Optical waveguides – Optical fiber bundle – Imaging
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-08
2001-10-09
Ullah, Akm E. (Department: 2874)
Optical waveguides
Optical fiber bundle
Imaging
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301416
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a three-dimensional imaging device which optically transmits a three-dimensional image, and more particularly to an optical three-dimensional imaging device which uses the so-called integral photography (IP) technique.
The integral photography is one of three-dimensional image systems, and uses a microlens similar to a compound eye of an insect.
2. Description of the Related Art
An optical three-dimensional imaging device which uses the integral photography technique is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. HEI10-117355. In the disclosed apparatus, as shown in
FIG. 1
, plural optical fibers (grated index optical fibers)
10
acting as a lens and having the same length are configured so that the optical fibers have a length which is an integer multiple of one period of the optical path and both the ends are placed in the same two-dimensional arrangement (hereinafter, referred to as “optical fiber group”), whereby a three-dimensional model (object)
11
is three-dimensionally imaged, transmitted, and displayed.
According to the invention of the previous application, a three-dimensional image can be transmitted for a long distance without increasing the scale of an optical transmission path, and changing light into an electric signal. When the optical fibers are produced so as to be bendable, the transmission path can be bent. An expansion device, a reduction device, or a light intensifying device may be inserted into a specific place in a middle of the optical fibers, so that the three-dimensional image can be expanded, reduced, or optically intensified. Therefore, the apparatus of the previous application can be used in, for example, an endoscope or a borescope which provides a three-dimensional image.
However, the invention of Japanese Patent Application No. HEI10-117355 which is previously filed has a problem to be solved in that, as shown in
FIG. 1
, a reproduced three-dimensional image
12
is produced only behind end faces of the optical fibers
10
(i.e., in the optical fiber group) and cannot be displayed as an aerial image on the front faces of the optical fibers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a three-dimensional imaging device which can solve the problem and display a three-dimensional image as an aerial image on the front faces of optical fibers.
In order to achieve the object, the invention is characterized in that, in a three-dimensional imaging device in which plural optical fibers acting as a lens and having a same length are formed into an optical fiber group where both ends of the optical fibers are arranged in a same two-dimensional manner, whereby a three-dimensional object is three-dimensionally imaged and the image is transmitted and displayed, each of the optical fibers has a length which is an odd-number multiple of a half period of an optical path of the optical fiber.
Preferably, as the optical fibers, used are optical fibers having a refractive index distribution which is not uniform in a radial direction or a square-law characteristic.
Preferably, a three-dimensional object is three-dimensionally imaged and the image is transmitted and displayed while an even number of the optical fiber groups are used, and the optical fiber groups are arranged in series with being separated by a predetermined distance.
Preferably, a reduction optical system, an expansion optical system, or a rotational optical system is inserted into a plane of the optical fibers in which, when parallel rays are incident on the optical fibers of the optical fiber group, an image is formed.
Preferably, a light intensifier is inserted into a plane of the optical fibers in which, when parallel rays are incident on the optical fibers of the optical fiber group, an image is formed.
According to the invention, plural optical fibers acting as a lens, having a same length, and having a refractive index distribution which is not uniform in a radial direction, such as a square-law characteristic are set so that each of the optical fibers has a length which is an odd-number multiple of a half period of the optical path of the optical fiber, and plural optical fiber groups where both ends of the optical fibers are arranged in the same two-dimensional manner are used. Therefore, a three-dimensional image can be displayed as an aerial image on the front faces of the optical fibers.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4675535 (1987-06-01), Tsunekawa et al.
patent: 4873572 (1989-10-01), Miyazaki et al.
patent: 5305759 (1994-04-01), Kaneko et al.
patent: 5436655 (1995-07-01), Hiyama et al.
patent: 5784098 (1998-07-01), Shoji et al.
patent: 5976071 (1999-11-01), Sekiya
patent: 6063023 (2000-05-01), Sakiiyama et al.
Arai Jun
Hoshino Haruo
Mishina Tomoyuki
Okano Fumio
Nippon Hoso Kyokai
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
Ullah Akm E.
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