Eyewear Eye Tracking Optics With Integrated IR Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eye tracking devices in wearable form factors, such as eyewear, suffer from separate optical elements like hot mirrors and complex setups, leading to user inconvenience and bulkiness.
Innovation Solution
A compact eyewear-embedded eye tracking device with a spectrally-selective layer, such as a dichroic coating, integrated into a transparent element that directs and steers infrared light for pupil and corneal reflection detection, combined with an image sensor and processing unit for gaze prediction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate optical elements like hot mirrors are used in wearable eye tracking devices, then the device can achieve eye tracking functionality, but the device becomes bulky and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hot mirror and transparent element into a single integrated optical component. The spectrally-selective layer is applied directly to the transparent element, merging two previously separate elements (hot mirror and corrective lens/transparent element) into one unified structure that performs both functions simultaneously, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining eye tracking functionality
2Reliability
If separate optical elements like hot mirrors are used in wearable eye tracking devices, then the device can achieve eye tracking functionality, but the device becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hot mirror and transparent element into a single integrated optical component. The spectrally-selective layer is applied directly to the transparent element, merging two previously separate elements (hot mirror and corrective lens/transparent element) into one unified structure that performs both functions simultaneously, thereby reducing device volume while maintaining eye tracking functionality
3Measurement precision
If complex setups with multiple optical elements are used, then eye tracking accuracy can be maintained, but user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the hot mirror and transparent element into a single integrated optical component. The spectrally-selective layer is applied directly to the transparent element, merging two previously separate elements (hot mirror and corrective lens/transparent element) into one unified structure that performs both functions simultaneously, thereby reducing device volume while maintaining eye tracking functionality
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
Provides a compact, user-friendly solution for eye tracking by integrating optical elements within eyewear, enabling efficient gaze tracking and prediction with reduced bulkiness and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a spectrally-selective layer configured for reflecting the infrared beam
Implementation Method 2
a spectrally-selective layer, such as a dichroic coating
Implementation Method 3
at least one infrared light sources; the infrared light source configured for emitting an infrared light beam
Implementation Method 4
at least one image sensor configured for capturing images of the eye or the eyes
Data Source
AI summary
An arrangement for tracking a position of an individual's eye comprises: (a) a frame mountable on a head of an individual; (b) at least one visually transparent element mounted within the frame in a the field of view of an eye of the individual; (c) at least one infrared light source configured for emitting an infrared light beam; (d) an image sensor configured for capturing images of the eye; (e) a processing unit configured for controlling the infrared light source and the image sensor and detecting a pupil position and a corneal reflection within images captured the at least image sensor. The transparent element comprises a spectrally-selective layer configured for reflecting the infrared beam. The visually transparent element is configured for selectively directing the infrared beam onto the eye and directing an infrared radiation reflected from a pupil and cornea of the eye to the image sensor.