Eyeglass lenses with eye-tracking components

The integration of eye-tracking devices into wearable devices through lenses with peripheral light sources and sensors, coupled to a processor, addresses size, usability, and aesthetic concerns, achieving efficient and accurate gaze measurement.

JP7870335B2Active Publication Date: 2026-06-04IXI EYEWEAR OY

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
IXI EYEWEAR OY
Filing Date
2022-09-01
Publication Date
2026-06-04

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing eye-tracking devices integrated into wearable devices face challenges such as increased size, reduced usability, safety concerns, and aesthetic impact, along with complex manufacturing processes and limited material choices due to the incorporation of gaze measurement components.

Method used

An eye-tracking device comprising lenses with light sources and sensors arranged along the periphery, coupled to a processor, which directs light towards the user's eyes and detects reflections to determine gaze, integrated in a manner that maintains the device's size and aesthetic appeal, using flexible printed circuit boards or conductive adhesives for connection.

Benefits of technology

The solution allows for efficient, inconspicuous integration of eye-tracking functionality into wearable devices, maintaining their size, usability, and aesthetic value while enabling accurate gaze measurement with low power consumption.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

An eye gaze measurement device (400) is disclosed. At least one light source (406) and a number of sensors (408a-b) are disposed on a periphery (104) of a first surface of a lens (402). A frame is used to hold the lens. A processor associated with the light source and the sensor is configured to control the light source to project light toward a user's eye, control the sensor to sense reflections of the light from a surface of the user's eye, and process sensor data related to the sensed reflections to determine a gaze direction of the user.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The matters disclosed in the present application (hereinafter referred to as the present disclosure) relate to a gaze measurement device (eye tracker). The present disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing a gaze measurement device. The present disclosure also relates to a method for making a lens for use in a gaze measurement device. Background

[0002] Gaze measurement (also referred to as "eye tracking" or "gaze tracking") has come to be used in a variety of fields, such as academic research, medical research, military, human-computer interaction, game industry, aviation, and automation. In such a wide range of application fields, there is a need for an eye tracker that is lightweight, compact, and capable of accurate gaze measurement. Wearable devices have become a powerful platform on which an eye tracker can be mounted.

[0003] However, there are various problems in design. When a gaze measurement function is incorporated into a wearable device, the wearable device tends to become difficult to handle or large. Incorporating gaze measurement components (including light sources and cameras) into a wearable device may partially block the user's field of view, adversely affecting usability and safety. In addition, adopting multiple components complicates the setup and makes manufacturing difficult. Moreover, it also has an adverse effect on the aesthetics of the wearable device.

[0004] In current methods, the gaze measurement components are incorporated into the eyeglass frame. Therefore, eyeglass frame manufacturers need to consider how to incorporate the gaze measurement components into the eyeglass frame. The integration of the eyeglass frame and the gaze measurement components requires detailed manufacturing know-how, and the choices of materials and manufacturing processes available to manufacturers for manufacturing such eyeglass frames are limited.

[0005] The eyeglass frame industry is a fashion and design-driven industry, utilizing a vast network of subcontractors and employing various technologies to manufacture eyeglasses from a wide variety of materials and shapes. Therefore, the specific requirement of integrating eye-tracking components into frames limits the number of options available to the user.

[0006] Traditionally, cameras have been used for eye-tracking. However, data processing related to camera images consumes a lot of power. This problem can potentially be solved to some extent with dedicated devices that include custom-designed processing elements and displays separate from the camera, such as augmented reality (XR) headsets and smart glasses.

[0007] Based on these discussions, there is a need to overcome the aforementioned challenges associated with integrating eye-tracking functionality into wearable devices. Summary

[0008] This disclosure aims to provide an eye-tracking device. Furthermore, this disclosure aims to provide a method for manufacturing an eye-tracking device. Moreover, this disclosure aims to provide a method for manufacturing lenses for use in an eye-tracking device. Furthermore, this disclosure aims to provide solutions to existing problems in eye-tracking in wearable devices.

[0009] According to the first interpretation, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides an eye-tracking device. This eye-tracking device is • At least one lens per eye, the first surface of which faces the user's eyeball when the eye-tracking device is attached to the user; A frame that holds at least one of the aforementioned lenses; • At least one light source arranged along the periphery of the first surface of the at least one lens; A plurality of sensors arranged along the periphery of the first surface of the at least one lens; A processor combined with at least one light source and the plurality of sensors; The processor is equipped with, - Controlling at least one light source to direct light towards the user's eyes; • Controlling multiple sensors to detect the reflection of light from the surface of the user's eye; • To determine the user's line of sight, the system processes sensor data related to the detected reflections; It is configured to perform the following.

[0010] According to the second interpretation, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing an eye-tracking device. This method is • Cutting the lenses to fit the shape of the frame; - Arranging at least one light source along the periphery of the first surface of the lens; The method further includes, where the first surface of the lens faces the user's eye when the eye-tracking device is attached to the user, and the method further includes, - Arranging a plurality of sensors along the peripheral edge of the first surface of the lens; To provide a connection between the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors; • To attach the aforementioned lens to the aforementioned frame; - Using the aforementioned connection means, the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors are coupled to the processor; The aforementioned processor, - Controlling at least one light source to direct light towards the user's eyes; • Controlling multiple sensors to detect the reflection of light from the surface of the user's eye; • To determine the user's line of sight, the system processes sensor data related to the detected reflections; To configure it to perform; Includes.

[0011] According to a third interpretation, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for making a lens for use in an eye-tracking device. This method is • Cutting the lens to match the shape of the frame of the eye-tracking device; - Arranging at least one light source along the periphery of the first surface of the lens; - Arranging a plurality of sensors along the peripheral edge of the first surface of the lens; - Providing connection means for at least one light source and the plurality of sensors; Includes.

[0012] Embodiments of this disclosure substantially resolve, or at least partially address, the aforementioned problems of the prior art by providing an eye-tracking device that can be easily, reliably, and efficiently integrated into existing wearable devices without significantly affecting the overall size and shape of the wearable device. Furthermore, this eye-tracking device is inconspicuous to the user, enabling the maintenance of the aesthetic value of the wearable device.

[0013] Further aspects, advantages, features, and objectives of what is disclosed herein will be made apparent by the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of exemplary embodiments, which shall be interpreted together with the accompanying claims.

[0014] It will also be understood that a feature of this disclosure is that it can be combined in various ways without departing from the scope defined by the attached claims. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] The above summary and the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For illustrative purposes, exemplary configurations of the disclosure are shown in the drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and apparatus disclosed herein. The scale of the drawings is not accurate. Similar elements are indicated by the same number whenever possible. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings. [Figure 1] Shown is a lens made for use in a gaze measurement device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Shown is another lens made for use in a gaze measurement device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] It is a schematic diagram showing a part of an operating gaze measurement device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] Shown is a gaze measurement device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] Shown is another gaze measurement device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] Shown is yet another gaze measurement device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] Shown is yet another gaze measurement device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] Shown is yet another gaze measurement device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9A] Shown are steps of a method for manufacturing a gaze measurement device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9B] Shown are steps of a method for manufacturing a gaze measurement device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings, the underlined numbers are used to represent the item at the location of the number or the item adjacent to the number. The non-underlined numbers are associated with the item specified by the line extending from the number. When a number is written without an underline and accompanied by an arrow, the number is used to identify the item indicated by the arrow. Detailed Description of Embodiments

[0016] The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure and methods by which they may be implemented. Although several forms for implementing the present disclosure have been disclosed, those skilled in the art will recognize that other forms for implementing the present disclosure are also possible.

[0017] According to the first interpretation, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides an eye-tracking device. This eye-tracking device is • At least one lens per eye, the first surface of which faces the user's eyeball when the eye-tracking device is attached to the user; A frame that holds at least one of the aforementioned lenses; • At least one light source arranged along the periphery of the first surface of the at least one lens; A plurality of sensors arranged along the periphery of the first surface of the at least one lens; A processor combined with at least one light source and the plurality of sensors; The processor is equipped with, - Controlling at least one light source to direct light towards the user's eyes; • Controlling multiple sensors to detect the reflection of light from the surface of the user's eye; • To determine the user's line of sight, the system processes sensor data related to the detected reflections; It is configured to perform the following.

[0018] According to the second interpretation, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for manufacturing an eye-tracking device. This method is • Cutting the lenses to fit the shape of the frame; - Arranging at least one light source along the periphery of the first surface of the lens; The method further includes, where the first surface of the lens faces the user's eye when the eye-tracking device is attached to the user, and the method further includes, - Arranging a plurality of sensors along the peripheral edge of the first surface of the lens; - Providing connection means for at least one light source and the plurality of sensors; • To attach the aforementioned lens to the aforementioned frame; - Using the aforementioned connection means, the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors are coupled to the processor; The aforementioned processor, - Controlling at least one light source to direct light towards the user's eyes; • Controlling multiple sensors to detect the reflection of light from the surface of the user's eye; • To determine the user's line of sight, the system processes sensor data related to the detected reflections; To configure it to perform; Includes.

[0019] According to a third interpretation, one embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for making a lens for use in an eye-tracking device. This method is • Cutting the lens to match the shape of the frame of the eye-tracking device; - Arranging at least one light source along the periphery of the first surface of the lens; - Arranging a plurality of sensors along the peripheral edge of the first surface of the lens; - Providing connection means for at least one light source and the plurality of sensors; Includes.

[0020] According to embodiments of this disclosure, eye-tracking devices can be implemented in existing wearable devices in a simple, reliable, and efficient manner, which is beneficial. The impact of integrating eye-tracking devices into existing wearable devices according to embodiments of this disclosure on the overall size and shape of the wearable device is negligible. Since the at least one light source and multiple sensors can be retrofitted to any wearable device (such as eyeglasses or sunglasses), the eye-tracking device can be worn like ordinary eyeglasses or sunglasses. By arranging the at least one light source and multiple sensors in the periphery, the device remains inconspicuous to the user, maintaining the aesthetic value of the wearable device. This eye-tracking device is lightweight and compact. Furthermore, this eye-tracking device can perform accurate eye-tracking with low power consumption.

[0021] Throughout this disclosure, the term “wearable device” refers to an item worn over a user’s eyes. Such wearable devices may be worn for a variety of purposes, such as fashion or decoration, protection from the environment, or presentation of augmented reality scenes to the user. Examples of such wearable devices include, but are not limited to, eyeglasses, sunglasses, smart glasses, and head-mounted displays.

[0022] In some embodiments, at least one lens of the eye-tracking device has an optical power prescribed to match the user's eye. This allows the eye-tracking device to be customized according to the user's visual acuity. The optical power does not have to completely correct the user's visual acuity, but can be selected to suit the user's needs.

[0023] In some embodiments, at least one lens of the eye-tracking device is a sunglass lens. Such embodiments allow users to easily use the eye-tracking device even in outdoor environments. They are also aesthetically pleasing.

[0024] The lens can be made from one of the following: glass, polycarbonate, plastic, or high refractive index plastic. The lens may have at least one of the following coatings: anti-reflective coating, scratch-resistant coating, photochromic coating, UV-cut coating, or polarizing coating.

[0025] In accordance with embodiments of this disclosure, the lens functions as a base on which at least one light source and a plurality of sensors are directly positioned. Hereinafter, these light sources and sensors will be collectively referred to as the “gaze measurement component” for convenience. As described above, the lens is cut to conform to the shape of the frame before the gaze measurement component is positioned on the periphery of the first surface of the lens.

[0026] Throughout this specification, the term “periphery” refers to the region adjacent to the edge of the first surface. In some embodiments, this region may be located on the first surface itself. In some embodiments, this region may be perpendicular to the first surface. In some embodiments, the width of this region is in the range of 0.01 millimeters to 5 millimeters. For example, the width of this region may be any of 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, or 1 millimeter, or any of 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2.5, or 5 millimeters.

[0027] In some embodiments, in an eye-tracking device, at least one light source and a plurality of sensors are arranged along the periphery of a first surface using a flexible printed circuit board. This flexible printed circuit board provides means for connecting to the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors. The flexible printed circuit board can be formed by screen printing conductive tracks using functional inks on a thin sheet of flexible material. Examples of such flexible materials include, but are not limited to, polyimides such as Kapton® and Cirlex®, polyester, and polycarbonate. It is preferable that the flexible printed circuit board is formed to conform to the shape of the periphery. The technical advantages of using a flexible printed circuit board are that connectors and cables are not required, manufacturing costs and time are reduced, and reliable electrical connections and communication are possible.

[0028] Alternatively, in some embodiments, in the eye-tracking device, at least one light source and a plurality of sensors are arranged along the periphery of a first surface using a conductive adhesive. Connection to the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors is provided by wires printed on the periphery of the first surface. Examples of such conductive adhesives include, but are not limited to, silver conductive epoxy adhesives, nickel conductive epoxy adhesives, and conductive silicone adhesives. The technical advantage of using a conductive adhesive is that its properties (such as curing temperature) can be adapted to the specific material of the lens, improving fatigue resistance.

[0029] It will be understood that the connection means can be implemented in various ways. For example, the connection means can be implemented as a bundle of wires. As another example, the connection means can be implemented as aligned anisotropic nanowires of metal or metal alloy. Examples of highly conductive metals include silver, gold, copper, and aluminum. As yet another example, the connection means can be implemented as a transparent electrode layer. Such a transparent electrode layer may be made of, for example, indium tin oxide (ITO) or doped zinc oxide (ZnO). ZnO is doped with aluminum or hydrogen.

[0030] Such a connection means will be understood to supply power for operation to the eye-tracking component (i.e., at least one light source and multiple sensors) and to enable communication between the processor and the eye-tracking component. Such a connection will be provided without compromising the aesthetic design of the wearable device. For this purpose, a power supply that provides power as well as the processor can be placed at any suitable location on the frame of the eye-tracking device. As an example, the power supply can be placed at the end of the temple of the frame. As another example, the processor can be placed at the bridge of the frame.

[0031] Depending on the embodiment, the eye-tracking device may include a wireless communication interface, allowing the processor to transmit sensor data or information related to the user's gaze direction to an external device.

[0032] Depending on the embodiment, the sensor data may be in the form of an image representative of the user's eye features. Such features may include at least one of the following: the shape of the user's pupil, the size of the pupil, the corneal reflection of at least one light source from the surface of the user's eye, the relative position of the pupil to the corneal reflection, and the relative position of the pupil to the corner of the user's eye.

[0033] In some embodiments, when processing sensor data, the processor is configured to process the image to determine the user's eye characteristics and, based on the user's eye characteristics, determine the direction of the user's line of sight.

[0034] In some embodiments, the light emitted by at least one light source in the eye-tracking device is infrared light. In other words, at least one light source and multiple sensors may operate on infrared light and can be implemented as at least one infrared light source and multiple infrared sensors. Infrared light is invisible to the user's eye and therefore undetectable by the user, making it suitable for the purpose of eye-tracking.

[0035] In some embodiments, the light emitted by at least one light source is ultraviolet (UV). In such cases, the at least one light source and multiple sensors can, in some embodiments, operate in UV light and be implemented as at least one UV light source and multiple UV sensors. In this case, UV light with a wavelength range that is not harmful to the human eye is selected. For example, UV light with wavelengths in the range of 315 nm to 400 nm is selected.

[0036] In yet another form, the light emitted by at least one light source may be visible light in the visible portion of the spectrum.

[0037] This disclosure also relates to the second and third approaches described above. The various embodiments and variations disclosed above with respect to the first approach described above are applicable to both approaches.

[0038] In some embodiments, these methods involve arranging at least one light source and a plurality of sensors along the periphery of the first surface of the lens using a flexible printed circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board also provides connection means.

[0039] In some embodiments, in these methods, at least one light source and a plurality of sensors are arranged along the periphery of the first surface of the lens using a conductive adhesive. Connecting means are provided by printing wires on the periphery of the first surface.

[0040] In some embodiments, the light emitted by at least one light source in these methods is infrared. In some embodiments, the light emitted by at least one light source is ultraviolet.

[0041] In some embodiments, the lens in these methods has an optical power prescribed to suit the user's eye. In some embodiments, the lens in these methods is a sunglass lens.

[0042] Furthermore, the eye-tracking component is positioned around the periphery of the first surface of the lens using a process that includes multiple steps. The first step of this process is to hold the lens in a prefabricated holder. The second step of this process also includes using one or more of the following techniques.

[0043] Depending on the embodiment, these methods may further The first surface of the lens is machined to form multiple recesses, and at least one light source and multiple sensors are placed within these multiple recesses. • After arranging at least one light source and multiple sensors, the multiple recesses are filled with a material having the same refractive index as the lens. Includes.

[0044] To form the multiple recesses described above, the first surface of the lens may be machined using computer numerical control (CNC) milling. In this case, a multi-point cutting tool is rotated using computer control to gradually remove material from the lens. This makes it possible to manufacture custom-designed recesses for arranging the eye-tracking components.

[0045] In some embodiments, the connection means are made to protrude from at least one light source and multiple sensors before filling the multiple recesses. In some embodiments, the connection means are embedded together with the gaze measurement component.

[0046] The aforementioned recesses can be filled using one of the following techniques: casting, overmolding, insert molding, dispensing, or inkjet molding. Overmolding and insert molding are typically used when the eye-tracking component needs to be durable and able to withstand thermal expansion.

[0047] Depending on the embodiment, the material that can be used to fill the plurality of recesses may include at least one polymer. Examples of at least one polymer include, but are not limited to, polymethyl methacrylate, styrene-co-acrylonitrile copolymer, polyamide, thermoplastic polyimide, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyolefin, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyether, polyether-ether-ketone, polyetherimide, thermoplastic resin, epoxy resin, and the like.

[0048] According to another embodiment, the step of arranging at least one light source and multiple sensors is performed by embedding at least one light source and multiple sensors in the lens along the periphery of a first surface. In this regard, lens casting technology is employed to embed at least one light source and multiple sensors in the lens. At least one lens and multiple sensors are mounted on the inner wall of a mold cavity before casting so that they are aligned with the periphery of the first surface of the lens during manufacturing. A liquid material is then introduced into the mold cavity and allowed to solidify. In the ophthalmic industry, casting is commonly used as a manufacturing method. Casting is usually performed using low-viscosity monomers, such as thermosetting plastics. Because casting does not involve heating, the thermal stress in the material is small and the residual tension is also small. For this reason, higher quality can be obtained compared to injection molding.

[0049] In yet another embodiment, the step of arranging at least one light source and multiple sensors is performed using either injection molding or lamination.

[0050] In injection molding, molten material is injected into a mold under high pressure and then cooled. This material can be made from thermoplastic plastic.

[0051] In the lamination process, at least one light source and multiple sensors, along with connecting means (at the periphery of the first surface of the lens), are placed between the lens and a perforated laminate film having openings for the eye-tracking components. Heat is then applied to seal the laminate film to the lens.

[0052] In yet another embodiment, the step of arranging at least one light source and multiple sensors is performed by printing at least one light source and multiple sensors along the periphery of a first surface of the lens. Such printing can be done using three-dimensional (3D) printing of the lens. This allows the gaze measurement component and connecting means to be directly embedded in the mechanical structure of the lens. [Detailed explanation of the drawing]

[0053] Referring to Figure 1, a lens 102 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The lens 102 is made for use in an eye-tracking device. Along the periphery 104 of the first surface of the lens 102, at least one light source (depicted as light source 106) and a plurality of sensors (depicted as sensors 108a, 108b, 108c, and 108d) are arranged. The light source 106 and sensors 108a to 108d are coupled to a processor 110.

[0054] Referring to Figure 2, another lens 202 prepared for use in an eye-tracking device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Along the periphery 204 of the first surface of the lens 202, at least one light source (for convenience, one of 10 light sources is denoted by reference numeral 206) and a plurality of sensors (for convenience, two of 20 sensors are denoted by reference numerals 208a and 208b, respectively) are arranged.

[0055] At least one light source and multiple sensors are coupled to the processor 210.

[0056] Figures 1 and 2 are merely examples and should not unduly limit the scope of the claims of this application. The illustrated configurations of lenses 102 and 202 are provided only as examples and should not be interpreted as limiting the number, type, or arrangement of light sources and sensors. Those skilled in the art will recognize numerous variations, alternatives, and modifications of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0057] Referring to Figure 3, a schematic diagram is shown of a portion of an eye-tracking device in operation according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In this portion of the eye-tracking device, a lens is shown together with at least one light source and a plurality of sensors. In this figure, dotted lines indicate the field of view of the individual sensors.

[0058] Figure 3 is for illustrative purposes only and should not unduly limit the scope of the claims of this application. Those skilled in the art will be able to recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0059] Referring to Figure 4, an eye-tracking device 400 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The eye-tracking device 400 is • At least one lens per eye (for convenience, one of the two lenses is labeled 402); • A frame 404 that holds at least one of the lenses; • At least one light source (for convenience, one of the ten light sources is designated 406) arranged along the periphery of the first surface of the at least one lens; A plurality of sensors (for convenience, two of the 20 sensors are designated reference numerals 408a and 408b, respectively) arranged along the periphery of the first surface of at least one lens; A processor 410 coupled to at least one light source and the plurality of sensors; It is equipped with.

[0060] Referring to Figure 5, another eye-tracking device 500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The eye-tracking device 500 is • At least one lens per eye (for convenience, one of the two lenses is labeled with designation 502); • A frame 504 that holds at least one of the lenses; • At least one light source (for convenience, one of the ten light sources is designated with reference numeral 506) arranged along the periphery of the first surface of the at least one lens; A plurality of sensors (for convenience, two of the 20 sensors are designated reference numerals 508a and 508b, respectively) arranged along the periphery of the first surface of at least one lens; A processor (not shown) coupled to at least one light source and the plurality of sensors; It is equipped with.

[0061] Referring to Figure 6, yet another eye-tracking device 600 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The eye-tracking device 600 is • At least one lens per eye (for convenience, one of the two lenses is labeled with designation 602); • A frame 604 that holds at least one of the aforementioned lenses; • At least one light source (for convenience, one of the nine light sources is designated 606) arranged along the periphery of the first surface of the at least one lens; A plurality of sensors (for convenience, two of the 18 sensors are designated with reference numerals 608a and 608b) arranged along the periphery of the first surface of at least one lens; A processor (not shown) coupled to at least one light source and the plurality of sensors; It is equipped with.

[0062] Referring to Figure 7, yet another eye-tracking device 700 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The eye-tracking device 700 is • At least one lens per eye (for convenience, only one lens is designated with the code 702); • A frame 704 that holds at least one of the aforementioned lenses; - At least one light source (for convenience, only one light source is designated 706) arranged along the periphery of the first surface of the at least one lens; A plurality of sensors (for convenience, only two sensors are designated reference numerals 608a and 708b, respectively) arranged along the periphery of the first surface of at least one lens; A processor (not shown) coupled to at least one light source and the plurality of sensors; It is equipped with.

[0063] Referring to Figure 8, yet another eye-tracking device 800 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. The eye-tracking device 800 is • At least one lens per eye (for convenience, only one lens is designated with the code 802); • A frame 804 that holds at least one of the aforementioned lenses; - At least one light source (for convenience, only one light source is designated 806) arranged along the periphery of the first surface of the at least one lens; A plurality of sensors (for convenience, only two sensors are designated reference numerals 808a and 808b, respectively) arranged along the periphery of the first surface of at least one lens; A processor (not shown) coupled to at least one light source and the plurality of sensors; It is equipped with.

[0064] Figures 4-8 are for illustrative purposes only and should not unduly limit the scope of the claims of this application. As previously stated, the periphery of the first surface is the region adjacent to the edge of the first surface. In Figures 4, 5, and 6, this region is on the first surface itself, but in Figures 7 and 8, this region is perpendicular to the first surface. Furthermore, in Figures 4-8, frames 404, 504, 604, 704, and 804 are shown as a full-rim frame, a half-rim frame, a rimless frame, another full-rim frame, and another rimless frame, respectively. It should be understood that the specific embodiments of the eye-tracking devices 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 are provided as examples and should not be construed as limiting the specific number, type, or arrangement of light sources and sensors. Those skilled in the art will be able to recognize many variations, alternatives, and modifications of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0065] Referring to Figures 9A and 9B, steps of a method for manufacturing an eye-tracking device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are illustrated. In step 902, the lens is cut to the shape of the frame. In step 904, at least one light source is positioned along the periphery of a first surface of the lens. This first surface of the lens faces the user's eye when the eye-tracking device is worn by the user. In step 906, a plurality of sensors are positioned along the periphery of the first surface of the lens. In step 908, means for connecting at least one light source and the plurality of sensors are prepared along the periphery of the first surface. In step 910, the lens is mounted in the frame. In step 912, at least one light source and the plurality of sensors are coupled to a processor using the connection means.

[0066] In step 914, the processor, • Controlling at least one light source to direct light towards the user's eyes; • Controlling multiple sensors to detect light reflection from the surface of the user's eye; • To determine the user's line of sight, the system processes sensor data related to the detected reflections; It is configured to perform the following.

[0067] The steps described above are merely illustrative, and alternative steps may be included. That is, one or more steps may be added, one or more steps may be omitted, or one or more steps may be performed in a different order without departing from the scope of the appended claims. For example, steps 904 and 906 may be performed simultaneously.

[0068] Furthermore, steps 902, 904, 906, and 908 can also be considered to represent steps of a method for preparing a lens for use in an eye-tracking device, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0069] It is possible to modify the embodiments of this disclosure described herein without departing from the scope defined by the attached claims. Expressions such as “includes,” “equip,” “incorporates,” “has,” and “is” used to describe and claim this disclosure are intended to be interpreted non-exclusively, that is, to allow for the existence of items, parts, or components not expressly described. The absence of explicit indication that an element is plural does not prevent such element from being plural. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” used herein are not intended to indicate order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish one element from another.

Claims

1. A gaze measurement device, - At least one lens for each eye, the first surface of which faces the user's eyeball when the eye-tracking device is attached to the user; - A frame that holds at least one of the lenses; - At least one light source arranged along the periphery of the first surface of the at least one lens; - A plurality of sensors arranged along the periphery of the first surface of at least one lens; A processor combined with the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors; Equipped with, The at least one light source and the plurality of sensors are arranged along the periphery of the first surface, and connections to the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors are provided by wires printed on the periphery of the first surface. The aforementioned processor, - Controlling the at least one light source to direct light towards the user's eyes; - Controlling multiple sensors to detect the reflection of light from the surface of the user's eye; - To process sensor data related to detected reflections in order to determine the user's line of sight; It is configured to perform, Eye-tracking device.

2. The line-of-sight measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitted from the at least one light source is infrared radiation.

3. The eye-tracking device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one lens has an optical power tailored to the user's eye.

4. The eye-tracking device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the lenses is a sunglass lens.

5. A method for manufacturing an eye-tracking device, wherein the method is - Cutting the lenses to match the shape of the frame; - Arranging at least one light source along the periphery of the first surface of the lens; The method further includes, where the first surface of the lens faces the user's eye when the eye-tracking device is attached to the user, - Arranging a plurality of sensors along the peripheral edge of the first surface of the lens; - Providing means for connecting at least one light source and the plurality of sensors; - Attaching the aforementioned lens to the aforementioned frame; - Using the connection means, the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors are coupled to the processor; - The aforementioned processor, - Controlling the at least one light source to direct light towards the user's eyes; - Controlling multiple sensors to detect the reflection of light from the surface of the user's eye; - To process sensor data related to detected reflections in order to determine the user's line of sight; To configure to perform; A method comprising, wherein the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors are arranged along the periphery of the first surface using a conductive adhesive, and connection means are provided by printing wires on the periphery of the first surface.

6. The method according to claim 5, - The first surface of the lens is machined to form a plurality of recesses along the periphery, and the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors are arranged within the plurality of recesses; - After arranging the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors, the plurality of recesses are filled with a material having the same refractive index as the lens; Methods that include...

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the arrangement of the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors is carried out by casting the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors into the lens along the periphery of the first surface by casting technique.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein the arrangement of the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors is carried out by printing the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors along the periphery of the first surface of the lens, respectively.

9. The method according to claim 5, wherein the arrangement of the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors is carried out using injection molding or lamination.

10. The method according to claim 5, wherein the light emitted from the at least one light source is infrared radiation.

11. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the at least one lens has an optical power tailored to the user's eye.

12. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the lens is a sunglass lens.

13. A method for making a lens for use in an eye-tracking device, wherein the method is - Cutting the lens to match the shape of the frame of the eye-tracking device; - Arranging at least one light source along the periphery of the first surface of the lens; - Arranging a plurality of sensors along the peripheral edge of the first surface of the lens; - Providing means for connecting at least one light source and the plurality of sensors; A method comprising, wherein the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors are arranged along the periphery of the first surface using a conductive adhesive, and connection means are provided by printing wires on the periphery of the first surface.

14. The method according to claim 13, - The first surface of the lens is machined to form a plurality of recesses along the periphery, and the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors are arranged within the plurality of recesses; - After arranging the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors, the plurality of recesses are filled with a material having the same refractive index as the lens; Methods that include...

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the arrangement of the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors is carried out by casting the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors into the lens along the periphery of the first surface by casting technique.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the arrangement of the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors is carried out by printing the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors along the periphery of the first surface of the lens, respectively.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the arrangement of the at least one light source and the plurality of sensors is carried out using injection molding or lamination.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the light emitted from the at least one light source is infrared radiation.

19. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the at least one lens has an optical power tailored to the user's eye.

20. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the lens is a sunglass lens.