Virtual reality and augmented reality systems with dynamic vision correction

Abstract

An augmented reality system includes an augmented reality projector that is configured to project an image to an eye of an observer and to allow the observer to view a real scene through the projector. The system further includes first and second electrically-tunable dynamic lenses, which are positioned respectively on opposing first and second sides of the projector, and a controller that is coupled to the projector and the first and second electrically-tunable dynamic lenses. The controller is configured to receive an adjustable accommodation parameter and a specified distance of interest and to set respective first and second refractive powers of the first and second dynamic lenses responsively to the adjustable accommodation parameter and the distance.

1 . An augmented reality (AR) system, comprising:
 an AR projector configured to project an image to an eye of an observer and to allow the observer to view a real scene through the projector;   first and second electrically-tunable dynamic lenses, positioned respectively on opposing first and second sides of the projector; and   a controller coupled to the projector and the first and second electrically-tunable dynamic lenses and configured to receive an adjustable accommodation parameter and a specified distance of interest and to set respective first and second refractive powers of the first and second dynamic lenses responsively to the adjustable accommodation parameter and the distance.   
     
     
         2 . The AR system according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second electrically-tunable dynamic lenses comprises a compound dynamic lens. 
     
     
         3 . The AR system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first electrically-tunable dynamic lens is interposed between the projector and the eye, and
 wherein the controller is configured to receive an indication of a direction of view of the eye, and to shift an optical center of the first electrically-tunable dynamic lens responsively to the direction of view.   
     
     
         4 . The AR system according to  claim 1 , wherein the AR projector is configured to project the image with a first polarization, and the first and second electrically-tunable dynamic lenses have optical power at the first polarization, but not at a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. 
     
     
         5 . The AR system according to  claim 4 , and comprising a polarizer configured to block light at the second polarization from reaching the eye. 
     
     
         6 . The AR system according to  claim 4 , and comprising a third electrically-tunable dynamic lens, which is positioned between the real scene and the eye and has optical power at the second polarization, but not at the first polarization. 
     
     
         7 . The AR system according to  claim 1 , wherein the AR projector is configured to project the image with a first polarization, and the first electrically-tunable dynamic lens has optical power at the first polarization, but not at a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization, while the second electrically-tunable dynamic lens has optical power at the second polarization, but not at the first polarization. 
     
     
         8 . The AR system according to  claim 7 , and comprising a polarizer configured to block light emitted from the real scene at the first polarization from reaching the eye. 
     
     
         9 . The AR system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrically-tunable dynamic lenses are configured to operate as Fresnel-lenses. 
     
     
         10 . A method for displaying an image, comprising:
 projecting an image to an eye of an observer using an augmented reality (AR) projector while allowing the observer to view a real scene through the projector;   positioning first and second electrically-tunable dynamic lenses respectively on opposing first and second sides of the projector;   receiving an adjustable accommodation parameter and a specified distance of interest; and   setting respective first and second refractive powers of the first and second dynamic lenses responsively to the adjustable accommodation parameter and the distance.   
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first and second electrically-tunable dynamic lenses comprises a compound dynamic lens. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the first electrically-tunable dynamic lens is interposed between the display and the eye, and the method comprises receiving an indication of a direction of view of the eye and shifting an optical center of the first electrically-tunable dynamic lens responsively to the direction of view. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the image is projected with a first polarization, and wherein the first and second electrically-tunable dynamic lenses have optical power at the first polarization, but not at a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , and comprising blocking light at the second polarization from reaching the eye. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 13 , and comprising positioning a third electrically-tunable dynamic lens between the real scene and the eye, wherein the third electrically-tunable dynamic lens has optical power at the second polarization, but not at the first polarization. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the image is projected with a first polarization, and wherein the first electrically-tunable dynamic lens has optical power at the first polarization, but not at a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization, while the second electrically-tunable dynamic lens has optical power at the second polarization, but not at the first polarization. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , and comprising blocking light emitted from the scene at the first polarization from reaching the eye. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the first and second electrically-tunable dynamic lenses operate as Fresnel-lenses.