Generation of graphical feedback in a computer system

Abstract

The present invention relates to control of a computer system, which includes a data processing unit, a display and an eye tracker adapted to register a user's gaze point with respect to the display The data processing unit is adapted to present graphical information on the display, which includes feedback data reflecting the user's commands entered into the unit. The data processing unit is adapted to present the feedback data such that during an initial phase, the feedback data is generated based on an absolute position of the gaze point. An imaging device of the system is also adapted to register image data representing movements of a body part of the user, and to forward a representation of the image data to the data processing unit. Hence, during a phase subsequent to the initial phase, the data is instead generated based on the image data.

1 . A computer system comprising a data processing unit, a display and an eye tracker adapted to register a user's gaze point with respect to the display, the data processing unit being adapted to present graphical information on the display, the information including feedback data generated based on the gaze point and movements of a body part of the user, wherein the system comprises at least one imaging device adapted to register image data representing the movements and to forward a representation of the image data to the data processing unit, and the data processing unit is adapted to present the feedback data such that: during an initial phase, the data is generated based on an absolute position of the gaze point, and during a phase subsequent to the initial phase, the data is generated based on the image data. 
     
     
         2 . The computer system according to  claim 1 , wherein the data processing unit is adapted to: receive a user-generated start command, and instigate the initial phase in response to a reception of the start command. 
     
     
         3 . The computer system according to  claim 2 , wherein the system comprises at least one means which is adapted to receive the start command in the form of at least one of: activation of a mechanical input member, a voice command, location of the gaze point within a particular area of the display during a threshold dwell time, and a predefined movement sequence of the gaze point. 
     
     
         4 . The computer system according to  claim 1 , wherein the data processing unit is adapted to instigate the subsequent phase after a predetermined duration of the initial phase. 
     
     
         5 . The computer system according to  claim 1 , wherein the data processing unit is adapted to: receive a user-generated trigger command, and instigate the subsequent phase in response to a reception of the trigger command. 
     
     
         6 . The computer system according to  claim 5 , wherein the system comprises at least one means which is adapted to receive the trigger command in the form of at least one of: activation of a mechanical input member, a voice command, location of the gaze point within a particular area of the display during a threshold dwell time, and a predefined movement sequence of the gaze point. 
     
     
         7 . The computer system according to  claim 1 , wherein the feedback data represents a graphical pointer, and the data processing unit is adapted to: during the initial phase, position the pointer on the display at a start location being reflected by the gaze point, and during the subsequent phase, move the pointer from the start location in response to the image data. 
     
     
         8 . The computer system according to  claim 7 , wherein the data processing unit is adapted to interpret the image data to represent a relative repositioning of the graphical pointer from the start location in such a manner that a particular movement of the body part causes a predetermined repositioning of the graphical pointer. 
     
     
         9 . The computer system according to  claim 7 , wherein the data processing unit is adapted to cause the display to repeatedly update the presented feedback data in response to the image data during the subsequent phase. 
     
     
         10 . The computer system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one imaging device is included in the eye tracker. 
     
     
         11 . The computer system according to  claim 1 , wherein the graphical information comprises a first fraction representing non-feedback data and a second fraction representing the feedback data, and the data processing unit is adapted to cause presentation of the second fraction at a confirmation position on the display, the location of the confirmation position depending on content of the first fraction. 
     
     
         12 . A method of controlling a computer system comprising a data processing unit, a display and an eye tracker adapted to register a user's gaze point with respect to the display, the method involving presenting graphical information on the display, the information including feedback data generated based on the gaze point and movements of a body part of the user characterized by registering image data representing the movements and presenting the feedback data such that during an initial phase, the data is generated based on an absolute position of the gaze point and during a phase subsequent to the initial phase, the data is generated based on the image data. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising receiving a user-generated start command, and instigating the initial phase in response to a reception of the start command. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 13 , further comprising receiving the start command in the form of at least one of: activation of a mechanical input member, a voice command, location of the gaze point within a particular area of the display during a threshold dwell time, and a predefined movement sequence of the gaze point. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising instigating the subsequent phase after a predetermined duration of the initial phase. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising receiving a user-generated trigger command, and instigating the subsequent phase in response to a reception of the trigger command. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising receiving the trigger command in the form of at least one of: activation of a mechanical input member, a voice command, location of the gaze point within a particular area of the display during a threshold dwell time, and a predefined movement sequence of the gaze point. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 12 , further comprising the feedback data representing a graphical pointer, and the method comprising: positioning the pointer on the display at a start location during the initial phase, the start location being reflected by the gaze point, and moving the pointer from the start location in response the image data during the subsequent phase. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising interpreting the image data to represent a relative repositioning the graphical pointer from the start location so that a particular movement of the body part causes a predetermined repositioning of the graphical pointer. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising presenting repeated updatings of the feedback data presented on the display in response to the image data during the subsequent phase. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the graphical information comprising a first fraction representing non-feedback data and a second fraction representing the feedback data, the method comprising presenting the second fraction at a confirmation position on the display, the location of the confirmation position depending on a content of the first fraction. 
     
     
         22 . A computer program directly loadable into a non-transitory memory of a computer, comprising software for controlling a computer system comprising a data processing unit, a display and an eye tracker adapted to register a user's gaze point with respect to the display, said program where ran on the computer causes the computer to present graphical information on the display, the information including feedback data generated based on the gaze point and movements of a body part of the user, by registering image data representing the movements and presenting the feedback data such that during an initial phase, the data is generated based on an absolute position of the gaze point and during a phase subsequent to the initial phase, the data is generated based on the image data. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled)