Structured Light Eye Tracking for Wearable Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wearable computing technologies face challenges in accurately tracking the movement and orientation of a user's eye, particularly in dynamic environments, which affects the precision of augmented and virtual reality experiences.
Innovation Solution
A head-mounted display system that projects structured light onto the eye, using an inward-facing camera and processor to correlate deformation patterns with iris, sclera, and pupil orientation, allowing for precise eye position determination and adaptive image adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional image display elements are used in wearable computing, then the display can be miniaturized and worn close to the eye, but the precision of eye tracking and image alignment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces structured light patterns as an intermediary medium between the display system and the eye. By projecting known geometric patterns onto the eye and capturing their deformation, the system creates a measurable intermediary field that enables precise eye tracking without requiring large display elements or complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical eye tracking methods (which would require complex cameras, mirrors, and mechanical adjustment systems) with an optical field-based approach. The structured light patterns provide optical information about eye position and orientation, substituting mechanical measurement systems with a simpler optical field interaction.
2Weight of moving object
If the display is miniaturized for wearable applications, then the device becomes more portable and comfortable, but the ability to maintain precise image alignment with the user's eye deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment system that continuously updates image alignment based on real-time eye position detection. The structured light patterns are projected and analyzed continuously, allowing the display to dynamically adjust its content positioning to match the user's changing eye position, maintaining precision despite the miniaturized form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control by capturing the deformation of structured light patterns, analyzing eye position from this feedback information, and using this feedback to adjust the displayed image content. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains precise image alignment automatically, compensating for the limitations of miniaturization without requiring manual adjustment.
3Measurement precision
If structured light projection is used for eye tracking, then eye position can be determined with high precision, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The structured light projection system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides eye tracking capability, enables image alignment adjustment, and offers a reference frame for spatial orientation. By making the light projection system multi-functional, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate dedicated systems for each function.
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
Enables accurate eye-tracking and adaptive image display, enhancing the precision and user interaction in augmented and virtual reality applications by maintaining images within the user's view and adjusting for displacements.
Implementation Method 1
causing the projection of a pattern onto an eye
Data Source
AI summary
Exemplary methods and systems help provide for tracking an eye. An exemplary method may involve: causing the projection of a pattern onto an eye, wherein the pattern comprises at least one line, and receiving data regarding deformation of the at least one line of the pattern. The method further includes correlating the data to iris, sclera, and pupil orientation to determine a position of the eye, and causing an item on a display to move in correlation with the eye position.