Computerized pool cue and controller

An electronic controller apparatus for controlling pool or billiard simulation games including a game ball and cue stick, comprising:

• a housing adapted to move over an underlying surface;
• first control means extending upwardly from the housing and having:
• an upper support portion adapted to receive a cue stick;
• sensing means disposed in the housing, in the first control means and in the upper support portion for sensing the position and movement of the cue stick,
• said sensing means including a first sensor assembly mounted to the upper support portion of the first control means for sensing movement of the cue stick therethrough, a second sensor assembly mounted to the housing for sensing rotational movement of the first control means, and
• a third sensor assembly mounted to the housing for sensing movement of the housing along the underlying surface;
• wherein the sensing means provides information of the position and movement of the cue stick to circuitry which processes the information for the input into a computer to display the effect of the cue stick activity.

A device for simulating the play of a game of pool and the action and feel of the use of a pool cue stick comprising:

• a housing adapted to move over an underlying surface, said housing including a top, a bottom and sidewalls connected together to provide an interior space;
• a stalk rotatably mounted within said housing at the bottom and extending upwardly through the top;
• first optical sensing means secured at the upper end of said stalk above said housing, said first optical sensing means generating a signal upon reciprocal movement of a cue stick thereover;
• second optical sensing means secured along a side of said stalk and generating a signal upon rotary movement of said stalk;
• a rotatable ball mounted on the bottom of said housing and extending therethrough for rotatable movement along said underlying surface;
• third and fourth optical sensing means mounted adjacent said ball for generating signals responsive to movement of said ball along respective X and Y axes of said underlying surface;
• electrical circuit means within said housing connected to said first, second, third and fourth optical sensing means for receiving the signals therefrom;
• and
• means connected to said circuit means for communicating said signals to external utilization means.

A device for simulating the play of a game of pool and the action and feel of the use of a pool cue stick comprising:

• a housing adapted to move over an underlying surface;
• an interior space disposed in said housing;
• translation means to enable movement of the housing over an underlying surface;
• sensing means in said housing adapted to sense movement of the housing;
• signal generating means in said housing adapted to generate a signal in relation to said sensing means to indicate movement of said housing over an underlying surface;
• cue receptacle means operatively associated with the housing adapted to receive a pool cue stick;
• cue sensing means operatively associated with said cue receptacle means to sense movement of a pool cue stick associated with said receptacle means;
• and
• cue signal generating means in said cue receptacle means to generate a signal in relation to said cue sensing means to indicate movement of a pool cue stick in relation to said cue receptacle means.