Eye Tracking Eyeglasses with Nested Beam Splitter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eye tracking devices for wireless communication are bulky and conspicuous, making it difficult to discreetly respond to incoming text messages, which can lead to social awkwardness and missed opportunities.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained, head-mounted device resembling standard eyeglasses with a built-in wireless transceiver and eye tracking system that allows users to view and send messages by moving their eyes, using a virtual display and beam splitter configuration to maintain a non-obtrusive appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If prior art head-mounted frames utilize beam splitters held out in front of eyeglass lenses to create a virtual image, then the user can view display and distant objects simultaneously, but the device becomes conspicuous and bulky giving the user an artificial Cyborg appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitter is nested within the eyeglass lens structure rather than being held separately in front of the lenses. The optical components are integrated into the lens assembly, allowing the virtual image display functionality to be concealed within the normal appearance of eyeglasses, eliminating the bulky Cyborg appearance while maintaining the simultaneous viewing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter and eyeglass lenses are merged into a single integrated unit. The optical display system is combined with the corrective lens structure, creating a unified component that performs both functions without requiring separate bulky elements held in front of the eyes.
2Productivity
If a user responds to text messages using traditional cell phone methods, then communication can be completed, but the user must break off face-to-face conversation which causes social friction and awkwardness
Solution Approach 1:
The head-mounted display system acts as an intermediary that enables message composition and viewing without requiring the user to physically interact with a cell phone. The optical display presents messages and keyboard interfaces directly in the user's field of view, allowing communication to occur through eye movements and glances rather than by taking the phone out and breaking conversation flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical interaction of taking out a cell phone, scrolling with fingers, and typing on a physical keyboard is replaced by an optical system that presents the interface visually and allows control through eye tracking and gaze-based selection, eliminating the need for manual phone handling during face-to-face conversations.
3Reliability
If eye tracking devices are made bulky to accommodate optical correction lenses and mirrors, then optical display functionality is achieved, but the device becomes obtrusive and unsuitable for inconspicuous communication
Solution Approach 1:
The optical correction lenses and beam splitter are nested within the eyeglass frame structure, utilizing the existing lens mounting infrastructure. This integration eliminates the need for separate bulky mounting mechanisms and reduces overall device weight while maintaining full optical display functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The eyeglass lenses serve dual functions: optical correction for the user and as the mounting structure for the beam splitter and virtual image display components. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate structural elements, reducing weight and obtrusiveness while maintaining reliability.
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 users to inconspicuously receive and respond to messages while maintaining attention on their surroundings, reducing social friction and ensuring instant communication without drawing attention to the user.
Implementation Method 1
Beam splitters, often semi-silvered mirrors or other optical glass, often located at a 45 degree angle between the user's eyes and various distant objects
Implementation Method 2
optical correction lenses and mirrors that optically correct the display so as to create the appearance of a virtual image of the display that appears to be originating from a much further distance
Data Source
AI summary
A device allowing a user to inconspicuously send and receive wireless messages, often short text messages. The device may have an outward appearance resembling standard eyeglasses or sun glasses, and comprise a built in wireless transceiver and an optical display that enables the user to inconspicuously view incoming wireless text messages. The device allows the user to inconspicuously transmit outgoing text messages by a process in which the user simply moves his or her eyes and gazes at various display targets. The device's eye tracking systems and software track the motion and gaze of the user's eyes, and convert this gaze into message symbols and system control commands. The device then transmits the resulting messages using its transceiver. In a preferred embodiment, the device is self-contained and operates, when placed on the user's head, without the need of external battery packs or external transceivers.