Gaze-Controlled Display Light Management for Privacy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices, such as head-mounted displays, face challenges in controlling the direction of light emission to reduce visibility of images intended for users while allowing images to be visible to bystanders on the opposite side, leading to potential distractions and privacy concerns.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a sensor to gather gaze data, which is used by a processor to control the display device to direct images intended for the user's side away from the pupil, while allowing images to be displayed on the opposite side, utilizing waveguides and specific pixel configurations to manage light distribution effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the display device displays an image on the first side facing the user, then the image is visible to the user, but light is directed towards the user's pupil causing distraction and privacy issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display function by side, with different images displayed on the first side (facing user) and second side (opposite side). The processor controls pixel groups independently for each side, allowing selective visibility control. This segmentation enables the image on the first side to be made less visible by controlling which pixel groups are active, thereby reducing light directed towards the pupil while maintaining display functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the display device directs light away from the user's pupil to reduce visibility, then privacy is enhanced, but the image becomes less visible to the intended user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the display system by utilizing both the first side (facing user) and second side (opposite side) for image display. Instead of merely adjusting brightness on a single side, the system distributes pixel groups across both sides and controls their activation based on gaze direction. This dimensional approach allows the image to be redirected to the second side when the user looks away, maintaining visibility while protecting privacy.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the display device uses gaze data to control image direction, then light distribution is optimized for privacy, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having the sensor and processor integrated within the display device itself. The sensor automatically detects the user's gaze direction, and the processor autonomously determines which pixel groups to activate on which side based on this gaze data. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external control systems, reducing overall system complexity while achieving optimized light distribution for privacy protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A device comprising a first side for facing a user of the device, a second side opposite to the first side, a sensor operable to output gaze data representative of a gaze direction of the user, a display device and at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to control the display device to control display of an image intended to be displayed on the second side of the device on the basis of the gaze data in order to reduce light being directed towards a pupil of the user from the first side of the device by the display of the image. Also described is a method of controlling such a device.