Apple patents eye-tracking that scrolls text as you read
Apple describes a system where a device uses a camera to track where a user is looking. If the system detects that you have finished reading a section of text, it automatically scrolls the page to bring the next section into view.
In the filing’s own words
In some embodiments, an electronic device expands an item of content in accordance with detection of a user's gaze. In some embodiments, an electronic device scrolls text of a content item in accordance with a determination that the user is reading the content item. In some embodiments, an electronic device navigates between user interfaces in accordance with detection of movement of the user's head and detection of the user's gaze. In some embodiments, an electronic device displays augmented content related to a portion of content in accordance with detection of movement of the user's head and detection of the user's gaze in accordance with some embodiments.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A method, comprising: at an electronic device in communication with a display generation component and a gaze tracking device: displaying, via the display generation component, a user interface including a first portion of text of a content item and a second portion of text of the content item, the first portion of text displayed at a first position in the user interface, and the second portion of text displayed at a second position in the user interface; while displaying the user interface, determining, via the gaze tracking device, that motion of the gaze of a user indicates that the user is reading the first portion of text; and while the motion of the gaze of the user indicates that the user is reading the first portion of text: in accordance with a determination that the motion of the gaze of the user indicates that the user has finished reading the first portion of text: scrolling the text so that the second portion of text moves in a first direction, wherein scrolling the text so that the second portion of text moves in the first direction causes the second portion of text to be displayed at a location in the user interface at which the user looks while moving their eyes in a direction towards a beginning of the second portion of text; and in accordance with a determination that the motion of the gaze of the user indicates that the user has not finished reading the first portion of text: maintaining the first portion of text at the first position.
Facts
- Company
- Apple (Apple Inc.)
- Official title
- DEVICES, METHODS, AND GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACES FOR GAZE-BASED NAVIGATION
- Publication number
- US20260288293A1
- Application number
- 19684860
- Filed
- May 21, 2026
- Published
- Sep 24, 2026
- Inventors
- 8
- Claims
- 22
Classified under
G06F 3/0481 Physics & computingG06F 3/012 Physics & computingG06F 3/013 Physics & computingMore from Apple in AI & software
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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.