Communication system

Abstract

The magnetic coil 30 is configured to provide a pulsed signal to a magnetometer 82 in communication with a golf ball 20 used within the golf facility. Multiple coils 30 are provided at different locations around the golf facility, and the pulsed signal is preferably coded to reveal the location of the golf ball.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for establishing communication with an object, specifically, a coded object, and more specifically, a golf ball, particularly a coded golf ball.

Background Art

[0002] For example, it is known from WO2017 / 006133 to incorporate magnetic switches within a coded golf ball facility as disclosed in WO2013 / 156778. To operate the switch at a desired position, one or more permanent magnets can be installed, for example, in a charger for a battery inside the ball. However, in such installations, stray magnetic fields (e.g., from adjacent holes within a golf facility) can interfere with the correct operation of the switch and / or other communication with the golf ball. The widespread use of mobile phones can also interfere with the correct operation.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] Aspects of the present invention seek to overcome or at least mitigate the aforementioned problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a system for establishing communication with an object comprising a magnetic field detection device is provided, the system including an electromagnetic coil and associated circuitry configured to supply an electrical signal to the coil to generate a varying magnetic field, and means for positioning the object juxtaposed to the coil, whereby variations in the magnetic field can be detected by the detection device of the object.

[0005] Detection of magnetic field variations by the device preferably actuates a switching device within the object, which itself can actuate a circuit within the object.

[0006] Magnetic field detection in embodiments of the present invention should be distinguished from radio wave detection that involves the detection of electromagnetic waves.

[0007] For example, if the object is a golf ball with internal circuitry and associated antennas for wireless communication (e.g., via Bluetooth) with a control system within a golf facility, detection of a magnetic field can enable these communications. In one example, the ball's communication circuitry may be completely switched off before field detection. However, in a preferred configuration, the circuitry inside the ball is switched from a low-power (or "whispering") state to a high-power (or "shouting") state.

[0008] The magnetic detection device is preferably a magnetometer, specifically a three-axis magnetometer with three magnetic field directions (x, y, and z). The magnetometer is preferably part of a nine-axis accelerator device and also includes a gyroscope.

[0009] Detecting the magnetic field generated by the coil provides a safer configuration for activating the ball's communication circuit, unaffected by undesirable activation from other sources. However, in a preferred configuration, the coil generates pulse signals, and specifically, coded pulse signals. This not only provides a safer configuration but also allows the ball or other object to detect the specific system it is adjacent to, if that configuration is one of several similar configurations. Thus, for example, in a golf facility with nine or more holes, each tee may have its own coil delivering its own coded pulse train, so that when placed on a tee, the ball "knows" which tee it is on.

[0010] The system preferably includes a radio signal receiver for communication with a radio signal transmitter within the positioned object. Preferably, the radio signal receiver is configured to receive a signal containing an identification code for the object.

[0011] The object is preferably a golf ball used in a golf facility, which includes multiple systems of the type described above and multiple golf balls, the system being located near or adjacent to one or more of the tees, ball dispensers, hazard features, chargers for each battery inside the ball, drop zones, and cups or other receiving containers that form the holes.

[0012] Preferably, each golf ball has a unique identification code configured to be transmitted wirelessly to the respective system in which it is located.

[0013] A second aspect of the present invention provides a method for establishing communication between a system and an object including a magnetometer, wherein the system includes an electromagnetic coil, and the method includes the steps of supplying an electrical signal to the coil to generate a fluctuating magnetic field and detecting the fluctuating magnetic field with a magnetometer.

[0014] Electrical signals and magnetic field fluctuations are preferably pulsed. In addition, they are preferably coded.

[0015] In a preferred configuration, the magnetometer is connected to a switching device, and the establishment of communication activates the switching function of the switching device.

[0016] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a combination is provided of a magnetometer connected to a switching device and an electromagnetic coil connected to a signaling device and configured to generate a corresponding fluctuating magnetic field, wherein the signaling device is configured to cause the coil to transmit an encoded message, and the magnetometer is configured to activate the switching device when it detects the encoded message.

[0017] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described herein by reference to the accompanying drawings, as just one example. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1]Exploded view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for detecting a golf ball. [Figure 2] Top view of the coil of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] Bottom view of the support for the coil of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] Circuit diagram of the apparatus. [Figure 5] Representation of the magnetic field generated by the coil. [Figure 6] Shows the coil drive of the apparatus. [Figure 7] Schematic view of a golf ball for use with the apparatus. [Figure 8] Block diagram showing the components inside the golf ball. [Figure 9] Shows the message sent to the ball by the coil. [Figure 10] Shows the message sent to the ball by the coil. [Figure 11] Shows the message sent to the ball by the coil. [Figure 12] Shows the message sent to the ball by the coil.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Reference is now made to the figures. FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an apparatus 10 provided under a playing surface VII in FIG. 6 at the position of a golf tee in a golf facility. The apparatus is configured to communicate with a golf ball 20 placed thereon. The ball 20 is preferably a coded ball of the type disclosed in WO2013 / 156778, WO2017 / 006132 and WO2017 / 006133 and has an internal magnetometer that functions as a compass device.

[0020] The device 10 includes a support frame member 12 that houses a coil drive unit 76 (Figure 6) including a drive circuit 40. The frame member 12 supports the base member 14 together with a base support plate 22, which is positioned below the central hole 72 in the base member 14 in the form of a plastic disc beneath the coil PCB. An arched fastening member 53 is held in place by an assembly screw. The cover plate 16 has marks to indicate where the golf ball 20 should be positioned.

[0021] Arranged concentrically around the hole 72 are generally planar and circular electromagnetic coils 30. The coils 30 are mounted on a support 32 and have conductors 34, 36 connected to a circuit 40 for applying pulse signals to the coils.

[0022] A top view of coil 30 is shown in Figure 2. The shown coil has an inner diameter of 30 mm and an outer diameter of 60 mm, and typically has 245 turns. A pulse signal is applied to circuit 40 via terminals 42 and 44.

[0023] A bottom view of the coil support 32 is shown in Figure 3. Its preferred dimensions are given in millimeters.

[0024] Figure 4 illustrates a circuit 40, which is a switching device for efficiently supplying pulses to coil 30. This circuit also includes a resistor 46, an indicator LED 48, and a MOFSET transistor 50. Resistor 46 is a ballast resistor used to avoid overloading the switching transistor 50. Typically 20 ohms, the resistance value of resistor 46 is selected in combination with that of coil 30, typically 13 ohms, to provide a high magnetic field while avoiding overheating.

[0025] Figure 5 shows the size and shape of the magnetic field 60 generated by the coil 30.

[0026] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a coil drive device 76 illustrating its connection to the coil 30. The device 76 includes a circuit 40 with terminals 42, 44 and a microcontroller 78 with an antenna 58 for RF communication (e.g., via Bluetooth) with the golf facility's control system.

[0027] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a golf ball 20 for use with an embodiment of the present invention. It includes a magnetometer 82 connected to a microcontroller 84 and an antenna 52 for RF communication (e.g., via Bluetooth) with a golf facility control system.

[0028] Figure 8 shows a more detailed schematic diagram of the internal components of the ball 20. A communication bus 90 is connected to an accelerometer 92, a gyroscope 94, and a magnetometer 82. Bus 90 is also connected to a microcontroller 84 which is operably connected to a radio 98 and a battery 100. The microcontroller 84 is also operably connected to a charging system 102 and a backscatter feedback unit 104, which is used to feed back the charging state of the ball to the charger when the system is operating in charging mode. The feedback is achieved by a charging signal from the charging system.

[0029] The ball 20 is positioned by the configuration of the device 10 so that there is no "out of range" and its magnetometer is exposed to the magnetic field. The amplitude of the signal applied to the coil is set so that only balls in the correct position on the tee communicate their magnetometer with the coil 30. In practice, it is important that positioned balls can only move a limited amount without losing the signal, but balls further away from the tee do not communicate with the coil 30. The magnetometer detects the presence of the magnetic field 60 as a change in the north direction and changes its output accordingly.

[0030] Located adjacent to the teeing device 10 (but not shown in the figure) are an internal ball antenna 52 and / or an antenna 58 for wireless communication (such as Bluetooth communication) with the golf facility's control system. These communications transfer relatively large amounts of data. In other applications that do not employ additional communication systems, antennas 52 and 58 can be omitted.

[0031] During use, the electromagnetic coil 30 is used to transmit a relatively small amount of data to a magnetometer inside the ball 20 on the tee. The signal generated by the coil is approximately 80 Hz, as determined by the data rate of the magnetometer.

[0032] The coil is 32 bits, that is, - Provides 3 data words of 4 bits each, for a total of 12 data bits. -4-bit 1 checkword -6 preamble bits - Consists of 10 framing bits, 8 break bits, and 2 frame end bits. Send a message that includes this.

[0033] The actual message is determined by the identification of device 10 or the corresponding tee.

[0034] The encoded message is shown in Figure 9.

[0035] Each 4-bit data word is preceded by two break bits, which must be 0.

[0036] The preamble consists of 6 bits, alternating between 0s and 1s, and is intentionally configured not to conform to the aforementioned regular data pattern rules. This ensures that the start of a message can be easily detected.

[0037] The checkword represents the total number of single bits contained within the data word. This is more reliable than using a simple XOR checksum. If a single transition is lost in the message, the simple XOR checksum will still pass, but this bit count will correctly fail.

[0038] The message ends with two End of Frame bits, which must be 1. This ensures that the end of the message can be easily detected.

[0039] The message is transmitted by applying power to coil 30 to generate a magnetic field, sending a 1, and removing power to remove the magnetic field, sending a 0. Each bit is transmitted sequentially, starting with the preamble and ending with the frame end bit.

[0040] The message is repeated at slightly different frequencies of approximately 80Hz to ensure that any magnetometer can detect and decode the message, even if it is not operating at exactly 80Hz. The actual data rate of magnetometers commonly used in golf balls can vary by as much as + / - 10%.

[0041] The magnetometer is conveniently employed to determine the direction of the Earth's magnetic field, which is how they are used inside the balls in the golf facility disclosed in the aforementioned patent specification. However, in this system, in addition to being used as a compass, the magnetometer is used for short-range wireless communication to detect coded messages from individual tees. Thus, the magnetometer inside the ball monitors the strength of the magnetic field at a rate of approximately 80 Hz.

[0042] The polarity of the message cannot be easily determined, and therefore the magnetometer can only compare each reading with the previous reading. If a significant change is detected, this bit is the inverse of the previous bit. If there is no significant change, this bit is the same as the previous bit. The polarity can be used to determine if the message has been decoded.

[0043] After each bit is received, the 32-bit buffer is shifted one bit to the left, and the new bit is added to the end of the message (see Figure 10).

[0044] The buffer is constructed in this way until at least 32 bits have been collected.

[0045] The message is received as follows: After each bit is received, the buffer is masked and compared with the preamble and framing bits (see Figure 11).

[0046] If all of these bits match, the system counts the number of ones across all data words. This sum is compared to a checkword, and if they match, the data is valid.

[0047] The buffer is similarly masked and compared to the inverse of the preamble and framing bits; see Figure 12.

[0048] If all of these bits match, the message polarity is reversed. The entire buffer can now be reversed, and the checkword is checked as described above.

[0049] If any bit does not match, the system waits until the next bit is received.

[0050] Once the message is checked and verified, the circuitry inside the ball not only knows that it is on a tee and should have its switch turned "on" (or high), but also which specific tee it is on (since each tee has its own unique code). (This is equivalent to closing the magnetic switch in WO2017 / 006133.)

[0051] After its communication process with coil 30 is complete, the magnetometer resumes its function as a compass to monitor the subsequent movement of the ball.

[0052] The advantage of the aforementioned configuration is that it provides more secure and reliable communication between individual golf balls and the rest of the golf facility. A further advantage is that this configuration utilizes the magnetometers already provided in the golf balls of such golf facilities. When used for communication, their pointing function is temporarily suspended and resumed after the communication function has been suspended.

[0053] Various modifications can be made to the aforementioned system. In addition to being used on the tee, the device 10 can be employed in various other locations within a golf facility, such as a ball dispenser, a charger for the battery inside the ball, a golf hazard, a drop zone, or a cup that serves as a golf hole. At the tee position, the coil 30 is preferably switched on permanently at a constant level, or more preferably in either a low or high output state. In other locations, such as a ball dispenser, the coil 30 is preferably switched on only when necessary.

[0054] Golf balls don't need to be coded.

[0055] This device can generally be used for communication with magnetometers in other objects, regardless of whether they are coded or not, whether they are balls or not, and whether they are used in games or not.

[0056] Another type of compass device may be used instead of a magnetometer.

Claims

1. A golf system, It is a teeing device, Support and, An electromagnetic coil mounted on the aforementioned support and configured to transmit a unique identification code by generating a fluctuating magnetic field, Marks for positioning the ball, A circuit configured to supply an electrical signal to the electromagnetic coil to generate the fluctuating magnetic field, A tee device, It's a golf ball, It is a magnetometer, The unique identification code of the tee device is received by detecting the fluctuating magnetic field of the electromagnetic coil. Upon receiving the aforementioned unique identification code, the device then functions as a compass to monitor the movement of the golf ball. A magnetometer configured as follows, A circuit configured to identify when the golf ball is placed on the teeing device based on the unique identification code, Golf balls, A golf system equipped with [specific features / features].

2. The golf system according to claim 1, wherein the circuit of the teeing device is configured to supply a pulse signal encoded together with the unique identification code to the electromagnetic coil.

3. The golf system according to claim 1, wherein the circuit of the teeing device is configured to supply a continuous message over a predetermined range of frequencies.

4. The golf system according to claim 1, further comprising a teeing device and a wireless signal receiver for communication with the wireless signal transmitter of the golf ball.

5. The golf system according to claim 4, wherein the wireless signal transmitter is configured to transmit a signal including an identification code unique to the golf ball.

6. The golf system according to claim 5, wherein the wireless signal receiver is configured to receive a signal including an identification code unique to the golf ball.

7. The golf system according to claim 1, wherein the golf ball includes a wireless signal transmitter, and the teeing device includes a wireless signal receiver, and the wireless signal transmitter is configured to transmit, by wireless signal, an identification code unique to the golf ball to the wireless signal receiver of the teeing device on which the golf ball is positioned.

8. The golf system according to claim 1, wherein the teeing device further includes a frame member for housing the circuit.

9. The aforementioned tee device is A base member supported by the aforementioned frame member and defining a central hole, A base support plate positioned below the central hole of the base member, The golf system according to claim 8, further comprising:

10. The golf system according to claim 1, wherein the magnetometer of the golf ball is connected to a switching device and is configured to activate the switching device when it detects a fluctuating magnetic field of the teeing device.

11. The golf system according to claim 1, wherein the teeing device further includes a cover plate having marks for positioning the ball.

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