Eye-tracking device and program for eye-tracking device

Abstract

To reduce the stress of character input operations, in a line-of-sight input device that inputs characters by selecting a plurality of character panels displayed on a screen with a line of sight, so as to make it easier to determine the line of sight on the character panels.SOLUTION: A line-of-sight input device is configured to display a plurality of character panels indicating characters on a screen to enable a user to input characters by selection among the plurality of character panels with a user's line of sight. The line-of-sight input device includes: a gaze point estimation unit configured to estimate a position of a user's gaze point within the screen; a character input unit configured to accept input of a character indicated by the character panel, when the estimated gaze point continues to remain on one of the character panels for a predetermined time; and a marker display control unit configured to display a marker to attract the user's line of sight in the center of the character panel and change the appearance of the marker when the gaze point continues to remain on the character panel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

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 assisting the communication 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 and displays a plurality of characters on a screen and allows the patient's intention to be communicated by selecting the characters with the user's gaze.

[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 is configured to detect the user's gaze by a camera or the like, and when the user's gaze stays on one character panel within the keyboard for a predetermined time or more, the input of the character indicated by the character panel is accepted and the character is displayed in a predetermined area on the screen. Thereby, the user can select the character panels displayed on the screen one by one by gaze to create a message and convey his or her intention to others.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, with the eye-tracking input devices described above, it can be difficult to keep your eyes fixed on the character panel depending on the character being input. For example, when selecting a character like "い" which is displayed separated on either side of the center of the character panel, even if you consciously try to look at the center of the character panel, your gaze will unconsciously be pulled away from the center of the character panel, causing your eyes to wander. As a result, the user's gaze may unintentionally leave the character panel, making it impossible to input characters, and the user may experience stress during the input process.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its main objective is to make it easier to fix the gaze on a character panel and reduce the stress of character input operation in an eye-tracking input device that inputs characters by selecting from multiple character panels displayed on a screen using eye gaze. [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, and 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 by a character panel when the estimated gaze point remains on one of the character panels for a predetermined time; and a marker display control unit that displays a marker in the center of the character panel to attract the user's gaze, and changes the appearance of the marker when the gaze point remains on the character panel.

[0008] Furthermore, the present invention provides a program for an eye-tracking input device that displays a plurality of character panels on a screen, allowing the user to select one of the character panels using their gaze to input characters. The program is characterized by including 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 on that character panel for a predetermined time, and a marker display control unit that displays a marker in the center of the character panel to attract the user's gaze, and changes the appearance of the marker when the gaze point remains on the character panel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention as described above, in an eye-tracking input device that inputs characters by selecting from multiple character panels displayed on a screen using eye gaze, it is possible to make it easier to fix the gaze on the character panel and reduce the stress of character input operations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the eye-tracking input device of this embodiment. [Figure 2] A configuration diagram showing the equipment configuration of the eye-tracking input device according to the same embodiment. [Figure 3] A functional block diagram showing the equipment configuration of the eye-tracking input device according to the same embodiment. [Figure 4] This figure shows a portion of the display screen of the eye-tracking device according to the same embodiment. [Figure 5] A screen display diagram showing the operation of the eye-tracking input device during text input in the same embodiment. [Figure 6] A diagram partially showing the display screen of an eye-tracking device in another embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] An embodiment of the eye-tracking device of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0012] <Configuration of the eye-tracking input device 100> The eye-tracking input device 100 of this embodiment is intended to support communication for people who have difficulty moving their hands, feet, or mouth, and allows users to select and input characters on a virtual keyboard (also called a character board) B displayed on a screen 31 of a personal computer or the like using their gaze.

[0013] 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 PC 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2 in terms of structure, the computer main body 2 includes a CPU 201, a memory 202, an 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 cooperate with each other, and as shown in FIG. 3, it is configured to at least perform functions as a fixation point estimation unit 21, a character data storage unit 22, a keypad display control unit 23, a character input unit 24, an input character display control unit 25, an indicator display control unit 26, and a marker display control unit 27. Hereinafter, each unit will be described.

[0016] Based on the detection result of the gaze detection means 1, the fixation point estimation unit 21 estimates the position of the user's fixation point G on the screen 31. Specifically, it receives a gaze signal from the gaze detection means 1 and estimates the position of the user's fixation point G on the screen 31 based on the gaze signal. Then, it outputs fixation point data indicating the estimated position of the fixation point G to the character input unit 24 and the keypad display control unit 23. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a pointer is displayed at the estimated position of the fixation point G, but it is not necessary to display a pointer.

[0017] The character data storage unit 22 is set in a predetermined area of the memory 202 and stores character data indicating codes of various characters to be displayed on the keypad B. The "characters" referred to in this embodiment are, for example, hiragana, katakana, Chinese characters, alphanumeric characters, Roman characters, symbols, emojis, kaomoji, etc.

[0018] The keypad display control unit 23 creates keypad data indicating a keypad B in which a plurality of characters are arranged by referring to the character data storage unit 22 and outputs this to the character input unit 24 and the display 3. This keypad data includes information regarding the display mode of the characters and the display positions on the screen.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, this dial display control unit 23 fixedly displays the entire dial B within the screen 31. On the dial B, a plurality of character panels P forming a rectangular shape such as a square are arranged in a grid pattern (matrix pattern) and displayed, and one character (here, hiragana characters of voiceless sounds) is displayed on each character panel P. Here, the character panels P adjacent to each other are displayed so as to be arranged without gaps, but there may be gaps between the character panels P. And in each character panel P, each character is displayed such that its center position (center of gravity position) coincides with the center position of each character panel P. In the present embodiment, a frame line indicating the area of each character panel P is displayed on the screen 31, but this frame line may not be displayed.

[0020] The character input unit 24 receives character input based on the position of the estimated fixation point G and outputs this as input character data to the input character display control unit 25. Specifically, when the fixation point G stays on one character panel P (that is, enters and stays within the character panel P), the character input unit 24 immediately or after a predetermined time elapses, measures to count up the time that the fixation point G continues to stay on the character panel P (that is, the fixation time). And when the measured fixation time reaches a predetermined threshold value (for example, 1 second), the character input unit 24 receives the input of the character indicated by the character panel P. That is, the character input unit 24 receives an input operation for the character indicated by the character panel P by the fixation point staying on the character panel P continuously (in other words, by the user continuously fixing on the character panel P). Note that the character input unit 24 is configured to reset the measured fixation time (set the fixation time to 0) when receiving character input. Also, the character input unit 24 outputs fixation time data indicating the fixation time to the indicator display control unit 26 and the marker display control unit 27.

[0021] And when the fixation point G moves outside the character panel P while the character input unit 24 is in a state of receiving character input, the character input unit 24 determines the input of the character being received and outputs an input confirmation signal indicating that the input has been determined to the input character display control unit 25. Note that the character input unit 24 may be configured to determine the character input simultaneously when receiving the character input.

[0022] 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., before confirmation). 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.

[0023] The indicator display control unit 26 and the marker display control unit 27 are for assisting with character input.

[0024] As shown in Figure 4, the indicator display control unit 26 displays a progress indicator I on the character panel P where the gaze point G is located (specifically, the character panel P that measures gaze time), indicating the remaining gaze time (also called remaining gaze time) required before input is accepted. When the character input unit 24 starts measuring gaze time, the indicator display control unit 26 displays the progress indicator I on the character panel P and changes the appearance of the displayed progress indicator I according to the length of the remaining gaze time. Then, when the character input unit 24 resets the gaze time, the indicator display control unit 26 hides the displayed progress indicator I.

[0025] The marker display control unit 27 displays a marker T in the center of the character panel P to attract the user's attention. In this case, the marker display control unit 27 displays a circular marker T on each of the multiple character panels P displayed by the dial B. This marker T is displayed in each character panel P closer to the center of the character panel P than the progress indicator I, specifically displayed inside the annular-shaped progress indicator I, and more specifically at the center of the character panel P. In this embodiment, the marker T is displayed on all character panels P regardless of the position of the gaze point G.

[0026] However, in the eye-tracking input device 100 of this embodiment, the marker display control unit 27 is configured to change the appearance of the marker T displayed on the character panel P when the point of focus G remains on the character panel P, in order to make it easier for the user to fix their gaze on the character panel P.

[0027] Specifically, when the gaze point G remains on the character panel P and the character input unit 24 begins measuring the gaze time, the marker display control unit 27 stretches (or thins) the circular marker T displayed on the character panel P into a needle shape and rotates it. The needle-shaped marker T is displayed so that its center position (center position along the longitudinal direction) coincides with the center position of the character panel P, and it rotates around the center position of the character panel as its axis. Note that "needle-shaped" does not mean that both ends are pointed, but rather any shape that is elongated compared to a circle, such as a strip or an egg shape.

[0028] The marker display control unit 27 continues to rotate the marker T while the gaze point G remains on the character panel P, that is, while the gaze time measurement by the character input unit 24 continues. During this time, the marker display control unit 27 may further deform the marker T (for example, make it thinner, thicker, longer, shorter, etc.), or it may change the color of the marker T.

[0029] Furthermore, the marker display control unit 27 is configured to change the amount of change in the shape of the marker T according to the position of the gaze point G, and is configured to increase the amount of change in the shape of the marker T as the gaze point G approaches the center of the character panel P, and decrease the amount of change in the shape of the marker T as the gaze point G moves away from the center of the character panel P. Specifically, in this embodiment, the rotation speed of the marker T is increased as the gaze point G approaches the center of the character panel P, and the rotation speed of the marker T is decreased as the gaze point G moves away from the center of the character panel P. The marker display control unit 27 may change the amount of change in steps or continuously according to the distance between the gaze point G and the center of the character panel P.

[0030] The marker display control unit 27 then deforms the needle-shaped marker T back into a circular shape when it receives character input from the character input unit 24 and resets the gaze time, or when the gaze point G moves outside the character panel P.

[0031] <Operation of eye-tracking device 100> Next, the operation of the eye-tracking input device 100 with this configuration during character input will be explained using Figure 5.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5(a), in the initial state, a circular marker T is displayed on the character panel P (in this case, the character panel for "い"), and the progress indicator I is not displayed. When the gaze point G remains on the character panel P in this state, the character input unit 24 starts measuring the gaze time.

[0033] As shown in Figure 5(b), when the gaze time measurement begins, a progress indicator I appears in the character panel P and the bar starts to extend. Simultaneously with the appearance of the progress indicator I, or at a different time, the shape of the marker T changes from a circular shape to a needle shape and begins to rotate.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5(c), while the gaze point G remains within the character panel P, the progress indicator I bar continues to extend in a circular shape, and the needle-shaped marker T continues to rotate. Subsequently, when the gaze time reaches a threshold and character input is accepted, or when the gaze point G moves outside the character panel P, the progress indicator I disappears, and the marker T deforms back into its original circular shape.

[0035] <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, a marker T to attract the user's gaze is displayed in the center of the character panel P, and the appearance of the marker T changes when the point of focus G remains on the character panel P. As a result, while the user is looking at the character panel P, their gaze is naturally guided to the marker T whose appearance is changing. Consequently, the user can easily fix their gaze on the center of the character panel P, reducing the stress of character input operations.

[0036] <Other Embodiments> However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0037] For example, the eye-tracking input device 100 in the above embodiment fixed and displayed the entire character dial B within the screen 31, but is not limited to this. Eye-tracking input devices 100 in other embodiments may be of a type that moves the character dial B within the screen 31 according to the user's gaze. As shown in Figure 6, this eye-tracking input device 100 may be configured so that 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 (for example, the center of 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 6(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 6(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 character input unit 24 starts the gaze time on the character panel P, and as shown in Figure 6(c), a progress indicator I is displayed on the character panel P at the selected position S, and the marker T changes from a circular shape to a needle shape and begins to rotate. After that, character input operations can be performed in the same way as with the eye-tracking input device 100 of the above embodiment.

[0038] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the point of focus G remained on the character panel P, the marker T deformed from a circular shape to a needle shape and rotated, but this is not limited to this. The effects of the present invention can be achieved by continuously changing the shape of the marker T while the point of focus G remains on the character panel P. For example, in another embodiment, when the point of focus G remains on the character panel P, the circular marker T may rotate around the center of the character panel P without deforming, or the spiral-shaped marker T may rotate. In yet another embodiment, while the point of focus G remains on the character panel P, the marker T may continue to change shape without rotating, or its color may continue to change.

[0039] Furthermore, while the above embodiment displays marker T on all character panels P, it is not limited to this. In other embodiments, when the point of focus G remains on the character panel P, marker T may be displayed in the center of the character panel P, and when the point of focus G moves outside the character panel P, marker T may be displayed.

[0040] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the progress indicator I was displayed when the gaze time measurement was completed, but this is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the progress indicator I may not be displayed.

[0041] Furthermore, in other embodiments, the marker display control unit 27 may be configured to change the amount of change in the shape of the marker T according to the amount of time the point of gaze remains on the character panel (i.e., the gaze time). For example, the marker display control unit 27 may be configured to increase the rotation speed of the needle-shaped marker T as the gaze time increases.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] In each of the above embodiments, the computer body 2 implemented each function, such as the gaze point estimation unit 21, based on a program stored in the memory 202, but is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the computer body 2 may access the cloud via a network such as the Internet, and each function may be implemented by the CPU 201 and its peripheral devices working together based on a program stored on the cloud.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] Furthermore, the disclosures herein may include eye-tracking devices of the following embodiments 1 to 9.

[0048] (Aspect 1) An eye-tracking input device that displays a plurality of character panels on a screen and allows a user to input characters by selecting one of the plurality of character panels with their gaze, 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 by a character panel when the estimated gaze point remains on one of the character panels for a predetermined time; and a marker display control unit that displays a marker in the center of the character panel to attract the user's gaze and changes the appearance of the marker when the gaze point remains on the character panel. With this configuration, a marker designed to attract the user's attention is displayed in the center of the text panel, and the marker's appearance changes as the user's gaze remains on the text panel. As a result, while the user is looking at the text panel, their gaze is naturally guided to the changing marker. Consequently, the user can more easily fix their gaze on the center of the text panel, reducing the stress of text input.

[0049] (Aspect 2) The eye-tracking input device according to aspect 1, wherein the marker display control unit displays the needle-shaped marker, and rotates the marker when the point of focus remains on the character panel. As a result of the inventors' investigation, they found that by making the marker needle-shaped and rotating it, the gaze can be particularly effectively guided and drawn to the center of the character panel P. Therefore, by using this configuration, the effects of the present invention can be made even more pronounced.

[0050] (Aspect 3) The eye-tracking input device according to aspect 2, wherein the marker display control unit first displays the circular marker, and when the point of gaze remains on the character panel, the shape of the marker is changed to a needle shape. With this configuration, the animation that transforms the marker from a circular shape to a needle shape can draw the user's gaze to the center of the text panel. In text panels that the user is not looking at, the marker is displayed as a plain circular shape, preventing the user's gaze from being drawn to markers in other text panels.

[0051] (Aspect 4) The eye-tracking input device according to aspect 2 or 3, wherein the marker display control unit displays the needle-shaped marker such that its center position coincides with the center position of the character panel, and rotates it about the center position of the character panel as an axis. With this configuration, the user's gaze can be guided to the center of the text panel, making the effects of the present invention even more pronounced.

[0052] (Aspect 5) The eye-tracking input device according to any one of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the marker display control unit increases the amount of change in the marker's appearance as the point of gaze approaches the center of the character panel. With this configuration, the amount of change increases as the user's gaze approaches the center of the text panel. This unconsciously encourages the user to focus their gaze on the center of the text panel, making it easier to fix their gaze in that area.

[0053] (Aspect 6) The eye-tracking input device according to any one of aspects 1 to 5, wherein the marker display control unit increases the amount of change in the marker's appearance as the time the gaze point remains on the character panel increases. If you keep your eyes fixed on the text panel, your concentration will decrease over time and your gaze will tend to wander. However, with this configuration, the amount of change in the shape of the markers increases as the time spent looking at the text panel increases, thus suppressing the decline in the user's concentration over time and making it easier to fix their gaze near the center of the text panel.

[0054] (Aspect 7) The eye-tracking input device according to any one of aspects 1 to 6, wherein the marker display control unit displays the marker when the point of gaze remains on one of the character panels, and hides the marker when the point of gaze moves outside of the character panel. With this configuration, markers are displayed only on the text panel the user is focusing on, preventing the user's gaze from being drawn to markers on other text panels.

[0055] (Aspect 8) The eye-tracking input device according to any one of aspects 1 to 7, further comprising an indicator display control unit that displays a progress indicator on one of the character panels when the gaze point remains on the character panel, the indicator display control unit that displays the marker in a position closer to the center of the character panel than the progress indicator. The effect of the present invention becomes more pronounced when a progress indicator showing the remaining time until input is accepted is displayed, as the user's gaze is unconsciously drawn to the progress indicator. In this embodiment, by displaying a marker closer to the center of the character panel than the progress indicator, it is easier to draw the user's gaze back to the center of the panel from the progress indicator.

[0056] (Aspect 9) A program for an eye-tracking input device that displays a plurality of character panels on a screen and allows a user to input characters by selecting one of the plurality of character panels with their gaze, 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 by one of the character panels when the estimated gaze point remains on that character panel for a predetermined time; and a program for an eye-tracking input device that causes a computer to perform the function of a marker display control unit that displays a marker in the center of the character panel to attract the user's gaze and changes the appearance of the marker when the gaze point remains on the character panel. A program for such an eye-tracking device can achieve the same effects and advantages as the eye-tracking devices of each of the embodiments described above.

[0057] 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]

[0058] 100... Eye-tracking device 31 ···Screen G ···Point of focus position P ···Character Panel T-Marker

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 on one of the character panels for a predetermined time, a character input unit accepts input of the character indicated by that character panel, The system includes a marker display control unit that displays a marker in the center of the character panel to attract the user's gaze, and changes the appearance of the marker when the point of focus remains on the character panel. The marker display control unit is an eye-tracking input device that displays the needle-shaped marker and rotates the marker when the point of focus remains on the character panel.

2. The eye-tracking input device according to claim 1, wherein the marker display control unit first displays the circular marker, and if the point of gaze remains on the character panel, the shape of the marker changes to a needle shape.

3. The eye-tracking input device according to claim 1, wherein the marker display control unit displays the needle-shaped marker such that its center position coincides with the center position of the character panel, and rotates it about the center position of the character panel as an axis.

4. The eye-tracking input device according to claim 1, wherein the marker display control unit increases the amount of change in the shape of the marker as the point of gaze approaches the center of the character panel.

5. The eye-tracking input device according to claim 1, wherein the marker display control unit increases the amount of change in the marker's appearance as the time the gaze point remains on the character panel increases.

6. The eye-tracking input device according to claim 1, wherein the marker display control unit displays the marker when the point of gaze remains on one of the character panels, and hides the marker when the point of gaze moves outside of the character panel.

7. The system further includes an indicator display control unit that, when the point of focus remains on one of the character panels, displays a progress indicator on the character panel indicating the remaining time until character input is accepted. The eye-tracking input device according to claim 1, wherein the marker display control unit displays the marker at a position closer to the center of the character panel than the progress indicator.

8. 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 on one of the character panels for a predetermined time, 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 marker display control unit, which displays a needle-shaped marker in the center of the character panel to attract the user's gaze, and rotates the marker when the point of focus remains on the character panel.

9. A gaze input device that displays a plurality of character panels on a screen and allows the user to input characters by selecting the plurality of character panels with 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 on one of the character panels for a predetermined time, a character input unit accepts input of the character indicated by that character panel, The system includes a marker display control unit that displays a marker in the center of the character panel to attract the user's gaze, and changes the appearance of the marker when the point of focus remains on the character panel. The marker display control unit is an eye-tracking input device that increases the amount of change in the shape of the marker as the point of gaze approaches the center of the character panel.

Images