Image analysis – Image transformation or preprocessing – Transforming each dimension separately
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-10
2001-02-27
Boudreau, Leo H. (Department: 2721)
Image analysis
Image transformation or preprocessing
Transforming each dimension separately
C382S154000, C345S440000, C348S578000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195470
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a special effect system, particularly to a special effect system capable of easily generating a symmetric image point-symmetric, line-symmetric, or plane-symmetric to a main image to which a special effect is applied.
BACKGROUND ART
Conventionally, in the field of image processing, a special effect such as three-dimensional transformation, rotation, or movement is frequently applied to a source image. Moreover recently, a symmetric image point-symmetric, line-symmetric, or plane-symmetric to a main image generated by applying a special effect to a source image is obtained and it is displayed together with the main image. For example, as shown in
FIG. 1
, by displaying a main image
1
generated by applying three-dimensional rotational processing to the main image
1
and a symmetric image
1
A line-symmetric to the main image
1
, it is possible to provide an image
2
in which two persons seemingly talk to each other for audiences.
To generate the above image
2
, a conventional special-effect system first obtains the main image
1
by three-dimensionally rotating a first source image by a predetermined angle and displays the image
1
at a predetermined position in the screen shown in FIG.
1
. Moreover, the special effect system displays the symmetric image
1
A by rotating a second source image by an angle equal to the case of the first source image in the direction opposite to the case of the first source image and thereafter, displaying the second source image at a line-symmetric position designated by an operator. Thereby, the conventional special-effect system obtains the image
2
in which the main image
1
and the symmetric image
1
A are displayed at the same time.
In this case, to designate a symmetric position, the operator calculates the symmetric position of the main image
1
and inputs the position to the special effect system through an input unit such as a ten-key pad or slowly inputs positional information through an input unit such as a track ball, joy stick, or mouse to designate a symmetric position by eye measure. Therefore, the conventional special-effect system is problematic in that it takes a lot of time to designate the symmetric position thus burdening the operator. Moreover, to designate the symmetric position by an input unit such as a track ball, joy stick, or mouse, the operator designates the symmetric position by eye measure while viewing the screen in which the symmetric image
1
A is displayed. Therefore, there are problems that the symmetric position cannot be accurately designated and therefore, the symmetric image
1
A cannot be accurately obtained.
Furthermore, as depicted in
FIG. 2
, to display the main image
1
and the symmetric image
1
A line-symmetric to the main image
1
and obtain an image
3
in which the symmetric image
1
A is moved in accordance with the movement of the main image
1
(note the symmetrical movement of image
1
A as the main image
1
moves in FIG.
2
), there are problems that the symmetric position of the main image
1
must be designated each time and thereby, a lot of time is required.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is made to solve the above problems and i its object is to provide a special effect system capable of easily obtaining a symmetric image by designating a point, line, or plane serving as a symmetry yardstick without designating a symmetric position by an operator.
To solve the above problems, the present invention uses a special effect system for applying image transformation to an input source video signal, which comprises first image processing means for applying specified image transformation to an input first source video signal to generate the video signal of a main image and second image processing means for generating the video signal of a symmetric image point-symmetric, line-symmetric, or plane-symmetric to the main image by receiving a second source video signal same as or different from the first source video signal and applying symmetric image transformation to the second source video signal in accordance with the image transformation applied to the main image and a point, line, or plane specified as a symmetry yardstick. Thereby, only by specifying a point, line, or plane serving as a symmetry yardstick, it is possible to easily obtain a symmetric image symmetric to a main image to which image transformation is applied.
Moreover, the present invention uses a special effect system for applying image transformation to an input source video signal, which comprises control means for computing a first matrix parameter for image transformation in accordance with a specified special-effect parameter and computing a second matrix parameter for obtaining a point-symmetric line-symmetric or plane-symmetric image in accordance with the special effect parameter and a point, line, or plane serving as a specified symmetry yardstick, a first read address generation means for generating a first read address for image transformation in accordance with the first matrix parameter received, second read address generation means for generating a second read address for obtaining a point-symmetric, line-symmetric, or plane-symmetric image in accordance with the second matrix parameter received, first memory means for generating the video signal of a main image by successively storing the input first source video signal in an internal storage area and reading the first source video signal from the storage area specified by the first read address in order and thereby, applying image transformation specified by the special effect parameter to the first source video signal, and second memory means for generating the video signal of a symmetric image point-symmetric, line-symmetric, or plane-symmetric to the main image by receiving a second source video signal same as or different from the first source video signal and successively storing the second source video signal in an internal storage area and reading the second source video signal from the storage are a specified by the second read address.
Thus, it is possible to easily obtain a symmetric image symmetric to a main image to which image transformation is applied only by specifying a point, line, or plane serving as a symmetry yardstick by computing a second matrix parameter in accordance with a special effect parameter to be applied to a main image and a point, line, or plane specified as a symmetry yardstick, making the matrix parameter work on a second read address, and reading a second source video signal from a memory in accordance with the second read address.
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Hayashi Ryosuke
Minami Nobuyuki
Sasaki Yutaka
Boudreau Leo H.
Frommer William S.
Frommer Lawrence & Haug LLP.
Savit Glenn F.
Sherali Ishrat
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