Gaze Tracking Using Sequential Structured Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices implementing augmented reality face challenges in accurately tracking user gaze due to the need for multiple light sources, which increases device size, weight, power consumption, and reduces wearing comfort, while also increasing the unit price and reducing runtime.
Innovation Solution
A wearable electronic device with a camera system that uses a combination of a first light optical output module to emit structured light and a second light optical output module, allowing the processor to acquire and synthesize images to calculate pupil coordinates and detect gaze direction, thereby minimizing the number of light sources required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of light sources is increased to improve gaze tracking accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by alternating activation of multiple light sources in a sequential manner rather than operating all light sources simultaneously. The processor controls the first and second light sources to emit light at different time points, creating periodic illumination patterns that enable accurate gaze tracking while significantly reducing the total number of active light sources required, thus minimizing device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the gaze tracking function into temporal segments. Instead of using multiple light sources continuously, the system segments the illumination into discrete time points, activating one light source at a time. This segmentation approach maintains measurement precision through sequential imaging while reducing the cumulative weight requirement.
2Measurement precision
If the number of light sources is increased to improve gaze tracking accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action to reduce the spatial footprint by activating light sources sequentially rather than simultaneously. This temporal multiplexing allows the system to achieve the functionality of multiple light sources using fewer physical components, thereby reducing device volume while maintaining gaze tracking accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple light sources into a single compact unit that can activate different light sources at different times. This merging approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate light source components into a more space-efficient integrated system.
3Measurement precision
If the number of light sources is increased to improve gaze tracking accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by activating light sources in a sequential, time-based manner rather than continuously. The processor controls the first and second light sources to operate at different time points, which significantly reduces the total power consumption compared to having all light sources active simultaneously, while still achieving accurate gaze tracking through the sequential image acquisition and synthesis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the light source activation pattern adaptive and time-varying. The system dynamically switches between different light sources based on the imaging requirements, optimizing power consumption by activating only the necessary light sources at each moment rather than maintaining all light sources in a static active state.
4Measurement precision
If multiple light sources are used to improve gaze tracking, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action to simplify the circuit configuration by replacing complex parallel light source control circuits with a sequential activation approach. The processor manages the timing and switching between light sources, reducing the number of simultaneous circuit paths required and thereby simplifying the overall circuit architecture while maintaining measurement 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 simplifies the circuit configuration, reduces current consumption, enhances design aesthetics, and minimizes errors in gaze tracking due to device position changes, while maintaining the effectiveness of multiple light sources.
Implementation Method 1
a first light optical output module configured to irradiate a first light that is a structured light toward a user's eyes
Implementation Method 2
a camera configured to photograph the user's eyes
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device performing a method of tracking a user's gaze of an electronic device and outputting an augmented reality (AR) image is provided. The metho includes outputting a first light which is a structured light at a first time point toward the user's eyes, outputting a second light at a second time point toward the user's eyes, acquiring a first image in response to the output of the first light at the first time point, acquiring a second image in response to the output of the second light at the second time point, synthesizing the first image and the second image to create a third image, calculating first coordinate values, which are coordinate values of pupils of the user's eyes on the basis of the third image; and detecting a gaze direction on the basis of the first coordinate values.