Display-Free Gaze-Tracking Headset for Physical-Object Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gaze interaction systems for controlling computing devices are limited by the need for display mechanisms on headsets, which are costly and complex, and alternative methods like eye blinking are involuntary and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A gaze tracking-enabled headset that interacts with digital objects through auditory and vibrotactile outputs, utilizing existing user devices for display and input, allowing interactions with physical proxy objects without a display system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If gaze interaction systems use display mechanisms on headsets, then interaction capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the display function from the headset device itself and relocates it to external devices (smartphones, tablets, computers). The headset retains only gaze tracking and auditory/vibrotactile output functions, eliminating the complexity of integrating display mechanisms while preserving interaction capability through external device displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the headset to work with multiple external devices (smartphones, tablets, computers, televisions) that already possess display capabilities. This universal approach allows the headset to leverage the display functions of various existing devices rather than requiring its own dedicated display system.
2Ease of operation
If gaze interaction systems use eye blinking as input, then input method is simplified, but reliability decreases due to involuntary nature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces auditory and vibrotactile outputs as intermediary feedback mechanisms between the user and the system. These outputs confirm system responses and guide user interactions without requiring involuntary eye blinking, thereby maintaining input reliability while preserving simplicity through gaze-based selection.
3Speed
If gaze interaction systems use short dwell-time, then system responsiveness is improved, but false activation increases due to Midas touch effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements auditory and vibrotactile feedback to inform users when their gaze has registered a selection or when the system is ready for input. This feedback mechanism allows for optimized dwell-time settings that balance responsiveness with accuracy, as users receive clear signals about system state without relying solely on arbitrary time thresholds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical button presses or touchscreen interactions with gaze-based selection combined with auditory/vibrotactile confirmation. This substitution eliminates the need for precise mechanical timing thresholds by using sensory feedback to confirm user intent, thereby reducing false activations while maintaining responsiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables effective interaction with digital objects using gaze tracking, overcoming the limitations of display-dependent headsets and involuntary inputs, providing a more responsive and efficient user interface.
Implementation Method 1
tracking, by a camera on a headset, a gaze of a user in the external environment
Implementation Method 2
utilizing primarily auditory and/or vibrotactile output to 'augment' the world for the user
Implementation Method 3
utilizing primarily auditory and/or vibrotactile output to 'augment' the world for the user
Data Source
AI summary
A method of interacting with digital objects in a database associated with physical objects in an external environment includes tracking, by a camera on the headset, a gaze of a user in the external environment. identifying a gaze condition in response to determining the gaze of the user is directed to a physical object of interest in the external environment for at least a predetermined dwell-time, receiving a user input associated with the headset, and activating a digital interaction in response to identifying the gaze condition and receiving the user input, wherein the digital interaction relates to the physical object of interest in the database. Systems for performing the method may include a head mounted frame including a headset camera and a microphone as well as a processing unit. A unit for communicating with other computing resources may also be included.