Automated detection of eye nystagmus

1. A system for detection of eye nystagmus in a test subject, the system comprising:

a camera to capture digital images in a series of sequential digital image frames of the test subject's face when the camera is located a selected distance from the test subject;

a sensor to determine a distance between the camera and the test subject's face; and

an analyzer comprising:

a memory configured to store data; and

a processor configured with logic to:

detect and track eye movements of the test subject based upon an analysis of digital image frames captured by the camera, wherein eye movements are tracked via analysis of a plurality of the captured digital image frames on a sequential frame-by-frame basis; and

based upon the eye movement detection and tracking, provide an indication regarding whether the test subject exhibits nystagmus;

wherein the system is configured for operation while being separated one or more distances from the test subject's face such that no portion of the system engages with the test subject's face.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a portable device that houses the camera and the analyzer; and

a stylus in communication with the analyzer to facilitate a determination by the analyzer of a position of the stylus relative to the device when the stylus is moved to different locations relative to the test subject's face.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the stylus includes a transmitter and the portable device includes a receiver to receive signals from the stylus such that the communication between the stylus and the portable device is a wireless communication.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the portable device includes a port configured to receive at least a portion of the stylus.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the stylus includes a rechargeable battery that is charged by the portable device when the portion of the stylus is received within the port.

6. The system of claim 2 , wherein the stylus includes a light at an end of the stylus that is selectively activated during system operation.

7. The system of claim 2 , wherein the stylus includes at least one gyroscope sensor that provides an indication of an orientation and spatial displacements of the stylus in relation to the portable device.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system further includes at least one gyroscope sensor that provides a measurement of spatial displacements of the camera due to jitter during system operation, wherein the processor is further configured with logic to receive spatial displacement information from the at least one gyroscope sensor and adjust tracking determinations of eye movements of the test subject based upon the spatial displacement information.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a display to display features during system operation, wherein system operation features include providing the indication regarding whether the test subject exhibits nystagmus.

10. A computer-implemented method for detection of eye nystagmus in a test subject, comprising:

capturing digital images in a series of sequential digital image frames of the test subject's face during a test session in which an administrator moves a stylus toward one side and another side of the test subject's face while instructing the test subject to gaze at the moving stylus;

detecting and tracking eye movements of the test subject based upon an analysis of the captured digital image frames, wherein eye movements are tracked via analysis of a plurality of the captured digital image frames on a sequential frame-by-frame basis; and

based upon the eye movement detection and tracking, providing an indication regarding whether the test subject exhibits nystagmus, wherein the indication comprises an output value corresponding with a likelihood of an impairment of the test subject, the output value comprising at least one of a score, a pass value indicating the test subject is not impaired and a fail value indicating the test subject is impaired.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the digital images are captured by a camera integrated within a portable device, the portable device further comprising a processor that performs the detecting and tracking of eye movements of the test subject and provides an indication regarding whether the test subject exhibits nystagmus.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

facilitating communication between the stylus and the portable device in order to determine a position of the stylus relative to the portable device when the stylus is moved to different locations relative to the test subject's face.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the stylus includes a battery, and the method further comprises:

charging the stylus in a port of the portable device.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

activating a light at an end of the stylus during movements of the stylus in relation to the test subject's face.

15. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

measuring any one or more spatial displacements of the portable device during capturing of digital images by the camera; and

adjusting tracking determinations of eye movements of the test subject based upon the measured spatial displacement information.

16. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

displaying the indication regarding whether the test subject exhibits nystagmus on a display of the portable device.

17. The method of claim 11 , further comprising:

storing the captured digital images and other information associated with the tracking and detection of eye movements and the indication regarding whether the test subject exhibits nystagmus in a memory of the portable device.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

connecting the portable device with another electronic device; and

transferring data comprising at least one of the stored captured digital images and at least a portion of the other information from the portable device to the other electronic device.