Method for operating an eye tracking device and eye tracking device for providing an active illumination control for improved eye tracking robustness

US9498125B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SENSOMOTORIC INSTRUMENTS GESELLSCHAFT FUR INNOVATIVE SENSORIK MBH · DE

Inventors

• Claudio Caraffi · Berlin, DE
• Matthias Nieser · Berlin, DE
• Fabian Wanner · Berlin, DE
• Walter Nistico · Redwood City, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 9, 2014
• Grant date: Nov 22, 2016
• Expiry date: Dec 9, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2562/0223
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention relates to an eye tracking device and a method for operating an eye tracking device (30) comprising an imaging device (32), a plurality of light sources (34), a processing unit and a control unit. The imaging device (32) captures a first image (36a) while at least one of the light sources (34) emits light. If at least one first reflection (14; 16; 16a-16f) is detected, a position in the first image (36a) of the at least one first reflection (14; 16; 16a-16f) is determined, the first reflection (14; 16; 16a-16f) is categorized on the basis of the position in the first image (36a) and if the first image (36a) does not fulfill a predefined quality criterion, the plurality of light sources (34) is controlled in dependence of the categorization by changing the light intensity of at least one light source (34).