Depth and lateral size control of three-dimensional images in projection integral imaging

Abstract

A method disclosed herein relates to displaying three-dimensional images. The method comprising, projecting integral images to a display device, and displaying three-dimensional images with the display device. Further disclosed herein is an apparatus for displaying orthoscopic 3-D images. The apparatus comprising, a projector for projecting integral images, and a micro-convex-mirror array for displaying the projected images.

1 . A method of displaying three-dimensional images, the method comprising: 
 projecting integral images to a display device; and    displaying three-dimensional images with the display device.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 relaying the images from a projector to the display device through relay optics.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 converting pseudoscopic images to orthoscopic images with a lenslet array.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 focusing orthoscopic images with a lenslet array with a positive focal length.    
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 focusing orthoscopic images with a lenslet array with a negative focal length.    
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 converting pseudoscopic images to orthoscopic images with a micro-concave-mirror array.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 focusing orthoscopic images with a micro-concave-mirror array.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 focusing orthoscopic images with a micro-convex-mirror array.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 increasing a viewing angle by using the micro-convex-mirror array as a display screen.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 diverging the projected images with the relay optics to a large micro-convex-mirror array.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 projecting each elemental image to a unique micro-convex mirror.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 multiplexing the projected images temporally.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 multiplexing the projected images spatially.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 multiplexing the projected images both temporally and spatially.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display device is planar.  
   
   
       16 . A method of controlling the depth of 3-D images when recording and displaying 3-D images, comprising: 
 magnifying elemental images during pickup;    projecting the magnified elemental images via an optics relay to a display device; and    displaying 3-D images within the depth-of-focus of the display device; while maintaining lateral image sizes.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the magnifying is performed digitally.  
   
   
       18 . A method of controlling the depth of 3-D images when recording and displaying 3-D images with planar pickup and planar display devices, comprising: 
 positioning an optical path-length-equalizing (OPLE) lens adjacent to a planar lenslet array;    projecting 3-D images via an optics relay to a planar display device; and    displaying 3-D images within the depth-of-focus of the display device.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 positioning the OPLE lens adjacent to a planar lenslet array of a planar pickup device during pickup.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 positioning the OPLE lens adjacent to a planar lenslet array of a planar display device during display.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 magnifying elemental images during pickup.    
   
   
       22 . A method of recording and displaying 3-D images, comprising: 
 generating elemental images with a micro-lenslet array;    increasing disparity of elemental images with an optical path-length-equalizing (OPLE) lens;    recording the elemental images on an imaging sensor of a recording device;    projecting 3-D images through an optical relay to a display device; and    displaying the 3-D images within the depth-of-focus of the display device.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising: 
 controlling images depth linearly; by    digitally magnifying elemental images; and    unaltering the lateral size of images.    
   
   
       24 . An apparatus for displaying orthoscopic 3-D images, comprising: 
 a projector for projecting integral images; and    a micro-convex-mirror array for displaying the projected images.    
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 relay optics for relaying the projected integral images therethrough to the micro-convex-mirror array.    
   
   
       26 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the projector is a two-dimensional (2-D) projector.  
   
   
       27 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 a planar micro-convex-mirror array for displaying the projected images.    
   
   
       28 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , further comprising: 
 a curved micro-convex-mirror array for displaying the projected images.