System for gaze interaction

Abstract

A method and system for assisting a user when interacting with a graphical user interface combines gaze based input with gesture based user commands. A user of a computer system without a traditional touch-screen can interact with graphical user interfaces in a touch-screen like manner using a combination of gaze based input and gesture based user commands. A solution for touch-screen like interaction uses gaze input and gesture based input as a complement or an alternative to touch-screen interactions with a computer device having a touch-screen. Combined gaze and gesture based interaction with graphical user interfaces can be used to achieve a touchscreen like environment in computer systems without a traditional touchscreen or in computer systems having a touchscreen arranged ergonomically unfavorable for the user or a touchscreen arranged such that it is more comfortable for the user to use gesture and gaze for the interaction than the touchscreen.

Claims

1. A control module for executing object selection commands during user interaction with an information presentation area displaying an object, wherein the control module is configured to: acquire user gaze data signals from a gaze tracking module, the user gaze signals indicating a gaze point on the information presentation area; receive, from an input device that includes a physical touch sensitive area, first user gesture data corresponding to a press of a finger on the physical touch sensitive area; generate a gaze point area on the information presentation area based on the user gaze data signals and on the first user gesture data, the gaze point area being a local area that includes the gaze point; receive, from the input device, second user gesture data corresponding to a movement of the finger on the physical touch sensitive area, the press of the finger followed next by the movement of the finger; determine, based on the gaze point area, that the second user gesture data is associated with a fine tuning command to update the gaze point area; resize, based on the fine tuning command, the gaze point area according to the second user gesture data to generate an updated gaze point area, the updated gaze point area including the object and overlapping with the gaze point area; receive, from the input device, third user gesture data indicating a release of the finger from the physical touch sensitive area, the movement of the finger followed next by the release of the finger; determine, based on the object being included in the updated gaze point area, that the third user gesture data is associated with a select command to select the object; and select, based on the select command, the object in the updated gaze point area.

2. A method for executing object selection commands during user interaction with an information presentation area associated with a computer device, said method comprising: acquiring gaze data signals from a gaze tracking module, the user gaze signals indicating a gaze point on the information presentation area; receiving, from an input device that includes a physical touch sensitive area, first user gesture data corresponding to a press of a finger on the physical touch sensitive area; generating a gaze point area on the information presentation area based on the user gaze data signals and on the first user gesture data, the gaze point area being a local area that includes the gaze point; receiving, from the input device, second user gesture data corresponding to a movement of the finger on the physical touch sensitive area, the press of the finger followed next by the movement of the finger; determining, based on the gaze point area, that the second user gesture data is associated with a fine tuning command to update the gaze point area; resizing, based on the fine tuning command, the gaze point area according to the second user gesture data to generate an updated gaze point area, the updated gaze point area including an object and overlapping with the gaze point area; receiving, from the input device, third user gesture data indicating a release of the finger from the physical touch sensitive area, the movement of the finger followed next by the release of the finger; determining, based on the object being included in the updated gaze point area, that the third user gesture data is associated with a select command to select the object; and selecting, based on the select command, the object in the updated gaze point area.

3. A system for user interaction with an information presentation area, said system comprising: an input device comprising a physical touch sensitive area, said user input device being adapted to detect user gestures in a form of user finger touch on, movement on and release from the physical touch sensitive area; a gaze tracking module adapted to detect gaze data of a user of said information presentation area; a control module configured to: acquire user gaze data signals from the gaze tracking module, the user gaze signals indicating a gaze point on the information presentation area; receive, from the input device, first user gesture data corresponding to a press of a finger on the physical touch sensitive area; generate a gaze point area on the information presentation area based on the user gaze data signals and on the first user gesture data, the gaze point area being a local area that includes the gaze point; receive, from the input device, second user gesture data corresponding to a movement of the finger on the physical touch sensitive area, the press of the finger followed next by the movement of the finger; determine, based on the gaze point area, that the second user gesture data is associated with a fine tuning command to update the gaze point area; resize, based on the fine tuning command, the gaze point area according to the second user gesture data to generate an updated gaze point area, the updated gaze point area including the object and overlapping with the gaze point area; receive, from the input device, third user gesture data indicating a release of the finger from the physical touch sensitive area, the movement of the finger followed next by the release of the finger; determine, based on the object being included in the updated gaze point area, that the third user gesture data is associated with a select command to select the object; and select, based on the select command, the object in the updated gaze point area.

4. A computer device associated with an information presentation area, said computer device comprising: an input device comprising a physical touch sensitive area, said user input device being adapted to detect user gestures in a form of user finger touch on, movement on and release from the physical touch sensitive area; a gaze tracking module adapted to detect gaze data of a user of said information presentation area; a control module configured to: acquire user gaze data signals from the gaze tracking module, the user gaze signals indicating a gaze point on the information presentation area; receive, from the input device, first user gesture data corresponding to a press of a finger on the physical touch sensitive area; generate a gaze point area on the information presentation area based on the user gaze data signals and on the first user gesture data, the gaze point area being a local area that includes the gaze point; receive, from the input device, second user gesture data corresponding to a movement of the finger on the physical touch sensitive area, the press of the finger followed next by the movement of the finger; determine, based on the gaze point area, that the second user gesture data is associated with a fine tuning command to update the gaze point area; resize, based on the fine tuning command, the gaze point area according to the second user gesture data to generate an updated gaze point area, the updated gaze point area including the object and overlapping with the gaze point area; receive, from the input device, third user gesture data indicating a release of the finger from the physical touch sensitive area, the movement of the finger followed next by the release of the finger; determine, based on the object being included in the updated gaze point area, that the third user gesture data is associated with a select command to select the object; and select, based on the select command, the object in the updated gaze point area.

5. A handheld portable device including an information presentation area and comprising an input device comprising a physical touch sensitive area, said user input device being adapted to detect user gestures in a form of user finger touch on, movement on and release from the physical touch sensitive area, and a gaze tracking module adapted to detect gaze data of a user of said information presentation area, said handheld portable device further comprising a control module configured to: acquire user gaze data signals from the gaze tracking module, the user gaze signals indicating a gaze point on the information presentation area; receive, from the input device, first user gesture data corresponding to a press of a finger on the physical touch sensitive area; generate a gaze point area on the information presentation area based on the user gaze data signals and on the first user gesture data, the gaze point area being a local area that includes the gaze point; receive, from the input device, second user gesture data corresponding to a movement of the finger on the physical touch sensitive area, the press of the finger followed next by the movement of the finger; determine, based on the gaze point area, that the second user gesture data is associated with a fine tuning command to update the gaze point area; resize, based on the fine tuning command, the gaze point area according to the second user gesture data to generate an updated gaze point area, the updated gaze point area including the object and overlapping with the gaze point area; receive, from the input device, third user gesture data indicating a release of the finger from the physical touch sensitive area, the movement of the finger followed next by the release of the finger; determine, based on the object being included in the updated gaze point area, that the third user gesture data is associated with a select command to select the object; and select, based on the select command, the object in the updated gaze point area.

6. A system for user interaction with an information presentation area, said system comprising: an input device adapted to detect user gestures, said input device comprising at least one physical touch sensitive area arranged on a steering device of a vehicle or adapted to be integrated in a steering device of a vehicle, said touchpad being adapted to detect user gestures in a form of user finger touch on, movement on and release from the physical touch sensitive area; a gaze tracking module adapted to detect gaze data of a user of said information presentation area; a control module configured to: acquire user gaze data signals from the gaze tracking module, the user gaze signals indicating a gaze point on the information presentation area; receive, from the input device, first user gesture data corresponding to a press of a finger on the physical touch sensitive area; generate a gaze point area on the information presentation area based on the user gaze data signals and on the first user gesture data, the gaze point area being a local area that includes the gaze point; receive, from the input device, second user gesture data corresponding to a movement of the finger on the physical touch sensitive area, the press of the finger followed next by the movement of the finger; determine, based on the gaze point area, that the second user gesture data is associated with a fine tuning command to update the gaze point area; resize, based on the fine tuning command, the gaze point area according to the second user gesture data to generate an updated gaze point area, the updated gaze point area including the object and overlapping with the gaze point area; receive, from the input device, third user gesture data indicating a release of the finger from the physical touch sensitive area, the movement of the finger followed next by the release of the finger; determine, based on the object being included in the updated gaze point area, that the third user gesture data is associated with a select command to select the object; and select, based on the select command, the object in the updated gaze point area.

7. A wireless transmit/receive unit, WTRU, associated with an information presentation area and comprising an input device comprising a touch sensitive area and being adapted to detect user gestures in a form of user finger touch on, movement on and release from the touch sensitive area, and a gaze tracking module adapted to detect gaze data of a viewer of said information presentation area, said WTRU further comprising a control module configured to: acquire user gaze data signals from the gaze tracking module, the user gaze signals indicating a gaze point on the information presentation area; receive, from the input device, first user gesture data corresponding to a press of a finger on the physical touch sensitive area; generate a gaze point area on the information presentation area based on the user gaze data signals and on the first user gesture data, the gaze point area being a local area that includes the gaze point; receive, from the input device, second user gesture data corresponding to a movement of the finger on the physical touch sensitive area, the press of the finger followed next by the movement of the finger; determine, based on the gaze point area, that the second user gesture data is associated with a fine tuning command to update the gaze point area; resize, based on the fine tuning command, the gaze point area according to the second user gesture data to generate an updated gaze point area, the updated gaze point area including the object and overlapping with the gaze point area; receive, from the input device, third user gesture data indicating a release of the finger from the physical touch sensitive area, the movement of the finger followed next by the release of the finger; determine, based on the object being included in the updated gaze point area, that the third user gesture data is associated with a select command to select the object; and select, based on the select command, the object in the updated gaze point area.

8. The control module of claim 1 further configured to: receive, from the input device, fourth user gesture data indicating a first finger press on the physical touch sensitive area; present, at the gaze point, an icon illustrating a location of the gaze point on the information presentation area; receive, from the input device, fifth user gesture data indicating a finger movement on the physical touch sensitive area, the first finger press followed next by the finger movement; determine, based on the icon, that the fifth gesture data is associated with a relocation command to relocate the gaze point to a new location on the information presentation area; relocate, based on the relocation command, the gaze point from the location to the new location; receive, based on the relocating, sixth user gesture data indicating a second finger press concurrent with the first finger press, the finger movement followed next by the second finger press; and manipulate the object based on the sixth user gesture data and the new location of the gaze point.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and illustrate generally, by way of example, but no way of limitation, various embodiments of the present invention. Thus, exemplifying embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to an or one embodiment in this discussion are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

(2) FIG. 1 shows an overview picture of a user controlling a computer apparatus in which the present invention is implemented;

(3) FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary gesture resulting in a user generated gesture based control command in accordance with the present invention;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates another exemplary gesture resulting in a user generated gesture based control command in accordance with the present invention;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a further exemplary gesture resulting in a user generated gesture based control command in accordance with the present invention;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates yet another exemplary gesture resulting in a user generated gesture based control command in accordance with the present invention;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a further exemplary gesture resulting in a user generated gesture based control command in accordance with the present invention;

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates another exemplary gesture resulting in a user generated gesture based control command in accordance with the present invention;

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates yet another exemplary gesture resulting in a user generated gesture based control command in accordance with the present invention;

(12) FIG. 11a shows an overview picture of a touchscreen provided device in which a further embodiment of the present invention is implemented;

(13) FIG. 11b shows an overview picture of a device provided with touchpads on a backside in which a further embodiment of the present invention is implemented;

(14) FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating the embodiment in accordance with the present invention shown in FIG. 11a;

(15) FIG. 13a is a schematic view of a control module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(16) FIG. 13b is a schematic view of a control module according to another embodiment of the present invention;

(17) FIG. 13c is a schematic view of a control module according to another embodiment of the present invention;

(18) FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a wireless transmit/receive unit, WTRU, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(19) FIG. 15a is a schematic view of an embodiment of a computer device or handheld device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(20) FIG. 15b is a schematic view of another embodiment of a computer device or handheld device in accordance with the present invention;

(21) FIG. 16 is a schematic flow chart illustrating steps of an embodiment of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(22) FIG. 17 is a schematic flow chart illustrating steps of another embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; and

(23) FIG. 18 is a schematic flow chart illustrating steps of a further embodiment of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(24) FIG. 19 is a schematic flow chart illustrating steps of another embodiment of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

(25) FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a further embodiment of an arrangement in accordance with the present invention;

(26) FIG. 21 is a schematic illustration of yet another implementation of the present invention;

(27) FIG. 22 is a schematic illustration of a further implementation of the present invention; and

(28) FIG. 23 is a schematic illustration of an implementation of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(29) As used herein, the term module refers to an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software programs, a combinational logic circuit, or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. The term module further refers to a specific form of software necessary to practice the methods described herein and particularly the functions described in connection with each specific module. It is believed that the particular form of software will be determined primarily by the particular system architecture employed in the system and by the particular methodologies employed by the system according to the present invention.

(30) The following is a description of exemplifying embodiments in accordance with the present invention. This description is not to be taken in limiting sense, but is made merely for the purposes of describing the general principles of the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

(31) With reference first to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 20, embodiments of a computer system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a computer system with integrated gaze and manual control according to the present invention. The user 110 is able to control the computer system 10 at least partly based on an eye-tracking signal D.sub.EYE, which described the user's point of regard x, y on a information presentation area or display 20 and based on user generated gestures, i.e. a movement of at least one body part of the user can be detected, generating gesture based control commands via user input means 50 such as a touchpad 51.

(32) In the context of the present invention, as mentioned above, the term touchpad (or the term trackpad) refers to a pointing device featuring a tactile sensor, a specialized surface that can translate the motion and position of a user's fingers to a relative position on a screen (information presentation area). Touchpads are a common feature of laptop computers, and are also used as a substitute for a mouse where desk space is scarce. Because they vary in size, they can also be found on personal digital assistants (PDAs) and some portable media players. Wireless touchpads are also available as detached accessories. Touchpads operate in one of several ways, including capacitive sensing and conductance sensing. The most common technology used today entails sensing the capacitive virtual ground effect of a finger, or the capacitance between sensors. While touchpads, like touchscreens, are able to sense absolute position, resolution is limited by their size. For common use as a pointer device, the dragging motion of a finger is translated into a finer, relative motion of the cursor on the screen, analogous to the handling of a mouse that is lifted and put back on a surface. Hardware buttons equivalent to a standard mouse's left and right buttons are positioned below, above, or beside the touchpad. Netbooks sometimes employ the last as a way to save space. Some touchpads and associated device driver software may interpret tapping the pad as a click, and a tap followed by a continuous pointing motion (a click-and-a-half) can indicate dragging. Tactile touchpads allow for clicking and dragging by incorporating button functionality into the surface of the touchpad itself. To select, one presses down on the touchpad instead of a physical button. To drag, instead performing the click-and-a-half technique, one presses down while on the object, drags without releasing pressure and lets go when done. Touchpad drivers can also allow the use of multiple fingers to facilitate the other mouse buttons (commonly two-finger tapping for the center button). Some touchpads have hotspots, locations on the touchpad used for functionality beyond a mouse. For example, on certain touchpads, moving the finger along an edge of the touch pad will act as a scroll wheel, controlling the scrollbar and scrolling the window that has the focus vertically or horizontally. Apple uses two-finger dragging for scrolling on their trackpads. Also, some touchpad drivers support tap zones, regions where a tap will execute a function, for example, pausing a media player or launching an application. All of these functions are implemented in the touchpad device driver software, and can be disabled. Touchpads are primarily used in self-contained portable laptop computers and do not require a flat surface near the machine. The touchpad is close to the keyboard, and only very short finger movements are required to move the cursor across the display screen; while advantageous, this also makes it possible for a user's thumb to move the mouse cursor accidentally while typing. Touchpad functionality is available for desktop computers in keyboards with built-in touchpads.

(33) Examples of touchpads include one-dimensional touchpads used as the primary control interface for menu navigation on second-generation and later iPod Classic portable music players, where they are referred to as click wheels, since they only sense motion along one axis, which is wrapped around like a wheel. In another implementation of touchpads, the second-generation Microsoft Zune product line (the Zune 80/120 and Zune 4/8) uses touch for the Zune Pad. Apple's PowerBook 500 series was its first laptop to carry such a device, which Apple refers to as a trackpad. Apple's more recent laptops feature trackpads that can sense up to five fingers simultaneously, providing more options for input, such as the ability to bring up the context menu by tapping two fingers. In late 2008 Apple's revisions of the MacBook and MacBook Pro incorporated a Tactile Touchpad design with button functionality incorporated into the tracking surface.

(34) The present invention provides a solution enabling a user of a computer system without a traditional touchscreen to interact with graphical user interfaces in a touchscreen like manner using a combination of gaze based input and gesture based user commands. Furthermore, the present invention offers a solution for touchscreen like interaction using gaze input and gesture based input as a complement or an alternative to touchscreen interactions with a computer device having a touchscreen.

(35) The display 20 may hence be any type of known computer screen or monitor, as well as combinations of two or more separate displays. For example, the display 20 may constitute a regular computer screen, a stereoscopic screen, a heads-up display (HUD) in a vehicle, or at least one head-mounted display (HMD).

(36) The computer 30 may, for example, be any one from the group of a personal computer, computer workstation, mainframe computer, a processor in a vehicle, or a handheld device such as a cell phone, portable music player (such as e.g. an iPod), laptop computers, computer games, electronic books and similar other devices. The present invention may also be implemented in intelligent environment where, for example, objects presented on multiple displays can be selected and activated.

(37) In order to produce the gaze tracking signal D.sub.EYE, a gaze tracker unit 40 is included in the display 20, or is associated with the display 20. A suitable gaze tracker is described in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,572,008, titled Method and Installation for detecting and following an eye and the gaze direction thereof, by the same applicant, which hereby is incorporated in its entirety.

(38) The software program or software implemented instructions associated with the gaze tracking module 40 may be included within the gaze tracking module 40. The specific example shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 20 illustrates the associated software implemented in a gaze tracking module, which may be included solely in the computer 30, in the gaze tracking module 40, or in a combination of the two, depending on the particular application.

(39) The computer system 10 comprises a computer device 30, a gaze tracking module 40, a display 20, a control module 36, 36 and user input means 50, 50 as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 20. The computer device 30 comprises several other components in addition to those illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 20 but these components are omitted from FIGS. 2, 3 and 20 in illustrative purposes.

(40) The user input means 50, 50 comprises elements that are sensitive to pressure, physical contact, gestures, or other manual control by the user, for example, a touchpad 51. Further, the input device means 50, 50 may also include a computer keyboard, a mouse, a track ball, or any other device, for example, an IR-sensor, voice activated input means, or a detection device of body gestures or proximity based input can be used. However, in the specific embodiments shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 20, a touchpad 51 is included in the user input device 50, 50.

(41) An input module 32, which may be a software module included solely in a control module 36 or in the user input means 50 or as a module separate from the control module and the input means 50, is configured to receive signals from the touchpad 51 reflecting a user's gestures. Further, the input module 32 is also adapted to interpret the received signals and provide, based on the interpreted signals, gesture based control commands, for example, a tap command to activate an object, a swipe command or a slide command.

(42) If the input module 32 is included in the input means 50, gesture based control commands are provided to the control module 36, see FIG. 2. In embodiments of the present invention, the control module 36 includes the input module 32 based on gesture data from the user input means 50, see FIG. 3.

(43) The control module 36, 36 is further configured to acquire gaze data signals from the gaze tracking module 40. Further, the control module 36, 36 is configured to determine a gaze point area 120 on the information presentation area 20 where the user's gaze point is located based on the gaze data signals. The gaze point area 120 is preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a local area around a gaze point of the user.

(44) Moreover, the control module 36, 36 is configured to execute at least one user action manipulating a view presented on the graphical information presentation area 20 based on the determined gaze point area and the at least one user generated gesture based control command, wherein the user action is executed with the determined gaze point area as a starting point. The control module 36, 36 may be integrated in the computer device 30 or may be associated or coupled to the computer device 30.

(45) Hence, the present invention allows a user to interact with a computer device 30 in touchscreen like manner, e.g. manipulate objects presented on the information presentation area 20, using gaze and gestures, e.g. by moving at least one finger on a touchpad 51.

(46) Preferably, when the user touches the touchpad 51, the location of the initial gaze point is indicated by a visual feedback, such as a crosshairs or similar sign. This initial location can be adjusted by moving the finger on the touchpad 51. Thereafter, the user can, in a touchscreen like manner, interact with the information presentation area 20 using different gestures and the gaze. In the embodiment including a touchpad, the gestures are finger movements relative the touchpad 51 and each gesture is associated with or corresponds to particular gesture based user command resulting in a user action.

(47) Below, a non-exhaustive number of examples of user actions that can be executed using a combination of gestures and gaze will be discussed with regard to FIG. 4-10: By gazing, for example, at an object presented on the information presentation area 20 and by in connection to this, touching the touchpad or pressing down and holding a finger 60 (see FIG. 4) on the touchpad 51 during a period of y ms, that object is highlighted. If the finger 60 is held down during a second period of z ms, an information box may be displayed presenting information regarding that object. In FIG. 4, this gesture is illustrated in relation to a touchpad 51. By gazing, for example, at an object presented on the information presentation area 20 and by in connection to this tapping on the touchpad 51 using a finger 71, a primary action can be initiated. For example, an application can be opened and started by gazing at an icon representing the application and tapping on the touchpad 51 using a finger. In FIG. 5, this gesture is illustrated in relation to a touchpad 51. The user may slide or drag the view presented by the information presentation area 20 by gazing somewhere on the information presentation area 20 and by, in connection to this, sliding his or her finger 81 over the touchpad 51. A similar action to slide an object over the information presentation area 20 can be achieved by gazing at the object and by, in connection to this, sliding the finger 81 over the touchpad 51. This gesture is illustrated in FIG. 6 in relation to the touchpad 51. Of course, this gesture can be executed by means of more than one finger, for example, by using two fingers. The user may select an object for further actions by gazing at the object and by, in connection to this, swiping his or her finger 91 on the touchpad 51 in a specific direction. This gesture is illustrated in FIG. 7 in relation to the touchpad 51. Of course, this gesture can be executed by means of more than one finger, for example, by using two fingers. By gazing at an object or object part presented on the information presentation area 20 and by, in connection to this, pinching with two of his or hers finger 101 and 102, it is possible to zoom out that object or object part. This gesture is illustrated in FIG. 8 in relation to the touchpad 51. Similarly, by gazing at an object or object part presented on the information presentation area 20 and by, in connection to this, moving the fingers 101 and 102 apart, it is possible to expand or zoom in that object or object part. By gazing at an object or object part presented on the information presentation area 20 and by, in connection to this, rotating with two of his or hers finger 111 and 112, it is possible to rotate that object or object part. This gesture is illustrated in FIG. 9 in relation to the touchpad 51. By gazing at an edge or frame part of the information presentation area 20 or at an area in proximity to the edge or frame and, in connection to this, sliding his or her finger or fingers 124 on the touchpad 51 in a direction which if performed at the point of gaze would have been from the edge towards a centre of the information presentation area a menu may come in from the edge. By gazing at a slider control, for example a volume control, the finger can be moved up/down (or left/right for a horizontal control) to adjust the value of the slider control. With appropriate input means this gesture can be detected on a touchpad, on a touch screen or in air without physically touching the input means. By gazing at a checkbox control while doing a check-gesture (such as a V) on the touchpad, the checkbox can be checked or unchecked. With appropriate input means this gesture can be detected on a touchpad, on a touch screen or in air without physically touching the input means. By gazing at an object or object part where several options are available, for example copy or rename, the different options can be displayed on different sides of the object after a preset focusing dwell time has passed or after appropriate user input has been provided. Thereafter a gesture is done to choose action. For example, swipe left to copy and swipe right to rename. With appropriate input means this gesture can be detected on a touchpad, on a touch screen or in air without physically touching the input means.
By pressing the finger harder on the touchpad, i.e. increasing the pressure of a finger touching the touchpad, a sliding mode can be initiated. For example, by gazing at an object, touching the touchpad, increasing the pressure on the touchpad and moving the finger or finger over the touchscreen, the object can be moved or dragged over the information presentation area. When the user removes the finger from the touchpad 51, the touchscreen like session is finished. The user may thereafter start a new touchscreen like session by gazing at the information presentation area 20 and placing the finger on the touchpad 51.

(48) As mentioned, the gesture and gaze initiated actions discussed above are only exemplary and there are a large number of further gestures in combination with gaze point resulting in an action that are conceivable. With appropriate input means many of these gestures can be detected on a touchpad, on a predefined area of a touch screen, in air without physically touching the input means, or by an input means worn on a finger or a hand of the user. Below, some further examples are described: Selection of an object or object part can be made by gazing at that object or object part and pressing a finger (e.g. a thumb), fine tuning by moving the finger and releasing the pressure applied by the finger to select that object or object part; Selection of an object or object part can be made by gazing at that object or object part, pressing a finger (e.g. a thumb), fine tuning by moving the finger, using another finger (e.g. the other thumb) to tap for selecting that object or object part. In addition, a double tap may be used for a double click action and a quick downward movement may be used for a right click. By gazing at a zoomable object or object part presented on the information presentation area while moving a finger (e.g. one of the thumbs) in a circular motion, it is possible to zoom in or out of the said object using the gaze point as the zoom center point, where a clockwise motion performs a zoom in command and a counterclockwise motion performs a zoom out command or vice versa. By gazing at a zoomable object or object part presented on the information presentation area and in connection to this holding one finger (e.g. one of the thumbs) still while moving another finger (e.g. the other thumb) upwards and downwards, it is possible to zoom in or out of the said object using the gaze point as the zoom center point, where an upwards motion performs a zoom in command and a downwards motion performs a zoom out command or vice versa. By gazing at a zoomable object or object part presented on the information presentation area and while pressing hard on a pressure-sensitive touchpad with one finger (e.g. one of the thumbs), it is possible to zoom in or out on the said object using the gaze point as the zoom center point, where each hard press toggles between different zoom levels. By gazing at a zoomable object or object part presented on the information presentation area while double-tapping on a touchpad with one finger (e.g. one of the thumbs), it is possible to zoom in or out of the said object using the gaze point as the zoom center point, where each double-tap toggles between different zoom levels. By gazing at a zoomable object or object part presented on the information presentation area while sliding two fingers (e.g. the two thumbs) simultaneously in opposite horizontal directions, it is possible to zoom that object or object part. By gazing at a zoomable object and in connection to this holding finger (e.g. one thumb) still on the touchscreen while moving another finger (e.g. the other thumb) in a circular motion, it is possible to zoom that object or object part. By gazing at an object or object part presented on the information presentation area and in connection to this holding a finger (e.g one of the thumbs) still on the touchscreen while sliding another finger (e.g. the other thumb), it is possible to slide or drag the view presented by the information presentation area. By gazing at an object or object part presented on the information presentation area and in connection to this holding a finger (e.g one of the thumbs) still on the touchscreen while sliding another finger (e.g. the other thumb), it is possible to slide or drag the view presented by the information presentation area. By gazing at an object or object part presented on the information presentation area and while tapping or double-tapping with a finger (e.g. one of the thumbs), an automatic panning function can be activated so that the presentation area is continuously slided from one of the edges of the screen towards the center while the gaze point is near the edge of the information presentation area, until a second user input is received. By gazing at an object or object part presented on the information presentation area and while tapping or double-tapping with a finger (e.g. one of the thumbs), the presentation area is instantly slided according to the gaze point (e.g. the gaze point is used to indicate the center of where the information presentation area should be slided). By gazing at a rotatable object or object part presented on the information presentation area while sliding two fingers (e.g. the two thumbs) simultaneously in opposite vertical directions, it is possible to rotate that object or object part.

(49) Before the two-finger gesture is performed, one of the fingers can be used to fine-tune the point of action. For example, a user feedback symbol like a virtual finger can be shown on the gaze point when the user touches the touchscreen. The first finger can be used to slide around to adjust the point of action relative to the original point. When user touches the screen with the second finger, the point of action is fixed and the second finger is used for clicking on the point of action or for performing two-finger gestures like the rotate, drag and zoom examples above.

(50) In embodiments of the present invention, the touchscreen like session can be maintained despite that the user has removed the finger or fingers from the touchpad if, for example, a specific or dedicated button or keyboard key is held down or pressed. Thereby, it is possible for the user to perform actions requiring multiple touches on the touchpad. For example, an object can be moved or dragged across the entire information presentation area by means of multiple dragging movements on the touchpad.

(51) With reference now to FIGS. 11a, 11b and 12, further embodiments of the present invention will be discussed. FIG. 11a shows a further embodiment of a system with integrated gaze and manual control according to the present invention. This embodiment of the system is implemented in a device 100 with a touchscreen 151 such as an iPad or similar device. The user is able to control the device 100 at least partly based on gaze tracking signals which describes the user's point of regard x, y on the touchscreen 151 and based on user generated gestures, i.e. a movement of at least one body part of the user can be detected, generating gesture based control commands via user input means 150 including the touchscreen 151.

(52) The present invention provides a solution enabling a user of a device 100 with a touchscreen 151 to interact with a graphical user interfaces using gaze as direct input and gesture based user commands as relative input. Thereby, it is possible, for example, to hold the device 100 with both hands and interact with a graphical user interface 180 presented on the touchscreen with gaze and the thumbs 161 and 162 as shown in FIG. 11a.

(53) In an alternative embodiment, one or more touchpads 168 can be arranged on the backside of the device 100, i.e. on the side of the device on which the user normally do not look at during use. This embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 11b. Thereby, a user is allowed to control the device at least partly based on gaze tracking signals which describes the user's point of regard x, y on the information presentation area and based on user generated gestures, i.e. a movement of at least one finger on the one or more touchpads 168 on the backside of the device 100, generating gesture based control commands interpreted by the control module. In order to produce the gaze tracking signal, a gaze tracking module 140 is included in the device 100, 100. A suitable gaze tracker is described in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,572,008, titled Method and Installation for detecting and following an eye and the gaze direction thereof, by the same applicant, which hereby is incorporated in its entirety.

(54) The software program or software implemented instructions associated with the gaze tracking module 140 may be included within the gaze tracking module 140.

(55) The device 100 comprises a gaze tracking module 140, user input means 150 including the touchscreen 151 and an input module 132, and a control module 136 as shown in FIG. 12. The device 100 comprises several other components in addition to those illustrated in FIG. 12 but these components are omitted from FIG. 12 in illustrative purposes.

(56) The input module 132, which may be a software module included solely in a control module or in the user input means 150, is configured to receive signals from the touchscreen 151 reflecting a user's gestures. Further, the input module 132 is also adapted to interpret the received signals and provide, based on the interpreted signals, gesture based control commands, for example, a tap command to activate an object, a swipe command or a slide command.

(57) The control module 136 is configured to acquire gaze data signals from the gaze tracking module 140 and gesture based control commands from the input module 132. Further, the control module 136 is configured to determine a gaze point area 180 on the information presentation area, i.e. the touchscreen 151, where the user's gaze point is located based on the gaze data signals. The gaze point area 180 is preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a local area around a gaze point of the user.

(58) Moreover, the control module 136 is configured to execute at least one user action manipulating a view presented on the touchscreen 151 based on the determined gaze point area and the at least one user generated gesture based control command, wherein the user action is executed with the determined gaze point area as a starting point. All user actions described in the context of this application may also be executed with this embodiment of the present invention.

(59) In a possible further embodiment, when the user touches the touchscreen 151, the location of the initial gaze point is indicated by a visual feedback, such as a crosshairs or similar sign. This initial location can be adjusted by moving the finger on the touchscreen 151, for example, using a thumb 161 or 162. Thereafter, the user can interact with the touchscreen 151 using different gestures and the gaze, where the gaze is the direct indicator of the user's interest and the gestures are relative to the touchscreen 151. In the embodiment including a touchscreen, the gestures are finger movements relative the touchscreen 151 and each gesture is associated with or corresponds to particular gesture based user command resulting in a user action.

(60) With reference now to FIGS. 13a, 13b and 13c, control modules for generating gesture based commands during user interaction with an information presentation area 201, for example, associated with a WTRU (described below with reference to FIG. 14), or a computer device or handheld portable device (described below with reference to FIG. 15a or 15b), or in a vehicle (described below with reference to FIG. 21), or in a wearable head mounted display (described below with reference to FIG. 22) will be described. Parts or modules described above will not be described in detail again in connection to this embodiment.

(61) According to an embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 13a, the control module 200 is configured to acquire user input from input means 205, for example, included in a device in which the control module may be arranged in, adapted to detect user generated gestures. For this purpose, the control module 200 may include an input module 232 comprising a data acquisition module 210 configured to translate the gesture data from the input means 205 into an input signal. The input means 205 may include elements that are sensitive to pressure, physical contact, gestures, or other manual control by the user, for example, a touchpad. Further, the input means 205 may also include a computer keyboard, a mouse, a track ball, or any other device, for example, an IR-sensor, voice activated input means, or a detection device of body gestures or proximity based input can be used.

(62) Further, the input module 232 is configured to determine at least one user generated gesture based control command based on the input signal. For this purpose, the input module 232 further comprises a gesture determining module 220 communicating with the data acquisition module 210. The gesture determining module 220 may also communicate with the gaze data analyzing module 240. The gesture determining module 220 may be configured to check whether the input signal corresponds to a predefined or predetermined relative gesture and optionally use gaze input signals to interpret the input signal. For example, the control module 200 may comprise a gesture storage unit (not shown) storing a library or list of predefined gestures, each predefined gesture corresponding to a specific input signal. Thus, the gesture determining module 220 is adapted to interpret the received signals and provide, based on the interpreted signals, gesture based control commands, for example, a tap command to activate an object, a swipe command or a slide command.

(63) A gaze data analyzing module 240 is configured to determine a gaze point area on the information presentation area 201 including the user's gaze point based on at least the gaze data signals from the gaze tracking module 235. The information presentation area 201 may be a display of any type of known computer screen or monitor, as well as combinations of two or more separate displays, which will depend on the specific device or system in which the control module is implemented in. For example, the display 201 may constitute a regular computer screen, a stereoscopic screen, a heads-up display (HUD) in a vehicle, or at least one head-mounted display (HMD). Then, a processing module 250 may be configured to execute at least one user action manipulating a view presented on the information presentation area 201 based on the determined gaze point area and at least one user generated gesture based control command, wherein the user action is executed with the determined gaze point area as a starting point. Hence, the user is able to control a device or system at least partly based on an eye-tracking signal which described the user's point of regard x, y on the information presentation area or display 201 and based on user generated gestures, i.e. a movement of at least one body part of the user can be detected, generating gesture based control commands via user input means 205 such as a touchpad.

(64) According to another embodiment a control module according to the present invention shown in FIG. 13b, the control module 260 is configured to acquire gesture based control commands from an input module 232. The input module 232 may comprise a gesture determining module and a data acquisition module as described above with reference to FIG. 13a. A gaze data analyzing module 240 is configured to determine a gaze point area on the information presentation area 201 including the user's gaze point based on at least the gaze data signals received from the gaze tracking module 235. The information presentation area 201 may be a display of any type of known computer screen or monitor, as well as combinations of two or more separate displays, which will depend on the specific device or system in which the control module is implemented in. For example, the display 201 may constitute a regular computer screen, a stereoscopic screen, a heads-up display (HUD) in a vehicle, or at least one head-mounted display (HMD). A processing module 250 may be configured to execute at least one user action manipulating a view presented on the information presentation area 201 based on the determined gaze point area and at least one user generated gesture based control command, wherein the user action is executed with the determined gaze point area as a starting point. Hence, the user is able to control a device or system at least partly based on an eye-tracking signal which described the user's point of regard x, y on the information presentation area or display 201 and based on user generated gestures, i.e. a movement of at least one body part of the user can be detected, generating gesture based control commands via user input means 205 such as a touchpad.

(65) With reference to FIG. 13c, a further embodiment of a control module according to the present invention will be discussed. The input module 232 is distributed such that the data acquisition module 210 is provided outside the control module 280 and the gesture determining module 220 is provided in the control module 280. A gaze data analyzing module 240 is configured to determine a gaze point area on the information presentation area 201 including the user's gaze point based on at least the gaze data signals received from the gaze tracking module 235. The information presentation area 201 may be a display of any type of known computer screen or monitor, as well as combinations of two or more separate displays, which will depend on the specific device or system in which the control module is implemented in. For example, the display 201 may constitute a regular computer screen, a stereoscopic screen, a heads-up display (HUD) in a vehicle, or at least one head-mounted display (HMD). A processing module 250 may be configured to execute at least one user action manipulating a view presented on the information presentation area 201 based on the determined gaze point area and at least one user generated gesture based control command, wherein the user action is executed with the determined gaze point area as a starting point. Hence, the user is able to control a device or system at least partly based on an eye-tracking signal which described the user's point of regard x, y on the information presentation area or display 201 and based on user generated gestures, i.e. a movement of at least one body part of the user can be detected, generating gesture based control commands via user input means 205 such as a touchpad.

(66) With reference to FIG. 14, a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) such as a cellular telephone or a smartphone, in accordance with the present invention will be described. Parts or modules described above will not be described in detail again. Further, only parts or modules related to the present invention will be described below. Accordingly, the WTRU includes a large number of additional parts, units and modules that are not described herein such as antennas and transmit/receive units. The wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) 300 is associated with an information presentation area 301 and further comprises input means 305, including e.g. an input module as has been described above, adapted to detect user generated gestures and a gaze tracking module 325 adapted to detect gaze data of a viewer of the information presentation area 301. The WTRU further comprises a control module 200, 260 or 280 as described above with reference to FIGS. 13a, 13b and 13c. The user is able to control the WTRU at least partly based on an eye-tracking signal which describes the user's point of regard x, y on the information presentation area or display 301 and based on user generated gestures, i.e. a movement of at least one body part of the user can be detected, generating gesture based control commands via user input means 305 such as a touchpad. All user actions described in the context of this application may also be executed with this embodiment of the present invention.

(67) With reference to FIGS. 15a and 15b, a computer device or handheld portable device in accordance with the present invention will be described. Parts or modules described above will not be described in detail again. Further, only parts or modules related to the present invention will be described below. Accordingly, the device includes a large number of additional parts, units and modules that are not described herein such as memory units (e.g. RAM/ROM), or processing units. The computer device or handheld portable device 400 may, for example, be any one from the group of a personal computer, computer workstation, mainframe computer, a processor or device in a vehicle, or a handheld device such as a cell phone, smartphone or similar device, portable music player (such as e.g. an iPod), laptop computers, computer games, electronic books, an iPAD or similar device, a Tablet, a Phoblet/Phablet.

(68) The computer device or handheld device 400a is connectable to an information presentation area 401a (e.g. an external display or a heads-up display (HUD), or at least one head-mounted display (HMD)), as shown in FIG. 15a, or the computer device or handheld device 400b includes an information presentation area 401b, as shown in FIG. 15b, such as a regular computer screen, a stereoscopic screen, a heads-up display (HUD), or at least one head-mounted display (HMD). Furthermore, the computer device or handheld device 400a, 400b comprises input means 405 adapted to detect user generated gestures and a gaze tracking module 435 adapted to detect gaze data of a viewer of the information presentation area 401. Moreover, the computer device or handheld device 400a, 400b comprises a control module 200, 260, or 280 as described above with reference to FIG. 13a, 13b or 13c. The user is able to control the computer device or handheld device 400a, 400b at least partly based on an eye-tracking signal which described the user's point of regard x, y on the information presentation area or display 401 and based on user generated gestures, i.e. a movement of at least one body part of the user can be detected, generating gesture based control commands via user input means 405 such as a touchpad. All user actions described in the context of this application may also be executed with this embodiment of the present invention.

(69) With reference now to FIG. 16-19, example embodiments of methods according to the present invention will be described. The method embodiments described in connection with FIGS. 16-19 are implemented in an environment where certain steps are performed in a device, e.g. a WTRU described above with reference to FIG. 14, or a computer device or handheld device described above with reference to FIG. 15a or 15b and certain steps are performed in a control module, e.g. a control module as described above with reference to FIGS. 13a, 13b and 13c. As the skilled person realizes, the methods described herein can also be implemented in other environments, as, for example, in a system as described above with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 20 or in implementations illustrated in FIGS. 21-23. Similar or like steps performed in the different embodiments will be denoted with the same reference numeral hereinafter.

(70) With reference first to FIG. 16, the device is waiting for user input in step S500. In step S510, the user touches a touch sensitive area on the device (e.g. input means as described above) with one or more fingers of each hand. This step is not a part of the method according to embodiments of the invention. There are a large number of conceivable gestures that the user can use to control actions of the device, and a non-exhaustive number of such gestures have been described above. At step S520, the gesture data, i.e. the user input, is translated into an input signal. At step S530, it is checked whether the input signal corresponds to a predefined or predetermined relative gesture. If not, the procedure returns back to step S500. On the other hand, if yes (i.e. the input signal corresponds to a predefined gesture), a gesture based control command is generated at step S570. At step S540, the user looks at a screen or an information presentation area and at step S550 the user's gaze is detected at the information presentation area. The step S540 is not a part of the method according to embodiments of the present invention. In step S560, a gaze point area including a user's point of gaze on the screen or information presentation area. At step S580, an action corresponding to the relative gesture at the user's point of gaze is performed based on the gesture based control command and the determined gaze point at the information presentation area.

(71) With reference to FIG. 17, the device is waiting for user input in step S500. In step S590, the user makes a gesture with one or more fingers and/or at least one hand in front of the information presentation area (which gesture is interpreted by input means as described above). The step S590 is not a part of the method according to embodiments of the present invention. There are a large number of conceivable gestures that the user can use to control actions of the device, and a non-exhaustive number of such gestures have been described above. At step S520, the gesture data, i.e. the user input, is translated into an input signal. At step S530, it is checked whether the input signal corresponds to a predefined or predetermined relative gesture. If not, the procedure returns back to step S500. On the other hand, if yes (i.e. the input signal corresponds to a predefined gesture), a gesture based control command is generated at step S570. At step S540, the user looks at a screen or an information presentation area and at step S550 the user's gaze is detected at the information presentation area. As mentioned above, the step S540 is not a part of the method according to embodiments of the present invention. In step S560, a gaze point area including a user's point of gaze on the screen or information presentation area. At step S580, an action corresponding to the relative gesture at the user's point of gaze is performed based on the gesture based control command and the determined gaze point at the information presentation area.

(72) With reference to FIG. 18, the device is waiting for user input in step S500. In step S592, the user generates input by touching touchpad or predefined area of touch-screen. The step S592 is not a part of the method according to embodiments of the present invention. There are a large number of conceivable gestures that the user can use to control actions of the device, and a non-exhaustive number of such gestures have been described above. At step S520, the gesture data, i.e. the user input, is translated into an input signal. At step S530, it is checked whether the input signal corresponds to a predefined or predetermined relative gesture. If not, the procedure returns back to step S500. On the other hand, if yes (i.e. the input signal corresponds to a predefined gesture), a gesture based control command is generated at step S570. At step S540, the user looks at a screen or an information presentation area and at step S550 the user's gaze is detected at the information presentation area. The step S540 is not a part of the method according to embodiments of the present invention. In step S560, a gaze point area including a user's point of gaze on the screen or information presentation area is determined. At step S580, an action corresponding to the relative gesture at the user's point of gaze is performed based on the gesture based control command and the determined gaze point at the information presentation area.

(73) With reference to FIG. 19, the device is waiting for user input in step S500. In step S594, the user generates input by making a gesture with one or more of his or hers fingers and/or at least one hand. The step S594 is not a part of the method according to embodiments of the present invention. There are a large number of conceivable gestures that the user can use to control actions of the device, and a non-exhaustive number of such gestures have been described above. At step S520, the gesture data, i.e. the user input, is translated into an input signal. At step S530, it is checked whether the input signal corresponds to a predefined or predetermined relative gesture. If not, the procedure returns back to step S500. On the other hand, if yes (i.e. the input signal corresponds to a predefined gesture), a gesture based control command is generated at step S570. At step S540, the user looks at a screen or an information presentation area and at step S550 the user's gaze is detected at the information presentation area. The step S540 is not a part of the method according to embodiments of the present invention. In step S560, a gaze point area including a user's point of gaze on the screen or information presentation area is determined. At step S580, an action corresponding to the relative gesture at the user's point of gaze is performed based on the gesture based control command and the determined gaze point at the information presentation area.

(74) With reference to FIG. 21, a further implementation of the present invention will be discussed. A gaze tracking module (not shown) and a user input means 900 are implemented in a vehicle (not shown). The information presentation area (not shown) may be a heads-up display or an infotainment screen. The input means 900 may be one or two separate touch pads on the backside (for use with the index finger/s) or on the front side (for use with the thumb/s) of the steering wheel 910 of the vehicle. A control module 950 is arranged in a processing unit configured to be inserted into a vehicle or a central processing unit of the vehicle. Preferably, the control module is a control module as described with reference to FIGS. 13a-13c.

(75) With reference to FIG. 22, another implementation of the present invention will be discussed. A gaze tracking module (not shown) and an information presentation area (not shown) are implemented in a wearable head mounted display 1000 that may be designed to look as a pair of glasses. One such solution is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,235,529. The user input means 1010 may include a gyro and be adapted to be worn by the user 1020 on a wrist, hand or at least one finger. For example, the input means 1010 may be a ring with a wireless connection to the glasses and a gyro that detects small movements of the finger where the ring is worn. The detected movements representing gesture data may then wirelessly be communicated to the glasses where gaze is detected and gesture based control commands based on the gesture data from the input means is used to identify and execute user action. Preferably, a control module as described with reference to FIG. 13a-13c is used with this implementation.

(76) With reference to FIG. 23, an implementation of the present invention will be discussed. In this implementation, the user 1120 is able to control a computer device 1100 at least partly based on an eye-tracking signal which describes the user's point of regard x, y on a information presentation area 1140 and based on user generated gestures, i.e. a movement of at least one body part of the user can be detected, generating gesture based control commands via user input means 1150. In this embodiment, the user 1120 can generate the gesture based control commands by performing gestures above or relative the keyboard of the computer device 1100. The input means 1140 detects the gestures, for example, using an optical measurement technique or capacitive measurement technique. Preferably, a control module as described with reference to FIG. 13a-13c is used with this implementation and may be arranged in the computer device 1100. The computer device 1100 may, for example, be any one from the group of a personal computer, computer workstation, mainframe computer, or a handheld device such as a cell phone, portable music player (such as e.g. an iPod), laptop computers, computer games, electronic books and similar other devices. The present invention may also be implemented in an intelligent environment where, for example, objects presented on multiple displays can be selected and activated. In order to produce the gaze tracking signals, a gaze tracker unit (not shown) is included in the computer device 1100, or is associated with the information presentation area 1140. A suitable gaze tracker is described in the U.S. Pat. No. 7,572,008, titled Method and Installation for detecting and following an eye and the gaze direction thereof, by the same applicant, which hereby is incorporated in its entirety. While this specification contains a number of specific embodiments, these should not be construed as limitation to the scope of the present invention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to exemplary implementations of the present invention. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combinations in a single implementation. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although feature may be described above as acting in certain combinations or even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

(77) Similarly, while operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as require such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operation be performed to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Moreover, the separation of various system components in the implementation described above should not be understood as requiring such separation in all implementations, and it should be understood that the described program components and systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.