Patents by Inventor Anders Kingbäck

Anders Kingbäck has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10307054
    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 cornea-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: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Peter Blixt, Gunnar Troili, Anders Kingbäck, John Mikael Elvesjö, Märten Skogö
  • Patent number: 10277787
    Abstract: A portable eye tracker device is disclosed which includes a frame, at least one optics holding member, a movement sensor, and a control unit. The frame may be a frame adapted for wearing by a user. The at least one optics holding member may include at least one illuminator configured to selectively illuminate at least a portion of at least one eye of the user, and at least one image sensor configured to capture image data representing images of at least a portion of at least one eye of the user. The movement sensor may be configured to detect movement of the frame. The control unit may be configured to control the at least one illuminator for the selective illumination of at least a portion of at least one eye of the user, receive the image data from the image sensors, and receive information from the movement sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Jonas Andersson, Anders Kingbäck, Simon Gustafsson
  • Publication number: 20180307905
    Abstract: A method for mapping an input device to a virtual object in virtual space displayed on a display device is disclosed. The method may include determining, via an eye tracking device, a gaze direction of a user. The method may also include, based at least in part on the gaze direction being directed to a virtual object in virtual space displayed on a display device, modifying an action to be taken by one or more processors in response to receiving a first input from an input device. The method may further include, thereafter, in response to receiving the input from the input device, causing the action to occur, wherein the action correlates the first input to an interaction with the virtual object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Simon Gustafsson, Alexey Bezugly, Anders Kingbäck, Anders Clausen
  • Publication number: 20180239412
    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: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Tobii AB
    Inventors: John Mikael Elvesjö, Anders Kingbäck, Gunnar Troili, Mårten Skogö, Henrik Eskilsson, Peter Blixt
  • Publication number: 20180131850
    Abstract: A portable eye tracker device is disclosed which includes a frame, at least one optics holding member, and a control unit. The frame may be adapted for wearing by a user. The at least one optics holding member may include at least one illuminator configured to selectively illuminate at least a portion of at least one eye of the user, and at least one image sensor configured to capture image data representing images of at least a portion of at least one eye of the user. The control unit may be configured to control the at least one illuminator for the selective illumination of at least a portion of at least one eye of the user, receive the image data from the at least one image sensor, and calibrate at least one illuminator, at least one image sensor, or an algorithm of the control unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: TOBII AB
    Inventors: Simon Gustafsson, Anders Kingbäck, Markus Cederlund
  • Patent number: 9958941
    Abstract: A method for mapping an input device to a virtual object in virtual space displayed on a display device is disclosed. The method may include determining, via an eye tracking device, a gaze direction of a user. The method may also include, based at least in part on the gaze direction being directed to a virtual object in virtual space displayed on a display device, modifying an action to be taken by one or more processors in response to receiving a first input from an input device. The method may further include, thereafter, in response to receiving the input from the input device, causing the action to occur, wherein the action correlates the first input to an interaction with the virtual object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Simon Gustafsson, Alexey Bezugly, Anders Kingbäck, Anders Clausen
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20170224211
    Abstract: An eye tracker comprising at least one illuminator for illuminating an eye, at least two cameras for imaging the eye and a controller is disclosed. The configuration of the reference illuminator(s) and cameras is such that, at least one camera is coaxial with a reference illuminator and at least one camera is non-coaxial with a reference illuminator. On the one hand, the controller is adapted to select one of the cameras to be active with the aim of maximising an image quality metric and avoiding obscuring objects. On the other hand, the eye tracker is operable in a dual-camera mode to improve accuracy. The invention further provides a method and computer-program product for selecting a combination of an active reference illuminator from a plurality of reference illuminators and an active camera from a plurality of cameras.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Peter Blixt, Gunnar Troili, Anders Kingbäck, John Mikael Elvesjö, Mårten Skogö
  • Patent number: 9710058
    Abstract: A portable eye tracker device is disclosed which includes a frame, at least one optics holding member, and a control unit. The frame may be adapted for wearing by a user. The at least one optics holding member may include at least one illuminator configured to selectively illuminate at least a portion of at least one eye of the user, and at least one image sensor configured to capture image data representing images of at least a portion of at least one eye of the user. The control unit may be configured to control the at least one illuminator for the selective illumination of at least a portion of at least one eye of the user, receive the image data from the at least one image sensor, and calibrate at least one illuminator, at least one image sensor, or an algorithm of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Simon Gustafsson, Anders Kingbäck, Markus Cederlund
  • Patent number: 9649029
    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 cornea-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: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Peter Blixt, Gunnar Troili, Anders Kingbäck, John Mikael Elvesjö, Mårten Skogö
  • Publication number: 20170090563
    Abstract: A method for mapping an input device to a virtual object in virtual space displayed on a display device is disclosed. The method may include determining, via an eye tracking device, a gaze direction of a user. The method may also include, based at least in part on the gaze direction being directed to a virtual object in virtual space displayed on a display device, modifying an action to be taken by one or more processors in response to receiving a first input from an input device. The method may further include, thereafter, in response to receiving the input from the input device, causing the action to occur, wherein the action correlates the first input to an interaction with the virtual object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Simon Gustafsson, Alexey Bezugly, Anders Kingbäck, Anders Clausen
  • Publication number: 20170090564
    Abstract: A system for determining a gaze direction of a user in a wearable device is disclosed. The system may include a display device, a primary lens, an illuminator, and a plurality of imaging device. The primary lens may be disposed in front of the display device. The illuminator may be configured to illuminate an eye of a user. The plurality of imaging devices may be disposed on or in the primary lens to detect light reflected by the eye of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Simon Gustafsson, Anders Kingbäck, Peter Blixt, Richard Hainzl
  • Publication number: 20160328016
    Abstract: A portable eye tracker device is disclosed which includes a frame, at least one optics holding member, a movement sensor, and a control unit. The frame may be a frame adapted for wearing by a user. The at least one optics holding member may include at least one illuminator configured to selectively illuminate at least a portion of at least one eye of the user, and at least one image sensor configured to capture image data representing images of at least a portion of at least one eye of the user. The movement sensor may be configured to detect movement of the frame. The control unit may be configured to control the at least one illuminator for the selective illumination of at least a portion of at least one eye of the user, receive the image data from the image sensors, and receive information from the movement sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Jonas Andersson, Anders Kingbäck, Simon Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 9194952
    Abstract: A visual display includes hidden reference illuminators adapted to emit invisible light for generating corneo-scleral reflections on an eye watching a screen surface of the display. The tracking of such reflections and the pupil center provides input to gaze tracking. A method for equipping and an LCD with a reference illuminator are also provided. Also provides are a system and method for determining a gaze point of an eye watching a visual display that includes reference illuminators. The determination of the gaze point may be based on an ellipsoidal cornea model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: TOBII AB
    Inventors: Peter Blixt, Bengt Rehnström, Anders Kingbäck, John Mikael Elvesjö, Mattias Kuldkepp
  • Publication number: 20150136990
    Abstract: A visual display includes hidden reference illuminators adapted to emit invisible light for generating corneo-scleral reflections on an eye watching a screen surface of the display. The tracking of such reflections and the pupil center provides input to gaze tracking. A method for equipping and an LCD with a reference illuminator are also provided. Also provides are a system and method for determining a gaze point of an eye watching a visual display that includes reference illuminators. The determination of the gaze point may be based on an ellipsoidal cornea model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Peter Blixt, Bengtä Rehnström, Anders Kingbäck, John Mikael Elvesjö, Mattias Kuldkepp
  • Publication number: 20150092163
    Abstract: An eye tracker comprising at least one illuminator for illuminating an eye, at least two cameras for imaging the eye and a controller is disclosed. The configuration of the reference illuminator(s) and cameras is such that, at least one camera is coaxial with a reference illuminator and at least one camera is non-coaxial with a reference illuminator. On the one hand, the controller is adapted to select one of the cameras to be active with the aim of maximising an image quality metric and avoiding obscuring objects. On the other hand, the eye tracker is operable in a dual-camera mode to improve accuracy. The invention further provides a method and computer-program product for selecting a combination of an active reference illuminator from a plurality of reference illuminators and an active camera from a plurality of cameras.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Peter Blixt, Gunnar Troili, Anders Kingbäck, John Mikael Elvesjö, Mårten Skogö
  • Publication number: 20140313129
    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: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: John Mikael Elvesjö, Anders Kingbäck, Gunnar Troili, Mårten Skogö, Henrik Eskilsson, Peter Blixt