US6873714B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Auto calibration and personalization of eye tracking system using larger field of view imager with higher resolution
Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Ltd
•
Filing: 2002-02-19
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Granted: 2005-03-29
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Expires: 2022-02-19
Abstract
Abstract In preferred embodiments, apparatus for and method of eye tracking, including, in sequence, the steps of: viewing an entire face of a person to obtain predetermined facial features of the person to identify or not the said person; if the person is identified, retrieving a previously stored ocular profile of the person based on said predetermined facial features; using said ocular profile to track movement of an eye of said person. If the person is not identified, an ocular profile is created.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald J. Witt
- 👤 Gregory K. Scharenbroch
- 👤 Jianhua Li
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 09:54
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06V; G06V40/00; G06V40/10; G06V40/18; G06V40/19; A; A61; A61B; A61B3/00; A61B3/10; A61B3/113; G06V30/00; G06V30/10; G06V30/24; G06V30/242; G06V30/244; G06V40/16; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/30; G07C9/32; G07C9/37; G08; G08B; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of eye tracking, comprising, in sequence, the steps of: (a) viewing an entire face of a person to obtain predetermined facial features of said person to identify or not said person; (b) if said person is identified, retrieving a previously stored ocular profile of said person based on said predetermined facial features; (c) using said ocular profile to track movement of an eye of said person.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of eye tracking, comprising, in sequence, the steps of: (a) viewing an entire face of a person to obtain predetermined facial features of said person to identify or not said person; (b) if said person is identified, retrieving a previously stored ocular profile of said person based on said predetermined facial features; (c) using said ocular profile to track movement of an eye of said person.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of eye tracking, as defined in claim 1 , wherein: said steps are performed automatically.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of eye tracking, as defined in claim 1 , wherein said step of using said ocular profile views said entire face of said person.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method of eye tracking, as defined in claim 1 , wherein: if said person is not recognized, such information is used to restrict how a vehicle is to be operated and/or to restrict access to certain areas of a vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method of eye tracking, as defined in claim 1 , wherein: following step (a), if said person is not recognized, viewing only an eye of said person to create an ocular profile of said eye and using said ocular profile in step (c).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of eye tracking, as defined in claim 1 , wherein: steps (a) and (c) are performed using SXGA resolution in a eye tracking system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of eye tracking, as defined in claim 5 , wherein said step of creating an ocular profile uses SXGA resolution in an eye tracking system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of eye tracking, as defined in claim 1 , wherein said step of using said ocular profile includes illuminating said eye with infrared radiation and using reflection of said infrared radiation for eye tracking.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of eye tracking, as defined in claim 1 , wherein: if eye contact is lost, viewing said entire face of said person to determine the location of said eye.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for eye tracking, comprising: (a) an optical receiver to view an entire face of a person to obtain predetermined facial features and to produce a signal representative of said facial features; (b) infrared illumination to cause a reflection from an eye of said person; and (c) a controller to receive said signal and, if said person is recognized from said facial features, to retrieve a stored ocular profile of said reflection and to use said ocular profile for eye tracking while viewing said entire face of said person.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for eye tracking, comprising: (a) an optical receiver to view an entire face of a person to obtain predetermined facial features and to produce a signal representative of said facial features; (b) infrared illumination to cause a reflection from an eye of said person; and (c) a controller to receive said signal and, if said person is recognized from said facial features, to retrieve a stored ocular profile of said reflection and to use said ocular profile for eye tracking while viewing said entire face of said person.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus for eye tracking, as defined in claim 10 , wherein: if said person is not recognized, said controller causes said optical receiver to view only said eye of said person and uses such information to create an ocular profile therefor for use in eye tracking.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus for eye tracking, as defined in claim 10 , wherein: all elements of said apparatus operate automatically.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus for eye tracking, as defined in claim 10 , wherein: all elements of said apparatus operate without mechanical linkages.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus for eye tracking, as defined in claim 10 , wherein: said apparatus uses SXGA resolution.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus for eye tracking, as defined in claim 10 , wherein: if said person is not recognized, said controller restricts how a vehicle can be operated and/or restricts access to certain areas of said vehicle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus for eye tracking, as defined in claim 10 , wherein: if contact with said eye is lost, said controller uses said entire face of said person to locate said eye.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-03-28 | 2008-09-27 | 2009-03-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-03-28 | 2012-09-27 | 2013-03-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-03-28 | 2016-09-27 | 2017-03-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |