StarGazer is an innovative 3D interface for gaze-based interaction and target selection using continuous pan and zoom and is designed as a predictive text entry system. The StarGazer typing system address the issue of interaction with graph-based structured data and applications (i.e. gaze typing) and has proven tolerant towards noise-imposed inputs. This allows Stargazer to operate with webcam-based eye trackers or small displays. The system is designed as an experimental interface for text production. The alphabetically layout of is described in XML which allows rapid changes of the layout. The primary goal of StarGazer is to investigate a new text entry paradigm with GazeTalk and Dasher as main sources of inspiration. The system should facilitate fast text entry and hopefully in time be deployed as an AAC-tool.

Main features

· Type-to-talk

· Letter and word prediction and word completion

· Can be used in with clicks from other input devises (e.g. brain interfaces)

· Noise robust

· Webcam gaze tracker support

Prerequisites

Users of Vista will not be able to run the application - so far the system only works in Windows XP. 

In order to run the executables, the newest version of Microsoft DirectX has to be installed:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=2da43d38-db71-4c1b-bc6a-9b6652cd92a3

A synthetic voice installed (SAPI ). English synthetic voices can be downloaded free of charge at:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=5e86ec97-40a7-453f-b0ee-6583171b4530&displaylang=en

Microsoft Word should be installed on the target computer

Demonstration

StarGazer videos

· First public appearance of Stargazer at an open house event at the IT University of Copenhagen 10.10.07.

· First try combining the ITU gaze tracker with GazeTalk and StarGazer

Download Stargazer

A compressed version of stargazer can be obtained by pressing the button below.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.