Gaze Detection Apparatus for Strabismic Eyes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gaze detection technologies face challenges in accurately detecting gaze direction for subjects with significantly different corneal curvature radii or gaze directions between the right and left eyeballs, particularly due to strabismus, as they assume equal values for both eyes.
Innovation Solution
A gaze detection apparatus employing two light sources positioned outside cameras, which calculate corneal curvature radii and gaze directions individually for each eye, using near-infrared light and stereo camera systems to distinguish pupil and corneal reflection centers, allowing precise detection of viewpoints on a monitor screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional gaze detection methods assume equal corneal curvature radii for both eyes, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates for subjects with different corneal curvature radii or strabismus
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the gaze detection process into separate calculations for each eye. The curvature radius calculation unit calculates corneal curvature radii independently for the right and left eyeballs using their respective corneal reflection centers, rather than assuming a single common value. This segmentation allows accurate detection of gaze directions even when the eyes have different corneal curvature radii or exhibit strabismus.
2Measurement precision
If individual corneal curvature radius calculation for each eye is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases due to additional calculation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the corneal reflection centers detected from the eyeball images to automatically calculate the individual corneal curvature radii for each eye. The curvature radius calculation unit performs this calculation self-service manner using the detected positions and light source information, without requiring external manual measurement or additional complex equipment. This maintains measurement precision while managing the complexity through automated calculation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate viewpoint detection for right and left eyeballs is performed, then adaptability is improved for subjects with strabismus, but device complexity increases due to multiple detection units
Solution Approach 1:
The viewpoint detection unit detects viewpoints separately for the right and left eyeballs based on their individual gaze directions and corneal curvature radii. This segmentation enables the system to accommodate subjects with strabismus by treating each eye's gaze independently, rather than forcing a unified gaze assumption that would reduce adaptability.
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
Enables accurate detection of gaze directions for subjects with varying corneal curvature radii and gaze directions, improving diagnosis support systems by displaying and evaluating the viewpoints of both eyes separately, thus facilitating precise diagnosis and evaluation.
Implementation Method 1
there is a method for irradiating an eyeball of the subject with detection light, calculating a pupil center and a corneal curvature center from an image of the eyeball irradiated with the detection light
Data Source
AI summary
A gaze detection apparatus includes a light source configured to irradiate an eyeball of a subject with detection light, a position detection unit configured to detect positions of pupil centers indicating centers of pupils of right and left respective eyeballs and positions of corneal reflection centers indicating centers of corneal reflexes of the right and left respective eyeballs from an image of the eyeball irradiated with the detection light, a curvature radius calculation unit configured to calculate corneal curvature radii of the right and left respective eyeballs from a position of the light source and the positions of the corneal reflection centers, a gaze detection unit configured to detect gaze directions of the right and left respective eyeballs from the positions of the pupil centers and the corneal curvature radii, a viewpoint detection unit, an output control unit, and a determination unit.