Overview
Billiards has been around for hundreds of years and we are not reinventing it. But we create opportunities that wouldn't exist without MWS. Do you sometimes have no playing partners, tournaments or coaches available at your venue? Well, just switch on MWS and play worldwide! With the MWS system, you can play billiards internationally from your billiard table at home or your club without having to travel – time savings, environmental protection and cost savings included.
MWS is an IT and laser based solution for semi-virtual table-to-table billiards at remote locations. Players from different locations virtually meet in a multimedia conference circuit and play real billiards together with cue and balls on a real table and in real time.
The MWS system for remote billiards enables playing partners who are at two separate locations to play billiards with each other via the Internet – from real billiard table to real billiard table. The playing partners make their shots with cue and balls at their own table, while they are connected online in a multimedia conference circuit with an (optional public) live stream and live communication. Playing partner A makes his moves at the billiard table of location A, playing partner B makes his moves at the billiard table of location B. The ball positions, running lines and game data are recorded by the system and exchanged in real time between the locations using cloud-supported technology, where the positions of the balls can be visualized with laser projections on the table. We call these locations that are equipped with the MWS system as MWS locations.
The computer system is installed above and next to the billiard table and can connect to other MWS locations worldwide via the Internet. It uses a special high-resolution camera to record the ball positions and running lines on the table and can transmit this data in real time to a remote location. There, the transmitted coordinates can be projected onto the table using a laser crosshair, allowing the ball positions to be reproduced exactly. In this way, one and the same match or training session can be played at two different locations. The MWS system also offers extensive training and analysis options, including for local and single-player use, from running line and move analyses, training programs and specialist literature to the recording of entire matches.
The location-independence of the participants through the use of the MWS system enables the organisation of enormously scalable international tournaments and training courses. The capacity limits of conventional sporting events, which are tied to a specific location, do not exist with MWS. We can network all MWS locations worldwide into a global tournament and teaching space. Our sports platform provides an overview of the current tournament and sports programme for MWS users. On our livestreaming platform, we broadcast almost all MWS sporting events publicly and free of charge.
MWS is patented and currently available for carom billiards.
Playing modes: Match and training, plus extra options live streaming, gambling and shot clock
With the MWS system, users can play and train with each other remotely and locally and choose from various playing modes. Users have access to all common carom billiard disciplines, a customized training mode and optional features:
- Match: Users can choose from the disciplines Three Cushion, Five Pins, Biathlon, One Cushion, Balkline 47/2 + 47/1 + 71/2, Free Game and Artistic. The configuration options (set format, long distance, points target, maximum number of innings, etc.) and scoreboards are designed specifically for each discipline.
- Live streaming, optionally selectable: All matches and training sessions can be streamed live on our live sports platform, see Live streaming: Real time broadcast on the Internet.
- Gambling, optionally selectable: Additional option for all modes except training mode. A stake is determined that is the same for both players and is played for. At the start of the match, the stake is debited to the MWS user accounts of both players. The winner of the match receives the stakes of both players credited minus a small administration fee. This mode is only available remotely, for a valid game result there must be a winner and a loser (a draw is not possible), and both players need a covered account.
- Shot clock, optionally selectable: Available from system version 3.87 for local games in playing mode Three Cushion. The shot clock can be set to between 20 and 120 seconds and also offers the option of a freely definable number of timeouts. The system starts the shot clock automatically as soon as the scoring for the previous shot has been completed and the balls are no longer moving, and stops the shot clock automatically as soon as the shot is taken. If the time limit is exceeded, the system scores the shot with zero points and the inning automatically switches to the opponent, who continues the match with the opening shot.
- Training: All positions stored in the MWS cloud can be called up and trained in the training mode. The private game and training archive, the private directory structure, the public library with specialist literature and training programs, as well as shares from other users are available. New positions can also be created and saved in training mode.
In all modes, the positions and paths of the balls are automatically saved in the private game or training archive so that you can analyze a game later or repeat a training session. Already during the game or training individual positions can be marked in the history to make it easier to find them again later. If necessary, games and trainings can be interrupted to continue at a later time.
Navigation path at the terminal to start a remote game or training: Select a player in the live list (on the right in the header) / send invitation / select game mode / start.
Navigation path at the terminal to start a local game or training: New local game / enter players / select game mode / start.
Live list: Playing ad hoc internationally
If you are on site at a system and are looking for a remote game partner to play a game immediately, then our live list at the system terminal (on the right in the header) is that suitable feature for you. In the live list you can always see which players are currently online at other locations and are also looking for game partners to play together.
All you have to do to start a remote game ad hoc: Select a user in the live list and send him an invitation ... and off you go!
Live streaming: Real time broadcast on the Internet
From version 3.59 of the MWS system, the public streaming of matches and trainings is available in all game modes, whereby the consent of both players (both MWS users who are logged into the MWS system and connected to one another in one of the game modes) is required for the public streaming and can be submitted in the game configuration before the start of the game. The MWS live streams are made available on the MWS website. The streams run platform-independent in all common browsers and can be called up on smartphones, tablets, desktop PCs and smart TVs.
With system version 3.63, the ball tracking feature is integrated into the MWS live streaming service. This enables precise move analysis with the path lines of the balls during the live broadcasts.
Ball tracking: Move analysis with path lines of the balls
MWS systems of the current generation v3.0 are equipped with ball tracking, record the path lines of the balls and thereby enable precise analysis of individual moves and entire matches. The position of the balls can be traced exactly at any point in time of a shot, so that, for example, the ball passages that are crucial for avoiding a kiss can be analyzed in detail. The ball tracking also masters the analysis of curve lines and ball speeds.
Ball tracking can be imagined as GPS tracking of the balls, which records the position coordinates of the balls at any time, analyzes them and makes them available for further use.
In games with auto scoring, the positions are automatically recorded with ball tracking and saved.
Navigation path at the terminal to manually record a position with ball tracking: Open position (call up saved position or take new picture) / shift key (remote control) or start path analysis (terminal).
Individualisation: Archive, directories and sharing
In addition to the auto storage of all positions of your own games and trainings into your own private archive, the MWS system provides a number of other features to individualize content and adapt it to your own interests. The private directory is the storage location for individual positions that are saved manually. It can be divided at will into subdirectories to create your own training programs and the like. The functionality of the private directories is comparable to the folder and content management on known computer operating systems. By default, private content is only accessible to the owner and protected from being accessed by other users.
With the sharing function, users can share their private content publicly, so that other users can also access this content, for example to discuss a difficult position together or to have a game analyzed by a trainer. The decision on the share / withdrawal of the share of individual shots or entire matches lies with the owner.
MWS users can use the sharing function to call up and replay many world class matches of superstars that have been recorded with the MWS technology.
Navigation path at the terminal to access the private archive: Game archive.
Navigation path at the terminal to call up or edit the private directory: Reference positions / my reference positions or reference positions / my reference positions / edit reference positions.
Navigation path at the terminal to share your own content with other users: Game archive / select desired content / toggle share or reference positions / my reference positions / select desired content / toggle share.
Navigation path at the terminal to access shared content of other users: Game archive / add share or reference positions / add share.
Library: Literature and training programs on demand
MWS users can train at any time with positions from the international specialist literature that have been recorded with MWS technology. Coordinates and path lines of the positions are available on the MWS system in the public database. The MWS library includes several, systematically structured textbooks and training programs by MWS coaches.
Navigation path at the terminal to call up literature and training programs: Reference positions / MYWEBSPORT / literature.
Technology: Hardware, software and cloud
The MWS computer system, consisting of hardware components and software for operation, is installed locally at a billiard table and is networked with the MWS servers and other MWS locations via the Internet. MWS systems access the application software and the data storage in the MWS cloud. This means, for example, that game data is not saved at a specific location and is only available there, but that this data is available on all MWS systems worldwide, because the data and programs are supplied by the MWS servers. Applications and content are thus always up to date, complete and consistent at all locations.
The ball positions on the table are recorded with a high-resolution system camera, which also tracks the lines of movement of the balls at 50 frames per second. The system computer uses this data to calculate the exact coordinates and path lines, which are then transmitted in real time to the remote location via the Internet. There the ball coordinates are projected onto the table with a laser cross hairs and the balls are placed manually on these markings. In this way, the ball positions at remote locations can be set up identically. One and the same match is therefore played at two tables that are separated from each other. The players are connected via an audiovisual conference circuit, see their opponent playing on the flat screen via the livestream and can communicate with each other via the headset.
The system hardware includes a terminal (*) with a touchscreen for function control of the system, a camera box (**) with camera and laser technology for recording the ball path lines and displaying the ball positions, a remote control for controlling the system and placing the balls, as well as a webcam (*), flat screen (*) and headset for multimedia conference circuit and communication between two remote locations.
(*) Installation on a wall next to the billiard table | (**) Installation on the ceiling above the billiard table
Changelog: Further development and latest features
v3.88 (28.10.2024)
IMPROVED Implementation of the shot clock in additional game playing modes and extension of the timeout configuration to include manual/automatic capture selection
v3.87 (27.08.2024)
NEW Shot clock, available in 3C local game playing mode, with configurable time limits and timeouts
IMPROVED Extension of the playing mode selection by further disciplines and partial renaming of existing modes to make all common carom billiard disciplines (3C, 5P, Biathlon, 1C, Balkline 47/2 + 47/1 + 71/2, Free Game, Artistic) plus training mode available as playing modes
REMOVED 3CC Masters playing mode
v3.81, v3.82, v3.83, v3.84, v3.85, v3.86
NEW System improvements and bug fixes
v3.80 (10.05.2023)
IMPROVED Game configuration options, multiple distance variations for every discipline
IMPROVED Live stream scoreboard, suitable for every combination of discipline and distance
IMPROVED Live stream image quality, now in full HD resolution
IMPROVED Game archive with multiple filter options, all existing data converted to the new scoreboard
v3.73, v3.74, v3.75
NEW System improvements and bug fixes
v3.72 (16.03.2022)
NEW Marking / unmarking positions in the game archive (in addition to the same functionality in all game modes)
v3.71 (02.06.2021)
NEW Points can be entered during the shot (as long as the balls are still moving), available for all game modes
v3.67, v3.68, v3.69, v3.70
NEW System improvements and bug fixes
v3.66 (18.02.2021)
NEW Scoring integration into live streaming
v3.65, v3.64
NEW System improvements and bug fixes
v3.63 (23.10.2020)
NEW Ball tracking integration into live streaming
v3.62, v3.61, v3.60
NEW System improvements and bug fixes
v3.59 (25.08.2020)
NEW Public streaming, available for all game modes