JP7727978B2 - 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 using their line of sight, and a program for such an eye-gaze input device.

In recent years, eye-gaze input devices have been developed as a tool to assist communication in patients who are unable to move their arms, legs, or mouths adequately due to severe paralysis, etc. By displaying a virtual dial on a screen, patients can 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 the desired letter by gazing at the screen. 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 count the time the gaze point remains on a letter (gaze time). When this gaze time reaches a predetermined threshold, the input of that letter is confirmed, and that letter is displayed in a separate window on the screen. By creating a message by inputting letters one after another with their gaze, users can communicate their intentions to others.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-195323

However, conventional eye-gaze input devices are configured so that if the gaze point moves away from a character while measuring gaze time, it is determined that the character will not be selected and the gaze time measured up to that point is reset (set to zero). For example, when selecting a character near the edge of the screen where the gaze point moves significantly in relation to the rotation angle of the eyeball and where it is difficult to fix the gaze point, the gaze time is frequently reset as the gaze point moves away from the character, making it difficult to decide to input the character. Another problem is that if a user has severe nystagmus, 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 users to easily input characters even when their line of sight is unsteady.

In other words, one aspect of the present invention is a gaze input device that allows a user to select and input multiple characters arranged on a virtual character board displayed on a screen using their 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 character to input based on the estimated position of the gaze point, and is characterized in that the input determination unit individually measures and stores the gaze time, which is the time the gaze point remains on each of the multiple characters, while the gaze point fluctuates between the multiple characters, and determines to input the single character whose gaze time reaches a threshold earliest.

In this way, while the gaze point fluctuates between multiple characters, the gaze time for each character is measured and retained, and the character for which the gaze time reaches a threshold value first is decided to be input. Therefore, even if the gaze point does not settle on a single character, the gaze time for a single character that the user is consciously directing their gaze at accumulates, and this character can be decided to be input. This allows the user to easily input characters even in situations where it is difficult to settle the gaze point on the character they want to 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 is staying on the character, and to count down the gaze time while the gaze point is away from the character.
In this way, the gaze time is counted down while the gaze point is off the character, so it is possible to increase the difference between the gaze time on the character that the user is intentionally directing their gaze and the gaze time on the character that the user is unintentionally directing their gaze, which makes it easier to avoid erroneously inputting unintended characters.

Furthermore, to allow the user to quickly decide to input 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.

Furthermore, to prevent unintentional input of another character after input of a character has been confirmed, it is preferable that the input confirmation unit resets the gaze time measured for each of the plurality of characters when input of the character has been confirmed.

Another example of a mode in which the effects of the present invention are most pronounced is one in which the characters are displayed individually within a plurality of sections 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 that 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 gaze time has started.
This allows the user to more easily focus their gaze 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.
In other words, when the entire character dial is displayed on the screen, the size of each character must be reduced, which makes it easier for the user to move their gaze away from the character they want 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 their gaze towards accumulates the fastest, so they can decide to input that 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 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 the gaze time, which is the time the gaze point stays 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.
With this type of eye-gaze input device, in which the dial moves according to the line of sight, 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 a situation 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 keep the dial without moving if the distance between the gaze point and the selected position is less than a predetermined value.
In this way, even if the point of gaze moves away from the character at the selected position, the dial will not move within a certain range, making it easier to return the point of gaze to the character for which gaze time is being measured. This makes it easier for users to input characters even in situations where it is difficult to determine the point of gaze.

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

Furthermore, when a character other than the character for which gaze time is being measured is in the selected position and the gaze point remains on the other character for a predetermined period of time or longer, 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 will not be reset unless the user consciously gazes at another character, allowing the user to input characters more easily even in situations where it is difficult to determine the gaze point.

This invention provides an eye-gaze input device that allows users to easily input characters even when their line of sight is unsteady.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the overall configuration of a gaze input device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the device configuration of a gaze input device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing the device configuration of a gaze input device according to a first embodiment. 3A to 3C are screen display diagrams illustrating the operation of the eye-gaze input device according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the eye-gaze input device according to the first embodiment. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating screen display of the operation of the eye-gaze input device according to the second embodiment. 10A to 10C are diagrams illustrating screen display of 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.

Embodiments of the eye-gaze input device of the present invention will be described below 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 allows 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 line of sight.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, this eye-gaze input device 100 comprises an eye-gaze detection means 1 that detects the user's gaze, and a notebook computer C that integrally comprises a computer main body 2 and a display 3. The screen 31 of the display 3 displays a virtual character board (hereinafter simply referred to as the character board) B on which multiple characters such as hiragana are arranged, and a message panel M on which input characters are displayed. By continuing to gaze at the character that the user wishes to input on the character board B, the user can confirm the character input and display it on the message panel M. By inputting multiple characters in this way, a message can be displayed on the message panel M, allowing the user to communicate their 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 an image of 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, etc., and outputs the data as gaze data. Note that the gaze detection means 1 in this embodiment is of the 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, as shown in Figure 2, the computer main body 2 comprises a CPU 201, memory 202, input/output interface 203, etc. The computer main body 2 is configured to perform at least the functions of a gaze point estimation unit 21, character data storage unit 22, dial display control unit 23, input determination unit 24, and 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. It then outputs gaze point data indicating the position of the estimated gaze point G to the input determination unit 24 and the dial display control unit 23. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, a pointer is displayed at the position of the estimated gaze point G.

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 references the character data storage unit 22 to create dial data representing a dial B on which multiple characters are arranged, and outputs this to the input determination unit 24 and the display 3. This dial data includes information regarding 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, multiple characters (here, clear hiragana characters) are arranged at equal intervals in a vertical and horizontal matrix. More specifically, on the dial B, multiple square character panels (corresponding to "sections" in the claims) P are displayed at equal intervals in a vertical and horizontal matrix, with one character (hiragana character) displayed on each character panel P. Adjacent character panels P are displayed side by side with no gaps between them. Each character is displayed so that its center (center of gravity) coincides with the center of the corresponding character panel P. In this embodiment, the outer border 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 remains on the character. Then, when this measured gaze time reaches a predetermined threshold (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 indicating the remaining gaze time (also referred to as the remaining gaze time) required until the input is determined is displayed on the character (specifically, on the character panel P) during the measurement. 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, with a bar that extends clockwise as the gaze time increases, as shown in Figure 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 string of characters arranged in the order in which they were determined. As shown in FIG. 1, the character string 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 alignment, and may be left-justified, right-justified, or the like. The determined character may also 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, or if the number of selected characters exceeds a predetermined value, a line break may be started or the characters may be displayed in a smaller size.

In the eye-gaze input device 100 of the first embodiment, to enable the user to easily input characters even when their gaze is unstable, the input determination unit 24 is configured to measure and retain 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 single character whose gaze time reaches the threshold value first. In other words, each time the gaze point G enters a character panel P, the input determination unit 24 adds up the gaze time for that character. Then, when the cumulative total of the gaze times for one character among the multiple characters for which gaze times are 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, approximately 1/3) than the speed at which the gaze time is counted up.

While the gaze time is being measured for multiple characters, a progress indicator I is displayed within each character panel P corresponding to those multiple characters. In other words, while the gaze is wandering between 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 counting up the gaze time and the progress indicator I counting down the gaze time are made different. Here, the displayed progress circle bars are made different in color and thickness. Note that because the gaze point G is outside the character panel P, the progress indicator I is hidden when the gaze time is counted down to 0.

The input decision unit 24 is configured to reset (set to 0) the gaze time for all characters for which it is measuring gaze time (including the character for which it has decided to input) when it decides to input a character whose measured gaze time has reached a threshold. In this case, one or more progress indicators I that were displayed are simultaneously hidden.

<Operation of the eye-gaze input device of the first embodiment>
Next, the operation of the eye-gaze input device 100 of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figs. 4 and 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 guiding their gaze.

First, when the user directs their 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 their gaze toward 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 Figure 4(a), the progress circle I within the character panel P continues to grow (steps S13 and S14).

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

After that, as shown in FIG. 4(d), when the gaze point G returns to the character panel P for "ki," the gaze time for the character "ki" is counted up again (steps S13, S14). Then, 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 S16, S17). Once the character input is confirmed, the measured gaze time for all characters is reset, and the progress circle I displayed on the character panels P for "i," "u," and "ki" is hidden (step S18), as shown in FIG. 4(e).

<Effects of the eye-gaze input device of the first embodiment>
According to the eye-gaze input device 100 of this embodiment configured as described above, while the gaze point G moves 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 a threshold value first is determined as input. Therefore, even if the position of the gaze point G is not fixed, the gaze time for a single character that the user is consciously directing their gaze at accumulates, and the input of this character can be determined. This allows the user to easily input characters even in situations where it is difficult to determine the gaze point G on the character they want to input, such as when selecting a character near the edge of the screen 31 or when the user has symptoms of nystagmus.

Second Embodiment
Next, the eye-gaze input device 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. Description of the configuration common to the eye-gaze input device 100 according to 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 accordance with the user's line of sight. Specifically, with the eye-gaze input device 100 of the second embodiment, the user can move the character board B within the screen 31 by moving their line of sight, and can confirm the input of 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.

In this embodiment, the dial display control unit 23 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 where the gaze point G is located faces the selection position S. Then, when the center of the character panel P where 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 Figure 6(a), when the user directs their gaze at the character "tsu", the character board B moves so that the center of the character panel P for "tsu" faces the selected position S. Then, if the user continues to gaze at the character "tsu", and the center position of the character panel P for "tsu" coincides with the selected position S, as shown in Figure 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 (for example, 1 second), determines to input the character located at the selection position S.

In the eye-gaze input device 100 of the second embodiment, in order to enable the user to easily input characters even when their gaze is unstable, the input determination unit 24 is configured to retain 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 while measuring the gaze time, the input determination unit 24 temporarily suspends the counting up of 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 the paused counting up of the gaze time.

Here, the dial display control unit 23 is configured to keep the dial B stationary without moving it, even if the gaze point G moves away from the character panel P while measuring the gaze time on the character at the selection position S, 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 while the dial B is being moved, the input determination unit 24 is configured to maintain the measured gaze time without resetting it. In other words, 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 that 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 that 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 Figs. 7 and 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 guiding their gaze.

First, when the user directs their 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 their gaze towards the character "ki" and the gaze point G enters the character panel P for "ki," the dial B moves so that the character panel P for "ki" faces the selection position S (step S22).

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

As shown in Figure 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 remains 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 Figure 7(c) (step S22).

When the gaze point G returns to the character panel P for "ki," as shown in FIG. 7(d), the character panel P for "ki" moves to the selection position S, and counting up the gaze time for the character "ki" resumes (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 character input is confirmed, the measured gaze time is reset, and the progress circle I displayed on the character panel P for "ki" is hidden (step S30).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7(f), when the character panel P for "i" moves completely to the selected position S and the gaze point G remains within the character panel P for "i" in this state, the gaze time measured for the character "ki" is reset, and measurement of the gaze time for the character "i" begins (steps S24, S25). At this time, the progress circle I displayed on the character panel P for "ki" becomes hidden, and the progress circle I is displayed within the character panel P for "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 confirmed, and the character "i" is displayed on the message panel M (steps S28, S29). When the character input is confirmed, the measured gaze time is reset, and the progress circle I displayed on the character panel P for "i" becomes hidden (step S30).

<Effects of the eye-gaze input device of the second embodiment>
According to the eye-gaze input device 100 of this embodiment configured as described above, in the type in which the 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 situations where it is difficult to determine the gaze point G on the character they want to input.

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

In the first embodiment, the input determination unit 24 was 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 this. In other embodiments, the input determination unit 24 may be configured to keep the gaze time fixed 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 was set to be slower than the gaze time countup speed, but this is not limited to this. 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 maintained while dial B is moving, but this is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the maintained gaze time may be reset in accordance with the movement of dial B.

In the above embodiments, the characters are displayed on the dial B in a matrix pattern with equal spacing between them, but this is not limited to this. For example, multiple characters may be arranged radially or in a single line.

In the above embodiments, the gaze detection means 1 was of an attached type, but this 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 the above embodiments, the computer main body 2 realizes the functions of the gaze point estimation unit 21, etc. based on a program stored in the memory 202, but this 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 the functions of the gaze point estimation unit 21, etc. by the CPU 201 and its peripheral devices working together based on a program stored on the cloud.

In each of the above embodiments, the computer main body 2 and the display 3 are integrally provided in a laptop computer, but this is not limited to this. In other embodiments, they may be separate. The display 3 may also be composed of a projector and projection screen. Furthermore, the device is not limited to a laptop computer; it may also 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 in 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 entering 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 (5)

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 the position of the gaze point of the user 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;
an input determination unit that measures a gaze time, which is a time during which the gaze point stays on the character at the selected position, and determines to input one character at the selected position when the gaze time reaches a threshold value;
The eye-gaze input device, wherein the input determination unit holds the measured gaze time without resetting it when the gaze point moves away from the character during measurement of the gaze time. The eye-gaze input device of claim 1, wherein the dial display control unit keeps the dial stationary without moving if the gaze point moves onto another character while measuring the gaze time and the distance between the gaze point and the selected position is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The eye-gaze input device of claim 2, wherein if the distance between the gaze point and the selected position exceeds the predetermined value while measuring the gaze time, the dial is moved while maintaining the measured gaze time. The eye-gaze input device of any one of claims 1 to 3 resets the gaze time being measured and starts measuring the gaze time on a character other than the character for which gaze time is being measured, when the gaze point remains on the other character for a predetermined period of time or longer while the other character is in the selected position. A program for an eye-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 function as a gaze point estimation unit that estimates the position of the gaze point of the user on the screen;
a function as 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;
a gaze time, which is the time that the gaze point stays on the character at the selected position, is measured, and when the gaze time reaches a threshold, the computer is caused to perform a function as an input determination unit that determines the input of one character at the selected position;
A program for an eye-gaze input device, wherein the input determination unit holds the measured gaze time without resetting it if the gaze point moves away from the character while measuring the gaze time.