Gradient-index lens-array method based on real-time integral photography for three-dimensional images

Abstract

Because a three-dimensional (3-D) autostereoscopic image can be seen from a desired viewpoint without the aid of special viewing glasses, integral photography (IP) is an ideal way to create 3-D autostereoscopic images. We have already proposed a real-time IP method that offers 3-D autostereoscopic images of moving objects in real time by use of a microlens array and a high-definition television camera. But there are two problems yet to be resolved: One is pseudoscopic images that show a reversed depth representation. The other is interference between the element images that constitute a 3-D autostereoscopic image. We describe a new gradient-index lense-array method based on real-time IP to overcome these two problems. Experimental results indicating the advantages of this method are shown. These results suggest the possibility of using a gradient-index lens array for real-time IP.

Three-Dimensional Imaging and Display through Integral Photography

“…The two main research topics have been to overcome the physical limitations and to search for new applications of integral imaging systems. For solving the physical limitations, several researchers have proposed solutions to the pseudoscopic problem [63][64][65][66], to the uncertainty in the position and angle of the microlenses and the elemental images with respect to the sensor [67][68][69][70], and to the limitation of the viewing angle [71][72][73][74]. Solutions to the limited depth of field [75][76][77] or to the detrimental effect of the facet braiding have also been proposed [78,79].…”

Analysis of the depth of field of integral imaging displays based on wave optics

“…It means that once f and g are given, H × V is fixed and can be calculated by the given f and g. The relationship between the viewing distance d and the DOF Wave is given by Eq. (13). It shows that the DOF Wave increases monotonously if d increases.…”

A comparative study of light field representation and integral imaging

“…This can simply be achieved by partitioning the sensor array plane to non-overlapping regions such that each partition corresponds to the elemental image of a particular microlens and the leakage from a microlens to the elemental image of any other microlens is prevented. 8 In order to relate the integral imaging to the light field representation in the continuous case, we need infinitely many infinitesimal microlenses on the infinite extent P 1 , and infinitely many infinitesimal sensors on the infinite extent P 2 plane. Let us assume that the microlenses still possess the properties of an ideal lens even when their aperture sizes tend to zero.…”