Capacitive Sensor Array for Eye Gaze Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eye gaze tracking systems using cameras are costly, complex, and bulky, with high power requirements, making them unsuitable for wearable applications where unobtrusiveness and low power consumption are essential.
Innovation Solution
A wearable eye gaze tracking system utilizing a capacitive sensor array positioned in front of the eyes, which detects eye movement based on proximity to the cornea, with a frame that supports the sensors and includes a control circuit and body electrode for signal processing, allowing for low-latency and power-efficient eye gaze direction determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a camera is used to monitor eye movement and position, then eye gaze tracking can be achieved, but the system becomes costly and complex with high power requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical-mechanical camera system with a capacitive sensing system. Instead of using a camera to capture and process images of the eye, the system uses capacitive sensors to directly detect changes in capacitance caused by the eye's proximity and movement. This substitution eliminates the need for optical components, image processing units, and associated complexity, while maintaining eye gaze tracking capability through direct physical sensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the camera component from the eye tracking system entirely. By taking out the camera and its associated image processing subsystem, the system achieves significantly reduced complexity and lower power consumption while retaining the core function of monitoring eye movement and determining gaze direction through capacitive sensing alone.
2Reliability
If a camera is used to monitor eye movement, then eye gaze tracking can be achieved, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the power-intensive camera system with a low-power capacitive sensing system. Capacitive sensors require minimal power compared to cameras, enabling continuous operation without the high energy consumption associated with image capture and processing. This substitution directly addresses the power consumption issue while maintaining tracking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
By removing the camera and its power-intensive image processing subsystem, the patent eliminates the primary source of high power consumption. The remaining capacitive sensing and signal processing components consume significantly less power, enabling portable and wearable applications.
3Reliability
If a camera is mounted on the headgear, then eye movement can be monitored, but the device becomes bulky and obtrusive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the camera and its housing from the headgear, eliminating the source of bulk and obtrusiveness. The capacitive sensors can be integrated directly into the lens or frame structure, requiring minimal additional volume compared to mounting a complete camera system. This extraction directly reduces the device volume while maintaining monitoring functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the capacitive sensing functionality with the existing lens or frame structure of the headgear. By integrating the sensors into these existing components rather than adding separate camera housings and mounting structures, the system achieves eye movement monitoring with minimal increase in overall device volume and improved wearability.
4Reliability
If camera equipment is used for eye tracking, then gaze direction can be determined, but the system becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive camera equipment with inexpensive capacitive sensors. The sensor array can be manufactured at low cost using standard PCB fabrication techniques, eliminating the need for costly camera modules, optical components, and high-power processors. This substitution dramatically reduces system cost while maintaining adequate accuracy for gaze tracking applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the expensive optical-mechanical camera system with a simpler, cheaper capacitive sensing system. The capacitive sensors require minimal processing power and can be manufactured using standard electronic fabrication processes, significantly reducing both component costs and manufacturing complexity compared to camera-based systems.
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 capacitive sensor system provides an inexpensive, reliable, and unobtrusive alternative to camera-based systems, capable of tracking eye movement in the dark with reduced power consumption, enabling smaller and more comfortable wearable devices.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of sensors positioned on a surface of the lens or within the lens, wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors is positioned in a separate location and is electrically disconnected from each additional sensor on the surface of the lens or within the lens, and wherein the plurality of sensors is configured to detect eye movement based at least on a proximity of the plurality of sensors to a part of an eye of a user
Implementation Method 2
The capacitive sensor array is configured to detect eye movement based at least on a proximity of the capacitive sensors to a part of an eye of the user
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for tracking eye gaze includes a capacitive sensor array having a plurality of capacitive sensors. The capacitive sensor array is configured to detect eye movement based at least on a proximity of the plurality of capacitive sensors to a part of an eye of a user (e.g., a bulge in the cornea). A frame of the apparatus is configured to be worn on a head of the user and configured to support the capacitive sensor array positioned in front of the eye. A control circuit of the apparatus is configured to receive signals from the capacitive sensor array. A body electrode of the apparatus is positioned on the frame and electrically connected to the control circuit, the body electrode configured to establish an electrical connection with a body of the user. A conductive line of the apparatus connects the body electrode to the control circuit.