Diffractive optical elements used for augmented or virtual reality

Abstract

Configurations are disclosed for presenting virtual reality and augmented reality experiences to users. The system may comprise an image-generating source to provide one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner, a light modulator configured to transmit light associated with the one or more frames of image data, a substrate to direct image information to a user's eye, wherein the substrate houses a plurality of reflectors, a first reflector of the plurality of reflectors to reflect transmitted light associated with a first frame of image data at a first angle to the user's eye, and a second reflector to reflect transmitted light associated with a second frame of the image data at a second angle to the user's eye.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 555,585, filed Nov. 27, 2014, entitled “VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY SYSTEMS AND METHODS”, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 909,774, filed Nov. 27, 2013, entitled “VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY SYSTEMS AND METHODS”. The contents of the aforementioned applications are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application their entireties.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present disclosure relates to virtual reality and augmented reality imaging and visualization systems.BACKGROUND[0003]Modern computing and display technologies have facilitated the development of systems for so called “virtual reality” or “augmented reality” experiences, wherein digitally reproduced images or portions thereof are presented to a user in a manner wherein they seem to be, or may be perceived as, real. A virtual reality, or “VR”...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes two systems for displaying virtual content to a user. The first system uses a source to generate image data and a multicore assembly to project the light associated with the image data. The multicore assembly produces an aggregate wavefront that is varied by inducing phase delays between the fibers, which changes the focal distance at which the user perceives the image data. The second system uses an array of microprojectors that can be moved relative to each other to create a lightfield image for the user. The processor controls the transmission of light from the microprojectors in a way that modulates the light as a function of their position relative to the other microprojectors. This technology allows for more precise and immersive display of virtual content.

Problems solved by technology

As it turns out, the human visual perception system is very complex, and producing a VR or AR technology that facilitates a comfortable, natural-feeling, rich presentation of virtual image elements amongst other virtual or real-world imagery elements is challenging.

Such configurations have been found to be uncomfortable for many users due to a mismatch between vergence and accommodation which must be overcome to perceive the images in three dimensions; indeed, some users are not able to tolerate stereoscopic configurations. FIG. 2B shows another stereoscopic wearable glasses (14) type configuration featuring two forward-oriented cameras (16, 18) configured to capture images for an augmented reality presentation to the user through stereoscopic displays.

None of these configurations is optimally suited for presenting a rich, binocular, three-dimensional augmented reality experience in a manner that will be comfortable and maximally useful to the user, in part because prior systems fail to address some of the fundamental aspects of the human perception system, including the photoreceptors of the retina and their interoperation with the brain to produce the perception of visualization to the user.

In other words, without changes in stimulation, the photoreceptors do not provide input to the brain and blindness is experienced.

Working against this reflex, as do most conventional stereoscopic AR or VR configurations, is known to produce eye fatigue, headaches, or other forms of discomfort in users.

Further, most people prefer to move their heads when their eye gaze needs to move more than about 20 degrees off center to focus on a particular object (i.e., people do not typically like to look at things “from the corner of the eye”).

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