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.

A billiard rack is provided that includes a frame that extends around an interior space that is configured to receive a set of billiard balls resting on a bed of a billiard table. A bottom side of the frame includes a lower opening in which the upper portions of the set of billiard balls are able to extend therein. The frame also includes an inner wall having at least one cam surface that extends at least partially around the interior space and that tapers inwardly in directions from the lower opening to an upper opening. When the frame is placed on the set of billiard balls resting on the bed of the billiard table, the at least one cam surface is configured to contact all of the peripheral billiard balls of the set of billiard balls; and urge the set of billiard balls together without the rack contacting the billiard table.

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.

The present invention relates to a device for inputting and controlling driving state information of a billiard ball for playing a billiard game in cyberspace and, more specifically, to a device for inputting and controlling driving state information of a billiard ball, in which an actual billiard ball is fixedly mounted on a standard table, wherein the billiard ball is mounted to be freely rotatable, and is hit by an actual billiard cue stick to receive the billiard ball's effecto information, rotation speed, and rotation direction, as well as driving state information for hitting strength and movement direction, and the received information is processed through driving state information processing software to display an image result reflecting the billiard ball's movement direction and movement amount on the actual billiard table, thereby making it possible to enjoy a billiard game in cyberspace as though a real game were being played.

The present invention relates to a device for inputting and controlling driving state information of a billiard ball for playing a billiard game in cyberspace and, more specifically, to a device for inputting and controlling driving state information of a billiard ball, in which an actual billiard ball is fixedly mounted on a standard table, wherein the billiard ball is mounted to be freely rotatable, and is hit by an actual billiard cue stick to receive the billiard ball's effecto information, rotation speed, and rotation direction, as well as driving state information for hitting strength and movement direction, and the received information is processed through driving state information processing software to display an image result reflecting the billiard ball's movement direction and movement amount on the actual billiard table, thereby making it possible to enjoy a billiard game in cyberspace as though a real game were being played.

A tracking apparatus for a machine having an operation assembly is disclosed. The tracking apparatus has an electric relay configured to be connected to the operation assembly, a tracking device that is connected to the electric relay, and a display assembly that is selectively connected to the electric relay. The display assembly is configured to transfer an electrical pulse from the display assembly to the tracking device via the electric relay. The operation assembly performs an operation when the electrical pulse is transferred to the tracking device. The operation includes activating one or more actuators to move the operation assembly that is a structural member.

A tracking apparatus for a machine having an operation assembly is disclosed. The tracking apparatus has an electric relay configured to be connected to the operation assembly, a tracking device that is connected to the electric relay, and a display assembly that is selectively connected to the electric relay. The display assembly is configured to transfer an electrical pulse from the display assembly to the tracking device via the electric relay. The operation assembly performs an operation when the electrical pulse is transferred to the tracking device. The operation includes activating one or more actuators to move the operation assembly that is a structural member.

Described herein are wireless billiard ball devices comprising a spherical housing and a circuit board mounted within the spherical housing, the circuit board having components for measuring the impact location of a billiard cue strike upon the surface of the spherical housing in reference to the relative orientation of the device with respect to gravity. The devices described herein do not require manual alignment by a player to measure impact location data. In other embodiments, the spherical housing is comprised of a bored hole, a potting material, and a circuit board mounted within the bored hole and secured in place with the potting material, the circuit board having components for measuring the impact location of a billiard cue strike upon the surface of the spherical housing in reference to the relative orientation of the device with respect to gravity.

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.