First, GUI1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of GUI1. As shown in FIG. 4, the GUI 1 includes five image display units 31 to 35 and a reproduction position display unit 36 that indicates a reproduction position. Five image display units 31 to 35 and a reproduction position display unit 36 are displayed on the screen 30 of the display unit 15.

Specifically, in the GUI 1, the image display unit 31 that displays the reference image is arranged at the center of the screen 30, and the other four image display units 32 to 35 are arranged around the image display unit 31. . More specifically, two image display units 32 and 33 are arranged along the up-down direction that is the first direction on the screen 30, and the two image display units 32, 33 are arranged along the left-right direction that is the second direction on the screen 30. Image display units 34 and 35 are arranged.
The central image display unit 31 displays an image displayed on the GUI 0, for example, a still image or a moving image.

  The reproduction position display unit 36 includes a bar-shaped bar display unit 36a extending in the same direction as the second direction as a predetermined direction, and a reproduction position instruction unit 37 indicating the reproduction positions of a plurality of images. In FIG. 4, as the reproduction position instruction unit 37, three reproduction position instruction units 37b, 37c, and 37f are displayed in an overlapping manner on the bar display unit 36a.

Next, images displayed on the five image display units 31 to 35 of the GUI 1 in FIG. 4 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the positions on the time axis of the images displayed on the five image display units. FIG. 5 shows that a certain content selected by the user has a time length L, and the frames constituting the video are arranged side by side from the start position S to the end position E of the content along the time t. This is schematically shown. In such content, an image designated by the user as a reference image is displayed on the central image display unit 31. The images displayed on the central image display unit 31 are odd-numbered images, here, third images when arranged on the time axis.

  As will be described later, when the GUI1 display format is changed to the GUI1 display format when the user is playing or viewing content, the image (moving image or Still image) becomes the reference image.

  That is, when the user looks at the image at time position T1 after a certain time t1 has elapsed from the start position S of the content, if there is a change in the display format from GUI0 to GUI1, The image that the user was viewing is displayed on the image display unit 31 at the center of the screen 30 as the reference image selected by the user.

On the image display units 32 and 33, images at positions before and after the set time Δ are displayed from the position of the reference image on the time axis of the content.
On the image display units 34 and 35, images at positions before and after the set time δ from the position of the reference image on the time axis are displayed.

  In FIG. 5, when the temporal position of the reference image (elapsed time from the beginning S of the content) is time T1, what is displayed on the image display unit 34 on the left side of the image display unit 31 of the reference image is the time. It is an image at a time (T1−δ) that is a time δ before (that is, in the past) before T1, and is displayed on the image display unit 35 on the right side of the image display unit 31 of the reference image for a time δ before the time T1. It is an image at a time (T1 + δ) just after (that is, the future).

  Then, what is displayed on the image display unit 32 on the upper side of the image display unit 31 of the reference image is an image at a time (T1−Δ) before the time T1 by the time Δ (ie, in the past). What is displayed on the image display unit 33 on the lower side of the image display unit 31 is an image at a time (T1 + Δ) after a time Δ (that is, the future) after the time T1.

  If the time δ is 10 minutes and the time Δ is 5 seconds, the user can obtain the reference image, two images 10 minutes and 5 seconds before the reference image, and 10 minutes and 5 seconds after the reference image. A total of five images of two images can be viewed simultaneously.

The position of the reproduction position instruction unit 37c on the bar display unit 36a corresponds to the time elapsed position from the beginning S in the entire content time, that is, the recording time, of the image reproduced on the image display unit 31 of the GUI 1. . Similarly, the positions of the reproduction position instruction units 37b and 37f on the bar display unit 36a are the time elapsed positions from the beginning of the entire content time, that is, the recording time, of the images displayed on the image display units 34 and 35, respectively. Corresponding to The positions of the reproduction position instruction units 37b, 37c, and 37f on the bar display unit 36a correspond to the ratio of the elapsed time of each image to the recording time of the content. For example, if the recording time of the content is 1 hour and the reference image is an image whose elapsed time from the head S is 15 minutes, the playback position instruction unit 37c starts from the position of the left end on the bar display unit 36a. Located in the quarter position.
Note that the positions of the three reproduction position instruction units 37b, 37c, and 37f on the bar display unit 36a change with the passage of time due to the reproduction of the content and the jump of the reference image as described later.
That is, the bar display unit 36a displayed at the lower part of the screen 21 is used for grasping the position on the time axis of the reference image or the like with respect to the entire video content.

  For example, when the user gives an instruction to change to the display format of GUI1 to the video content display device 1 using the remote controller 12 while the content is being played back by GUI0, the display format is changed from GUI0 to GUI1 and the user is viewing with GUI0. The above-mentioned five images can be viewed at the same time using the obtained image as a reference image.

  It should be noted that functions such as fast-forward playback other than normal playback are effective not only in the GUI0 display format but also in the GUI1. Therefore, for example, when the user is viewing the content in the fast-forward playback on the GUI 0 and changes the display format to the GUI 1, five images are displayed in the fast-forward playback. Although normal playback was performed in GUI0, five images are displayed in fast-forward playback even if the normal playback is changed to fast-forward playback in the changed GUI1. The same applies to frame-by-frame playback other than fast-forward playback.

  Here, the time difference between the images displayed on the image display units 32 to 35 and the reference image is set by the times δ and Δ, but may be set by the number of frames. In this case, for example, 150 frames are set instead of 5 seconds, and 18000 frames are set instead of 10 minutes.

  As described above, by setting two times (or the number of frames) indicating the time difference from the reference image, the user can simultaneously display five images in the GUI1 display format. Also in the GUI 1, special playback such as frame advance playback, reverse frame advance playback, slow playback, reverse slow playback, playback, reverse playback, playback fast forward, and reverse playback fast forward is also possible. In that case, in these special reproductions, the temporal positional relationship of each image of the other image display units 32, 33, 34, and 35 with respect to the image display unit 31 displaying the reference image, that is, the relative on the time axis. The position does not change. That is, the movement of each display image in the time axis direction during special playback is performed equally for all displayed images, and the time axis of each image before and after the reference image is temporally related to the reference image. The relative time difference relationship at is constant. In FIG. 5, when the time T1 of the reference image is changed along with the change in the time axis direction, the time (T1−δ) and (T1 + δ) of each image of the other image display units 32, 33, 34, and 35 are displayed. , (T1−Δ), (T1 + Δ) are changed with the change of the time T1.

  Therefore, when searching using fast-forward and rewind, the user can know the status of the previous and subsequent images even during high-speed fast-forward and high-speed rewind. it can.

  Since the reference image is an image selected by the user, each of time (T1−δ), (T1 + δ), (T1−Δ), and (T1 + Δ) depends on the position of the selected image on the time axis. The image may not exist. For example, if the reference image is the image at the head position of the content, the images of time (T1−δ) and (T1−Δ) do not exist. If the reference image is an image at the end position of the content, each image of time (T1 + δ) and (T1 + Δ) does not exist. Similarly, when the reference image is an image at an elapsed time position shorter than the time δ from the beginning of the content, and when the reference image is an image at an elapsed time position shorter than the time δ from the end of the content, There are no images of time (T1−δ) and (T1 + δ), respectively. Furthermore, when the reference image is an image at an elapsed time position shorter than the time Δ from the beginning of the content and when the reference image is an image at an elapsed time position shorter than the time Δ from the end of the content, , Time (T1−Δ) and (T1 + Δ) images do not exist either. That is, there is no image to be displayed depending on the position of the reference image on the time axis. As described above, for an image in which a past image does not exist for the time set with respect to the reference image, the image at the head position is displayed on the image display units 32 and 34 and the future image is displayed for the time set with respect to the reference image. For an image for which no image exists, the image at the end position is displayed on the image display units 33 and 35.

  Further, the times δ and Δ of the images displayed on the image display units 32 to 35 in the GUI 1 can be changed. For example, the user can display the time δ and Δ by displaying the setting screen shown in FIG. The value of can be changed.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a setting screen for setting time. By performing a predetermined operation on the input device 12, the user can display a setting screen 41 as a setting display unit for the time δ and Δ of the GUI 1 on the screen 21 as shown in FIG. 6. it can.

  The setting screen 41 has input fields for setting the times δ and Δ as parameters of the GUI 1, and the user operates the input device 12 to set the time Δ, δ (or the number of frames) can be set or changed.

  After the setting, the time δ and Δ data are stored in the storage unit 13 a in the control unit 13 by performing a confirmation operation with a predetermined decision button or the like.

  With the above setting or changing operation, the time of the image displayed on each of the image display units 32 to 35 with respect to the time T1 of the reference image is changed.

  For setting the times δ and Δ, a dedicated button may be provided on the remote controller 12A, and the set time may be increased or decreased using the buttons. For example, in FIG. 3, a time setting button 100 is provided on the remote controller 12A. Among the buttons 100, when the time δ value is increased, the δ + (plus) button is pressed, and when it is decreased, the δ-(minus) button is pressed. Similarly, to increase the value of the time Δ, press the + (plus) button for Δ, and to decrease it, press the − (minus) button for Δ.

  By holding down the button, the set time gradually increases or decreases.

  As described above, by setting and changing the times Δ and δ which are time intervals between images before and after the reference image, it is possible to search and select a desired image with an arbitrary time resolution of the user.

  Further, it is possible to change the reference image on the GUI 1. The user can change the reference image by displaying a predetermined cursor on the GUI 1 and changing the position of the cursor.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a reference image changing operation. The cursor is indicated by a thick frame 42 in FIG. Usually, the cursor 42 is located at a predetermined position. For example, the cursor 42 indicates the image display unit 31 that displays the reference image. For example, if the input device 12 is a remote controller or a keyboard, the user can move the cursor 42 to a desired position by operating an arrow key.

  FIG. 7 shows a state where the cursor has moved to the image display unit 33. In the state of FIG. 7, when the execution key 95c that means “determine” is operated, the GUI 1 of FIG. 7 is changed to GUI 1 using the image of the time (T1 + Δ) displayed on the image display unit 33 as a new reference image. Is done. In other words, in the GUI 1 before the change, the image at time T1 is used as a reference image, and the images of the time (T1−Δ), (T1 + Δ), (T1−δ), and (T1 + δ) are displayed on the plurality of image display units 32 to 35, respectively. Although the image was displayed, the GUI 1 after the change is the GUI 1 with the time (T1 + Δ) image as the new reference image. In this case, images of time (T1), (T1 + 2Δ), (T1−δ + Δ), and (T1 + δ + Δ) are displayed on the plurality of image display units 32 to 35, respectively. Then, the new reference image of time (T1 + Δ) is displayed on the image display unit 31 at the center of the screen 30.

  The change in the display of the GUI 1 is performed by instructing the image generation unit 14 to generate a new reference and the other four images based on the new reference image. Done.

  Similarly, in FIG. 7, the user can move the cursor 42 to the image display unit 32, 34, or 35 and use the image of the moved image display unit as a new reference image.

Furthermore, even in the GUI 1 after the change of the reference image, a new reference image can be selected from the images of the image display units 32 to 35.
As described above, with the change of the reference image, the images displayed on the image display units 32 to 35 are also switched to the images at the time positions Δ and δ before and after the reference image time with the new reference image as a reference. .

  As described above, since the reference image can be jumped to an image at a position separated by time δ or Δ on the time axis, the user can quickly search for a desired image.

  As a method for changing the reference image in the GUI 1, the reference image is always displayed on the central image display unit 31 other than the method of confirming by pressing the execution button after moving the cursor as described above. The reference image may be changed to any one of the image display units 32 to 35 on the top, bottom, left, and right simply by pressing the up, down, left, and right arrow keys.

For example, when the right arrow key is pressed in the state of FIG. 4, the reference image of the image display unit 31 becomes an image of time (T1 + δ), and the images of the image display units 32 to 35 are respectively time (T1− (Δ + δ), (T1 + Δ + δ), (T1), (T1 + 2δ) images are obtained.
Similarly, when the lower arrow key is pressed in the state of FIG. 4, the reference image of the image display unit 31 becomes an image of time (T1 + Δ), and the images of the image display units 32 to 35 are respectively time ( T1), (T1 + 2Δ), (T1−δ + Δ), and (T1 + δ + Δ) images are obtained.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining reference image jump processing. In the upper diagram, the reference image is at time T1, and the images on the image display units 32 to 35 are images at times (T1−Δ), (T1 + Δ), (T1−δ), and (T1 + δ), respectively. However, when the reference image of the image display unit 31 is jumped to the image at the time T1 ′ (= T1 + Δ), the images at the image display units 32 to 35 are time T1′−Δ (= T1) and T1 ′ + Δ, respectively. (= T1 + 2Δ), T1′−δ (= T1−δ + Δ), and T1 ′ + δ (= T1 + δ + Δ).

  Such a change by jumping of the reference image enables quick and easy movement to the previous and next images. That is, for example, when the time Δ is set to 5 seconds, if the image on the upper side of the reference image is selected on the screen 30 of the GUI 1, the image display unit 31 can be returned to the image before 5 seconds. If a further upper image is selected from images five seconds before, it is possible to return to the image five seconds before.

  As described above, according to the GUI 1 described above, a desired image in the video content is searched and reproduced from the desired image, the desired image is bookmarked, and the desired image is used as a starting point in editing. When setting, for example, not only one image but also the previous and subsequent images are displayed at the same time, so that the user can check including the previous and next images.

  Furthermore, according to the GUI 1 described above, a reference image and a plurality of images separated from the reference image by a predetermined time can be displayed at the same time, and instantaneously move to other images that are displayed at the same time. be able to. In addition to the reference image, the user can check the front and rear images at the same time and can move the reference image. Therefore, when a desired image is confirmed, the user can quickly move to that position. In addition, even when the desired image passes during fast forward and rewind, it is possible to easily return to the front of the desired image by selecting the images before and after the displayed reference image and reproduce from the front of the desired image. Is possible.

(GUI2)
Next, GUI2 will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a display example of GUI2.
As shown in FIG. 9, the GUI 2 includes nine image display units 51 to 59 and a reproduction position display unit 60 indicating the reproduction position. In the GUI 2, nine image display units 51 to 59 and a reproduction position display unit 60 are displayed on the screen 30 of the display unit 15. The nine image display units 51 to 59 display a plurality of images that include the reference image and are separated from each other by a predetermined time.

  Specifically, on the GUI 2, the image display units 51 to 59 are displayed side by side in the order of time passage from the upper left on the screen 30. The GUI 2 has an odd number of image display portions in total.

  Then, on the screen 30, the reference image is displayed on the image display unit 55 in the center of the screen 30, and the eight image display units are arranged so that the front and rear eight images are arranged in a matrix. Is done. For example, among the images displayed on the screen 30, the image of the upper left frame is the most past image on the time axis of the content, the image of the lower right frame is the most future image, and one frame to the right Each time the image is advanced, the image is advanced by + d hours, and every time one frame is moved downward, the image is advanced by time (+ d × number of columns). Similarly, each time one frame is moved to the left, the image is advanced by -d hours, and each time one frame is moved upward, the time is returned by (d × number of columns) time. The images displayed on the central image display unit 55 are odd-numbered images, here, the fifth image when arranged on the time axis.

  Specifically, the image display unit 55 in the center of the screen 30 is an image at the time position selected as the reference image in the GUI 1, and the difference on the time axis between the images of the image display unit is d, The time d is set by the user. The image display unit 54 on the left side of the central image display unit 55 displays an image at a time position that is earlier (past) than the image of the image display unit 55 by the time d, and the image display unit 53 at the upper right on the screen 30 Then, the image at the time position that is 2d before the image on the image display unit 55 is displayed. Similarly, the image display unit 52 on the left side of the image display unit 53 displays an image at a time position that is 3d before the image on the image display unit 55, and the image display unit 51 on the left side of the image display unit 52 The image at the time position that is 4d before the image on the image display unit 55 is displayed.

  Further, the image display unit 56 on the right side of the image display unit 55 at the center position displays an image at a time position (future) later by the time d than the image on the image display unit 55, and the image display on the lower left on the screen 30. The unit 57 displays the image at the time position after the time 2d from the image of the image display unit 55. Similarly, an image display unit 58 on the right side of the image display unit 57 displays an image at a time position that is 3d later than an image on the image display unit 55, and an image display unit 59 on the right side of the image display unit 58 Then, the image at the time position after the time 4d from the image on the image display unit 55 is displayed.

The playback position display section 60 includes a bar-shaped bar display section 60a extending in the same direction as the second direction as a predetermined direction, and a playback position instruction section 60b indicating the playback position of the image on the central image display section 55. . A reproduction position instruction section 60b is displayed on the bar display section 60a.
The user can grasp the time position of the reference image on the entire time axis of the video content by using the reproduction position display unit 60.

  For example, the time d may be the same as the time Δ of the GUI 1. Alternatively, the time d may be a time shorter than the time Δ. The minimum value of time d is the time difference between frames, that is, 1/30 second.

  GUI2 is a GUI suitable mainly for very fine image retrieval. In the GUI 2, a plurality of images having a short time interval including a reference image are displayed simultaneously.

  In the display state of GUI2, by operating the up / down / left / right arrow buttons, the cursor can be moved to select an image, and the selected image is registered as a bookmark and registered as an image at the editing position by a predetermined operation. Or it can be played back in full screen. Further, in a state where an image is selected, the selected image can be changed to a reference image of GUI 2 by a predetermined operation. The selection position can be distinguished by changing the thickness, color, etc. of the frame of the screen. Further, it is possible to convert the resolution in order to display a large display image.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining jumping of a reference image in GUI2. In the upper diagram, the reference image is the time point T1, and the images of the image display units 51 to 54 and 56 to 59 are the time (T1-4d), (T1-3d), and (T1-2d), respectively. ), (T1−d), (T1 + d), (T1 + 2d), (T1 + 3d), and (T1 + 4d). In this state, when the reference image is changed to the image of the image display unit 52, the reference image of the image display unit 55 jumps to the image at time T1 ′ (= T1-3d), and the image display units 51 to 54 and 56 are displayed. To 59 images are time T1'-4d (= T1-7d), T1'-3d (= T1-6d), T1'-2d (= T1-5d), T1'-d (= T1- 4d), T1 ′ + d (= T1−2d), T1 ′ + 2d (= T1−d), T1 ′ + 3d (= T1), and T1 ′ + 4d (= T1 + d).

  Such a change by jumping of the reference image enables quick and easy movement to the previous and next images. That is, for example, when the time d is set to 1 second, if the image on the upper side of the reference image is selected on the screen 30 of the GUI 2, the image display unit 31 can be returned to the image 3 seconds before, If an image on the upper side is selected from the images three seconds before, it is possible to return to the image three seconds before.

  In addition, GUI2 allows you to view multiple displayed images at the same time using frame advance playback, reverse frame advance playback, slow playback, reverse slow playback, playback, reverse playback, playback fast forward, and reverse playback fast forward. It is possible to search for a desired image.

  Since there is a difference in time d between adjacent images, the lower right image can be reproduced and displayed while being shifted by time d toward the upper left. Therefore, if fast-forward playback is being performed, the time from when it is determined that the desired image has appeared to the lower right until the user stops is multiplied by the image interval time d and the number 9 of images displayed. If it is shorter than the combined time, the desired image is included in any of the image display units in the screen 30. Since the position accuracy of the desired image is equal to the time d, if the time d is set to the minimum interval (that is, 1/30 second), the fastest playback with the fastest search time and only the stop can be performed with the highest accuracy in the desired image. Desired image can be obtained. Furthermore, since the value of time d can be changed in a state where reproduction is stopped, it is possible to select an image after changing to a resolution finer than the resolution at the time of stop.

Although not shown, the time d can be changed by the user using the setting display unit as shown in FIG. 6 described above.
Therefore, since the time interval between the images before and after the reference image can be set and changed, a desired image can be searched and selected with any time resolution of the user.

Here, the configuration of the image generation unit 14 for GUI0, GUI1, and GUI2 will be described.
Since GUI0 is a full-screen display and GUI2 is an image at a time position close to each other in time, the decoder 21a and the buffer memory 22a are used in the GUI0 and GUI2 display formats, and the other two decoders 21b and 21c The buffer memories 22b and 22c are not used.
That is, in GUI0, since only one image is displayed on the screen 30, only the decoder 21a and the buffer memory 22a need be used.

  In GUI2, since nine images close in time are displayed on the screen 30, by increasing the storage capacity of the buffer memory 22a and making it a frame buffer capable of holding nine frame images as shown in FIG. 9, Only one decoder 21a and buffer memory 22a are used.

On the other hand, in the display state of GUI1, two images at time positions relatively distant from each other are included, so that three decoders 21a, 21b, 21c and three buffer memories 22a, 22b, 22c are used.
That is, in GUI1, five images are displayed on the screen 30, but the positions of two of the images (image display units 34 and 35) on the time axis are compared temporally with respect to the reference image. Distant. Therefore, the storage capacity of the buffer memory 22a of the decoder 21a must be considerably increased.

  Therefore, the two images are decoded by the decoders 21b and 21c, and the capacity of each of the buffer memories 22b and 22c may not be large.

  Usually, in order to simultaneously reproduce images having different reproduction positions of video content, that is, images having different time positions, a decoder is required for each. However, as described above, in GUI2, the time positions of a plurality of images displayed at the same time are close to each other, so the number of decoders can be reduced by setting the display order using a buffer memory as a frame buffer. Less.

  Note that since the images are recorded in the display order in the buffer memory as the frame buffer, it can also be used for rewind playback in units of one frame.

  Further, in order to reduce the capacity of the buffer memory, each image is recorded in the buffer memory after performing a reduction process for reducing each image in accordance with the number of images to be displayed. It should be noted that in the case of full screen display, it can be decoded again to prevent degradation of image quality. However, if the number of images displayed on the GUI 1 is changed, the decoding process is performed by displaying each image after reducing or enlarging the image in the buffer memory according to the changed number of images. It is possible to reduce the load.

  Thus, by reducing the image display size and storing it, the capacity of the buffer memory can be reduced, and the selection range can be expanded when selecting a desired image.

  In addition, decoding speed can be improved and buffer capacity can be reduced by decoding only the intra picture (I picture) and the forward frame predicted picture at the time of fast forward and rewind.

  Furthermore, when storing multiple images in the buffer memory, only the difference information is stored for inter images (B pictures), and when restoring to an image, the image data corresponding to the difference information is read and displayed. By doing so, the capacity of the buffer memory can be reduced.

  In addition, when the image size of each image display unit is 1/16 or less of the screen during full screen display, the decoding process only decodes the DC component, thereby shortening the decoding time and reducing the data size. Can be achieved. When displaying the image, an enlargement process is performed.

  In consideration of the above, the number of decoders and the capacity of each buffer memory are determined in order to efficiently generate the GUI0, GUI1, and GUI2 as described above.

  Then, the display control unit 23 synthesizes the image data so as to be arranged and displayed in a predetermined arrangement corresponding to the designated display format, and outputs a signal of the synthesized image to the display unit 15.

  As described above, according to the GUI 2 described above, a desired image in the video content is searched for, and playback is performed from the position of the desired image. The desired image is bookmarked. For example, not only one image but also the previous and subsequent images are displayed at the same time, so that the user can check the presence or absence of a desired image including the previous and next images. Furthermore, while confirming the images before and after the reference image at the same time, fast forward and rewind can be performed, and image selection can be realized by moving the cursor from multiple displayed images and determining the selection. It can be selected without using step operations such as frame advance.

(How to use each GUI)
Next, how to use GUI1 and GUI2 described above will be described.
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of how to use GUI0, GUI1, and GUI2.

  For example, when a user wants to search for a desired image in a scene from a certain content, first, in the playback state of GUI0, not only normal playback but also special playback such as fast-forward playback, etc. An image at a time close to the time when the desired image appears or a time before the time when the desired image appears is selected as the reference image. Then, the user gives an instruction to change the display format from GUI0 to GUI1 using the remote controller 12A that is the input device 12. For example, by pressing the GUI1 button 95d of the remote controller 12A, an instruction to change the GUI displayed on the screen 30 to GUI1 is supplied to the control unit 13.

  When receiving an instruction to change the display format to the GUI 1, the control unit 13 outputs an instruction for generating the above-described GUI 1 screen to the image generation unit 14. At the same time, the control unit 13 also supplies the above-described parameter data for the times δ and Δ to the image generation unit 14.

As a result, GUI 1 is displayed on the screen 30.
The user can check whether or not a desired image appears in the five images simultaneously displayed on the five image display units 31 to 35 while performing normal reproduction or special reproduction in the display state of the GUI 1. Judge while watching. At this time, since the reference image can be jumped in the state of the GUI 1, the user performs a rough search for a desired image while performing normal reproduction, special reproduction, and jumping of the reference image.

  When a desired image or an image close to the desired image is detected in the GUI 1, the user uses the remote controller 12A, which is the input device 12, as an instruction to change the display format from GUI 1 to GUI 2 using the image as a reference image. Do. For example, by pressing the GUI2 button 95e of the remote controller 12A, an instruction to change GUI1 displayed on the screen 30 to GUI2 is supplied to the control unit 13.

  When receiving an instruction to change the display format to the GUI 2, the control unit 13 outputs a command for generating the above-described GUI 2 screen to the image generation unit 14. At the same time, the control unit 13 also outputs the parameter data for the time d described above to the image generation unit 14.

As a result, GUI 2 is displayed on the screen 30.
The user displays the screen 30 to determine whether or not a desired image appears in the nine images simultaneously displayed on the nine image display units 51 to 59 while performing normal reproduction or special reproduction in the state of GUI2. Judge while watching. At this time, since the above-described reference image jump is also possible in the state of the GUI 2, the user searches for a desired image while performing normal reproduction, special reproduction and reference image jump.

  When a desired image can be detected in GUI2 or GUI1, the user performs a process of registering the image as an image at the position to be edited, a process of reproducing from the image, etc. Can be instructed to the control unit 13.

  In the state of GUI2, the user can change the display format from the state of GUI1 to GUI0 by operating the remote controller 12A, for example, by pressing the button 95f of the remote controller 12A. Further, from the state of GUI2, the display format for GUI1 can be changed by pressing button 95d, or the display format for GUI0 can be changed by pressing button 95f.

  That is, the user can shift to the GUI0, GUI1, and GUI2 interface screens of full screen display by inputting the change of the GUI mode from the input device 12. Therefore, GUI0, GUI1, and GUI2 can be changed mutually and seamlessly.

  As described above, even in the display formats of GUI0, GUI1, and GUI2, frame advance playback, reverse frame advance playback, slow playback, reverse slow playback, playback, reverse playback, playback fast forward, reverse playback fast forward, etc. Special reproduction is also possible, and the reference image jump change is also possible in GUI1 and GUI2, so that the user can quickly and easily search for a desired image.

  Furthermore, it is possible to change the times δ, Δ, and d in GUI1 and GUI2. Therefore, the user can set and change the position on the time axis of the image displayed on each image display unit, more specifically, each time difference on the time axis from the reference image. The time difference suitable for the search can be easily performed.

(Operation)
Next, the operation of the video content reproduction apparatus 1 will be described.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing relating to display of the GUI1.

  When receiving the GUI1 display instruction from the remote controller 12A, the control unit 13 first reads and obtains information on the time δ and Δ, which are display setting parameters set in the storage unit 13a (step S1). The reference image is determined when the GUI 1 is instructed to display. Therefore, the control unit 13 already has data on the time position of the reference image or can acquire it from the image generation unit 14. When the parameters δ and Δ are not set, preset initial values are read out.

  The control unit 13 determines the position on the time axis of the content, that is, the time, of the images displayed on the image display units 31 to 35 (step S2). In the case of FIG. 4, the image display unit 31 is an image at the time T1 of the reference image. The image display units 32 to 35 are images of time (T1−Δ), (T1 + Δ), (T1−δ), and (T1 + δ), respectively. Therefore, using the time T1 of the reference image and the parameters δ and Δ, the position on the time axis of each image of the image display units 32 to 35 is determined by the addition / subtraction process.

  The control unit 13 supplies each decoder of the image generation unit 14 with information indicating the determined position on the time axis of each image of the image display units 31 to 35, thereby instructing generation of each image (step S3). ).

  Next, the control unit 13 determines an instruction content such as reproduction from the remote controller 12A, and instructs the image generation unit 14 about the instruction content.

  First, whether or not normal playback is instructed, that is, whether or not the normal playback button in the various recording and playback function key group 99 of the remote controller 12A is pressed immediately before or after the display change instruction to GUI1. Is determined (step S4). If YES in step S4, that is, if normal playback is instructed, the control unit 13 supplies a normal playback instruction to the image generation unit 14 (step S5). As a result, the image generation unit 14 reproduces the content from time T1, (T1−Δ), (T1 + Δ), (T1−δ), and (T1 + δ), and displays the reproduced image on the five image display units 31 to 35. Is displayed.

  Similarly, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction for a reproduction method such as playback fast-forward (step S6), frame advance (step S8), stop (step S10), etc., and the control unit 13 sends an image generation unit 14 corresponding to the instruction. Instructions such as fast playback (step S5), frame advance (step S7), and stop (step S11) are given.

  In FIG. 12, instructions for other playback methods such as reverse playback fast forward, frame rewind, pause, slow, etc. are omitted for the sake of simplicity.

  The control unit 13 instructs the image generation unit 14 to simultaneously reproduce all the images displayed on the image display units 31 to 35 according to the designated reproduction method.

  Further, the presence / absence of a reference image jump instruction is also determined (step S12). If there is a reference image change instruction, the control unit 13 performs a reference image change process (step S13). In step S13, specifically, the control unit 13 determines the position of the changed reference image on the time axis, and the process returns to step S2.

  Further, it is determined whether or not the values of the display parameters, time δ and Δ, have been changed (step S14). When the parameter has been changed, a process of writing the changed parameter to the storage unit 13a is performed (step S14). S15), the process returns to step S2.

  Further, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to change to GUI2 (step S16). When there is an instruction to display GUI2, for example, when button 95e of remote controller 12A is pressed, control unit 13 instructs decoder. And outputs an instruction to stop playback or the like (step S17). And it transfers to the production | generation process of GUI2 shown in FIG. 13 (step S18).

  Further, it is determined whether or not the user has performed an operation such as determination of an editing position while the GUI 2 screen is displayed (step S19).

  When an operation such as determination of an editing position is performed, the process proceeds to processing such as determination of an editing position (step S20). By processing such as determination of the editing position, processing for registering an image as the editing start position is executed.

If an operation such as determination of the editing position is not performed, the process proceeds to step S4, and the processes after step S4 are repeated.
As described above, the display process of the GUI 1 is performed.

  Next, GUI2 display processing will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing relating to display of GUI2. In FIG. 13, the same contents as those in FIG. 12 are denoted by the same step numbers and the description is simplified.

  When receiving the GUI2 display instruction from the remote controller 12A, the control unit 13 first reads and acquires information on time d, which is a setting parameter for displaying GUI2 set in the storage unit 13a (step S31). Since the reference image is determined at the time of the GUI2 display instruction, the control unit 13 has data on the time position of the reference image or can acquire it from the image generation unit 14. When the time d as the parameter is not set, a preset initial value is read out.

  The control unit 13 determines the position or time on the time axis of the content of the image displayed on each of the image display units 51 to 59 (step S32). In the case of FIG. 9, the image display unit 55 displays an image of the reference image at time T1. The image display units 51 to 54 and 56 to 59 are respectively time (T1-4d), (T1-3d), (T1-2d), (T1−d), (T1 + d), (T1 + 2d), and (T1 + 3d). ), (T1 + 4d). Therefore, using the time T1 of the reference image and the time d which is a parameter, the position on the time axis of each of the image display units 51 to 54 and 56 to 59 is obtained by addition / subtraction processing.

  The control unit 13 supplies each decoder of the image generation unit 14 with information indicating the position on the time axis of each of the obtained image display units 51 to 59, thereby instructing generation of each image (step S33). ).

  Next, the control unit 13 determines an instruction content such as reproduction from the remote controller 12A, and instructs the image generation unit 14 about the instruction content. The processing contents of steps S4 to S13 in FIG. 13 are the same as the processing in FIG.

  In addition, it is determined whether or not the value of the time d, which is a display parameter, has been changed (step S34). When the parameter has been changed, a process of writing the changed parameter to the storage unit 13a is performed (step S35). .

  After the processes of steps S13 and S35, the process proceeds to the process of step S32.

  Further, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to change to GUI1 (step S36). When there is an instruction to display GUI1, for example, when button 95d of remote controller 12A is pressed, control unit 13 instructs decoder. An instruction to stop reproduction or the like is output (step S37). And it transfers to the production | generation process of GUI1 shown in FIG. 12 (step S38).

  When the GUI 2 screen is displayed, it is determined whether or not the user has performed an operation such as determining an editing position (step S19). When an operation such as determining the editing position is performed, Then, the process proceeds to processing such as determination of the editing position (step S20). By the editing position determination process, a registration process is performed with an image as the editing start position.

  If the edit position determination operation is not performed, the process proceeds to step S4, and the processes after step S4 are repeated.

  As described above, the GUI2 display process is performed.

  As described above, according to the video content reproduction apparatus according to the present embodiment described above, the user can quickly and easily search for a desired image by using the two GUIs 1 and 2.

  In particular, in the GUI 1, when a desired image can be confirmed by moving the reference image between the image display units, the reference image can be quickly and easily moved to that position. Furthermore, even when a desired image passes during fast-forwarding and rewinding, it is possible to easily return to the front of the desired image by selecting the front and back of the reference image and reproduce from the returned position.

  Further, in GUI 1, not only normal reproduction but also special reproduction can be performed simultaneously on all image display units, so that a desired image can be searched quickly.

  In addition, since the time Δ, δ of the difference between the image displayed on each image display unit and the reference image on the time axis can be changed, each image is displayed on the GUI 1 in a state that is easy for the user to search at the time of the search. Can be made.

  Further, when a desired image can be confirmed in the GUI 1, it is possible to specify an image to be edited within a finer time range. For this reason, the GUI 2 displays a plurality of images having a time difference d set with respect to the reference image, and the time d can be a time difference of one frame at a minimum.

  Therefore, according to the GUI 2, it is possible to search for and specify a desired image based on a finer time.

  Since the display format can be freely changed between GUI0, GUI1, and GUI2, the operability is good for the user. For example, as described above, the GUI can be changed during fast forward and rewind. When the display format is changed, the reference image is always arranged at the center of the screen in the three GUIs so that the user can seamlessly change the display without having to move the viewpoint greatly.

The GUI 1 may have a screen configuration shown in a modification example described below.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a modification of GUI1.
The same components as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted, and only different configurations are described.
As shown in FIG. 14, the GUI 1a according to the present modification includes seven image display units 31 to 35, 35a, and 35b. The newly added image display unit 35 a is disposed on the image display unit 34, and the image display unit 35 b is disposed below the image display unit 35. On the image display unit 35a, an image that is earlier (past) by the time Δ than the image display unit 34 that displays the image of the time (T1-δ) is displayed. The image display unit 35b displays an image that is later (future) by the time Δ than the image display unit 35 that displays an image of time (T1 + δ).

  By adding the images displayed on the two image display portions 35a and 35b, the user can see a wider range of images, and can find a desired image more quickly.

  Also in the GUI 1a, the number of the plurality of image display units displayed on the entire screen 30 is an odd number, and the image at the center of the number (more specifically, the center on the time axis) is the screen 30. It is arranged at the center of the. In GUI1, since the five image display units 31 to 35 are displayed, the central image display unit 31 displays the image at the center position (third) on the time axis among the five images. In the GUI 1a, since the seven image display units 31 to 35, 35a, and 35b are displayed, the central image display unit 31 has a central position (fourth) on the time axis among the seven images. Display an image.

The GUI 1a in the first display format as shown in FIG. 14 has the same effect as the GUI 1.
Note that the arrangement of the plurality of image display units in GUI1 or GUI1a may be other than the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. In GUI1 and GUI1a, an image display unit for a reference image is arranged at the center of the screen 30, and images at time positions separated by set times Δ and δ are displayed in the vertical and horizontal directions in the virtual matrix.

  As an arrangement other than such an arrangement method, a plurality of image display units may be arranged as shown in FIG. 15 and 16 are diagrams showing another arrangement example of the plurality of image display units in the GUI 1.

  In the arrangement example of the GUI 1b in FIG. 15, the other image display units 32, 33, 34, and 35 are arranged in the vertical direction with respect to the image display unit 31 of the reference image. The arrangement direction may be the left-right direction.

  In the arrangement example of the GUI 1c in FIG. 16, five image display units are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. The arrangement direction may be the upper limit direction.

Furthermore, the GUI 2 may have a screen configuration shown in a modification example described below.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a modification of GUI2.
The same components as those in FIG. 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted, and only different configurations are described.
As shown in FIG. 17, the GUI 2a according to the present modification has 15 image display units 51a to 51f and 51 to 59 arranged in a matrix of 3 rows × 5 columns. As a whole, images separated by time d on the time axis from the upper left to the lower right are arranged from the left to the right and from the upper to the lower. The image display unit 51c in the upper left displays an image that is the previous (past) time 7d from the reference image of the image display unit 55. The lower right image display unit 51f displays an image that is a future (future) time 7d from the reference image.

  Therefore, the user can see a wider range of images with the total of 15 image display units, and can find a desired image more quickly.

  Also in the GUI 2a, the number of the plurality of image display portions displayed on the entire screen 30 is an odd number, and the image at the center at the center of the number, more specifically, on the time axis, is the screen. 30 is arranged at the center. Since 15 image display units are displayed in the GUI 2a, the central image display unit 55 displays the image at the center position (eighth) on the time axis among the 15 images.

The second display format GUI2a as shown in FIG. 17 has the same effect as GUI2.
The number of the plurality of image display units displayed on the GUI 2 may be 25 as shown in FIG. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating another modification of GUI2.
In FIG. 18, the same components as those in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 18, the GUI 2b according to this modification has 25 image display units 51a to 51f, 51 to 59, and 71a to 71j arranged in a matrix of 5 rows × 5 columns. As a whole, images separated by time d on the time axis from the upper left to the lower right are arranged from the left to the right and from the upper to the lower. The image display unit 71e in the upper left displays an image that is the previous (past) time 12d from the reference image of the image display unit 55. The lower right image display unit 71j displays an image that is 12 hours after the reference image (future).

  As described above, according to the video content reproduction apparatus according to the above-described embodiments and modifications, a desired image can be searched quickly and easily.

  Note that the number of image display units shown in the above-described embodiment and each modification is an example, and may be a number other than the number described above.

  Furthermore, the program code for executing the operations described above is recorded in whole or in part as a computer program product on a portable medium such as a flexible disk or CD-ROM, or on a storage medium such as a hard disk, or It is remembered. The program is read by the CPU, and all or part of the operation is executed. Alternatively, all or part of the program code can be distributed or provided via a communication network. The user can easily realize the video content reproduction apparatus of the present invention by downloading the program via a communication network and installing it on a computer, or installing the program on a computer from a recording medium.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the video content reproduction apparatus 1 concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the image generation part concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the remote control which shows the example of the key arrangement | sequence of the remote control as an input device concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of GUI1 concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the position on the time-axis of each image displayed on five image display parts concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the screen for a setting for setting the time concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the change operation of the reference | standard image concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the jump process of the reference | standard image concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of GUI2 concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the jump of the reference | standard image in GUI2 concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the example of the utilization method of GUI0, GUI1, and GUI2 concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of a process regarding the display of GUI1 concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the flow of a process regarding the display of GUI2 concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of GUI1 concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other example of arrangement | positioning of the several image display part in GUI1 concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the further example of arrangement | positioning of the several image display part in GUI1 concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the modification of GUI2 concerning embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the other modification of GUI2 concerning embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Video content reproduction apparatus, 11 Video storage part, 12 Input device, 12A Remote control, 13 Control part, 14 Image generation part, 15 Display part, 30 screens, 31 to 35, 51 to 59 Image display part, 36,60 Playback position Display section

Claims (5)

An image generation unit for acquiring video content data and generating an image;
When the first display format is instructed, the data of the video content is read, and each of the selected image and the position of the selected image on the time axis of the video content is a first predetermined value. The first two images at a position that has been moved forward and backward by a predetermined time and a second image at a position that has been moved forward and backward by a second predetermined time with respect to the position of the selected image on the time axis. A control unit that instructs the image generation unit to generate the two images of
A plurality of image display units, each of which displays the selected image, the first two images, and the second two images generated by the image generation unit, are displayed on the screen of the display device. A display control unit for displaying side by side in a predetermined arrangement corresponding to the first display format;
A video content reproducing apparatus comprising: The display control unit arranges, as a predetermined arrangement corresponding to the first display format, an image display unit that displays the selected image as an image display unit of a first reference image in the center of the screen. , Arranging the first two images and the second two images along at least the vertical and horizontal directions of the image display unit arranged in the central part,
When an image as a new first reference image is specified from the first two images and the second two images, the control unit converts the specified new reference image into the center. The image is displayed on the image display unit disposed in the unit, and the first two images and the second two images are generated based on the new first reference image. The video content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation unit is instructed.   When the second display format is instructed in the display state of the first display format, the control unit includes the selected image and has a third predetermined time with each other on the time axis of the video content. The video content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image generation unit is instructed to generate a plurality of images at positions separated by time. When the first display format is instructed, the video content data is read out to the image generation unit that acquires the video content data and generates an image, and the selected image and the video content data The first two images at positions that are respectively temporally shifted by a first predetermined time with respect to the position of the selected image on the time axis, and the position of the selected image on the time axis To generate a second two images each at a position that is shifted in time by a second predetermined time,
A plurality of image display units that display the selected image, the first two images, and the second two images generated in the image generation unit are displayed on the screen of a display device. Arrange and display in a predetermined arrangement corresponding to the first display format;
A video content reproduction method characterized by comprising: A program for executing playback of video content,
When the first display format is instructed, the video content data is read out to the image generation unit that acquires the video content data and generates an image, and the selected image and the video content data The first two images at positions that are respectively temporally shifted by a first predetermined time with respect to the position of the selected image on the time axis, and the position of the selected image on the time axis A first code portion for instructing to generate a second two images, each of which is at a position that is shifted in time by a second predetermined time,
A plurality of image display units that display the selected image, the first two images, and the second two images generated in the image generation unit are displayed on the screen of a display device. A second code portion for instructing to display side by side in a predetermined arrangement corresponding to the first display format;
The program characterized by having.

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