Technological Requirements

Examples of eye tracking systems

Eye Gaze. A communication and control system for people with complex physical disabilities. The system is operated entirely with the eyes. By looking at control keys displayed on a screen, a person can synthesize speech, control his environment (lights, call bells, etc.), type, run computer software, operate a computer mouse, and access the Internet and e-mail. The EyeGaze 'Edge' Images source: (EyeGaze)		EyeTech The EyeTech SGD is a dedicated speech generation device, which when used in conjunction with the EyeTech TM3 (formerly known as Quick Glance 3SH) allows the user to generate speech using eye control. Setting up the EyeTech TM3 Using Dynavox with the EyeTech TM3 Using EyeTech TM3 with Grid2 Using EyeTech TM3 with Dragon Naturally Speaking More about the EyeTech . . .
Quick Glance. An eye tracking system that is operated entirely with the eyes. The software is designed to run in the background while the user is working with standard Windows applications. It allows the user to place the mouse pointer anywhere on the screen simply by looking at the desired location. "Clicking" can be done with an eye blink, a hardware switch, or by staring (dwell). Quick Glance can be used for writing, surfing the Web, computer-aided design, games etc.
Alea Technologies IntelliGaze IG30 System. Uses the latest camera technology and sophisticated image processing and calibration methods. The IG-30 system claims to be far superior to alternative gaze input systems at a similar price point. The modular structure of the system allows patients with a degenerative disease, the continued use of their touch-screen or scanning software package. Using existing computers and monitors, the IG-30 system can also be easily integrated into an existing PC setup. Using the IG30 to play games Read more . . . IntelliGaze IG30 - What you see is where you click (watch the video)
GUIDe EyePoint. The EyePoint™ software allows users to perform basic mouse operation by using a combination of gaze and hotkeys. It reduces / eliminates the dependency on the mouse for most everyday tasks such as surfing the web.		Dasher. Eye tracking systems can be integrated with other forms of Assistive technologies One example integrates withDasher, to create and eye tracking system for text recognition and speech output. It is a complex program - a zooming interface. You point where you want to go and the display zooms in wherever you point. Where you are pointing is painted with letters, so that any point you zoom in on corresponds to a pice of text. The more you zoom in, the longer the piece of text you have written. You choose what you write by choosing where to zoom. You can read more about this clever software at: News BBC / Dasher Dasher can also be used without an eye tracking system - it can be used with just a mouse or on a keyboard single handed.
ROLLTalk Compact Rolltalk is a communication aid for people with speech disabilities. Compact Rolltalk also lets you operate a wheelchair, control your environment, and use mobile phones, e–mail and the Internet. More RollTalk products . .
DynaVox EyeMax. It is comprised of two parts: a DynaVox Vmax and a DynaVox EyeMax Accessory. The EyeMax System allows augmented communicators to access their Vmax with a simple blink, or by dwelling on a desired area of the screen. The EyeMax does not need the user to “do” or “wear” anything. Simply sit in front of it, go through an initial calibration and the user is ready to go. The only item that the EyeMax will work with is the DynaVox Vmax. It will not work with any other device – including the V, DV4, 3100, etc. It will not work with other SGD devices, nor with any commercial computer/laptop/tablet item. EyeMax + Vmax = the DynaVox EyeMax System. No other combination exists.		ERIKA. Eye tracking system with patented zooming methodology, which magnifies areas on the computer screen to allow the user to more reliably execute a mouse action at a desired location. This allows the user to access almost any Windows application. What they say about ERIKA. EyeBlink Switch Customised to detect purposeful eye-blinks. This switch works best when eye-blinking is the only movement the user is able to perform. The sensor is capable of discriminating between random eye-blinks and purposeful controlled eye-blinks. A head strap is included and the device can also be used with other body parts in fibre-optic mode. More information about EyeBlink . . .
MyTobii (P10) A portable eye-controlled communication device. Everything, including the monitor screen, eye control device and computer, is integrated into one unit. It just needs connecting to a power source, such as a wall socket, power wheelchair or separate battery. The device can be mounted for use at a desk, wheelchair, bed or anywhere suitable for the user. What they say about the MyTobii Jasmine using a MyTobii Tobii CEye The CEye has been designed exclusively for use with the C12 communicator. (The CEye is the eye control module fitted below the C12 screen). It makes it a more portable variation of the Tobii P10 More at Tobii.com . . .

Open Source Eye Gaze

• ITU Gaze Group. The Gaze Group is a research group located at the IT University of Copenaghen. They are primarily focused on eye tracking, gaze interaction and the use of gaze for usability studies. They aim to establish accessible alternatives for gaze tracking systems to raise awareness about this technology and bring it to the mainstream.
  
  

  Gaze Tracking ITU Gaze Tracker Open-source gaze tracker developed at the IT University of Copenhagen. Setting up the Gaze Tracker

  Gaze Typing GazeTalk Multilanguage eye-typing application with predictive text input StarGazer Novel eye-typing application where characters are selected by zooming in 3D space Gaze-Based Interfaces EyeTube Accessible interface for YouTube designed to be controlled by eye movements. The EyeTube prototype offers eye controlled interface for the popular YouTube service. Instead of emulating a mouse pointer and interacting with a web browser the EyeTube interface is especially designed to be driven by gaze input.

  
  
  

• Opengazer.
  
  

  An open source application that uses an ordinary webcam to estimate the direction of your gaze. This information can then be passed to other applications. For example, used in conjunction with Dasher, opengazer allows you to write with your eyes. Opengazer aims to be a low-cost software alternative to commercial hardware-based eye trackers. The user first selects "load points", which loads and matches a previously selected set of point trackers on the face, which allows opengazer to extract the image of the eye and compute head orientation. Then, the "calibrate" routine displays a series of red points on the screen, at which the user is ask to look. As the calibration progresses, the current gaze estimate, represented by a small blue circle is getting better and better. Finally, the user selects "test", which displays a series of green points to test and show the accuracy of the gaze tracking. More about Opengazer . . .

  
  

Eye Gaze Resources

• COGAIN (Communication by Gaze Interaction). An organisation at the cutting-edge of expertise on interface technologies for the benefit of users with disabilities. The network aims to gather Europe's leading expertise in eye tracking integration with computers in a research project on assistive technologies for citizens with motor impairments.
  
  A link to their last conference - some great info here
  Sarah Yeo's experiences with eyegaze
  
  
• Music Editor. A gaze-operated application that allows you to compose, edit and play music by eye movements.
  
  
• Eye Writer. Software and hardware which allows someone using an eye tracking system to draw.
  
  

  The EyeWriter project is on ongoing collaborative research effort to empower people, who are suffering from ALS, with creative technologies. The deveopers teamed-up with LA graffiti writer, publisher and activist, named Tony Quan, who was diagnosed with ALS in 2003. The disease has left him almost completely physically paralyzed… except for his eyes. But, the ALS hasn’t touched Tony’s sharp mind, creative energy or his desire to write graffiti. In August of 2009, artist from around the world, converged on southern California and began to work with Tony on a low-cost, open source eye-tracking system that would allow ALS patients to draw using just their eyes. 10 days later the EyeWriter 1.0 prototype was finished. This system is constructed from material found in local hardware and electronics stores and the software is open source. Tony subsequently drew his tag for the first time in over 5 years. More information about Eye Writer . . .

  Image source: Free Art & Technol

Eye Tracking Suppliers

• SmartBoxAT - MyTobii suppliers