Dynamic Lighting Position for Eye Tracking Glare Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional eye gaze tracking systems face interference from environmental factors and variable lighting conditions, such as glare from eyeglasses, which can cause poor tracking performance and intermittent operation.

Innovation Solution

An eye tracking device with a dynamic lighting position that detects changes in lighting conditions, such as glare, and adjusts the position of the light sources to maintain clear images of the eyes for accurate gaze characteristic determination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed light source position is used for eye tracking, then the system structure is simple, but tracking performance deteriorates under variable lighting conditions and glare

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking performanceVSAvoidlighting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic light source positioning by providing multiple light sources at different positions and selectively activating them based on detected lighting conditions. The system transitions from a fixed light source to a dynamic configuration where the active light source position changes in real-time to maintain optimal eye illumination despite environmental lighting variations and glare conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring lighting conditions and glare in the captured images, then using this information to determine which light source position should be active. This closed-loop control ensures the light source configuration adapts to current environmental conditions, maintaining reliable tracking performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If environmental lighting conditions are not monitored, then the system operation is simple, but tracking accuracy deteriorates due to glare and variable lighting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegaze direction accuracyVSAvoidsystem operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of lighting conditions and glare in captured images before finalizing gaze direction measurements. By detecting and characterizing environmental lighting factors in advance, the system can compensate for their effects and maintain measurement precision under varying conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (which light source position is active) based on detected lighting conditions. By adjusting the light source position parameter in response to environmental changes, the system maintains optimal illumination of the eyes and preserves gaze direction measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If light source position is dynamically adjusted, then resistance to lighting interference is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting interference resistanceVSAvoidlighting control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic light source positioning by providing multiple light sources at different positions and selectively activating them based on detected lighting conditions. The system transitions from a fixed light source to a dynamic configuration where the active light source position changes in real-time to maintain optimal eye illumination despite environmental lighting variations and glare conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the detected glare and lighting conditions information not just as problematic data but as useful feedback to determine optimal light source positioning. By converting the harmful effect information into a control signal for light source selection, the system transforms the problem into a solution that actively compensates for environmental interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 effectively minimizes interference from changing lighting conditions, ensuring continuous and accurate eye gaze tracking by dynamically adjusting the lighting position in real-time, thereby improving tracking performance.

Implementation Method 1

illuminating the eyes by emitting light from one or more light sources

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

detecting reflections of the emitted light off of the eyes with a sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3048949B1Gaze tracking variations using dynamic lighting position
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LLC
  • EP3048949B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3048949B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP3048949B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to eye tracking systems and methods which track eyes by illuminating the eyes using a light source and detecting the eye illuminations using a sensor. Implementations of the present disclosure may utilize a light source with a dynamic lighting position to account for changes in lighting conditions during the tracking which interfere with detection of the eye illuminations, such as reflections in glasses which may obscure a user's eyes.