We present two methods for the binary detection of gaze for use in near-to-eye displays that can significantly reduce power consumption by turning off the display when the user is not actively viewing the device. A single infrared (IR) emitter-detector pair is used to detect IR reflected from the eye in order to estimate gaze and can reduce the power consumed by the display by over 75%. The first method presented is more configurable and adaptive but requires continuous polling of an analog sensor. The second method is interrupt driven and, except for calibration, the sensor IC is not polled by the host processor.

We demonstrate for the first time a proof of concept projector with a secondary array of individually controllable, analog micromirrors added to improve the contrast and peak brightness of conventional projectors. The micromirrors reallocate the light of the projector lamp from the dark parts towards the light parts of the image, before it reaches the primary image modulator. Each element of the analog micromirror array can be tipped/tilted to divert portions of the light from the lamp in two dimensions. By directing these mirrors on an image-dependent basis, we can increase both the peak intensity of the projected image as well as its contrast. In this paper, we describe and analyze the optical design for projectors using this light reallocation approach. We also discuss software algorithms to compute the best light reallocation pattern for a given input image, using the constraints of real hardware. We perform extensive simulations of this process to evaluate image quality and performance characteristics of this process. Finally, we present a first proof-of-concept implementation of this approach using a prototype analog micromirror device.

We present a novel way of manipulating a spatial soundscape, one that encourages collaboration and exploration. Through a table-top display surrounded by speakers and lights, participants are invited to engage in peaceful play with Beluga whales shown through a live web camera feed from the Vancouver Aquarium in Canada. Eight softly glowing buttons and a simple interface encourage collaboration with others who are also enjoying the swirling Beluga sounds overhead.