System and method for monitoring eye movement

Abstract

Apparatus for monitoring movement of a person's eye, e.g., to monitor drowsiness. The system includes a frame that is worn on a person's head, an array of emitters on the frame for directing light towards the person's eye, and an array of sensors on the frame for detecting light from the array of emitters. The sensors detect light that is reflected off of respective portions of the eye or its eyelid, thereby producing output signals indicating when the respective portions of the eye is covered by the eyelid. The emitters project a reference frame towards the eye, and a camera on the frame monitors movement of the eye relative to the reference frame. This movement may be correlated with the signals from the array of sensors and/or with signals from other sensors on the frame to monitor the person's level of drowsiness.

Description

[0001]This application is a reissue of application Ser. No. 09 / 740,738, filed Dec. 18, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,081, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09 / 104,258, filed Jun. 24, 1998, issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,281 on Dec. 19, 2000, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08 / 978,100, filed Nov. 25, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,246,344 issued Jun. 12, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 08 / 699,670, filed Aug. 19, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,748,113 issued May 5, 1998, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for monitoring movement of a human eye, and more particularly to systems and methods for real-time monitoring of fatigue and other states of mind in individuals, purposeful communication, and / or controlling devices based upon movement of their eye, eyelid, and / or other components of their eye.BACK...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0025]In addition, the output signal from the one or more sensors may be correlated with video signals produced by the ca

Problems solved by technology

This device, however, requires running wires and fiber optic bundles from the frame to external components, e.g., the pulse generator and the required circuitry, and for this reason, the device may be awkward or inconvenient to use.

These mechanical devices may be mounted directly onto the skin to detect muscle movement or may involve placing a mechanical arm against the eyelid, and consequently may be uncomfortable to wear and use.

In addition, some devices may detect eye movement, but may not be able to distinguish when the eye is opened or closed.

Devices that merely detect eye muscle movement or eyelash movement may not be able to distinguish when the eye is open or closed, and consequently may not be able to measure PERCLOS.

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