Delivering virtual image slices at different depth planes 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:
 providing one or more image slices, wherein a first and second image slice of the one or more image slices represents a three-dimensional volume;   projecting light associated with the first image slice through a spatial light modulator;   focusing, through a variable focus element (VFE), the first image slice to a first focus;   delivering the first image slice having the first focus to the user;   providing light associated with the second image slice;   focusing, through the VFE, the second image slice to a second focus; and   delivering the second image slice having the second focus to the user.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining an accommodation of the user's eyes. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the image slices are provided in a frame-sequential fashion. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first image slice and the second image slice are delivered simultaneously. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first image slice and the second image slice are delivered sequentially. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the VFE is a deformable membrane mirror. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first focus is different from the second focus. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the VFE focuses the projected light based at least in part on the determined accommodation. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a portion of the first image slice is blurred based at least in part on the determined accommodation. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  implemented as a system having means for implementing the method steps.