JP6397253B2 - Information processing apparatus, control method for information processing apparatus, and control program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mechanism for editing video. In particular, the present invention relates to a mechanism for generating a connected video by connecting videos extracted from at least a part of a plurality of video files.

Editing that extracts a partial moving image including a portion in which an image signal or an audio signal satisfies a predetermined criterion from at least a part of a plurality of moving image files shot within a certain period and combines them to generate an edited file An apparatus is known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).
The editing device described in Patent Document 1 analyzes a frame image and sound constituting a moving image, and includes a portion to which a forced extraction signal is given at the time of shooting, a portion that is zoomed up at the time of shooting, a portion that has a high recorded volume, and the like A partial moving image including the relevant part is preferentially extracted from the moving image file.

JP 2002-176613 A

  A plurality of video files, each of which has an object whose appearance can change over time (for example, a person, a fetus, an animal, a plant, a microorganism, a cell, a landscape, etc.) as a subject, has been taken over a relatively long period of time. is there. If a suitable part is extracted from the plurality of video files and connected in order of shooting time, a connected video representing the transition of the object as the subject can be obtained.

  With respect to video extraction, if a method that prioritizes a portion having a relatively high priority based on the analysis result as in the editing device described in Patent Document 1, a portion that is likely to be valuable to the user can be easily extracted. On the other hand, the shooting times of videos that include parts with relatively high priorities based on the analysis results are unlikely to be evenly distributed on the time axis, so there is a bias in the shooting times of videos extracted by this method. Likely to happen.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is that the bias in shooting time is suppressed when each video to be incorporated into a linked video is extracted from at least a part of a plurality of video files as materials.

In order to solve the above problems, an “information processing apparatus” according to one aspect of the present invention provides a plurality of video files related to a specific object according to the shooting time in any of a plurality of sections divided at predetermined intervals. Sorting means for sorting each of the plurality of video files, and weights added to the selection of the plurality of selection files to be specified from the plurality of video files, each of which has a specified length to be included in the connected video. Setting means for setting each of the video files so as to be less likely to be selected for a file having a larger number of video files sorted by the sorting unit.
In order to solve the above-described problem, an “information processing apparatus control method” according to one aspect of the present invention captures a plurality of video files related to a specific object in one of a plurality of sections divided at predetermined intervals. A sorting step for sorting according to time, and a weight to be taken into account when selecting a plurality of selection files from which a plurality of selection files to be specified for extraction portions of a specified length to be incorporated into the connected video are selected. A setting step of setting each of the plurality of video files so that the video files of the category having a larger number of video files sorted in the sorting step are less likely to be selected.
In order to solve the above-described problem, a “control program” according to one aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of video files related to a specific object in one of a plurality of sections divided at predetermined intervals according to shooting time. Each of the plurality of video files has a sorting function and a weight added when selecting a plurality of selection files from which the plurality of selection files to be specified are to be specified. On the other hand, the computer of the information processing apparatus realizes a setting function for setting each of the video files classified by the sorting function so that the video files of the category having a larger number of video files are less likely to be selected.
In order to solve the above-described problem, a control program recorded in a “recording medium” according to one aspect of the present invention in a computer-readable manner includes a plurality of video files related to a specific object divided into a plurality of predetermined periods. When selecting a plurality of selection files from among the plurality of selection files, each of which should be specified as a sorting function to be classified into one of the categories according to the shooting time, and a specified length extraction portion to be incorporated into the connected video A setting function for setting weights to be added to the plurality of video files so that the video files of a category having a larger number of video files to be sorted by the sorting function are less likely to be selected; make it happen.

In the present invention, the “video file” refers to content (for example, at least one of moving image data and still image data, or a combination of at least one of the above and audio data) and metadata (for example, moving image data and still image data). , Date of shooting, shooting position, etc.).
In the present invention, the “video file” is “related to a specific object” means that a specific object (for example, an object whose appearance changes with time (for example, a person, a fetus, an animal, a plant, a microorganism, a cell, Landscape) etc.) means that it includes or is highly likely to include video (eg, moving images, still images). For example, a video file that is stored in a directory associated with a specific object, a tag or comment associated with a specific object, or a title associated with a specific object is attached. It can be said that there is a high possibility of including a video image of the object.
In the present invention, the “predetermined period” is not particularly limited. For example, a calendar period such as one week, one month, three months, half year, one year is suitable.
In the present invention, the “connected video” refers to a series of videos in which a plurality of different videos are continuously displayed. The “connected video” may be a set of different videos recorded in one video file, or may be a set of different videos that are continuously played back based on a playlist. .
In the present invention, “incorporating into a linked video” means recording in the content of a video file (linked video file) containing the linked video as content, or incorporating it into a playlist for playing back the linked video.
In the present invention, the “specified length” is not particularly limited. For example, the “extracted portion of the specified length” is a video (a series of a plurality of still images) of X seconds (X: an appropriate positive real number) from a certain time point (start point) to another time point (end point) in the selection file. (Ie, a moving image)) is preferable, but it may be a video at a certain point in time in the selected file (single frame image). The value of X may be specified uniformly for all selection files, or may be specified individually for each selection file. When the extracted portion is a single still image, the still image continues to be displayed for a predetermined time in the connected video.
In the present invention, the “select a plurality of selection files...” Process may be executed by the “information processing apparatus” or may be executed by another apparatus.
In the present invention, “weight” refers to data indicating the degree of ease of selection. The “weight” may be set uniformly for all video files belonging to a certain category, or may be set individually for each video file. Further, part or all of the “weight” once set may be changed according to the situation.
“Weighing” “weight” when selecting in the present invention means that a video file having a higher degree of ease of selection indicated by “weight” is selected by a method that is preferentially or selected with a higher probability. . For example, a method may be adopted in which the number of selections is assigned to each category according to the total weight value set for each video file, and a video file corresponding to the assigned number is selected from each category, or set for each video file. A predetermined numerical range is divided according to the ratio of the weights, and each video file is associated with one of the divided ranges. A pseudo-random number in the numerical range is generated and associated with the divided range including the pseudo-random number generated. A method of selecting a recorded video file may be employed.
In the present invention, “weight is difficult to be selected for a video file in a category having a large number of video files” means that “the number of video files belonging to the category” is defined as a function of “the number of video files belonging to the category”. This means that the “weight” monotonously decreases as the “number of video files belonging to the category” increases. For example, it is preferable to set a weight that is inversely proportional to the number of video files classified into the category to which the video file belongs to each video file.

The above-mentioned “information processing apparatus” may be added with technical limitations exemplified below. Further, the technical limitation of the same meaning may be added to “control method of information processing apparatus”, “control program”, and “recording medium”.
For example, the setting unit may not select another video file having a predetermined relationship with the video file each time one video file is selected, or may be less likely to be selected than before resetting. A technical limitation may be added, further comprising a selection unit that resets the weights to the other video file and sequentially selects a plurality of the selection files in consideration of the latest weight set by the setting unit. Good.
Here, “adding the latest weight” and “selecting the selected file sequentially” means that each time one selected file is selected, the weight is reset to at least a part of the video file, and the weight after the reset is set. This means that a series of steps of selecting a new selection file in consideration is repeated until the number of selection files reaches a desired number.
Here, “considering the latest weight” means that a video file having a relatively high degree of ease of selection indicated by “weight” is selected preferentially or by a method that is selected with a high probability. For example, a method of selecting a video file having the highest set weight with the highest priority may be adopted, or a predetermined numerical range may be set according to the ratio of the weight size set for each video file. A method of selecting a video file associated with a divided range including a pseudo-random number generated by dividing a numerical value and associating each video file with one of the divided ranges and generating a pseudo-random number in the numerical range. May be.

The “information processing apparatus” to which the technical limitation related to the “resetting” is added may further include the technical limitation exemplified below. Further, the technical limitation of the same meaning may be added to “control method of information processing apparatus”, “control program”, and “recording medium”.
For example, the setting means is selected so that every time one video file is selected, at least a part of other video files belonging to the same category as the video file is not selected or compared with before the resetting. You may add the technical limitation of resetting a weight to another video file so that it may become difficult.
Specifically, the sorting means is close enough that the shooting time satisfies a predetermined standard (for example, a video file is divided into short-term categories (such as time zones, shooting dates, shooting weeks, etc.) ), The plurality of video files are further grouped in the category so that the plurality of video files belong to the same group, and the setting means includes: Each time one video file is selected, other related video files belonging to the same group as the video file are not selected or are less likely to be selected before resetting. A technical limitation of resetting the weight may be added.

Various technical limitations may be further added to the “information processing apparatus” to which the technical limitation related to the “grouping” is added as illustrated below. Further, the technical limitation of the same meaning may be further added to “control method of information processing apparatus”, “control program”, and “recording medium”.
For example, the sorting means includes at least a part of the shooting time overlapping each other (for example, the shooting start time and the shooting end time of the other video file within the period from the shooting start time to the shooting end time of one video file). Are grouped so that a plurality of video files belong to the same group, and the setting means belongs to the same group each time one video file is selected. A technical limitation of resetting the weights of the other related video files so that the other related video files are not selected may be further added.
In addition, as a condition for further grouping the plurality of video files so that the plurality of video files that overlap at least a part of the shooting timing belong to the same group, the sorting unit is configured to satisfy a predetermined standard. It may be limited to a case where they are close to each other (for example, a linear distance between shooting positions does not exceed a predetermined threshold value), or stored in the same directory or added with the same tag data.

Various technical limitations may be further added to the “information processing apparatus” to which the technical limitation related to the “grouping” is added, as exemplified below. Further, the technical limitation of the same meaning may be further added to “control method of information processing apparatus”, “control program”, and “recording medium”.
For example, presentation means for displaying the connected video in which the extracted portions respectively specified in the plurality of selected files are sequentially displayed on a display device, and displaying the connected video (for example, during normal playback, during slow playback, And an editing means for replacing a designated portion designated by a predetermined operation (for example, speech, gesture, mouse operation, button operation, touch operation) of the viewer with a substitute image during the pause) Limitations may be added.
At this time, the presenting means includes a plurality of the alternatives each including at least one of the other part of the selection file from which the designated part is extracted and the part of the other related video file belonging to the same group as the selection file Candidate linked video obtained by linking video candidates is further displayed on the display device after the designated portion is designated (for example, immediately after the designated portion is designated or after the display of the linked video is finished), and the editing is performed. A technical limitation is that the means captures a designation candidate designated by a viewer designation operation (for example, utterance, gesture, mouse operation, button operation, touch operation) in the substitute video while the candidate linked video is displayed. Furthermore, you may add.
Further, the presenting means simultaneously displays the extraction part candidates specified in the selection file and the other related video files belonging to the same group as the selection file on a screen divided into a plurality of sections. The connected image including the divided video is displayed on the display device, and the editing means specifies a designated operation when the designated portion includes the divided video (for example, a single tap operation, a double tap) A technical limitation may be further added in which candidates displayed in a designated section that is also designated by an operation or the like are taken into the substitute video.
Further, the presenting means simultaneously displays the extraction part candidates specified in the selection file and the other related video files belonging to the same group as the selection file on a screen divided into a plurality of sections. The connected image including the divided video is displayed on the display device, and the editing unit is configured to perform a first touch operation (for example, a single tap operation, for designating the designated portion when the designated portion includes the divided video) Candidates displayed in the designated area specified together by a flick operation or swipe operation in a specific direction different from the second touch operation) are taken into the substitute video, and the presenting means includes the designated portion as the divided video. A second touch operation for designating the designated portion (for example, a double tap operation, in a specific direction different from the first touch operation) The candidate linked video obtained by linking a plurality of alternative video candidates each including the other part of the selection file of the candidate extraction source displayed in the designated section designated together by a flick operation or a swipe operation) is designated. After the section is specified, it is further displayed on the display device, and the editing means is specified by a viewer specifying operation (for example, utterance, gesture, mouse operation, button operation, touch operation) while the candidate connected video is displayed. A technical limitation may be further added in which a designated candidate to be included is taken into the substitute video.
Further, the presenting means simultaneously displays the extraction part candidates specified in the selection file and the other related video files belonging to the same group as the selection file on a screen divided into a plurality of sections. The connected image including the divided video is displayed on the display device, and the editing unit is configured to perform a first touch operation (for example, a single tap operation, for designating the designated portion when the designated portion includes the divided video) Candidates displayed in the designated area specified together by a flick operation or swipe operation in a specific direction different from the second touch operation) are taken into the substitute video, and the presenting means includes the designated portion as the divided video. A second touch operation for designating the designated portion (for example, a double tap operation, in a specific direction different from the first touch operation) A screen in which a plurality of alternative video candidates each including the other part of the selection file of the candidate extraction source displayed in the designated section specified together by a flick operation or a swipe operation are divided into a plurality of sections The candidate divided video displayed at the same time is further displayed on the display device after the designated section is designated, and the editing means performs a viewer touch operation (for example, a single tap operation, A technical limitation may be further added in which candidates displayed in a designated section designated by a double tap operation or the like are taken into the substitute video.

“Technical limitation regarding the“ re-setting ”(especially technical limitation assuming“ at least part of other video files belonging to the same category as the selected video file ”) as“ predetermined relationship ” Various technical limitations may be further added to the “information processing apparatus” as illustrated below. Further, the technical limitation of the same meaning may be further added to “control method of information processing apparatus”, “control program”, and “recording medium”.
For example, each time a single video file is selected, the setting unit is close enough to meet the predetermined standard when the video file and the shooting timing cross the boundary of the classification (for example, the shooting interval is within a predetermined number of days). There is a technical limitation that weights are reset to other video files so that it is difficult to select other video files (sub-sections in which “sections” are equally divided into n sections are adjacent to each other). Also good.

Various technical limitations may be further added to the “information processing apparatus” to which the technical limitation related to the “resetting” is added, as exemplified below. Further, the technical limitation of the same meaning may be further added to “control method of information processing apparatus”, “control program”, and “recording medium”.
For example, each time one video file is selected, the setting means selects the other video file so that it is difficult to select another video file that matches the video file and the photographing device or the poster (user account at the time of posting). You may add the technical limitation of resetting a weight to a video file.

The present invention reduces the possibility of video being extracted from only a plurality of video files that are close in time by setting video files shot at a time when there are relatively many video files to be relatively difficult to select. Let
Therefore, according to the present invention, it is difficult for the shooting time to be biased when each video to be incorporated into the linked video is extracted from at least a part of the plurality of video files as the material.

It is explanatory drawing of the specific example of a weight setting. (Embodiment) It is explanatory drawing of the network structural example of the system of an Example. (Example) It is explanatory drawing of the hardware structural example of a server apparatus. (Example) It is explanatory drawing of the hardware structural example of a user apparatus. (Example) It is explanatory drawing of the function structural example of a user terminal, a delivery management server, and a file management server. (Example) It is explanatory drawing of the function structural example of a user terminal, an edit management server, and a file management server. (Example) It is explanatory drawing of the item example of the metadata accompanying a moving image file. (Example) It is explanatory drawing of a connection animation production | generation procedure. (Example) It is explanatory drawing of a grouping procedure. (Modification 1A) It is explanatory drawing of a connection animation production | generation procedure. (Modification 1A) It is explanatory drawing of a weight setting procedure. (Modification 1B) It is explanatory drawing of a connection animation production | generation procedure. (Modification 1B) It is explanatory drawing of a connection moving image edit procedure. (Modification 2A) It is explanatory drawing of a connection moving image edit procedure. (Modification 2B)

[1. Embodiment]
[1-1. Overview]
Appropriate videos are extracted from multiple video files that have objects whose appearance changes over time (for example, people, fetuses, animals, plants, microorganisms, cells, landscapes, etc.) as subjects, and are linked in order of shooting time. As a result, a connected video representing the transition of the object as the subject is generated.
In the present embodiment, video files are shot at a relatively large number of times in order to suppress bias in shooting time when extracting videos to be included in the linked video from at least some of the plurality of video files as materials. By setting the video files that are relatively difficult to select, the possibility of video being extracted from only a plurality of video files that are close in time is reduced.

[1-2. Information processing device]
The information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a sorting unit that sorts a plurality of video files related to a specific object into one of a plurality of sections divided for each predetermined period according to shooting time, and incorporates the video file into a linked video Video that is sorted by the sorting unit with respect to the plurality of video files, the weights added when selecting the plurality of selection files to be specified from the plurality of video files. A setting unit configured to set each video file so that it is difficult to select a video file with a larger number of files.

A specific example of weight setting will be described with reference to FIG.
For example, assume that the result of sorting a plurality of video files into a plurality of sections (for example, section n to section n + 3 (n: an appropriate natural number)) according to the shooting time is as shown in FIG. In the graph of FIG. 1, the horizontal axis represents the category (i), and the vertical axis represents the number of video files (N (i)). According to this result, the ratio of the number of video files for each category is expressed as shown in [Formula 1] below.
At this time, if the weight (W (i)) is set by the ratio of the reciprocal number of the video files as shown in [Equation 2] below, the video files of the category having a larger number of video files are less likely to be selected. In the present embodiment, the extracted portions of the designated length that should constitute the linked video are extracted from the video file selected in consideration of the weight set in this way.

[1-3. Implementation example of information processing apparatus]
The present invention can be implemented in the following forms.
The server device generates a connection video and provides it to the user device, and the user device displays the connection video. In this implementation, the server device corresponds to the “information processing device” according to the present invention.
The server device creates a playlist and provides it to the user device, and the user device sequentially displays the individual videos constituting the linked video based on the playlist. In this implementation, the server device corresponds to the “information processing device” according to the present invention.
-A user apparatus produces | generates a connection image | video and a user apparatus displays a connection image | video. In this implementation mode, the user apparatus corresponds to the “information processing apparatus” according to the present invention.
The user device creates a playlist, and the user device sequentially displays the individual videos that make up the linked video based on the playlist. In this implementation mode, the user apparatus corresponds to the “information processing apparatus” according to the present invention.

[2. Example]
[2-1. Overview]
A process of growing a person who is a subject by extracting suitable portions from a plurality of moving image files (an example of a “video file”) each of which is a specific person (for example, an infant) and connecting them in ascending order of shooting time. To generate a connected moving image (an example of “connected video”).
In this embodiment, when extracting videos to be recorded in the linked video from at least a part of the plurality of video files as the material, in order to suppress the bias in the shooting time, the video files are at a relatively large time. By setting the captured moving image file to be relatively difficult to select, it is possible to reduce the possibility that images are extracted from only a plurality of moving image files that are close in time.

[2-2. Network configuration]
FIG. 2 shows a network configuration example of the system of the embodiment.
The system of the present embodiment includes a distribution management server 10, an editing management server 20 (an example of “information processing apparatus”), a file management server 30, and a plurality of user terminals 40 (40-1, 40-2,... , 40-n).
The distribution management server 10 is a user terminal in a range in which a moving image file posted by a user terminal 40 is specified (for example, inside a specific online community (for example, a group in SNS (Social Networking Service)) to which the poster belongs. A service to be distributed to 40 (hereinafter referred to as “moving image distribution service”) is provided. On the other hand, the edit management server 20 provides a service (hereinafter referred to as “linked video generation service”) that generates a linked video using a video file managed by the video distribution service as a material.

The distribution management server 10, the edit management server 20, and the user terminal 40 can exchange data through the communication network 50. Further, the distribution management server 10 and the edit management server 20 can access data (moving image file in this embodiment) stored in the storage device 31 via the file management server 30.
The communication network 50 is an existing network (for example, the Internet, a mobile phone network, a wireless WAN (Wireless Wide Area Network), a wireless LAN (Wireless Local Area Network), Ethernet (registered trademark), etc.). At least one of them may be included.

[2-2-1. Distribution management server]
In FIG. 2, a distribution management server 10 is a server device (general-purpose computer) in which a Web server program (also referred to as an HTTP daemon (HyperText Transfer Protocol Daemon)) is installed.
For example, in response to a predetermined request (request) for specifying a moving image file, the distribution management server 10 acquires the specified moving image file from the storage device 31 via the file management server 30, and responds to the request source ( Response).
A distribution management system can be configured by linking a plurality of server devices, and the functions of the distribution management server 10 can be distributed. For example, the distribution management server 10 provides a process of responding to a request source of a specified video file by providing link information to an external distribution server or transferring (redirecting) a predetermined request to the distribution server. The external distribution server may be burdened.

[2-2-2. Edit management server]
In FIG. 2, the editing management server 20 is a server device (general-purpose computer) in which a Web server program (also referred to as an HTTP daemon (HyperText Transfer Protocol Daemon)) and an application program are installed.
For example, the edit management server 20 has a function of generating a linked movie in response to a request for generating a linked movie and providing information regarding the generated linked movie to the request source.
It is also possible to configure an editing management system by linking a plurality of server devices and to distribute the functions of the editing management server 20. For example, a server device (Web server) in which a Web server program is installed and a server device (application server) in which an application program is installed are prepared separately, and functions and linked videos corresponding to access from the user terminal 40 are provided. The functions to be generated may be distributed. In addition, the edit management server 20 provides processing for responding to the request source of the specified video file by providing link information to an external distribution server or transferring (redirecting) a predetermined request to the distribution server. The external distribution server may be burdened. In addition, for example, by causing the file management server 30 to manage the generated linked video file in the same manner as other video files, the file management server 30 can execute a process of responding to the request source of the generated linked video file. Also good.

[2-2-3. File management server]
In FIG. 2, a file management server 30 is a server device (general-purpose computer) in which a file server program is installed.
The file management server 30 has, for example, a function of storing a file acquired from a request source in response to a file storage request in the storage device 31, and a file extracted from the storage device 31 in response to a file extraction request. It has a function to respond to.
It is also possible to configure a file management system by linking a plurality of server devices, and to distribute the functions of the file management server 30. It is also possible to distribute data in a plurality of storage devices built in the file management server 30 or externally connectable. In addition, a dedicated device called NAS (Network Attached Storage) may be used.

[2-2-4. User terminal]
In FIG. 2, a user terminal 40 is a user device (general-purpose computer) having a data display function, a data communication function, a video shooting function, and the like.
In the system of the present embodiment, the user terminal 40 is a portable user device such as a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet terminal, a tablet PC (personal computer), a small PC, or a wearable device. Can be used.

[2-3. Hardware configuration]
[2-3-1. Server device]
FIG. 3 shows a hardware configuration example of the server device.
A typical server device includes a control processing device 310 including an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit) and a ROM (Read Only Memory), a main storage device 320 including a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an HDD (Hard Disc Drive). And an input device 340 including a mouse and a keyboard, an output device 350 including a display and a speaker, and a communication control device 360 including a network card (Network Interface Card).

The main storage device 320, the auxiliary storage device 330, the input device 340, the output device 350, and the communication control device 360 are each connected to the control processing device 310 via a bus line.
The control processing device 310 reads (1) a program stored in the auxiliary storage device 330 into the main storage device 320, and (2) at least one of the input device 340, the auxiliary storage device 330, and the communication control device 360 in accordance with an instruction of the program. Receive data from either of them, (3) calculate and process the acquired data according to the procedure specified by the program, and (4) control communication between the calculated and processed data with the auxiliary storage device 330 and the output device 350 Send to at least one of devices 360.

[2-3-2. User device]
FIG. 4 shows a hardware configuration example of the user apparatus.
A typical user device includes an MPU 411 constituting a control processing unit, a RAM 421 constituting a main storage unit, a ROM 422 and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory) 423 constituting an auxiliary storage unit, and an input / output unit. Photographed with a touch panel display 431 constituting the NIC, a network interface controller (NIC) 441 and a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) chip 442 constituting a communication control unit, and an image sensor (for example, a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor). Using a camera 451 for converting an image into a digital signal, a microphone 452 for converting mechanical vibrations such as a diaphragm generated by sound waves into an electrical signal, and predetermined signals respectively transmitted from a plurality of artificial satellites GPS chip that outputs location information indicating the current location Having at least a 61, a clock 462 that outputs the current time, the.

The RAM 421, ROM 422, EEPROM 423, touch panel display 431, NIC 441, wireless LAN chip 442, camera 451, microphone 452, GPS chip 461, and clock 462 are connected to the MPU 411 via a bus line. The
The MPU 411 (1) reads the program stored in the EEPROM 423 into the RAM 421, and (2) touches the touch panel display 431, the EEPROM 423, the NIC 441, the wireless LAN chip 442, the camera 451, the microphone 452, the GPS chip 461, and the clock 462 according to the instructions of the program. And (3) calculating and processing the acquired data in accordance with the procedure specified in the program, and (4) calculating and processing the processed data into the EEPROM 423, the touch panel display 431, and the NIC 441. The data is sent to at least one of the wireless LAN chip 442.

[2-4. Functional configuration]
FIG. 5 illustrates functional configuration examples of the distribution management server, the file management server, and the user terminal related to the “video distribution service”.
The functions of the distribution management server 10 are realized by installing an OS (Operating System) for the server device and a Web server program operating on the OS, respectively, on the server device. The function of the file management server 30 is realized by installing an OS (Operating System) for the server device and a file server program operating on the OS, respectively, on the server device. The function of the user terminal 40 is that a user device OS and a browser program and various programs (for example, a driver program and an application program for driving the camera 451 and the microphone 452) operating on the OS are installed in the user device. Is realized.

FIG. 6 shows functional configuration examples of the editing management server, the file management server, and the user terminal related to the “linked video generation service”.
The functions of the editing management server 20 are realized by installing an OS (Operating System) for the server device and a Web server program and an application program that operate on the OS, respectively, on the server device. Of the functions of the file management server 30 and the user terminal 40, those having the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 5 are equivalent to the functions shown in FIG.

The program to be installed in the server device is recorded on various recording media (for example, CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), MO disk (Magneto-Optical disk), flash memory, etc.). It may be distributed in a state of being read and read into the server device from the recording medium, or may be supplied to the server device by being superimposed on a carrier wave via a communication network. Further, it may be installed from the beginning of shipment.
Generally, a program to be installed in a user apparatus is supplied to the user apparatus by being superimposed on a carrier wave via a communication network. Note that the program may be distributed in a state of being recorded on various recording media (for example, CD, DVD, MO disk, flash memory, etc.) and read from the recording medium to the user device. Further, it may be installed from the beginning of shipment.

[2-4-1. Functional configuration related to video distribution service]
As illustrated in FIG. 5, the user terminal 40 includes an imaging unit 4010, a storage unit 4020, a detection unit 4030, a request unit 4040, a reception unit 4050, and a display unit 4060.
Among these, the photographing unit 4010 includes a camera 451 and a microphone 452. The storage unit 4020 includes an EEPROM 423. The detection unit 4030 and the display unit 4060 are configured to include a touch panel display 431. The request unit 4040 and the reception unit 4050 are configured to include at least one of the NIC 441 and the wireless LAN chip 442.

The photographing unit 4010 generates a moving image file including content obtained by encoding received video and collected sound in a predetermined format and metadata associated therewith, and causes the storage unit 4020 to store the moving image file.
The metadata includes the type of user terminal (imaging device), position information acquired from the GPS chip 461 (imaging position), and time information acquired from the clock 462 (imaging time).

The request unit 4040 posts (posts) a moving image specified from the moving image file stored in the storage unit 4020 to the distribution management server 10 by a touch operation detected by the detecting unit 4030, and requests its management (moving image). Management request). Further, the distribution management server 10 is requested to distribute a designated moving image specified from the moving images managed by the distribution management server 10 by a touch operation detected by the detection unit 4030 (moving image distribution request).
The receiving unit 4050 receives from the distribution management server 10 a notification that the posted video has been received (acceptance completion notification). Also, information related to the specified movie file (designated movie file) (for example, the designated movie file itself, link information for manually requesting delivery of the designated movie file, redirect information for automatically requesting delivery of the designated movie file) Etc.) from the distribution management server 10. Thereafter, the user terminal 40 acquires the designated moving image as necessary and causes the display unit 4060 to display it.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the file management server 30 includes a file management unit 3010 and a file storage unit 3020.
The file management unit 3010 stores a moving image file (posted moving image file) posted in the file storage unit 3020 in response to an external storage request, and is stored in the file storage unit 3020 in response to an external extraction request. Provide the specified video file.

FIG. 7 illustrates main items of the meta information of the moving image file stored in the file storage unit 3020.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the meta information includes “video ID” (key item), “file name”, “directory path” indicating the storage location, “poster” of the file, and content compression format. “File type”, “frame size (width, height)”, “frame rate”, “length” (playback time), “shooting time”, “shooting position (longitude, latitude, Altitude) "," imaging device ", one or more" tags ", and" comments ".

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the distribution management server 10 includes a reception unit 1010, a management unit 1020, and a response unit 1030.
The receiving unit 1010 receives a moving image management request and a moving image distribution request from the user terminal 40.
The management unit 1020 gives a unique ID to the posted moving image file posted (posted) from the logged-in user terminal 40 and requests the file management unit 3010 to store the file in the file storage unit 3020 in association with the poster's ID. To do. Further, it requests the file management unit 3010 to extract the designated moving image file designated by the user terminal 40 from the file storage unit 3020.
The response unit 1030 responds to the user terminal 40 with information regarding the reception completion notification and the designated moving image file.

[2-4-2. Functional configuration for linked video generation service]
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the user terminal 40 includes a detection unit 4030, a request unit 4040, a reception unit 4050, and a display unit 4060.
Among these, the detection unit 4030 and the display unit 4060 are configured to include a touch panel display 431. The request unit 4040 and the reception unit 4050 are configured to include at least one of the NIC 441 and the wireless LAN chip 442.
In response to the touch operation detected by the detection unit 4030, the request unit 4040 requests generation of a linked movie using a plurality of movie files specified from the movie files stored in the storage unit 4020 (linked) Video generation request).
The receiving unit 4050 has access information for accessing the generated linked video file (for example, link information for manually requesting delivery of the linked video file, redirect information for automatically requesting delivery of the linked video file) Etc.) from the editing management server 20. Thereafter, the user terminal 40 acquires the linked moving image file and displays it on the display unit 4060 in the same procedure as that for acquiring the designated moving image.

As shown in FIG. 6, the edit management server 20 includes a receiving unit 2010, a sorting unit 2020, a setting unit 2030, a selecting unit 2040, a specifying unit 2050, an extracting unit 2060, a connecting unit 2070, and a presenting unit. 2080.
The receiving unit 2010 receives a linked moving image generation request from the user terminal 40.
The sorting unit 2020 sorts a plurality of moving image files related to a specific person into one of a plurality of sections divided for each predetermined period according to the shooting time. The setting unit 2030 sets weights for a plurality of moving image files so that the moving image files of the category having a larger number of moving image files sorted by the sorting unit 2020 are less likely to be selected.

The selection unit 2040 selects a plurality of moving image files (selection files) from the plurality of moving image files in consideration of the weight set by the setting unit 2030. The specifying unit 2050 specifies the extracted portions of the designated length that should form the linked moving image in the plurality of selection files selected by the selection unit 2040. The extraction unit 2060 extracts the extracted portions respectively specified by the specifying unit 2050 from the plurality of selection files. The concatenation unit 2070 concatenates the videos extracted by the extraction unit 2060 to generate a concatenated video, and requests the file management unit 3010 to store a concatenated video file containing the generated concatenated video as content in the file storage unit 3020. To do. Thereafter, the linked moving image file is specified by a distribution subject (server name), a part of a directory path (storage position), and a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) to which the file name is linked.
The presentation unit 2080 responds to the user terminal 40 with the access information of the connected moving image file generated by the connecting unit 2070.

[2-5. Concatenated video generation procedure]
FIG. 8 exemplifies a procedure for generating linked video by the editing management server.
In response to a request from the user terminal 40, the edit management server 20 generates a linked video (linked video) according to the procedure shown in FIG.
[S802] The receiving unit 2010 receives a linked moving image generation request (request) from the user terminal 40. Linked video generation request is included in a menu that is displayed in common on each page of the “video distribution service”, or a link element (for example, text, image, button, etc.) that is individually arranged on any page is displayed. It is assumed that the area is transmitted from the user terminal 40 to the editing management server 20 when the area is designated by the user's touch operation. In addition, when it is possible to generate a plurality of types (for example, two types of 30-second version and three-minute version) of linked moving images, a plurality of link elements respectively corresponding to the versions of the linked moving images may be arranged. In this case, the linked moving image generation request may include a parameter that can identify the version. Further, when the number of moving image files used as a material is insufficient, the link element may be invalidated (hidden or grayed out).

  [S804] The sorting unit 2020 sorts a plurality of moving image files related to a specific person into one of a plurality of sections divided for each month according to the shooting time. In this embodiment, in consideration of the possibility that a moving image file related to a shooting mistake is misunderstood, a moving image file whose content “length” is 6 seconds or longer is selected. Also, the person is stored in a directory associated with a specific person, a tag or comment associated with a specific person is added, or a title related to a specific person is assigned. Video files that are likely to contain captured video are targeted for sorting.

[S808] The setting unit 2030 sets a weight inversely proportional to the number of moving image files sorted by the sorting unit 2020 for each category to a plurality of materials belonging to the category.
[S810a] The selection unit 2040 selects a plurality of moving image files (selection files) from the plurality of moving image files in consideration of the weight set by the setting unit 2030. In this embodiment, a predetermined numerical range is divided according to the ratio of weights set to each moving image file, and each video file is associated with one of the divided ranges to generate a pseudo-random number in the numerical range. The process of selecting the moving image file associated with the division category including the pseudo random number generated in the above is repeated. The number of selections is set according to the length of the linked video. For example, the number of selections is set to 30 when generating a 30-second version of a linked moving image, and the number of selections is set to 180 when generating a 180-second version of a linked moving image.

[S818] The identifying unit 2050 identifies each of the extracted portions of a specified length (uniformly 1 second in the present embodiment) that should form a linked moving image in a plurality of selection files selected by the selecting unit 2040. In the present embodiment, the extraction process is speeded up by randomly specifying the extracted portion within the range from the time point 5 seconds after the beginning to the time point 10 seconds later.
[S820] The extraction unit 2060 extracts the extracted portions respectively specified by the specifying unit 2050 from the plurality of selection files.

[S822] The concatenation unit 2070 concatenates the video extracted by the extraction unit 2060 in ascending order of shooting time while leaving the original audio, and adds a background music (BGM) as necessary to generate a concatenated video. Then, the file management server 30 (storage device 31) manages the linked moving image file having the generated linked moving image as content. If the video of a selected file is vertically long, it is preferable to adjust the height to the horizontally long video by cutting out at least one of the upper and lower parts of the frame image or reducing the size of the frame image.
[S824] The presentation unit 2080 returns the connection moving image access information generated by the connection unit 2070 to the user terminal 40 as a response. Note that since it takes a considerable amount of time to generate the linked video, for example, a page displayed as “Creating” is once returned as a response to the request in S802, and then the user terminal 40 returns to the editing management server 20 every predetermined time. A page update request may be transmitted, and access information of the linked video may be returned when the linked video is completed. Further, it may be notified to a user in a specified range using an e-mail or a notification function that the linked moving image file has been completed.

[3. Modified example]
[3-1. Modification 1: The weight is updated every time a video file is selected]
Every time any video file is selected as a selection file, the weight (ease of selection) of other video files having a predetermined relationship with the selected file is reduced to half or 0 (or an invalid value). Good.
As a result, if video files are sequentially selected with the latest weights added, the possibility that other video files that have a specific relationship with the selected video file will be selected later will be reduced at the same time. There is a relative increase in the possibility that the video file will be selected later.
In the following, as a predetermined relationship, an example (Modification 1A and Modification 1B) assuming a case where shooting times are close or partially overlap and an example (Modification 1C) assuming a case where photographers overlap are assumed. Illustrate. Modification 1A to Modification 1C may be combined with each other.

[3-1-1. Modification 1A]
Each time any video file is selected as the selection file, at least a part of the weight (ease of selection) of other video files belonging to the same category may be halved or 0 (or an invalid value). .
As a result, if a video file is sequentially selected in consideration of the latest weight, the possibility that another video file classified into the same category as the selected video file will be selected later is relatively reduced. At the same time, there is a relatively high possibility that a moving image file classified into another category will be selected later, and as a result, shooting times are less likely to be biased.

Specifically, a plurality of video files that are close in shooting time (for example, with the same shooting date) are grouped, and each time one of them is selected as a selection file, another related video file (“related” An example of “video file”.) The weight (degree of ease of selection) may be halved or 0 (or an invalid value). For example, if the moving image file exists as shown in FIG. 9, the photographing date is set in the moving image file "Y Year M Month D Day" _{<a 1 ,a 2 ,a 3 ,b 1} ,b 2 ,b 3> and shooting date is set _<a 4 each group the ,a _5> of the moving image file of "Y year M month (D + 1) day".
As a result, if video files are selected sequentially with the latest weights added, the possibility that other related video files with a shooting time close to that of the selected video file will be relatively reduced at the same time. Since there is a relatively high possibility that the moving image file will be selected later, the shooting times are less likely to be biased as a result.

In particular, a plurality of moving image files in which at least a part of shooting times overlap each other are grouped, and each time one of them is selected as a selection file, the weight (degree of ease of selection) of other related moving image files in the same group is set to 0. (Or a value that is not valid) is preferred. For example, if the video file is present as shown in FIG. 9, of the moving image file that time shooting shooting date is "Y year M month D day" partially overlap set _{<a 1 ,b 1>, <a} 2, b _1>, grouping _<a 3 _{,b 1>} or a combination thereof _{<a 1 ,a 2 ,a 3 ,b 1} >.
As a result, if video files are sequentially selected with the latest weights added, other related video files that are likely to contain video shot of the same scene as the selected video file can be selected later. As a result, duplication of video recorded in the linked video is eliminated.

Note that the grouping condition may be limited to a case where the shooting positions of a plurality of moving image files are extremely close to each other. Alternatively, a plurality of moving image files may be stored in the same directory, or only when the same tag data is added to the plurality of moving image files.
These improve the identification accuracy of other related moving image files that are very likely to contain video shot of the same scene.

FIG. 10 illustrates a modified example of the procedure for generating linked video by the editing management server.
In response to a request from the user terminal 40, the edit management server 20 may generate a linked video (linked video) according to the procedure shown in FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the process equivalent to an Example (FIG. 8), and duplication description is abbreviate | omitted.
[S806] The sorting unit 2020 further groups the moving image files. For example, a plurality of moving image files whose shooting times are close to each other or at least a part of the shooting times overlap each other may be grouped. Further, the grouping condition may be limited to the case where the shooting positions of a plurality of moving image files are extremely close to each other. It may be limited to the case where it is added.

[S810b] The selection unit 2040 selects a single moving image file (selection file) from a plurality of materials in consideration of the latest weight set by the setting unit 2030. In this embodiment, a predetermined numerical range is divided according to the weight ratio set for each moving image file, each video file is associated with one of the divided ranges, and a pseudorandom number in the numerical range is generated. The moving image file associated with the divided range including the pseudo random number is selected.
[S812b] The selection unit 2040 determines whether the number of selected files is equal to the upper limit number. If they are not equal (S812b: No), the process proceeds to S814b. On the other hand, if they are equal (S812b: Yes), the process exits the loop and proceeds to S818. Note that the upper limit of the number of selections is set according to the length of the linked video. For example, the number of selections is set to 30 when generating a 30-second version of a linked moving image, and the number of selections is set to 180 when generating a 180-second version of a linked moving image.

[S814b] The selection unit 2040 determines whether there is another related video file that belongs to the same group as the video file selected immediately before. When it exists (S814b: Yes), it progresses to S816b. On the other hand, when it does not exist (S814b: No), the process returns to S810b.
[S816b] The setting unit 2030 resets the weights for other related video files belonging to the same group as the video file selected immediately before. For example, the weights of other related video files that are close in shooting time may be halved, or the weights of other related video files in which at least some of the shooting times overlap each other may be set to 0 (or an invalid value). .

[3-1-2. Modification 1B]
Each time a video file is selected as a selection file, the weight of other video files that are close to each other (e.g., the shooting date is within a certain number of days) across the boundary between the video file and the section (selected The degree of ease) may be reduced. For example, when a moving image file is distributed as shown in FIG. 11, a moving image file belonging to one sub-section between the sub-section 3 of the (n + 1) -th section and the sub-section 1 of the (n + 2) -th section. Each time it is selected, the weights of other moving image files belonging to the other sub-section are uniformly set to 2/3.
As a result, if video files are sequentially selected with the latest weights added, there is a relative possibility that other video files that are close to the shooting time across the boundary line of the selected video file will be selected later. At the same time, the possibility that other moving image files will be selected later is relatively increased. This eliminates the inconvenience that the shooting time is biased immediately before and after the time that becomes the boundary of the division.

Each time a video file is selected as a selection file, the weight of another video file (for example, the deviation of the shooting date is within a certain number of days) whose shooting time is close across the boundary between the video file and the section (for example, The degree of ease of selection) may be reduced in a stepwise manner in accordance with the degree of deviation of the photographing time. For example, the weight of a moving image file in which the deviation of the shooting date from the selected moving image file is i days (for example, 1 ≦ i ≦ 10) across the boundary of the section is set to (i + 1) / (i + 2).
As a result, the process of sorting into sub-sections can be omitted.

FIG. 12 illustrates a modified example of the procedure for generating linked video by the editing management server.
In response to a request from the user terminal 40, the edit management server 20 may generate a linked video (linked video) according to the procedure shown in FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the process equivalent to an Example (FIG. 8) or the modification 1A (FIG. 10), and duplication description is abbreviate | omitted.
[S804] The sorting unit 2020 sorts a plurality of moving image files related to a specific person into one of a plurality of sections divided for each month according to the shooting time. Further, if necessary, the plurality of moving image files are further classified into sub-sections obtained by subdividing the sections.

[S814c] The selection unit 2040 determines whether or not there is another moving image file having a shooting time close to the moving image file selected immediately before and across the boundary between the sections. When it exists (S814c: Yes), it progresses to S816c. On the other hand, when it does not exist (S814c: No), the process returns to S810b.
[S816c] The setting unit 2030 resets the weights for other moving image files whose shooting times are close to each other across the boundary between the moving image file selected immediately before and the section. For example, the weight of another moving image file belonging to an adjacent sub-section across the boundary of the section is set to 2/3, or the deviation of the shooting date is over the boundary of the section i days (for example, 1 ≦ i ≦ 10) For example, the weight of a moving image file may be (i + 1) / (i + 2).

[3-1-3. Modification 1C]
Each time a moving image file is selected as the selection file, the weight (the degree of ease of selection) of the moving image file and another moving image file that matches the image capturing device or the poster may be halved.
As a result, if a video file is sequentially selected in consideration of the latest weight, there is a possibility that another video file that is likely to have been shot by the same photographer as the selected video file is selected later. At the same time as it falls relatively, the possibility that another moving image file will be selected later increases relatively, so that it is possible to suppress the bias of the photographer.

[3-2. Variation 2: Replace the specified part of the linked video with a substitute video]
While a linked video is being displayed, a designated part designated by a predetermined user action (for example, voice, gesture, mouse operation, button operation, touch operation, etc.) is close to the video of the designated part and shooting time or at least partially. A mechanism for replacing with an alternative image that overlaps with may be further added to the embodiment, the modified example 1A, the modified example 1B, or the modified example 1C.
Since the substitute video is close to or at least partially overlapping the video of the designated portion, the linked video after editing is less likely to be biased in the shooting time.

[3-2-1. Modification 2A]
In particular, a candidate connected moving image obtained by connecting a plurality of alternative video candidates may be further presented to the user, and a candidate corresponding to a timing specified by a touch operation detected during display of the candidate connected moving image may be captured in the alternative video.
Since the modification 2A has a simple configuration, it can be operated intuitively. In addition, the number of changing elements from the embodiment and the modification is small.

For example, at the timing when the video A and video B of the connected moving image (FIG. 13A) are displayed on the display unit 4060, the detection unit 4030 performs a predetermined touch operation (for example, a tap operation) for the connected moving image display area. ) Are detected respectively.
At this time, the edit management server 20 presents the candidate connected moving image (FIG. 13 (b)) for the video A and the candidate connected moving image (FIG. 13 (c)) for the video B to the user according to the designated timing, The alternative video to be replaced with the designated portion (video A and video B) is selected.
When the alternative video is selected, the edit management server 20 generates a new connected video in which the designated parts (video A and video B) of the connected video are replaced with the alternative video, and presents them to the user.

Note that the candidate connected moving image may be generated by, for example, extracting at least a part of the next video as alternative video candidates and connecting them in order of shooting time or randomly.
-Video of one or more specified lengths extracted from the moving image file (selected file) from which the video of the specified part is extracted. For example, a video of a specified length that is extracted from a portion that does not include the video of the specified portion, by dividing the selected file into a plurality of portions according to the number of extractions.
A plurality of moving image files (when grouped as in Modification 1A), in which the moving image file (selected file) from which the video of the designated portion is extracted is close to the shooting time or at least a part of the shooting time overlaps each other, Video of a specified length that is extracted at least one part from another related video file belonging to the same group).

[3-2-2. Modification 2B]
In particular, one or a plurality of divided videos (for example, candidates extracted from a plurality of moving image files whose shooting times overlap at least partially are divided into a plurality of sections (for example, m rows and n columns sections, a single main section and a single or The connected video including the video displayed on the screen divided into multiple sub-compartments) is presented to the user, and the candidate corresponding to the compartment specified by the touch operation detected during the display of the divided video is substituted. It may be captured in the video.
In the modified example 2B, a connected moving image with options from the beginning is presented to the user, and the predetermined touch operation serves both as the designation of timing and the selection of candidates, so that the number of steps for editing the connected moving image is reduced.

For example, it is assumed that the divided video C (FIG. 14B or FIG. 14C) is included in the initial connected moving image (FIG. 14A).
The divided video C illustrated in FIG. 14B is divided into a total of four sections (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B) in 2 rows and 2 columns, and a plurality of different video files (for example, When the four moving image files a ₁ , a ₂ , a ₃ , and b ₁ shown in FIG. 9 are grouped and any one is selected as a selection file, the four moving image files in the group including the selected file are displayed. ) Video of a specified length that is randomly extracted from each of the frames is simultaneously displayed in each section. At this time, the correspondence between the extracted video and the section in which the video is displayed may be arbitrarily determined.
On the other hand, the divided video C illustrated in FIG. 14C is composed of one main section (3A) and three sub-partitions (4A, 4B, 4C) arranged in front of the display range of the main section. Are divided into a total of four sections, and a plurality of different moving image files (for example, four moving image files a ₁ , a ₂ , a ₃ , b ₁ shown in FIG. 9 are grouped, and one of them is When selected as a selection file, videos of a specified length that are randomly extracted from the four moving image files in the group including the selection file) are simultaneously displayed in each section. At this time, the video extracted from the selected file may be displayed in the main section (3A), and the video extracted from the related video file other than the selected file may be displayed in the sub section. Note that a main section and a subsection may be arranged so that the display areas do not overlap each other.

Then, it is assumed that a predetermined touch operation (for example, a tap operation) targeting any one of the sections is detected by the detection unit 4030 at the timing when the divided video is displayed on the display unit 4060.
At this time, the edit management server 20 generates a new connected moving image in which the designated portion (divided video C) corresponding to the designated timing is replaced with the video corresponding to the designated section, and presents it to the user.

[3-2-3. Modification 2C]
In particular, a connected moving image including one or a plurality of divided videos is presented to the user, and a first touch operation detected during display of the divided videos (for example, a flick operation in a specific direction different from the single tap operation and the second touch operation) Or a candidate corresponding to a section designated by a swipe operation or the like is taken into the substitute video and is different from a second touch operation (for example, a double tap operation, a press operation, or a first touch operation) detected during the display of the divided video. During the display of the candidate linked video, the candidate linked video is further presented to the user by linking other parts of the video file from which the candidate is extracted corresponding to the section designated by the flick operation or swipe operation in a specific direction). Candidates corresponding to the timing designated by the touch operation may be taken into the substitute video.

Since the modified example 2C presents a connected moving image with options from the beginning to the user, and a predetermined touch operation (first touch operation and second touch operation) serves as both timing specification and selection of a section (candidate), Fewer steps are required to edit the linked video.
In addition, it is possible to select whether to adopt the displayed candidate as it is or to examine the part before and after the candidate by a predetermined touch operation (first touch operation and second touch operation). Editing can be done intuitively.

  Note that the candidate linked video is, for example, one or a plurality of videos having a specified length extracted from the video file from which the video corresponding to the specified section is extracted (for example, the video file is divided into a plurality of parts according to the number of extractions). And by extracting at least a part of the video of the specified length extracted from the portion not including the video corresponding to the specified section) as alternative video candidates and connecting them in order of shooting time or randomly. Good.

[3-2-4. Modification 2D]
In particular, a connected moving image including one or a plurality of divided videos is presented to the user, and a first touch operation detected during display of the divided videos (for example, a flick operation in a specific direction different from the single tap operation and the second touch operation) Or a candidate corresponding to a section designated by a swipe operation or the like is taken into the substitute video and is different from a second touch operation (for example, a double tap operation, a press operation, or a first touch operation) detected during the display of the divided video. During the display of the candidate split video, the user is further presented with a candidate split video obtained by linking other parts of the video file of the candidate extraction source corresponding to the section designated by the flick operation or swipe operation in a specific direction) Candidates corresponding to the sections designated by the touch operation may be taken into the substitute video.

Similar to the modified example 2C, the modified example 2D presents a connected moving image with options from the beginning to the user, and a predetermined touch operation (first touch operation and second touch operation) specifies timing and partitions (candidates). Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of steps for editing the linked video.
In addition, it is possible to select whether to adopt the displayed candidate as it is or to examine the part before and after the candidate by a predetermined touch operation (first touch operation and second touch operation). Editing can be done intuitively.

[3-3. Other variations]
In the embodiment, only the moving image file whose content length is 6 seconds or more is targeted, but the threshold value can be arbitrarily set.
In the embodiment, the extraction part is randomly specified within the range from the time point 5 seconds after the beginning of the moving image content to the time point 10 seconds later, but the range for specifying the extraction part can be arbitrarily set.
In the embodiment, the extracted portion is specified at random (S820 in FIGS. 8, 10, and 12), but may be specified according to feedback from the viewer. For example, the viewer may be caused to perform some operation while the moving image file is displayed, and the extracted portion may be specified so that a portion where the cumulative number of times the operation has been performed is included within a certain period is included.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Distribution management server 20 Editing management server 30 File management server 31 Storage device 40 User terminal 50 Communication network

Claims (16)

Sorting means for sorting a plurality of video files related to a specific object into one of a plurality of sections divided at predetermined intervals according to shooting time,
The sorting means with respect to the plurality of video files includes weights added when selecting a plurality of selection files from which the extraction portions of a specified length to be incorporated into the connected video are to be specified. A setting means for setting each of the video files so that it is difficult to select a video file with a larger number of video files sorted by
An information processing apparatus comprising: Each time the setting means selects one video file so that another video file having a predetermined relationship with the video file is not selected or is less likely to be selected than before resetting. Reset the weight for the video file of
Further comprising selection means for sequentially selecting a plurality of the selection files in consideration of the latest weight set by the setting means;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The setting means makes it difficult to select at least a part of other video files belonging to the same category as the video file every time a video file is selected or to be compared with before the resetting. To reset the weight to the other video file,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. The sorting means further groups the plurality of video files in the category so that a plurality of video files that are close to each other so that the shooting time satisfies a predetermined standard belong to the same group,
The setting means is configured so that every time one video file is selected, other related video files belonging to the same group as the video file are not selected or are less likely to be selected than before resetting. Reset weights to other related video files,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3. The sorting means is grouped so that a plurality of video files in which at least some of the shooting times overlap each other belong to the same group,
The setting means resets the weight to the other related video file so that the other related video file belonging to the same group as the video file is not selected every time one video file is selected.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4. The sorting means further groups the plurality of video files so that the plurality of video files overlapping at least part of the shooting timing belong to the same group only when the shooting positions are close enough to meet a predetermined standard. ,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5. The plurality of videos so that a plurality of video files that overlap at least part of the shooting times belong to the same group only when the sorting means is stored in the same directory or the same tag data is added. Group files further,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5. Presenting means for displaying on the display device the connected video in which the extracted portions respectively specified in the plurality of selected files are sequentially displayed;
Editing means for replacing a designated portion designated by a predetermined action of a viewer during display of the connected video with an alternative video;
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, further comprising: A plurality of alternative video candidates each including at least one of the other part of the selection file from which the designated part is extracted and the part of the other related video file belonging to the same group as the selection file After the designated part is designated, the display device further displays the candidate connected video obtained by connecting
The editing means captures a designation candidate designated by a designation operation of a viewer during display of the candidate linked video into the substitute video;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 8. Divided video in which the presenting means is displayed simultaneously on the screen in which the candidates for the extracted portion respectively specified in the selected file and the other related video files belonging to the same group as the selected file are divided into a plurality of sections And displaying the connected video including: on the display device,
The editing means, when the designated portion includes the divided video, the candidate displayed in the designated section that is designated by the touch operation for designating the designated portion is taken into the substitute video,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 8. Divided video in which the presenting means is displayed simultaneously on the screen in which the candidates for the extracted portion respectively specified in the selected file and the other related video files belonging to the same group as the selected file are divided into a plurality of sections And displaying the connected video including: on the display device,
The editing means, when the designated portion includes the divided video, captures the candidate displayed in the designated section designated together by the first touch operation for designating the designated portion into the substitute video,
In addition to the selection file of the candidate extraction source displayed in the designated section designated by the second touch operation for designating the designated portion when the designated portion includes the divided video, the presenting means A candidate linked video obtained by linking a plurality of alternative video candidates each including a portion of the designated area is further displayed on the display device after the designated section is designated,
The editing means captures a designation candidate designated by a designation operation of a viewer during display of the candidate linked video into the substitute video;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 8. Divided video in which the presenting means is displayed simultaneously on the screen in which the candidates for the extracted portion respectively specified in the selected file and the other related video files belonging to the same group as the selected file are divided into a plurality of sections And displaying the connected video including: on the display device,
The editing means, when the designated portion includes the divided video, captures the candidate displayed in the designated section designated together by the first touch operation for designating the designated portion into the substitute video,
In addition to the selection file of the candidate extraction source displayed in the designated section designated by the second touch operation for designating the designated portion when the designated portion includes the divided video, the presenting means A plurality of alternative video candidates each including a portion of the candidate video that is simultaneously displayed on a screen divided into a plurality of sections, after the designated section is designated, further displayed on the display device,
The editing means captures the candidate displayed in the designated section designated by the touch operation of the viewer during the display of the candidate divided video into the substitute video.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 8. Each time the setting unit selects one video file, it is difficult to select another video file that is close to the video file and the shooting time so as to meet a predetermined standard across the boundary of the classification. Reset weights to other video files,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 12. The setting means resets the weight to the other video file so that it is difficult to select another video file that matches the video file and the photographing device or the contributor every time one video file is selected.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 13. A sorting step of sorting a plurality of video files related to a specific object into one of a plurality of sections divided at predetermined intervals according to shooting time,
In the sorting step, weights added when selecting a plurality of selection files to be specified from each of the plurality of video files, each of which has a specified length to be included in the connected video, are specified. A setting step for setting each of the video files so that it is difficult to select a video file of a category having a large number of video files to be sorted in
A method for controlling an information processing apparatus. A sorting function that sorts a plurality of video files related to a specific object into one of a plurality of sections divided at predetermined intervals according to shooting time,
The sorting function with respect to the plurality of video files, the weight added when selecting the plurality of selection files from which the extraction portions of the designated lengths to be incorporated into the connected video are to be specified. A setting function that sets each of the video files so that the more the video files of the category that are sorted by
Is a control program for causing a computer of an information processing apparatus to realize the above.

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