Viewfinder Eye Tracking via Reference Mark Movement Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing viewfinder systems face challenges in accurately tracking the movement of a photography unit that tracks a user's eyes, leading to decreased accuracy in eye tracking due to the lack of consideration for the location of the photography unit's movement.

Innovation Solution

A viewfinder apparatus that detects the location of the moved photography unit by capturing images before and after movement, using reference marks displayed on a window, and adjusts the eye tracking based on the detected movement, eliminating the need for a special sensor to measure camera movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a special sensor is added to detect the movement of the photography unit, then the measurement precision of camera movement is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precision of camera movementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces reference marks as an intermediary element that mediates between the photography unit and the detection system. Instead of directly sensing camera movement with complex sensors, the system uses simple reference marks captured in images to indirectly determine movement, thereby achieving measurement precision without increasing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical sensor-based detection system with an optical/image-based detection system. By using images captured by the photography unit itself to detect movement through reference mark analysis, the system eliminates the need for additional mechanical sensors, reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement capability

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

2Ease of operation

If the photography unit moves without detection compensation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision of eye tracking deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidmeasurement precision of eye tracking
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system detects the photography unit's movement through reference mark analysis and automatically compensates for this movement in the eye tracking calculations. This feedback loop allows the photography unit to move freely for ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision through automatic correction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary detection of photography unit movement using reference marks before conducting eye tracking measurements. By detecting and compensating for camera position changes in advance, the system ensures that subsequent eye tracking measurements remain precise even though the photography unit is free to move during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3314885B1View finder apparatus and method of operating the same
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3314885B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2A
  • EP3314885B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~3
  • EP3314885B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A viewfinder apparatus includes a window on which a reference mark is disposed; a photography unit (e.g., an eye imaging camera) configured to photograph eyes of a user via the window; and a controller configured to detect a location where the photography unit has been moved, based on a location of the reference mark included in a first image captured by the photography unit before the photography unit is moved and a location of a reference mark included in a second image captured by the photography unit after the photography unit is moved, wherein the controller tracks the eyes of the user by using the detected location.