Abstract
Recently, a novel human-machine interface known as the eye-gaze input system has been reported. This system is operated solely through the user's eye movements. Therefore, it can be used by people suffering from severe physical disabilities. We propose an eye-gaze input system that uses a personal computer and home video camera. This system detects the users' eye-gaze through image analysis under natural light including fluorescent or LED light. Our proposed system also has a high-level accuracy and confidence; that is, users can easily move the mouse cursor to their gazing point. We confirmed a large difference in the duration of voluntary (conscious) and involuntary (unconscious) blinks through a precursor experiment. In addition, we confirmed that these durations vary significantly depending on the subject. By using the duration of eye blink, voluntary blink can be detected automatically. Through this method, we developed an eye-gaze input interface that uses information of voluntary blinks. That is, users can decide their input by performing voluntary blinks that represent mouse clicking.
