Patent ID: 8351659

Claim:
An eye detection apparatus comprising: an illuminator configured to emit radiation at predetermined wavelengths outside of a visible range, wherein the predetermined wavelengths are retro-reflected by a human eye structure; a receiver configured to receive radiation at the predetermined wavelengths that is retro-reflected by the human eye structure, detect radiation at the predetermined wavelengths and produce a digital representation thereof; a processor coupled to the illuminator and receiver and configured to detect a pattern representative of a retro-reflection out of a human eye in the digital representation, the processor further configured to estimate a distance from the eye detection apparatus to an object corresponding to the pattern, and the processor configured to determine coordinates of the object based upon the digital representation, coordinates of the eye detection apparatus, and the estimated distance, wherein the coordinates of the object include at least one of: coordinates in relation to a mapping system, or absolute coordinates; a video capture device coupled to the processor and configured to capture one or more video or still images of the object at the coordinates, after the pattern is detected, based, at least in part, on the detection of the pattern; and a memory configured to store the coordinates of the object.