Method and apparatus for detecting scene changes in video using a histogram of frame differences

Abstract

The present invention is directed to method of detecting a scene change in video. The method includes a difference being calculated between consecutive frames of the video producing a plurality of difference values. A histogram is taken of the difference values. A scene change is detected if a majority of the difference values in the histogram exceed a predetermined value.

1 - 6 . (canceled)  
     
     
         7 . A video device, comprising: 
 a decoder for decoding an incoming bit-stream to produce frames of video; and    a scene change detection unit for calculating a difference between consecutive frames of the video producing a plurality of difference values and detecting a scene change if a majority of the difference values exceed a predetermined value.    
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein the scene change detection unit further performs taking a histogram of the difference values.  
     
     
         9 . A method of detecting a scene change in video, the method comprising the steps of: 
 determining if a frame of video is an I-frame;    detecting a scene change based on a histogram of frame differences if the frame is an I-frame; and    detecting a scene change based on coding information if the frame is not an I-frame.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the detecting a scene change based on a histogram of frame differences includes: 
 calculating a difference between consecutive frames of the video producing a plurality of difference values;    taking a histogram of the difference values; and    detecting a scene change if a majority of the difference values in the histogram exceed a predetermined value.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the detecting a scene change based on coding information includes: 
 determining a number of Intra-coded blocks in a P-frame;    detecting a scene change if the number of Intra-coded blocks exceeds a predetermined number.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the detecting a scene change based on coding information includes: 
 determining a number of backward-predicted blocks in a B-frame;    detecting a scene change if the number of backward-predicted blocks exceeds a predetermined number.    
     
     
         13 . A memory medium including code for detecting a scene change in video, the code comprising: 
 a code for determining if a frame of video is an I-frame;    a code for detecting a scene change based on a histogram of frame differences if the frame is an I-frame; and    a code for detecting a scene change based on coding information if the frame is not an I-frame.    
     
     
         14 . A video device, comprising: 
 a decoder for decoding an incoming bit-stream to produce frames of video; and    a scene change detection unit for determining if a frame of video is an I-frame, detecting a scene change based on a histogram of frame differences if the frame is an I-frame and    detecting a scene change based on coding information if the frame is not an I-frame.