Apple's new eye-tracking patent exposed: camera and infrared light source integrated into the bridge of the nose, module thickness can be less than 3mm
Apple has published a compact eye-tracking patent that integrates miniature cameras, infrared illuminators, and motion sensors into the nose bridge or nose pad position of glasses; in one design the camera system is less than 5mm thick, and in another it can be under 3mm. The module adjusts the optical path so that the optical coverage of the cameras and illuminators overlaps outside the protective window, and adds light-blocking structures and electromagnetic shielding to reduce internal reflections and stray light interference. The design can also be used in future AR glasses and VR/MR headsets, but it is still at the patent disclosure stage, and Apple has not confirmed a specific product implementation.
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Recently, Apple published a patent for compact eye-tracking technology, proposing to integrate micro cameras, infrared illuminators, and motion sensors into the bridge or nose pads of glasses to reduce the size of the eye-tracking module, providing a new hardware design approach for future lightweight AR smart glasses and Vision Pro headsets.
According to the patent description, the eye-tracking module consists of components such as a camera, an infrared illuminator, a printed circuit board, a flexible circuit, and a motion sensor, and can be mounted entirely inside the bridge of the glasses. Among them, the camera is responsible for capturing the wearer's eye position and movement information, while the infrared illuminator provides invisible light illumination to the eyes. Apple has proposed a variety of module structures, one of which has a camera system thickness of less than 5mm, while another is further reduced to under 3mm, helping to reduce the thickness and weight of the glasses frame.
To avoid optical interference caused by the compact structure, Apple has also optimized the positions of the camera and illuminator. Each has a specific optical coverage range, and the system adjusts the optical path so that they overlap outside the protective window facing the eyes, reducing internal reflections and stray light interference within the module. At the same time, the module can also incorporate light-blocking structures and electromagnetic shielding designs to improve the stability of eye tracking.
In addition, this approach also integrates motion sensors such as gyroscopes directly into the eye-tracking module, which can be used to detect displacement of the camera assembly and assist with calibration. When the glasses slide slightly during daily wear, or when different users have differences in facial structure and eye position, the system can combine data from the camera and motion sensors to compensate the tracking results.
Apple also proposes integrating two eye-facing tracking systems inside the bridge to enable monitoring of both eyes. For AR glasses with display functionality, this technology is expected to support functions such as gaze point selection and virtual content interaction, while reducing the impact of additional cameras on the frame structure and appearance. The related approach can also be used in future VR/MR headsets, providing support for the miniaturization of eye-tracking hardware.
At present, this technology is still at the patent disclosure stage, and Apple has not confirmed its application to specific smart glasses or next-generation Vision Pro products.
Source: PatentlyApple
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