Multi-Functional Optical Module With Micro-LEDs For Eye Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eye-tracking systems face challenges in reducing eye gaze error, accommodating diverse user populations with different eye and head shapes, and balancing system requirements such as low power consumption, size, weight, reliability, and cost, especially in augmented and virtual reality applications.
Innovation Solution
The development of a multi-functional optical module with integrated near-infrared micro light emitting diodes (LEDs) as illumination sources, which are bonded to a patterned substrate and connected to a printed circuit board assembly, providing efficient and reliable eye tracking by illuminating the eyes and capturing reflections with cameras to determine gaze direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional eye-tracking illumination sources are used, then eye tracking functionality is provided, but power consumption increases and size grows
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated optical module that includes both display functionality and eye-tracking illumination. The micro-LEDs are bonded directly to the patterned substrate layer of the display, eliminating the need for separate illumination components. This integration reduces overall system size and power consumption while maintaining eye tracking accuracy through the use of multiple wavelengths (blue, green, red) that can be selectively activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical module serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a display element and an eye-tracking illumination source. The patterned substrate layer with integrated micro-LEDs can generate different wavelengths of light for both display purposes and eye-tracking illumination, allowing a single component to fulfill multiple system requirements and reduce overall power consumption.
2Reliability
If separate illumination sources are used for eye tracking, then eye tracking is enabled, but device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the eye-tracking illumination sources directly into the display's patterned substrate layer using bonded micro-LEDs. This merging of functions eliminates separate illumination modules and reduces system complexity. The multi-wavelength capability is achieved through carefully selected LED chip combinations on the same substrate, maintaining reliability while simplifying the overall device architecture.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional illumination sources are used, then sufficient light output is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple LED wavelengths (blue, green, red) into a single integrated optical module with patterned substrate. This approach achieves sufficient illumination intensity for eye tracking while simplifying the manufacturing process by reducing the number of separate components that need to be assembled. The direct bonding of micro-LEDs to the patterned substrate layer streamlines production and reduces overall manufacturing cost.
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 enhances eye tracking accuracy and reliability, reduces manufacturing costs, and balances system design criteria like power consumption and size, while improving user experience across various scenarios and populations.
Implementation Method 1
a layer, among the plurality of optical lens layers, including a patterned substrate including a plurality of light emitting diodes in a field of view of the layer
Implementation Method 2
The light illuminated by the micro LEDs may be light having a near-infrared wavelength... The reflection may be captured as an image(s) (e.g., glint image(s)) by one or more cameras
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices for eye tracking are provided. A device may include a multi-functional optical module including a plurality of optical lens layers. The device may include a layer, among the plurality of optical lens layers, including a patterned substrate including a plurality of light emitting diodes in a field of view of the layer and a plurality of wires configured to connect to a printed circuit board assembly. The light emitting diodes in the field of view may be configured to illuminate light directed to at least one eye of a user to cause at least one reflection of the at least one eye.