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Gaze-Tracking Software Protects Computer Privacy
Ponca City, We Love You writes "Two years ago computer security expert Bill Anderson read about scientific research on how the human eye moves as it reads and processes text and images. 'This obscure characteristic... suddenly struck me as (a solution to) a security problem,' says Anderson. With the help of a couple of software developers, Anderson developed a software program called Chameleon that tracks a viewer's gaze patterns and only allows an authorized user to read text on the screen, while everyone else sees gibberish. Chameleon uses gaze-tracking software and camera equipment to track an authorized reader's eyes to show only that one person the correct text. After a 15-second calibration period in which the software learns the viewer's gaze patterns, anyone looking over that user's shoulder sees dummy text that randomly and constantly changes. To tap the broader consumer market, Anderson built a more consumer-friendly version called PrivateEye, which can work with a simple Webcam to blur a user's monitor when he or she turns away. It also detects other faces in the background, and a small video screen pops up to alert the user that someone is looking at the screen. 'There have been inventions in the space of gaze-tracking. There have been inventions in the space of security,' says Anderson. 'But nobody has put the two ideas together, as far as we know.'"
I thought we already had this technology, and it was called "flat screen" technology. I swear I'm not a crotchety old man, but I can't stand flat screen monitors/TV's/laptops. All of them have this same effect, when compared to the bright, clear, viewable-from-any-direction CRT's. I don't care much for saving a few inches in depth, so I try to use CRT's whenever I can, because unless you're sitting directly in front and center of a flat screen anything, it's very difficult to read.
So what happens when you are typing and listening to music, you head is swinging back and forth to the beat? Will the gaze thingy be able to follow or will you pass in and out of it's "verified" zone?
Perhaps it would do better to map your face like they do at gambling casinos. Then if it sees anyone other than your face, it takes corrective action.
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
If your workers are handling sensitive material maybe you shouldn't have them in a cubicle with their back to the entrance.
thought they were picking on Clay and the boys . . .
With regard to over-the-shoulder power, I bought by first CHIMP in 98. Can't work without it.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/accessories/2940/
6th Street Radio @ddombrowsky
This gaze-tracking software will hurt the US military's "Don't ask, don't tell" policy.
Chameleon uses gaze-tracking software and camera equipment to track an authorized reader's eyes
Check, that's doable now.
to show only that one person the correct text.
How? Elfin magic? If a screen region under the "authorized reader's" field of view is displaying the protected content to the authorized reader, it's also displaying exactly the same thing to anyone else who happens to be looking at the same area.
So far as I can tell, this is the part of the proof labeled "Magic happens here". Also known as the part of the technology that needs more investment. So invest now!
Where's my flying car, dammit?
Welcome to the Panopticon. Used to be a prison, now it's your home.
Have you actually, say, worked with a privacy screen? The ones which have been foisted upon me suck. That and, oh, yeah, they don't work with laptops. However, an even sweeter rendition would be focus follows gaze, particularly for X11 and the random desktop environments. Then instead of wiggling the mouse every time I switch screens, I could just type where I'm looking. Obviously, it should hold the focus and let me keep typing if I'm still typing when I look away.
I could have used this when I was playing Prince of Persia on one of my previous contracts!!!
Once I was a four stone apology. Now I am two separate gorillas.
Her's the Video of Private Eye
Now things really will wiggle around when I'm not looking right at them.
How am I supposed to tell the difference between PrivateEye and gremlins?
Porquoi?
What about eye strain from the constant blurring/clarification process?
I would think a person using this technology would have to train themselves not to try and focus on an area of the screen that would normally be in focus until the "gaze" sensor figures out what they're trying to look at.
Do they include a free cone of silence as well?
Ezekiel 23:20
Screw privacy, I want my window manager to focus the window I'm looking at. Now that would be useful.
Sheldon
This sounds like an awesome development in the area of personal security alright -- especially for looking at porn in your cubicle at work. Your boss or co-worker peers over the wall to try to catch you? No problem, it blurs the screen!
Are YOU using the TOOL, or is the TOOL using YOU? Think about it!
Viewer: (thinking to himself) Oh great, a commercial. Time for a potty break. la, la, la (walks away from T.V.)
T.V.: (in loud voice) Alert, Alert, Alert. Viewer, you have been away from the television for 2 minutes and 30 seconds. You now risk violating your television and cable provider's ULA and risk violating section 5, paragraph 10, subsection a of the 2010 DMCA redux and expansion act.
Viewer: Coming, coming...just have to give a quick shake....O.K., I'm here. Whew, that was close.
T.V.: Alert, Alert, Alert!!
Viewer: Wha!, I'm here. I'm watching again for God's sake.
T.V.: Viewer, you twice failed to take visual notice of the coke can product placement in this episode of Friends. You have now violated your television and cable provider's ULA and thus also violated the aforementioned DCMA act. Please place your hands on your head and wait for the authorities to arrive....a little higher please...there you go.
Sunglasses will be considered a DMCA violation.
.sig withheld by request