An image display device includes: an input unit into which image signals are inputted, the image signals being outputted from image capturing pixels disposed in correspondence to image capturing micro-lenses, each of the image capturing pixels receiving light that has passed through a corresponding one of the image capturing micro-lenses; display micro-lenses; display pixels that emit light for forming a three-dimensional image to each of the display micro-lenses, the display pixels being disposed in correspondence to the display micro-lenses; and a generator that generates display image data that includes three-dimensional information, based upon the image signals inputted into the input unit. The generator allocates the image signals outputted from the image capturing pixels to the display pixels arranged at symmetrical positions in a predetermined direction, using a pseudo-optical axis of each of the display micro-lenses as a reference.

An image display device includes: an input unit into which image signals are inputted, the image signals being outputted from image capturing pixels disposed in correspondence to image capturing micro-lenses, each of the image capturing pixels receiving light that has passed through a corresponding one of the image capturing micro-lenses; display micro-lenses; display pixels that emit light for forming a three-dimensional image to each of the display micro-lenses, the display pixels being disposed in correspondence to the display micro-lenses; and a generator that generates display image data that includes three-dimensional information, based upon the image signals inputted into the input unit. The generator allocates the image signals outputted from the image capturing pixels to the display pixels arranged at symmetrical positions in a predetermined direction, using a pseudo-optical axis of each of the display micro-lenses as a reference.

The disclosure presents novel methods and apparatuses to add new imaging functions to an existing smart device, comprising a plate accessory with one or more optical components that is attached to the smart device. The plate can be rotated to the front of the screen and supported at more than one sides of the smart device. The imaging function added could be a virtual reality viewer or a wide light field camera. The plate can also be worn on one's head by self-contained retractable brace, stands and strap. If the plate is moved close to the smart device's cameras, the optical components can form multiple images from multiple viewing angles of the scene onto the camera sensor. The captured images can be used to generate stereoscopic 3D or light field 4D recording of the scene by computational photographic algorithms. The attaching accessory is very light, portable, flexible, affordable and easy to use. Compared to the competitive methods, the present disclosure is a smallest wearable virtual reality smartphone case viewer that can be carried in pockets, and a method and apparatus to enable existing traditional phone cameras to capture light field 4D images and videos.

An optical device has a light guide plate that guides light in a plane parallel to an emission surface thereof, an optical deflection surface that deflects light entering the light guide plate from a light source that faces a plane parallel to at least the emission surface or the surface opposite the emission surface, so that the light travels along the light guide direction of the light guide plate, and a plurality of light focusing portions. Each of the light focusing portions includes an optical surface whereon the light deflected by the optical deflection surface and guided by the light guide plate is incident, and which causes the emission surface to output emission light that converges substantially on a convergence point or convergence line in a space, or that radiates substantially from a convergence point or convergence line in a space.

An optical device has a light guide plate that guides light in a plane parallel to an emission surface thereof, an optical deflection surface that deflects light entering the light guide plate from a light source that faces a plane parallel to at least the emission surface or the surface opposite the emission surface, so that the light travels along the light guide direction of the light guide plate, and a plurality of light focusing portions. Each of the light focusing portions includes an optical surface whereon the light deflected by the optical deflection surface and guided by the light guide plate is incident, and which causes the emission surface to output emission light that converges substantially on a convergence point or convergence line in a space, or that radiates substantially from a convergence point or convergence line in a space.

An optical device includes a light guide plate configured to guide light within a plane parallel to an emission surface, and a plurality of deflectors configured to deflect light guided thereto by the light guide plate, causing light forming an image in a space outside the light guide plate to exit from the emission surface. Each deflector in the plurality of deflectors cause the light to exit from the emission surface toward a direction substantially converging onto a single convergence point or convergence line in the space, or to substantially radiate from a single convergence point or convergence line in the space. The convergence point or the convergence line is mutually different among the plurality of deflectors with a grouping of a plurality of the convergence points or the convergence lines forming the image in the space.

An optical device includes a light guide plate configured to guide light within a plane parallel to an emission surface, and a plurality of deflectors configured to deflect light guided thereto by the light guide plate, causing light forming an image in a space outside the light guide plate to exit from the emission surface. Each deflector in the plurality of deflectors cause the light to exit from the emission surface toward a direction substantially converging onto a single convergence point or convergence line in the space, or to substantially radiate from a single convergence point or convergence line in the space. The convergence point or the convergence line is mutually different among the plurality of deflectors with a grouping of a plurality of the convergence points or the convergence lines forming the image in the space.

A retroreflector 10 is provided, which includes light reflecting grooves 11a arranged in parallel and partition walls 15 that are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals and that orthogonally intersect with the light reflecting grooves 11a on an upper side 12 of a flat plate block 11, in which the light reflecting groove 11a is provided with first and second light reflecting surfaces 13 and 14 that orthogonally intersect with each other, and the partition wall 15 is provided with a draft that upwardly becomes smaller in width, and the partition wall 15 has a perpendicular light-reflecting surface 19 orthogonally intersecting with the first and second light reflecting surfaces 13 and 14 on its one side.

A retroreflector 10 is provided, which includes light reflecting grooves 11a arranged in parallel and partition walls 15 that are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals and that orthogonally intersect with the light reflecting grooves 11a on an upper side 12 of a flat plate block 11, in which the light reflecting groove 11a is provided with first and second light reflecting surfaces 13 and 14 that orthogonally intersect with each other, and the partition wall 15 is provided with a draft that upwardly becomes smaller in width, and the partition wall 15 has a perpendicular light-reflecting surface 19 orthogonally intersecting with the first and second light reflecting surfaces 13 and 14 on its one side.

A marker (10) includes a lenticular lens (11) formed from a translucent material to have a plurality of convex portions (13) positioned to line up in, for example, at least one direction. The optical axes (OA1) of the convex portions (13) all intersect with an optical reference point (OP) on the product optical axis (PA). The optical axes (OA1) of the convex portions (13) are all orthogonal with and pass through the center of the bottom surfaces of grooves (14). Colored portions (15) are accommodated in the grooves (14).