Three-Dimensional Image Information Media: Optical and Synthetic Focusing Using Liquid Lens Array

Abstract

Synthetic focusing methods, which superimpose pre-acquired multi-view images onto post-defined surfaces, are intended to simulate a camera with a large aperture and variable focus. We developed a synthetic focusing system with increased flexibility. The flexibility comes from independent control of the optical focuses of the input multi-view image. We arranged liquid lenses in a compact 8×8 array, in which focal lengths can be changed independently using electric signals, and placed a video camera behind the lens array to capture multi-view images. We found that if the optical and synthetic focuses coincide with each other, we can obtain images with more natural blurring effects. Furthermore, we can also set the optical focuses to multiple levels to increase the target depths of the synthetic focusing.