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 comprises 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 comprises a projector for projecting integral images, and a micro-convex-mirror array for displaying the projected images.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         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.