Abstract: We present a method to generate the element image based on hexagonal lenslet array. By analyzing the imaging principle of real lens we set up the imaging model first. Then, the pick up process of integral imaging is simulated by virtual camera array and the parameters are set according to the display platform. Finally, the pixel mapping is used to generate the elemental image array. Experimental results show that the hexagonal elemental image array generated by the proposed method has continuous horizontal and vertical parallax, satisfies the mapping between subimage and elemental images and can truly represent the spatial information of 3D objects. The proposed method not only overcomes the problems of pseudoscopic and depth reverse generated by lenslet pick up method, but also avoids the error caused by the optical acquisition equipment. In addition, it can save costs and provides various image sources for integral imaging system.

Key words: communication technology, integral imaging, lenslet array, elemental image