Corneal Reflex Detection Using Stepwise Pupil-Centric Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional corneal reflex position detection methods struggle to accurately distinguish between the corneal reflex and reflection images, especially when the test subject is wearing eyeglasses, due to limitations in varying the area of illumination.
Innovation Solution
A corneal reflex position detection device and method that includes a pupil detecting unit and a corneal reflex detecting unit, which enlarges the detection target area stepwise around the pupil center to identify high-luminance areas, determining the corneal reflex area based on luminance and dimension thresholds, and calculates the dimensions of detected high-luminance areas to differentiate between corneal reflex and eyeglass reflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the area of illumination by light sources is varied to distinguish between corneal reflex and eyeglass reflection, then the ability to differentiate between corneal reflex and eyeglass reflection is improved, but the device complexity and operational constraints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of detection target area size in a stepwise manner, starting from a small area around the pupil center and progressively enlarging it. This allows the system to first detect high-luminance areas (potential corneal reflex) and then verify their characteristics at different scales, enabling differentiation from eyeglass reflections without requiring complex illumination variations
Solution Approach 2:
The detection process is segmented into multiple steps: first detecting the pupil center, then searching for high-luminance areas in a small initial detection area, and finally enlarging the detection area stepwise to verify characteristics. This segmentation transforms a complex differentiation problem into a series of simpler detection and verification steps
2Area of stationary object
If the detection area is enlarged to capture potential corneal reflex areas, then the detection coverage is improved, but the difficulty of distinguishing corneal reflex from other high-luminance areas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detection area is made dynamic rather than static - it starts small around the pupil center and is progressively enlarged in steps. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain high detection accuracy by first focusing on the most likely corneal reflex location and then expanding the search area only if needed, preventing false positives from distant high-luminance areas
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection in a small area around the pupil center before enlarging the detection area. This preliminary action identifies potential corneal reflex candidates early, allowing subsequent enlargement to be targeted and controlled, thereby maintaining detection precision while increasing coverage
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables accurate detection of the corneal reflex area even when the test subject is wearing eyeglasses, improving the precision of eye-gaze tracking by effectively distinguishing between corneal reflex and eyeglass reflections.
Implementation Method 1
detect whether or not a high-luminance area having luminance to be equal to or greater than a luminance threshold value is present in the image
Data Source
AI summary
A corneal reflex position detection device includes a pupil detecting unit that detects the center position of the pupil from an image of an eye of a test subject; and a corneal reflex detecting unit that detects the corneal reflex area from the image. The corneal reflex detecting unit enlarges, in a stepwise manner, a detection target area with reference to the center position of the pupil, to detect whether or not a high-luminance area having the luminance to be equal to or greater than a luminance threshold value is present in the image; and, if the high-luminance area is detected, determines that the high-luminance area represents the corneal reflex area.