Eye Tracking via Optical Waveguides in Head-Mounted Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current AR and VR head-mounted devices lack effective eye tracking capabilities, failing to accurately monitor both eyes in real time.
Innovation Solution
A head-mounted device with a device casing module, signal control module, and dual image capturing modules, featuring image sensors around eyeglass frames and lenses, which capture and track eyeball images through optical waveguide channels, enabling real-time monitoring of both eyes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional AR/VR head-mounted devices are used, then basic visual display function is provided, but eye tracking capability is lacking and real-time eyeball position monitoring cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds multiple image sensors within the eyeglass frame structure, nesting the tracking functionality inside the existing head-mounted device framework. The first and second image sensors are positioned within the first and second eyeglass frame structures respectively, allowing eye tracking without adding external bulky components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the optical waveguide channel to transmit eyeball images from the user's eyes to the image sensors in a different spatial dimension. The optical waveguide enables light to travel through the eyeglass lens structure, creating a new dimensional pathway for capturing eyeball positions that avoids direct line-of-sight constraints.
2Productivity
If multiple image sensors are added to capture both eyes, then real-time dual-eye tracking is enabled, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The eyeglass lens structure serves multiple functions: it acts as both the display medium for AR/VR content and the optical pathway for eye tracking. The same first eyeglass lens structure carries both the virtual reality display function and the eye tracking observation function, eliminating the need for separate tracking optics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the eye tracking imaging path with the existing optical waveguide channel used for display. The optical waveguide channel that normally guides display light to the user's eyes is also used to guide reflected eyeball light to the image sensors, combining two optical functions into a single structural pathway.
3Measurement precision
If image sensors are positioned around the eyeglass frame, then accurate eyeball image capture is achieved, but device weight and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions image sensors at specific locations around the eyeglass frame structures where they can optimally capture eyeball images. The first image sensors are disposed around the first eyeglass frame structure and the second image sensors around the second eyeglass frame structure, with each sensor strategically placed to monitor its corresponding eye without requiring uniform distribution of components throughout the device.
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 precise and real-time tracking of left and right eye positions, enhancing user experience by providing accurate visual feedback and interaction within AR and VR environments.
Implementation Method 1
capture a first eyeball image of a first eye of the user through a first optical waveguide channel provided by the first eyeglass lens structure
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mounted device and an eye tracking method for tracking eyeballs are provided. The head-mounted device includes a device casing module, a signal control module, a first image capturing module and a second image capturing module. The device casing module includes a first eyeglass frame structure, a second eyeglass frame structure, a first eyeglass lens structure and a second eyeglass lens structure. The first image capturing module includes a plurality of first image sensors disposed on the first eyeglass frame structure for capturing a first eyeball image of a first eye through a first optical waveguide channel provided by the first eyeglass lens structure. The second image capturing module includes a plurality of second image sensors disposed on the second eyeglass frame structure for capturing a second eyeball image of a second eye through a second optical waveguide channel provided by the second eyeglass lens structure.