Abstract: A three dimensional eye tracker, for measuring as a function of time the point in three dimensional space on which the eye is fixed, includes a portion which functions as a two dimensional double Purkinje eye tracker for measuring movement of the eye in rotation and translation, an automatic optometer portion for measuring the refractive power of the eye, and a common optical path simultaneously to provide corrections for both portions of the instrument. The two dimensional eye tracker portion incorporates a means for directing a beam into the eye, thereby forming first and fourth Purkinje images, and measuring means responsive to the first and fourth Purkinje images to generate output signals indicative of eye rotation and translation. The automatic optometer portion alternately directs a light beam through different areas of the eye lens and includes a mechanism for altering the directed light beam until the image on the retina does not move.

Abstract: An eye tracker measures the point in space on which the eye is fixated. An input mirror reflects an input image into the eye and directs the Purkinje images so formed in the eye back into the eye tracker mechanism. The images are gathered by a collimating objective and directed through focusing and deflecting optics so as to be incident on light flux measuring devices (photodetectors). The optics and detectors are connected in closed loop servo systems which keep the first and fourth Purkinje images centered on their respective photodetectors, keep the input beam properly positioned in the eye, and at the same time generate signals responsive to movement of the first Purkinje image to give a measure of both translational and rotational horizontal and vertical eye movement and movement of the fourth Purkinje image to give a measure of purely horizontal and vertical eye movement. Circuitry combines the signals to generate a measure of purely translational horizontal and vertical signals.