ZONAL GAZE DRIVEN INTERACTION

• US 20140247210A1
• Filed: 03/03/2014
• Published: 09/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tobii Technology AB
• Original Assignee: Tobii Technology AB
• Inventors: Henderek, David Figgins, Olsson, Anders, Svmarker, Magnus Carl Olof, Wingren, Staffan
• Application Number:
  US14/195,755
• Publication Number:
  US 20140247210A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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: G06F 3/02 Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning

Abstract

A computer system can be controlled with non-contact inputs through zonal control. In an embodiment, a non-contact input that is an eye-tracking device is used to track the gaze of a user. A computer'"'"'s display, and beyond, can be separated into a number of discrete zones according to a configuration. Each zone is associated with a computer function. The zones and/or their functions can, but need not, be indicated to the user. The user can perform the various functions by moving gaze towards the zone associated with that function and providing an activation signal of intent. The activation signal of intent can be a contact-required or non-contact action, such as a button press or dwelling gaze, respectively.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a computer, comprising:

detecting a non-contact target, wherein the non-contact target is indicative of a location of a first non-contact action performed by a user;

detecting an activation signal of intent; and

performing a computer function associated with a zone in which the non-contact target is or was located;

wherein performing the computer function is in response to detecting the activation signal of intent.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

detecting the non-contact target is performed by an eye-tracking device; and

the non-contact target is a gaze target.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein detecting the activation signal of intent is based on information provided by the eye-tracking device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein detecting the activation signal of intent is detecting the gaze target fixating at a location for a predetermined length of time.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the detecting the activation signal of intent is detecting a blink based on information provided by the eye-tracking device.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein detecting the activation signal of intent is detecting a saccade based on information provided by the eye-tracking device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing the computer function includes emulating a contact signal associated with the computer function.

8. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising detecting a mode-enable signal of intent before the performing the computer function.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the activation signal of intent is provided by contact with a physical device.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting a graphical representation of at least one zone on a display.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the zone is located over elements presented on the display such that detecting an activation signal of intent does not trigger a function based on items displayed under the zone.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the zone is located outside the display.

13. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising:

visually presenting the zone on the display;

ceasing presenting the zone on the display.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the activation signal of intent is a saccade wherein the non-contact target crosses into or out of the zone.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the zone is adjacent an area with no associated computer function.

16. A computing device, comprising:

a computer including a display device for presenting a display and a non-contact input for detecting a non-contact action;

wherein the computer is programmed to;

detect a non-contact target through the non-contact input, the non-contact target indicative of a direction of a first non-contact action performed by a user;

detect an activation signal of intent; and

perform a computer function associated with a zone in which the non-contact target is located in response to the activation signal of intent.

17. The computing device of claim 16, wherein the non-contact input is an eye-tracking device and the non-contact target is a gaze target.

18. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the activation signal of intent is detected by the eye-tracking device.

19. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the activation signal of intent is a blink.

20. The computing device of claim 17, therein the activation signal of intent is a signal generated in response to the computer detecting dwelling of the gaze target for a predetermined length of time.

21. The computing device of claim 16, wherein the computer is operable to perform the computer function by emulating a contact signal.

22. The computing device of claim 16, wherein the computer is programmed to not perform the computer function in response to the activation signal of intent until after detecting a mode-enable signal of intent.

23. A system, comprising:

a computer including;

a display device for presenting a display;

an eye-tracking device for detecting eye indications;

a processor operably connected to the eye-tracking device and the display device; and

programming enabling the processor to;

determine a gaze target from the eye indications;

determine a computer function associated with a zone in which the gaze target is located;

perform the computer function in response to an activating signal of intent.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the activating signal of intent is determined from the eye indications.

25. The system of claim 24 wherein the activating signal of intent is based on a dwelling of the gaze target for a predetermined length of time.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein:

the eye indications include a blink; and

the activating signal of intent is based on the blink.

27. The system of claim 23, wherein the programming enables the processor to perform the computer function by emulating a contact-required signal.

28. The system of claim 23, wherein the programming enables the processor to not perform the computer function in response to the activating signal of intent until after detecting a mode-enable signal of intent.