Depth and lateral size control of three-dimensional images in projection integral imaging

We present a simple method to pick up (sense) large objects that are far away, and then display their three-dimensional images within the depth of focus of projection integral imaging systems. For this purpose, we propose to use either curved pickup devices or curved display devices or both. In this method, as the object distance increases, the longitudinal image depth reduces in a nonlinear way, while the lateral size reduces in a linear way. To reduce the depth of reconstructed images alone, a method to zoom in elemental images can be used. We analyze the two methods when they are used together. Experiments are presented to show the feasibility of our approach. (C) 2004 Optical Society of America.