Eye-Gaze Detection With Automatic User Calibration Selection

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing line-of-sight input technologies require cumbersome calibration processes for multiple users, necessitating registration of individual calibration data and burdensome user selection, leading to inaccurate detection when users change.

Innovation Solution

An electronic apparatus with a memory and processor for recording and authenticating user line-of-sight characteristics, allowing automatic detection using pre-recorded calibration data associated with iris or fingerprint authentication, reducing the need for manual selection and registration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If calibration data for multiple users is registered in advance, then line-of-sight input accuracy is improved, but device complexity and user operation burden increase due to manual selection requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveline-of-sight detection accuracyVSAvoiduser operation burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic user identification through iris authentication, eliminating the need for manual selection of calibration data. The electronic apparatus autonomously determines which user's calibration data to use based on authentication results, making the system serve itself rather than requiring user intervention for data selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Calibration data for multiple users is registered in advance before actual use. The system prepares and stores calibration data for multiple users beforehand, so that when a user needs line-of-sight input, the appropriate pre-registered calibration data can be automatically selected and applied without requiring real-time calibration or manual selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If calibration data is re-acquired for each user, then line-of-sight detection accuracy is maintained, but loss of time increases due to repeated calibration processes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveline-of-sight detection accuracyVSAvoidcalibration time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Calibration data for multiple users is registered in advance before actual use. The system prepares and stores calibration data for multiple users beforehand, so that when a user needs line-of-sight input, the appropriate pre-registered calibration data can be automatically selected and applied without requiring real-time calibration or manual selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual user selection of calibration data is required, then adaptability to multiple users is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to selection burden

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-user supportVSAvoiduser operation burden

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic user identification through iris authentication, eliminating the need for manual selection of calibration data. The electronic apparatus autonomously determines which user's calibration data to use based on authentication results, making the system serve itself rather than requiring user intervention for data selection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses iris authentication to identify the user and provides feedback by automatically selecting and applying the corresponding calibration data. This closed-loop process ensures the correct calibration data is applied based on the authenticated user's identity, maintaining multi-user adaptability without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12452518B2Electronic apparatus, method for controlling electronic apparatus, and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 CANON KK

AI summary

An electronic apparatus includes: control means for performing control to record, in recording means, characteristic data on a line-of-sight; authentication means for authenticating a user; and detection means for detecting, in a case where characteristic data on a line-of-sight of the authenticated user is recorded in the recording means, a line-of-sight of the user by using the recorded characteristic data on the line-of-sight.