Knowledge Base

Control FaceReader With The Observer XT Using N-Linx

Aim

To automatically analyze facial expressions with FaceReader together with an observation in The Observer XT, import the FaceReader data and videos and synchronize them automatically with the event log.

Background

The communication between FaceReader and The Observer XT makes use of the Noldus network communication protocol N-Linx.

For details on N-Linx, see the Reference Manual - N-Linx. You can download it from the download section of the Noldus website.

Prerequisites

• You have a license for The Observer XT 14.1 or higher that includes the External Data Module. To see if you have this module, open The Observer XT and choose Help > About The Observer XT > License info.
• N-Linx Server is installed on a computer in the network.
• Both FaceReader and The Observer XT are open.
• You created a project in The Observer XT and FaceReader. These projects are open.
• Your FaceReader project does not contain image analyses. You cannot mix image analyses with camera analyses in FaceReader.
• You selected a default camera in FaceReader.
• IMPORTANT The Coding Scheme in The Observer XT does not contain element names that are also used in FaceReader, like Neutral, Unknown, or Happy.
• FaceReader, The Observer XT and N-Linx Server run on computers that are part of the same network.

Procedure

1. If FaceReader, The Observer XT, and N-Linx Server are not all installed on the same computer, make sure that traffic through the N-Linx port is not blocked by Windows Firewall. Create exceptions in Windows Firewall for the N-Linx port on all computers with FaceReader, The Observer XT, and N-Linx Server.
   See Create exceptions for the N-Linx port in Windows Firewall.
2. If FaceReader and The Observer are installed on different computers and you want to import the FaceReader videos automatically in The Observer XT, make sure that The Observer XT can access the FaceReader videos.
   See Make sure The Observer XT can access the FaceReader video files.
3. Set up FaceReader to work with The Observer XT.
4. Set up The Observer XT to work with FaceReader.
5. Carry out your observation in The Observer XT and co-acquire data with FaceReader.
   See Observe in The Observer XT and analyze in FaceReader.

Note

Check on the download section of the Noldus website if an update of this procedure is available. For example in case of an update of The Observer XT or N-Linx.

Source: FaceReader 10 Reference Manual (Help), Noldus Information Technology