A key frame extraction system and method for extracting key frames from a
video based on motion analysis of frames within the video. Key frames are
highlight frames that are effective in summarizing a video sequence. This
allows a user to quickly find a desired spot in a video is long and
contains differing subject matter. The key frame extraction system and
method uses a triangle model of the motion energy in each frame and
extracts key frames based on this model. More specifically, motion
analysis is performed on the video frames in order to identify motion
acceleration and motion deceleration points within the frames. A triangle
model of motion then is constructed based on results of the motion
analysis. The apex of the triangle represents a turning point between
motion acceleration and motion deceleration. Frames corresponding to this
apex are selected as key frames.