# US 2020/0401220 A1 · Eye tracking apparatuses configured for degrading iris authentication > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2020/0401220 A1 - Document ID: US20200401220A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/911,113 - Filed: 2020-06-24 - Published: 2020-12-24 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-24 - Assignees: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc. - Applicants: University of Florida Research Foundation, Incorporated - Inventors: Eakta Jain; Sanjeev Jagannatha Koppal; Brendan Matthew John - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20200401220A1 ## CPC - G02B 27/0093: {with means for monitoring data relating to the user, e.g. head-tracking, eye-tracking} - G06F 3/013: {Eye tracking input arrangements (G06F3/015 takes precedence)} - G02B 27/0068: {having means for controlling the degree of correction, e.g. using phase modulators, movable elements (controlling the phase of light using moving or deformable elements G02B26/06)} - G02B 27/0172: {characterised by optical features} - H04N 23/20: for generating image signals from infrared radiation only - G02B 2027/0138: {comprising image capture systems, e.g. camera} - G02B 2027/0147: {comprising a device modifying the resolution of the displayed image} - G02B 2027/0178: {Eyeglass type (eyeglass details G02C)} - G02B 2027/0187: {slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract Provided are methods, apparatuses, and systems for tracking a pupil of an eye of a user with degraded iris authentication accuracy. In certain examples, an eye tracking device includes a camera adapted to capture an eye image of at least one eye of a user. The eye tracking device further includes an image processor adapted to defocus the eye image in order to generate a defocused eye image. The defocused eye image comprises reduced iris authentication accuracy. The eye tracking device further includes a tracking processor configured to detect a pupil in the defocused eye image and determine a gaze direction of the user based at least in part on one or more of the defocused eye image and the pupil. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An eye tracking device configured for tracking a pupil of an eye of a user, the eye tracking device comprising: a camera adapted to capture an eye image of at least one eye of a user; an image processor adapted to defocus the eye image in order to generate a defocused eye image, wherein the defocused eye image comprises reduced iris authentication accuracy; and a tracking processor configured for executing instructions, the instructions configured to cause the eye tracking device to: detect a pupil in the defocused eye image; and determine a gaze direction of the user based at least in part on one or more of the defocused eye image and the pupil. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The eye tracking device of claim 1, wherein the camera comprises an infrared camera sensor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The eye tracking device of claim 1, wherein the image processor is configured to defocus the eye image by convolving with a low-pass filter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The eye tracking device of claim 3, wherein the low-pass filter comprises a Gaussian kernel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The eye tracking device of claim 4, wherein the Gaussian kernel comprises a blur parameter between 3 pixels and 5 pixels. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The eye tracking device of claim 1, further comprising a frame, wherein the camera, the image processor, and the tracking processor are operatively connected to the frame. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The eye tracking device of claim 6, where the frame is adapted for placement on a head of the user such that the eye tracking device functions as a headset. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The eye tracking device of claim 1, wherein detecting the pupil comprises fitting a programmed ellipse to the pupil in the defocused eye image. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The eye tracking device of claim 8, wherein determining the gaze direction is further based in part on ellipse parameters of the programmed ellipse. ### Claim 10 A method of tracking a pupil of an eye of a user, the method comprising: capturing, using a camera, an eye image of at least one eye of a user; defocusing, using an image processor, the eye image in order to generate a defocused eye image, wherein the defocused eye image comprises reduced iris authentication accuracy; detecting, using a tracking processor, a pupil in the defocused eye image; and determining, using a tracking processor, a gaze direction of the user based on the defocused eye image. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein defocusing the eye image comprises convolving with a low-pass filter. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, wherein the low-pass filter comprises a Gaussian kernel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein the Gaussian kernel comprises a blur parameter between 3 pixels and 5 pixels. ### Claim 14 An eye tracking device configured for tracking a pupil of an eye, the eye tracking device comprising: a movable camera adapted to capture an eye image of at least one eye of a user, the movable camera being adjustable between an in-focus position and a defocused position; and a tracking processor configured for executing instructions stored in a local memory of the eye tracking device, the instructions configuring the tracking processor to: detect the pupil in the eye image; and determine a gaze direction of the user based on the eye image; wherein, when the movable camera is in the in-focus position, authentication of an iris in the eye image is enabled; and wherein, when the movable camera is in the defocused position, authentication of the iris in the eye image is disabled. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The eye tracking device of claim 14, wherein the movable camera comprises an infrared camera sensor. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The eye tracking device of claim 14, wherein the movable camera is further away from the at least one eye of the user in the defocused position than in the in-focus position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The eye tracking device of claim 14, further comprising a frame, wherein the movable camera and the tracking processor are operatively connected to the frame. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The eye tracking device of claim 17, further comprising a camera mounting arm having a distal end and a proximate end, wherein the camera mounting arm is connected to the movable camera at the distal end and connected to the frame at the proximate end. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The eye tracking device of claim 14, wherein the movable camera is adjustable between the in-focus position and the defocused position by adjusting the camera mounting arm. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The eye tracking device of claim 17, where the frame is adapted for placement on a head of the user such that the eye tracking device functions as a headset.