Calibration free, motion tolerent eye-gaze direction detector with contextually aware computer interaction and communication methods

Abstract

Eye tracking systems and methods include such exemplary features as a display device, at least one image capture device and a processing device. The display device displays a user interface including one or more interface elements to a user. The at least one image capture device detects a user's gaze location relative to the display device. The processing device electronically analyzes the location of user elements within the user interface relative to the user's gaze location and dynamically determine whether to initiate the display of a zoom window. The dynamic determination of whether to initiate display of the zoom window may further include analysis of the number, size and density of user elements within the user interface relative to the user's gaze location, the application type associated with the user interface or at the user's gaze location, and / or the structure of eye movements relative to the user interface.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]This application claims the benefit of previously filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “CALIBRATION FREE, MOTION TOLERANT EYE-GAZE DIRECTION DETECTOR WITH CONTEXTUALLY AWARE COMPUTER INTERACTION AND COMMUNICATION METHODS,” assigned U.S. Ser. No. 61 / 168,124, filed Apr. 9, 2009, and which is fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention generally pertains to electronic interface technologies, and more particularly to systems and methods that employ eye tracking as a user interface to an electronic device.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]When someone suffers a tragic accident or is inflicted with a terrible disease, the ability to effectively communicate or access a computer is frequently lost, especially when the accident or disease causes paralysis or induces, in the opposite extreme, involuntary motion of the body. In either scenario, eye movements are often the only aspect of a person's bo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]In view of the recognized features encountered in the prior art and addressed by the present subject matter, improved eye tracking systems and methods have been developed. In vario

Problems solved by technology

When someone suffers a tragic accident or is inflicted with a terrible disease, the ability to effectively communicate or access a computer is frequently lost, especially when the accident or disease causes paralysis or induces, in the opposite extreme, involuntary motion of the body.

Some alternative access technologies are characterized by certain limitations.

For example, scanning technology may sometimes be inefficient because it is not a direct selection technology.

Head pointing mice only work for those that have good head control, so individuals with paralysis or involuntary motion cannot use it.

'563 patent is a robust system, but may be characterized by certain limitations.

As such, users with involuntary motion frequently cannot benefit from the technology.

This feature limits the adaptability of the zooming features and requires time and effort on the part of a user who may want to toggle between the different available zooming modes.

While various implementations of eye gaze technologies and associated features and steps have been developed, no design has emerged that is known to generally encompass all of the desired characteristics hereafter presented in accordance with aspects of the subject technology.

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