Three-dimensional television using integral photography

Summary form only given. The integral photography method was first proposed by M.G. Lippmann in 1908 based on a photographic technique. The IP method is classified as an image reproduction type the same as holography, because it reproduces 3-D images identical to the objects by integrating the light rays from the elemental images behind each aperture or lens. We show the principle of the basic IP method. We show a schematic of an experimental real time IP system. A depth control lens, a GRIN lens array, a converging lens, and an HDTV (high-definition television) camera are introduced for pickup. The converging lens, set just behind the GRIN lens array, brings together light from the lens array to a HDTV camera. The depth control lens is introduced to control the position of which the real images of objects are produced around the GRIN lens array for pickup. Therefore, the 3-D images can be positioned around the lens array for reproduction.