Patents Assigned to TOBII AB
  • Patent number: 9864498
    Abstract: Automatic scrolling of content displayed on a display device in response to gaze detection. Content may be displayed in a window rendered on a display screen. Gaze detection components may be used to detect that a user is gazing at the content and to determine a gaze point. At least one scroll zone relative to the display screen and a scroll action associated with each scroll zone may be determined. In response to determining that the gaze point is within a scroll zone, an associated scroll action may be initiated. The scroll action causes the content to scroll within the window until at least one of: expiration of a defined period, determining that a portion of the content scrolls past a defined position within the window, determining that the gaze point is outside of the scroll zone, and detecting an indicator that the user begins reading the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Anders Olsson, Mårten Skogö
  • Publication number: 20170371420
    Abstract: A portable computing device is disclosed which may include a base element, a lid element, a first motion sensor, a second motion sensor, a processor, and an eye tracking system. The first motion sensor may be disposed in the base element. The second motion sensor may be disposed in the lid element. The processor may be configured to control the first motion sensor to detect first motion information, control the second motion sensor to detect second motion information; and determine final motion information based at least in part on the first motion information and the second motion information. The eye tracking system may be configured to determine a gaze position of a user based at least in part on the final motion information, wherein the processor is further configured to execute one or more control processes based at least in part on the determined gaze position meeting a predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Applicant: TOBII AB
    Inventors: Mårten Skogö, John Elvesjö, Jan-Erik Lundkvist, Per Lundberg
  • Publication number: 20170364150
    Abstract: A method for determining correspondence between a gaze direction and an environment around a wearable device is disclosed. The wearable device may include an eye tracking device and an outward facing image sensor. The method may include receiving an input parameter and at least one scene image from the outward facing image sensor. The method may further include determining, with at least the eye tracking device, at least one gaze direction of a wearer of the wearable device at a point in time corresponding to when the scene image was captured by the outward facing image sensor. The method may additionally include determining, based at least in part on the input parameter, that a particular scene image includes at least a portion of a predefined image. The method may moreover include determining, based on the at least one gaze direction, at least one gaze point on the particular scene image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Tobii AB
    Inventors: André Lovtjärn, Jesper Högström, Jonas Högström, Rasmus Petersson, Mårten Skogö, Wilkey Wong
  • Patent number: 9846481
    Abstract: An image sensing apparatus has a light sensitive area and a control unit. The light sensitive area registers image data in response to an incoming amount of light, and is operable in an active mode wherein image data can be read out there from as well as in a standby mode wherein image data cannot be read out. The control unit produces a control signal setting the light sensitive area to operate in the active mode and the standby mode respectively in a cyclic manner during an operation period, which preferably encompasses multiple data frame read-outs of image data from the light sensitive area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: TOBII AB
    Inventors: Marten Skogo, Henrik Jonsson, Mattias O. Karlsson, Mattias Kuldkepp, John Elvesjo, Ingemar Mattias Karlsson
  • Patent number: 9829973
    Abstract: There is provided methods, systems and computer program products for identifying an interaction element from one or more interaction elements present in a user interface, comprising: receiving gaze information from an eye tracking system; determining the likelihood that an interaction element is the subject of the gaze information from the eye tracking system; and identifying an interaction element from the one or more interaction elements based on said likelihood determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Anders Vennström, Mårten Skogö, John Elvesjö
  • Patent number: 9830513
    Abstract: A method for panning content on a display of a wearable device is disclosed. The method may include determining, via an eye tracking device, a gaze direction of a user. The method may also include determining, via a movement detection system, a head direction of the user. The method may further include, based at least in part on the gaze direction and the head direction both being consistent with a particular direction, causing content displayed on a display of the wearable device to be panned in the particular direction. The method may additionally include determining during panning of the content, via the eye tracking device, that the gaze direction of the user has returned to a neutral position. The method may moreover include, based at least in part on the gaze direction of the user returning to the neutral position, causing content displayed on the display to stop panning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Simon Gustafsson, Henrik Björk, Fredrik Lindh, Anders Olsson
  • Patent number: 9829976
    Abstract: A method for determining correspondence between a gaze direction and an environment around a wearable device is disclosed. The wearable device may include an eye tracking device and an outward facing image sensor. The method may include receiving an input parameter and at least one scene image from the outward facing image sensor. The method may further include determining, with at least the eye tracking device, at least one gaze direction of a wearer of the wearable device at a point in time corresponding to when the scene image was captured by the outward facing image sensor. The method may additionally include determining, based at least in part on the input parameter, that a particular scene image includes at least a portion of a predefined image. The method may moreover include determining, based on the at least one gaze direction, at least one gaze point on the particular scene image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: André Algotsson, Anders Clausen, Jesper Högström, Jonas Högström, Tobias Lindgren, Rasmus Petersson, Mårten Skogö, Wilkey Wong
  • Patent number: 9817474
    Abstract: According to the invention, a method for changing information on a display in a vehicle based on a gaze direction of a driver is disclosed. The method may include displaying information on the display in the vehicle. The method may also include receiving gaze data indicative of the gaze direction of a user. The method may further include changing the display based at least in part on the gaze data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Erland George-Svahn, Rebecka Lannsjö, Mårten Skogö
  • Publication number: 20170316264
    Abstract: A system for determining a gaze direction of a user of a wearable device is disclosed. The system may include a primary lens, an illuminator, an image sensor, and an interface. The illuminator may include a light guide, may be disposed at least partially on or in the primary lens, and may be configured to illuminate at least one eye of a user. The image sensor may be disposed on or in the primary lens, and may be configured to detect light reflected by the at least one eye of the user. The interface may be configured to provide data from the image sensor to a processor for determining a gaze direction of the user based at least in part on light detected by the image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Simon Gustafsson, Anders Kingbäck, Peter Blixt, Richard Hainzl, Mårten Skogö
  • Patent number: 9791912
    Abstract: A personal computer system comprises a visual display, an imaging device adapted to provide eye-tracking data by imaging at least one eye of a viewer of the visual display, and identifying means for recognizing the viewer with reference to one of a plurality of predefined personal profiles. The personal computer system further comprises an eye-tracking processor for processing the eye-tracking data. According to the invention, the eye-tracking processor is selectively operable in one of a plurality of personalized active sub-modes associated with said personal profiles. The sub-modes may differ with regard to eye-tracking related or power-management related settings. Further, the identifying means may sense an identified viewer's actual viewing condition (e.g., use of viewing aids or wearing of garments), wherein the imaging device is further operable in a sub profile mode associated with the determined actual viewing condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: John Mikael Elvesjö, Anders Kingbäck, Gunnar Troili, Mårten Skogö, Henrik Eskilsson, Peter Blixt
  • Publication number: 20170293799
    Abstract: According to the invention, an image sensor is disclosed. The image sensor may include a plurality of pixels. Each pixel of a first portion of the plurality of pixels may include a near-infrared filter configured to block red, green, and blue light; and pass near-infrared light. Each pixel of a second portion of the plurality of pixels may be configured to receive at least one of red, green, or blue light; and receive near-infrared light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Applicant: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Mårten Skogö, Peter Blixt, Henrik Jönsson
  • Publication number: 20170291613
    Abstract: According to the invention, a method for modifying operation of at least one system of a vehicle based at least in part on a gaze direction of a driver is disclosed. The method may include receiving gaze data indicative of the gaze direction of a driver of a vehicle. The method may also include modifying operation of at least one system of the vehicle based at least in part on the gaze data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Applicant: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Erland George-Svahn, Rebecka Lannsjö, Mårten Skogö
  • Publication number: 20170285743
    Abstract: A graphics presentation apparatus including a display unit, an eye-tracking module, and a data output module. The eye-tracking module registers image data representing at least one eye of a user of the apparatus. Furthermore, the eye-tracking module determines, based on the registered image data, an orientation of the at least one eye relative to the display unit. Finally, in response thereto, the eye-tracking module generates a control signal controlling the data output module to produce visual content with such orientation on the display unit that a misalignment between the orientation of said at least one part and the orientation of the at least one eye of the user is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: TOBII AB
    Inventors: Aron Yu, Marten Skogo, Robert Gavelin, Per Nystedt
  • Patent number: 9779299
    Abstract: A method of presenting gaze-point data of a subject detected by an eye-tracking unit includes presenting a test scene picture acquired by a camera unit, and displaying shapes on the test scene picture. The shapes represent momentary gaze points of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: TOBII AB
    Inventors: Johan Strombom, Marten Skogo, Per Nystedt, Simon Gustafsson, John Mikael Holtz Elvesjo, Peter Blixt
  • Patent number: 9772690
    Abstract: A portable device, e.g. a laptop, includes a first part (110), e.g. a base element, and a second part (120), e.g. a lid element. The second part (120) contains an optical remote sensing system (300). The second part (120) is pivotably attached to the first part (110) via a hinge means (115), such that the portable device may be arranged in an open and a closed position respectively. The optical remote sensing system (300) is configured to track at least one distinctive feature of a user of the portable device when arranged in the open position. The first and second parts (110; 120) have a respective essentially flat inner surface (111; 121), which when the portable device is arranged in the closed position are parallel and face one another. The first part (110) further includes a recess (112a) which is arranged relative to a position of the optical remote sensing system (300) such that, in the closed position, the optical remote sensing system (300) is at least partly contained in the recess (112a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Marten Skogoe, John Elvesjoe, Jan-Erik Lundkvist
  • Publication number: 20170272627
    Abstract: According to the invention, a system for converting sound to electrical signals is disclosed. The system may include a gaze tracking device and a microphone. The gaze tracking device may determine a gaze direction of a user. The microphone may be more sensitive in a selected direction than at least one other direction and alter the selected direction based at least in part on the gaze direction determined by the gaze tracking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: TOBII AB
    Inventors: David Figgins Henderek, Mårten Skogö
  • Patent number: 9766699
    Abstract: A gaze tracking system, leaving a low power mode in response to an activation signal, captures an initial burst of eye pictures in short time by restricting the image area of a sensor, with the purpose of enabling an increased frame rate. Subsequent eye pictures are captured at normal frame rate. The first gaze point value is computed memorylessly based on the initial burst of eye pictures and no additional imagery, while subsequent values may be computed recursively by taking into account previous gaze point values or information from previous eye pictures. The restriction of the image area may be guided by a preliminary overview picture captured using the same or a different sensor. From the gaze point values, the system may derive a control signal to be supplied to a computer device with a visual display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: TOBII AB
    Inventors: Mårten Skogö, Anders Olsson, John Mikael Elvesjö, Aron Yu
  • Patent number: 9760170
    Abstract: The present invention relates to control of a computer system, which includes a data processing unit, a display and an eye tracker adapted to register a user's gaze point with respect to the display The data processing unit is adapted to present graphical information on the display, which includes feedback data reflecting the user's commands entered into the unit. The data processing unit is adapted to present the feedback data such that during an initial phase, the feedback data is generated based on an absolute position of the gaze point. An imaging device of the system is also adapted to register image data representing movements of a body part of the user, and to forward a representation of the image data to the data processing unit. Hence, during a phase subsequent to the initial phase, the data is instead generated based on the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: TOBII AB
    Inventors: John Elvesjö, Anders Olsson, Johan Sahlen
  • Publication number: 20170249509
    Abstract: A method includes obtaining an image of an eye in a bright-pupil imaging mode in which a retinal retro-reflection complements the image of the eye in the bright-pupil mode, and obtaining an image of the eye in a dark-pupil imaging mode in which a corneo-scleral retro-reflection complements the image of the eye in the dark-pupil mode. One of the bright-pupil imaging mode and the dark-pupil imaging mode is selected based on quality of obtained images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Applicant: TOBII AB
    Inventors: Peter Blixt, Gunnar Troili, Anders Kingbäck, John Mikael Elvesjö, Mårten Skogö
  • Patent number: 9746917
    Abstract: A graphics presentation apparatus including a display unit, an eye-tracking module, and a data output module. The eye-tracking module registers image data representing at least one eye of a user of the apparatus. Furthermore, the eye-tracking module determines, based on the registered image data, an orientation of the at least one eye relative to the display unit. Finally, in response thereto, the eye-tracking module generates a control signal controlling the data output module to produce visual content with such orientation on the display unit that a misalignment between the orientation of said at least one part and the orientation of the at least one eye of the user is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: TOBII AB
    Inventors: Aron Yu, Marten Skogo, Robert Gavelin, Per Nystedt