Retinal Projection System with Gaze Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional virtual and augmented reality projection systems cause eye fatigue and headaches due to the need for continuous refocusing on fixed intermediate image planes, and they struggle to adjust images to the eye's reference frame, especially during eye movements, leading to misalignment and difficulty in projecting images on arbitrary retinal locations.
Innovation Solution
A system that directly projects images onto the retina using an image scanner with adjustable optical deflectors and an eye projection optical module, which tracks the eye's gaze direction to maintain image stability and focus at any retinal location, eliminating the need for intermediate image planes and enhancing depth of focus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional virtual reality projection systems project images to fixed intermediate image planes, then the system structure is simplified, but eye fatigue and headaches occur due to continuous refocusing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic optical system with adjustable optical power that can change focus distance in real-time. The focal distance is adjusted according to the perceived distance of virtual objects, allowing the system to transition from static fixed-focus projection to dynamic variable-focus projection, thereby eliminating eye fatigue caused by continuous refocusing on fixed intermediate image planes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical power parameter of the projection system to match the perceived depth of virtual objects. By adjusting the focal distance parameter according to the virtual object's distance, the system creates a natural focusing experience where the eye does not need to continuously refocus, thereby reducing eye fatigue and headaches while maintaining a relatively simple system structure
2Device complexity
If conventional systems use fixed intermediate image planes, then the projection mechanism is simplified, but the system cannot adjust images to the eye's reference frame during eye movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs eye tracking technology to detect eye movement and gaze direction in real-time. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust the projection angle and focal point, ensuring that virtual images remain aligned with the user's line of sight. The system continuously monitors eye position and adjusts the optical parameters accordingly, enabling seamless adaptation to eye movements while maintaining a simplified projection mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of projection parameters based on real-time eye tracking data. The projection angle, focal distance, and image position are continuously modified to match the user's gaze direction and eye position, allowing the system to adapt to eye movements without complicating the fundamental projection mechanism
3Device complexity
If conventional systems project to fixed intermediate image planes, then the optical path is simplified, but image misalignment occurs during eye movements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses eye tracking feedback to continuously monitor eye position and gaze direction. This information is fed back to the optical system to dynamically adjust the projection angle and image position, ensuring that images remain precisely aligned with the intended retinal location even during eye movements. The feedback loop compensates for eye motion in real-time, maintaining high alignment precision without complicating the optical path
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculation and pre-positioning of virtual images based on predicted eye movement trajectories. By anticipating eye movements and pre-adjusting the projection parameters, the system maintains image alignment on the retina without requiring complex real-time optical adjustments, thereby preserving optical path simplicity while achieving high alignment precision
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 approach reduces eye fatigue and headaches by allowing direct image projection onto the retina, maintaining image stability during gaze changes, and providing extended depth of focus, regardless of the eye's focal state.
Implementation Method 1
directs a plurality of light beams corresponding to pixels of the image to propagate toward the eye projection optical module along a general optical propagation path, with each light beam propagating with a projection angle
Implementation Method 2
image scanner with adjustable optical deflectors and an eye projection optical module, which tracks the eye's gaze direction to maintain image stability and focus
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for direct projection of images onto an eye retina including, for example, systems and methods for directing a projection/imaging optical path so as to track a location of the eye in accordance with a gaze direction thereof. This enables for projecting images onto specific/fixed locations on the eye retina, while the gaze direction changes.