Eye Tracking Camera Lens Assembly for AR Headsets

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increase in the number of cameras in wearable electronic devices for augmented reality applications leads to issues such as reduced wearing comfort, increased weight and volume, higher unit prices, and shorter runtime due to power consumption, as well as space and weight challenges for integrating components like prisms or mirrors.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device design that integrates multiple camera functions into fewer cameras, with a frame, glass module, display module, front camera, light emitting unit, and eye tracking camera, where the eye tracking camera forms a field of view including both eyes and has a lens assembly with a distortion value within a threshold to track pupil movement effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple cameras are used to photograph both eyes for eye tracking, then eye tracking functionality is improved, but device weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeye tracking precisionVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple cameras into a single eye tracking camera. Instead of using separate cameras for each eye, the invention uses one camera with a specifically designed lens assembly that can capture images of both eyes simultaneously, thereby reducing device weight while maintaining eye tracking precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single eye tracking camera is designed to perform multiple functions: photographing both eyes, tracking pupil movements, and providing sufficient depth of field for accurate eye tracking. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized cameras.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple cameras are used to photograph both eyes for eye tracking, then eye tracking functionality is improved, but device volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeye tracking precisionVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple cameras into a single eye tracking camera. Instead of using separate cameras for each eye, the invention uses one camera with a specifically designed lens assembly that can capture images of both eyes simultaneously, thereby reducing device volume while maintaining eye tracking precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If multiple cameras are used to photograph both eyes for eye tracking, then eye tracking functionality is improved, but device price increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeye tracking precisionVSAvoiddevice cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple cameras into a single eye tracking camera. Instead of using separate cameras for each eye, the invention uses one camera with a specifically designed lens assembly that can capture images of both eyes simultaneously, thereby reducing device cost while maintaining eye tracking precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If multiple cameras are used for eye tracking, then eye tracking precision is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeye tracking precisionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple cameras into a single eye tracking camera. Instead of using separate cameras for each eye, the invention uses one camera with a specifically designed lens assembly that can capture images of both eyes simultaneously, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining eye tracking precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

5Device complexity

If components like prisms or mirrors are added to integrate cameras, then camera integration is improved, but device weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera integrationVSAvoiddevice weight
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for additional optical components like prisms or mirrors by designing a lens assembly that can directly photograph both eyes without requiring these intermediate components. This simplifies the device structure and reduces weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

6Device complexity

If components like prisms or mirrors are added to integrate cameras, then camera integration is improved, but device volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecamera integrationVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for additional optical components like prisms or mirrors by designing a lens assembly that can directly photograph both eyes without requiring these intermediate components. This simplifies the device structure and reduces volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design reduces the number of cameras, lowering the device's weight, volume, and price, while increasing runtime by optimizing camera placement and functionality, thereby enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an eye tracking camera disposed in the frame and configured to photograph the rear of the frame, the eye tracking camera including a lens assembly including at least one lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

a display module comprising display circuitry configured to project an image to the glass module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS11809622B2Electronic device and method for eye-tracking of user and providing augmented reality service thereof
Publication Date: 2023.11.07 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • US11809622B2 patent drawing
  • US11809622B2 patent drawing
  • US11809622B2 patent drawing

AI summary

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, an electronic device includes: a frame; a glass module comprising a glass supported by the frame; a support rotatably connected to the frame; a display module comprising display circuitry configured to project an image to the glass module; a front camera disposed in at least one of the frame or the support configured to photograph the front of the frame; a light emitting unit comprising light-emitting circuitry configured to radiate light toward the rear of the frame; and an eye tracking camera disposed in the frame configured to photograph the rear of the frame and including a lens assembly including at least one lens, wherein the eye tracking camera is configured to form a field of view (FOV) to include both a left eye and a right eye of a user based on an object distance, which is a distance between the lens assembly and an object, being a first distance corresponding to a distance between the lens assembly and the left eye and/or the right eye of the user wearing the electronic device, wherein an absolute value of a distortion value of the lens assembly is equal to or less than a threshold value capable of tracking a pupil movement of the left eye and the right eye with respect to light incident from a region of interest (ROI) within a certain range from an outermost portion to the inside among regions corresponding to the FOV.