Patent Publication Number: US-2022219048-A1

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

Description:
This application is the U.S. national phase of International Application No. PCT/EP2020/060754 filed Apr. 16, 2020 which designated the U.S. and claims priority to FI Patent Application No. 20195306 filed Apr. 16, 2019, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally the present invention relates to golf devices and systems. In particular, the present invention pertains to a golf ball identification system, golf accuracy device, golf ball feeding device and golf ball sorting device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Golf is a popular sport. Today there are both professionals and amateurs that are practicing the sport. The sport has stayed quite the same for many years. 
     Typically, a golf course consists of 18 holes and a typical golf practicing facility comprises a driving range. A driving range is an area where golfers may swing/hit golf balls to an open field. The driving range may be several hundred meters long so that the golfers may practice even their longest shots. 
     The driving ranges today may comprise markings for different distances such as 100, 150 or 200 meters. In some occasions there may also be flags or other markings for the golfers to practice their aim on the driving range. 
     To increase the interest in golf, the sport needs some new approaches. For a beginner it may be difficult to learn to aim the shot with existing methods. In golf it is important to learn to aim the shot in order to be able to enjoy the sport to the fullest. 
     Since the existing methods do not provide encouraging methods, many may decide to quit the sport after a short trial period. Even experienced golfers may need some new methods for practicing their skill. Golf may also need some new competition format to its traditional approach of touring an 18-hole course. 
     There exist some alternative approaches to traditional golfing. However, with the existing approaches there are some challenges with identifying golf balls, sorting golf balls and providing golf balls to a golfer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The objective is to at least alleviate the problems described hereinabove not satisfactorily solved by the known arrangements, and to provide a feasible golf ball identification system that can be utilized, for example, in a golf accuracy device for training and/or competition purposes for monitoring results in real time. Another objective is to provide a golf accuracy device with a slide mechanism for enabling guiding tubes to always be in a position/angle that allows the golf balls to move from the target area and receiving part of the golf accuracy device to the golf ball identification means. A further objective is to provide a golf sorting device that may allow sorting different set of golf balls conveniently into separate dedicated baskets. A further objective is to provide a golf ball feeding device that may enable to provide a next golf ball to a golfer. 
     The aforesaid objectives are achieved by the embodiments of a system and devices in accordance with the present invention. 
     Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention a golf ball identification system comprises
         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,   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 said mechanism between the first closed position and the second open position.       

     In one embodiment the golf ball identification means comprises a RGB sensor for identifying the color of the golf ball. 
     In one embodiment the golf ball identification means comprises a camera for identifying the color, number, image or code on the surface of the golf ball. 
     In one embodiment the golf ball identification system wherein the mechanism for stopping and allowing the golf balls to move in the pipe comprises a rotating mechanism. 
     In one embodiment the golf ball identification system 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. 
     In one embodiment 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. 
     In one embodiment 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. 
     In one embodiment the control means comprises at least one solenoid. 
     In one embodiment 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. 
     In one embodiment the golf ball identification system comprises an electronic device for at least monitoring result data derived from identified golf balls. 
     In one embodiment the golf ball identification system comprises a computing entity for managing golf training and/or competition related data. 
     In one embodiment the golf ball identification system is arranged in a golf accuracy device, a golf ball feeding device or a golf ball sorting device. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a golf accuracy device comprises
         a golf ball identification system,   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.       

     In one embodiment the slide mechanism comprises a rail and rollers that enable the movement of the slide mechanism. 
     In a third aspect of the present invention, a golf ball feeding device comprises
         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, said mechanism being arranged between a first closed position and a second open position, and   control means for controlling said mechanism between the first closed position and the second open position.       

     In one embodiment the control means is a pedal. 
     In a fourth aspect of the present invention a golf ball sorting device comprises
         a container for golf balls,   a golf ball identification system,   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.       

     The utility of the present invention follows from a plurality of factors depending on each particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the present invention may allow to identify golf balls and monitor results in real time. In some embodiments, the golf balls received in a golf accuracy device may be identified with the golf ball identification system so that results of the golf accuracy device may be monitored. In some embodiments, the slide mechanism may enable the guiding tubes to always be in a position/angle that allows the golf balls to move from the target area and receiving part of a golf accuracy device to the golf ball identification means. In some embodiments, the golf ball sorting device may allow to sort different set of golf balls conveniently into separate dedicated baskets or such containers. In some embodiments, the golf ball feeding device may enable a solution to provide conveniently a next golf ball, preferably on golf ball at the time, to a golfer. 
     The expression “a number of” refers herein to any positive integer starting from one (1), e.g. to one, two, or three. 
     The expression “a plurality of” refers herein to any positive integer starting from two (2), e.g. to two, three, or four. 
     The expressions “latch mechanism” and “the mechanism for stopping and allowing the golf balls to move in the pipe” refer herein to a mechanical mechanism, which may be actuated between a number of open and close positions to control the traveling of objects, namely golf balls, in a pipe or such conducting means. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED DRAWINGS 
       Next the invention is described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings in which 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a first embodiment of a golf ball identification system in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the first embodiment of the golf ball identification system. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a second embodiment of a golf ball identification system. 
         FIGS. 4-5  illustrate top views of the second embodiment of the golf ball identification system in a first open and a second closed position. 
         FIGS. 6-8  illustrate an embodiment of a sliding mechanism in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIGS. 9-11  illustrate an embodiment of a golf ball feeding device in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment of a golf ball sorting device in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a block diagram of the internal parts of an embodiment of a golf ball identification system in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a third embodiment of a golf ball identification system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , the golf ball identification system  100  comprises golf ball identification means  102  and a first and a second latch mechanism  104 ,  106 . 
     The golf ball identification means  102  are arranged to identify golf balls  108 . The golf ball identification means may be arranged on top of the pipes  110  to recognize the golf balls in the pipes. Preferably, the identification means comprise an RGB sensor for identifying the golf balls. In such an embodiment, different color golf balls may be used. In some embodiments, the different color golf balls must be calibrated with the identification means. In some embodiments the pipe surface is coated with a dark color (e.g. black) so that the pipe material (e.g. stainless steel) does not reflect and interfere with the identification of the golf balls. A hole may be arranged on top of the pipes  110  for the identification means  102 . 
     Additionally or alternatively, the identification means  102  may comprise a camera for identifying the golf balls. In such an embodiment, the golf balls may be marked with specified numbers, figures and/or other patterns to identify single golf balls or a set of golf balls. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the identification means may comprise a QR code™, UpCode™ and/or barcode reader for identifying golf balls with a QR code™, UpCode™ or barcode marking accordingly. 
     The first latch mechanism  104  is arranged before the identification means  102  and the second latch mechanism  106  is arranged after the identification means  102 . A first solenoid  112  controls the first latch mechanism  104  and a second solenoid  114  controls the second latch mechanism  106 . 
     The first and second latch mechanisms  104 ,  106  comprise pins  116 ,  118  that move back and forth in the pipes  110 . In a first, closed position, the pins  116 ,  118  prevent the golf balls  108  to move in the pipe. In a second, open position, the pins allow the golf balls to move in the pipe. The pins may, for example, have an 8-10 mm diameter and the pipe may thus have a same size hole accordingly for the pins to move in the pipe. 
     The pins  116  of the first latch mechanism  104  are connected to the first solenoid  112  with first connecting bars  118 - 122 . The pins  118  of the second latch mechanism are connected to the second solenoid  114  with second connecting bars  124 - 128  accordingly. In some embodiments, another type of actuator may be used to control the first and/or second latch mechanisms. 
     First, the first latch mechanism  104  is in a first, closed position, stopping the golf balls  108 . Next, the first latch mechanism is arranged in the second, open position, so that one golf ball enters the identification area  130  comprising the identification means  102 . The first latch mechanism  104  moves back to the first position stopping further golf balls enter the identification area  130 . The second latch mechanism  106  stays in a first closed position preventing the first golf ball  108   a  to move further from the identification area  130 . The first golf ball  108   a  is then identified with the identification means  102 . When the first golf ball  108   a  has been identified, the second latch mechanism  106  opens so that the first golf ball  108   a  is allowed to move further in the pipe  110 . The first latch mechanism  104  may now open so that a next golf ball  108   b  may enter the identification area  130 . The second latch mechanism  106  moves back into the closed position to prevent the second golf ball  108   b  from moving further from the identification area  130 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3-5 , the second embodiment of a golf ball identification system  200  comprises golf ball identification means  202  and a latch mechanism  204 . The golf ball identification means  202  may be arranged similarly as in the first embodiment of the golf ball identification system  100 . 
     The latch mechanism  204  comprises first and second rotatable claws  232 ,  234  for allowing and preventing the golf balls  208  to move in the pipes  210 . 
     The rotatable claws  232 ,  234  may be arranged in a first position ( FIG. 4 ) allowing a first golf ball to enter the identification area and preventing the golf ball moving forward. When the golf ball has been identified, the rotatable claws  232 ,  234  may move in a second position ( FIG. 5 ) allowing the first golf ball to move forward in the pipe. The claws may then move back to the first position allowing a second golf ball to enter the identification area. 
     The first and second rotatable claws  232 ,  234  are connected to a solenoid  212  or other actuator for enabling the control of the claws. 
     First and second slots are arranged in the side of the pipes for enabling the first and second rotatable claws  232 ,  234  to move in the pipes  210 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6-8 , the golf ball identification system  300  is arranged to a slide mechanism  340 . The slide mechanism  340  comprises a rail  342  and rollers  344 . Guiding tubes  346  connect the golf ball identification system  300  to a target area and receiving part  348  of a golf accuracy device  350 . The slide mechanism  340  allows the golf ball identification system to move/slide when the tilt angle of the target area and receiving part is changed. This may enable the guiding tubes  346  to always be in a position/angle that allows the golf balls to move from the receiving part  348  to the golf ball identification system  300 . A tilting mechanism  352  comprising a belt, a gear wheel and an electric motor may be arranged to control the tilt angle of the target area and receiving part  348  of the golf accuracy device  350 . 
     The golf identification system  300  may be connected to the target area and receiving part of the golf accuracy device  350  so that golf balls from a certain result circle/ring rolls to dedicated golf ball identification means. A result circle may correspond to certain points such as 5, 10, 20, 50 or 100 points. Thus, the real time result can be derived from the identified golf balls for the ongoing competition/training. For example, a first player may use red balls, a second player may use green balls, a third player may use blue balls and so on. The specific golf balls associated with each player may be identified with the golf ball identification system so that the result may be monitored. 
     After the golf balls have been identified, the golf balls may roll into a collection basket or such container arranged next to the golf identification system  300  or alternatively the golf balls may roll to the ground. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9-11 , a latch mechanism  404  is arranged to a golf ball feeding device  460 . 
     The golf ball feeding device  460  comprises a container  462  for the golf balls  408 . A pipe  464  connects to the container  462  through which the golf balls roll out. The golf ball feeding device  460  comprises a pedal  466  that is connected with a joint  468  to the support structure  470 . 
     First, the latch mechanism  404  is in a first closed position, preventing the golf balls  408  coming out from the device. By pressing the pedal  462 , the latch mechanism  404  moves to a second open position so that the first golf ball  408   a  comes out from the device. The latch mechanism  404  comprises a first and second rotatable claw  432 ,  434 . The rotatable claws  432 ,  434  are connected to first and second springs  472 ,  474  for returning the rotatable claws back to the first position after pressing them down with the pedal  466 . The pedal provides a mechanical solution for the golf ball feeding device. Alternatively, a solenoid may be used to actuate the latch mechanism. 
     The golf ball feeding device  460  may comprise an electronic device  476  such as a tablet, smartphone or other (touch) display for monitoring and/or controlling results, user information or other golf training/competition related data. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , a golf ball identification system  500  is arranged to a golf ball sorting device  580 . The golf ball identification system  500  is arranged in the pipe section  582  below the top container  584 . Golf balls  508  may be arranged in the top container  584  for sorting. 
     The golf ball sorting device  580  comprises an electric motor  586  for turning the sorting pipe  588 . The sorting pipe  588  is rotated based on the received identification data of the identification system  500  so that a correct golf ball is placed in its dedicated basket  590  or such container. The golf ball sorting device  580  comprises 16 baskets  590 . In other embodiments, the golf ball sorting device may comprise less or more baskets such as 4, 8 or 24 baskets. In this particular embodiment, the golf ball sorting device comprises 16 baskets for 16 different colored golf balls so that each color is sorted in its dedicated basket. 
     For example, if the golf ball identification system  500  in the pipe section  582  identifies a green colored golf ball, the sorting pipe  588  is turned to a first basket. If the golf ball identification system identifies a red colored golf ball, the sorting pipe is turned to a second basket and so on. A mechanism as presented in the first, second or third embodiment of the golf ball identification system  100 ,  200 ,  700  may be arranged to allow the golf balls  508  to roll in the dedicated baskets, and may be arranged to stop further balls to roll before they have been identified. 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the golf ball identification system  600  comprises golf ball identification means  602 . The golf ball identification means comprises a memory  691   a  and processor  692   a.  Additionally, the golf ball identification means  602  comprises a data interface  693   a  for receiving and/or transmitting data. The data interface  693   a  may comprise wireless (e.g. WLAN, Bluetooth) and/or wired (e.g. Ethernet, USB) means that allow communication over a local and/or external network (e.g. the Internet). Additionally, the golf ball identification means  602  comprises an identification interface  694  such as an RGB sensor, camera, QR code reader, UpCode reader and/or barcode reader for identifying golf balls. 
     The golf ball identification means may communicate with the control means  611 . The control means comprises a memory  691   b  and processor  692   b.  In some embodiments the golf ball identification means and control means may have the same memory and processor. The control means  611  comprises a data interface  693   b  for receiving and/or transmitting data. The control means  611  comprises an actuator  612  such as a solenoid for controlling the latch mechanism  604  or such mechanism for stopping and allowing the golf balls to move in the pipe. 
     The golf ball identification means  602  and/or control means  611  may communicate with a computing entity  695  and/or an electronic device  676 . The computing entity may be a remote or local server for hosting/controlling data such as result data, user data or other data related to the golf training or competition. 
     The computing entity  695  comprises a memory  691   c  and a processor  692   c.  The computing entity  695  comprises a data interface  693   c  for receiving and/or transmitting data. Additionally, the computing entity may comprise a User Interface (UI)  696   c  for user inputs. 
     The electronic device  676  comprises a memory  691   d  and a processor  692   d.  The electronic device  676  comprises a data interface  693   d  for receiving and/or transmitting data. Additionally, the electronic device comprises a User Interface (UI)  696   d  for inputs and/or outputs. The User Interface  696   d  may be a touch display, for example. For example, the electronic device  676  may be a tablet, smartphone or laptop computer. 
     Referring to  FIG. 14 , the golf ball identification system  700  comprises golf ball identification means  702  with a mechanism for stopping and allowing the golf balls to move in the pipe that is a rotating mechanism  704 . 
     The rotating mechanism  704  comprises a disc-like shape with a number of recesses in which golf balls  708  may insert. The rotating mechanism  704  is arranged to rotate between at least three positions wherein the first position let&#39;s a golf ball  708   a  into a recess inside the rotating mechanism  704  and a second position wherein identification means are used for identifying said golf ball  708   a  in the recess and a third position wherein a golf ball  708  is let out of the recess of the rotating mechanism  704 . The rotating mechanism  704  has at least one open position whenever a recess in the rotating mechanism  704  is lined up with the pipe  710  from which the golf balls enter the one or more recesses in the rotating mechanism  704  and a closed position whenever a recess in the rotating mechanism  704  isn&#39;t lined up with the pipe  710  from which the golf balls  708  are inserted to the one or more recesses. The rotating mechanism  708  may have four recesses as depicted and the rotating mechanism  704  may be operated such that a first golf ball  708   a  may enter a recess in the rotating mechanism  704 , while a second golf ball  708   a  is being identified by the identification means  702 , while a third golf ball  708   a  is let out of the rotating mechanism  704  since these different positions may be arranged to align in a one open position of the rotating mechanism  704 . Other golf balls  708   b  may be kept from the entering the rotating mechanism  704  by either having the one or more recesses being of such size that only one golf ball  708  fits there at a time and/or second latch mechanism (not illustrated) based e.g. on pins or claws and situated before the rotating mechanism may be used to control golf balls  708  entering into the rotating mechanism  704 . 
     Actuation means  712  such as an electric motor may be used by the control means to rotate the rotating mechanism  704  along a circular path between the at least three positions defined by a golf ball  708  entering the rotating mechanism  704 , golf ball  708  being identified by the identification means  702 , and golf ball  708  exiting the rotating mechanism  704 . The rotating mechanism  704  may be set at such position that gravitational force may be used to let golf balls  708  fall into and out of the rotating mechanism  704 . 
     The golf ball identification means  702  are arranged to identify golf balls  708 . The golf ball identification means  702  are herein arranged to recognize the golf balls  708   a  in the rotating mechanism  704  when said rotating mechanism is rotated to a certain position. Preferably, the identification means  702  comprises imaging means such as a camera, a microscopic camera or machine vision means. In such an embodiment, different color golf balls  708  may be used and the camera may be used to recognize the color of the golf balls  708 . Additionally or optionally, number, image or code, such as UpCode, QR code or barcode, on the surface of the golf balls  708  may be recognized with the imaging means optionally using machine vision. In some embodiments, the different color golf balls may be calibrated with the identification means  702 . In some embodiments the inside surface of the recesses of the rotating mechanism  704  are coated with a dark color (e.g. black) so that the rotating mechanism  704  material (e.g. stainless steel) does not reflect and interfere with the identification of the golf balls  708 . The identification means  702  may be set in one position in respect to the rotating mechanism  704  such that the golf balls  708  may be aligned with the identification means  702  without the golf balls  708  exiting the recesses of the rotating mechanism  704  e.g. by having the identification means through an aperture from which the golf balls  708  do not fit through. 
     Consequently, a skilled person may on the basis of this disclosure and general knowledge apply the provided teachings in order to implement the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims in each particular use case with necessary modifications, deletions, and additions.