What you're seeing
Detection issues can manifest as either:
Pucks are appearing on the game screen where there are no pucks on the physical table
They often show up on the edges and above where the numbers printed on the playing surface. This is caused by poor/harsh lighting, incorrect pucks and obstructions, such as smudges, on the camera lens.
Pucks that are on the table are flickering in and out in game.
It is not swapping to the next player/round when a puck is thrown
Why this happens
The camera above the table watches for pucks by looking for certain colors and shapes. When lighting changes, sand looks uneven, or something new enters the camera's view, the camera can occasionally mistake a shadow or a reflection for a puck (phantom/ghost pucks) or real pucks can flicker or be missed entirely.
Steps
- Check there are no stray pucks sitting on the table, on the side rails, or in the gutter. Remove anything the camera might mistake for a puck.
- Ensure there is nothing blocking the camera's view, in particular ensure that the TV has not shifted forward.
- Clean the lens of the camera with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth, ensuring that no smudges or streaks remain.
- Check the sand in the zone where the ghost pucks are appearing. If the sand is too thin, or there is too much, remove and resand.
- Check the lighting. The table should be evenly lit from overhead. Ensure there is no harsh lighting or sun reflecting off the table surface into the camera.
Next Steps
If the above steps didn't work your table may need reconfiguring, please contact GXT Support with:
- Affected lane ID (s)
- Photo or short video of the ghost pucks appearing
- Time of day the ghost pucks appear (Is it always afternoon? evening?)
- When it started
- Any recent changes (new lighting, blinds, decor, table moved)
GXT can reconfigure the camera's configuration remotely.
What NOT to do
Do NOT touch the camera lens unless cleaning it. Smudges can be difficult to see but can cause severe detection problems. It is best to only clean the lens periodically, or if there is a detection issue.
Do NOT re-calibrate The calibration process is unrelated to the issue that causes ghost pucks. Recalibration when getting false detections may be unreliable and inaccurate.
Do NOT move or re-aim the camera. If the camera is knocked or repositioned, the whole lane will need a GXT visit to recover.