Eye tracking apparatus

摘要

An eye tracking apparatus for monitoring a user's eye, for use in conjunction with secondary optical apparatus such as binoculars or night vision goggles. An optical assembly is adapted directly to image the eye from within the user's field of vision, and relay the image to a sensing element, which can be located outside the field of vision. Additionally the scene is imaged, also optionally from within the user's field of vision, which allows for scene imaging through the secondary optical apparatus. The optical assembly typically extends across the eyepiece of for example binoculars, and can be provided in a small form factor so as to interfere minimally with the view through the eyepiece. Both eye image and scene image can be relayed through the optical assembly, resulting in further space efficiencies.

主权项

1. An eye tracking apparatus for monitoring a movement of a user's eye, the apparatus comprising:
an optical assembly including: (i) an eye viewing element adapted to directly image a user's eye from within the user's field of vision, and (ii) an eye imaging sensor adapted to receive an image of the user's eye from said eye viewing element and provide an output indicative of the user's point of regard in the user's field of vision, said optical assembly including a first imaging path between said eye viewing element and said eye imaging sensor; a scene viewing element adapted to image a scene served by the user's eye; a scene imaging sensor adapted to receive an image of the scene from said scene viewing element via a second imaging path; at least one infrared light emitting diode configured to illuminate the eye, in use; and a processor programmed to temporally modulate an intensity of the at least one infrared light emitting diode when the eye tracking apparatus is operated in conjunction with an active secondary optical apparatus.