Head-Mounted Eye Tracking With Embedded Sensors and Focused Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current head-mounted eye tracking systems face limitations due to camera frame rate restrictions, the weight and complexity of cameras, inaccurate tracking caused by dispersed illumination, and insufficient photoelectric signal gain, leading to discomfort and poor tracking accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A head-mounted eye tracking system utilizing a light-transmitting substrate with embedded light-emitting and sensing devices, which concentrate illumination on the eyeball and enhance optical signal quality through high-frequency sampling, allowing precise eyeball movement tracking without imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a camera is used to capture moving images for eye tracking, then eye position can be determined, but the frame rate is restricted and the device becomes heavy and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the eye tracking function from the complex camera system by using only simple photodetectors to measure light intensity from the eyeball, eliminating the need for image capture hardware while maintaining tracking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical camera system with an electrical photodetection system that measures light intensity directly, substituting complex mechanical image capture with simpler electrical signal detection
2Illumination intensity
If multiple luminous components are used to illuminate the eyeball, then illumination is provided, but the illumination becomes dispersed and tracking accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a single luminous component positioned to provide focused, concentrated illumination on the eyeball surface, creating a localized bright spot that reflects predictably rather than dispersed illumination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the reflected light pattern from the single luminous component as an optical signature that copies the eyeball position information, allowing tracking through intensity measurement rather than direct imaging
3Extent of automation
If multiple photosensitive components are used to generate photoelectric signals, then eye tracking is enabled, but signal gain is insufficient and tracking accuracy is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses asymmetric arrangement where a single strong luminous component is paired with multiple photosensitive components, creating an optimized light source-detector configuration that maximizes signal gain through geometric optimization rather than simply increasing component counts symmetrically
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the eyeball surface reflection as an intermediary that converts the light intensity from a single source into position information detectable by multiple photodetectors, enabling automated tracking with enhanced signal gain
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 provides accurate and comfortable eyeball tracking with improved signal quality and higher sampling frequencies, reducing discomfort and enhancing the reality effect in VR, AR, and MR applications.
Implementation Method 1
The light-emitting device is on a surface of the light-transmitting substrate, and is configured to emit a tracking beam
Implementation Method 2
The sensing device is adjacent to the light-emitting device, and is configured to receive the tracking beam reflected from the eyeballs of the wearer
Implementation Method 3
The light-transmitting substrate is made from a material that allows light to pass through
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mounted eye tracking system including a light-transmitting substrate, an eye tracker, and a signal processor is provided. The eye tracker is configured to sense eyeballs of a wearer. The eye tracker includes a plurality of light-emitting devices and a plurality of sensing devices. The plurality of light-emitting devices are configured to emit a tracking beam. The plurality of sensing devices are configured to receive the tracking beam reflected by the eyeballs of the wearer. The signal processor is electrically connected to the eye tracker. The plurality of sensing devices are embedded in grooves within the light-transmitting substrate.