Rotation of visual content on a display unit

• US 10,146,307 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2017
• Issued: 12/04/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tobii Technology AB
• Original Assignee: Tobii Technology AB
• Inventors: Yu, Aron, Skogo, Marten, Gavelin, Robert, Nystedt, Per
• Primary Examiner(s): CRADDOCK, ROBERT J
• Application Number:
  US15/628,193
• Publication Number:
  US 20170285743A1
• Time in Patent Office: 532 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1614 Image rotation following screen orientation, e.g. switching from landscape to portrait mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/012 Head tracking input arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 3/60 Rotation of whole images or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/25 Determination of region of interest [ROI] or a volume of interest [VOI]
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/80 Recognising image objects characterised by unique random patterns

Abstract

A graphics presentation apparatus including a display unit, an eye-tracking module, and a data output module. The eye-tracking module registers image data representing at least one eye of a user of the apparatus. Furthermore, the eye-tracking module determines, based on the registered image data, an orientation of the at least one eye relative to the display unit. Finally, in response thereto, the eye-tracking module generates a control signal controlling the data output module to produce visual content with such orientation on the display unit that a misalignment between the orientation of said at least one part and the orientation of the at least one eye of the user is minimized.

Claims

1. A non-transitory machine readable medium having instructions stored thereon for controlling an eye tracking device, wherein the instructions are executable by one or more processors to at least:

determine a frame of reference;

determine, for content displayed on a display device, a content angle relative to the frame of reference; and

activate a passive or deactivated eye tracking device upon the display device being oriented such that the content angle exceeds a threshold angle relative to the frame of reference.

2. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein the content angle exceeding the threshold angle comprises:

the content angle exceeding the threshold angle for at least a particular period of time.

3. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein the threshold angle comprises:

an angle greater than 45 degrees.

4. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein:

after activation of the passive or deactivated eye tracking device, the instructions are further executable to at least;

determine, at least in part with the eye tracking device, an eye orientation angle of at least one eye of a user; and

rotate the content displayed on the display device upon the eye orientation angle exceeding a threshold angle relative to the content angle.

5. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 4, wherein the eye orientation angle exceeding the threshold angle relative to the content angle comprises:

the eye orientation angle exceeding the threshold angle relative to the content angle for at least a particular period of time.

6. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 5, wherein the threshold angle relative to the content angle comprises:

an angle greater than 45 degrees.

7. The non-transitory machine readable medium of claim 6, wherein rotating the content displayed on the display device comprises:

rotating the content displayed on the display device by 90 degrees.

8. A method for controlling an eye tracking device, wherein the method comprises:

determining a frame of reference;

determining, for content displayed on a display device, a content angle relative to the frame of reference; and

activating a passive or deactivated eye tracking device upon the display device being oriented such that the content angle exceeds a threshold angle relative to the frame of reference.

9. The method for controlling an eye tracking device of claim 8, wherein the content angle exceeding the threshold angle comprises:

the content angle exceeding the threshold angle for at least a particular period of time.

10. The method for controlling an eye tracking device of claim 8, wherein the threshold angle comprises:

an angle greater than 45 degrees.

11. The method for controlling an eye tracking device of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises:

after activation of the passive or deactivated eye tracking device;

determining, at least in part with the eye tracking device, an eye orientation angle of at least one eye of a user; and

rotating the content displayed on the display device upon the eye orientation angle exceeding a threshold angle relative to the content angle.

12. The method for controlling an eye tracking device of claim 11, wherein the eye orientation angle exceeding the threshold angle relative to the content angle comprises:

the eye orientation angle exceeding the threshold angle relative to the content angle for at least a particular period of time.

13. The method for controlling an eye tracking device of claim 12, wherein the threshold angle relative to the content angle comprises:

an angle greater than 45 degrees.

14. The method for controlling an eye tracking device of claim 13, wherein rotating the content displayed on the display device comprises:

rotating the content displayed on the display device by 90 degrees.

15. A system for controlling an eye tracking device, wherein the system comprises:

a processor configured to at least;

determine a frame of reference;

determine, for content displayed on a display device, a content angle relative to the frame of reference; and

activate a passive or deactivated eye tracking device upon the display device being oriented such that the content angle exceeds a threshold angle relative to the frame of reference.

16. The system for controlling an eye tracking device of claim 15, wherein the content angle exceeding the threshold angle comprises:

the content angle exceeding the threshold angle for at least a particular period of time.

17. The system for controlling an eye tracking device of claim 15, wherein the threshold angle comprises:

an angle greater than 45 degrees.

18. The system for controlling an eye tracking device of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to:

after activation of the passive or deactivated eye tracking device;

determine, at least in part with the eye tracking device, an eye orientation angle of at least one eye of a user; and

rotate the content displayed on the display device upon the eye orientation angle exceeding a threshold angle relative to the content angle.

19. The system for controlling an eye tracking device of claim 18, wherein the eye orientation angle exceeding the threshold angle relative to the content angle comprises:

the eye orientation angle exceeding the threshold angle relative to the content angle for at least a particular period of time.

20. The system for controlling an eye tracking device of claim 19, wherein the threshold angle relative to the content angle comprises:

an angle greater than 45 degrees.