Category: Player updates

I’ve reviewed and updated the Operator and Player instructions to ensure accurate and clear explanations for the latest versions. Download them from the same locations. The most significant changes are in the Operator instructions, especially relating to ball samples. The Player instructions only had minor changes.

Soon I’ll create a video explaining complete application from start to finish. It would be ideal for me to provide real casino recordings, but they are private so I’ll need to create a separate video.

Also there is a bug in the latest camera app (server-side). It is a simple bug to fix, although the programmer is away for a few days and will fix when he’s back. The bug caused a server CPU overload.

The Hybrid update for easier camera aiming are already available. They are already being used flawlessly. Soon the following Hybrid updates will also be available:

Camera stabilization: If the camera is body-worn, zooming long distances inevitably causes video shaking. So video stabilization is being implemented. It is almost done and should be ready in a day or so.

Quicker learning of ball deceleration rates, easier monitoring of deceleration rate changes, and easier monitoring of accuracy: This mod is already coded in a test program, and is being moved to the main Hybrid software today. In addition to higher accuracy, the mod allows players to better know if the ball is rolling too chaotically for early predictions. Specifically you will better know how early is too early. It’s especially useful for automated wheels where the ball deceleration is sometimes deliberately manipulated with magnets and air compressors.

These and recent mods means new camera users and teams can get started with very little training and practise. Again they’ll be ready for use in a day or so, but before official release I’ll need to update the instructions.

When it’s all ready, I’ll make another announcement.

The update Hybrid camera app is now available. This is the version that makes camera aiming and zooming even easier.

INSTRUCTIONS: The updated instructions are available from the same place. Download the PLAYER instructions, not the Operator instructions. See the updated information in Chapter 3, at the bottom under the heading "Updated Android Camera App".

INSTALLING THE APP: Install the same was as other apps. Contact me for the download link. Please only contact me via encrypted email or the forum Help Desk.

IMPORTANT: If you want to use the updated app, let me know because I’ll need to update your server.

In the past week or so I’ve been spent most time on the Hybrid updates. The latest ETA on the camera mod is mid next week – maybe more towards the end of the week because I’ll be away for the next few days. It’s all functional except on one model phone, but still there are a few parts to be aded later, though not essential. For now the time consuming part is proving to be resolving compatability issues with different phone models.

There may also be a change to the way the ball deceleration rate is modelled. The intention is to make it learn much quicker while retaining accuracy. It is not normally needed, but if you play a very fast rotor (2s or so), then any error is compounded.

Overall if you’re waiting for the updates, it wont be much longer. Because I’ve been focusing on the updates, my email responses have been sluggish but I expect to be up to date on emails by end of today.

Various updates have been made to the main Hybrid v3 software (server). Initial testing indicates everything is working perfectly, but I’ll do more testing to make sure. Then I’ll install the updated version to the servers.

The updates include some minor interface changes to improve operator efficiency. The more important updates enable the operator to more easily monitor condition changes, especially on fast rotors – to maintain edge.

Once I’ve completed testing, I’ll update the insructions.

Also regarding the camera app updates, there are some parts that still need work before it is available. But again the main functionality is done and works perfectly. It will dramatically reduce the learning curve for teams (camera users). It could already be used in real conditions, but it’s better to wait for the last parts to be done.

If you are a new team starting up, don’t spend time on camera training yet because everything will be much easier with the updated app. The only downside is you may need a more powerful phone, but I wont know yet because more development is needed for the typical phone model we use. We can expect the latest version to be available for use by mid next week.

The camera app update is progressing very well. It is currently about half complete, although the main function is already done.

The part that isnt done allows the operator to remotely control elements like camera zoom, without needing additional apps. This isn’t essential functionality, but it makes the whole process easier.

Everything should be complete and ready to go within 1-2 weeks. The uncertain parts are more related to getting everything working on different phone models. Compatability is often a difficult issue to resolve. If you have the main models we normally use, there shouldn’t be a problem.

Basically this modification makes aiming the camera much easier. It is especially useful in cases where you stand a long distance from the wheel and would otherwise need to zoom and more carefully aim the camera. With the mod, you just need to aim in the general direction of the wheel, and the app wil automatically zoom video and track the wheel wherever it is.

We’re also adding some Hybrid mods that help the operator better monitor accuracy, especially on very fast rotors.

Work has started on the mod for enhanced camera aiming. Already the Hybrid automatically tracks the wheel location, provided the camera is aimed in much the same area as the wheel. And it already automatically tells you where to aim the camera, even if it sees only part of the wheel.

The mod I’m referring to makes it so you can pay far less attention to where the camera might be aiming. The idea is to make aiming so simple that anyone can do it without any training. Of course training is still important, but now it will be even easier. The mod is especially useful for players who stand a further distance from the wheel, because the camera zooming is also automatic. The only downside is a faster phone is required, although I wont know the minimum requirements until I receive the prototype.

The update should be available in around 2 weeks. It depends on the programmers and my time to test everything.

If any of the more experienced players are interested in continuing sales of the JAA system, let me know. You would be responsible for taking over almost everything including sales and support. We could come to an arrangement much like previous players did. It is very important that you be an experienced player to ensure the support you provide to players is accurate. You would not have access to source codes – but you would have control of everything else. Contact me to discuss if interested.

Download the updated instructions from the same location. You shouldn’t need document unlocking again. The updated part is the addition of Chapter 25. It explains a recent mod that enhances the Hybrid’s ability to deal with the following situations:

* Very small, dark or barely visible green zero

* Being unable to use typical equipement in a casino room with tighter security (such as body-friskying and searching, or you needing to wear light clothing)

* Very poor internet access (this is rarely a problem because we can already use multiple phones to send video, but the latest mod gives us another option).

* The ball is almost invisible at very fast speeds and/or on LCD screens.

* Enhanced ability for single players to use the Hybrid without any operator.

This mod is a bit of overkill, but it’s nice to have the enhanced capabilities in case they are ever needed.

There was a brief website interruption so some sites were down for a while. I’m not sure what caused the problem but restored an earlier backup. To ensure JAA and help desk was unchanged, I applied the latest databases after restoring the sites. Again despite the time of year I can still respond to critical issues. The sites and JAA were down only for about an hour. When I’m back I’ll have a closer look to see what happened. It was probably a server update conflict (php version).