JP-2026514343-A - Eye tracking device

Abstract

In this embodiment of the technology, a display screen is provided that displays an object to be viewed by the eye, and a camera is provided that photographs the eye when the eye is viewing the display screen. The device may include a reflector, a display screen positioned relative to the reflector so that the eye views the display screen reflected by the reflector, and a camera that photographs the eye when the eye is viewing the display screen, the camera being positioned to photograph the eye through the reflector. The device of the present invention may include a frame configured to position the display screen and camera relative to the eye during use. The frame may include a housing that occupies the display screen and camera within a light-controlled environment.

Inventors

• デイヴィッド・ブレブナー
• ヘレン・ヴィクトリア・ダネシュ－マイヤー

Assignees

• ブイアールエフ・ヴォールト・リミテッド

Dates

Publication Date

20260511

Application Date

20240315

Priority Date

20230317

Claims (20)

1. A device for tracking eye movements, wherein the device is Reflector, A display screen positioned relative to the reflector so that the eye can see the display screen reflected by the reflector when in use, A camera for photographing the eye when the eye is viewing the display screen, wherein the camera is positioned to photograph the eye through the reflector, A device that includes this.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the reflector includes an opening, and the camera is positioned to photograph the eye through the opening when in use.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the reflector is semi-transparent, the camera can photograph the eye through the reflector, and the device is configured so that the eye can view the display screen reflected by the reflector.
4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the device is configured such that when the display screen is being viewed, the eye substantially fills the field of view of the camera.
5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the device is configured such that the camera is positioned substantially in front of the eye during use.
6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the device is configured such that the camera is positioned in front of and below the eye during use.
7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the reflector has a reflective surface configured to reflect light from the display screen toward the eye, and the reflective surface is concave in at least one plane.
8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a frame configured to position the reflector, the display screen, and the camera relative to the eye during use.
9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the frame includes a housing for accommodating the reflector, the display screen, and the camera in a light-controlled environment, and the housing includes an opening that the eye faces during use of the device.
10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the housing substantially prevents ambient light from entering the light-controlled environment during use.
11. The device is the device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising one or more light sources.
12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the one or more light sources include the display screen.
13. The device according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the one or more light sources include one or more light sources separate from the display screen.
14. The device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the one or more light sources are diffuse light sources.
15. The device according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the one or more light sources are positioned on one or more sides of the eye during use.
16. The device according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the brightness of one or more light sources is adjustable.
17. The device according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the frequency of light generated by one or more light sources is adjustable.
18. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the display screen is included as part of the first portable electronic device.
19. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the camera is included as part of a second portable electronic device.
20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the display screen of the device for tracking eye movements is a first display screen, and the second portable electronic device includes a second display screen for displaying images captured by the camera.

Description

This field relates to devices, systems, and methods for tracking eye movements. In particular, this field relates to eye tracking devices for obtaining information about eye tracking, for example, for use in evaluating medical conditions such as the ability of the eyes to track objects. The human eye is a complex and delicate organ used to perceive the world around us. The eye captures light and forms an image on the retina. This generates electrical signals, which are sent to the brain and interpreted as visual information. Scientists and medical professionals have come to understand the importance of tracking eye movements in the diagnosis and treatment of various medical conditions. In particular, eye movements have been found to be a useful indicator of brain function, including the presence of certain medical conditions. Examples of conditions that can be assessed using eye movements include mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and concussions. Mild traumatic brain injury is a complex neurobehavioral phenomenon caused by deformation of brain tissue due to acceleration to the head. It can also be caused by mechanical forces that directly impact the skull. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including headache, dizziness, fatigue, depression, anxiety, irritability, loss of consciousness, and cognitive impairment. Because damage to the microstructure of axons and changes in neurometabolism disrupt brain networks, these symptoms can last from days to years. The effects of a concussion can affect the brain's ability to control eye movements, potentially causing symptoms such as double vision, blurred vision, and impaired coordination. The diagnosis of concussion is based on a combination of self-reported symptoms and physical and neurological examinations. One classic method involves the physician moving their finger while directing their gaze to the patient, observing how the patient's eyes follow the movement. Because this method is subjective and prone to errors, a clinical environment conducive to careful examination is ideal. There are numerous situations outside of clinical settings where a rapid and accurate assessment of concussion is necessary. These situations include contact sports such as football (NFL, soccer, Australian Rules Football), rugby, boxing, and martial arts, as well as injury scenes such as road and vehicle accidents. More reliable diagnostic methods, such as brain imaging scans like CT scans and MRI scans, require expensive and bulky equipment that is not portable, making them unsuitable for on-site diagnoses in the situations described above. Scientists are increasingly realizing that visually observing eye movements may also allow for the assessment of other types of medical conditions. One example of an existing system useful for assessing concussions is Oculological's EyeBOX®. This system requires a dedicated terminal and, although advertised as "portable," is actually about the size of a computer screen. As another example, described in U.S. Patent No. 10,849,492, this device uses the front-facing wide-angle camera of a smartphone held at arm length to capture images of the eyes. As a result, the eye images are captured with a low pixel count, making it difficult to accurately visualize and evaluate eye movements. Another example is AR/VR headsets. However, in such headsets, the camera is positioned at a large angle to the eye to capture images. This reduces the resolution of the captured images of the eye, thus decreasing the accuracy of eye movement evaluation. There is a growing need for tools that prioritize convenience, objectivity, and/or accuracy over existing diagnostic tools, and that can assess medical conditions through eye movements. This is a frontal view of the human eye.Figure 1A is a cross-sectional view of eye 101 in the sagittal plane.This is a schematic diagram of an eye-tracking device that is an example of this technology.This is a schematic diagram of an eye-tracking device representing a further exemplary embodiment of this technology.This is a schematic diagram of an eye-tracking device representing a further exemplary embodiment of this technology.This is a schematic diagram of an eye-tracking device representing a further exemplary embodiment of this technology.This is a schematic diagram of an eye-tracking device representing a further exemplary embodiment of this technology.This is a schematic diagram showing a part of an eye tracking device according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention.This is a diagram of the frame of an eye-tracking device according to one embodiment of the present invention.This is a diagram of the frame of an eye-tracking device according to one embodiment of the present invention.This is a diagram of the frame of an eye-tracking device according to one embodiment of the present invention.This is a diagram of the frame of an eye-tracking device according to one embodiment of the present invention.This figur