GB2446212A

GB2446212A - Ball locating system using wireless communication

Info

Publication number: GB2446212A
Application number: GB0701801A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Murrell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-01-31
Filing date: 2007-01-31
Publication date: 2008-08-06
Also published as: GB0701801D0

Abstract

A ball locating system comprising a transmitter receiver circuit 22 on a locating device 20 adapted to communicate wirelessly with a signal generator. preferably and RFID chip, 11 in a ball 10, i.e. a golf ball. The signal generator produces a particular reply signal 13 in response to a locator signal 23. The locating device 20 includes a memory 31 to store the characteristics of different reply signals, such as ball i.d. and an alarm 27 which is triggered if a reply signal matching one stored in the memory is received. There may also be provided an input device such as barcode reader or keyboard for inputting those characteristics in the memory. The range of the locator signal may be adjusted by varying controls provided on the locating device, this may be done by an iterative process.

Description

BALL LOCATING DEVICE

The invention relates to a device for locating balls used for playing sport, and is especially suited to locating golf balls.

Reference hereinafter is made predominantly to a device for locating golf balls, but it should be understood that the invention is not limited to golf balls and is in fact suitable for locating balls or projectiles used in other pursuits, especially ones where a ball will be lost from view or confused with others. The game of golf requires a golfer to hit a small ball several hundred yards along a fairway towards a putting green, by striking the ball with a golf club. An advanced golfer may be fortunate enough to hit the ball towards the putting green so as not to stray from the fairway. However, for many beginners and intermediate players the ball is likely to assume a trajectory different from that which was anticipated and the ball may ultimately land in the rough undergrowth, stream, pond or the like (hereinafter referred to as an obstacle). Even the advanced golfers may occasionally hit their ball into obstacles, particularly if winds are prominent or the golfer is not familiar with the golf course. If a ball strays off course and enters an obstacle, the ball is quite often very difficult to locate. This is particularly so since the ball may have been struck several hundred yards away from the point at which it went off course and so the golfer is often unable to see or recall the location at which the ball came to rest or even entered the obstacle.

Though a standard golf ball is available at a reasonable price, if three or four golf balls are lost per game, the effective cost of that game is significantly increased. Advanced golfers are likely to use high quality golf balls which permit greater control or distance, but which are more costly. Naturally, advanced golfers become familiar with a particular ball and so the loss of such a ball is disappointing not only for financial reasons.

Devices exist for retrieving golf balls from ponds or streams and these comprise a small wire mesh basket attached to a shaft. Such devices are useful in retrieving a ball if it can be seen through the water, but they are not useful if the water is unclear and the exact location of the golf ball is unknown.

It is a principle aim of the present invention to overcome the above problems by providing a mechanism by which a suitably adapted ball may be easily located by a person even when the ball is not visible.

According to the present invention, there is provided a ball locating system comprising: a transmitter receiver circuit provided on a locating device and adapted to communicate wirelessly with a signal generator associated with a ball; the signal generator being adapted to produce a particular reply signal in response to a locator signal transmitted by the transmitter receiver circuit; a memory provided on the locating device and adapted to store the characteristics of one or more different reply signal; and an alarm to be triggered if the transmitter receiver circuit receives a reply signal matching one stored in the memory.

Preferably, the signal generator is a transponder and more preferably the transponder is a radio frequency identification chip arranged to emit the reply signal. The signal generator could be retrospectively attached to the surface of a ball, but it is highly preferred that it is located wholly within the ball and most preferably in the centre thereof so as not to affect adversely the weight distribution of the ball.

The invention may also include a memory input means for reading the characteristics of one or more reply signals and storing those characteristics in the memory. In a preferred embodiment, the input means comprises a manually operable trigger which when activated causes characteristics of a reply signal received by the transmitter receiver circuit to be stored in the memory. The manually operable trigger might comprise a simple switch which when activated causes the transmitter receiver circuit to transmit a locating signal which is bounced back by a signal generator in close proximity thereto.

In an alternative embodiment the memory input means includes a scanner adapted to scan a barcode that identifies a specific reply signal generated by the signal generator. In yet a further embodiment the memory input means includes a keypad for entering a code to identify a specific reply signal of a ball to be located.

The memory may also be adapted to allow deletion, from the memory, of the characteristics of one or more reply signals stored in the memory or to accord those characteristics a new identity. This would facilitate the resetting of the device to locate a different ball not previously registered.

In a preferred arrangement the range of the locating signal may be varied depending on the size of the area to be searched. This provides an indication of the distance from the ball and further allows the user to hone in on the ball by any effective process, such as an iterative process.

In an alternative arrangement each signal generator is adapted to receive a specific locator signal and in response emit a specific reply signal having the characteristics of that specific locator signal. For instance, the signal generator may include a modulator for modulating the locator signal to generate the specific reply signal. The locating device is adapted to transmit a specific locator signal unique to the signal generator in the ball to be located and from that signal generator receive a specific reply signal which is a modulation of the specific locator signal. The memory may be pre-programmed with the characteristics of one or more specific locator signals and which are accorded an identity corresponding with the ball containing the transponder by which the specific signal is received.

The alarm may take any form but preferably includes an audible, visual and/or vibrating alarm to indicate that a ball with a matching reply signal is within range of the locating device.

The characteristics of each reply signal may be unique and accorded an identity which corresponds with the ball containing the signal generator from which that particular reply signal is emitted. The locating device may also be able to track more than one ball at a time. A display may be provided on the locator which display is adapted to indicate the identity of the or each ball identified by the locating device. Control features such as buttons may be provided to select the identity of the ball to be located.

Preferably, the components of the locating device are housed in a waterproof case. For the purpose of locating golf balls the housing may, for example, be generally elongate so as to resemble a golf club or substantially compact so as to fit in the pocket of a golf bag. The case may include on one end a ball retriever for retrieving balls from ponds and rivers and for collecting the balls from the ground without bending down.

There is also provided a method of locating a ball having a signal generator associated therewith, comprising the steps of: - providing a locating device comprising a transmitter receiver circuit adapted to communicate wirelessly with the signal generator; -triggering said locating device to emit a locator signal; -monitoring for a reply signal emitted by the signal generator in response to the locator signal -comparing the reply signal to the reply signal criteria stored on the locating device; and -triggering an alarm if the reply signal matches the stored criteria.

The transmitter receiver circuit could be adapted to receive a range of frequencies and trigger an alarm only when a signal having a frequency within that range is received. Preferably, before use the characteristics of one or more reply signals are stored in a memory associated with the locating device. For example, the locating device could be sold with a number of balls having signal generators associated therewith and the memory of the locating device could be pre-programmed during manufacture with the characteristics of the reply signals emitted from those signal generators.

An alternative arrangement includes storing, before use, the characteristics of different reply signals in the memory by means of an input device -which characteristics could be accorded a particular simple identity (e.g. A,B,C or 1,2,3, etc) associated with the ball containing the signal generator from which the reply signal was emitted. For example, a box of balls may come with a corresponding number of barcodes which may be scanned by a scanner associated with the locating device. By so doing the characteristics of the reply signal associated with each ball is stored in the memory. Alternatively, the locating device may include a keypad by which the characteristics of the reply signals could be entered into or selected from the memory.

Most preferably the characteristics of a reply signal are stored in the memory by positioning the ball in close proximity to the locating device and triggering a switch on said locating device which causes the transmitter receiver circuit to transmit the locator signal. The signal generator associated with the ball may then receive the locator signal and in response emit a reply signal which is received by the transmitter receiver circuit and then stored in the memory and accorded an identity. In addition, characteristics of one or more reply signals may be deleted from the memory, which is particularly useful in the event that those characteristics are associated with a ball which is no longer used or the identity of that ball requires changing.

In one embodiment, when using the locator device to locate a lost ball, an alarm will be triggered only when the transmitter receiver circuit receives a reply signal corresponding to those stored in the memory. Furthermore, there may also be provided display means to display the identity of the ball located.

In a yet preferred embodiment, the identity of the ball to be located is entered into the locating device prior to initiating the search. By so doing, the alarm will be triggered only when the characteristics of the reply signals received by the transmitter receiver circuit match the characteristics associated with the identity entered into the locating device prior to initiating the search.

In an alternative aspect of the invention, the identity of the ball to be located is initially entered into the locating device and the transmitter receiver circuit then transmits a locator signal specific to the identity of the ball to be located, insofar as it comprises characteristics associated with that identity. If the locator signal is incident on the ball to be located, the signal generator contained therein will receive the locator signal and emit a reply signal which is merely a modulation of the specific locator signal. The transmitter receiver circuit will then receive the modulated reply signal and elicit an alarm. The modulation may be a variation in frequency or amplitude so as to distinguish it from the locator signal.

Preferably, the range over which the locator signal is transmitted can be adjusted according to the size of the area to be searched. This enables an iterative process to be used to hone in on the ball, wherein the range of the signal is reduced on successive searches until the ball is located.

It is possible for the device also to provide an indication of a balls direction relative to the receiver. This would also aid locating a ball by shortening the iterative process that might otherwise be required. Such signal direction finding can be achieved by known techniques.

By way of example only, an embodiment of the present invention and certain modifications thereof will now be described in detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partially cutaway view of a golf ball showing the centre of said golf ball.

Figure 2 is an illustration of a locator device housed in an elongate casing.

Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a locating device and golf ball.

Figure 1 shows a golf ball 10 having a transponder 11 concealed in the centre thereof during manufacture. The transponder 11 comprises a radio frequency identification chip as a signal generator arranged for transmitting a signal 13 (referred to hereinafter as the reply signal 13) specific to the transponder 11 contained in that paftcular ball 10. The reply signal needs to identify one ball from another in use. This means that the signal must vary between balls. Each ball could have a wholly unique reply signal, but in practice a finite number of variations should suffice. A golf ball manufacturer might stock, for example, a thousand different signal generators each adapted to generate a different reply signal, and so it is unlikely that two golf balls generating the same reply signal would be used by competing players. The signal generator is adapted to generate electromagnetic signals generally lying in the radio wave range of frequencies as this does not require a direct line of sight, it can be easily modulated and its range easily adjusted. Other frequencies such as those lying in the infrared range are less suitable since they require a direct line of sight and so mounds, trees and other obstacles found on the golf course would obstruct the path of the infrared signal.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, there is provided a locating device generally indicated 20 housed in an elongate case 21. The locating device 20 comprises a transmitter receiver circuit 22 arranged to transmit a generic locator signal 23 which may be received by all transponders 11 concealed in the golf balls 10 within range. The transmitter receiver circuit 22 is also adapted to receive reply signals 13 emitted from the transponders 11 contained in the golf balls 10. The locating device 20 further includes a switch 24, a range controller 25, a visual display panel 26, an audio output 27, control buttons, 28, 29, memory button 30, a memory 31 and a battery 32 electrically connected to the transmitter receiver circuit 22.

The memory 31 is adapted to store the characteristics of one or more reply signal 13, which are to be compared to the reply signal 13 received by the transmitter receiver circuit 22. The memory 31 is a programmable memory whereby it is capable of storing one or more characteristics of reply signals 13 received by the transmitter receiver circuit 22 and accord those characteristics a particular identity corresponding with the golf ball 10 from which they emanate. In order to store the characteristics of a particular reply signal 13 in the memory 31, the operator selects an identity on the display panel 26 by operating control buttons 28 or 29. The identity may in this example be a number between 000 and 999, and the golf baIl 10 from which the reply signal 13 emanates could be accorded a corresponding number. The operator then positions a golf ball 1 0 in close proximity to the transmitter receiver circuit 22 and presses the memory button 30 provided on or adjacent the visual display 26, thereby causing the locator signal 23 to be emitted from the transmitter receiver circuit 22. The transponder 11 receives the locator signal 23 and ri response emits a reply signal 13, which is received by the transmitter receiver circuit 22. Characteristics of that reply signal 13 are then stored in the memory 31 and accorded the identity previously selected by the operator. Once the characteristics of a reply signal 13 are stored in the memory 31, the ball 10 containing the transponder 11 from which that reply signal 13 is emitted is hereinafter referred to as a registered ball.

The range controller 25 comprises a range dial electrically connected to the transmitter receiver circuit 22 and which can be manually operated to vary the power supplied thereto so as to adjust the range of the locator signal 23. In this way, the range controller 25 would enable the operator to adjust the range of the locator signal 22 depending on the size of the area to be searched, the permitted range often being between 1 and 20 metres.

When the operator wishes to use the locating device 20 to locate a registered golf ball, he or she adjusts the range controller 25 to select the required range and then triggers the switch 24 to transmit the locator signal 23. If the locator signal 23 falls upon a registered golf ball, the transponder 11 contained in that golf ball 10 will receive the locator signal 23 and then transmit a reply signal 13 in response. Any reply signal 13 received by the transmitter receiver circuit 22 -10 -is compared to the characteristics of one or more reply signals 13 stored in the memory 31. If the characteristics of the reply signal 13 match any of the characteristics stored in the memory 31, the visual display 26 will show the identity of the golf ball 10 containing the transponder 11 from which the reply signal 13 emanates and the audio output 27 will emit an audible signal as an alarm.

The locator device 20 can also be configured to search for a specific registered ball by entering the identity of that ball in the visual display 26, by using display controls buttons 28,29. Subsequent triggering of the switch 24 causes the locator signal 23 to be transmitted over the predetermined range and received by a transponder 11 contained in a registered golf ball. In response the signal generator 12 contained in that golf ball will emit a reply signal 13 which will be received by the transmitter receiver circuit 22. The reply signal 13 is then compared to the characteristics of the reply signal 13 specific to the golf ball 10 to be located and which corresponds to the identity shown on the visual display 26.

If the received reply signal 13 matches the characteristics of the reply signal stored in the memory 31, the audio output 27 will emit an alarm, and the identity of the ball shown in the visual display 26 will flash.

The elongate case 21 is generally hollow and comprises a cylindrical shaft extending between diametrically larger upper and lower portions 41,42. The hollow interior of the upper portion 41 defines an upper compartment 43 for storing a battery 32 and the hollow interior of the lower portion 42 defines a lower compartment 44 for housing the transmitter receiver circuit 22.

An opening (not shown) into the upper compartment 43 is formed on the end of the case 21 to provide access into said compartment 43. A screw cap 45 is -11 -provided to seal the compartment 43 and has a thread (not shown) engageable with a thread (also not shown) on the surface of the opening.

At the lowermost end of the lower portion 42 there is provided a scoop 54 for collecting golf balls 10 so as to obviate the need for the operator to reach down to retrieve the ball 10 once found, which is particularly useful when said golf ball is located in a pond or a river.

In an alternative arrangement (not shown), the locating device is housed in a compact case sized to fit in a pocket of a golf bag. The case is made from a plastics material and includes a carrying handle to enable the locating device to be io comfortably held.

Claims

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1. A ball locating system comprising: a transmitter receiver circuit provided on a locating device and adapted to communicate wirelessly with a signal generator associated with a ball; the signal generator being adapted to produce a particular reply signal in response to a locator signal transmitted by the transmitter receiver circuit; a memory provided on the locating device and adapted to store the characteristics of one or more different reply signal; and an alarm to be triggered if the transmitter receiver circuit receives a reply signal matching one stored in the memory.

2. A ball locating system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal generator is a transponder.

3. A ball locating system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the transponder is a radio frequency identification chip arranged to emit the reply signal.

4. A ball locating system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein a memory input means is provided for reading the characteristics of one or more reply signals and storing those characteristics in the memory.

5. A ball locating system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the memory input means includes a manually operable trigger which when activated causes characteristics of the reply signal received by the transmitter receiver circuit to be stored in the memory.

6. A ball locating system as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the memory input means includes a scanner adapted to scan a barcode specific to a signal generator.

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7. A ball locating system as claimed in any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the memory input means includes a keypad for entering a code specific to the signal generator in a ball to be located.

8. A ball locating system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the range of the locating signal is adjustable.

9. A ball locating system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the alarm includes an audible, visual and/or vibrating alarm to indicate that a ball with a matching reply signal is within the transmitting range of the locating device.

10. A ball locating system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the characteristics of each reply signal are accorded a reference identity.

11. A ball locating system as claimed in claim 10, wherein there is provided a display adapted to indicate the reference identity of a ball located by the locating device.

12. A ball locating system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the locating device is housed in a waterproof casing.

13. A ball locating system as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the locating device is generally elongate and resembles a golf club.

14. A ball locating device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the casing is adapted for storage in a person's pocket or in a compartment of a golf bag.

15. A ball locating device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the locating device is provided with a ball retriever.

16. A ball locating device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the ball comprises a golf ball.

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17. A ball-locating device as claimed in any of the preceding claims and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

18. A method of locating a ball having a signal generator associated therewith, comprising the steps of: -providing a locating device comprising a transmitter receiver circuit adapted to communicate wirelessly with the signal generator; -triggering said locating device to emit a locator signal; -monitoring for a reply signal emitted by the signal generator in response to the locator signal; -comparing the reply signal to reply signal criteria stored in the locating device; and -triggering an alarm if the reply signal matches the stored criteria.

19. A method of locating a ball as claimed in claim 18 and further comprising storing in a memory on the device reply signal characteristics of one or more signal generators.

20. A method of locating a ball as claimed in claims 18 or 19, including entering into an input means associated with the locating device the characteristics associated with the ball to be located.

21. A method of locating a ball as claimed in any of claims 18 to 20 and further including adjusting the transmitting range of the locator signal according to the size of the area to be searched.

22. A method of locating a ball as claimed in claim 21, which includes an iterative process wherein the range of the locator signal is reduced subsequent to the triggering of the alarm and said locator signal is then retransmitted.

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23. A method of locating a ball as claimed in any of claims 18 to 22, wherein the characteristics of one or more reply signals are stored prior to use of the ball by positioning the ball in close proximity to the locating device, triggering a switch on said locating device to cause the transmitter receiver circuit to transmit the locator signal over a short range and receiving in the transmitter receiver circuit the reply signal.