Method for Setting the Position of a Cursor on a Display Screen

1 . A method for positioning a cursor on a display screen connected to a computer, the method comprising:

dividing the display screen into a logical grid having plurality of sections;

maintaining a value for each of the plurality of sections;

determining an eye-gaze location on the display screen; and

incrementing a first value of a first section of the plurality of sections corresponding to the eye-gaze location.

2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining an eye-gaze duration for the eye-gaze location; and

wherein the incrementing of the first value occurs after the eye-gaze duration exceeds a first predetermined threshold.

3 . The method of claim 2 wherein the first predetermined threshold is 100 milliseconds.

4 . The method of claim 2 further comprising:

decrementing the first value after a second predetermined threshold.

5 . The method of claim 4 where in the second predetermined threshold is at least two times the first predetermined threshold.

6 . The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving an input signal from a pointing device, the input signal including an X coordinate and a Y coordinate;

calculating a net force of gravity due to each value of the plurality of sections; and

updating the X coordinate and Y coordinate consistent with the net force of gravity.

7 . The method of claim 6 further comprising:

positioning the cursor at the X coordinate and Y coordinate.

8 . The method of claim 6 further comprising:

passing the X coordinate and Y coordinate to an operating system of the computer.

9 . A method for positioning a cursor on a display screen connected to a computer, the method comprising:

determining an eye-gaze location on the display screen;

increasing a value of a gravity well associated with the eye-gaze location;

receiving a cursor position from an input device;

calculating a net force of gravity due to the gravity well; and

updating the cursor position consistent with the net force of gravity.

10 . The method of claim 9 further comprising:

decreasing the value of the gravity well after a first predetermined duration.

11 . The method of claim 10 further comprising:

determining an eye-gaze duration; and

wherein the increasing of the value of the gravity well occurs after a second predetermined duration.

12 . The method of claim 11 wherein the first predetermined duration is at least two times the second predetermined duration.

13 . The method of claim 9 further comprising:

selecting a mass value of the cursor; and

selecting a gravitational constant.

14 . The method of claim 13 wherein the mass value of the cursor is less than five percent of the value of the gravity well.

15 . A method for positioning a cursor on a display screen connected to a computer, the method comprising:

determining an eye-gaze location on the display screen;

determining an eye-gaze duration at the eye-gaze location;

increasing a value of a gravity well associated with the eye-gaze location when the eye-gaze duration exceeds a first predetermined threshold duration;

receiving a cursor position from an input device;

calculating a net force of gravity due to the gravity well;

updating the cursor position consistent with the net force of gravity; and

decreasing the value of the gravity well after a second predetermined threshold duration.

16 . The method of claim 15 where the second predetermined threshold duration is at least two times the first predetermined threshold duration.

17 . The method of claim 15 further comprising:

determining a mass value of the cursor.

18 . The method of claim 15 further comprising:

determining a gravitational constant.

19 . A method for positioning a cursor on a display screen connected to a computer, the method comprising:

determining an eye-gaze location on the display screen;

determining an eye-gaze duration at the eye-gaze location;

increasing a value of a gravity well associated with the eye-gaze location when the eye-gaze duration exceeds a first predetermined threshold duration;

receiving a first cursor position from an input device;

receiving a second cursor position from the input device;

calculating a movement direction of the cursor; and

increasing a movement speed of the cursor when the movement direction is towards the eye-gaze location.

20 . The method of claim 19 further comprising:

decreasing the value of the gravity well after a second predetermined threshold duration.