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: The present invention may include apparatus and methods for playing a pool game with currency collection and dispensing for tallying betting and paying winnings. A pool table may have six pockets that may be connected to channels structured to channel a ball entering a pocket to move to a ball holding element. A detection channel may be disposed intermediate the channels and the ball holding element. A detector may be disposed with the detection channel with the detector in communication with a controller device. A currency element may be disposed with the controller device to collect currency and to dispense currency as communicated by the controller device. Each of a plurality of balls may have an embedded electronic target device by the detector. A display may be in communication with the controller device.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to novel methods for playing billiards, pool and the like. The methods generally include associating a first player with a first timer set to a first value of time and a second player with a second timer set to a second value of time. The players generally take turns according to the rules of a game of pool or billiards while having the time in the first timer expire during said first player's inning or set of innings and the time in the second timer expire during said second player's inning or set of innings. The game generally ends whenever (a) a player's timer completely expires or (b) a player succeeds in achieving the object of the game before said player's timer completely expires. The winner is generally the player having time remaining while said player's opponent's time has completely expired or the player who achieved the object of the game before said player's time completely expired.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for initiating game play on a pay-for-play parlor game, such as a pool table having a playing surface, rails, pockets, a ball holding rack that retains pool balls, and an internal activation-sensing unit. The method includes depositing a game play fee into a remote activation assembly, remotely transmitting an activation signal once the game play fee is deposited, receiving the activation signal at the internal activation-sensing unit, and providing access to the pool balls upon said receiving step. A method is also disclosed for automatically scoring a pool-based game including detecting detectable devices embedded within the pool balls.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring game challenges is described which includes a microprocessor programmed to receive keypad input as to the identity of challengers making challenges and maintain such challenges in a chronological order sequence. A display is provided for visually displaying the identity of the challenger entitled to play in the next challenge match. A keypad is provided for entering the identity of challengers making challenges into the microprocessor. The keypad includes one key dedicated to calling the challenger entitled to play in the next challenge match. Upon the next challenger call key being pressed the system visually displays on the display the identity of the challenger entitled to play in the next challenge match. The keypad also includes one key dedicated to advancing the challenger sequence should the challenger entitled to play in the next challenge match not appear within a reasonable time of his identity being displayed.