Interferometric Structured Light Eye Tracking for Near-Eye Displays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eye tracking systems for virtual or augmented reality near-eye displays are hindered by their form factor and power requirements, making them unsuitable for wearable devices, and rely on generic eye models that perform poorly for users with unique eye structures.
Innovation Solution
A near-eye display system incorporating a structured light generator with reflective surfaces that project a diffraction grating-based structured light pattern, allowing for high-resolution imaging and depth mapping of the user's eye, enabling a user-specific model for reliable eye tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional eye tracking systems are used, then eye tracking functionality is achieved, but the form factor and power requirements make them unsuitable for wearable devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical eye tracking systems with a photonic interferometric system. Instead of using mechanical sensors and actuators, the invention uses light interference patterns projected onto the eye surface to extract depth and orientation information optically, eliminating heavy mechanical components while maintaining tracking reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the measurement parameters from generic 2D eye position to 3D depth-resolved eye surface topography. By measuring the depth map of the eye surface through interferometric phase information, the system achieves more reliable tracking with reduced hardware complexity
2Reliability
If traditional eye tracking systems are used, then eye tracking functionality is achieved, but they rely on generic models that perform poorly for users with unique eye structures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning of the user's eye surface to capture the unique 3D topography and generate a personalized eye model before actual eye tracking begins. This preliminary characterization enables accurate tracking for users with unique eye structures without requiring complex real-time adjustments
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a digital copy or replica of the user's specific eye surface geometry through depth mapping. This personalized eye model serves as a template for accurate interpretation of interferometric patterns during tracking, replacing the need for generic eye models
3Measurement precision
If high-resolution eye imaging is achieved through structured light, then depth mapping precision is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic modulation of the structured light pattern and synchronous detection to extract depth information. By projecting sinusoidal fringe patterns at known frequencies and analyzing the phase shift of reflected light, the system achieves high precision depth mapping through simple periodic optical modulation rather than complex measurement apparatus
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 system achieves high granularity imaging and reliable eye tracking with a lightweight, low-energy solution that can be easily integrated into near-eye displays, providing accurate depth mapping of eye features like the pupil, sclera, and iris.
Implementation Method 1
the optical beam incident on the plurality of reflective surfaces is diffracted to generate a structured light pattern
Data Source
AI summary
One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a near-eye display system. The near-eye display system comprises a structured light generator including a plurality of reflective surfaces and configured to project a structured light pattern into an eye region of the near-eye display device, the structured light pattern generated based on a diffraction grating created by displacing at least a subset of the plurality of reflective surfaces. The near-eye display system further comprises an image capture device configured to capture one or more images of the structured light pattern incident on an eye proximate to the eye region and a depth mapping controller configured to generate a depth map of the eye based on the captured one or more images.