Near-Eye Display Waveguide for Integrated Gaze Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional near-eye displays with integrated gaze tracking functionality are not optimal due to increased complexity, size, and weight, necessitating additional components for both display and gaze tracking.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing a light modulator that generates both image and probe beams, combined with diffractive light guides for in-coupling and out-coupling, to integrate display and gaze tracking functionalities, reducing complexity and component count.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate components are used for display and gaze tracking functionalities, then each function can be optimized independently, but the overall device complexity, size, and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines display and gaze tracking functionalities into a single integrated near-eye display apparatus. The light modulator serves dual purposes: generating display images for the user and generating probe beams for gaze tracking. The light guide and detector share common optical paths and components, eliminating the need for separate gaze tracking hardware and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light modulator is designed to perform multiple functions: it modulates light for display image generation and also generates probe beams for gaze tracking by modulating light at different wavelengths or time slots. The light guide and detector similarly serve both display and gaze tracking functions, making the system multi-functional and reducing component count.
2Reliability
If additional components are added for gaze tracking functionality, then gaze tracking capability is improved, but the size and weight of the near-eye display increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gaze tracking functionality is merged with the display system by using the same light modulator, light guide, and detector for both purposes. The light modulator generates probe beams that travel through the light guide to the user's eye, and reflections are detected by the same detector used for display feedback, eliminating the need for separate gaze tracking hardware and reducing device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical components are designed to be universal, serving both display and gaze tracking functions. The light guide acts as both a display waveguide and a probe beam transmission path. The detector detects both display light and reflected probe beam light, enabling gaze tracking without additional sensors or components, thus minimizing device weight.
3Reliability
If additional components are added for gaze tracking functionality, then gaze tracking capability is improved, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges gaze tracking components with the display system. The light modulator, light guide, and detector are shared between display and gaze tracking functions. The probe beam generation is integrated into the light modulator's operation, and the detector uses the same optical path as the display, significantly reducing the volume required for gaze tracking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical components are designed to perform both display and gaze tracking functions universally. The light guide serves as both a display waveguide and a probe beam transmission medium. The detector detects both display images and reflected probe beams for gaze tracking, eliminating the need for separate dedicated gaze tracking components and reducing overall device volume.
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 integration results in a miniaturized and efficient near-eye display system with improved gaze tracking capabilities, enabling robust and simplified calibration.
Implementation Method 1
one or more in-coupling diffractive element areas configured to receive and in-couple the image beam and the probe beam into the one or more light guides
Implementation Method 2
one or more out-coupling diffractive element areas configured to out-couple, from the one or more light guides: the image beam to a user's eye for user viewing, and the probe beam to the user's eye for detection of reflection therefrom
Implementation Method 3
a light modulator configured to receive light of a first range of wavelengths and generate an image beam therefrom
Implementation Method 4
the light modulator is further configured to receive light of a second range of wavelengths and generate a probe beam therefrom
Implementation Method 5
the probe beam to the user's eye for detection of reflection therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for providing gaze tracking in a near-eye display. Certain examples provide an apparatus including a light modulator configured to receive light of a first range of wavelengths and generate an image beam therefrom. The light modulator is further configured to receive light of a second range of wavelengths and generate a probe beam therefrom. The apparatus also includes one or more light guides including one or more in-coupling element areas, and one or more out-coupling element areas. The one or more in-coupling diffractive element areas are configured to receive and in-couple the image beam and the probe beam into the one or more light guides. The one or more out-coupling element areas are configured to out-couple, from the one or more light guides: the image beam to a user's eye for user viewing, and the probe beam to the user's eye for detection of reflection therefrom.