Tobii Pro Spectrum User manual

Tobii Pro Spectrum
User Manual

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual
v 2.4
May 2022
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Content subject to change without notice.
Please visit Tobii Connect for updated versions of this document.

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 3
Table of Contents
1 Introduction 5
1.1 Overview 5
1.2 Basic operating principles 5
1.3 Product versions 5
1.4 Additional software options 6
2 What's in the Tobii Pro Spectrum box 7
3 Safety 9
3.1 Mounting warning 9
3.2 Emergency warning 9
3.3 Infrared warning 9
3.4 Epilepsy warning 9
3.5 Child safety 10
3.6 Do not open Tobii Pro Spectrum 10
3.7 Environment 10
4 Set up Tobii Pro Spectrum 11
4.1 Ventilation 11
4.2 Test environment 11
4.3 Mount the monitor to the eye tracker 11
4.4 Connect the eye tracker 12
4.4.1 Power on Tobii Pro Spectrum 13
4.5 Monitor settings 13
5 Display settings 15
5.1 VESA mount 15
5.2 Scene camera mount 16
6 Tobii Pro Spectrum configuration 17
6.1 Tobii Pro Eye Tracker Manager 17
6.2 Keep your eye tracker software and display setup updated 17
6.3 Upgrade and downgrade the eye tracker’s firmware 18
6.4 Configure your eye tracker in Tobii Pro Eye Tracker Manager 18
6.4.1 Change Tobii Pro Spectrum frequency setting 18
6.4.2 Configure Tobii Pro Spectrum for standalone use 19
7 Additional features 20
7.1 User calibration for Tobii Pro Spectrum 20
7.1.1 Binocular calibration 20
7.1.2 Monocular calibration 20
7.2 Use the TTL input port for external event recording 21
7.3 Eye images 22
7.4 Eye openness 22
8 Product care and liability 23
8.1 Transportation and storage 23
8.2 Cleaning 23
8.3 Disinfection 23
8.4 Disposal of the eye tracker 23
8.5 Limitation of liability 23

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 4
9 Technical specifications 24
9.1 Eye tracking specifications 24
9.2 Setup 25
9.3 Software compatibility 26
9.4 Hardware versions 26
9.5 Pro Spectrum eye tracker specifications 26
10 Compliance 29
Appendix A Nonhuman primate modes 31
A1 Monkey 31
A2 Great ape 31
Appendix B Recommended monitor 32
Appendix C Customer Care, training, and warranty 33
C1 Customer Care 33
C1.1 Get help 33
C2 Training and education services 33
C3 Warranty information 33
Appendix D Limitations and considerations 34
D1 Intended use 34
D2 Light conditions 34
D3 Eyelashes 34
D4 Droopy eyelids 34
Appendix E Glossary 35

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 5
1 Introduction
1.1 Overview
Tobii Pro Spectrum can be used in various setups, either with an attached monitor or as a stan-
dalone unit, to perform eye tracking with physical objects. It supports research investigating blinks
and eye closure dynamics, based on raw pupil and eye openness signal data (for example, con-
striction/dilation velocity, lid closure rate and acceleration).
The eye tracker's design enables the subject to move naturally during recording while still achiev-
ing high accuracy and precision. In 2022, Tobii introduced Eye Tracking modes so that research-
ers can choose between human and nonhuman primate modes. Read more about Nonhuman
primate modes.
Figure 1. The typical setup is having Tobii Pro Spectrum connected to a PC running Pro Lab.
1.2 Basic operating principles
Tobii Pro Spectrum use infrared illuminators to generate reflection patterns on the corneas of
the subject’s eyes. These patterns, plus other visual data about the subject, are collected by
image sensors. Sophisticated image-processing algorithms identify relevant features, including
the eyes and the corneal reflection patterns. Complex mathematics is used to calculate the 3D
position of each eyeball and the gaze point on the screen (or when a screen isn’t used, for the
gaze point on the object); in plain words, it tells you where the subject is looking.
Eye trackers from Tobii Pro are designed for use in indoor office environments and for
tracking on humans.
1.3 Product versions
Tobii Pro Spectrum is available in three product versions: 1200 Hz, 600 Hz, and 300 Hz. The
values denote the eye tracker’s maximum sampling frequency, but it can be used at lower set-
tings as well. The 600 Hz and 300 Hz versions can be upgraded to a faster version. For more
information, contact your sales representative or visit Tobii online.

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 6
1.4 Additional software options
Pro Lab
tobiipro.com/product-listing/tobii-pro-
lab/
Pro Lab is a comprehensive research software plat-
form for eye tracking designed to meet the highest
demands on different research scenarios with exact
timing accuracy. This software offers an efficient work-
flow, making it easy to design experiments, record
data, analyze and visualize eye tracking data, and to
sync this data with other biometric data streams.
Pro SDK
tobiipro.com/product-listing/tobii-pro-
sdk/
Pro SDK offers a broad set of tools that makes it
simple to develop a variety of niche applications or
scripts across multiple platforms, using a wide range
of programming languages. This SDK gives the
researcher access to the full set of relevant gaze data
streams, such as 3D eye coordinates, raw data, pupil
data, etc.
Third-party software This term refers to any application built on Pro SDK.

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 7
2 What's in the Tobii Pro Spectrum box
Figure 2. The contents of the Tobiii Pro Spectrum box
A. Angle meter I. USB cable for connection between the PC
and the monitor’s integrated USB hub
B. Measuring tape J. Cold shoe for mounting of a user camera
C. Power cables for monitor (UK, US, EU and
Aus/China)
K. DisplayPort cable
D. Monitor L. HDMI cable
E. Eye tracker M. Cleaning cloth
F. Monitor mounting bracket N. Fabric cord sleeve for collecting the cables
G. Power cables for eye tracker (UK, US,
EU and Aus/ China)
O. Ethernet cable

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 8
H. Power adaptor for eye tracker

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 9
3 Safety
3.1 Mounting warning
Tobii Pro Spectrum should be mounted according to the instructions of the approved
mounts used. Tobii Pro AB or its agents are not liable for damage or injuries to a per-
son or its property due to Pro Spectrum falling from a mounted configuration. The
mounting of Pro Spectrum is done entirely at the user’s own risk.
3.2 Emergency warning
Tobii Pro Spectrum is to be used for research purposes only. Be aware that due to the
low, but possible risk of failure or distraction, Pro Spectrum should not be relied upon
or used in dangerous or otherwise critical situations.
3.3 Infrared warning
When activated, Tobii Pro Spectrum emits pulsed infrared (IR) light. Certain medical
devices are susceptible to disturbance by IR light and/or radiation. Do not use Pro
Spectrum when in the vicinity of such susceptible medical devices as their accuracy or
proper functionality could be inhibited.
3.4 Epilepsy warning
Some people with photosensitive epilepsy are susceptible to epileptic seizures or loss
of consciousness when exposed to certain flashing lights or light patterns in everyday
life. This may happen even if the person has no medical history of epilepsy or has
never had any epileptic seizures.
A person with photosensitive epilepsy would also be likely to have problems with TV
screens, some arcade games, and flickering fluorescent bulbs. Such people may have
a seizure while watching certain images or patterns on a monitor, or even when
exposed to the light sources of an eye tracker. It is estimated that about 3-5% of
people with epilepsy have this type of photosensitive epilepsy. Many people with pho-
tosensitive epilepsy experience an “aura” or feel odd sensations before the seizure
occurs. If you feel odd during use, move your eyes away from the eye tracker.

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 10
3.5 Child safety
Tobii Pro Spectrum is an advanced computer system and electronic device. As such it
is composed of numerous separate, assembled parts. In the hands of a child certain of
these parts have the possibility of being separated from the device, possibly con-
stituting a choking hazard or another danger to the child.
Young children should not have access to, or use, the device without parental or guard-
ian supervision.
3.6 Do not open Tobii Pro Spectrum
Non-compliance will result in loss of Warranty! There are no user serviceable com-
ponents inside. Contact Tobii Customer Care if your Tobii Pro Spectrum is not working
properly.
3.7 Environment
Tobii Pro Spectrum is designed for use in dry indoor environments. Avoid any expos-
ure to direct sunlight as this will affect eye tracking quality and longer exposure can
overheat the equipment. Avoid exposure to any liquids, gels, moist, rain, sweat or
other damp materials or environments. Do not use the eye tracker near water – the
device is not water resistant.
Keep the eye tracker in a clean and dust free environment. When using the equipment
take adequate precautions against dust and dirt.
Do not place or use the equipment in places subject to extreme temperatures and
humidity, such as on top of and or near a heating element, in a hot or damp room, or in
a hot automobile in the sun.

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 11
4 Set up Tobii Pro Spectrum
4.1 Ventilation
As with most electronic devices, Tobii Pro Spectrum generates heat during use and needs
adequate ventilation. Allow for free air flow around the unit and never cover it as this will restrict
the air flow and lead to overheating.
4.2 Test environment
Tobii Pro Spectrum is best kept in dry conditions at room temperature. The recommended
range for temperature and humidity during operation is as follows:
lTemperature: 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F)
lHumidity: Max 20% to 95% (no condensation on the device)
4.3 Mount the monitor to the eye tracker
Figure 3. Mount the monitor to the eye tracker unit.

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 12
Tobii Pro Spectrum is delivered with the monitor already mounted. If this for any reason is not
the case, e.g. someone has been using the unit as a standalone eye tracker, you need to reat-
tach the monitor to the base. You mount and remove the monitor swiftly thanks to its one-screw
fastening.
Procedure for affixing the mounting bracket:
1. Make sure the eye tracker is placed on an even and steady surface.
2. Hold the monitor firmly and insert the lower end of the mounting bracket into the slot on the
top of the eye tracker.
3. When the lower end of the mounting bracket is fully inserted into the slot, gently tilt the
screen forward.
4. When the mounting bracket is in place, secure it by pushing the lock knob downwards and
turning it until it is firmly in place.
If you need to remove the monitor, repeat the above steps in the reverse order.
4.4 Connect the eye tracker
Figure 4. Tobii Pro Spectrum is connected to a standard Ethernet network with a RJ–45 connector.

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 13
How to attach the power supply:
1. Attach the supplied Ethernet cable to the corresponding Ethernet socket on the eye
tracker.
2. Attach the other end of the Ethernet cable to the Ethernet socket on your PC. It is also pos-
sible to connect the eye tracker to a switch connected to your LAN.
3. Attach the supplied power adapter cable to the corresponding outlet on the eye tracker.
a. Choose the power cord with the power plug suited for the electrical outlet and connect
the other end to the AC adapter.
b. If neither of the power plugs suits your needs, please contact your sales representative
or Tobii Pro Support for assistance.
c. Insert the power cord plug to a mains power outlet.
4.4.1 Power on Tobii Pro Spectrum
Tobii Pro Spectrum power switch is located on its back side. We recommend that you shut off
the unit after the workday or for longer periods of inactivity.
During startup, the illuminators in the front of Tobii Pro Spectrum, lit up one by one to indicate that
the LED-hardware is OK.
Approximately 20 seconds after you power on, a short beep is heard, indicating that the pro-
cessor module has loaded the BIOS and now begins to load the operating system.
After another 20 seconds two long beeps are heard, indicating that the system is ready for use.
If anything goes wrong (no matter the cause), you hear three short beeps about 40 to 50
seconds after the powering-on sequence, followed by a short pause and then another three
short beeps.
You turn off the eye tracker by pressing the power switch. During shut down, the power switch
indicator lamp flashes. Depending on the unit’s internal state, powering down can take up to 20
seconds.
You can force a shutdown of Tobii Pro Spectrum by pressing the power switch for at
least 5 seconds.
4.5 Monitor settings
Tobii Pro Spectrum is supplied with a pre-mounted 23.8” monitor.
Note that the monitor has two power switches: one main power switch on the backside
and one ON/OFF switch on the front. Make sure the main switch is ON before starting
the monitor with the ON/OFF switch.

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 14
Figure 5. Monitor settings for power ON/OFF Tobii Pro Spectrum.
1. Attach the supplied Display Port or HDMI cable to the corresponding connector on your
computer.
It is possible to use any of the other display interfaces on the monitor as well.
However, for the best performance we recommend Display Port or HDMI,
depending on what your PC is equipped for.
2. Choose the power cable with the plug suited for the wall outlet and connect the other end to
the corresponding outlet on the monitor.
3. Insert the power cable plug to a power outlet.
4. If neither of the plugs work with your power outlet, please contact your sales representative
or Tobii Pro Support for assistance.

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 15
5 Display settings
Figure 6. Display options for Tobii Pro Spectrum.
1. Tobii Pro Spectrum shown as delivered with the monitor mounted on the eye tracker.
2. Tobii Pro Spectrum as a standalone eye tracker without the monitor.
3. Eye tracker and monitor together on a VESA 100x100 mount.
4. Standalone with monitor.
You can use the eye tracker with another monitor, but it is not recommended.
For more information, read Recommended monitor.
5.1 VESA mount
Tobii Pro Spectrum can be mounted on a standard VESA 100 x 100 mount.
Here's what to do:
Remove the stand by unscrewing the two screws from the underside (see image below).

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 16
1. Fold the two legs upwards so they lie neat against the eye tracker’s side panels (as in
setup 3 in the Setup Options-image above). Make sure they don’t cover the ventilation
holes on the side panel.
2. Attach the VESA mount to the bracket with four screws.
5.2 Scene camera mount
Beneath the eye tracker there is a mount used for attaching a scene camera (pur-
chased separately).
Here's what to do:
1. Attach the enclosed mounting bracket to your camera unit.
2. Slide the assembly into the scene camera mount and tighten the screw.

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 17
6 Tobii Pro Spectrum configuration
Tobii Pro Spectrum is configured using Tobii Pro Eye Tracker Manager.
6.1 Tobii Pro Eye Tracker Manager
Tobii Pro Eye Tracker Manager is free software available on Tobii Connect.
Pro Eye Tracker Manager helps you manage your Tobii Pro eye tracker. It lets you see which
eye tracker firmware and software versions you are running and also facilitates updates (where
applicable). It provides:
lDrivers and Firmware installation or updates
lDisplay setup
lEye tracking mode selection
lPositioning guide
lUser calibration
lGaze visualization1
lEye images2
References in product documentation to Tobii Pro Eye Tracker Manager refer to the
latest version available on Tobii Pro’s website.
6.2 Keep your eye tracker software and display setup updated
Updates
From time to time, Tobii Pro releases updates for an eye tracker’s applicable driver and firmware
in order to improve performance and/or introduce new functionality. Please check the Tobii Pro
website regularly for news and information about updates about your eye tracker. We recom-
mend that you activate updates and notifications in Tobii Pro Eye Tracker Manager.
How to activate notifications and updates in Pro Eye Tracker Manager:
1. Click to expand the drop-down list at the top of Pro Eye Tracker Manager.
2. Toggle the switches for notifications. Orange means they are activated.
3. If a software update is available, the available update has a clickable orange link.
4. Select an interface language. The default is English.
1Gaze visualization in Pro Eye Tracker Manager lets you quickly evaluate the quality of the eye tracking data. The Gaze visu-
alization overlaps data only on the Pro Eye Tracker Manager screen while Pro Eye Tracker Manager is open.
2Applicable when Pro Eye Tracker Manager is used with eye trackers that support eye images (Tobii Pro Spectrum and Tobii Pro
Fusion).

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 18
Display setup updates
Use Pro Eye Tracker Manager whenever you change computers or display setups.
6.3 Upgrade and downgrade the eye tracker’s firmware
You can determine which firmware version your connected Tobii Pro Spectrum uses by reading
the details on the displayed card with your eye tracker’s name in Tobii Pro Eye Tracker Man-
ager. Firmware versions are listed on the Drivers & Firmware tab.
You can upgrade or downgrade the firmware by resetting the eye tracker to factory defaults
and then reinstalling the desired firmware version.
Downgrading:
1. Turn on the eye tracker and confirm that it appears in Tobii Pro Eye Tracker Manager.
2. Restart Tobii Pro Spectrum by inserting a pointy device (i.e. a straightened paper clip) into
the recessed reset button hole, located between the power connector and the data port on
the connector panel at the back of the eye tracker. Keep pressing the reset button till you
hear a beep.
3. Tobii Pro Spectrum eye tracker restarts one or more times. This is not an error. After a
while, your eye tracker appears in Tobii Pro Eye Tracker Manager again.
4. On the Drivers & Firmware tab in Tobii Pro Eye Tracker Manager, select the desired firm-
ware version from the list and click the Install button.
Upgrading:
1. Turn on the eye tracker and confirm that it appears in Tobii Pro Eye Tracker Manager.
2. On the Drivers & Firmware tab in Tobii Pro Eye Tracker Manager, select the desired firm-
ware version from the list and click the Install button.
6.4 Configure your eye tracker in Tobii Pro Eye Tracker Manager
In Tobii Pro Eye Tracker Manager you can change some settings for your eye tracker. For
example, you can create and recall setups for using the eye tracker in standalone mode and
change the eye tracker’s frequency.
6.4.1 Change Tobii Pro Spectrum frequency setting
1. Start Tobii Pro Eye Tracker Manager. Tobii Pro Spectrum will display as a “card” in the list
of available eye trackers at the top.
2. Select Tobii Pro Spectrum.
3. On the Drivers & Firmware tab, you can select the desired frequency setting from the drop-
down list.

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 19
Option with reduced infrared light: If you change the sampling frequency to 60 or 120
Hz, you reduce the brightness of the infrared light from the eye tracker. This is useful
when you want a highly unobtrusive setup for the participant. This low visibility option
is only available for 60 and 120 Hz.
6.4.2 Configure Tobii Pro Spectrum for standalone use
1. Start Tobii Pro Eye Tracker Manager on your computer. All available eye trackers appear
in the “Connected Eye Trackers" pane.
2. Select Tobii Pro Spectrum by clicking on it.
3. On the Overview tab, locate Display Setup and click the ellipsis button to the right. On the
drop-down menu, click New.
4. Follow the instructions in each configuration step, including naming your new setup.
5. When finished, your new setup appears in the drop-down list of display setups.
6. To confirm that Tobii Pro Spectrum can detect the participant’s eyes, enable the Position
Guide at the bottom left of Pro Eye Tracker Manager. Once activated, you should be able
to see two circles in a face contour.

Tobii Pro Spectrum User Manual v 2.4 20
7 Additional features
7.1 User calibration for Tobii Pro Spectrum
Tobii Pro Spectrum calibration procedure allows for robust eye tracking research by facilitating
workflows that take into consideration your research questions, as well as the characteristics of
your participant.
Tobii Pro Spectrum supports:
lBinocular calibration
lMonocular calibration
7.1.1 Binocular calibration
The binocular calibration is successful if enough data has been collected to successfully cal-
ibrate both eyes. Calibration results are presented for all the points in which data has suc-
cessfully been collected for both eyes. To improve a calibration, you can redo the entire
calibration or recalibrate the points for which data is missing or not good enough for your
research. This is an efficient and powerful method to calibrate your participant’s eyes, suitable
for most research questions and for most participants.
Available in:
lTobii Pro Lab, when selecting the Calibration stimuli in the Design Timeline
lTobii Pro SDK, when using screen-based calibration class/methods
7.1.2 Monocular calibration
Tobii Pro Spectrum’s monocular calibration functionality lets you to collect eye tracking data
optimized for each of the eyes of the participant. Tobii Pro Spectrum can robustly identify the
left and right eyes, irrespective if only one eye or both are visible to the eye tracking sensors.
For increased confidence in some cases, you could choose to cover the eye that is not tracked,
but this is not required.
This functionality is useful if one eye causes the binocular calibration process to fail. This could
happen, for example, due to severe strabismus, or if one eye is a prosthetic.
Separate calibration for the two eyes is also useful for research into binocular coordination and
fixation disparity, or in situations where you would like the calibration to pass even if only one
eye could be tracked.
Note that a default calibration is used for the eye that was not selected for calibration or that
has failed to calibrate. During the recording, Tobii Pro Spectrum will continue to search for both
eyes because it is less likely to find data for the uncalibrated eye. Nevertheless, Tobii Pro Spec-
trum will report the data for the uncalibrated eye when available.
Tobii Pro Spectrum allows for two types of monocular calibration:
lBoth eyes
lOnly one eye – left or right