Viewfinder Eye-Tracking Control to Prevent Sensor Light Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic apparatuses face issues with erroneous detection due to mutual interference between eye proximity and line-of-sight sensors, particularly when the user's eye shifts slightly or blinks, leading to unstable line-of-sight detection.
Innovation Solution
An electronic apparatus with a proximity detector and line-of-sight detector that uses a processor to determine eye proximity or absence states, controlling the sensors accordingly to prevent interference, ensuring stable detection by stopping one sensor when the other is inactive.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the line-of-sight detector and eye proximity detector are operated simultaneously, then both sensors can function independently, but sensor lights interfere with each other causing erroneous detection
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic switching between line-of-sight detection and eye proximity detection modes. The line-of-sight detector operates during periods when the eye proximity detector is inactive, and vice versa. This time-division multiplexing eliminates mutual light interference while ensuring both sensors receive adequate operational opportunities, resolving the contradiction between operational flexibility and detection accuracy.
2Reliability
If the line-of-sight detector stops during eye blinking or slight eye shifts, then sensor interference is prevented, but line-of-sight detection becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary control mechanism that monitors line-of-sight detection quality and temporarily switches to eye proximity detection only when necessary. The control unit acts as a mediator that determines whether to switch sensors based on detection confidence levels, maintaining line-of-sight detection stability while preventing operation during conditions that cause erroneous detection.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the eye proximity detector operates continuously, then proximity detection is maintained, but its light interferes with line-of-sight detection accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic operation where the eye proximity detector is activated only during intervals when line-of-sight detection is not required. This time-division approach ensures continuous overall detection capability while eliminating the period when eye proximity detector light would interfere with line-of-sight measurement precision.
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
Stabilizes line-of-sight detection by preventing sensor light interference, allowing continuous detection even during eye movements or blinking, enhancing accuracy and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a proximity detector configured to detect proximity of an object to a viewfinder
Implementation Method 2
a line-of-sight detector configured to detect line-of-sight information for a first display unit disposed inside the viewfinder
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes a proximity detector configured to detect proximity of an object to a viewfinder, a line-of-sight detector configured to detect line-of-sight information for a first display unit disposed inside the viewfinder, a memory storing instructions, and a processor configured to execute the instructions to determine an eye proximity state or an eye absence state based on a detection result of the line-of-sight detector, and start driving the proximity detector in a case where the processor determines the eye absence state, and stop driving the line-of-sight detector in a case where the proximity detector does not detect the proximity of the object.