Computer-assisted holographic image formation technique which determines interference pattern data used to form the holographic

A method for forming a hologram for reproduction, comprising the steps of:

• receiving an input image signal indicative of an object;
• computing diffraction pattern data which corresponds to the input image signal with a first sampling density;
• interpolating the diffraction pattern data to generate interpolated diffraction pattern data with an increased second sampling density;
• computing interference pattern data between the interpolated diffraction pattern and reference wave data;
• and
• forming a holographic image by outputting the interference pattern data to a preselected type of output device, and allowing reproduction of a holographic image by controlling a generation of coherent light using the interference pattern data.

A hologram printing system for recording a hologram on a photographic recording medium which produces a reproduced three-dimensional image in space upon illumination of white light, said system comprising:

• image acquisition means for receiving an object light of a three-dimensional object and for generating a corresponding image information signal;
• first computation means connected to said image acquisition means, for computing interference image pattern data between the object light and a first coherent reference light of predetermined type;
• real image reproduction means connected to said first computation means, for reproducing a real image of the object by use of the computed interference image pattern data;
• second computation means for computing fringe-form interference pattern data between the reproduced real image and a second coherent reference light of predetermined type;
• and
• printer means connected to said second computation means, for recording the fringe-form interference pattern data on said recording medium.

An apparatus for forming a hologram for later reproduction using white light, comprising:

• first computation means for computing real image data indicative of an object to generate computed real image data;
• second computation means for suing the real image data as object light data, and for computing interference pattern data between the object light data and reference light data to generate computed interference pattern data;
• and
• scan-recorder means for receiving the interference pattern data, and for recording said interference pattern data on a recording medium.

An apparatus for forming a holographic image, comprising:

• first computation means for receiving an input image signal representing an object and for computing corresponding diffraction pattern data with a first sampling density;
• second computation means coupled to said first computation means, for interpolating the diffraction pattern data to generate interpolated diffraction pattern data with an increased second sampling density;
• third computation means coupled to said second computation means, for computing interference pattern data between the interpolated diffraction pattern data and reference wave data;
• and
• holographic image forming means coupled to said third computation means, for forming a holographic image by controlling a generation of coherent light using the interference pattern data.

A method for forming a holographic image, comprising the steps of:

• receiving an input image signal indicative of an object;
• computing diffraction pattern data which corresponds to the input image signal with a first sampling density;
• interpolating the diffraction pattern data to generate interpolated diffraction pattern data with an increased second sampling density;
• computing interference pattern data between the interpolated diffraction pattern and reference wave data;
• and
• forming a holographic image by controlling a generation of coherent light using the interference pattern data.