Device and method for tracking eye gaze direction

• US 20070121065A1
• Filed: 03/23/2006
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Cox, David, DiCarlo, James
• Application Number:
  US11/386,878
• Publication Number:
  US 20070121065A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/209
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/113 for determining or recording eye movement

Abstract

Eye-tracking devices and method of operation may utilize a magnetic article associated with an eye and a sensing device to detect a magnetic field generated by the magnetic article.

Claims

1. An eye-tracking device for tracking movement or position of an eye of a subject, comprising:

a magnetic article adapted for association with said eye; and

a sensing device for detecting the magnetic field of said magnetic article.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said magnetic article is associated with a contact lens for placement in said eye.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensing device comprises a differential sensor, said differential sensor comprising a plurality of single-axis sensors.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensing device comprises a differential sensor, said differential sensor comprising a plurality of anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) multi-axis sensors.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising an assistive device and a transmitter for transmitting a signal from said sensing device to said assistive device.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the distance between two or more of said AMR multi-axis sensors is approximately invariant.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the directions of sensitivity of said AMR multi-axis sensors span the essentially the same linear subspace.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said magnetic article comprises a ferromagnetic material.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensing device comprises a differential sensor, said differential sensor comprising a plurality of single-axis sensors, wherein the directions of sensitivity of said single-axis sensors essentially span the same linear subspace.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said sensing device comprises a magnetoresistive sensor.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said magnetoresistive sensor is an anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensor.

12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a circuitry or polarizing magnet whereby the direction of sensitivity of said AMR sensor to magnetic fields can be reversed.

13. A method for tracking a movement or position of an eye of a subject, comprising:

detecting a magnetic field with a sensing device;

associating a change in the magnetic field with movement of the eye; and

transmitting data representing said eye movement.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising inserting a contact lens having magnetic properties in the eye.

15. A method for controlling a machine by eye movement, comprising:

detecting a changing magnetic field by a sensing device associated with an eye;

creating data representing said changing magnetic field;

transmitting data representing said eye movement; and

controlling said machine by said transmitted data.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising inserting a contact lens having magnetic properties into the eye.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said machine is a weapon.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said machine is a ballistic device.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said machine is a surgical device.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein said machine is a manufacturing device.

21. A method for determining eye movement, comprising:

detecting a changing magnetic field by a sensing device associated with an eye;

accessing data associated with a changing magnetic field; and

comparing said detected field with said data for determining eye movement.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising inserting a contact lens having magnetic properties into the eye.