Golf ball locator

Abstract

A system for locating golf balls includes a golf ball ( 12 ) containing a transmitter ( 14 ) and a locator ( 16 ) carried by a golfer ( 20 ). The locator detects a signal ( 18 ) from the transmitter ( 14 ) and indicates a direction of the transmitter and hence the golf ball. In one embodiment, the distance to the golf ball is also indicated.

1 . A system for locating golf balls comprising: 
 a golf ball containing a transmitter; and    a locator which detects a signal from said transmitter and a direction of said transmitter.    
   
   
       2 . A system for locating golf balls as in  claim 1  wherein said locator determines a distance to said transmitter.  
   
   
       3 . A system for locating golf balls as in  claim 2  wherein said locator determines said distance to said transmitter based on a strength of said signal.  
   
   
       4 . A system for locating golf balls as in  claim 1  wherein said transmitter has a unique radio frequency identification code.  
   
   
       5 . A system for locating golf balls as in  claim 1  wherein said locator determines said direction to said transmitter based on an orientation of an antenna on said locator.  
   
   
       6 . A system for locating golf balls comprising: 
 a golf ball containing a global positioning satellite (GPS) detector and a transmitter;    a locator which contains a GPS detector, a receiver, and a microprocessor;    wherein said transmitter transmits golf ball GPS position coordinates to said locator;    wherein said receiver detects a signal from said transmitter;    wherein said microprocessor calculates a distance and direction to said golf ball based on a GPS position of said golf ball and a GPS position of said locator.    
   
   
       7 . A system for locating golf balls as in  claim 6  wherein said locator is mounted in a handheld device.  
   
   
       8 . A system for locating golf balls as in  claim 6  wherein said locator is mounted in golf bag.  
   
   
       9 . A system for locating golf balls as in  claim 6  wherein said locator is mounted on a golf cart.  
   
   
       10 . A system for locating golf balls as in  claim 6:   wherein said locator is mounted at a clubhouse;    a golf cart GPS detector;    a golf cart transmitter which transmits golf cart GPS position coordinates to said locator;    a golf cart receiver; and    a clubhouse transmitter which transmits a golf ball position and cart position to said golf cart receiver.    
   
   
       11 . A system for locating golf balls as in  claim 6  wherein said locator comprises a display screen, which displays a geographical map showing a location of said golf ball and said locator.  
   
   
       12 . A system for locating golf balls comprising: 
 a golf ball containing a transponder; and    a locator comprising a detector, a transmitter, and a microprocessor;    wherein said transmitter broadcasts a signal;    wherein said transponder amplifies and retransmits said signal; and    wherein said detector detects said retransmitted signal; and    wherein said microprocessor calculates a direction to said transponder.    
   
   
       13 . A system for locating golf balls as in  claim 12  wherein said microprocessor determines a distance to said transmitter.  
   
   
       14 . A system for locating golf balls as in  claim 13  wherein said locator determines said distance to said transmitter based on a strength of said retransmitted signal.  
   
   
       15 . A system for locating golf balls as in  claim 12  wherein said microprocessor is an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).