14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has recently filed a patent at the USPTO, that could in the end make eye-typing available to many more people and thus provide us with a new way of interaction with computing devices.
Redmond says in the documents published by the USPTO that this technology was designed to make typing possible when a physical keyboard or an on-screen one is not available, but also to allow those who cannot type because of their medical condition work on computers in an easier way.
Basically, the new eye-typing technology allows users to simply start typing by moving their eyes on a virtual keyboard with help from a head-mounted see-through display device. Microsoft says that such an accessory isn't really needed, and other devices could be used as well, including a mobile phone, a PC, or even a TV.
“One or more sensors may be present to facilitate eye-typing,” Microsoft explains, adding that they could be mounted either on a device that the user is wearing, or straight on the screen. Basically, these sensors would be used to track the user's gaze and movements, thus making sure that the system easily detects the word they want to type.
“The user may gaze at a particular region of the keyboard, such as the trigger key, in order to initiate eye-typing. The user may then gaze at the keyboard, focusing his or her gaze on one or more desired keys. The user may then indicate he or she has completed eye-typing by gazing at an input bar,” the patent reveals.
Eye-typing technology already developed for Steve Gleason
Microsoft has already developed a similar solution for Steve Gleason, a former NFL player who's now suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (commonly known as ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s).
Redmond used eye-gaze technology connected to a Surface tablet to allow Gleason type using his eyes. A speech system installed on the tablet pronounces all words he types with his eyes, which right now is the only way he can communicate with other people.
“As I’ve often said, until there is a medical cure for ALS, technology will be that cure,” Gleason said using this technology.
Soon, however, the very same system could become available to many more people out there, and it's pretty obvious that such a solution would greatly ease the life of those suffering from incurable diseases, including ALS.
