Eye Orientation Detection via Retinal Light Pattern Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the position and orientation of an eye, particularly the direction of vision, are either invasive, inaccurate, or suffer from processing speed and distortion issues, such as those involving sensors attached to the eyeball or integral retina reflex picture capture by CCD cameras.
Innovation Solution
A device and method that detect and analyze a light signal reflected by a part of the eye using a detector system, which can include additional optical devices like a projection system, to determine the eye's position and orientation by tracing the movement pattern of a light beam as it changes over time, allowing for precise and rapid determination of the eye's direction of vision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sensors are fixed directly to the eyeball, then the orientation can be detected continuously, but it represents a considerable danger to and impairment of the test person and cannot detect the direction of vision in strabismic persons
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the detection function by separating the light source and detector from the eye, using external optical devices to project light onto the retina and detect reflected light, thereby eliminating the need for invasive sensors while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces light as an intermediary medium to detect eye orientation. By projecting light onto the retina and analyzing the reflected light patterns, the system obtains orientation information without physical contact or invasion of the eye
2Illumination intensity
If integral retina reflex picture is taken by CCD cameras, then low-light reflex picture can be captured, but it comprises a very large quantity of data resulting in low processing speeds and distortion problems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential orientation information from the retinal reflex picture by analyzing specific geometric relationships between detected light patterns and known eye structures, rather than processing the entire image data set
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses excessive illumination (active light projection) to ensure sufficient light reflection from the retina, then selectively processes only the relevant geometric features needed for orientation determination, achieving both low-light capability and fast processing
3Illumination intensity
If integral retina reflex picture is taken by CCD cameras, then low-light reflex picture can be captured, but it results in distortion problems
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical imaging system (CCD camera capturing entire retina picture) with an optical analysis system that directly measures orientation by analyzing the geometric relationship between projected and reflected light beams, eliminating mechanical distortion issues
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 precise and rapid determination of the eye's position and orientation, reducing distortion and improving processing speed, while being non-invasive and capable of functioning in various applications including medicine and virtual reality.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a light beam reflected by a part of the eye
Data Source
AI summary
In a device or a method for determining the direction of vision of an eye, a starting point or a final point of a light beam reflected by a part of the eye and detected by a detector system, or of a light beam projected by a projection system onto or into the eye two-dimensionally, describes a pattern of a scanning movement in the eye. The inventive method uses a displacement device that guides the center of the pattern of movement into the pupil or macula center of the eye, and a determination device that uses the pattern of movement of the scanning movement to determine the pupil center or macula center.