Curved Computer-Generated Integral Imaging Based on Backward Ray-Tracing Technique

In traditional computer-generated integral imaging (CGII) methods, the generated elemental image array (EIA) is flat, and it doesn't fit for curved integral imaging (II) systems. Here, a curved CGII method was proposed for curved II system. In the proposed method, multiple virtual camera arrays (VCAs) were built up to determine the origins and directions of the traced rays. Combined with the backward ray-tracing (BRT) technique, a curved EIA was generated, and the rendering time was the same as the BRT-CGII of flat II system. A curved II system consisting of a curved organic light emitting diode display screen, a curved lens array and a curved optical diffuser screen was built up in the experiment. The proposed curved CGII method generated correct curved EIA for the curved II system, and the system presented vivid 3D images with the viewing angle as wide as 80° × 50°.