Headset Lens Reflects Infrared Light for Eye Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Head-mounted devices that include both external cameras for capturing objects and gaze-tracking cameras for tracking eye movements are hindered by the added weight, expense, and spatial occupancy of two separate cameras.
Innovation Solution
A single camera in a head-mounted device captures both infrared light reflected off a lens to image the eye and visible light passing through the lens to image external objects, utilizing a lens that reflects infrared light from its interior side while allowing visible light to pass through.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate cameras are used (one for external objects, one for eye tracking), then both object capture and eye tracking functionality are achieved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the external camera and gaze-tracking camera into a single camera system. The camera is positioned to capture both external objects through the lens and the user's eye by receiving infrared light reflected from the lens interior surface, thereby achieving dual functionality with one camera component.
Solution Approach 2:
The single camera is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing visible light images of external objects and capturing infrared reflected images of the user's eye for gaze tracking. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated cameras for each purpose.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two separate cameras are used, then both object capture and eye tracking functionality are achieved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the external camera and gaze-tracking camera into a single camera system. The camera is positioned to capture both external objects through the lens and the user's eye by receiving infrared light reflected from the lens interior surface, thereby achieving dual functionality with one camera component.
Solution Approach 2:
The single camera is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing visible light images of external objects and capturing infrared reflected images of the user's eye for gaze tracking. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated cameras for each purpose.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two separate cameras are used, then both object capture and eye tracking functionality are achieved, but spatial occupancy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the external camera and gaze-tracking camera into a single camera system. The camera is positioned to capture both external objects through the lens and the user's eye by receiving infrared light reflected from the lens interior surface, thereby achieving dual functionality with one camera component.
Solution Approach 2:
The single camera is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing visible light images of external objects and capturing infrared reflected images of the user's eye for gaze tracking. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated cameras for each purpose.
4Weight of moving object
If a single camera is used to capture both infrared and visible light, then device weight is reduced, but optical separation and capture quality may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical properties to different parts of the light path. The lens is designed to transmit visible light for external object capture while reflecting infrared light for eye imaging. The camera includes filtering mechanisms to selectively capture either visible or infrared wavelengths, ensuring high quality images for each function despite using a single camera.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the wavelength parameter of light being captured. The camera can operate in different wavelength modes (visible light for external objects, infrared for eye tracking) by adjusting filtering parameters, allowing a single camera to maintain high capture quality across different functional requirements.
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
This solution reduces the weight, space, and cost of the head-mounted device while maintaining the functionality of both object and eye image capture, enhancing usability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the lens reflects the infrared light from an interior side of the lens and passes visible light
Data Source
AI summary
A head-mounted device comprises a frame; a lens coupled to the frame, the lens being configured to reflect infrared light from an interior side of the lens and pass visible light; and a camera configured to capture the infrared light reflected from the interior side of the lens and to capture the visible light passing through the lens.