AUGMENTED REALITY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING GAZE OF USER

Smart overview of the Invention

An augmented reality (AR) device is designed to detect a user's gaze while mitigating noise from external light sources. It incorporates a waveguide and a support structure that secures the device to the user's face. A light receiver, positioned on the support, captures light reflected from the user's eyeball. This setup is enhanced by two polarization plates; the first linearly polarizes incoming noise light, while the second blocks this polarized noise, ensuring accurate gaze detection.

Field and Background

The innovation pertains to AR technology, specifically concerning devices that track user gaze by filtering out noise from ambient light. AR devices superimpose virtual images onto real-world views, often using wearable formats like glasses or head-mounted displays. As AR technology evolves, such devices increasingly incorporate cameras to track user gaze. However, external light can interfere with these cameras, reducing tracking accuracy.

Technical Summary

The device features a waveguide and a dual-polarization system to enhance gaze detection accuracy. Light reflected from the user's eye is captured by a light receiver. External noise light is first linearly polarized by a primary plate and then blocked by a secondary plate before it reaches the receiver. This dual-polarization technique effectively filters out unwanted light, improving the precision of gaze tracking.

Methodology

The method involves capturing reflected light from the user's eye and processing it to derive gaze information. The process begins with polarizing incoming noise light using a first polarization plate. Subsequently, a second plate blocks this polarized noise from reaching the light receiver. This methodology ensures that only relevant reflected light contributes to gaze tracking.

Applications and Implementation

The described AR device can be implemented in various wearable formats like glasses or helmets, enhancing user interaction with augmented environments. Its design allows users to view both real-world scenes and virtual images clearly. The device's optical system combines elements such as mirrors or diffractive optical components to direct generated virtual images through a waveguide to the user's eyes, seamlessly integrating virtual content with reality.