Colorado Seminary

Donald E Rugg

George A Rinard

Dale A Steffen

This invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring the position of the eye and generating an electrical signal based upon its displacement from a neutral position, such apparatus being characterized by a pair of eyeglasses modified to provide an infrared mirror on the inside surface of one lens, an infrared light emitting diode located on the nosepiece in position to produce a virtual image thereof within the wearer's eye as reflected from the infrared mirror, and an image detector mounted on the bow of the eyeglasses adjacent the mirror filtered to respond only to infrared light and effective to locate the position within the eye of the reflected LED image. The invention also encompasses a novel detector which, not only monitors the position of the eye but, in addition, through the use of a photosensor array, provides the means for generating a signal whose magnitude is proportional to the displacement of the eye from its centered or reference position. The invention also encompasses the novel method for tracking eye movements in relation to head position which includes the steps of shining an infrared beam from a position alongside the eye onto an infrared reflective mirror placed in front thereof positioned to reflect said beam onto the cornea and reproduce a virtual image thereof, and tracking said image with a photosensor array filtered to exclude visible light from a position alongside said mirror as said image appears reflected therein.

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Denver, CO, United States of America

Donald E Rugg