Play Pool against anyone anywhere? feedback needed

[Amadainmhor]

Would you stick a camera over your table if it scored your games for you?

hey all, I've been working on a rig and app that hangs over the table, points a phone camera straight down at the cloth, and scores the game itself. No tapping buttons etc.
Games I reckon it can do with zero input from the players, and theres pprobably heaps more I've not thought of

• 8-ball, 9 ball
• Speed pool against the clock
• Bowlliards — ten frames, bowling scoring
• Golf — six pockets, six holes
• Killer with lives
• One pocket,
• Break stats and a history of every run you've ever had
• plus it could potentially be used to review a shot by video playback, post a shot to social media etc.
• Leagues and tables could be built in easily enough

the plan is to keep the app free. I've got another pool based commercial project nearing completion (more of that later) that pays for it, so this doesn't need to earn its keep. Its just something that would be quite easy for me to roll out.
the main catch, It only works if the camera sits in the same spot every single time — same height, same angle, same light. Otherwise it's guessing. So you'd either buy a ceiling mount off me with the light built into it, or I publish the drawings for free and you knock one up yourself to the same spec. Either way there's a bracket going on your ceiling and a phone hanging off it.
So, honestly, most importantly, do you think being able to play some of these games against anyone anywhere in the world is of any interest?

1. Would you put a mount above your table for this?
2. Buy ready-made or build your own?
3. Which of those games would you actually play, and what have I missed?
4. Is free enough to make you bother? (well free with you buying my mount or making one yourself)

As I said, I already have the main components of this built for something else. This is completely non commercial. I'm not looking for anyones money for this but would really appreciate some feedback before I go wasting time and energy on it.

 

[JABSolstice]

I would use something like this. Not sure exactly how setup works on the remote table, but I'm interested.

I have a buddy 2000+ miles away that I love shooting with when we are together. We have tried setting up Teams meetings to mimmick layouts to shoot 'against' one another. It's clunky, but gets the job done.

 

[july9x]

Would you stick a camera over your table if it scored your games for you?

hey all, I've been working on a rig and app that hangs over the table, points a phone camera straight down at the cloth, and scores the game itself. No tapping buttons etc.
Games I reckon it can do with zero input from the players, and theres pprobably heaps more I've not thought of

• 8-ball, 9 ball
• Speed pool against the clock
• Bowlliards — ten frames, bowling scoring
• Golf — six pockets, six holes
• Killer with lives
• One pocket,
• Break stats and a history of every run you've ever had
• plus it could potentially be used to review a shot by video playback, post a shot to social media etc.
• Leagues and tables could be built in easily enough

the plan is to keep the app free. I've got another pool based commercial project nearing completion (more of that later) that pays for it, so this doesn't need to earn its keep. Its just something that would be quite easy for me to roll out.
the main catch, It only works if the camera sits in the same spot every single time — same height, same angle, same light. Otherwise it's guessing. So you'd either buy a ceiling mount off me with the light built into it, or I publish the drawings for free and you knock one up yourself to the same spec. Either way there's a bracket going on your ceiling and a phone hanging off it.
So, honestly, most importantly, do you think being able to play some of these games against anyone anywhere in the world is of any interest?

1. Would you put a mount above your table for this?
2. Buy ready-made or build your own?
3. Which of those games would you actually play, and what have I missed?
4. Is free enough to make you bother? (well free with you buying my mount or making one yourself)

As I said, I already have the main components of this built for something else. This is completely non commercial. I'm not looking for anyones money for this but would really appreciate some feedback before I go wasting time and energy on it.

make a clip-on mount that can be attached on a (drink/food) table and raise up high, also can be used as a cue holder. It can also be clipped on a light up top etc...

eventually make a camera as well so people can see it from their phone and interact with the app... like how do you see what it looks like if you mount your phone up high?

 

[Amadainmhor]

make a clip-on mount that can be attached on a (drink/food) table and raise up high, also can be used as a cue holder. It can also be clipped on a light up top etc...

eventually make a camera as well so people can see it from their phone and interact with the app... like how do you see what it looks like if you mount your phone up high?

all options, and flexible. Most important aspect is that the phone camera position is in exactly the middle of the table at the correct height to auto calibrate the table. This is why the custom mount is best as it stops too many variables. If it isnt 100% over the top of the table there is distortion and lost accurancy. Fine for most people but I'd prefer something that can work 100% of the time without errors. Cheers for the input!

 

[Amadainmhor]

I would use something like this. Not sure exactly how setup works on the remote table, but I'm interested.

I have a buddy 2000+ miles away that I love shooting with when we are together. We have tried setting up Teams meetings to mimmick layouts to shoot 'against' one another. It's clunky, but gets the job done.

it would be really simple. The only hard aspect is a 5 min DIY fitting of the rig and switching on autocalibration. BTW it can also be beamed to a TV so you can see the other players table and they yours, chat away etc.