Optical: systems and elements – Holographic system or element – For producing or reconstructing images from multiple holograms
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-28
2001-02-06
Chang, Audrey (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Holographic system or element
For producing or reconstructing images from multiple holograms
C359S022000, C359S028000, C359S030000, C359S034000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185018
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a holographic stereogram printing or formulating system for producing a holographic stereogram that is able to recognize an actually imaged picture or a computer-generated picture three-dimensionally.
2. Description of the Related Art
A holographic stereogram is formulated by sequentially recording a large number of pictures, obtained on sequentially imaging an object from different viewing points, as original pictures, on a sole holographic recording medium, in the form of strip-shaped or dot-shaped element holograms.
In the case of a holographic stereogram having the parallax information only in the horizontal direction, for example, plural original pictures
101
a
to
101
e
, obtained on sequentially imaging an object from different viewing points in the horizontal direction, are sequentially recorded on a holographic recording medium
102
in the form of strip-shaped element holograms.
If the holographic stereogram is viewed with one eye from a given position, a two-dimensional picture, as a set of the picture information of a portion of the respective element holograms, is viewed, whereas, if it the eye position is moved in the horizontal direction, a two-dimensional picture, as a set of the picture information of another portion of the respective element holograms, is viewed. Thus, if a viewer observes the holographic stereogram with both eyes, the two-dimensional pictures as seen by the left and right eyes differ slightly from each other because of the slight difference in the positions of the left and right eyes in the horizontal direction. Thus, the viewer feels the parallax, with the reproduced picture being recognized as a three-dimensional picture.
Meanwhile, in formulating a hologram of high picture quality, it is known to be effective to place a diffusion plate in the vicinity of picture displaying means. Among reference materials, there are “Endo and Yamaguchi et al, 23rd Picture optical Conference 1992 p 317 ff” and “Michael Klug et al, 1993 proc SPIE#1914 Practical Holography VII,”.
However, if a diffusion plate is arrayed in the vicinity of the picture display means, there is observed a nonuniform noise at an infinitely remote position in the produced hologram. Attempts to move the diffusion plate to reduce the noise is proposed in Japanese Laying-Open Patent 8-1722382. However, if there are a number of movement units, there is raised a problem in connection with vibration resistance. If the diffusion plate is used, the light utilization efficiency is lowered.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a holographic stereogram formulating apparatus of a high light utilization efficiency whereby the noise positioned in an infinitely remote point can be eliminated and a high picture quality hologram can be produced, and which renders it possible to utilize an inexpensive low-output laser.
According to the present invention, there is provided a holographic stereogram printing apparatus including a laser source for radiating a laser light beam, display means for displaying a picture in association with coordinate positions of a holographic recording medium and an optical system for collecting the laser light from the laser light source transmitted through the display means as an object light on the coordinate positions of the holographic recording medium and for simultaneously illuminating part of the laser light prior to being transmitted through the display means as reference light on the holographic recording medium for sequentially formulating the strip- or dot-shaped element holograms on the holographic recording medium. The optical system includes a light integrator lying on the optical path proceeding to the display means for uniforming the intensity of light illuminated on the display means.
With the holographic stereogram printing apparatus according to the present invention, parallelism of the object light can be optimally controlled without using a diffuser, as a result of which the light wasted due to slits etc can be minimized.
With the holographic stereogram printing apparatus according to the present invention, it is unnecessary to enlarge the beam by the objective lens and the pinholes, in contradistinction from the conventional system, thus further improving the light utilization efficiency.
Also, with the holographic stereogram printing apparatus according to the present invention, picture display means can be illuminated evenly, while the diffusion plate is not used, thus significantly reducing the noise in the picture.
Thus, with the holographic stereogram printing apparatus according to the present invention, a holographic stereogram of high picture quality can be produced even with the use of the inexpensive low-output laser.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4783133 (1988-11-01), Chen
patent: 4918583 (1990-04-01), Kudo et al.
patent: 0 593 265 (1994-04-01), None
patent: 0 731 485 (1996-09-01), None
patent: 0 814 387 (1997-12-01), None
patent: WO 92/01976 (1992-02-01), None
Chang Audrey
Frommer William S.
Frommer & Lawrence & Haug LLP
Sony Corporation
Winstedt Jennifer
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