Multi-laser Eye Tracking System for High Dwell Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eye tracking systems face challenges in efficiently capturing and tracking eye movements with high accuracy and low latency, particularly in regions of interest.
Innovation Solution
A multi-laser eye tracking system is developed, utilizing multiple semiconductor chips with lasers that are sequentially activated to scan light across a region of interest, increasing dwell time and reducing latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a single laser is used to scan the region of interest, then the system is simple, but the dwell time in the region of interest is insufficient and latency is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scanning region into multiple zones, with each laser responsible for scanning a specific zone. This segmentation allows multiple lasers to operate in parallel, increasing the dwell time in the region of interest without requiring a single complex laser to cover the entire area, thus resolving the contradiction between dwell time and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by arranging multiple lasers at different positions and angles to scan different portions of the region of interest simultaneously. This dimensional approach allows parallel scanning operations, effectively increasing dwell time while maintaining manageable system complexity through distributed architecture.
2Productivity
If multiple lasers are used to scan different portions of the region simultaneously, then the dwell time increases, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs multiple lasers with identical or similar scanning capabilities, where each laser can independently scan its assigned zone using the same scanning mechanism and control logic. This universality allows the system to achieve high tracking efficiency through parallel operations while managing complexity by reusing proven components and control algorithms across multiple lasers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple laser scanning operations into a unified system that shares common control infrastructure, signal processing, and data fusion mechanisms. This merging approach allows the system to achieve high productivity through parallel scanning while reducing overall complexity by consolidating shared functions rather than duplicating entire scanning systems.
3Measurement precision
If the laser scans across the entire region, then complete coverage is achieved, but the dwell time in the region of interest decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different scanning responsibilities to different lasers based on their positions. Each laser focuses its scanning efforts on its assigned zone, providing high dwell time and measurement precision in local regions of interest. The collective arrangement of multiple lasers ensures complete coverage of the entire field while maintaining high local dwell times, resolving the contradiction between complete coverage and dwell time.
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
The system achieves improved accuracy and efficiency in eye tracking, allowing for increased user interaction performance and a more integrated and less obtrusive form factor.
Implementation Method 1
A laser is a device that emits light via optical amplification based on stimulated emission of radiation
Implementation Method 2
Portion(s) of the light that are reflected from an iris of the eye are detected by one or more respective photodetectors
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described herein that are capable of tracking an eye of a user using multiple lasers. Light from the lasers is scanned across respective partially overlapping portions of a region that includes an eye of a user during respective time periods. Portion(s) of the light that are reflected from the eye are detected by respective photodetector(s). In an example implementation, a signal corresponding to the detected portion(s) is provided in a pixel of a frame buffer based at least in part on a current angle of a mirror used to scan the light across the region. In a second implementation, digital state(s) are provided based at least in part on difference(s) between a reference signal and signal(s) corresponding to the detected portion(s), and a time value indicating a time at which a glint is detected by a photodetector is provided when a digital state triggers an interrupt handler.