Automated Remote Play Cue Sport System

• US 20140066217A1
• Filed: 05/24/2013
• Published: 03/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toccata Gaming International, LLC
• Original Assignee: Toccata Gaming International, LLC
• Inventors: Stimac, Todd R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,248,368 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/4
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/08 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/10 Positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/16 Angular positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/002 Billiards
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0084 Exercising apparatus with means for competitions, e.g. virtual races
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0098 Rigid hollow balls, e.g. for pétanque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/02 Special cores balls with finger holes A63B37/0001, golf ball cores A63B37/005
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/004 electrically conductive, e.g. for automatic arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63D 15/00 Billiards, e.g. carom billiards or pocket billiards; Billiard tables bagatelle A63D13/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63D 15/006 Training or aiming arrangements on billiard tables
• CPC Class Codes: A63D 15/20 Scoring or registering devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 Sports

Abstract

Cue sports tables are provided with associated automated sensor and positioning assemblies. This permits competitors to play each other on separate tables. The tables automatically sense ball positions on one table and communicate that to a positioner associated with another table. That positioner then automatically drives balls on that other table to a mimicking position. These systems also permit a shot to be replayed if desired.

Claims

1. A system for enabling playing a cue sport match between two remotely located opponents, comprising:

a first cue sport table at a first location, said first cue sport table having a first sensor assembly for sensing ball locations on the table and a first positioner for automatically moving balls on the first table to selected positions; and

a second cue sport table at a second location remote from the first location, the second cue sport table having a second sensor assembly for sensing ball locations on the second cue sport table and a second positioner for automatically moving balls on the second table to selected positions;

wherein the second positioner, if provided with information about ball positions on the first table, can cause ball positions on the second table to essentially mimic ball positions on the first table; and

wherein the first positioner, if provided with information about ball positions on the second table, can cause ball positions on the first table to essentially mimic ball positions on the second table.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the cue sport is selected from the group consisting of pool, billiards, and snooker.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second sensor assemblies comprise digital cameras.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the first and second sensor assemblies also comprise arrays of RFID tags in balls and RFID reader arrays associated with the tables.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising means for transmitting information about ball positions on the first table to the second positioner, and means for transmitting information about ball positions on the second table to the first positioner.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein balls on the first and second tables comprise a ferromagnetic material, and the first and second positioners can move the balls using electromagnetism.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein at least one such table has a capability that can store information about a selected positional array of balls on the table, as well as a reset capability that when activated allows the positioner associated with that table to cause the balls to return to that positional array.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a scoring system that automatically keeps track of and displays results of play at the first and second tables.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the system has the capability of automatically setting up ball positions on the first and second tables at the start of a match between players at the first and second tables.

10. The system of claim 9, comprising an automatic racking capability at the first and second tables.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is capable of automatically determining if a scratch has occurred, and if so automatically releasing a cue ball in such a case for further play.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a capability of conditioning use of the system on an authorization communication.

13. A system for allowing a player to play essentially the same ball array multiple times on a cue sport table, comprising:

a cue sport table having a sensor assembly for sensing ball locations on the table and a positioner for automatically moving balls on the table to selected positions;

a memory capability that stores information about a selected array of positions of balls on the table; and

a reset capability that when activated allows the positioner associated with that table to cause the balls to return to essentially that selected array of positions.

14. A cue sport table, comprising:

a table for playing a cue sport thereon;

a sensor assembly for sensing ball locations on the table;

a positioner for automatically moving balls on the table to selected positions; and

a computer capable of activating the positioner to cause the positioner to automatically move balls on the table to specified positions.

15. The cue sport table of claim 14, wherein the computer is capable of storing information about a first array of ball positions, and also information about a second array of ball positions, and selectively directing the positioner to move balls to either of those positions.

16. The cue sport table of claim 15, wherein the sensor assembly can also sense information about a speed of a shot.

17. The cue sport table of claim 16, further comprising a robotic cue stick which can be controlled by the computer to simulate a shot that has been previously taken.