Telecentric virtual image projection system

A virtual imaging system comprising;

• a projection display configured to display at least one object;
• a Fourier transform element comprising at least one telecentric lens and configured to Fourier transform the at least one object to generate at least one converted object, the at least one converted object being reverse Fourier transform converted by lenses of eyes of a viewer to a virtual image seen by retinas of the viewer;
• a control module configured to control operation of the projection display to display the at least one object and, via the Fourier transform element, project the virtual image seen by the viewer;
• a reflector disposed between the Fourier transform element and the viewer, wherein the reflector is semi-transmissive and semi-reflective;
• and
• a position shifting system configured to move the Fourier transform element relative to the reflector,
• wherein the control module is configured to control the position shifting system to adjust a distance between the Fourier transform element and the reflector.

A virtual image projection method comprising:

• displaying at least one object via a projection display;
• Fourier transforming the at least one object via at least one telecentric lens of a Fourier transform element disposed downstream from the projection display to generate at least one converted object, the at least one converted object being reverse Fourier transform converted by lenses of eyes of a viewer to a virtual image seen by retinas of the viewer;
• moving via a position shifting system at least one of the projection display and the Fourier transform element;
• controlling operation of the projection display via a control module to display the at least one object and, via the Fourier transform element, project the virtual image seen by the viewer;
• and
• controlling the position shifting system to adjust a distance between the at least one projection display and the Fourier transform element.