An extension for automatically adjusting zoom level based on eye distance, requires webcam

Latest Version

Version
1.3.0
Update
February 1, 2015
Size
66.86KiB
Developer
Category
Users
188
Rating
3.375 ★
Manifest Version
2
Web Store Status
Languages Support
English (United States)
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Permissions
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Everest Extension

Everest is a Chrome extension that enlarges text on web pages when you move away from the computer screen. Requires a front-facing webcam. For those with two cameras, go to chrome's Settings > Show advanced settings > Privacy > Content settings > Media > Camera.


#### Instructions

1. click the Everest extension icon to start tracking
2. press Ctrl+Shift+3 at any time to re-calibrate distance for default zoom level
3. click the Everest extension icon to stop tracking and go back to original zoom level
4. optionally change jitter tolerance (default 10% zoom) and sample time (default 750ms) by right clicking on extension icon > options

#### Inspiration

Computer users often sit in one static position, which leads to pain and higher risk of health issues. To reduce strain, one should frequently change one's posture while using a computer. However, Herman Miller, a high-end furniture maker, noted in their [research](http://www.hermanmiller.com/research/solution-essays/maintaining-concordance-as-seated-postures-change.html) that ability to view materials on the screen is the most paramount need for computer users, and will stay in unhealthy postures if the alternative is an illegible screen.

When our team members worked together previously, we noted that one team member always changes the zoom level in Google Chrome as he changes his posture so that text stays legible when he moves away from the screen. We realized that this zooming can be automated by using a webcam to measure the distance between the user and the screen, and automatically adapt the text size according to the user's position. In doing so, we hope to make posture changes more natural, and thus improve the working conditions of computer users.

#### Implementation

We implemented Everest as a lightweight Chrome extension that runs in the background to detect the user's position and zooms the page. The user can enable or disable the automatic zoom with a single click, and can press a key sequence (default to Ctrl+Shift+3) to recalibrate the resting position.

The core facial detection is handled by [Neave's face detection library](https://github.com/neave/face-detection). To access the webcam, we used WebRTC, part of HTML5, to stream the video data. We tweaked the detection frequency for efficiency: the current version samples the video at 4/3hz to avoid CPU usage. In initial testing, we discovered that the page would often \"jitter\", where the zoom will repeatedly change as the video data changes slightly, which disrupts reading. We fixed this problem by avoiding zoom changes that are less than 10%.

The actual zooming is performed by Chrome's zoom API, which was recently introduced on the Dev channel in Chrome 42, so this extension is one of the first extensions to take advantage of this feature.
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Source Manifest.json

{"update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx","manifest_version": 2,"name": "Everest","description": "An extension for automatically adjusting zoom level based on eye distance, requires webcam","version": "1.3.0","icons": {"128": "largeicon.png"},"browser_action": {"default_title": "Everest"},"background": {"page": "background.html"},"commands": {"recalibrate": {"suggested_key": {"default": "Ctrl+Shift+3"},"description": "Recalibrate to 100% zoom level distance"}},"minimum_chrome_version": "42","permissions": [],"options_ui": {"page": "options.html","chrome_style": true}}
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How to download and manually install Everest extension for Chrome

Looking for a way to install Everest extensions for Chrome, you can search for them in the Chrome Web Store, clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, and following the straightforward process.

However, you may need to install Everest extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install Everest extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.

Method 1: Download Everest extension and manually install through Drag &Drop

If you ever need to manually install a Everest extension for Chrome, don't worry, it's a simple process. Just follow these easy steps, and you will have your extension ready to use in no time.

Step 1: Download the Everest Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.

Look for the Everest extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the Everest extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for Everest extension that contains all the data.

Step 2: Extract &Arrange Files

Once the file is downloaded, extract that file into its own folder. Similarly, give that extension files a permanent home. In other words, keep it in a folder that you don't accidentally delete it because these files will be needed to make that extension work.

Step 3: Go to the Chrome Extensions Page

Open Google Chrome and in the address bar, type chrome://extensions; it will open the Google Chrome extensions page. Make sure that "My extensions" is selected in the sidebar.

Step 4: Drag and Drop the Extension

Now, go to the folder where you extracted the Everest extension and drag &drop the extension file from there anywhere onto the extension page within Google Chrome.

Step 5: Complete the Installation

Once you drag and drop the extension file, follow the steps that Google Chrome takes you through. Similarly, if the extension file is of .crx file format, you will be required to review the permissions and then add the extension.

Now, you can manage that added extension as you would like to with any other Chrome extension that you added through Chrome Webstore. Its icon will also appear in the Google Chrome Menu on the right side of the address bar once you activate it.

Method 2: Download Everest extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode

This is another method to install Everest extension manually, but the twist is that here, you install by enabling the developer mode option provided in Google Chrome. This mode is commonly used for testing extensions or running unpublished tools.

Step 1: Download the Everest extension file

Select and download the Everest extension by clicking the 'Download CRX' button on the website.

Step 2: Extract the downloaded contents

Convert the file to a ZIP file if it is in CRX format then extract the Everest extension zip file or folder that you downloaded. Make sure you extract it using the same folder name and keep it safely in another folder, so you don't delete it by mistake. The extracted folder will be needed to keep your Everest extension running.

Step 3: Open Chrome Extension Setting Page

In the address bar of Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions and open the Chrome Extension Page.

Step 4: Enable Developer Mode

After opening the Chrome Extension page, look at the top right side, and you will find the toggle option of "Developer mode."Simply enable that developer mode option.

Step 5: Load the Unpacked Extension

Once you enable the developer mode option, you will see the menu of Load Unpacked, Pack Extensions and Update. From that, select the option "Load unpacked."

Step 6: Select the Extension Folder

Once the pop-up opens upon clicking Load unpacked, select the Everest extension directory and click on the "Select Folder "button.

Step 7: Confirm and Install

After you select an extension folder of a Google Chrome extension you're installing manually, confirm its installation for the final time and let the installation complete.

Conclusion

Here we've made a step-by-step guide on How to manually install Everest extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.

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User reviews

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Wyatt A (ID: 000000974b065e95) Voted 3 ★ - Updated 07/12/2020 How do I get it to work? I tried and nothing changed.

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juliana tome (ID: 0000000a768eda41) Voted 3 ★ - Updated 06/01/2017 hum

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Angel Martinez (ID: 00000056be1f8fb5) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 10/23/2015 Surprising!