Delivering light rays associated with virtual images based on user accommodation

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for displaying virtual content to a user, the method comprising:
 determining an accommodation of the user's eyes;   delivering, through a first waveguide of a stack of waveguides, light rays having a first wavefront curvature based at least in part on the determined accommodation, wherein the first wavefront curvature corresponds to a focal distance of the determined accommodation; and   delivering, through a second waveguide of the stack of waveguides, light rays having a second wavefront curvature, the second wavefront curvature associated with a predetermined margin of the focal distance of the determined accommodation.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the margin is a positive margin. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the margin is a negative margin. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second waveguide increases a focal range in which the user can accommodate. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first waveguide is coupled to a variable focus element (VFE), wherein the VFE varies a focus at which the waveguide focuses the light rays. 
     
     
         6 . The method of claim  179 , wherein the focus is varied based at least in part on the determined accommodation of the users' eyes. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first wavefront curvature and the second wavefront curvature are delivered simultaneously. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second wavefront curvatures are perceived as a first and second depth plane by the user. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the waveguide is a diffractive optical element (DOE). 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the waveguide is a substrate guided optic (SGO). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second waveguides are switchable. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the waveguide comprises one or more switchable elements.