"Digitally Assisted Billiards"

[ScottW]

http://hackaday.com/2008/12/10/digitally-assisted-billiards/

[Justin] sent in his Digitally Assisted Billiards project. Using a web cam, a computer and a projector, these guys have set up a system that shows you the trajectories of your current shot. It detects the angle of the cue and displays a glowing blue line showing where each ball would go and where the collisions would be. It is a bit slow right now, and made somewhat less accurate by a low resolution web camera. This could be a fantastic teaching tool if it were to get some more polish. The source code is available on the site, so you could try this one out at home.

 

[stuckart]

That's pretty cool! With some work and better equipment like they stated in the video that could become a real tutor application.

 

[shinigami]

My company has this website blocked, dammit!

Sounds very promising

 

[DeadStrokeRI]

Shinigami try this site for it.
http://www.prism.gatech.edu/~gtg279x/Digitally_Assisted_Billards/Welcome.html

 

[ctyhntr]

This is pretty cool. Reminds me of the scene from the old pool hustler episode in Quantum Leap where they used Ziggy (the computer) to project ball trajectories to help Sam win.

I can see other uses such as changing the table cloth color to match your mood. Select Tournament Blue when you want to play serious 9-ball, traditional green when playing 8-ball or straight, and mustard yellow or red for that hot date.

 

[frankncali]

Cool and looks like some tech for the future perhaps.

Reminds me of a video I saw a few years ago. It was basically target pool or practice situations that were laid out on a pool table.

A computer of sorts was above the table and images were cast down where the balls needed to be.

You could play target pool with the cueball location and target images
generated down on the table. The computer kept score and everything.

There was no need for anything at the table level. To use it there were spots on the rails or table itself where you hovered your hand and it allowed menu type options just by moving the hovered hand.

I thought it would be great for recreating runouts and seeing where you went wrong and exploring other options.

I tried just now to find the video but I cant. I think Bob Jewett posted it but I am not sure.