The Microsoft HoloLens has, without doubt, gained popularity being among the first computers to run Windows Holographic platform, but it seems there is no stopping Microsoft in making the HoloLens the device of the future. Microsoft has even filed a patent for the waveguide-based eye tracking technology. Check the details here.
The recent filing of patent would suggest that Microsoft will use waveguide-based eye-tracking technology in the upcoming Microsoft HoloLens because older versions don't have that capability. According to Digital Trends, the use of waveguides in tracking infrared peepers is Microsoft's attempt to address the compatibility issues with prescription eye wear.
The eye tracking system could also enable Microsoft HoloLens users for hands-free interaction. However, there are some people who are concerned with the effect of the eye tracking system to users who have lazy eye or cross-eyed. Some are hoping that the patent can also address this concern because even if the user wears eyeglasses, they will still experience some issues.
The patent, which was uncovered by MSPoweruser, states that the waveguide is transparent and input coupler and output coupler can be used in a Head Mounted Display (HMD) but is not limited to it. After the input coupler is positioned in the eye that is illuminated with infrared light, the infrared light then beams reflected from the eye and enter the waveguide at the output coupler. By way of total internal reflections, the waveguide is propagated from the input coupler to the output coupler and exit the waveguide proximate the output coupler.
The system including the embodiment of the waveguide can also include an infrared illumination source that produces infrared light that is used to illuminate an eye. Such a system can also include a lens that module converts the infrared light beams that exit the waveguide from angularly encoded infrared light beams to two-dimensional spatially encoded infrared light beams.
Expect to see the demo of how HoloLens may work in the future at the CES 2017, MSPoweruser reported.
