K-motion: visualizing election information for live television broadcasts

Abstract

We present an interactive information visualization system for live television broadcasts of the ballot opening process. Our proposed system satisfies the general requirements for ballot opening processes in modern democratic political systems, in which a great deal of complex information floods in, but the time frame for gathering and processing information for live broadcasting is very limited. Traditional virtual studio techniques cannot properly handle such urgent situations, because the final presenter must wait for the visual content to be determined by the directors or engineers behind the scenes. As a solution, we implement a gesture-based interactive system based on commercial depth sensors that utilize the infra-red (IR) spectrum. Because commercial depth sensors experience interference and do not work properly under common studio lights that emit IR spectrum, we apply filters and compensation algorithms to implement a robust and stable visualization system for live television broadcasts. We also address usability and information visualization with our system, providing unique features for both the presenter and the television audience. Our system has been named "K-Motion," and it was used to broadcast on 11---12 April 2012 by the Korea Broadcasting System, one of the largest television networks in South Korea, and achieved the highest peak viewing record.