Using circularly-symmetric diffractive optical elements 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, comprising:
 projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data to a user;   receiving light at a first waveguide, the first waveguide propagating the light through internal reflection;   receiving collimated light at a second waveguide with at least a first circularly-symmetric diffractive optical element (DOE), the second waveguide optically coupled to receive the collimated light from the first waveguide, wherein a grating of the circularly symmetric DOE is varied, and wherein the first waveguide and second waveguide are assembled in a stack of DOEs; and   delivering the light to the user's eyes.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stack of DOEs comprises a stack of polymer dispersed liquid crystal elements. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the polymer dispersed liquid crystal elements comprise molecules of lithium niobate, and a number of transparent indium tin oxide layer electrode on either side of a host medium, wherein the dispersed molecules of lithium niobate controllably change index of refraction and functionally form a diffraction pattern within the host medium. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein in absence of an applied voltage, a host medium refraction index matches that of a set of dispersed molecules of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal elements. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one circularly symmetric DOE modifies the received collimated light, wherein the modified light is delivered to the user's eyes. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the modified light corresponds to an optical plane closer than optical infinity. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising determining an accommodation of a user's eyes, wherein the light is delivered to the user's eyes based at least in part on the determined accommodation. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one circularly symmetric DOE is static. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one circularly symmetric DOE is dynamic. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  implemented as a method.