Staggered Binocular Eye Tracking for VR Input Latency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for interacting with computing devices, particularly in virtual and augmented reality environments, are inadequate as they often require physical touch or the use of accessories like keyboards and mice, which can be cumbersome when wearing head-mounted displays.

Innovation Solution

A high-speed staggered binocular eye tracking system that tracks the user's gaze to provide quicker and more accurate input by identifying areas of interest on a display without the need for physical interaction, using a method where one eye camera captures images of the user's eye at different intervals to enhance processing speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If traditional eye tracking methods are used in virtual reality environments, then basic gaze detection is achieved, but interaction speed and precision are insufficient for immersive experiences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeye tracking speedVSAvoidgaze detection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the eye tracking task into separate temporal segments using staggered sampling. Instead of simultaneously capturing both eyes at the same moment, the system alternates between capturing the left and right eyes in rapid succession, allowing each eye to be tracked at higher speed while maintaining binocular gaze precision through computational integration of the sequential data

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calibration of the eye tracking system before actual use, establishing baseline measurements and transformation matrices that enable rapid gaze estimation during operation. This preliminary setup allows the staggered sampling method to achieve high-speed tracking without sacrificing precision during the actual interaction phase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If physical input devices like keyboards and mice are used with head mounted displays, then precise input control is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the cumbersome nature of accessories

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinput method convenienceVSAvoidinput control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical input devices (keyboards, mice, touchscreens) with an optical-based eye tracking system. By using cameras to capture eye movements and translating these into cursor control and selection actions, the system eliminates the need for physical accessories while maintaining input precision through high-resolution gaze detection and mapping algorithms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Speed

If simultaneous binocular eye tracking is implemented, then accurate gaze direction is achieved, but processing speed decreases due to the complexity of processing both eyes at the same time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidgaze information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic alternating sampling of the left and right eyes rather than continuous simultaneous capture. Each eye is sampled in periodic intervals, creating a staggered sequence of measurements that reduces computational load and increases processing speed while maintaining accurate gaze information through temporal interpolation and fusion of the periodic measurements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3759576B1A high-speed staggered binocular eye tracking systems
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3759576B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3759576B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3759576B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4A

AI summary

A method, an electronic device and a non-transitory computer readable medium for are provided. The method includes capturing a first eye and a second eye. The method also includes identifying a first position of the first eye and a second position the second eye. Additionally, the method includes staggering the capture of the first eye and the second eye, wherein the first eye is captured prior to capturing the second eye. The method also includes identifying the first gaze direction with respect to a display. The method further includes mapping the second gaze direction of the second eye based on the identified first gaze direction, prior to capturing the second eye.