Waveguide Tube Eye Tracking Display Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electronic devices that track user gaze using infrared rays face complexity and increased size due to additional elements near the light source module, complicating their structure and increasing size.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a waveguide tube within the display module to reflect infrared rays emitted from the light source module towards the user's eyes, allowing the processor to detect and track the user's gaze using a camera module and pattern structures within the waveguide tube.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional elements are disposed near the light source module to reflect infrared rays towards the user's eyes, then the infrared ray reflection function is achieved, but the device structure becomes complicated and the size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrared ray reflection functionVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the infrared ray reflection function with the existing display module by integrating a waveguide tube within the display module structure. This merging approach eliminates the need for separate additional reflection elements near the light source module, thereby achieving the infrared ray reflection function while maintaining a simple and compact device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The display module is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the display component and the infrared ray reflection component through the integrated waveguide tube. This multi-functionality approach allows the same structural element to perform both display and infrared reflection tasks, reducing overall device complexity and size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If additional elements are disposed near the light source module to reflect infrared rays towards the user's eyes, then the infrared ray reflection function is achieved, but the device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrared ray reflection functionVSAvoiddevice size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The waveguide tube is nested within the display module structure, allowing the infrared reflection mechanism to be housed inside the existing display component boundaries. This nesting approach enables the infrared reflection function to be achieved without adding external elements that would increase the overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Device complexity

If a waveguide tube is integrated within the display module to reflect infrared rays, then the device structure is simplified and size is reduced, but the requirement for precise pattern structure formation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoidpattern structure formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical arrangements of separate reflection elements with an optically engineered waveguide tube containing pattern structures. This substitution shifts the complexity from mechanical assembly to optical design, allowing for simplified device structure while achieving precise infrared ray control through carefully designed optical patterns within the waveguide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

This approach simplifies the device structure, reduces size, and effectively tracks user gaze using infrared rays, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of gaze tracking in augmented reality applications.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating a waveguide tube within the display module to reflect infrared rays emitted from the light source module towards the user's eyes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

use the camera module to detect, based on at least one pattern structure formed in the waveguide tube, at least a part of the light, which has been reflected from a user's eyeball

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11928257B2Method and electronic device for tracking eye

Publication Date: 2024.03.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a light source module, a display module including at least one layer, a camera module, and a processor operatively connected to the light source module, the display module, and the camera module. The processor may emit light through the light source module along a waveguide formed in the at least one layer of the display module, may use the camera module to detect, based on at least one pattern structure formed in the waveguide, at least a part of the light, which has been reflected from a user's eyeball, and may track the movement of the user's eyeball, based on the detected light.