Depth Profiler Eye Tracking for HMD Weight Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional eye tracking devices in head-mounted displays are bulky, power-intensive, and require high computing power, which hinders their compactness, lightness, and efficiency, particularly in providing accurate and efficient virtual and augmented reality experiences.

Innovation Solution

The use of a depth profiler to determine the distance to the eye's surface, allowing for accurate eye position tracking without contact, and employing a display device that selects images based on the eye's position, utilizing a non-contact distance meter and faster sensors than traditional imaging systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional eye tracking devices are used in head-mounted displays, then eye tracking functionality is provided, but the device becomes bulky and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeye tracking accuracyVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical/optical imaging-based eye tracking systems with a depth sensing system that uses time-of-flight (ToF) measurement. This substitution eliminates bulky imaging components while maintaining eye tracking functionality through non-contact distance measurement to the eye surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential measurement function (distance measurement) from the complex imaging system. By using only the depth sensing capability rather than full optical imaging, the system removes unnecessary components, reducing weight and complexity while preserving eye tracking accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If conventional eye tracking devices are used in head-mounted displays, then eye tracking functionality is provided, but the device requires high computing power

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeye tracking accuracyVSAvoidcomputing power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces computationally intensive image processing algorithms with simpler depth data processing. The time-of-flight depth measurement provides direct distance information without requiring complex image analysis, significantly reducing computing power requirements while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from 2D image coordinates to 3D depth distance. This parameter transformation simplifies the data structure and reduces the computational complexity of eye position calculation, as depth values provide direct spatial information without requiring extensive image processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If conventional imaging-based eye tracking is used, then eye position can be determined, but the device is not compact and power consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeye position accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the depth measurement capability from the conventional imaging system. By using a depth sensor array that measures distance to different regions of the eye, the system obtains sufficient eye position information without the complexity of full optical imaging, achieving compactness while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the optical imaging mechanism with a depth sensing mechanism based on time-of-flight measurement. This substitution dramatically simplifies the device structure, reducing component count and complexity while providing accurate eye position data through non-contact distance measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 results in compact, lightweight, and power-efficient eye tracking devices that enhance user experience in virtual and augmented reality by providing accurate and rapid eye movement tracking, improving the overall performance and usability of head-mounted displays.

Implementation Method 1

a first depth profiler configured to determine a distance from the first depth profiler to a surface of an eye

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS10552676B2Methods and devices for eye tracking based on depth sensing

Publication Date: 2020.02.04 META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

A device for eye tracking is disclosed. The device includes a first depth profiler configured to determine a distance from the first depth profiler to a surface of an eye. The device may also include a display device configured to display one or more images selected based on a position of the eye. The position of the eye is determined based on the determined distance. Also disclosed is a method for eye tracking. The method includes determining, with a first depth profiler, a distance from the first depth profiler to a surface of an eye. A position of the eye is determined based on the determine distance. One or more images selected based on the position of the eye are displayed on a display device.