Dynamic Eye Tracking Camera and Light Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Eye tracking systems face issues with erroneous gaze determination due to poor lighting or image quality, as blocking of light sources or cameras can significantly reduce image quality, leading to incomplete or inaccurate gaze detection.

Innovation Solution

The system dynamically adjusts by activating dormant light sources or cameras when blockages are detected, using proximity sensors and image analysis to ensure continuous eye tracking by prioritizing and switching between available components, thereby maintaining gaze detection quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple light sources and cameras are used for eye tracking, then gaze detection reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegaze detection reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of light sources and cameras based on real-time blocking detection. Instead of keeping all components continuously active, the system transitions between different operational configurations by activating or deactivating specific light sources and cameras based on current environmental conditions and user interaction needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The eye tracking system is divided into multiple independent light sources and cameras that can operate separately. Each light source and camera can be independently controlled, activated, or deactivated based on specific conditions, allowing the system to segment its functionality and only use the necessary components for current operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If all light sources and cameras are activated continuously, then gaze detection quality is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegaze detection qualityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the operational state of light sources and cameras based on real-time blocking detection. Instead of keeping all components continuously active, the system transitions between different operational configurations by activating or deactivating specific light sources and cameras based on current environmental conditions and user interaction needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of light sources and cameras by transitioning them between active and inactive states. This parameter change allows the system to maintain adequate illumination and imaging capability while reducing overall energy consumption by only activating components when and where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If a blocked light source or camera is detected, then gaze detection accuracy is maintained by switching components, but response time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegaze detection accuracyVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying alternative light sources and cameras that can be activated if the current components are blocked. This preliminary preparation allows for faster switching when blockage is detected, as the alternative components are already identified and ready for immediate activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from blocking detection mechanisms (such as proximity sensors or image analysis) to monitor the operational status of light sources and cameras in real-time. This continuous feedback allows the system to detect blockages and trigger component switching rapidly, maintaining responsive operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3243121B1Dynamic camera or light operation
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP3243121B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3243121B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3243121B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A user of a computing device may interact with the computing device through the user's eye movement. An image of the user's eyes or face, captured by a camera on the computing device, may be analyzed using computer-vision algorithms, such as eye tracking and gaze detection algorithms. During use of the computing device, one or more lights illuminating the user, or cameras viewing the user, may become blocked. The device may be equipped with more lights or cameras than are necessary to perform gaze detection by the device. In an over-equipped device, the additional lights or cameras can remain dormant until a blockage is detected. In response to a camera or light becoming blocked, a dormant light or camera can be activated.