Eye-gaze direction detector

摘要

A system for eye-gaze direction detection is disclosed that uses an infrared light emitting diode mounted coaxially with the optical axis and in front of the imaging lens of an infrared sensitive video camera for remotely recording images of the eye of the computer operator. The infrared light enters the eye and is absorbed and then re-emitted by the retina, thereby causing a "bright eye effect" that makes the pupil brighter than the rest of the eye. It also gives rise to an even brighter small glint that is formed on the surface of the cornea. The computer includes software and hardware that acquires a video image, digitizes it into a matrix of pixels, and then analyzes the matrix to identify the location of the pupil's center relative to the glint's center. Using this information, the software calibrates the system to provide a high degree of accuracy in determining the user's point of regard. When coupled with a computer screen and a graphical user interface, the system may place the cursor at the user's point of regard and then perform the various mouse clicking actions at the location on the screen where the user fixates. This grants the individual complete control over the computer with solely their eye. The technology is not limited to determining gaze position on a computer display; the system may determine point of regard on any surface, such as the light box radiologists use to study x-rays. <IMAGE>