Eye Tracking via Lens Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current eye tracking technologies using infrared light are expensive, complex, and invasive, as well as obstructive to the user's view, necessitating a method for reliable and accurate pupil detection without IR light and hardware in front of the eyes.
Innovation Solution
An eye tracking system utilizing a light transmissive lens on a wearable device to capture the pupil's reflection, allowing for pupil position detection without direct emission of IR light, with an imaging device and controller analyzing image data to determine gaze direction and object identification in the external environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If infrared light is emitted into the pupil for eye tracking, then pupil position can be detected, but the system becomes expensive and complex requiring significant components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light source from the wearable device itself and utilizes existing light sources in the environment (screens, displays, ambient lighting). This eliminates the need for complex IR light sources and associated components, reducing device complexity while maintaining pupil detection capability through the lens reflection method
Solution Approach 2:
The lens serves multiple functions: it is part of the wearable device for viewing, and simultaneously acts as a reflective surface for capturing pupil position. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate eye tracking hardware components, reducing overall system complexity
2Measurement precision
If infrared light is emitted into the pupil for eye tracking, then pupil position can be detected, but the light source obstructs the user's view and causes discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the light source from the wearable device and instead uses existing environmental light sources. This extraction eliminates the harmful effect of light obstruction while preserving the eye tracking function through reflection-based detection
Solution Approach 2:
The lens acts as an intermediary element that enables pupil detection without requiring light to be emitted into the pupil. By capturing the reflection of the pupil on the lens inner surface, the system indirectly detects eye position without the light source needing to be in the user's field of view
3Measurement precision
If hardware is positioned in front of the subject's eyes for eye tracking, then pupil position can be detected, but the hardware obstructs the user's view of the surrounding environment
Solution Approach 1:
The lens serves dual purposes as both a viewing element and an eye tracking sensor surface. By detecting the pupil reflection on the lens inner surface, the system eliminates the need for separate eye tracking hardware in front of the eyes, maintaining full field of view while enabling accurate pupil detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures an optical copy (reflection) of the pupil on the lens surface rather than requiring direct line-of-sight hardware. This copying approach allows detection without physical obstruction of the user's view
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 accurate and non-invasive eye tracking that does not obstruct the user's view, allowing for reliable detection of gaze direction and object identification, suitable for applications like augmented reality and driver monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging device has a field of view that captures an inner surface of the first lens and a reflection of the first eye on the inner surface
Data Source
AI summary
An eye tracking system includes an imaging device, a memory, and a controller. The imaging device is configured to be mounted on a wearable device. The wearable device includes at least a first lens that is light transmissive and is positioned in front of at least a first eye of a user that is wearing the wearable device. The imaging device has a field of view that captures an inner surface of the first lens and a reflection of the first eye on the inner surface. The memory is configured to store program instructions. The controller is operably connected to the memory and the imaging device. The program instructions are executable by the controller to analyze image data generated by the imaging device and to detect a position of a pupil of the first eye in the reflection based on the analysis of the image data.