Eye Tracking Calibration Using Pupil Light Response for Gaze Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current eye tracking systems require external input devices or cumbersome methods to accurately determine where a user is looking, leading to inefficiencies and reduced accuracy.
Innovation Solution
An eye tracking system that determines reference gaze data by analyzing pupil size changes in response to local luminance level differences, eliminating the need for external inputs and enhancing accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external input devices (mouse, keyboard, microphone, click button) are used to determine user gaze, then accuracy of gaze determination is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical input devices (mouse, keyboard, click button) with a physiological-based optical system. The eye tracking system uses illuminators to create glints on the cornea and image sensors to capture eye images, processing these to determine gaze position and interaction intent without requiring any physical input devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables the user to interact with the display through natural eye movements and gaze patterns. The processing circuitry automatically analyzes eye image data, determines when the user is looking at interactable objects, and triggers interactions based on gaze duration or patterns, allowing the system to serve itself by interpreting physiological signals without external commands.
2Measurement precision
If external input devices are used to confirm user gaze, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to cumbersome input requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the time-consuming mechanical process of using external input devices to confirm gaze with an automated optical analysis system. The processing circuitry continuously captures eye images, tracks pupil position and glint positions, and automatically determines gaze confirmation based on predefined criteria such as gaze duration or stable fixation patterns, eliminating the time delay associated with manual input.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs continuous gaze monitoring and confirmation without interruption. The eye tracking system operates continuously, capturing eye images at multiple time points and analyzing gaze patterns in real-time, allowing for seamless and immediate gaze confirmation without the pauses and delays inherent in discrete external input actions.
3Ease of operation
If minimum gaze time or blink detection is used to determine user attention, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes multiple physiological parameters simultaneously for gaze determination, including pupil center position, glint position, pupil diameter, and eye movement patterns. By analyzing these multiple parameters together rather than relying on a single threshold-based metric, the system achieves both ease of operation and high measurement precision in gaze detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the processing circuitry continuously monitors eye image data, compares it against reference patterns, and adjusts gaze determination based on accumulated evidence. The system can confirm gaze through multiple independent indicators (pupil position, glint position, fixation duration) working together, providing robust and accurate gaze detection that is both simple to operate and precise.
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 determination of gaze direction without external inputs, improving user interaction and calibration processes, and supporting foveated rendering.
Implementation Method 1
determine a pupil size change between a first pupil size and a second pupil size, the pupil size change indicating that the user is looking at the second region
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is related to an eye tracking system for determining reference gaze data of a user in a scene exposing a pupil of the user. The eye tracking system comprising processing circuitry configured to obtain a first eye image comprising the pupil of the user, the first eye image being captured during a first time period; determine, based on the first eye image, a first pupil size; obtain a second eye image comprising the pupil of the user, the second eye image being captured during a second time period; determine, based on the second eye image, a second pupil size; obtain scene information of the scene exposing the pupil of the user, the scene information comprising at least the first luminance level, the second luminance level and spatial information of the second region during the second time period; determine a pupil size change between the first pupil size and the second pupil size, the pupil size change indicating that the user is looking at the second region; determine reference gaze data of the user during the second time period, if the pupil size change is larger than a pupil size change threshold. The invention further relates to a head-mounted device, a method, a computer program and a carrier.