Method and system for image transformation

Claim 1

A transforming system for transforming a two dimensional input video image data into two dimensional output video image data representing input image when projected on a three-dimensional surface comprising: means (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) for defining a three-dimensional surface: means (17, 18) for providing mapping data according to said defined three-dimensional surface for transforming said input video image data; first memory means (34) for storing said input video image data; means (30) for transforming said input video image data stored in said first memory means (34) according to said mapping data so as to provide two-dimensional output video image data representing the input image when projected on said three-dimensional surface; characterized by means (22, 38) for detecting gap portions in the two dimensional output video image data in which no transformed input video image data exists or an incorrect transformed input video image data exists, said means comprising second memory means (22, 22A, 22B, 22C) for storing flag data associated to each element of said output video image, each flag data indicating at least one of a) no data is transformed, b) whether corresponding data of the input video image is front side or back side data of said surface, c) storing address data of said first memory means (34) from which the corresponding element of said output video image originates, said gap detecting means (22, 38) further comprising means for reading out said second memory means (22, 22A, 22B, 22C) and for determining that there is a gap when extreme discontinuities are detected in the readout data stream; and means (32) for interpolating video image data for said gap portions by the calculation using the video image data on the periphery of said gap portions.