Catadioptric Optical Layout for Compact Eye-Tracking Visual Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visual optical systems with eye-tracking functions often have issues such as a long total body length, heavy weight, and a forward-located center of gravity, which negatively impact user experience.
Innovation Solution
A visual optical system is designed with a first optical system comprising a reflective polarizing element, a quarter wave plate, and a first lens piece, and a second optical system with two lenses, where specific geometric and optical parameters are constrained to reduce the overall size and weight, including a catadioptric configuration to minimize the body length and enhance depth of field.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional eye-tracking optical systems are used, then eye-tracking functionality is achieved, but total body length becomes too long
Solution Approach 1:
The first optical system is nested within the second optical system, with the first optical system positioned at the focal point of the second optical system. This nested configuration allows the eye-tracking functional module to be integrated within the overall optical system, significantly reducing the total body length while maintaining both imaging and eye-tracking functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two separate optical systems (first optical system for eye-tracking and second optical system for imaging) into a unified structure where they share common optical paths and spatial arrangement. The reflective polarizing element and quarter wave plate are integrated such that they function within both systems, reducing redundant components and overall length.
2Reliability
If conventional eye-tracking optical systems are used, then eye-tracking functionality is achieved, but weight becomes too heavy
Solution Approach 1:
By nesting the first optical system within the second optical system, the patent eliminates the need for separate housing and mounting structures for each system. This integration reduces the total material required and consequently the overall weight of the apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the optical paths of the imaging system and eye-tracking system, allowing shared components such as the reflective polarizing element and quarter wave plate to serve dual purposes. This reduces the total number of components and their associated weights.
3Reliability
If conventional eye-tracking optical systems are used, then eye-tracking functionality is achieved, but center of gravity becomes forward-located
Solution Approach 1:
The nested configuration positions the first optical system (eye-tracking) at the focal point of the second optical system, which is typically located closer to the center of the overall apparatus. This spatial arrangement helps balance the center of gravity, preventing it from being too forward-located.
4Length of moving object
If compact design is implemented, then total body length is reduced, but optical performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully optimizes key parameters including the focal length of the second optical system, the radius of curvature of lens surfaces, and the spacing between optical elements. These parameter adjustments allow the compact nested configuration to maintain proper optical path lengths and focal relationships, ensuring that optical performance is not compromised despite the reduced overall size.
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 achieves a compact design with improved optical performance, maintaining eye-tracking functionality while reducing the overall size and weight, enhancing user experience and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective polarizing element, a quarter wave plate and a first lens piece sequentially from a first side to a second side along a first optical axis
Implementation Method 2
a reflective polarizing element, a quarter wave plate and a first lens piece sequentially from a first side to a second side along a first optical axis
Implementation Method 3
a reflective polarizing element, a quarter wave plate and a first lens piece sequentially from a first side to a second side along a first optical axis
Implementation Method 4
a first lens piece having a positive refractive power, a first-side surface of the first lens piece being a concave surface, and a second-side surface of the first lens piece being a convex surface
Data Source
AI summary
A visual optical system is provided. The visual optical system includes a first optical system and a second optical system. The first optical system includes, sequentially from the first side to the second side along a first optical axis, a reflective polarizing element, a quarter wave plate, and a positive first lens piece. The second optical system includes, sequentially from the first side to the second side along a second optical axis, a positive first lens and a second lens. A radius of curvature R1m of the first-side surface of the first lens piece, a radius of curvature R2m of the second-side surface of the first lens piece, a combined focal length f12e of the first lens and the second lens, and a distance TDe on the second optical axis from a first-side surface of the first lens to a second-side surface of the second lens satisfy: 0.8<(R1m/R2m)/(f12e/TDe)<2.0.