Eye Imaging in Head-Worn Computing via Stray Light Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable computing systems face challenges in effectively imaging, recognizing, and tracking a user's eye, as well as controlling displayed content based on eye movements, while also addressing health conditions and stray light suppression in head-worn computing environments.
Innovation Solution
The development of advanced optical configurations and systems for head-worn computing that include upper and lower optical modules, eye imaging cameras, and light management techniques to deliver high-resolution digital content while suppressing stray light and allowing see-through views of the environment, using technologies like DLP displays, TIR wedges, and light traps to manage image and dark state light effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If head-worn computing devices are used to deliver digital content, then productivity and information delivery are improved, but stray light and visual discomfort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful stray light into a beneficial effect by using it to illuminate the user's eye for imaging purposes. The same light that causes visual discomfort and reduces image contrast is redirected to illuminate the eye, allowing the imaging camera to capture eye images without requiring additional light sources that would further increase stray light levels.
2Measurement precision
If optical modules are added to image the eye, then eye tracking precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing optical modules serve multiple functions: delivering digital content to the user's eye and simultaneously illuminating the eye for imaging. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate illumination sources and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining high eye tracking precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system serves itself by using the same light path and components to both deliver content and provide illumination for eye imaging. The system's own operational light is repurposed to enable eye tracking, reducing the need for additional dedicated components.
3Illumination intensity
If light traps and TIR wedges are used to suppress stray light, then image contrast is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of existing components (such as the angles and orientations of optical modules) to redirect stray light toward the eye imaging path. By adjusting parameters like the angle of incidence and reflection, the system achieves stray light suppression and eye illumination without adding complex structural elements that would difficult to manufacture.
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
Enables accurate eye imaging and control of digital content based on eye movements, enhances user experience with high contrast and immersion, and reduces stray light issues, providing a robust and efficient head-worn computing solution.
Implementation Method 1
TIR wedges
Implementation Method 2
light traps to manage image and dark state light effectively
Data Source
AI summary
Head-worn computers with eye-imaging systems include a camera system positioned in a head-worn computer, wherein the camera system is further positioned to capture eye-image light that originates as reflections from a user's eye, wherein the camera system is further positioned to capture eye-image light as a reflection from a partially reflective surface that is positioned in front of an image display in the head-worn computer, wherein image light, from the image display, is transmitted through the partially reflective surface. A processor is adapted to cause the camera system to capture the eye-image light. The processor is further adapted to cause a comparison of the captured eye-image light with a pre-stored eye image of a known user of the head-worn computer. In the event the comparison confirms the identity of the known user, the user is granted permission to view content to be presented in a display of the head-worn computer.