Golf ball and golf ball detection system

Abstract

To provide a golf ball that can be easily detected and a golf ball detection system.SOLUTION: A golf ball 1 is provided with an acoustic generation device 5. The golf ball has a multilayer structure including a core layer 2 positioned at the center and a surface layer 4 surrounding the core layer, and further includes a communication unit 6 capable of communicating with another communication device, a control unit 7 that causes the acoustic generation device to output sound in response to communication through the communication unit, and a battery 8 that supplies power to the acoustic generation device, the communication unit, and the control unit. The acoustic generation device, the communication unit, the control unit, and the battery are located inside the core layer. The golf ball further includes a housing 9 that accommodates the acoustic generation device, the communication unit, the control unit, and the battery, the housing being located inside the core layer. A golf ball detection system includes the golf ball and a communication device capable of communicating with the communication unit of the golf ball.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to golf balls and golf ball location systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-154859 (Patent Document 1) is a background art in this technical field. This publication discloses that "a golf ball capable of detecting its position and a system therefor are provided." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-154859 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The system may become complicated and not easy to manufacture and use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, for example, the following configuration is adopted. A golf ball equipped with a sound-generating device.

[0006] a multilayer structure including a core layer located at the center and a surface layer surrounding the core layer, a communication unit capable of communicating with other communication devices; a control unit that causes the sound generating device to output a sound in response to communication in the communication unit; a battery that supplies power to the sound generating device, the communication unit, and the control unit, the sound-generating device, the communication unit, the control unit, and the battery are located inside the core layer; Golf ball.

[0007] a housing that holds the sound generating device, the communication unit, the control unit, and the battery therein; The housing is located within the core layer. Golf ball.

[0008] A golf ball and a communication device capable of communicating with the communication portion of the golf ball, Golf ball detection system.

[0009] 1. A golf ball detection system comprising: a golf ball; and a remote control capable of communicating with the golf ball, the remote controller includes a determination unit that determines the distance to the golf ball, an output unit that notifies the user when the golf ball is within a predetermined distance range, and a control unit that controls the output unit in accordance with the result of the determination unit; The determination unit is controlled to operate the output unit when it determines that the golf ball is within a predetermined distance range, and not to operate the output unit when it determines that the golf ball is outside the predetermined distance range. Golf ball detection system. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, a golf ball and a golf ball detection system that can be easily detected with a simple configuration are provided. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a golf ball. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The golf ball according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. According to the golf ball and golf ball detection system of this embodiment, the user can easily detect the golf ball.

[0013] A golf ball is a relatively small ball (weighing approximately 45 grams and measuring approximately 42 millimeters in diameter) used in golf (a sport). A typical golf ball has a multi-layer structure, and includes at least a core layer located at the center and a surface layer surrounding the core layer.

[0014] The golf ball may have a two-layer structure consisting of a core layer and a surface layer (generally called a two-piece ball). The core layer is mainly made of a material containing high-resilience rubber or synthetic resin. The core layer is a layer that generates a repulsive force against a blow to the golf ball.

[0015] The surface layer is made of a material containing a highly durable resin (for example, an ionomer resin or a urethane resin), and has a plurality of recesses (dimples) formed on the surface of the surface layer. The surface layer is a layer that affects the durability and spin performance of the golf ball.

[0016] The golf ball may be a golf ball with a three-layer structure (commonly called a three-piece ball) having an intermediate layer located between a core layer and a surface layer. The intermediate layer is made of a resin such as an ionomer resin or a polymer resin. The mid layer is a layer that effectively transfers energy from the core layer and improves control and spin performance.

[0017] The golf ball 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a three-piece ball having a core layer 2, a mid layer 3 and a surface layer 4. Other embodiments may be two-piece balls or golf balls having a multi-layer structure of four or more layers including multiple intermediate layers.

[0018] However, during a game of golf, there are cases where the hit golf ball cannot be easily detected. Therefore, the golf ball in this embodiment is equipped with a sound generating device. With this configuration, the golf ball can be detected by relying on the sound generated by the sound generating device, making it easy to detect the golf ball.

[0019] The golf ball detection system is a system that includes a golf ball 1 and a communication device (not shown) that can communicate with the golf ball 1.

[0020] The golf ball 1 includes a sound generating device 5, a communication unit 6, a control unit 7, and a battery 8. The communication unit 6 is capable of wireless communication with a communication device. The control unit 7 is an information processing unit that causes the sound generating device 5 to output sound in response to communication in the communication unit 6 . The battery 8 supplies power to the sound generating device 5, the communication unit 6, and the control unit .

[0021] The communication device includes a communication unit capable of wireless communication with the communication unit 6 of the golf ball 1, an operation unit that can be operated by the user, and an information processing unit that controls these. The operation unit is a device that accepts information input from a user, and may be, for example, a physically existing button switch, a touch-operable display, or a microphone that accepts voice input. When the communication unit (information processing unit) of the communication device receives information input from the user via the operation unit, it communicates with the communication unit 6 of the golf ball 1 (sends information indicating that sound will be generated from the sound generating device 5 of the golf ball 1).

[0022] The communication standard for communication between the communication unit of the communication device and the communication unit 6 of the golf ball may be any commonly used wireless communication standard, such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). In this embodiment, the communication device is a device with a simple configuration that includes a communication section, an information processing section, and a button switch (operation section). In another embodiment, the communication device may be a portable information processing terminal such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0023] The control unit 7 of the golf ball 1 controls the sound generating device 5 to generate sound when communication is established with the communication device via the communication unit 6 (when information to generate sound is received from the sound generating device 5 of the golf ball 1). In other words, in this embodiment, the user can press the button switch (operating unit) of the communication device held at hand, which causes a sound to be emitted from the golf ball 1 (sound generating device 5) being detected, allowing the user to easily detect the golf ball 1 by relying on this sound.

[0024] The sound generating device 5 may be any device that generates sound, such as a small speaker or buzzer, and in particular may be a small electromagnetic buzzer or piezoelectric buzzer. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, a sound generating device 5, a communication unit 6, a control unit 7, and a battery 8 are located in a core layer 2. The golf ball 1 of this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 has a housing 9 that holds a sound generating device 5, a communication unit 6, a control unit 7, and a battery 8 therein, and the housing 9 is located inside the core layer 2.

[0025] The present invention includes other embodiments as follows. In addition to a configuration in which a sound generating device is mounted on the golf ball itself, the golf ball detection system may also have a configuration in which a remote control capable of communicating with the golf ball determines the distance to the golf ball and notifies the user only when it determines that the golf ball is within a predetermined distance range. Specifically, the remote control may be provided with a determination unit that estimates the distance based on the communication status with the golf ball, the strength of the received signal, location information, etc., and controls the output unit (audio output, vibration, light, etc.) to operate only when the golf ball is within the predetermined distance range. This makes it easier for the user to find the ball more reliably within the predetermined distance range. It is also possible to simultaneously activate the sound generating device on the golf ball in response to operation on the remote control, and the system may be configured to allow the user to choose whether to emit a sound from the golf ball or to notify the user via the remote control depending on the situation.

[0026] Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and improvements are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] 1: Golf ball 2: Core layer 3: Middle class 4: Surface layer 5: Sound generating equipment 6: Communications Department 7: Control section 8: Battery 9: Housing

Claims

1. A golf ball equipped with a sound-generating device.

2. a multilayer structure including a core layer located at the center and a surface layer surrounding the core layer, a communication unit capable of communicating with other communication devices; a control unit that causes the sound generating device to output a sound in response to communication in the communication unit; a battery that supplies power to the sound generating device, the communication unit, and the control unit, the sound-generating device, the communication unit, the control unit, and the battery are located inside the core layer; The golf ball of claim 1.

3. a housing that holds the sound generating device, the communication unit, the control unit, and the battery therein; The housing is located within the core layer. The golf ball according to claim 2.

4. The golf ball according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a communication device capable of communicating with the communication portion of the golf ball, Golf ball detection system.

5. 1. A golf ball detection system comprising: a golf ball; and a remote control capable of communicating with the golf ball, the remote controller includes a determination unit that determines the distance to the golf ball, an output unit that notifies the user when the golf ball is within a predetermined distance range, and a control unit that controls the output unit in accordance with the result of the determination unit; The determination unit is controlled to operate the output unit when it determines that the golf ball is within a predetermined distance range, and not to operate the output unit when it determines that the golf ball is outside the predetermined distance range. Golf ball detection system.

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