Claims:Claims:
We Claim:
1. An apparatus for viewing at least one optical image, the apparatus comprising:
a display unit configured to provide the at least one optical image along an optical path;
a polarizing unit, positioned along the optical path of the display unit, configured to polarize the at least one optical image of the display unit;
an expansion unit, positioned along the optical path of the display unit, configured to expand a field of view of the at least one polarized optical image received from the display unit;
a beam splitter unit, angularly positioned to the optical path of the display unit, configured to split the optical path into a transmission path and a reflected path in response to receiving the at least one expanded and polarized optical image and thereafter transmit the at least one expanded and polarized optical image toward an eye box along the transmission path and transmit the at least one expanded and polarized optical image along the reflected path; and
an optical element positioned in line with the reflected path, the optical element configured to reflect the at least one expanded and polarized optical image received from the beam splitter toward the eye box along the reflected path.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical path extends from the display unit to the beam splitter unit via the polarizing unit and the expansion unit.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical element comprising:
an ambient light viewing surface configured to receive ambient light from a real world; and
a user viewing surface configured to one of reflect the at least one expanded and polarized optical image, transmit the ambient light, and a combination thereof towards the eye box along the reflected path.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the user viewing surface is capable of producing an anisotropic effect to the at least one expanded and polarized optical image received along the reflected path so as to compensate for distortions on the at least one polarized optical image prior to reflecting the at least one expanded and polarized optical image to the eye box and to allow the passage of ambient light without any alterations.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the ambient light viewing surface is capable of producing an electrochromic effect to eliminate ghosting of the at least polarized and expanded optical image on a viewing surface.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the transmission path and the reflected path is perpendicular to the optical path of the display unit.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a controlling unit in communication with the display unit and an ambient light viewing surface, the controlling unit configured to:
receive data from a set of sensors and the display unit, the data pertaining to ambient light and brightness and contrast of the at least one optical image; and
determine an electrochromic effect to be applied on the ambient light viewing surface and a grey level required for enhancing clarity of the at least one optical image.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display unit is one of an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a projector, Digital Light Processing (DLP) micro mirror display, Micro Liquid Crystal On Silicon Display (LCoS), and a micro Light Emitting Diode (LED).

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the expansion unit is configured to focus the polarized image along the optical path toward the beam splitter unit.

10. A method for viewing an at least one optical image via an apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:
providing, by a display unit, the at least one optical image along an optical path;
receiving, by a polarizing unit, the at least one optical image along the optical path to polarize the at least one optical image;
expanding, by an expansion unit, a field of view of the at least one polarized optical image;
splitting, by a beam splitter unit, the optical path into a transmission path and a reflected path;
transmitting, by the beam splitter unit, the at least one expanded optical image along the transmission path to an eye box of the apparatus;
transmitting, by the beam splitter unit, the at least one expanded optical image along the reflected path toward an optical element;
compensating, by the optical element, for distortions to the at least one expanded optical image;
reflecting, by the optical element, the at least one expanded optical image along the reflected path towards the eye box.

Dated this 7th day of January 2021
For,
TESSERACT IMAGING LIMITED
By their Agent

(CHINTHAN JAPHET)
Agent No. IN/PA/2192
K LAW (KRISHNAMURTHY AND CO.)
, Description:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
[See section 10, Rule 13]

TITLE OF THE INVENTION: APPARATUS FOR VIEWING OPTICAL IMAGES AND METHOD THEREOF

APPLICANT:
TESSERACT IMAGING LIMITED, A CORPORATION ORGANISED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF INDIA, WHOSE ADDRESS IS-5 TTC INDUSTRIAL AREA, RELIANCE CORPORATE IT PARK, THANE BELAPUR ROAD, GHANSOLI, NAVI MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA – 400 701, INDIA

PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a near eye viewing apparatus and more particularly relates to viewing an at least one optical image via the near eye viewing apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Technologies, such as, augmented reality and mixed reality, provide presentation of virtual and/or digital information and simultaneously provide visualization of a real world to a user. These technologies are, of late, finding various applications in fields ranging from shopping to defense to education to engineering and the like. Accordingly, there has been multiple developments made to allow the user to visualize the real world and virtually interact with the virtual information displayed along a field of vision of the user.
[0003] Generally, the user utilizes a near eye viewing apparatus to interact in the augmented reality and mixed reality environment. The virtual and/or digital information is provided by means of a projector or the like. In addition, to the projector, the apparatus is further provided with multiple optical elements to guide the virtual information towards an eye of the user. However, in certain cases, brightness and contrast of the virtual information, as provided by the projector, may cause eye fatigue to the user. Also, in certain cases, the user has visual access to the virtual information as well as light from the real world which may compromise on quality of the virtual information displayed to the user and hamper the augmented reality experience of the user.
[0004] To compensate for the above mentioned defects, the apparatus is equipped with additional lenses to ensure clarity of the image with respect to brightness and contrast and to ensure health of the eye of the user. However, doing so increases bulkiness of the device and thereby causes discomfort to the user.
[0005] In view of the above, there is a dire requirement for an efficient apparatus to provide a near eye viewing experience to the user without compromising on clarity and field of view of the virtual information to be displayed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an apparatus and method for viewing at least one optical image.
[0007] In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for viewing at least one optical image is provided. The apparatus includes a display unit configured to provide the at least one optical image along an optical path. The apparatus further includes a polarizing unit and an expansion unit positioned along the optical path of the display unit. The polarizing unit is configured to polarize the at least one optical image of the display unit. The expansion unit is configured to expand a field of view of the at least one polarized optical image. The apparatus further includes a beam splitter unit angularly positioned with respect to the optical path of the display unit. The beam splitter unit is configured to split the optical path into the transmission path and the reflected path in response to receiving the at least one expanded and polarized optical image. The beam splitter unit is further conjured to transmit the at least one expanded and polarized optical image toward an eye box along a transmission path and transmit the at least one expanded and polarized optical image along a reflected path. The apparatus further includes an optical element positioned in line with the reflected path. The optical element is configured to reflect the at least one expanded and polarized optical image received from the beam splitter toward the eye box along the reflected path.
[0008] In another aspect of the invention, a method for viewing an at least one optical image via an apparatus is provided. The method includes providing, by a display unit, the at least one optical image along an optical path. Thereafter, the method includes receiving, by a polarizing unit, the at least one optical image along the optical path to polarize the at least one optical image and expanding, by an expansion unit, a field of view of the at least one polarized optical image. Further, the method includes splitting, by a beam splitter unit, the optical path into a transmission path and a reflected path. The method includes transmitting, by the beam splitter unit, the at least one expanded and polarized optical image along the transmission path to an eye box of the apparatus and the at least one expanded and polarized optical image along the reflected path toward an optical element. The method further includes compensating, by the optical element, for distortions to the at least one expanded and polarized optical image and reflecting, by the optical element, the at least one expanded and polarized optical image along the reflected path towards the eye box.
[0009] Other features and aspects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. The features and advantages described in this summary and in the following detailed description are not all-inclusive, and particularly, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art, in view of the drawings, specification, and claims hereof. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter, resort to the claims being necessary to determine such inventive subject matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, are illustrative of one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and together with the description explain various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and are intended to be illustrative. Further, the accompanying figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale, and any values or dimensions in the accompanying figures are for illustration purposes only and may or may not represent actual or preferred values or dimensions. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
[0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an apparatus for viewing an at least one optical image, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a frame structure of the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system for viewing the at least one optical image, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention; and
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for viewing the at least one optical image via the apparatus of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts. References to various elements described herein, are made collectively or individually when there may be more than one element of the same type. However, such references are merely exemplary in nature. It may be noted that any reference to elements in the singular may also be construed to relate to the plural and vice-versa without limiting the scope of the invention to the exact number or type of such elements unless set forth explicitly in the appended claims. Moreover, relational terms such as first and second, and the like, may be used to distinguish one entity from the other, without necessarily implying any actual relationship or between such entities.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of an apparatus 100 for viewing an at least one optical image, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. For the purpose of description and illustration, the apparatus 100, as per the present embodiment is embodied as a near eye viewing apparatus adapted and configured to assist a user to view the at least one optical image. However, in alternate embodiments, the apparatus 100 may be mounted at any position or location as per requirement of the user so as to view the at least one optical image, without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0017] The apparatus 100 includes a viewing surface 105. The viewing surface 105 of the apparatus 100 is configured to allow the user of the apparatus 105 to allow passage of ambient light 275 (as shown in FIG. 2) therethrough towards an eye box 110 of the apparatus 100, and thereby allow the user to view real world around the user. Accordingly, the viewing surface 105 is at least one or more lenses. In one embodiment, the viewing surface 105 is a lens having an optical power as per requirement of the user. In an alternate embodiment, the viewing surface 105 may be one of tinted or adapted to provide an electrochromic effect. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes two viewing surfaces 105 coupled to the apparatus 100. Each of the two viewing surfaces 105 are coupled adjacent to each other. In an alternate embodiment, the viewing surface 105 of the apparatus 100 is a single viewing surface 105 coupled thereon.
[0018] The apparatus 100 further includes a frame structure 115 coupled adjacent to the viewing surface 105 of the apparatus. In alternate terms, it could be understood that the viewing surface 105 is coupled to the frame structure 115. The frame structure 115 is positioned such that the frame structure 115 does not interfere with passage of the ambient light 275 towards the eye box 110 of the apparatus 100 thereby compromising on the real-world view to the user. In one embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes at least one frame structure 115 coupled to the viewing surface 105. As such, the number of frame structures 115 is dependent on the number of viewing surfaces 105. In an alternate embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes a single frame structure 115 coupled to the view surface 105 irrespective of the number of viewing surfaces 105 of the apparatus 100. Arrangement and function of multiple components coupled to the frame structure 115 will be explained in detail with reference to the following figures.
[0019] As mentioned earlier, the apparatus 100 includes the eye box 110. The eye box 110 of the apparatus 100 is positioned opposite to and at a proximal distance from the viewing surface 105. Also, the eye box 110 is positioned coaxial to a line of sight of the user. The eye box 110 includes at least one aperture defined on the housing 110 to enable the user to view the at least one optical image and the real world simultaneously.
[0020] In one embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes multiple coupling elements 120. The multiple coupling elements 120 are adapted to aid in coupling of holding elements (not shown) to the apparatus 100. Owing to the coupling, the apparatus 100 is adapted to be operated as at least one of, but not limited to, a head mounted apparatus 100, as mentioned earlier. In the illustrated embodiment, the multiple coupling elements 120 are mounted along the sides of the apparatus 100 and adjacent to the frame structure 115 of the apparatus 100. In alternate embodiments, the multiple coupling elements 120 may be mounted and coupled to one of the frame structure 115 and the apparatus 100 at various positions, such as center of the apparatus 100 and the like. In one embodiment, the holding elements may be one of, but not limited to, stems and harness.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of the frame structure 115 of the apparatus 100, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The frame structure 115 is adapted to couple thereon multiple components essential for facilitating the user to view the at least one image. The frame structure 115 is positioned and coupled adjacent to the viewing surface 105 of the apparatus 100 in such a way so that the frame structure 115 does not obstruct the line of sight of the user. In one embodiment, the frame structure 115 is an integral component of the apparatus 100. In an alternative embodiment, the frame structure 115 is adapted to be removably coupled to the apparatus 100. Further, the frame structure 115 is preferably made of materials which are thermally conductive to enable heat dissipation from within the apparatus 100 and thereby prevent damage to the apparatus 100 and to the multiple components mounted on to the frame structure 115.
[0022] The frame structure 115 has a first surface 205 and a second surface 210 facing inwards and away from the first surface 205. As mentioned earlier, the frame structure 115 includes multiple components coupled thereon. More specifically, the multiple components are coupled on to the second surface 210 of the frame structure 115. Accordingly, the multiple components include a display unit 215 and an optical unit 220.
[0023] The display unit 215 of the apparatus 100 is coupled to the second surface 210 of the frame structure 115 of the apparatus 100. More specifically, the display unit 215 is coupled to the frame structure 115 so as to provide, or direct, the at least one optical image towards the optical unit 220 coupled to the frame structure 115. In the illustrated embodiment, the display unit 215 is positioned parallel to the line of sight of the user. However, in alternate embodiments, the display unit 215 is positioned angular to the line of sight of the user. Based on positioning of the display unit 215, an optical path 225 is formed between the display unit 215 and the optical unit 220 along which the at least one optical image traverses towards the optical unit 220.
[0024] Further, during operation, the display unit 215 tends to generate heat which causes damages to the optical unit 220 and hurt the user of the apparatus 100. As such, in one embodiment, a cooling pad (not shown) is coupled to the second surface 210 of the frame structure 115 and adjacent to the display unit 215. In alternate embodiments, the second surface 210 may be provided with an opening to seat the display unit 215 so as to vent the hot air generated to the atmosphere. The display unit 215 is one of an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a projector, Digital Light Processing (DLP) micro mirror display, Micro Liquid Crystal On Silicon Display (LCoS), and a micro Light Emitting Diode (LED).
[0025] The apparatus 100 further includes the optical unit 220 coupled to the frame structure 115. More specifically, the optical unit 220 is coupled to the second surface 210 of the frame structure 115 of the apparatus 100 via fasteners. More specifically, the optical unit 220 is coupled to the frame structure 115 along the optical path 225 of the display unit 215 via at least one of, but not limited to, an optically clear adhesive. The optical unit 220 includes a polarizing unit 235, an expansion unit 240, and a beam splitter unit 245 positioned coaxial to the optical path 225 of the display unit 215. In one embodiment, each of the polarizing unit 235, the expansion unit 240, and the beam splitter unit 245 of the optical unit 220 is designed using materials that are able to maintain their respective optical properties in spite of being subjected to the heat generated by the display unit 215.
[0026] The polarizing unit 235 of the optical unit 220 is coupled to the second surface 210 of the frame structure 115 via fasteners and the like. The polarizing unit 235 is positioned adjacent to the display unit 215 and along the optical path 225 of the display unit 215. In one embodiment, the polarizing unit 235 includes one or more lenses configured to polarize the at least one optical image received from the display unit 215 along the optical path 225. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the display unit 215 is configured to polarize the at least one optical image. Doing so, the optical unit 220 is independent of the polarization unit 235.
[0027] Subsequent to polarization of the at least one optical image, the at least one polarized optical image passes along the optical path 225 towards the expansion unit 240 of the optical unit 220. The expansion unit 240 is coupled to the frame structure 115 via fasteners and the like, and is specifically positioned adjacent to the polarization unit 235 and the display unit 215 of the apparatus 100. In one embodiment, the expansion unit 240 includes one of one or more concave and one or more convex lenses configured to expand the at least one polarized optical image to increase a field of view of the at least one polarized optical image. In another embodiment, the one of one or more concave and one or more convex lenses of the expansion unit 240 is further adapted to eliminate distortions and aberrations. In yet another embodiment, the expansion unit 240 may include one or more aspheric surfaces to one of eliminate and limit chromatic distortions. The expansion unit 240 is further configured to focus the at least one polarized and expanded optical image towards the beam splitter unit 245.
[0028] The beam splitter unit 245 of the optical unit 220 is angularly positioned with respect to the optical path 225 of the display unit 215 and coupled to the second surface 210 of the frame structure 115. In one embodiment, a distance between the beam splitter unit 245 and the display unit 215 may be adjusted to vary the optical power of the at least polarized and expanded optical image to be viewed. The beam splitter unit 245 is a partially splitting mirror film configured to one of reflect and transmit the at least one polarized and expanded optical image towards one of the eye box 110 and an optical element 250 of the apparatus 100. In general, reflection and transmission of the at least one polarized and expanded optical image depends on a polarization state of the at least one polarized and expanded optical image. Accordingly, in one embodiment, the partially splitting mirror film of the beam splitter unit 245 is configured to provide about 40% reflection and about 60% transmission of the at least one polarized and expanded optical image. In an alternative embodiment, the partially splitting mirror film of the beam splitter unit 245 is configured to provide about 30% reflection and about 70% transmission of the at least one polarized and expanded optical image. Accordingly, it is to be understood, that the partially splitting mirror of the beam splitter unit 245 selected is required to simultaneously reflect and transmit the at least one polarized and expanded optical image, and not only one of reflect and transmit the at least one polarized and expanded optical image. More specifically, the partially splitting mirror of the beam splitter unit 245 ought not to be a completely opaque mirror. Further, in one embodiment, the partially splitting mirror of the beam splitter unit 245 is provided with an absorptive polarizer layer applied thereon. The absorptive polarizer layer aids in eliminating external light entering into the optical unit 220 from external sources.
[0029] During operation, the beam splitter unit 240 is configured to receive the at least one polarized and expanded optical image from the expansion unit 235 and along the optical path 225. On receiving, the beam splitter unit 240, owing to the partially splitting mirror film, is configured to split the optical path 225 of the display unit 215. The optical path 225 is split into a transmission path 255 and a reflected path 260. More specifically, on receiving the at least one polarized and expanded optical image, the beam splitter unit 245 one of transmits the at least one polarized and expanded image towards the eye box 110 of the apparatus 100 and reflects the at least one polarized and expanded image towards the optical element 250 of the apparatus 100.
[0030] The optical element 250 is positioned adjacent to the beam splitter unit 245 and coaxial to the reflected path 260 of the beam splitter unit 245. The optical element is configured to reflect the at least one polarized and expanded image to the eye box 110 along the reflected path.
[0031] The optical element 250 includes an ambient light viewing surface 265 and a user viewing surface 270 positioned adjacent to each other. The ambient light viewing surface 265 of the optical element 250 includes one or more lenses configured to receive and allow passage of the ambient light 275 toward the eye box 110 of the apparatus. The ambient light viewing surface 265, in one embodiment, is adapted to provide an electrochromic effect thereon. By doing so, the ambient light viewing surface 265 of the optical element 250 eliminates ghosting of the at least one optical image on the viewing surface 105 of the apparatus 100, and advantageously providing privacy to the user. In one embodiment, the optical element 250 further includes an absorptive layer 280 applied on the ambient light viewing surface 270. The absorptive layer 280 aids in eliminating secondary ghosted reflections to fall on the viewing surface 105, thereby providing added privacy to the user. Secondary ghosted reflections refer to a shadow of the at least one polarized and expanded optical image, in case of high contrast.
[0032] The user viewing surface 270 of the optical element 250 is configured to reflect the at least one polarized and expanded optical image towards the eye box 110 along the reflected path 260. The user viewing surface 270 further allows passage of the ambient light 275 towards the eye box 110 of the user. The user viewing surface 270 is further adapted to provide an anisotropic effect to the at least one polarized and expanded optical image so as to compensate for distortions on the at least one polarized optical image.
[0033] During operation, the expansion unit 240 is configured to expand the at least one polarized optical image to increase the field of view. While doing so, the at least one polarized optical image experiences distortions, such as barrel distortion. Accordingly, the user viewing surface 270 is adapted to include one or more layers embedded thereon to correct the distortions. In one embodiment, the user viewing surface 270 is a non-spherical three-dimensional polygon, such as a conical extended polygon surface, configured to compensate for the distortions experienced by the at least one polarized and expanded optical image by the expansion unit 240 prior to reflecting the at least one polarized and expanded optical image towards the eye box 110.
[0034] The user viewing surface 270 is further configured to compensate only for the at least one polarized and expanded optical image and allows the ambient light 275 to pass therethrough without any alterations and without any compensation. More specifically, owing to a negative polarization of the user viewing surface 270, the at least one polarized and expanded optical image required to be reflected toward the eye box 110 is compensated for distortions, thereby advantageously providing the at least one optical image having a high clarity and expanded field of view.
[0035] Accordingly, the at least one polarized and expanded optical image is reflected towards the eye box 110 along the reflected path 260. Further, the ambient light 275 is directed towards the eye box 110 along and parallel to the reflected path 260. Owing to the transmission path formed by the beam splitter unit 245, the at least one polarized and expanded optical image is further transmitted toward the eye box 110 along the transmission path 255. In one embodiment, an optical element (not shown) may be positioned between the beam splitter unit 245 and the eye box 110. An optical power of the optical element may be adjusted as per requirements of the user to allow the user to seamlessly view the at least one polarized and expanded optical image.
[0036] Consequently, the at least one optical image provided by the display unit 215 and the ambient light 275 is directed towards the eye box 110 of the apparatus 100. More specifically, the apparatus 100 is configured to provide the user to view the at least one optical image as well as the real world simultaneously without compromising on the clarity of the at least one optical image.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a system 300 for viewing the at least one optical image, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. As mentioned earlier, the system 300 includes the display unit 115 configured to provide the at least one optical image towards the optical unit 220 of the apparatus 100 along the optical path 225. The optical unit 220 includes the polarizer unit 235, the expansion unit 240, and the beam splitter unit 245 to efficiently direct the at least one optical image toward the eye box 110 of the apparatus 100. The construction and operation of the above-mentioned elements have been disclosed in detail with reference to FIG. 2, and thus repeated disclosure of the above-mentioned elements have been omitted for the sake of brevity and should nowhere be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.
[0038] The system 300 includes a controlling unit 305 in communication with the display unit 215 and the optical element 250 of the apparatus 100. The controlling unit 305 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. As per the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes one controlling unit 305. However, it is to be noted that the apparatus 100 may include multiple controlling units as per the requirement and without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. Among other capabilities, the controlling unit 305 is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (not shown). In one embodiment, the controlling unit 305 is an integral component of the apparatus 100. In alternative embodiment, the controlling unit 305 may be located at a location that allows to remotely access the apparatus 100.
[0039] The apparatus further includes a set of sensors 310 communicably coupled to the controlling unit 305. Accordingly, the controlling unit 305 receives data pertaining to the ambient light 275 of the real world. The controlling unit 305 receives data pertaining to the brightness and contrast of the at least one optical image from the display unit 215. Consequently, the controlling unit 305 is configured to determine the electrochromic effect to be applied on the ambient light viewing surface 265 and a grey level required to be applied on the at least one optical image for enhancing the clarity of the image and provide a user-friendly experience to the user, while viewing the at least one optical image via the eye box 110.
[0040] In alternate embodiments, the controlling unit 305 is communicably coupled to the expansion unit 240, the beam splitter unit 245, the user viewing surface 270. By doing so, the controlling unit 305 is configured to vary at least one of, but not limited to, the focal length, the anisotropic effect to be applied on the user viewing surface 270, and the angle of inclination of the beam splitter unit 245 to ensure the high clarity and eliminate distortions to the at least one optical image to the user viewing the at least one optical image.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method 400 for viewing the at least one optical image via the apparatus 100, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. For the purpose of description, the method 400 is described with the embodiments as illustrated in FIGs 1-3. Further, in order to avoid repetition and for the sake of brevity, the description for the FIGs 1-3 should be referred and should no where be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.
[0042] At step 405, the method 400 includes the step of providing, by the display unit 215, the at least one optical image along the optical path 225.
[0043] At step 410, the method 400 includes the step of receiving, by the polarizing unit 235, the at least one optical image along the optical path 225 and further polarizing the at least one optical image.
[0044] At step 415, the method 400 includes the step of receiving and thereafter expanding, by the expansion unit 240, the field of view of the at least one polarized optical image.
[0045] At step 420, the method 400 includes the step of receiving, by the beam splitter unit 245, the at least one polarized and expanded optical image. On receiving, the beam splitter unit 245 splits the optical path into the transmission path 255 and the reflected path 260.
[0046] At step 425, the method 400 includes the step of transmitting, by the beam splitter unit 245, the at least one expanded and polarized optical image along the transmission path 255 to the eye box 110 of the apparatus 100.
[0047] At step 430, the method 400 includes the step of transmitting, by the beam splitter unit 245, the at least one expanded and polarized optical image along the reflected path 260 towards the optical element 250.
[0048] At step 435, the method 400 includes the step of compensating, by the optical element 250, for distortions to the at least one expanded and polarized optical image
[0049] At step 440, the method 400 includes the step of reflecting, by the optical element 250, the at least one expanded and polarized optical image along the reflected path 260 towards the eye box 110 of the apparatus 100.
[0050] Various embodiments disclosed herein are to be taken in the illustrative and explanatory sense and should in no way be construed as limiting of the present invention. While aspects of the present invention have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present invention as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.