Eye-tracking device and program for eye-tracking device

Abstract

To provide an eye-gaze input apparatus configured to input characters by selecting a plurality of character panels displayed on a screen using a line of sight, while allowing character input operation to be easily cancelled.SOLUTION: An eye gaze input apparatus is configured to display a plurality of character panels indicating characters on a screen and allow the plurality of character panels to be selected by a line of sight of a user to input characters. The eye gaze input apparatus includes: a gaze point estimation unit which estimates a position of a gaze point of the user in the screen; a character input unit which receives, when the estimated gaze point stays in one character panel, an input of a character indicated by the character panel; and a display control unit which displays, when the gaze point keeps staying in the character panel, a cancel button for cancelling the received input for the character, in place of the character panel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaze input device that enables characters displayed on a screen to be selected and input by a user's gaze, and a program for the gaze input device.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, as a tool for supporting the communication of the intentions of patients who cannot move their hands, feet, or mouth satisfactorily due to severe limb paralysis or the like, a gaze input device has been developed that arranges a plurality of characters on a screen and allows the user to select the characters by gaze, thereby enabling the patient's intentions to be communicated.

[0003] As such a gaze input device, Patent Document 1 discloses, for example, a virtual keyboard on which a plurality of character panels indicating characters such as hiragana are arranged and displayed on a screen, and a desired character panel can be selected by gaze to input a character. This gaze input device detects the user's gaze by a camera or the like, and when the user's gaze stays on one character panel within the keyboard, it accepts the input of the character indicated by the character panel and displays the character in a predetermined area on the screen. Thus, the user can select the character panels displayed on the screen one by one by gaze to create a message and convey their own intentions to others.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, with conventional eye-tracking input devices, if an unintended character is accidentally entered, the user must shift their gaze to a delete button located in a specific position on the keyboard and continue to stare at it in order to undo the input, which can be stressful for the user.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main objective is to provide an eye-tracking input device that allows users to input characters by selecting from multiple character panels displayed on a screen using their gaze, and to enable easy cancellation of input operations. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In other words, the eye-tracking input device according to the present invention displays a plurality of character panels on a screen, and allows the user to input characters by selecting one of the plurality of character panels with their gaze. The device is characterized by comprising: a gaze point estimation unit that estimates the position of the user's gaze point on the screen; a character input unit that accepts input of the character shown in one of the character panels when the estimated gaze point remains within that character panel; and, if the gaze point continues to remain within the character panel, the device switches the character panel to display as a cancel button for canceling the accepted character input.

[0008] With this configuration, if the user continues to look at the character panel, it will switch to a cancel button to undo character input. This allows the user to easily undo an unintended character input without having to move their eyes significantly (i.e., without moving their eyes away from the character panel).

[0009] Preferably, the character input unit decides to cancel the received character input if the point of focus remains on the cancel button. This way, you can simply keep your eyes fixed on the text panel and then cancel text input without moving your gaze significantly, making the cancel operation much easier.

[0010] When the display control unit decides to cancel the input of the characters, it is preferable to switch the cancel button on the character panel and display it. This way, even if a user accidentally undoes a character input, they can immediately start typing again without having to move their eyes.

[0011] The display control unit preferably displays the cancel button in the same size and position as the character panel. This method allows the character panel to switch to a cancel button at the same size and position, making it easier to undo input operations. Furthermore, this design ensures the cancel button doesn't overlap with surrounding character panels, allowing users to quickly select another character panel after canceling.

[0012] Preferably, the eye-tracking input device has a display control unit that, when the gaze point remains within the character panel, switches the character displayed on the character panel to another pre-associated character, and the character input unit accepts character input each time the character displayed on the character panel changes. With this configuration, as the user continues to look at a designated character panel, related characters will be displayed in a switching manner. This allows the user to select the desired related character without significantly shifting their gaze, thus reducing eye strain. On the other hand, with this configuration, the characters change as the user continues to look at the character panel, and character input is accepted each time, making it easy for the user to input unintended characters. Therefore, the effect of the present invention is particularly noticeable when there is a character panel in which the characters change when the user's gaze remains fixed on it.

[0013] Furthermore, in the eye-tracking input device, it is preferable that the character input unit confirms the input of the received character when the point of focus moves outside the character panel. With this configuration, users can easily input related characters by keeping their eyes on the character panel, selecting the related character they want to input, and then confirming the input by looking away from the character panel. On the other hand, if the user continues to look at the character panel and character input is accepted, then if they look away from the character panel, the character input will be confirmed, making it easy for the user to input unintended characters. Therefore, the effects of the present invention become even more pronounced in such a configuration.

[0014] Furthermore, a specific embodiment of the display control unit is one in which the characters shown in the character panel are switched to all pre-associated characters and displayed, and then the character panel is switched to the cancel button and displayed. In this way, even if the user continues to look at the character panel and the desired related character does not appear, they can cancel the input operation that was accepted by continuing to look at the character panel.

[0015] Specific examples of the eye-tracking input device include a case in which the character initially displayed on the character panel is a kana character with an unvoiced consonant, and the other characters displayed after switching to this character are one or more selected from kana characters with voiced consonants, kana characters with semi-voiced consonants, kana characters with diphthongs, and small kana characters.

[0016] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a program for an eye-tracking input device that displays a plurality of character panels on a screen and allows the user to input characters by selecting one of the character panels with their gaze. The program is characterized by causing a computer to perform the functions of a display control unit, which includes a gaze point estimation unit that estimates the position of the user's gaze point on the screen, a character input unit that accepts input of the character shown by one of the character panels when the estimated gaze point remains within that character panel, and a display control unit that switches the character panel to display as a cancel button for canceling the accepted character input when the gaze point continues to remain within that character panel. Such a program for a gaze input device can achieve the same operational effects as those of the gaze input device of the present invention described above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention thus configured, in a gaze input device that enables selection of a plurality of character panels displayed on a screen by gaze to input characters, cancellation of an input operation can be easily performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] A diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the gaze input device of the present embodiment. [Figure 2] A configuration diagram showing the device configuration of the gaze input device of the embodiment. [Figure 3] A functional block diagram showing the device configuration of the gaze input device of the embodiment. [Figure 4] A diagram showing a part of the display screen of the gaze input device of the embodiment. [Figure 5] A screen display diagram showing the operation of the gaze input device in the embodiment. [Figure 6] A screen display diagram showing the operation of the gaze input device in the embodiment. [Figure 7] A diagram partially showing the display screen of the gaze input device in another embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the gaze input device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] <Configuration of Gaze Input Device 100> The gaze input device 100 of the present embodiment is for assisting the communication of people who have difficulty moving their hands, feet, or mouth, and enables selection and input of characters on a virtual keyboard (also referred to as a keyboard) B displayed on a screen 31 of a personal computer or the like by the user's gaze.

[0021] Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, this eye-tracking input device 100 comprises an eye-tracking detection means 1 for detecting the user's gaze, and a notebook computer C that integrates a computer body 2 and a display 3. The screen 31 of the display 3 shows a virtual character board (hereinafter simply referred to as the character board) B on which multiple characters such as hiragana are arranged, and a message panel M on which the entered characters are displayed. The user can input characters by continuously staring at the character they want to input on the character board B, and these characters can be displayed on the message panel M. By inputting multiple characters in this way, the user can display a message on the message panel M and communicate their intentions.

[0022] The gaze detection means 1 detects the direction of the user's gaze directed towards the screen 31 of the display 3 and outputs the detection result as gaze data. Specifically, this gaze detection means 1 utilizes the corneal reflection method and comprises a light source (not shown) that irradiates the user's eyeball with near-infrared light, a camera (not shown) that images the user's eyeball, and a gaze data output unit (not shown) that processes the image data output from the camera to detect the direction of the gaze and outputs it as gaze data. In this embodiment, the gaze detection means 1 is a so-called mounting type, and the light source and camera are mounted on the lower part of the display 3 so that they face the user's face.

[0023] Structurally, the computer unit 2, as shown in Figure 2, includes a CPU 201, memory 202, input / output interface 203, etc. Based on various application software (hereinafter referred to as "programs") stored in the memory 202, the CPU 201 and its peripheral devices work together to perform at least the functions of a gaze point estimation unit 21, a character data storage unit 22, a character display control unit 23, a character input unit 24, and an input character display control unit 25, as shown in Figure 3. Each part will be described below.

[0024] The gaze point estimation unit 21 estimates the position of the user's gaze point G on the screen 31 based on the detection results of the gaze detection means 1. Specifically, it receives a gaze signal from the gaze detection means 1 and estimates the position of the user's gaze point G on the screen 31 based on the gaze signal. It then outputs gaze point data indicating the estimated position of gaze point G to the character input unit 24 and the character display control unit 23. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, a pointer is displayed at the estimated position of gaze point G.

[0025] The character data storage unit 22 is set in a predetermined area of ​​the memory 202 and stores character data indicating the codes of various characters to be displayed on the dial B. In this embodiment, "characters" refer to, for example, hiragana, katakana, kanji, alphanumeric characters, Roman letters, symbols, emojis, emoticons, etc.

[0026] The dial display control unit 23 refers to the character data storage unit 22 to create dial data representing dial B, which has multiple characters arranged in it, and outputs this to the character input unit 24 and the display 3. This dial data includes information about the display mode of the characters and their display position on the screen.

[0027] As shown in Figure 1, the character display control unit 23 fixes and displays the entire character dial B at a predetermined position on the screen 31. The character dial B displays multiple square character panels P arranged in a grid (matrix) pattern, with each character panel P displaying one character (in this case, a hiragana character with a clear sound). In this example, adjacent character panels P are displayed without gaps, but there may be gaps between the character panels P. In each character panel P, each character is displayed such that its center position (centroid) coincides with the center position of the character panel P. In this embodiment, a border line indicating the area of ​​each character panel P is displayed on the screen 31, but this border line may be hidden.

[0028] The dial display control unit 23 is configured to switch the character indicated by a predetermined character panel P within the dial B to a pre-associated character (also called a related character) if the point of focus G remains within that panel P.

[0029] These related characters refer to characters that are candidates for conversion to the parent character. For example, in this embodiment, the character data storage unit 22 stores data indicating a "unvoiced hiragana character" as the parent character, and stores one or more character data selected from its "voiced consonant character," "semi-voiced consonant character," "diphthong character," and "small character," etc., as related characters. For example, the character panel P indicating the unvoiced hiragana character "tsu" as the parent character has the voiced consonant character "zu" and the small character "tsu" associated with it.

[0030] The dial display control unit 23, when the point of focus G remains within a character panel P to which related characters are associated, switches and displays the related characters one by one in a predetermined order, instead of the parent character shown in the character panel P. After switching and displaying all the related characters, it displays the parent character again in the character panel P. In other words, the dial display control unit 23 is configured to repeatedly display the parent character and its associated characters within the character panel P in succession. The dial display control unit 23 does not switch the character shown in the character panel P even if the point of focus G remains within a character panel P to which no related characters are associated.

[0031] Each related character is displayed sequentially within the character panel P at approximately the same position as the parent character. In other words, within the character panel P, the related characters are displayed sequentially so that their center positions coincide with the center positions of the parent character.

[0032] The dial display control unit 23 switches between the parent character and related characters at regular time intervals T1 (for example, 1 second). Specifically, when the point of focus G remains within the character panel P and a time interval T1 has elapsed, the first related character is displayed in place of the parent character, and thereafter, related characters are successively switched and displayed at regular time intervals T1.

[0033] The character input unit 24 accepts character input based on the estimated position of the gaze point G and outputs this as input character data to the input character display control unit 25. Specifically, when the gaze point G remains within a character panel P, the character input unit 24 measures the time that the gaze point G remains within that character panel P (i.e., the gaze time). When the measured gaze time reaches a predetermined time interval T2 (for example, 1 second), the character input unit 24 accepts input for the character displayed on the character panel P. In other words, the character input unit 24 accepts input operations for the character displayed on the character panel P by the gaze point remaining within the character panel P (in other words, by the user continuing to gaze at the character panel P). The time interval T2 for determining whether to accept input is the same as the time interval T1 for when the characters within the character panel P switch.

[0034] Furthermore, if the gaze point G remains within the character panel P to which the related characters are associated, the character input unit 24 accepts character input each time the character indicated by the character panel P changes, and if there is a character that has already been accepted for input, it updates (changes) the character that is currently in the input acceptance state. More specifically, if the gaze point G remains within the character panel P indicating the parent character for a predetermined time interval T1, and the character indicated by the character panel P switches to the first related character (first related character), the character input unit 24 accepts input of the parent character that was displayed before the switch. Then, if the gaze point G remains within the character panel P indicating the first related character for a predetermined time interval T1, and the character indicated by the character panel P switches to the next related character (second related character), the character input unit 24 updates (changes) the character that has been accepted for input from the parent character to the first character. In other words, if the point of focus G remains within the character panel P and the characters displayed on the character panel P change one after another, the character input unit 24 considers the character that was displayed immediately before the change as the character for which input is being accepted.

[0035] Then, when the gaze point G moves outside of the character panel P (or to another character panel P) while the character input unit 24 is accepting character input, it confirms the character input being accepted and outputs an input confirmation signal to the input character display control unit 25 to indicate that the input has been confirmed.

[0036] The input character display control unit 25 displays the message panel M on the screen 31 and displays the entered characters sequentially within the message panel M. The message panel M displays not only characters that have been confirmed but also characters that are still being accepted for input (i.e., characters before confirmation). As soon as the character input unit 24 accepts character input, the input character display control unit 25 displays the character in the message panel M. Then, as soon as the character input unit 24 updates the character being accepted for input, the input character display control unit 25 immediately updates the display of the character being accepted for input that is currently displayed in the message panel M. The input character display control unit 25 may display characters that have been confirmed for input and characters that are still being accepted for input differently, or they may be the same.

[0037] However, in order to allow the user to easily cancel an input operation when they accidentally input an unintended character, the character display control unit 23 switches the character panel P to display a cancel button Q for canceling the input of the received character if the gaze point G remains within the character panel P.

[0038] Specifically, if the point of focus G remains within the character panel P, the dial display control unit 23 will switch the character panel P to display the cancel button Q after the input of the character shown on the character panel P has been accepted but before the input of the character has been confirmed. As shown in Figure 4, the dial display control unit 23 displays the cancel button Q at the same size and in the same position as the character panel P.

[0039] If the point of focus G remains within the character panel P to which related characters are associated, the character display control unit 23 switches the characters within the character panel P to all pre-associated related characters and displays them, and then switches the character panel P to the cancel button Q. More specifically, as soon as a predetermined time interval T1 has elapsed since the last switched related character was displayed, and input of that related character is accepted (i.e., the character being input is updated), or immediately thereafter, the character panel P is switched to the cancel button Q.

[0040] On the other hand, if the point of focus G remains within a character panel P to which no related characters are associated, the character display control unit 23 switches the character panel P to the cancel button Q and displays it as soon as a predetermined time interval T2 has elapsed since the point of focus G began to remain and character input is accepted.

[0041] The character input unit 24 then decides to cancel the input of the most recently received character if the gaze point G remains on the cancel button Q for a predetermined time interval T3 (e.g., 1 s). This predetermined time interval T3 is the same as the time interval T1 in which the characters in the character panel P switch. On the other hand, if the gaze point G moves away from the cancel button Q (i.e., moves to another character panel P) before the predetermined time interval T3 has elapsed, the character input being received is confirmed. The input character display control unit 25 then deletes the character currently being received, which is displayed on the message panel M, at the same time as or immediately after the character input unit 24 decides to cancel the input of the character. The character display control unit 23 also switches the cancel button Q back to the original character panel P, displaying it at the same time as or immediately after the character input unit 24 decides to cancel the input of the character.

[0042] <Operation of eye-tracking device 100> Next, the operation of the eye-tracking input device 100 with this configuration will be explained using Figures 5 and 6.

[0043] (1) Input and cancel operations on character panels that do not have associated characters. As shown in Figure 5(a), when the point of focus G remains within a character panel P that is not associated with any related characters (in this case, the character panel for "な"), the time that the point of focus G remains within the character panel P (gaze time) is measured. In this case, an indicator showing the elapsed time may be displayed within the character panel P.

[0044] When the measured gaze time reaches a predetermined time interval T2, the input of the character "な" is accepted, and the character "な" is displayed on the message panel M as shown in Figure 5(b). At the same time, the character panel P that was displaying "な" switches to the cancel button Q. As soon as the cancel button Q is displayed, the measurement of the time that the gaze point G remains on the cancel button Q (gaze time) begins. At this time, an indicator showing the elapsed time may be displayed on the cancel button Q.

[0045] As shown in Figure 5(c), if the point of focus G moves away from the cancel button Q and to another character panel P (for example, the character panel for "ni") before a predetermined time interval T3 has elapsed since the cancel button Q was displayed, the input of the character "na" being received is confirmed, and at the same time, the cancel button Q switches back to the original character panel P (the character panel showing "na").

[0046] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5(d), if the gaze point G remains on the cancel button Q for a predetermined time interval T3, the input of the character "な" that was being received is canceled, and the character "な" that was being received is deleted from the message panel M. At the same time, the cancel button Q switches back to the original character panel P (the character panel showing "な").

[0047] (2) Input and cancel operations of the character panel to which related characters are associated. First, as shown in Figure 6(a), when the point of focus G remains within the character panel P associated with the related character (in this case, the character panel for "は"), the time that the point of focus G remains within the character panel P (gaze time) is measured. At this time, an indicator showing the elapsed time may be displayed within the character panel P.

[0048] When the measured gaze time reaches a predetermined time interval T1, the input of the parent character "は" is accepted, and the character "は" is displayed on the message panel M as shown in Figure 6(b). At the same time, the character displayed on the character panel P switches from the parent character "は" to the first related character "ば", and the measurement of gaze time on the character panel P begins again.

[0049] As shown in Figure 6(c), if the gaze point G moves to another character panel P (for example, the character panel for "hi") before a predetermined time interval T1 has elapsed since switching to the first related character "ba", the input of the character "ha" being received is confirmed, and at the same time, the character indicated by character panel P switches to the parent character "ha".

[0050] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6(d), when the gaze time on the character panel P reaches a predetermined time interval T1, the character being input is updated (or changed) from "ha" to "ba," and the character "ha" displayed on the message panel M is switched to the updated character "ba." At the same time, the character shown on the character panel P switches from the first related character "ba" to the second related character "pa," and the measurement of gaze time on the character panel P is restarted.

[0051] As shown in Figure 6(e), if the gaze point G moves to another character panel P before a predetermined time interval T1 has elapsed since switching to the second related character "pa", the input of the character "ba" being received is confirmed, and at the same time, the character indicated by character panel P switches to the parent character "ha".

[0052] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6(f), when the gaze time on the character panel P reaches a predetermined time interval T1, the character being input is updated from "ba" to "pa," and the character "ba" displayed on the message panel M is switched to the updated character "pa." At the same time, the character panel P that was showing "pa" switches to the cancel button Q, and the measurement of the time the gaze point G remains on the cancel button Q (gaze time) begins.

[0053] As shown in Figure 6(g), if the point of focus G moves away from the cancel button Q and to another character panel P before a predetermined time interval T3 has elapsed since the cancel button Q was displayed, the input of the character "pa" being accepted is confirmed, and at the same time, the cancel button Q switches back to the original character panel P that shows the parent character (the character panel showing "ha").

[0054] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6(h), if the gaze point G remains on the cancel button Q for a predetermined time interval T3, the input of the character "pa" that was being received is canceled, and the character "pa" that was being received is deleted from the message panel M. At the same time, the cancel button Q switches back to the original character panel P (the character panel showing "ha").

[0055] <Effects of the eye-tracking input device 100 of this embodiment> With the eye-tracking input device 100 of this embodiment configured in this way, when the user continues to look at the character panel P, the character panel P switches to a cancel button Q for canceling character input. Therefore, when the user accidentally inputs an unintended character, they can easily cancel the erroneous input operation without having to move their gaze significantly (i.e., without moving their gaze away from the character panel P).

[0056] <Other Embodiments> However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the eye-tracking input device 100 in the above embodiment displays the entire character dial B fixedly within the screen 31, but it is not limited to this. In other embodiments of the eye-tracking input device 100, the character dial B may move within the screen 31 according to the user's gaze. In this eye-tracking input device 100, as shown in Figure 7, the user can input characters by moving the character dial B within the screen 31 by moving their gaze and aligning the desired character panel with a selection position S set at a predetermined position within the screen 31. In this embodiment, the character dial display control unit 23 moves the character dial B within the screen 31 based on gaze point data acquired from the gaze point estimation unit 21. Specifically, as shown in Figure 7(a), the character dial display control unit 23 moves the character dial B so that the character panel P closest to the gaze point G moves toward the selection position S within the screen 31. Then, as shown in Figure 7(b), when the center of the character panel P where the gaze point G is located coincides with the selection position S, the movement of the character dial B stops. In this state, the gaze time on the character panel P begins, and thereafter, character input and input cancellation operations can be performed in the same manner as with the eye-tracking input device 100 of the above embodiment.

[0057] In the embodiments described above, multiple character panels P were arranged in a grid pattern at equal intervals within the character board B, but this is not limited to this arrangement. For example, multiple character panels P may be arranged radially or in a single row.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the cancel button Q was displayed in the same size and position as the character panel P, but this is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the cancel button Q may be displayed in a larger area than the character panel P before the switch.

[0059] In the embodiments described above, the gaze detection means 1 was of the attachable type, but is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the gaze detection means 1 may be integrated with the display 3 or the computer body 2, or it may be a wearable type attached to the user's body. It may also be attached to any location, such as the top of the display 3.

[0060] In each of the above embodiments, the computer body 2 implemented its functions as a gaze point estimation unit 21, etc., based on a program stored in memory 202, but is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the computer body 2 may access a cloud via a network such as the Internet, and the CPU 201 and its peripheral devices may work together to implement its functions as a gaze point estimation unit 21, etc., based on a program stored on the cloud.

[0061] In the embodiments described above, the computer body 2 and the display 3 were integrated into a notebook computer, but this is not limited to that. In other embodiments, they may be separate components. The display 3 may also consist of a projector and a projection screen. Furthermore, it is not limited to a notebook computer; it may be a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet, or a wearable device such as a head-mounted display.

[0062] Furthermore, the eye-tracking input device 100 of other embodiments may not be limited to applications that support communication for people who have difficulty moving their limbs or mouths, but may also be used to support text input by able-bodied individuals using their eyes.

[0063] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 100... Eye-tracking device 1. Eye-tracking means 21 ···Point of focus estimation unit 23...Dial display control unit 24 ···Text input section 31 ···Screen G ···Point of focus position P ···Character Panel

Claims

1. An eye-tracking input device that displays multiple character panels on a screen and allows the user to input characters by selecting from these multiple character panels using their gaze, A gaze point estimation unit that estimates the position of the user's gaze point within the aforementioned screen, When the estimated point of focus remains within one of the character panels, a character input unit accepts input of the character indicated by that character panel, A gaze input device comprising: a display control unit that, when the gaze point remains within the character panel, switches the character panel to display a cancel button for canceling the received character input.

2. The eye-tracking input device according to claim 1, wherein the character input unit determines to cancel the received character input if the gaze point remains on the cancel button.

3. The eye-tracking input device according to claim 2, wherein when the display control unit determines that the input of a character should be canceled, it switches the cancel button on the character panel to display it.

4. The eye-tracking input device according to claim 1, wherein the display control unit displays the cancel button in the same size and position as the character panel.

5. If the point of focus remains within the character panel, the display control unit switches the character displayed by the character panel to another pre-associated character, and then switches the character panel to the cancel button. The eye-tracking input device according to claim 1, wherein the character input unit updates the character being input each time the character displayed on the character panel changes.

6. The eye-tracking input device according to claim 5, wherein the character input unit confirms the input of the character being received when the gaze point moves outside the character panel.

7. The eye-tracking input device according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the display control unit switches the characters shown in the character panel to all pre-associated characters and displays them, and then switches the character panel to the cancel button and displays it.

8. The eye-tracking input device according to claim 5, wherein the character initially displayed on the character panel is a kana character with an unvoiced consonant, and the other character displayed after switching to this character is one or more selected from kana characters with voiced consonants, kana characters with semi-voiced consonants, kana characters with diphthongs, and small kana characters.

9. A program for an eye-tracking input device that displays multiple character panels on a screen and allows the user to input characters by selecting from these multiple character panels using their gaze, A gaze point estimation unit that estimates the position of the user's gaze point within the aforementioned screen, When the estimated point of focus remains within one of the character panels, a character input unit accepts input of the character indicated by that character panel, A program for an eye-tracking device that causes a computer to function as a display control unit, which, if the point of focus remains within the character panel, switches the character panel to display a cancel button for canceling the received character input.

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