A Projector-Camera System for Augmented Card Playing and a Case Study with the Pelmanism Game

In this article, we propose a system for augmented card playing with a projector and a camera to add playfulness and increase communication among players of a traditional card game. The functionalities were derived on the basis of a user survey session with actual players. Playing cards are recognized using a video camera on the basis of a template matching without any artificial marker with an accuracy of > 0.96. Players are also tracked to provide person-dependent services using a video camera from the direction of their hands appearing over a table. These functions are provided as an API; therefore, the user of our system, i.e., a developer, can easily augment playing card games. The Pelmanism game was augmented on top of the system to validate the concept of augmentation. The results showed the feasibility of the system’s performance in an actual environment and the potential of enhancing playfulness and communication among players. Received on 14 April 2016; accepted on 02 July 2016; published on 17 May 2017