Safety Evaluation of Infrared Lamp Power Output for Oculometer Eye/Head Tracker System
Abstract
The Air Force is concerned about the possible long-term effects of radiation used to illuminate the eye for eye tracking purposes. Toward this purpose, measurements were taken to determine the power output of the halogen lamp from the oculometer of the Honeywell (Type YG1784AO1) head and eye tracker used at the Fir Force Human Resources Laboratory, Operations Training Division (AFHRL/OT), Williams AFB, Arizona. Radiation from the lamp (General Electric Lamp No. 784, Emergency Lighting - Halogen) is projected through the optics of the helmet onto the user's eye. The returned or reflected signal from the pupillary region of the eye is subsequently analyzed to determine eye position. A thermopile was placed behind a small aperture at the eye position inside the helmet in order to measure the amount of radiation at the eyepoint. Output of the halogen lamp varied with input current where minimum and maximum operational currents were .8 and 1 ampere. Irradiance measurements recorded using the thermopile were .20 milliwatts/sq cm for an .8-amp input and .55 mW/sq cm for a 1-amp input. These reading were determined to be well within safety standards currently set by industry. However, it is suggested that ocular exposure to such radiation be minimized, as more research is required in order to ascertain chronic effects resulting from long-term exposure of the eye to low levels of radiation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA215809
Entities
People
- J. C. Gainer
- R. J. Evans
Organizations
- University of Dayton