Valve Corporation

Systems and methods for tracking the position of one or more head-mounted display (HMD) system components of an HMD system. The HMD components may carry a plurality of angle sensitive detectors or other types of detectors. The HMD system may be operative to detect corrupted position tracking samples, allowing such samples to be ignored, thereby improving the position tracking process. Control circuitry causes light sources to emit light according a specified pattern, and receives sensor data from the plurality of detectors. Control circuitry may process the sensor data, for example using machine learning or other techniques, to track a position of one or more HMD components.

Automatic field calibration for eye tracking in a head-mounted display is discussed. Processors can be configured to acquire images of a user's eye, estimate gaze direction from these images, and enhance accuracy by applying time-based filtering, such as Kalman filtering, across multiple images. Refined gaze estimates enable prediction of future gaze direction, facilitating dynamic rendering of images within the display. Calibration precision can be further improved by utilizing head rotation data, statistical analysis of sequential eye images, and/or user interactions, including interface selections, controller movements, or hand gestures. Confidence metrics can be generated for each gaze estimation, and calibration parameters are updated (e.g., continuously) for each user during ongoing use, reducing or eliminating the need for explicit calibration procedures. Predictive gaze estimation can contribute to both advanced eye-tracking modeling and optimization of rendered content, delivering adaptive calibration and enhanced real-time user experience.

Calibration for eye tracking calibration in a head-mounted display can refined during use by tracking head rotation of a user during a time period while the head-mounted display is worn by the user, tracking eye rotation of the user during the time period, comparing the eye rotation of the user to the head rotation of the user during the time period, and refining a calibration state of eye tracking for the head-mounted display based on comparing the eye rotation of the user to the head rotation of the user during the time period.

Calibration for eye tracking calibration in a head-mounted display can refined during use by tracking head rotation of a user during a time period while the head-mounted display is worn by the user, tracking eye rotation of the user during the time period, comparing the eye rotation of the user to the head rotation of the user during the time period, and refining a calibration state of eye tracking for the head-mounted display based on comparing the eye rotation of the user to the head rotation of the user during the time period.

Systems and methods for tracking the position of one or more head-mounted display (HMD) system components of an HMD system. The HMD components may carry a plurality of angle sensitive detectors or other types of detectors. The HMD system may be operative to detect corrupted position tracking samples, allowing such samples to be ignored, thereby improving the position tracking process. Control circuitry causes light sources to emit light according a specified pattern, and receives sensor data from the plurality of detectors. Control circuitry may process the sensor data, for example using machine learning or other techniques, to track a position of one or more HMD components.

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of object tracking for use in various applications, such as eye tracking in virtual reality or augmented reality applications that include head-mounted display devices. An eye tracking system may be provided that includes a plurality of assemblies that each include a light detector, such as a quadrant photodetector, and an imaging lens configured to generate an image of the eye on the quadrant photodetector. Machine learning or other techniques may be used to track or otherwise determine a user's gaze direction, which may be used by one or more components of an HMD device to improve its functionality in various ways.

Systems and methods for tracking the position of one or more head-mounted display (HMD) system components of an HMD system. The HMD components may carry a plurality of angle sensitive detectors or other types of detectors. The HMD system may be operative to detect corrupted position tracking samples, allowing such samples to be ignored, thereby improving the position tracking process. Control circuitry causes light sources to emit light according a specified pattern, and receives sensor data from the plurality of detectors. Control circuitry may process the sensor data, for example using machine learning or other techniques, to track a position of one or more HMD components.

An eye tracking system for a head-mounted display (HMD) device. The system includes a lens assembly, an optical tube assembly, and an optical light guide. The optical tube assembly is coupled to the lens assembly, supporting the lens assembly and ensuring optical alignment with a display panel of the HMD device. The lens assembly is positioned close to the front end of the optical tube assembly, which is near the user's eye during use. The optical light guide transports light and is coupled to the optical tube assembly. The optical light guide includes a light input feature positioned rearward of the front end of the optical tube assembly that is configured to receive light from a light source. The optical light guide also includes a plurality of light output features positioned proximate to the front end of the optical tube assembly.

Systems and methods for providing an optical system in a head-mounted display (HMD) that is operable to modify virtual image light to correct for one or more vision conditions of a user's eyes. The optical system includes a left optical subsystem for the left eye and a right optical system for the right eye. Each optical subsystem includes at least one correction portion having a diffractive optical element assembly. Selective electrical or mechanical control or adjustment of the diffractive optical element assembly provides for the correction of vision conditions in the user's eyes.

Systems and methods for tracking the position of a head-mounted display (HMD) system component. The HMD component may carry a plurality of angle sensitive detectors that are able to detect the angle of light emitted from a light source. The HMD component may include one or more scatter detectors that detect whether light has been scattered or reflected, so such light can be ignored. Control circuitry causes light sources to emit light according a specified pattern, and receives sensor data from the plurality of angle sensitive detectors. The processor may process the sensor data and scatter detector data, for example using machine learning or other techniques, to track a position of the HMD component. An angle sensitive detector may include a spatially-varying polarizer having a position-varying polarizing pattern and one or more polarizer layers that together are operative to detect the angle of impinging light.