Patent US4075657A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4075657A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Eye movement monitoring apparatus
Assignee: MICROMEASUREMENTS Inc
•
Filing: 1977-03-03
•
Granted: 1978-02-21
•
Expires: 1997-03-03
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus is disclosed for testing the eye movements of a viewer in response to visual stimuli, such as an advertisement, displayed on a screen. One camera cooperates with a light source to detect eye movements indicated by a light beam deflected off the viewer's cornea. Another camera is placed parallel to the screen and in front of the viewer. A right-angle lens directs light from the screen into the camera. The outputs of the two cameras are combined to superimpose the viewer's eye movements on the images displayed on the screen. A running time starting with the instant the advertisement is exposed to the viewer is also combined with the eye movement and screen presentations.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee S. Weinblatt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 05:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/113; H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for determining the eye movements of a viewer in response to visual stimuli comprising: a screen for displaying said stimuli; support means placed at a preselected distance in front of said screen for maintaining the viewer's head in a relatively fixed position; means for monitoring the viewer's eye movements; means for monitoring said stimuli displayed on the screen and placed in front of the torso of said viewer, said stimuli monitoring means extending generally parallel to said screen; lens means aimed at said screen and attached to said stimuli monitoring means adjacent said support means and below viewer eye level for receiving light from said screen and for transmitting it into said image monitoring means; and means for combining the outputs of both said monitoring means to superimpose the viewer's eye movements on the displayed stimuli.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for determining the eye movements of a viewer in response to visual stimuli comprising: a screen for displaying said stimuli; support means placed at a preselected distance in front of said screen for maintaining the viewer's head in a relatively fixed position; means for monitoring the viewer's eye movements; means for monitoring said stimuli displayed on the screen and placed in front of the torso of said viewer, said stimuli monitoring means extending generally parallel to said screen; lens means aimed at said screen and attached to said stimuli monitoring means adjacent said support means and below viewer eye level for receiving light from said screen and for transmitting it into said image monitoring means; and means for combining the outputs of both said monitoring means to superimpose the viewer's eye movements on the displayed stimuli.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein both of said monitoring means are television cameras and wherein said combining means comprises a variable video mixer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a timing means for providing to said combining means a running-time indication from the instant the visual stimuli are displayed to the viewer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said combining means displays the running time superimposed on the outputs of both said monitoring means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lens means comprises a right angle lens.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said visual stimuli are comprised of movie film type scenes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein both of said monitoring means are television cameras.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said combining means comprises a video mixer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said combining means comprises a variable video mixer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said lens means includes a zoom lens.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a timing means for providing to said combining means a running-time indication from the instant the visual stimuli are displayed to the viewer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said lens means is positioned directly below said viewer's eyes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for monitoring the eye movements of a viewer in response to visual stimuli and for measuring the amount of time spent by the viewer's eye in a given position comprising: a screen for displaying said visual stimuli; means for monitoring said screen; means for monitoring the viewer's eye movements in response to said visual stimuli; timing means for providing a running time indication from the instant the visual stimuli is displayed to the viewer; and means for displaying the superimposed outputs from both of said monitoring means and said timing means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for monitoring the eye movements of a viewer in response to visual stimuli and for measuring the amount of time spent by the viewer's eye in a given position comprising: a screen for displaying said visual stimuli; means for monitoring said screen; means for monitoring the viewer's eye movements in response to said visual stimuli; timing means for providing a running time indication from the instant the visual stimuli is displayed to the viewer; and means for displaying the superimposed outputs from both of said monitoring means and said timing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein both of said monitoring means are television cameras.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said timing means is a timing module attached to the camera lens of one of said monitoring means and having its time display visible through said lens.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said timing module is attached to and visible through the camera lens of the visual stimuli monitoring means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising trigger means to actuate said timing means at the instant the visual stimuli is displayed to the viewer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said timing means has its display in the field of view of one of said monitoring means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus for testing the visual response of viewer to a visually displayed advertisement, comprising: a. a screen for displaying said advertisement; b. means for monitoring the eye movements of said viewer in response to the displayed advertisement; c. a television camera placed in front of said viewer and generally parallel to said screen; d. a right-angle lens attached to said camera and positioned substantially directly below the eyes of said viewer and aimed at said screen; and e. means for combining the outputs of said monitoring means and said television camera to superimpose the eye movements of said viewer on said advertisement.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus for testing the visual response of viewer to a visually displayed advertisement, comprising: a. a screen for displaying said advertisement; b. means for monitoring the eye movements of said viewer in response to the displayed advertisement; c. a television camera placed in front of said viewer and generally parallel to said screen; d. a right-angle lens attached to said camera and positioned substantially directly below the eyes of said viewer and aimed at said screen; and e. means for combining the outputs of said monitoring means and said television camera to superimpose the eye movements of said viewer on said advertisement.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a timing means visible through said television camera for providing a running time from the instant said advertisement is exposed to the viewer.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said advertisement is of the movie film type.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said screen is that of a television set.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising support means for maintaining the head of said viewer in a fixed position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising a timing means visible through said television camera for providing a running time from the instant said advertisement is exposed to said viewer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein said advertisement is of the movie film type.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-02-20 | 1981-08-22 | 1982-02-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-20 | 1985-08-22 | 1986-02-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-20 | 1989-08-22 | 1990-02-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |