Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    Implementations described herein relate generally to devices and, more particularly, to a display that adjusts based on eye information. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Small displays on mobile communication devices present problems when they attempt to convey large amounts of information within their confines. For example, a mobile communication device may display a list of telephone numbers to aid a user with locating a telephone number. However, depending upon the size of the content (e.g., the list of telephone numbers) on the display and the distance the display is from the eyes of the user, the user may have to move the device closer to his/her eyes in order to view the content clearly. Likewise, the user may wish to enlarge a portion of the content on the display (e.g., a particular telephone number in the list), but may be unable to perform such a task without moving the content portion closer to his/her eyes. Finally, users with vision disorders may need the content displayed on the device to be enlarged more so than users without vision disorders. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    According to one aspect, a method may include determining a distance between an eye and a device, and adjusting a scale of content displayed on the device based on the distance. 
         [0006]    Additionally, the method may include determining the distance with a distance sensor included in the device. 
         [0007]    Additionally, the method may include decreasing the scale of the content displayed on the device as the distance decreases. 
         [0008]    Additionally, the method may include increasing the scale of the content displayed on the device as the distance increases. 
         [0009]    Additionally, the increasing the scale of the content may include one of increasing the scale of the content continuously as the distance increases, increasing the scale of the content in discrete steps as the distance increases, increasing the scale of the content logarithmically as the distance increases, or increasing the scale of the content exponentially as the distance increases. 
         [0010]    Additionally, the method may include adjusting the scale of the content based on a user controlled content scaling. 
         [0011]    Additionally, the method may include determining a focal point of the content based on the eye information, and adjusting a scale of a portion of the content corresponding to the focal point based on the distance. 
         [0012]    Additionally, the method may include displaying the adjusted content portion on the device. 
         [0013]    Additionally, the method may include increasing the scale of the content portion corresponding to the focal point as the distance increases. 
         [0014]    Additionally, the method may include determining the focal point with an eye tracking sensor included in the device. 
         [0015]    Additionally, the method may include adjusting the focal point to a point in the content based on a user inputted location. 
         [0016]    Additionally, the method may include adjusting the scale of a content portion corresponding to the adjusted focal point based on the distance. 
         [0017]    According to another aspect, a method may include obtaining eye information associated with a device, determining a focal point of content displayed on the device based on the eye information, and adjusting a scale of a portion of the content based on the focal point. 
         [0018]    Additionally, the method may include displaying the adjusted content portion on the device. 
         [0019]    Additionally, the method may include increasing the scale of the content portion as a distance between an eye and the device increases. 
         [0020]    According to yet another aspect, a device may include means for obtaining eye information associated with the device, means for determining a focal point for content based on the eye information, means for displaying the content, and means for increasing a scale of the content as a distance between an eye and the device increases. 
         [0021]    According to a further aspect, a device may include an eye information gatherer to obtain eye information associated with the device, and processing logic. The processing logic may determine a distance between an eye and the device based on the eye information, determine a focal point for content based on the eye information, display the content, display the focal point in the content, and adjust a scale of a portion of the content corresponding to the focal point based on the distance. 
         [0022]    Additionally, the eye information gatherer may include at least one of a distance sensor or an eye tracking sensor. 
         [0023]    Additionally, when determining the distance between the eye and the device, the processing logic may be configured to determine the distance based on information received from the distance sensor. 
         [0024]    Additionally, when determining the focal point for the content, the processing logic may be configured to determine the focal point based on information received from the eye tracking sensor. 
         [0025]    Additionally, when displaying the focal point in the content, the processing logic may be configured to adjust the focal point to a point in the content based on a user inputted location. 
         [0026]    Additionally, when determining the focal point for the content, the processing logic may be configured to determine the focal point based on a user inputted location. 
         [0027]    Additionally, when adjusting the scale of the content portion based on the distance, the processing logic may be configured to one of continuously, discretely, logarithmically, or exponentially increase the scale of the content portion as the distance increases. 
         [0028]    According to still another aspect, a device may include a memory to store instructions, and a processor to execute the instructions. The processor may execute instructions to determine a focal point for content based on eye information, display the content, and increase a scale of a portion of the content corresponding to the focal point as a distance between an eye and the device increases. 
         [0029]    According to a further aspect, a method may include presenting content for display on a device, and increasing a scale of at least a portion of the content as a distance between an eye and the device increases. 
         [0030]    According to still a further aspect, a method may include displaying a focal point in a device, increasing a scale of content corresponding to the focal point until the content is viewable, and updating content scale adjustment settings based on the determined viewable content. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, explain the invention. In the drawings, 
           [0032]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary diagram illustrating concepts consistent with principles of the invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of an exemplary device in which systems and methods consistent with principles of the invention may be implemented; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of exemplary components of the exemplary device of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0035]      FIGS. 4A-6C  are diagrams of exemplary display methods according to implementations consistent with principles of the invention; and 
           [0036]      FIGS. 7-9  are flowcharts of exemplary processes according to implementations consistent with principles of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0037]    The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. 
         [0038]    Implementations consistent with principles of the invention may relate to the displaying of content based on eye information. By using eye information (e.g., the distance a device may be from the eye(s) of a user and the portion of the device display that is being focused on by the user), content having variable scales may be displayed on the device. For example, the distance of the device from the eyes of the user may be determined through a distance sensor provided in the device. The scale of the content may be adjusted based on the distance measured by the distance sensor. The portion of the device display that may be focused upon by an eye(s) (e.g., a focal point) may be determined through an eye tracking sensor provided in the device. The scale of a portion of the content may be adjusted based on the distance measured by the distance sensor and/or based on the focal point of the eye(s). For example, the scale of the content may be increased near the focal point. That is, the scale of the content near the focal point may be larger than the scale of the content further away from the focal point. 
         [0039]    “Scale,” as the term is used herein, is to be broadly interpreted to include the relationship of the size of the content normally provided on the display and the eye-distance based size of the content provided on the display. A scale may be given as a fraction or a ratio (e.g., 10:1). A representative fraction scale (e.g., 10:1) may mean that the eye-distance based size of the content may be ten times larger than the size of the content normally provided on the display. The first number (e.g., eye-distance based content size) may be different for each scale. The second number (e.g., normal content size) may be one. The larger the first number (eye-distance based content size) may be, the larger sized the content may be. A large scale (e.g., a 100:1 scale) may show large sized content. A small scale (e.g., a 2:1 scale) may show smaller sized content. 
         [0040]    “Content,” as the term is used herein, is to be broadly interpreted to include any machine-readable and machine-storable work product. Content may include, for example, an application, a program, an e-mail, a web site, a file, a combination of files, one or more files with embedded links to other files, combinations of any of the aforementioned, a link or shortcut to any of the aforementioned, etc. Content may include textual information, graphical information (e.g., icons, images, video, etc.), embedded information (such as meta information, images, hyperlinks, etc.) and/or embedded instructions (such as Javascript, etc.). 
         [0041]    A “link,” as the term is used herein, is to be broadly interpreted to include any reference to/from content from/to other content or another part of the same content. 
         [0042]    A “device,” as the term is used herein, is to be broadly interpreted to include a radiotelephone; a personal communications system (PC S) terminal that may combine a cellular radiotelephone with data processing, a facsimile, and data communications capabilities; a personal digital assistant (PDA) that can include a radiotelephone, pager, Internet/intranet access, web browser, organizer, calendar, a distance sensor, an eye tracking sensor, a Doppler receiver, and/or global positioning system (GPS) receiver; a laptop; a GPS device; and any other computation or communication device capable of displaying content, such as a personal computer. 
         [0043]    A “distance sensor,” as the term is used herein, is to be broadly interpreted to include a proximity sensor, a laser distance sensor, a distance sensor using echo location with high frequency sound waves, an infrared distance sensor, any other distance sensors capable of measuring the distance to the eye and/or head of a user, etc. 
         [0044]    An “eye tracking sensor,” as the term is used herein, is to be broadly interpreted to include an eye gazing sensor, an infrared camera and infrared illuminator (e.g., a laser emitting diode) combination, a device used to sense, locate, and follow the movement of an eye(s), any other sensor capable of tracking eye movement, etc. For example, in one implementation, a camera may focus on one or both eyes and record movement as the user focuses upon the device. Contrast may be used to locate the center of the pupil, infrared beams may be used to create a corneal reflection, and the triangulation of both may be used to determine the focal point of the user. 
         [0045]    Although, the distance sensor and eye tracking sensor may be described as two separate sensors, the distance sensor may be incorporated into the eye tracking sensor. For example, in one implementation consistent with principles of the invention, an infrared distance sensor may be incorporated into an infrared illuminator of the eye tracking sensor. If a light source is used for the distance sensor and/or the eye tracking sensor, the light may be invisible and of low intensity that it is safe for continued use by the user. 
         [0046]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary diagram illustrating concepts consistent with principles of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a display  100  of a device may be viewed by an eye  110  of a user. Eye  110  may be located a distance  120  from display  100  and may focus on a portion of display  100 , i.e., a focal point  130 . Display  100  may display content  140  having a portion  150  with normal sized content. A representation (e.g., a point, a cross, etc.) of focal point  130  may be provided in content  140 . For example, a representation of focal point  130  may be provided at a portion of content  140  being focused upon by eye  110 . The scale of content  140  may be increased at a portion  160  of content  140  adjacent or corresponding to focal point  130 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a scale of portion  160  closer to focal point  130  may be larger than a scale of portion  150  further away from focal point  130 . 
       Exemplary Device Architecture  
       [0047]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of an exemplary device  200  according to an implementation consistent with principles of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , device  200  may include a housing  210 , a speaker  220 , a display  230 , control buttons  240 , a keypad  250 , a microphone  260 , a distance sensor  270 , and an eye tracking sensor  280 . Housing  210  may protect the components of device  200  from outside elements. Speaker  220  may provide audible information to a user of device  200 . Display  230  may provide visual information to the user. For example, display  230  may provide information regarding incoming or outgoing calls, games, phone books, the current time, etc. In an implementation consistent with principles of the invention, display  230  may provide the user with information in the form of content having adjustable scales. Control buttons  240  may permit the user to interact with device  200  to cause device  200  to perform one or more operations. Keypad  250  may include a standard telephone keypad. Microphone  260  may receive audible information from the user. Distance sensor  270  may determine the distance between device  200  and an eye(s) (e.g., eye  110 ). Eye tracking sensor  280  may sense, locate, and follow the movement of an eye(s). 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of exemplary components of device  200 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , device  200  may include processing logic  310 , storage  320 , a user interface  330 , a communication interface  340 , an antenna assembly  350 , and an eye information gatherer  360 . Processing logic  310  may include a processor, microprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. Processing logic  310  may include data structures or software programs to control operation of device  200  and its components. Storage  320  may include a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), and/or another type of memory to store data and instructions that may be used by processing logic  310 . 
         [0049]    User interface  330  may include mechanisms for inputting information to device  200  and/or for outputting information from device  200 . Examples of input and output mechanisms might include a speaker (e.g., speaker  220 ) to receive electrical signals and output audio signals, a microphone (e.g., microphone  260 ) to receive audio signals and output electrical signals, buttons (e.g., a joystick, control buttons  240  and/or keys of keypad  250 ) to permit data and control commands to be input into device  200 , a display (e.g., display  230 ) to output visual information, and/or a vibrator to cause device  200  to vibrate. 
         [0050]    Communication interface  340  may include, for example, a transmitter that may convert baseband signals from processing logic  310  to radio frequency (RF) signals and/or a receiver that may convert RF signals to baseband signals. Alternatively, communication interface  340  may include a transceiver to perform functions of both a transmitter and a receiver. Communication interface  340  may connect to antenna assembly  350  for transmission and reception of the RF signals. Antenna assembly  350  may include one or more antennas to transmit and receive RF signals over the air. Antenna assembly  350  may receive RF signals from communication interface  340  and transmit them over the air and receive RF signals over the air and provide them to communication interface  340 . 
         [0051]    Eye information gatherer  360  may obtain eye information from device  200 . In one implementation, the eye information may correspond to the distance between device  200  and an eye(s) (e.g., eye  110 ). In this case, eye information gatherer  360  may include a distance sensor (e.g., distance sensor  270 ) that may determine the distance between device  200  and the eye(s). In another implementation, the eye information may correspond to the movement of the eye(s) and/or the location being focused upon by the eye(s) (e.g., focal point  130 ) on the device display (e.g., display  230 ). In this case, eye information gatherer  360  may include an eye tracking sensor (e.g., eye tracking sensor  280 ) that may sense, locate, and follow the movement of the eye(s). In still another implementation, the eye information may correspond to a user inputted focal point. In this case, eye information gatherer  360  may include a keyboard or another type of input buttons (e.g., control buttons  240  and/or keys of keypad  250 ) that permits the user to enter information regarding a focal point. 
         [0052]    As will be described in detail below, device  200 , consistent with principles of the invention, may perform certain operations relating to the display of variable sized content based on eye information. Device  200  may perform these operations in response to processing logic  310  executing software instructions of an application contained in a computer-readable medium, such as storage  320 . A computer-readable medium may be defined as a physical or logical memory device and/or carrier wave. 
         [0053]    The software instructions may be read into storage  320  from another computer-readable medium or from another device via communication interface  340 . The software instructions contained in storage  320  may cause processing logic  310  to perform processes that will be described later. Alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement processes consistent with principles of the invention. Thus, implementations consistent with principles of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software. 
       Exemplary Display Methods  
       [0054]      FIGS. 4A-6C  are diagrams of exemplary display methods according to implementations consistent with principles of the invention. The display methods of  FIGS. 4A-6C  may be conveyed on device  200  (e.g., on display  230  of device  200 ). 
       Uniform Content Scale Adjustment Based On Eye Distance 
       [0055]    As shown in  FIG. 4A , a display  400  of a device (e.g., display  230  of device  200 ) may display content  140  that may include a portion  150  with normal sized content. Display  400  may be viewed by eye  110 , which may be located a distance  410  from display  400  and may focus on a portion of display  400 , e.g., focal point  130 . Distance  410  may be calculated by a distance sensor (e.g., distance sensor  270 ) provided in device  200 . In one implementation, as shown in  FIG. 4A , a representation (e.g., a point, a cross, etc.) of focal point  130  may be provided in content  140 . For example, a representation of focal point  130  may be provided at a portion of content  140  being focused upon by eye  110  on display  400 . In another implementation, focal point  130  may not be provided in content  140 . 
         [0056]    In one implementation consistent with principles of the invention, the scale of the content may not be adjusted if an eye(s) is close enough to the device display. For example, a predetermined threshold for content adjustment may be set by the user for the distance the eye(s) may located away from the device before the scale of the content may be adjusted. As shown in the exemplary diagram of  FIG. 4A , distance  410  may be smaller than the predetermined threshold. Accordingly, content  140  of display  400  may not be adjusted and may maintain its normal size (e.g., normal sized content portion  150 ). 
         [0057]    In another implementation consistent with principles of the invention, the scale of the content may be adjusted based on the distance the eye(s) is located from the device display. For example, as shown in FIG.  4 B, display  400  may be viewed by eye  110 , which may be located a distance  420  from display  400 . Distance  420  may be greater than the predetermined threshold for content adjustment. Accordingly, content  140  of display  400  may be uniformly adjusted based on distance  420 . For example, as distance  420  between eye  110  and display  400  increases, the size (e.g., scale) of content  140  may increase. Content  140  may be uniformly enlarged to display content having a larger size  430 , as shown in  FIG. 4B . This may enable a user to view content (e.g., larger size content  430 ) from distances other than directly adjacent to the eye(s). 
       Partial Content Scale Adjustment Based On Eye Distance And Tracking 
       [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 5A , a display  500  of a device (e.g., display  230  of device  200 ) may display content  140  that may include portion  150  with normal sized content. Display  500  may be viewed by eye  110 , which may be located a distance  510  from display  500  and may focus on a portion of display  500 , e.g., focal point  130 . Distance  510  may be calculated by a distance sensor (e.g., distance sensor  270 ) provided in device. Focal point  130  may be calculated by an eye tracking sensor (e.g., eye tracking sensor  280 ). In one implementation, as shown in  FIG. 5A , a representation (e.g., a point, a cross, etc.) of focal point  130  may be provided in content  140 . For example, a representation of focal point  130  may be provided at a portion of content  140  being focused upon by eye  110  on display  500 . In another implementation, focal point  130  may not be provided in content  140 . 
         [0059]    In one implementation, the scale of the content may not be adjusted if an eye(s) is close enough to the device display. For example, as shown in the exemplary diagram of  FIG. 5A , distance  510  may be smaller than the predetermined threshold for content adjustment. Accordingly, the portion of content  140  being focused upon by eye  110  (e.g., focal point  130 ) may not be adjusted and may maintain its normal size (e.g., normal sized content portion  150 ). 
         [0060]    In another implementation consistent with principles of the invention, the scale of the portion of the content being focused upon (e.g., focal point  130 ) may be adjusted based on the distance between the eye(s) and the device display, and based on the focal point. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5B , display  500  may be viewed by eye  110 , which may be located a distance  520  from display  500 . Distance  520  may be greater than the predetermined threshold for content adjustment. Accordingly, a portion  530  of content  140  adjacent or corresponding to focal point  130  may be determined, and may be adjusted based on distance  520 . For example, as distance  520  between eye  110  and display  500  increases, the scale of content portion  530  may increase. This may enable a user to view content portion  530 , which may be focused upon by the user, from distances other than directly adjacent to eye  110 . 
         [0061]    Although focal point  130  of  FIGS. 1 ,  4 A,  4 B,  5 A, and  5 B may be automatically determined based on the portion of the display being focused upon by the eye(s), as determined by an eye tracking sensor, focal point  130  may, in an alternative implementation, be input by a user of device  200 . For example, a user may input the focal point (e.g., the portion of content to be highlighted) with a keyboard or another type of input buttons (e.g., control buttons  240  and/or keys of keypad  250 ). 
       Content Scale Adjustment Settings 
       [0062]    There are number of ways that the scale of content provided on a device display (e.g., displays  100 ,  400 ,  500 ) may be adjusted. For example, in one implementation, the scale of content (or a portion of content) may increase continuously as the distance between the eye(s) and the device display increases. In another implementation, the scale of content (or a portion of content) may increase in discrete steps as the distance between the eye(s) and the device display increases. In still another implementation, the scale of content (or a portion of content) may increase logarithmically as the distance between the eye(s) and the device display increases. In a further implementation, the scale of content (or a portion of content) may increase exponentially as the distance between the eye(s) and the device display increases. 
         [0063]    In an implementation consistent with principles of the invention, any of the above-mentioned increasing methods may be set as a default by device  200 . A user of device  200  may select the default and/or may change the default as desired. For example, in one implementation, as shown in  FIGS. 6A-6C , a display  600  of a device (e.g., display  230  of device  200 ) may display content  140  that may include a portion  150  with normal sized content. A focal point  610  may be associated with a portion of content  140 . 
         [0064]    As shown in  FIG. 6B , a portion  620  of content  140 , adjacent or corresponding to focal point  610  (not shown), may be provided and may include variable sized content  630  that a user may be asked to view. Variable sized content  630  may increase in size until it is viewable (e.g., readable) by a user. For example, in one implementation, a user may be asked to hold device  200  at a distance from the eye(s), and may be asked to select enter with a keyboard or another type of input button (e.g., control buttons  240  and/or keys of keypad  250 ) when variable sized content  630  is viewable. As further shown in  FIG. 6B , variable sized content  630  may be too small to read by a user. 
         [0065]    As shown in  FIG. 6C , variable sized content  630  may eventually increase in size enough that it may be viewable by a user. At this point, a user may select enter with a keyboard or another type of input button. Upon selection of enter, device  200  may update the content scale adjustment to be tailored to the user selected viewable content size. Such an arrangement may enable a user to customize device  200  to meet his/her visual capabilities. For example, a person with a visual disorder may need to increase the scale of content more so than a person with perfect vision. 
         [0066]    Although FIGS.  1  and  4 A- 6 C show only a single representation of a focal point on a display, more than one representation of a focal point may be provided on a display. Multiple focal point representations may be generated automatically based on the information received by an eye tracking sensor (e.g., eye tracking sensor  280 ), and/or manually by a user. The scale of the content adjacent or corresponding to the multiple focal point representations may increase based on the distance measured by a distance sensor (e.g., distance sensor  270 ). 
         [0067]    In one implementation, a user of device  200  may control how content is displayed on device  200 . For example, device  200  may include a user controlled content scaling mechanism (e.g., control buttons  240  and/or keys of keypad  250 ) that may permit a user to zoom in and out of any portion of content. The user controlled content scaling mechanism may alternatively or additionally be based upon how long a user focuses upon a portion of content. For example, a user may stare at a portion of content for a period time, and the scale of the portion may continue to increase (e.g., after predetermined time threshold) as the user continues to stare at the content portion. User controlled zoom functions may be utilized with any of the display methods discussed above in connection with  FIGS. 4A-6C . 
         [0068]    Although FIGS.  1  and  4 A- 6 C show either uniform content scale adjustment based on eye distance (e.g.,  FIG. 4B  shows uniform scale enlargement of the entire content  140 ) or partial content scale adjustment based on eye distance and tracking (e.g.,  FIG. 5B  shows partial scale enlargement of content portion  530 ), both uniform content scale adjustment and partial content scale adjustment may be combined. For example, the scale of a content portion adjacent or corresponding to a focal point may be enlarged, and scale of the remaining portion of the same content may also be enlarged, but may not be enlarged as much as the content portion adjacent or corresponding to the focal point. Such an arrangement may ensure that all of the content is viewable to a user, while still highlighting the focal point portion of the content. 
       Exemplary Processing  
       [0069]      FIGS. 7-9  are flowcharts of exemplary processes according to implementations consistent with principles of the invention. The process of  FIG. 7  may generally be described as uniform content scale adjustment based on eye distance. The process of  FIG. 8  may generally be described as partial content scale adjustment based on eye distance and a focal point. The process of  FIG. 9  may generally be described as providing the content scale adjustment settings. 
       Display Process Uniform Content Scale Adjustment Based On Eye Distance 
       [0070]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , a display process  700  may obtain eye information (block  710 ). For example, in one implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 3 , the eye information may correspond to the distance between device  200  and an eye(s). In this case, eye information gatherer  360  may include a distance sensor (e.g., distance sensor  270 ) that may determine the distance between device  200  and an eye(s). In another implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 3 , the eye information may correspond to the movement of the eye(s) and/or the location being focused upon by the eye(s) (e.g., focal point  130 ) on the device display. In this case, eye information gatherer  360  may include an eye tracking sensor (e.g., eye tracking sensor  280 ) that may sense, locate, and follow the movement of the eye(s). In still another implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 3 , the eye information may correspond to a user inputted focal point. In this case, eye information gatherer  360  may include a keyboard or another type of input buttons (e.g., control buttons  240  and/or keys of keypad  250 ) that permits the user to enter information regarding a focal point. 
         [0071]    As further shown in  FIG. 7 , process  700  may adjust the scale of the content provided on the display based on the eye information (block  720 ). For example, in one implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 4B , content  140  of display  400  may be adjusted based on distance  420  between eye  110  and display  400 . That is, as distance  420  between eye  110  and display  400  increases, the scale of content  140  may increase. In one implementation, the scale of the content may increase continuously as the distance between the eye(s) and the device display increases. In another implementation, the scale of content may increase in discrete steps as the distance between the eye(s) and the device display increases. In still another implementation, the scale of content may increase logarithmically as the distance between the eye(s) and the device display increases. In a further implementation, the scale of content may increase exponentially as the distance between the eye(s) and the device display increases. 
         [0072]    Process  700  may display the adjusted content on the device display (block  730 ). For example, in one implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 4B , larger size content  430 , which may be enlarged based upon distance  420  between eye  110  and display  400 , may be provided on display  400  of device  200 . 
       Display Process for Partial Content Scale Adjustment Based on Eye Distance and Tracking 
       [0073]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , a display process  800  may obtain eye information (block  810 ). For example, in one implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 3 , the eye information may correspond to the distance between device  200  and an eye(s). In this case, eye information gatherer  360  may include a distance sensor (e.g., distance sensor  270 ) that may determine the distance between device  200  and eye(s). In another implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 3 , the eye information may correspond to the movement of the eye(s) and/or the location being focused upon by eye(s) (e.g., focal point  130 ) on the device display. In this case, eye information gatherer  360  may include an eye tracking sensor (e.g., eye tracking sensor  280 ) that may sense, locate, and follow the movement of the eye(s). In still another implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 3 , the eye information may correspond to a user inputted focal point. In this case, eye information gatherer  360  may include a keyboard or another type of input buttons (e.g., control buttons  240  and/or keys of keypad  250 ) that permits the user to enter information regarding a focal point. 
         [0074]    As further shown in  FIG. 8 , process  800  may determine a focal point based on the eye information (block  820 ). For example, in one implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 5A , display  500  may be viewed by eye  110 , which may focus on a portion of display  500 , e.g., focal point  130 . Focal point  130  may be calculated by an eye tracking sensor (e.g., eye tracking sensor  280 ), and may or may not be provided at a portion of content  140  being focused upon by eye  110 . 
         [0075]    Process  800  may determine if the user wishes to adjust the focal point (block  830 ). If the focal point is to be adjusted (block  830 —YES), then process  800  may adjust the focal point to another location other than the location determined based on the eye information (block  840 ). For example, in one implementation, focal point  130  may be input by a user of device  200 . A user may input the focal point (e.g., the portion of content to be highlighted) with a keyboard or another type of input buttons (e.g., control buttons  240  and/or keys of keypad  250 ). In another implementation, multiple focal points may be input by a user of device  200  alternatively and/or additionally to the automatically determined focal point. 
         [0076]    If the focal point is not to be adjusted (block  830 —NO) or if the focal point has been adjusted (block  840 ), then process  800  may adjust the scale of a portion of the content based on the eye information, e.g., the eye distance and/or the focal point (block  850 ). For example, in one implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 5B , display  500  may be viewed by eye  110 , which may be located a distance  520  from display  500 . Portion  530  of content  140  adjacent or corresponding to focal point  130  may be adjusted based on distance  520 . That is, as distance  520  between eye  110  and display  500  increases, the scale of content portion  530  may increase. In one implementation, the scale of the content may increase continuously as the distance between the eye(s) and the device display increases. In another implementation, the scale of content may increase in discrete steps as the distance between the eye(s) and the device display increases. In still another implementation, the scale of content may increase logarithmically as the distance between the eye(s) and the device display increases. In a further implementation, the scale of content may increase exponentially as the distance between the eye(s) and the device display increases. 
         [0077]    As further shown in  FIG. 8 , process  800  may display the adjusted content portion on the device display (block  860 ). For example, in one implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 5B , enlarged content portion  530 , which may be enlarged based upon distance  520  between eye  110  and display  500 , may be provided on display  500  of device  200 . 
       Process Providing Content Scale Adjustment Settings 
       [0078]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , a process  900  may display a focal point on a device display (block  910 ). For example, in one implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 6A , display  600  of a device (e.g., display  230  of device  200 ) may display content  140  that may include portion  150  with normal sized content. Focal point  610  may be provided at a portion of content  140 . Process  900  may increase the scale of the content adjacent or corresponding to the focal point (block  920 ). For example, in one implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 6B , portion  620  of content  140 , adjacent or corresponding to focal point  610 , may be determined and may include variable sized content  630  that a user may be asked to view. Variable sized content  630  may increase in size until it is viewable (e.g., readable) by a user. For example, a user may be asked to hold device  200  at a distance from the eye(s), and may be asked to select enter with a keyboard or another type of input button (e.g., control buttons  240  and/or keys of keypad  250 ) when variable sized content  630  is viewable. 
         [0079]    As further shown in  FIG. 9 , process  900  may determine if the content adjacent or corresponding to the focal point is viewable (block  930 ). If the content is not viewable (block  930 —NO), then process  900  may continue to increase the scale of the content adjacent or corresponding to the focal point (block  920 ). If the content is viewable (block  930 —YES), then process  900  may update the content scale adjustment based on the selection of the viewable content (block  940 ). For example, in one implementation described above in connection with  FIG. 6C , variable sized content  630  may eventually increase in size enough that it may be viewable by a user. At this point, a user may select enter with a keyboard or another type of input button. Upon selection of enter, device  200  may update the content scale adjustment to be tailored to the user selected viewable content size. Such an arrangement may enable a user to customize device  200  to meet his/her visual capabilities. For example, a person with a visual disorder may need to increase the scale of content more so than a person with perfect vision. 
       CONCLUSION 
       [0080]    Systems and methods consistent with principles of the invention may, based on eye information (e.g., the distance a device may be from an eye(s) and the portion of the device display that is being focused upon by the eye(s)), display content having variable scales on a device. The scale of the content may be adjusted based on the distance measured by a distance sensor provided in the device. The portion of the device display that is being focused upon by an eye(s) (e.g., a focal point) may be determined through an eye tracking sensor provided in the device. The scale of the content (or portion of the content) may be adjusted based on the distance measured by the distance sensor and/or based on the focal point of the eyes. 
         [0081]    The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present invention provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. 
         [0082]    For example, while series of acts have been described with regard to  FIGS. 7-9 , the order of the acts may be modified in other implementations consistent with principles of the invention. Further, non-dependent acts may be performed in parallel. 
         [0083]    It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in the this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. 
         [0084]    It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that aspects of the invention, as described above, may be implemented in many different forms of software, firmware, and hardware in the implementations illustrated in the figures. The actual software code or specialized control hardware used to implement aspects consistent with principles of the invention is not limiting of the invention. Thus, the operation and behavior of the aspects were described without reference to the specific software code—it being understood that one of ordinary skill in the art would be able to design software and control hardware to implement the aspects based on the description herein. 
         [0085]    No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Technology Category: 3