Patent ID: 7455405

Claim:
A method for automatically executing a suitability test with respect to perceptual impairment of a driver or other equipment operator, comprising the steps of: (a) presenting at least one first optical stimulus pattern to the equipment operator; (b) detecting and quantifying at least one ocular performance indicator of the equipment operator selected from the group consisting of smooth pursuit (SP), saccadic velocity (SV), vergence (V), pupil reaction (PR), and head coordination (HC) in response to the stimulus; (c) quantifying a value of perceptual suitability (PS) of the equipment operator by the formula: PS=A*SP+B*PR+C*HC+D*V+E*SV, wherein A, B, C, D, and E are predetermined weighting factors or functions; (d) comparing the value of perceptual suitability (PS) with at least one threshold value in order to generate a decision about impairment or non-impairment of the equipment operator, and (e) if there is uncertainty in the result of said comparing or suspicion of impairment, presenting at least one second optical stimulus pattern with a greater complexity than the at least one first optical stimulus pattern and/or presenting at least one second optical stimulus pattern which is germane to the ocular performance indicator which is uncertain under step (d), and repeating steps (b) to (d) therewith.