Multi-focal display system and method
First Claim
1. An augmented reality display system, comprising:
- a scanning device for scanning one or more frames of image data, wherein the scanning device is communicatively coupled to an image source to receive the image data;
a plurality of switchable screens configured to provide a first aperture and comprising a first switchable screen in a diffusive state and a second switchable screen in a transparent state at a time point during operation;
a variable focus element (VFE) configured to provide a second aperture, and configured to reduce a field curvature produced by the scanning device, wherein the VFE is also configured for variably focusing the one or more frames of image data among the plurality of switchable screens that spreads light associated with the image data to corresponding viewing distances, wherein the plurality of switchable screens is configured to provide the first aperture that is larger than the second aperture of the variable focus element; and
viewing optics operatively coupled to the plurality of switchable screens to relay the one or more frames of image data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Configurations are disclosed for presenting virtual reality and augmented reality experiences to users. The system may comprise a scanning device for scanning one or more frames of image data. The scanning device may be communicatively coupled to an image source to receive the image data. The system may further comprise a variable focus element (VFE) operatively coupled to the scanning device for focusing the one or more frames of image data on an intermediate image plane, wherein the intermediate image plane is aligned to one of a plurality of switchable screens. The plurality of switchable screens may spread light associated with the intermediate image plane to specific viewing distances. The system may also comprise viewing optics operatively coupled to the plurality of switchable screens to relay the one or more frames of image data.
125 Citations
39 Claims
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1. An augmented reality display system, comprising:
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a scanning device for scanning one or more frames of image data, wherein the scanning device is communicatively coupled to an image source to receive the image data; a plurality of switchable screens configured to provide a first aperture and comprising a first switchable screen in a diffusive state and a second switchable screen in a transparent state at a time point during operation; a variable focus element (VFE) configured to provide a second aperture, and configured to reduce a field curvature produced by the scanning device, wherein the VFE is also configured for variably focusing the one or more frames of image data among the plurality of switchable screens that spreads light associated with the image data to corresponding viewing distances, wherein the plurality of switchable screens is configured to provide the first aperture that is larger than the second aperture of the variable focus element; and viewing optics operatively coupled to the plurality of switchable screens to relay the one or more frames of image data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 22)
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13. A method of displaying augmented reality, comprising:
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providing one or more frames of image data; scanning light associated with the one or more frames of the image data in a scanning pattern with at least a scanning device; switching a first switchable screen of a plurality of switchable screens into a diffusive state and a second switchable screen of the plurality of switchable screens into a transparent state at a time point, wherein the plurality of switchable screens is configured to provide a first aperture; varying a focus of the scanned light through a variable focus element (VFE) to focus the one or more frames of the image data on one of plurality of switchable screens, wherein the plurality of switchable screens is configured to expand a second aperture provided by the variable focus element into the first aperture that is larger than the second aperture; reducing a field curvature produced by the scanning device in scanning the light associated with the one or more frames of the image data; and spreading the light through the one of the plurality of switchable screens, wherein the plurality of switchable screens corresponds to different viewing distances. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23)
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24. An augmented reality display system, comprising;
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a scanning device operatively coupled to an image source for scanning an image in a scanning pattern; a variable focus element (VFE) operatively coupled to the scanning device to variably focus the image and to alter optical power of the variable focus element based in part or in whole upon eccentricity of different portions of the image at least by providing relative higher optical powers in central portions near a center of a spiral scan pattern and relative lower optical powers in peripheral portions near peripheries of the spiral scan for the image; and a processor coupled to the VFE to vary a drive signal of the VFE as a function of the scanning pattern in order to correct a field curvature of the image. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of displaying augmented reality, comprising;
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providing one or more frames of image data; scanning light associated with the one or more frames of image data in a scanning pattern; adjusting a drive signal of a variable focus element (VFE) based in part or in whole upon the scanning pattern to correct for a field curvature of the one or more frames of image data; and altering optical power of the variable focus element based in part or in whole upon eccentricity of different portions of a frame of the one or more frames at least by providing relative higher optical powers in central portions near a center of a spiral scan pattern and relative lower optical powers in peripheral portions near peripheries of the spiral scan for the image. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification