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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.