Apparatuses, methods and systems relating to findable golf balls

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.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A golf ball comprising: 
 a shell;    a core material which is encased within said shell; and    a tag having a diode coupled to an antenna, said tag being disposed within said core material, said tag having at least one perforation.    
     
     
         2 . A golf ball as in  claim 1 , wherein said tag is designed to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal of a first frequency and to re-radiate a return RF signal of a second frequency.  
     
     
         3 . A golf ball as in  claim 2 , wherein said second frequency is a harmonic of said first frequency.  
     
     
         4 . A golf ball as in  claim 2 , wherein said radio frequency signal is emitted from a handheld device and wherein said golf ball satisfies the specifications of the United States Golf Association, and wherein said core material extends from one side of said tag to another side of said tag through said at least one perforation.  
     
     
         5 . A golf ball as in  claim 4 , wherein said golf ball is findable by said handheld device up to a range of about 60 feet separating said golf ball and said handheld device and wherein said tag further includes a dielectric layer attached to said antenna and having said at least one perforation.  
     
     
         6 . A golf ball as in  claim 4 , wherein said tag has a perimeter which is rounded along most of said perimeter and has an effective diameter which is slightly less than an inner diameter of said shell.  
     
     
         7 . A golf ball as in  claim 4 , wherein said diode is coupled to said antenna by a compressible conductor.  
     
     
         8 . A golf ball as in  claim 1 , wherein said core material extends from a first side of said tag, through said at least one perforation, to a second side of said tag.  
     
     
         9 . A golf ball as in  claim 1 , wherein said tag is passive and said antenna does not serve to provide power to any memory elements.  
     
     
         10 . A golf ball as in  claim 8 , wherein said tag is a substantially planar structure which is substantially symmetrical about an axis which coincides with a diametric axis of said golf ball.  
     
     
         11 . A golf ball as in  claim 10 , wherein said diode is positioned near said diametric axis.  
     
     
         12 . A golf ball as in  claim 11 , wherein said diode is coupled to said antenna near the center of said golf ball along said diametric axis.  
     
     
         13 . A golf ball as in  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of an outer perimeter of said tag conforms to an inner contour of said shell.  
     
     
         14 . A golf ball as in  claim 13 , wherein said tag comprises an approximately “U” shaped portion which comprises a transmission line which is coupled to said antenna.  
     
     
         15 . A golf ball as in  claim 14 , wherein a mid-line, which represents an approximate bisection of said approximately “U” shaped portion, is substantially aligned with said diametric axis.  
     
     
         16 . A golf ball as in  claim 15 , wherein said diode is coupled to said antenna near a top portion of said approximately “U” shaped portion.  
     
     
         17 . A golf ball as in  claim 16 , wherein said diode is positioned substantially off center relative to the center of said golf ball.  
     
     
         18 . A golf ball as in  claim 17 , wherein said at least one perforation comprises an opening which surrounds said approximately “U” shaped portion.  
     
     
         19 . A golf ball as in  claim 13 , wherein said tag comprises an approximately “T” shaped portion which comprises a transmission line which is coupled to said antenna.  
     
     
         20 . A golf ball comprising: 
 a shell;    a core material which is encased within said shell;    a tag having an electrical element coupled to an antenna, said tag being disposed within said core material, said tag being detectable with a handheld transmitting/receiving device over a range of at least about 20 feet separating said handheld transmitting/receiving device and said tag, and wherein said golf ball has high durability and substantially complies with golf ball specifications of the United States Golf Association.    
     
     
         21 . A golf ball as in  claim 20 , wherein said electrical element comprises a diode and wherein said tag is designed to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal of a first frequency and to re-radiate a return RF signal of a second frequency.  
     
     
         22 . A golf ball as in  claim 21 , wherein said second frequency is a harmonic of said first frequency.  
     
     
         23 . A golf ball as in  claim 21 , wherein said high durability includes being able to withstand at least 20 cannon test hits.  
     
     
         24 . A golf ball as in  claim 23 , wherein said golf ball specifications comprise size, weight and flight characteristics.  
     
     
         25 . A golf ball as in  claim 23 , wherein said handheld transmitting/receiving device complies, when transmitting, with regulations of the Federal Communications Commission.  
     
     
         26 . A golf ball as in  claim 23 , wherein said handheld transmitting/receiving device, when transmitting, emits less than, or equal to, about 1 watt maximum peak power.  
     
     
         27 . A golf ball as in  claim 23 , wherein said handheld transmitting/receiving device, when transmitting, emits less than, or equal to, about 4 watts effective isotropic radiated power.  
     
     
         28 . A golf ball as in  claim 21 , wherein said tag comprises at least one perforation and said core material extends from a first side of said tag, through said at least one perforation, to a second side of said tag.  
     
     
         29 . A golf ball as in  claim 28 , wherein said tag is a substantially planar structure which is substantially symmetrical about an axis which coincides with a diametric axis of said golf ball.  
     
     
         30 . A golf ball as in  claim 29 , wherein said diode is positioned near said diametric axis.  
     
     
         31 . A golf ball as in  claim 30 , wherein said antenna comprises a first wing and a second wing which are symmetrically disposed about said diametric axis, and wherein at least a portion of said at least one perforation separates at least a portion of each of said first wing and said second wing, and wherein each of said first wing and said second wing has at least a portion of an outer perimeter which substantially conforms to the outer diameter of said core material.  
     
     
         32 . A golf ball as in  claim 31 , wherein said tag further comprises a transmission line which is coupled to said antenna and to said diode.  
     
     
         33 . A golf ball as in  claim 32 , wherein said transmission line has an approximately “U” shaped portion.  
     
     
         34 . A golf ball as in  claim 32 , wherein said transmission line has an approximately “T” shaped portion.  
     
     
         35 . A golf ball as in  claim 33 , wherein said approximately “U” shaped portion is substantially bisected by said diametric axis.  
     
     
         36 . A golf ball as in  claim 34 , wherein said approximately “T” shaped portion is substantially bisected by said diametric axis.  
     
     
         37 . A golf ball as in  claim 25 , wherein said tag is a substantially planar structure which is substantially symmetrical about an axis which coincides with a diametric axis of said golf ball, and wherein said antenna comprises a first wing and a second wing which are symmetrically disposed about said diametric axis, and wherein each of said first wing and said second wing has at least a portion of an outer perimeter which substantially conforms to the outer diameter of said core material.  
     
     
         38 . A golf ball as in  claim 37 , wherein said tag further comprises a transmission line which is coupled to said antenna and to said diode.  
     
     
         39 . A golf ball as in  claim 38 , wherein said transmission line has a shaped portion which is substantially bisected by said diametric axis.  
     
     
         40 . A system for finding a golf ball, said system comprising: 
 a golf ball which comprises a tag which has a diode coupled to an antenna;    a handheld transmitting/receiving device which is capable of detecting said tag over a range of at least 20 feet separating said handheld transmitting/receiving device and said tag, wherein said handheld transmitting/receiving device complies, when transmitting, with regulations of the Federal Communications Commission.    
     
     
         41 . A system as in  claim 40 , wherein said handheld transmitting/receiving device, when transmitting, emits less than, or equal to, about 1 watt maximum peak power.  
     
     
         42 . A system as in  claim 40 , wherein said handheld transmitting/receiving device, when transmitting, emits less than, or equal to, about 4 watts effective isotropic radiated power.  
     
     
         43 . A system as in  claim 40 , wherein said golf ball complies with golf ball specifications of the United States Golf Association and wherein said golf ball has a construction which is at least a one-piece construction.  
     
     
         44 . A system as in  claim 40 , wherein said tag is a substantially planar structure which is substantially symmetrical about an axis which coincides with a diametric axis of said golf ball.  
     
     
         45 . A system as in  claim 44 , wherein said antenna comprises a first wing and a second wing which are symmetrically disposed about said diametric axis, and wherein each of said first wing and said second wing has at least a portion of an outer perimeter which substantially conforms to the outer diameter of said golf ball.  
     
     
         46 . A system as in  claim 45 , wherein said tag further comprises a transmission line which is coupled to said antenna and to said diode.  
     
     
         47 . A system as in  claim 46 , wherein said transmission line has a shaped portion which is substantially bisected by said diametric axis.  
     
     
         48 . A system as in  claim 47 , wherein said diode is positioned near said diametric axis.  
     
     
         49 . A method of making a golf ball, said method comprising: 
 forming a core precursor member having a first portion and a second portion;    placing a tag between said first portion and said second portion thereby creating a combined member, said tag having at least one perforation;    placing said combined member into a mold structure;    molding said combined member in the mold structure, said molding causing material from one of said first portion and said second portion to flow into said at least one perforation to contact the other of said first portion and said second portion;    enclosing a core member, obtained through said molding, in a shell.    
     
     
         50 . A method as in  claim 49 , wherein said forming comprises splitting said core precursor member to create said first portion and said second portion.  
     
     
         51 . A method as in  claim 49 , wherein said tag is completely enclosed within said first portion and said second portion.  
     
     
         52 . A method as in  claim 49 , wherein said molding comprises exposing said combined member to a molding temperature and a molding pressure for a predetermined period of time.  
     
     
         53 . A method as in  claim 52 , wherein said molding temperature is in a range from about 200° F. to about 350° F. and said molding pressure is in a range from about 1,000 pounds per square inch (psi) to about 5,000 psi and said predetermined period of time is in a range from about 1 minute to about 15 minutes.  
     
     
         54 . A method as in  claim 53  further comprising: 
 cooling said core member prior to said enclosing.  
 
     
     
         55 . A method as in  claim 54 , wherein said core member is cleaned prior to said enclosing.  
     
     
         56 . A method as in  claim 53 , wherein said molding cures a core material in said first and said second portions.  
     
     
         57 . A method as in  claim 53 , wherein said tag is a substantially planar structure which is substantially symmetrical about an axis which coincides with a diametric axis of said golf ball.  
     
     
         58 . A method as in  claim 57  wherein said tag comprises a diode coupled to an antenna, said antenna comprising a first wing and a second wing which are symmetrically disposed about said diametric axis, and wherein at least a portion of said at least one perforation separates at least a portion of each of said first wing and said second wing, and wherein each of said first wing and said second wing has at least a portion of an outer perimeter which substantially conforms to the outer diameter of said core member.  
     
     
         59 . A method as in  claim 58 , wherein said tag further comprises a transmission line which is coupled to said antenna and to said diode.  
     
     
         60 . A method as in  claim 59 , wherein said transmission line has a shaped portion which is substantially bisected by said diametric axis.  
     
     
         61 . A method as in  claim 49 , wherein said forming comprises molding said first portion and said second portion separately.  
     
     
         62 . A golf ball comprising: 
 a ball material;    a tag disposed in the ball material, the tag having a first diode and a second diode which are both coupled to an antenna, said first diode and said second diode being coupled in parallel.    
     
     
         63 . A golf ball as in  claim 62 , wherein said first diode has a first N region and a first P region and said second diode has a second N region and a second P region and wherein said first N region is coupled to said second P region and said first P region is coupled to said second N region.  
     
     
         64 . A golf ball as in  claim 63  further comprising an inductor coupled in parallel with said first diode and said second diode.  
     
     
         65 . A golf ball as in  claim 63  wherein said first diode and said second diode are formed in a monolithic integrated circuit which is surrounded by a package.  
     
     
         66 . A golf ball as in  claim 63  wherein said antenna comprises a first antenna portion and a second antenna portion and wherein said first N region is coupled to said first antenna portion and said first P region is coupled to said second antenna portion.  
     
     
         67 . A golf ball as in  claim 66  wherein said tag is substantially symmetrical about a diametric axis of said golf ball.  
     
     
         68 . A golf ball as in  claim 63  wherein said tag is designed to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal of a first frequency and to re-radiate a return RF signal of a second frequency and wherein said radio frequency signal is emitted from a handheld device and wherein said golf ball satisfies the specifications of the United States Golf Association.  
     
     
         69 . A golf ball as in  claim 68  wherein said tag comprises at least one perforation.  
     
     
         70 . A golf ball as in  claim 69  wherein said ball material extends from one side of the tag to another side of the tag through the at least one perforation.  
     
     
         71 . A golf ball as in  claim 63  wherein the tag has a substantially planar structure.  
     
     
         72 . A golf ball as in  claim 63  wherein the tag has substantial surface area in more than one plane.  
     
     
         73 . A golf ball as in  claim 63  wherein the tag has a spiral shape.  
     
     
         74 . A golf ball comprising: 
 a ball material;    a harmonic tag disposed in the ball material, the tag having substantial surface area in more than one plane.    
     
     
         75 . A method for operating a golf course, the method comprising: 
 determining whether a golfer will use a system to find a golf ball;    providing a legal consideration to the golfer if the golfer will use the system when playing on the golf course.    
     
     
         76 . A method as in  claim 75  further comprising: 
 requiring at least a group of golfers to use the system, which is a handheld system.  
 
     
     
         77 . A method as in  claim 75  further comprising: 
 searching, by golf course personnel, for lost golf balls from rounds of golf which have ended.  
 
     
     
         78 . A method as in  claim 75 , wherein the legal consideration is at least one of (a) a green fee discount; (b) a credit toward a future playing of golf; (c) a monetary payment or credit; or (d) a promise to perform an obligation.  
     
     
         79 . A method for operating a golf course, the method comprising: 
 allowing a golfer to play on the golf course;    searching, by golf course personnel, for lost golf balls from rounds of golf which have ended.    
     
     
         80 . A method for operating a golf course, the method comprising: 
 providing a handheld system for finding a golf ball;    requiring a golfer, as a condition of using the golf course, to use the handheld system while playing on the golf course.    
     
     
         81 . A method as in  claim 80  wherein the providing is one of (a) allowing the golfer to use a handheld system which is owned by the golfer; or (b) allowing the golfer to use a handheld system which is not owned by the golfer.  
     
     
         82 . A slug assembly for use in making a golf ball, the slug assembly comprising: 
 a first slug portion;    a second slug portion;    a tag disposed between the first slug portion and the second slug portion, one of the first slug portion and the second slug portion having a void on its face for receiving the tag.    
     
     
         83 . A golf ball comprising: 
 a ball material;    a tag disposed in the ball material, the tag having a diode coupled to an antenna, said tag having at least one perforation.    
     
     
         84 . A golf ball as in  claim 83  wherein said ball material is a core material and wherein said at least one perforation is within an outer perimeter of the tag.  
     
     
         85 . A method for making a golf ball, the method comprising: 
 forming a first precursor portion;    forming a second precursor portion;    combining into an assembly the first precursor portion and the second precursor portion with a tag.    
     
     
         86 . A method as in  claim 85  wherein said forming the first precursor portion comprises extruding a material through a first opening and said forming the second precursor portion comprises extruding said material through a second opening.  
     
     
         87 . A method as in  claim 86  further comprising: 
 molding said assembly into a golf ball core.  
 
     
     
         88 . A method for making a golf ball, the method comprising: 
 forming a precursor portion;    forming a void in said precursor portion;    inserting at least a portion of a tag into said void.    
     
     
         89 . A method as in  claim 88  wherein said forming said first precursor portion comprises extruding said first precursor portion and wherein a second precursor portion is also extruded and wherein said void is a first void in said first precursor portion and wherein a second void is formed in said second precursor portion.  
     
     
         90 . A method as in  claim 89  wherein said first void and said second void are formed by stamping.  
     
     
         91 . A method as in  claim 90  further comprising: 
 molding said first precursor portion and said second precursor portion and said tag.  
 
     
     
         92 . A method as in  claim 91  wherein said first and said second voids are robotically stamped and wherein said tag is inserted robotically.