850nm and minimize reflections in the visible part of the spectrum
to avoid visual artefacts (Fig. 2). Figure 3 depicts a monocular
1 Introduction configuration but extension to a binocular one is straightforward. In
Eye-tracking has a relatively long history dating back to the early this configuration, the BS size (6x3.5 cm) limits the field of view to
1800s with direct observations of the eye. Already in 1901, Dodge approximately (63x50°). Compared to more compact commercial
[1] developed the first photograph that used corneal reflections to alternatives, the eye tracker is slightly heavier (70g when SMI and
detect the gaze direction of the subject being examined. As time Tobii glasses weight approximately 45g) and costs a fraction of the
went by the technology improved to develop smaller and less price (approximately 1k versus 15k for the SMI or Tobii glasses) of
intrusive eye tracking devices, culminating in today's wearable which the coating accounts for approximately 90% (which could be
systems [2, 3]. easily reduced by mass production).
A wide commercial offer exists nowadays reflecting the numerous
possible applications of eye tracking. It ranges from high-end The choice of using a BS rather than pointing the camera directly
product such as the Tobii glasses 2 that can be used for a variety of towards the eye was motivated by several factors. Firstly finding a
studies, to trackers dedicated to a specific application (e.g. Gazelab, low cost, fast (>120Hz), light sensitive camera (to respect ocular
VisagraphTM) passing by more adaptable solutions (e.g. Pupil labs safety limits), small enough to fit on the glasses, and with good
[4]). However, despite this wide range of products, no commercial quality optics is a difficult task. Placing the camera as in Fig. 1
3D glasses with eye tracking are commercially available today. (By reduces the size constraint which significantly increases the choice
3D glasses we refer here to active glasses for “classic” 3D display and number of possible cameras and allow to choose cameras with
systems, and exclude virtual reality headset or augmented/mixt a low f-number optics. Secondly, a close distance and a strong tilt
reality systems that are associated to different applications and for between the eye (i.e. the object) and the camera are obviously not
which embedded eye tracking systems can be found, e.g. FOVE in ideal imaging conditions. Placing the camera “on axis”, i.e. in front
VR and Hololens v2 for AR). As 3D glasses become ubiquitous in of the eye , on the line of sight, at a larger distance allows imaging
numerous applications (entertainment, orthoptics, research in the pupil with less distortion than placed for instance right under the
perception [5], etc.), the purpose of this study was to assess the eye. This is important as pupil shape can influence the parameter
benefits of a low-cost prototype eye tracker that works with extraction and hence the eye tracker’s performances [8, 9]. Thirdly,
conventional liquid crystal shutter glasses [6]. our design allows using only one camera for both eye to avoid
synchronization issues (at the expense of a lower resolution per eye).
The single camera could image directly both eyes (thus losing the
2 Methods alignment) or the alignment could be preserved by using a
periscopic optics for each eye [10].
2.1 Eye-tracker design
A low-cost prototype eye tracker to be clipped on or embedded into
3D glasses has been developed for research purposes in 3D
Figure 1: The beam splitter allows to better align the camera (a) with the line of
perception (cf. fig. 1). The 3D glasses used in this study rely on
sight (b). (c) denotes the virtual position of the camera
liquid crystal shutters and are manufactured by the company Eye
Triple Shut (E3S) [6]. The eye tracker consists in an IR surveillance
camera (ELP Full HD 1920x1080p), infrared LEDs (Vishay
VSMY12850 at 850±10nm) and a beam-splitter (BS) with a custom Figure 2: Spectral reflectance (%) of the beam splitter’s coating (camera side)
coating on each surface. The camera is mounted on the upper part as a function of the wavelength (nm). Units for abscissa and ordinate axis are
of the glasses frame. respectively nm and %.
Eight (4 for each eye) LEDs are embedded into the eyewear frame
and powered by a battery (also embedded into the frame). The LEDs
are set to illuminate the eye uniformly. The LEDs irradiance in the
Figure 3: The prototype eye tracker where A) is the camera, B) the beam splitter
cornea’s plane is less than 2mW/cm2 which is well under ocular (BS), C) the 3D glasses and D) where the battery and most of the LC shutters’
safety limits [7]. electronics are embedded. In this picture, the LC shutters are absent
Contrary to most head mounted eye trackers, the camera does not
point directly towards the eye but to the semi-reflecting plate (BS).
This plate is positioned in front of the glasses using custom 2.2 Comparison method
mechanical elements so as to direct the LEDs light reflected by the
eye towards the camera as if the camera was placed in front of the A usual difficulty when comparing eye tracker is to correlate their
eyes, on the line of sight (Fig. 1). The line of sight of the eye is respective measurements [11]. In addition, in this study, no
defined here as the line passing by the center of the pupil to the dedicated software has been developed for our prototype. For this
object of regard when this object is placed at far distance in front of reason and because its main advantage is to allow for better imaging
the subject. The plate holder tilt and axial position in front of the conditions by folding the optical path, we chose to compare the
frame is adjustable to allow for an easy adjustment of the camera image quality and pupil deformation obtained with this prototype to
with the eye. The custom coating is made to maximize reflections at those obtained with 3 commercial eye trackers: two head mounted
