Balloon 3D Presenter – Abilities and possibilities of the new B3P software

Basic Features (the first public release, 2015)

Displaying GPS tracks in 3D on the official competition map.
Displaying prohibited zones also in 3D.
Compability with existing systems.
Managing multiple track logs at the same time.
Time slider for the displayed logs.
– Balloon positions at a selected timestamp.
– Balloon positions at a selected equal time after the individual launch time.
Storing and presenting data of recorded moments.

Realtime displaying GPS tracks in 3D, on the official competition map.
Displaying prohibited zones also in 3D. (improoved)
Full data compatibility with the known ballooning software products,
including map and track files of the OZI, and the BFA Scoring Software.
Managing multiple track logs at the same time. (improoved)
Time slider for the displayed logs. (improoved)
Storing and realtime or timeslide presenting data of recorded moments.
Real time tracking of multiple hot air balloons via internet with several android devices (e.g.: mobile phones or tablets).
Using the internet connection of the mobile clients for real time data transfer.
Using the GPS device of the mobile clients.
(or other, more precise GPS source e.g.: via Bluetooth)
Trimmable elevation shift setting for each and every mobile client.
Online data (position) transfer, and offline data storing in the mobile clients for later download, in case of internet data transfer difficulties.
Virtual marker drop with mobile clients using the touchscreen.
Timestamped FON and PDG goal declarations, even with the touchscreen,
or by audio recording – just like regular voice message.
The Settings Menu is locked by a pincode.
For security and safety, every operation is saved in a LOG file.

Instead of the classic flat map, the implementation of the local terrain model
is also an interesting way to enhance the 3D environment.
Highlighting one selected track while dimming all other tracks.
It is possible to set and change:
– the number of displayed tracks
– the size and the number of the dots in a track
– the color of the dots in a track
– the number of the vertical projection lines
Providing a “3D Showroom” on selected events
to let the pilots view and check their tracks.
The aim is to entertain the spectators of a balloon (or any air sport) event.
Traditionally spectators can only watch and enjoy the Take Off, or a Fly In
at the common launch area, or may visit a nearby target.
Our system lets them to enter to a new age, lets them to see and
to understand the essence of ballooning.
For major events the realtime positions can be displayed on big screens
at the launch field to inform and to entertain the spectators.
For the best entertainment, working together with the local speaker,
an operator is needed to select the best camera angle during the flight.
Instead using just different colors to visualize the ballons, it is possibe
to display the national flags of the competitors on the balloons,
or the real picture (and in some cases the shape) of the balloons.
A step forward to real-time-provisional result, or even real-time-scoring, knowing, that manual penalties will still remain a duty of the scorers.

Ideas to solve in the near future:

To display more, selectable information of the balloons at any time:
– altitude (already displayed)
– position
– horizontal speed
– vertical speed (with warning color in case of reckless flying)
Selectable background graphics items,
for example google satellite map instead of competition map.
Internet stream broadcast for any (or selected) web based spectator,
like any other TV broadcasted sport events.
(e.g.: Olympic Games, Formula One, Soccer, etc.)
The stream can be absolute realtime, or even timeshifted if necessary.
Automatic best angle view for an operator selected balloon during the flight.
Widening the number of possible clients by releasing software versions for IOS based, Windows based and other devices.

The usage of the B3P software is free, but the software needs qualified and experienced operators, working together with the event director, the scorers, and other event officials.
– For balloon events up to 50 balloons usually two operators needed.
– Over 50 balloons we recommend an extra operator by about 50 balloons.
Our operators may support the appropriate computers (depend on the shipping possibilities), or the organizers should support the appropriate computers.