JPH02152439A - Eyeball motion analyzer and target position setting apparatus using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To dispense with a large dark room and to confirm a target at a predetermined position without receiving the effect of an electrode mount position or that of skin potential by moving an eyepiece moving part in the goggles mounted to the head in a freely detachable manner to align the focus of a television camera with an eyeball. CONSTITUTION:Goggles 1 are mounted to the head of an examinee in a freely detachable manner and external visible light is shielded to form a dark room 2 in front of the eyes of the examinee. Eyepiece moving parts 5, 5a made adjustable in movement are provided so as to approach the eyeballs 3, 3a in the goggles 1 and non-visible infrared ray sources 6, 6a are integrally provided on the eyepiece moving parts 5, 5a to illuminate the eyeballs. Next, television cameras 7, 7a are arranged on the eyepiece moving parts 5, 5a and eyeball motion is detected by the reflected light of non-visible light and observed, recorded and analyzed through monitors 9, 9a and a computer 11. By this method, a dark room is dispensed with and, by aligning the focuses of the television cameras with the eyeballs without receiving the effect of an electrode mount position or that of skin potential, a large number of visible light emitting parts becoming targets can be set so as to be positioned on the spherical surfaces centering around the eyeballs.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention is an optical viewing device that can be used to monitor subjects 1-1 in horizontal, vertical, tilted, or rotational directions when chasing a visual target. The present invention relates to an eye movement analysis device for observing, recording, and analyzing eye movements of people, and an optotype position setting device used in this device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Traditionally, as a method for recording eye movements, -IEOG (e I
electro-ocu Iography) is well known and has been clinically applied. In this method, electrodes are placed on the skin around the eyes, and the solid potential difference between the cornea and retina is used to record the potential difference that occurs as the eye moves. It is said that the generation of this potential difference is approximately proportional to the rotation angle of the eyeball.

Also disclosed is a method (PENG) of detecting eyeball movement using the difference in the reflection characteristics of infrared light irradiated to the cornea and sclera.

Furthermore, the applicant of the present application has previously filed Japanese Patent Application No. 145425/1983 for ``Eyeball Movement Testing Apparatus J''. The device uses invisible infrared light to output reliable images of eye movements inside the goggles.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention Among the conventional methods described above, in the [':OG method, electrodes are placed on the skin around the mouth, so the change in potential of the skin-L has the same frequency as the eye movement. In some cases, noise occurs, making it difficult to detect the potential difference between the cornea and the retina, resulting in instability. On the other hand, if the subject is asked to close their eyelids in order to remove the visual fixation that reduces the nystagmus response, there is also the drawback that a vertical nystagmus response may occur.

In addition, in the method that uses the reflected light of infrared rays irradiated on the cornea and sclera, it is possible to accurately detect changes in the horizontal direction during eye movement, but since the eyelids are present, movement is restricted and changes in the vertical direction and rotation are detected accurately. There is a drawback that the detection of eye movement in the direction is extremely narrow.

Furthermore, detection methods using EOG and infrared rays require a large space to separately prepare optotypes for visual observation by the examinee; There's a problem.

Compared to the method described in L, the invention of Japanese Patent Application No. 145425, which forms a dark room in the eye +
Since the goggles are equipped with one step, it is easy to put on and take off the 5-step edge, and the optotype can be prepared inside the goggles. It has advantages over conventional examples, such as allowing the subject to move while wearing it, and providing a device that directly observes, records, and analyzes eye movements using infrared detection.

However, there are some parts that are not disclosed regarding the relationship between the eyepiece moving unit installed in the goggles, the television camera, and the visual target.

The first objective of the present invention is to solve the problems listed in L.

The TV camera and optotype move together with the eyepiece moving part that moves within the goggles, and the optical axis of the TV camera and the eye axis of the eyeball align, and the eyeball is brought into focus, allowing the optotype to be set at a predetermined position. We provide a llJ ball motion analysis device that can
Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an optotype position setting device for use with this device.

Means for Solving the Problems [In order to achieve the first object, the present invention provides a device which is detachably worn on the subject's head, blocks external visible light, and creates a dark room in front of the subject's eyes. Inside the formed goggles, l) 1. An eyepiece moving part whose movement can be adjusted so as to be close to the eye or both eyes is provided, and on this eyepiece moving part there are many optotypes arranged on a spherical surface centered on the center of rotation of the eyeball, using IJF viewing lights whose display can be switched freely. and a television camera that observes eye movements using reflected invisible infrared light placed inside the goggles to illuminate the eyeballs, and records the beliefs from this television camera.
Infrared video analysis device to analyze? The eye movement analysis device η is configured such that when the eyepiece movement section 11Ti is moved and the television camera is focused on the eyeball, the visual target 11;1 can be set at a predetermined position.

As the optotype position setting device used in the device of the first invention, when the focus of the television camera of the eyepiece moving part matches the eyeball through a semi-transparent film provided in front or behind the optotype, the eyeball and the optotype are connected. It was installed to be used in an eye movement analysis device that was installed so that the camera was located at a predetermined position.

November 1 In the first aspect of the present invention, goggles are provided that are detachably attached to the subject's head and that block external visible light and form one chamber Ili'' in the eye 1i11, so that the dark room is closed to the eye. 11; Since it is easily formed in a small area of only 1, and is integrated with the subject's head, the subject has a large degree of freedom.Then, the goggles can be placed close to the monocular or both eyes. It is equipped with an eyepiece moving part that can be adjusted to move horizontally, vertically, forwards and backwards, and even both eyes can be operated manually or automatically using electric or electronic circuits. The position of the eyepiece moving part can be set according to the interpupillary distance.

Inside the goggles, there is an invisible infrared light source that illuminates the subject's eyeballs, and the reflected invisible light is detected by an infrared video analysis device via a television camera that moves with the eyepiece moving part, and recorded and analyzed. The examiner's eye movements are observed, recorded, and analyzed.

In the present invention, the distance and position between the optotype and the eyeball can be set accurately by focusing on the eyeball with the television camera described in 1. Therefore, it is extremely easy to set the position in goggles that are a dark room. began to be practiced.

Further, the television camera is installed through a semi-transparent film so that its optical axis coincides with the axis of the eyeball, and as the eyepiece moving unit moves, the television camera and the visual target are simultaneously moved and set at a predetermined position.

By providing the eyepiece movement section with adjustment sections for the water fh direction, vertical direction, forward/backward movement, interpupillary distance, and inclination in the interpupillary direction, accurate movement adjustment can be performed for the Qi eye or both eyes 11;i.

For the subject, since the TV camera is operated using invisible infrared light, the eyeball can be directly observed without visual fixation, and its movement can be recorded and analyzed. Or you can observe both eyes at the same time.

The top of this eyepiece moving part is a spherical surface centered on the center of rotation of the eyeball) =
Since a large number of visual targets are placed on the screen and the display can be switched freely, it is possible to move the visible point in the horizontal and vertical directions in the form of points, lines, or planes, as well as move diagonally and rotate, etc., in a regular manner. movement,
Irregular display is now possible.

Therefore, gliding eye movements and saccadic eye movements are
In addition to being able to perform selections freely by switching the display of the J vision radiation section, it is also possible to measure the visual field, and it can also be applied to pupillary reflexes due to changes in brightness. All of these eyeball movements are observed through an infrared video analysis device, recorded, and analyzed to provide treatment for the eyeballs, as well as information about the inner ear, the central nervous system, and the central nervous system that are revealed through the eyeball movements. Can be done.

The second invention is an optotype position setting device used in the above-mentioned eye movement analysis device, in which a large number of optotypes are arranged in advance on a spherical meter centered on the center of eye movement, and the display can be switched.
It is provided above the eyepiece moving part as a visual light source.

By aligning the optical axis of the television camera, which is also installed in the eyepiece moving part l-, with the eye axis of the eyeball and aligning the focus with the eyeball, the optotype is automatically set at a predetermined position, and the distance between the eyeball and the optotype is adjusted. and position are set.

In the third invention, the eyepiece moving unit equipped with the television camera and the visual target is provided with adjustment units for adjusting the horizontal direction, vertical direction, forward/backward movement, interpupillary distance, and inclination in the interpupillary direction, so that it can be easily adjusted from the outside of the goggles. Made it possible to adjust movement. It should be noted that each of these adjustment sections is limited to manual operation using electric and electronic circuits, and an automatic drive method using a monitor can also be adopted.

Example Hereinafter, the drawings shown as examples will be explained.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an eye movement analysis device. ! These goggles are detachably worn on the subject's head, and block external visible light to form a chamber 1111 2 in front of the eyes. 3.3a each has the eyeballs of both 11 (4)
indicates the head. goggles! Inside, an eyepiece moving part 5.5a is provided which can be moved to be close to the eyeball 3.3a. Reference numeral 6.6a denotes an infrared light source, which is provided integrally with the eyepiece moving section 5.5a-L to illuminate the eyeball. In addition, this invisible infrared light source 6.6a
does not have to be integrated on the eyepiece moving part, but may be provided inside the goggles so that the eyeball can be illuminated. 7.7a is a television camera installed on the eyepiece moving part 5.5a,
Eye movement can be detected by the reflected invisible light and observed, recorded, and analyzed via a monitor and computer. Note that the optical axis of the television camera 7.7a may be aligned so as to receive the reflected light from the eyeball. Reference numeral 8.8a denotes an optotype, which is provided on the eyepiece moving part 5.5aJ= in 1ri, and is located on a visible light emitting part whose display can be switched freely over almost the entire area of the bowl-shaped spherical inner wall surface centered on the center of rotation of the eyeball. There is. Note that a large number of optotypes may be arranged on a spherical surface, for example, in a cross shape or a circular shape, as long as they are shaped in accordance with the movement of the eyeballs. Reference numeral 9.9a is a monitor, which is arranged so that the optical axis of the television camera 7.7a is directed toward each eye axis of the eyeball 3.38 to detect the pupil via the tracker 10, and is controlled by the computer 11. It looks like this.

12 is a lighting controller, and an invisible infrared light source 6.6a
is controlled by a computer 11.

Reference numeral 13 denotes an optotype controller, which is controlled by the computer 11. 14 is a monitor, 15 is a printer, and 6 is a human-powered device F! A keyboard, a mouse, a foot switch, etc. are used, and each is connected to the computer 11, and an infrared video analysis device that controls the television camera 7.7a and enables observation, recording, and analysis of eye movements is provided. It consists of

2 to 4 show an example in which a light emitting diode 17 is used as an optotype 8.8a provided in the goggles l. These optotypes 8.8a are respectively provided in the eyepiece moving section 5.5a,
It is installed on almost the entire inner wall surface of a bowl-shaped spherical surface centered on the center of rotation of the eyeball, and is connected to and controlled by a visual target controller 20 via a cable 19 via an end r1B.

The goggles 1 are made of a light, rigid material such as light alloy or glass fiber polyester, and are made of hollow rubber so that they can be detachably worn on the subject's head and can be tightened by inlet and outlet of compressed air. The mounting is fixed with an air band (not shown) or the like. In order to block external visible light, a flexible light-blocking material 21 such as maltbrene is attached to the inner wall surface, and a dark room 2 is formed in front of the user's eyes. In this darkroom 2, in addition to the eyepiece moving part 5.5a,
Built-in 8-motion adjustment mechanism.

The eyepiece moving part 5.58 has an invisible infrared light source 6.6a,
A television camera 7.7a and an optotype 8.8a are installed,
It is configured to move integrally with the movement of the eyepiece moving section 5.5a. The television camera 7.7a is located at a position to receive the reflected light from the eyeball, and by focusing on the ILi sphere 3, a large number of visible light emitting parts serving as visual targets are generated on the spherical surface 1- centered at the center of the eyeball. is set to be located. This eyepiece moving section 5.5a moves both I11. ! Depending on the position, you can set the position according to the water direction, vertical force direction, forward and backward movement, and even the distance between the eyes. '
Although an example in which adjustment is performed in T-1)) is shown, automatic drive may be provided by providing a motor, gear, or other transmission mechanism that is limited to manual operation.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 22 denotes a water 1' direction adjustment shaft, which has a knob 23 that can be operated outside the goggle l, and an opening/closing arm 24.
One is loosely inserted into the other, and the other is screwed. These made the water direction adjustment section.

Reference numeral 25 denotes an interpupillary distance adjustment shaft, which has a knob 26 that projects upwardly from the outside and engages with the opening/closing arm 24, one of which is screwed together and the other of which is loosely inserted. These were used as interpupillary distance adjustment parts.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the homo-direction adjustment shaft 22 is pivotally supported at both ends by a rotating frame 27, and this rotating frame 27 is tiltable in the ocular axis direction around +Ijb 2 a. It is supported and biased in the turning direction by a spring 29.

Reference numeral 30 designates a contact plate that protrudes from the pivot frame 27 and engages with an end of an axial tilt adjustment fv13 screwed onto one shaft support 32 of the L-shaped moving frame 31. Reference numeral 34 designates a knob that protrudes from the outside, and when the eye axis direction inclination adjustment shaft 33 is operated and its end presses the contact plate 30, the rotating frame 27 rotates around the shaft 28, and the knob 34 is loosened. It returns to its original position by the spring 29 without moving in the direction fjIl. As a result, the inclination adjustment section in the width direction was created.

The toe movement frame 31 is loosely fitted into the long holes 36 and 35 of the forward and backward movement frame 35, and is pulled in one direction by the spring 37.
) is supported. Reference numeral 38 denotes an abutting plate, which is provided on the end of the upper door moving frame 31, and the reversing direction adjustment l1iIII 39 is disposed in the abutting position ir. When the external knob 42 is rotated, the end of the vertical adjustment shaft 39 presses the contact plate 38 and drives the -L lower moving frame 31, causing rotation. When loosened, it is urged to return to its original position by a spring 37. These act as a vertical adjustment section.

The forward/reverse movement frame 35 is attached between the forward/reverse movement shafts 43, 43 and the support frame 40 fixed to the goggles 1, and can be moved forward or backward by operating a knob 44. A spring 45 biases the 13i+reverse frame 35 back to its original position when the knob 44 is turned in the loosening direction. With these, the +IIF reverse adjustment section was created.

” - In this example, goggles! The eyepiece moving parts 5.5a installed in the interior are respectively oriented in the water direction, eastward direction, 1) backward direction, interpupillary distance, and tilt in the interpupillary direction.
By adjusting the knob from outside of the goggle I, it is possible to precisely position the subject's eye between 0 and 1.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 56 denotes an invisible infrared light source, which is configured to illuminate the subject's eyeballs by a reflector plate 46 provided on one side of the light emitting diode 17.
is refracted by the semi-transparent film 47 at a 1 m portion of the reflection plate 46,
It is arranged to receive reflected infrared light and capture images of the eyeball.

Another embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is an example in which a laser beam 48 is used instead of the light emitting diode 17 as an optotype. 49 is a semitransparent film that transmits infrared rays but reflects visible light. In this example as well, the semi-transparent film 49 constitutes a visible light emitting portion that radiates almost the entire area of the bowl-shaped spherical inner wall surface around the center of rotation of the eyeball.

Therefore, in addition to being able to display points, lines, and shapes, visual targets can also be used to display all kinds of visual shapes, such as linear movement, inclination, and circular five-wheel shapes, and it has become possible to observe the accompanying eye movements. 50 indicates a laser light source deflector. In this embodiment, the television camera 7 is located behind the 110-page transparent film 49, and is configured to obtain an eyeball image via a deflection mirror 51. Further, the light source of the laser beam 48 was placed in front of the semi-transparent film.

Although not shown, when a liquid crystal or an optical fiber is used instead of a light emitting diode, an optotype may be formed on the transparent film using CRl''.

Effects of the Invention Since the present invention has the configuration as described in L, removable goggles are provided on the subject's head, and a dark room is formed in front of the subject's eyes. settings are no longer required. In addition, the subject has a large degree of freedom while wearing the goggles, and the eye movements that occur as the optotype moves can be directly observed, recorded, and analyzed by an infrared video analysis device via a television camera. Ta. Therefore, it is possible to accurately capture eye movements as the optotype moves, without being affected by the electrode attachment position or skin potential as in the conventional case, and it is possible to observe one eye or both eyes at the same time. We were able to provide an excellent eye movement analysis device that allows for easy recording analysis and lightens the burden on the examinee by connecting to a computer.

In addition, the optotype placed inside the goggles of this eye movement analysis device moves together with the eyepiece moving part, and by aligning the optical axis with the eye axis and focusing on the eyeball through the television camera that also moves together with the eyepiece moving part. The optotype (congruency and distance to the eyeball) is automatically set at a predetermined position, so
Even indoors with 1111 goggles! +1 certainty [21 effects that can be easily manipulated. In particular, even if a switchable visual target is used that covers almost the entire inner wall surface of a bowl-shaped sphere centered on the center of eyeball rotation, it is easy to set up and does not require data acquisition during data analysis. effective. In addition, the spherical inner wall surface is always at the same distance, and by switching the display of the light emitting diode, points, lines, curves, circles, and other vertical stripes can be moved, surface displayed, rotated, and brightness differences can be created depending on the size of the display range. The effects are great, such as the ability to precisely observe nystagmus and eye movement in response to stimulation by target movement.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the eye movement analysis device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front sectional view of the main part of the eye movement analysis device shown as an embodiment, FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the same, and FIG. 4 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of the drive mechanism of the eyepiece moving section, and FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the main part showing another embodiment. l...Goggles 2...Darkroom 3.3a...
Eyeball 4...head 5.5a...eyepiece moving part 6.6
a... Invisible infrared light source 7.7a... Television camera 8.8a... Visual target 9
．． 1O111, 14-16...Infrared video analysis device! 7-...Light emitting diodes 22-24...Horizontal direction adjustment section 25.26...Pupillary width adjustment section 27-34...Pupillary width direction inclination adjustment section 35-42...Vertical direction adjustment section 43- 45... Forward/backward adjustment section 47... Semi-transparent film (Figure 2) Applicant Konan Camera Institute Co., Ltd. Agent Patent attorney Hitojima-Ko 4: Head 17: Light emitting diode 47: Semi-transparent membrane (Figure 4)

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) Inside the goggles, which are detachably attached to the subject's head and block external visible light to form a dark room in front of the eyes, there is an eyepiece moving part that can be adjusted to move close to the monocular or both eyes. This eyepiece moving part has a large number of visible light optotypes arranged on a spherical surface around the center of rotation of the eyeball and whose display can be switched freely, and reflected light of invisible infrared light arranged inside the goggles to illuminate the eyeball. a television camera for observing the movement; an infrared video analysis device for recording and analyzing signals from the television camera; and when the eyepiece moving unit is moved to focus the television camera on the eyeball, the visual field is An eye movement analysis device characterized in that a target can be set at a predetermined position. (2) Eye movement analysis provided so that the eyeball and the target are in a predetermined position when the focus of the television camera on the eyepiece moving unit matches the eyeball through a semi-transparent model provided in front or behind the target. Visual target position setting device used in the device. (3) Fixing the television camera and visual target on the eyepiece moving part,
This eyepiece moving part is provided close to both eyes, and
3. The optotype position setting device for use in an eye movement analysis device according to claim 2, further comprising adjustment units for vertical direction, forward/backward movement, interpupillary distance, and inclination in the interpupillary direction.