Eye Openness Measurement Using Optimized Orthogonal Eyelid Curves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing eye tracking systems struggle to accurately determine eye openness, which is crucial for reliable gaze estimation and blink detection, due to the subjective nature of manual annotation and the limitations of current automated methods.
Innovation Solution
A controller is configured to receive curve data representing the edges of the eyelids in an eye image, and it determines an eye openness indicator line by performing an optimization routine that adjusts intersection points on the curves to satisfy an objective function based on orthogonality to tangents at these points, ultimately providing an eye openness value based on the length of this line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual annotation methods are used to determine eye openness, then the process allows for human judgment and adjustment, but the results are subjective and lack repeatability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual annotation methods with an automated computational algorithm that calculates eye openness based on geometric relationships between eyelid curves and indicator lines. This substitution eliminates human subjectivity and variability, providing consistent, objective measurements through mathematical optimization rather than manual judgment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the subjective concept of eye openness into an objective geometric parameter measurement. By defining eye openness as the length of a specific indicator line determined through optimization of orthogonality conditions, the system changes the measurement from a subjective annotation to a precise, repeatable geometric calculation.
2Productivity
If simple automated methods are used to determine eye openness, then processing speed is improved, but measurement accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by defining the objective function and optimization criteria before processing each eye image. The system pre-establishes the geometric relationships and orthogonality conditions that will guide the measurement, allowing for rapid yet accurate calculations without requiring complex iterative adjustments during processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The optimization routine is self-adjusting, automatically finding the optimal indicator line position and orientation based on the defined orthogonality conditions. The algorithm serves itself by iteratively improving the measurement without external intervention, balancing computational efficiency with measurement precision through autonomous optimization.
3Measurement precision
If complex optimization routines are used to determine eye openness, then measurement accuracy is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex task of eye openness measurement into distinct geometric components: defining eyelid curves, identifying intersection points, calculating tangents, and optimizing indicator line orientation. This segmentation breaks down the complex optimization into manageable, computationally efficient steps while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The optimization routine focuses on the essential orthogonality conditions without over-complicating the algorithm. By concentrating computational effort on the critical geometric relationships (tangents and perpendicular indicators) rather than attempting to model all possible eye configurations, the system achieves high precision with moderate computational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A controller configured to: receive first and second curve data respectively defining first and second curves respectively representative of first and second eyelid edges in an eye image; determine an eye-openness-indicator-line extending from a first intersection point on the first curve to a second intersection point on the second curve by performing an optimisation routine comprising: defining an objective function representative of: an orthogonality of the eye-openness-indicator-line to a first tangent to the first curve at the first intersection point; and an orthogonality of the eye openness indicator line to a second tangent to the second curve at the second intersection point; and adjusting a value of the first intersection point and a value of the second intersection point until at least one termination condition for a value of the objective function is satisfied; and provide an eye openness value based on a length of the eye-openness-indicator-line.