Review of "Building a 3D Model of a Snooker Table Using Computer Vision Final Report"

Building a 3D Model of a Snooker Table
Using Computer Vision
Final Report

Student Name: Hao, Guo


I was advised to read this report - Building a 3D Model of a Snooker Table using computer vision by Hao, Guo in DIT.

I found it very useful for my project.

The discussion about the the various software used in broadcasting such as FoxTrax Hockey Puck Tracking System, PISTE (which minimizes the usage of sensors or cameras, so as to reduce interference, and to create content at almost the same time as the event is carried out) and The Hawk-eye system (as used in Wimbledon) very interesting.

Hao discussed edge detection using gradient operators, hough transforms and Canny edge detection. Hough Transforms could be used for both circle and line detection which is especially useful when dealing with a game of pool!

In my reading to date, I've not yet found a better approach to identifying the edge of the table then this Hough Transform approach.
A potential improvement would be to put white strips alone the edge of the pool table to ease pick up by camera. It is also easy to get centre points on circle and radius which will be necessary for calculations later.

Thresholding and Contour Flowing are also discussed. With thresholding, a pixel is scanned and by the value of the pixel it can fall below or above the threshold or level set, and hence identifys shapes by assigning, for example, black to colours below threshold and white to those above. Contour Flowing can be used to detect any shaped objects.

Hao uses a method of PMI, which is basically listing the pros and cons of a particular method and adding some additional comments without rushing too quickly to a decision. In my opinion this is an excellent way of approaching and deciphering which method to choose and I shall use it for future decision making in my project

The remaining part of the dissertation deals with the software design and approach adapted (RAD in this case). This is irrelevant to me, and I couldn't implement the source code. However i did find some use in looking at this section, the layout of screen shots and graphs etc which will stand to me at the end of the project

Overall this was a good dissertation to read and so far in my research has been the most useful paper I've read.

Hopefully I'll find some more good ones!!!!