Image transforming apparatus and method

• US 5,295,199 A
• Filed: 11/12/1992
• Issued: 03/15/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Shino, Masaaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Boudreau, Leo H.
• Application Number:
  US07/975,394
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 381/1, 381/41, 358/22, 395/125
• US Class Current: 345/581
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/506 Illumination models

Abstract

An image transforming apparatus for transforming an input video signal representing a two dimensional image into a transformed video signal representing a three-dimensional surface and for depicting illumination of the image is provided. The image transforming apparatus includes a device for defining the three-dimensional surface, a device for providing a mapping data signal for transforming the input signal into the three-dimensional surface, a device for transforming the input video signal in accordance with the mapping data signal so as to generate the transformed video signal, a device for storing a plurality of illumination pattern data signals each of which depicts differential illumination of the transformed video signals, a device for mixing the illumination pattern signals in accordance with the mapping data signal so that the mixing ratio of the illumination pattern signals is varied and a device for depicting illumination to the transformed video signal in accordance with the mixed illumination pattern signal. An effect surface, which is an externally defined three-dimensional surface on which the image information processed in accordance with special effect processing is mapped, is changed in shape and the image information is mapped to suit to the so-changed effect surface by controlling the mixing ratio to present a realistic image.

Claims

1. An image transforming apparatus for transforming an input video signal representing a two-dimensional image into a transformed video signal representing a three-dimensional surface and for depicting illumination thereof, comprising:

means receiving data including said input video signal representing a two-dimensional image and light source position data for defining a shape of said three-dimensional surface based upon said input video signal representing a two-dimensional image and for providing a mapping data signal for transforming said input video signal representing a two-dimensional image into a signal representing said defined three-dimensional surface;

means for transforming said input video signal representing a two-dimensional image in accordance with said mapping data signal so as to generate said signal representing said defined three-dimensional surface;

controller means for producing a plurality of illumination pattern data signals based upon said signal representing said defined three-dimensional surface and said light source position data;

generator means for receiving the plurality of illumination pattern data signals from said controller means for producing for generating a plurality of illumination pattern signals, each of which depicts differential illumination of said defined three-dimensional surface; and

means for mixing said plurality of illumination pattern signals in accordance with said mapping data signal so that the mixing ratio of said plurality of illumination pattern signals is varied thereby.

2. The image transforming apparatus according to claim 1, in which said illumination pattern signals include at least a first pattern signal depicting an illumination of a plane surface, and a second pattern signal depicting an illumination of a curved surface.

3. The image transforming apparatus according to claim 1, in which said illumination pattern signals are mixed in said means for mixing with the input video signal.

4. A method for transforming an input video signal representing a two-dimensional image into a transformed video signal representing a three-dimensional surface and for depicting illumination thereof, comprising the steps of:

defining said three-dimensional surface based upon said input video signal representing a two-dimensional image and light source position data;

providing a mapping data signal for transforming said input signal representing a two-dimensional image into a signal representing said defined three-dimensional surface;

transforming said input video signal representing a two-dimensional image in accordance with said mapping data signal so as to generate said signal representing said defined three-dimensional surface;

producing a plurality of illumination pattern data signals based upon said defined three-dimensional surface and said light source position data;

generating a plurality of illumination pattern signals, each of which depicts differential illumination of said defined three-dimensional surface, based upon said plurality of illumination pattern data signals;

mixing said plurality of illumination pattern signals in accordance with said mapping data signal so that the mixing ratio of said illumination pattern signals is varied thereby.

5. The method according to claim 4 in which said plurality of illumination pattern signals includes at least a first illumination pattern signal depicting an illumination of a plane surface, and a second illumination pattern signal depicting an illumination of a curved surface.

6. The method according to claim 4 in which said illumination pattern signals are mixed in the step of mixing with the input video signal.