Virtual and augmented reality system and method

Abstract

To provide virtual and augmented reality systems and methods.SOLUTION: The present invention discloses a configuration 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, the substrate housing a plurality of reflectors; a first reflector of the plurality of reflectors to reflect light associated with a first frame of image data at a first angle to the user's eye; and a second reflector of the plurality of reflectors to reflect light associated with a second frame of image data at a second angle to the user's eye.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to virtual reality and augmented reality image and visualization systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Modern computing and display technologies have facilitated the development of systems for so-called "virtual reality" or "augmented reality" experiences in which digitally reproduced images, or portions thereof, are presented to a user in a manner that appears or can be perceived as real. Virtual reality, or "VR," scenarios typically involve the presentation of digital or virtual image information without transparency to other actual, real-world visual input, while augmented reality, or "AR," scenarios typically involve the presentation of digital or virtual image information as an extension of the user's visualization of the real world around them. For example, referring to FIG. 1 , an augmented reality scene (4) is depicted in which a user of the AR technology sees a real-world, park-like setting (6) featuring a tangible platform (1120) against a backdrop of people, trees, and buildings. In addition to these items, users of the AR technology also perceive as "seeing" a robotic figure (1110) standing on a real-world platform (1120) and a flying, cartoon-like avatar character (2) that appears to be an anthropomorphic bumblebee, although these elements (2, 1110) do not exist in the real world. Consequently, the human visual perception system is highly complex, making it difficult to create VR or AR technologies that facilitate comfortable, natural-feeling, and rich presentations of virtual image elements among other virtual or real-world image elements.

[0003] Referring to FIG. 2A, stereoscopic wearable eyeglasses (8) type configurations have been developed that generally feature two displays (10, 12) configured to display images with slightly different presentations of elements so that three-dimensional perspective is perceived by the human visual system. Such configurations have been found to be uncomfortable for many users due to the mismatch between vergence and accommodation that must be overcome to perceive images in three dimensions. In fact, some users cannot tolerate stereoscopic configurations. FIG. 2B shows another stereoscopic wearable eyeglasses (14) type configuration that features two forward-facing cameras (16, 18) configured to capture images for augmented reality presentation to the user through the stereoscopic displays. The position of the cameras (16, 18) and displays generally obstructs the user's natural field of view when the eyeglasses (14) are mounted on the user's head.

[0004] Referring to FIG. 2C, an augmented reality configuration (20) is shown featuring a visualization module (26) coupled to an eyeglass frame (24) that also holds traditional eyeglass lenses (22). Using such a system, a user can see an at least partially unobstructed view of the real world and have a small display (28) on which digital images can be presented to one eye in the AR configuration for monocular AR presentation. FIG. 2D features a configuration in which a visualization module (32) can be coupled to a hat or helmet (30) and configured to present monocular augmented digital images to the user through a small display (34). FIG. 2E illustrates another similar configuration in which a frame (36) is attachable to a user's head in a manner similar to that of eyeglasses, such that a visualization module (38) can be utilized to capture images and present monocular augmented digital images to the user through a small display (40). Such a configuration is available, for example, from Google, Inc. (Mountain View, CA) under the trademark name GoogleGlass (RTM). None of these configurations are optimally suited to presenting a rich binocular three-dimensional augmented reality experience in a manner that would be comfortable and maximally useful to the user, in part because conventional systems fail to address some of the fundamental aspects of the human perceptual system, including the photoreceptors of the retina and their interaction with the brain to bring the user's perception of visualization.

[0005] Referring to Figure 3, a simplified cross-section of the human eye is depicted, featuring the cornea (42), iris (44), lens, or "crystalline lens" (46), sclera (48), choroid layer (50), macula (52), retina (54), and optic nerve pathways (56) to the brain. The macula is the central part of the retina used for seeing medium details, and within the central part of the macula is a portion of the retina called the "fovea," which is used for seeing the finest details and contains more photoreceptors (approximately 120 cones per diopter) than any other part of the retina. The human visual system is not a passive sensor-type system; it is configured to actively scan the environment. In a manner somewhat similar to using a flatbed scanner to capture an image or using a finger to read Braille from paper, the eye's photoreceptors emit signals in response to changes in stimuli rather than a constant response to a constant stimulus state. Thus, movement is required to present photoreceptor information to the brain (such as the movement of a linear scanner array across a piece of paper in a flatbed scanner, or the movement of a finger across Braille words imprinted on paper). Indeed, experiments using substances such as cobra venom utilized to paralyze eye muscles have shown that human subjects will go blind if their eyes are opened and positioned viewing a static scene with the venom-induced paralysis. In other words, in the absence of a change in stimulus, the photoreceptors provide no input to the brain, resulting in blindness. This is thought to be at least one reason why normal human eyes have been observed to move back and forth, or jerk, in lateral movements called "microsaccades."

[0006] As mentioned above, the retina's fovea contains the greatest density of photoreceptor cells, and humans typically possess high-resolution visual perception throughout their entire visual field. However, by and large, they actually possess only a small, high-resolution center that mechanically overlooks much of the field, along with a persistent memory of recently captured high-resolution information. In a somewhat similar fashion, the eye's focal length control mechanism (the ciliary muscle, operatively connected to the lens in such a way that ciliary relaxation induces tension in the connective fibers, flattening the lens for more distant focal distances, and ciliary contraction induces relaxation in the connective fibers, allowing the lens to assume a rounder geometry for closer focal distances) oscillates back and forth by approximately 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 diopter to periodically induce a small amount of what is called "refractive blur" at both near and far focal distances. This is utilized by the brain's accommodation control circuit as a periodic negative feedback that constantly corrects heading and helps to keep the retinal image of a fixed object in near focus.

[0007] The brain's visualization centers also derive valuable perceptual information from the relative movement of the eyes and their components. Vergence of the eyes relative to one another (i.e., the rolling of the pupils toward or away from one another to converge the gaze of the eyes and fixate on an object) is closely linked to the focusing of the eye's lenses (or "accommodation"). Under normal conditions, changing the focus of the eye's lenses, i.e., accommodating the eyes to focus on objects at different distances, will automatically produce a corresponding change in vergence to the same distance, a relationship known as the "accommodation-vergence reflex." Similarly, a change in vergence will also induce a corresponding change in accommodation under normal conditions. Countering this reflex, as in most conventional stereoscopic AR or VR configurations, is known to cause eye strain, headaches, or other forms of discomfort to users.

[0008] Head movement, which retracts the eyes, also has a significant impact on the visualization of objects. Humans move their heads to visualize the world around them, often repositioning and reorienting their heads relative to objects of interest in a fairly constant manner. Furthermore, most people prefer to move their heads when their line of sight needs to move more than about 20 degrees off-center to focus on a particular object (i.e., people typically do not like to look "out of the corner of their eye"). Humans also typically scan or move their heads in sync with sound to improve audio signal capture and take advantage of the geometry of the ears relative to the head. The human visual system derives excellent depth cues from what is called "head motion parallax," which relates to the relative motion of objects at different distances as a function of head motion and eye vergence distance (i.e., if a person moves their head sideways and maintains fixation on an object, items further from the object will move in the same direction as the head, and items in front of the object will move in the opposite direction to the head motion. These are very salient cues to a person of spatial location in the environment, perhaps as good as stereopsis). Head motion is also, of course, used to look around an object.

[0009] Furthermore, head and eye movements are coordinated with what's known as the "vestibulo-ocular reflex," which stabilizes image information on the retina during head rotation, thus keeping object image information approximately centered on the retina. In response to head rotation, the eyes reflexively and proportionally rotate in the opposite direction, maintaining stable fixation on the object. As a result of this compensation relationship, many people can read a book while swinging their head back and forth. (Interestingly, the same generally doesn't apply if a book is turned back and forth at the same speed while the head remains nearly stationary; that is, the person is unlikely to be able to read a book that is being turned. The vestibulo-ocular reflex is one form of head and eye motor coordination that is generally not developed for hand movements.) This paradigm can be important for augmented reality systems, because a user's head movements can be relatively directly related to eye movements, and the system would preferably be prepared to work with this relationship.

[0010] Indeed, given these various relationships, when placing digital content (e.g., 3-D content such as a virtual chandelier object presented to augment the real-world view of a room, or 2-D content such as a plane / flat virtual oil painting object presented to augment the real-world view of a room), design choices can be made to control the behavior of the object. For example, the 2-D oil painting object may be head-centered, in which case it moves with the user's head (e.g., as in the Google Glass approach), or it may be world-centered, in which case it may be presented as if it were part of a real-world coordinate system so that the user can move their head or eyes without moving the object's position relative to the real world.

[0011] Thus, when placing virtual content within an augmented reality world presented using an augmented reality system, the object may be presented world-centered (i.e., the virtual object remains in a fixed position in the real world so that the user can move their body, head, and eyes around it without changing its position relative to surrounding real-world objects such as real-world walls), body- or torso-centered (in which case the virtual element may be fixed relative to the user's torso so that it follows torso movement, allowing the user to move their head or eyes without moving the object), head-centered (in which case the displayed object (and / or the display itself) may move with head movement, as described above with reference to Google Glass), or eye-centered (in which case the content follows as a function of eye position), as in a "foveated display" configuration as described below.

[0012] In a world-centric configuration, it may be desirable to have inputs such as accurate head pose measurements, accurate representations and / or measurements of real-world objects and geometry around the user, low-latency dynamic rendering in the augmented reality display as a function of head pose, and generally low-latency displays.

[0013] The systems and techniques described herein are designed to work with typical human visual configurations and address these challenges. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0014]

[0003] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to devices, systems, and methods for facilitating virtual reality and / or augmented reality interaction for one or more users. In one aspect, a system for displaying virtual content is disclosed.

[0015] In one or more embodiments, the system comprises a light source for multiplexing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner, and an array of reflectors for receiving the one or more light patterns and variably focusing the light onto an exit pupil.

[0016] In one or more embodiments, the system includes an image source for providing 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 for directing image information to a user's eye, the substrate housing a plurality of reflectors; a first reflector of the plurality of reflectors for reflecting light associated with a first frame of image data to the user's eye at a first angle; and a second reflector of the plurality of reflectors for reflecting light associated with a second frame of image data to the user's eye at a second angle.

[0017] The angle of reflection of the multiple reflectors may be variable in one or more embodiments. The reflectors may be switchable in one or more embodiments. The multiple reflectors may be electro-optically active in one or more embodiments. The refractive index of the multiple reflectors may be varied to match the refractive index of the substrate in one or more embodiments. In optional embodiments, the system may also include a high-frequency gating layer configurable for placement between the substrate and a user's eye, the high-frequency gating layer having a controllably movable aperture. In one or more embodiments, the aperture in the high-frequency gating layer may be moved in a manner such that image data is selectively transmitted only through light reflected through the aperture. One or more reflectors of the transmissive beam splitter substrate may be blocked by the high-frequency gating layer. The aperture may be an LCD aperture in one or more embodiments. The aperture may be an MEMs array in one or more embodiments. The first angle may be the same as the second angle in one or more embodiments. The first angle may be different from the second angle in one or more embodiments.

[0018] In one or more embodiments, the system may further comprise a first lens for steering the set of light rays through the nodal point to the user's eye. In one or more embodiments, the first lens may be configurable to be placed on the substrate and in front of the first reflector such that the set of light rays exiting the reflector pass through the first lens before reaching the user's eye.

[0019] The system may further, in one or more embodiments, include a second lens to compensate for the first lens, the second lens being configurable to be placed on the substrate and on the opposite side to the side on which the first lens is placed, thereby providing zero magnification.

[0020] In one or more embodiments, a first reflector of the plurality of reflectors may be a curved reflective surface for converging a set of light rays associated with the image data to a single output point before being delivered to the user's eye. In one or more embodiments, the curved reflector may be a parabolic reflector. In one or more embodiments, the curved reflector may be an elliptical reflector.

[0021] In another embodiment, a method for displaying virtual content includes providing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner, and reflecting the one or more light patterns associated with the one or more frames of image data to an exit pupil via a transmissive beam splitter having a plurality of reflectors for variably focusing the light patterns onto the exit pupil.

[0022] The angle of reflection of the multiple reflectors may be variable in one or more embodiments. The reflectors may be switchable in one or more embodiments. The multiple reflectors may be electro-optically active in one or more embodiments. The refractive index of the multiple reflectors may be varied to match the refractive index of the substrate in one or more embodiments. In optional embodiments, the system may also include a high-frequency gating layer configurable for placement between the substrate and a user's eye, the high-frequency gating layer having a controllably movable aperture. In one or more embodiments, the aperture in the high-frequency gating layer may be moved in a manner such that image data is selectively transmitted only through light reflected through the aperture. One or more reflectors of the transmissive beam splitter substrate may be blocked by the high-frequency gating layer. The aperture may be an LCD aperture in one or more embodiments. The aperture may be an MEMs array in one or more embodiments. The first angle may be the same as the second angle in one or more embodiments. The first angle may be different from the second angle in one or more embodiments.

[0023] In one or more embodiments, the system may further comprise a first lens for steering the set of light rays through the nodal point to the user's eye. In one or more embodiments, the first lens may be configurable to be placed on the substrate and in front of the first reflector such that the set of light rays exiting the reflector pass through the first lens before reaching the user's eye.

[0024] The system may further, in one or more embodiments, include a second lens to compensate for the first lens, the second lens being configurable to be placed on the substrate and on the opposite side to the side on which the first lens is placed, thereby providing zero magnification.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, a first reflector of the plurality of reflectors may be a curved reflective surface for converging a set of light rays associated with the image data to a single output point before being delivered to the user's eye. In one or more embodiments, the curved reflector may be a parabolic reflector. In one or more embodiments, the curved reflector may be an elliptical reflector.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the wavefront may be collimated. In one or more embodiments, the wavefront may be curved. A collimated wavefront may, in some embodiments, be perceived as an infinite depth plane. A curved wavefront may, in some embodiments, be perceived as a depth plane closer than optical infinity.

[0027] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises a light source for multiplexing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner, an array of reflectors for receiving the one or more light patterns, the reflectors being oriented at specific angles, and a plurality of optical elements coupled to the array of reflectors for variably focusing the light patterns onto an exit pupil.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the array of reflectors may be separate from the optical elements in one or more embodiments. The array of reflectors may comprise a plane mirror in one or more embodiments. The optical elements may be lenslets coupled to the array of reflectors in one or more embodiments. One or more reflectors of the array of reflectors may be curved in one or more embodiments. The optical elements may be integrated into the array of reflectors. The optical elements may enlarge the exit pupil in one or more embodiments.

[0029] The system may further comprise, in one or more embodiments, a first lens for steering the set of light rays through the nodal point to the user's eye, the first lens being configurable to be mounted on the substrate and in front of the first reflector such that the set of light rays exiting the reflector pass through the first lens before reaching the user's eye.

[0030] The system may further include, in one or more embodiments, a second lens for compensating the first lens, the second lens being configurable to be mounted on the substrate on a side opposite to the side on which the first lens is mounted, thereby providing zero magnification. The plurality of reflectors may include wavelength-selective reflectors in one or more embodiments. The plurality of reflectors may include semi-transparent mirrors in one or more embodiments. The plurality of optical elements may include refractive lenses. The plurality of optical elements may include diffractive lenses in one or more embodiments. The curved reflector may include a wavelength-selective notch filter in one or more embodiments.

[0031] In another embodiment, a method for displaying virtual content to a user includes providing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner; reflecting the one or more light patterns associated with the one or more frames of image data to an exit pupil via a transmissive beam splitter, the transmissive beam splitter having a plurality of reflectors for variably focusing the light onto the exit pupil; and expanding the exit pupil through a plurality of optical elements coupled to the plurality of reflectors of the transmissive beam splitter.

[0032] In one or more embodiments, the array of reflectors may be separate from the optical elements. In one or more embodiments, the array of reflectors comprises planar mirrors. The optical elements may in one or more embodiments be lenslets coupled to the array of reflectors.

[0033] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises a light source for multiplexing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner, a waveguide for receiving the one or more light patterns and focusing the light patterns to a first focal point, and a variable focusing element (VFE) coupled to the waveguide for focusing at least a portion of the light patterns to a second focal point.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the VFE is telecentric. In one or more embodiments, the VFE is non-telecentric. In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises a compensation lens so that the user's view of the outside world is not distorted. In one or more embodiments, multiple frames are presented to the user at a high frequency so that the user perceives the frames as part of a single coherent scene, and the VFE varies the focus from the first frame to the second frame. In one or more embodiments, the light source is a scanning light display, and the VFE varies the focus in a row-by-row manner. In one or more embodiments, the light source is a scanning light display, and the VFE varies the focus in a pixel-by-pixel manner.

[0035] In one or more embodiments, the VFE is a diffractive lens. In one or more embodiments, the VFE is a refractive lens. In one or more embodiments, the VFE is a reflecting mirror. In one or more embodiments, the reflecting mirror is opaque. In one or more embodiments, the reflecting mirror is partially reflective. In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises an accommodation module for tracking the accommodation of the user's eyes, wherein the VFE varies the focus of the light pattern based, at least in part, on the accommodation of the user's eyes.

[0036] In yet another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises a light source for multiplexing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner, a waveguide for receiving the one or more light patterns and focusing the light patterns to a first focal point, and a variable focusing element (VFE) coupled to the waveguide for focusing at least a portion of the light patterns to a second focal point, the VFE being integrated within the waveguide.

[0037] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises a light source for multiplexing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner, a waveguide for receiving the one or more light patterns and focusing the light patterns to a first focal point, and a variable focusing element (VFE) coupled to the waveguide for focusing at least a portion of the light patterns to a second focal point, the VFE being separate from the waveguide.

[0038] In another aspect, a method for displaying virtual content to a user includes providing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data, focusing the one or more light patterns associated with the one or more frames of image data through a waveguide to a first focal point, and modifying the first focal point of the light through a variable focusing element (VFE) to generate a wavefront at a second focal point.

[0039] In one or more embodiments, the VFE is separate from the waveguide. In one or more embodiments, the VFE is integrated into the waveguide. In one or more embodiments, the one or more frames of image data are provided in a time-sequential manner. In one or more embodiments, the VFE modifies the focus of the one or more frames of image data on a frame-by-frame basis. In one or more embodiments, the VFE modifies the focus of the one or more frames of image data on a pixel-by-pixel basis. In one or more embodiments, the VFE modifies the first focus and generates a wavefront at a third focus, the second focus being different from the third focus. The wavefront at the second focus is perceived by the user as originating from a particular depth plane in one or more embodiments.

[0040] In some embodiments, multiple frames are presented to the user at a high frequency, such that the user perceives the frames as part of a single coherent scene, and the VFE varies the focus from the first frame to the second frame. In one or more embodiments, the light source is a scanning light display, and the VFE varies the focus in a row-by-row manner.

[0041] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises: a plurality of waveguides for receiving light rays associated with image data and transmitting the light rays toward the user's eye, the plurality of waveguides being stacked in a direction facing the user's eye; a first lens coupled to a first waveguide of the plurality of waveguides for modifying the light rays transmitted from the first waveguide, thereby delivering light rays having a first wavefront curvature; and a second lens coupled to a second waveguide of the plurality of waveguides for modifying the light rays transmitted from the second waveguide, thereby delivering light rays having a second wavefront curvature, the first lens coupled to the first waveguide and the second lens coupled to the second waveguide being stacked horizontally in a direction facing the user's eye.

[0042] In one or more embodiments, the first wavefront curvature is different from the second wavefront curvature. In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises a third waveguide of the plurality of waveguides for delivering collimated light to the user's eye such that the user perceives the image data as originating from an optical infinity plane. In one or more embodiments, the waveguide is configured to transmit the collimated light to the lens.

[0043] In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises a compensation lens layer for compensating for the aggregate refractive power of the lenses stacked in a direction facing the user's eye, the compensation lens layer being stacked furthest from the user's eye. In one or more embodiments, the waveguide comprises a plurality of reflectors configurable to reflect light rays launched into the waveguide toward the user's eye.

[0044] In one or more embodiments, the waveguide is electroactive. In one or more embodiments, the waveguide is switchable. In one or more embodiments, the light beam having the first wavefront curvature and the light beam having the second wavefront curvature are delivered simultaneously. In one or more embodiments, the light beam having the first wavefront curvature and the light beam having the second wavefront curvature are delivered sequentially. In one or more embodiments, the second wavefront curvature corresponds to the boundary of the first wavefront curvature, thereby providing a focal length to which the user can accommodate. In one or more embodiments, the system further includes an accommodation module for tracking the accommodation of the user's eye, and the VFE varies the focus of the light pattern based at least in part on the accommodation of the user's eye.

[0045] In yet another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises a light source for multiplexing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner, a plurality of waveguides for receiving the one or more light patterns and focusing the light to an exit pupil, the plurality of waveguides being stacked along a Z-axis away from the user's line of sight, and at least one optical element coupled to the stacked waveguides for modifying the focus of the light transmitted by the plurality of waveguides.

[0046] A waveguide of a plurality of waveguides may, in one or more embodiments, comprise a waveguide for distributing the projected light across the length of the waveguide and a lens for modifying the light in such a manner that a wavefront curvature is created, the created wavefront curvature corresponding to a focal plane as viewed by a user.

[0047] The waveguides of the multiple waveguides, in one or more embodiments, comprise diffractive optical elements (DOEs). The DOEs, in one or more embodiments, are switchable between on and off states. The waveguides of the multiple waveguides, in one or more embodiments, comprise refractive lenses. The waveguides of the multiple waveguides, in one or more embodiments, comprise Fresnel zone plates. The waveguides of the multiple waveguides, in one or more embodiments, comprise substrate-guided optical (SGO) elements. The waveguides, in one or more embodiments, are switchable between on and off states. The waveguides, in one or more embodiments, are static. The first frame of image data and the second frame of image data are delivered to the user's eye simultaneously in one or more embodiments. The first frame of image data and the second frame of image data are delivered to the user's eye sequentially in one or more embodiments.

[0048] The system, in one or more embodiments, further comprises a plurality of angled reflectors for delivering light to the user's eye, wherein the first and second waveguide components direct the light to the one or more angled reflectors. The system, in one or more embodiments, further comprises a beam distribution waveguide optic, wherein the beam distribution waveguide is coupled to the waveguide assembly, the beam distribution waveguide optic being configurable to spread the projected light across the waveguide assembly such that light rays launched into the beam distribution waveguide optic are cloned and launched into the waveguide components of the waveguide assembly.

[0049] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises an image source for providing one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner; a light modulator for projecting light associated with the one or more frames of image data; and a waveguide assembly for receiving the projected light and delivering the light toward the user's eye, the waveguide assembly comprising at least a first waveguide component configurable to modify the light associated with the first frame of image data so that the light is perceived to originate from a first focal plane; and a second waveguide component configurable to modify the light associated with the second frame of image data so that the light is perceived to originate from a second focal plane, the first waveguide component and the second waveguide component being stacked along a Z-axis in front of the user's eye.

[0050] In some embodiments, the waveguide component of the waveguide assembly comprises a waveguide for distributing the projected light across the length of the waveguide and a lens for modifying the light in such a manner that a wavefront curvature is created, the created wavefront curvature corresponding to a focal plane as viewed by a user. The waveguide component of the waveguide assembly, in one or more embodiments, comprises a diffractive optical element (DOE).

[0051] The DOE, in one or more embodiments, is switchable between an on state and an off state. The waveguide component of the waveguide assembly, in one or more embodiments, comprises a refractive lens. The waveguide component of the waveguide assembly, in one or more embodiments, comprises a Fresnel zone plate. The first frame of image data and the second frame of image data are delivered to the user's eye simultaneously, in one or more embodiments. The first frame of image data and the second frame of image data are delivered to the user's eye sequentially, in one or more embodiments.

[0052] The system, in one or more embodiments, further comprises a plurality of angled reflectors for delivering light to the user's eye, the first waveguide component and the second waveguide component directing the light to the one or more angled reflectors. The system further comprises a beam distribution waveguide optic, the beam distribution waveguide coupled to the waveguide assembly, the beam distribution waveguide optic, in one or more embodiments, configurable to spread the projected light across the waveguide assembly such that light rays launched into the beam distribution waveguide optic are cloned and launched into the waveguide components of the waveguide assembly.

[0053] The waveguide components of the waveguide assembly include reflectors that are configurable to reflect the projected light toward the user's eye at a desired angle. In one or more embodiments, the first waveguide component includes a first reflector configured to reflect the projected light at a first angle, and the second waveguide component includes a second reflector to reflect the projected light at a second angle. In one or more embodiments, the first reflector is alternated with the second reflector, thereby expanding the field of view of the image as viewed by the user.

[0054] The reflectors of the waveguide components, in one or more embodiments, are positioned in a manner to form a continuously curved reflective surface across the waveguide assembly. The continuously curved reflective surface, in one or more embodiments, comprises a parabola. In one or more embodiments, the continuously curved reflective surface comprises an elliptical curve.

[0055] In yet another embodiment, a method for displaying virtual content to a user includes the steps of delivering a light beam associated with a first frame of image data to the user through a first waveguide, the light beam having a first wavefront curvature, and delivering a light beam associated with a second frame of image data to the user through a second waveguide, the light beam having a second wavefront curvature, the first waveguide and the second waveguide being stacked along a Z-axis facing the user's eye.

[0056] In one or more embodiments, the first and second wavefront curvatures are delivered simultaneously. In one or more embodiments, the first and second wavefront curvatures are delivered sequentially. In one or more embodiments, the first and second wavefront curvatures are perceived by a user as first and second depth planes. In one or more embodiments, the first and second waveguides are coupled to one or more optical elements. In one or more embodiments, the method may further include compensating for the effect of the one or more optical elements through a compensating lens.

[0057] The method may further include, in one or more embodiments, determining accommodation of the user's eye and delivering light rays through at least one of the first and second waveguides based, at least in part, on the determined accommodation.

[0058] In another embodiment, a method for displaying virtual content to a user includes determining accommodation of a user's eye; and, based at least in part on the determined accommodation, delivering a light ray having a first wavefront curvature through a first waveguide of a stack of waveguides, the first wavefront curvature corresponding to a determined focal length of accommodation; and delivering a light ray having a second wavefront curvature through a second waveguide of the stack of waveguides, the second wavefront curvature being associated with a predetermined boundary of the determined focal length of accommodation.

[0059] In one or more embodiments, the boundary is a positive boundary. In one or more embodiments, the boundary is a negative boundary. In one or more embodiments, the second waveguide increases the focal length to which the user can accommodate. In one or more embodiments, the first waveguide is coupled to a variable focusing element (VFE), which varies the focal point to which the waveguide focuses the light beam. In one or more embodiments, the focal point is varied at least in part based on the determined accommodation of the user's eye. In one or more embodiments, the first wavefront curvature and the second wavefront curvature are delivered simultaneously.

[0060] The first and second wavefront curvatures, in one or more embodiments, are perceived by a user as first and second depth planes. The waveguide, in one or more embodiments, is a diffractive optical element (DOE). The waveguide, in one or more embodiments, is a substrate-guided optic (SGO). The first and second waveguides, in one or more embodiments, are switchable. The waveguide, in one or more embodiments, comprises one or more switchable elements.

[0061] In yet another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises an image source for providing one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner; a display assembly for projecting light rays associated with the one or more frames of image data, the display assembly comprising a first display element corresponding to a first frame rate and a first bit depth and a second display element corresponding to a second frame rate and a second bit depth; and a variable focusing element (VFE) configurable to vary the focus of the projected light and transmit the light to the user's eye.

[0062] In one or more embodiments, the first frame rate is higher than the second frame rate, and the first bit depth is lower than the second bit depth. In one or more embodiments, the first display element is a DLP projection system. In one or more embodiments, the second display element is a liquid crystal display (LCD). In one or more embodiments, the first display element projects light onto a subset of the second display elements so that the periphery of the LCD has constant illumination. In one or more embodiments, only light transmitted from the first display element is focused through the VFE.

[0063] The VFE, in one or more embodiments, is optically conjugated to the exit pupil so that the focus of the projected light can be varied without affecting the magnification of the image data. The first display element, in one or more embodiments, is a DLP and the second display element is an LCD, with the DLP having low resolution and the LCD having high resolution. The intensity of the backlight, in one or more embodiments, is varied over time to equalize the brightness of the sub-images projected by the first display element, thereby increasing the frame rate of the first display element.

[0064] The VFE, in one or more embodiments, can be configured to vary the focus of the projected light on a frame-by-frame basis. The system, in one or more embodiments, further comprises software for compensating for optical magnification associated with operation of the VFE. The image source, in one or more embodiments, generates specific image slices that, when projected together or sequentially, generate a three-dimensional volumetric object. The DLP, in one or more embodiments, is operated in binary mode. The DLP, in one or more embodiments, is operated in grayscale mode.

[0065] In one or more embodiments, the VFE varies the projected light so that a first frame is perceived as originating from a first focal plane and a second frame is perceived as originating from a second focal plane, the first focal plane being different from the second focal plane. In one or more embodiments, the focal lengths associated with the focal planes are fixed. In one or more embodiments, the focal lengths associated with the focal planes are variable.

[0066] In another embodiment, a method for displaying virtual content to a user includes the steps of providing one or more image slices, wherein a first and a second image slice of the one or more image slices represent a three-dimensional volume; projecting light associated with the first image slice through a spatial light modulator; focusing the first image slice at a first focus through a variable focusing element (VFE); delivering the first image slice having the first focus to the user; providing light associated with a second image slice; focusing the second image slice at a second focus through the VFE, wherein the first focus is different from the second focus; and delivering the second image slice having the second focus to the user.

[0067] In one or more embodiments, the method may further include determining accommodation of the user's eye, and the VFE focusing the projected light based, at least in part, on the determined accommodation. In one or more embodiments, the image slices are provided in a frame sequential manner. In one or more embodiments, the first image slice and the second image slice are delivered simultaneously. In one or more embodiments, the first image slice and the second image slice are delivered sequentially.

[0068] In yet another embodiment, a method for displaying virtual content to a user includes combining a first display element and a second display element, wherein the first display element supports a high frame rate and a low bit depth and the second display element supports a low frame rate and a high bit depth, such that the combined display elements support a high frame rate and a high bit depth; projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data through the combined display elements; and switching the focus of the projected light on a frame-by-frame basis through a variable focusing element (VFE) so that a first image slice is projected at a first focus and a second image slice is projected at a second focus.

[0069] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises a plurality of light guides for receiving coherent light associated with one or more frames of image data and generating a coherent wavefront, a phase modulator coupled to one or more of the plurality of light guides for inducing a phase delay in light projected by the one or more light guides, and a processor for controlling the phase modulator in a manner such that the coherent wavefront generated by the plurality of light guides is varied.

[0070] The wavefronts generated by the light guides of the multiple light guides are spherical wavefronts in one or more embodiments. The spherical wavefronts generated by at least two light guides constructively interfere with each other in one or more embodiments. The spherical wavefronts generated by at least two light guides destructively interfere with each other in one or more embodiments. The aggregate wavefront is a substantially planar wavefront in one or more embodiments.

[0071] The planar wavefront corresponds to a depth plane at optical infinity. The aggregate wavefront, in one or more embodiments, is spherical. The spherical wavefront, in one or more embodiments, corresponds to a depth plane closer than optical infinity. In one or more embodiments, the inverse Fourier transform of the desired beam is launched into the multicore fiber to generate the desired aggregate wavefront.

[0072] In another aspect, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises an image source for providing one or more frames of image data; a multicore assembly for projecting light associated with the one or more frames of image data, the multicore assembly comprising a plurality of multicore fibers, the multicore fibers of the plurality of multicore fibers emitting light in a wavefront such that the multicore assembly produces a coherent wavefront of the projected light; and a phase modulator for inducing a phase delay between the multicore fibers in a manner such that the coherent wavefront emitted by the multicore assembly is varied, thereby varying the focal length at which a user perceives the one or more frames of image data.

[0073] In yet another aspect, a method for displaying virtual content to a user includes emitting light through a multicore fiber, the multicore fiber comprising a plurality of single-core fibers, the single-core fibers emitting a spherical wavefront; providing a coherent wavefront from the light emitted from the plurality of single-core fibers; and inducing a phase delay between the single-core fibers of the multicore fiber such that the coherent wavefront generated by the multicore fiber is varied based at least in part on the induced phase delay.

[0074] In one or more embodiments, the aggregate wavefront is a plane wavefront. In one or more embodiments, the plane wavefront corresponds to optical infinity. In one or more embodiments, the aggregate wavefront is spherical. In one or more embodiments, the spherical wavefront corresponds to a depth plane closer than optical infinity. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes injecting an inverse Fourier transform of the desired wavefront into the multicore fiber, such that the aggregate wavefront corresponds to the desired wavefront.

[0075] In yet another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises an image source for providing one or more frames of image data; a multi-core assembly comprising a plurality of multi-core fibers for projecting light associated with the one or more frames of image data; and an image injector for inputting the image into the multi-core assembly, the input injector being further configurable to output a Fourier transform of the desired wavefront by generating a desired wavefront of the light associated with the image data, thereby enabling a user to perceive the image data at a desired focal length, into the multi-core assembly.

[0076] The desired wavefront is associated with a hologram in one or more embodiments. The inverse Fourier transform is an input for modulating the focal point of one or more light beams in one or more embodiments. The multicore fiber of the plurality of multicore fibers is a multimode fiber in one or more embodiments. The multicore fiber of the plurality of multicore fibers is configured to propagate light along multiple paths along the fiber in one or more embodiments. The multicore fiber is a single-core fiber in one or more embodiments. The multicore fiber is a concentric-core fiber in one or more embodiments.

[0077] In one or more embodiments, the image inputter is configured to input a wavelet pattern into the multi-core assembly. In one or more embodiments, the image inputter is configured to input Zernike coefficients into the multi-core assembly. In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises an accommodation tracking module for determining accommodation of the user's eye, the image inputter being configured to input an inverse Fourier transform of a wavefront corresponding to the determined accommodation of the user's eye.

[0078] In yet another embodiment, a method for displaying virtual content to a user includes determining accommodation of a user's eye, the determined accommodation being associated with a focal length corresponding to the user's current state of focus; projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data through a waveguide; varying the focus of the projected light based, at least in part, on the determined accommodation; and delivering the projected light to the user's eye such that the light is perceived by the user as originating from a focal length corresponding to the user's current state of focus.

[0079] In one or more embodiments, accommodation is measured directly. In one or more embodiments, accommodation is measured indirectly. In one or more embodiments, accommodation is measured through an infrared autorefractometer. In one or more embodiments, accommodation is measured through decentered photorefraction. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes measuring a level of convergence of the user's eyes and estimating accommodation. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes blurring one or more portions of one or more frames of image data based, at least in part, on the determined accommodation. In one or more embodiments, the focus is varied between fixed depth planes. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes a compensatory lens to compensate for optical effects of the waveguide.

[0080] In one or more embodiments, a method for displaying virtual content to a user includes determining accommodation of a user's eye, wherein the determined accommodation is associated with a focal length corresponding to the user's current state of focus; projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data through a diffractive optical element (DOE); varying the focus of the projected light based, at least in part, on the determined accommodation; and delivering the projected light to the user's eye such that the light is perceived by the user as originating from a focal length corresponding to the user's current state of focus.

[0081] In another embodiment, a method for displaying virtual content to a user includes determining accommodation of the user's eye, the determined accommodation being associated with a focal length corresponding to the user's current state of focus; projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data through a freeform optic; varying the focus of the projected light based, at least in part, on the determined accommodation; and delivering the projected light to the user's eye such that the light is perceived by the user as originating from a focal length corresponding to the user's current state of focus.

[0082] In another aspect, a method for displaying virtual content to a user includes determining accommodation of the user's eye, the determined accommodation being associated with a focal length corresponding to the user's current state of focus; projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data; varying the focus of the projected light based, at least in part, on the determined accommodation; and delivering the projected light to the user's eye such that the light is perceived by the user as originating from a focal length corresponding to the user's current state of focus.

[0083] In one or more embodiments, the light is delivered to the user through a substrate waveguide optical assembly. In one or more embodiments, the light is delivered to the user through a freeform optical element. In one or more embodiments, the light is delivered to the user through a diffractive optical element (DOE). In one or more embodiments, the light is projected through a stack of waveguides, wherein a first waveguide of the stack of waveguides outputs light at a particular wavefront, a second waveguide outputs a positive boundary wavefront for the particular wavefront, and a third waveguide outputs a negative boundary wavefront for the particular wavefront. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes blurring a portion of one or more frames of image data in a manner such that the portion is out of focus when the projected light is delivered to the user's eye.

[0084] In yet another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises an image generation source for providing one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner, a light generator for providing light associated with the one or more frames of image data, an accommodation tracking module for tracking accommodation of a user's eye, and a waveguide assembly for varying the focus of the light associated with the one or more frames of image data, wherein different frames of the image data are focused differently based, at least in part, on the tracked accommodation.

[0085] In another aspect, a system for displaying virtual content to a user includes an accommodation tracking module for determining accommodation of a user's eye; an image source for providing one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner; a light generator for projecting light associated with the one or more frames of image data; a plurality of waveguides for receiving light rays associated with the image data and transmitting the light rays toward the user's eye, the plurality of waveguides being stacked in a direction facing the user's eye; and a variable focusing element (VFE) for varying the focus of the transmitted light based, at least in part, on the determined accommodation of the user's eye.

[0086] In one or more embodiments, a waveguide of the plurality of waveguides is a waveguide element, and a focus of a first frame of image data transmitted from a first waveguide of the plurality of waveguides is different from a focus of a second frame of image data transmitted from a second waveguide of the plurality of waveguides. The first frame, in one or more embodiments, is a first layer of a 3D scene, and the second frame is a second layer of the 3D scene. In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises a blur module for blurring a portion of the one or more frames of image data in a manner such that the portion is out of focus when viewed by a user.

[0087] In one or more embodiments, the VFE is common to the plurality of waveguides. In one or more embodiments, the VFE is associated with a waveguide of the plurality of waveguides. In one or more embodiments, the VFE is coupled to a waveguide of the plurality of waveguides such that the VFE is interleaved between two waveguides of the plurality of waveguides. In one or more embodiments, the VFE is embedded within a waveguide of the plurality of waveguides. In one or more embodiments, the VFE is a diffractive optical element. In one or more embodiments, the VFE is a refractive element.

[0088] In one or more embodiments, the waveguide is electroactive. In one or more embodiments, a waveguide of one or more of the plurality of waveguides is switched off. In one or more embodiments, a waveguide of the plurality of waveguides corresponds to a fixed focal plane. The system further comprises an exit pupil, and in one or more embodiments, the diameter of the exit pupil is no more than 0.5 mm. The light generator is a scanning fiber display. In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises an array of exit pupils.

[0089] In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises a plurality of light generators, the light generators coupled to the exit pupil. In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises an exit pupil expander. In one or more embodiments, the exit pupil is switchable based at least in part on the determined accommodation of the user's eye.

[0090] In another aspect, a system includes an accommodation tracking module for determining accommodation of a user's eye; a fiber scanning display for scanning a plurality of light beams associated with one or more frames of image data, the light beams of the plurality of light beams being movable; and blurring software for rendering simulated dioptric blur within the one or more frames of image data based, at least in part, on the determined accommodation of the user's eye.

[0091] In one or more embodiments, the diameter of the light beam is no more than 2 mm. In one or more embodiments, the diameter of the light beam is no more than 0.5 mm. In one or more embodiments, the scanning light beam is duplicated to create multiple exit pupils. In one or more embodiments, the scanning light beam is duplicated to create a larger eyebox. In one or more embodiments, the exit pupil is switchable.

[0092] In another embodiment, a method for displaying virtual content includes determining the accommodation of a user's eyes; scanning a plurality of light beams associated with one or more frames of image data through a fiber scanning display, the light beams having a diameter of no more than 0.5 mm so that the frames of image data appear in focus when viewed by the user; and blurring one or more portions of the frames using blurring software based, at least in part, on the determined accommodation of the user's eyes.

[0093] Multiple exit pupils are created in one or more embodiments. The light beam is generated by a single-core fiber in one or more embodiments. The light beam is replicated in one or more embodiments to create multiple exit pupils. The exit pupils are switchable in one or more embodiments.

[0094] In another embodiment, a method for displaying virtual content to a user includes determining a position of the user's pupil relative to a bundle of light projectors, the bundle of light projectors corresponding to a sub-image of an image to be presented to the user, and propelling light corresponding to the sub-image into a portion of the user's pupil based on the determined position of the user's pupil.

[0095] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes propelling light corresponding to different sub-images of the image to be presented to different portions of the user's pupil through different bundles of light projectors. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes mapping one or more bundles of light projectors of the fiber scanning display to one or more portions of the user's pupil. In one or more embodiments, the mapping is a 1:1 mapping.

[0096] The diameter of the light is only 0.5 mm in one or more embodiments. The bundle of light projectors generates a coherent wavefront in one or more embodiments. The beamlets generated by the light projectors form a discretized coherent wavefront in one or more embodiments. The beamlets approach the user's eye parallel in one or more embodiments, and the eye deflects the beamlets to focus on the same spot on the retina. The user's eye receives a superset of the beamlets in one or more embodiments, and the beamlets correspond to multiple angles across the pupil.

[0097] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises a light source for providing light associated with one or more frames of image data, and an optical display assembly for receiving light associated with the one or more frames of image data, the optical display assembly corresponding to a plurality of spaced apart exit pupils that transmit light into the user's pupils.

[0098] In one or more embodiments, the multiple exit pupils are arranged in a hexagonal grid. In one or more embodiments, the multiple exit pupils are arranged in a square grid. In one or more embodiments, the multiple exit pupils are arranged in a two-dimensional array. In one or more embodiments, the multiple exit pupils are arranged in a three-dimensional array. In one or more embodiments, the multiple exit pupils are arranged in a time-varying array.

[0099] In one or more embodiments, a method for displaying virtual content to a user includes grouping a plurality of light projectors to form an exit pupil, directing a first light pattern through the first exit pupil into a first portion of the user's pupil, and directing a second light pattern through the second exit pupil into a second portion of the user's pupil, wherein the first light pattern and the second light pattern correspond to sub-images of an image to be presented to the user, and the first light pattern is different from the second light pattern. The method further includes, in one or more embodiments, creating a discretized coherent wavefront.

[0100] In yet another embodiment, a method for displaying virtual content to a user includes determining a location of the user's pupil relative to an optical display assembly and calculating a focal point for focusing light onto the pupil based at least in part on an eyebox defined around the determined location of the pupil.

[0101] In one or more embodiments, the diameter of the light is no more than 0.5 mm. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes creating a discretized aggregate wavefront. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes condensing a plurality of discrete, neighboring collimated light beams based, at least in part, on the center of curvature radius of the desired aggregate wavefront. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes determining accommodation of the user's eye, wherein the focus is calculated, at least in part, based on the determined accommodation.

[0102] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes selecting angular trajectories of light for the plurality of beamlets to create a defocused light beam. In one or more embodiments, the plurality of beamlets represent pixels of image data to be presented to a user. In one or more embodiments, the beamlets impinge on the eye at multiple angles of incidence.

[0103] In yet another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises an image source for providing one or more portions of an image to be presented to the user, and a plurality of micro-projectors for projecting light associated with the one or more portions of the image, the micro-projectors being positioned in a manner facing the user's pupil, and a micro-projector of the plurality of micro-projectors being configured to project a collection of light rays representing a portion of the sub-image, the collection of light rays being projected onto the portion of the user's pupil.

[0104] In one or more embodiments, a first portion of the user's pupil receives light rays from the multiple micro-projectors. In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises a reflective surface for reflecting light from the multiple micro-projectors to one or more portions of the user's pupil. In one or more embodiments, the reflective surface is positioned in a manner such that the user can view the real world through the reflective surface. In one or more embodiments, the diameter of the light is no more than 0.5 mm. In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises a discretized coherent wavefront.

[0105] In another embodiment, the system comprises a processor for determining the location of a user's pupils and an array of spatial light modulators (SLMs) for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data, the array of SLMs being positioned at least in part based on the determined location of the user's pupils and generating a bright field when viewed by the user.

[0106] In another aspect, a system for displaying virtual content to a user includes an image source for providing one or more frames of image data, a first spatial light modulator (SLM) configured to selectively transmit light rays associated with the one or more frames of image data, a second SLM positioned relative to the first SLM, the second SLM also configured to selectively transmit light rays associated with the one or more frames of image data, and a processor for controlling the first and second SLMs in a manner such that a bright field is created when the transmitted light rays are viewed by a user.

[0107] The system, in one or more embodiments, further comprises an accommodation tracking module for determining the accommodation of the user's eye. The SLM, in one or more embodiments, is an LCD. The LCD, in one or more embodiments, is attenuated. The LCD, in one or more embodiments, rotates the polarization of the transmitted light. The SLM, in one or more embodiments, is a DMD. The DMD, in one or more embodiments, is coupled to one or more lenses. The SLM, in one or more embodiments, is an MEMs array. The MEMs array, in one or more embodiments, comprises an array of sliding MEMs shutters. The MEMs array, in one or more embodiments, is a Pixtronics® MEMs array.

[0108] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises a plurality of optical fibers for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data to be presented to a user, the optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers being coupled to a lens, the lens being configured to modify the diameter of the light beam projected by the scanning fiber, the lens comprising a gradient refractive index.

[0109] In one or more embodiments, the lens is a GRIN lens. In one or more embodiments, the lens collimates the light beam. In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises an actuator coupled to an optical fiber of the plurality of optical fibers for scanning the fiber. In one or more embodiments, the actuator is a piezoelectric actuator. In one or more embodiments, the end of the optical fiber is polished at an angle to create the lens effect. In one or more embodiments, the end of the optical fiber is melted to create the lens effect.

[0110] In one or more embodiments, a method for displaying virtual content to a user includes the steps of projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data, the light being projected through a plurality of optical fibers; modifying the light projected through the plurality of optical fibers through a lens, the lens being coupled to the tips of the plurality of optical fibers; and delivering the modified light to a user.

[0111] In one or more embodiments, a system for displaying virtual content comprises a multicore assembly comprising a plurality of fibers for multiplexing light associated with one or more frames of image data, and a waveguide for receiving and transmitting a light pattern such that a first viewing zone receives only light associated with a first portion of the image and a second viewing zone receives only light associated with a second portion of the image, the first and second viewing zones being no more than 0.5 mm apart. The system further comprises, in one or more embodiments, blurring software for blurring one or more portions of the frames of image data. The system further comprises, in one or more embodiments, an accommodation module for determining accommodation of a user's eye. In one or more embodiments, the waveguide projects light directly into the user's eye without intermediate viewing optics.

[0112] In one or more embodiments, the system comprises a multicore assembly comprising a plurality of fibers for multiplexing light associated with one or more frames of image data, a waveguide for receiving and transmitting the light pattern such that a first viewing zone receives only light associated with a first portion of the image and a second viewing zone receives only light associated with a second portion of the image, the first and second viewing zones being no more than 0.5 mm apart, and an optical assembly coupled to the waveguide for modifying the light beams transmitted to the first and second viewing zones.

[0113] The multiple fibers project light into a single waveguide array. The multicore assembly is scanned in one or more embodiments. A time-varying bright field is generated in one or more embodiments. The optical assembly is a DOE element. The optical assembly is an LC layer in one or more embodiments.

[0114] In one or more embodiments, the method includes projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data through a multi-core assembly, the multi-core assembly comprising a plurality of optical fibers, and transmitting the projected light through a waveguide such that a first portion of a user's pupil receives light associated with the first portion of the image and a second portion of the user's pupil receives light associated with the second portion of the image.

[0115] The diameter of the first and second portions is no more than 0.5 mm in one or more embodiments. Multiple optical fibers project light into a single waveguide array in one or more embodiments. The multicore assembly is scanned in one or more embodiments. The waveguide comprises multiple reflectors in one or more embodiments. The angle of the reflectors is variable in one or more embodiments. An optical assembly modifies the light being delivered to the first and second viewing zones in one or more embodiments. The optical assembly is a DOE element. The optical assembly is a freeform optic. The optical assembly is an LC layer in one or more embodiments.

[0116] In one aspect, the system includes an array of microprojectors for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data to be presented to a user, and in one or more embodiments, the array of microprojectors is positioned relative to the location of the user's pupil, and the light is projected into the user's pupil. In one or more embodiments, the first and second light beams are superimposed. In one or more embodiments, the first and second light beams are deflected at least in part based on the critical angle of the polished bundled fibers. The polished bundled fibers are used to increase the resolution of the display. In one or more embodiments, the polished bundled fibers are used to create a bright field.

[0117] In another embodiment, the system comprises an array of microprojectors for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data to be presented to a user, the array of microprojectors being positioned relative to the location of the user's pupil, the light being projected into the user's pupil, and an optical element coupled to the array of microprojectors for modifying the light projected into the user's pupil.

[0118] In yet another embodiment, a system comprises a plurality of multicore fibers for transmitting optical beams, the plurality of beams being coupled together, and a combining element for bundling the plurality of multicore fibers together, the bundle of multicore fibers being polished at a critical angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the fibers such that a first optical beam transmitted from a first fiber of the bundled fibers has a first path length and a second optical beam transmitted from a second fiber of the bundled fibers has a second path length, the first path length being different from the second path length such that the first optical beam is out of phase with respect to the second optical beam.

[0119] In one or more embodiments, the first and second light beams are superimposed. In one or more embodiments, the first and second light beams are deflected based at least in part on the critical angle of the polished bundled fibers. In one or more embodiments, the polished bundled fibers are used to increase the resolution of the display. In one or more embodiments, the polished bundled fibers are used to create a bright field.

[0120] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises: an image source for providing one or more frames of image data; a plurality of optical fibers for transmitting light beams associated with the one or more frames of image data; and an optical element coupled to the plurality of optical fibers for receiving collimated light from the optical fibers and delivering the light beams to the user's eye, wherein the light beams are delivered to the user's eye at a plurality of angles such that a first light beam is delivered to a portion of the user's eye at a first angle and a second light beam is delivered to the same portion of the user's eye at a second angle, the first angle being different from the second angle. In one or more embodiments, the optical element is a waveguide. In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises a phase modulator for modulating transmission of light through the optical fibers.

[0121] In yet another embodiment, a method includes providing one or more frames of image data, transmitting a light beam associated with the one or more frames of image data through a plurality of optical fibers, and delivering the light beam to a user's eye at a plurality of angles.

[0122] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes modulating the phase delay of the plurality of optical fibers. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes coupling an optical element to the plurality of optical fibers. In one or more embodiments, the optical element is a waveguide. In one or more embodiments, the optical element is a freeform optic. In one or more embodiments, the optical element is a DOE. In one or more embodiments, the optical element is a waveguide.

[0123] In one or more embodiments, a virtual reality display system includes a plurality of optical fibers for generating light beams associated with one or more images to be presented to a user, and a plurality of phase modulators coupled to the plurality of optical fibers for modulating the light beams, the phase modulators modulating the light in a manner that affects a wavefront generated as a result of the plurality of light beams.

[0124] In one or more embodiments, the one or more optical fibers are deflected at one or more angles. In one or more embodiments, the optical fibers of the plurality of optical fibers are coupled to a GRIN lens. In one or more embodiments, the plurality of optical fibers are physically actuated to scan the optical fibers.

[0125] In yet another aspect, a method includes providing one or more frames of image data to be presented to a user; projecting light associated with the one or more frames of image data through a plurality of optical fibers; and modulating the light projected by the plurality of optical fibers through a plurality of phase modulators in a manner that affects a coherent wavefront generated by the plurality of optical fibers.

[0126] In one or more embodiments, the light projected by the one or more optical fibers is deflected at one or more angles. In one or more embodiments, the one or more optical fibers are coupled to a GRIN lens. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes scanning the optical light beam, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are physically actuated to scan the optical fibers.

[0127] In another aspect, a system for displaying virtual content includes an array of optical fibers for transmitting light beams associated with an image to be presented to a user, and a lens coupled to the array of optical fibers for deflecting multiple light beams output by the array of optical fibers through a single node, the lens being physically attached to the optical fibers such that movement of the optical fibers moves the lens, and the single node is scanned.

[0128] The light beams output by the array of optical fibers, in one or more embodiments, represent pixels of an image to be presented to a user. The lens, in one or more embodiments, is a GRIN lens. The array of optical fibers, in one or more embodiments, is used to display a bright field. Different sets of light beams output by different arrays of optical fibers, in one or more embodiments, represent different pixels of an image to be presented to a user. Multiple arrays of optical fibers, in one or more embodiments, are combined to represent pixels of an image to be presented to a user. The array of optical fibers, in one or more embodiments, is configured to deliver the light beams to a predetermined portion of a user's pupil. The output light beam, in one or more embodiments, is divergent. The output light beam, in one or more embodiments, is convergent.

[0129] In one or more embodiments, the numerical aperture of the output light beam is increased relative to the light beams transmitted by the individual optical fibers. The increased numerical aperture, in one or more embodiments, enables higher resolution. In one or more embodiments, the array of optical fibers is beveled in such a manner that the path length of a first light beam traveling through a first optical fiber is different from that of a second light beam traveling through a second optical fiber, thereby enabling multiple focal lengths of light beams to be delivered to the user's eye.

[0130] In another aspect, a system for displaying virtual content to a user includes an array of microprojectors for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data, wherein the microprojectors of one or more of the arrays are polished at an angle such that the projected light is deflected, the polished angle creating a path length difference between a first microprojector and a second microprojector of the array of microprojectors relative to an optical element; and an optical scanner for receiving the deflected light beams and scanning them in at least one axis.

[0131] In yet another aspect, a system for providing at least one of a virtual or augmented reality experience to a user comprises: a frame; an array of microprojectors carried by the frame and positionable in front of at least one eye of the user when the frame is worn by the user; and a local controller communicatively coupled to the array of microprojectors for providing image information to the microprojectors, the local controller comprising at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory processor-readable medium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one non-transitory processor-readable medium storing at least one processor-executable instruction or data that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to at least one of process, cache, and store data, provide the image information to the microprojector, and generate at least one of a virtual or augmented reality visual experience for the user.

[0132] The system further comprises, in one or more embodiments, at least one reflector supported by the frame and positioned and oriented to direct light from the microprojector toward at least one eye of the user when the frame is worn by the user. The microprojector, in one or more embodiments, comprises a respective one of a plurality of scanning fiber displays. Each of the scanning fiber displays, in one or more embodiments, has a respective collimating lens at its distal tip. The respective collimating lens, in one or more embodiments, is a gradient index (GRIN) lens.

[0133] The individual collimating lenses, in one or more embodiments, are curved lenses. The individual collimating lenses, in one or more embodiments, are fused to the distal tips of the individual scanning fiber displays. The scanning fiber displays, in one or more embodiments, have individual diffractive lenses at their distal tips. Each of the scanning fiber displays, in one or more embodiments, has a diffuser at its distal tip.

[0134] The diffusers, in one or more embodiments, are etched into the respective distal tips. Each of the scanning fiber displays, in one or more embodiments, has a respective lens at its distal tip, the lens extending from the distal tip a sufficient distance to vibrate freely in response to a stimulus. Each of the scanning fiber displays, in one or more embodiments, has a respective reflector at its distal tip, the reflector extending from the distal tip a sufficient distance to vibrate freely in response to a stimulus. Each of the scanning fiber displays, in one or more embodiments, includes a respective single-mode optical fiber.

[0135] Each scanning fiber display, in one or more embodiments, includes a separate mechanical transducer coupled to move at least a distal tip of a single-mode optical fiber. Each separate mechanical transducer, in one or more embodiments, is a piezoelectric actuator. Each single-mode optical fiber, in one or more embodiments, has a distal tip, the distal tip having a hemispherical lens shape. Each single-mode optical fiber, in one or more embodiments, has a distal tip, the distal tip having a refractive lens affixed thereto.

[0136] The system further includes, in one or more embodiments, a transparent holder substrate that holds together the plurality of single mode optical fibers. The transparent holder substrate, in one or more embodiments, has a refractive index that at least approximately matches the refractive index of the cladding of the single mode optical fibers. In one or more embodiments, the transparent holder substrate holds the plurality of single mode optical fibers, each angled toward a common spot.

[0137] The system, in one or more embodiments, further comprises at least one mechanical transducer coupled to move in unison with the plurality of single-mode optical fibers. The at least one mechanical transducer vibrates the plurality of single-mode optical fibers at a mechanical resonant frequency of the single-mode optical fibers, portions of which are cantilevered from the transparent holder substrate. The microprojector, in one or more embodiments, comprises a respective one of a plurality of planar waveguides, a portion of each of which extends cantilevered from the holder substrate. The system, in one or more embodiments, further comprises at least one mechanical transducer coupled to move the plurality of planar waveguides in unison.

[0138] In one or more embodiments, the at least one mechanical transducer vibrates the holder substrate at the mechanical resonant frequency of the planar waveguide. In one or more embodiments, the microprojector comprises respective ones of a plurality of piezoelectric actuators coupled to move respective ones of the planar waveguides relative to the holder substrate. Each of the planar waveguides, in one or more embodiments, defines a total internal reflection path along a respective length of the planar waveguide, and the planar waveguide comprises a respective one of a plurality of electronically switchable diffractive optical elements (DOEs) operable to propagate light outward from the respective total internal reflection path. In one or more embodiments, the array of microprojectors comprises an array of optical fibers, each having a distal tip and at least one beveled edge. In one or more embodiments, the at least one beveled edge is at the distal tip, and the distal tip is a polished distal tip.

[0139] In one or more embodiments, each optical fiber has a reflective surface at its respective distal tip. In one or more embodiments, the distal tip has an output edge at a defined critical angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the respective optical fiber. In one or more embodiments, the defined critical angle is approximately 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the respective optical fiber. In one or more embodiments, the system further includes a focusing lens in an optical path of the light exiting the distal end of the optical fiber and receives multiple beams of light, the beams being out of phase with each other. In one or more embodiments, the system further includes at least one transducer coupled to move at least one of the optical fibers in an XY Cartesian coordinate system and to move light emitted by the at least one optical fiber in an XZ Cartesian coordinate system. In one or more embodiments, the at least one transducer is a first piezoelectric actuator that resonates the cantilevered portion of the optical fiber in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the cantilevered portion extends.

[0140] The optical fiber, in one or more embodiments, comprises a thin ribbon of optical fiber. The at least one transducer, in one or more embodiments, is a second piezoelectric actuator that moves at least a cantilevered portion of the optical fiber longitudinally in the direction the cantilevered portion extends. The microprojector, in one or more embodiments, includes at least one single-axis mirror operable to provide slow scanning along the longitudinal axis of at least one of the optical fibers. The array of optical fibers, in one or more embodiments, comprises a multicore fiber. The multicore fiber includes a plurality of approximately seven sparsely positioned clusters within a single conduit, each cluster comprising three optical fibers, each optical fiber, in one or more embodiments, carrying a respective one of three different colors of light.

[0141] The multicore fiber, in one or more embodiments, includes a plurality of about 19 sparsely positioned clusters within a single conduit, each cluster comprising three optical fibers, each optical fiber carrying a respective one of three different colors of light, creating a triplet of overlapping spots of three different colors. The multicore fiber, in one or more embodiments, includes at least one cluster within a single conduit, each cluster comprising at least three optical fibers, each optical fiber carrying at least two different colors of light.

[0142] In one or more embodiments, the multicore fiber includes at least one cluster within a single conduit, the at least one cluster comprising four optical fibers, each optical fiber carrying a respective one of four different colors of light, one of the four colors being infrared or near-infrared. In one or more embodiments, the multicore fiber includes multiple cores within a tight bundle and further comprises at least one transducer coupled to move the cores in a sparse spiral pattern. In one or more embodiments, the at least one beveled edge is spaced inward from the distal tip. In one or more embodiments, the at least one beveled edge is polished.

[0143] In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises at least one transducer coupled to move at least one of the optical fibers within an XY Cartesian coordinate system and to move light emitted by the at least one optical fiber within an XZ Cartesian coordinate system.

[0144] In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises a focusing lens in the optical path of the light exiting the beveled edge of the optical fiber, receiving multiple beams of light, the beams being out of phase with each other. In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises a laser and at least one phase modulator optically coupling the output of the laser into several cores of the multicore fiber to achieve mutual coherence.

[0145] The system further comprises, in one or more embodiments, a lenslet array optically coupled upstream of the input ends of respective ones of the cores of the multicore fiber, and a prism array optically coupled between the plurality of collimating lenses and the input ends of the cores of the multicore fiber, for deflecting light from the lenslet array into the cores of the multicore fiber.

[0146] The system further comprises, in one or more embodiments, a lenslet array optically coupled upstream of the input ends of individual ones of the cores of the multicore fiber, and a co-focusing lens optically coupled between the lenslet array and the input ends of the cores of the multicore fiber, which deflects light from the lenslet array into the cores of the multicore fiber.

[0147] The array of microprojectors, in one or more embodiments, further comprises at least one reflector operable to generate a scan pattern and optically coupled to the array of optical fibers. In one or more embodiments, the at least one reflector is operable to generate at least one of a raster scan pattern, a Lissajous scan pattern, or a spiral scan pattern of the multi-focus beam. In one or more embodiments, each core of the multi-core fiber addresses a distinct portion of the image plane in a non-overlapping manner. In one or more embodiments, each core of the multi-core fiber addresses a distinct portion of the image plane in a substantially overlapping manner.

[0148] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content comprises an image source for providing one or more frames of image data to be presented to a user; a fiber scanning display comprising a plurality of fibers and projecting light associated with the one or more frames of image data, the plurality of fibers being scanned using an actuator; and a processor for controlling the fiber scanning display in a manner such that a bright field is presented to the user.

[0149] In one or more embodiments, the actuator is shared among all fibers of the fiber scanning display. Each fiber, in one or more embodiments, has its own individual actuator. In one or more embodiments, the fibers are mechanically coupled by a grating so that the fibers move together. In one or more embodiments, the grating is a graphene plane. In one or more embodiments, the grating is a lightweight strut.

[0150] In another embodiment, a system for providing at least one virtual or augmented reality experience to a user comprises a frame; a display system carried by the frame and positionable in front of at least one eye of the user when the frame is worn by the user; and a local controller communicatively coupled to the display system and providing image information to the display system, the local controller comprising at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory processor-readable medium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one non-transitory processor-readable medium storing at least one processor-executable instruction or data that, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to at least one of process, cache, and store data, provide the image information to a display, and generate at least one virtual or augmented reality visual experience for the user.

[0151] The display, in one or more embodiments, comprises at least one wedge-shaped waveguide having at least two planar surfaces facing each other across a thickness of a first wedge-shaped waveguide and having a length along which light incident at a defined angle onto the wedge-shaped waveguide via an entrance portion of the wedge-shaped waveguide propagates via total internal reflection, the thickness of the wedge-shaped waveguide varying linearly along the length of the wedge-shaped waveguide. The wedge-shaped waveguide, in one or more embodiments, provides bimodal total internal reflection.

[0152] The system further comprises, in one or more embodiments, at least two projectors optically coupled to the wedge-shaped waveguide at distinct locations along the entrance portion of the wedge-shaped waveguide.The system further comprises, in one or more embodiments, a first linear array of projectors optically coupled to the wedge-shaped waveguide at distinct locations along the entrance portion of the wedge-shaped waveguide.

[0153] In one or more embodiments, a projector of the first linear array of projectors is a scanning fiber display. In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises a stack of multiple spatial light modulators optically coupled to the wedge-shaped waveguide along an input portion of the wedge-shaped waveguide. In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises a multi-core optical fiber optically coupled to the wedge-shaped waveguide at one or more locations along the input portion of the wedge-shaped waveguide.

[0154] In one or more embodiments, the projectors of the first linear array of projectors are optically coupled to the wedge-shaped waveguide and launch light into the wedge-shaped waveguide at a first angle, and further comprise a second linear array of projectors optically coupled to the wedge-shaped waveguide at distinct, different locations along an entrance portion of the wedge-shaped waveguide, the projectors of the second linear array of projectors being optically coupled to the wedge-shaped waveguide and launching light into the wedge-shaped waveguide at a second angle, the second angle being different from the first angle.

[0155] In one or more embodiments, the entrance portion is a longitudinal end of the wedge-shaped waveguide. In one or more embodiments, the entrance portion is a lateral edge of the wedge-shaped waveguide. In one or more embodiments, the entrance portion is one of the planar surfaces of the wedge-shaped waveguide. In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises at least one optical component optically coupled to the projector and configured to change an angle of light received from the projector and optically couple the light into the wedge-shaped waveguide at an angle that achieves total internal reflection of the light within the wedge-shaped waveguide.

[0156] In another aspect, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises: an array of microprojectors for projecting light beams associated with one or more frames of image data to be presented to a user, the microprojectors being configurable to be movable relative to one or more microprojectors in the array of microprojectors; a frame for storing the array of microprojectors; and a processor operatively coupled to one or more microprojectors in the array of microprojectors for controlling one or more light beams transmitted from the one or more projectors in a manner such that the one or more light beams are modulated as a function of the position of the one or more microprojectors relative to the array of microprojectors, thereby enabling delivery of a bright field image to the user.

[0157] In one or more embodiments, the micro-projectors of the array of micro-projectors are coupled to a lens. In one or more embodiments, the array of micro-projectors is arranged in a manner based on a desired resolution of the image to be presented to a user. In one or more embodiments, the array of micro-projectors is arranged based on a desired field of view. The light beams of the multiple micro-projectors overlap in one or more embodiments. The system further includes, in one or more embodiments, an actuator coupled to the one or more micro-projectors, the actuator being configurable to move the one or more micro-projectors.

[0158] In one or more embodiments, the actuator is coupled to multiple microprojectors. In one or more embodiments, the actuator is coupled to a single microprojector. In one or more embodiments, the microprojectors of the array of microprojectors are mechanically coupled to a grating.

[0159] In yet another embodiment, a contact lens that interfaces with the cornea of ​​a user's eye of a virtual or augmented reality display comprises a partially hemispherical substrate and a selective filter. The selective filter, in one or more embodiments, is configured to selectively pass a light beam to the user's eye. The selective filter, in one or more embodiments, is a notch filter. In one or more embodiments, the notch filter substantially blocks wavelengths at about 450 nm (peak blue) and substantially passes other wavelengths in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. In one or more embodiments, the notch filter substantially blocks wavelengths at about 530 nm (green) and substantially passes other wavelengths in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. In one or more embodiments, the notch filter substantially blocks wavelengths at about 650 nm and substantially passes other wavelengths in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum.

[0160] In one or more embodiments, the notch filter comprises multiple layers of dielectric material carried by a substrate. In one or more embodiments, the filter has a pinhole opening with a diameter of less than 1.5 mm. In one or more embodiments, the pinhole opening allows multiple wavelengths of light beams to pass through. In one or more embodiments, the size of the pinhole is varied, at least in part, based on a desired focal depth of the display. In one or more embodiments, the contact lens further comprises multiple modes of operation. In one or more embodiments, the contact lens further comprises a multi-focal depth display configuration of virtual content.

[0161] The contact lens, in one or more embodiments, further comprises an accommodation tracking module for determining accommodation of the user's eye. The focal depth of a particular display object, in one or more embodiments, is varied at least in part based on the determined accommodation. The image, in one or more embodiments, is relayed through a waveguide, and the relayed image is associated with a particular focal depth.

[0162] In another embodiment, a method for displaying virtual content to a user includes providing one or more frames of image data to be presented to a user, projecting light associated with the one or more frames of image data, and receiving the projected light through a partial hemispherical substrate coupled to the user's pupil and selectively filtering the light beam toward the user's pupil.

[0163] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user includes a light projection system for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data to an eye of the user, the light projection system configured to project light corresponding to a plurality of pixels associated with the image data, and a processor for modulating a focal depth of the plurality of pixels displayed to the user.

[0164] In one or more embodiments, the depth of focus is spatially modulated. In one or more embodiments, the depth of focus is modulated temporally. In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises an image source for providing one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner. In one or more embodiments, the depth of focus is modulated on a frame-by-frame basis. In one or more embodiments, the optical projection system comprises a plurality of optical fibers, and the depth of focus is modulated across the plurality of optical fibers such that a portion of the optical fibers is associated with a first depth of focus and another portion of the optical fibers is associated with a second depth of focus, the first depth of focus being different from the second depth of focus.

[0165] In one or more embodiments, a first display object of a particular frame is displayed through a first focal depth and a second display object of the particular frame is displayed through a second focal depth, the first focal depth being different from the second focal depth. In one or more embodiments, a first pixel of a particular frame is associated with a first focal depth and a second pixel of the particular frame is associated with a second focal depth, the first focal depth being different from the second focal depth. In one or more embodiments, the system further includes an accommodation tracking module for determining accommodation of the user's eyes, and the focal depth is modulated at least in part based on the determined accommodation.

[0166] In one or more embodiments, a light generation pattern associated with the light generation system is dynamically followed by the determined accommodation. In one or more embodiments, the pattern is a scanning pattern of a plurality of optical fibers. In one or more embodiments, the system further includes a blur module for blurring one or more portions of the image data, the blurring being created to smooth a transition between the first scanning pattern and the second scanning pattern or the first resolution scanning pitch and the second resolution scanning pitch.

[0167] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user includes a light projection system for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data to an eye of the user, the light projection system configured to project light corresponding to a plurality of pixels associated with the image data, and a processor for modulating a size of the plurality of pixels displayed to the user.

[0168] In one or more embodiments, the light projection system is a fiber scanning display. In one or more embodiments, the projected light is displayed through a scanning pattern. In one or more embodiments, the processor modulates the size of a particular pixel based at least in part on the type of scanning pattern. In one or more embodiments, the size of one or more pixels may be modulated at least in part based on the distance between scan lines of the scanning pattern. In one or more embodiments, the size of a first pixel is different from the size of a second pixel within the same frame.

[0169] In another aspect, a method for displaying virtual content to a user, in one or more embodiments, includes projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data, wherein one or more light beams of the projected light correspond to one or more pixels, and the light is projected through a fiber scanning display; and modulating the size of the one or more pixels displayed to the user.

[0170] The size of a particular pixel is varied, in one or more embodiments, based at least in part on the scan pattern of the fiber scanning display. The size of one or more pixels is modulated, in one or more embodiments, based at least in part on the distance between scan lines of the scan pattern. The size of one or more pixels is variable, in one or more embodiments.

[0171] In yet another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user includes, in one or more embodiments, a display system delivering light associated with one or more frames of image data, the display system comprising a plurality of pixels and scanning light having a variable line pitch; a blur module for performing variable blurring of one or more pixels of the plurality of pixels and modifying a size of the one or more pixels; and a processor for controlling the blur module in a manner such that the pixel size is varied, at least in part, based on the line pitch of the display system. The display system is, in one or more embodiments, a fiber scanning system. The pixel size is enlarged in one or more embodiments. The pixel size is reduced in one or more embodiments. The pitch lines are sparse in one or more embodiments. The pitch lines are dense in one or more embodiments.

[0172] In another aspect, a method for displaying virtual content to a user includes projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data to be presented to the user, selectively attenuating at least a portion of the projected light beam based, at least in part, on characteristics of the image data, and delivering the attenuated light beam to an eye of the user.

[0173] The light beam, in one or more embodiments, is selectively attenuated based at least in part on the angle of incidence of the light beam. Different portions of the frame are attenuated to different amounts in one or more embodiments. The depth of focus of the attenuated light beam is varied in one or more embodiments.

[0174] In one or more embodiments, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises an image source for providing one or more frames of image data; a stack of two or more spatial light modulators (SLMs) positioned so that the stack delivers light associated with the one or more frames of image data to the user, the SLMs spatially attenuating light from the external environment; and a processor for controlling the stack of SLMs in a manner such that the angle at which a light beam passes through one or more cells of the SLMs is modulated.

[0175] The system further comprises a display optics assembly, which in one or more embodiments is positioned between the user's eyes and the external environment. The SLMs of the stack of SLMs are cholesteric LCDs. At least one of the SLMs is a cholesteric LCD in one or more embodiments. The stack of SLMs, in one or more embodiments, is positioned such that the user views the external world through the stack of SLMs, and the SLMs are at least translucent.

[0176] The spatial light modulator array, in one or more embodiments, comprises at least one of a number of liquid crystal arrays, a number of digital mirror device elements of a digital light processing system, a number of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) arrays, or a number of MEMS shutters. The system, in one or more embodiments, further comprises an occluder comprising at least one optical component, wherein the processor controls the at least one optical component of the occluder to generate a dark field representation of the dark virtual object.

[0177] In another aspect, a system for displaying virtual content comprises an array of spatial light modulators, the array of spatial light modulators configured to generate a light pattern and comprising at least two modulators, and a processor for controlling the array of spatial modulators in a manner such that the at least two spatial modulators form a Moiré pattern, the Moiré pattern being a periodic spatial pattern that attenuates light with a period that differs from a period of the light pattern formed on the at least two spatial light modulators.

[0178] The spatial light modulator array, in one or more embodiments, comprises at least two spatial light modulator arrays optically coupled to one another and controlling the passage of light via a Moiré effect. Each of the at least two spatial light modulator arrays, in one or more embodiments, has a distinct attenuation pattern. Each of the at least two spatial light modulator arrays, in one or more embodiments, has a distinct fine-pitch sinusoidal pattern printed, etched, or otherwise inscribed thereon. The at least two spatial light modulator arrays, in one or more embodiments, are aligned with one another. Each of the at least two spatial light modulator arrays, in one or more embodiments, has a distinct attenuation pattern.

[0179] In yet another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises: a light generating source for providing light associated with one or more frames of image data, the light generating source being a spatial light modulator; and a pinhole array positioned in a manner relative to the spatial light modulator such that pinholes of the pinhole array receive light from multiple cells of the spatial light modulator, wherein a first light beam passing through the pinhole corresponds to a different angle than a second light beam passing through the pinhole, and the cells of the spatial light modulator selectively attenuate the light.

[0180] In one or more embodiments, the external environment is viewed through the pinhole array and the SLM, and the light beam is selectively attenuated based, at least in part, on the angle of incidence of the light beam. Light from different portions of the field of view is selectively attenuated in one or more embodiments. The system further comprises, in one or more embodiments, a selective attenuation layer selectively operable to attenuate transmission of light therethrough, the selective attenuation layer being in optical series with the pinhole layer.

[0181] In one or more embodiments, the selective attenuation layer comprises a liquid crystal array, a digital light projector system, or a spatial light modulator array with a distinct attenuation pattern. In one or more embodiments, the pinhole array is positioned approximately 30 mm from the cornea of ​​the user's eye, and the selective attenuation panel is positioned opposite the pinhole array from the eye. The pinhole array comprises multiple pinholes, and in one or more embodiments, the processor controls the SLM in a manner such that light is attenuated as a function of the angle at which the light beam passes through the multiple pinholes, thereby generating a condensed bright field. In one or more embodiments, the condensed bright field produces occlusion at a desired focal length.

[0182] In another embodiment, a system includes a light generating source, which in one or more embodiments is a spatial light modulator, for providing light associated with one or more frames of image data; and a lens array positioned in a manner relative to the spatial light modulator such that lenses of the lens array receive light from multiple cells of the spatial light modulator, wherein a first light beam received by the lens corresponds to a different angle than a second light beam received by the lens, and the cells of the spatial light modulator selectively attenuate the light.

[0183] In one or more embodiments, the external environment is viewed through the lens array and the SLM, and the light beam is selectively attenuated based, at least in part, on the angle of incidence of the light beam. Light from different portions of the field of view is selectively attenuated in one or more embodiments. In one or more embodiments, the lens array comprises multiple lenses, and a processor controls the SLM in a manner such that light is attenuated as a function of the angle at which the light beam is received by the multiple lenses, thereby generating an aggregate bright field. In one or more embodiments, the aggregate bright field produces an occlusion at a desired focal length.

[0184] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises a light projector for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data, at least one polarization-sensitive layer for receiving the light and rotating the polarization of the light, and an array of polarization modulators for modulating the polarization of the polarization-sensitive layer, wherein the states of cells in the array determine the amount of light that passes through the polarization-sensitive layer. In one or more embodiments, the system is positioned in a near-eye configuration. In one or more embodiments, the polarization modulator is a liquid crystal array.

[0185] The system, in one or more embodiments, further comprises a parallax barrier for offsetting the polarizer so that different exit pupils have different paths through the polarizer. The polarizer, in one or more embodiments, is an xpol polarizer. The polarizer, in one or more embodiments, is a multipol polarizer. The polarizer, in one or more embodiments, is a patterned polarizer. In one or more embodiments, the light interacts with one or more MEMs arrays.

[0186] In one or more embodiments, the system further includes an SLM for projecting light, the SLM being positioned between one or more optical elements, the optical element corresponding to a zero-magnification telescope. In one or more embodiments, a user views an external environment through the zero-magnification telescope. In one or more embodiments, at least one SLM is positioned at an image plane within the zero-magnification telescope. In one or more embodiments, the system further includes a DMD, the DMD corresponding to a transparent substrate in one or more embodiments.

[0187] In one or more embodiments, the system further includes an occluder comprising at least one optical component, wherein the processor controls the at least one optical component of the occluder to generate a dark field representation of the dark virtual object. The system further includes one or more LCDs, wherein the one or more LCDs selectively attenuate the light beam in one or more embodiments. The system further includes one or more LCDs, wherein the one or more LCDs act as polarization rotators. In one or more embodiments, the occluder is a louver MEMs device.

[0188] The louver MEMs device, in one or more embodiments, is opaque, and the louver MEMs device changes the angle of incidence on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The occluder, in one or more embodiments, is a sliding panel MEMs device that slides back and forth to modify the area of ​​occlusion.

[0189] In another embodiment, a method for displaying virtual content includes projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data, rotating the polarization of the light through a polarization-sensitive layer at a substrate that receives the projected light, and modulating the polarization of the light to selectively attenuate the light passing through the polarizing layer.

[0190] In one or more embodiments, the polarization modulator is a liquid crystal array. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes creating a parallax barrier to offset the polarizer so that different exit pupils have different paths through the polarizer. In one or more embodiments, the polarizer is an xpol polarizer. In one or more embodiments, the polarizer is a multipol polarizer. In one or more embodiments, the polarizer is a patterned polarizer.

[0191] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content comprises a light generating source for providing light associated with one or more frames of image data, the light generating source being a spatial light modulator; and an array of microelectromechanical (MEM) louvers, the MEM louvers housed within a substantially transparent substrate, the MEM louvers configurable to vary the angle at which light is delivered to a pixel, wherein the angle of a first pixel delivered to a user is different from the angle of a second pixel delivered to the user.

[0192] The at least one optical component, in one or more embodiments, comprises a first array of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) louvers. The array of MEMS louvers, in one or more embodiments, comprises a plurality of substantially opaque louvers carried by an optically transparent substrate. The array of microelectromechanical system (MEMS) louvers, in one or more embodiments, has a louver pitch that is sufficiently fine to selectively occlude light on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The system further comprises at least one optical component of an occluder, in one or more embodiments, comprising a second array of MEMS louvers, the second array of MEMS louvers being in a stacked configuration with the first array of MEMS louvers.

[0193] The array of MEMS louvers, in one or more embodiments, comprises a plurality of polarizing louvers carried by an optically transparent substrate, wherein the individual polarization states of each of the louvers are selectively controllable. The louvers of the first and second arrays of MEMS panels, in one or more embodiments, are polarizers. At least one optical component of the occluder, in one or more embodiments, comprises a first array of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) panels mounted for movement within a frame.

[0194] In one or more embodiments, the panels of the first array of MEMS panels are slidably mounted for movement within a frame. In one or more embodiments, the panels of the first array of MEMS panels are pivotally mounted for movement within a frame. In one or more embodiments, the panels of the first array of MEMS panels are translatably and pivotally mounted for movement within a frame. In one or more embodiments, the panels are movable to generate a Moiré pattern. In one or more embodiments, the at least one optical component of the occluder further comprises a second array of MEMS panels mounted for movement within a frame, the second array being in a stacked configuration with the first array. The panels of the first and second arrays of MEMS panels are polarizers. In one or more embodiments, the at least one optical component of the occluder comprises a reflector array.

[0195] In another embodiment, the system comprises at least one waveguide for receiving light from an external environment and directing the light to one or more spatial light modulators, which selectively attenuate light received in different portions of a user's field of view. The at least one waveguide, in one or more embodiments, comprises first and second waveguides, the second waveguide being configured to deliver light exiting the SLM to the user's eye.

[0196] In another embodiment, a method includes receiving light from an external environment, directing the light to a selective attenuator, and selectively attenuating the light received in different portions of a user's field of view through the selective attenuator.

[0197] In one or more embodiments, the at least one waveguide comprises a first and a second waveguide, the second waveguide being configured to deliver light exiting the SLM to the user's eye. In one or more embodiments, the selective attenuator is a spatial light modulator. In one or more embodiments, the spatial light modulator is a DMD array. In one or more embodiments, the light is directed to the one or more spatial light modulators through the one or more waveguides. In one or more embodiments, the method further includes recombining the light back into the waveguide and partially exiting the light toward the user's eye. In one or more embodiments, the waveguide is oriented substantially perpendicular to the selective attenuator.

[0198] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises a light generating source for providing light associated with one or more frames of image data, the light generating source comprising a plurality of microprojectors, and a waveguide configured to receive light from the plurality of microprojectors and transmit the light to an eye of a user.

[0199] In one or more embodiments, the micro-projectors are placed in a linear array. In one or more embodiments, the micro-projectors are placed in one edge of the waveguide. In one or more embodiments, the micro-projectors are placed in multiple edges of the waveguide. In one or more embodiments, the micro-projectors are placed in a two-dimensional array. In one or more embodiments, the micro-projectors are placed in a three-dimensional array. In one or more embodiments, the micro-projectors are placed on multiple edges of the substrate. In one or more embodiments, the micro-projectors are placed at multiple angles.

[0200] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content comprises an image source for providing one or more frames of image data, the image data comprising one or more virtual objects to be presented to a user, and a rendering engine for rendering the one or more virtual objects in a manner such that a halo is perceived by the user around the one or more virtual objects.

[0201] The system further comprises, in one or more embodiments, a light attenuator that balances the light intensity of the halo across the user's field of view.

[0202] In another embodiment, a method for displaying virtual content includes providing one or more frames of image data, the image data comprising one or more virtual objects to be presented to a user; and rendering the one or more virtual objects in a manner such that a halo is perceived by the user around the one or more virtual objects, thereby facilitating the user's viewing of the virtual objects, wherein the virtual objects are dark virtual objects.

[0203] In one or more embodiments, the method further includes selectively attenuating light received from the external environment through a light attenuator, the light attenuator balancing the light intensity of the halo across the user's field of view.

[0204] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content comprises, in one or more embodiments, a camera system for capturing a view of a real environment; an optical see-through system that displays one or more virtual objects superimposed over the view of the real environment, the captured view being used to render the one or more virtual objects that are presented to a user; and a light intensity module for modulating the light intensity of the view of the real environment based at least on a correlation between the one or more real objects and the one or more virtual objects, such that dark virtual objects are visible in contrast to the one or more real objects.

[0205] The captured views, in one or more embodiments, are used to generate a halo around one or more virtual objects, the halo gradually fading across space. The system, in one or more embodiments, further comprises an optical attenuator, which balances the light intensity of the halo across the user's field of view.

[0206] In yet another embodiment, a method for driving an augmented reality display system includes rendering a first virtual object at a location in a user's field of view, and rendering a visual enhancement in the user's field of view substantially concurrently with the rendering of the first virtual object and at least spatially proximate to the rendered first virtual object.

[0207] Rendering the visual enhancement, in one or more embodiments, includes rendering the visual enhancement with an intensity gradient. Rendering the visual enhancement, in one or more embodiments, includes rendering the visual enhancement with a blur proximate to a periphery of the visual enhancement.

[0208] Rendering the visual enhancement at least spatially proximate to the rendered first virtual object, in one or more embodiments, includes rendering a halo visual effect spatially proximate to the rendered first virtual object. Rendering the halo visual effect spatially proximate to the rendered first virtual object, in one or more embodiments, includes rendering the halo visual effect brighter than the rendered first virtual object.

[0209] Rendering the halo visual effect brighter than the rendered first virtual object, in one or more embodiments, is responsive to determining that the rendered first virtual object is darker than a darkness threshold. Rendering the halo visual effect, in one or more embodiments, includes rendering the halo visual effect in a focal plane separate from the rendered first virtual object in the perceived three-dimensional space. Rendering the halo visual effect, in one or more embodiments, includes rendering the halo visual effect using an intensity gradient. Rendering the halo visual effect, in one or more embodiments, includes rendering the halo visual effect using an intensity gradient that matches a dark halo resulting from occlusion applied to the rendering of the first virtual object and compensates for the dark field effect of the occlusion.

[0210] Rendering the halo visual effect, in one or more embodiments, includes rendering the halo visual effect with a blur proximate to a periphery of the halo visual effect. The rendered first visual object, in one or more embodiments, has a non-circular periphery, and the rendered halo visual effect conforms to the non-circular periphery. Rendering the visual enhancement at least spatially proximate to the rendered first virtual object, in one or more embodiments, includes rendering the visual effect in a focal plane distinct from the rendered first virtual object in the perceived three-dimensional space. Rendering the visual effect in a focal plane distinct from the rendered first virtual object in the perceived three-dimensional space, in one or more embodiments, includes rendering the visual effect in a focal plane relatively farther away from the user than a focal plane in which the rendered first virtual object is rendered.

[0211] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content comprises an image source for providing one or more frames of image data to be presented to a user, the one or more frames of image data comprising at least one black virtual object; and a rendering engine for rendering the one or more frames of image data, the rendering engine rendering the black virtual object as a blue virtual object such that the black virtual object is visible to the user.

[0212] Rendering the first virtual object at a location in the user's field of view, in one or more embodiments, includes first changing any black shades of the first virtual object to a dark blue color.

[0213] In yet another embodiment, a system for transmitting light beams for display of virtual content comprises at least one waveguide having a first end and a second end spaced apart from the first end across a length of the at least one waveguide, along which light incident on an individual waveguide at a defined angle propagates via total internal reflection; at least one edge reflector positioned proximate to the first end of the at least one waveguide for optically reflectively coupling light back to the first end of the at least one waveguide; and at least one edge reflector positioned proximate to the second end of the at least one waveguide for optically reflectively coupling light back to the second end of the at least one waveguide.

[0214] At least one waveguide, in one or more embodiments, has several lateral reflective and / or diffractive surfaces inside the waveguide that redirect at least a portion of the light laterally outward from the waveguide. The lateral reflective and / or diffractive surfaces, in one or more embodiments, are low-diffraction-efficiency diffractive optical elements (DOEs). The at least one edge reflector positioned proximate to at least the first end of the at least one waveguide, in one or more embodiments, comprises a plurality of reflectors positioned proximate to at least the first end of the at least one waveguide.

[0215] At least one edge reflector positioned proximate the second end of at least one waveguide, in one or more embodiments, comprises a plurality of reflectors positioned proximate the second end of at least one waveguide, and at least one waveguide, in one or more embodiments, is a single waveguide.

[0216] In yet another embodiment, a system for transmitting light beams for display of virtual content comprises a waveguide assembly comprising a plurality of planar waveguides, each having at least two flat parallel major surfaces opposite each other across a thickness of the planar waveguide, a first end, a second end opposite the first end across the length of the waveguide along which light incident at a defined angle on an individual waveguide propagates via total internal reflection, and two flat major edges opposite each other across the width of the waveguide, the plurality of planar waveguides being in a stacked configuration along a first axis parallel to the thickness of the planar waveguide and along a second axis parallel to the width of the planar waveguide to form a three-dimensional array of planar waveguides.

[0217] In one or more embodiments, at least three planar waveguides are stacked along a first axis. In one or more embodiments, at least three planar waveguides are stacked along a second axis. In one or more embodiments, at least three planar waveguides are stacked along a second axis. Successive planar waveguides in the stack along the first axis are immediately adjacent to one another in one or more embodiments, and successive planar waveguides in the stack along the second axis are immediately adjacent to one another. The waveguide assembly, in one or more embodiments, further comprises a plurality of reflective layers carried on at least one surface of at least one of the planar waveguides.

[0218] The reflective layer comprises a fully reflective metal coating. In one or more embodiments, the reflective layer comprises a wavelength-specific reflector. In one or more embodiments, the reflective layer separates the planar waveguides within each successive pair of planar waveguides along at least one of the first or second axes. In one or more embodiments, the reflective layer separates the planar waveguides within each successive pair of planar waveguides along both the first and second axes.

[0219] Each of the several planar waveguides, in one or more embodiments, includes several lateral reflective and / or diffractive surfaces that each redirect at least a portion of the light received by the respective planar waveguide laterally outward from the planar waveguide. The lateral reflective and / or diffractive surfaces, in one or more embodiments, comprise diffractive optical elements sandwiched within the respective planar waveguides between the major faces of the respective planar waveguides. The diffractive optical elements, in one or more embodiments, are selectively operable to vary their focal lengths.

[0220] In one or more embodiments, the first axis is a curved axis, and at least one of the major edges of each of the planar waveguides in at least one set in the waveguide assembly is oriented to focus on a single line, the single line being parallel to the length of the planar waveguide.

[0221] In one or more embodiments, a system for displaying virtual content to a user includes a light projector for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data, the light projector being a fiber scanning display, and a waveguide assembly for variably deflecting the light to the user's eye, the waveguide being concavely curved toward the eye.

[0222] The curved waveguide, in one or more embodiments, increases the field of view. The curved waveguide, in one or more embodiments, efficiently directs light to the user's eye. The curved waveguide, in one or more embodiments, comprises a time-varying grating, thereby creating an axis for scanning light for a fiber scanning display.

[0223] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user, in one or more embodiments, includes a transmissive beam splitter substrate having an entrance for receiving light and a number of internal reflective or diffractive surfaces angled relative to the entrance for redirecting at least a portion of the light received at the entrance laterally outward from the transmissive beam splitter substrate toward a user's eye, wherein the number of internal reflective or diffractive surfaces include a plurality of lateral reflective and / or diffractive surfaces spaced along a longitudinal axis of the transmissive beam splitter substrate, each lateral reflective and / or diffractive surface being angled or angleable relative to the entrance to redirect at least a portion of the light received at the entrance laterally outward from the transmissive beam splitter substrate along an optical path toward a user's eye. a transmissive beam splitter substrate; a light generating system for transmitting light to the transmissive beam splitter; and a local controller communicatively coupled to the display system and providing image information to the display system, the local controller comprising at least one processor and at least one non-transitory processor-readable medium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one non-transitory processor-readable medium storing at least one processor-executable instruction or data that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to at least one of process, cache, and store data, provide the image information to a display, and generate at least one of a virtual or augmented reality visual experience for a user.

[0224] The laterally reflective and / or diffractive surface, in one or more embodiments, comprises at least one diffractive optical element (DOE), such that a collimated beam incident on the beam splitter at some defined angle is totally internally reflected along its length and intersects the DOE at one or more locations. The at least one diffractive optical element (DOE), in one or more embodiments, comprises a first grating. The first grating, in one or more embodiments, is a first Bragg grating.

[0225] In one or more embodiments, the DOE includes a second grating, where the first grating is on a first plane and the second grating is on a second plane, the second plane being spaced apart from the first plane such that the first and second gratings intersect to generate a Moiré beat pattern. In one or more embodiments, the first grating has a first pitch and the second grating has a second pitch, the first pitch being the same as the second pitch. In one or more embodiments, the first grating has a first pitch and the second grating has a second pitch, the first pitch being different from the second pitch. In one or more embodiments, the first grating pitch is controllable to change the first grating pitch over time. In one or more embodiments, the first grating is made of an elastic material and is subject to mechanical deformation.

[0226] In one or more embodiments, the first grating is supported by an elastic material that undergoes mechanical deformation. In one or more embodiments, the first grating pitch is controllable to change the first grating pitch over time. In one or more embodiments, the second grating pitch is controllable to change the second grating pitch over time. In one or more embodiments, the first grating is an electroactive grating having at least one on state and an off state. In one or more embodiments, the first grating comprises a polymer dispersed liquid crystal, wherein a plurality of liquid crystal droplets of the polymer dispersed liquid crystal are controllably activated to change the refractive index of the first grating.

[0227] In one or more embodiments, the first grating is a time-varying grating, and the local controller controls at least the first grating to increase the field of view of the display. In one or more embodiments, the first grating is a time-varying grating, and the local controller employs time-varying control of the at least the first grating to correct chromatic aberration. In one or more embodiments, the local controller drives at least the first grating to vary the location of a red subpixel of a pixel of the image relative to at least one of a blue or green subpixel of a corresponding pixel of the image. In one or more embodiments, the local controller drives at least the first grating to laterally shift the outbound pattern and fill gaps in the outbound image pattern.

[0228] In one or more embodiments, at least one DOE element has a first circular symmetry term. In one or more embodiments, at least one DOE element has a first linear term, which is summed with the first circular symmetry term. In one or more embodiments, the circular symmetry term is controllable. In one or more embodiments, at least one DOE element has a second circular symmetry term. In one or more embodiments, at least one diffractive optical (DOE) element comprises a first DOE. In one or more embodiments, the first DOE is a circular DOE.

[0229] In one or more embodiments, the circular DOE is a time-varying DOE. In one or more embodiments, the circular DOE is layered with respect to the waveguide for focus modulation. In one or more embodiments, the diffraction pattern of the circular DOE is static. In one or more embodiments, the diffraction pattern of the circular DOE is dynamic. The system includes an additional circular DOE, which in one or more embodiments is positioned with respect to the circular DOE so that many focus levels are achieved through a small number of switchable DOEs.

[0230] The system further comprises, in one or more embodiments, a matrix of switchable DOE elements, which in one or more embodiments is utilized to increase the field of view, and which in one or more embodiments is utilized to increase the size of the exit pupil.

[0231] In one or more embodiments, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises a light projection system for projecting a light beam associated with one or more frames of image data, and a diffractive optical element (DOE) for receiving the projected light beam and delivering the light beam at a desired focus, the DOE being a circular DOE.

[0232] In one or more embodiments, the DOE is stretchable along a single axis to adjust the angle of the linear DOE term. In one or more embodiments, the DOE comprises a membrane and at least one transducer operable to selectively vibrate the membrane using oscillatory motion in the Z-axis to provide Z-axis control and time-dependent change in focus. In one or more embodiments, the DOE is embedded in a stretchable medium such that the pitch of the DOE can be adjusted by physically stretching the medium. In one or more embodiments, the DOE is stretched in two axes, and stretching the DOE affects the focal length of the DOE. In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises multiple circular DOEs, the DOEs stacked along the Z-axis. The circular DOE is layered in front of the waveguide for focus modulation. In one or more embodiments, the DOE is static.

[0233] In one or more embodiments, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises: a light projection system for projecting a light beam associated with one or more frames of image data; a first waveguide without any diffractive optical element (DOE), wherein light received by the first waveguide propagates via total internal reflection at some defined angle along at least a portion of the length of the first waveguide and provides external light from the first waveguide as collimated light; a second waveguide with at least a first circularly symmetric diffractive optical element (DOE), wherein the second waveguide is optically coupled to receive the collimated light from the first waveguide; and a processor for controlling the grating of the DOE.

[0234] In one or more embodiments, the first DOE is selectively controllable. In one or more embodiments, the display includes, in addition to the first DOE, multiple additional DOEs, where the DOEs are arranged in a stack configuration. In one or more embodiments, each of the multiple additional DOEs is selectively controllable. In one or more embodiments, a local controller controls the first DOE and the multiple additional DOEs to dynamically modulate the focus of light passing through the display. In one or more embodiments, a processor selectively switches between the first DOE and the multiple additional DOEs to achieve several focus levels, where the number of achievable focus levels exceeds the total number of DOEs in the stack.

[0235] In one or more embodiments, each DOE in the stack has an individual optical power, and the optical powers of the DOEs in the stack are controllable relative to one another. In one or more embodiments, the individual optical power of at least one of the DOEs in the stack is twice the individual optical power of at least one other of the DOEs in the stack. In one or more embodiments, the processor selectively switches between the first DOE and the multiple additional DOEs, respectively, to modulate the individual linear and radial terms of the DOEs over time. In one or more embodiments, the processor selectively switches between the first DOE and the multiple additional DOEs, respectively, on a frame sequential basis.

[0236] The DOE stack comprises a stack of polymer-dispersed liquid crystal elements. In the absence of an applied voltage, the refractive index of the host medium matches that of a collection of dispersed molecules of the polymer-dispersed liquid crystal elements, in one or more embodiments. The polymer-dispersed liquid crystal elements, in one or more embodiments, comprise lithium niobate molecules and several transparent indium tin oxide layer electrodes on either side of the host medium, where the dispersed lithium niobate molecules controllably change the refractive index to functionally form a diffraction pattern within the host medium.

[0237] In another embodiment, a method for displaying virtual content includes, in one or more embodiments, projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data to a user; receiving the light in a first waveguide, the first waveguide not including any diffractive optical element, and propagating the light through internal reflection; and receiving the collimated light in a second waveguide, the second waveguide including at least a first circularly symmetric diffractive optical element (DOE), optically coupled to receive the collimated light from the first waveguide, wherein the grating of the circularly symmetric DOE is varied, and the first waveguide and the second waveguide are assembled into a stack of DOEs.

[0238] In one or more embodiments, the optical element for displaying virtual content to a user comprises at least one diffractive optical element (DOE) positioned to receive light, the at least one DOE comprising a first array of a plurality of separately addressable sections with at least one electrode per separately addressable subsection, each separately addressable subsection responsive to at least one individual signal received via the respective at least one electrode and selectively switching between at least a first state and a second state, the second state being different from the first state.

[0239] In one or more embodiments, the field of view is expanded by multiplexing adjacently addressable subsections. In one or more embodiments, the first state is an on state and the second state is an off state. Each separately addressable subsection has, in one or more embodiments, a separate set of at least two indium tin oxide electrodes. In one or more embodiments, the first array of multiple separately addressable sections of at least one DOE is a one-dimensional array. In one or more embodiments, the first array of multiple separately addressable sections of at least one DOE is a two-dimensional array. In one or more embodiments, the first array of separately addressable sections is a section of a first DOE present on a first planar layer.

[0240] In one or more embodiments, the at least one DOE comprises at least a second DOE, the second DOE comprising a second array of a plurality of separately addressable sections with at least one electrode per separately addressable subsection, each separately addressable subsection responsive to at least one individual signal received via the respective at least one electrode and selectively switching between at least a first state and a second state, the second state being different from the first state, and the second array of DOEs being on a second planar layer, the second planar layer being in a stacked configuration with the first planar layer.

[0241] In one or more embodiments, the at least one DOE comprises at least a third DOE, the third DOE comprising a third array of a plurality of separately addressable sections with at least one electrode per separately addressable subsection, each separately addressable subsection responsive to at least one individual signal received via the respective at least one electrode and selectively switching between at least a first state and a second state, the second state being different from the first state, the third array of DOEs being on a third planar layer, the third planar layer being in a stacked configuration with the first and second planar layers.

[0242] In one or more embodiments, a first array of separately addressable sections is embedded within a single planar waveguide. In one or more embodiments, a local controller controls the separately addressable subsections to selectively emit collimated light from the planar waveguide at a first time and emit divergent light from the planar waveguide at a second time, the second time being different from the first time. In one or more embodiments, the local controller controls the separately addressable subsections to selectively emit light in a first direction from the planar waveguide at a first time and emit light in a second direction from the planar waveguide at a first time, the second direction being different from the first direction.

[0243] In one or more embodiments, the local controller controls the separately addressable sub-sections to selectively scan the light across a direction over time. In one or more embodiments, the local controller controls the separately addressable sub-sections to selectively focus the light over time. In one or more embodiments, the local controller controls the separately addressable sub-sections to selectively vary the field of view of the exit pupil over time.

[0244] In one or more embodiments, a system comprises a first freeform reflective and lens optical component for increasing the size of a field of view for a defined set of optical parameters, the first freeform reflective and lens optical component comprising a first curved surface, a second curved surface, and a third curved surface, the first curved surface being at least partially optically transmissive and refractive and imparting a focus change to light received by the first freeform reflective and lens optical component through the first curved surface, the second curved surface at least partially reflecting light received by the second curved surface from the first curved surface towards the third curved surface and passing light received by the second curved surface from the third curved surface, and the third curved surface at least partially reflecting light from the first freeform reflective and lens optical component through the second curved surface.

[0245] The first curved surfaces of the first freeform reflective and lens optical components are, in one or more embodiments, separate freeform curved surfaces. The first curved surfaces of the first freeform reflective and lens optical components, in one or more embodiments, add stigmatism to the light. The third curved surfaces of the first freeform reflective and lens optical components, in one or more embodiments, add inverse stigmatism, canceling out the stigmatism added by the first curved surfaces of the first freeform reflective and lens optical components. The second curved surfaces of the first freeform reflective and lens optical components are, in one or more embodiments, separate freeform curved surfaces. The second curved surfaces of the first freeform reflective and lens optical components, in one or more embodiments, reflect a defined angle of light that is to be reflected by total internal reflection toward the third curved surface.

[0246] In one or more embodiments, a system includes a fiber scanning display for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data, the fiber scanning display configured to deliver the light to a first freeform optical element; and a first freeform reflective and lens optical component for increasing the size of the field of view for a defined set of optical parameters, the first freeform reflective and lens optical component comprising a first curved surface, a second curved surface, and a third curved surface, the first curved surface at least partially reflecting the light. a first freeform reflective and lens optical component that is optically transmissive and refractive and imparts a focus change to light received by the first freeform reflective and lens optical component through the first curved surface, and a second curved surface that at least partially reflects light received by the second curved surface from the first curved surface towards a third curved surface and passes light received by the second curved surface from the third curved surface, which at least partially reflects light from the first freeform reflective and lens optical component through the second curved surface.

[0247] In one or more embodiments, the freeform optic is a TIR freeform optic. In one or more embodiments, the freeform optic has a non-uniform thickness. In one or more embodiments, the freeform optic is a wedge optic. In one or more embodiments, the freeform optic is conical. In one or more embodiments, the freeform optic corresponds to an arbitrary curve.

[0248] In one or more embodiments, the system comprises an image source for providing one or more frames of image data to be presented to a user, a display system for providing light associated with the one or more frames of image data, and a freeform optical element for modifying the provided light and delivering the light to the user, the freeform optic including a reflective coating, the display system configured to illuminate the freeform optical element with light such that the wavelength of the light matches the corresponding wavelength of the reflective coating.

[0249] The one or more freeform optical elements are tiled relative to each other. In one or more embodiments, the one or more freeform optical elements are tiled along the Z axis.

[0250] In one or more embodiments, the system comprises an image source for providing one or more frames of image data to be presented to a user, a display system for providing light associated with the one or more frames of image data, the display system comprising a plurality of microdisplays, and a freeform optical element for modifying the provided light and delivering the light to the user.

[0251] The one or more freeform optics are tiled relative to each other. Light projected by the multiple microdisplays, in one or more embodiments, increases the field of view. The freeform optics, in one or more embodiments, are configured such that only one color is delivered by a particular freeform optic. The tiled freeform optics, in one or more embodiments, are star-shaped. The tiled freeform optics, in one or more embodiments, increase the size of the exit pupil. The system, in one or more embodiments, further comprises another freeform optic, the freeform optics stacked together in a manner that creates a uniform material thickness. The system, in one or more embodiments, further comprises another freeform optic, the other optic configured to capture light corresponding to the external environment.

[0252] The system further includes a DMD, which in one or more embodiments is configured to occlude one or more pixels. The system further includes one or more LCDs. In one or more embodiments, the system further includes a contact lens substrate, where the freeform optic is bonded to the contact lens substrate. In one or more embodiments, the multiple microdisplays collectively provide an array of small exit pupils that form the functional equivalent of a large exit pupil.

[0253] The at least one image source, in one or more embodiments, includes at least a first monochromatic image source providing a first color of light, at least a second monochromatic image source providing a second color of light, the second color being different from the first color, and at least a third monochromatic image source providing a third color of light, the third color being different from the first and second colors. The at least first monochromatic image source, in one or more embodiments, comprises a first subgroup of scanning fibers, the at least second monochromatic image source comprises a second subgroup of scanning fibers, and the at least third monochromatic image source comprises a third subgroup of scanning fibers.

[0254] The system further comprises an occluder positioned in an optical path between the first freeform reflective and lens optical component and the at least one reflector, the occluder operable to select to occlude light on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The first freeform reflective and lens optical component forms at least a portion of a contact lens. The system further comprises, in one or more embodiments, a compensator lens optically coupled to a portion of the first freeform reflective and lens optical component.

[0255] In one or more embodiments, the system includes a first freeform reflective and lens optical component for increasing the size of the field of view for a defined set of optical parameters, the first freeform reflective and lens optical component comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface, the first surface being optically transmissive to light received by the first freeform reflective and lens optical component through the first surface, the second surface being curved and at least partially reflecting light received by the second surface from the first surface towards the third surface and passing light received by the second surface from the curved surface, and the third surface being curved and at least partially reflecting light from the first freeform reflective and lens optical component through the second surface; and a second freeform reflective and lens optical component, the second freeform reflective and lens optical component comprising a first surface, a second surface, and a third surface, the first surface being optically transmissive to light received by the first freeform reflective and lens optical component through the first surface, the second surface being curved and at least partially reflecting light from the first freeform reflective and lens optical component through the second surface. a second freeform reflective and lens optical component having a first surface that is at least partially optically transmissive to light received by the second freeform reflective and lens optical component through the first surface, the second surface of the second freeform reflective and lens optical component being curved and at least partially reflecting light received by the second surface from the first surface of the second freeform reflective and lens optical component towards a third surface of the second freeform reflective and lens optical component and passing light received by the second surface from the third surface of the second freeform reflective and lens optical component, the third surface of the second freeform reflective and lens optical component being curved and at least partially reflecting light from the second freeform reflective and lens optical component through the second surface, wherein the first and second freeform reflective and lens optical components are in a stack configuration oppositely oriented along the Z axis.

[0256] The second surface of the second freeform reflective and lens optical component, in one or more embodiments, is adjacent to the third surface of the first freeform reflective and lens optical component. In one or more embodiments, the second surface of the second freeform reflective and lens optical component is concave and the third surface of the first freeform reflective and lens optical component is convex, and the third surface of the first freeform reflective and lens optical component closely receives the second surface of the second freeform reflective and lens optical component. In one or more embodiments, the first surface of the first freeform reflective and lens optical component is flat and the first surface of the second freeform reflective and lens optical component is flat, and the optical system further comprises at least a first projector optically coupled to the first freeform reflective and lens optical component via the first surface of the first freeform reflective and lens optical component, and at least a second projector optically coupled to the second freeform reflective and lens optical component via the first surface of the second freeform reflective and lens optical component.

[0257] The system, in one or more embodiments, further comprises at least one wavelength selective material carried by at least one of the first or second freeform reflective and lens optical components. The system, in one or more embodiments, further comprises at least a first wavelength selective material carried by the first freeform reflective and lens optical component and at least a second wavelength selective material carried by the second freeform reflective and lens optical component, wherein the first wavelength selective material selects a first set of wavelengths and the second wavelength selective material selects a second set of wavelengths, the second set of wavelengths being different from the first set of wavelengths.

[0258] The system further comprises, in one or more embodiments, at least a first polarizer carried by the first freeform reflective and lens optical component and at least a second polarizer carried by the second freeform reflective and lens optical component, the first polarizer having a different polarization orientation than the second polarizer.

[0259] In one or more embodiments, the optical fiber cores are within the same fiber cladding. In one or more embodiments, the optical fiber cores are within separate fiber claddings. In one or more embodiments, the accommodation module tracks accommodation by indirectly tracking the vergence or gaze of the user's eyes. In one or more embodiments, the partially reflective mirror has a relatively high reflectivity for other polarizations of light provided by the light source and a relatively low reflectivity for other polarization states of light provided by the outside world. In one or more embodiments, the multiple partially reflective mirrors comprise a dielectric coating. In one or more embodiments, the multiple reflective mirrors have a relatively high reflectivity for a waveguide for a wavelength of light provided by the light source and a relatively low reflectivity for other waveguides of light provided by the outside world. In one or more embodiments, the VFE is a deformable mirror whose surface shape can be varied over time. In one or more embodiments, the VFE is an electrostatically actuated membrane mirror, where the waveguide or additional transparent layer comprises one or more substantially transparent electrodes, and a voltage applied to the one or more electrodes electrostatically deforms the membrane mirror. In one or more embodiments, the light source is a scanning light display, where the VFE varies the focal point on a line segment basis. In one or more embodiments, the waveguide comprises an exit pupil expansion function, where an input beam of light is split and output coupled as multiple beams that exit the waveguide at multiple locations. In one or more embodiments, the image data is scaled by a processor according to and to compensate for the changing optical image magnification before the waveguide receives one or more light patterns, so that the image magnification appears to remain substantially fixed while adjusting the focus level.

[0260] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content comprises an image source for providing one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner; a display assembly for projecting light rays associated with the one or more frames of image data, the display assembly comprising a first display element corresponding to a first frame rate and a first bit depth and a second display element corresponding to a second frame rate and a second bit depth; and a variable focusing element (VFE) configurable to vary the focus of the projected light and transmit the light to a user's eye.

[0261] In yet another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content comprises an array of optical fibers for transmitting light beams associated with an image to be presented to a user, and a lens coupled to the array of optical fibers for deflecting multiple light beams output by the array of optical fibers through a single node, the lens being physically attached to the optical fibers such that movement of the optical fibers moves the lens, and the single node being scanned.

[0262] In another embodiment, a virtual reality display system comprises a plurality of optical fibers for generating light beams associated with one or more images to be presented to a user, and a plurality of phase modulators coupled to the plurality of optical fibers for modulating the light beams, the phase modulators modulating the light in a manner that affects a wavefront generated as a result of the plurality of light beams.

[0263] In one embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises a light projection system for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data to an eye of the user, the light projection system configured to project light corresponding to a plurality of pixels associated with the image data, and a processor for modulating the size of the plurality of pixels displayed to the user.

[0264] In one embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises an image source for providing one or more frames of image data; a multicore assembly for projecting light associated with the one or more frames of image data, the multicore assembly comprising a plurality of multicore fibers, the multicore fibers of the plurality of multicore fibers emitting light in a wavefront such that the multicore assembly produces a coherent wavefront of the projected light; and a phase modulator for inducing a phase delay between the multicore fibers in a manner such that the coherent wavefront emitted by the multicore assembly is varied, thereby varying the focal length at which a user perceives the one or more frames of image data.

[0265] In another embodiment, a system for displaying virtual content to a user comprises: an array of microprojectors for projecting light beams associated with one or more frames of image data to be presented to a user, the microprojectors being configurable to be movable relative to one or more microprojectors in the array of microprojectors; a frame for storing the array of microprojectors; and a processor operably coupled to one or more microprojectors in the array of microprojectors in a manner such that the one or more light beams are modulated as a function of the position of the one or more microprojectors relative to the array of microprojectors, thereby enabling delivery of a bright field image to the user, and for controlling the one or more light beams transmitted from the one or more projectors.

[0266] Additional and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are set forth in the detailed description, drawings, and claims. The present invention provides, for example, the following. (Item 1) 1. A system for displaying virtual content, comprising: a light source for multiplexing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner; an array of reflectors for receiving the one or more light patterns and variably directing the light toward an exit pupil; A system comprising: (Item 2) 1. A system for displaying virtual content, comprising: an image source for providing one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner; a light modulator configured to transmit light associated with one or more frames of said image data; a substrate for directing image information to a user's eye, the substrate housing a plurality of reflectors; a first reflector of the plurality of reflectors associated with a first frame of image data for reflecting transmitted light at a first angle to an eye of the user; a second reflector associated with the second frame of image data for reflecting transmitted light at a second angle to the user's eye; A system comprising: (Item 3) 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the angle of reflection of the plurality of reflectors is variable. (Item 4) 3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the reflector is switchable. (Item 5) 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of reflectors are electro-optically active. (Item 6) Item 3. The system of item 2, wherein the refractive index of the plurality of reflectors is varied to match the refractive index of the substrate. (Item 7) 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a high frequency gating layer configurable to be placed between the substrate and the user's eye, the high frequency gating layer having an aperture that is controllably movable. (Item 8) 8. The system of claim 7, wherein an aperture in the high frequency gating layer is moved in a manner such that image data is selectively transmitted only through light reflected through the aperture, and one or more reflectors of the transmissive beam splitter substrate are blocked by the high frequency gating layer. (Item 9) Item 8. The system of item 7, wherein the aperture is an LCD aperture. (Item 10) Item 8. The system of item 7, wherein the aperture is an MEMs array. (Item 11) Item 3. The system of item 2, wherein the first angle is the same as the second angle. (Item 12) Item 3. The system of item 2, wherein the first angle is different from the second angle. (Item 13) Item 3. The system of item 2, further comprising a first lens for steering a set of light rays through a nodal point to the user's eye, the first lens being configurable to be mounted on the substrate and in front of the first reflector such that a set of light rays exiting the reflector pass through the first lens before reaching the user's eye. (Item 14) Item 14. The system of item 13, further comprising a second lens for compensating the first lens, the second lens being configurable to be placed on the substrate on an opposite side to the side on which the first lens is placed, thereby providing zero magnification. (Item 15) Item 3. The system of item 2, wherein a first reflector of the plurality of reflectors is a curved reflective surface for focusing a set of light rays associated with the image data into a single output point before being delivered to the user's eye. (Item 16) Item 16. The system of item 15, wherein the curved reflector is a parabolic reflector. (Item 17) Item 16. The system of item 15, wherein the curved reflector is an elliptical reflector. (Item 18) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: providing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner; reflecting one or more light patterns associated with the one or more frames of image data through a transmissive beam splitter to an exit pupil, the transmissive beam splitter having a plurality of reflectors to variably direct light toward the exit pupil; A method comprising: (Item 19) Item 19. The method of item 18, wherein the angle of reflection of the plurality of reflectors is variable. (Item 20) Item 19. The method of item 18, wherein the reflector is switchable. (Item 21) Item 19. The method of item 18, wherein the plurality of reflectors are electro-optically active. (Item 22) Item 19. The method of item 18, wherein the refractive index of the plurality of reflectors is varied to match the refractive index of the substrate. (Item 23) 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of positioning a high frequency gating layer between the transmissive beam splitter and the user's eye, the high frequency gating layer having an aperture that is controllably movable. (Item 24) Item 24. The method of item 23, wherein an aperture in the high frequency gating layer is moved in a manner such that image data is selectively transmitted only through light reflected through the aperture, and one or more reflectors of the transmissive beam splitter substrate are blocked by the high frequency gating layer. (Item 25) Item 24. The method of item 23, wherein the aperture is an LCD aperture. (Item 26) Item 24. The method of item 23, wherein the aperture is an MEMs array. (Item 27) Item 19. The method of item 18, further comprising steering a set of light rays that exit the transmissive beam splitter through a nodal point to the user's eye through a first lens, the first lens being configurable to be placed between the transmissive beam splitter and the user's eye. (Item 28) 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of compensating for the effect of the first lens through a second lens, the second lens being configurable to be placed on the substrate on an opposite side to the side on which the first lens is placed, and the compensating lens providing zero magnification of light from an external environment. (Item 29) Item 19. The method of item 18, wherein the reflectors of the plurality of reflectors are curved reflective surfaces for converging a set of light rays associated with the image data to a single output point before being delivered to the user's eye. (Item 30) Item 30. The method of item 29, wherein the curved reflector is a parabolic reflector. (Item 31) Item 30. The method of item 29, wherein the curved reflector is an elliptical reflector. (Item 32) Item 19. The method of item 18, wherein a plurality of reflectors of the transmissive beam splitter substrate relay a wavefront to the user's eye. (Item 33) Item 33. The method of item 32, wherein the wavefront is a collimated wavefront. (Item 34) Item 33. The method according to item 32, wherein the wavefront is a curved wavefront. (Item 35) Item 34. The method of item 33, wherein the collimated wavefront is perceived by the user as originating from a plane of infinite depth. (Item 36) Item 35. The method of item 34, wherein the curved wavefront is perceived as originating from a particular depth plane. (Item 37) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: a light source for multiplexing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner; an array of reflectors for receiving the one or more light patterns, the array of reflectors being oriented at a particular angle; a plurality of optical elements coupled to the array of reflectors for variably directing the light pattern toward an exit pupil; A system comprising: (Item 38) Item 38. The system of item 37, wherein the array of reflectors is separate from the optical element. (Item 39) Item 39. The system of item 38, wherein the array of reflectors comprises plane mirrors. (Item 40) Item 39. The system of item 38, wherein the optical elements are lenslets coupled to the array of reflectors. (Item 41) Item 38. The system of item 37, wherein one or more reflectors of the array of reflectors are curved. (Item 42) Item 43. The system of item 37, wherein the optical elements are integrated into the array of reflectors. Item 43. The system of item 42, wherein the reflector is a parabolic reflector. (Item 44) Item 43. The system of item 42, wherein the reflector is an elliptical reflector. (Item 45) Item 43. The system of item 42, wherein the plurality of optical elements expands the exit pupil. (Item 46) Item 38. The system of item 37, further comprising a first lens for steering a set of light rays through a nodal point to the user's eye, the first lens being configurable to be placed on the substrate and between the first reflector and the user's eye such that a set of light rays exiting the reflector pass through the first lens before reaching the user's eye. (Item 47) Item 47. The system of item 46, further comprising a second lens for compensating for the refractive power of the first lens, the second lens being configurable to be mounted on the substrate on an opposite side to the side on which the first lens is mounted so that a user can view a substantially undistorted view of the outside world through the lens stack. (Item 48) Item 38. The system of item 37, wherein the plurality of reflectors comprise wavelength-selective reflectors. (Item 49) Item 38. The system of item 37, wherein the plurality of reflectors comprise semi-transparent mirrors. (Item 50) Item 38. The system of item 37, wherein the plurality of optical elements comprises refractive lenses. (Item 51) Item 38. The system of item 37, wherein the plurality of optical elements comprises a diffractive lens. (Item 52) Item 42. The system of item 41, wherein the curved reflector comprises a wavelength selective notch filter. (Item 53) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: providing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner; reflecting one or more light patterns associated with the one or more frames of image data through a transmissive beam splitter to an exit pupil, the transmissive beam splitter having a plurality of reflectors to variably direct light toward the exit pupil; expanding an exit pupil through a plurality of optical elements coupled to a plurality of reflectors of the transmissive beam splitter; A method comprising: (Item 54) Item 54. The method of item 53, wherein the array of reflectors is separate from the optical element. (Item 55) Item 54. The method of item 53, wherein the array of reflectors comprises plane mirrors. (Item 56) Item 54. The method of item 53, wherein the optical elements are lenslets coupled to the array of reflectors. (Item 57) Item 54. The method of item 53, wherein one or more reflectors of the array of reflectors are curved. (Item 58) Item 54. The method of item 53, wherein the optical elements are integrated into the array of reflectors. (Item 59) Item 59. The method of item 58, wherein the reflector is a parabolic reflector. (Item 60) Item 59. The method of item 58, wherein the reflector is an elliptical reflector. (Item 61) Item 54. The method of item 53, further comprising a first lens for steering a set of light rays through a nodal point to the user's eye, the first lens being configurable to be placed on the substrate and between the first reflector and the user's eye such that a set of light rays exiting the reflector pass through the first lens before reaching the user's eye. (Item 62) Item 62. The method of item 61, further comprising a second lens for compensating for the refractive power of the first lens, the second lens being configurable to be mounted on the substrate on an opposite side to the side on which the first lens is mounted so that a user can view a substantially undistorted view of the outside world through the lens stack. (Item 63) Item 54. The method of item 53, wherein the plurality of reflectors comprise wavelength-selective reflectors. (Item 64) Item 54. The method of item 53, wherein the plurality of reflectors comprise semi-transparent mirrors. (Item 65) Item 54. The method of item 53, wherein the plurality of optical elements comprises refractive lenses. (Item 66) Item 54. The method of item 53, wherein the plurality of optical elements comprises a diffractive lens. (Item 67) Item 58. The method of item 57, wherein the curved reflector comprises a wavelength selective notch filter. (Item 68) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: a light source for multiplexing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner; a waveguide for receiving the one or more light patterns at a first focal level; a variable focusing element (VFE) coupled to the waveguide for focusing at least a portion of the light pattern at a second focus level; A system comprising: (Item 69) Item 69. The system of item 68, wherein the VFE does not substantially change image magnification while adjusting the focus level. (Item 70) Item 69. The system of item 68, wherein the VFE does not change image magnification while adjusting the focus level. (Item 71) Item 69. The system of item 68, further comprising a second VFE that adjusts the wavefront of light from the external world so that the user's view of the external world is not substantially distorted as the first VFE varies the focus of the light pattern. (Item 72) Item 69. The system of item 68, wherein multiple frames are presented to the user at high frequency so that the user perceives the frames as part of a single coherent scene, and the VFE varies the focus from a first frame to a second frame. (Item 73) Item 69. The system of item 68, wherein the light source is a scanning light display and the VFE varies the focus in a row-by-row manner. (Item 74) Item 69. The system of item 68, wherein the light source is a scanning light display and the VFE varies the focus in a pixel-by-pixel manner. (Item 75) Item 69. The system of item 68, wherein the VFE is a diffractive lens. (Item 76) Item 69. The system of item 68, wherein the VFE is a refractive lens. (Item 77) Item 69. The system of item 68, wherein the VFE is a reflector. (Item 78) Item 78. The system of item 77, wherein the reflector is opaque. (Item 79) Item 78. The system of item 77, wherein the reflector is partially reflective. (Item 80) Item 69. The system of item 68, further comprising an accommodation module for tracking the accommodation of a user's eye, wherein the VFE varies the focus of the light pattern based, at least in part, on the accommodation of the user's eye. (Item 81) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: a light source for multiplexing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner; a waveguide for receiving the one or more light patterns and directing the light patterns to a first focal point; a variable focusing element (VFE) coupled to the waveguide for directing at least a portion of the light pattern to a second focal point, the VFE being integrated within the waveguide; A system comprising: (Item 82) Item 82. The system of item 81, wherein the VFE is telecentric. (Item 83) Item 82. The system of item 81, wherein the VFE is non-telecentric. (Item 84) Item 82. The system of item 81, further comprising a compensatory lens so that the user's view of the outside world is not distorted. (Item 85) Item 82. The system of item 81, wherein multiple frames are presented to the user at high frequency so that the user perceives the frames as part of a single coherent scene, and the VFE varies the focus from a first frame to a second frame. (Item 86) Item 82. The system of item 81, wherein the light source is a scanning light display and the VFE varies the focus in a row-by-row manner. (Item 87) Item 82. The system of item 81, wherein the light source is a scanning light display and the VFE varies the focus in a pixel-by-pixel manner. (Item 88) Item 82. The system of item 81, wherein the VFE is a diffractive lens. (Item 89) Item 82. The system of item 81, wherein the VFE is a refractive lens. (Item 90) Item 82. The system of item 81, wherein the VFE is a reflector. (Item 91) Item 91. The system of item 90, wherein the reflector is opaque. (Item 92) Item 91. The system of item 90, wherein the reflector is partially reflective. (Item 93) Item 82. The system of item 81, further comprising an accommodation module for tracking the accommodation of a user's eye, wherein the VFE varies the focus of the light pattern based, at least in part, on the accommodation of the user's eye. (Item 94) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: a light source for multiplexing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner; a waveguide for receiving the one or more light patterns and directing the light patterns to a first focal point; a variable focusing element (VFE) coupled to the waveguide for directing at least a portion of the light pattern to a second focal point, the VFE being separate from the waveguide; and A system comprising: (Item 95) Item 95. The system of item 94, wherein the VFE is telecentric. (Item 96) Item 95. The system of item 94, wherein the VFE is non-telecentric. (Item 97) Item 95. The system of item 94, further comprising a compensatory lens so that the user's view of the outside world is not distorted. (Item 98) Item 95. The system of item 94, wherein multiple frames are presented to the user at high frequency and the VFE varies the focus from a first frame to a second frame so that the user perceives the frames as part of a single coherent scene. (Item 99) Item 95. The system of item 94, wherein the light source is a scanning light display and the VFE varies the focus in a row-by-row manner. (Item 100) Item 95. The system of item 94, wherein the light source is a scanning light display and the VFE varies the focus in a pixel-by-pixel manner. (Item 101) Item 95. The system of item 94, wherein the VFE is a diffractive lens. (Item 102) Item 95. The system of item 94, wherein the VFE is a refractive lens. (Item 103) Item 95. The system of item 94, wherein the VFE is a reflector. (Item 104) Item 104. The system of item 103, wherein the reflector is opaque. (Item 105) Item 104. The system of item 103, wherein the reflector is partially reflective. (Item 106) Item 95. The system of item 94, further comprising an accommodation module for tracking the accommodation of a user's eye, wherein the VFE varies the focus of the light pattern based, at least in part, on the accommodation of the user's eye. (Item 107) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: providing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data; focusing one or more light patterns associated with the one or more frames of image data through a waveguide to a first focal point; modifying the first focus of the light through a variable focusing element (VFE) to generate a wavefront at a second focus; A method comprising: (Item 108) Item 108. The method of item 107, wherein the VFE is separate from the waveguide. (Item 109) Item 108. The method of item 107, wherein the VFE is integrated into the waveguide. (Item 110) Item 108. The method of item 107, wherein the one or more frames of image data are provided in a time-sequential manner. (Item 111) Item 111. The method of item 110, wherein the VFE modifies the focus of one or more frames of the image data on a frame-by-frame basis. (Item 112) Item 111. The method of item 110, wherein the VFE modifies focus of one or more frames of the image data on a pixel-by-pixel basis. (Item 113) Item 108. The method of item 107, wherein the VFE modifies the first focus and generates a wavefront at a third focus, and the second focus is different from the third focus. (Item 114) Item 108. The method of item 107, wherein the wavefront at the second focus is perceived by the user as originating from a particular depth plane. (Item 115) Item 108. The method of item 107, wherein the VFE is telecentric. (Item 116) Item 108. The method of item 107, wherein the VFE is non-telecentric. (Item 117) Item 108. The method of item 107, further comprising a compensatory lens so that the user's view of the outside world is not distorted. (Item 118) Item 108. The method of item 107, wherein multiple frames are presented to the user at high frequency so that the user perceives the frames as part of a single coherent scene, and the VFE varies the focus from a first frame to a second frame. (Item 119) Item 108. The method of item 107, wherein the light source is a scanning light display and the VFE varies the focus in a row-by-row manner. (Item 120) Item 108. The method of item 107, wherein the VFE is a diffractive lens. (Item 121) Item 108. The method of item 107, wherein the VFE is a refractive lens. (Item 122) Item 108. The method of item 107, wherein the VFE is a reflector. (Item 123) Item 108. The method of item 107, wherein the reflector is opaque. (Item 123) Item 108. The method of item 107, wherein the reflector is partially reflective. (Item 124) Item 108. The method of item 107, further comprising an accommodation module for tracking the accommodation of a user's eye, wherein the VFE varies the focus of the light pattern based, at least in part, on the accommodation of the user's eye. (Item 125) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: a plurality of waveguides for receiving light rays associated with image data and transmitting the light rays toward the user's eye, the plurality of waveguides being stacked in a direction facing the user's eye; a first lens coupled to a first waveguide of the plurality of waveguides for modifying a light beam transmitted from the first waveguide to thereby deliver a light beam having a first wavefront curvature; a second lens coupled to a second waveguide of the plurality of waveguides, for modifying a light beam transmitted from the second waveguide to thereby deliver a light beam having a second wavefront curvature, wherein the first lens coupled to the first waveguide and the second lens coupled to the second waveguide are stacked horizontally in a direction facing an eye of the user; and A system comprising: (Item 126) Item 126. The system of item 125, wherein the first wavefront curvature is different from the second wavefront curvature. (Item 127) Item 126. The system of item 125, further comprising a third waveguide of the plurality of waveguides for delivering collimated light to the user's eye so that the user perceives the image data as originating from an optical infinity plane. (Item 128) Item 126. The system of item 125, wherein the waveguide is configured to transmit collimated light to the lens. (Item 129) Item 126. The system of item 125, further comprising a compensation lens layer for compensating for the aggregate refractive power of the lenses stacked in a direction facing the user's eye, the compensation lens layer being stacked farthest from the user's eye. (Item 130) Item 126. The system of item 125, wherein the waveguide comprises a plurality of reflectors configurable to reflect light rays injected into the waveguide toward the user's eyes. (Item 131) Item 126. The system of item 125, wherein the waveguide is electroactive. (Item 132) Item 126. The system of item 125, wherein the waveguide is switchable. (Item 133) Item 126. The system of item 125, wherein the light beam having the first wavefront curvature and the light beam having the second wavefront curvature are delivered simultaneously. (Item 134) Item 126. The system of item 125, wherein the light beam having the first wavefront curvature and the light beam having the second wavefront curvature are delivered sequentially. (Item 135) Item 134. The system of item 133, wherein the second wavefront curvature corresponds to a boundary of the first wavefront curvature, thereby providing a focal length to which the user can accommodate. (Item 136) Item 126. The method of item 125, further comprising an accommodation module for tracking the accommodation of a user's eye, wherein the VFE varies the focus of the light pattern based, at least in part, on the accommodation of the user's eye. (Item 137) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: a light source for multiplexing one or more light patterns associated with one or more frames of image data; a plurality of waveguides for receiving the one or more light patterns and directing light toward an exit pupil, the plurality of waveguides being stacked along a Z-axis; and at least one optical element for modifying the focus of light transmitted by said plurality of waveguides; A system comprising: (Item 138) Item 138. The system of item 137, wherein a waveguide of the plurality of waveguides comprises a waveguide for distributing the projected light across a length of the waveguide and an optical element for modifying the light in such a manner that a wavefront curvature is created, the created wavefront curvature corresponding to a focal plane when viewed by the user. (Item 139) Item 138. The system of item 137, wherein a waveguide of the plurality of waveguides comprises a diffractive optical element (DOE). (Item 140) Item 138. The system of item 137, wherein the DOE is switchable between an on state and an off state. (Item 141) Item 138. The system of item 137, wherein the at least one optical element comprises a refractive lens. (Item 142) Item 138. The system of item 137, wherein the at least one optical element comprises a Fresnel zone plate. (Item 143) Item 138. The system of item 137, wherein a waveguide of the plurality of waveguides comprises a waveguide element. (Item 144) Item 144. The system of item 143, wherein the waveguide is switchable between an on state and an off state. (Item 145) Item 138. The system of item 137, wherein the waveguide is static. (Item 146) Item 138. The system of item 137, wherein the first frame of image data and the second frame of image data are delivered to the user's eye simultaneously. (Item 147) Item 138. The system of item 137, wherein the first frame of image data and the second frame of image data are delivered sequentially to the user's eye. (Item 148) Item 138. The system of item 137, further comprising a plurality of angled reflectors for delivering light to the user's eye, wherein the first waveguide component and the second waveguide component direct light to the one or more angled reflectors. (Item 149) Item 138. The system of item 137, further comprising a beam distribution waveguide optic, the beam distribution waveguide coupled to the waveguide assembly, the beam distribution waveguide optic configurable to spread the projected light across the waveguide assembly such that light rays launched into the beam distribution waveguide optic are cloned and launched into waveguide components of the waveguide assembly. (Item 150) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: an image source for providing one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner; a light modulator for projecting light associated with one or more frames of said image data; a waveguide assembly for receiving the projected light and delivering the light toward the user's eye, the waveguide assembly comprising at least a first waveguide component configurable to modify light associated with a first frame of image data so that the light is perceived to originate from a first focal plane, and a second waveguide component configurable to modify light associated with a second frame of image data so that the light is perceived to originate from a second focal plane, the first and second waveguide components being stacked along a Z-axis in front of the user's eye; A system comprising: (Item 151) Item 151. The system of item 150, wherein the waveguide component of the waveguide assembly comprises a waveguide for distributing the projected light across a length of the waveguide and a lens for modifying the light in such a manner that a wavefront curvature is created, the created wavefront curvature corresponding to a focal plane when viewed by the user. (Item 152) Item 151. The system of item 150, wherein the waveguide component of the waveguide assembly comprises a diffractive optical element (DOE). (Item 153) Item 151. The system of item 150, wherein the DOE is switchable between an on state and an off state. (Item 154) Item 151. The system of item 150, wherein the waveguide component of the waveguide assembly comprises a refractive lens. (Item 155) Item 151. The system of item 150, wherein the waveguide component of the waveguide assembly comprises a Fresnel zone plate. (Item 156) Item 151. The system of item 150, wherein the waveguide components of the waveguide assembly comprise substrate guided optical (SGO) elements. (Item 157) Item 151. The system of item 150, wherein the waveguide is switchable between an on state and an off state. (Item 158) Item 151. The system of item 150, wherein the waveguide is static. (Item 159) Item 151. The system of item 150, wherein the first frame of image data and the second frame of image data are delivered to the user's eye simultaneously. (Item 160) Item 151. The system of item 150, wherein the first frame of image data and the second frame of image data are delivered sequentially to the user's eye. (Item 161) Item 151. The system of item 150, further comprising a plurality of angled reflectors for delivering light to the user's eye, wherein the first waveguide component and the second waveguide component direct light to the one or more angled reflectors. (Item 162) Item 151. The system of item 150, further comprising a beam distribution waveguide optic, the beam distribution waveguide coupled to the waveguide assembly, the beam distribution waveguide optic configurable to spread the projected light across the waveguide assembly such that light rays launched into the beam distribution waveguide optic are cloned and launched into waveguide components of the waveguide assembly. (Item 163) Item 151. The system of item 150, wherein the waveguide component of the waveguide assembly comprises a reflector configurable to reflect the projected light toward the user's eye at a desired angle. (Item 164) Item 151. The system of item 150, wherein the first waveguide component comprises a first reflector configured to reflect the projected light at a first angle, and the second waveguide component comprises a second reflector configured to reflect the projected light at a second angle. (Item 165) Item 151. The system of item 150, wherein the first reflector is alternated with respect to the second reflector, thereby expanding the field of view of the image as viewed by the user. (Item 166) Item 151. The system of item 150, wherein the reflectors of the waveguide components are positioned in a manner to form a continuous curved reflective surface across the waveguide assembly. (Item 167) Item 167. The system of item 166, wherein the continuously curved reflective surface comprises a parabola. (Item 168) Item 167. The system of item 166, wherein the continuously curved reflective surface comprises an elliptical curve. (Item 169) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: delivering a light beam associated with a first frame of image data to the user through a first waveguide, the light beam having a first wavefront curvature; delivering a light beam associated with the second frame of image data to the user through a second waveguide, the light beam having a second wavefront curvature, the first and second waveguides being stacked along a Z-axis facing the eye of the user; A method comprising: (Item 170) Item 169. The method of item 169, wherein the first wavefront curvature and the second wavefront curvature are delivered simultaneously. (Item 171) Item 169. The method of item 169, wherein the first wavefront curvature and the second wavefront curvature are delivered sequentially. (Item 172) Item 169. The method of item 169, wherein the first and second wavefront curvatures are perceived by the user as first and second depth planes. (Item 173) Item 169. The method of item 169, wherein the first and second waveguides are coupled to one or more optical elements. (Item 174) Item 173. The method of item 172, further comprising the step of compensating for the effect of the one or more optical elements through a compensation lens. (Item 175) determining accommodation of the user's eye; delivering a light beam through at least one of the first and second waveguides based at least in part on the determined accommodation; Item 169. The method of item 169, further comprising: (Item 175) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: determining accommodation of the user's eye; delivering a light beam having a first wavefront curvature through a first waveguide of a stack of waveguides based at least in part on the determined accommodation, the first wavefront curvature corresponding to the determined focal length of accommodation; delivering a light beam having a second wavefront curvature through a second waveguide of the stack of waveguides, the second wavefront curvature being associated with a predetermined boundary of the determined focal length of accommodation; A method comprising: (Item 176) Item 176. The method of item 175, wherein the boundary is a positive boundary. (Item 177) Item 176. The method of item 175, wherein the boundary is a negative boundary. (Item 178) Item 176. The method of item 175, wherein the second waveguide increases the focal length to which the user can adjust. (Item 179) Item 176. The method of item 175, wherein the first waveguide is coupled to a variable focusing element (VFE), the VFE varying the focal point at which the waveguide focuses the light beam. (Item 180) Item 179. The method of item 179, wherein the focus is varied based, at least in part, on determined accommodation of the user's eye. (Item 182) Item 176. The method of item 175, wherein the first wavefront curvature and the second wavefront curvature are delivered simultaneously. (Item 183) Item 176. The method of item 175, wherein the first and second wavefront curvatures are perceived by the user as first and second depth planes. (Item 184) Item 176. The method of item 175, wherein the waveguide is a diffractive optical element (DOE). (Item 185) Item 176. The method of item 175, wherein the waveguide is a substrate guided optical (SGO). (Item 186) Item 176. The method of item 175, wherein the first and second waveguides are switchable. (Item 187) Item 176. The method of item 175, wherein the waveguide comprises one or more switchable elements. (Item 189) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: an image source for providing one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner; a display assembly for projecting a light beam associated with one or more frames of the image data, the display assembly comprising a first display element corresponding to a first frame rate and a first bit depth, and a second display element corresponding to a second frame rate and a second bit depth; a variable focusing element (VFE) configurable to vary the focus of the projected light and transmit the light to the user's eye; A system comprising: (Item 190) Item 189. The system of item 189, wherein the first frame rate is higher than the second frame rate and the first bit depth is lower than the second bit depth. (Item 191) Item 189. The system of item 189, wherein the first display element is a DLP projection system. (Item 192) Item 189. The system of item 189, wherein the second display element is a liquid crystal display (LCD). (Item 193) Item 189. The system of item 189, wherein the first display element projects light onto a subset of the second display elements so that the periphery of the LCD has constant illumination. (Item 194) Item 194. The system of item 193, wherein only light transmitted from the first display element is focused through the VFE. (Item 195) Item 189. The system of item 189, wherein the VFE is optically conjugated to an exit pupil so that the focus of the projected light can be varied without affecting the magnification of the image data. (Item 196) Item 189. The system of item 189, wherein the first display element is a DLP and the second display element is an LCD, the DLP having a low resolution and the LCD having a high resolution. (Item 197) Item 189. The system of item 189, wherein the intensity of the backlight is varied over time to equalize the brightness of the sub-image projected by the first display element, thereby increasing the frame rate of the first display element. (Item 198) Item 189. The system of item 189, wherein the VFE is configurable to vary the focus of the projected light on a frame-by-frame basis. (Item 199) Item 189. The system of item 189, further comprising software for compensating for optical magnification associated with operation of the VFE. (Item 200) Item 189. The system of item 189, wherein the image generation sources generate slices of specific images that, when projected together or sequentially, generate a three-dimensional volume of the object. (Item 201) Item 189. The system of item 189, wherein the DLP is operated in binary mode. (Item 202) Item 189. The system of item 189, wherein the DLP is operated in grayscale mode. (Item 203) Item 189. The system of item 189, wherein the VFE varies the projected light so that a first frame is perceived as originating from a first focal plane and a second frame is perceived as originating from a second focal plane, the first focal plane being different from the second focal plane. (Item 204) Item 205. The system of item 189, wherein a focal length associated with the focal plane is fixed. Item 206. The system of item 189, wherein a focal length associated with the focal plane is variable. 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: providing one or more image slices, a first and a second image slice of the one or more image slices representing a three-dimensional volume; projecting light associated with the first image slice through a spatial light modulator; focusing the first image slice at a first focal point through a variable focusing element (VFE); delivering the first image slice having the first focal point to the user; providing light associated with the second image slice; focusing the second image slice through the VFE at a second focal point, the first focal point being different from the second focal point; delivering the second image slice having the second focal point to the user; A method comprising: (Item 207) Item 207. The method of item 206, further comprising determining accommodation of the user's eye, wherein the VFE focuses the projected light based, at least in part, on the determined accommodation. (Item 208) Item 207. The method of item 206, wherein the image slices are provided in a frame sequential manner. (Item 209) Item 207. The method of item 206, wherein the first image slice and the second image slice are delivered simultaneously. (Item 210) Item 207. The method of item 206, wherein the first image slice and the second image slice are delivered sequentially. (Item 211) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: combining a first display element and a second display element, the first display element supporting a high frame rate and a low bit depth and the second display element supporting a low frame rate and a high bit depth, such that the combined display element supports a high frame rate and a high bit depth; projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data through the combined display element; switching the focus of the projected light on a frame-by-frame basis through a variable focusing element (VFE) so that a first image slice is projected at a first focal point and a second image slice is projected at a second focal point; A method comprising: (Item 212) Item 212. The method of item 211, wherein the first display element is a DLP. (Item 213) Item 212. The method of item 211, wherein the second display element is an LCD. (Item 214) Item 212. The method of item 211, wherein the first display element selectively illuminates a portion of the second display element. (Item 215) Item 212. The method of item 211, wherein the VFE is a deformable membrane mirror. (Item 216) Item 212. The method of item 211, wherein the VFE is optically conjugate to the exit pupil. (Item 217) Item 212. The method of item 211, wherein the VFE is not optically conjugate to the exit pupil. (Item 218) Item 212. The method of item 211, wherein the first and second image slices represent a three-dimensional virtual object. (Item 219) Item 213. The method of item 212, wherein the DLP operates in binary mode. (Item 220) Item 213. The method of item 212, wherein the DLP operates in grayscale mode. (Item 221) Item 221. The method of item 220, wherein the gradation gives the user's brain the perception that something exists adjacently at two depth planes. (Item 222) Item 212. The method of item 211, wherein the display elements are combined for image modulation. (Item 223) Item 212. The method of item 211, wherein the display elements are combined to create a high dynamic range display. (Item 224) Item 212. The method of item 211, wherein the VFE switches focus between a predetermined number of fixed depth planes. (Item 225) Item 212. The method of item 211, further comprising determining accommodation of a user's eye, wherein the VFE switches focus based, at least in part, on the determined accommodation. (Item 226) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: a plurality of light guides for receiving coherent light associated with one or more frames of image data and generating a coherent wavefront; a phase modulator coupled to one or more light guides of the plurality of light guides for inducing a phase delay in light projected by the one or more light guides; a processor for controlling the phase modulator in such a manner that a coherent wavefront produced by the plurality of light guides is varied; A system comprising: (Item 227) Item 227. The system of item 226, wherein the wavefronts generated by the light guides of the plurality of light guides are spherical wavefronts. (Item 228) Item 228. The system of item 227, wherein the spherical wavefronts generated by the at least two light guides constructively interfere with each other. (Item 229) Item 228. The system of item 227, wherein the spherical wavefronts generated by the at least two light guides destructively interfere with each other. (Item 230) Item 227. The system of item 226, wherein the condensed wavefront is a substantially planar wavefront. (Item 231) Item 231. The system of item 230, wherein the plane wavefront corresponds to an optical infinity depth plane. (Item 232) Item 227. The system of item 226, wherein the coherent wavefront is spherical. (Item 233) Item 233. The system of item 232, wherein the spherical wavefront corresponds to a depth plane closer than optical infinity. (Item 235) Item 233. The system of item 232, wherein an inverse Fourier transform of a desired beam is launched into the multicore fiber such that a desired aggregate wavefront is generated. (Item 236) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: an image source for providing one or more frames of image data; a multicore assembly for projecting light associated with one or more frames of the image data, the multicore assembly comprising a plurality of multicore fibers, the multicore fibers of the plurality of multicore fibers emitting light in a wavefront such that the multicore assembly generates a coherent wavefront of the projected light; a phase modulator for inducing a phase delay between the multi-core fibers in such a manner that a coherent wavefront emitted by the multi-core assembly is varied, thereby varying the focal length at which the user perceives one or more frames of the image data; and A system comprising: (Item 237) Item 237. The system of item 236, wherein an inverse Fourier transform of a desired beam is launched into the multicore fiber such that a desired aggregate wavefront is generated. (Item 238) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: launching light through a multicore fiber, the multicore fiber comprising a plurality of single-core fibers, the single-core fibers emitting a spherical wavefront; providing a coherent wavefront from light emitted from the plurality of single-core fibers; inducing a phase delay between single-core fibers of the multicore fiber such that a aggregate wavefront generated by the multicore fiber is varied based, at least in part, on the induced phase delay; A method comprising: (Item 239) Item 239. The method of item 238, wherein the aggregate wavefront is a plane wavefront. (Item 240) Item 239. The method of item 239, wherein the plane wavefront corresponds to optical infinity. (Item 241) Item 239. The method of item 238, wherein the coherent wavefront is spherical. (Item 242) Item 243. The method of item 241, wherein the spherical wavefront corresponds to a depth plane closer than optical infinity. Item 239. The method of item 238, further comprising injecting an inverse Fourier transform of a desired wavefront into the multicore fiber so that the aggregate wavefront corresponds to the desired wavefront. (Item 245) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: an image source for providing one or more frames of image data; a multicore assembly comprising a plurality of multicore fibers for projecting light associated with one or more frames of said image data; an image injector for inputting an image into the multi-core assembly, the input injector being further configurable to input an inverse Fourier transform of a desired wavefront into the multi-core assembly, such that the multi-core assembly outputs the Fourier transform by generating light associated with the image data into the desired wavefront, thereby enabling the user to perceive the image data at a desired focal length; A system comprising: (Item 246) Item 246. The system of item 245, wherein the desired wavefront is associated with a hologram. (Item 247) Item 246. The system of item 245, wherein the inverse Fourier transform is input for modulating the focus of the one or more light beams. (Item 248) Item 246. The system of item 245, wherein the multicore fibers of the plurality of multicore fibers are multimode fibers. (Item 249) Item 246. The system of item 245, wherein the multicore fibers of the plurality of multicore fibers are configured to propagate light along multiple paths along the fibers. (Item 250) Item 246. The system of item 245, wherein the multicore fiber is a single-core fiber. (Item 251) Item 246. The system of item 245, wherein the multicore fiber is a concentric core fiber. (Item 252) Item 246. The system of item 245, wherein the image injector is configured to input a wavelet pattern into the multi-core assembly. (Item 253) Item 246. The system of item 245, wherein the image inputter is configured to input Zernike coefficients into the multi-core assembly. (Item 254) Item 245. The system of item 245, further comprising an accommodation tracking module for determining accommodation of the user's eye, wherein the image inputter is configured to input an inverse Fourier transform of a wavefront corresponding to the determined accommodation of the user's eye. (Item 255) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: determining accommodation of the user's eye, the determined accommodation being associated with a focal length corresponding to the user's current state of focus; projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data through a waveguide; varying a focus of the projected light based at least in part on the determined accommodation; delivering the projected light to an eye of the user; A method comprising: (Item 256) Item 256. The method of item 255, wherein the accommodation is measured directly. (Item 257) Item 256. The method of item 255, wherein the accommodation is measured indirectly. (Item 258) Item 257. The method of item 256, wherein the accommodation is measured via an infrared autorefractometer. (Item 259) Item 257. The method of item 256, wherein the accommodation is measured through decentered photorefraction. (Item 260) Item 258. The method of item 257, further comprising measuring a level of convergence of the user's eyes and estimating the accommodation. (Item 261) Item 256. The method of item 255, further comprising blurring one or more portions of one or more frames of the image data based at least in part on the determined accommodation. (Item 262) Item 256. The method of item 255, wherein the focus is varied between fixed depth planes. (Item 263) Item 256. The method of item 255, further comprising a compensating lens to compensate for the optical effects of the waveguide so that the external environment is perceived at zero magnification. (Item 264) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: determining accommodation of the user's eye, the determined accommodation being associated with a focal length corresponding to the user's current state of focus; projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data through a diffractive optical element (DOE); varying a focus of the projected light based at least in part on the determined accommodation; delivering the projected light to an eye of the user; A method comprising: (Item 265) Item 265. The method of item 264, wherein the accommodation is measured directly. (Item 266) Item 265. The method of item 264, wherein the accommodation is measured indirectly. (Item 267) Item 266. The method of item 265, wherein the accommodation is measured via an infrared autorefractometer. (Item 268) Item 266. The method of item 265, wherein the accommodation is measured through decentered photorefraction. (Item 269) Item 267. The method of item 266, further comprising measuring a level of convergence of the user's eyes and estimating the accommodation. (Item 270) Item 265. The method of item 264, further comprising blurring one or more portions of the one or more frames of image data based at least in part on the determined accommodation. (Item 271) Item 265. The method of item 264, wherein the focus is varied between fixed depth planes. (Item 272) Item 265. The method of item 264, further comprising a compensating lens to compensate for the optical effect of the DOE so that the external environment is perceived at zero magnification. (Item 273) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: determining accommodation of the user's eye, the determined accommodation being associated with a focal length corresponding to the user's current state of focus; projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data through a freeform optic; varying a focus of the projected light based at least in part on the determined accommodation; delivering the projected light to an eye of the user; A method comprising: (Item 274) Item 274. The method of item 273, wherein the accommodation is measured directly. (Item 275) Item 274. The method of item 273, wherein the accommodation is measured indirectly. (Item 275) Item 275. The method of item 274, wherein the accommodation is measured via an infrared autorefractometer. (Item 276) Item 275. The method of item 274, wherein the accommodation is measured through decentered photorefraction. (Item 277) Item 276. The method of item 275, further comprising measuring a level of convergence of the user's eyes and estimating the accommodation. (Item 278) Item 274. The method of claim 273, further comprising blurring one or more portions of one or more frames of the image data based at least in part on the determined accommodation. (Item 279) Item 274. The method of item 273, wherein the focus is varied between fixed depth planes. (Item 280) Item 274. The method of item 273, further comprising a compensating lens for compensating for the optical effect of the freeform optic so that the external environment is perceived at zero magnification. (Item 281) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: determining accommodation of the user's eye, the determined accommodation being associated with a focal length corresponding to the user's current state of focus; projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data; varying a focus of the projected light based at least in part on the determined accommodation; delivering the projected light to the user's eye such that the light is perceived by the user as originating from a focal distance corresponding to the user's current state of focus; A method comprising: (Item 282) Item 282. The method of item 281, wherein the light is delivered to the user through a substrate waveguide optical assembly. (Item 283) Item 282. The method of item 281, wherein the light is delivered to the user through a freeform optical element. (Item 284) Item 282. The method of item 281, wherein the light is delivered to the user through a diffractive optical element (DOE). (Item 285) Item 282. The method of claim 281, wherein the light is projected through a stack of waveguides, a first waveguide of the stack of waveguides configured to output light with a particular wavefront, a second waveguide configured to output a positive boundary wavefront with respect to the particular wavefront, and a third waveguide configured to output a negative boundary wavefront with respect to the particular wavefront. (Item 286) Item 282. The method of item 281, further comprising blurring a portion of one or more frames of the image data in such a manner that the portion is out of focus when the projected light is delivered to the user's eye. (Item 287) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: an image source for providing one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner; a light generator for providing light associated with one or more frames of said image data; an accommodation tracking module for tracking accommodation of the user's eyes; a waveguide assembly for varying a focus of light associated with one or more frames of image data, wherein different frames of image data are differently focused based, at least in part, on the tracked accommodation; and A system comprising: (Item 288) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: an accommodation tracking module for determining accommodation of the user's eye; an image source for providing one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner; a light generator for projecting light associated with one or more frames of the image data; and a plurality of waveguides for receiving light rays associated with the image data and transmitting the light rays toward the user's eye, the plurality of waveguides being stacked in a direction facing the user's eye; a variable focusing element (VFE) for varying the focus of the transmitted light based, at least in part, on the determined accommodation of the user's eye; A system comprising: (Item 289) Item 289. The system of item 288, wherein a waveguide of the plurality of waveguides is a waveguide element, and a focus of a first frame of image data transmitted from a first waveguide of the plurality of waveguides is different from a focus of a second frame of image data transmitted from a second waveguide of the plurality of waveguides. (Item 290) Item 289. The system of item 288, wherein the first frame is a first layer of a 3D scene and the second frame is a second layer of the 3D scene. (Item 291) Item 289. The system of item 288, further comprising a blur module for blurring a portion of one or more frames of the image data in a manner such that the portion is out of focus when viewed by the user. (Item 292) Item 289. The system of item 288, wherein the VFE is common to the plurality of waveguides. (Item 293) Item 289. The system of item 288, wherein the VFE is associated with a waveguide of the plurality of waveguides. (Item 294) Item 289. The system of item 288, wherein the VFE is coupled to a waveguide of the plurality of waveguides such that the VFE is interleaved between two waveguides of the plurality of waveguides. (Item 295) Item 289. The system of item 288, wherein the VFE is embedded within a waveguide of the plurality of waveguides. (Item 296) Item 289. The system of item 288, wherein the VFE is a diffractive optical element. (Item 297) Item 289. The system of item 288, wherein the VFE is a refractive element. (Item 298) Item 289. The system of item 288, wherein the VFE is a reflective element. (Item 299) Item 289. The system of item 288, wherein the waveguide is electroactive. (Item 300) Item 289. The system of item 288, wherein one or more of the plurality of waveguides are switched off. (Item 301) Item 289. The system of item 288, wherein a waveguide of the plurality of waveguides corresponds to a fixed focal plane. (Item 302) Item 289. The system of item 288, further comprising an exit pupil, the diameter of the exit pupil being no more than 0.5 mm. (Item 303) Item 289. The system of item 288, wherein the light generator is a scanning fiber display. (Item 304) Item 303. The system of item 302, further comprising an array of exit pupils. (Item 305) Item 303. The system of item 302, further comprising a plurality of light generators, the light generators coupled to the exit pupil. (Item 306) Item 289. The system of item 288, further comprising an exit pupil expander. (Item 307) Item 303. The system of item 302, wherein the exit pupil is switchable based, at least in part, on a determined accommodation of the user's eye. (Item 308) 1. A system comprising: an accommodation tracking module for determining accommodation of the user's eye; a fiber scanning display for scanning a plurality of light beams associated with one or more frames of image data, the light beams of the plurality of light beams being movable; blurring software for rendering a simulated dioptric blur within one or more frames of the image data based, at least in part, on the determined accommodation of the user's eye; A system comprising: (Item 309) Item 309. The system of item 308, wherein the diameter of the light beam is no more than 2 mm. (Item 310) Item 309. The system of item 308, wherein the diameter of the light beam is no more than 0.5 mm. (Item 311) Item 312. The system of item 308, wherein the scanning light beam is replicated to create multiple exit pupils. Item 309. The system of item 308, wherein the scanning light beam is replicated to create a larger eyebox. (Item 313) Item 312. The system of item 311, wherein the exit pupil is switchable. (Item 314) 1. A method for displaying virtual content, comprising: determining accommodation of a user's eye; scanning a plurality of light beams associated with one or more frames of image data through a fiber scanning display, the light beams having a diameter of no more than 0.5 mm such that the frames of image data appear in focus when viewed by the user; blurring one or more portions of the frame based, at least in part, on the determined accommodation of the user's eye using blurring software; A method comprising: (Item 315) Item 315. The method of item 314, wherein multiple exit pupils are created. (Item 316) Item 315. The method of item 314, wherein the light beam is generated by a single-core fiber. (Item 317) Item 315. The method of item 314, wherein the light beam is replicated to create multiple exit pupils. (Item 318) Item 318. The method of item 317, wherein the exit pupil is switchable. (Item 319) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: determining a position of the user's pupil relative to a bundle of light projectors, the bundle of light projectors corresponding to a sub-image of an image to be presented to the user; directing light corresponding to the sub-image into a portion of the user's pupil based on the determined position of the user's pupil; A method comprising: (Item 320) Item 319. The method of item 319, further comprising propelling light corresponding to different sub-images of the image to be presented to different portions of the user's pupil through different bundles of light projectors. (Item 321) Item 319. The method of item 319, further comprising mapping one or more bundles of light projectors of the fiber scanning display to one or more portions of the user's pupil. (Item 322) Item 322. The method according to Item 321, wherein the mapping is a 1:1 mapping. (Item 323) Item 319. The method of item 319, wherein the diameter of the light is no more than 0.5 mm. (Item 324) Item 319. The method of item 319, wherein the bundle of light projectors generates a coherent wavefront. (Item 325) Item 319. The method of item 319, wherein the beamlets generated by the optical projector form a discretized coherent wavefront. (Item 326) Item 327. The method of item 325, wherein when the beamlets approach the user's eye in a parallel manner, the eye deflects the beamlets to focus on the same spot on the retina. Item 319. The method of item 319, wherein the user's eye receives a superset of beamlets, the beamlets corresponding to multiple angles at which they intersect the pupil. (Item 328) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: a light source for providing light associated with one or more frames of image data; an optical display assembly for receiving light associated with one or more frames of the image data, the optical display assembly corresponding to a plurality of spaced-apart exit pupils that transmit light into the user's pupils; A system comprising: (Item 329) Item 329. The system of item 328, wherein the plurality of exit pupils are arranged in a hexagonal grid. (Item 330) Item 329. The system of item 328, wherein the plurality of exit pupils are arranged in a square grid. (Item 331) Item 329. The system of item 328, wherein the multiple exit pupils are arranged in a two-dimensional array. (Item 332) Item 329. The system of item 328, wherein the multiple exit pupils are arranged in a three-dimensional array. (Item 333) Item 329. The system of item 328, wherein the plurality of exit pupils are arranged in a time-varying array. (Item 334) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: grouping a plurality of light projectors to form an exit pupil; propelling a first light pattern through a first exit pupil into a first portion of the user's pupil; directing a second light pattern through a second exit pupil into a second portion of the user's pupil, the first light pattern and the second light pattern corresponding to a sub-image of an image to be presented to the user, the first light pattern being different from the second light pattern; A method comprising: (Item 335) Item 336. The method of item 334, wherein the plurality of light projectors are arranged in a hexagonal lattice. Item 337. The method of item 334, wherein the plurality of light projectors are arranged in a square grid. Item 335. The method of item 334, wherein the plurality of light projectors are arranged in a two-dimensional array. (Item 338) Item 339. The method of item 334, wherein the plurality of light projectors are arranged in a three-dimensional array. Item 340: The method of item 334, wherein the plurality of light projectors are arranged in a time-varying array. Item 335. The method of item 334, wherein a first portion of the user's pupil receives light only from the first exit pupil and a second portion of the user's pupil receives light only from the second exit pupil. (Item 341) Item 335. The method of item 334, further comprising the step of creating a discretized coherent wavefront. (Item 342) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: determining a location of the user's pupils relative to an optical display assembly; calculating a focal point at which light should be directed to the pupil based at least in part on a limited eyebox surrounding the determined location of the pupil; A method comprising: (Item 343) Item 342. The method of claim 342, wherein the diameter of the light is no more than 0.5 mm. (Item 344) Item 343. The method of item 342, further comprising the step of creating a discretized coherent wavefront. (Item 345) Item 345. The method of item 344, further comprising the step of converging a plurality of discrete, neighboring collimated light beams based at least in part on a center of curvature radius of a desired aggregate wavefront. (Item 346) Item 347. The method of item 344, further comprising determining accommodation of the user's eye, wherein the focus is calculated based at least in part on the determined accommodation. Item 347. The method of item 346, further comprising selecting angular trajectories of light for the plurality of beamlets to create a defocused light beam. (Item 348) Item 343. The method of item 342, wherein a plurality of beamlets represent pixels of image data to be presented to the user. (Item 349) Item 349. The method of item 348, wherein the beamlets impinge on the eye at multiple angles of incidence. (Item 350) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: an image source for providing one or more portions of an image to be presented to the user; a plurality of microprojectors for projecting light associated with one or more portions of the image, the microprojectors positioned in a manner facing the user's pupil, each microprojector of the plurality of microprojectors configured to project a set of light rays representing a portion of the sub-image, the set of light rays being projected onto the portion of the user's pupil; A system comprising: (Item 351) Item 351. The system of item 350, wherein a first portion of the user's pupil receives light rays from a plurality of microprojectors. (Item 352) Item 351. The system of item 350, further comprising a reflective surface for reflecting light from the plurality of microprojectors onto one or more portions of the user's pupil. (Item 353) Item 351. The system of item 350, wherein the reflective surface is positioned in such a manner that the user can see the real world through the reflective surface. (Item 354) Item 351. The system of item 350, wherein the diameter of the light is no more than 0.5 mm. (Item 355) Item 351. The system of item 350, further comprising creating a discretized coherent wavefront. (Item 356) Item 351. The system of item 350, further comprising: concentrating a plurality of discrete, neighboring collimated light beams based at least in part on a center of curvature radius of a desired aggregate wavefront. (Item 357) Item 351. The system of item 350, further comprising determining accommodation of the user's eye, wherein the focus is calculated based at least in part on the determined accommodation. (Item 358) Item 351. The system of item 350, wherein the angular trajectories of light of the plurality of beamlets are selected to create a defocused light beam. (Item 359) Item 350, a system according to item 350, wherein a plurality of beamlets represent pixels of image data to be presented to the user. (Item 360) Item 352. The system of item 351, wherein the beamlets impinge on the eye at multiple angles of incidence. (Item 361) 1. A system comprising: a processor for determining a location of a user's pupils; an array of spatial light modulators (SLMs) for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data, the array of SLMs being positioned based at least in part on the determined location of the user's pupils, and which generates a bright field when viewed by the user; and A system comprising: (Item 362) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: an image source for providing one or more frames of image data; a first spatial light modulator (SLM) configured to selectively transmit light rays associated with one or more frames of said image data; a second SLM positioned relative to the first SLM, the second SLM also configured to selectively transmit light rays associated with one or more frames of the image data; a processor for controlling the first and second SLMs in a manner such that the transmitted light beam creates a bright field when viewed by the user; A system comprising: (Item 363) Item 361 or 362. The system of item 361 or 362, further comprising an accommodation tracking module for determining the accommodation of the user's eye. (Item 364) Item 363. A system according to item 361 or 362, wherein the SLM is an LCD. (Item 365) Item 363. The system of item 361 or 362, wherein the LCD is attenuated. (Item 366) Item 363. The system of item 361 or 362, wherein the LCD rotates the polarization of the transmitted light. (Item 367) Item 363. The system of item 361 or 362, wherein the SLM is a DMD. (Item 368) Item 363. The system of item 362, wherein the DMD is coupled to one or more lenses. (Item 369) Item 363. The system of item 361 or 362, wherein the SLM is a MEMs array. (Item 370) Item 369. The system of item 369, wherein the MEMs array comprises an array of sliding MEMs shutters. (Item 371) Item 369, a system wherein the MEM array is a Pixtronics® MEM array. (Item 372) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: A system comprising a plurality of optical fibers for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data to be presented to the user, wherein an optical fiber core of the plurality of optical fiber cores is coupled to a lens, the lens configured to modify a diameter of a light beam projected by the scanning fiber, the lens comprising a gradient refractive index. (Item 373) Item 373. The system of item 372, wherein the lens is a GRIN lens. (Item 374) Item 373. The system of item 372, wherein the lens collimates the light beam. (Item 375) Item 373. The system of item 372, further comprising an actuator coupled to an optical fiber core of the plurality of optical fiber cores for scanning the fiber. (Item 376) Item 376. The system of item 375, wherein the actuator is a piezoelectric actuator. (Item 377) Item 373. The system of item 372, wherein the end of the optical fiber core is polished at an angle to create a lens effect. (Item 378) Item 373. The system of item 372, wherein the end of the optical fiber core is fused to create a lens effect. (Item 379) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data, said light being projected through a plurality of optical fiber cores; modifying light projected through the plurality of optical fiber cores through a lens, the lens being coupled to tips of the plurality of optical fiber cores; delivering the modified light to the user; A method comprising: (Item 380) Item 379. The method of item 379, wherein the lens is a GRIN lens. (Item 381) Item 379. The method of item 379, wherein the lens has a gradient refractive index. (Item 382) Item 379. The method of item 379, wherein the lens collimates the light beam projected by the optical fiber core. (Item 383) Item 379. The method of item 379, wherein the lens is coupled to a plurality of optical fiber cores. (Item 384) Item 379. The method of item 379, wherein the lens is coupled to a single optical fiber core. (Item 385) Item 379. The method of item 379, wherein one or more optical fiber cores include polished ends to create a lens effect. (Item 386) Item 368. The method of item 367, wherein one or more optical fiber cores are fused to create a lens effect. (Item 387) 1. A system for displaying virtual content, comprising: a multicore assembly comprising a plurality of fibers for multiplexing light associated with one or more frames of image data; a waveguide for receiving the light pattern and transmitting the light pattern such that a first viewing zone receives only light associated with a first portion of an image and a second viewing zone receives only light associated with a second portion of the image, the first and second viewing zones being no more than 0.5 mm apart; A system comprising: (Item 388) Item 388. The system of item 387, further comprising blurring software for blurring one or more portions of the frame of image data. (Item 389) Item 388. The system of item 387, further comprising an accommodation module for determining accommodation of the user's eye. (Item 390) Item 388. The system of item 387, wherein the waveguide projects light directly into the user's eye without intermediate viewing optics. (Item 391) 1. A system comprising: a multicore assembly comprising a plurality of fibers for multiplexing light associated with one or more frames of image data; a waveguide for receiving the light pattern and transmitting the light pattern such that a first viewing zone receives only light associated with a first portion of an image and a second viewing zone receives only light associated with a second portion of the image, the first and second viewing zones being no more than 0.5 mm apart; an optical assembly coupled to the waveguide for modifying the light beams transmitted to the first and second viewing zones; A system comprising: (Item 392) Item 392. The system of item 391, wherein the plurality of fibers projects light into a single waveguide array. (Item 393) Item 392. The system of item 391, wherein the multi-core assembly is scanned. (Item 394) Item 392. The system of item 391, wherein a time-varying bright field is generated. (Item 395) Item 392. The system of item 391, wherein the optical assembly is a DOE element. (Item 396) Item 392. The system of item 391, wherein the optical assembly is an LC layer. (Item 397) 1. A method comprising: projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data through a multicore assembly, the multicore assembly comprising a plurality of optical fiber cores; transmitting the projected light through a waveguide such that a first portion of the user's pupil receives light associated with a first portion of an image and a second portion of the user's pupil receives light associated with a second portion of the image; A method comprising: (Item 398) Item 398. The method of item 397, wherein the first and second portions have a diameter of no more than 0.5 mm. (Item 399) Item 398. The method of item 397, wherein the plurality of optical fiber cores projects light into a single waveguide array. (Item 400) Item 398. The method of item 397, wherein the multicore assembly is scanned. (Item 401) Item 398. The method of item 397, wherein the waveguide comprises a plurality of reflectors. (Item 402) Item 402. The method of item 401, wherein the angle of the reflector is variable. (Item 403) Item 398. The method of item 397, further comprising an assembly of optics for modifying light being delivered to the first and second viewing zones. (Item 404) Item 404. The method of item 403, wherein the optical ensemble is a DOE element. (Item 405) Item 404. The method of item 403, wherein the optical assembly is a freeform optical assembly. (Item 406) Item 404. The method of item 403, wherein the optical assembly is an LC layer. (Item 407) 1. A system comprising: 1. A system comprising: an array of microprojectors for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data to be presented to a user, the array of microprojectors being positioned relative to a location of the user's pupil, the light being projected into the user's pupil. (Item 408) Item 408. A fiber scanning display as described in item 407, wherein the first and second light beams are superimposed. (Item 409) Item 408. A fiber scanning display as described in item 407, wherein the first and second light beams are deflected based at least in part on the critical angle of the polished bundled fibers. (Item 410) Item 408. A fiber scanning display as described in item 407, wherein the polished bundled fibers are used to increase the resolution of the display. (Item 411) Item 408. A fiber scanning display according to item 407, wherein the polished bundled fibers are used to create a bright field. (Item 412) 1. A system comprising: an array of microprojectors for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data to be presented to a user, the array of microprojectors being positioned relative to a location of a pupil of the user, the light being projected into the pupil of the user; an optical element coupled to the array of microprojectors for modifying light projected into the user's pupil; A system comprising: (Item 413) 1. A system comprising: a plurality of multicore fibers for transmitting optical beams, the plurality of beams being coupled together; a combining element for bundling the plurality of multicore fibers together, the bundle of multicore fibers being polished at a critical angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the fibers such that a first optical beam transmitted from a first fiber of the bundled fibers has a first path length and a second optical beam transmitted from a second fiber of the bundled fibers has a second path length, the first path length being different from the second path length such that the first optical beam is out of phase with respect to the second optical beam; A system comprising: (Item 414) Item 414. The system of item 412 or 413, wherein the first and second light beams are superimposed. (Item 415) Item 414. The system of item 412 or 413, wherein the first and second light beams are deflected based at least in part on the critical angle of the polished bundled fibers. (Item 416) Item 414. The system of item 412 or 413, wherein the polished bundled fibers are used to increase the resolution of the display. (Item 417) Item 414. The system of item 412 or 413, wherein the polished bundled fibers are used to create a bright field. (Item 418) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: an image source for providing one or more frames of image data; a plurality of optical fiber cores for transmitting light beams associated with the one or more frames of image data; an optical element coupled to the plurality of optical fiber cores for receiving collimated light from the optical fiber cores and delivering the light beams to the eye of the user, wherein the light beams are delivered to the eye of the user at a plurality of angles such that a first light beam is delivered to a portion of the eye of the user at a first angle and a second light beam is delivered to the same portion of the eye of the user at a second angle, the first angle being different from the second angle; and A system comprising: (Item 419) Item 419. The system of item 418, wherein the optical element is a waveguide. (Item 420) Item 419. The system of item 418, further comprising a phase modulator for modulating transmission of light through the optical fiber core. (Item 421) 1. A method comprising: providing one or more frames of image data; transmitting a light beam associated with the one or more frames of image data through a plurality of optical fiber cores; delivering the light beam to the eye of the user at a plurality of angles; A method comprising: (Item 422) Item 422. The method of item 421, further comprising modulating the phase delay of the plurality of optical fiber cores. (Item 423) Item 422. The method of item 421, further comprising coupling an optical element to the plurality of optical fiber cores. (Item 424) Item 424. The method of item 423, wherein the optical element is a waveguide. (Item 425) Item 424. The method of item 423, wherein the optical element is a freeform optic. (Item 426) Item 424. The method of item 423, wherein the optical element is a DOE. (Item 427) Item 424. The method of item 423, wherein the optical element is SGO. (Item 428) 1. A virtual reality display system, comprising: a plurality of optical fiber cores for generating light beams associated with one or more images to be presented to a user; a plurality of phase modulators coupled to the plurality of optical fiber cores for modulating the light beams, the phase modulators modulating the light in a manner that affects a wavefront generated as a result of the plurality of light beams; A system comprising: (Item 429) Item 429. The virtual reality display system of item 428, wherein the one or more optical fiber cores are deflected at one or more angles. (Item 430) Item 429. The virtual reality display system of item 428, wherein the optical fibers of the plurality of optical fiber cores are coupled to a GRIN lens. (Item 431) Item 429. The virtual reality display system of item 428, wherein the plurality of optical fiber cores are physically actuated to scan the optical fiber cores. (Item 432) 1. A method comprising: providing one or more frames of image data to be presented to a user; projecting light associated with one or more frames of said image data through a plurality of optical fiber cores; modulating light projected by the plurality of optical fiber cores through a plurality of phase modulators in a manner that affects a coherent wavefront generated by the plurality of optical fiber cores; A method comprising: (Item 433) Item 433. The method of item 432, wherein the light projected by the one or more optical fiber cores is deflected at one or more angles. (Item 434) Item 433. The method of item 432, wherein the one or more optical fiber cores are coupled to a GRIN lens. (Item 435) Item 433. The method of item 432, further comprising the step of scanning the optical light beam, wherein the plurality of optical fiber cores are physically actuated to scan the optical fiber cores. (Item 436) 1. A system for displaying virtual content, comprising: an array of optical fiber cores for transmitting light beams associated with images to be presented to a user; a lens coupled to the array of optical fiber cores for deflecting a plurality of light beams output by the array of optical fiber cores through a single nodal point, the lens being physically attached to the optical fiber cores such that movement of the optical fiber cores moves the lens, and the single nodal point is scanned; A system comprising: (Item 437) Item 437. The system of item 436, wherein the light beams output by the array of optical fiber cores represent pixels of an image to be presented to the user. (Item 438) Item 437. The system of item 436, wherein the lens is a GRIN lens. (Item 439) Item 437. The system of item 436, wherein the array of optical fiber cores is used to display a bright field. (Item 440) Item 437. The system of item 436, wherein different sets of light beams output by different arrays of optical fiber cores represent different pixels of an image to be presented to the user. (Item 441) Item 437. The system of item 436, wherein the array of multiple optical fiber cores is combined to represent pixels of an image to be presented to the user. (Item 442) Item 437. The system of item 436, wherein the array of optical fiber cores is configured to deliver the light beam to a predetermined portion of the user's pupil. (Item 443) Item 437. The system of item 436, wherein the output light beam is divergent. (Item 444) Item 437. The system of item 436, wherein the output light beam is convergent. (Item 445) Item 437. The system of item 436, wherein the numerical aperture of the output light beam is increased relative to the light beams transmitted by the individual optical fiber cores. (Item 446) Item 446. The system of item 445, wherein the increased numerical aperture allows for higher resolution. (Item 447) Item 437. The system of item 436, wherein the array of optical fiber cores is beveled in a manner such that a path length of a first light beam traveling through a first optical fiber is different from a second light beam traveling through a second optical fiber, thereby enabling multiple focal lengths of the light beam to be delivered to the user's eye. (Item 448) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: an array of fiber optic cores for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data, one or more fiber optic cores of the array of fiber optic cores being polished at an angle such that the projected light is deflected, the polished angle creating a path length difference between a first fiber optic core and a second fiber optic core of the array of fiber optic cores relative to an optical element; an optical scanner for receiving the deflected light beams and scanning them in at least one axis; A system comprising: (Item 449) 1. A system for providing at least one virtual or augmented reality experience to a user, comprising: The frame and an array of microprojectors carried by the frame and positionable in front of at least one eye of the user when the frame is worn by the user; a local controller communicatively coupled to the array of micro-projectors for providing image information to the micro-projectors, the local controller comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-transitory processor-readable medium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one non-transitory processor-readable medium storing at least one processor-executable instruction or data that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to at least one of process, cache, and store data, provide the image information to the micro-projectors, and generate at least one of a virtual or augmented reality visual experience for the user; A system comprising: (Item 450) Item 449. The system of item 449, further comprising at least one reflector supported by the frame and positioned and oriented to direct light from the microprojector toward at least one eye of the user when the frame is worn by the user. (Item 451) Item 449, a system according to item 449, wherein the microprojector comprises a respective one of a plurality of scanning fiber displays. (Item 452) Item 449. The system of item 449, wherein each of the scanning fiber displays has an individual collimating lens at its distal tip. (Item 453) Item 449, a system in which the individual collimating lenses are gradient index (GRIN) lenses. (Item 454) Item 449, a system in which the individual collimating lenses are curved lenses. (Item 455) Item 449, a system according to item 449, wherein the individual collimating lenses are fused to the distal tips of the individual scanning fiber displays. (Item 456) Item 449, a system according to item 449, wherein the scanning fiber display has a discrete diffractive lens at its distal tip. (Item 457) Item 449. The system of item 449, wherein each of the scanning fiber displays has a diffuser at its distal tip. (Item 458) Item 458. The system of item 457, wherein the diffuser is etched into the individual distal tip. (Item 459) Item 449, a system as described in Item 449, wherein each of the scanning fiber displays has an individual lens at its distal tip, the lens extending from the distal tip a sufficient distance so as to vibrate freely in response to a stimulus. (Item 460) Item 449. The system of item 449, wherein each of the scanning fiber displays has a respective reflector at its distal tip, the reflector extending from the distal tip a sufficient distance so as to vibrate freely in response to a stimulus. (Item 461) Item 461. The system of item 460, wherein each scanning fiber display comprises an individual single-mode optical fiber. (Item 462) Item 461. The system of item 460, wherein each scanning fiber display includes a respective mechanical transducer coupled to move at least the distal tip of the single mode optical fiber. (Item 463) Item 463. The system of item 462, wherein each of the individual mechanical transducers is a piezoelectric actuator. (Item 464) Item 462. The system of item 461, wherein each of the single mode optical fiber cores has a distal tip, the distal tip having a hemispherical lens shape. (Item 465) Item 462. The system of item 461, wherein each of the single mode optical fiber cores has a distal tip, the distal tip having a refractive lens affixed thereto. (Item 466) Item 462. The system of item 461, further comprising a transparent holder substrate that holds the plurality of single-mode optical fiber cores together. (Item 467) Item 462. The system of item 461, wherein the transparent holder substrate has a refractive index that at least approximately matches the refractive index of the cladding of the single mode optical fiber core. (Item 468) Item 462. The system of item 461, wherein the transparent holder substrate holds a plurality of single-mode optical fiber cores, each angled toward a common spot. (Item 469) Item 462. The system of item 461, further comprising at least one mechanical transducer coupled to move the plurality of single-mode optical fiber cores in unison. (Item 470) Item 449, a system according to Item 449, wherein the at least one mechanical transducer vibrates the plurality of single-mode optical fiber cores at a mechanical resonant frequency of the single-mode optical fiber cores, a portion of which is cantilevered from the transparent holder substrate. (Item 471) Item 449, a system according to Item 449, wherein the microprojector comprises a plurality of individual planar waveguides, each of which has a portion extending cantilevered from a holder substrate. (Item 472) Item 472. The system of item 471, further comprising at least one mechanical transducer coupled to move the plurality of planar waveguides in unison. (Item 473) Item 473. The system of item 472, wherein the at least one mechanical transducer vibrates the holder substrate at a mechanical resonant frequency of the planar waveguide. (Item 474) Item 473. The system of item 472, wherein the microprojector comprises a respective one of a plurality of piezoelectric actuators coupled to move a respective one of the planar waveguides relative to the holder substrate. (Item 475) Item 473. The system of item 472, wherein each of the planar waveguides defines a total internal reflection path along a respective length of the planar waveguide, and the planar waveguide comprises a respective one of a plurality of electronically switchable diffractive optical elements (DOEs) operable to propagate light outward from the respective total internal reflection paths. (Item 476) Item 449. The system of item 449, wherein the array of microprojectors comprises an array of optical fiber cores, each having a distal tip and at least one beveled edge. (Item 477) Item 477. The system of item 476, wherein the at least one beveled edge is on the distal tip, and the distal tip is a polished distal tip. (Item 478) Item 478. The system of item 477, wherein each of the optical fiber cores has a reflective surface at its respective distal tip. (Item 479) Item 479. The system of item 478, wherein the distal tip has an output edge at the distal tip at a critical angle defined relative to the longitudinal axis of the individual optical fiber. (Item 480) Item 479. The system of item 479, wherein the defined critical angle is approximately 45 degrees relative to the longitudinal axis of the individual optical fiber. (Item 481) Item 449. The system of item 449, further comprising a focusing lens in the optical path of light exiting the distal end of the optical fiber core for receiving the multiple beams of light, the beams being out of phase with each other. (Item 482) Item 449. The system of item 449, further comprising at least one transducer coupled to move at least one of the optical fiber cores within an XY Cartesian coordinate system and to move light emitted by the at least one optical fiber within an XZ Cartesian coordinate system. (Item 483) Item 449. The system of claim 449, wherein the at least one transducer is a first piezoelectric actuator that causes the cantilevered portion of the optical fiber core to resonate in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the cantilevered portion extends. (Item 484) Item 484. The system of item 483, wherein the optical fiber core comprises a thin ribbon of optical fiber core. (Item 485) Item 483. The system of item 482, wherein the at least one transducer is a second piezoelectric actuator that moves at least the cantilevered portion of the optical fiber core longitudinally in the direction in which the cantilevered portion extends. (Item 486) Item 486. The system of item 485, wherein the microprojector includes at least one single-axis mirror operable to provide slow scanning along the longitudinal axis of at least one of the optical fiber cores. (Item 487) Item 449. The system of item 449, wherein the array of optical fiber cores comprises a multicore fiber. (Item 488) Item 488. The system of item 487, wherein the multicore fiber includes a plurality of about seven sparsely positioned clusters within a single conduit, each cluster having three optical fiber cores, and each optical fiber carrying a respective one of three different colors of light. (Item 489) Item 488. The system of item 487, wherein the multicore fiber includes a plurality of about 19 sparsely positioned clusters within a single conduit, each cluster comprising three optical fiber cores, each optical fiber carrying a respective one of three different colors of light, generating a triplet of overlapping spots of three different colors. (Item 490) Item 488. The system of item 487, wherein the multicore fiber includes at least one cluster within a single conduit, each of the clusters having at least three optical fiber cores, each of the optical fiber cores carrying at least two different colors of light. (Item 491) Item 490. The system of item 490, wherein the multicore fiber includes at least one cluster within a single conduit, the at least one cluster comprising four optical fiber cores, each optical fiber carrying a respective one of four different colors of light, one of the four colors being infrared or near-infrared. (Item 492) the multicore fiber includes a plurality of cores in a tight bundle; and further comprising at least one transducer coupled to move the core in a sparse spiral pattern. Item 490. The system of item 490. (Item 493) Item 477. The system of item 476, wherein the at least one beveled edge is spaced inward from the distal tip. (Item 494) Item 477. The system of item 476, wherein the at least one beveled edge is polished. (Item 495) Item 495. The system of item 494, further comprising at least one transducer coupled to move at least one of the optical fiber cores within an XY Cartesian coordinate system and to move light emitted by the at least one optical fiber within an XZ Cartesian coordinate system. (Item 496) Item 493. The system of item 493, further comprising a focusing lens in the optical path of the light exiting the beveled edge of the optical fiber core for receiving the multiple beams of light, the beams being out of phase with each other. (Item 497) A laser, at least one phase modulator for optically coupling the output of the laser into some of the cores of the multicore fiber to achieve mutual coherence; Item 483. The system of item 483, further comprising: (Item 498) a lenslet array optically coupled upstream of the input end of each of the cores of the multicore fiber; and a prism array optically coupled between the plurality of collimating lenses and an input end of the core of the multicore fiber, the prism array deflecting light from the lenslet array into the core of the multicore fiber; Item 497. The system of item 497, further comprising: (Item 499) a lenslet array optically coupled upstream of the input end of each of the cores of the multicore fiber; and a covalent focusing lens optically coupled between the lenslet array and an input end of a core of the multicore fiber, the covalent focusing lens deflecting light from the lenslet array into the core of the multicore fiber; Item 498. The system of item 498, further comprising: (item 500) Item 477. The system of item 476, wherein the array of microprojectors further comprises at least one reflector operable to generate a scanning pattern and to be optically coupled to the array of optical fiber cores. (Item 501) Item 500, the system wherein the at least one reflector is operable to generate at least one of a raster scan pattern, a Lissajous scan pattern, or a spiral scan pattern of the multi-focal beam. (Item 502) Item 477. The system of item 476, wherein each core of the multicore fiber addresses a separate portion of the image plane in a non-overlapping manner. (Item 503) Item 477. The system of item 476, wherein each core of the multicore fiber addresses a separate portion of the image plane in a substantially overlapping manner. (Item 504) 1. A system for displaying virtual content, comprising: an image source for providing one or more frames of image data to be presented to a user; a fiber scanning display comprising a plurality of fibers and projecting light associated with one or more frames of the image data, the plurality of fibers being scanned using an actuator; and a processor for controlling the fiber scanning display in a manner such that a bright field is presented to the user; A system comprising: (Item 505) Item 505. The system of item 504, wherein the actuator is shared among all fibers of the fiber scanning display. (Item 506) Item 505. The system of item 504, wherein each fiber has its individual actuator. (Item 507) Item 506. The system of item 505, wherein the plurality of fibers are mechanically coupled by a grating such that the plurality of fibers move together. (Item 508) Item 508. The system of item 507, wherein the lattice is a graphene plane. (Item 509) Item 508. The system of item 507, wherein the lattice is a lightweight support. (Item 510) 1. A system for providing at least one virtual or augmented reality experience to a user, comprising: The frame and a display system carried by the frame and positionable in front of at least one eye of the user when the frame is worn by the user; and a local controller communicatively coupled to the display system and providing image information to the display system, the local controller comprising at least one processor and at least one non-transitory processor-readable medium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor, the at least one non-transitory processor-readable medium storing at least one processor-executable instruction or data that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to at least one of process, cache, and store data, provide the image information to the display, and generate at least one of a virtual or augmented reality visual experience for the user; A system comprising: (Item 511) Item 511. The system of item 510, wherein the display comprises at least one wedge-shaped waveguide having at least two flat surfaces facing each other across a thickness of the first wedge-shaped waveguide and having a length along which light incident at a defined angle into the wedge-shaped waveguide through an incident portion of the wedge-shaped waveguide propagates via total internal reflection, and wherein the thickness of the wedge-shaped waveguide varies linearly along the length of the wedge-shaped waveguide. (Item 512) Item 513. The system of item 511, wherein the wedge-shaped waveguide provides bimodal total internal reflection. Item 511. The system of item 510, further comprising at least two projectors optically coupled to the wedge-shaped waveguide at distinct locations along an entrance portion of the wedge-shaped waveguide. (Item 514) Item 511. The system of item 510, further comprising a first linear array of multiple projectors optically coupled to the wedge-shaped waveguide at distinct locations along an entrance portion of the wedge-shaped waveguide. (Item 515) Item 515. The system of item 514, wherein a projector of the first linear array of the plurality of projectors is a scanning fiber display. (Item 516) Item 511. The system of item 510, further comprising a stack of multiple spatial light modulators optically coupled to the wedge-shaped waveguide along an input portion of the wedge-shaped waveguide. (Item 517) Item 511. The system of item 510, further comprising a multi-core optical fiber optically coupled to the wedge-shaped waveguide at one or more locations along an entrance portion of the wedge-shaped waveguide. (Item 518) a projector in the first linear array of projectors optically coupled to the wedge-shaped waveguide to launch light into the wedge-shaped waveguide at a first angle; Item 511. The system of item 510, further comprising: a second linear array of multiple projectors optically coupled to the wedge-shaped waveguide at distinct, different locations along an entrance portion of the wedge-shaped waveguide, wherein the projectors of the second linear array of projectors are optically coupled to the wedge-shaped waveguide and launch light into the wedge-shaped waveguide at a second angle, the second angle being different from the first angle. (Item 519) Item 511. The system of item 510, wherein the entrance portion is a longitudinal end of the wedge-shaped waveguide. (Item 520) Item 521. The system of item 510, wherein the entrance portion is a lateral edge of the wedge-shaped waveguide. Item 511. The system of item 510, wherein the entrance portion is one of the flat surfaces of the wedge-shaped waveguide. (Item 522) Item 511. The system of item 510, further comprising at least one optical component optically coupled to a projector to change the angle of light received from the projector and optically couple the light into the wedge-shaped waveguide at an angle that achieves total internal reflection of the light within the wedge-shaped waveguide. (Item 523) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: an array of microprojectors for projecting a light beam associated with one or more frames of image data to be presented to the user, the microprojector being configurable to be movable relative to one or more microprojectors in the array of microprojectors; and a frame for housing the array of microprojectors; a processor operatively coupled to one or more microprojectors of the array of microprojectors for controlling one or more light beams transmitted from the one or more projectors in a manner such that the one or more light beams are modulated as a function of the position of the one or more microprojectors relative to the array of microprojectors, thereby enabling delivery of a brightfield image to the user; A system comprising: (Item 524) Item 524. The system of item 523, wherein the microprojectors of the array of microprojectors are coupled to lenses. (Item 525) Item 524. The system of item 523, wherein the array of microprojectors is arranged in a manner based on a desired resolution of the image to be presented to the user. (Item 526) Item 524. The system of item 523, wherein the array of microprojectors is arranged based on a desired field of view. (Item 527) Item 524. The system of item 523, wherein the light beams of the multiple microprojectors overlap. (Item 528) Item 524. The system of item 523, further comprising an actuator coupled to one or more micro-projectors, the actuator configurable to move the one or more micro-projectors. (Item 529) Item 524. The system of item 523, wherein the actuator is coupled to a plurality of microprojectors. (Item 530) Item 524. The system of item 523, wherein the actuator is coupled to a single microprojector. (Item 531) Item 524. The system of item 523, wherein the microprojectors of the array of microprojectors are mechanically coupled to a grating. (Item 532) Item 532. The system of item 531, wherein the lattice is a graphene sheet. (Item 533) Item 532. The system of item 531, wherein the lattice is a matrix of carbon nanotubes. (Item 534) Item 524. The system of item 523, wherein the plurality of micro-projectors are cut via a laser cutting device such that the plurality of micro-projectors all have the same cantilever length. (Item 535) 1. A contact lens for interfacing with a cornea of ​​an eye of a user of a virtual or augmented reality display, comprising: A contact lens comprising: a partially hemispherical substrate; and a selective filter configured to selectively pass a light beam to a user's eye. (Item 536) Item 537. The contact lens of item 535, wherein the selective filter is a notch filter. Item 536. The contact lens of item 535, wherein the notch filter substantially blocks wavelengths at about 450 nm (peak blue) and substantially passes other wavelengths in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. (Item 538) Item 536. The contact lens of item 535, wherein the notch filter substantially blocks wavelengths at about 530 nm (green) and substantially passes other wavelengths in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. (Item 539) Item 536. The contact lens of item 535, wherein the notch filter substantially blocks wavelengths at about 650 nm and substantially passes other wavelengths in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. (Item 540) Item 539, a contact lens, wherein the notch filter comprises multiple layers of dielectric material carried by the substrate. (Item 541) Item 539. The contact lens of item 539, wherein the filter has a pinhole opening with a diameter of less than 1.5 mm. (Item 542) Item 542. The contact lens of item 541, wherein the pinhole opening allows light beams of multiple wavelengths to pass through. (Item 543) Item 539. The contact lens of item 539, wherein the size of the pinhole is varied based, at least in part, on a desired depth of focus of the display. (Item 544) Item 539, a contact lens further comprising multiple modes of operation. (Item 545) Item 539, a contact lens further comprising a multi-focal depth display configuration of the virtual content. (Item 546) Item 539, a contact lens further comprising an accommodation tracking module for determining accommodation of the user's eye. (Item 547) Item 539. The contact lens of item 539, wherein the depth of focus of a particular display object is varied based, at least in part, on the determined accommodation. (Item 548) Item 539, a contact lens, wherein the image is relayed through a waveguide, and the relayed image is associated with a particular depth of focus. (Item 549) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: providing one or more frames of image data to be presented to a user; projecting light associated with one or more frames of said image data; receiving the projected light through a partial hemispherical substrate coupled to the user's pupil and selectively filtering the light beam onto the user's pupil; A method comprising: (Item 550) Item 551. The method of item 549, wherein the light is filtered through a notch filter. Item 551. The method of item 550, wherein the notch filter substantially blocks wavelengths at about 450 nm (peak blue) and substantially passes other wavelengths in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. (Item 552) Item 553. The method of item 550, wherein the notch filter substantially blocks wavelengths at about 530 nm (green) and substantially passes other wavelengths in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. Item 551. The method of item 550, wherein the notch filter substantially blocks wavelengths at about 650 nm and substantially passes other wavelengths in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. (Item 554) Item 551. The method of item 550, wherein the notch filter comprises multiple layers of dielectric material carried by the substrate. (Item 555) Item 551. The method of item 550, wherein the filter has a pinhole opening with a diameter of less than 1.5 mm. (Item 556) Item 556. The method of item 555, wherein the pinhole aperture allows a light beam of multiple wavelengths to pass through. (Item 557) Item 556. The method of item 555, wherein the size of the pinhole is varied based at least in part on a desired depth of focus of the display. (Item 558) Item 549. The method of item 549, wherein the partially hemispherical substrate is a contact lens. (Item 559) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: a light projection system for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data to an eye of a user, the light projection system being configured to project light corresponding to a plurality of pixels associated with the image data; a processor for modulating a depth of focus of the plurality of pixels displayed to the user; A system comprising: (Item 560) Item 559, a system according to item 559, wherein the depth of focus is spatially modulated. (Item 561) Item 559. The system of item 559, wherein the depth of focus is modulated over time. (Item 562) Item 559. The system of item 559, further comprising an image source for providing one or more frames of the image data in a time-sequential manner. (Item 563) Item 559. The system of item 559, wherein the depth of focus is modulated on a frame-by-frame basis. (Item 564) Item 559. The system of item 559, wherein the optical projection system comprises a plurality of optical fiber cores, and the depth of focus is modulated across the plurality of optical fiber cores such that a portion of the optical fiber cores is associated with a first depth of focus and another portion of the optical fiber cores is associated with a second depth of focus, the first depth of focus being different from the second depth of focus. (Item 565) Item 559, a system according to item 559, wherein a first display object of a particular frame is displayed through a first focal depth and a second display object of the particular frame is displayed through a second focal depth, the first focal depth being different from the second focal depth. (Item 566) Item 559. The system of item 559, wherein a first pixel of a particular frame is associated with a first focal depth, and a second pixel of the particular frame is associated with a second focal depth, the first focal depth being different from the second focal depth. (Item 567) Item 559. The system of item 559, further comprising an accommodation tracking module for determining accommodation of the user's eye, wherein the depth of focus is modulated, at least in part, based on the determined accommodation. (Item 568) Item 568. The system of item 567, wherein a light generation pattern associated with the light generation system is dynamically followed by the determined accommodation. (Item 569) Item 569. The system of item 568, wherein the pattern is a scanning pattern of multiple optical fiber cores. (Item 570) Item 559. The system of item 559, further comprising a blur module for blurring one or more portions of the image data, the blurring being created to smooth a transition between a first scan pattern and a second scan pattern or a first resolution scan pitch and a second resolution scan pitch. (Item 571) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: a light projection system for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data to an eye of a user, the light projection system being configured to project light corresponding to a plurality of pixels associated with the image data; a processor for modulating a size of the plurality of pixels displayed to the user; A system comprising: (Item 572) Item 572. The system of item 571, wherein the optical projection system is a fiber scanning display. (Item 573) Item 573. The system of item 572, wherein the projected light is displayed through a scanning pattern. (Item 574) Item 572. The system of item 571, wherein the processor modulates the size of particular pixels based, at least in part, on the type of scan pattern. (Item 575) Item 572. The system of item 571, wherein the size of the one or more pixels may be modulated based, at least in part, on the distance between scan lines of the scan pattern. (Item 576) Item 572. The system of item 571, wherein the size of the first pixel is different from the size of the second pixel in the same frame. (Item 577) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data, wherein the one or more light beams of projected light correspond to one or more pixels, the light being projected through a fiber scanning display; modulating a size of the one or more pixels displayed to the user; A method comprising: (Item 578) Item 578. The method of item 577, wherein the size of a particular pixel is varied based at least in part on the scanning pattern of the fiber scanning display. (Item 579) Item 579. The method of item 578, wherein the size of the one or more pixels is modulated based at least in part on the distance between scan lines of the scan pattern. (Item 580) Item 579. The method of item 579, wherein the size of the one or more pixels is variable. (Item 581) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: a display system that delivers light associated with one or more frames of image data, the display system comprising a plurality of pixels and scanning the light with a variable line pitch; a blur module for performing a variable blur of one or more pixels of the plurality of pixels to modify a size of the one or more pixels; a processor for controlling the blur module in a manner such that pixel size is varied based, at least in part, on a line pitch of the display system; A system comprising: (Item 582) Item 582. The system of item 581, wherein the display system is a fiber scanning system. (Item 583) Item 582. The system of item 581, wherein the pixel size is enlarged. (Item 584) Item 582. The system of item 581, wherein the pixel size is reduced. (Item 585) Item 582. The system of item 581, wherein the pitch lines are sparse. (Item 586) Item 582. The system of item 581, wherein the pitch line is high density. (Item 587) 1. A method for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data to be presented to the user using optical see-through viewing optics that allow the user to view the outside world through the viewing optics; selectively attenuating at least a portion of light from the outside world that would pass through the viewing optics on its way to the user's eye, such that some light from the outside world passes through the viewing optics and reaches the user's eye; A method comprising: (Item 588) Item 588. The method of item 587, wherein the light beam is selectively attenuated based, at least in part, on the angle of incidence of the light beam. (Item 589) Item 588. The method of item 587, wherein different portions of the frame are attenuated by different amounts. (Item 590) Item 588. The method of item 587, wherein the focus level of the attenuated light beam is varied. (Item 591) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: an image source for providing one or more frames of image data; a stack of two or more spatial light modulators (SLMs) positioned to deliver light associated with one or more frames of the image data to the user, the SLMs spatially attenuating light from an external environment; and a processor for controlling the stack of SLMs in such a manner that the angle at which a light beam passes through one or more cells of the SLM is modulated; and A system comprising: (Item 592) Item 592. The system of item 591, further comprising a display optics assembly, the display optics assembly being positioned between the user's eyes and the external environment. (Item 593) Item 592. A system according to item 591, wherein the SLM of the stack of SLMs is a cholesteric LCD. (Item 594) Item 592. The system of item 591, wherein at least one of the SLMs is a cholesteric LCD. (Item 595) Item 592. A system as described in item 591, wherein the stack of SLMs is positioned so that the user views the outside world through the stack of SLMs, and the SLMs are at least translucent. (Item 596) Item 591, a system according to Item 591, wherein the spatial light modulator array comprises at least one of a number of liquid crystal arrays, a number of digital mirror device elements of a digital light processing system, a number of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) arrays, or a number of MEMS shutters. (Item 597) Item 592. The system of item 591, further comprising an occluder comprising at least one optical component, wherein the processor controls the at least one optical component of the occluder to generate a dark field representation of a dark virtual object. (Item 598) 1. A system for displaying virtual content, comprising: an array of spatial light modulators configured to generate a light pattern, the array of spatial light modulators comprising at least two modulators; a processor for controlling the array of spatial light modulators in a manner such that the at least two spatial light modulators form a Moire pattern, the Moire pattern being a periodic spatial pattern that attenuates light with a period that differs from a period of a light pattern formed on the at least two spatial light modulators; A system comprising: (Item 599) Item 599. The system of item 598, wherein the spatial light modulator array comprises at least two spatial light modulator arrays optically coupled to each other and controlling the passage of light via a Moiré effect. (Item 600) Item 599. The system of item 599, wherein each of the at least two spatial light modulator arrays has a distinct attenuation pattern. (Item 601) Item 599. The system of item 598, wherein the at least two spatial light modulator arrays each have a respective fine-pitch sinusoidal pattern printed, etched, or otherwise engraved thereon or therein. (Item 602) Item 599, a system according to item 599, wherein the at least two spatial light modulator arrays are aligned with each other. (Item 603) Item 599. The system of item 599, wherein each of the at least two spatial light modulator arrays has a distinct attenuation pattern. (Item 604) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: a light source for providing light associated with one or more frames of image data, the light source being a spatial light modulator; a pinhole array positioned in a manner relative to the spatial light modulator such that pinholes of the pinhole array receive light from a plurality of cells of the spatial light modulator, wherein a first light beam passing through the pinholes corresponds to a different angle than a second light beam passing through the pinholes, and wherein the cells of the spatial light modulator selectively attenuate light; A system comprising: (Item 605) Item 605. The system of item 604, wherein an external environment is viewed through the pinhole array and the SLM, and a light beam is selectively attenuated based, at least in part, on the angle of incidence of the light beam. (Item 606) Item 605. The system of item 604, wherein light from different portions of the field of view is selectively attenuated. (Item 607) Item 605. The system of item 604, further comprising a selective attenuation layer selectively operable to attenuate transmission of light therethrough, the selective attenuation layer being in optical series with the pinhole layer. (Item 608) Item 608. The system of item 607, wherein the selective attenuation layer comprises a liquid crystal array, a digital light projector system, or a spatial light modulator array having a distinct attenuation pattern. (Item 609) Item 605. The system of item 604, wherein the pinhole array is positioned at a distance of approximately 30 mm from the cornea of ​​the user's eye, and the selective attenuation panel is positioned opposite the pinhole array from the eye. (Item 610) Item 605. The system of item 604, wherein the pinhole array comprises a plurality of pinholes, and the processor controls the SLM in such a manner that light is attenuated as a function of the angle at which a light beam passes through the plurality of pinholes, thereby generating a concentrated bright field. (Item 611) Item 611. The system of item 610, wherein the condensed bright field produces an occlusion at a desired focal length. (Item 612) 1. A system comprising: a light source for providing light associated with one or more frames of image data, the light source being a spatial light modulator; a lens array positioned in a manner relative to the spatial light modulator such that lenses of the lens array receive light from a plurality of cells of the spatial light modulator, wherein a first light beam received at the lens corresponds to a different angle than a second light beam received at the lens, and wherein the cells of the spatial light modulator selectively attenuate light; A system comprising: (Item 613) Item 613. The system of item 612, wherein an external environment is viewed through the lens array and the SLM, and a light beam is selectively attenuated based, at least in part, on the angle of incidence of the light beam. (Item 614) Item 613. The system of item 612, wherein light from different portions of the field of view is selectively attenuated. (Item 615) Item 613. The system of item 612, wherein the lens array comprises a plurality of lenses, and the processor controls the SLM in such a manner that light is attenuated as a function of the angle at which the light beam is received by the plurality of lenses, thereby generating a condensed bright field. (Item 616) Item 616. The system of item 615, wherein the condensed bright field produces an occlusion at a desired focal length. (Item 617) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: a light projector for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data; at least one polarization-sensitive layer for receiving the light and rotating the polarization of the light; an array of polarization modulators for modulating the polarization of the polarization-sensitive layer, the state of cells in the array determining the amount of light that passes through the polarization-sensitive layer; and A system comprising: (Item 618) Item 618. The system of item 617, wherein the system is placed in a near-eye configuration. (Item 619) Item 618. The system of item 617, wherein the polarization modulator is a liquid crystal array. (Item 620) Item 618. The system of item 617, further comprising a parallax barrier for offsetting the polarizer so that different exit pupils have different paths through the polarizer. (Item 621) Item 621. The system of item 620, wherein the polarizer is an xpol polarizer. (Item 622) Item 621. The system of item 620, wherein the polarizer is a multiPol polarizer. (Item 623) Item 621. The system of item 620, wherein the polarizer is a patterned polarizer. (Item 624) Item 618. The system of item 617, wherein the light interacts with one or more MEMs arrays. (Item 625) Item 619. The system of item 618, further comprising an SLM for projecting light, the SLM being positioned between one or more optical elements, the optical elements corresponding to a zero magnification telescope. (Item 626) Item 626. The system of item 625, wherein the user views the external environment through the zero magnification telescope. (Item 627) Item 626. The system of item 625, wherein at least one SLM is positioned at an image plane within the zero magnification telescope. (Item 628) Item 618. The system of item 617, further comprising a DMD, the DMD corresponding to a transparent substrate. (Item 629) Item 629. The system of item 628, further comprising an occluder comprising at least one optical component, wherein the processor controls the at least one optical component of the occluder to generate a dark field representation of a dark virtual object. (Item 630) Item 629. The system of item 628, further comprising one or more LCDs, wherein the one or more LCDs selectively attenuate the light beam. (Item 631) Item 618. The system of item 617, further comprising one or more LCDs, the one or more LCDs acting as polarization rotators. (Item 632) Item 629, a system according to item 629, wherein the occluder is a louver MEMs device. (Item 633) Item 633. The system of item 632, wherein the louver MEMs device is opaque and the louver MEMs device varies the angle of incidence on a pixel-by-pixel basis. (Item 634) Item 633. The system of item 632, wherein the occluder is a sliding panel MEMS device that slides back and forth to modify the area of ​​occlusion. (Item 635) 1. A method for displaying virtual content, comprising: projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data; rotating the polarization of the light through a polarization-sensitive layer in a substrate that receives the projected light; modulating the polarization of light to selectively attenuate light passing through the polarizing layer; A method comprising: (Item 636) Item 636. The method of item 635, wherein the polarization modulator is a liquid crystal array. (Item 637) Item 636. The method of item 635, further comprising a parallax barrier for offsetting the polarizer so that different exit pupils have different paths through the polarizer. (Item 638) Item 638. The method of item 637, wherein the polarizer is an xpol polarizer. (Item 639) Item 638. The method of item 637, wherein the polarizer is a multiPol polarizer. (Item 640) Item 638. The method of item 637, wherein the polarizer is a patterned polarizer. (Item 641) Item 618. The method of item 617, wherein the light interacts with one or more MEMs arrays. (Item 642) Item 637. The method of item 636, further comprising an SLM for projecting light, said SLM being positioned between one or more optical elements, said optical elements corresponding to a zero magnification telescope. (Item 643) Item 643. The method of item 642, wherein the user views the external environment through the zero magnification telescope. (Item 644) Item 643. The method of item 642, wherein at least one SLM is positioned at an image plane within the zero magnification telescope. (Item 645) Item 646. The method of item 635, further comprising: a DMD, the DMD corresponding to a transparent substrate. Item 636. The method of item 635, further comprising an occluder comprising at least one optical component, wherein the processor controls the at least one optical component of the occluder to generate a dark field representation of a dark virtual object. (Item 647) Item 636. The method of item 635, further comprising one or more LCDs, wherein the one or more LCDs selectively attenuate the light beam. (Item 648) Item 636. The method of item 635, further comprising one or more LCDs, the one or more LCDs acting as polarization rotators. (Item 649) Item 647. The method of item 646, wherein the occluder is a louver MEMs device. (Item 650) Item 649. The method of item 649, wherein the louver MEMs device is opaque and the louver MEMs device varies the angle of incidence on a pixel-by-pixel basis. (Item 651) Item 647. The method of claim 646, wherein the occluder is a sliding panel MEMS device that slides back and forth to modify the area of ​​occlusion. (Item 652) 1. A system for displaying virtual content, comprising: a light source for providing light associated with one or more frames of image data, the light source being a spatial light modulator; an array of microelectromechanical (MEM) louvers, the MEM louvers housed within a substantially transparent substrate, the MEM louvers configurable to vary the angle at which light is delivered to a pixel, wherein the angle of a first pixel delivered to the user is different from a second pixel delivered to the user; A system comprising: (Item 653) Item 653. The system of item 652, wherein the at least one optical component comprises a first array of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) louvers. (Item 654) Item 653. The system of item 652, wherein the array of MEMS louvers comprises a plurality of substantially opaque louvers carried by an optically transparent substrate. (Item 655) Item 653. The system of item 652, wherein the array of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) louvers has a louver pitch that is fine enough to selectively block light on a pixel-by-pixel basis. (Item 656) Item 653. The system of item 652, wherein at least one optical component of the occluder further comprises a second array of MEMS louvers, the second array of MEMS louvers being in a stacked configuration with the first array of MEMS louvers. (Item 657) Item 653. The system of item 652, wherein the array of MEMS louvers comprises a plurality of polarizing louvers carried by an optically transparent substrate, the individual polarization states of each of the louvers being selectively controllable. (Item 658) Item 653. The system of item 652, wherein the louvers of the first and second arrays of the MEMS panel are polarizers. (Item 659) Item 653. The system of item 652, wherein at least one optical component of the occluder comprises a first array of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) panels mounted for movement within a frame. (Item 660) Item 626. The system of item 625, wherein a panel of the first array of MEMS panels is slidably mounted for movement within the frame. (Item 661) Item 653. The system of item 652, wherein a panel of the first array of MEMS panels is pivotally mounted for movement within the frame. (Item 662) Item 653. The system of item 652, wherein the panels of the first array of MEMS panels are translatably and pivotally mounted for movement within the frame. (Item 663) Item 653. The system of item 652, wherein the panel is movable to generate a moiré pattern. (Item 664) Item 653. The system of item 652, wherein at least one optical component of the occluder further comprises a second array of MEMS panels mounted for movement within a frame, the second array being in a stacked configuration with the first array. (Item 665) Item 653. The system of item 652, wherein the panels of the first and second arrays of MEMS panels are polarizers. (Item 666) Item 653. The system of item 652, wherein at least one optical component of the occluder comprises a reflector array. (Item 667) 1. A system comprising: 1. A system comprising: at least one waveguide for receiving light from an external environment and directing said light to one or more spatial light modulators, said one or more spatial light modulators selectively attenuating light received in different portions of a field of view of said user. (Item 668) Item 668. The system of item 667, wherein the at least one waveguide comprises a first and a second waveguide, the second waveguide configured to deliver light emitted from the SLM to the user's eye. (Item 669) 1. A method comprising: receiving light from an external environment; directing the light to a selective attenuator; selectively attenuating light received at different portions of the user's field of view through the selective attenuator; A method comprising: (Item 670) Item 669. The method of item 669, wherein the at least one waveguide comprises a first and a second waveguide, the second waveguide being configured to deliver light exiting the SLM to the eye of the user. (Item 671) Item 669. The method of item 669, wherein the selective attenuator is a DMD. (Item 672) Item 669. The method of item 669, wherein the spatial light modulator is a DMD array. (Item 673) Item 669. The method of item 669, wherein light is directed to the one or more spatial light modulators through one or more waveguides. (Item 674) Item 674. The method of item 673, further comprising the step of recombining the light back into the waveguide and partially emitting the light towards the user's eye. (Item 675) Item 674. The method of item 673, wherein the waveguide is oriented substantially perpendicular to the selective attenuator. (Item 676) 1. A system for displaying virtual content to a user, comprising: a light source for providing light associated with one or more frames of image data, the light source comprising a plurality of microprojectors; a waveguide configured to receive light from the plurality of micro-projectors and transmit the light to a user's eye; A system comprising: (Item 677) Item 677. The system of item 676, wherein the microprojectors are arranged in a linear array. (Item 678) Item 677. The system of item 676, wherein the microprojector is located within one edge of the wavegui...

Claims

1. 1. A system comprising: a light source for providing light containing image information of an image represented by one or more frames of image data, said light source being a spatial light modulator; a lens array positioned relative to the spatial light modulator such that lenses of the lens array receive light from a plurality of cells of the spatial light modulator, a first light beam received at the lens corresponding to a different angle than a second light beam received at the lens, and the cells of the spatial light modulator selectively attenuate light; and A system comprising:

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein an external environment is viewed through the lens array and the spatial light modulator, and a light beam is selectively attenuated based on an angle of incidence of the light beam.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein light from different portions of the field of view is selectively attenuated.

4. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the lens array comprises a plurality of lenses, and the process controls the spatial light modulator such that light is attenuated as a function of the angle at which a light beam is received by the plurality of lenses, thereby generating a coherent stereoscopic 3-D representation of the light projected by the array of SLMs.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the coherent 3-D representation of light projected by the array of SLMs produces an occlusion at a desired focal length.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a selective attenuation layer selectively operable to attenuate the transmission of light therethrough.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the selective attenuation layer comprises a liquid crystal array, a digital light projector system, or a spatial light modulator array with a distinct attenuation pattern.

8. The system of claim 4 , wherein the coherent 3-D representation of light projected by the array of SLMs produces an occlusion at a desired focal length.

9. The system of claim 4 , wherein the cohesive 3-D representation of light projected by the array of SLMs corresponds to a particular focal plane.

10. 10. The system of claim 1, implemented as a system comprising means for implementing the method steps.

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