Golf ball identification system, golf accuracy device, golf ball feeding device and golf ball sorting device

Abstract

Disclosed is a golf ball identification system, including at least one pipe for golf balls to move in the pipe, a mechanism for stopping and allowing the golf balls to move in the pipe, the mechanism being arranged between a first closed position and a second open position, and golf ball identification unit arranged in connection with the at least one pipe or the mechanism for identifying a golf ball, a control unit for controlling the latch mechanism between the first closed position and the second open position. Additionally, disclosed is a related golf accuracy device, golf ball feeding device and golf ball sorting device.

1 . Golf ball identification system, comprising:
 at least one pipe for golf balls to move in the pipe,   a mechanism for stopping and allowing the golf balls to move in the pipe, the mechanism being arranged between a first closed position and a second open position, and   golf ball identification means arranged in connection with the at least one pipe or said mechanism for identifying a golf ball, and   control means for controlling the latch mechanism between the first closed position and the second open position.   
     
     
         2 . The golf ball identification system of  claim 1 , wherein the golf ball identification means comprises a RGB sensor for identifying the color of the golf ball. 
     
     
         3 . The golf ball identification system of  claim 1 , wherein the golf ball identification means comprises a camera for identifying the color, number, image or code on the surface of the golf ball. 
     
     
         4 . The golf ball identification system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for stopping and allowing the golf balls to move in the pipe comprises a rotating mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The golf ball identification system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for stopping and allowing the golf balls to move in the pipe comprises at least two latch mechanisms, a first latch mechanism being arranged before the identification means, and a second latch mechanism being arranged after the identification means, the first latch mechanism being arranged to allow one golf ball at the time to an identification area comprising the identification means, the second latch mechanism being arranged to stop the golf ball from moving further from the identification area before the golf ball has been identified, and the second latch mechanism allowing the golf ball to move further when the golf ball has been identified. 
     
     
         6 . The golf ball identification system of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second latch mechanisms comprises pins that move back and forth in the pipe between the first closed position and the second open position. 
     
     
         7 . The golf ball identification system of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism for stopping and allowing the golf balls to move in the pipe comprises rotating claws for stopping and allowing the golf balls to move in the pipe. 
     
     
         8 . The golf ball identification system of  claim 5 , wherein the control means comprises at least one solenoid. 
     
     
         9 . The golf ball identification system of  claim 1 , wherein the golf ball identification means comprises a camera, QR reader, UpCode reader and/or barcode reader for identifying golf balls with readable or identifiable markings. 
     
     
         10 . The golf ball identification system of  claim 1 , comprising an electronic device for at least monitoring result data derived from identified golf balls. 
     
     
         11 . The golf ball identification system of  claim 1 , comprising a computing entity for managing golf training and/or competition related data. 
     
     
         12 . The golf ball identification system of  claim 1 , wherein the golf ball identification system is arranged to a golf accuracy device, a golf ball feeding device or a golf ball sorting device. 
     
     
         13 . Golf accuracy device, comprising:
 a golf ball identification system according to  claim 1 ,   a target area and receiving part for receiving golf balls,   a number of guiding tubes for guiding golf balls from the receiving part to the golf ball identification system,   a slide mechanism for moving the golf ball identification system back and forth depending on the tilt angle of the target area and receiving part such that the guiding tubes are in a position that allows the golf balls to move from the receiving part to the identification system.   
     
     
         14 . The golf accuracy device of  claim 13 , wherein the slide mechanism comprises a rail and rollers that enable the movement of the slide mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . Golf ball feeding device, comprising:
 a container for golf balls,   at least one pipe for golf balls to move in the pipe,   a mechanism for stopping and allowing the golf balls to move in the pipe, the mechanism being arranged between a first closed position and a second open position,   control means for controlling the mechanism between the first closed position and the second open position.   
     
     
         16 . The golf ball feeding device of  claim 15 , wherein the control means is a pedal. 
     
     
         17 . Golf ball sorting device, comprising:
 a container for golf balls,   a golf ball identification system according to  claim 1 ,   a rotating pipe for arranging the golf balls from the container and via the identification system in dedicated receptacles,   an electric motor for rotating the rotating pipe, and   at least two receptacles in which the golf balls are sorted.   
     
     
         18 . The golf ball identification system of  claim 2 , wherein the mechanism for stopping and allowing the golf balls to move in the pipe comprises a rotating mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The golf ball identification system of  claim 3 , wherein the mechanism for stopping and allowing the golf balls to move in the pipe comprises a rotating mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The golf ball identification system of  claim 2 , wherein the mechanism for stopping and allowing the golf balls to move in the pipe comprises at least two latch mechanisms, a first latch mechanism being arranged before the identification means, and a second latch mechanism being arranged after the identification means, the first latch mechanism being arranged to allow one golf ball at the time to an identification area comprising the identification means, the second latch mechanism being arranged to stop the golf ball from moving further from the identification area before the golf ball has been identified, and the second latch mechanism allowing the golf ball to move further when the golf ball has been identified.