Development of a Non-Contact Nurse Call System by Image Processing of Eye Movement

Abstract

This paper proposes a nurse call system driven by image processing of user’s eye movements. The system consisting of a computer, a camera, two light emitting diode (LED) lamps and a speaker is capable of non-contact/non-constraint operation. A user moves his/her eyes according to the predetermined specific pattern, then, the system extracts those pattern of eye movements from the image. After detecting those pattern, the system makes a buzzing sound as same as the role of call button at bedside in hospital. During the system execution, a user can always grasp a current situation of the system operation as flashing pattern of two LED lamps. Construction and evaluation of the algorithm for detecting eye movement pattern from the image were done by using the data recorded from normal healthy subjects. Developed prototype system was used in a subject with movement disorders caused from nerve degeneration. Operation of the system by the subject was accomplished to be in a satisfactory level. Further improvement of the system was expected in the contribution to the communication aid for patients with various movement disorders.