Depth-enhanced integral imaging display system with time-multiplexed depth planes using a varifocal liquid lens array

Abstract

In this paper, we present a depth enhancing technique for integral imaging (II) system using a varifocal lens array. Expressible depth range of II is restricted in a specific region. If the image gets out of the region, displayed image becomes distorted and broken. The center of the region which called central depth plane (CDP) is defined by the focal length of lens array. In our experiment, liquid lens array is used for II system instead of ordinary solid lens array. The focal length of lens array varies depending on the applied voltage across. As a result, the proposed II system enables control of the location of image planes electrically. With this depth plane controllable system, time multiplexed II system is implemented. For this purpose, two objects of different positions and appropriate voltage level for each object are chosen. In display panel, elemental images for each object are alternately displayed with high frame rate and appropriate voltage levels are applied to the liquid lens array. Because the time period between two sequences is very short, both objects are seems to appear simultaneously. Hence the depth range of the constructed image is enhanced.