Patents by Inventor Peter Blixt
Peter Blixt 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).
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Patent number: 10191542Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 10, 2017Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Tobii ABInventors: Peter Blixt, Anders Kingback, Bengt Rehnstrom, John Elvesjö, Mattias Kuldkepp
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Publication number: 20180270436Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2018Publication date: September 20, 2018Applicant: Tobii ABInventors: Magnus Ivarsson, Per-Edvin Stoltz, David Masko, Niklas Ollesson, Mårten Skogö, Peter Blixt, Henrik Jönsson
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Publication number: 20180242841Abstract: A subject is illuminated whose movements of at least one eye are to be registered by an eye-tracker for producing resulting data. To this aim, a coherent light source in light producing means produces at least one well-defined light beam. A diffractive optical element is arranged between the coherent light source and an output from the light producing means. The diffractive optical element is configured to direct a light beam towards at least a first designated area estimated to cover the at least one eye of the subject. Image registering means registers light from the at least one light beam having been reflected against the subject. The resulting data is produced in response to these light reflections, which resulting data represents movements of the at least one eye of the subject.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2018Publication date: August 30, 2018Applicant: Tobii ABInventors: Richard Hainzl, Mattias Kuldkepp, Peter Blixt, Mårten Skogö
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Publication number: 20180239412Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2017Publication date: August 23, 2018Applicant: Tobii ABInventors: John Mikael Elvesjö, Anders Kingbäck, Gunnar Troili, Mårten Skogö, Henrik Eskilsson, Peter Blixt
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Publication number: 20180232575Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2017Publication date: August 16, 2018Applicant: Tobii ABInventors: Johan Strombom, Marten Skogo, Per Nystedt, Simon Gustafsson, John Mikael Holtz Elvesjo, Peter Blixt
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Publication number: 20180206771Abstract: A monitoring system and method for monitoring and/or predicting drowsiness of a driver of a vehicle or a machinery operator are provided. A set of infrared, IR, or near infrared, NIR, light sources, is arranged such that an amount of the light emitted from the light source incidents on an eye of the driver or operator. The light that impinges on the eye of the driver or operator forms a virtual image of the signal sources on the eye including the sclera and/or cornea. An image sensor obtains consecutive images capturing the reflected light, wherein each image will contain glints from at least a subset or all of the light sources. A drowsiness index can be determined based on the extracted information of the glints of the sequence of images, wherein the drowsiness index indicates a degree of drowsiness of the driver or operator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2018Publication date: July 26, 2018Applicant: Tobii ABInventors: Miroslav Kobetski, Johnny Holmberg, Peter Blixt, John Mikael Elvesjö
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Patent number: 9955903Abstract: A monitoring system and method for monitoring and/or predicting drowsiness of a driver of a vehicle or a machinery operator are provided. A set of infrared, IR, or near infrared, NIR, light sources, is arranged such that an amount of the light emitted from the light source incidents on an eye of the driver or operator. The light that impinges on the eye of the driver or operator forms a virtual image of the signal sources on the eye including the sclera and/or cornea. An image sensor obtains consecutive images capturing the reflected light, wherein each image will contain glints from at least a subset or all of the light sources. A drowsiness index can be determined based on the extracted information of the glints of the sequence of images, wherein the drowsiness index indicates a degree of drowsiness of the driver or operator.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2014Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: Tobii ABInventors: Miroslav Kobetski, Johnny Holmberg, Peter Blixt, John Mikael Elvesjö
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Publication number: 20180103202Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2017Publication date: April 12, 2018Applicant: Tobii ABInventors: Henrik Eskilsson, Mårten Skogö, John Elvesjö, Peter Blixt
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Patent number: 9924864Abstract: A subject (180) is illuminated whose movements of at least one eye are to be registered by an eye-tracker for producing resulting data (DEYE). To this aim, a coherent light source in light producing means (140) produces at least one well-defined light beam (L1, L2). A diffractive optical element is arranged between the coherent light source and an output from the light producing means (140). The diffractive optical element is configured to direct a light beam (L1) towards at least a first designated area (A1) estimated to cover the at least one eye of the subject (180). Image registering means (150) registers light from the at least one light beam (L1, L2) having been reflected against the subject (180). The resulting data (DEYE) are produced in response to these light reflections, which resulting data (DEYE) represent movements of the at least one eye of the subject (180).Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2012Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Tobii ABInventors: Richard Hainzl, Mattias Kuldkepp, Peter Blixt, Mårten Skogö
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Patent number: 9866754Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2016Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Tobii ABInventors: Henrik Eskilsson, Mårten Skogö, John Elvesjö, Peter Blixt
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Publication number: 20170316264Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: Tobii ABInventors: Simon Gustafsson, Anders Kingbäck, Peter Blixt, Richard Hainzl, Mårten Skogö
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Patent number: 9791912Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Tobii ABInventors: John Mikael Elvesjö, Anders Kingbäck, Gunnar Troili, Mårten Skogö, Henrik Eskilsson, Peter Blixt
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Publication number: 20170293799Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2017Publication date: October 12, 2017Applicant: Tobii ABInventors: Mårten Skogö, Peter Blixt, Henrik Jönsson
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Patent number: 9779299Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: TOBII ABInventors: Johan Strombom, Marten Skogo, Per Nystedt, Simon Gustafsson, John Mikael Holtz Elvesjo, Peter Blixt
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Publication number: 20170249509Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Applicant: TOBII ABInventors: Peter Blixt, Gunnar Troili, Anders Kingbäck, John Mikael Elvesjö, Mårten Skogö
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Publication number: 20170224211Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2017Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: Peter Blixt, Gunnar Troili, Anders Kingbäck, John Mikael Elvesjö, Mårten Skogö
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Publication number: 20170220107Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Peter Blixt, Anders Kingback, Bengt Rehnstrom, John Elvesjö, Mattias Kuldkepp
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Patent number: 9649029Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 8, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Tobii ABInventors: Peter Blixt, Gunnar Troili, Anders Kingbäck, John Mikael Elvesjö, Mårten Skogö
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Patent number: 9632180Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 25, 2016Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: TOBII ABInventors: Peter Blixt, Anders Kingback, Bengt Rehnstrom, John Elvesjö, Mattias Kuldkepp
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Publication number: 20170090564Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Applicant: Tobii ABInventors: Simon Gustafsson, Anders Kingbäck, Peter Blixt, Richard Hainzl