Image recording method and apparatus and image reproducing method and apparatus

Abstract

An image recording method and apparatus for recording an image on a holographic stereogram in such a manner as to generate an optimum reproduced image, and an image reproducing method and apparatus capable of generating an optimum reproduced image from the holographic stereogram. A parallax image string is recorded as a series of strip- or dot-shaped hologram elements by having an object light beam and a reference light beam fall on one and the other surfaces of a recording medium for hologram 130. On the reference light incident side, a light inlet block 52 is arranged for having contact with the recording medium for hologram 130 so that no significant change in the refractive index will be produced on an interface with the recording medium for hologram 130. The reference light beam is illuminated via this light inlet block 52 on the recording medium for hologram.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An image recording method for sequentially recording images corresponding to image data of a parallax image string as strip- or dot-shaped hologram elements by causing an object light beam to fall on one of the surfaces of a recording medium for hologram and by causing a reference light beam to fall on the opposite surface thereof, characterized in that 
 an optical component is contacted with at least one surface of the recording medium for hologram and a liquid is interposed between said recording medium for hologram and said optical component.    
     
     
         2 . The image recording method as claimed in  claim 1  characterized in that said liquid is continuously supplied to a space between said recording medium for hologram and said optical component.  
     
     
         3 . The image recording method as claimed in  claim 1  characterized in that the optical component contacted with the recording medium for hologram via said liquid is a set of a one-dimensional diffusion plate and a louver film arranged on the object light beam incident side.  
     
     
         4 . The image recording method as claimed in  claim 1  characterized in that the optical component contacted with the recording medium for hologram via said liquid is a light inlet block arranged on the reference light inlet side and in that each image corresponding to the image data of the parallax image string is recorded by the edge-lit system.  
     
     
         5 . The image recording method as claimed in  claim 4  characterized in that an index matching liquid for index matching between said recording medium for hologram and the light inlet block is used as said liquid.  
     
     
         6 . An image recording method for sequentially recording images corresponding to image data of a parallax image string as strip- or dot-shaped hologram elements by causing an object light beam to fall on one of the surfaces of a recording medium for hologram and by causing a reference light beam to fall on the opposite surface thereof, comprising: 
 an optical component contacted with at least one of the surfaces of the recording medium for hologram; and    liquid supplying means for supplying a liquid to a space between said recording medium for hologram and the optical component.    
     
     
         7 . The image recording apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  characterized in that 
 said liquid supplying means continuously supplies the liquid.  
 
     
     
         8 . The image recording apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  characterized in that 
 the optical component contacted with said recording medium for hologram via said liquid is a set of a one-dimensional diffusion plate and a louver film arranged on the object light beam incident side.  
 
     
     
         9 . The image recording apparatus as claimed in  claim 6  characterized in that 
 the optical component contacted with said recording medium for hologram via said liquid is a light inlet block arranged on the reference light inlet side and in that each image corresponding to the image data of the parallax image string is recorded by the edge-lit system.  
 
     
     
         10 . The image recording apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  characterized in that an index matching liquid for index matching between said recording medium for hologram and the light inlet block is used as said liquid.  
     
     
         11 . An image recording method characterized in that 
 an object light beam is caused to fall on one of the surfaces of a recording medium for hologram, the opposite surface of which is optically contacted with a light inlet block, and a reference light beam is caused to fall on an end of said light inlet block for fabricating a holographic stereogram of the edge-lit system.    
     
     
         12 . An image recording apparatus comprising: 
 a light inlet block optically contacted with at least one surface of a recording medium for hologram; characterized in that    an object light beam is caused to fall on one of the surfaces of the recording medium for hologram and a reference light beam is caused to fall on the opposite surface via a light inlet block for fabricating a holographic stereogram of an edge-lit system.    
     
     
         13 . The image recording apparatus as claimed in  claim 12  characterized in that 
 an optical element capable of transmitting the reference light beam and interrupting the object light beam is arranged between said light inlet block and the recording medium for hologram.  
 
     
     
         14 . The image recording apparatus as claimed in  claim 12  characterized in that 
 said light inlet block includes a light absorbing member, and in that  
 said light absorbing member plays the role of preventing the object light beam and the reference light beam falling on the light inlet block and reaching the recording medium for hologram from subsequently undergoing unneeded reflection in the light inlet block.  
 
     
     
         15 . The image recording apparatus as claimed in  claim 12  characterized in that 
 a film-shaped medium is used as said recording medium for hologram and in that  
 an image is recorded in a state in which the recording medium for hologram is directly contacted with said light inlet block.  
 
     
     
         16 . The image recording apparatus as claimed in  claim 12  characterized in that 
 said light inlet block is substantially columnar-shaped and is adapted for rotating with movement of said recording medium for hologram.  
 
     
     
         17 . The image recording apparatus as claimed in  claim 16  characterized in that 
 said light inlet block is adapted for being rotated with the recording medium for hologram being kept in contact with the light inlet block.  
 
     
     
         18 . The image recording apparatus as claimed in  claim 16  characterized in that 
 said light inlet block has an internal hollow portion in which is arranged a light absorbing member and in that  
 said light absorbing member plays the role of preventing the object light beam and the reference light beam falling on the light inlet block and reaching the recording medium for hologram from subsequently undergoing unneeded reflection in the light inlet block.  
 
     
     
         19 . The image recording apparatus as claimed in  claim 12  further comprising: 
 thrusting means for thrusting said light inlet block to said recording medium for hologram.  
 
     
     
         20 . The image recording apparatus as claimed in  claim 12  characterized in that 
 a recording medium for hologram having a cover sheet for protecting a photosensitive portion is used as said recording medium for hologram and in that  
 cover sheet removing means is provided for peeling off the cover sheet from the recording medium for hologram before said recording medium for hologram is contacted with said light inlet block.  
 
     
     
         21 . The image recording apparatus as claimed in  claim 12  further comprising: 
 cleaning means for removing contamination from said light inlet block.  
 
     
     
         22 . The image recording apparatus as claimed in  claim 12  further comprising: 
 a one-dimensional diffusion plate on the object light beam inlet side in the vicinity of said recording medium for hologram.  
 
     
     
         23 . An image reproducing method for reproducing a three-dimensional image recorded on a holographic stereogram of an edge-lit system by causing an object light beam and a reference light beam to fall on one and the other surfaces of a recording medium, respectively, characterized by 
 arranging a holographic stereogram on a surface of said light inlet block towards a viewer,    illuminating a reproducing illuminating light beam on the holographic stereogram via said light inlet block, and    reproducing the three-dimensional image by light diffracted when the reproducing illuminating light beam is transmitted through said holographic stereogram.    
     
     
         24 . An image reproducing apparatus for reproducing a three-dimensional image recorded on a holographic stereogram of an edge-lit system by causing an object light beam and a reference light beam to fall on one and the other surfaces of a recording medium, respectively, comprising: 
 a light inlet block having a holographic stereogram on its surface towards a viewer; and    a light source for illuminating a reproducing illuminating light beam via said light inlet bock on said holographic stereogram;    the reproducing illuminating light beam from said light source being diffracted at the time of transmission through said holographic stereogram for reproducing the three-dimensional image.