Single Camera Gaze Detector Using Pattern Light Projection

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gaze detectors require a wide-angle camera, an infrared camera, and multiple illumination light sources, leading to high manufacturing costs and large size, making them inefficient for gaze detection.

Innovation Solution

A gaze detector configuration using a single camera unit that projects pattern light onto a person's face, allowing for gaze detection, corneal reflection image position calculation, and three-dimensional face shape analysis, enabling the detection of gaze direction and vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) with reduced complexity and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple cameras and illumination light sources are used for gaze detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegaze detection accuracyVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of multiple cameras and illumination light sources into a single camera unit that can capture both the eye image and corneal reflection image. This merging reduces the number of components while maintaining the ability to detect gaze direction accurately by processing images from the single camera unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single camera unit is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing the eye image, capturing the corneal reflection image, and providing sufficient illumination through the projection unit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cameras and illumination sources, reducing device complexity while preserving detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple cameras and illumination light sources are used for gaze detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegaze detection accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of multiple cameras and illumination light sources into a single camera unit that can capture both the eye image and corneal reflection image. This merging reduces the number of components while maintaining the ability to detect gaze direction accurately by processing images from the single camera unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single camera unit is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing the eye image, capturing the corneal reflection image, and providing sufficient illumination through the projection unit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cameras and illumination sources, reducing device complexity while preserving detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If multiple cameras and illumination light sources are used for gaze detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegaze detection accuracyVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the functions of multiple cameras and illumination light sources into a single camera unit that can capture both the eye image and corneal reflection image. This merging reduces the number of components while maintaining the ability to detect gaze direction accurately by processing images from the single camera unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single camera unit is designed to perform multiple functions: capturing the eye image, capturing the corneal reflection image, and providing sufficient illumination through the projection unit. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cameras and illumination sources, reducing device complexity while preserving detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solution enables efficient and precise gaze detection, VOR measurement, and face recognition with a simplified configuration, reducing manufacturing costs and size while maintaining high detection accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

a camera unit, imaging a face of a person; a projection unit, projecting prescribed pattern light to the face of the person

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11903647B2Gaze detector, method for controlling gaze detector, method for detecting corneal reflection image position, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2024.02.20 OMRON CORP

AI summary

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a gaze detector with which it is possible to detect a gaze (start point and gaze direction) by a simple configuration. The gaze detector detects a person's gaze, wherein the gaze detector is provided with a camera unit 10 for imaging the face of the person, a projector unit 20 for projecting a prescribed pattern light to the face of the person, a control unit 30 for controlling the presence of projection of the pattern light by the camera unit 10 and the projector unit 20, and a gaze detection processing unit 40 for detecting a gaze from the image of the face of the person imaged by the camera unit.