A REAL-TIME PINBALL PLAYING ROBOT

Hong-Hee Ko
Department of Computer Science
The Florida State University
Ted Baker
Professor Directing Project

July, 1991

Abstract:

In this work it is shown how a computer plays a pinball game, using input from a video camera to track the ball. This project has been approached for having a similar structure and complexity to a radar tracking and defense system, while being affordable to develop in a university lab. The problems encountered during development are all discussed in detail.

• Introduction
• Basic Definitions
• Initial Design
  • Image Subtraction
  • Locating the Flippers
  • Keeping Track of the Ball
    • Algorithms for Getting the Position of the Ball
  • Drawing a Cross
• Problems Encountered
  • Execution Time Too Long
  • Diagnosing Timing Problem
  • Dealing with Spin Compensation
  • Unexpected Signal
  • Noise
• Evaluation & Analysis of Results
• Conclusion
• References
• Data for Execution Time
• Algorithm for Getting the Position of the Ball
• About this document ...