Learn how to configure your eye tracker with a "non-standard" screen or physical display area.
Tobii Pro eye trackers such as the Pro Spectrum, Pro X3-120, Pro Nano, Pro TX300, Pro X2-30, Pro X2-60, can be used in different types study setups, not just attached to a computer monitor which is the most common situation. For example, the eye trackers can be used to record gaze data relative to a physical scene, a TV screen, mobile device stand, or a projection screen. In order for the eye tracker to map the gaze data correctly, the user must measure a few parameters related to the geometry of the eye tracker and mapping plane (i.e. your screen, TV or object), and provide that information to the eye tracker. The configuration can be done in different ways depending on the software you will use to present and record the data. Use the table below to choose which application to use to configure your eye tracker.
Eye tracker | Stimulus presentation and recording software | Operating System | Recommended software used to configure the eye tracker |
Pro TX300, Pro X3-120 (with and without EPU), Pro X2-30 and Pro X2-60 | Pro Studio | Windows | Pro Studio |
Pro Spectrum, Pro Nano, Pro X3-120 with EPU, Pro TX300, Pro X3-120 without EPU, Pro X2-30 and Pro X2-60 | Pro Lab | Windows | Pro Eye Tracker Manager |
Pro Spectrum, Pro Nano, Pro TX300, Pro X3-120 with and without EPU, Pro X2-30 and Pro X2-60 | Third party & open source software | Windows | Pro Eye Tracker Manager |
Pro Spectrum, Pro TX300, Pro X3-120 with EPU, Pro X2-30 and Pro X2-60 | Third party & open source software | Mac or Linux | Pro Eye Tracker Manager |
Pro Nano | Third party & open source software | Mac | Pro Eye Tracker Manager |
The Pro Eye Tracker Manager has similar functionality as the Eye Tracker Browser, with additional features, such as the possibility of performing a calibration and evaluating the results.
To install the Pro Eye Tracker Manager:
To configure the eye tracker with the screen or physical tracking plane:
If you had already created a preset and want to modify it, go to step 3, select the preset you wish to modify, and instead of selecting New on the drop-down menu, click on the edit icon (pencil).
All parameters are measured in relation to a reference point on the eye tracker hardware. The reference point varies depending on which eye tracker model you are using. Please see the User's Manual for your eye tracker for details.
You must measure and specify all the parameters as accurately as possible to maintain good eye tracking data quality.
To access the X Series Eye Trackers Configuration Tool in Tobii Studio:
All parameters are measured in relation to a reference point on the eye tracker hardware. The reference point varies depending on which eye tracker model you are using. Please see the User's Manual for your eye tracker for details.
The configuration tool has the following parameters:
Units — Select the unit you want to use for measuring the distances: inches or centimeters.
Active Display Size — The correct display or stimuli size must always be added to the configuration tool. The Active Display Area is represented by the area on which the calibration is performed. For monitors, TV screens and other displays, measure the size of the visible active area on the screen where you can see the actual image. For projected displays, measure the size of the visible projection on the display. In a setup where the stimuli are filmed by a scene camera, the active display area must be calculated based on the calibration grid size used.
Eye tracker angle — Use a digital angle gauge or similar tool to measure the angle of the eye tracker. In many setups, the angle is commonly around 25 degrees.
Display angle — Measure the angle between the vertical plane and the active display using the digital angle meter. In a scene camera setup, measure the angle between the vertical plane and the calibration grid. If the display is tilted forward you should enter a negative angle (use “-” in front of the value). If the active display is completely vertical the angle value is 0. In a scene camera setup where you want to track objects on a horizontal table, the angle would be 90 degrees.
Height difference — Measure the height difference between the measuring point on the eye tracker and the bottom of the active display area. If the active display is located below the measuring point on the eye tracker (for example, in a projector setup) the value will be negative. Enter the value in the X Configuration Tool with a “-” in front to signify it as a negative value.
Distance — Measure the distance from the measuring point on the eye tracker to the front of the active display on the monitor, projection screen, or TV screen, or in a scene camera setup to the virtual screen. If the measuring point on the eye tracker is located behind the active display, enter a negative distance (use “-” in front of the value).
Use Side Offset— If the Eye Tracker is not placed right in front of the screen with the axis horizontally aligned, enter the side offset value, measured from the center of the active display to the center of the eye tracker. Enter a negative value if the eye tracker is located to the left of the center as seen from the front.
Use Rotation — If the eye tracker is not placed parallel with the display or tracked object enter the value of the angle between the back of the eye tracker and the active display. If the eye tracker is rotated clockwise, enter a negative value.
You must measure and specify all the parameters as accurately as possible to maintain good eye tracking data quality.
The Eye Tracker Browser is an application that allows you to set up different parameters of the eye tracker, update the eye tracker firmware and troubleshoot the connection and performance.
To install the Eye Tracker Browser:
To access the configuration tool:
All parameters are measured in relation to a reference point on the eye tracker hardware. The reference point varies depending on which eye tracker model you are using. Please see the User's Manual for your eye tracker for details.
The configuration tool has the following parameters:
Units — Select the unit you want to use for measuring the distances: inches or centimeters.
Active Display Size — The correct display or stimuli size must always be added to the configuration tool. The Active Display Area is represented by the area on which the calibration is performed. For monitors, TV screens and other displays, measure the size of the visible active area on the screen where you can see the actual image. For projected displays, measure the size of the visible projection on the display. In a setup where the stimuli are filmed by a scene camera, the active display area must be calculated based on the calibration grid size used.
Eye tracker angle — Use a digital angle gauge or similar tool to measure the angle of the eye tracker. In many setups, the angle is commonly around 25 degrees.
Display angle — Measure the angle between the vertical plane and the active display using the digital angle meter. In a scene camera setup, measure the angle between the vertical plane and the calibration grid. If the display is tilted forward you should enter a negative angle (use “-” in front of the value). If the active display is completely vertical the angle value is 0. In a scene camera setup where you want to track objects on a horizontal table, the angle would be 90 degrees.
Height difference — Measure the height difference between the measuring point on the eye tracker and the bottom of the active display area. If the active display is located below the measuring point on the eye tracker (for example, in a projector setup) the value will be negative. Enter the value in the X Configuration Tool with a “-” in front to signify it as a negative value.
Distance — Measure the distance from the measuring point on the eye tracker to the front of the active display on the monitor, projection screen, or TV screen, or in a scene camera setup to the virtual screen. If the measuring point on the eye tracker is located behind the active display, enter a negative distance (use “-” in front of the value).
Use Side Offset— If the Eye Tracker is not placed right in front of the screen with the axis horizontally aligned, enter the side offset value, measured from the center of the active display to the center of the eye tracker. Enter a negative value if the eye tracker is located to the left of the center as seen from the front.
Use Rotation — If the eye tracker is not placed parallel with the display or tracked object enter the value of the angle between the back of the eye tracker and the active display. If the eye tracker is rotated clockwise, enter a negative value.
You must measure and specify all the parameters as accurately as possible to maintain good eye tracking data quality.