Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers

1985, 17 (3), 385-387

INSTRUMENTATION & TECHNIQUES

An optoelectronic motion-sensing
eye blink detector
SPERO A. METALIS
Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

and
FRANK DRUSS
University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

A noninvasive eye blink detector can be built at low cost from a Sprague optoelectronic motion
detection module, a voltage level detector, and a tone burst generator. The blink detector trig-
gers reliably when used to detect motion appearing on the video monitor of a videotape recorder.
The eye blink is a widely used dependent variable in The optoelectronic module is triggered by a change in
studies using the respondent conditioning paradigm light of as little as 5 %. It is small enough to be attached
(Clarkson & Berg, 1984), as well as in studies of emo- to the visor of a baseball cap (a convenient head mount
tion, vigilance, and cognition (Holland & Tarlow, 1975; scheme) and can be aimed easily at the white of the eye.
Kanfer, 1960; Stem, Walrath, & Goldstein, 1984). Blinks As such, it functions as an on-line blink detector. It can
have been reliably measured by anyone of several trans- also be used off-line. If a videotape recording of a close-
ducers: a strain gauge mechanically attached to the eye- up image of the eye is made, then during playback the
lid, a polygraph set to record electrooculograms, video device can be aimed at the videotape monitor screen. Each
tape recordings, and various photodetection devices. Each occurrence of an eye blink causes it to trigger.
method has its strengths and weaknesses, and these must The interface unit, which must be built from separate
be assessed carefully before use. components, consists of an LM 324 quad op-amp chip
In this article, we describe an eye blink detector with and a 556 dual timer chip, both widely available from
two desirable features: (1) It is noninvasive and avoids hobby electronics suppliers.
the physical discomfort which may occur with methods The alarm function of the Sprague unit is bypassed, and
that require attachments to the eyelid or face of the sub- a pulse output (which occurs with each blink) is sent to
ject, and (2) it can be constructed at a cost of less than the interface unit. This pulse is detected by the level de-
$40. Since the detector has only three integrated circuits, tector in the interface unit, which then triggers a tone burst
it is relatively easy to assemble. It cannot, however, in generator. The tone burst can be recorded on audio tape.
its present configuration yield the millisecond time reso- The Sprague unit includes a built-in filter to make the
lution required by some eye blink research paradigms module insensitive to 120 Hz fluorescent light flicker. To
(Stem, Walrath, & Goldstein, 1984). extend the utility of the blink detector, an additional filter
is included in the interface, between the motion detector
EYE BLINK DETECTOR module and the level detector. This filter makes the device
insensitive to the 60 Hz video-blanking trace of the moni-
The device consists of an optoelectronic module, a con- tor screen, and avoids the false triggering that would
necting cable, and an electronic interface unit. The op- otherwise occur when the device is pointed at a screen.
toelectronic module is the Sprague Opto-Linear Motion The tone burst generator consists of a one-shot with a
Detector, consisting of a Sprague's ULN-2232A in- differentiated input, and an audio frequency oscillator.
tegrated circuit, a small printed circuit board, and four Each time a blink is detected, it produces a 30 msec tone
capacitors. The module is the basis for many motion- of 1000 Hz.
detecting intrusion alarms (Gontowski, 1980). Although Figure 1 illustrates the changes that need to be made
the device is no longer available from Sprague, it is sold to the Sprague unit. Figure 2 shows a circuit diagram for
for approximately $4.00 by several surplus firms. 1 the interface between the Sprague module and a tape
recorder. A TIL-eompatible one-shot output is included
to enable the interface unit to automatically advance an
This project was supported by a grant from the Spencer Foundation.
Please address all reprint requests to: S. A. Metalis, Department of event counter. This allows on-line determination of num-
Psychology, Loyola University of Chicago, 6525 N. Sheridan DH-6l6, ber of eye blinks per experimental manipulation. The list
Chicago, IL 60626. of parts is shown in Table 1.

385 Copyright 1985 Psychonomic Society, Inc.

386 METALIS AND DRUSS

Integrated Lens
Circuit

Timing Gnd
Capacitors
/
~ PuIse Output
E
E
CD
CD

Pad B

~ 25mm-1

Figure 1. Construction diagram for modifying Sprague Opto-Linear Motion Detector.

DC Coupled Lo Pass Filter

Gain ~ 2 / Knee = 2 . 3 Hz
R2 R4

R1 C2
Input From
Motion Detector

Inverting Comparator with

Hysteresis (Level Detector)

R17 R19

Vee

R12 C9
I
14
C7
1/2
4
556 5 (-v
R16
C3 2
6 7
Mini Phone
Tone Generator Jack Out to
C4 C6 Audio Recorder
(1002 Hz)

One Shot (30 rns)

Figure 2. Schematic of Sprague unit/audio recorder interface circuit.

 BLINK DETECTOR 387
Table 1 series-parallel network of 47-0 lf2-W resistors, as shown
Parts List in Figure 2.
Resistors (all 'h W): For on-line recording, it is useful to attach a small6-V
RI-R4, Rll = 10M incandescent lamp along the central axis of the plastic
R5, R6 = lOOK sleeve, pointing at the eye. This lamp insures that the de-
R7 = 56K tector has a constant light source.
R8 = 25K potentiometer
R9 = 3.3K
The output of the tone burst generator will operate an
RIO, RI2 = 10K earphone or small speaker, but is too large for some au-
R13 = 270K dio recorder inputs. To reduce the signal to a more ap-
RI4 = 12K propriate level for recording, a Radio Shack attenuating
RI5 = 1.2K plug (RS 274-300) may be used.
RI6 = 220 !l (or IK potentiometer)
R17-RZO = 47 !l
Capacitors:
ACCURACY TEST
CI, C2 = 0.01 ,.F ± 10% (metalized polyester film) To test the accuracy of the blink detector, five subjects,
C3, C5 = 0.01 ILF ceramic disc college students of both sexes, were monitored simultane-
C7 = 4.7 JLF 15 V electrolytic ously by the blink detector and a videotape recorder with
C8 = 1.0 JLF 15 V electrolytic
camera. The Sprague module was mounted on the visor
Other Parts:
of a baseball cap snugly fitted to each subject's head.
Sprague Opto-Linear Motion Detector Three on-line tests were made to compare the blinks
LM 324 Quad Op Amp
Type 556 Dual Timer
seen on the video channel with the tone bursts generated
DI = Zener Diode 1 watt ± 5% 4.3 V (e.g., GEZD-4.3, or by the blink detector and recorded on the audio channel.
ECG5068A, or SK3332) In one test, the subjects were asked to blink once a sec-
ond for 10 sec. In another, the subjects read news maga-
zine articles aloud. In the third test, the subjects listened
The mounting and placement of the Sprague module to the articles being read. These same three procedures
and the careful adjustment of the level control are criti- were then used for the off-line tests, comparing the video
cal for good results. For instance, if the Sprague module channel record of blinks with the tone bursts generated
is mounted slightly above eye level and is aimed down by the blink detector aimed at the videotape monitor screen
at the subject's eye, false indication of a blink: is likely during playback.
to occur each time the subject looks down. This problem The off-line records yielded 100% fidelity. The on-line
can be eliminated largely by mounting the Sprague mod- records for voluntary blinking and for listening to text also
ule a little below eye level, so that it is aimed up at the yielded 100% fidelity. The on-line record for reading
eye. The tendency to register misses or false alarms can aloud initially yielded occasional misses and false alarms,
be eliminated by careful readjustment of the level control. which seemed to be caused by subject head movement
Construction Notes or eye movement. But in each case, raising or lowering
On the Sprague unit, the 4.7-uhf 35-V orange-dipped the sensitivity by adjusting the level control, or reposi-
tantalum capacitor is replaced by a O.(XH -uhf ceramic tioning the cap with the Sprague module on the subject's
capacitor, to reduce the time-out interval from about 4 sec head eliminated the problem.
to 8 msec, so the detector device can respond several times
per second. The output is taken from Pin 11 to bypass REFERENCES
the alarm feature and obtain a positive pulse output (ap- CLARKSON, M. G., &; BERG, W. K. (1984). Bioelectric and potentio-
proximately .75 V) each time a light change is detected. metric measures of eyeblink amplitude in reflex modification
This is done with a jumper from Pad A. Pins 13 and 14 paradigms. Psychophysiology, 21, 237-241.
GoNTOWSKI, W. (1980). Build a motion detector alarm. Popular Elec-
are connected to V + , to enable the automatic reset fea- tronics, 17, 61-70.
ture. This is done with a jumper from Pad B. An opaque HOLLAND, M. K., &; TARLOW, G. (1975). Blinking and thinking. Per-
hood is cemented to the Sprague transparent plastic IC ceptual and Motor Skills, 41, 403-406.
to shield the lens from light changes more than 30 deg KANFER, F. H. (1960). Verbal rate, eyeblink and content in structured
off the central axis and prevent extraneous illumination psychiatric interviews. Journal ofAbnormal and Social Psychology,
61, 341-347.
changes from producing false alarms. A black plastic STERN, J. A., WALRATH, L. C., &; GOLDSTEIN, R. (1984). The en-
sleeve from a mini-plug or mini-jack works well. Since dogenous eyeblink. Psychophysiology, 21, 22-33.
the IC is made of transparent plastic, some black tape on NOTES
the edges of the IC will also be needed.
If the one-shot is used to drive a TTL counter, a regu- I. The Sprague motion detector module is available from Electronic
lated 5-V TTL power supply must be used. Otherwise, Supermarket, P. O. Box 619, Lynnfield, MA, 01940, (617) 532-2323,
or from BNF Enterprises, P. O. Box 3357, Peabody, MA, 01961, (617)
a 6-V lantern battery may be used as a power supply. A 531-5774.
resistance and a 4.3-V Zener diode are included to con-
vert the 5-6 V suitable for the LM 324 and 555 to a lower
voltage required by the Sprague module. The resistance (Manuscript received July 25, 1984;
needs to be 47 0 1 W, which can be obtained from a revision accepted for publication March 22, 1985.)