Combining display elements having different frame rates and bit depths 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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for displaying virtual content to a user, the method comprising:
 combining a first display element with a second display element, the first display element corresponding to a high frame rate and a low bit depth, and the second display element corresponding to a low frame rate and a high bit depth, such that the combined display elements correspond to a high frame rate and high bit depth; and   projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data through the combined display elements; and   switching a focus of the projected light, through a variable focus element (VFE), on a frame-by-frame basis, such that a first image slice is projected at a first focus, and a second image slice is projected at a second focus.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first display element is a DLP. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second display element is an LCD. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first display element selectively illuminates portions of the second display element. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the VFE is a deformable membrane mirror. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the VFE is optically conjugate to an exit pupil. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the VFE is not optically conjugate to an exit pupil. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second image slice represent a three dimensional virtual object. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the DLP operates in a binary mode. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the DLP operates in a grayscale mode. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the grayscale imparts a perception to the user's brain that something resides adjacent two depth planes. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display elements are combined for image modulation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the display elements are combined to create a high dynamic range display. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the VFE switches focuses between a predetermined number of fixed depth planes. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprises determining an accommodation of a user's eyes, wherein the VFE switches focus based at least in part on the determined accommodation.