Flying Disc Aural Beacon

Abstract

A locator beacon device for use with flying sport discs includes an over-molded housing that encloses a substrate, such as a printed circuit board (PCB) on which is mounted a computer-based processor, e.g., a microcontroller that is configured to control a sound generating device. The device is configured with a height that is less than the depth of an annular rim that extends from the circumferential edge of the disc.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for use with a flying sport disc, the disc having a recessed surface and an annular rim having a depth and extending from the recessed surface, said device comprising:
 a. an over-molded housing extending from the recessed surface and configured with a height less than the depth of the annular rim;   b. a substrate enclosed within said over-molded housing and on which is mounted:
 i. a computer-based processor; 
 ii. a sound generating device responsive to said computer-based processor; 
 iii. a rechargeable power source; and 
 iv. a switch operable for causing said computer-based processor to energize said sound generating device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor mounted to said substrate, said at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor being one of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a compass, a gyro, and a strain gauge. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor generates an output signal representing motion of device and that is coupled to said computer-based processor. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said over-molded housing is attached to the recessed surface with one of an adhesive, a fastener, or a double-sided adhesive tape. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said over-molded housing is attached to the recessed surface using at least a surface bonding primer. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said over-molded housing comprises a high surface energy material. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said over-molded housing is integrally formed with the disc. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor mounted to said substrate, said at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor being one of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a compass, a gyro, and a strain gauge. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor generates an output signal representing motion of device and that is coupled to said computer-based processor. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a computer interface coupled to said computer-based processor and configured to allow access to said computer-based processor from an external computer. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a radio frequency wireless communications module responsive to said computer-based processor. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor mounted to said substrate, said at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor being one of an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a compass, a gyro, and a strain gauge. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein said at least one miniature electro-mechanical sensor generates an output signal representing motion of device and that is coupled to said computer-based processor. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , further comprising a computer interface coupled to said computer-based processor and configured to allow access to said computer-based processor from an external computer.