Golf ball location system
First Claim
1. A system for locating a golf ball, the system comprising:
- the golf ball having an encapsulated transmitter that modulates an audible signal to an output band, wherein the output band defines an output bandwidth; and
a receiver having an input band defining an input bandwidth wherein a center frequency of the input band of the receiver is variable;
wherein the input bandwidth is smaller than the output bandwidth.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A golf ball and golf ball search receiver is described. The golf ball includes a transmitter and the search receiver includes a receiver. The golf ball may be activated by an accelerometer that causes the transmitter to produce an RF signal across a predetermined frequency band for a duration of time, which may be determined by a timer. The transmitter modulates an audio signal and transmits the modulated signal within an output band of the transmitter. The receiver tunes to a narrower band thereby receiving and demodulating a fraction of the transmitted signal. The receiver'"'"'s input band halves an input bandwidth set to coincide with a fraction of the output band, thereby alleviating adverse effects due to variations in transmitter and receiver components, as well as adverse effects due to localized noise within the output band. Additionally, relative positioning of the receiver'"'"'s input band may cycle across the transmitter'"'"'s output band to further mitigate the adverse effects of localized noise.
71 Citations
37 Claims
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1. A system for locating a golf ball, the system comprising:
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the golf ball having an encapsulated transmitter that modulates an audible signal to an output band, wherein the output band defines an output bandwidth; and
a receiver having an input band defining an input bandwidth wherein a center frequency of the input band of the receiver is variable;
wherein the input bandwidth is smaller than the output bandwidth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A golf ball comprising:
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an encapsulated transmitter that modulates an audible signal to an output band;
wherein the output band defines an output bandwidth and the transmitter includes a free running oscillator having an inductor and a capacitor. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33)
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34. A method to locate a golf ball using a golf ball location system having a transmitter encapsulated in a golf ball and a receiver, the method comprising:
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modulating an audible signal with the transmitter;
transmitting the modulated signal to an output band;
providing a receiver with an input band, wherein the input band is narrower and within the output band;
receiving an input signal residing within the input band; and
varying a center frequency of the input band to traverse the output band. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37)
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Specification