GOLF BALL WITH RFID SYSTEM

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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention relates to Provisional Patent Application No. 61/592,220, filed on Jan. 30, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a golf ball with a radio-frequency identification (RFID) system.

Generally, a RFID tag includes an IC chip made of silicon and an antenna made of metal. Although recently the size of the RFID tag has been decreased considerably, it is not a size which is small enough to be unnoticeable because it has an antenna several centimeters long on a silicon chip 0.4 mm square.

In addition, a problem concerning heat cannot be neglected. This is not a problem concerning a temperature in use on an actual playing field, but a thermal problem in heating process which is necessary for production processes of a variety of related products. In current semiconductors, raw materials do not have sufficient heat resistance. Development of semiconductor manufacturing technology using quite new materials is necessary.

The size of the antenna is also an important problem. With an RFID tag uses electromagnetic waves for reading and writing information, the principle is different from at the age of Marconi, who discovered radio. Even if a variety of new physical principles have been found, nothing has changed in the domain of the radio frequency. That is, an antenna corresponding to a wavelength of electromagnetic waves is necessary as before, and even if a silicon portion is formed in a 0.4 mm square, it means that the antenna size has not been decreased at all.

Finally, a problem of cost is a burden in manufacturing of the RFID tag. In addition to a problem peculiar to semiconductors that unit price will not drop until they are manufactured in large lots of, for example, several hundred million, the RFID tag has an inherent problem of how the RFID tag should be mounted. Currently, there exists no machine for automatically mounting the RFID tag to products produced in a mass quantity of several tens of thousands at a time. In most cases, there is no way but mounting the RFID tag by hand. In addition, a serial number must be written onto each product, and therefore an additional writing production line is also needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf ball including 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.

Using conductive ink having excellent heat resistance in formation of the RFID circuit instead of silicon that is conventionally used enables the RFID circuit to be formed as a part of a structure of the golf ball in the manufacturing process of the golf ball. Additionally, the formation of the RFID using conductive ink prevents the RFID circuit from being damaged or separated even when the golf ball is hit, thereby preventing transmission efficiency of signal energy from dropping. Furthermore, use of the conductive ink enables formation of an RFID circuit having a small thickness, and thereby the sphericalness and symmetry of the golf ball can be maintained. By formation of the RFID circuit using conductive ink, freedom in designing or forming the RFID circuit in the structure or manufacturing process of the golf ball can be greatly improved.

The antenna may also be formed of conductive ink. As a result, not only the freedom in design and formation of the RFID circuit, but also the freedom in design and formation of the entire RFID system, including the antenna, can be improved.

The antenna may be formed on a surface of the golf ball. When scanning the golf ball with an RFID reader, arrangement of the antenna on the surface of the golf ball enables the RFID reader to communicate with the RFID circuit on the golf ball, and thereby communication distance is increased.

The RFID circuit may also be formed on the surface of the golf ball. After a cover layer of the golf ball is formed, formation of the antenna and the RFID circuit on the surface thereof protects the RFID circuit and the antenna from an influence of heat applied when forming the intermediate layer or the cover layer of the golf ball.

The golf ball may further include 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. By settling the conductive ink within the groove in the surface of the core layer, adhesion between the core layer and the cover layer for covering the core layer or the intermediate layer freely provided is improved to suppress separation of these layers.

The antenna may be formed of conductive ink within the groove of the core layer. As a result, separation between the core layer and the cover layer or the intermediate layer freely provided can be prevented. Furthermore, it is also permissible to provide a first groove and a second groove in the surface of the core layer and then form the RFID circuit and the antenna with conductive ink within the first and second grooves, respectively. As a result, not only can separation of the RFID circuit and the antenna be suppressed but also in manufacturing of the golf ball, both the RFID circuit and the antenna can be formed on the surface of the core layer at the same time, achieving an efficient manufacturing process.

Alternatively, the golf ball may further include 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. By settling the conductive ink within the groove on the surface of the intermediate layer, adhesion between the intermediate layer and the cover layer which covers the intermediate layer is improved to suppress separation of these layers.

The antenna may be formed of conductive ink within the groove of the intermediate layer. As a result, separation between the intermediate layer and the cover layer can be prevented. Furthermore, it is also permissible to provide a first groove and a second groove in the surface of the intermediate layer and then form the RFID circuit and the antenna with conductive ink within the first and second grooves, respectively. As a result, not only can separation of the RFID circuit and the antenna be suppressed, but also in manufacturing of the golf ball, both the RFID circuit and the antenna can be formed on the surface of the intermediate layer at the same time, achieving an efficient manufacturing process.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf ball including 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.

The formation of the antenna on the surface of the golf ball with conductive ink enables the sphericalness and the symmetry of the golf ball to be maintained. Furthermore, the formation of the antenna on the surface of the golf ball protects the RFID circuit and the antenna from effects of heat applied when forming the intermediate layer or the cover layer of the golf ball. When scanning the golf ball with the RFID reader, arrangement of the antenna on the surface of the golf ball enables the RFID reader to communicate with the RFID circuit on the golf ball, thereby leading to an increase in communication distance.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf ball including: 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.

When the antenna is formed on the surface of the core layer, there is a problem that upon injection molding to form the cover layer for covering the core layer or the freely designed intermediate layer, the antenna may be deformed or separated due to a condition of high temperature and high pressure. If the antenna is formed thick with metallic paste to withstand such high temperature and high pressure, adhesion between the core layer and the cover layer or the freely designed intermediate layer is worsened, thereby causing separation between layers in the golf ball. Furthermore, if the antenna is formed thick, the performance of the golf ball may be adversely affected; for example, the symmetry of the golf ball may be deteriorated. Thus, a groove is formed in the surface of the core layer and then, conductive paste is poured into the groove so as to form an antenna. In this case, even if the thickness of the antenna is reduced, deformation or separation of the antenna can be prevented upon injection molding. In addition, durability of the antenna against an impact from the golf ball can be secured sufficiently. Furthermore, because the antenna is formed in the groove, the surface of the core layer can be ground without damaging the antenna and thus, adhesion between the core layer and the cover layer or the freely designed intermediate layer can be secured sufficiently.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf ball including: 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.

Even if the thickness of the antenna is reduced as a result of forming the antenna by forming the groove in the surface of the intermediate layer and pouring conductive paste into the groove, deformation and separation of the antenna can be prevented upon injection molding of the cover layer. Additionally, durability of the antenna against an impact from the golf ball can be secured sufficiently. Furthermore, because the antenna is formed in the groove, the surface of the intermediate layer can be ground without damaging the antenna and thus, adhesion between the intermediate layer and the cover layer can be secured sufficiently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing schematically the surface of a golf ball according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Hereinafter, embodiments of the golf ball having an RFID system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a golf ball 10 according to the present embodiment includes an RFID circuit 12 in which ID information is stored, an antenna 14 configured to exchange radio frequency signals, and a connection line 16 configured to electrically connect the RFID circuit and the antenna. Although a plurality of dimples is formed on the surface of the golf ball 10, representation of the dimples is omitted in FIG. 1 to give priority to understanding of the present invention. FIG. 1 is not drawn to scale to facilitate understanding of the present invention.

According to the present invention, all the RFID circuit 12, the antenna 14, and the connection line 16 are formed on the surface of the golf ball 10. The antennas 14 are formed at six places on the golf ball. As a result, communication distance to an RFID reader (not shown) can be substantially equalized in all directions of the golf ball 10. In addition, influence on the symmetry of the golf ball 10 can be reduced. The number of antennas 14 is not limited to that in this figure, but the antenna may be formed at one place, preferably, at least two places. The antennas are more preferably formed at 6 places, 12 places, or 20 places. The number of the RFID circuit 12 is not limited to one, as shown in FIG. 1. The RFID circuit may be formed at one or more places, for example, 6 places, 12 places, or 20 places.

In the present invention, the antenna 14 has double rings as shown in FIG. 1 and these two rings are connected to each other through a part. As a result, communication sensitivity with respect to the RFID reader (not shown) can be maintained excellent. Furthermore, the shape of the antenna is not limited to this one, but may be of a geometric shape such as a single ring or three or more rings connected to each other through a part, or may be of a shape of a graphic mark such as conventionally attached symbol, number, character, logo, or symbol.

In the present invention, although the RFID circuit 12 is located inside of an antenna as shown in FIG. 1, it is not limited to this location but may be located outside of the shape of the antenna or located without accompanying any antenna. Although as shown in FIG. 1, the RFID circuit 12 and each antenna 14 are connected through a linear connection line 16, the connection method is not limited to this example, and the configuration of the connection line 16 may be curved.

In the present invention, all of the RFID circuit 12, the antenna 14 and the connection line 16 are formed of conductive ink. The conductive ink is not limited to any particular one, but preferably, the conductive ink is prepared as a metallic particle paste such as silver nanoparticle paste. Then, for example, by ink jet print technology, a fine wiring pattern such as an integrated circuit is formed with conductive ink so as to form the RFID circuit 12. Although the antenna 14 and the connection pattern 16 are not of a fine pattern like the RFID circuit 12 and may be formed according to another printing method, they can be formed by ink jet printing simultaneously to attain a high efficiency in manufacturing process.

Although in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the RFID circuit, the antenna 14, and the connection line 16 are arranged on the surface of the golf ball 10, the present invention is not limited to this example. The present invention may be carried out in variations, modifications and equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed in the claims.

For example, according to a second embodiment, the golf ball includes a core layer having a groove in its surface, a cover layer which covers the core layer, and an intermediate layer disposed between the core layer and the cover layer. The RFID circuit may be formed of conductive ink within the groove of the core layer. The groove of the core layer is not limited to any particular shape as long as it has a shape suitable for accommodating the RFID circuit and may be quadrangular such as square or rectangular or of other shape. Furthermore, the number of the core layers is not limited to any particular one as long as the groove has a depth sufficient for accommodating the RFID circuit. The RFID circuit may be formed of conductive ink within the groove in the surface of the golf ball using an ink jet printer like the surface of the golf ball.

In the present invention, the antenna may be formed of conductive ink within the groove in the core layer. The groove for the antenna is not limited to any particular one as long as it has a shape suitable for accommodating the antenna, and may be formed of a plurality of rings such as a single ring or double rings or in other shapes. The grooves of the same number of antennas may be provided. The groove for the antenna is not limited to any particular one as long as it has a depth sufficient for accommodating the antenna. The formation of the antenna may be achieved by pouring conductive paste into the groove as well as by printing with an ink jet printer using conductive ink.

According to a third embodiment, the golf ball includes a core layer, an intermediate layer which covers the core layer and has a groove on its surface and a cover layer which covers the intermediate layer, and the RFID circuit may be formed of conductive ink within the groove of the intermediate layer. The groove of the intermediate layer is not limited to any particular one as long as it has a shape suitable for accommodating the RFID circuit, and may be formed in a predetermined shape like the groove of the core layer. Furthermore, the groove of the intermediate layer is not limited to any particular one as long as it has a depth sufficient for accommodating the RFID circuit.

In the present embodiment, the antenna may be formed of conductive ink within the groove of the intermediate layer. The groove for the antenna is not limited to any particular one as long as it has a shape suitable for accommodating the antenna, and it may be formed in a predetermined shape like the groove of the core layer. The grooves of the same number of antennas may be provided. The groove for the antenna is not limited to any particular one as long as it has a depth sufficient for accommodating the antenna. The formation of the antenna may be achieved by pouring conductive paste into the groove as well as by printing with an ink jet printer using conductive ink.

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.