Wearable Display Positioning via Eye Tracking for Vision Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable devices with displays, such as VR and AR systems, face challenges in accommodating users with vision conditions like myopia and hypermetropia, as existing solutions rely on manual adjustments or accommodating existing eye correction lenses, which can be suboptimal and uncomfortable.

Innovation Solution

A wearable device equipped with an eye tracking apparatus that uses image sensors and illumination sources to determine the user's gaze direction and automatically adjust the display or lens position to ensure clear focus, allowing for precise correction of eye conditions without the need for manual adjustments or eye correction lenses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a manual adjustment mechanism is provided to move the display closer to or farther from the user's eyes, then the display position can be adjusted for different vision conditions, but the adjustment process is time-consuming and may result in sub-optimal correction due to user error

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay position adjustment capabilityVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects the user's vision conditions through eye tracking and autonomously adjusts the display position without requiring manual user input. The processor analyzes eye movement data and control signals to determine the optimal display position, enabling the system to self-correct for myopia, hypermetropia, or presbyopia conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses real-time feedback from the eye tracking apparatus to continuously monitor the user's gaze and eye movements. This feedback loop allows the processor to detect vision conditions and automatically adjust the display position to maintain optimal viewing comfort and clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If existing eye correction lenses are accommodated inside the wearable device, then users with vision conditions can view the display clearly, but the device fit is adversely impacted and comfort issues arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevision correction effectivenessVSAvoiddevice comfort and fit
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical solution of physical correction lenses with an automated electronic control system. Instead of incorporating physical lenses that would affect device fit and comfort, the patent uses an eye tracking apparatus and processor to detect vision conditions and automatically adjust the display position electronically, thereby maintaining device comfort while achieving vision correction.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If the display position is manually adjusted by the user, then vision correction can be attempted, but user error leads to sub-optimal correction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevision correction capabilityVSAvoidcorrection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-diagnosis of the user's vision conditions through automated eye tracking and self-correction by autonomously adjusting the display position. This eliminates user error in determining the appropriate correction, as the processor objectively analyzes eye movement patterns and calculates the optimal display position based on detected conditions such as myopia, hypermetropia, or presbyopia.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with automated electronic control. The eye tracking apparatus and processor substitute for user manual adjustment, providing precise and accurate vision correction by objectively measuring eye movements and automatically positioning the display at the optimal location without user intervention or error.

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

The solution enables automatic and precise correction of display positioning to accommodate users' vision conditions, enhancing the comfort and effectiveness of wearable devices by ensuring clear focus without user error or fit issues.

Implementation Method 1

an illuminator configured to illuminate the eye of a user wearing the wearable device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

an image sensor configured to detect light reflected by the eye

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3490433B1Wearable device having a display, lens, illuminator, and image sensor
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 TOBII TECH AB
  • EP3490433B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3490433B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3490433B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wearable device (100) is disclosed. The wearable device (100) may include a display (110), a lens (120), an illuminator (130), an image sensor (140), and at least one processor (150). The display (110) may be configured to present images. The lens (120) may be configured to provide a view of the display (110) to an eye (101) of a user. The illuminator (130) may be configured to illuminate the eye (101). The image sensor (140) may be configured to detect illumination reflected by the eye (101). The at least one processor (150) may be configured to cause the display (110) to present an image, receive data from the image sensor (140), determine a gaze direction of the eye (101) based at least in part on the data from the image sensor (140), and cause at least one of the display (110) or the lens (120) to be moved until the gaze direction is directed toward the image.