Patents by Inventor Walter Nistico
Walter Nistico 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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Publication number: 20200064916Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically identifying at least one user of an eye tracking device (10) by means of the eye tracking device (10), wherein user identification data of the at least one user are captured by a capturing device (14) of the eye tracking device (10). Under the first condition that at least one profile (P1, P2, P3) with associated identification data (I1, I2, I3) of at least one specific user is stored in a storage medium (20), the stored identification data (I1, I2, I3) of the at least one profile (P1, P2, P3) are compared with the captured user identification data, and under the second condition that the captured user identification data match the stored identification data (I1, I2, I3) according to a predefined criterion, the at least one user is identified as the at least one specific user, for whom the at least one profile (P1, P2, P3) was stored.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Kun Liu, Fabian Wanner, Walter Nistico, Matthias Nieser
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Patent number: 10528127Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an eye tracking device (10) comprising as components an imaging device (20), an illumination unit (30) and a processing unit (40) and further at least two adjustment parameters (PA), for adjusting the components (20; 30; 40). The eye tracking device (10) comprises a control unit (42) for controlling the adjustment parameters (PA). According to the method an image (60) of an eye is captured, a condition (44) with respect to a quality related to eye tracking or a power consumption of the components (20; 30; 40) is set, a predefined correlation (42a) correlating the adjustment parameters (PA) to the quality and the power consumption is provided and the control unit (42) controls the adjustment parameters (PA) according to the predefined correlation (42a), so that the element, with respect to which the condition (44) was set, fulfils the condition (44).Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Claudio Caraffi, Matthias Nieser, Fabian Wanner, Walter Nistico
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Patent number: 10521012Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically identifying at least one user of an eye tracking device (10) by means of the eye tracking device (10), wherein user identification data of the at least one user are captured by a capturing device (14) of the eye tracking device (10). Under the first condition that at least one profile (P1, P2, P3) with associated identification data (I1, I2, I3) of at least one specific user is stored in a storage medium (20), the stored identification data (I1, I2, I3) of the at least one profile (P1, P2, P3) are compared with the captured user identification data, and under the second condition that the captured user identification data match the stored identification data (I1, I2, I3) according to a predefined criterion, the at least one user is identified as the at least one specific user, for whom the at least one profile (P1, P2, P3) was stored.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: December 31, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Kun Liu, Fabian Wanner, Walter Nistico, Matthias Nieser
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Publication number: 20190377410Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an eye tracking device (10) for multi¬user eye tracking, wherein images (24) of a predefined capturing area (14) of the eye tracking device (10) are captured by means of an imaging device (12) of the eye tracking device (10) and the captured images (24) are processed by means of a processing unit (16) of the eye tracking device (10). If a first user (26a) and a second user (26b) are present in the predefined capturing area (14) of the eye tracking device (10), a first information relating to the first user (26a) and a second information relating to the second user (26b) are determined on the basis of the captured images (24) by processing the images (24). Furthermore the images (24) are captured successively in a predeterminable time sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2019Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Fabian Wanner, Matthias Nieser, Kun Liu, Walter Nistico
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Patent number: 10416764Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an eye tracking device (10) for multi-user eye tracking, wherein images (24) of a predefined capturing area (14) of the eye tracking device (10) are captured by means of an imaging device (12) of the eye tracking device (10) and the captured images (24) are processed by means of a processing unit (16) of the eye tracking device (10). If a first user (26a) and a second user (26b) are present in the predefined capturing area (14) of the eye tracking device (10), a first information relating to the first user (26a) and a second information relating to the second user (26b) are determined on the basis of the captured images (24) by processing the images (24). Furthermore the images (24) are captured successively in a predeterminable time sequence.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2016Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Fabian Wanner, Matthias Nieser, Kun Liu, Walter Nistico
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Patent number: 10354136Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a head mounted eye tracking device (10a, 10b) for determining at least a feature of an eye (12), wherein the eye tracking device (10a, 10b) comprises a capturing device (C) for capturing light reflected by the eye (12) and an optical component (14; E, E1, En, E2) capable of altering a propagation direction of the light passing through the optical component (14; E, E1, En, E2). The eye tracking device (10a, 10b) is configured such that when fixed to the head of the user the light captured by the capturing device (C) has passed through the optical component (14; E, E1, En, E2) and constitutes at least part of an image and the feature is determined on the basis of the image in dependency of an information about a relative position between the eye (12) and the head mounted eye tracking device (10a, 10b).Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2015Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Tom Sengelaub, Walter Nistico, Matthias Nieser, Martin Haller, Denis Williams
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Publication number: 20190133440Abstract: The invention relates to an eye tracking system (10) and a method for operating an eye tracking system (10) for determining if one of a left and a right eye of a user is dominant, wherein at least one image of the left and the right eye of the user is captured (S30), based on the at least one image and according to a predefined accuracy function a left accuracy score for the left eye (S34a) and a right accuracy score for the right eye (S34c) is determined and it is determined if one of the left and the right eye of the user is dominant in dependency of at least the left and the right accuracy score (S36). Thereby user-specific properties relating to his eyes can be provided and considered when performing eye tracking so that the robustness and accuracy of eye tracking can be enhanced.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2018Publication date: May 9, 2019Inventors: Kun Liu, Walter Nistico, Hao Qin
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Patent number: 10282610Abstract: An eye tracking method comprising: capturing image data by an image sensor; determining a region of interest as a subarea or disconnected subareas of said sensor which is to be read out from said sensor to perform an eye tracking based on the read out image data; wherein said determining said region of interest comprises: a) initially reading out only a part of the area of said sensor; b) searching the image data of said initially read out part for one or more features representing the eye position and/or the head position of a subject to be tracked; c) if said search for one or more features has been successful, determining the region of interest based on the location of the successfully searched one or more features, and d) if said search for one or more features has not been successful, reading out a further part of said sensor to perform a search for one or more features representing the eye position and/or the head position based on said further part.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2017Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: SENSOMOTORIC INSTRUMENTS GESELLSCHAFT FUR INNOVATIVE SENSORIK MBHInventors: Stefan Ronnecke, Thomas Jablonski, Christian Villwock, Walter Nistico
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Publication number: 20190129501Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method for performing a calibration procedure for calibrating an eye tracking device (12), wherein a stimulus object (S) is displayed within a certain display area (22), such that the stimulus object (S) is at least temporarily moving along a defined trajectory (26) and images of at least one eye (16) of at least one user (18) are captured during the displaying of the stimulus object (S). Based on the captured images gaze data are provided and in dependency of the gaze data gaze points (P) of the at least one eye (16) of the user (18) with respect to the display area (22) are determined. Further, at least one calibration parameter (a1; a2; a3; a4; a5; a6; a7; a8; a9; a10; a11; a12; a13; a14; ?; R; K; a; b; r) of at least one predefined calibration model (M, M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6) is determined in dependency of a first analysis at least of positions of at least part of the respective gaze points (P) with regard to the defined trajectory (26) of the stimulus object (S).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2017Publication date: May 2, 2019Inventors: Walter Nistico, Andrii Nikiforov, Borys Lysyansky
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Patent number: 10016131Abstract: The invention relates to an eye tracking system (10) and a method for operating an eye tracking system (10) for determining if one of a left and a right eye of a user is dominant, wherein at least one image of the left and the right eye of the user is captured (S30), based on the at least one image and according to a predefined accuracy function a left accuracy score for the left eye (S34a) and a right accuracy score for the right eye (S34c) is determined and it is determined if one of the left and the right eye of the user is dominant in dependency of at least the left and the right accuracy score (S36). Thereby user-specific properties relating to his eyes can be provided and considered when performing eye tracking so that the robustness and accuracy of eye tracking can be enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: SENSOMOTORIC INSTRUMENTS GESELLSCHAFT FUR INNOVATIVE SENSORIK MBHInventors: Kun Liu, Walter Nistico, Hao Qin
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Publication number: 20180052514Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically identifying at least one user of an eye tracking device (10) by means of the eye tracking device (10), wherein user identification data of the at least one user are captured by a capturing device (14) of the eye tracking device (10). Under the first condition that at least one profile (P1, P2, P3) with associated identification data (I1, I2, I3) of at least one specific user is stored in a storage medium (20), the stored identification data (I1, I2, I3) of the at least one profile (P1, P2, P3) are compared with the captured user identification data, and under the second condition that the captured user identification data match the stored identification data (I1, I2, I3) according to a predefined criterion, the at least one user is identified as the at least one specific user, for whom the at least one profile (P1, P2, P3) was stored.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2016Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: Kun Liu, Fabian Wanner, Walter Nistico, Matthias Nieser
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Publication number: 20180052515Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an eye tracking device (10) for multi-user eye tracking, wherein images (24) of a predefined capturing area (14) of the eye tracking device (10) are captured by means of an imaging device (12) of the eye tracking device (10) and the captured images (24) are processed by means of a processing unit (16) of the eye tracking device (10). If a first user (26a) and a second user (26b) are present in the predefined capturing area (14) of the eye tracking device (10), a first information relating to the first user (26a) and a second information relating to the second user (26b) are determined on the basis of the captured images (24) by processing the images (24). Furthermore the images (24) are captured successively in a predeterminable time sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2016Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: Fabian Wanner, Matthias Nieser, Kun Liu, Walter Nistico
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Publication number: 20180032812Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a head mounted eye tracking device (10a, 10b) for determining at least a feature of an eye (12), wherein the eye tracking device (10a, 10b) comprises a capturing device (C) for capturing light reflected by the eye (12) and an optical component (14; E, E1, En, E2) capable of altering a propagation direction of the light passing through the optical component (14; E, E1, En, E2). The eye tracking device (10a, 10b) is configured such that when fixed to the head of the user the light captured by the capturing device (C) has passed through the optical component (14; E, E1, En, E2) and constitutes at least part of an image and the feature is determined on the basis of the image in dependency of an information about a relative position between the eye (12) and the head mounted eye tracking device (10a, 10b).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2015Publication date: February 1, 2018Inventors: Tom Sengelaub, Walter Nistico, Matthias Nieser, Martin Haller, Denis Williams
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Publication number: 20180005010Abstract: An eye tracking method comprising: capturing image data by an image sensor; determining a region of interest as a subarea or disconnected subareas of said sensor which is to be read out from said sensor to perform an eye tracking based on the read out image data; wherein said determining said region of interest comprises: a) initially reading out only a part of the area of said sensor; b) searching the image data of said initially read out part for one or more features representing the eye position and/or the head position of a subject to be tracked; c) if said search for one or more features has been successful, determining the region of interest based on the location of the successfully searched one or more features, and d) if said search for one or more features has not been successful, reading out a further part of said sensor to perform a search for one or more features representing the eye position and/or the head position based on said further part.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2017Publication date: January 4, 2018Inventors: Stefan Ronnecke, Thomas Jablonski, Christian Villwock, Walter Nistico
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Publication number: 20170340205Abstract: The invention relates to an eye tracking system (10) and a method for operating an eye tracking system (10) for determining if one of a left and a right eye of a user is dominant, wherein at least one image of the left and the right eye of the user is captured (S30), based on the at least one image and according to a predefined accuracy function a left accuracy score for the left eye (S34a) and a right accuracy score for the right eye (S34c) is determined and it is determined if one of the left and the right eye of the user is dominant in dependency of at least the left and the right accuracy score (S36). Thereby user-specific properties relating to his eyes can be provided and considered when performing eye tracking so that the robustness and accuracy of eye tracking can be enhanced.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2015Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicant: SENSOMOTORIC INSTRUMENTS GESELLSCHAFT FUR INNOVATIVE SENSORIK MBHInventors: Kun LIU, Walter NISTICO, Hao QIN
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Patent number: 9779300Abstract: An eye tracking method comprising: capturing image data by an image sensor; determining a region of interest as a subarea or disconnected subareas of said sensor which is to be read out from said sensor to perform an eye tracking based on the read out image data; wherein said determining said region of interest comprises: a) initially reading out only a part of the area of said sensor; b) searching the image data of said initially read out part for one or more features representing the eye position and/or the head position of a subject to be tracked; c) if said search for one or more features has been successful, determining the region of interest based on the location of the successfully searched one or more features, and d) if said search for one or more features has not been successful, reading out a further part of said sensor to perform a search for one or more features representing the eye position and/or the head position based on said further part.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2016Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: SENSOMOTORIC INSTRUMENTS GESELLSCHAFT FUR INNOVATIInventors: Stefan Ronnecke, Thomas Jablonski, Christian Villwock, Walter Nistico
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Publication number: 20170076135Abstract: An eye tracking method comprising: capturing image data by an image sensor; determining a region of interest as a subarea or disconnected subareas of said sensor which is to be read out from said sensor to perform an eye tracking based on the read out image data; wherein said determining said region of interest comprises: a) initially reading out only a part of the area of said sensor; b) searching the image data of said initially read out part for one or more features representing the eye position and/or the head position of a subject to be tracked; c) if said search for one or more features has been successful, determining the region of interest based on the location of the successfully searched one or more features, and d) if said search for one or more features has not been successful, reading out a further part of said sensor to perform a search for one or more features representing the eye position and/or the head position based on said further part.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: STEFAN RONNECKE, THOMAS JABLONSKI, CHRISTIAN VILLWOCK, WALTER NISTICO
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Publication number: 20170035293Abstract: The invention relates to a spectacle device (1) for capturing at least one parameter of at least one eye (10l, 10r) of a test person (31) wearing the spectacle device (1), the spectacle device (1) comprising a frame (4) configured to fix the spectacle device (1) to the head of the test person (31), at least one first capturing unit (3l, 3r) configured to optically capture the at least one parameter of the at least one eye (10l, 10r), and a second capturing unit (2) the optical capture range of which at least partly corresponds to an optical capture range of the at least one eye (10l, 10r) and which is configured to output data concerning a field of view (FOV1, FOV2) which is correlated with the optical capture range of the second capturing unit (2), wherein the field of view (FOV1, FOV2) is adjustable.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2016Publication date: February 9, 2017Applicant: SENSOMOTORIC INSTRUMENTS GESELLSCHAFT FUR INNOVATIVE SENSORIK MBHInventors: Walter NISTICO, Jan HOFFMANN, Eberhard SCHMIDT
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Patent number: 9498125Abstract: The invention relates to an eye tracking device and a method for operating an eye tracking device (30) comprising an imaging device (32), a plurality of light sources (34), a processing unit and a control unit. The imaging device (32) captures a first image (36a) while at least one of the light sources (34) emits light. If at least one first reflection (14; 16; 16a-16f) is detected, a position in the first image (36a) of the at least one first reflection (14; 16; 16a-16f) is determined, the first reflection (14; 16; 16a-16f) is categorized on the basis of the position in the first image (36a) and if the first image (36a) does not fulfill a predefined quality criterion, the plurality of light sources (34) is controlled in dependence of the categorization by changing the light intensity of at least one light source (34).Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: SENSOMOTORIC INSTRUMENTS GESELLSCHAFT FUR INNOVATIVE SENSORIK MBHInventors: Claudio Caraffi, Matthias Nieser, Fabian Wanner, Walter Nistico
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Patent number: 9465990Abstract: An eye tracking method comprising: capturing image data by an image sensor; determining a region of interest as a subarea or disconnected subareas of said sensor which is to be read out from said sensor to perform an eye tracking based on the read out image data; wherein said determining said region of interest comprises: a) initially reading out only a part of the area of said sensor; b) searching the image data of said initially read out part for one or more features representing the eye position and/or the head position of a subject to be tracked; c) if said search for one or more features has been successful, determining the region of interest based on the location of the successfully searched one or more features, and d) if said search for one or more features has not been successful, reading out a further part of said sensor to perform a search for one or more features representing the eye position and/or the head position based on said further part.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2013Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: SENSOMOTORIC INSTRUMENTS GESSELLSCHAFT FUR INNOVATIVE SENSORIK MBHInventors: Stefan Ronnecke, Thomas Jablonski, Christian Villwock, Walter Nistico