A method includes providing frames of video data for being displayed by a head mounted display (HMD). Pixel data is encoded in a pixel of at least some of the video data frames, the encoded pixel data defining a focal state of an optics block of the HMD for displaying the respective frame of the video data to a user. The predetermined focal state is determined from a plurality of available focal states of the optics block, each focal state corresponding to a different focal plane of a virtual image generated based on the video data. The pixel used for encoding may be disposed outside a region of the frame that is displayable by the HMD.

A rigid-scope optical system includes: an image-formation optical system that causes an image in each of wavelength bands to be formed in a predetermined imaging device, the wavelength bands including a fluorescence wavelength band and a visible light wavelength band; and a color-separation-prism optical system having a dichroic film that separates an optical path of light to be imaged into an optical path of the visible light wavelength band and an optical path of the fluorescence wavelength band, in which the image-formation optical system causes the respective images to be formed in a fluorescence imaging device and a visible light imaging device, the fluorescence imaging device and the visible light imaging device being disposed to cause an amount of misalignment to correspond to a difference between an optical path length of fluorescence and an optical path length of visible light.

An optical device disperses a wavelength of light and includes: a dispersion element configured to transmit incident light and disperse the incident light so that an optical path is different for each wavelength and to generate first dispersed light; and a reflection unit including four reflection surfaces sequentially reflecting the first dispersed light. The first dispersed light sequentially reflected from the four reflection surfaces is incident on the dispersion element and is transmitted through the dispersion element.

A headset includes a compact wide field of view optics block. The headset includes a display element and an optics block. The display element is configured to generate image light. The optics block is configured to direct the image light to an eyebox. The optics block includes a projection lens and a panoramic lens. The projection lens has a first diameter and is adjacent to the display element and is configured to receive the image light from the display element. The panoramic lens is positioned between the projection lens and the eyebox. The panoramic lens has a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter and is configured to provide the image light that has been transmitted by the projection lens to the eyebox.

A system to adjust light path length utilizing a digital light path length modulator is described. The digital light path length modulator includes a polarization modulator to receive polarized light and to modulate a polarization of some or all of the polarized light, and an optical path length extender (OPLE) to direct the light entering the OPLE with a first polarization along a first light path through the OPLE, and to direct the light entering the OPLE with a second polarization along a second light path through the OPLE, the second light path through the OPLE having a light path length longer than the first light path length through the OPLE.

A system to adjust light path length utilizing a digital light path length modulator. The digital light path length modulator includes an optical path length extender (OPLE) with a plurality of polarization sensitive reflective elements and a polarization modulator. The OPLE has two light paths having different path lengths, so a light having a first polarization is directed through a first light path, and the light having a second polarization is directed through a second light path.

This application provides a lens module and a lens module control method to implement, among other features, automatic focusing and improve image definition. The lens module includes an imaging lens, a first control module, a first processing module, a liquid lens, and an image chip. The liquid lens is configured to refract an imaging beam that comes from the imaging lens, and the liquid lens comprises a transparent first flat lens and a transparent second flat lens that are parallel to each other. The first control module is configured to adjust a distance between the first flat lens and the second flat lens. The first processing module is configured to adjust a distance between the first flat lens and the second flat lens by using the first control module and based on a definition of the digital image, so as to adjust the definition of the image generated by the image chip.

An optical system, capable to admit a light beam, the optical system comprising: a plurality of reflectors configured to reflect the light beam, wherein each of the reflectors is configured to reflect an incident light beam such that the path of the incident light beam and the path of the reflected light beam are parallel to each other. Each of the reflectors has a reflection center axis positioned centrally between the path of the incident light beam and the path of the reflected light beam. At least two of the reflectors are arranged relative to each other such that their respective reflection center axes do not overlap, thereby enabling the path of the light beam to pass at least one of the at least two of the reflectors multiple times.

A reflectance-variable mirror using a liquid crystal cell is disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the reflectance-variable mirror may comprise a first liquid crystal cell including a guest host liquid crystal layer, a first reflective polarizing film, a second liquid crystal cell including a retardation-variable liquid crystal layer, a second reflective polarizing film and an absorbing plate sequentially. The reflectance-variable mirror can realize excellent reflectance-variable characteristics by lowering the reflectance in an antireflection mode.

Eye projection systems and methods with focusing management are presented. The systems comprise an image projection system for generating a light beam modulated to encode image data indicative of an image to be projected towards a subject's eye along a light beam propagation path; and an optical assembly located in said path for directing the light beam between said image projection system and a retina of said eye; the assembly comprises a light beam divergence assembly for controllably varying focusing properties of said assembly and adjusting divergence of said light beam to thereby affect one or more focusing parameters of one or more portions of said image on the retina.