A billiard table top lighting apparatus provides substantially uniform lighting across the surface of a billiard table surface. In one form, the lighting apparatus includes a frame supporting lights that are non-centrally placed such that no lights are supported above a middle portion of the billiard table surface. So configured, the frame can have an attractive profile and further mount additional items above the billiard table surface to enable a variety of other features. For example, the frame may support one or more cameras, one or more motion sensors, one or more microphones, and/or one or more computing devices to enable any of a variety of innovative features. Such features could include automatic game play recording from one or more perspectives, merged video track storage for replay, review, and analysis, automatic lighting and dimming control, control of the apparatus from any mobile device, and the like.

A billiard table top lighting apparatus provides substantially uniform lighting across the surface of a billiard table surface. In one form, the lighting apparatus includes a frame supporting lights that are non-centrally placed such that no lights are supported above a middle portion of the billiard table surface. So configured, the frame can have an attractive profile and further mount additional items above the billiard table surface to enable a variety of other features. For example, the frame may support one or more cameras, one or more motion sensors, one or more microphones, and/or one or more computing devices to enable any of a variety of innovative features. Such features could include automatic game play recording from one or more perspectives, merged video track storage for replay, review, and analysis, automatic lighting and dimming control, control of the apparatus from any mobile device, and the like.

A billiard ball rack for racking 3 or more billiard balls is provided, comprising a base arm and two side arms configured to enable the billiard ball rack to be foldable and self-aligning. The inner surfaces of the base arms and the side arms are tapered at an angle relative to a top surface of the billiard ball rack, and the arms are pivotally connected to one another and configured such that when the billiard rack is positioned around a set of billiard balls and downward pressure is applied, the base arm and side arms of the billiard rack automatically adjust to form an equilateral triangle. The billiard ball rack is also configured to be folded compactly to fit within standard pool cue cases while the arms remain interconnected. Methods of using the billiard ball rack for racking billiard balls are also provided.

An apparatus and a method to locate a three dimensional object and to execute a predetermined operation on said object, such as playing carom is disclosed. The apparatus includes a robot (200) having an end effect or (202) mounted on a gantry frame. The apparatus further includes a plurality of imaging sensors mounted at predetermined positions in said gantry frame. A data processing system (computer) (214) is provided in communication with said robot (200) and said imaging sensors. Further a controller 216 connected to said data processing system (214) to regulate the functions of said data processing system. The end-effect or (202) provided in the robot (200) consists of at least two degrees of freedom, one for rotational (302) and other for transmitting force (306a).

An apparatus and a method to locate a three dimensional object and to execute a predetermined operation on said object, such as playing carom is disclosed. The apparatus includes a robot (200) having an end effect or (202) mounted on a gantry frame. The apparatus further includes a plurality of imaging sensors mounted at predetermined positions in said gantry frame. A data processing system (computer) (214) is provided in communication with said robot (200) and said imaging sensors. Further a controller 216 connected to said data processing system (214) to regulate the functions of said data processing system. The end-effect or (202) provided in the robot (200) consists of at least two degrees of freedom, one for rotational (302) and other for transmitting force (306a).

A billiard table top lighting apparatus provides substantially uniform lighting across the surface of a billiard table surface. The frame may support one or more cameras, one or more motion sensors, one or more microphones, and/or one or more computing devices to enable any of a variety of innovative features. Such features could include automatic game play recording from one or more perspectives, merged video track storage for replay, review, and analysis, automatic lighting and dimming control, control of the apparatus from any mobile device, automatic provision of a shot clock, and the like.

A billiard table top lighting apparatus provides substantially uniform lighting across the surface of a billiard table surface. The frame may support one or more cameras, one or more motion sensors, one or more microphones, and/or one or more computing devices to enable any of a variety of innovative features. Such features could include automatic game play recording from one or more perspectives, merged video track storage for replay, review, and analysis, automatic lighting and dimming control, control of the apparatus from any mobile device, automatic provision of a shot clock, and the like.

A method of leveling a table using a leveling system that includes placing at least three sensor bars on a top surface of the table. Each sensor bar includes a (+) end and a (−) end which correspond to lines on a manual level. Each sensor bar is connected to a controller system and acts as an electronic level. Activating a leveling algorithm of the controller system to adjust leg height of the table using a leg movement system connected to the controller system to level the table. Leveling the table using the leveling algorithm to monitor data readings of the sensor bars, changing the height of any of the legs using the leg movement system and continuing to monitor data readings of the sensor bars during leg movement until the table is level.

A method of providing feedback for a piece of cue-sport equipment, a cue ball or cue stick, during a game play first collect spatial positioning and orientation data from a plurality of measurement sensors that is integrated into the cue-sport equipment. Then, the collected data is analyzed to generate a virtual movement model of the cue-sport equipment as the virtual movement model includes a calculated impact force diagram, an animated travel path, and a calculated absolute orientation for the cue-sport equipment. Then, the player can view the virtual movement model through an external computing device to improve their cue-sport skills effectively and efficiently.

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.