Patent attributes
Methods and systems for generating three-dimensional (3D) images, 3D light field (LF) cameras and 3D photographs are provided. Light representing a scene is directed through a lens module coupled to an imaging sensor. The lens module includes: a surface having a slit-shaped aperture and a cylindrical lens array positioned along an optical axis of the imaging sensor. A longitudinal direction of the slit-shaped aperture is arranged orthogonal to a cylindrical axis of the cylindrical lens array. The light directed through the lens module is captured by the imaging sensor to form a 3D LF image. A 3D photograph includes a 3D LF printed image of the scene and a cylindrical lens array disposed on the printed image, such that the combination of 3D LF printed image and the cylindrical lens array forms a 3D stereoscopic image.