Self-recording golf ball, golf ball cup, and reading divice system

• US 20030228934A1
• Filed: 06/07/2002
• Published: 12/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brian S. Corzilius, Luis A. Perez
• Original Assignee: Brian S. Corzilius, Luis A. Perez
• Inventors: Perez, Luis A., Corzilius, Brian S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,884,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/353
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/32 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0055 with non-spherical insert(s)
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0088 Frequency
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/357 for golf cups or holes, e.g. flags
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 57/40 Golf cups or holes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

Novel golf balls, golf ball cups, and golf ball reading devices are described. Embodiments of each include microprocessors, power sources, receive and transmit devices, and related circuitry for recording and transmitting information about the golf ball in play to the golf ball cup or reading device.

It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to ascertain quickly the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b).

Claims

1. A self-recording golf ball having an inner core defined by an outer cover, said golf ball further comprising:

a. a microprocessor, a power source, a receive and transmit device, and a piezo sensor electrically connected to one another and housed within said inner core of said golf ball;

c. said microprocessor further programmed to record data corresponding to strokes received by said ball and to transmit said data, via said receive and transmit device, to a second microprocessor.

2. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein said second microprocessor is located within a golf ball cup.

3. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein said data is selected from data corresponding to number of strokes received by said ball and magnitude of strokes received by said ball.

4. The golf ball of claim 3, wherein said microprocessor is programmed to ignore signals transmitted by said piezo sensor after said ball receives a stroke for a period of time correlative to a magnitude of force of said stroke.

5. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein said microprocessor is pre-programmed with golf ball identification data.

6. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein said microprocessor is designed to be re-programmable.

7. The golf ball of claim 1, wherein said receive and transmit device is selected from radio frequency coils, ultrasonic devices, audio devices, vibratory devices, and optical devices.

8. The golf ball of claim 7, wherein said receive and transmit device is a radio frequency coils.

9. The golf ball of claim 1, said inner core of said ball further including a centrally disposed compartment, wherein said microprocessor and power source are housed within said compartment and said piezo sensor and receive and transmit device are disposed between said compartment and said outer cover.

10. The golf ball of claim 9, wherein said second microprocessor is located within a golf ball cup.

11. The golf ball of claim 9, wherein said data is selected from data corresponding to number of strokes received by said ball and magnitude of strokes received by said ball.

12. The golf ball of claim 11, wherein said microprocessor is programmed to ignore signals transmitted by said piezo sensor after said ball receives a stroke for a period of time correlative to a magnitude of force of said stroke.

13. The golf ball of claim 9, wherein said microprocessor is pre-programmed with golf ball identification data.

14. The golf ball of claim 9, wherein said microprocessor is designed to be re-programmable.

15. The golf ball of claim 9, wherein said receive and transmit device is selected from radio frequency coils, ultrasonic devices, audio devices, vibratory devices, and optical devices.

16. The golf ball of claim 15, wherein said receive and transmit device is a radio frequency coils.

17. A golf ball cup for receiving a golf ball, said cup comprising a microprocessor, a power source, a receive and transmit device, and a piezo sensor electrically connected to one another and mounted on or within said cup, such that when said ball strikes said cup piezo sensor upon entering said cup, said cup piezo sensor activates said cup microprocessor, wherein said cup microprocessor is programmed to receive and record data stored in a microprocessor housed within an inner core of said ball, and transmit, via said cup receive and transmit device, said data to a remote computer for display or storage therein.

18. The golf ball cup of claim 17, wherein said remote computer is operatively connected to a score terminal to display at least a portion of said data.

19. The golf ball cup of claim 17, wherein said power source is rechargeable and designed further to recharge a power of source housed within said ball.

20. The golf ball cup of claim 17, wherein said receive and transmit device is selected from radio frequency coils, ultrasonic devices, audio devices, vibratory devices, and optical devices.

21. The golf ball cup of claim 20, wherein said receive and transmit device is a radio frequency coils.

22. A self-recording golf ball and cup system comprising:

a. a golf ball having an inner core defined by an outer cover;

b. said golf ball further having a microprocessor, a power source, a receive and transmit device, and a piezo sensor electrically connected to one another and housed within said inner core of said golf ball;

c. said microprocessor programmed to record data corresponding to strokes received by said ball, and to transmit said data, via said receive and transmit device, to a second microprocessor;

d. a golf ball cup for receiving a golf ball;

e. said golf ball cup comprising said second microprocessor, a power source, a receive and transmit device, and a piezo sensor electrically connected to one another and mounted on or within said cup, such that when said ball strikes said cup piezo sensor upon entering said cup, said cup piezo sensor activates said second microprocessor, wherein said second microprocessor is programmed to receive and record said data stored in said ball microprocessor and subsequently transmit, via said cup receive and transmit device, at least a portion of said data to a remote computer for display or storage therein.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein said stroke data is selected from data corresponding to number of strokes received by said ball and magnitude of strokes received by said ball.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein said receive and transmit device is selected from radio frequency coils, ultrasonic devices, audio devices, vibratory devices, and optical devices.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein said receive and transmit device is a radio frequency coils.

26. The system of claim 22, wherein said ball microprocessor is programmed to ignore signals transmitted by said ball piezo sensor after said ball receives a stroke for a period of time correlative to a magnitude of force of said stroke.

27. The system of claim 22, wherein said microprocessor is pre-programmed with golf ball identification data and wherein said second microprocessor is further programmed to receive and record said golf ball identification data and subsequently transmit, via said cup receive and transmit device, at least a portion of said golf ball identification data to a remote computer for display or storage therein.

28. The system of claim 22, wherein said receive and transmit device is selected from radio frequency coils, ultrasonic devices, audio devices, vibratory devices, and optical devices.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein said receive and transmit device is a radio frequency coils.

30. The system of claim 22, said inner core of said golf ball further including a centrally disposed compartment, wherein said microprocessor and power source of said golf ball are housed within said compartment and said piezo sensor and device of said golf ball are disposed between said compartment and said outer cover.

31. A self-recording golf ball and cup system comprising:

a. a golf ball having an inner core surrounded by an outer cover;

b. said golf ball having a microprocessor pre-programmed with identification information corresponding to said ball, a power source, a receive and transmit device, and a piezo sensor electrically connected to one another and housed within said inner core of said golf ball;

whereby when a stroke is received upon said outer cover of said golf ball, said piezo sensor generates a voltage to activate said microprocessor, wherein said microprocessor is programmed (i) to record said activation as data corresponding to one stroke, (ii) to record a magnitude of force of said one stroke, and (iii) to subsequently ignore signals transmitted by said piezo sensor after said one stroke is received by said ball for a period of time thereafter correlative to said magnitude of force of said one stroke;

c. said microprocessor further programmed to record subsequent stroke data upon activation by said piezo sensor until later activated to erase said subsequent stroke data; and

d. a golf ball cup for receiving said golf ball when said golf ball is struck therein, said cup having a microprocessor, a power source, a receive and transmit device, and a piezo sensor electrically connected to one another and mounted on or within said cup, such that when said ball strikes said cup piezo sensor upon entering said cup, said cup sensor activates said cup microprocessor, wherein said cup microprocessor is programmed to receive and record said data stored within said ball microprocessor and subsequently transmit, via said cup device, at least a portion of said data to a remote computer for display or storage therein.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein said golf ball microprocessor is further programmed such that upon transmission of data to said cup microprocessor, said data correlating to said number and magnitude of force of said strokes received by said ball is erased from said ball microprocessor.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein said ball microprocessor is programmed to remain in a low power sleep mode prior to activation by said ball piezo sensor.

34. The system of claim 31, wherein said receive and transmit device is selected from radio frequency coils, ultrasonic devices, audio devices, vibratory devices, and optical devices.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein said receive and transmit device is a radio frequency coils.

36. The system of claim 31, wherein said remote computer is operatively connected to a score terminal to display at least a portion of said data.

37. The system of claim 31, wherein said power source of said cup is rechargeable and designed further to recharge said power of source housed within said ball.

38. The system of claim 31, wherein said ball microprocessor is pre-programmed with golf ball identification data and wherein said cup microprocessor is further programmed to receive and record said golf ball identification data and subsequently transmit, via said cup receive and transmit device, at least a portion of said golf ball identification data to a remote computer for display or storage therein.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein said golf ball microprocessor is further programmed such that upon transmission of data to said cup microprocessor, said data correlating to said number and magnitude of force of said strokes received by said ball is erased from said ball microprocessor.

40. The system of claim 38, wherein said ball microprocessor is programmed to remain in a low power sleep mode prior to activation by said ball piezo sensor.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein said ball microprocessor is programmed to remain in a low power sleep mode prior to activation by said ball piezo sensor.

42. The system of claim 33, said inner core of said golf ball further including a centrally disposed compartment, wherein said microprocessor and power source of said golf ball are housed within said compartment and said piezo sensor and device of said golf ball are disposed between said compartment and said outer cover.

43. A reading device comprising a microprocessor, a power source, a receive and transmit device, and switch electrically connected to one another and mounted on or within said cup, wherein said microprocessor is programmed to receive and record data stored in a microprocessor housed within a golf ball.

44. The reading device of claim 43, wherein said reading device further includes a visual display for displaying some or all of said data corresponding to said golf ball.

45. The reading device of claim 43, wherein said reading device further includes an auditory device configured to transmit an auditory alert if data recorded in said golf ball microprocessor does not match data corresponding to said golf ball in said reading device microprocessor.

46. The reading device of claim 43, wherein said reading device further includes an auditory device configured to transmit an auditory alert if data recorded in said golf ball microprocessor matches data corresponding to said golf ball in said reading device microprocessor.