Patent ID: 6553281
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: A61B,G06F,G06K

Abstract:
Apparatus for estimating a fixation point of an anthropomorphically constructed eye (5) when viewing an object (1) with an eye reference point detection device for defining spatial eye reference point coordinates of an eye reference point (49), with a gaze direction detection device for defining a viewing direction of the eye as a viewing direction function, and with a computer for defining the fixation point (3) of the eye (5) from the gaze direction function and the eye reference point coordinate values, characterized by the fact that the eye reference point detection device comprises an eye reference point detector (6) structured as a surface detector by which an image of the eye (5) may be formed within a predetermined spatial range, that the gaze direction detection device comprises a gaze direction detector (9) arranged on a pivot and tilt element (11) which is pivotable and tiltable in two overlapping directions, whereby images may be formed by the gaze direction detector (9) of at least the pupil (13) and the immediate vicinity (14, 15) of the pupil and the pivot and tilt element (11) is adjustable by a tracking unit (21) fed with control signals from the eye reference point detection device such that during spatial movements of the eye reference point (49) the gaze direction detector (9) remains fixed on the eye reference point (49), and that the computer comprises a compensation unit (24) for compensating for the movement of the eye reference point (49) to which may be fed object coordinate values associated with the object, gaze direction coordinate values associated with the gaze direction detector (9), alignment values associated with the alignment of the gaze direction detector (9) and eye reference point coordinate values for defining the fixation point (3).