Providing augmented reality using microprojectors

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 system for displaying virtual content to a user, the system comprising:
 an image generating source to provide one or more portions of an image to be presented to the user; and   a plurality of microprojectors to project light associated with the one or more portions of the image, the microprojectors positioned in a manner facing the user's pupil, and wherein a microprojector of the plurality of microprojectors is configured to project a set of light rays representing a portion of the sub-image, the set of light rays projected to a portion of the user's pupil.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the user's pupil receives light rays from a plurality of microprojectors. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a reflective surface to reflect the light from the plurality of microprojectors to one or more portions of the user's pupil. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the reflective surface is positioned in a manner such that the user is able to view the real world through the reflective surface. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of light is no greater than 0.5 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising creating a discretized aggregate wavefront. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising aggregating a plurality of discrete neighboring collimated light beams based at least in part on a center of a radius of curvature of a desired aggregate wavefront. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising determining an accommodation of the user's eyes, wherein the focus is calculated based at least in part on the determined accommodation. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , selecting an angular trajectory of light of a plurality of beamlets to create an out-of focus light beam. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of beamlets represent a pixel of image data to the presented to the user. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the beamlets hit the eye at a plurality of incident angles.