Eye Tracker Calibration via Automatic Region of Attraction Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional eye tracker calibration methods require user cooperation and attention, leading to inefficiencies and stress, especially in applications involving multiple users or dynamic environments, and do not provide continuous or optimized calibration.

Innovation Solution

A calibration method and device that automatically determines optimal calibration functions by analyzing user eye movements without user interaction, using a selection module to identify regions of attraction, a calculation module to generate calibration positions, and an evaluation module to select the best calibration function, ensuring continuous adaptation to user and environmental changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional calibration methods are used requiring user cooperation and attention, then calibration can be performed, but user stress and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration accuracyVSAvoiduser effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs calibration automatically without user intervention. The calibration device autonomously tracks eye movements and computes calibration functions while the user simply views normal content, eliminating the need for user cooperation during calibration while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously performs calibration in the background before actual use. By maintaining ongoing calibration processes, the system ensures calibration is already optimized when needed, preventing user stress during critical moments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If periodic calibration is performed to compensate for environmental changes and eye fatigue, then calibration accuracy is maintained, but user time and collaboration requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalibration reliabilityVSAvoidcalibration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs calibration continuously in the background rather than periodically interrupting the user. The calibration process runs continuously while the user views content, maintaining up-to-date calibration data without requiring dedicated calibration sessions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains calibration in advance through continuous background processing. By constantly updating calibration functions, the system ensures optimal calibration is always ready without requiring last-minute user intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual calibration requiring user cooperation is used, then calibration can be performed, but it becomes unacceptable for applications with multiple users or dynamic environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-user compatibilityVSAvoiduser collaboration requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The calibration system operates autonomously without requiring user cooperation. This self-service approach allows seamless transitions between multiple users and adapts to dynamic environments without interrupting any user, making it suitable for shared and public applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system designed to work universally across multiple users and applications. By eliminating user-specific calibration requirements, the same system serves diverse users in various contexts including public displays, shared devices, and dynamic environments

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

4Ease of operation

If calibration is made imperceptible to the user, then user effort is minimized, but calibration precision and reliability must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser effortVSAvoidcalibration accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs calibration autonomously in the background without user awareness. The calibration device independently tracks eye movements and computes calibration functions, making the process imperceptible while maintaining precision through continuous automated measurement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors eye position and uses feedback to refine calibration functions in real-time. This ongoing feedback loop ensures high precision is maintained even though the user is unaware of the calibration process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3154410B1Device and method of calibration for an eye tracker and eye control equipment comprising said calibration device
Publication Date: 2022.12.28 SR LABS
  • EP3154410B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3154410B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3154410B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A calibration method for an eye tracker (2) provides for the defining of at least one first region of attraction (A1; A2 ) of a first image to be displayed to a user; acquiring a first sequence of data relative to the eye movement of a user who is looking at the first image by means of an eye tracker (2); calculating at least a plurality of first calibration positions by means of respective calibration functions (fj) on the basis of a first gaze determined from the first sequence of data relative to eye movement; assigning a first score to each calibration function (fj) on the basis of the respective first calibration position and the first region of attraction (A1 A2 ); and selecting one of the calibration functions (fj) on the basis of the score.