A head-mounted computer interface using eye-tracking as a `pointer' was demonstrated at the Third Annual Weapons Technology Review and Training Exposition at San Diego in January 1992, and is under further development for military and civilian applications. in this interface, the computer interprets eye gaze direction just as it would input from a mouse or trackball. This technology makes possible computer-human interaction with many ideal aspects: complete portability, hands-free operation, silent, secure operation anywhere and any time. Commercial systems using control inputs from the tracked eye are available and effective within their limits, but size, weight, and cost have been barriers to wider use. This paper describes the latest head-mounted eye tracking display (HETD) development prototype. We are exploring the technological limits of current and near-term lighting, detector, and lens technology to project the feasibility of this device.
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