Intelligaze CAM30NT

The Intelligaze camera from Germany is tried and true.  Not all eye-gaze systems are the same. This system is designed and manufactured in Germany. It is a sophisticated system with a high tracking rate and excellent working range. It can accommodate rapid or involuntary head movements. As a separate module it can be used with tablet computers, speech generating devices or regular desktop monitors. 

There are notably 3 components to a succesful eye-tracking accessing system:

1. a quallity camera with high level specifications
2. the interface or software either provided with the camera or a compatible third party program (for example Grid or Mind Express)
3. the positioning of the user (factoring environmental conditions and mounting)

The Intelligaze IG-CAM30NT provides computer operation by eye-gaze control. The system can also be connected to a portable tablet computer to provide eye-gaze access for communication. The Intelligaze IG-CAM30NT has been cleverly designed as a stand-alone unit so it can be used with a tablet computer or regular desktop monitor. As computer systems are upgraded, the Intelligaze can be transferred to the new computer. The Intelligaze has been designed from industrial components ensuring a long working life and also good compatibility with future versions of Windows operating systems.

Intelligaze uses the latest camera technology, very sophisticated image processing and calibration methods designed and manufactured by German engineering. It provides a reliable and functional eye gaze input, as it can tolerate natural and involuntary head movement. Having a separate camera also enables it to be transferred easily between computer systems e.g. from a desktop computer at home to one at school or it can be attached to a portable tablet computer. The Intelligaze’s German engineering and manufacturing ensures the latest camera technology and sophisticated image processing and calibration methods. The Intelligaze is able to tolerate natural and involuntary head movement.

This system can be used by people with Motor Neurone Disease, Cerebral Palsy, spinal injuries, Muscular Dystrophy and other conditions where operating a computer by other methods such as mouse, switch or touch screen is difficult.

Features:

• Single USB connection for data and power
• Flat front and back-side
• 30 % enlarged head box volume
• Further increased gaze precision
• Fully backward compatible

Features

• The CAMERA | The Intelligaze camera module can be fitted to an existing monitor or tablet PC. There is a one-time calibration procedure.  The calibration can be repeated when needed to allow for changes in camera / monitor position or to enable multiple users to use the same system.  The software included allows multiple users to easily store their calibration profile. This allows for easy switching between users without having to recalibrate each time.  The camera and illumination unit is fully self-contained, connecting to the host computer via a USB2 port. Using the provided VESA-mount adapter, the camera and illumination unit can be attached to most TFT (e.g. LCD) screens.

• The APPLICATION CENTRE | The application centre acts as a desktop for the user’s applications. It allows the user to easily access their programs by adding them to a specialised desktop. The IG--CAM30NT can then be configured differently for each program. For example you can alter – the length of time you need to focus on an item for it to be selected (known as dwell time), the type of cursor used and how to perform a mouse click. This is very handy allowing longer dwell times for programs that need it – for example word processing and shorter for other such as fast paced games.

• Desktop 2.0 | Desktop 2.0 includes 3 pop-up toolbars for the user to access different mouse functions, common program tasks (e.g. cut and paste), setting changes and switch between Desktop 2.0 and the Application centre.  Further details and features of Desktop 2 in the manual under SUPPORT. The updated Alea Desktop 2.0 also contains a number of new features. Desktop 2.0 is available by selecting an icon at the top of the Application Centre. Desktop 2.0 allows the user to easily and intuitively access the Windows environment. Traditionally eye –gaze has simply emulated (mirrored) mouse actions. Desktop 2.0 uses GUI (graphical user interface). What this means is that it automatically locks into place when it recognises an object on the screen. This object might be a button, a text box or a scrollable list. There are also a number of other additional functions including an automatic and dynamic magnification of the desktop when selecting icons which are in close proximity to each other. (insert screen shot). The magnification is dynamic meaning that you can manoeuvre it to magnify different aspects of the screen. 

• CALIBRATION | The system needs to be calibrated to the individual once at system set-up. The quick interactive calibration is performed by following an animated dot with your eyes and fixating on several locations on the screen. A typical calibration takes less than 30 seconds. The calibration routine can be adapted to individual requirements by selecting the number of fixation targets, manual or fully automatic operation, target type and size, etc. The calibration can also take into account limited vision on a particular eye or strabism. After calibration the user will receive a report and graph containing results for both eyes. This allows even the user to estimate the accuracy and whether they should try the suggested improvement options. Use of Intelligaze can commence using the calibration results of another person.  The calibration dot can be changed to an image and settings adjusted to cater for users who have difficulty attending.  One point calibration is possible. 

• TRACKING STATUS | Because the system has no adjustable hardware parts, positioning the camera in relation to the user is the only task that needs to be performed before the first calibration. An easy-to-understand indicator (insert screen shot) helps the operator set-up the system. Head-location as well as eye tracking status are accessible to the operator ensuring that both the camera and user are in the correct position. This status window will also appear automatically during sue if the user moves out of position and will disappear again when the user is back in position.

• APPLICATIONS | Gaze control can be used to access any application on your computer; for example, to generate speech (text-to-speech or symbol based), input text into other applications (e.g. Microsoft Word). In order to­ provide the most efficient performance the IG interfaces with a whole range of 3rd party software, such as The Grid 2 or Mind Express, as well as standard Windows applications. 

Status window:

Intelligaze Cam30NT offers two forms of checking "status' of the user.

The Green face offers the most information indicating when the user is in the best position in relation to the camera. The face changes to yellow and red to indicate that the camera sees the person, but the position is not ideal.  A cross appears when  the camera can no longer detect eyes.  The balck and white  video of the person can be used if required.  This generally does not provide as much information as the coloured face.  Some users may have a preferences for one type of feedback over the other.               

Desktop V2.0

It is possible to access many mainstream programs using the Intelligaze IG-CAM30NT. Desktop V2.0 is the sophisticated user interface developed by Alea and supplied with the Intelligaze camera.  If this is not required it can be by-passed for those not yet ready to operate all aspects of computer software.  Below are screen shots of the Desktop V2.0 to illustrate the functions.  The menus are accessed by gazing slightly off the monitor to the left, right, top and bottom.

Availability:

Now superceded by Alea IntelliGaze NXT eye gaze camera. 

We have a number of ex-trial CAM30NT cameras. 

Trial:

There are several options to trial the Intelligaze system:

Individual Evaluation:

Please contact us for more information. Zyteq offers Evaluation Services.  For more information please go to Evaluation.

Rental:

Short-term rental of the IntelilGaze CAM30NT camera is available.  

Tracking System

• Tracking technology | Hybrid infrared video eye- & head-tracking Binocular & monocular tracking
•  Working Volume (centered at 600 mm distance) | 300 x 200 x 200 mm3 [WxHxD]
•  Accuracy: static | 0.5°, typical
•  Accuracy: over full working volume | 1°, typical
•  Sampling Rate| 50 / 40 / 30 / 20 Hz 
•  Max. head-movement velocity | 15 cm/s
•  Recovery-time after tracking loss (head was too fast or moved out of range) | 40 ms
•  System Dimensions | ca. 300 x 45 x 80 mm3 [WxHxD]
•  Mounting Options | on monitor via VESA-adapter, on Tablet-PC via customized interfaces
•  System Weight ca. 1.2 kg.

Host System

The host system may be a Windows desktop computer, Windows tablet, Windows laptop, or Windows based Speech Generating Device.

•  CPU | P4 class >1.4GHz dual-core and AMD systems supported
•  RAM | >512 MB (>1GB Windows VISTA)
•  Interface | 1 free USB-2 port
•  Monitor | TFT flat screen 12" - 22" with VESA mount
•  Please ask for customized adapters for Tablet PCs, etc.
•  Operating System Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Windows VISTA, Windows 7, Windows 8.

Choosing a computer / tablet for use with Intelligaze (PDF download)

Intelligaze CAM30NT Quick Start Guide (PDF)

Intelligaze installation and service manual (PDF) 

Intelligaze Desktop V2.0 manual (PDF)

Intelligaze and Windows 8 (link to open video)

Freedom Through My Eyes: an advanced eye gaze study case study (link to video)  Video by Steve Evans demonstrating The Grid 2

Intelligaze Desktop V2.0: operating Skype with gaze control (link to video)

Intelligaze Desktop V2.0 - operating MS Excel 2010 with gaze control (link to video)

How to update the Intelligaze software (PDF download)

Please note: some videos show the original Intelligaze camera.  Desktop V2.0 can be used with the original and current model Intelligaze cameras.

Supplied with:

• VESA mount brackets
• power adapter
• manual
• Intelligaze software CD
• IG-30 camera with USB cable for PC connection

Other configurations:

Monitor arm: see Ergotron LX desk mount

With PowerBox 7 - see PowerBox 7 webpage.