Pool Table with Projector

[Chazz]

Well it's not as cool as some of the pool tables with the interactive projection, but I thought I'd throw my projector over my pool table to see how it would work.  Needs a little tweaking, but it turned out pretty good.

[brihyn]

pretty cool effect. I picked up an old 800x640 projector from a previous employer...this could be a good use for it!

[Chazz]

Now that I've got my projector over my pool table, I was wondering if anyone knew where I could get software to do tracking and effects like these guys?


CueLight Interactive Pool Table System

[ChadTower]

That is a lot more than software at work there.  Gotta be a good amount of hardware involved with tracking the ball locations and probably identification as well.

[jammin0]

The Kinect might be able to handle something like that.  Nuigroup might be a good place to start out if you were going to homebrew this.
http://nuigroup.com/log

[RandyT]

While I can definitely appreciate the wow factor, I have to question the practicality.  Billiards is a game which doesn't need extra stuff to make it more difficult to play.

What would be interesting is the use of tracking to illuminate each ball, and the pockets, for play in subdued lighting environments.  But even then, it had better be directly overhead to minimize the shadowing.

[Gray_Area]

While I can definitely appreciate the wow factor, I have to question the practicality.  Billiards is a game which doesn't need extra stuff to make it more difficult to play.

What would be interesting is the use of tracking to illuminate each ball, and the pockets, for play in subdued lighting environments.  But even then, it had better be directly overhead to minimize the shadowing.

That can be done with black lighting or just glow-in-the-dark stuff.  I was going to say I don't see any novelty in this angle....but then thought it could be cool to 'adorn' the table with things. Like, you could have gargoyles at the side lines. Cheering gargoyles! Sitting on toadstools!! Etc.   Otherwise: cute, but eh.....

[PL1]

How about an interactive pool tutorial?

The computer calculates and calls the shot, traces/lights the desired path, and provides an indication of the force/english needed.  The player tries to make the shot indicated.

It could also be used to set up and teach specific skills/trick shots.


Scott

[Chazz]

Hey gang,
Some great ideas here.  It is pretty much just a 'wow factor' thing.  Just trying to think of cool ideas to do with my extra projector, and an old laptop.  Even when not playing pool, it looks cool to project a movie, or usually Demo Scene videos.

[RandyT]

What would be interesting is the use of tracking to illuminate each ball, and the pockets, for play in subdued lighting environments.  But even then, it had better be directly overhead to minimize the shadowing.

That can be done with black lighting or just glow-in-the-dark stuff.

This is true, but I have never been a big fan of Day-Glo ball colors, and I wouldn't want to limit my ball choice to the novelty balls.  I have a pretty nice set of balls on my table (here come the jokes) and it would be nice to have the equivalent of traveling spotlights tracking them.  Practical, and still provides the wow factor for guests.

I agree, though, that some sort of active decoration on the table frame would also be a good addition, as it wouldn't interfere with play.

[ChadTower]

[ids]

Chazz - I think it could be done with software and a camera, like a decently res'd webcam or the like.  Start with a plain pic of the table with no balls - call this the default img.  Then compare current image from cam vs. default+projected image.  The difference will expose any changes, such as balls on the table.  Do a bit of noise reduction and such so as not to overreact to small things.  Bob is likely your uncle at this point.