Eye Fixation Parameter Determination Using Infrared Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing dyslexia are subjective, require expertise, and lack objectivity, often leading to misdiagnosis due to external factors and the inability to provide precise eye movement characteristics, making it difficult to develop personalized treatment plans and assess reading difficulties effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for objective eye fixation parameter determination using infrared light sources, multiple cameras for head and eye tracking, and a processing unit to analyze gaze patterns on a projection surface, allowing for precise measurement of fixation durations and saccadic motions without the need for wearable equipment or extensive user training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If standardized printed tests are used for dyslexia evaluation, then reading achievement can be assessed, but the results are subjective and depend on examiner expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/subjective evaluation process with an optical measurement system. Eye movement parameters are objectively measured using optical tracking of the subject's gaze during reading, substituting the examiner's subjective judgment with precise optical measurement data about fixation duration, saccade length, and reading patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces eye movement parameters as an intermediary objective measure between the reading task and the diagnosis. Instead of directly assessing reading achievement subjectively, the system measures intermediate physiological responses (eye fixations, saccades) that correlate with reading difficulties, providing an objective basis for diagnosis.
2Reliability
If full psychological evaluation is conducted, then comprehensive diagnosis is achieved, but it requires extensive resources and trained personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential diagnostic information from the complex psychological evaluation process by focusing specifically on eye movement parameters during reading. This extraction provides a reliable diagnostic indicator without requiring the full battery of psychological tests, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining diagnostic reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows the subject's own physiological responses (eye movements) to serve as the diagnostic data source. The subject naturally performs reading tasks while the system automatically tracks and analyzes their eye movements, eliminating the need for extensive examiner intervention and interpretation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If subjective evaluation methods are used, then flexibility in assessment is maintained, but objectivity and reproducibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective assessment mechanisms with objective optical measurement systems. Eye movement parameters such as fixation duration, saccade length, and regression frequency are measured with high precision instruments, providing reproducible quantitative data that eliminates examiner bias while maintaining the ability to assess different reading abilities.
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
The solution provides fast, objective, and reproducible results that are not affected by external factors, enabling accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans, reducing the need for extensive personnel training and lowering evaluation costs while providing detailed reading pattern analysis.
Implementation Method 1
infrared light source to create reflections on the subject's eyes
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention refers to eye technology and in particular a system and method for the characterization of eye fixation. The invention further refers to a system and method for the determination of parameters of eye fixation and saccadic motions. The system and method may be used to diagnose and evaluate reading difficulties for ascertaining how much benefit an individual would derive from an intervention with an expert, i.e. after treatment. A system for subject (10) eye tracking on a projection surface (6) includes: (i) infrared light source (3) to create reflections on the subject's eyes, (ii) two or more cameras (4) for subject's head position tracking, (iii) one or more cameras (4) to track movements of the subject's first eye on the projection surface, (iv) one or more cameras (4) to track movements of the subject's second eye on the projection surface (6), and (v) a processing unit (7) configured so that it tracks the subject's gazes on the projection surface, determines if the subject focuses on a predefined sub-region or sub- regions in the projection surface from the tracking of said gazes and computes the duration of said gazes.