U.S. patent application number 10/704948 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-12 for golf ball locator.
Invention is credited to Blish, Nelson Adrian, Stiller, Sharon.
Application Number | 20050101411 10/704948 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34552239 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050101411 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stiller, Sharon ; et
al. |
May 12, 2005 |
Golf ball locator
Abstract
A system for locating golf balls includes a golf ball (12)
containing a transmitter (14) and a locator (16) carried by a
golfer (20). The locator detects a signal (18) from the transmitter
(14) and indicates a direction of the transmitter and hence the
golf ball. In one embodiment, the distance to the golf ball is also
indicated.
Inventors: |
Stiller, Sharon; (Rochester,
NY) ; Blish, Nelson Adrian; (Rochester, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Nelson A. Blish
3840 East Avenue
Rochester
NY
14618
US
|
Family ID: |
34552239 |
Appl. No.: |
10/704948 |
Filed: |
November 10, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/353 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2024/0053 20130101;
A63B 57/00 20130101; A63B 43/00 20130101; A63B 24/0021
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/353 |
International
Class: |
A63B 043/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for locating golf balls comprising: a golf ball
containing a transmitter; and a locator which detects a signal from
said transmitter and a direction of said transmitter.
2. A system for locating golf balls as in claim 1 wherein said
locator determines a distance to said transmitter.
3. A system for locating golf balls as in claim 2 wherein said
locator determines said distance to said transmitter based on a
strength of said signal.
4. A system for locating golf balls as in claim 1 wherein said
transmitter has a unique radio frequency identification code.
5. A system for locating golf balls as in claim 1 wherein said
locator determines said direction to said transmitter based on an
orientation of an antenna on said locator.
6. A system for locating golf balls comprising: a golf ball
containing a global positioning satellite (GPS) detector and a
transmitter; a locator which contains a GPS detector, a receiver,
and a microprocessor; wherein said transmitter transmits golf ball
GPS position coordinates to said locator; wherein said receiver
detects a signal from said transmitter; wherein said microprocessor
calculates a distance and direction to said golf ball based on a
GPS position of said golf ball and a GPS position of said
locator.
7. A system for locating golf balls as in claim 6 wherein said
locator is mounted in a handheld device.
8. A system for locating golf balls as in claim 6 wherein said
locator is mounted in golf bag.
9. A system for locating golf balls as in claim 6 wherein said
locator is mounted on a golf cart.
10. A system for locating golf balls as in claim 6: wherein said
locator is mounted at a clubhouse; a golf cart GPS detector; a golf
cart transmitter which transmits golf cart GPS position coordinates
to said locator; a golf cart receiver; and a clubhouse transmitter
which transmits a golf ball position and cart position to said golf
cart receiver.
11. A system for locating golf balls as in claim 6 wherein said
locator comprises a display screen, which displays a geographical
map showing a location of said golf ball and said locator.
12. A system for locating golf balls comprising: a golf ball
containing a transponder; and a locator comprising a detector, a
transmitter, and a microprocessor; wherein said transmitter
broadcasts a signal; wherein said transponder amplifies and
retransmits said signal; and wherein said detector detects said
retransmitted signal; and wherein said microprocessor calculates a
direction to said transponder.
13. A system for locating golf balls as in claim 12 wherein said
microprocessor determines a distance to said transmitter.
14. A system for locating golf balls as in claim 13 wherein said
locator determines said distance to said transmitter based on a
strength of said retransmitted signal.
15. A system for locating golf balls as in claim 12 wherein said
microprocessor is an application specific integrated circuit
(ASIC).
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a system for locating golf balls,
and more particularly to a system for using a global positioning
satellite for locating a position of a golf ball with respect to a
player.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Currently, golfers loose golf balls without any practical
way to locate them, other than visual observation. The problem
arises for both novice and experienced golfers regardless of the
visual acuity of the golfer. Losing a golf ball can have adverse
consequences, such as a penalty stroke for dropping another ball,
and the cost of buying additional golf balls, which is not
insignificant.
[0003] Often, golf courses impose time limits upon play because of
the number of other players behind the group, which does not
provide golfers with sufficient time to visually inspect all areas
of the course for lost balls. Visual observation is made more
difficult by the topography of the golf course and the fact that
golfers often cover great distances in a golf cart. If the golfer
passes the ball, it is almost impossible to locate it again in the
grass, and even more difficult to locate it if it in a rough
area.
[0004] Because long drives result in losing visual contact with the
ball, any visual locating system provides nothing more than a
guess. Recognizing this problem, several inventions to locate golf
balls have been proposed. U.S. Pat. No. 6,383,095 describes a
stake, which marks the location of a golf ball otherwise hidden by
tall grass in a golf course rough area. U.S. Pat. No. 6,353,386
proposes a locating system wherein an electric circuit is triggered
by detection of a predetermined odor. However, there can be
indigenous substances at the golf course that interfere with an
odor, therefore preventing odor detection. Moreover, there could be
electronic interference preventing the triggering of the electric
circuit. U.S. Pat. No. 6,320,173 describes a system of tracking
golf balls by using a solid-state camera to determine the distance
between the camera and the ball. The topography could, of course,
interfere with the viability of this system, as with any visual
system.
[0005] There have been significant improvements to the technology
used in golfing over the years. For example, many golf carts now
use GPS (global positioning satellite) tracking in golf carts, but
these systems only disclose the distance between the cart and the
hole, not the distance between the golfer and the golf ball or the
direction of the golf ball.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,496,141 proposes a position determining
system for golf courses using both GPS and WAAS (Wide Area
Augmentation System). In this system, a hand held unit is
interconnected with a cart-based unit to exchange signals to
correct location information. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,456,938
uses a GPS and a computer system to map a golf course.
[0007] The purpose of the instant invention is to create a golf
ball locating system that is both quick and reliable. Using
advances in technology, which pinpoints golf ball location, the
age-old problem of lost golf balls can be essentially
eliminated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Briefly, according to one aspect of the present invention, a
system for locating golf balls comprises a golf ball containing a
transmitter. A locator, typically carried by a player, detects a
signal from the transmitter and a direction and distance to the
transmitter and hence to the golf ball.
[0009] According to one embodiment of the invention, a GPS (global
positioning satellite) detector in the golf ball transmits a
position of the golf ball to a locator. A second GPS at the locator
indicates the position of both the locator and the GPS.
[0010] According to another embodiment of the invention, a locator
comprises a transmitter. A transponder in the golf ball augments
and retransmits a signal generated by the locator, which is then
detected by the locator. In yet another embodiment, transponders in
different golf balls have individual identifiers for
differentiating between golf balls.
[0011] The invention and its objects and advantages will become
more apparent in the detailed description of the preferred
embodiment presented below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for locating golf
balls according to the present invention showing a golf ball with a
transmitter and various alternative locator positions.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present invention for locating golf balls showing a satellite and a
golf ball containing a GPS (global positioning satellite) tracking
device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention will be directed in particular to
elements forming part of, or in cooperation more directly with, the
apparatus in accordance with the present invention. It is to be
understood that elements not specifically shown or described may
take various forms well known to those skilled in the art.
[0015] A system for locating golf balls is referred to in general
by numeral 10. The system comprises a golf ball 12 containing a
transmitter 14 and a locator 16 which detects a signal 18 from said
transmitter.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, transmitter 14
emits a continuous, low strength signal 18. The signal has a low
strength and carries only for a limited distance in order to comply
with FCC regulations. As golfers are well aware, golf balls are
often obscured by grass 22, depressions in the fairway, brush, and
other obstructions. When a golfer 20 loses track of her ball, she
uses locator 16 to detect signals from the golf ball, which are not
blocked by vegetation.
[0017] Locator 16 may be comprised of a simple radio receiver tuned
to the radio frequency of the transmitter 14. In this embodiment,
the golfer 20 would determine when she was getting closer to the
golf ball 12 by an increase in the strength of signal 18.
Conversely, she would be able to determine if she was moving away
from the golf ball by a decrease in the strength of signal 18. This
is a very rough, but effective way to aid in the location of golf
balls.
[0018] A more efficient way of locating lost golf balls uses a
directional antenna 17 on locator 16. The directional antenna 17
may be a simple loop antenna on the radio receiver of locator 16 or
an equivalent device incorporated in a circuit board internal to
the radio receiver. The directional antenna indicates the direction
of the golf ball when the locator 16 is pointed in the direction of
the golf ball. The directional antenna 17 may be used in
combination with signal strength to give both direction and
distance to the golf ball.
[0019] An audible tone 24 may be used to indicate detection of a
golf ball, direction of the golf ball, and distance to the golf
ball. These indications may be by variations in the tone or
frequency of the golf ball, or by amplitude of the tone, or both. A
liquid crystal diode (LCD) screen 26 may also be used to indicate
the distance, direction, and position of the golf ball. The
position may be relative to the golfer or it may be geographic,
based on a global positioning satellite (GPS) detector, discussed
in more detail below.
[0020] Locator 16 may be a handheld unit held by an individual
golfer 20 or it may be mounted on a golf cart 28. Mounting locator
on a golf cart would reduce the requirement to miniaturize
equipment components, thereby reducing costs. In addition, may golf
carts have GPS capability, which can be shared by the locator.
[0021] Another location for locator 16 is clubhouse 30. Mounting
the locator 16 at the clubhouse allows for operation of more
powerful detection equipment than could be carried in a battery
operated handheld device or a cart-mounted device. When the locator
is mounted at the clubhouse, transmitter 32 transmits location
information to individual golfers. Information transmitted to
individual golfers is allocated to different frequency bands or
channels as is well known in the art.
[0022] A central base station at the golf course clubhouse and
numerous mobile units that are either mounted on golf carts or
carried by the golfer offers several advantages. The mobile units
typically store a database of records that include the locations of
various points of interest on the golf course. The base station
unit calculates its GPS position from GPS signals and compares the
calculated position signal to the known fixed location of the base
station to compute a differential position correction. These
differential position corrections are transmitted to the mobile
units to enable the mobile units to correct for correlated
positioning errors and to thereby determine a more accurate
position estimate than would otherwise be possible with an
uncorrected GPS position reading. A central station with remote
mobile unites may also be less expensive than equipping each mobile
units with GPS capability.
[0023] Since golf is a social game, on any given day, it is likely
that more than one golfer will be playing on a particular golf
course. In order to locate individual golf balls, an individual
signal for each golf ball is desirable. The differences between
individual golf balls may be based on a different frequency,
digital code, or other attribute incorporated in each golf ball
transponder or transmitter. Regardless of the mechanism used, each
golf ball transmitter or transponder will have a unique radio
frequency identification code. For example, golf ball 13, will
transmit on a different frequency 19 than golf ball 12, and thus
not be detected by locator 16, or if detected, it will be detected
as a different ball.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 2, golfer 20 is using a locator 16,
which is capable of receiving positioning information from a Global
Positioning Satellite (GPS). In this embodiment, golf ball 12
contains a transmitter/receiver 15. The transmitter receiver
detects signals 42 from one or more satellites 40. The GPS signals
are used by the transmitter/receiver 15 to calculate a geographic
position of golf ball 15. This information is transmitted by signal
18 to locator 16 held by the golfer.
[0025] The locator 16 also receives GPS signals 42. The GPS signal
42 enables the golfer to determine her position geographically. A
microprocessor contained in locator 16 determines a relative
direction and distance from the golfer 20 to the golf ball 12 based
on the geographic position of both the golfer and the golf ball.
The direction and distance may be shown on a LCD screen as is well
known in the art.
[0026] The direction and distance and location may also be
superimposed on a map of the golf course and displayed on the LCD
screen. Other information may be provided based on geographic
location of both the ball and the pin 51, such as distance to the
hole 50. Additional information may also be provided from the
clubhouse 30 transmitter 32, such as wind direction and speed. This
information may also be displayed graphically on the LCD
screen.
[0027] The invention has been described in detail with particular
reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be
understood that variations and modifications can be effected within
the scope of the invention.
[0028] Parts List
[0029] 10 system for locating golf balls
[0030] 12 golf ball
[0031] 13 golf ball
[0032] 14 transmitter
[0033] 15 transmitter/receiver
[0034] 16 locator
[0035] 17 antenna
[0036] 18 signal
[0037] 19 signal
[0038] 20 golfer
[0039] 22 grass
[0040] 24 audible tone
[0041] 26 liquid crystal diode (LCD) screen
[0042] 28 golf cart
[0043] 30 clubhouse
[0044] 32 transmitter
[0045] 40 satellite
[0046] 42 satellites signal
* * * * *