Controlling Power Consumption Based on User Gaze

Abstract

The determination of a gaze direction or field of view of a user with respect to a computing device can control aspects of the device, such as to reduce power or resource consumption. A computing device can include an imaging element and software for locating aspects of a user's facial features relative to the device, such that an orientation of the user's features relative to the device can be determined. Various actions on the device can be executed based at least in part upon a determined gaze direction of the user. In some embodiments, a display element of the device can turn off, and one or more inputs can be disabled, when the user is not looking at the device.

1 . A computer-implemented method of operating a computing device, comprising:
 obtaining image data including a representation of at least one portion of a user using a camera of the computing device;   analyzing the image data to determine a position of at least one feature of the user relative to a region of a display element of the computing device; and   utilizing the position to adjust a power consumption rate of the computing device.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adjusting the region after a specified period.   
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein utilizing the position to adjust the power consumption rate includes:
 decreasing the power consumption rate of the display element based at least in part upon the position corresponding to the user gazing away from the region.   
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 3 , wherein utilizing the position to adjust the power consumption rate includes:
 increasing the power consumption rate of the display element based at least in part upon the position corresponding to the user gazing toward the region.   
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 deactivating functionality of at least one input element of the computing device based at least in part upon the position corresponding to the user gazing away from the region.   
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 activating the functionality of the at least one input element based at least in part upon the position corresponding to the user gazing toward the region.   
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one input element comprises one of a touch-sensitive element, a keyboard, a keypad, a roller button, a second imaging element, an audio-capturing element, a power button, a power charging element, or a physical switch. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 obtaining environmental data from at least one environment-determining element of the computing device,   wherein the power consumption rate is further adjusted based at least in part upon the environmental data.   
     
     
         9 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 adjusting functionality of at least one input element of the computing device based at least in part upon the position and the environmental data.   
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one environment-determining element comprises one of a touch-sensitive element, an orientation determining element, an audio recording element, or a light sensing element. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 animating an element displayed on a display element based at least in part upon the position corresponding to the user gazing toward the region.   
     
     
         12 . A computing device, comprising:
 a processor;   a display element;   a camera; and   memory including instructions that, upon being executed by the processor, cause the computing device to:   obtain image data including a representation of at least one portion of a user using the camera;   analyze the image data to determine a position of at least one feature of the user relative to a region of the display element; and   utilize the position to adjust a power consumption rate of the computing device.   
     
     
         13 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the instructions, upon being executed, further cause the computing device to:
 adjust the region after a specified period.   
     
     
         14 . The computing device of  claim 13 , wherein the instructions to cause the computing device to adjust the region after the specified period include causing the computing device to:
 decrease a size of the region.   
     
     
         15 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the instructions, upon being executed, further cause the computing device to:
 adjust functionality of at least one application executing on the computing device based at least in part upon the position.   
     
     
         16 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the instructions, upon being executed, further cause the computing device to:
 render at least one element displayed on a display element of the computing device in a first manner based at least in part upon the position corresponding to the user gazing away from the region; and   render the at least one element in a second manner based at least in part upon the position corresponding to the user gazing toward the region.   
     
     
         17 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the instructions, upon being executed, further cause the computing device to:
 adjust at least one of a contrast, a brightness, or a resolution of at least one element displayed on the display element based at least in part upon the position.   
     
     
         18 . The computing device of  claim 12 , wherein the instructions, upon being executed, further cause the computing device to:
 utilize calibration information to analyze the image data.   
     
     
         19 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, upon being executed by a processor of a computing device, cause the computing device to:
 obtain image data including a representation of at least one portion of a user using a camera of the computing device;   analyze the image data to determine a position of at least one feature of the user relative to a region of a display element of the computing device; and   utilize the position to adjust a power consumption rate of the computing device.   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 19 , wherein the instructions, upon being executed, further cause the computing device to:
 adjust the region after a specified period.   
     
     
         21 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 19 , wherein the instructions, upon being executed, further cause the computing device to:
 obtain environmental data from at least one environment-determining element of the computing device,   wherein the power consumption rate of the display element is further based at least in part upon the environmental data.   
     
     
         22 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 21 , wherein the instructions, upon being executed, further cause the computing device to:
 adjust functionality of at least one input element of the computing device based at least in part upon the position and the environmental data.   
     
     
         23 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 19 , wherein the instructions, upon being executed, further cause the computing device to perform at least one of:
 adjust functionality of at least one application executing on the computing device based at least in part upon the position.