Safety Issues and Infrared Light

Abstract

Infrared light is the most common choice for illumination of the eye in current eye trackers, usually produced via IR light-emitting diodes (LEDs). This chapter provides an overview of the potential hazards of over-exposure to infrared light, the safety standards currently in place, configurations and lighting conditions employed by various eye tracking systems, the basics of measurement of IR light sources in eye trackers, and special considerations associated with continuous exposure in the case of gaze control for communication and disabled users. It should be emphasised that any eye tracker intended for production should undergo testing by qualified professionals at a recognised test house, in a controlled laboratory setting. However, some knowledge of the measurement procedures and issues involved should be useful to designers and users of eye tracking systems.

Authentication protocols for smart homes

“…Similarly, DLC is not suitable when inhabitants need light in their homes [16]. Mulvey et al [74] have discussed the potential hazards of over exposure to infrared light. Therefore, each of these communication mediums has its own weaknesses and strengths, and more research is required to be able to switch completely from radio-based communication to light-based communication.…”

Authentication protocols for smart homes

“…Similarly, DLC is not suitable when inhabitants need light in their homes [16]. Mulvey et al [74] have discussed the potential hazards of over exposure to infrared light. Therefore, each of these communication mediums has its own weaknesses and strengths, and more research is required to be able to switch completely from radio-based communication to light-based communication.…”

Construction and Operation of a High-Speed, High-Precision Eye Tracker for Tight Stimulus Synchronization and Real-Time Gaze Monitoring in Human and Animal Subjects

“…High intensity infrared illumination can be hazardous to eye health over continuous exposure. One paper suggests broadband infrared illumination in the range of 700–1400 nm is to be restricted to less than 1 mW/cm 2 of corneal irradiance for a continuous exposure of 8 h (Mulvey et al, 2008 ), but a report from the COGAIN Association (Mulvey et al, 2008 ) could not determine a precise safety guide for bandpass illumination (i.e., 850 nm) and observed a wide range of illuminator intensities in commercially-available eyetrackers. We have measured the irradiance of our illuminator using a Graseby Optronics 5 (UDT Instruments, San Diego, CA) model S370 optometer using a Model #262 radiometric sensor with correction set to the illumination wavelength of our LED array (850 nm).…”