Method and system for image transformation

A system for transforming a two-dimensional input video image data onto a three-dimensional surface comprising:

• (A) means for defining said three-dimensional surface;
• (B) means for providing mapping data for transforming said two-dimensional input video image data onto said surface;
• (C) first memory means for storing said two-dimensional input video image data;
• (D) means for transforming said two-dimensional input video image data stored in said first memory means according to said mapping data so as to output a two-dimensional video image data;
• (E) second memory means for storing weighting factors representing shading on said surface caused by an imaginary light source disposed at an arbitrary position, said weighting factors being provided by calculation according to first vectors respectively representing normal vectors of minute areas provided on said surface and second vectors respectively representing directions from said minute areas toward said imaginary light source and calculating an inner product of said first and second vectors;
• and
• (F) means for weighting a signal representative of said input video image data or said input video image data according to said weighting factors whereby both luminescence and hue components of said signal are changed according to said weighting factors.

A system for transforming a two-dimensional input video image data onto a three-dimensional surface comprising:

• (A) means for defining said three-dimensional surface;
• (B) means for providing mapping data for transforming said two-dimensional input video image data onto said surface;
• (C) first memory means for storing said two-dimensional input video image data;
• (D) means for transforming said input video image data stored in said first memory means according to said mapping data so as to provide a two-dimensional output video image data;
• (E) means for detecting gap portions on said output video image data according to said mapping data when no properly transformed video image data exists.

The method of transforming a two-dimensional input video image data onto a three- dimensional surface wherein said two-dimensional input video image data has been transferred onto a three-dimensional surface according to predetermined mapping data so as provide three-dimensional video image data on said three-dimensional surface, comprising the steps of:

• (A) calculating first vectors respectively representing normal vectors of minute areas provided on said surface;
• (B) calculating second vectors respectively representing directions from said minute areas toward an imaginary light source disposed at an arbitrary position;
• (C) calculating values of an inner product of said first and second vectors;
• (D) calculating weighting factors according to said values of said inner product of said first and said second vectors calculated in steps (A) and (B), said weighting factors respectively representing said shading on said minute areas caused by said imaginary light source;
• and
• (E) weighting a signal representative of said two-dimensional input video image data according to said weighting factors whereby both luminescence and hue components of said signal are changed according to said weighting factors.