BG112225A - Universal electronic system for position recovery of balls for table games such as snooker, biliard, pools and other games - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is in the field of sports, games and contests and refers to an electronic system for assisting the exact restoration of previous ball positions in table games such as billiards. The problem is solved when the table (1) is videorecorded from above via cameras (B), the photo is processed by a computer (C) and program (D), as the positions are extracted and subsequently projected as colorful circles (9) from a computer projector (A) on the table (1) with color and size corresponding to the balls (2). The cameras (B and B1), the projectors (A), the speaker (6) are connected via a cable (7) to a computer (C) and are gripped to the ceiling of the preemise (5) by means of a fixed stand (4). The system is managed by a computer (C), wirelessly by a remote (E) with a program (F1) installed as part of a program (D), and by a user phone or tablet (8) in which is installed program (F1) as part of a program (D).

Description

The invention is in the field of sports, games and competitions and relates to an electronic system to assist the accurate restoration of previous ball positions in table games such as snooker, billiards, pool and more. similar races.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are known ways to restore ball positions by displaying the screen on EUROSPORT television channels on a photo of a previous ball placement such as "Double Exposure" or overlaying an electronic image of an existing table image known as "Hawk" eye. " The effect of these decisions is to give a snapshot of the previous placement of the monitor balls next to the table, but the positions should be judged by eye, assistance from an operator behind the monitor is needed to guide the player placing the exact location of the previous position. The major disadvantage is that it takes a long time, more than one person is needed in competitions, it is difficult to achieve maximum accuracy and to compare all ball positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical essence of the invention consists in the combination of known technical devices together with computer programs. Its purpose is to create an electronic system for the fast and maximum accurate restoration of the previous positions of the table balls, when necessary for the purpose of breaching or re-establishing a specific position.

There is also a need to train players, replace the functions of a third party as a referee or coach, and to increase the players' concentration and enjoyment.

The goals are realized through a universal electronic system for the recovery of ball positions in table games such as snooker, billiards, pool and other games. For this purpose, high resolution cameras, a computer projector and a speaker are mounted above the table at a suitable height. cameras and projectors may vary depending on the space available above the table and their specifications. These three technical devices are wired or wirelessly connected to a computer in which a program to coordinate their operation is installed. The computer is either desktop or portable and includes standard components - operating system, monitor, computer box or block, mouse and keyboard. The computer, projector, cameras, and speaker are all connected to electrical power through the cable that connects them to the computer. The camera, projector and speaker control can be operated from several locations at one time. The main control is from the computer through the mouse and keyboard, and it can also be from a wireless remote, which has its own operating system in which is installed a program that is part of the main computer, microprocessor, memory - temporary and permanent, vibration, speaker and screen which can respond to touch. Control can also be from a phone / tablet of the player in which, similar to the wireless remote, a program is installed like the one on the computer and has the same or similar capabilities as the remote.

In order to simplify the system in terms of the number of components and if the installation specifications allow, one or more cameras can be mounted in the projector together with the loudspeaker as well as in the pockets (openings) on the table.

The combination of these components, in their form, allows the ball positions to be captured at high resolution by the cameras before being fired, to calculate from the computer program the exact two-dimensional location of the table, and then to reproduce these positions as needed from the projector below. the shape of luminous colored circles on the mass of the exact positions where the corresponding balls were. The size and color of the circles correspond to the balls. In this way, a specific ball can, through one person, very quickly and with maximum accuracy be placed within the luminous circle. If a ball is of different colors, positional support can also be accomplished by emitting additional colors, characters, or letters from the projector, moving, flashing, or static inside or outside the luminous circle. This can be done as the computer program has the functions of tracking and recognizing individual balls, as well as everything else that moves above the table and makes contact with the balls. In the presence of these tracking and recognition features, everything that moves and hits the balls, along with a pre-installed game-specific rule database, can serve as a referee or coach in violation of the rules by signaling through the loudspeaker signals or / and utters pre-recorded words and sentences, as well as / and by the flashing, moving or steady light from the projector. The program can also monitor the result of the game, calculate the result, announce the beginning and end of the game.

In addition to the sides of the table, just above its level, more cameras can be installed to monitor the balls to ensure that they do not touch in violation of the rules of the game. The cameras can also be placed in the pockets (openings) on the table. This is necessary when the player reaches over a ball, with his body obscured from above and touches the ball below it. Thus, if the player only touches the ball without moving it, the computer program will not be able to signal a violation, since there will be no difference in the picture for the position of the ball before the player is bowed and his position and when he has already receded and he!

visible from above.

The main advantages of the current electronic system are the electronic, one-man, easy and high precision restoration of previous positions of many balls on the table. To track and calculate the result, to signal the beginning and end of the game. In competitive mode to assist the referee with notices of offenses, assist in the arrangement of the balls. To train the player for that purpose, she can replace the coach. To calculate the positions of balls on photos taken in the computer and taken from other games played at other tables. Calculate arbitrary or maximally difficult to play combinations of balls according to the different rules of individual games. A learning player can very easily and accurately arrange specific balls for himself to play repeatedly, and is sure to make the exact ball hit in the same arrangement. It also gives you a proper idea of whether a placement of balls can be played without breaking the specific rules of the game. He can easily and easily formulate the correct spatial assessment of the interaction of the balls with each other in their movement, a blow is made repeatedly with rapid restoration of the positions of the balls.

Explanations of the annexed figures

In figure 1, the electronic system is represented in its general plan when the height of the room allows the projector (A) to be mounted at such a height that the light emitted by it (3) covers the table (1) completely.

Figure 2 is the same plan but with more projectors (A) and video cameras (B) added when the height of the room is smaller.

Figure 3 shows a top view of a radiant luminous circle (9) projector (A) on a table (1) • · • 4

Figures 4 to 8 are considered examples of application of the electronic ball system (2). The colors of the balls correspond to their numbers as follows: (2.1) - black, (2.2) - pink, (2.3) blue, (2.4) - brown, (2.5) - white, (2.6) - green, (2.7) - yellow , (2.8) - red. Figure 9 is a side view of the table (1) with radiant illuminating circles from projectors (A) on the table (1).

Examples of carrying out the invention

Two exemplary embodiments of the snooker game invention are shown in Figures # 4, # 5, # 6, # 7 and # 8, and these examples do not exhaust all of its applications.

In the first example, shown in Figures Nos. 4 and 5, an embodiment is shown when a grossly observable violation of the rules of play on a ball strike (2.7) is carried out, in the immediate vicinity of another (2.6) and a strike (11) for the human eye. looks like a simultaneous hit on both balls standing side by side. Figure 4 shows the table with a top view of three balls, which are white, denoted by (2.5), yellow by (2.7) and (2.6) green. Figure 2 shows a side view table, above which two computer projectors (A), 3 video cameras (B) and one loudspeaker (6) are mounted above the ceiling of the room (5) via a stand (4). ), which are connected via a cable (7) to a computer system (C). Four more video cameras (B1) are placed on the sides of the table (1) near its edges and just above its level, with the cable (7) also serving to power the devices. Video cameras (B1) can also be mounted in the openings (10) on a table (1). An operating system is installed in the permanent memory of the computer system (C), in which a program (D) is installed along with a game rules database. The computer program (D) calibrated the captured image from the cameras (B) and (B1) and the light emitted (3) by the projectors before the onset of the impact, took a picture of the table (1) with the balls located (2.5, 2.6 and • ·

I

2.7), has calculated their two-dimensional positions and monitors any movement over the mass (1). When the player bends over the table (1), the program recognizes the cue, which is the only permitted means of hitting the white ball (2.5) and monitors whether the player will hit the white ball (2.5). Keep track of all other balls on the table, if any, whether they will be touched or hit by anything before the legitimate white ball (2.5). She recognizes the balls on the table as colors and follows the rules of which ball should be hit first and which balls may fall into the holes (10) of the table (1).

The purpose of the present configuration, Figure 4 of balls (2.5, 2.6 and 2.7) is to strike the white (2.5) first with the yellow (2.7) and the latter to fall into the upper right hole (10) of the table (1). The player approaches the table (1), bends over it and, with a jab at the white ball (2.5), sends it to the target yellow ball (2.7). The computer program (D) has analyzed each player's action and has not detected any incorrect impact or touching of another ball in any way. With a strong impact on the white ball with the stick, the program begins to monitor its movement by taking fast, high-resolution sequential shots. When the white ball in its path (10) - figure # 5 reaches the yellow (2.7) in the immediate vicinity of the green ball (2.6), it hits (11) first the green (2.6) and then the yellow ball (2.7) . It is impossible for the human eye to determine exactly which ball was first hit because of the high speed at which the white ball moves (2.5) and the proximity of the other two balls (2.6 and 2.7). Human judgment in this case will be subjective and uncertain. But with high-speed high-speed sequential shots, the computer program (D) determines that the green ball (2.6) is first hit and, according to the rules and game rules, emits a warning sound, followed by the phrase "Green ball foul" through the loudspeaker ( 6) for a violation. At the same time, through computer projectors (A), it shows illuminating circles (9) corresponding to the three balls (2.5, 2.6 and 2.7) in size and color and recreating their positions - figure # 5 when the white ball (2.5) hits (11) incorrectly the green (2.6). The white circle indicates the moment of impact (11) and the green circle flashes consecutively indicating the wrong contact (11). Due to the offense, the balls (2.5, 2.6 and 2.7) need to be played again, restored to their original positions as precisely as possible. This can be done by single player or if there is a referee using the wireless remote (E) selects the photo from the memory of the computer system (C) with the location of the balls (2.5, 2.6 and 2.7) before hitting the white (2.5) and sets the program the computer program (D) through the projectors (A) to illuminate the colored circles (9) on the table (1) in figure # 4.

Another example of an electronic system application is shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 with a configuration of six colored and eight red balls as follows: (2.5) - white, (2.1) - black, (2.2) - pink, ( 2.3) - blue, (2.4) brown, (2.6) - green, (2.7) - yellow and numbered (2.8) all red. In the same way as in the previous example, figure 2 shows the side view table, above which two computer projectors (A), 3 video cameras (B) are mounted on the ceiling of the room (5) by a stand (4). and a number of speakers (6) that are connected via cable (7) to a computer system (C). Additionally, four additional video cameras (B1) were installed, which were placed at the sides of the table (1) up to its four edges and slightly above its level, connected via a cable (7) to a computer system (C). Through the cable (7), the devices are also electrically powered. An operating system is installed in the permanent memory of a computer system (C) in which a computer program (D) is installed along with a database of game rules. The computer program (D) calibrated the captured image from the cameras and the transmitted light (3) from the projectors before the impact, took a picture of the table (1) with all fifteen balls in position, calculated their two-dimensional positions and monitored any movement above the table (1). When the player leans over the table (1), the program recognizes

the cue, which is the only permitted means of hitting the white ball (2.5) and monitors whether the player will hit the white ball (2.5). Keep track of all the other balls on the table, whether they will be touched or hit by anything before the legitimate white ball (2.5). She recognizes the balls on the table as colors and follows the rules of which ball should be hit first and which balls may fall into the holes (10) of the table (1). With the current placement of the balls (2), in the front kick on the table (1), the player has realized a red ball and now has to hit the white one (2.5) on one of the colored ones to fall into one of the holes in the table (1). The player leans with his stick over the table of Fig. №6, at its upper board where the balls (2.6 and 2.7) are placed, hits his white ball (2.5) with his rod and directs it with a strong blow to the ball (2.3), which falls into a hole (10) on the table. All other balls (2) remain on the table (1) and, as a result of the strong movement of the white (2.5), they occupy other arbitrary positions on the table (1) shown in figure 7. The computer program (D) monitored the movements of the player and the balls (2) through the video cameras (B and B1) and found that the movement of the balls and the hit of one of them into the hole was correct, but also recorded a violation of the touching the player through his ball of clothing (2.6) while performing the kick. As a result, he declares the impact incorrect by issuing a loudspeaker warning (6) consisting of a warning signal followed by the violation - "Fall, - touching the green ball" along with a flashing red circle on the green ball position (2.3). indicating the location of the infringement. Once the offense has been identified, players decide to strike again, with all 15 balls restored to their original positions. To do this, one of the players or the referee, if any, selects the frame from the memory of the computer system (C) with the location of the balls (2) before execution and through the projectors (A) by means of the wireless remote control (E). luminous colored circles where the balls were

• · · · · ·

(2) on the table (1). The colors and diameter of the circles correspond to the balls and are presented in figure 8 with a dashed circular line, their numbers from (№ 9.21 to № 9.28) correspond to the numbers of the colored and red balls (2). For example, a blinking glow position (9.21) corresponds to a black ball (2.1), (9.28) to a red ball (2.8), etc. The player or the referee, if any, quickly and easily adjusts all fifteen balls (2) to their original positions in the color-illuminating flashing circles (9). After placing the ball in its place, the computer program flashes the light, thus informing the ordering party that the ball is already in its original position. Once all the balls (2) have been placed, they are switched off by the wireless remote control (E) or the computer program (D) switches them off automatically and the game can continue.

Application (use) of the invention

The use of the universal electronic system for restoring the position of balls in table games such as snooker, billiards, pool and other games is realized through a developed individual computer program that follows a single logic according to its pre-set rules for the specific game and is installed in the operating system of the computer . Electrical power for the desktop or laptop computer, projectors, and cameras is standard AC 220 volts and for remote control rechargeable batteries. Starts, controls and extinguishes from the main computer terminal, using a remote control that has an LCD screen, has a microprocessor for memory, in which a program that is part of the main, vibration, speaker and navigation buttons to operate it is installed . It is also possible to operate it by pressing the screen. As an optional remote control for the wireless system, it can • •: : I ...

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also uses a player's custom phone or tablet that has the same or similar characteristics. Similar to the remote, a program is installed in it, which is part of the main computer program (D). The wireless remote and the user device also serve to broadcast from a computer program through displays, speakers and their vibrations for events and what happens during a game. The computer system monitor can also serve as an electronic scoreboard for monitoring the game's performance by placing it in a suitable place or by mounting one or more monitors or televisions to the computer.

Claims (11)

Claims 1. Universal electronic system for restoring the position of balls in table games such as snooker, billiards and more. games, characterized in that it consists of at least one projector (A) which is mounted above a ball table (1), its height being such that it allows the light emitted (3) to completely cover the table for play (1), is attached to a fixed stand (4), which is mounted to the ceiling of the room (5), is connected wirelessly or by cable (7) to a computer system (C), the speaker (6) is fixed to the stationary stand (4) and connected wirelessly or by cable (7) to a computer system (C) consisting of a computer box with a wireless connection module no, in the permanent memory of which an operating system is installed in which a computer program (D) is installed, together with a database of game rules, a monitor, a mouse and a keyboard, one or more video cameras (B) are positioned above the game table (1) at such a height that they cover the whole area, they are fixed to a fixed stand (4) for the ceiling of the room (5), cameras (B1) are placed on the side of the table (1) or / and in the openings (10) on the table (1) connected wirelessly or by cable (7) to a computer system (C), such as by cable (7) cameras (B and B1), projectors (A) and loudspeaker (6) also use electrical power, a wireless remote control (E) consisting of temporary and permanent memory in the last operating system in which a program (F) is installed, which is a part of a computer program (D), navigation buttons, a display that is ordinary or touch, a microprocessor, a speaker, a rechargeable battery, a wireless module through which it is connected to a computer system (C) and a computer program (D), a computer program ( F1) which is part of program (D) is and installed in the permanent memory of a user phone or tablet for wireless communication with a computer program (D) present in a computer system (C). 2. The system of claim 1, wherein a projector (A) has a loudspeaker or / and one or more video cameras. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer program (D) installed in the permanent memory of the computer system (C) takes high-resolution two-dimensional images and / or video through the video surveillance cameras (B and B1) for the two-dimensional location and / or movement of the game balls (2) on the table (1) that stores data in the permanent or temporary memory of a computer system (C). A system according to claim 3, characterized in that the computer program (D) from the pictures stored in the permanent or temporary memory of the computer system (C) and made from video cameras (B and B1) is calculated in pixels or otherwise the two-dimensional location of the playing balls (2) on the playing table (1). System according to claim 3, characterized in that the computer program (D) of the pictures stored in the permanent or temporary memory of a computer system (C) placed there manually or automatically made by television or the like. frames of other table ball games, calculates in pixels or otherwise the two-dimensional location of the game balls (2) on the game table (1). System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computer program (D), through projectors (A), displays colored or monochrome circles (9) on the playing table (1) with positions corresponding to the locations of the balls (2) taken from camera shots (B or B1) or from external pictures of game balls (2) added additionally to the permanent memory of the computer system (C). System according to claim 6, characterized in that the computer program (D), through the projector (A), displays with or without illuminated circles additional colors, dots, arrows, crosses, other symbols or letters on the game table (1), which lights may be permanently illuminated or flashing, standing in one place or moving, making notices relating to the rules of the game and facilitating the positioning and / or evaluation of the movement of the playing balls (2). System according to Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the colors and dimensions of the illuminating circles correspond to the ball which was previously located at this position on the table. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the computer program (D) monitors the movement of the game balls (2) and anything else that moves above the game table (1) according to the rules for the particular game in it announces in combination or individually through the computer system monitor (C), display, vibration and speaker of the wireless remote control (E), display, speaker and vibration (if any) of the user phone or tablet (8), the emitted light from the projector (A) or through the speaker (6) start and end of the game, record, calculate and report the result of the game, signal a violation and all other actions related to the rules of the game. System according to claim 6 and 7, characterized in that the positions of the luminous circles (9) or other luminous symbols are pre-set manually in the computer program (D) or calculated on the basis of any arbitrary or dependent principle. System according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more monitors or TVs are connected to the computer system (C).