Shadow Mask Eye Tracker for Compact Coded Aperture Gaze Sensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eye trackers face challenges in achieving accurate eye movement detection and user authentication while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design, particularly in applications like augmented and virtual reality devices.
Innovation Solution
An eye tracker comprising a shadow mask with specific pixel and transparent portion configurations, coupled with a detection region and light emitting elements, enables precise eye movement detection and user authentication without bulky optics, using coded aperture imaging for compact and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a gaze estimator is provided in the lens to enable communication with the outside world, then the child's social interaction capability is improved, but the risk of infection from external viruses is increased
Solution Approach 1:
A gaze estimator is provided inside the lens to estimate the gaze direction of the wearing person. This intermediary device enables communication between the isolated eye and the outside world by translating eye movements into observable signals (such as LED indicators or digital displays), allowing social interaction without direct exposure to external pathogens.
Solution Approach 2:
The gaze estimator is nested within the contact lens structure itself, with the estimator positioned in the lens body and the indicator positioned on the inner surface of the lens. This nested configuration allows the communication function to be integrated into the isolation barrier, maintaining the sealed environment while enabling external interaction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lens is completely sealed to prevent virus entry, then infection protection is improved, but the ability to communicate with the outside world deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gaze estimator acts as an intermediary that bridges the sealed lens environment and the external world. It receives input from the eye (gaze direction) and produces output visible to others (indicators), enabling communication without compromising the sealed structure that provides infection protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical/optical communication (such as opening the lens or using transparent sections) with an electronic/optical signaling system. The gaze estimator uses LEDs or digital displays to convey eye movement information, substituting a complex sealed communication mechanism with a simpler electronic signaling approach that maintains both sealing and communication capabilities.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
An eye tracker (11) comprises a shadow mask (100), a light emitting element (116), and a detection region (110) arranged at a first side of the shadow mask (100). The light emitting element (116) is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation (16) towards an eye (107) arranged at a second side of the shadow mask (100), the shadow mask (100) comprising transparent portions (102) being transparent for the electromagnetic radiation (16) and opaque portions (101) being opaque for the electromagnetic radiation (16), the transparent portions (102) having a maximum width measured in a first horizontal direction. The detection region (110) is configured to receive electromagnetic radiation (16) emitted by the light emitting element (116), reflected by a cornea (108) of the eye (107) and transmitted by the shadow mask (100), the detection region (110) comprising a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels (111). A maximum distance PS between adjacent pixels and the maximum width wA of the transparent portions satisfy the following formula: 0.9 * wA ≤ PS ≤ 1.25 * wA, the maximum distance between adjacent pixels being measured in the first horizontal direction.