EOG Sight Position Estimation with Interaction Calibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The AC EOG method for estimating sight positions is prone to errors due to noise and drifts, leading to cumulative inaccuracies over time, and requires frequent user corrections, making it impractical for precise sight position measurement.

Innovation Solution

An estimation method that combines AC EOG data with interaction information from user interfaces to estimate sight positions by adding relative sight movement to provisional absolute positions, using a function generated from data sets to reduce errors and automate parameter updates, thereby maintaining high accuracy without degrading usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If AC EOG method is used to estimate sight positions, then cost is reduced and device complexity is simplified, but measurement precision deteriorates due to noise and drifts causing cumulative errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary calibration process that maps EOG signal characteristics to actual sight positions using display event coordinates. This calibration model acts as a mediator that transforms the noisy EOG signals into accurate sight position estimates, resolving the contradiction between using simple EOG sensors and achieving precise measurements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring sight position estimates and comparing them with actual interaction events (clicks, selections). When discrepancies are detected, the calibration parameters are automatically adjusted to correct cumulative errors, maintaining measurement precision without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If frequent user corrections are implemented to maintain accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to increased user burden

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-correction by automatically detecting calibration errors through monitoring interaction events and autonomously adjusting calibration parameters. This eliminates the need for frequent manual user corrections, maintaining high measurement precision while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent accelerates the calibration process by using display events (clicks, selections) as natural calibration opportunities. Instead of requiring dedicated calibration sessions, the system rapidly updates calibration parameters whenever user interactions occur, maintaining accuracy without burdening users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #38Strong oxidants (Accelerated oxidation)

3Productivity

If automatic parameter updates are implemented, then productivity is improved by eliminating manual calibration, but device complexity increases due to automated calibration mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration system is integrated into the existing display and interaction framework, reusing existing components (display events, coordinate systems, calibration data structures) for multiple purposes. This universal approach enables automatic parameter updates without adding significant complexity, as the same infrastructure serves both normal display operations and calibration functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This approach enables accurate sight position measurement with reduced error accumulation and eliminates the need for frequent user corrections, maintaining high accuracy and practical usability by automatically updating parameters based on recent data sets.

Implementation Method 1

there is a method for estimating sight positions using an electrooculogram (EOG) method. The EOG method is a technique for measuring eyeball motions instead of sight positions. This is a technique for estimating directions and amount of eyeball motions from changes in potential by attaching electrodes to the vicinity of the eyeballs

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrooculogram (EOG):

Data Source

PatentEP3779646B1Estimation method, estimation program, and estimation device
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP
  • EP3779646B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3779646B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3779646B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

An estimation method includes: a process for acquiring information of an eyeball motion of a user on the basis of a measurement value of an eye potential of the user (Step S1); an acquisition process for acquiring positional information of an interaction target on a screen that corresponds to an interaction performed on a device through an operation of the user (Step S2); a process for acquiring information regarding a relative motion of sight of the user on the basis at least of the information of the eyeball motion of the user (Step S10); and a process for estimating a sight position of the user on the screen on the basis of the information regarding the relative motion of the sight of the user and the positional information of the interaction target on the screen (Step S11).