Eyewear Eye Orientation Sensing Using Spatial Light Gradients
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing camera-based eye-tracking systems for eyewear are energy-intensive, bulky, and require complex integration, with limited reliability in varying light conditions and causing wearer discomfort.
Innovation Solution
An eyewear system with sensor assemblies sensitive to spatial light gradients, using photodetectors arranged to measure light differences, and a processing unit to assess eye orientation, reducing energy consumption and size while improving reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If camera-based eye-tracking systems are used, then eye orientation determination is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for eye orientation determination - the spatial light gradient - while discarding unnecessary data processing requirements of full camera systems. This allows achieving reliable eye tracking with minimal energy consumption by using simple photodetectors instead of complex cameras.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical complex of cameras with a simpler photodetector-based system that directly measures light gradients. This substitution eliminates the energy-intensive image processing while maintaining the core function of eye orientation detection through direct physical measurement of light spatial variations.
2Reliability
If camera-based eye-tracking systems are used, then eye orientation determination is achieved, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential sensing function from the camera system, using minimal photodetector elements that can be integrated directly into the eyewear frame. This extraction eliminates the bulk of camera components while retaining the core capability to determine eye orientation through light gradient measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces bulky camera hardware with lightweight photodetector assemblies that can be easily integrated into eyewear frames. This substitution maintains the functional capability of eye tracking while dramatically reducing the weight and size of the device, making it suitable for wearable applications.
3Reliability
If light sources are integrated in eyewear equipment, then reliability of eye orientation determination is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs the eye itself as the light source through its natural reflection and backscattering of ambient light. The eye's own optical properties (corneal reflection, scleral light scattering) provide the necessary light patterns for orientation determination, eliminating the need for external light sources and their associated energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ambient light as an intermediary that naturally illuminates the eye, which then reflects and backscatters this light in orientation-dependent patterns. This intermediary approach avoids the need for active light emission while maintaining reliable measurement capability through the eye's natural optical interactions with ambient illumination.
4Reliability
If camera-based eye-tracking systems are used, then eye orientation determination is achieved, but location requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces camera-based systems with photodetector assemblies that can be positioned directly on the eyewear frame at optimal locations for capturing light gradients from the eye. This substitution eliminates the complex location requirements of camera systems while maintaining measurement reliability through direct placement at the most effective sensing positions.
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
The system provides reliable eye orientation assessment with reduced energy consumption and discomfort, immune to ambient light variations, and suitable for integration in eyewear.
Implementation Method 1
at least two sensor assemblies arranged in the eyewear equipment so as to receive light reflected or backscattered from a wearer's eye
Implementation Method 2
receive light reflected or backscattered from a wearer's eye
Implementation Method 3
each sensor assembly being configured to produce signals corresponding to the light received by this sensor assembly
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 2d~2f
AI summary
An eyewear equipment (10) provides reliable assessment of an orientation of a wearer's eye. The eye orientation is inferred from spatial light gradient magnitudes which are provided by sensor assemblies (3) located so as to receive light reflected or backscattered from the wearer's eye. The eyewear equipment comprises a processing unit (14) which may be of neural network type, for assessing the eye orientation from the spatial light gradient magnitudes.