Abstract: A ball game apparatus in which movements of a coded ball (20) are detected by detector units (100, 206) and an automatic indication of a player's score is given, where data relating to the ball (20) are stored in a database connected to the detector units (100, 206), the data including the code of a ball (20) and a code relating to a player to whom the ball (20) has been allocated, the ball (20) being configured to temporarily store, and to intermittently transfer to the detector units (100, 206) and thence to the database, data relating to the ball's movements. A rechargeable battery (40) is contained within the ball (20), and is arranged to be charged by a battery charging system. Features of the game may be controlled by means of a player's mobile telephone.

Abstract: A ball game apparatus in which movements of a coded ball (20) are detected by detector units (100, 206) and an automatic indication of a player's score is given, where data relating to the ball (20) are stored in a database connected to the detector units (100, 206), the data including the code of a ball (20) and a code relating to a player to whom the ball (20) has been allocated, the ball (20) being configured to temporarily store, and to intermittently transfer to the detector units (100, 206) and thence to the database, data relating to the ball's movements. A rechargeable battery (40) is contained within the ball (20), and is arranged to be charged by a battery charging system. Features of the game may be controlled by means of a player's mobile telephone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of indicating the ball center of gravity position. The method of indicating the ball center of gravity position includes the following step of: moving the ball to a rotating member of a rotating device; driving the rotating member to rotate the ball along a axis of rotation of the rotating device, and adjust the center of gravity of the ball corresponding to the position of the rotating device; moving the ball onto a first carrier of a first transport device; and marking an identification mark on a predetermined area of the ball.

Abstract: A golf ball according to the present invention includes: a module including an electronic circuit and its power source; a protective layer that surrounds an outer periphery of the module and is formed from a material having a Shore D hardness of at least 60; a core that surrounds an outer periphery of the protective layer; and a cover that surrounds an outer periphery of the core. A weight may be arranged on a surface of the protective layer. A difference between a value MOImax of the moment of inertia in a direction in which the moment of inertia of the golf ball is maximum and a value MOImin of the moment of inertia in a direction in which the moment of inertia of the golf ball is minimum is at most 1.0 g·cm2.

Abstract: Described examples include light fixtures and/or radio frequency (RF) nodes located in a service volume provided with a mobile asset detection system. The RF nodes receive beacon signals transmitted by mobile assets within the service volume. The mobile asset detection system includes a processor, a transceiver and multi-element antenna array. The multi-element antenna array includes multiple discrete antenna elements that, in some examples, are arranged so that at least one of the discrete antenna elements is non-coplanar with the other discrete antenna elements of the antenna array. Using signal attribute values determined from a signal received via each of the respective discrete antenna elements, a three dimensional estimate of the location of the mobile assets in a service volume may be determined.

Abstract: A device includes a signaling means and a motion sensor, and logic for activating or controlling the signaling means in response to a sensed motion according to an embedded logic. The device may be used as a toy, and may be shaped like a play ball or as a handheld unit. It may be powered from a battery, either chargeable from an AC power source directly or contactless by using induction or by converting electrical energy from harvested kinetic energy. The embedded logic may activate or control the signaling means, predictably or randomly, in response to sensed acceleration magnitude or direction, such as sensing the crossing of a preset threshold or sensing the peak value. The visual means may be a numeric display for displaying a value associated with the count of the number of times the threshold has been exceeded or the peak magnitude of the acceleration sensed.

Abstract: A wireless game management system includes a plurality of game pieces, each game piece including a wireless module configured to transmit a location signal, and a wireless game management processor configured to determine the absolute or relative positions of at least two game pieces based on the location signals, determine a game status based on the absolute or relative positions of the at least two game pieces, and convey game status information through a user interface associated with the wireless game management processor.

Abstract: A golf ball including at least a layer of ball shell, at least a layer of ball core, and an antenna layer is provided. The ball core is provided in the ball shell. The antenna layer is inserted between the ball shell and the ball core or provided on an outer side of the ball shell. A material of the antenna layer includes a conductive material having fluidity or ductility that auto-recovers the shape and does not break after a hit.

Abstract: An archery projectile locating facility comprises an elongated body. The elongated body includes a connection facility adapted to connect to the archery projectile. The elongated body includes a microcontroller. The elongated body includes a sensor facility in communication with the microcontroller and operable to detect a flight state. The elongated body includes a transmitter in communication with the microcontroller and operable to broadcast at least one data signal after the flight state has been detected. The at least one data signal includes information generated by the sensor facility.

Abstract: A golf ball with a core comprising polybutadiene and graphene with an embedded IC is disclosed herein. The golf ball preferably has a single core comprising polybutadiene and graphene. Alternatively, the golf ball has a dual core with an inner core comprising polybutadiene and graphene. Alternatively, the golf ball has a dual core with an outer core comprising polybutadiene and graphene.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed to a smart playable device and charging systems and methods. The playable device can include any device that is suitable for sports, games, or play, such as balls, discs, staffs, clubs, and the like. The playable device can include rapid charging circuits to receive power from a remote charger. The playable device may transmit sensor data including motion data to a computing device. Sensor data may be interpreted by the computing device as gestures of the playable device for interacting with the computing device. Sensor data can also be interpreted as motion data during gameplay and notifications can be provided to a user based on the gameplay. In some instances, the computing device can capture image data of the playable device and identify the playable device and annotate image data based on the sensor data from the playable device.

Abstract: Golf ball with an outer casing has an electronic device housed in a plastic core and includes at least one receiver, a microelectronic device for evaluating and forwarding the received signals and a transmitter and/or receiver. The transmitter or receiver can communicate with a separate electronic device worn by the user. The invention will enable a player to easily find and locate a ball that is not lying on the fairway that cannot be spotted or found with the naked eye.

Abstract: A lighted nock with an external switch preferably includes a nock body, a light unit, a compression spring and a power source. The nock body preferably includes a string portion and a shank portion. A string slot is formed in the nock body. A battery bore is formed through the shank. A switch opening is formed through a wall of the nock body and into battery bore. The light unit preferably includes a modified top hat LED, an LED housing, an LED housing insert and a switch. The LED housing includes an insert notch for insertion of the LED housing insert. The LED housing insert includes a switch notch. The switch includes a switch base and a pair of snap legs. The LED, LED housing and LED housing insert are assembled and inserted into the battery bore. The switch is inserted through the nock body into the light unit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf ball locating system that includes a golf ball having a control circuit therein. The control circuit includes a global positioning system (GPS) chip, a radio frequency transmitter, one or more antennas, and a rechargeable battery. The golf ball is capable of transmitting a signal to a smartphone or similar mobile electronic device having a related software application thereon. The software application indicates the position of the golf ball relative to the user. The software application preferably displays a map of the golf course, and indicates the position of the ball on the course. As the user approaches the golf ball, the mobile electronic device will produce an audible alert, such as a tone, with increasing frequency as the golfer nears his or her golf ball. In this way, a user can easily locate his or her golf ball while golfing.

Abstract: Management controller awareness and cooperation between nodes within an IT environment are used to provide a secure, optional and altruistic system to identify environment inventory. Such a system minimizes a management controller compute overhead, network burden via an optimized search space and provides an opportunistic scheduled time for response.

Abstract: A golf ball including a spherical body, first regions, and second regions. The spherical body includes a core layer and a cover layer made from a synthetic resin covering the core layer. Dimples are formed in a surface of the cover layer. First regions that are electrically conductive are formed on a surface of the spherical body. The first regions are formed on a spherical surface having a center of the spherical body as a center. The first regions are positioned at six vertices of an imaginary regular hexahedron such that the vertices are positioned on the surface of the spherical body and, thus, six of the first regions are formed. The second regions are formed in areas of the surface other than where the first regions are formed. The second regions have a radio wave reflectance lower than that of the first regions.

Abstract: Generally disclosed is a golf ball having a core and a cover layer. The cover layer includes areas that are hard corresponding to the dimples, and areas that are soft corresponding to the land between the dimples. The cover layer may comprise two different materials, such as polyurethane and ionomer, that are laterally adjacent to each other in the cover layer. Alternatively, the cover layer may be selectively coated with a coating material having a different hardness, such as polyurethane or ionomer. As a result of the arrangement of the hard dimples and the soft land, the golf ball achieves reduced spin, and greater distances, when struck with a larger force (such as during a dive) while also achieving increased spin, and better control, when struck with a smaller force (such as during a chip).

Abstract: An electronic glove communicates with an electronic device and has a positioning unit, a microcontroller, and an indicating component. The indicating component may be a heating component or a visual indicating component. The positioning unit detects coordinates of the electronic glove and the electronic device sends its own coordinates wirelessly to the electronic glove. The microcontroller calculates a distance between the electronic device and the electronic glove. The microcontroller controls the indicating component to generate different signals (of either heat or light) according to any change in the distance, to guide a user to move towards the precise location of the electronic device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a golf ball locating system that includes a golf ball having a control circuit therein. The control circuit includes a global positioning system (GPS) chip, a radio frequency transmitter, one or more antennas, and a rechargeable battery. The golf ball is capable of transmitting a signal to a smartphone or similar mobile electronic device having a related software application thereon. The software application indicates the position of the golf ball relative to the user. The software application preferably displays a map of the golf course, and indicates the position of the ball on the course. As the user approaches the golf ball, the mobile electronic device will produce an audible alert, such as a tone, with increasing frequency as the golfer nears his or her golf ball. In this way, a user can easily locate his or her golf ball while golfing.

Abstract: A system for tracking the flight, location and other information of a golf ball or other mobile object. Also provided is a golf ball including onboard circuitry and other components for wireless communication with a remote receiver.

Abstract: A method and system for capturing, transmitting, and displaying golf swing data uses data capture elements in golf balls or golf clubs to capture data and transmission elements to transmit the golf swing data to a mobile computing auxiliary device. The mobile computing auxiliary device relays the captured and transmitted golf swing data to a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device transmits the golf swing data to a database. A server associated with the database generates web pages to make the golf swing data available over the internet.

Abstract: Golf ball with a central cavity (6, 23) having an RFID/electronic tag (4, 24) located therein. The tag is immersed in a medium (5) which, in response to striking of the ball, flows around the tag to damp transitional movement and vibration. For retro-fit of an already-manufactured standard ball, entry of aqueous liquid into the cavity (6) is from a borehole-opening (3) which is centered within a dimple of the outer cover (1) of the ball and sealed (8), following introduction of a gelling agent (9). After the central cavity (22) is filled with a liquid medium (23), it is closed by a plastics plug (25). The tag (42) of a used/damaged ball (39) can be retrieved and recycled by an automated machine (30) that cuts a circumferential slit (40) through the cover and then impacts blades of a chisel (38) split the ball in two to reveal the tag.

Abstract: Golf balls for use with a system for finding golf balls and methods for making such golf balls. In the case of one exemplary golf ball, the ball includes a shell, a core material and a tag having a diode which is coupled to an antenna which has at least a portion formed from an elastic conductive material, such as an elastic conductive ink. The core material may include a void for receiving at least part of the diode. Other golf balls are described and methods for making balls are also described.

Abstract: A colored golf ball satisfies the following conditions: (i) a color difference ?E* between the inside layer and the ball of at least 30; (ii) the inside layer has a lightness L* value, expressed in the L*a*b* color system based on JIS 28729, of at least 82; (iii) the ball has a lightness L* value of at least 50; (iv) the lightness L* value of the ball?the lightness L* value of the inside layer; (v) the inside layer has a transparency which is up to 10% in terms of total transmittance and up to 1.0% in terms of parallel transmittance; (vi) the cover has a transparency which is at least 50% in terms of total transmittance and at least 1.0% in terms of parallel transmittance; and (vii) the inside layer has a haze (H), mentioned in JIS K7105 (1981), of at least 90.

Abstract: A disclosed device provides a trajectory detection and feedback system. The system is capable of detecting one or more moving objects in free flight, analyzing a trajectory of each object and providing immediate feedback information to a human that has launched the object into flight, and/or one or more observers in the area. In a particular embodiment, a non-intrusive machine vision system that remotely detects trajectories of moving objects may be used to evaluate trajectory parameters for a basketball shot at a basketball hoop by a player. The feedback information, such as a trajectory entry angle into the basketball hoop and/or an entry velocity into the hoop for the shot, may be output to the player in an auditory format using a sound projection device. The system may be operable to be set-up and to operate in a substantially autonomous manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for causing smoke to emit from a golf ball. In one embodiment, when a partition is removed and a threshold pressure has been met, a chemical reaction may occur between solid compositions. In another embodiment, when a threshold pressure is met to allow a liquid composition to be released from a check valve, a reaction may occur between the liquid composition and a separate solid or liquid composition. In either case, the chemical reaction may result in smoke being emitted from the golf ball, thereby helping a golfer find the ball. The golf ball may be capable of multiple emissions of smoke intermittently.

Abstract: A system for tracking a golf ball and displaying an enhanced image of the golf ball is disclosed. The system may display an enhanced image of the golf ball on a display such that the enhanced image is imposed upon a user's real world view. Displaying an enhanced image of the golf ball may help a user view the trajectory of the golf ball and find the golf ball after the golf ball lands. The system may display an enhanced image of the golf ball on a heads-up display configured to be worn on a person's head such that the user may view the enhanced image while remaining hands-free. The enhanced image may enable a user to compare the golf ball's trajectory with an ideal trajectory. The system may display other information, such as launch and flight information about the ball, on the heads-up display.

Abstract: Golf balls and a system for finding golf balls and methods for making golf balls and methods for using such balls. In the case of one exemplary golf ball, the ball includes a shell and a core material which is encased in the shell and a tag which is disposed within the core material and which has at least one perforation. The tag includes a diode and an antenna which are coupled together. Another exemplary golf ball includes a shell and a core material which is encased within the shell and a tag which is within the core material and which includes an electrical element which is coupled to an antenna; the tag is detectable over a range of at least 20 feet from a handheld device, and the golf ball has high durability and substantially complies with the golf ball specifications of the United States Golf Association.

Abstract: A golf ball comprising a core and a cover layer. The cover layer, clearcoat, or indicia include an additive, invisible to the naked eye without an external excitation source, the additive including an engineered taggant formed from a crosslinked melamine and rare earth elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for causing smoke to emit from a golf ball. In one embodiment, when a partition is removed and a threshold pressure has been met, a chemical reaction may occur between solid compositions. In another embodiment, when a threshold pressure is met to allow a liquid composition to be released from a check valve, a reaction may occur between the liquid composition and a separate solid or liquid composition. In either case, the chemical reaction may result in smoke being emitted from the golf ball, thereby helping a golfer find the ball. The golf ball may be capable of multiple emissions of smoke intermittently.

Abstract: Monitoring of a golf ball and apparatus for doing so is described using differential time locating. Launch parameters of a golf ball can be characterized independent of any specific positional measurement on the basis of a ball signal that is transmitted from the ball. These parameters include initial spin, initial velocity, and initial trajectory. Ground proximity detection is described as well as a landing position and rollout position detection technique and associated apparatus. Calibration techniques are described for various kinds of range receivers that subsequently receive the ball signal.

Abstract: A device has an RF mixer, an IF mixer module, a single synthesizer, a frequency divider, a single side band mixer and a frequency quadrupler. The single synthesizer generates a signal to the IF mixer module, the frequency divider, and the single side band mixer. The single side band mixer mixes signals from the single synthesizer and the frequency divider. The frequency quadrupler receives the output of the single side band mixer. The RF mixer is coupled to the frequency quadrupler and the IF mixer module.

Abstract: A golf ball tracking system that includes a golf hall having a first transmitting and receiving unit configured to wirelessly receive and transmit signals to and from the golf ball, and a signal amplifying unit configured to receive the signals from the first transmitting and receiving unit and to amplify the signals The golf ball tracking system further includes a remote controlling unit having a second transmitting and receiving unit configured to wirelessly receive and transmit signals to and from the first transmitting and receiving unit, and a lighting element configured to produce a plurality of light signals based on the signals received from the golf ball such that the light signals indicate proximity of the golf ball to the remote controlling unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locating device for locating an object. The invention also relates to a system of a locating device and of an object, a golf accessory and a golf ball. The locating device comprises a first directional receiver so as to receive the emitted signal. The first directional receiver is directed with a first main axis in a first direction. The reception unit is also provided with a second directional receiver with a second main axis, and also with a third directional receiver with a third main axis. The second and the third main axis are positioned transversely with respect to the first main axis. The locating device is configured for processing the signals received by the at least three directional receivers so as to obtain a location property of the object.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a monitor system that measures flight characteristics of at least one object moving in a predetermined field-of-view using at least one fluorescent marker. In one embodiment, the emission spectra of the fluorescent marker is preferably narrow and substantially symmetric. It may be desirable for the fluorescent marker to be capable of responding to a broad excitation spectra. Preferably, the fluorescent markers comprise quantum dots. The quantum dots may be manufactured in any desired manner, and may comprise semiconductors, gold atoms, and the like.

Abstract: An illuminatable ball includes a sealed outer translucent shell, an inner core portion surrounded by the outer shell and a self-contained lighting device contained at least in part within the inner core portion. The lighting device includes an energy source, at least one lighting element, and an electrical circuit including a wireless receiver. The receiver receives a signal from a transmitter and provides a signal to a control circuit to switch the at least one lighting element between a deenergized state and an energized state by providing electrical energy from the energy source to the at least one lighting element. A wireless remote transmitter provides the signal to the receiver.

Abstract: A system and method for locating lost golf balls is described. In one embodiment, a plurality of small RFID chips are applied to or embedded in a ball. When the ball is to be located, a user uses a ball finder to receive RF signals from the RFID chips and locate the ball. The ball finder may have useful additional features such as overlaid maps to help and GIS data to help the user find the ball. In an alternative embodiment, a ball is prepared by applying a highly-reflective paint, such as a metallic paint, or a highly-absorbent paint such as a black iron ball paint, to create a characteristic radar signature for the ball. The ball finder may then be configured to locate the ball using the characteristic radar signature.

Abstract: Golf ball locators and components of such locators and methods of operating such locators and processing signals within such locators. In one aspect of the inventions described herein, an exemplary method of initializing a golf ball locator includes receiving received RF signals while also transmitting signals used to locate balls and determining a parameter representative of received signal strength of the received RF signals and setting a threshold to determine when subsequent received signals are to cause an indication of golf ball detection. In another aspect of this disclosure, the golf ball locator is a handheld unit having a volume of less than about 150 inches cubed and includes a transmitter, a transmit antenna, a receiver, a receive antenna and a processor coupled to the transmitter and to the receiver, and the handheld unit achieves a signal isolation, between a second harmonic of a transmitted signal from the transmitter and the receiver's received signal, of greater than about 130 to 160 dB.

Abstract: In order to provide a golf ball with a water immersion indicator, a golf ball with indicia or a particular recognizable color is overlain with an opacification layer that provides a mask over the indicia or the colored ball until such time as the ball has been immersed in water for a predetermined period of time affecting the ball's performance. The opacification layer when removed or otherwise made transparent, while providing for a change in the appearance of the golf ball upon water immersion, does not need to have a layer or indicia which changes color in reaction to the infusion of water. Rather the opacification layer is either removed or made transparent to expose an underlying colored surface or a surface bearing pre-determined indicia, thus to alter the appearance of the ball when it has been immersed in water for a period of time which affects golf ball properties.

Abstract: A light-emitting golf ball is provided. The light-emitting golf ball is characterized in that hemispherical first hollow portions extend from the surface toward the center of a core, second hollow portions having a diameter less than that of the first hollow portions extend from bottom zones of the first hollow portions toward the center of the core, narrow holes extend through the core from the second hollow portions to portions of the core that are opposed to the second hollow portions, a ball body includes a transparent cover layer extending over the core surface, chemical light-emitting bodies include sealed vessels made of a flexible transparent material, the sealed vessels have cylindrical portions and round light-emitting portions having a diameter greater than that of the cylindrical portions, the cylindrical portions are tightly fit in the second hollow portions, and the light-emitting portions are fit in the first hollow portions.

Abstract: Disclosed are a ball for use in a sporting activity, and a tracking system for tracking the ball. The ball comprises a microchip embedded in the ball. The microchip is adapted to transmit an information specific to a location of the ball to the tracking system. The tracking system is configured to locate the ball based on the information specific to the spatial location of the ball.

Abstract: In a golf ball composed of a core, a cover of at least one layer encasing the core, and a coat of paint applied to a surface of an outermost layer of the cover, the outermost layer of the cover or the coat of paint is colored with a fluorescent pigment. The ball has a color tone, at a measurement area diameter of 5 mm in a method of measuring the color of a reflecting object according to JIS Z-8722, which satisfies specific conditions in the Lab color system. The ball is endowed with an excellent spin performance and durability, an appearance characterized by outstanding visibility, stylishness and luxury, and an excellent weather resistance.

Abstract: A golf ball is easily found with lighting and buzzing. A battery in the golf ball is charged with a current from its induction coil through electromagnetic induction. On charging, the circuit in the golf ball can stop functioning. Thus, life-time of the battery is prolonged while power used is cut down. And, contamination owing to frequently replacing the battery is diminished.

Abstract: Electrical power can be generated from impact based energy, such as from a golf ball being struck by a golf club. One or more piezo-electric devices, which are embedded in the core of the golf ball, are stressed by the impact and generate energy. Each piezo-electric device generates energy when stressed, which is then rectified and stored in a capacitor circuit. The stored energy in the capacitor circuit is used to power a transmitter to emit energy via an antenna, including all necessary electronics such as an oscillator, a modulator, and various control and logic circuits. The transmitted signals can be received by a hand held locator device. The described impact generated energy powers the transmitter a sufficiently long amount of time for the golfer to locate the golf ball. The impact based energy generation can also be used for other non-golf applications.

Abstract: A photoluminescent, light-emitting golf ball comprises a substantially solid core with an outer shell, both formed of a light transmissive material. Photoluminescent particles are distributed within the light transmissive material. A light-emitting circuit assembly embedded within the core includes at least one battery, a control circuit coupled to the at least one battery, a plurality of light-emitting diodes coupled to the control circuit, and an impact switch electrically connected between the battery and the control circuit. The control circuit actuates the light-emitting diodes for a predetermined time period in response to an impact of the golf ball by a golf club. Actuation of the light-emitting diodes by an impact on the golf ball excites the photoluminescent particles, causing the particles to glow in excess of the predetermined time period of actuation of the light-emitting diodes.

Abstract: The invention provides a colored golf ball composed of a core, a cover having a plurality of dimples formed on an outside surface thereof, and an inside layer in contact with the cover. The ball satisfies the following conditions: (i) a color difference ?E* between the inside layer and the ball of at least 30; (ii) the inside layer has a lightness L* value, expressed in the L*a*b* color system based on JIS Z8729, of at least 82 and a chroma C, defined as (a*2+b*2)1/2, of at most 10; (iii) the ball has a lightness L* value of at least 50; (iv) the lightness L* value of the ball?the lightness L* value of the inside layer; (v) the inside layer has a transparency which is up to 10% in terms of total transmittance and up to 1.0% in terms of parallel transmittance; and (vi) the cover has a transparency which is at least 50% in terms of total transmittance and at least 1.0% in terms of parallel transmittance.

Abstract: Golf balls and methods and systems for manufacturing golf balls. In one exemplary embodiment, a portion of a golf ball comprises a core material having a void, a semiconductor component disposed at least partially in the void, and a filler material in the void and surrounding the semiconductor component, the filler material being placed in the void in a liquid state and occupying a first volume in the liquid state and the filler material transforming into a solid state which occupies substantially the first volume. Methods for manufacturing golf balls and fixtures and apparatuses for manufacturing golf balls are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for integrating a transmitter into an object, such as a golf ball, that becomes active upon the motion of the object. This transmitter sends a signal to a receiver that is configured to determine the location of the object. The receiver is the able to determine the location of the object and outputs the location to a display.

Abstract: A dual sensory golf ball having two identification layers comprising a first exterior surface identification layer having at least one first identifier and a second clear coat identification layer comprising a polymer and a second identifier wherein the second identifier is an additive comprising an odorant and wherein the second clear coat identification layer is substantially transparent to allow recognition of the first identifier.

Abstract: Golf balls for use with a system for finding golf balls and methods for making such golf balls. In the case of one exemplary golf ball, the ball includes a shell, a core material and a tag having a diode which is coupled to an antenna which has at least a portion formed from an elastic conductive material, such as an elastic conductive ink. The core material may include a void for receiving at least part of the diode. Other golf balls are described and methods for making balls are also described.