Importance

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Abstract

An image search control apparatus provides an index number to a reproducer having a storage medium on which a plurality of still images constituting a motion picture is stored. Each still image is identified by an index number. The reproducer reproduces and provides as a video signal the plurality of still images constituting the motion picture and the index number of each still image. Alternatively, in response to receiving an index number, the reproducer reproduces and provides as the video signal the still image corresponding to the received index number. The image search control appartus comprises a selector that receives the video signal from the reproducer and that selects from the still images constituting the motion picture a number of selected still images. An index memory stores each of the selected still images and its index number. A display receives the video signal from the reproducer and also receives a number of selected still images from the index memory. The display displays simultaneously on the same screen a moving or still primary picture in response to the video signal from the reproducer, and a number of secondary pictures, each secondary picture being in response one selected still image. A pointing device chooses one of the secondary pictures. A controller, responsive to the pointing device, copies the index number of the still image corresponding to the chosen secondary picture form the index memory to the reproducer.

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First Claim