Adaptive IR Eye Detection System for Safe Proximity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eye detection systems using infrared light face safety risks due to high power requirements, which become hazardous when subjects move close to the light source, and they fail at varying distances or with ambient lighting conditions, especially through sunglasses.
Innovation Solution
An eye detection system that estimates the distance to the subject and adjusts the power level of the infrared light source accordingly, reducing power when close and increasing it within safe limits when farther away, using a combination of proximity sensors and image processing to ensure safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high power IR light sources are used to illuminate the eyes, then detection precision is improved, but safety risks increase when the subject moves close to the light source
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the light source power level adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically changes the power level of the IR light source based on the estimated distance to the subject, transitioning from high power (for distant subjects) to low or zero power (when subject is close), thereby resolving the contradiction between detection precision and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using distance estimation (from stereo image analysis) to control the light source power level. The system continuously monitors the subject's distance and adjusts the IR light power accordingly, creating a closed-loop control that prevents eye damage while maintaining detection accuracy.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the system is designed to be safe at distances greater than 12 cm, then safety is improved, but detection capability is lost when the subject is more than 2 m away
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts light power based on distance, allowing it to operate safely at close distances (low power) while maintaining the capability to detect eyes at far distances (high power), thus resolving the contradiction between safety and detection range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power parameter of the IR light source adaptively. By varying the power level according to the subject's distance, the system can safely illuminate close subjects while still providing sufficient illumination for distant subjects, eliminating the trade-off between safety and detection capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If passive illumination and telephoto lens are used, then safety is improved, but the system only works with appropriate ambient lighting and does not work through sunglasses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic active IR illumination rather than passive ambient lighting. The IR light source can be activated regardless of ambient lighting conditions, and the system adapts the power level based on distance, enabling it to work through sunglasses and in various lighting environments, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures safe detection of eye positions by preventing exposure to unsafe IR light levels and maintaining accuracy across varying distances and lighting conditions, enhancing safety and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
use infrared (IR) light to illuminate the eyes. Light reflected off the inner posterior surface of the eye and is detected by an imager
Implementation Method 2
Light reflected off the inner posterior surface of the eye
Data Source
AI summary
An eye detection system for safe detection of the eye positions of a subject estimates the distance from the eye detection system to the subject and reduces the power level of at least one primary light source of the eye detection system if the subject is too close to the eye detection system. If the subject is not too close to the eye detection system, the power level of the at least one primary light source of the eye detection system is increased, provided the power level is below a predetermined maximum power level. Primary light from the at least one primary light source reflected from the subject is sensed by an imager to obtain one or more images, from which the eye positions of the subject are estimated.