POOL TABLE IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM

• US 20200137356A1
• Filed: 10/28/2019
• Published: 04/30/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2018
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michael T. Buhl III
• Original Assignee: Michael T. Buhl III
• Inventors: BUHL, III, MICHAEL T.
• Application Number:
  US16/666,039
• Publication Number:
  US 20200137356A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63D 15/00 Billiards, e.g. carom billiards or pocket billiards; Billiard tables bagatelle A63D13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/54 Mounting of pick-up tubes, electronic image sensors, deviation or focusing coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/57 Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/183 for receiving images from a single remote source

Abstract

A pool table image capturing system includes a pool table, a lighting fixture, a camera device, and a control unit. The system is configured to disseminate and solicit the sale of captured image data from shots performed on a pool table playing surface. The lighting fixture is located above a portion of the pool table and includes a camera device coupled thereto. The camera device is configured to capture image data from the playing surface. A control unit is in communication with the camera device for the receipt and transmission of the image data. The control unit is configured to regulate dissemination of the image data to remote users.

Claims

1. A pool table image capturing system, comprising:

a pool table having a playing surface;

a lighting fixture located above a portion of the pool table;

a camera device coupled to the lighting fixture for viewing the playing surface, the camera device configured to capture image data from the playing surface; and

a control unit in communication with the camera device for the receipt and transmission of the image data, the control unit configured to regulate dissemination of the image data to remote users.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera device is releasably coupled to the lighting fixture.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is physically integrated into the camera device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera device is configured to take pictures.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera device is configured to take video.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is coupled to a wireless network.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the camera device is recording while the lighting fixture is on.

8. A method of capturing imagery from a pool table playing surface, comprising:

locating a camera device within a lighting fixture above the pool table playing surface;

activating the camera device to permit the capture of image data;

processing the image data from the camera device within a control unit; and

soliciting the image data to remote users for purchase

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the image data is a still picture.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the image data is a video.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

networking a plurality of camera devices together through a single control unit.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

distributing proceeds from the purchase with establishment owners

13. The method of claim 12, wherein proceeds are obtained upon purchase of system software for download on a remote electronic device for viewing the image data.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein proceeds are obtained upon purchase or download of image data onto a remote electronic device.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the proceeds are dependent upon at least one of a size, length, and type of downloaded image data.

16. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

assigning a unique identifier to the camera device within a network of multiple camera devices.

17. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

providing access to a remote electronic device for viewing the image data.