SWIR Eye Tracking for Night Vision Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical eye tracking systems operating in the near-infrared spectrum interfere with night vision systems, causing blooming and saturation, and pose safety risks due to prolonged exposure to near-infrared light.
Innovation Solution
A short-wave infrared (SWIR) eye tracking system using a SWIR light source and sensitive image sensor operating above 900 nm, compatible with night vision systems, to track eye movements without interference and reduce safety risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If near-infrared illuminators (800-900 nm) are used for eye tracking, then eye tracking functionality is achieved, but night vision images experience blooming and saturation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the illuminator from near-infrared (800-900 nm) to short-wave infrared (1000-2000 nm). This parameter change allows the eye tracking system to operate in a wavelength range that does not interfere with night vision sensors, thereby eliminating blooming and saturation while maintaining eye tracking functionality.
2Productivity
If near-infrared light (830-870 nm) is used for extended eye tracking, then continuous eye movement monitoring is achieved, but eye safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter from near-infrared (830-870 nm) to short-wave infrared (1000-2000 nm). This parameter change enables continuous eye tracking monitoring while reducing eye safety risks, as SWIR light at these wavelengths is less hazardous to the eye compared to near-infrared wavelengths.
3Measurement precision
If digital night vision operates at 60 Hz with 16 ms dwell time, then night vision imaging is achieved, but timing overlap with eye tracking illumination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the illuminator to short-wave infrared (1000-2000 nm), which eliminates interference with night vision sensors. This allows both systems to operate simultaneously without timing trades, as the SWIR illuminator does not saturate the night vision sensor, thereby resolving the timing overlap issue.
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 SWIR eye tracking system effectively tracks eye movements without degrading night vision images and is safer for user's eyes, ensuring compatibility and reducing interference with night vision systems.
Implementation Method 1
A short-wave infrared (SWIR) eye tracking system includes a SWIR light source configured to emit SWIR light above 900 nm
Implementation Method 2
a SWIR sensitive image sensor configured to capture images of the environment illuminated by the SWIR light source
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method. The system may include an eye tracking system. The eye tracking system may include a short-wave infrared (SWIR) light source (302) configured to emit SWIR light at between 900 nanometers (nm) and 1,700 nm wavelength onto an environment, a SWIR sensitive image sensor (304) configured to capture images of the environment illuminated by the SWIR light source, and a processor (306) communicatively coupled to the SWIR sensitive image sensor. The processor may be configured to: receive image data from the SWIR sensitive image sensor; track movement of an eye of a user based on the image data; and output eye tracking system data indicative of the tracked movement of the eye of the user.