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.

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.

Abstract: A system for determining a gaze direction of a user is disclosed. The system may include a first illuminator, a first profile sensor, and at least one processor. The first illuminator may be configured to illuminate an eye of a user. The first profile sensor may be configured to detect light reflected by the eye of the user. The processor(s) may be configured to determine a gaze direction of the user based at least in part on light detected by the first profile sensor.

Abstract: A wearable device is disclosed. The wearable device may include a display, a lens, an illuminator, an image sensor, and at least one processor. The display may be configured to present images. The lens may be configured to provide a view of the display to an eye of a user. The illuminator may be configured to illuminate the eye. The image sensor may be configured to detect illumination reflected by the eye. The at least one processor may be configured to cause the display to present an image, receive data from the image sensor, determine a gaze direction of the eye based at least in part on the data from the image sensor, and cause at least one of the display or the lens to be moved until the gaze direction is directed toward the image.

Abstract: Circuitry of a gaze/eye tracking system obtains one or more images of a left eye and one or more images a right eye, determines a gaze direction of the left eye based on at least one obtained image of the left eye, determines a gaze direction of the right eye based on at least one obtained image of the right eye, determines a first confidence value based on the one or more obtained images of the left eye, determines a second confidence value based on the one or more obtained images of the right eye, and determines a final gaze direction based at least in part on the first confidence value and the second confidence value. The first and second confidence values represent indications of the reliability of the determined gaze directions of the left eye and the right eye, respectively. Corresponding methods and computer-readable media are also provided.

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, in the active mode, to use active eye illumination, which enables tracking of a corneal reflection, and to provide eye tracking data which include eye position and eye orientation; 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.

Abstract: A gaze tracking system, leaving a low power mode in response to an activation signal, initial burst of eye pictures in short time by restricting the image area of a sensor, purpose of enabling an increased frame rate. Subsequent eye pictures are captured at le rate. The first gaze point value is computed memorylessly based on the initial burst res and no additional imagery, while subsequent values may be computed recursively to 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 different sensor. From the gaze point values, the system may derive a control signal to a computer device with a visual display.

Abstract: Techniques for reducing a read out time and power consumption of an image sensor used for eye tracking are described. In an example, a position of an eye element in an active area of a sensor is determined. The eye element can be any of an eye, a pupil of the eye, an iris of the eye, or a glint at the eye. A region of interest (ROI) around the position of the eye is defined. The image sensor reads out pixels confined to the ROI, thereby generating an ROI image that shows the eye element.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system for tracking a gaze of a user across a multi-display arrangement is disclosed. The system may include a first display, a first eye tracking device, a second display, a second eye tracking device, and a processor. The first eye tracking device may be configured to determine a user's gaze direction while the user is gazing at the first display. The second eye tracking device may be configured to determine the user's gaze direction while the user is gazing at the second display. The processor may be configured to determine that the user's gaze has moved away from the first display in a direction of the second display, and in response to determining that the user's gaze has moved away from the first display in the direction of the second display, deactivate the first eye tracking device, and activate the second eye tracking device.

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.

Abstract: A computer system can be controlled with non-contact inputs, such as eye-tracking devices. A visual indicator can be presented on a display to indicate the location where a computer function will take place (e.g., a common cursor). The visual indicator can be moved to a gaze target in response to continued detection of an action (e.g., touchpad touch) by a user for a predetermined period of time. A delay between the action and the movement of the visual indicator can allow a user time to “abort” movement of the visual indicator. Additionally, once the visual indicator has moved, the visual indicator can be controlled with additional precision as the user moves the gaze while continuing the action (e.g., continued holding of the touchpad).

Abstract: A method and system for assisting a user when interacting with a graphical user interface combines gaze based input with gesture based user commands. A user of a computer system without a traditional touch-screen can interact with graphical user interfaces in a touch-screen like manner using a combination of gaze based input and gesture based user commands. A solution for touch-screen like interaction uses gaze input and gesture based input as a complement or an alternative to touch-screen interactions with a computer device having a touch-screen. Combined gaze and gesture based interaction with graphical user interfaces can be used to achieve a touchscreen like environment in computer systems without a traditional touchscreen or in computer systems having a touchscreen arranged ergonomically unfavorable for the user or a touchscreen arranged such that it is more comfortable for the user to use gesture and gaze for the interaction than the touchscreen.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for 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 displayed content and to determine a gaze point relative to the display screen. At least one applicable scroll zone relative to the display screen and a scroll action associated with each applicable scroll zone may be determined. In response to determining that the gaze point is within a first applicable scroll zone, an associated first scroll action may be initiated. The first 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 first scroll zone, and detecting an indicator that the user begins reading the content.

Abstract: A computer system can be controlled with non-contact inputs, such as eye-tracking devices. A computer can enlarge a portion of a display adjacent a first gaze target in response to detecting a first action (e.g., pressing a touchpad). The computer can then allow a user to position a second gaze target in the enlarged portion (e.g., by looking at the desired location) and perform a second action in order to perform a computer function at that location. The enlarging can allow a user to identify a desired location for a computer function (e.g., selecting an icon) with greater precision.

Abstract: A method and system for assisting a user when interacting with a graphical user interface combines gaze based input with gesture based user commands. A user of a computer system without a traditional touch-screen can interact with graphical user interfaces in a touch-screen like manner using a combination of gaze based input and gesture based user commands. A solution for touch-screen like interaction uses gaze input and gesture based input as a complement or an alternative to touch-screen interactions with a computer device having a touch-screen. Combined gaze and gesture based interaction with graphical user interfaces can be used to achieve a touchscreen like environment in computer systems without a traditional touchscreen or in computer systems having a touchscreen arranged ergonomically unfavorable for the user or a touchscreen arranged such that it is more comfortable for the user to use gesture and gaze for the interaction than the touchscreen.

Abstract: A computer system can be controlled with non-contact inputs, such as eye-tracking devices. A computer can enlarge a portion of a display adjacent a first gaze target in response to detecting a first action (e.g., pressing a touchpad). The computer can then allow a user to position a second gaze target in the enlarged portion (e.g., by looking at the desired location) and perform a second action in order to perform a computer function at that location. The enlarging can allow a user to identify a desired location for a computer function (e.g., selecting an icon) with greater precision.

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.

Abstract: A wearable device is disclosed. The wearable device may include a display, a lens, an illuminator, an image sensor, and at least one processor. The display may be configured to present images. The lens may be configured to provide a view of the display to an eye of a user. The illuminator may be configured to illuminate the eye. The image sensor may be configured to detect illumination reflected by the eye. The at least one processor may be configured to cause the display to present an image, receive data from the image sensor, determine a gaze direction of the eye based at least in part on the data from the image sensor, and cause at least one of the display or the lens to be moved until the gaze direction is directed toward the image.

Abstract: An eye-tracking system (e.g., a virtual reality or augmented realty headset) can be used for eye tracking and for iris recognition. Illuminators used to illuminate eyes of a user during eye tracking can be selectively powered on and off in connection with capturing image information in order to obtain image information that suitably depicts an iris region of an eye of the user. This image information can be used to recognize the iris region and by so doing authenticate and/or identify the user.