Energy-efficient, low-latency, and non-contact eye blink detection with capacitive sensing

Abstract

This work described a novel non-contact, wearable, real-time eye blink detection solution based on capacitive sensing technology. A custom-built prototype employing low-cost and low-power consumption capacitive sensors was integrated into standard glasses, with a copper tape electrode affixed to the frame. The blink of an eye induces a variation in capacitance between the electrode and the eyelid, thereby generating a distinctive capacitance-related signal. By analyzing this signal, eye blink activity can be accurately identified. The effectiveness and reliability of the proposed solution were evaluated through five distinct scenarios involving eight participants. Utilizing a user-dependent detection method with a customized predefined threshold value, an average precision of 92% and a recall of 94% were achieved. Furthermore, an efficient user-independent model based on the two-bit precision decision tree was further applied, yielding an average precision of 80% and an average recall of 81%. These results demonstrate the potential of the proposed technology for real-world applications requiring precise and unobtrusive eye blink detection.