Gaze-Tracked Display Unlocking for Privacy and Energy Saving
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display devices activate and display content even when not being observed by the user, leading to energy wastage, privacy risks, and security issues.
Innovation Solution
A gaze-tracking system that activates and deactivates display screens based on the user's gaze direction, using confirmation codes displayed briefly on candidate screens to confirm selection and activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the display device activates automatically when a wake-up gesture is made or manually turned on, then the display can show content to the user, but the display may activate even when the user is not looking at it, leading to energy wastage and privacy risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting the user's gaze direction and pre-activating the display only when the user is looking at the device. The gaze detection system continuously monitors eye position and predicts upcoming gaze targets, allowing the display to be activated in advance of actual interaction while ensuring the user is actually observing it, thus preventing energy wastage from unnecessary activations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring gaze direction and using this information to control display activation state. The gaze detection system provides real-time feedback about user attention, allowing the display to remain active only when the user is looking at it and automatically deactivate when gaze shifts away, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes energy consumption based on actual user engagement
2Productivity
If the display remains active to show notifications and messages, then the user can receive information promptly, but the display may show content to the general public when the user is not watching, posing security and privacy risks
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses preliminary gaze detection to predict when the user will look at the device and pre-activates the display only during those predicted moments. Notifications and messages are held in a buffer and displayed only when gaze confirmation indicates the user is present and looking, ensuring information is delivered promptly when needed while preventing premature display of sensitive content to bystanders
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback by continuously monitoring gaze direction and using this information to control the display state. When the user looks away, the display automatically deactivates or transitions to a locked state, preventing unauthorized viewing of notifications and messages. This feedback mechanism ensures that sensitive information is only visible when the user is actively observing the device
3Ease of operation
If the display is activated for extended periods after task completion, then the user can continue to interact with the device, but the display remains active when not being observed, wasting energy
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by using recurrent gaze detection checks at scheduled intervals to determine whether the display should remain active. Instead of keeping the display continuously on after task completion, the system periodically verifies user presence through gaze detection and only maintains display activation when gaze confirms the user is still engaged, automatically deactivating during intervals when the user is absent, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining availability when needed
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
Reduces energy consumption, enhances privacy, and improves security by ensuring display activation only when the user is looking at the screen.
Implementation Method 1
A direction of gaze of an eye of a user is tracked
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (200) of activating a display screen of a device, includes establishing (201) a connection with each of one or more candidate display screens (119). A direction of gaze (121) of an eye of a user (117) is tracked (203), and a display screen (119) is selected (207) from the one or more candidate display screens when (205) the display screen (119) is in the direction of gaze (121) of the eye of the user (117). A confirmation code (305) is caused (209) to be displayed on the selected display screen and an image of the selected display screen is obtained. The selected display screen is activated (215) in response to detecting (213) the confirmation code (305) in the updated image of the selected display screen.