Real-time tracking for broadcast
Converge
In 2019, while working as a designer on the Blacktrax team, I received an urgent call from a business developer. "Hey, I'm heading to Japan in four weeks and we really need to wow Panasonic. What can you do?" he asked. Rising to the challenge, I designed and delivered a UI prototype for a sophisticated, real-time robotic camera tracking system that utilized infrared camera technology—all within the tight four-week deadline.
But wait a minute... The idea was sold to the client before we had the final product! To tackle this challenge, I collaborated with a broadcast engineer whose industry expertise proved invaluable.
Blacktrax 1.0's interface was based on data table patterns and it wasn't intuitive for broadcast professionals new to infrared tracking. Its core functionality remained the same as before: users could assign objects to trigger actions, such as making cameras automatically track people's movements in real-time.
I quickly realized that, at its core, the goal was to figure out the best way for operators to visualize a network of inputs and connecting nodes that had their own characteristics and nuances.
I needed to make it easier for those building these relationships to visualize the layout and make changes on the fly. This required a better interaction model that transcended tables.
I brought this concept to life by displaying objects alongside their related sensors and connections. For example, selecting a beacon would display its corresponding properties — such as battery life and visibility — on the right side, thus enabling intuitive adjustments and immediate understanding.
For example: If it’s a camera you can see its network, the port and set auto-iris (ability to compensate for large variations in light levels), ultimately making all objects like actors on a stage.
I created a second view in 3D to show the impact of the system in real time. In this example, the red circle represents the beacon on the actor's neck, while the blue box shows the camera’s field of view. If the actor’s head was cut off in the frame, it would appear as a mistake. To prevent this, I designed a feature allowing the human operator to manually adjust the camera frame in relation to the sensor, ensuring precise and professional framing.
• New partnership established between Panasonic and Cast (showcased at NAB 2019).
• Partnership marked Cast's entry into the global broadcast market for the first time.
• Delivered a functional design in just four weeks.
• Paved the way for a new product line later expanded with features like augmented reality and new hardware such as Helios.
