Golf ball including an electromagnetic transmitter

Abstract

A golf ball including a substantially spherical shaped body having a dimpled outer surface, a power source contained within the body, an electromagnetic signal transmitter coupled to the power source, a shock actuated switch contained within the body, and a timing device configured to control transmission of the electromagnetic signal for a predetermined time period after actuation of the switching device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A golf ball comprising: 
 a substantially spherically shaped body having a dimpled outer surface;    a power source contained within the body;    a transmitter coupled to the power source and configured to emit an electromagnetic signal;    a shock actuated switching device contained within the body; and    a timing device configured to control transmission of the electromagnetic signal for a predetermined time period after actuation of the switching device.    
     
     
         2 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the timing device comprises: 
 a timer configured to turn the transmitter on upon actuation of the switching device and to turn the transmitter off a predetermined time after actuation of the switching device.    
     
     
         3 . The golf ball of  claim 1 , wherein the timing device comprises: 
 a first timer configured to turn the transmitter on a predetermined time after actuation of the switching device; and    a second timer configured to turn the transmitter off a predetermined time after actuation of the switching device.    
     
     
         4 . A golf ball as in  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter comprises at least one light emitting diode.  
     
     
         5 . A golf ball as in  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter comprises at least one antenna that emits a radio frequency electromagnetic signal.  
     
     
         6 . A golf ball as in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a modulator configured to modulate the transmitted electromagnetic signal.    
     
     
         7 . A golf ball as in  claim 6 , wherein the modulator comprises at least one of a frequency modulator, duration modulator, amplitude modulator, phase modulator, pulse code modulator, and a spread spectrum modulator.  
     
     
         8 . The golf ball as in  claim 6 , wherein the modulator is configured to modulate the electromagnetic signal with player identification information.  
     
     
         9 . The golf ball as in  claim 1 , wherein the power source is rechargeable.  
     
     
         10 . The golf ball as in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an outer cover at least partially transparent to the electromagnetic signal.    
     
     
         11 . The golf ball as in  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic signal is transmitted through an outer cover.  
     
     
         12 . A golf ball comprising: 
 a substantially spherically shaped body having a dimpled outer surface;    a power source contained within the body; and    means coupled to the power source for transmitting an electromagnetic signal for a predetermined time period in response to application of a shock to the golf ball.    
     
     
         13 . The golf ball of  claim 12 , wherein the means for transmitting an electromagnetic signal comprises: 
 a switching means for responding to application of a shock to the golf ball; and    a timer means for controlling transmission of the electromagnetic signal after actuation of the switching means.    
     
     
         14 . A golf ball as in  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 means for modulating the electromagnetic signal.    
     
     
         15 . A golf ball as in  claim 14 , wherein the modulator means comprises at least one of a frequency modulator, duration modulator, amplitude modulator, phase modulator, pulse code modulator, or a spread spectrum modulator.  
     
     
         16 . The golf ball as in  claim 15 , wherein the means for modulating the electromagnetic signal modulates the electromagnetic signal with player identification information.  
     
     
         17 . The golf ball as in  claim 12 , wherein the power source is rechargeable.  
     
     
         18 . The golf ball as in  claim 12 , further comprising: 
 an outer cover at least partially transparent to the electromagnetic signal.    
     
     
         19 . The golf ball as in  claim 12 , wherein the electromagnetic signal is transmitted through an outer cover.