Gaze Input Dismissal for Display Objects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems require user interaction to dismiss notifications and magnified windows, which can be distracting and may not guarantee the user has acknowledged the information, and they often obscure other content on the screen.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that use gaze input to determine if a user has viewed an object on a display for a predetermined time, allowing it to be automatically dismissed without requiring physical interaction, utilizing eye tracking technology to monitor the user's gaze location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a user performs a physical interaction (mouse click, etc.) to dismiss a notification, then the notification is removed from the display, but the user's current task is interrupted and effort is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of dismissing notificationVSAvoidtime lost due to task interruption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The notification dismissal function serves itself by automatically detecting when the user has viewed the notification through eye tracking, eliminating the need for manual user action to dismiss it

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical interaction system (mouse click, keyboard press) is replaced with an optical detection system (eye tracking) that automatically detects user attention and triggers dismissal without physical contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If a notification disappears after a predetermined period of time, then the display is freed up, but there is no guarantee the user saw and understood the notification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay availabilityVSAvoidnotification acknowledgment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces feedback by using eye tracking to detect whether the user has actually looked at the notification, providing reliable confirmation of acknowledgment before automatic dismissal occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The passive time-based dismissal mechanism is replaced with an active optical detection system that verifies user attention through eye tracking, ensuring reliable acknowledgment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Illumination intensity

If a magnified window is displayed to enhance information viewing, then the information becomes more visible, but it obscures other information on the display

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation visibilityVSAvoidavailable display area

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The magnified window transitions from a static obstructive element to a dynamic temporary focus that automatically retreats after serving its purpose, detected through eye tracking engagement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The magnified window automatically dismisses itself after detecting through eye tracking that the user has viewed the enhanced information, freeing up display area without requiring user intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If a user must physically interact elsewhere on the screen to dismiss a magnified window, then the window is removed, but the user's intended next task in the original area is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindow dismissalVSAvoidtime to resume original task

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The magnified window automatically dismisses itself by detecting through eye tracking that the user has viewed the enhanced information, eliminating the need for additional user actions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical requirement to click elsewhere to dismiss the window is replaced with optical detection that automatically triggers dismissal based on detected user attention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 efficient and unobtrusive dismissal of notifications and magnified windows, minimizing distraction and ensuring the user has acknowledged the information, while maintaining screen space for other tasks.

Implementation Method 1

determine, with the eye tracking device, a gaze location of a user on the display device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEye tracking:

Data Source

PatentUS10599214B2Systems and methods for gaze input based dismissal of information on a display

Publication Date: 2020.03.24 TOBII TECH AB

AI summary

According to the invention, a method for dismissing information from a display device based on a gaze input is disclosed. The method may include determining that an object has been displayed on a display device. The method may also include determining an area on the display device associated with the object. The method may further include determining a gaze location of a user on the display device. The method may additionally include causing the object to not be displayed on the display device, based at least in part on the gaze location being located within the area for at least a first predetermined length of time.