Easybowling: a small bowling machine based on virtual simulation

In this paper we describe a virtual bowling game machine called EasyBowling Machine, which is designed and implemented based on techniques such as Virtual Reality, animation, and image processing. To introduce Virtual Reality technique into this virtual bowling game, our system provides a real game mode: players play the game by throwing a real bowling ball, and then the EasyBowling system uses a PC Camera to detect the motion of the real bowling ball. After the motion parameters (ball direction, ball force, etc.) are computed, the movement of the bowling ball and its collision with pins are simulated in real-time and the result is displayed on a large display screen. The most obvious advantage of such bowling game machine over other existing bowling games is that the system integrates body exercise into game playing. The implementation techniques are discussed in detail, and the prototype system illustrates the feasibility and efficiency of our method. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.