Underwater eye tracking system and method
A system and method wherein a face mounted eye-tracking system is mounted in a dive mask. The mask mounted occulometric system has a novel configuration and enclosure to provide in situ occulometrics and neurological assessment.
1 . A method for monitoring the health status of a submerged diver wearing a mask, comprising:
mounting a first integrated tracking system in an interior of the mask, the first integrated tracking system including a visual spectrum light source, an infrared light source, and a camera directed toward a first eye of the diver;
mounting a waterproof electronics enclosure containing a hub on an exterior of the mask;
connecting the first integrated tracking system to the hub via a first cable passing through a waterproof via in the waterproof electronics enclosure;
providing a monitoring computer at a surface location above water level while the diver is submerged underwater;
connecting the hub to the monitoring computer via a tether cable extending from the submerged diver to the surface location;
tracking movements of the first eye using the infrared light source and the camera; and
monitoring a health status of the diver at the surface location based on the eye tracking while the diver remains submerged underwater.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising using the visual spectrum light source to provide a visual stimulus to the first eye and monitoring a response of the first eye to the visual stimulus using the camera.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the monitoring detects a dive-related condition including a member selected from a group consisting of: nitrogen narcosis, oxygen toxicity, hypercapnia, and hypoxia.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
providing a second integrated tracking system in the interior of the mask, the second integrated tracking system including a second visual spectrum light source, a second infrared light source, and a second camera directed toward a second eye of the diver; and
connecting the second integrated tracking system to the hub.
5 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising simultaneously monitoring movements of both eyes using each of the first and second integrated tracking systems.
6 . The method of claim 4 , further comprising:
applying a visual stimulus to one eye using one of the first visual spectrum light source of the first integrated tracking system and the second visual spectrum light source of the second integrated tracking system; and
monitoring for a consensual pupillary reflex in the other eye using the other of the first integrated tracking system and the second integrated tracking system.
7 . An apparatus for monitoring the health status of a submerged diver, comprising:
a dive mask;
a first integrated tracking system mounted within an interior of the dive mask and including a visual spectrum light source, an infrared light source, and a camera directed toward a first eye position;
a waterproof electronics enclosure mounted on an exterior of the dive mask and containing a hub;
a first waterproof cable connecting the first integrated tracking system to the hub through a waterproof via in the waterproof electronics enclosure; and
a tether cable extending from the hub for connection to a monitoring computer at a surface location.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the waterproof electronics enclosure includes a first end cap and a second end cap, the waterproof via disposed in the second end cap.
9 . The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising a second integrated tracking system mounted within the interior of the dive mask and directed toward a second eye position, the second integrated tracking system connected to the hub via a second waterproof cable.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the second integrated tracking system is connected to the hub via a second waterproof cable passing through the waterproof electronics enclosure.
11 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the waterproof electronics enclosure includes a first end cap and a second end cap, the waterproof via disposed in the second end cap.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the first end cap includes a lens for a world view camera mounted within the waterproof electronics enclosure.
13 . The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising a world view camera mounted within the waterproof electronics enclosure and directed outwardly through the waterproof electronics enclosure.
14 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the sealed electronics housing contains a computer for local processing of eye tracking data prior to transmission to the surface monitoring station.
15 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first integrated tracking system comprises an inner cover and an outer cover sealed together to form a waterproof housing.
16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the inner cover includes a first recess that captures an LED lens over the visual spectrum light source, a second recess that captures an IR lens over the infrared light source, and a third recess that captures a camera lens over the camera.
17 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first integrated tracking system includes a flex circuit electrically connecting the visual spectrum light source, the infrared light source, and the camera.
18 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first integrated tracking system includes a ball mount extending laterally from the first integrated tracking system for adjustable positioning of the first integrated tracking.
19 . The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the waterproof electronics enclosure contains dielectric silicone liquid for neutral buoyancy.
20 . An apparatus for monitoring the health status of a submerged diver, comprising:
a dive mask;
a first integrated tracking system mounted within an interior of the dive mask and including a visual spectrum light source, an infrared light source, and a camera directed toward a first eye position, wherein the first integrated tracking system includes an inner cover and an outer cover sealed together to form a waterproof housing, wherein the inner cover includes a first recess that captures an LED lens over the visual spectrum light source, a second recess that captures an IR lens over the infrared light source, and a third recess that captures a camera lens over the camera, wherein the first integrated tracking system includes a flex circuit electrically connecting the visual spectrum light source, infrared light source, and camera, and wherein the first integrated tracking system includes a ball mount extending laterally from the system for adjustable positioning;
a second integrated tracking system mounted within the interior of the dive mask and directed toward a second eye position;
a waterproof electronics enclosure mounted on an exterior of the dive mask and containing a hub, wherein the waterproof electronics enclosure includes a first end cap and a second end cap, wherein the first end cap includes a lens for a world view camera mounted within the waterproof electronics enclosure, and wherein the waterproof electronics enclosure contains a computer for local processing of eye tracking data and dielectric silicone liquid for neutral buoyancy;
a world view camera mounted within the waterproof electronics enclosure and directed outwardly through the waterproof electronics enclosure;
a first waterproof cable connecting the first integrated tracking system to the hub through a waterproof via disposed in the second end cap of the waterproof electronics enclosure;
a second waterproof cable connecting the second integrated tracking system to the hub and passing through the waterproof electronics enclosure; and
a tether cable extending from the hub for connection to a monitoring computer at a surface location.