Method for operating an eye tracking device and eye tracking device for providing an active illumination control for improved eye tracking robustness

摘要

The invention relates to an eye tracking device and a method for operating an eye tracking device (30) comprising an imaging device (32), a plurality of light sources (34), a processing unit and a control unit. The imaging device (32) captures a first image (36a) while at least one of the light sources (34) emits light. If at least one first reflection (14; 16; 16a-16f) is detected, a position in the first image (36a) of the at least one first reflection (14; 16; 16a-16f) is determined, the first reflection (14; 16; 16a-16f) is categorized on the basis of the position in the first image (36a) and if the first image (36a) does not fulfill a predefined quality criterion, the plurality of light sources (34) is controlled in dependence of the categorization by changing the light intensity of at least one light source (34).

主权项

1. Method for operating an eye tracking device (30) for capturing at least one property of at least one eye (10) of a user, wherein the eye tracking device (30) comprises at least one imaging device (32) capable of capturing images (36a, 36b) of the at least one eye (10) of the user, a plurality of light sources (34) capable of illuminating the at least one eye (10) of the user, a processing unit capable of processing images (36a, 36b) captured by the imaging device (32) and a control unit capable of controlling the plurality of light sources (34) in their light intensity separately, the method comprises the steps:
a) the imaging device (32) captures a first image (36a) while at least one of the light sources (34) emits light; and b) the processing unit processes the first image (36a) and by processing the first image the processing unit determines whether reflections (14; 16; 16a; 16b; 16c; 16d; 16e; 16f) are detected in the first image; characterized by the following steps: c) if at least one first reflection (14; 16; 16a; 16b; 16c; 16d; 16e; 16f) is detected, a position in the first image (36a) of the at least one first reflection (14; 16; 16a; 16b; 16c; 16d; 16e; 16f) is determined; d) the first reflection (14; 16; 16a; 16b; 16c; 16d; 16e; 16f) is categorized at least on the basis of the position in the first image (36a); and e) if the first image (36a) does not fulfil a predefined quality criterion, controlling the plurality of light sources (34) at least in dependence of the categorization by changing the light intensity of at least one light source (34) of the plurality of light sources (34).