Evaluation of visual stimuli using existing viewing data

• US 7,760,910 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2006
• Issued: 07/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eyetools, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Eyetools, Inc.
• Inventors: Johnson, Colin, Edwards, Gregory T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lu; Tom Y
• Application Number:
  US11/638,133
• Publication Number:
  US 20070146637A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,316 Days
• Field of Search: 382/103, 382/209, 382/284, 382/294
• US Class Current: 382/103
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for evaluation of visual stimuli using existing viewing data. An embodiment of a method includes storing viewing data relating to the viewing of visual stimuli. In addition, parameters relating to the stored viewing data are stored. A first visual stimulus for analysis is received. In order to analyze the first visual stimulus, the target parameters for the first visual stimulus are matched with the parameters for the stored viewing data. If there is a sufficient match between the target parameters with the parameters for the stored viewing data, data to represent the first visual stimulus is generated based at least in part on the stored viewing data.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

electronically storing viewing data relating to the viewing of visual stimuli;

electronically storing parameters related to the stored viewing data;

electronically receiving a first visual stimulus for analysis;

electronically matching target parameters for the first visual stimulus with the parameters for the stored viewing data; and

if there is a sufficient match between the target parameters with the parameters for the stored viewing data, electronically generating data to represent the first visual stimulus based at least in part on the stored viewing data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored parameters include information regarding the visual stimuli.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored parameters include information regarding test participants who viewed the visual stimuli.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein generating data to represent the first visual stimulus includes electronically identifying stored viewing data for a stimulus to represent the first visual stimulus.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein generating data to represent the first visual stimulus includes electronically identifying stored viewing data for a combination of stimuli to represent all or a part of the first visual stimulus.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein identifying stored viewing data for a combination of stimuli includes electronically identifying viewing data for a plurality of stimuli that may be blended together to represent all or a part of the first visual stimulus.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein generating data to represent the first visual stimulus includes electronically combining viewing data for a first portion of the first visual stimulus with stored viewing data identified to represent a second portion of the first visual stimulus.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second portion of the first visual stimulus is a portion that has been added to the first visual stimulus or that has been moved in the first visual stimulus.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the target parameters for the first visual stimulus are received with the first visual stimulus.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the target parameters for the first visual stimulus.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameters related to the stored viewing data and/or the target parameters for the first visual stimulus are entered by individuals.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the parameters related to the stored viewing data and/or the target parameters for the first visual stimulus are entered automatically.

13. A system comprising:

a database to store viewing data relating to viewing of a plurality of visual stimuli, the viewing data to include parameters regarding the stored viewing data; and

a processor to process requests for generation of data to represent a visual stimulus;

wherein the processor is to search the database to identify stored viewing data to represent all or a part of a requested visual stimulus, the search including a comparison of the parameters regarding the stored viewing data with target parameters for the requested visual stimulus.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the stored parameters include information regarding the plurality of visual stimuli.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the stored parameters include information regarding test participants who viewed the plurality of visual stimuli.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein generating data to represent the requested visual stimulus by the processor includes identifying stored viewing data for a stimulus to represent the requested visual stimulus.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein generating data to represent the requested visual stimulus by the processor includes identifying stored viewing data for a combination of stimuli to represent the requested visual stimulus.

18. The system of claim 13, wherein generating data to represent the requested visual stimulus by the processor includes combining:

viewing data that was collected for a first portion of the requested visual stimulus, and

stored viewing data that is identified to represent a second portion of the second visual stimulus.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein processor is to automatically enter the parameters for the stored viewing data and/or the target parameters for the requested visual stimulus.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the parameters for the stored viewing data and/or the target parameters for the requested visual stimulus are entered by individuals.

21. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon data representing sequences of instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operations comprising:

storing viewing data relating to the viewing of visual stimuli;

storing parameters related to the stored viewing data;

receiving a first visual stimulus for analysis;

matching target parameters for the first visual stimulus with the parameters for the stored viewing data; and

if there is a sufficient match between the target parameters with the parameters for the stored viewing data, generating data to represent the first visual stimulus based at least in part on the stored viewing data.

22. The medium of claim 21, wherein the stored parameters include information regarding the visual stimuli.

23. The medium of claim 21, wherein the stored parameters include information regarding test participants who viewed the visual stimuli.

24. The medium of claim 21, wherein generating data to represent the first visual stimulus includes identifying stored viewing data for a stimulus to represent the first visual stimulus.

25. The medium of claim 21, wherein generating data to represent the first visual stimulus includes identifying stored viewing data for a combination of stimuli to represent all or a part of the first visual stimulus.

26. The medium of claim 25, wherein identifying stored viewing data for a combination of stimuli includes identifying viewing data for a plurality of stimuli that may be blended together to represent all or a part of the first visual stimulus.

27. The medium of claim 21, wherein generating data to represent the first visual stimulus includes combining viewing data for a first portion of the first visual stimulus with stored viewing data identified to represent a second portion of the first visual stimulus.

28. The medium of claim 27, wherein the second portion of the first visual stimulus is a portion that has been added to the first visual stimulus or that has been moved in the first visual stimulus.

29. The medium of claim 21, wherein the target parameters for the first visual stimulus are received with the first visual stimulus.

30. The medium of claim 21, wherein the medium further comprises instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform operations comprising

generating the target parameters for the first visual stimulus.

31. The medium of claim 21, wherein the parameters related to the stored viewing data and/or the target parameters for the first visual stimulus are entered by individuals.

32. The medium of claim 21, wherein the parameters related to the stored viewing data and/or the target parameters for the first visual stimulus are entered automatically.