Inducing phase delays to vary an aggregate wavefront 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 system of displaying virtual content to a user, the system comprising:
 an image-generating source to provide one or more frames of image data;   a multicore assembly comprising a plurality of multicore fibers to project light associated with the one or more frames of image data, a multicore fiber of the plurality of multicore fibers emitting light in a wavefront, such that the multicore assembly produces an aggregate wavefront of the projected light; and   a phase modulator to induce phase delays between the multicore fibers in a manner such that the aggregate wavefront emitted by the multicore assembly is varied, thereby varying a focal distance at which the user perceives the one or more frames of image data.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein an inverse Fourier transform of a desired beam is injected into the multicore fibers, such that a desired aggregate wavefront is produced. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aggregate wavefront is a spherical wavefront. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein wavefronts generated by the plurality of microfibers interfere with each other. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the interference is a constructive interference. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the interference is a destructive interference. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aggregate wavefront is a planar wavefront. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the planar wavefront corresponds to an optical infinity depth plane. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the spherical wavefront corresponds to a depth plane closer than optical infinity. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  implemented as a method.