Eye Tracking via Laser Reflection and Scanning Mirror
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional eye-tracking systems are slow, bulky, invasive, and expensive, with significant lag between eye movement and measured eye position, making them unsuitable for many applications, particularly in virtual reality and wearable technology, due to their reliance on cameras and image processing software.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for eye tracking using a laser and a two-dimensional scanning mirror mounted on eyeglass frames, which generates an intensity profile of the eye to determine movement without the need for image sensors or complex image processing, employing a discrete detector and detection circuit to estimate the corneal vector based on peak intensity reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional eye-tracking systems use cameras and image processing software, then measurement precision is achieved, but device complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement function from conventional eye-tracking systems by eliminating cameras and image processing software. Instead, it uses a laser source, scanning mirror, and photodetector to directly measure eye position through optical reflection, keeping only the core measurement capability while removing complex auxiliary systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical imaging system (camera-based) with a direct optical measurement system using laser reflection. The camera and software-based image processing are substituted with a photodetector that directly converts reflected light into position signals, eliminating the need for complex image capture and processing hardware.
2Measurement precision
If conventional eye-tracking systems use cameras and image processing, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to processing delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the time-consuming camera capture and software image processing sequence with a direct optical-to-electrical signal conversion using a photodetector. The laser reflection off the eye is immediately detected and converted into position information, eliminating the temporal delays inherent in frame capture, image processing, and analysis pipelines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement function from conventional eye-tracking systems by eliminating cameras and image processing software. Instead, it uses a laser source, scanning mirror, and photodetector to directly measure eye position through optical reflection, keeping only the core measurement capability while removing complex auxiliary systems.
3Measurement precision
If conventional eye-tracking systems are designed for high resolution and speed, then measurement precision and productivity improve, but weight and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy camera modules, lenses, and processing hardware with lightweight optical components: a laser source, a scanning mirror, and a photodetector. This substitution dramatically reduces system weight while maintaining or improving measurement precision through direct optical detection rather than bulky imaging systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement function from conventional eye-tracking systems by eliminating cameras and image processing software. Instead, it uses a laser source, scanning mirror, and photodetector to directly measure eye position through optical reflection, keeping only the core measurement capability while removing complex auxiliary systems.
4Productivity
If conventional eye-tracking systems are designed for high resolution and speed, then productivity improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex camera-based imaging systems with a simple optical detection system using laser reflection and photodetector conversion. This substitution achieves high tracking speed through direct signal conversion while dramatically reducing system complexity by eliminating image capture, processing, and analysis hardware and software.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential measurement function from conventional eye-tracking systems by eliminating cameras and image processing software. Instead, it uses a laser source, scanning mirror, and photodetector to directly measure eye position through optical reflection, keeping only the core measurement capability while removing complex auxiliary systems.
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 approach results in a low-cost, high-resolution, low-power, and high-speed eye-tracking system that is more unobtrusive and efficient, capable of tracking eye movement with reduced latency and improved user mobility, suitable for various applications including virtual and augmented reality, advertising, and medical research.
Implementation Method 1
The detector provides an electrical signal based on the intensity of the reflected signal
Implementation Method 2
a two-dimensional scanning mirror... mounted on opposite sides of one lens of the eye glasses... arranged on the eyeglass frame such that they collectively interrogate a scan region on the surface of an eye
Implementation Method 3
The detector provides an electrical signal based on the intensity of the reflected signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system for tracking eye location is disclosed. Systems in accordance with the present invention include a scanner for sweeping a first optical signal across the surface of an eye, a detector for detecting a second optical signal reflected from the eye, and a detection circuit for determining a maximum intensity in the second optical signal. In operation, the scanner sweeps the first optical signal over the surface of the eye while the detection circuitry determines a plurality of intensity maxima in the second optical signal. The time between the intensity maxima during the sweep is indicative of the location of the cornea within the eye surface.