GB2366520A

GB2366520A - Apparatus and method to detect the position of a golf ball

Info

Publication number: GB2366520A
Application number: GB0021814A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terrance Brumskill; Ian David Fraser; John Stanley Goode
Original assignee: SUPERGOLF TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Current assignee: SUPERGOLF TECHNOLOGY Ltd
Priority date: 2000-09-06
Filing date: 2000-09-06
Publication date: 2002-03-13
Anticipated expiration: 2020-09-06
Also published as: AU2001286045A1; GB2366520B; GB0021814D0; WO2002020096A1

Abstract

Apparatus and method of detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball comprises means for energising the ball 15, a plurality of means for detecting the ball 19, means for processing 22 the output of the detectors to determine the position of the ball and a display 20 for the processed positional information. Preferably the tag means may comprise a capacitive or magnetic element encapsulated in the golf ball core which is enclosed by an outer cover. The energising means can comprise an antenna array close to the driving bay or tee which provides an electromagnetic field to cause the tag means to emit an electronic signal. Optionally the detection means may comprise a second antenna array with predetermined frequency and field strength characteristics. The processing means 22 may be used to calculate the distance travelled by the ball or the distance remaining to a target and may display this on an audio visual device 20.

Description

2366520 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING THE POSITION OF A GOLF BALL

This invention relates to an apparatus and method for detecting the position of a tagged golf ball within predetermined regions or zones. Said apparatus and method enabling the recordal and display of such positional information to a golfer playing upon, for example, a golfdriving range.

In recent years, golf-driving ranges have become popular facilities which allow players to practice and improve their golf game. Generally, such facilities consist of a number of bays or tees from which the player hits a predetermined number of golf balls in the general direction of artificial golf greens, holes or targets. However, since the distance travelled by a golf ball may be several hundred metres, it is often very difficult for the player to accurately estimate the position of the struck ball, and adjust his subsequent shot accordingly. As a result, such facilities often provide distance indicators along the length of the range to aid the player, although their benefit is somewhat limited.

In a further attempt to overcome this problem, US 5798519 discloses a camera-based system which senses the golf ball immediately after it is struck. By monitoring the initial velocity and direction of the struck ball, the distance that such will travel is calculated and relayed back to the tee. However, the system is complex and the requirements in terms of processing power and speed are considerable.

Electronic tagging systems are well-known and have found application mainly in retail stores or libraries where the theft of goods can be a serious problem. Generally, these systems comprise of an energised tag or transponder element which is secured to the object to be detected, and electronic circuitry configured to sense a signal produced by the tag upon interaction with an electromagnetic monitoring field, said field being provided by an antenna or coil arrangement. Upon sensing the tag signal output, an alarm or other warning means can be activated.

In order to address the specific problem of theft of golf balls from driving ranges, US 5 626 531 discloses a golf ball having a tag or transponder element encapsulated and sealed within the golf ball. As such, any customer of the range passing through the controlled detector exit with a tagged golf ball in his possession will cause the alarm to be activated.

It is the object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for detecting the position of a tagged golf ball after being struck by a player upon, for example, a driving range. Said position of tagged golf ball being detected upon interaction with an electromagnetic field which is provided by a plurality of antenna arrays. Such positional information of each uniquely energised golf ball is processed and relayed back to the player in the appropriate bay or tee.

According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball, comprising: energising means for energising a tagged golf ball; a plurality of detection means for detecting the presence of a tagged golf ball; processing means for processing the output of said detection means to determine the position of a tagged golf ball; and display means for displaying the processed positional information.

Preferably, said electronically tagged golf ball further comprises an outer cover surrounding a core having tag means encapsulated therein. Said tag means further comprises, preferably, at least one capacitive or magnetic element having a predetermined frequency response. Said energising means being provided, preferably, by a first antenna array. Preferably, said plurality of detection means being provided by a second antenna array, Each individual array being energised, preferably, to provide an electromagnetic field having predetermined frequency and field strength characteristics.

Preferably, the interaction between the energising field of the antenna array and the tag embedded in the golf ball is sensed by said processing means. Said processing means, preferably, identifies said individual array into which the golf ball has landed and also determines the distance between the player and the golf ball. Further preferably, said display means further comprises an audio and visual display which is situated in the appropriate bay or tee.

Also, according to the present invention there is provided a method for detecting and displaying the position of a golf ball on a golf range, comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of golf balls having uniquely energised tag means encapsulated therein; providing a plurality of fixed detection means for detecting the presence of said tag means; processing the output of said detection means to provide an estimation of the position of said golf ball; and displaying said position to a player in the appropriate tee or bay.

The advantages of the present invention are that a golf player is provided with real time information concerning the distance that each ball travels, or the distance to a target object situated within different scoring zones. As such, the player is able to adjust his subsequent shot if necessary. The present invention also provides assistance for players receiving professional coaching, in that subtle changes to their game can be measured qualitatively.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variations of the present invention are possible and it is intended that the present invention may be used other than specifically described herein.

A specific non-limiting embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which;Figure 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a golf ball having tag means encapsulated therein.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the present invention.

Figure 3 shows schematically how the present invention may be implemented for a driving range having a plurality of bays or tees.

Referring now to the drawings, the cross-section of a tagged golf ball is illustrated in Figure 1. Specifically, the golf ball 11 has an outer cover 14 and a core 12 with a uniquely addressed electronic transponder or tag device 13 encapsulated therein. The tag 13 may comprise of a capacitive or magnetic element.

The proposed scheme is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, wherein the first step involves placing golf ball 11, having a passive transponder or tag 13 inserted within its interior, within the golf ball address antenna array 15. The uniquely addressed tag is detected by being energised by the electromagnetic field into emitting an electronic signal. The signal is detected by an electronic circuit within the antenna array and digitally transmitted to the central processor unit 22 via the network connections 17. The server/central processor unit 22 analyses this digital information and stores it. The server then sends a signal to the network repeaters 16. Any amount of network repeaters can be utilised depending on the specific dimensions of the total area of the field of use.

The signal passes through the signal and power isolation transformer circuits 21. This signal activates a program in the network repeaters 16 to energise, the passive field antenna arrays 19 algorithmically to detect this uniquely addressed golf ball 11.

The golf ball is then hit by the player and if it lands within one of the field antenna arrays 19, the golf ball tag is energised by its closest field antenna array 19 into emitting its unique address signal. This address signal is detected by an electronic circuit within the field antenna array 19. The unique digital signal is transmitted to the network repeater 16. The network repeater 16 stores this unique digital information and transmits it to the server/central processor unit 22 via network connections 17 and the signal and power isolation transformer 21. It is programmed via the server network to not detect this unique golf ball tag. The network repeater is then made available via programming to detect any other golf balls that land within its area. At the same the server receives this information via the network it programmes all the network repeaters in the system to not detect this identified golf ball tag. The sever makes all the field antenna arrays available to detect any other golf ball tags that are identified as having been placed in a ball address antenna array 15. If the golf ball does not land within a field antenna array in a pre-set timeframe, the network is again signalled by the server to stop detection for that particular golf ball tag.

The server decodes the digital information from the golf ball tag that has landed within that field antenna array 19. The server encodes the digital information into a pre-programmed score and distance travelled digital signal and transmits this to the multimedia point 20 adjacent to the ball address reader antenna 15, which originally detected the golf ball tag.

At the multimedia point 20, a monitor or visual display unit indicates the field antenna array 18 where the golf ball tag was detected, its designated score and the distance travelled. The player can store this information for a printout when he completes his allotted golf balls.

Various alterations and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the present invention described herein could also be provided on a golf course or indeed any suitable area where the detection means can be laid out upon or even below a floor level.

Claims

An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball, comprising: energising means for energising a tagged golf ball; a plurality of detection means for detecting the presence of a tagged golf ball; processing means for processing the output of said detection means to determine the position of a tagged golf ball; and display means for displaying the processed positional information.
2. An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball according to claim 1, wherein said electronically tagged golf ball further comprises an outer cover surrounding a core having tag means encapsulated therein.
3. An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball according to claim 2, wherein said tag means comprises at least one capacitive or magnetic element.
4. An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball according to claim 1, wherein said energising means comprises a first antenna array situated in close proximity to the driving bay or tee.
5. An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball according to claim 4, wherein said energising means provides an electromagnetic field which energises said tag means into emitting an electronic signal.
6. An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of detection means further comprises a second antenna array.
7. An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of detection means are energised and have predetermined frequency and field strength characteristics.
8. An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball according to claim 7, wherein the interaction between said energised second antenna array and said tag means embedded in said golf ball is sensed by said processing means.
9. An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

k.1
10. A method for detecting and displaying the position of a golf ball on a golf range as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

9. An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball according to claim 1, wherein said processing means identifies the individual second antenna array into which said golf ball has landed, and computes either the distance that said golf ball has travelled, or the distance to a target object situated within different scoring zones.

10. An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball according to claim 1, wherein said display means further comprises an audio and visual device.

11. A method for detecting and displaying the position of a golf ball on a golf range, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of golf balls having uniquely energised tag means encapsulated therein; providing a plurality of fixed detection means for detecting the presence of said tag means; processing the output of said detection means to provide an estimation of the position of said golf ball; and displaying said position to a player in the appropriate tee or bay.

12. An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

13. A method for detecting and displaying the position of a golf ball on a golf range as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

Cf) Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball, comprising: a first antenna array situated in close proximity to a driving bay or tee for energising a tagged golf ball; a plurality of energised second antenna arrays having predetermined frequency and field strength characteristics for detecting the presence of a tagged golf ball; processing means for processing the output of each of said plurality of energised second antenna arrays to determine the position of a tagged golf ball; and display means for displaying the processed positional information.

2. An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball according to claim 1, wherein said electronically tagged golf ball further comprises an outer cover surrounding a core having tag means encapsulated therein.

3. An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball according to claim 2, wherein said tag means comprises at least one capacitive or magnetic element.

4. An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball according to claims 2 or 3, wherein said first antenna array provides an electromagnetic field which energises said tag means into emitting an electronic signal.

5. An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball according to claims 2 or 3, wherein the interaction between each of said plurality of energised second antenna arrays and said tag means embedded in said golf ball is sensed by said processing means.

6. An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball according to claim 1, wherein said processing means identifies the individual second antenna array into which said golf ball has landed, and computes either the distance that said golf ball has travelled, or the distance to a target object situated within different scoring zones.

7. An apparatus for detecting the position of an electronically tagged golf ball according to claim 1, wherein said display means further comprises an audio and visual device.

8. A method for detecting and displaying the position of a golf ball on a golf range, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of golf balls having uniquely energised tag means encapsulated therein; providing a plurality of energised antenna arrays having predetermined frequency and field strength characteristics for detecting the presence of said tag means; processing the output of each of said plurality of antenna arrays to provide an estimation of the position of said golf ball; and displaying said position to a player in the appropriate tee or bay.