EVALUATION DEVICE, EVALUATION METHOD, AND EVALUATION PROGRAM

An evaluation device includes: a display; a gaze point detection unit detecting a position of a subject's gaze point; a display control unit displaying, after displaying a question image, an answer image including a specific object and comparison objects, and when the question image is displayed, displaying a reference image illustrating a positional relationship between the specific object and the comparison objects in the answer image; an area setting unit setting, on the display, a specific area corresponding to the specific object and comparison areas corresponding to the comparison objects; a determination unit determining, at each specified determination cycle, in which area the gaze point is present among the specific area and the comparison areas, based on a position of the gaze point; a calculation unit calculating an evaluation parameter based on a determination result; and an evaluation unit obtaining evaluation data on the subject based on the evaluation parameter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to an evaluation device, an evaluation method, and an evaluation program.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, it has been said that cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction are on the increase, and there is a need to detect such cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction at an early stage and quantitatively evaluate the severity of symptoms. It is known that symptoms of cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction affect cognitive ability. For this reason, the subject is evaluated based on the cognitive ability of the subject. For example, there is the disclosure of a device that displays a plurality of types of numbers, prompts the subject to add the numbers and give an answer, and checks the answer given by the subject (see, for example, JP 2011-083403 A).

However, in the method of JP 2011-083403 A and the like, the subject selects an answer by operating a touch panel or the like, and it is difficult to obtain high evaluation accuracy due to an accidental correct answer or an operation error of the subject. For that reason, there is a need to accurately evaluate cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An evaluation device according to the present disclosure includes a display unit, a gaze point detection unit, a display control unit, an area setting unit, a determination unit, a calculation unit, and an evaluation unit. The gaze point detection unit is configured to detect a position of a gaze point of a subject on the display unit. The display control unit is configured to, after displaying a question image including question information for the subject on the display unit, display, on the display unit, an answer image including a specific object that is a correct answer to the question information and one or more comparison objects different from the specific object, and when the question image is displayed on the display unit, display, on the display unit, a reference image illustrating a positional relationship between the specific object and the one or more comparison objects in the answer image. The area setting unit is configured to set, on the display unit, a specific area corresponding to the specific object and one or more comparison areas corresponding to the one or more comparison objects. The determination unit is configured to determine, at each specified determination cycle, in which area the gaze point is present among the specific area and the one or more comparison areas, based on a position of the gaze point. The calculation unit is configured to calculate an evaluation parameter based on a determination result of the determination unit. The evaluation unit is configured to obtain evaluation data on the subject based on the evaluation parameter.

An evaluation method according to the present disclosure includes: detecting a position of a gaze point of a subject on a display unit; after displaying a question image including question information for the subject on the display unit, displaying, on the display unit, an answer image including a specific object that is a correct answer to the question information and one or more comparison objects different from the specific object, and when the question image is displayed on the display unit, displaying, on the display unit, a reference image illustrating a positional relationship between the specific object and the one or more comparison objects in the answer image; setting, on the display unit, a specific area corresponding to the specific object and one or more comparison areas corresponding to the one or more comparison objects; determining, at each specified determination cycle, in which area the gaze point is present among the specific area and the one or more comparison areas, based on a position of the gaze point; calculating an evaluation parameter based on a determination result obtained at the determining; and obtaining evaluation data on the subject based on the evaluation parameter.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium according to the present disclosure contains a computer program. The computer program causes a computer to execute: detecting a position of a gaze point of a subject on a display unit; after displaying a question image including question information for the subject on the display unit, displaying, on the display unit, an answer image including a specific object that is a correct answer to the question information and one or more comparison objects different from the specific object, and when the question image is displayed on the display unit, displaying, on the display unit, a reference image illustrating a positional relationship between the specific object and the one or more comparison objects in the answer image; setting, on the display unit, a specific area corresponding to the specific object and one or more comparison areas corresponding to the one or more comparison objects; determining, at each specified determination cycle, in which area the gaze point is present among the specific area and the one or more comparison areas, based on a position of the gaze point; calculating an evaluation parameter based on a determination result obtained at the determining; and obtaining evaluation data on the subject based on the evaluation parameter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of an evaluation device, an evaluation method, and an evaluation program according to the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment. Components in the embodiment described below include those that may be easily replaced by those skilled in the art or those that are substantially identical.

In the description below, a three-dimensional global coordinate system is set to describe the positional relationship of units. A direction parallel to a first axis of a predetermined plane is an X-axis direction, a direction parallel to a second axis of the predetermined plane perpendicular to the first axis is a Y-axis direction, and a direction parallel to a third axis perpendicular to both the first axis and the second axis is a Z-axis direction. The predetermined plane includes an XY plane.

Evaluation Device

FIG. 1is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of an evaluation device100according to the present embodiment. The evaluation device100according to the present embodiment detects the line of sight of a subject and uses a detection result to evaluate cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction. The evaluation device100may detect the line of sight of the subject by using various methods, such as a method for detecting the line of sight based on the position of the pupil of the subject and the position of a corneal reflection image, or a method for detecting the line of sight based on the position of the inner corner of the eye of the subject and the position of the iris.

As illustrated inFIG. 1, the evaluation device100includes a display device10, an image acquisition device20, a computer system30, an output device40, an input device50, and an input/output interface device60. The display device10, the image acquisition device20, the computer system30, the output device40, and the input device50perform data communications via the input/output interface device60. The display device10and the image acquisition device20each include a drive circuit that is not illustrated.

The display device10includes a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescence display (OLED). According to the present embodiment, the display device10includes a display unit11. The display unit11displays information such as an image. The display unit11is substantially parallel to the XY plane. The X-axis direction is a horizontal direction of the display unit11, the Y-axis direction is a vertical direction of the display unit11, and the Z-axis direction is a depth direction perpendicular to the display unit11. The display device10may be a head-mounted display device. When the display device10is a head-mounted display device, a configuration such as the image acquisition device20is provided in a head-mounted module.

The image acquisition device20acquires image data of right and left eyeballs EB of the subject and transmits the acquired image data to the computer system30. The image acquisition device20includes an image capturing device21. The image capturing device21captures the right and left eyeballs EB of the subject to acquire image data. The image capturing device21includes various cameras corresponding to a method for detecting the line of sight of the subject. For example, in the case of the method for detecting the line of sight based on the position of the pupil of the subject and the position of the corneal reflection image, the image capturing device21includes an infrared camera, an optical system that allows transmission of near-infrared light having a wavelength of, for example, 850 (nm), and an imaging element capable of receiving the near-infrared light. For example, in the case of the method for detecting the line of sight based on the position of the inner corner of the eye of the subject and the position of the iris, the image capturing device21includes a visible light camera. The image capturing device21outputs a frame synchronization signal. The cycle of frame synchronization signals may be, for example, but is not limited thereto, 20 (msec). The image capturing device21may be configured as, but is not limited thereto, a stereo camera including, for example, a first camera21A and a second camera21B.

Further, in the case of a method for detecting the line of sight based on, for example, the position of the pupil of the subject and the position of the corneal reflection image, the image acquisition device20includes a lighting device22that illuminates the eyeball EB of the subject. The lighting device22includes a light emitting diode (LED) light source and may emit near-infrared light having a wavelength of, for example, 850 (nm). In the case of a method for detecting the line of sight based on, for example, the position of the inner corner of the eye of the subject and the position of the iris, the lighting device22may be omitted. The lighting device22emits a detection light so as to synchronize with the frame synchronization signal of the image capturing device21. The lighting device22may be configured to include, for example, but is not limited thereto, a first light source22A and a second light source22B.

The computer system30comprehensively controls an operation of the evaluation device100. The computer system30includes an arithmetic processing device30A and a storage device30B. The arithmetic processing device30A includes a microprocessor such as a central processing unit (CPU). The storage device30B includes a memory or storage such as a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM). The arithmetic processing device30A performs arithmetic processing in accordance with a computer program30C stored in the storage device30B.

The output device40includes a display device such as a flat panel display. The output device40may include a printing device. The display device10may also serve as the output device40. The input device50is operated to generate input data. The input device50includes a keyboard or mouse for a computer system. The input device50may include a touch sensor provided on the display unit of the output device40, which is a display device.

In the evaluation device100according to the present embodiment, the display device10and the computer system30are separate devices. The display device10and the computer system30may be integrated. For example, the evaluation device100may include a tablet-type personal computer. In this case, the tablet-type personal computer may be equipped with a display device, an image acquisition device, a computer system, an input device, an output device, etc.

FIG. 2is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the evaluation device100. As illustrated inFIG. 2, the computer system30includes a display control unit31, a gaze point detection unit32, an area setting unit33, a determination unit34, a calculation unit35, an evaluation unit36, an input/output control unit37, and a storage unit38. The arithmetic processing device30A and the storage device30B (seeFIG. 1) perform the functions of the computer system30. Some functions of the computer system30may be provided outside the evaluation device100.

The display control unit31displays a question image including question information for the subject on the display unit11. After displaying the question image on the display unit11, the display control unit31displays, on the display unit11, an answer image including a specific object that is a correct answer to the question information and one or more comparison objects different from the specific object. When the question image is displayed on the display unit11, the display control unit31displays a reference image illustrating the positional relationship between the specific object and the one or more comparison objects in the answer image as part of the question image. The reference image includes a first object corresponding to the specific object in the answer image and one or more second objects corresponding to the one or more comparison objects in the answer image. The first object and the one or more second objects are arranged so as to have the same positional relationship as that of the specific object and the comparison objects. For example, an image obtained by increasing the transmissivity of the answer image or an image obtained by reducing the size of the answer image may be used as the reference image.

The display control unit31displays the reference image on the display unit11after the elapse of a predetermined time from the start of display of the question image. For example, the display control unit31may display the reference image so as to be superimposed on the question information or may display the reference image at a position away from the question information.

The question image, the answer image, and an intermediate image in which the question image includes the reference image may be previously generated. In this case, the display control unit31may switch three images, for example, after displaying the question image, displays the intermediate image after the elapse of a predetermined time, and displays the answer image after the elapse of a predetermined time from the display of the intermediate image.

The gaze point detection unit32detects position data on the gaze point of the subject. According to the present embodiment, the gaze point detection unit32detects the subject's line-of-sight vector defined by the three-dimensional global coordinate system based on the image data of the right and left eyeballs EB of the subject acquired by the image acquisition device20. The gaze point detection unit32detects the position data on the intersection between the detected line-of-sight vector of the subject and the display unit11of the display device10as position data on the gaze point of the subject. Specifically, according to the present embodiment, the position data on the gaze point is the position data on the intersection between the line-of-sight vector of the subject defined by the three-dimensional global coordinate system and the display unit11of the display device10. The gaze point detection unit32detects the position data on the gaze point of the subject at each specified sampling cycle. The sampling cycle may be, for example, the cycle (e.g., every 20 (msec)) of the frame synchronization signal output from the image capturing device21.

The area setting unit33sets, on the display unit11, the specific area corresponding to the specific object displayed in the answer image and the comparison areas respectively corresponding to the comparison objects. The area setting unit33also sets, on the display unit11, reference areas corresponding to the reference image displayed in the question image. In this case, the area setting unit33may set a first reference area corresponding to the specific object in the reference image and one or more second reference areas respectively corresponding to one or more comparison objects in the reference image.

In the period during which the area setting unit33sets the specific area and the comparison areas, the determination unit34determines in which area the gaze point is present among the specific area and the comparison areas based on the position data on the gaze point and outputs determination result as determination data. Further, in the period during which the area setting unit33sets the reference areas, the determination unit34determines in which reference area the gaze point is present among the reference areas (the first reference area and the second reference areas) based on the position data on the gaze point and outputs a determination result as determination data. The determination unit34determines in which area the gaze point is present among the specific area and the comparison area at each specified determination cycle. The determination unit34also determines in which reference area the gaze point is present among the reference areas at each specified determination cycle. The determination cycle may be, for example, the cycle (e.g., every 20 (msec)) of the frame synchronization signal output from the image capturing device21. That is, the determination cycle of the determination unit34is the same as the sampling cycle of the gaze point detection unit32. The determination unit34makes a determination regarding the gaze point every time the position of the gaze point is sampled by the gaze point detection unit32, and outputs determination data.

The calculation unit35calculates, based on the determination data of the determination unit34, an evaluation parameter indicating the course of movement of the gaze point in the period during which the specific area and the comparison areas described above are set. The calculation unit35also calculates, based on the determination data of the determination unit34, the evaluation parameter indicating the course of movement of the gaze point in the period during which the reference areas (the first reference area and the second reference areas) described above are set. According to the present embodiment, the gaze point is included in a designated point that is designated by the subject on the display unit.

As the evaluation parameters, the calculation unit35calculates at least one piece of data among, for example, arrival time data, movement number data, and presence time data and last area data. In the period during which the specific area and the comparison areas are set, the arrival time data indicates the time until an arrival time when the gaze point first arrives at the specific area. The movement number data indicates the number of times the position of the gaze point moves between the comparison areas before the gaze point first arrives at the specific area. The presence time data indicates the presence time during which the gaze point is present in the specific area in the display period of the reference image. The last area data indicates the area where the gaze point is last present in the display period among the specific area and the comparison areas. In the period during which the reference areas (the first reference area and the second reference areas) are set, the arrival time data indicates the time until an arrival time when the gaze point first arrives at the first reference area. The movement number data indicates the number of times the position of the gaze point moves between the second reference areas before the gaze point first arrives at the first reference area. The presence time data indicates the presence time during which the gaze point is present in the first reference area in the display period of the reference image. The last area data indicates the area where the gaze point is last present in the display period among the first reference area and the second reference areas.

The calculation unit35includes a timer that detects the elapsed time after the display unit11displays an evaluation video, and a counter that counts the number of times the determination unit34determines that the gaze point is present each in the specific area, the comparison area, and the reference areas (the first reference area and the second reference areas). The calculation unit35may include a management timer that manages the play time of the evaluation video.

The evaluation unit36obtains evaluation data on the subject based on the evaluation parameter. The evaluation data includes the data for evaluating whether the subject is able to gaze at the specific object and the comparison objects displayed on the display unit11.

The input/output control unit37acquires data (image data of the eyeball EB, input data, etc.) from at least either one of the image acquisition device20and the input device50. The input/output control unit37outputs data to at least either one of the display device10and the output device40. The input/output control unit37may output a task for the subject from the output device40such as a speaker. When an answer pattern is displayed a plurality of times in succession, the input/output control unit37may output an instruction for causing the subject to gaze at the specific object again from the output device40such as a speaker.

The storage unit38stores therein the determination data, the evaluation parameters (the arrival time data, the movement number data, the presence time data, and the last area data) and the evaluation data described above. The storage unit38stores therein an evaluation program causing the computer to execute: detecting the position of the gaze point of the subject on the display unit11; after displaying the question image including the question information for the subject on the display unit11, displaying, on the display unit11, the answer image including the specific object that is a correct answer to the question information and the comparison objects different from the specific object, and when the question image is displayed on the display unit11, displaying, on the question image, the reference image illustrating the positional relationship between the specific object and the comparison objects in the answer image; setting, on the display unit11, the specific area corresponding to the specific object and the comparison areas corresponding to the comparison objects; determining, at each specified determination cycle, in which area the gaze point is present among the specific area and the comparison areas, based on the position of the gaze point; calculating the evaluation parameter based on a determination result of the determination unit34; and obtaining the evaluation data on the subject based on the evaluation parameter.

Evaluation Method

Next, an evaluation method according to the present embodiment is described. With the evaluation method according to the present embodiment, cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction of the subject are evaluated by using the evaluation device100described above.

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating an example of the question image displayed on the display unit11. As illustrated inFIG. 3, the display control unit31displays, for example, a question image P1including question information Q for the subject on the display unit11for a predetermined period. In the present embodiment, the question information Q is described as an example of the question having the content prompting the subject to calculate the answer of the subtraction “8-3=?”. The question information Q is not limited to the content prompting the subject to calculate and may be a question having other content. In addition to displaying the question information Q, the input/output control unit37may output the sound corresponding to the question information Q from the speaker.

FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating an example of the reference image displayed on the display unit11. As illustrated inFIG. 4, when the question image P1is displayed, the display control unit31may display a reference image R1on the display unit11at the same time as the question image P1. Hereinafter, the question image P1in which the reference image is displayed is referred to as an intermediate image P2. For example, the intermediate image P2in which the question image P1includes the reference image R1is previously generated. In this case, the display control unit31displays the question image P1and then, after the elapse of a predetermined time, displays the intermediate image P2. In the intermediate image P2illustrated inFIG. 4, the reference image R1is, for example, an image obtained by increasing the transmissivity of an answer image P3described below. The display control unit31may display the reference image R1in a superimposed manner on the question image P1. The display control unit31may display the intermediate image P2including the reference image R1after the elapse of a predetermined time from the start of display of the question image P1.

The reference image R1includes reference objects U. The reference objects U include a first object U1and second objects U2, U3, and U4. The first object U1corresponds to a specific object M1(seeFIG. 6) in the answer image P3. The second objects U2to U4correspond to comparison objects M2to M4(seeFIG. 6) in the answer image P3. The first object U1and the second objects U2to U4are arranged so as to have the same positional relationship as that of the specific object M1and the comparison objects M2to M4(seeFIG. 6) in the answer image P3.

FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating another example of the intermediate image displayed on the display unit11. The intermediate image P2illustrated inFIG. 5includes a reference image R2as part of the question image P1. The reference image R2is, for example, an image obtained by reducing the size of the answer image P3described below. The reference image R2is displayed at a position that is not overlapped with the question information Q, i.e., a position outside the display area of the question information Q in the display unit11, such as a corner portion of the display unit11. The reference image R2may be arranged at another position different from the corner portion of the display unit11as long as the reference image R2is not overlapped with the question information Q.

The reference image R2includes the reference objects U. The reference objects U include a first object U5and second objects U6, U7, and U8. The first object U5corresponds to the specific object M1(seeFIG. 6) in the answer image P3. The second objects U6to U8correspond to the comparison objects M2to M4(seeFIG. 6) in the answer image P3. The first object U5and the second objects U6to U8are arranged so as to have the same positional relationship as that of the specific object M1and the comparison objects M2to M4(seeFIG. 6) in the answer image P3.

FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating an example of the answer image displayed on the display unit11. As illustrated inFIG. 6, the display control unit31displays the answer image P3on the display unit11after the elapse of a predetermined time from the display of the intermediate image P2. AlthoughFIG. 6illustrates an example of a gaze point P that is displayed as a result for example after a measurement in the display unit11, the gaze point P is not actually displayed in the display unit11. The answer image P3includes the specific object M1that is a correct answer to the question information Q and the comparison objects M2to M4that are incorrect answers to the question information Q. The specific object M1is the number “5” that is a correct answer to the question information Q. The comparison objects M2to M4are the numbers “1”, “3”, and “7” that are incorrect answers to the question information Q.

The area setting unit33sets a specific area X1corresponding to the specific object M1, which is a correct answer to the question information Q, in the period during which the answer image P3is displayed. The area setting unit33sets comparison areas X2to X4corresponding to the comparison objects M2to M4, which are incorrect answers to the question information Q.

The area setting unit33may set the specific area X1and the comparison areas X2to X4in respective areas including at least parts of the specific object M1and the comparison objects M2to M4. In the present embodiment, the area setting unit33sets the specific area X1in the circular area including the specific object M1and sets the comparison areas X2to X4in the circular areas including the comparison objects M2to M4.

FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where an eye-catching video is displayed on the display unit11. When the display of the intermediate image P2is switched to the display of the answer image P3, the display control unit31may display, as an eye-catching video, a video obtained by reducing the intermediate image P2toward a target position such as a central portion of the display unit11on the display unit11, as illustrated inFIG. 7. In this case, the display control unit31also reduces the reference image R1(or the reference image R2) displayed on the intermediate image P2as an image integrated with the intermediate image P2. Accordingly, the line of sight of the subject may be guided to the target position.

It is known that the symptoms of cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction affect the cognitive ability and calculation ability of the subject. When the subject does not have cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction, the subject may recognize the question information Q and do a calculation in the question image P1and may gaze at the specific object M1, which is a correct answer, in the answer image P3. When the subject has cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction, the subject may fail to recognize the question information Q as well as well as do a calculation in the question image P1and may fail to gaze at the specific object M1, which is a correct answer, in the answer image P3.

In the case of the display described above, how the specific object M1and the comparison objects M2to M4are arranged in the answer image P3is unknown until the answer image P3is displayed. Therefore, when the display of the answer image P3is started, the subject needs to see the entire display unit11to understand how the specific object M1and the comparison objects M2to M4are arranged. This action may reduce the accuracy even for the subject having no cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction to evaluate the process from when the display of the answer image P3is started until when the specific object M1is gazed at.

In a method in which the specific object M1and the comparison objects M2to M4are simply displayed on the display unit11to be gazed at, the gaze point of the subject may be accidentally placed on the specific object M1, which is a correct answer, during the display period of the answer image P3. In such a case, the correct answer may be determined regardless of whether the subject has cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction, and therefore it is difficult to evaluate the subject with high accuracy.

Therefore, for example, the following procedure is executed, whereby the subject can be evaluate with high accuracy. First, the display control unit31displays the question image P1on the display unit11. After the elapse of a predetermined time from the start of display of the question image P1, the display control unit31displays the intermediate image P2in which the question image P1includes the reference image R1(or R2). The reference image R1illustrates the arrangement of the specific object M1and the comparison objects M2to M4in the subsequently displayed answer image P3. The display control unit31displays the answer image P3on the display unit11after the elapse of a predetermined time from the display of the intermediate image P2.

By the execution of this procedure, to answer the question information Q displayed on the question image P1, the subject gazes at the reference image R1in the intermediate image P2before the answer image P3is displayed so as to understand the arrangement of the specific object M1and the comparison objects M2to M4. This allows the subject to quickly gaze at the specific object M1, which is a correct answer to the question information Q, after the answer image P3is displayed.

The gaze point detection unit32detects the position data on the gaze point P of the subject at each specified sampling cycle (e.g., 20 (msec)) in the period during which the answer image P3is displayed. In response to detection of the position data on the gaze point P of the subject, the determination unit34determines in which area the gaze point P of the subject is present among the specific area X1and the comparison areas X2to X4and outputs determination data. Therefore, the determination unit34outputs the determination data at each determination cycle that is the same as the above-described sampling cycle.

The calculation unit35calculates the evaluation parameters indicating the course of movement of the gaze point P during the display period based on the determination data. The calculation unit35calculates, as the evaluation parameters, for example, the presence time data, the movement number data, the last area data, and the arrival time data.

The presence time data indicates the presence time during which the gaze point P is present in the specific area X1. According to the present embodiment, it may be assumed that the greater the number of times the determination unit34determines that the gaze point P is present in the specific area X1, the longer the presence time during which the gaze point P is present in the specific area X1. Therefore, the presence time data may be the number of times the determination unit34determines that the gaze point P is present in the specific area X1. That is, the calculation unit35may use a count value NX1of the counter as the presence time data.

The movement number data indicates the number of times the position of the gaze point P moves among the comparison areas X2to X4before the gaze point P first arrives at the specific area X1. Therefore, the calculation unit35may count the number of times the gaze point P has moved among the specific area X1and the comparison areas X2to X4and use the count result before the gaze point P arrives at the specific area X1as the movement number data.

The last area data indicates the area where the gaze point P is last present among the specific area X1and the comparison areas X2to X4, i.e., the last area that is gazed at as an answer by the subject. Each time the gaze point P is detected, the calculation unit35updates the area where the gaze point P is present to thereby obtain the detection result at the end time of the display of the answer image P3as the last area data.

The arrival time data indicates the time from the start time of display of the answer image P3until the arrival time when the gaze point P first arrives at the specific area X1. Therefore, the calculation unit35uses a timer T to measure the elapsed time from the start of display, and when the gaze point P first arrives at the specific area X1, sets a flag value to 1 and detects the measured value of the timer T to thereby obtain the detection result of the timer T as the arrival time data.

The evaluation unit36calculates an evaluation value based on the presence time data, the movement number data, the last area data, and the arrival time data and obtains evaluation data based on the evaluation value. For example, the last area data has a data value D1, the presence time data has a data value D2, the arrival time data has a data value D3, and the movement number data has a data value D4. The data value D1of the last area data is 1 when the final gaze point P of the subject is present in the specific area X1(that is, when the answer is correct) and is 0 when the final gaze point P of the subject is not present in the specific area X1(that is, when the answer is incorrect). The data value D2of the presence time data is the number of seconds in which the gaze point P is present in the specific area X1. An upper limit, which is the number of seconds shorter than the display period, may be set for the data value D2. The data value D3of the arrival time data is the reciprocal of the arrival time, e.g., 1/(arrival time)/10. The value “10” is the coefficient for setting an arrival time evaluation value to 1 or less when the minimum value of the arrival time is 0.1 seconds. The count value is used as it is as the data value D4of the movement number data. An upper limit may be set as appropriate for the data value D4.

In this case, an evaluation value ANS1may be represented as, for example,

where K1to K4are constants for weighting. The constants K1to K4may be set as appropriate.

In a case where the data value D1of the last area data is 1, the evaluation value ANS1represented by the above equation becomes large when the data value D2of the presence time data is large, when the data value D3of the arrival time data is large, and when the data value D4of the movement number data is large. That is, the evaluation value ANS1becomes larger when the final gaze point P is present in the specific area X1, the presence time of the gaze point P in the specific area X1is longer, the arrival time from when the display period is started to when the gaze point P arrives at the specific area X1is shorter, and the number of times the gaze point P moves among the areas is larger.

In a case where the data value D1of the last area data is 0, the evaluation value ANS1becomes small when the data value D2of the presence time data is small, when the data value D3of the arrival time data is small, and when the data value D4of the movement number data is small. That is, the evaluation value ANS1becomes smaller when the final gaze point P is not present in the specific area X1, the presence time of the gaze point P in the specific area X1is shorter, the arrival time from when the display period is started to when the gaze point P arrives at the specific area X1is longer, and the number of times the gaze point P moves among the areas is smaller.

Therefore, the evaluation unit36may determine whether the evaluation value ANS1is equal to or more than a predetermined value to thereby obtain the evaluation data. For example, when the evaluation value ANS1is equal to or more than the predetermined value, the evaluation may indicate that the subject is unlikely to be a person having cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction. When the evaluation value ANS1is less than the predetermined value, the evaluation may indicate that the subject is highly likely to be a person having cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction.

The evaluation unit36may store the evaluation value ANS1in the storage unit38. For example, the evaluation values ANS1for the same subject may be cumulatively stored to make a comparative evaluation using the past evaluation value. For example, when the evaluation value ANS1is higher than the past evaluation value, the evaluation may indicate that the brain function has improved as compared with the previous evaluation. When the cumulative value of the evaluation values ANS1gradually increases, for example, the evaluation may indicate that the brain function has been gradually improved.

The evaluation unit36may make an evaluation by individually using the presence time data, the movement number data, the last area data, and the arrival time data or by combining two or more of the presence time data, the movement number data, the last area data, and the arrival time data. For example, when the gaze point P accidentally arrives at the specific area X1while the subject looks at many objects, the data value D4of the movement number data becomes small. In this case, the evaluation may be made together with the data value D2of the above-described presence time data. For example, when the presence time is long, even though the number of movements is small, the evaluation may indicate that the subject can gaze at the specific area X1, which is a correct answer. When the number of movements is small and the presence time is also short, the evaluation may indicate that the gaze point P accidentally passed through the specific area X1.

When the number of movements is small and the last area is the specific area X1, the evaluation may indicate that, for example, the specific area X1, which is a correct answer, was reached with the small number of movements of the gaze point P. When the number of movements described above is small and when the last area is not the specific area X1, the evaluation may indicate that, for example, the gaze point P accidentally passed through the specific area X1. Therefore, the evaluation using the evaluation parameters makes it possible to obtain the evaluation data based on the course of movement of the gaze point P, and thus the effect of accidentalness may be reduced.

According to the present embodiment, when the evaluation unit36outputs the evaluation data, the input/output control unit37may cause the output device40to output, based on the evaluation data, text data such as “the subject is unlikely to be a person having cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction” or text data such as “the subject is likely to be a person having cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction”. When the evaluation value ANS1for the same subject is higher than the past evaluation value ANS1, the input/output control unit37may cause the output device40to output text data such as “brain function has improved”.

Next, an example of the evaluation method according to the present embodiment is described with reference toFIG. 8.FIG. 8is a flowchart illustrating an example of the evaluation method according to the present embodiment. According to the present embodiment, the calculation unit35executes the following setting and resetting (Step S101). First, the calculation unit35sets display times T1, T2, and T3for displaying the question image P1, the intermediate image P2, and the answer image P3, respectively. The calculation unit35resets the timer T and the count value NX1of the counter and resets the flag value to 0. The display control unit31may set transmissivity α of the reference image R1illustrated in the intermediate image P2.

After executing the above setting and resetting, the display control unit31displays the question image P1on the display unit11(Step S102). The display control unit31displays the intermediate image P2on the display unit11after the elapse of the display time T1set at Step S101from the display of the question image P1(Step S103). A process may be performed to superimpose the reference image R1on the question image P1. The display control unit31displays the answer image P3after the elapse of the display time T2set at Step S101from the display of the intermediate image P2(Step S104). When the answer image P3is displayed, the area setting unit33sets the specific area X1and the comparison areas X2to X4in the answer image P3.

The gaze point detection unit32detects the position data on the gaze point P of the subject on the display unit11at each specified sampling cycle (e.g., 20 (msec)) while the subject looks at the image displayed on the display unit11(Step S105). When the position data is detected (No at Step S106), the determination unit34determines the area where the gaze point P is present, based on the position data (Step S107). When no position data is detected (Yes at Step S106), the process at Step S129and the subsequent steps described below is performed.

When it is determined that the gaze point P is present in the specific area X1(Yes at Step S108), the calculation unit35determines whether a flag value F is 1, i.e., the gaze point P arrived at the specific area X1for the first time (1: arrived, 0: not arrived) (Step S109). When the flag value F is 1 (Yes at Step S109), the calculation unit35skips the following Steps S110to S112and performs the process at Step S113described below.

When the flag value F is not 1, i.e., when the gaze point P arrived at the specific area X1for the first time (No at Step S109), the calculation unit35extracts the measurement result of the timer T as the arrival time data (Step S110). The calculation unit35stores, in the storage unit38, the movement number data indicating the number of times the gaze point P has moved among the areas before arriving at the specific area X1(Step S111). Subsequently, the calculation unit35changes the flag value to 1 (Step S112).

Subsequently, the calculation unit35determines whether the area where the gaze point P is present during the most recent detection, i.e., the last area, is the specific area X1(Step S113). When it is determined that the last area is the specific area X1(Yes at Step S113), the calculation unit35skips the following Steps S114to S116and performs the process at Step S129described below. When it is determined that the last area is not the specific area X1(No at Step S113), the calculation unit35increments by one the cumulative number indicating the number of times the gaze point P has moved among the areas (Step S114) and changes the last area to the specific area X1(Step S115). The calculation unit35increments by one the count value NX1indicating the presence time data in the specific area X1(Step S116). Subsequently, the calculation unit35performs the process at Step S129and the subsequent steps described below.

When it is determined that the gaze point P is not present in the specific area X1(No at Step S108), the calculation unit35determines whether the gaze point P is present in the comparison area X2(Step S117). When it is determined that the gaze point P is present in the comparison area X2(Yes at Step S117), the calculation unit35determines whether the area where the gaze point P is present during the most recent detection, i.e., the last area, is the comparison area X2(Step S118). When it is determined that the last area is the comparison area X2(Yes at Step S118), the calculation unit35skips the following Steps S119and S120and performs the process at Step S129described below. When it is determined that the last area is not the comparison area X2(No at Step S118), the calculation unit35increments by one the cumulative number indicating the number of times the gaze point P has moved among the areas (Step S119) and changes the last area to the comparison area X2(Step S120). Subsequently, the calculation unit35performs the process at Step S129and the subsequent steps described below.

When it is determined that the gaze point P is not present in the comparison area X2(No at Step S117), the calculation unit35determines whether the gaze point P is present in the comparison area X3(Step S121). When it is determined that the gaze point P is present in the comparison area X3(Yes at Step S121), the calculation unit35determines whether the area where the gaze point P is present during the most recent detection, i.e., the last area, is the comparison area X3(Step S122). When it is determined that the last area is the comparison area X3(Yes at Step S122), the calculation unit35skips the following Steps S123and S124and performs the process at Step S129described below. When it is determined that the last area is not the comparison area X3(No at Step S122), the calculation unit35increments by one the cumulative number indicating the number of times the gaze point P has moved among the areas (Step S123) and changes the last area to the comparison area X3(Step S124). Subsequently, the calculation unit35performs the process at Step S129and the subsequent steps described below.

When it is determined that the gaze point P is not present in the comparison area X3(No at Step S121), the calculation unit35determines whether the gaze point P is present in the comparison area X4(Step S125). When it is determined that the gaze point P is present in the comparison area X4(Yes at Step S125), the calculation unit35determines whether the area where the gaze point P is present during the most recent detection, i.e., the last area, is the comparison area X4(Step S126). When it is determined that the gaze point P is not present in the comparison area X4(No at Step S125), the process at Step S129described below is performed. When it is determined that the last area is the comparison area X4(Yes at Step S126), the calculation unit35skips the following Steps S127and S128and performs the process at Step S129described below. When it is determined that the last area is not the comparison area X4(No at Step S126), the calculation unit35increments by one the cumulative number indicating the number of times the gaze point P has moved among the areas (Step S127) and changes the last area to the comparison area X4(Step S128). Subsequently, the calculation unit35performs the process at Step S129and the subsequent steps described below.

Subsequently, the calculation unit35determines whether the display time T3of the answer image P3has elapsed based on the detection result of the timer T (Step S129). When it is determined that the display time T3of the answer image P3has not elapsed (No at Step S129), the process at Step S105and the subsequent steps described above is repeatedly performed.

When the calculation unit35determines that the display time T3of the answer image P3has elapsed (Yes at Step S129), the display control unit31stops the play of the video (Step S130). After the paly of the video is stopped, the evaluation unit36calculates the evaluation value ANS1based on the presence time data, the movement number data, the last area data, and the arrival time data obtained from the above processing results (Step S131) and obtains the evaluation data based on the evaluation value ANS1. Subsequently, the input/output control unit37outputs the evaluation data obtained by the evaluation unit36(Step S132).

When the intermediate image P2is displayed on the display unit11, the subject may be evaluated by using the first object U1and the second objects U2to U4included in the intermediate image P2(the reference image R1).FIG. 9is a diagram illustrating another example of the intermediate image displayed on the display unit11. As illustrated inFIG. 9, the display control unit31displays, on the display unit11, the intermediate image P2including the question image P1and the reference image R1after displaying the question image P1for a predetermined time. In this case, the area setting unit33sets a first reference area A corresponding to the first object U1during the period of displaying the intermediate image P2(the reference image R1). The area setting unit33sets second reference areas B, C, and D corresponding to the second objects U2to U4. The reference image R1is described below as an example of the reference image included in the intermediate image P2; however, the same description is applicable to a case where the reference image R2is included.

The area setting unit33may set the reference areas A to D in the respective areas including at least parts of the first object U1and the second objects U2to U4. According to the present embodiment, the area setting unit33sets the first reference area A in the circular area including the first object U1and sets the second reference areas B to D in the circular areas including the second objects U2to U4. In this manner, the area setting unit33may set the reference areas A to D corresponding to the reference image R1.

The gaze point detection unit32detects the position data on the gaze point P of the subject at each specified sampling cycle (e.g., 20 (msec)) during the period of displaying the intermediate image P2. In response to detection of the position data on the gaze point P of the subject, the determination unit34determines in which reference area the gaze point P of the subject is present among the first reference area A and the second reference areas B to D and outputs determination data. Thus, the determination unit34outputs determination data at each determination cycle that is the same as the above-described sampling cycle.

Based on the determination data, the calculation unit35calculates the evaluation parameter indicating the course of movement of the gaze point P during the period of displaying the intermediate image P2in the same manner as described above. The calculation unit35calculates, for example, the presence time data, the movement number data, the last area data, and the arrival time data as evaluation parameters.

The presence time data indicates the presence time during which the gaze point P is present in the first reference area A. The presence time data may be the number of times the determination unit34determines that the gaze point P is present in the first reference area A. Specifically, the calculation unit35may use count values NA, NB, NC, and ND of counters as the presence time data.

The movement number data indicates the number of times the position of the gaze point P moves among the second reference areas B to D before the gaze point P first arrives at the first reference area A. The calculation unit35may count the number of times the gaze point P moves among the first reference area A and the second reference areas B to D and use the count result before the gaze point P arrives at the first reference area A as the movement number data.

The last area data indicates the last area where the gaze point P is present among the first reference area A and the second reference areas B to D, i.e., the last area that is gazed at as an answer by the subject. Each time the gaze point P is detected, the calculation unit35updates the area where the gaze point P is present to thereby obtain the detection result at the end time of the display of the answer image P3as the last area data.

The arrival time data indicates the time from the start time of display of the intermediate image P2until the arrival time when the gaze point P first arrives at the first reference area A. The calculation unit35uses the timer T to measure the elapsed time from the start of display, and when the gaze point P first arrives at the first reference area A, detects the measured value of the timer T to thereby obtain the detection result of the timer T as the arrival time data.

FIG. 10is a flowchart illustrating another example of the evaluation method according to the present embodiment. As illustrated inFIG. 10, first, the display times (predetermined times) T1, T2, and T3for displaying the question image P1, the intermediate image P2, and the answer image P3are set (Step S201), and the transmissivity α of the reference image R1to be displayed on the intermediate image P2is set (Step S202). The first reference area A and the second reference areas B to D in the intermediate image P2are set (Step S203).

For the first reference area A and the second reference areas B to D, a threshold MO is set for a gaze area number M indicating how many areas the subject has gazed at (Step S204). In the example ofFIG. 9, as there are four areas (A to D), the threshold MO is set in the range from 0 to 4. Thresholds described below are set for the gaze point (Step S205). First, numbers NA0to ND0of gaze points needed to determine that the first reference area A and the second reference areas B to D have been gazed at are set, respectively. When the obtained gaze points are equal to or more than the numbers NA0to ND0respectively set for the first reference area A and the second reference areas B to D, it is determined that the corresponding area has been gazed at. Gaze point numbers NTA0to NTD0used to determine times TA to TD from when the intermediate image P2is displayed until when each area (the first reference area A and the second reference areas B to D) in the reference image R1is recognized are also set.

After making the above-described settings, the gaze point detection unit32starts to measure the gaze point (Step S206). The calculation unit35resets the timer T, which measures the elapsed time, and starts timing (Step S207). The display control unit31displays the question image P1on the display unit11(Step S208). After starting to display the question image P1, the display control unit31waits until the display time T1set at Step S201has elapsed (Step S209).

After the display time T1has elapsed (Yes at Step209), the display control unit31displays, on the display unit11, the intermediate image P2including the reference image R1having the transmissivity α set at Step S202(Step S210). At this point, the area setting unit33sets the first reference area A corresponding to the first object U1in the reference image R1and the second reference areas B to D corresponding to the second objects U2to U4. At the same time as the start of display of the intermediate image P2, the count values NA to ND are reset in the counters that count the gaze point in the first reference area A and the second reference areas B to D, and the timer T that measures the elapsed time is reset and is started for timing (Step S211). Subsequently, the display control unit31waits until the display time T2set at Step S202has elapsed (Step S212).

After the display time T2has elapsed (Yes at Step S212), the display control unit31displays the answer image P3on the display unit11(Step S242). When the display time T2has not elapsed (No at Step S212), the area determination described below is performed.

When it is determined that the gaze point P is present in the first reference area A (Yes at Step S213), the calculation unit35increments by one the count value NA for the first reference area A (Step S214). When the count value NA has reached the number NA0(Yes at Step S215), the gaze area number M is incremented by 1 (Step S216). When the count value NA has reached the gaze point number NTA0(Yes at Step S217), the value of the timer T is the time TA it took to recognize the first reference area A (Step S218). Subsequently, the last area is changed to the first reference area A (Step S219).

When it is determined that the gaze point P is not present in the first reference area A (No at Step S213), the same process as that in Steps S213to S219is performed for the gaze point P in each of the second reference areas B to D. Specifically, the process at Steps S220to S226is performed for the second reference area B. The process at Steps S227to S233is performed for the second reference area C. The process at Steps S234to S240is performed for the second reference area D.

After the process at Steps S219, S226, S233, S240, or No at Step S234, the calculation unit35determines whether the gaze area number M of the subject has reached the threshold MO set at Step S205(Step S241). When the threshold MO has not been reached (No at Step S241), the process at Step S212and the subsequent steps is repeatedly performed. When the threshold MO has been reached (Yes at Step S241), the display control unit31displays the answer image P3on the display unit11(Step S242). Subsequently, the calculation unit35resets the timer T (Step S243) and performs the same process as the above-described determination process (see Steps S105to S128illustrated inFIG. 8) for the answer image P3described inFIG. 8(Step S244). Then, the calculation unit35determines whether the count value of the timer T has reached the display time T3set at Step S201(Step S245). When the display time T3has not been reached (No at Step S245), the calculation unit35repeatedly performs the process at Step S244. When the display time T3has been reached (Yes at Step S245), the gaze point detection unit32terminates the measurement of the gaze point P (Step S246). Subsequently, the evaluation unit36performs an evaluation calculation (Step S247).

The evaluation unit36obtains the evaluation value based on the presence time data, the movement number data, the last area data, and the arrival time data and obtains the evaluation data based on the evaluation value. The evaluation by the evaluation unit36may be the same as the evaluation for the answer image P3described above. Here, for example, the last area data has a data value D5, the arrival time data has a data value D6, the presence time data has a data value D7, and the movement number data has a data value D8. The data value D5of the last area data is 1 when the final gaze point P of the subject is present in the first reference area A (that is, when the answer is correct) and is 0 when the final gaze point P of the subject is not present in the first reference area A (that is, when the answer is incorrect). The data value D6of the arrival time data is the reciprocal of the arrival time TA (e.g., [1/(arrival time)]/10) (10: the coefficient for setting an arrival time evaluation value to 1 or less when the minimum value of the arrival time is 0.1 seconds). The data value D7of the presence time data may be represented by using the ratio (NA/NA0) (the maximum value is 1.0) at which the first reference area A has been gazed at. The data value D8of the movement number data may be represented by using the ratio (M/M0) obtained by dividing the gaze area number M of the subject by the threshold M0.

In this case, an evaluation value ANS2may be represented as, for example,

where K5to K8are constants for weighting. The constants K5to K8may be set as appropriate.

In a case where the data value D5of the last area data is 1, the evaluation value ANS2represented by the above equation becomes large w, when the data value D6of the arrival time data is large, when the data value D7of the presence time data is large, and when the data value D8of the movement number data is large. That is, the evaluation value ANS2becomes larger when the final gaze point P is present in the first reference area A, the arrival time from when the display of the reference image R1is started to when the gaze point P arrives at the first reference area A is shorter, the presence time of the gaze point P in the first reference area A is longer, and the number of times the gaze point P moves among the areas is larger.

In a case where the data value D5of the last area data is 0, the evaluation value ANS2becomes small, when the data value D6of the arrival time data is small, when the data value D7of the presence time data is small, and when the data value D8of the movement number data is small. That is, the evaluation value ANS2becomes smaller when the final gaze point P is present in the second reference areas B to D, the arrival time from when the display of the reference image R1is started to when the gaze point P arrives at the first reference area A is longer (or no arrival), the presence time of the gaze point P in the first reference area A is shorter (or no presence), and the number of times the gaze point P moves among the areas is smaller.

When the evaluation value ANS2is large, it may be determined that the reference image R1was quickly recognized, the content of the question information Q was accurately understood, and then the correct answer (the first reference area A) was gazed at. Conversely, when the evaluation value ANS2is small, it may be determined that the reference image R1was not quickly recognized, the content of the question information Q was not accurately understood, or the correct answer (the first reference area A) was not gazed at.

Therefore, the evaluation unit36may determine whether the evaluation value ANS2is equal to or more than a predetermined value to thereby obtain the evaluation data. For example, when the evaluation value ANS2is equal to or more than the predetermined value, the evaluation may indicate that the subject is unlikely to be a person having cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction. When the evaluation value ANS2is less than the predetermined value, the evaluation may indicate that the subject is highly likely to be a person having cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction.

The evaluation unit36may store the evaluation value ANS2in the storage unit38in the same manner as described above. For example, the evaluation values ANS2for the same subject may be cumulatively stored to make a comparative evaluation using the past evaluation value. For example, when the evaluation value ANS2is higher than the past evaluation value, the evaluation may indicate that the brain function has improved as compared with the previous evaluation. When the cumulative value of the evaluation values ANS2gradually increases, for example, the evaluation may indicate that the brain function has been gradually improved.

The evaluation unit36may make an evaluation by individually using the presence time data, the movement number data, the last area data, and the arrival time data or by combining two or more of the presence time data, the movement number data, the last area data, and the arrival time data. For example, when the gaze point P accidentally arrives at the first reference area A while the subject looks at many objects, the data value D8of the movement number data becomes small. In this case, the evaluation may be made together with the data value D7of the above-described presence time data. For example, when the presence time is long, even though the number of movements is small, the evaluation may indicate that the subject can gaze at the first reference area A, which is a correct answer. When the number of movements is small and the presence time is also short, the evaluation may indicate that the gaze point P accidentally passed through the first reference area A.

When the number of movements is small and the last area is the first reference area A, the evaluation may indicate that, for example, the first reference area A, which is a correct answer, was reached with the small number of movements of the gaze point P. When the number of movements described above is small and when the last area is not the first reference area A, the evaluation may indicate that, for example, the gaze point P accidentally passed through the first reference area A. Therefore, the evaluation using the evaluation parameters makes it possible to obtain the evaluation data based on the course of movement of the gaze point P, and thus the effect of accidentalness may be reduced.

The evaluation unit36may determine a final evaluation value ANS by using the evaluation value ANS1in the answer image P3and the evaluation value ANS2in the question image P1described above. In this case, the final evaluation value ANS may be represented as, for example,

where K9and K10are constants for weighting. The constants K9and K10may be set as appropriate.

When the evaluation value ANS1is large and the evaluation value ANS2is large, the evaluation may indicate that there is no risk in, for example, the cognitive ability, the comprehension ability, and the processing ability in whole for the question information Q.

When the evaluation value ANS1is large and the evaluation value ANS2is small, the evaluation may indicate that there is no risk in, for example, the comprehension ability and the processing ability for the question information Q but there is a risk in the cognitive ability for the question information Q.

When the evaluation value ANS1is small and the evaluation value ANS2is small, the evaluation may indicate that there are risks in, for example, the cognitive ability, the comprehension ability, and the processing ability in whole for the question information Q.

As described above, the evaluation device100according to the present embodiment includes: the display unit11; the gaze point detection unit32that detects the position of the gaze point of the subject on the display unit11; the display control unit31that, after displaying the question image including the question information for the subject on the display unit11, displays, on the display unit11, the answer image including the specific object that is a correct answer to the question information and one or more comparison objects different from the specific object, and when the question image is displayed on the display unit11, displays, on the display unit11, the reference image illustrating the positional relationship between the specific object and the one or more comparison objects in the answer image; the area setting unit33that sets, on the display unit11, the specific area corresponding to the specific object and one or more comparison areas corresponding to the one or more comparison object; the determination unit34that determines, at each specified determination cycle, in which area the gaze point is present among the specific area and the one or more comparison areas, based on the position of the gaze point; the calculation unit35that calculates the evaluation parameter based on the determination result of the determination unit34; and the evaluation unit36that obtains the evaluation data on the subject based on the evaluation parameter.

An evaluation method according to the present embodiment includes: detecting the position of the gaze point of the subject on the display unit11; after displaying the question image including the question information for the subject on the display unit11, displaying, on the display unit11, the answer image including the specific object that is a correct answer to the question information and one or more comparison objects different from the specific object, and when the question image is displayed on the display unit11, displaying, on the display unit11, the reference image illustrating the positional relationship between the specific object and the one or more comparison objects in the answer image; setting, on the display unit11, the specific area corresponding to the specific object and one or more comparison areas corresponding to the one or more comparison objects; the determination unit34that determines, at each specified determination cycle, in which area the gaze point is present among the specific area and the one or more comparison areas; calculating the evaluation parameter based on the determination result of the determination unit34, based on the position of the gaze point; and obtaining the evaluation data on the subject based on the evaluation parameter.

An evaluation program according to the present embodiment causes a computer to execute: detecting the position of the gaze point of the subject on the display unit11; after displaying the question image including the question information for the subject on the display unit11, displaying, on the display unit11, the answer image including the specific object that is a correct answer to the question information and one or more comparison objects different from the specific object, and when the question image is displayed on the display unit11, displaying, on the display unit11, the reference image illustrating the positional relationship between the specific object and the one or more comparison objects in the answer image; setting, on the display unit11, the specific area corresponding to the specific object and one or more comparison areas corresponding to the one or more comparison objects; determining, at each specified determination cycle, in which area the gaze point is present among the specific area and the one or more comparison areas, based on the position of the gaze point; calculating the evaluation parameter based on the determination result of the determination unit34; and obtaining the evaluation data on the subject based on the evaluation parameter.

According to the present embodiment, the subject gazes at the reference image R in the question image P1before the answer image P3is displayed so as to understand the arrangement of the specific object M1and the comparison objects M2to M4. Accordingly, after the answer image P3is displayed, the subject may quickly gaze at the specific object M1that is a correct answer to the question information Q. Furthermore, the evaluation using the evaluation parameters makes it possible to obtain the evaluation data based on the course of movement of the gaze point P, and thus the effect of accidentalness may be reduced.

In the evaluation device100according to the present embodiment, the area setting unit33sets, on the display unit11, the reference areas A to D corresponding to the reference image R1, and the determination unit34determines in which area the gaze point P is present among the reference areas A to D based on the position of the gaze point P. Thus, the evaluation including the evaluation parameter for the reference image R1may be performed.

In the evaluation device100according to the present embodiment, the reference image R1includes the first object U1corresponding to the specific object M1and the second objects U2to U4corresponding to the comparison objects M2to M4, and the area setting unit33sets, as the reference areas, the first reference area A corresponding to the first object U1in the reference image R1and the second reference areas B to D corresponding to the second objects U2to U4in the reference image R1. Thus, the evaluation may be obtained at a stage before the answer image P3is displayed.

In the evaluation device100according to the present embodiment, the evaluation parameter includes at least one set of data among the arrival time data indicating the time until the arrival time when the gaze point P first arrives at the first reference area A, the movement number data indicating the number of times the position of the gaze point P moves among the second reference areas B to D before the gaze point P first arrives at the first reference area A, and the presence time data indicating the presence time during which the gaze point is present in the first reference area A in a display period of the reference image R1and the last area data indicating the last area where the gaze point is present in the display period among the first reference area A and the second reference areas B to D. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a highly accurate evaluation without removing accidentalness.

In the evaluation device100according to the present embodiment, the reference image is an image (R1) obtained by changing the transmissivity of the answer image P3or an image (R2) obtained by reducing the answer image P3. By using the answer image P3as a reference image, the positional relationship between the specific object M1and the comparison objects M2to M4in the answer image P3may be easily understood.

In the evaluation device100according to the present embodiment, the display control unit31displays the reference image R1after the elapse of a predetermined time from start of display of the question image P1. Thus, it is possible to give the subject some time to consider the content of the question information Q, and it is possible to avoid confusion caused to the subject.

The technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and changes may be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, in the description according to the above embodiment, the display control unit31displays the reference image R1after the elapse of the predetermined time from the start of display of the question image P1, but this is not a limitation. For example, the display control unit31may display the reference image R1at the same time as the start of display of the question image P1. The display control unit31may display the reference image R1before the question image P1is displayed.

With the evaluation device, the evaluation method, and the evaluation program according to the present disclosure, it is possible to accurately evaluate cognitive dysfunction and brain dysfunction.