Windows 10 v1803 has introduced a new feature, eye-tracking technology, which lets you control your mouse cursor, type using the on-screen keyboard and also communicate with people using text to speech. Targetted towards audiences who need special assistance, this feature uses a special hardware-based camera to achieve this. In this guide, we will learn how to use Windows Eye Control in Windows 10.
List of supported eye control devices:
Like I said above, this feature uses special hardware, and there are only a few compatible devices. It includes hardware from EyeTech and Tobii. While EyeTech lists only TM5 Mini, Tobii includes Eye Tracker 4C, EyeX, Dynavox PCEye Plus, EyeMobile Mini & Plus, PCEye Mini and Explore, and I-Series+.
The device tries to figure out where you are looking at the screen, and then turn into a mouse cursor. Next, as you move your eyes, it can figure out the changes.
Enable Eye Control in Windows 10
While still in beta, Eye Control can be enabled by going to Settings > Ease of Access > Eye control and select Turn on eye control. This will open LaunchPad which is like a control panel from where you can perform various functions like right-click, left-click, task view and more.
There are numerous of ways of controlling your device with Windows 10 using our Eye Tracking features. Check out the video below to find out how. Please note that available eye tracking features might vary on what bundle you're using. There are numerous of ways of controlling your device with Windows 10 using our Eye Tracking features. Check out the video below to find out how. Please note that available eye tracking features might vary on what bundle you're using.
How to control the mouse using Eye Control
- First, dwell to look at the Precise mouse button on the launchpad.
- Then look at the screen where you want the mouse cursor to be placed.
- Once the cursor is at the right place, you can then select the mouse actions.
- You can do the same in reverse to select the options from the right or left click.
- When you look off the screen, the action is canceled.
How to scroll/zoom through web pages and apps using Eye Control
To scroll, you need to dwell on the Scroll button the launchpad. Once activated, when you look down, and up it scrolls accordingly. You can scroll left or right in the same way. This part is little tricky though. The longer you dwell on any of these buttons, the more quickly you’ll scroll. So when you need to stop, look off-screen
How to Type using Eye Control keyboard
Following the same process again, dwell on the keyboard button on the launchpad, then dwell on the characters you want to type. However, make sure to launch the software keyboard when using it. Text suggestions work best in this case so make sure to look at them to select it. As of now, Eye control only supports US English keyboard layout.
Eye Control also lets you do shape writing. It increases the speed compared to this method along with text-prediction. You will need to dwell at the Shape writing toggle to turn it on.
How to Configure & change eye control settings
This will take time to get used to, and Microsoft has offered just the right options to configure the dwell time for all of them. To change them, dwell on Eye control settings on the launchpad. You can change the following settings:
- Typing dwell time. Set the dwell time for letters, numbers, and symbols.
- General dwell time. Set thedwell time for function keys, word predictions, and mouse cursor controls.
- Shape writing. Turn shape writing on and off.
- Gaze cursor. Turn on a cursor that shows where your eyes are pointing when dwelling on eye control features like the launchpad.
Use Text to Speech with Eye Control
If you wish to read what is written on the screen, you can use text to speech button on the launchpad. Dwell on the Text-to-speech button on the launchpad. Then use the keyboard to type sentences and select the Play button to have them read out loud. You can change them anytime you by dwelling on them.
That said, you might have to configure your Speech settings, especially the voice. Go to Start > Settings > Time & language > Speech and choose a voice from the menu under Text-to-speech.
Limitations of Eye Control:
The best results for Eye control show up when you are not in extreme conditions including bright sunlight as it will not able to track your eyes location. This also changes a bit when using glasses and eye color, eye size, or eye shape. Privacy enthusiast should also know that as of now Microsoft doesn’t collect, store, or share eye tracking information. Windows Eye Control is not supported in Windows 10 S.
Source: Microsoft.
Eye Tracker Windows 10
Related Posts:
Microsoft is working to bring built-in eye-tracking to Windows 10. Currently called Eye Control, Microsoft explains that the feature is currently available to test for Windows Insiders (via MSPU).
The feature works using the Tobii Eye Tracker 4C, which can track where a person is looking on a screen. With it, users can navigate the OS using only their gaze. And while Tobii's tracker is the only one supported at the moment, Microsoft is working to support others on the market.
Windows 10 Free Upgrade
The basis of Eye Control was initially developed as part of a hackathon in 2014 as a way for people with ALS to drive a wheelchair using the movement of their eyes and controls on a Surface. Microsoft says it was inspired by the project to adopt eye-tracking technology in Windows 10 as an accessibility feature.
Eye Control Windows10
If you're a Windows Insider, the feature can be tested in the latest Insider builds — provided you have access to the Tobii Eye Tracker 4C. The feature is expected to launch with the Fall Creators Update as a general public beta. The Fall Creators Update will also herald a number of other accessibility improvements mostly centered on things like Narrator and tools to assist in reading and writing.
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