Apparatus and method for eye tracking interface

• US 5,517,021 A
• Filed: 10/28/1994
• Issued: 05/14/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Research Foundation for The State University of New York (State University of New York)
• Original Assignee: The Research Foundation for The State University of New York (State University of New York)
• Inventors: Piligian, George J., Kaufman, Arie A., Bandopadhay, Amit
• Primary Examiner(s): Westin, Edward P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, John R.
• Application Number:
  US08/330,924
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 250/221, 250/216, 128/733, 128/745, 340/705, 340/706, 340/825.19, 340/980, 351/209, 351/210, 364/514, 364/516, 364/550
• US Class Current: 250/221
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/113 for determining or recording eye movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/398 Electrooculography [EOG], e.g. detecting nystagmus; Electroretinography [ERG]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence

Abstract

An eye tracking interface system for generating communication and control functions as a result of pre-defined eye gestures is disclosed. The system includes a detecting device adapted to detect bio-electromagnetic signals generated by eye movements. A first processor receives the detected bio-electromagnetic signals, and generate tokens corresponding to said pre-defined eye gestures. A second processor receives the tokens, and generates command signals based on a protocol correlating tokens to desired command signals. Thereafter, a user interface responds to said command signals, and provides control functions in response to said command signals.

Claims

1. A method for determining the 3D position of a gaze point comprising the steps of:

detecting signals associated with eye position from each eye;

processing said detected signals from each eye to determine the gaze point in 3D; and

determining whether the 3D gaze point is located at a point outside of a presentation area.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of measuring head movement and determining the 3D location of said gaze point with respect to a static environmental frame.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said detected signals are EOG signals.

4. The method of claim 1, where said presentation area is a display screen.

5. A method for determining the 3D position of a gaze point comprising the steps of:

detecting signals associated with eye position from each eye;

processing said detected signals from each eye to determine and store a normative fixated distance for a user'"'"'s gaze at an object;

further processing said detected signals from each eye and determining when the 3D gaze point of said user is located at a point outside said normative fixated distance of said object; and

initiating a command signal in response to said determination.

6. The method of claim 5, where said object is a display screen.

7. The method of claim 6, where said command signal causes a computer program to disengage and freeze a cursor on said display screen.

8. The method of claim 5, where said detected signals are EOG signals.