System and method for generating audio-visual summaries for audio-visual program content
The invention describes a system ( 1 ) for generating audio-visual summaries for audio-visual program content ( 3 ). The system comprises a search unit ( 4 ) for locating a pre-generated text summary ( 5 ;) associated with the program content ( 3 ); a speech synthesizer ( 6 ) for converting the text summary ( 5 ,) into speech ( 7 ); a video 5 summary generator ( 8 ) for generating a video summary ( 9 ) of the audio-visual program content ( 3 ), and an audio/video mixer ( 10 ) for mixing the synthesized speech ( 7 ) with the video summary ( 9 ). Moreover the invention describes an appropriate method for generating audio-visual summaries ( 5 i ) for audio-visual program content ( 3 ).
1. A system for generating an audio-visual summary for audio-visual program content, said system comprising: a search unit for locating a pre-generated text summary associated with the program content but not provided with the program content; a speech synthesizer for converting the selected text summary into speech; a video summary generator for generating a video summary of the audio-visual program content; an audio/video mixer for mixing the synthesized speech with the video summary.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the search unit comprises a selector for selecting according to pre-defined criteria one text summary from the located text summaries, should more than one summary have been located.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a user interface for inputting user preferences.
4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a library for storing pre-generated text summaries for future use.
5. The system according to claim 1 , containing a computer network interface and a search engine for locating pre-generated text summaries in a computer network.
6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the system comprises an audio processor for identifying audio content of the audio-visual signal suitable for inclusion in the summary.
7. A media device comprising a system according to claim 1 .
8. A method for automatically generating audio-visual summaries for audio-visual program content on a multimedia device, which method comprises: the multimedia device, locating a pre-generated text summary associated with the program content but not provided with the program content; synthesizing the selected text summary into speech; generating a video summary of the audio-visual program content; mixing the synthesized speech with the video summary.
9. A method according to claim 8 wherein a text summary is selected according to predefined criteria from the located text summaries, should more than one summary have been located.
10. A method according to claim 8 wherein locating and/or selecting a pre-generated text summary is performed according to the user preferences.
11. A computer readable medium including code for automatically generating audio-visual summaries for audio-visual program content, said medium comprising:
code for locating a pre-generated text summary associated with the program content but not provided with the program content;
code for synthesizing the selected text summary into speech;
code for generating a video summary of the audio-visual program content; and
code for mixing the synthesized speech with the video summary.