Hitoshi Hiura

Integral three-dimensional television with video system using pixel-offset method.

Integral three-dimensional (3D) television based on integral imaging requires huge amounts of information. Previously, we constructed an Integral 3D television using Super Hi-Vision (SHV) technology, with 7680 pixels horizontally and 4320 pixels vertically. We report on improved image quality through the development of video system with an equivalent of 8000 scan lines for use with Integral 3D television. We conducted experiments to evaluate the resolution of 3D images using an experimental setup and were able to show that by using the pixel-offset method we have eliminated aliasing produced by full-resolution SHV video equipment. We confirmed that the application of the pixel-offset method to integral 3D television is effective in increasing the resolution of reconstructed images.

Integral three-dimensional image capture equipment with closely positioned lens array and image sensor

We have developed a compact integral three-dimensional (3D) imaging equipment that positions the lens array and image sensor in close proximity to each other. In the conventional scheme, a camera lens is used to project the elemental images generated by the lens array onto the image sensor. In contrast, the imaging equipment presented here combines the lens array and image sensor into one unit and makes no use of a camera lens. This scheme eliminates the resolution deterioration and distortion caused by the use of a camera lens and improves, in principle, the quality of the reconstructed 3D image. We captured objects with this imaging equipment and displayed the reconstructed 3D images using display equipment consisting of a liquid crystal panel and a lens array. The reconstructed 3D images were found to have appropriate motion parallax.

Measurement of static convergence and accommodation responses to images of integral photography and binocular stereoscopy

Static convergence and accommodation responses were measured by comparing integral photography images, binocular stereoscopic images, and real objects in a measurement range from 450 to 900 mm. The experimental results were evaluated with a multiple comparison test. It was found that six of the ten observers did not have an accommodation-convergence conflict in viewing integral photography in the range. Moreover, the required resolution was found to be 0.7 or more and less than 1.4 cycles per degree for inducing accommodation. In conclusion, integral photography can provide a natural 3D image that looks like a real object.

Integral imaging system with 33 mega-pixel imaging devices using the pixel-offset method

Integral 3D television based on integral imaging requires huge amounts of information. Earlier, we built an Integral 3D television using Super Hi-Vision (SHV) technology, with 7680 pixels horizontally and 4320 pixels vertically. Here we report on an improvement of image quality by developing a new video system with an equivalent of 8000 scan lines and using this for Integral 3D television. We conducted experiments to evaluate the resolution of 3D images using this prototype equipment and were able to show that by using the pixel-offset method we have eliminated aliasing that was produced by the full-resolution SHV video equipment. As a result, we confirmed that the new prototype is able to generate 3D images with a depth range approximately twice that of Integral 3D television using the full-resolution SHV.