Apple patents eye tracking to tell if you are reading or clicking text
Apple describes a system that uses eye-tracking data to distinguish between a user simply reading text and one who intends to interact with a specific element within it. The device analyzes physiological signals to detect when a user is transitioning from a reading state to an interaction state, such as preparing to click a link or button embedded in the text.
In the filing’s own words
Various implementations disclosed herein include devices, systems, and methods that determine whether the user is reading text or intends an interaction with a portion of the text in order to initiate an interaction event during the presentation of the content. For example, an example process may include obtaining physiological data associated with an eye of a user during presentation of content, wherein the content includes text, determining whether the user is reading a portion of the text or intends an interaction with the portion of the text based on an assessment of the physiological data with respect to a reading characteristic, and in accordance with a determination that the user intends the interaction with the portion of the text, initiating an interaction event associated with the portion of the text.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method comprising: at a device comprising a processor: obtaining physiological data associated with an eye of a user during presentation of content, wherein the content comprises text that includes an interactable element embedded within or proximate to the text; determining whether the user is reading a portion of the text or intends an interaction with the portion of the text that includes the interactable element based on an assessment of the physiological data with respect to a reading characteristic, including detecting that the user is transitioning from reading the portion of the text to interacting with the portion of the text, wherein, if the physiological data satisfies a first criterion, the user is determined to be reading the portion of the text and, if the physiological data satisfies a second criterion, the user is determined to be performing the interaction with the portion of the text that is different than reading the portion of the text; and in accordance with a determination that the user intends the interaction with the portion of the text that includes the interactable element, initiating an interaction event associated with the portion of the text.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (APPLE INC.)
- Official title
- User interactions and eye tracking with text embedded elements
- Patent number
- US12737041B2
- Application number
- 18731616
- Filed
- Jun 3, 2024
- Granted
- Sep 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 8
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
G06F 3/013 Physics & computingA61B 5/163 Human necessitiesMore from Apple in AR, VR & displays
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.