Patents Assigned to TOBII AB
  • Patent number: 11853477
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: David Figgins Henderek, Anders Olsson, Magnus Carl Olof Sävmarker, Staffan Wingren
  • Patent number: 11854213
    Abstract: An eye tracking system comprises at least one illuminator and at least one image sensor configured to produce an image of an eye of a user, the image including illuminator light reflected from the eye of a user. A Fresnel lens is positioned between the image sensor and the eye of the user, through which the image sensor views the eye. Processing circuitry receives an image from the image sensor, identifies glints in the image, assigns an angular position to each glint based on an angular relationship between each glint and a centre of the Fresnel lens and determines how many glints have the same angular position. Glints are classified as false glints if more than a predetermined number of glints have the same angular position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Joakim Zachrisson, Simon Johansson, Mikael Rosell
  • Publication number: 20230405949
    Abstract: An optical system and method for producing the same comprising molding components including a waveguide directly within a lens, by placing the components within a UV transparent mold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: TOBII AB
    Inventors: LUTZ KÖRNER, DANIEL PIOTROWSKI
  • Patent number: 11830168
    Abstract: A method for improved compression and filtering of images for foveated transport applications. The improvements including calculating along at least one axis of the full-resolution image data set, the distance from the foveal point to edges of full-resolution image data set, calculating the distance from each edge of the full resolution data set to the closest point on a foveal region surrounding the foveal point, calculating the distribution of available space in the adjacent peripheral regions of the image using a compression parameter, and calculating a compression curve wherein the compression of both adjacent peripheral regions is such that neither side of the adjacent peripheral regions are compressed more than the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Alexey Bezugly, Dennis Rådell, Ritchie Brannan
  • Patent number: 11823413
    Abstract: An eye tracking system configured to: receive a plurality of right eye images of a right eye of a user; receive a plurality of left eye images of a left eye of a user, each left eye image corresponding to a right eye image in the plurality of right eye images; detect a pupil and determine an associated pupil signal, for each of the plurality of right eye images and each of the plurality of left eye images; calculate a right eye pupil variation of the pupil signals for the plurality of right eye images and a left eye pupil variation of the pupil signals for the plurality of left eye images; and determine a right eye weighting and a left eye weighting based on the right eye pupil variation and the left eye pupil variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Mikael Rosell, Simon Johansson, Pravin Kumar Rana, Yimu Wang, Gilfredo Remon Salazar
  • Publication number: 20230314797
    Abstract: The invention is related to an assembly for an eye-tracking system, the assembly comprising a substantially ring-shaped carrier, a seat in the carrier, a plurality of light emitting devices disposed on a substrate, wherein the substrate is positioned against the seat, an alignment window comprising an opening extending through the carrier, an imaging device provided within and supported by the alignment window, wherein the imaging device is facing inwardly, and wherein the carrier is configured to guide light emitted from the plurality of light emitting devices towards an eye of a user when the assembly is used with the eye tracking system. The invention also relates to a corresponding head-mounted device utilizing the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Kayla Kearns, Louise Wändesjö, Fredrik Norén, Ola Glimåker, Mårten Selin
  • Patent number: 11714487
    Abstract: An eye tracking device determines a user's gaze point on a display device and a setting for a foveated region associated with a fixation position, based on a first location of the fixation position. The eye tracking device defines at least one of a size, shape, or positioning of the foveated region relative to the fixation position. The eye tracking device determines a second location of the fixation position associated with a change of user gaze and changes the foveated region setting. At least one of the shape or size of the foveated region changes based on the eye tracking device determining that a distance difference between the first and second locations is larger than a threshold. At least one of the size or the shape of the foveated region is continuously adjusted based on the fixation position being in smooth pursuit between the first location and the second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventor: Robin Thunström
  • Patent number: 11716365
    Abstract: Data packets containing gaze data are streamed from an eyetracker to a client via a driver unit by receiving, repeatedly, gaze data packets in a first interface; and, providing, repeatedly, via a second interface, gaze data packets. The client sends a request message to the driver unit. The request message defines a delivery point in time in a first time frame structure at which delivery point in time in each frame of the first time frame structure the gaze data packet shall be provided to the client via the second interface. An offset is calculated between a reception point in time and the delivery point in time. The reception point in time indicates when a gaze data packet is received from the eyetracker relative to the first time structure. An adjusted data acquisition instance is assigned based on the offset. The adjusted data acquisition instance represents a modified point in time in a second time frame structure when at least one future gaze data packet shall be produced by the eyetracker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Anders Clausen, Daniel Tornéus
  • Patent number: 11715231
    Abstract: Head pose information may be determined using information describing a fixed gaze and image data corresponding to a user's eyes. The head pose information may be determined in a manner that is disregards facial features with the exception of the user's eyes. The head pose information may be usable to interact with a user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventor: Mårten Skogö
  • Patent number: 11709545
    Abstract: A method for determining if a user's gaze is directed in the direction of a zone of interest in a 3D scene comprises: providing a 3D scene containing a zone of interest; associating a property with the zone of interest; creating a bitmap representing the location of the zone of interest in a projected view of the 3D scene, each pixel of the bitmap to which the zone of interest is projected storing the property of the zone of interest; detecting the direction of the user's gaze; using the bitmap to determine if the detected user's gaze is directed in the direction of the zone of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Fredrik Lindh, Mattias Gustavsson, Anders Vennström, Andreas Edling
  • Patent number: 11697257
    Abstract: A method for mounting functional elements in a lens includes mounting the functional elements on a foil, applying a closed contour alignment surface of an alignment tool having a central opening surrounded by the closed contour on the foil portion opposite to the mounted function elements, applying underpressure on the central opening to maintain the foil portion with the mounted functional elements on the alignment tool, cutting a flap including the foil portion and supporting the functional elements out of the foil, positioning and aligning the flap through actuator, fixing the position of the flap against the adjacent foil surface, embedding the foil with the mounted functional elements in a predetermined distance to the front surface of a mould, and casting and curing the lens with the embedded foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignees: Metamaterial Inc., Tobii AB
    Inventors: Lutz Körner, Peter Hess, Alexander Greber, Urs Büttiker, Reto Müller, Anders Höglund, Daniel Ljunggren
  • Patent number: 11699439
    Abstract: Method for voice-based interactive communication using a digital assistant, wherein the method comprises, an attention detection step, in which the digital assistant detects a user attention and as a result is set into a listening mode; a speaker detection step, in which the digital assistant detects the user as a current speaker; a speech sound detection step, in which the digital assistant detects and records speech uttered by the current speaker, which speech sound detection step further comprises a lip movement detection step, in which the digital assistant detects a lip movement of the current speaker; a speech analysis step, in which the digital assistant parses said recorded speech and extracts speech-based verbal informational content from said recorded speech; and a subsequent response step, in which the digital assistant provides feed-back to the user based on said recorded speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Erland George-Svahn, Sourabh Pateriya, Onur Kurt, Deepak Akkil
  • Publication number: 20230217008
    Abstract: An augmented reality, virtual reality, or other wearable apparatus comprises an eye tracking device comprising an image sensor, a lens, and one or more processors. In some embodiments, the lens comprises a marker, and the one or more processors are configured to receive an image from the image sensor, wherein the image shows the marker, determine a distance from the image sensor to the marker based on the image, and change a calibration parameter of an eye tracking algorithm based on the distance. In some embodiments, the one or more processors are configured to receive image data from the image sensor, wherein the image data corresponds to an image as observed through the lens, determine a level or pattern of pincushion distortion in the image based on the image data, and change a calibration parameter of an eye tracking algorithm based on the level or the pattern of pincushion distortion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Jonas Andersson, Anders Clausen, Richard Hainzl, Anders Kingbäck, Simon Olin, Mark Ryan, Daniel Tornéus, Björn Nutti, Torbjörn Sundberg, Catarina Tidbeck, Ralf Biedert, Niklas Blomqvist, Dennis Rådell, Robin Thunström
  • Publication number: 20230205316
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Applicant: Tobii AB
    Inventors: David Figgins Henderek, Anders Olsson, Magnus Carl Olof Sävmarker, Staffan Wingren
  • Patent number: 11687156
    Abstract: The invention relates to an eye tracking device comprising one or more illuminators, each illuminator comprising a light emitting side, and each illuminator being connected to a first circuitry carder, an imaging module connected to a second circuitry carrier wherein the image module comprises optical arrangements. The plurality of illuminators, the imaging module and the circuitry carriers are embedded without gaps in a first material. The invention further relates to methods for manufacturing an eye tracking device with over-molded components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Eli Lundberg, Richard Hainzl, Daniel Torneus
  • Patent number: 11685384
    Abstract: The invention is related to a method for driver alertness detection, The method comprises the steps of determining a vanishing point of a vehicle in motion; determining over time, by an eye tracking device, a set of gaze points of the driver of the vehicle; determining a gaze movement from the set of gaze points; and identifying an alertness of the driver, based on a direction of the gaze movement relative to the vanishing point being outward. Further, the invention is related to an eye tracking device for driver alertness detection, an alertness detection system, a computer program, and a computer-readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventor: Andrew Ratcliff
  • Patent number: 11688128
    Abstract: A method for determining a focus target of a user's gaze in a three-dimensional (“3D”) scene is disclosed. The method may include determining a first gaze direction of a user into a 3D scene, where the 3D scene includes a plurality of components. The method may also include executing a first plurality of line traces in the 3D scene, where each of the first plurality of Line traces is in proximity to the first gaze direction. The method may further include determining a confidence value for each component intersected by at least one of the first plurality of line traces. The method may additionally include identifying as a focus target of the user the component having the highest confidence value of all components intersected by at least one of the first plurality of line traces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventor: Fredrik Lindh
  • Patent number: 11681366
    Abstract: Images of an eye are captured by a camera. For each of the images, gaze data is obtained and a position of a pupil center is estimated in the image. The gaze data indicates a gaze point and/or gaze direction of the eye when the image was captured. A mapping is calibrated using the obtained gaze data and the estimated positions of the pupil center. The mapping maps positions of the pupil center in images captured by the camera to gaze points at a surface, or to gaze directions. A further image of the eye is captured by the camera. A position of the pupil center is estimated in the further image. Gaze tracking is performed using the calibrated mapping and the estimated position of the pupil center in the further image. These steps may for example be performed at a HMD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Tiesheng Wang, Gilfredo Remon Salazar, Yimu Wang, Pravin Kumar Rana, Johannes Kron, Mark Ryan, Torbjörn Sundberg
  • Patent number: 11681368
    Abstract: An eye tracking system includes at least two cameras configured to register eye images of at least one eye. The system obtains eye images from at least one camera in a subset of the at least two cameras, determines a first pupil parameter based on a first eye image, and determines a second pupil parameter based on a second eye image. The system compares the first and second pupil parameters to obtain a test parameter and checks the test parameter against at least one operation criterion. Responsive to the checking, the system assigns a respective operation state to at least one camera in the subset. The operation state involves one of (A) operating the camera at a high frame rate, (B) operating the camera at a reduced frame rate being lower than high frame rate, (C) the camera being in a standby mode or (D) the camera being powered off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TOBII AB
    Inventor: Pravin Kumar Rana
  • Patent number: 11681371
    Abstract: An eye tracking system comprising a controller configured to receive a reference image of an eye of a user and a current image of the eye of the user. The controller is also configured to determine a difference between the reference image and the current image to define a differential image. The differential image has a two dimensional pixel array of pixel locations that are arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. Each pixel location has a differential intensity value. The controller is further configured to calculate a plurality of row values by combining the differential intensity values in corresponding rows of the differential image and to determine eyelid data based on the plurality of row values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Joakim Zachrisson, Simon Johansson, Mikael Rosell, Daniel Wrang