Configurations are disclosed for presenting virtual reality and augmented reality experiences to users. The system may comprise a spatial light modulator operatively coupled to an image source for projecting light associated with one or more frames of image data, and a variable focus element (VFE) for varying a focus of the projected light such that a first frame of image data is focused at a first depth plane, and a second frame of image data is focused at a second depth plane, and wherein a distance between the first depth plane and the second depth plane is fixed.

A head-mounted display apparatus and an optical display system are disclosed. The head-mounted display apparatus comprises: a display assembly, which outputs light of an image; a lens assembly, placed in front of the display assembly to enlarge the image and produce the first aberration of a first direction; and a planar optical assembly, placed between the display assembly and the lens assembly, wherein the planar optical assembly produces the second aberration of a second direction opposite to the first direction to correct the first aberration.

A light guide unit forms an optical path to guide a display light emitted from a display unit toward a projection portion. The light guide unit includes a negative optical element and a positive optical element. The negative optical element is placed on the optical path and has a negative optical power. The positive optical element is placed on the optical path and is closer to the projection portion than the negative optical element. The positive optical element has a positive optical power. The positive optical element is a diffractive optical element having a diffractive structure configured to diffract the display light.

The present invention generally provides systems, methods and ophthalmic lenses for image display of a virtual image, such as the display of a holographic image. According to the invention, an ophthalmic lens is advantageously configured for optimizing the visualization of said displayed virtual images.

Aa method for manufacturing a set of semi-finished lenses and a lens from a semi-finished lens of the set and a set of semi-finished lenses each intended to be used in the manufacturing of a finished lens of determined target power, each semi-finished lens having a base curve chosen among a number N of base curves, wherein each base curve is associated to a respective range of powers of finished ophthalmic lenses to be manufactured, and each semi-finished lens of the set comprises a recorded holographic component, wherein the holographic components of the set exhibit a limited number of configurations, and each holographic component configuration is associated exclusively to one base curve among the N base curves.

A projection device comprises: a spatial light modulator having a display unit whereon a pattern corresponding to a display image is presented; a light source arranged to irradiate the display unit with emission light; a projection optical system arranged on the optical path of the reflected light of the emission light incident on the display unit and projecting projection light with the high order component included in the reflected light removed therefrom; and a projection control unit that causes the display unit to present a composite image that combines an image formed by a virtual lens that focuses the emission light incident on the display unit at a first focus position with the pattern corresponding to the display image, and controls the light source so that the display unit is irradiated with the emission light.

A virtual image display apparatus includes an imaging light emitting unit configured to emit imaging light, and a light-guiding unit configured to guide the imaging light. The light-guiding unit is configured by arranging a first, a second, a third, and a fourth optical system in the stated order in a travel direction of the imaging light. The first optical system forms a first intermediate image of the imaging light. The second optical system includes a first diffraction element forming a pupil between the second and the fourth optical system. The third optical system forms a second intermediate image. The fourth optical system includes a second diffraction element forming an exit pupil by diffracting the imaging light. At the exit pupil, luminance of pixels at a central position of the imaging light and luminance of pixels at end positions of the imaging light differ.

A system is provided. The system includes a first PVH layer configured to deflect a first polarized light having a first handedness. The system includes a second PVH layer coupled to the first PVH layer and configured to deflect a second polarized light having a second handedness opposite to the first handedness. The system includes an optical sensor configured to generate a first image based on the first polarized light deflected by the first PVH layer and generate a second image based on the second polarized light deflected by the second PVH layer.

A light projection apparatus is provided comprising: a source of light; a switchable grating on a first substrate; and a diffractive optical element. Light is diffracted at least once by the switchable grating and is diffracted at least once by the DOE.

There is provided a method of projection using an optical element (502,602) having spatially variant optical power. The method comprises combining Fourier domain data representative of a 2D image with Fourier domain data having a first lensing effect (604a) to produce first holographic data. Light is spatially modulated (504,603a) with the first holographic data to form a first spatially modulated light beam. The first spatially modulated light beam is redirected using the optical element (502,602) by illuminating a first region (607) of the optical element (602) with the first spatially modulated beam. The first lensing effect (604a) compensates for the optical power of the optical element in the first region (607). Advantageous embodiments relate to a head-up display for a vehicle using the vehicle windscreen (502,602) as an optical element to redirect light to the viewer (505,609).