POWER MANAGEMENT IN AN EYE-TRACKING SYSTEM

• US 20160314349A1
• Filed: 07/06/2016
• Published: 10/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tobii Technology AB
• Original Assignee: Tobii Technology AB
• Inventors: Eskilsson, Henrik, Skog, Mrten, Elvesj, John, Blixt, Peter
• Granted Patent: US 10,212,343 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0138 comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0172 characterised by optical features
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/013 Eye tracking input arrangements G06F3/015 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/18 Eye characteristics, e.g. of the iris
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/021 Power management, e.g. power saving
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/667 Camera operation mode switching, e.g. between still and video, sport and normal or high- and low-resolution modes

Abstract

An imaging device adapted to provide eye-tracking data by imaging at least one eye of a viewer, wherein: the imaging device is switchable between at least an active mode and a ready mode; the imaging device is configured to use active eye illumination in the active mode, which enables tracking of a corneal reflection; and the imaging device is configured, in the ready mode, to reduce an illumination intensity from a value the illumination intensity has in the active mode, and to provide eye-tracking data which include eye position but not eye orientation.

Claims

1. A device adapted to provide eye-tracking data by imaging at least one eye of a viewer, wherein:

the device operates an imaging sensor in a ready, active, or idle mode; and

the device identifies a user of the device and based on an identity of the user, the device transitions the imaging sensor from the ready or idle mode to one of a set of active sub-modes.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the set of active sub-modes further comprises sub-profiles.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein each of the set of sub-profiles characterizes a viewing condition of the user.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the viewing condition includes wearing of eyeglasses by the user, wearing of contact lenses by the user, and/or wearing of garments by the user.

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein the device continuously monitors the user to determine a change in the viewing conditions of the user and based on the change selects a new sub-profile.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the user is identified using the imaging sensor.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the user is identified using a presence detector.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein subsequent to transitioning the image sensor to one of the set of active sub-modes, the device transitions the imaging sensor to the ready or idle mode.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device includes a visual display.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the device is a head-mounted device.

11. A method for providing eye-tracking data by imaging at least one eye of a viewer, wherein the method comprises:

operating an imaging sensor of a device in a ready, active, or idle mode; and

identifying a user of the device and based on an identity of the user, transitioning the imaging sensor from the ready or idle mode to one of a set of active sub-modes.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the set of active sub-modes further comprises sub-profiles.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein each of the set of sub-profiles characterizes a viewing condition of the user.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the viewing condition includes wearing of eyeglasses by the user, wearing of contact lenses by the user, and/or wearing of garments by the user.

15. The method according to claim 13, further comprising continuously monitoring the user to determine a change in the viewing conditions of the user and based on the change selects a new sub-profile.

16. The method according to claim 11, wherein the user is identified using the imaging sensor.

17. The method according to claim 11, wherein the user is identified using a presence detector.

18. The method according to claim 11, further comprising, subsequent to transitioning the image sensor to one of the set of active sub-modes, transitioning the imaging sensor to the ready or idle mode.

19. The method according to claim 11, further comprising presenting a visual display to the user.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the device is a head-mounted device.