Abstract: A system and method for improving a player's shooting efficiency by providing a player with various shooting challenge routines at which a player makes either a total number of shots or a total number shots in a row. Statistics regarding the player's performance are stored, printed and/or evaluated and the player can use the information to improve his or her efficiency at one or more of the plurality of different locations where the player shoots the basketball. In another embodiment, a measuring or detection system is used in combination with or separate from a ball launcher. The system is adapted to measure at least one of a distance of a player from the launcher, height of a shot made by the player after catching a basketball, release angle, release time, or arc of a shot; entry angle of the basketball into a goal; hold or release time; or shot arc.

Abstract: An arrangement adapted to be used with conventional billiard tables for greater utilization, versatility and/or application of said tables, said arrangement including, a multiplicity of billiard tables located at a variety of separate locations, a means to register and allow for communication between a plurality of players, such that said players need not necessarily play upon the same table nor be located at the one location, said players intended to compete against other registered players, or approve upon personal individual skill level, a timer such that competition between players or improvement of personal standings of an individual is based upon timing of pocketing a set of balls or part thereof upon the respective billiard table by said, timer, a means for having time results of the or each player transferred to a central database wherein individual player's times and standings may then be acknowledged.

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.

Abstract: A system is provided for visually enhancing a game structure having a game surface and objects that move on the game surface. The system includes a projector that projects digital augmentation content or themed images onto the game surface, with the images including static and animated images. The system includes a tracking mechanism that generates tracking data from the game surface and game objects, with the tracking data defining positions of the game objects relative to the game surface. The system includes a controller that processes the tracking data to determine the positions of the game objects. The controller modifies the augmentation images in response to the determined positions of the game objects. The augmentation images include a video stream made up of a base image that is mapped to the game surface and an object enhancing image mapped to one of the game objects and its current position.

Abstract: A game manager receives a request from a user to play a cue sport, which includes a table and a plurality of balls. The game manager retrieves user attributes corresponding to the user that include a user skill level. Next, the game manager detects ball locations for each of the plurality of balls, and determines one or more beginning shot opportunities based upon the user skill level and the plurality of ball locations. In turn, the game manager provides the beginning shot opportunities to the user.

Abstract: An L-shaped billiard table system comprising a pocket-specific ball return feature.

Abstract: A method for play of a parlor entertainment unit including a remote activation assembly and an activation-sensing unit. The activation-sensing unit, which may be battery operated and housed in the entertainment unit, may be in an energy-conserving sleep mode until the activation-sensing unit receives a wake-up signal. In one embodiment, the wake-up signal may be generated by the engagement of an activation mechanism, such as a coin slide. After being awoken, the activation-sensing unit may transmit an inquiry to the remote activation assembly as to whether the associated entertainment unit has been selected for play and/or whether there is a sufficient number of credits available for play. If that entertainment unit has not been selected for play, the activation-sensing unit may return to a sleep mode. However, if sufficient play credits are available for the entertainment unit, play may commence.

Abstract: A method for play of a parlor entertainment unit including a remote activation assembly and an activation-sensing unit. The activation-sensing unit, which may be battery operated and housed in the entertainment unit, may be in an energy-conserving sleep mode until the activation-sensing unit receives a wake-up signal. In one embodiment, the wake-up signal may be generated by the engagement of an activation mechanism, such as a coin slide. After being awoken, the activation-sensing unit may transmit an inquiry to the remote activation assembly as to whether the associated entertainment unit has been selected for play and/or whether there is a sufficient number of credits available for play. If that entertainment unit has not been selected for play, the activation-sensing unit may return to a sleep mode. However, if sufficient play credits are available for the entertainment unit, play may commence.

Abstract: A coin operated pool table is provided with ball collection channels formed in a sheet of material substantially co-extensive with and supported in the base below the table top such that the sheet prevents escape of the balls and protects the table top components housed in the base.

Abstract: A power supply control circuit controls power supply to a circuit when an external unit is connected to and/or disconnected from a terminal unit to which the circuit is coupled. The power supply control circuit includes a first sensor for detecting whether or not the external unit is in a first state where the external unit is close to the terminal unit, a second sensor for detecting whether or not external unit which has been already connected to the terminal unit is in a second state, and a control circuit for controlling the power supply to the circuit in accordance with detecting results obtained by the first and second sensors. In addition the above power supply control circuit is applied to a computer game machine having a main circuit coupled to a cartridge slot to which a cartridge is to be connected.

Abstract: A device used with billiard table for sensing balls dropping into the pockets and scoring as well as collecting and arranging the balls. The device is mounted under the dropping opening of the collecting ball rail of the billiard table for sensing the balls hit down into the pocket and automatically scoring as well as locating the balls at the location in the ball holding tray. After all the balls on the table are hit down, sensed and rendered in the ball holding tray, the device automatically re-arranges the balls at the preset triangular location on the billiard table for next game.

Abstract: A pool table ball controller is programmable to vary time, cost, and other parameters relating to money-operated pool tables. A piano-hinge-type guard retains the balls and is operated by an electric motor driving a linkage to raise and lower the guard. Since the electric motor can be stopped in the lowered position, timed pool play can be selected so that the balls will continue to return to the user rather than being retained. The controller can be used to select between timed and rack play for a user of the pool table or may be moved into a programming mode wherein operators of the table can set time parameters relating to length of time for timed play and costs for both timed and rack play. In addition, diagnostic and other messages are displayed on an LCD screen. The controller also allows for programming in periods of time wherein cost and time are varied and when limits may be placed on time play and also periods when either timed or rack play are prohibited.