On the Design of a Low Cost Gaze Tracker for Interaction

The human gaze is a basic mean for non verbal interaction. However, in several situations, especially in the context of upper limb motor impairment, the gaze represents also an alternative mean for human interaction with the environment (real or virtual). This interaction can be mastered through specific tools and new learned skills. Therefore the technological tool is a key for new interaction models. This paper presents a tool for gaze interaction: a new gaze tracker. The system specifications and the status of the gaze tracker design are presented; the dedicated algorithm for eye detection and tracking as well as an improvement of Zelinsky's model for eye movement prediction during the search of a predefined object in an image are outlined. Results of the first pre-prototype first evaluation with end users are summarized.