Eye Tracking Device Defocus Filter for Iris Authentication Degradation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing eye tracking devices capture high-resolution iris images, posing a security risk by enabling iris authentication, and fail to provide gaze tracking without compromising iris signatures.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an eye tracking device that degrades iris authentication by applying optical or mechanical defocus, using a defocus filter to blur iris images while preserving pupil detection and gaze tracking capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If high resolution images of the user's eye are captured to enable gaze tracking, then gaze tracking functionality is improved, but iris authentication accuracy is worsened due to sufficient iris texture capture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegaze tracking precisionVSAvoidiris authentication security risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies selective blurring to different regions of the eye image. The iris region is blurred to degrade authentication capability, while the pupil region remains sharp to maintain gaze tracking precision. This local differentiation of image quality resolves the contradiction between security and functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing step (image blurring/filtering) between image capture and authentication processing. This intermediary modifies the image to remove authentication-capable information while preserving gaze-tracking-capable information, thus resolving the security-risk contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If iris authentication capability is improved through high resolution imaging, then authentication accuracy is improved, but security risk is worsened due to potential hacker access

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveiris authentication accuracyVSAvoididentity theft risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful effect of high-resolution imaging (which enables authentication) into a beneficial effect by deliberately degrading the image quality. The same imaging system that could capture authentication data is now configured to produce blurred images that prevent authentication, thus converting the security vulnerability into a security feature.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-blurring the eye images before they can be used for authentication. This preventive measure stops the authentication process before it can occur, countering the potential harm of identity theft by making the captured images unusable for authentication purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If image blurring is applied to degrade iris authentication, then authentication accuracy is worsened, but gaze tracking capability is improved through enhanced pupil detection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveiris authentication capabilityVSAvoidpupil detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Effectively reduces iris authentication accuracy while maintaining robust pupil detection and gaze tracking, with experimental results showing a 40% degradation in iris matching rates and minimal gaze tracking error, allowing users to toggle between authentication settings.

Implementation Method 1

the eye tracking device operates by detecting the pupil and/or corneal reflection in a defocused eye image. In one embodiment, the optical defocus is provided by a defocus filter.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical defocus: Depth of Field

Data Source

PatentUS11079843B2Eye tracking apparatuses configured for degrading iris authentication

Publication Date: 2021.08.03 UNIV OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC

AI summary

Provided are methods, apparatuses, and systems for tracking a pupil of an eye of a user with degraded iris authentication accuracy. In certain examples, an eye tracking device includes a camera adapted to capture an eye image of at least one eye of a user. The eye tracking device further includes an image processor adapted to defocus the eye image in order to generate a defocused eye image. The defocused eye image comprises reduced iris authentication accuracy. The eye tracking device further includes a tracking processor configured to detect a pupil in the defocused eye image and determine a gaze direction of the user based at least in part on one or more of the defocused eye image and the pupil.