GOLF BALL WITH RFID SYSTEM

• US 20130196788A1
• Filed: 12/19/2012
• Published: 08/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co Limited (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co Limited (Bridgestone Corporation)
• Inventors: SHIMIZU, Takuichi, KAI, Masataka
• Application Number:
  US13/719,909
• Publication Number:
  US 20130196788A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/371
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/54 Transponders, e.g. RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/007 Characteristics of the ball as a whole
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0074 Two piece balls, i.e. cover and core
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0075 Three piece balls, i.e. cover, intermediate layer and core
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/004 electrically conductive, e.g. for automatic arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/092 Dispersed materials, e.g. conductive pastes or inks
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/16 incorporating printed electric components, e.g. printed resistor, capacitor, inductor

Abstract

A golf ball has a radio-frequency identification (RFID) circuit for storing ID information therein, the RFID circuit formed of conductive ink; and an antenna for communicating by using radio frequency signals, the antenna connected to the RFID circuit. The antenna may be formed of conductive ink or paste. The RFID circuit and the antenna may be formed on the surface of the golf ball. The golf ball may further include a core layer, a cover layer disposed on the outside of the core layer, and optionally, an intermediate layer disposed between the core layer and the cover layer. The core or intermediate layer has a groove on the surface thereof, and the RFID circuit and the antenna may be formed within the groove.

Claims

1. A golf ball comprising:

an RFID circuit for storing ID information therein, the RFID circuit being formed of conductive ink; and

an antenna for communicating by using radio frequency signals, the antenna being connected to the RFID circuit.

2. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is formed of conductive ink.

3. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is formed on a surface of the golf ball.

4. The golf ball according to claim 3, wherein the RFID circuit is formed on the surface of the golf ball.

5. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the golf ball further comprises:

a core layer having a groove on a surface of the core layer, the RFID circuit of conductive ink being within the groove;

a cover layer disposed on an outside of the core layer; and

optionally, an intermediate layer disposed between the core layer and the cover layer.

6. The golf ball according to claim 2, wherein the golf ball comprises:

a core layer having a groove on a surface of the core layer, the antenna of conductive ink being within the groove;

a cover layer disposed on an outside of the core layer; and

optionally, an intermediate layer disposed between the core layer and the cover layer.

7. The golf ball according to claim 1, wherein the golf ball comprises:

a core layer;

an intermediate layer disposed on an outside of the core layer, the intermediate layer having a groove on a surface of the intermediate layer, the RFID circuit of conductive ink being within the groove; and

a cover layer disposed on an outside of the intermediate layer.

8. The golf ball according to claim 2, wherein the golf ball comprises:

a core layer;

an intermediate layer disposed on an outside of the core layer, the intermediate layer having a groove on a surface of the intermediate layer, the antenna of conductive ink being within the groove; and

a cover layer disposed on an outside of the intermediate layer.

9. A golf ball comprising:

an RFID circuit for storing ID information therein; and

an antenna for communicating by using radio frequency signals, the antenna being connected to the RFID circuit and being formed of conductive ink on a surface of the golf ball.

10. A golf ball comprising:

an RFID circuit for storing ID information therein;

an antenna for communicating by using radio frequency signals, the antenna being connected to the RFID circuit;

a core layer having a groove on a surface of the core layer, the antenna being formed of conductive paste within the groove;

a cover layer disposed on an outside of the core layer;

optionally, an intermediate layer disposed between the core layer and the cover layer.

11. A golf ball comprising:

an RFID circuit for storing ID information therein;

an antenna for communicating by using radio frequency signals, the antenna being connected to the RFID circuit;

a core layer;

an intermediate layer disposed on an outside of the core layer, the intermediate layer having a groove on a surface of the intermediate layer, the antenna being formed of conductive paste within the groove; and

a cover layer disposed on an outside of the intermediate layer.