Image transformation system for producing a kaleidoscope effect

Claim 1

An image transformation system for performing image transformation processing on an input image by reading input image data into a storage means, performing mapping on orthogonal coordinates of the input image data to generate modified orthogonal coordinates, and forming an output image by reading said image data from said storage means according to said modified orthogonal coordinates; wherein said output image that results from said transformation processing appears as a kaleidoscopically rearranged version of said input image, not merely a rotated version of said input image; and wherein said mapping is performed by a mapping means, said mapping means comprising: first mirror processing means for generating reflected orthogonal coordinates based upon predetermined equations, said reflected orthogonal coordinates being generated by processing said orthogonal coordinates of the input image data using a lookup table which is set by a central processing unit such that said input image data is reflected about multiple predetermined reflection straight lines which are respectively parallel to the X-axis and Y-axis in the X-Y plane; first transformation means for transforming said reflected orthogonal coordinates into polar coordinates; second mirror processing means for generating reflected polar coordinates based upon predetermined equations, said reflected polar coordinates being generated using a lookup table which is set by said central processing unit by reflecting said polar coordinates about multiple predetermined polar straight reflection lines which are radially positioned at every specified angle from the center point of the image; and second transformation means for transforming said reflected polar coordinates into said modified orthogonal coordinates by adding the output of the first transformation means and the second mirror processing means.