US6282553B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gaze-based secure keypad entry system
Assignee: Tobii AB
•
Filing: 1998-11-04
•
Granted: 2001-08-28
•
Expires: 2018-11-04
Abstract
Abstract A system for secure data entry, includes a virtual keypad having a plurality of keys, a mechanism for determining to which virtual key of the keypad a user is looking, and an actuator, operable by the user, for confirming key selection. Another system for secure data entry, includes a virtual keypad having a plurality of keys, an eye tracker for tracking eye movement of a user, and for receiving a coded input from an eye movement of the user gazing upon at least a selected one of the keys of the virtual keypad, and an actuator for being selectively actuated by the user upon confirmation of the coded input by the user.
Inventors
- 👤 Myron Dale Flickner
- 👤 Qi Lu
- 👤 Carlos Hitoshi Morimoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:34
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/011; G06F3/013; G07; G07F; G07F19/00; G07F19/20; G07F19/201; G07F19/205; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/10; H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/23; H04M1/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
62 words
A system for secure data entry, comprising: a virtual keypad having a plurality of keys; means for detecting a gaze of a user directed to a virtual key of said keypad; and an actuator, operable by the user and obscured from a non-user observer, for confirming a virtual key selection, wherein said gaze of a user is obscured from a non-user observer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
62 words
A system for secure data entry, comprising: a virtual keypad having a plurality of keys; means for detecting a gaze of a user directed to a virtual key of said keypad; and an actuator, operable by the user and obscured from a non-user observer, for confirming a virtual key selection, wherein said gaze of a user is obscured from a non-user observer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a display for displaying said virtual keypad and a key selected by said user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system according to claim 2 , wherein said means for detecting comprises an optical gaze-tracking mechanism.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
90 words
A system for secure data entry, comprising: a virtual keypad including a plurality of keys; an eye tracker for tracking eye movement of a user, and for computing a coded input from an eye movement of said user gazing upon at least a selected one of said keys of said virtual keypad; and an actuator which is obscured from a non-user observer, for being selectively actuated by said user upon confirmation of said coded input by said user, wherein said gaze of a user is obscured from a non-user observer.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
90 words
A system for secure data entry, comprising: a virtual keypad including a plurality of keys; an eye tracker for tracking eye movement of a user, and for computing a coded input from an eye movement of said user gazing upon at least a selected one of said keys of said virtual keypad; and an actuator which is obscured from a non-user observer, for being selectively actuated by said user upon confirmation of said coded input by said user, wherein said gaze of a user is obscured from a non-user observer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system according to claim 4 , further comprising: a display for displaying said virtual keypad and said coded input for confirmation by said user.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system according to claim 5 , further comprising: a blocking structure mounted over said display for receiving an eye of said user, and for blocking a view of said non-user observer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system according to claim 5 , wherein said selected one of said keys is highlighted upon actuation of said actuator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system according to claim 4 , wherein said eye tracker comprises a camera system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 4 , wherein said selected one of said keys is highlighted based on said user gazing upon said selected one of said keys.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system according to claim 4 , further comprising a lip for obscuring said actuator from said non-user observer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system according to claim 4 , further comprising means for actuating said actuator by an auditory command.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system according to claim 4 , further comprising means for providing visual feedback to said user as to which key of said virtual keypad will be selected, such that the user confirms the number visually before actuating said actuator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
89 words
A computer-implemented method for eye gaze-assisted number generating, comprising: operating a gaze tracking apparatus to monitor eye orientation of a computer operator as the operator views a virtual keypad having a plurality of keys thereon; according to the operator's eye orientation, determining the key of the virtual keypad being gazed at by the operator; and highlighting said key on said virtual keypad for confirmation by said operator, wherein said highlighting is obscured from a non-user observer, and wherein a gaze of said operator is obscured from a non-user observer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
89 words
A computer-implemented method for eye gaze-assisted number generating, comprising: operating a gaze tracking apparatus to monitor eye orientation of a computer operator as the operator views a virtual keypad having a plurality of keys thereon; according to the operator's eye orientation, determining the key of the virtual keypad being gazed at by the operator; and highlighting said key on said virtual keypad for confirmation by said operator, wherein said highlighting is obscured from a non-user observer, and wherein a gaze of said operator is obscured from a non-user observer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method according to claim 13 , further comprising: displaying said virtual keypad and said coded input for confirmation by said user; and computing a measured gaze position of the operator upon the virtual keypad according to the monitored eye orientation, and concurrently monitoring an operator input device for activation by the operator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method according to claim 14 , wherein said operator input device comprises one of a mouse and a keyboard.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 14 , further comprising: providing visual feedback to said user as to which key of said virtual keypad will be selected, such that the user confirms the number visually before actuating said operator input device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 13 , wherein said key is confirmed by said user by an auditory command.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of providing secure data entry, comprising the steps of: providing a virtual keypad having a plurality of keys; determining which visual key of said keypad a user is looking upon; and confirming, by said user, key selection, wherein said confirming is obscured from a non-user observer, and wherein a gaze of said user is obscured from said non-user observer.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
61 words
A method of providing secure data entry, comprising the steps of: providing a virtual keypad having a plurality of keys; determining which visual key of said keypad a user is looking upon; and confirming, by said user, key selection, wherein said confirming is obscured from a non-user observer, and wherein a gaze of said user is obscured from said non-user observer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method according to claim 18 , further comprising displaying said virtual keypad.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
103 words
A signal-bearing medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform a method for computer-implemented eye gaze assisted number generating, said method comprising: operating a gaze tracking apparatus to monitor eye orientation of a computer operator as the operator views a virtual keypad a plurality of keys thereon; according to the operator's eye orientation, determining a key of the display being gazed at by the operator; and highlighting said key on said virtual keypad, wherein said highlighting is obscured from a non-user observer, and wherein a gaze of said operator is obscured from a non-user observer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
103 words
A signal-bearing medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform a method for computer-implemented eye gaze assisted number generating, said method comprising: operating a gaze tracking apparatus to monitor eye orientation of a computer operator as the operator views a virtual keypad a plurality of keys thereon; according to the operator's eye orientation, determining a key of the display being gazed at by the operator; and highlighting said key on said virtual keypad, wherein said highlighting is obscured from a non-user observer, and wherein a gaze of said operator is obscured from a non-user observer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
51 words
The signal-bearing medium according to claim 20 , said program further comprising: displaying said virtual key pad on a display; and computing a measured gaze position of the operator upon the virtual keypad according to the monitored eye orientation, and concurrently monitoring an operator input device for activation by the operator.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
92 words
A computer-driven eye gaze assisted number displaying system, comprising: a gaze-tracking apparatus for monitoring eye orientation of an operator as the operator views a virtual keypad having a plurality of keys; and a computer, responsive to the monitored eye orientation, for computing a selected key of said plurality of keys according to the monitored eye orientation, and for providing an output to highlight said selected key on said virtual keypad, wherein said highlight is obscured from a non-user observer, and wherein a gaze of said operator is obscured from a non-user observer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
92 words
A computer-driven eye gaze assisted number displaying system, comprising: a gaze-tracking apparatus for monitoring eye orientation of an operator as the operator views a virtual keypad having a plurality of keys; and a computer, responsive to the monitored eye orientation, for computing a selected key of said plurality of keys according to the monitored eye orientation, and for providing an output to highlight said selected key on said virtual keypad, wherein said highlight is obscured from a non-user observer, and wherein a gaze of said operator is obscured from a non-user observer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system according to claim 22 , further comprising: an operator input device, responsive to mechanical activation by the operator while viewing said virtual keypad, wherein said computer is further responsive to detection of activation of the operator input device while said user is gazing upon said selected key to highlight said selected key.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5864544A
Cited
US5689619A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-08-27 | 2005-02-26 | 2005-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-27 | 2009-02-26 | 2009-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-27 | 2013-02-26 | 2013-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |