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We have been conducting research with the objective of achieving three-dimensional (3D) television using integral photography. Extremely high-resolution (EHR) elemental images are necessary to enhance integral 3D image quality. Presently, projection display systems are practical for displaying EHR images and have some advantages for 3D imaging. However, any geometric distortion of the projection lens will cause a positional error between the elemental images and elemental lenses. This positional error subsequently results in a distortion of the reconstructed image and a smaller viewing area. We theoretically and experimentally analyzed the effects of distorted elemental images on a reconstructed image. As a result, a slight distortion of the projection lens, which is proportional to the square of the image height, caused a positional error of the reconstructed 3D image. The depth-direction error of the reconstructed image was larger than that of the lateral direction. Furthermore, the viewing area decreased due to the distortion of the elemental images. From experimental results using a projection-type integral system, we found that image processing for distortion compensation is effective in eliminating distortion and improving the viewing area of the reconstructed 3D image.

When making a TV program in a studio, care must be taken that the camera does not shoot beyond the boundary of the studio set. In addition, limitations in cost and space for the set must be taken into account. In a virtual studio, on the other hand, we can solve this cost and space problem. But in turn, actors have to perform in front of a blue background screen, which is not an easy task. To solve these problems associated with real versus virtual studios, we have developed a new type of virtual studio called the Real Space-based Virtual Studio in which a real space image and a virtual one are combined naturally with no boundary seam. One major advantage in using this new virtual-real hybrid system is that the actors can concentrate on their roles. Another is that the camera work can be done without worrying about off-screen areas. In the present study, we constructed an omnidirectional image with ultra-high definition features and combined it with real studio image. We have developed an integration system and have shown that the omnidirectional and real studio images can be synthesized smoothly and naturally.

We studied the flare appearing in video images when a liquid crystal filter is used in front of a video camera. To clarify the generating mechanism of the flare, the relationship between the concentration of spacer particles dispersed in the liquid crystal and the intensity of light scattered by the filer was examined in detail by using a schlieren optical system with a laser light beam. We found that the light scattering is mainly caused by the spacers and glass substrates, so we evaluated their contribution ratio. From microscopic observation, we determined that the light scattering originated by the spacers includes light scattered by the spacer particles and that resulting from by liquid crystal alignment deformation caused by the spacer surfaces. As the light scattering of the spacers was in proportion to the spacer concentration, it could be considerably reduced by decreasing the spacer density. The flare in video images was reduced by decreasing the light scattering. The liquid crystal filter fabricated by using the flare-reduction method described above was utilized in actual television program.