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Publication Number
US-10729321-B2
Publication Date
2020-08-04
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for measuring eye tracking may include a chassis, which may include a main column and a head rest assembly. The head rest assembly may include a stimulus screen for displaying a video to the patient, an optical mirror, an eye tracking camera, and at least one head rest member for stabilizing the patient's head, relative to the stimulus screen. The system may also include: a base attached to a bottom of the main column to support the main column; an arm extending from the main column to support the head rest assembly; a touchscreen interface attached to the main column and configured to provide control of the system to a user; a camera computer housed in the main column for controlling the eye tracking camera; and a system computer housed in the main column for controlling the stimulus screen, data processing and other functions.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an eye tracking diagnostic system for measuring eye tracking in a patient and using the measured eye tracking to help diagnose an abnormality. The system includes a chassis with a main column, a head rest assembly, a stimulus screen for displaying a video to the patient, an optical mirror spaced from the stimulus screen, an eye tracking camera, and at least one forehead rest member for stabilizing the patient's forehead relative to the stimulus screen.
The system further includes an arm extending from the main column to support the head rest assembly and configured and arranged to adjust a position of both the stimulus screen and the at least one forehead rest member. The system includes a touchscreen interface attached to the main column for user control, a camera computer housed in the main column for controlling the eye tracking camera, and a system computer housed in the main column for controlling the stimulus screen and data processing. In addition, patient-facing audio may be delivered via built-in speakers together with the video.
The diagnostic use includes computing a box score representing an ability of the patient's eyes to track the video, with a numeric scoring range and a threshold-based classification for eye tracking abnormalities. The score is described as 0–20, and the abnormality determination uses a threshold in which scores ≥10 indicate abnormality present and scores <10 indicate no abnormality present. A quality score is also described based on blink/NaN data and is used to assess the eye-tracking data used for the diagnostic scoring.
Claims Coverage
The document presents two independent claims: one directed to a system for measuring and diagnosing using an eye-tracking apparatus, and one directed to a corresponding method that generates a box score from touchscreen inputs, video presentation, eye tracking, and computer processing. Across the independent claims, the inventive focus includes an adjustable, stabilized head-rest/stimulus-video arrangement with optical mirror and camera, touchscreen-driven video selection and input collection, eye tracking of the patient's movement during video display, and generation of a box score representing tracking ability.
Adjustable head rest assembly with stimulus screen and optical mirror
A chassis comprising a main column; a head rest assembly including a stimulus screen for displaying a video to the patient, an optical mirror spaced from the stimulus screen, an eye tracking camera, and at least one forehead rest member for stabilizing the patient's forehead relative to the stimulus screen, with an arm extending from the main column and configured and arranged to adjust a position of both the stimulus screen and the at least one forehead rest member.
Touchscreen interface with camera computer and system computer for eye tracking and processing
A touchscreen interface attached to the main column configured to provide control of the system to a user; a camera computer housed in the main column for controlling the eye tracking camera; and a system computer housed in the main column for controlling the stimulus screen, data processing and other functions of the system.
Touchscreen-driven video selection and patient eye tracking during video display
Receiving user information input by a user via a touchscreen interface of the eye tracking system; receiving patient information input by the user via the touchscreen interface; receiving a video selection from the patient via a stimulus screen of the eye tracking system; displaying a video to the patient on the stimulus screen according to the video selection; and tracking movement of the patient's eyes during display of the video via an eye tracking camera of the eye tracking system.
Computer-generated box score representing tracking ability
Generating, with a computer processor of the eye tracking system, a box score representing an ability of the patient's eyes to track the video.
Overall claim coverage centers on an eye-tracking system that stabilizes a patient's head relative to a stimulus screen using a forehead rest within an adjustable head rest assembly, collects eye movement data via an eye tracking camera with an optical mirror arrangement, and uses touchscreen-driven video selection plus computer processing to generate a box score representing eye-tracking ability for diagnosing abnormalities.
Stated Advantages
Helps diagnose an abnormality using measured eye tracking.
Generates a box score representing an ability of the patient's eyes to track the video.
Provides a threshold-based classification of eye movement abnormalities using a box score with scores ≥10 indicating abnormality present and scores <10 indicating no abnormality present.
Provides a quality score based on blink/NaN data.
Documented Applications
A diagnostic eye-tracking evaluation where a patient watches a selected video while eye tracking is measured and scored to classify eye-tracking abnormalities.
Use of user and patient touchscreen inputs to select a video for measuring eye tracking and generating a box score representing the patient's ability to track the video.
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