On an eye-gaze input system based on the limbus tracking method by image analysis

摘要

Eye-gaze input devices as advanced human-machine interfaces have already been developed. They are often used as communication aid for the seriously physically handicapped like ALS patients. In most conventional systems, an infrared ray on the eyes is used to detect eye-gaze, but prolonged irradiation is said to cause eye diseases such as glassblower's cataract, retinitis solaris, dry eye etc. In this paper, the authors propose an eye-gaze input system using a personal computer and a home video camera for eye-gaze detection under the natural light. This system detects eye-gaze by image analysis based on the limbus tracking method. Neither special image processing units nor sensors are required. Therefore, it is small and flexible.