Thin integral image devices

An integral image device, comprising:

• an array of focusing micro-lenses;
• said array of focusing micro-lenses, as such, having a focal plane;
• and
• an image fragment plane with image fragment structures;
• said image fragment plane being positioned on an opposite side of said array of focusing micro-lenses with respect to said focal plane;
• wherein said image fragment plane is arranged to, when being viewed refracted through said array of focusing micro-lenses away from a viewer, reflected back and refracted back through said array of focusing micro-lenses towards said viewer, give rise to an integral image.

The integral image device according to claim 35, further comprising:

• an additional array of focusing micro-lenses;
• said additional array of focusing micro-lenses is positioned between said reflecting layer and said additional image fragment plane;
• said reflecting layer being additionally arranged for reflecting at least a part of light incident on a surface of said reflecting layer facing said additional array of focusing micro-lenses;
• wherein said additional image fragment plane is arranged to, when being viewed via said reflecting layer and through said additional array of focusing micro-lenses, give rise to an opposite side integral image;
• wherein said image fragment plane is arranged to, when being viewed through said reflecting layer and through said additional array of focusing micro-lenses, give rise to an additional opposite side integral image.

A method for manufacturing an integral image device, comprising the steps of:

• providing a thin, at least partly optically transmissive, substrate;
• creating an array of focusing micro-lenses at a first surface of said substrate;
• and
• providing an image fragment plane with image fragment structures on top of said array of focusing micro-lenses;
• wherein said step of providing said image fragment plane comprises arranging said image fragment plane with image fragment structures to, when being viewed refracted through said array of focusing micro-lenses away from a viewer, reflected and refracted back through said array of focusing micro-lenses towards said viewer, give rise to an integral image.