Low-cost non-imaging eye tracker system for computer control

Details Low-cost non-imaging eye tracker system for computer control Low-cost non-imaging eye tracker system for computer control

2000-03-31

2001-10-09

Manuel, George (Department: 3737)

Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting

Eye examining or testing instrument

Objective type

Reexamination Certificate

active

06299308

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to human eye and head tracking and, in particular, to apparatus and methods wherein emitters and/or detectors are frame-mounted to achieve a more economical solution.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The technique of measuring eye movements utilizing infrared light emitters and detectors placed in front of the eye is well known in the prior art. Typical arrangements of emitters and detectors include the use of imaging devices such as one- and two-dimensional charge coupled devices (CCD), and symmetrically arranged photodetectors such as photodiodes and phototransistors. The drawbacks of using CCD detectors primarily lie in cost as well as strict mechanical placement requirements, whereas the use of photodectors reduces cost and complexity of the device. The symmetrical arrangements specified in the prior art while simplifies the reduction of data, however may require the construction of devices that interfere with an operators eyebrow or nose.
The use of gaze location for computer cursor control is a key technology component that will enable users to interact with computer in a hands-free fashion. Cybemet Systems has successfully utilized video oculography eye tracking techniques to localize an operator's gaze for computer control. Drawbacks of this approach include the cost and complexity of the requisite components: video camera, frame grabber board, and dedicated personal computer to perform the image processing. Additionally, the placement of a video camera into the optical path of a head/helmet mounted display (HMD) presents significant integration challenge as well as increasing the size and weight of the head/helmet mounted components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses many of the issues associated with video-based eye tracking by mounting infrared (IR) light emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodiode detectors on a frame disposed relative to one or both eyes being tracked. In this way, the eye tracking system can be small, lightweight, and inexpensive. The emitters and detectors may be oriented symmetrically, though by permitting the emitters and detectors to be arranged in a non-symmetrical fashion, packaging and integration problems are further minimized. This invention is an improvement over existing configurations by removing the constraint of orthogonal and symmetric placement of emitters and detectors. This improvement is significant in that it relaxes the placement requirements of these components making the overall mechanical design and integration tasks easier.
The signals from the sensors are differenced and digitized producing a signal that is highly correlated to the movement of the operator's eye. The relationship between eye movement and the detect signal is non-linear, however through the use of digital signal processing (DSP) techniques, the eye motion can be extracted.


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