Method of forming three-dimensional images using multi-image hologram

Claim 1

A method of forming three-dimensional images comprising the steps of: 1. obtaining at least one first image matrix comprising a series of images of different viewpoints of an object illuminated by incoherent light by use of a first lens array comprising a plurality of lenses arranged in one direction at equal intervals and a first photosensitive material positioned to receive said images; 2. projecting each image of said first image matrix on a diffuser screen one by one in turn through a second lens array having the same performance characteristics as those of said first lens array; 3. obtaining at least one second image matrix on a second photosensitive material by recording the images of said first image matrix as each image of said first image matrix is projected on said diffuser screen, this step being accomplished by use of a third lens array comprising a plurality of lenses arranged in a two-dimensional matrix pattern, there being correspondence between said first and second image matrices in such a way that one image of said first image matrix corresponds to one group of said second image matrix, said group being arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the images of said first image matrix are arranged; 4. illuminating said second image matrix from the back side thereof with at least one first source of coherent light, and focusing said second image matrix with a fourth lens array having the same performance characteristics as those of said third lens array onto a third photosensitive material for forming a holographic object beam, while simultaneously 5. illuminating said third photosensitive material with one or more reference beams of light coherent with the light from said first source of coherent light so as to form a hologram, said one or more reference beams eminating from one or more second sources of coherent light, each of which second sources of coherent light is related to a source of incoherent light used in the next step of this process such that at least one of each related pair is an expanded light source, thereby recording an image hologram of said second image matrix on said photosensitive material in multiple superposition; and 6. forming a real image of said object by illuminating said image hologram with one or more incoherent light sources, which incoherent light sources are related to said one or more second sources of coherent light as previously recited, from the directions opposite to those of said one or more reference beams use in the preceding step, whereby a three-dimensional image free from dead spaces may be viewed from the vicinity of the real image of said first lens array.

Claim 2

A method of forming three-dimensional images comprising the steps of: 1. obtaining at least one first image matrix comprising a series of images of different viewpoints of an object illuminated by incoherent light by use of a first lens array comprising a plurality of lenses arranged in one direction at equal intervals and a first photosensitive material positioned to receive said images; 2. projecting each image of said first image matrix on a diffuser screen one by one in turn through a second lens array having the same performance characteristics as those of said first lens array; 3. obtaining at least one second image matrix on a second photosensitive material by recording the images of said first image matrix as each image of said first image matrix is projected on said diffuser screen, this step being accomplished by use of a third lens array comprising a plurality of lenses arranged in a two-dimensional matrix pattern, there being correspondence between said first and second image matrices in such a way that one image of said first image matrix corresponds to one group of said second image matrix, said group being arranged in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the images of said first image matrix are arranged; 4. illuminating said second image matrix from the back side thereof with at least one first source of coherent light, and focusing said second image matrix with a fourth lens array having the same performance characteristics as those of said third lens array onto a third photosensitive material for forming a holographic object beam, while simultaneously 5. illuminating said third photosensitive material with one or more reference beams of light coherent with the light from said first source of coherent light so as to form a hologram, said one or more reference beams eminating from one or more second sources of coherent light, each of which second sources of coherent light is related to a source of incoherent light used in the next step of this process such that at least one of each related pair is an expanded light source, thereby recording an image hologram of said second image matrix on said photosensitive material in multiple superposition; and 6. forming a real image of said object by illuminating said image hologram with one or more incoherent light sources, which incoherent light sources are related to said one or more second sources of coherent light as previously recited, from the directions opposite to those of said one or more reference beams use in the preceding step, whereby a three-dimensional image free from dead spaces may be viewed from the vicinity of the real image of said first lens array.