JP7560833B2 - Eye-gaze input device and program for eye-gaze input device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an eye-gaze input device that allows a user to select and input characters displayed on a screen by using their line of sight, and a program for the eye-gaze input device.

In recent years, eye-gaze input devices have been developed as tools to help patients who are unable to move their hands, feet, or mouths adequately due to severe limb paralysis communicate. These devices display a virtual dial on a screen and allow the patient to select and input characters on the dial by using their gaze.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an example of such an eye-gaze input device in which a virtual letter board with an array of multiple letters is displayed on a screen, allowing the user to select and input a desired letter by gaze. This eye-gaze input device is configured to detect the position of the user's gaze point on the screen using a camera or the like, and to count the time that the gaze point remains on a letter (gaze time). When this gaze time reaches a specified threshold, the input of that letter is decided, and the letter is displayed in a separate window on the screen. The user can communicate his or her intentions to others by creating a message by inputting letters one after another with his or her gaze.

JP 2018-195323 A

However, conventional eye-gaze input devices are configured to determine that the character will not be selected if the gaze point moves away from the character while measuring the gaze time, and reset (set to zero) the gaze time measured up to that point. For this reason, for example, when selecting a character at the edge of the screen where the gaze point is difficult to settle due to the large movement of the gaze point relative to the rotation angle of the eyeball, the gaze time is frequently reset as the gaze point moves away from the character, making it difficult to decide to input the character. In addition, if the user has severe nystagmus symptoms, the gaze point cannot be fixed on the character they want to input, making it difficult to decide to input the character.

The present invention was made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide an eye-gaze input device that allows a user to easily input characters even when their line of sight is unsteady.

That is, the eye-gaze input device according to one aspect of the present invention allows a user to select and input a number of characters arranged on a virtual character board displayed on a screen by using his/her eye gaze, and is equipped with a gaze point estimation unit that estimates the position of the user's gaze point on the screen, and an input determination unit that determines the input of the character based on the estimated position of the gaze point, and is characterized in that the input determination unit measures and retains the gaze time, which is the time the gaze point stays on each of the multiple characters while the gaze point is wandering between the multiple characters, and determines the input of the single character for which the gaze time reaches a threshold value earliest.

In this way, while the gaze point is fluctuating between multiple characters, the gaze time for each character is measured and held, and the character for which the gaze time reaches a threshold value the earliest is decided to be input. Therefore, even if the gaze point is not fixed on a single character, the gaze time for a single character that the user is consciously directing his or her gaze at accumulates, and the input of this character can be decided. This allows the user to easily input characters even in situations where it is difficult to fix the gaze point on the character to be input, such as when selecting a character on the edge of the screen or when the user has severe nystagmus.

In the eye-gaze input device, it is preferable that the input determination unit is configured to count up the gaze time while the gaze point remains on the character, and to count down the gaze time while the gaze point is off the character.
In this way, the gaze time is counted down while the gaze point is off the character, so the difference between the gaze time on the character that the user is consciously directing his/her gaze and the gaze time on the character that the user unintentionally directs his/her gaze can be increased, which makes it easier to avoid erroneous input of unintended characters.

In addition, to allow the user to quickly determine the input of the desired character, it is preferable that the rate at which the gaze time is counted down is slower than the rate at which the gaze time is counted up.

In addition, in order to prevent unintentional input of another character after input of a character has been decided, it is preferable that the input decision unit resets the gaze time measured for each of the plurality of characters when it decides to input the character.

Another example of an embodiment in which the effects of the present invention are most pronounced is one in which the characters are displayed one by one in a plurality of sections that are set adjacent to each other on the dial, and the input determination unit measures the gaze time on the character displayed in a section when the gaze point is located within the section.

It is preferable that a progress indicator indicating the remaining gaze time required until input is confirmed is displayed above each of the plurality of characters for which measurement of the gaze time has begun.
This allows the user to focus more easily on the characters they wish to input.

In addition, an embodiment in which the effect of the present invention is particularly pronounced is one in which the dial is displayed so that the entire dial fits within the screen.
That is, when the entire dial is displayed on the screen, the size of each character must be made small, and when the user uses this, the gaze point tends to move away from the character he or she wants to input. However, even in this case, with the eye-gaze input device of the present invention, the gaze time for the character that the user is most consciously directing his or her gaze to accumulates the fastest, and the user can decide to input this character.

Another aspect of the present invention is a gaze input device that allows a user to select and input multiple characters arranged on a virtual dial displayed on a screen by using their gaze, and includes a gaze point estimation unit that estimates the position of the user's gaze point on the screen, a dial display control unit that moves the dial from the estimated position of the gaze point toward a predetermined selection position set on the screen, and an input determination unit that measures a gaze time, which is the time the gaze point remains on the character at the selection position, and when the gaze time reaches a threshold, determines to input one character at the selection position, and is characterized in that if the gaze point moves away from the character while measuring the gaze time, the input determination unit retains the measured gaze time without resetting it.
In such a type of eye-gaze input device that moves a dial in response to the gaze, even if the gaze point moves away from the character on the selected position while measuring the gaze time, the measured gaze time is maintained without being reset, so that the user can easily input characters even in situations where it is difficult to fix the gaze point on the character to be input.

When the gaze point moves onto another character while measuring the gaze time, it is preferable that the dial display control unit keeps the dial in place without moving if the distance between the gaze point and the selection position is less than a predetermined value.
In this way, even if the gaze point moves away from the character at the selected position, the dial will not move within a certain range, making it easier to return the gaze point to the character for which the gaze time is being measured. Therefore, even in situations where it is difficult to determine the gaze point, the user can input characters more easily.

It is also preferable that, when the distance between the gaze point and the selected position exceeds the predetermined value during measurement of the gaze time, the dial is moved while the measured gaze time is maintained.
In this way, even if the gaze point is unintentionally moved far away from the character at the selected position and the dial moves, the gaze time being measured is held without being reset, so that when the user's gaze point returns to the character holding the gaze time, the measurement of the gaze time can be resumed from where it left off. This makes it easier for the user to input characters.

In addition, when a character other than the character for which the gaze time is being measured is located at the selected position and the gaze point remains on the other character for a predetermined period of time or more, it is preferable to reset the gaze time being measured and start measuring the gaze time on the other character.
In this way, the gaze time being measured is not reset unless the user consciously gazes at another character, making it easier for the user to input characters even in situations where it is difficult to determine the gaze point.

The present invention provides an eye-gaze input device that allows users to easily input characters even when their line of sight is not fixed.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic diagram of an overall configuration of a gaze input device according to a first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a device configuration of a gaze input device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a device configuration of the eye-gaze input device according to the first embodiment. 3A to 3C are screen display diagrams showing the operation of the eye-gaze input device in the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the eye-gaze input device according to the first embodiment. 13A to 13C are screen display diagrams showing the operation of the eye-gaze input device according to the second embodiment. 13A to 13C are screen display diagrams showing the operation of the eye-gaze input device according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the eye-gaze input device according to the second embodiment.

The following describes an embodiment of the eye gaze input device of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

First Embodiment
The eye-gaze input device 100 of the first embodiment is intended to assist people who have difficulty moving their limbs or mouths in communicating their intentions, and enables the user to select and input characters on a virtual character board (also called a keyboard) B displayed on a screen 31 of a personal computer or the like, by using their gaze.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, this gaze input device 100 includes gaze detection means 1 that detects the user's gaze, and a notebook computer C that has an integrated computer main body 2 and display 3. A virtual character board (hereinafter simply referred to as the character board) B on which multiple characters such as hiragana are arranged side by side, and a message panel M on which input characters are displayed are displayed on the screen 31 of the display 3. By continuing to gaze at the character that the user wishes to input on the character board B, the user can decide to input the character, which will then be displayed on the message panel M. By inputting multiple characters in this manner, a message can be displayed on the message panel M, allowing the user to communicate his or her intentions.

The gaze detection means 1 detects the direction of the user's gaze directed toward the screen 31 of the display 3, and outputs the detection result as gaze data. Specifically, the gaze detection means 1 uses the corneal reflex method, and includes a light source (not shown) that irradiates the user's eyeball with near-infrared light, a camera (not shown) that captures the user's eyeball, and a gaze data output unit (not shown) that processes the image data output from the camera to detect the gaze direction, and outputs it as gaze data. Note that the gaze detection means 1 in this embodiment is a so-called attached type, and is attached to the bottom of the display 3 so that the light source and camera are facing the user's face.

Structurally, the computer main body 2 is equipped with a CPU 201, memory 202, input/output interface 203, etc., as shown in Figure 2. This computer main body 2 is configured to perform at least the functions of a gaze point estimation unit 21, a character data storage unit 22, a dial display control unit 23, an input determination unit 24, and an input character display control unit 25, as shown in Figure 3, by the CPU 201 and its peripheral devices working together based on various application software (hereinafter referred to as programs) stored in the memory 202. Each unit will be described below.

The gaze point estimation unit 21 estimates the position of the user's gaze point on the screen 31 based on the detection result of the gaze detection means 1. Specifically, it receives a gaze signal from the gaze detection means 1, and estimates the position of the user's gaze point G on the screen 31 based on the gaze signal. Then, it outputs gaze point data indicating the estimated position of gaze point G to the input determination unit 24 and the dial display control unit 23. In this embodiment, a pointer is displayed at the position of the estimated gaze point G, as shown in FIG. 1.

The character data storage unit 22 is set in a predetermined area of the memory 202, and stores character data indicating the codes of various characters to be displayed on the dial B. Note that "characters" in this embodiment include, for example, hiragana, katakana, kanji, alphanumeric characters, roman letters, symbols, emoticons, emoticons, etc.

The dial display control unit 23 creates dial data showing a dial B on which multiple characters are arranged by referring to the character data storage unit 22, and outputs this to the input determination unit 24 and the display 3. This dial data includes information on the display mode of the characters and their display positions on the screen.

As shown in FIG. 1, the dial display control unit 23 fixes and displays the entire dial B at a predetermined position within the screen 31. On this dial B, a plurality of characters (here, clear hiragana characters) are arranged in a matrix of equal intervals. More specifically, on the dial B, a plurality of square-shaped character panels (corresponding to "sections" in the claims) P are displayed in a matrix of equal intervals, and each character panel P displays one character (hiragana character). Here, adjacent character panels P are displayed side by side with no gaps. In each character panel P, each character is displayed so that its center position (center of gravity position) coincides with the center position of the character panel P. In this embodiment, the outer frame of each character panel P is displayed on the screen 31, but it may be hidden.

The input determination unit 24 determines the input of characters one by one based on the estimated position of the gaze point G, and outputs this as input character data to the input character display control unit 25. Specifically, when the gaze point G comes onto a character (more specifically, onto the character panel P), the input determination unit 24 counts up the gaze time, which is the time that the gaze point G stays on the character. Then, when the measured gaze time reaches a predetermined threshold value (e.g., 1 second), the input determination unit 24 determines the input of the character. In other words, the input determination unit 24 determines the input of the character that the user has been gazing at.

When the input determination unit 24 measures the gaze time, a progress indicator I is displayed on the character being measured (specifically, on the character panel P) indicating the remaining gaze time (also called the remaining gaze time) required until the input is determined. The form of this progress indicator I changes depending on the length of the remaining gaze time. In this embodiment, the progress indicator I is a so-called progress circle in which a bar extends clockwise as the gaze time increases, as shown in FIG. 1. The form of the progress indicator I is not limited to this, and may be any form, such as changing the color or size of the character or character panel P.

The input character display control unit 25 displays the message panel M on the screen 31, and also displays the characters selected by the input determination unit 24 in the message panel M as a character string arranged in the order of their input determination. As shown in FIG. 1, the character string input and determined by the input determination unit 24 is displayed horizontally in the message panel M, for example, centered. Note that the displayed character string is not limited to centered, and may be left-justified or right-justified, etc. Furthermore, the input and determined character may be displayed in the center of the message panel M. In the message panel M, the character string may be displayed in a single horizontal line, and when the number of selected characters reaches or exceeds a predetermined value, a line break may be started or the character size may be reduced.

In the eye-gaze input device 100 of the first embodiment, in order to allow the user to easily input characters even when his/her eye gaze is unstable, the input determination unit 24 is configured to measure and hold the gaze time for each of the multiple characters while the gaze point G is fluctuating (or moving) between the multiple character panels P, and to determine the input of the one character whose gaze time reaches the threshold value earliest. That is, each time the gaze point G enters the character panel P, the input determination unit 24 adds the gaze time for that character. Then, when the cumulative total gaze time for one character among the multiple characters for which the gaze time is being measured reaches the threshold value, the input of that character is determined.

Specifically, the input determination unit 24 is configured to count up the gaze time while the gaze point G remains within the character panel P, and to count down the measured gaze time while the gaze point G is outside the character panel P. Here, the speed at which the gaze time is counted down is configured to be slower (specifically, about 1/3) than the speed at which the gaze time is counted up.

While the gaze time is being measured for the multiple characters, a progress indicator I is displayed in each character panel P corresponding to the multiple characters. That is, while the gaze is wandering between the multiple character panels P, multiple progress indicators I are displayed on the dial B. In this embodiment, the display mode of the progress indicator I that is counting up the gaze time and the progress indicator I that is counting down the gaze time are made different from each other. Here, the colors and thicknesses of the bars of the displayed progress circles are made different from each other. Note that, because the gaze point G is outside the character panel P, the progress indicator I is made invisible when the gaze time is counted down to 0.

Then, when the input decision unit 24 decides to input a character whose measured gaze time has reached a threshold value, it resets the gaze time (sets the gaze time to 0) for all characters for which gaze time is being measured (including the character whose input has been decided). In this case, one or more progress indicators I that were displayed are simultaneously made invisible.

<Operation of the eye-gaze input device according to the first embodiment>
Next, the operation of the eye-gaze input device 100 of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Here, a character board B on which hiragana characters are arranged is fixedly displayed on the screen 31. The user selects and inputs the character "ki" from the character board B by using his/her line of sight.

First, when the user directs his/her gaze onto the dial B, the gaze detection means 1 detects the user's gaze, and the gaze point estimation unit 21 estimates the position of the user's gaze point G on the screen 31 (step S11).

When the user directs his/her gaze to the character "ki" and the gaze point G enters the character panel P of "ki", measurement of the gaze time on the character "ki" begins (step S12). While the gaze point G is within the character panel P, the gaze time on the character "ki" is counted up, and accordingly, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the progress circle I in the character panel P continues to grow (steps S13, S14).

In this state, as shown in FIG. 4(b), when the gaze point G moves away from the character panel P of "ki" and moves to the adjacent character panel P of "i", the gaze time for the character "ki" is counted down, and at the same time, measurement of the gaze time for the character "i" starts (step S15). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4(c), when the gaze point G moves away from the character panel P of "i" and moves to the adjacent character panel P of "u", the gaze time for the characters "ki" and "i" is counted down, and at the same time, measurement of the gaze time for the character "u" starts.

After that, as shown in FIG. 4(d), when the gaze point G returns to the character panel P of "ki", the gaze time on the character "ki" is counted up again (steps S13, S14). Then, when the gaze time on the character "ki" reaches a predetermined threshold (e.g., 1 second), the input of the character "ki" is confirmed, and the character "ki" is displayed on the message panel M (steps S16, S17). When the input of the character is confirmed, the measured gaze time is reset for all characters, and the progress circles I displayed on the character panels P of "i", "u", and "ki" are hidden (step S18), as shown in FIG. 4(e).

<Effects of the eye-gaze input device according to the first embodiment>
According to the eye-gaze input device 100 of the present embodiment configured as described above, while the gaze point G is moving among the multiple character panels P, the gaze time for each character is measured and stored, and the character for which the gaze time reaches the threshold value the earliest is determined as input, so that even if the position of the gaze point G is not determined, the gaze time for one character to which the user is consciously directing his/her gaze is gradually accumulated, and the input of this character can be determined. This allows the user to easily input characters even in a situation where it is difficult to determine the gaze point G on the character to be input, such as when selecting a character on the edge of the screen 31 or when the user has a symptom of nystagmus.

Second Embodiment
Next, a gaze input device 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described, focusing on differences from the first embodiment. Description of configurations common to the gaze input device 100 of the first embodiment will be omitted.

The eye-gaze input device 100 of the second embodiment differs from the eye-gaze input device 100 of the first embodiment in that the character board B moves in response to the user's gaze. Specifically, in the eye-gaze input device 100 of the second embodiment, the user can move the character board B within the screen 31 by moving his/her gaze, and can input the desired character by aligning the desired character with a selection position S set at a predetermined position within the screen 31. Note that in this embodiment, the coordinates of the selection position S are set to be the same as the center coordinates of the screen 31.

The dial display control unit 23 in this embodiment moves the dial B within the screen 31 based on the gaze point data acquired from the gaze point estimation unit 21. Specifically, the dial display control unit 23 moves the dial 311 so that the character closest to the gaze point G faces the selection position S. More specifically, the dial B is moved so that the center position of the character panel P on which the gaze point G is located faces the selection position S. Then, when the center of the character panel P on which the gaze point G is located coincides with the selection position S, the movement of the dial B is stopped.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6(a), when the user directs his/her gaze to the character "tsu", the character board B moves so that the center of the character panel P of "tsu" faces the selection position S. Then, when the user continues to gaze at the character "tsu" and the center position of the character panel P of "tsu" coincides with the selection position S as shown in FIG. 6(b), the movement of the character board B stops.

Then, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the input determination unit 24 determines to input the character located at the selection position S. Specifically, when the gaze point G is on the character located at the selection position S (specifically, within the character panel P), the input determination unit 24 measures the gaze time, which is the duration of the gaze, and when the gaze time reaches a threshold value (e.g., 1 second), determines to input the character located at the selection position S.

In the second embodiment of the eye-gaze input device 100, in order to allow the user to easily input characters even when the user's gaze is unstable, the input determination unit 24 is configured to hold the measured gaze time without resetting it if the gaze point G moves away from the character panel P on the selection position S while measuring the gaze time.

Specifically, when the gaze point G moves away from the character panel P on the selection position S and onto another character panel P during measurement of the gaze time, the input determination unit 24 temporarily stops counting up the gaze time. Then, when the gaze point G returns to the character panel P on the selection position S, the input determination unit 24 resumes counting up the gaze time that was paused.

The dial display control unit 23 is configured to keep the dial B in place without moving it while measuring the gaze time on the character at the selection position S, even if the gaze point G moves away from the character panel P, as long as the distance between the gaze point G and the selection position S is equal to or less than a predetermined value. This predetermined value is preferably, for example, about the length of one character panel P.

Then, when the distance between the gaze point G and the selection position S exceeds a predetermined value, the dial display control unit 23 moves the dial B so that the character closest to the gaze point G faces the selection position S. Even when the dial B is being moved, the input determination unit 24 is configured to hold the measured gaze time without resetting it. That is, in this embodiment, if the line of sight shifts significantly while measuring the gaze time, the dial B is configured to move while maintaining the measured gaze time.

Then, when a character other than the character for which the gaze time is being measured is in the selected position S and the gaze point G remains on the other character (within the character panel P) for a predetermined period of time or more, the input determination unit 24 resets the gaze time being measured and starts measuring the gaze time on the other character.

<Operation of the eye-gaze input device according to the second embodiment>
Next, the operation of the eye-gaze input device 100 of the second embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Here, a movable character board B on which hiragana characters are arranged is displayed on the screen 31. The user selects and inputs the character "ki" from the character board B by gazing at the screen.

When the user first directs his/her gaze onto the dial B, the gaze detection means 1 detects the user's gaze, and the gaze point estimation unit 21 estimates the position of the user's gaze point G on the screen 31 (step S21). When the user directs his/her gaze to the character "ki" and the gaze point G enters the character panel P of "ki", the dial B moves so that the character panel P of "ki" faces the selection position S (step S22).

When the character panel P of "ki" is in the selection position S and the user continues to gaze at the character "ki", measurement of the gaze time on the character "ki" begins (step S23). While the gaze point G is within the character panel P, the gaze time on the character "ki" is counted up, and accordingly, the progress circle I within the character panel P extends, as shown in FIG. 7(a) (steps S24, S25).

As shown in FIG. 7(b), when the gaze point G moves away from the character panel P of "ki", the counting of the gaze time on the character "ki" is temporarily stopped (step S26). If the distance between the gaze point G and the selection position S is within a predetermined value (here, the distance from the selection position S to the center of the adjacent character panel P), the character board B is fixed in that position without moving (step S27). On the other hand, if the distance between the gaze point G and the selection position S exceeds the predetermined value, the character board B moves from the gaze point G toward the selection position S while maintaining the gaze time measured on the character "ki" as shown in FIG. 7(c) (step S22).

When the gaze point G returns to the character panel P of "ki", as shown in FIG. 7(d), the character panel P of "ki" moves to the selection position S, and the counting of the gaze time for the character "ki" is resumed (steps S24, S25). Then, as shown in FIG. 7(e), when the gaze time for the character "ki" reaches a predetermined threshold (e.g., 1 second), the input of the character "ki" is confirmed and the character "ki" is displayed on the message panel M (steps S28, S29). When the input of the character is confirmed, the measured gaze time is reset and the progress circle I displayed on the character panel P of "ki" becomes invisible (step S30).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7(f), when the character panel P of "I" moves completely to the selected position S and the gaze point G stays within the character panel P of "I" in this state, the gaze time measured for the character "Ki" is reset and measurement of the gaze time for the character "I" starts (steps S24, S25). At this time, the progress circle I displayed on the character panel P of "Ki" becomes invisible, and the progress circle I is displayed within the character panel P of "I". Then, as shown in FIG. 7(g), when the gaze time for the character "I" reaches a predetermined threshold, the input of the character "I" is decided and the character "I" is displayed on the message panel M (steps S28, S29). When the input of the character is decided, the measured gaze time is reset and the progress circle I displayed on the character panel P of "I" becomes invisible (step S30).

<Effects of the eye-gaze input device according to the second embodiment>
According to the eye-gaze input device 100 of this embodiment configured as described above, in a type in which a character dial B is moved on the screen 31, even if the gaze point G moves away from the character panel P on the selection position S while measuring the gaze time, the measured gaze time is maintained without being reset, so that the user can easily input characters even in a situation where it is difficult to determine the gaze point G on the character to be input.

<Other Modified Embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the input determination unit 24 is configured to count down the gaze time when the gaze point G moves away from the character panel P after starting to measure the gaze time, but this is not limited to the above. In other embodiments, the input determination unit 24 may be configured to fix the gaze time without counting down while the gaze point G moves away from the character panel P, and to resume counting up when the gaze point G returns.

In the first embodiment, the gaze time countdown speed is set to be slower than the gaze time countup speed, but this is not limited to the above. The gaze time countdown speed and the countup speed may be set to be approximately the same, or the gaze time countdown speed may be set to be faster than the countup speed.

In the second embodiment, the gaze time being measured is held while the dial B is moving, but this is not limited to the above. In other embodiments, the held gaze time may be reset in accordance with the movement of the dial B.

In each of the above embodiments, the characters are displayed on the dial B in a matrix shape with equal spacing between each other, but this is not limited to the above. For example, multiple characters may be displayed in a radial arrangement or in a line.

In the above embodiments, the gaze detection means 1 is of an attached type, but is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the gaze detection means 1 may be integrated with the display 3 or the computer main body 2, or may be a wearable type that is attached to the user's body. It may also be attached to any location, such as the top of the display 3.

In each of the above embodiments, the computer main body 2 realizes each function of the gaze point estimation unit 21, etc., based on a program stored in the memory 202, but is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the computer main body 2 may access a cloud via a network such as the Internet, and realize each function of the gaze point estimation unit 21, etc., based on a program stored on the cloud by the CPU 201 and its peripheral devices working together.

In each of the above embodiments, the computer main body 2 and the display 3 are integrally provided in the notebook computer, but this is not limited to the above. In other embodiments, they may be separate. The display 3 may also be composed of a projector and a projection screen. Furthermore, the device is not limited to a notebook computer, and may be a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet, or a wearable device such as a head-mounted display.

In addition, the eye-gaze input device 100 of other embodiments may be used not only to assist people who have difficulty moving their limbs or mouths in communicating their intentions, but also to assist able-bodied people in inputting text using their gaze.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

100: Eye-gaze input device 21: Gaze point estimation unit 24: Input determination unit 31: Screen B: Dial G: Gaze point

Claims (7)

A gaze input device that allows a user to select and input a plurality of characters arranged on a virtual dial displayed on a screen by using the user's gaze,
a gaze point estimation unit that estimates a position of the gaze point of the user on the screen;
an input determination unit that determines an input of the character based on the estimated position of the gaze point,
the input determination unit measures and holds a gaze time, which is a time during which the gaze point stays on each of the plurality of characters while the gaze point is wandering between the plurality of characters, and determines an input of one of the characters whose gaze time reaches a threshold value earliest;
The input determination unit counts up the gaze time on the character while the gaze point is staying on the character, and counts down the gaze time on the character while the gaze point is off the character depending on the time the gaze point is off the character . The eye gaze input device according to claim 1, wherein the speed at which the gaze time is counted down is slower than the speed at which the gaze time is counted up. 3. The eye-gaze input device according to claim 1, wherein the input determination unit resets the gaze time measured for each of the plurality of characters when the input of the character is determined. The characters are displayed in a plurality of sections that are set adjacent to each other on the dial,
4. The eye-gaze input device according to claim 1 , wherein the input determination unit measures a gaze time on the character displayed in a section when the gaze point is located within the section. 5. The eye-gaze input device according to claim 1, further comprising: a progress indicator for indicating a remaining gaze time required until input is determined, on each of the plurality of characters for which measurement of the gaze time has started. The eye-gaze input device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the dial is displayed so as to be entirely contained within the screen. A program for an eye-gaze input device that allows a user to select and input a plurality of characters arranged on a virtual character board displayed on a screen by using the user's gaze,
A function as a gaze point estimation unit that estimates a position of the gaze point of the user on the screen;
and causing the computer to function as an input determination unit that determines an input of the character based on the estimated position of the gaze point.
the input determination unit measures and holds a gaze time, which is a time during which the gaze point stays on each of the plurality of characters while the gaze point is wandering between the plurality of characters, and determines an input of one of the characters whose gaze time reaches a threshold value earliest;
A program for an eye-gaze input device, in which the input determination unit counts up the gaze time on the character while the gaze point is staying on the character, and counts down the gaze time on the character that is not on the character while the gaze point is off the character depending on the time the gaze point is off the character .