Non-Contact Line-of-sight Detection using Color Contact Lens for Man-Machine Interface

The man-machine interface Is an important factor in the computer system, and it is thought that line-of-sight (LOS) detection technology will allow significant advances in this field. Techniques for detecting LOS for use in human interfaces have been studied［1]［2］. In earlier studies, however, LOS was detected with a head piece, goggles, or through fixing the position of the head. The limitations imposed by these fixed conditions render them unsuitable far use in interfaces, as they have adverse mental or physical effects on humans. Therefore. they have not been sufficiently developed for practical application. Research on non-contact LOS detection is expected to result in a usable LOS man-machine interface［3］［4］, and the current study is intended to be a step in that direction. The authors used color contact lenses for LOS detection, and applied this new method to a computer interface. The use of color contact lenses simplifies image processing. The algorithm used in this study is sufficiently accurate for practical applications. This technique can be used in input devices, in virtual reality applications, and in human engineering research.