Eye-Tracking Optical Path Separation in Head-Mounted Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current head-mounted viewable devices face technical difficulties in the design of their optical systems, particularly due to the interference between virtual imaging and eye-tracking optical paths, leading to stability issues and increased complexity, which affect user experience and application in real industries.
Innovation Solution
The optical path of the eye-tracking system is designed to be independent of the VR optical lens, with the detection light directly received by the receiving module without passing through the VR optical lens, simplifying the optical arrangement and reducing the number of optical components, and incorporating an 'inclined imaging' configuration to improve imaging quality and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the eye-tracking optical path passes through the VR optical lens, then the optical system can be more integrated, but the optical design becomes more complex and the stability of the VR lens parameters deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into two independent optical paths: the VR imaging optical path and the eye-tracking optical path. The eye-tracking system includes its own light source and receiving module that do not pass through the VR optical lens, thereby separating the functions and maintaining parameter stability while achieving integration at the system level.
2Volume of moving object
If the VR optical lens processes both virtual imaging and eye-tracking light, then the system is more compact, but the manufacturing precision and optical performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optical processing functions by creating separate optical paths. The VR optical lens only processes virtual imaging light, while the eye-tracking system has its own dedicated light source and receiving module. This segmentation maintains manufacturing precision and optical performance while achieving system compactness through integrated housing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a reflector is added to the eye-tracking system to redirect detection light, then the field of view is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a reflector to redirect light from the VR lens (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by placing the eye-tracking receiving module to directly receive reflected light from the user's eye without requiring additional reflectors. This reduces optical component complexity while maintaining field of view adaptability.
4Reliability
If the optical paths are separated, then the system stability improves, but the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the VR imaging system and eye-tracking system into a single integrated head-mounted device housing. While the optical paths are separated for stability, the physical structures, control units, and power systems are merged and coordinated through a unified control architecture, achieving both stability and manageable complexity.
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 design enhances the stability and performance of the head-mounted viewable device by simplifying the optical system, reducing assembly complexity, and minimizing interference with the user's field of view, while maintaining the independence of the virtual imaging and eye-tracking systems.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to project a detection light to the user's eye; and a receiving module configured to receive the detection light reflected by the user's eye
Implementation Method 2
a VR (Virtual Reality) optical lens configured to construct an optical path between the display and the user's eye for allowing the virtual scene image being displayed at the display reached at the user's eye through the VR optical lens
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mounted viewable device includes a display configured to display and project a virtual scene image to a user's eye, a VR optical lens configured to construct an optical path between the display and the user's eye for allowing a virtual scene image being observed by the user's eye, and an eye-tracking system configured to detect a sight direction of the user's eye and adjust a display position of the virtual scene image based on the detected sight direction. The eye-tracking system includes at least one light source configured to project the detection light and a receiving module configured to receive the reflected detection light reflected to determine the sight direction of the user's eye. The receiving module is positioned at a side of the VR optical lens and arranged to face towards the user's eye such that the detection light reflected by the user's eye is directly received by the receiving module.