Techniques for facilitating use of eye tracking data

• US 7,029,121 B2
• Filed: 02/04/2004
• Issued: 04/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eyetools, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eyetools, Inc.
• Inventors: Edwards, Gregory T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Imam, Ali
• Assistant Examiner(s): SANDERS JR, JOHN R
• Application Number:
  US10/772,826
• Publication Number:
  US 20040156020A1
• Time in Patent Office: 804 Days
• Field of Search: 351/200, 351/203, 351/205, 351/209, 351/210, 351/246, 702/108, 702/182, 702/183, 702/187, 707/101, 707/104.1, 715/700, 345/FOR.156, 345/157
• US Class Current: 351/246
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence

Abstract

Individual eye tracking data can be used to determine whether an individual has actually looked at a particular region of a visual field. Aggregation of data corresponding to multiple individuals can provide trends and other data useful for designers of graphical representations (e.g., Web pages, advertisements) as well as other items that can be viewed. Representation of the aggregated viewing data, which indicates both regions viewed and regions not viewed, can be accomplished using several different techniques. For example, percentages of the number of viewers that viewed a particular region can be represented as a particular color, or the underlying image being viewed can be blurred based on and acuity gradient and the number of individuals viewing various regions. The various regions represented as viewed can be selected based on the type of viewing activity (e.g., reading, gazing) is associated with a particular region.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

acquiring data representing eye movements for one or more individuals;

generating result data that graphically represents the data representing eye movements for the one or more individuals by blurring an image based on a visual acuity gradient applied to the data representing eye movements; and

promoting the result data to a user-accessible state.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein promoting the result data to a user-accessible state comprises displaying the result data with a display device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein promoting the result data to a user-accessible state comprises storing the result data on an electronically-accessible medium.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the result data that graphically represents the data representing eye movements for the one or more individuals comprises alpha blending of an image and a colorized representation of the data representing the eye movements.

5. An article comprising an electronically-accessible medium to provide instructions that, when executed, cause one or more electronic systems to:

acquire data representing eye movements for one or more individuals;

generate result data that graphically represents the data representing eye movements for the one or more individuals by blurring an image based on a visual acuity gradient applied to the data representing eye movements; and

promote the result data to a user-accessible state.

6. The article of claim 5 wherein promoting the result data to a user-accessible state comprises displaying the result data with a display device.

7. The article of claim 5 wherein promoting the result data to a user-accessible state comprises storing the result data on an electronically-accessible medium.

8. The article of claim 5 wherein the result data that graphically represents the data representing eye movements for the one or more individuals comprises alpha blending of an image and a colorized representation of the data representing the eye movements.