Mirror-Scanned Display with Integrated Eye Tracking Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display devices for virtual and augmented reality require separate eye trackers for detecting the state of the user's eye, which increase installation space, weight, and complexity, and necessitate cumbersome alignment with the display device.
Innovation Solution
A display device that uses a single mirror assembly for both displaying an image and detecting the state of the eye by recording return light via a light sensor, eliminating the need for a separate eye tracker and ensuring intrinsic alignment of light paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate eye tracker is mounted on the display device to detect the state of the user's eye, then the eye tracking functionality is achieved, but the installation space, weight, and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the eye tracking function with the existing display device by using the same light source and mirror assembly for both image projection and eye state detection. The light sensor mounted on the support detects return light from the eye through the mirror assembly, eliminating the need for a separate eye tracker and reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The light source and mirror assembly serve dual purposes: projecting the image to the user's eye and detecting the eye's state by analyzing the return light. This multi-functionality approach allows the existing components to perform both display and eye tracking functions, avoiding additional installation space and weight
2Adaptability or versatility
If a separate eye tracker is mounted on the display device, then the eye tracking functionality is achieved, but additional installation space and weight are required
Solution Approach 1:
The eye tracking functionality is merged into the existing display device structure, using the same light source, mirror assembly, and support. The light sensor detects eye state through the existing optical path, eliminating the need for separate eye tracker hardware and reducing overall weight
Solution Approach 2:
The existing light source and mirror assembly perform both image projection and eye state detection functions. By making these components universal, the patent avoids adding separate eye tracking hardware, thereby reducing the weight of the head-mounted display
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate eye tracker is mounted on the display device, then the eye tracking functionality is achieved, but the alignment of the eye tracker with the display device becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The eye tracking function is merged with the existing display device components, using the same light source, mirror assembly, and support structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate alignment procedures between independent eye tracker and display device, as they share common optical elements
Solution Approach 2:
The light source and mirror assembly serve both display and eye tracking functions simultaneously. This universality eliminates the need for separate alignment of dedicated eye tracking components, as the existing optical path is used for both purposes, greatly simplifying the manufacturing and assembly process
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 configuration results in a compact, lightweight, and low-complexity display device capable of efficient eye tracking, allowing direct control of the image display based on the detected eye state without additional elements or alignment issues.
Implementation Method 1
a light source (10) emitting a visible light beam (14) carrying an image (2) towards a mirror assembly (11), which deflects the visible light beam (14) into subsequent directions (angles) (α), one direction (angle) per pixel (3) of the image (2)
Implementation Method 2
the mirror assembly oscillates fast about a vertical axis and slowly about a horizontal axis to sweep the directions and, thus, scan the visible light beam over the pixels of a display area row by row and line by line
Implementation Method 3
a light sensor (20) mounted on the support (9) and configured to record return light (21) received via said mirror assembly (11) from the user's eye (4)
Implementation Method 4
the cornea and the lens of the user's eye focus the visible light beam from a specific direction onto one image point on the retina so that all image points on the retina then form the image perceived by the user
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a display device (1) for displaying an image (2) to an eye (4), comprising a support (9) mounting a light source (10) and a mirror assembly (11), wherein the light source (10) is configured to emit a visible light beam (14) carrying the image (2) towards the mirror assembly (11), the mirror assembly (11) is configured to angularly oscillate and deflect the emitted visible light beam (14) towards the eye (4), a light sensor (20) is mounted on the support (9) and configured to record return light (21) received via said mirror assembly (11) from the eye (4), and the display device (1) further comprises a processor (13) connected to the light sensor (20) and configured to detect a state of the eye (4) from the recorded return light (21).