HUD Eye Tracking With Dynamic IR Emission for Fast Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eye tracking systems in motor vehicles are not integrated with head-up displays and face illumination levels are often insufficient, leading to delayed eye recognition and tracking, especially in low-light conditions.
Innovation Solution
An eye tracking system embedded in a head-up display uses dynamic IR emission control, initially increasing IR illumination to rapidly illuminate the driver's face and then adjusting to a normal level for efficient tracking, utilizing a combination of IR emitters, mirrors, and processors to optimize face recognition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If IR illumination strength is increased to improve face recognition speed, then eye tracking recognition speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The IR emitter operates with dynamic power levels rather than a fixed level. The system transitions from a first power level during initial face recognition to a second power level during ongoing eye tracking, adapting the illumination strength to the specific operational phase to optimize both recognition speed and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies higher IR illumination power in advance during the initial face recognition phase before transitioning to the lower power level for eye tracking. This preliminary high-power action ensures rapid face acquisition while the lower subsequent power maintains tracking efficiency.
2Speed
If IR illumination strength is increased to improve face recognition speed, then eye tracking recognition speed is improved, but the driver's comfort may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The IR emitter dynamically adjusts its power output based on the operational phase. During initial face recognition, higher power is applied to ensure rapid acquisition. During subsequent eye tracking, the power reduces to a lower level that maintains tracking performance while minimizing potential discomfort to the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different illumination qualities (power levels) to different temporal phases of the eye tracking process. The first power level is applied locally to the initial recognition phase, while the second power level is applied to the ongoing tracking phase, optimizing both speed and comfort for each specific phase.
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
Enhances eye tracking performance by quickly recognizing and tracking the driver's eyes, maintaining efficient operation in various lighting conditions without altering hardware components, and ensuring the driver's face is adequately illuminated for accurate tracking.
Implementation Method 1
An infrared emitter transmits infrared energy through the mirror such that the transmitted infrared energy is substantially co-axial with the light field
Implementation Method 2
A mirror is positioned to reflect the light field toward a windshield of the motor vehicle such that the light field is reflected off of the windshield toward a human driver
Implementation Method 3
An infrared camera captures infrared images based on the transmitted infrared energy reflected off of the human driver
Data Source
AI summary
A picture generation unit emits a light field. A mirror reflects the light field toward a windshield of a motor vehicle such that the light field is reflected off of the windshield and is visible to the driver as a virtual image. An infrared emitter transmits infrared energy through the mirror such that the infrared energy is substantially co-axial with the light field, and such that the infrared energy is reflected off of the windshield toward the human driver. An infrared camera captures infrared images based on the transmitted infrared energy reflected off of the human driver and received by the infrared camera. Eye tracking is performed based on the captured infrared images. The infrared energy is transmitted at a higher power level at a beginning of the eye tracking than after the beginning of the eye tracking.