Labor für Virtuelles Studio / Virtuelle Realität

Abstract: Design and Implementation of Teleprompter-Controlled Automation in a Television Studio [DE]

This bachelors thesis presents the development and implementation of an automated studio control system based on a teleprompter. The objective was to transform the teleprompter traditionally used solely as a display deviceinto an active control element within studio automation, thereby creating a closer link between editorial and technical workflows. The initial motivation stemmed from the observation that conventional broadcast environments lack a direct technical connection between the teleprompters displayed text and the automation systems controlling camera, light, and graphics operations. To address this gap, a software bridge was designed to interface with the open API of the CueiT teleprompter system. This bridge retrieves script and story data, interprets embedded control markers, and forwards corresponding commands to a Blackmagic ATEM video switcher. In its early stage, this setup allowed semi-automatic switching operations triggered via Companion or manual HTTP requests. In the next development phase, the system was extended with an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) module capable of reading the teleprompter text in real time and automatically detecting predefined control markers. When such a marker appears on screen, the system immediately transmits the corresponding command through the bridge to the ATEM switchercompletely eliminating the need for user input. Measurements showed an average end-to-end latency of approximately 10 milliseconds between text recognition and execution, confirming the real-time performance and reliability of the system. The resulting prototype thus enables fully automated, marker-based studio control that seamlessly integrates editorial intent with technical execution. The modular design of the bridge also allows for future extensions, such as the integration of graphics, lighting, or audio systems. Overall, the project demonstrates how an intelligent, content-driven automation framework can bridge the gap between creative production processes and technical precision within modern studio environments.

Keywords:

Teleprompter, Studio Automation, OCR Recognition, Bridge System, Real-Time Control, ATEM Video Switcher, Marker-Based Control, Broadcast Technology, Production Workflow, Automation

Supervisor:

Prof. Jens Herder, Dr. Eng./Univ. of Tsukuba
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Bonse

Location:

The research took place at the Virtual Sets and Virtual Environments Laboratory.