HMD Eye-Capture Optics for Wearable Iris Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users wearing head-mounted displays (HMDs) face challenges in providing input methods such as fingerprint or iris authentication due to the device being worn on the body.
Innovation Solution
A wearable electronic device with a light source, lens, optical surface, and camera system that allows iris recognition without removing the HMD, capturing eye images and surrounding areas to identify facial expressions or emotions, and displaying virtual images based on the captured data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a head-mounted display is worn on the user's head to provide AR or VR environment, then the user can avoid carrying the electronic device, but the user has trouble using fingerprint authentication or iris authentication
Solution Approach 1:
The HMD device integrates multiple functions including display, camera, light source, and proximity sensor into a single wearable unit. The camera and light source can perform both imaging functions and iris recognition functions, allowing the device to maintain authentication capability while being worn on the user's head without requiring separate authentication devices
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical surface (such as a mirror or beam splitter) as an intermediary element that redirects light from the camera and light source to capture iris images. This optical intermediary enables the camera to receive iris light reflections at angles that are accessible when the device is worn on the user's head, solving the geometric constraint problem
2Reliability
If the HMD is worn on the user's head, then the user experiences immersion in AR/VR environment, but input methods such as fingerprint or iris authentication become unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The HMD device performs self-authentication by using its own integrated camera and light source to capture and analyze the user's iris pattern. The proximity sensor automatically detects when the device is properly positioned on the user's head and triggers the iris recognition process without requiring external authentication devices or manual intervention to switch modes
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary positioning detection using the proximity sensor to determine when the HMD is correctly positioned on the user's head. Once the correct position is detected, the system automatically initiates the iris recognition process, ensuring authentication is available and reliable before the user needs to interact with the system
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 iris recognition while the HMD is worn, enhancing user immersion and communication by displaying relevant virtual images.
Implementation Method 1
a camera configured to receive light, which is output from the light source and scattered by a subject located on a second side of the at least one lens, through the at least one lens and the optical surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for acquiring information by capturing an eye or an area around an eye. A wearable electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention may comprise: a light source; at least one lens; an optical surface disposed on a first side of the at least one lens; and a camera for receiving, through the at least one lens and the optical surface, light output from the light source and scattered by a subject located on a second side of the at least one lens.