Gaze-Based Control for Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional user input mechanisms for electronic devices, such as buttons and touch-sensitive screens, can degrade the user experience or be infeasible in certain situations, particularly when the user's hands are occupied or when the device is head-mounted.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device equipped with a gaze tracker and a processor that detects the user's gaze within a gaze field of view, allowing activation of functions by directing gaze to specific regions, with feedback signals and dwell time considerations to prevent accidental activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional user input mechanisms (buttons, touch-sensitive screens) are used, then the device can be controlled, but the user experience degrades when hands are occupied or device is head-mounted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical input mechanisms (buttons, touch screens) with a gaze-based optical control system. The gaze tracker detects user eye movements and gaze direction to control device functions, eliminating the need for physical interaction with buttons or touch screens. This substitution enables operation when hands are occupied or when the device is worn on the head, directly resolving the adaptability issue while maintaining ease of operation through natural visual attention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gaze-based control is implemented, then hands-free operation is enabled, but accidental activation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system requires the user's gaze to remain within the activation region for a predetermined dwell time before triggering device activation. This preliminary condition (dwell time requirement) prevents accidental activation by ensuring intentional user intent, while still enabling hands-free operation. The gaze tracker continuously monitors gaze position, and only after the dwell time threshold is met does the processor activate the associated function, thus resolving the reliability issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the user regarding their gaze position relative to activation regions. This feedback mechanism allows users to understand which region they are currently looking at and adjust their gaze accordingly to intentionally activate desired functions. The feedback loop enhances activation accuracy by confirming user intent before function execution, preventing accidental activations while maintaining hands-free operation capability.
3Ease of operation
If activation region is made larger, then easier to activate by gaze, but more prone to accidental activation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a dwell time requirement that must be satisfied before activation occurs. This preliminary condition creates a temporal buffer that allows the system to distinguish between intentional gaze (user deliberately looking at activation region) and accidental gaze (gaze passing through or resting momentarily). Even with larger activation regions that are easier to target, the dwell time threshold ensures that only sustained intentional gaze triggers activation, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling an electronic device using the gaze of a user. Movement of the gaze of the user to activation regions within a gaze field of view may activate a function of the electronic device. The activation regions may be dynamically modified to prevent accidental triggering of functions associated therewith.