Three-dimensional Camera System for the Thin Three-dimensional Display Based on the Reconstruction of Parallax Rays

We have previously proposed the thin natural three-dimensional (3D) display system based on the reconstruction of parallax rays. In order to display real 3D scene, applying image-based rendering technique, we have also proposed a camera system that captures light ray data needed for reconstructing 3D images by using parallax rays reconstruction method from multiple images captured from multiple viewpoints. However, to reconstruct a 3D image of a real 3D object, many multiple images are required, because 3D images with an image depth of 25 cm can be displayed by the prototype thin 3D display. In order to reduce the number of required images, we used an interpolation algorithm suitable for the thin 3D display. This paper describes a 3D camera system for the thin 3D display, and also describes the experimental results.

1. Introduction

We have previously proposed the thin natural three-dimensional (3D) display system based on the reconstruction of parallax rays [1] – [5]. Its notable feature is the ability to display natural 3D images, like holography, which are visible to multiple viewers at the same time without the need for special glasses. In this display system, 3D images are formed by the intersection of discrete reconstructing parallax rays coming from the display screen. In order to display real 3D scene, applying the principle of ray-space representation [6], which is one type of image-based rendering technique [6] – [8], we have proposed a camera system that captures light ray data needed for reconstructing 3D images by using the 3D display reconstructing 3D images by using the 3D display based on the reconstruction of parallax rays from multiple images captured from multiple viewpoints [9]. However, to reconstruct a 3D image of a real 3D object, many multiple images are required, because 3D images can be displayed in a range from 10 cm in front of the display to 15 cm behind the display in the prototype thin 3D display. In order to reduce the number of required images, we used an interpolation algorithm suitable for the thin 3D display. This paper describes a 3D camera system for the thin 3D display. Additionally, in order to verify the effectiveness of the proposed camera system, 3D images of the real object were reconstructed by the thin 3D display system.