Alternating Illumination Sources for Eyeglass Glare Shifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vision systems face challenges in accurately detecting and tracking human eyes in images due to eyeglass glare, which is introduced by active infrared illumination, especially in varying ambient lighting conditions, leading to interference with eye detection and tracking algorithms.
Innovation Solution
The method involves staggering first and second sources of active illumination above and below a video imaging device, alternately illuminating the subject in successive image capture intervals, causing eyeglass glare to shift between images, allowing eye detection and tracking routines to ignore occluded images and maintain system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If active infrared illumination is used to ensure sufficient lighting quality, then image quality is improved, but eyeglass glare occludes the eye and interferes with detection algorithms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternating between first and second illumination sources in successive image capture intervals. The illumination sources are activated in a periodic sequence, causing the glare to shift position between alternating images. This allows the system to capture eye images at different times when glare is not present, enabling accurate eye detection without requiring complex glare removal processing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If glare removal image processing is applied, then eyeglass glare is removed, but processing complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by capturing images at different time points before the glare interferes with eye detection. By alternating illumination sources, the system pre-captures eye images when glare is not present, eliminating the need for complex post-processing glare removal algorithms. The glare shifting technique prevents the harmful effect from occurring during critical detection intervals.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple illumination sources are used to eliminate glare, then glare interference is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the illumination function into separate first and second illumination sources positioned at different locations. Each source is activated independently in alternating intervals, creating distinct illumination patterns that cause glare to shift position. This segmented approach with simple alternating activation is less complex than using multiple sources simultaneously or employing sophisticated glare control mechanisms.
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
This approach enables accurate and efficient eye detection and tracking by shifting eyeglass glare, preventing interference and ensuring high-quality eye image production without additional complex image processing, thus enhancing the reliability of eye monitoring systems.
Implementation Method 1
eyeglass glare, if present, shifts from one image to the next
Data Source
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AI summary
The face of a human subject (16) is alternately illuminated by first and second sources of active illumination (28, 30) disposed above and below a video camera (32) that captures images of the subject's face. Glare due to reflection of the active illumination from eyeglasses (24) worn by the subject (16) shifts up or down from one image to the next due to the different locations of the first and second sources (28, 30). Eye detection and tracking routines (50, 52) ignore images in which the eye (22) is occluded by eyeglass glare so that the glare does not interfere with the performance of the routines.