Scanning-Mirror Eye Tracking for Compact Pupil Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing head-mounted displays face challenges in miniaturization and reducing power consumption while effectively detecting information such as line-of-sight direction or pupil position.
Innovation Solution
An information detection apparatus that includes an irradiation unit to emit light onto the eyeball, a scanning mirror to scan reflected light, and a detection unit to detect the scanned light, with a controller estimating pupil position or line-of-sight direction based on the detected light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional detection unit is used to detect pupil position or line-of-sight direction, then detection accuracy is maintained, but the device size and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination function and detection function into a single integrated detection unit. The same unit that emits light to the eyeball also receives the reflected light, eliminating the need for separate illumination and detection components. This merging approach maintains detection accuracy while significantly reducing device size and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection unit is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both a light source (irradiation unit) and a light receiver (detection unit). By making the detection unit universal, the patent reduces the total number of components needed in the system, thereby reducing overall device size and power consumption while maintaining the capability to accurately detect pupil position and line-of-sight direction.
2Measurement precision
If multiple separate units (irradiation and detection) are used, then detection accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the irradiation unit and detection unit into a single integrated detection unit. This single unit performs both the function of emitting light to the eyeball and receiving the reflected light for analysis. By combining these functions, the patent reduces device complexity and the number of components while maintaining the accuracy needed for line-of-sight direction detection.
3Productivity
If a scanning mirror is introduced to direct reflected light, then detection efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning mirror acts as an intermediary component that redirects reflected light from the eyeball to the detection unit. This simple optical element enables efficient light collection and scanning without requiring complex optical systems, achieving high detection efficiency while adding minimal complexity to the overall device.
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 apparatus reduces the size and power consumption of the detection unit by using a scanning mirror to direct reflected light to the detection unit, thereby enhancing detection accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a scanning mirror that scans reflected light from the eyeball
Data Source
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AI summary
It is an object to provide a new technique for detecting information of a line-of-sight direction, a pupil position, or the like. The present technology provides an information detection apparatus including: an irradiation unit that irradiates an eyeball with light; a scanning mirror that scans reflected light from the eyeball; and a detection unit that detects the reflected light scanned by the scanning mirror. The present technology also provides a video projection apparatus including those constituent elements. In addition, the present technology also provides an information detection method including: irradiating an eyeball with light; scanning reflected light from the eyeball by a scanning mirror; and detecting the reflected light scanned by the scanning mirror. The present technology also provides a video projection method including those steps.