Near-eye image projection system with foveated projection and extended field of regard region

Abstract

A near-eye image projection system includes a pinlight array (10) producing incident light beams (100a, 100b) that illuminate an optical light modulator (20) configured to modulate the incident light beams and project modulated light beams (110a, 110b); optical elements (32, 70, 40) configured to project the modulated light beams so as to form pinlight images (31, 39) and project projected image light beams (112a, 112b) defining an eye movement range zone (121a, 121b) along a projection axis (170). The modulated light beams include a foveal modulated light beam (110a) forming a foveal pupil image (31) and projecting a foveal projected image light beam (112a) defining a foveal eye movement range zone (121a), and a peripheral modulated light beam (110b) forming a peripheral pupil image (39). An exit pupil expansion device (36, 38) is configured to project a pupil expansion light beam (104) for each of the peripheral pinlight images (39) and form a peripheral projected image light beam (112b) defining a peripheral eye movement range zone (121a) that is wider than the foveal eye movement range zone.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to near-eye image projection, and more specifically to near-eye image projection for virtual, augmented, mixed, or extended reality headsets and related applications. BACKGROUND

[0002] A pin-light based near-eye continuous light field projector is described in the patent applicant's patent application WO2018091984A1. The described light field projector projects a light field into an eye-box defined by the size of an array of projection viewpoints at an exit pupil. For many use cases, the exit pupil is small. At the same time, the angular resolution of the projected image is traded off against the field of view (FoV) of the projected image. SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a near-eye image projection system comprising: a pin-light array generating a plurality of incident light beams, the plurality of incident light beams illuminating an optical light modulator configured for modulating the incident light beams and projecting a plurality of modulated light beams; an optical element configured to project the plurality of modulated light beams so as to form a pin-light image at a first pin-light plane and to project a plurality of projected image light beams along a projection axis defining an eye-box region; wherein the plurality of modulated light beams comprises a plurality of foveal modulated light beams forming a foveal pupil image and projecting a plurality of foveal projected image light beams defining a foveal eye-box region. The plurality of modulated light beams further comprises a plurality of peripheral modulated light beams forming a peripheral pupil image. The system further comprises an exit pupil expansion device configured to project, for each of the peripheral pin-light images, a plurality of pupil expansion light beams, the plurality of pupil expansion light fields forming peripheral projected image light beams defining a peripheral eye-box region wider than the foveal eye-box region.

[0004] In the image projection system disclosed here, the foveal projected image light beams contribute to forming a light field image in a narrow central portion of the FoV. The peripheral modulated light beams are modulated by image information corresponding to a peripheral portion of the total FoV and projected through an exit pupil expansion element.

[0005] The image projection system has an increased effective FoV and an increased perceived image resolution. The latter is achieved by combining a high resolution light field in a narrow FoV and a limited eye-box with a non-light field image covering a peripheral portion of a larger total FoV and passing through a larger eye-box.

[0006] The image projection system can include an eye tracking and steering device configured to provide eye tracking information about a location at which a viewer is looking. The eye tracking and steering device can be configured to deflect the peripheral projection image beams and light field images in accordance with the eye tracking information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the specification and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0008] Figures la to Id An image projection system is shown according to one embodiment, showing a foveal incident beam Figure la ), one Figure lb ) or two Figure lc ) peripheral incident beams, and two peripheral incident beams and one foveal incident beam Figure Id );

[0009] Figure 2a and 2b A side view Figure 2a ) and an elevation view Figure 2b ) of a waveguide according to one embodiment are shown;

[0010] Figure 3 representing a constituent FoV according to one embodiment;

[0011] Figure 4 An image projection system is shown according to another embodiment;

[0012] Figure 5a and Figure 5b An image projection system is shown according to one embodiment, including an eye tracking and steering device without a pupil expansion element Figure 5a ) (for basic illustration) and with a pupil expansion element Figure 5b );

[0013] Figure 6 An image projection system is shown according to another embodiment, with separate light field foveal and peripheral image projection paths by using a mirror deflector, projection optics, a diffuser as a pupil expansion element, and a beamsplitter; and

[0014] Figure 7 An image projection system is shown according to yet another embodiment, with separate light field foveal and peripheral image projection paths by using a mirror deflector and a waveguide combiner as pupil expansion elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Figures la to IdAn image projection system according to one embodiment is shown. The image projection system includes a pinlight array 10 that generates a plurality of incident light beams 100a, 100b that illuminate an optical light modulator 20 configured for modulating the incident light beams 100a, 100b and projecting a plurality of modulated light beams 110a, 110b. Optical elements 32, 70, 40 are configured to project the plurality of modulated light beams 110a, 110b so as to form a pinlight image 31, 39 at a first pinlight plane 30 and to project a plurality of projected image light beams 112a, 112b along a projection axis 170 that form a second pinlight image 120 (or a view point) in a second pinlight plane 124 and define an eyebox region 121a, 121b.

[0016] The image projection system is intended to be worn by a viewer for virtual and mixed reality applications. The image projection system can be configured so that the eyebox region 121a, 121b and exit pupil 120 are within the viewer’s eye 90 when the viewer wears it. The modulated light beams 110a, 110b are projected towards the pupil 130 of the viewer’s eye 90 so that the modulated light beams 110a, 110b are projected on the retina 92.

[0017] The optical elements can include a first pinlight image optical element 70 configured to project the plurality of modulated light beams 110a, 110b so that each of the modulated light beams 110a, 110b forms a pupil image 31, 39 at the first pinlight plane 30 and a modulator image 114a, 114b at a modulator image plane 115.

[0018] The optical elements can further include a second optical element 40 configured to interact with the plurality of modulated light beams 110a, 110b so as to project a plurality of projected image light beams 112a, 112b along a projection axis 170 that define the eyebox region 121a, 121b. The second optical element 40 can include any one of an eyepiece, a semi-reflective combiner such as a curved semi-transparent mirror, a mirror array, or a holographic element. The second optical element 40 can include a combiner configured for transmitting natural light from the real world 190 towards the eyebox region 121a, 121b so that both the projected virtual light field and the natural light are projected within the eyebox region 121a, 121b via the combiner 40.

[0019] In Figure laIn one aspect shown in FIG. 1, the incident light beams are produced by the central foveal pinlight subarray 14 of the pinlight array 10 and include a plurality of central foveal incident light beams 100a. A subset of the central foveal modulated light beams 100a pass through the first optical element 50 and illuminate the optical light modulator 20. The first optical element 50 can include a collimating or partially collimating lens, or a waveguide with in-coupling elements that accept collimated narrow illumination beams and exit expanded collimated beams through out-coupling elements. The first pinlight image optical element 70 projects a plurality of central foveal modulated light beams 110a and forms a central foveal pupil image 31 at the first pinlight plane 30, and in some embodiments, along with the optical element 32, a central foveal modulator image 114a at the modulator image plane 115. The second optical element 40 interacts with the central foveal modulated light beams 110a and projects a plurality of projected central foveal image light beams 112a along the projection axis 170 that define a central foveal eye movement range region 121a.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the incident light beams produced by the pinlight array 10 also include a plurality of peripheral pinlight subarrays 13 that produce a plurality of peripheral incident light beams 100b (the peripheral pinlights 13 generally provide higher intensity illumination light than the central foveal pinlights 14). Figure lb and 1c As shown in FIG. 1, the incident light beams produced by the pinlight array 10 also include a plurality of peripheral pinlight subarrays 13 that produce a plurality of peripheral incident light beams 100b (the peripheral pinlights 13 generally provide higher intensity illumination light than the central foveal pinlights 14). Figure lb One peripheral incident light beam 100b is shown in FIG. 1, and Figure lc Two peripheral incident light beams 100b are shown in FIG. 1. The peripheral incident light beams 100b pass through the first optical element 50 and illuminate the optical light modulator 20, where they are modulated. The first pinlight image optical element 70 projects a plurality of peripheral modulated light beams 110b. The peripheral modulated light beams 110b form a peripheral pupil image 39 at the first pinlight plane 30.

[0021] The image projection system also includes a deflection element 60 at the first pinlight plane 30. The deflection element 60 is configured to deflect the peripheral modulated light beams 110b relative to the projection axis 170. The deflection element 60 is also configured to form a shifted peripheral modulator image 114b that is spatially shifted along the modulator image plane 115.

[0022] The deflection element 60 can include a prism or any other deflection optical element, such as a shift lens.

[0023] The image projection system further comprises an exit pupil expansion device 36. The exit pupil expansion device 36 is configured to replicate the peripheral pupil image 39 (the peripheral pin light image 39 represents the pupil replicated by the exit pupil expansion element 36). For each replicated peripheral pupil image 39, the exit pupil expansion device 36 projects a plurality of pupil expanded light fields 104. The optical element 32 and the second optical element 40 interact with the pupil expanded light fields 104 and project a plurality of projected peripheral image beams 112b (non light field peripheral images), thereby defining a peripheral eye movement range zone 121b wider than the foveal eye movement range zone 121a.

[0024] The image projection system can comprise a Fourier filter 34 located at the first pin light plane 30. The Fourier filter 34 can be configured to remove all diffraction components except one from the modulated light beams 110a, 110b reflected and diffracted on the optical light modulator 20.

[0025] In one embodiment, the exit pupil expansion device comprises a waveguide 36 extending at the first pin light plane 30. The waveguide 36 comprises an in-coupling element 35 configured to input said peripheral pupil image 39 and an out-coupling element 37 configured to project a plurality of pupil expanded light fields 104.

[0026] Figure Id The image projection system representing the waveguide 36 at the first pin light plane 30 shows two peripheral incident light beams 100b and one incident light field beam 100a.

[0027] In one aspect, the in-coupling element 35 comprises a diffraction grating. The collimated pixel light beams 103 (see Figure 2a ) forming the peripheral pupil image 39 propagate within the waveguide 36 towards the out-coupling element 37 by total internal reflection. The out-coupling element 37 can comprise another diffraction grating such that the totally internally reflected pupil image 39 is out-coupled from the waveguide 36 and replicated in order to project a plurality of pupil expanded light fields 104.

[0028] In another aspect, the in-coupling element 35 and / or the out-coupling element 37 can comprise a holographic optical element. In an alternative aspect not shown, the in-coupling element 35 and / or the out-coupling element 37 can comprise a stack of mirror arrays or partially transparent mirrors (beam splitters) where the collimated pixel beams 103 travel through several mirrors partially reflecting from each mirror interface. In another variant, the in-coupling element 35 and the out-coupling element 37 can comprise any one or a combination of these elements of a stack of diffraction gratings, holographic optical elements, mirror arrays or partially transparent mirrors.

[0029] Figure 2a A side view of the waveguide 36 according to one embodiment is shown. In Figure 2aIn a particular example of the above, the deflection element 60 deflects the peripheral modulated light beam 110b towards the in-coupling element 35 so that the peripheral pupil image 39 can be injected into the waveguide 36. Figure 2b A front view of the waveguide 36 comprising four in-coupling elements 35 represented by black circles is shown. The out-coupling elements 37 substantially occupy the entire surface of the disc-shaped waveguide 36.

[0030] The in-coupling elements 35 can be configured to collimate the non-collimated peripheral modulated light beam 110b injected into the in-coupling elements 35. Such in-coupling elements 35 comprise gradient diffraction gratings, spherical mirrors or collimating holograms. The injected peripheral modulated light beam 110b carries collimated pixel light beams 103 which are guided through the waveguide 36 and gradually exit the waveguide 36 upon interaction with the out-coupling elements 37. The peripheral modulated light beam 110b injected through the small peripheral pupil image 39 exits the waveguide 36 through the out-coupling elements 37. The out-coupling elements 37 can be configured to make the plurality of pupil expanded light fields 104 exit the waveguide 36 continuously or discretely distributed in the surface of the exit pupil expanding element 36 according to the type and configuration of the out-coupling elements 37.

[0031] Each collimated pixel beam 103 can be emitted simultaneously (in parallel) from the replicated projection points of the pupil expanded light field 104 at the same angle. Thus, the pixel surface shines from infinity and passes through multiple projection points (or one continuous large area of the projection pupil).

[0032] In one embodiment, the waveguide 36 can comprise at least one aperture opening 120a configured to transmit the foveal modulated light beam 110 unaffected by the waveguide 36 so that the modulated light beam 110 forms a foveal modulator image 114a at the modulator image plane 115. In Figure 2b In an example of the above, the waveguide 36 comprises thirty-two aperture openings 120a represented by open circles.

[0033] In case the image projection system comprises a Fourier filter 34, the latter can comprise one or several aperture openings 120a. Here, each foveal pupil image 31 coincides with an aperture opening 120a disposed in the waveguide 36 and possibly in the Fourier filter 34.

[0034] In another embodiment, the image projection system comprises a modulator imaging lens 32 (see Figures la to Id configured to focus the plurality of pupil expanded light beams 104 so as to form a shifted peripheral modulator image 114b.

[0035] Figure 3The central region 11 comprises a foveal modulator image 114a which passes through the aperture opening 120a and forms a foveal eye movement range region 121a. Each of the four peripheral regions 12a-d comprises a (non-light field) peripheral modulator image 114b and forms a peripheral eye movement range region 121b.

[0036] Figure 4 The image projection system according to another embodiment is shown, wherein the exit pupil expansion device comprises a diffuser element 38 at the modulator image plane 115. In this configuration, the peripheral incoming light beams 100b pass through the first optical element 50 and illuminate the optical light modulator 20, where they are modulated. The first pinlight image optical element 70 projects the plurality of peripheral modulated light beams 110b. The peripheral modulated light beams 110b form a peripheral pupil image 39 at the first pinlight plane 30. The deflection element 60 is configured to deflect the peripheral modulated light beams 110b with respect to the projection axis 170 and forms a spatially shifted peripheral modulator image 114b in the modulator image plane 115. The diffuser element 38 projects a plurality of pupil expansion light fields 104 expanding the angular emission range of each pixel of the peripheral modulated light beams 110b. The diffuser element 38 can be transmissive or reflective. The diffuser element 38 can be a fluorescent diffuser in order to prolong the image emission in case of short illumination times or small duty cycles. The diffuser element 38 can also be replaced by an emissive display.

[0037] Movements of the eye 90 in the eye socket can cause the eye pupil 130 to leave the foveal eye movement range region 121a and image light cannot enter the eye 90, which leads to a loss of image information in the FoV covered by the foveal image light beam 112a (the light field portion of the projected image). This problem can be reduced by temporarily filling this part of the FoV with a non-light field image passing through the peripheral eye movement range region 121b and thus not being lost when the eye 90 moves. As a result, the image portion covered by the foveal image light beam 112a is always present. This simple solution requires at least binary eye tracking information which identifies whether the eye pupil 130 is located in the light field portion of the eye movement range, i.e. within the foveal image light beam 112a. Since the eye 90 spends only a small fraction of time, typically less than 5%, outside the foveal eye movement range 121a and only briefly each time, this solution is sufficient for most use cases.

[0038] In Figure 5a In one embodiment shown, the image projection system comprises an eye tracking and steering device. The eye tracking and steering device is configured to provide eye tracking information about where the viewer is looking and to deflect the peripheral projected image light beams 112b in dependence on the eye tracking information.

[0039] The eye tracking and steering device can be further configured to provide the peripheral projected image light beam 112b outside the foveal eye movement range zone 121 when the eye tracking information indicates that the viewer is looking outside the foveal eye movement range zone 121.

[0040] More specifically, the eye tracking and steering device can be configured to estimate the position and direction of the gaze of the eye 90, in particular the pupil 130. The eye tracking and steering device can be further configured to estimate the position and direction of the gaze of the user’s eye 90 and / or pupil 130.

[0041] In one aspect, the eye tracking and steering device can comprise a mirror or lens that is movable in accordance with the eye tracking information. The eye tracking information can be provided to a controller (not shown) that controls the movable mirror or lens to adjust the angle of the peripheral projected image light beam 112b.

[0042] The eye tracking and steering device can be combined with an image projection system comprising an exit pupil expansion element 36 as shown in Figure 5b

[0043] Figure 6 An image projection system according to another embodiment is shown, wherein the exit pupil expansion element 36 comprises an off-axis optical device 150, which is offset from the incident projection axis 160, which is parallel to the foveal and peripheral incident light beams 100a, 100b. The deflection element 60 (mirror) deflects the peripheral modulated light beam 110b towards the off-axis optical device 150, which projects the peripheral modulated light beam 110b on a diffuser element 38, which extends substantially parallel to the incident projection axis 160. The diffuser element 38 projects a plurality of pupil expansion light fields 104 along a projection axis 170, which is substantially perpendicular to the incident projection axis 160.

[0044] The image projection system comprises a beam splitter 140. The foveal modulated light beam 110a passes through the aperture opening 120a in the first pinlight plane 30 and reaches the beam splitter 140, where they are reflected along the projection axis 170, towards the user’s eye 90. The reflected foveal modulated light beam 110a and the pupil expansion light fields 104 are combined in the second optical element 40, which extends substantially parallel to the incident projection axis 160. In this embodiment, only one pinlight 13 producing one peripheral image can be used, since the optical device 150 and the diffuser element 38 expand the single peripheral image to a wide FoV.

[0045] Figure 7 ​An image projection system according to yet another embodiment is shown, wherein the exit pupil expansion element 36 comprises a light guide. A deflection element 60 (mirror) deflects the single peripheral modulated light beam 110b towards a coupling-in element 35 of the light guide. The light guide 36 guides the single peripheral modulated light beam 110b and projects a pupil expansion light field 104 from a coupling-out element 37 provided in the light guide 36. The pupil expansion light field 104 is projected along a projection axis 170. The projection axis 170 can form an angle between 30° and 120° with respect to the incident projection axis 160.

[0046] The foveal modulated light beam 110a passes through the aperture opening 120a in the first pinlight plane 30 and reaches the second optical element 40, which extends substantially parallel to the coupling-out element 37. The foveal modulated light beam 110a is reflected on the second optical element 40 along the projection axis 170. The foveal modulated light beam 110a combines with the pupil expansion light field 104 and reaches the eye 90 of the user.

[0047] Reference numbers and symbols

[0048] 10 pinlight array

[0049] 11 central zone

[0050] 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d peripheral zone

[0051] 13 peripheral pinlight subarray

[0052] 14 foveal pinlight subarray

[0053] 20 optical light modulator

[0054] 30 first pinlight plane

[0055] 31 foveal pupil image

[0056] 32 modulator imaging lens

[0057] 34 Fourier filter

[0058] 35 coupling-in element

[0059] 36 exit pupil expansion element

[0060] 37 coupling-out element

[0061] 38 diffuser element

[0062] 39 peripheral pupil image

[0063] 40 second optical element

[0064] 50 first optical element

[0065] 60 deflection element

[0066] 70 first pinlight image optical element

[0067] 90 eye

[0068] 92 retina

[0069] 100a foveal incident light beam

[0070] 100 peripheral incident light beam

[0071] 104 pupil expanded light beam

[0072] 110a foveal modulated light beam

[0073] 110b peripheral modulated light beam

[0074] 112a foveal image light beam

[0075] 112b peripheral image light beam

[0076] 114a foveal modulator image

[0077] 114b peripheral modulator image

[0078] 115 modulator image plane

[0079] 120 second pinlight image, view point

[0080] 120a aperture opening

[0081] 121a projected foveal eyebox region

[0082] 121b projected peripheral eyebox region

[0083] 124 second pinlight plane

[0084] 130 pupil

[0085] 140 beam splitter / half mirror

[0086] 150 image projection optics

[0087] 160 incident projection axis

[0088] 170 projection axis

[0089] 190 real world.

Claims

1. A near-eye image projection system, comprising: a pinlight array (10) generating a plurality of incident light beams (100a, 100b) illuminating an optical light modulator (20), the optical light modulator being configured to modulate the incident light beams (100a, 100b) and to project a plurality of modulated light beams (110a, 110b); optical elements (32, 70, 40) including a first pinlight image optical element configured to project the plurality of modulated light beams (110a, 110b) so as to form a pinlight image (31, 39) at a first pinlight plane (30), and a second optical element configured to interact with the plurality of modulated light beams (110a, 110b) so as to project a plurality of projected image light beams (112a, 112b) defining an eye movement range zone (121a, 121b) along a projection axis (170), wherein the pinlight image comprises a foveal pupil image (31) and a peripheral pupil image (39); wherein the plurality of modulated light beams comprises a plurality of foveal modulated light beams (110a) forming the foveal pupil image (31) and projecting a plurality of foveal projected image light beams (112a) defining a foveal eye movement range zone (121a); characterized in that: the plurality of modulated light beams further comprises a plurality of peripheral modulated light beams (110b) forming the peripheral pupil image (39); the system further comprises an exit pupil expansion device (36, 38) configured to project, for each of the peripheral pupil images (39), a plurality of pupil expansion light beams (104) forming a peripheral projected image light beam (112b) defining a peripheral eye movement range zone (121b) wider than the foveal eye movement range zone (121a); wherein the foveal modulated light beams (110a) pass through an aperture opening (120a) in the first pinlight plane (30); wherein the exit pupil expansion device is configured to transmit the foveal modulated light beams unaffected by the exit pupil expansion device so that the modulated light beams form a foveal modulator image at a modulator image plane.

2. The near-eye image projection system of claim 1, wherein, the first pinlight image optical element (70) projecting the plurality of foveal modulated light beams (110a) so as to form a foveal modulator image (114a) at a modulator image plane (115); and wherein the near-eye image projection system further comprises a deflection element (60) at the first pinlight plane (30) configured to deflect the peripheral modulated light beams (110b) relative to the projection axis (170) and to form a shifted modulator image (114b) spatially shifted along the modulator image plane (115).

3. The near-eye image projection system of claim 2, wherein The exit pupil expansion device further comprises a diffuser element (38) at the modulator image plane (115).

4. The near-eye image projection system of claim 1, wherein The exit pupil expansion device comprises a waveguide (36) extending in the first pinlight plane (30), the waveguide (36) comprising an in-coupling element (35) configured to input the peripheral pupil image (39) and an out-coupling element (37) configured to project the plurality of pupil expansion light beams (104).

5. The near-eye image projection system of claim 4, wherein The out-coupling element (37) is configured to project a plurality of discrete pupil expansion light beams (104).

6. The near-eye image projection system of claim 4, wherein The out-coupling element (37) is configured to project a continuously distributed pupil expansion light beam (104).

7. The near-eye image projection system of claim 2, further comprising a beam focusing element (32) configured to focus the plurality of pupil expansion light beams (104) so as to form the shifted modulator image (114b).

8. The near-eye image projection system of claim 4, wherein The in-coupling element (35) is configured to collimate the peripheral modulated light beam (103).

9. The near-eye image projection system of claim 4, wherein, At least one of the in-coupling element (35) or the out-coupling element (37) comprises a holographic optical element.

10. The near-eye image projection system of claim 4, wherein At least one of the in-coupling element (35) or the out-coupling element (37) comprises a stack of mirror arrays or partially transparent mirrors.

11. The near-eye image projection system of claim 4, wherein At least one of the in-coupling element (35) or the out-coupling element (37) comprises a diffraction grating.

12. The near-eye image projection system of claim 4, wherein, Aperture openings (120a) are provided in the waveguide (36), each aperture opening being configured to transmit the foveal pupil image (31).

13. The near-eye image projection system of claim 2, wherein The deflection element (60) comprises a prism.

14. The near-eye image projection system of claim 1, wherein The second optical element (40) comprises a combiner configured to transmit natural light from the real world (190) towards a foveal eye movement range zone (121a) and a peripheral eye movement range zone (121b).

15. The near-eye image projection system of claim 1, wherein The exit pupil expansion device (36) comprises an off-axis optical (150) configured to project the peripheral modulated light beam (110b) on a diffuser element (38), the diffuser element (38) projecting the pupil expansion light beam (104) along a projection axis (170) substantially orthogonal to an incident projection axis (160) parallel to the incident light beam (100a, 100b); and wherein the near-eye image projection system includes a beam splitter (140) that reflects the foveal modulated light beam (110a) along the projection axis (170), the reflected foveal modulated light beam (110a) and the pupil expansion light beam (104) being combined into the second optical element (40).

16. The near-eye image projection system of claim 1, wherein the exit pupil expansion device includes a light guide (36) configured to guide the peripheral modulated light beam (110b) and project the pupil expansion light beam (104) along the projection axis (170) from a coupling-out element (37) provided in the light guide (36) at an angle relative to an incident projection axis (160) parallel to the incident light beams (100a, 100b); and wherein the foveal modulated light beam (110a) is reflected on the second optical element (40) along the projection axis (170).

17. The near-eye image projection system of claim 1, including an eye tracking and steering device configured to provide eye tracking information about where the viewer is looking; and wherein the eye tracking and steering device is configured to deflect the peripheral projection image light beam (112b) in accordance with the eye tracking information.

18. The near-eye image projection system of claim 17, wherein the eye tracking and steering device includes a mirror or lens movable in accordance with the eye tracking information.

19. The near-eye image projection system of claim 18, wherein the eye tracking and steering device is configured to provide a non-light field image outside the foveal eyebox region (121a) when the eye tracking information indicates that the viewer is looking outside the foveal eyebox region (121a).

Images