RFID GOLF BALL TARGET SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20120052967A1
• Filed: 10/20/2011
• Published: 03/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edge Technologies, Inc
• Original Assignee: Edge Technologies, Inc
• Inventors: White, Warren, Grieshaber, David
• Granted Patent: US 9,339,697 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/155
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/004 Multiple detectors or sensors each defining a different zone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/025 on rollers or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/10 Positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• 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 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 45/00 Apparatus or methods for manufacturing balls working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3694 for driving only

Abstract

A radio-frequency identification (RFID) golf ball range target system is described. The RFID golf ball range target system includes a RFID golf ball, a scanner, a client computer, a game selection module, a target, a target RFID reader and a target network communications module. The RFID golf ball that includes a RFID tag fixedly coupled to the surface of a spherical golf ball core corresponding to the RFID golf ball, wherein the RFID tag is disposed between the spherical golf ball core and a spherical golf ball shell. A unique RFID golf ball identifier is associated with the RFID golf ball. In the illustrative embodiment, the RFID tag includes an omnidirectional antenna that operates in the ultra-high-frequency (UHF) range. Additionally, the illustrative RFID tag can be encapsulated in a flexible substrate that is disposed between the spherical golf ball core and a spherical golf ball shell.

Claims

1. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) golf ball range target system comprising:

a RFID golf ball that includes a RFID tag fixedly coupled to the surface of a spherical golf ball core corresponding to the RFID golf ball, wherein the RFID tag is disposed between the spherical golf ball core and a spherical golf ball shell;

an omnidirectional antenna associated with the RFID tag that is configured to operate in the ultra-high-frequency (UHF) range;

a flexible substrate that encapsulates the RFID tag, wherein the flexible substrate is disposed between the spherical golf ball core and a spherical golf ball shell.

a unique RFID golf ball identifier associated with the RFID golf ball;

a scanner configured to scan an electronic device having a player ID that is associated with a particular player;

a client computer that includes a touch screen display configured to present a plurality of player information associated with the player ID;

a golf ball dispenser configured to house a plurality of RFID golf balls;

an issuing area RFID reader disposed within the golf driving range booth and associated with the golf dispenser, the issuing area RFID reader configured to read a plurality of RFID golf balls that are associated with the player ID, the issuing area RFID reader communicatively coupled to an issuing area network communications module; and

a target having a known geographic location that is configured to read the RFID golf balls that land in a capture area that are associated with the player ID.

2. The RFID golf ball range target system of claim 1 wherein the target includes,

an enclosed boundary capture component configured to receive at least one RFID golf ball in a capture area;

a target RFID reader associated with the capture area that is configured to read the RFID golf ball; and

a target network communications module configured to communicate a plurality of reads associated with the target RFID reader reading a plurality of RFID golf balls.

3. The RFID golf ball range target system of claim 1 further comprising:

a golf driving range booth;

a scanner disposed within the golf driving range booth, wherein the scanner is configured scan an electronic device having a player ID that is associated with a particular player; and

a client computer that includes a touch screen display configured to present a plurality of player information associated with the player ID.

4. The RFID golf ball range target system of claim 1 further comprising a game selection module presented on the client computer, wherein the game selection module enables the player to select from a plurality of different games.

5. The RFID golf ball range target system of claim 4 wherein the game selection module includes at least one game of skill, in which an award is provided when the RFID golf ball associated with the player ID is read by the target RFID reader that is associated with the capture area.

6. The RFID golf ball range target system of claim 4 wherein the game selection module includes at least one game of chance that further comprises,

a game session for the game of chance that is initiated when the RFID golf ball associated with the player ID is read by the target RFID reader;

a random result for the game session; and

a paytable that associates a prize according to the random game session result.

7. The RFID golf ball range target system of claim 1 further comprising a server communicatively coupled to the scanner, the client computer and the issuing area network communications module, wherein the server further comprises a database configured to store data that includes:

an association between a plurality of RFID golf balls and the player ID; and

the geographic location of the target.

8. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) golf ball range target system comprising:

a RFID golf ball that includes a RFID tag fixedly coupled to the surface of a spherical golf ball core corresponding to the RFID golf ball, wherein the RFID tag is disposed between the spherical golf ball core and a spherical golf ball shell;

a unique RFID golf ball identifier associated with the RFID golf ball;

a golf driving range booth;

a scanner disposed within the golf driving range booth, wherein the scanner is configured to scan an electronic device associated with a particular player identification (ID);

a client computer disposed with the golf driving range booth that includes a touch screen display configured to present a plurality of player information associated with the player ID;

a game selection module presented on the client computer, wherein the game selection module enables the player to select from a plurality of different games;

a golf ball dispenser configured to house a plurality of RFID golf balls, wherein the golf ball dispenser in disposed within the golf driving range booth;

an issuing area RFID reader disposed within the golf driving range booth and associated with the golf dispenser, the issuing area RFID reader configured to read a plurality of RFID golf balls that are associated with the player ID, the issuing area RFID reader communicatively coupled to an issuing area network communications module; and

a target having a known geographic location, wherein the target includes,

an enclosed boundary capture component configured to receive at least one RFID golf ball in a capture area,

a target RFID reader associated with the capture area that is configured to read the RFID golf ball, and

a target network communications module configured to communicate a plurality of reads associated with the target RFID reader reading a plurality of RFID golf balls.

9. The RFID golf ball range target system of claim 8 wherein the RFID tag further comprises an omnidirectional antenna configured to operate in the ultra-high-frequency (UHF) range.

10. The RFID golf ball range target system of claim 8 wherein the RFID tag is encapsulated by a flexible substrate, wherein the flexible substrate is disposed between the spherical golf ball core and a spherical golf ball shell.

11. The RFID golf ball range target system of claim 8 wherein the game selection module includes at least one game of skill, in which an award is provided when the RFID golf ball associated with the player ID is read by the target RFID reader that is associated with the capture area.

12. The RFID golf ball range target system of claim 8 wherein the game selection module includes at least one game of chance that further comprises,

a game session for the game of chance that is initiated when the RFID golf ball associated with the player ID is read by the target RFID reader;

a random result for the game session; and

a paytable that associates a prize according to the random game session result.

13. The RFID golf ball range target system of claim 8 wherein the game selection module further comprises,

a first game of skill, in which an award is provided when the RFID golf ball associated with the player ID is read by the target RFID reader that is associated with the capture area;

and

a second game of chance that includes,

a game session for the game of chance that is initiated when the RFID golf ball associated with the player ID is read by the target RFID reader;

a random result for the game session; and

a paytable that associates a prize according to the random game session result.

14. The RFID golf ball range target system of claim 8 wherein the client computer includes a touch screen display and further comprises a second display that also presents the plurality of player information associated with the player ID.

15. The RFID golf ball range target system of claim 8 further comprising a server communicatively coupled to the issuing area network communications module, the target area network communications module, the scanner, the client computer and the game selection module, wherein the server further comprises a database configured to store data that includes

an association between a plurality of RFID golf balls and the player ID,

a RFID golf ball identification from the target RFID reader, and

the geographic location of the movable target.

16. A method for operating a radio-frequency identification (RFID) golf ball range target system, the method comprising:

scanning an electronic device having a player ID that is associated with a particular player with a scanner;

presenting a plurality of player information associated with a player ID to a client computer;

selecting a game on the client computer from a plurality of different games;

dispensing a plurality of RFID golf balls;

enabling an issuing area RFID reader to read a RFID golf ball that includes a RFID tag fixedly coupled to the surface of a spherical golf ball core corresponding to the RFID golf ball, wherein the RFID tag is an omnidirectional tag disposed between the spherical golf ball core and a spherical golf ball shell that are associated with the player ID, the issuing area RFID reader communicatively coupled to an issuing area network communications module;

receiving the RFID golf ball at a target having a known geographic location, wherein the target includes an enclosed boundary capture component configured to receive at least one RFID golf ball in a capture area;

enabling a target RFID reader associated with the capture area to read the RFID golf ball; and

communicating a plurality of RFID golf ball data obtained from the target RFID reader via a target network communications module.

17. The method for operating the RFID golf ball range target system of claim 16 wherein the game selection module includes at least one game of skill, in which an award is provided when the RFID golf ball associated with the player ID is read by the target RFID reader that is associated with the capture area.

18. The method for operating the RFID golf ball range target system of claim 16 wherein the game selection module includes at least one game of chance that further comprises,

a game session for the game of chance that is initiated when the RFID golf ball associated with the player ID is read by the target RFID reader;

a random result for the game session; and

a paytable that associates a prize according to the random game session result.

19. The method for operating the RFID golf ball range target system of claim 16 wherein the client computer includes a touch screen display and further comprises a second display that also presents the plurality of player information associated with the player ID.

20. The method for operating the RFID golf ball range target system of claim 16 further comprising enabling a server to be communicatively coupled to the issuing area network communications module, the target area network communications module, the scanner, and the client computer, wherein the server further comprises a database configured to store data that includes

an association between a plurality of RFID golf balls and the player ID,

a RFID golf ball identification from the target RFID reader, and

the geographic location of the movable target.