Blink Based Calibration Method for Optical See-Through Head-Mounted Display

Unmet Need
There has been a considerable rise in Head Mounted Displays (HMDs) in recent years that allow users to interact with the virtual content presented in the HMD. In order to accurately superimpose the virtual items generated by the HMD to the location in view of the user, the correct pose and proper alignment of the displayed object is crucial. One method of calibration for HMDs involves user confirmation of alignment of a feature on the screen to the corresponding feature in the real world. This calibration process requires several repetitions. Current ways of achieving this calibration method involve hand motions, clicks of a mouse, or voice commands. However, these methods suffer from lack of accuracy and are often quite tedious. Thus, there is need for a faster, more accurate, and sterile way to calibrate HMDs. 
 
Technology Overview
Johns Hopkins University researchers propose a new general interaction mechanism to calibrate HMDs involving intentional eye blinks. These intentional eye blinks (or other intentional gaze patterns) are especially suitable for “click” or selection actions to calibrate HMDs. Eye blinks (or other gaze patterns) can be tracked through an eye tracking system incorporated with the HMD system that performs tasks not just limited to calibration. Accuracy is improved by allowing the user to concentrate on the calibration task rather moving his hand or clicking which all introduce distraction and error. In addition, many users, such as physicians, need a sterile environment in the operating room which prohibits them from touching objects or clicking a mouse. Others may have their hands involved in a more critical task working with machinery or doing while using HMDs. This more accurate calibration method eliminates the need to use a hand or a mouse and minimizes the dependencies for calibration merely to the eyes that can blink which simplifies the calibration of HMDs so that they may be used by more people in a larger variety of situations.  
 
Stage of Development
Looking to market

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