Foveated near to eye display system using a computational freeform lens via spatial light modulation of a laser projected image onto an emissive film

A method, comprising:

• identifying a direction of a user's gaze;
• projecting, onto a projection surface, an image that contains variable pixel pitch with a higher visual acuity in at least one area of the image than in peripheral portions of the image at least in part using a phase-only image of a Freeform Fourier Lens (FFL);
• and
• moving a position of the at least one area within the image according to the direction of a user's gaze.

An assembly, comprising:

• at least one projection surface;
• at least one projection system configured to direct light representing demanded images onto the projection surface;
• at least one spatial light modulator interposed in an optical path between the projector and the projection surface to reflect light from the projector onto the projection surface;
• at least one processor configured with instructions to:
• send phase information to the spatial light modulator according to information from an eye tracking module indicating one or more gaze poses of a user, wherein the processor is configured to:
• implement a phase-only image of a Freeform Fourier Lens (FFL), the FFL comprising a Fresnel lens, an X-phase grating, a Y-phase grating, and a radial grating;
• configure the FFL to cause gradual shrinking of portions of images from a projection system, decreasing perceived pixel pitch in at least one foveal area on the projection surface;
• and
• configure the gratings to move a position of the portions of images based on a user's eye gaze onto the projection surface.