Ex Parte BINDER

Patent Trial and Appeal Board

Jun 21, 2018

14301544 (P.T.A.B. Jun. 21, 2018)

UNITED STA TES p A TENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
APPLICATION NO. FILING DATE
14/301,544 06/11/2014
131926 7590 06/21/2018
May Patents Ltd. c/o Dorit Shem-Tov
P.O.B 7230
Ramat-Gan, 5217102
ISRAEL
FIRST NAMED INVENTOR
Yehuda BINDER
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Address: COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
P.O. Box 1450
Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
www .uspto.gov
ATTORNEY DOCKET NO. CONFIRMATION NO.
BINDER-013-US2 1674
EXAMINER
PHAN,HAI
ART UNIT PAPER NUMBER
2685
MAIL DATE DELIVERY MODE
06/21/2018 PAPER
Please find below and/or attached an Office communication concerning this application or proceeding.
The time period for reply, if any, is set in the attached communication.
PTOL-90A (Rev. 04/07)
UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD
Ex parte YEHUDA BINDER 1
Appeal2018-000717
Application 14/301,544
Technology Center 2600
Before CARLA M. KRIVAK, HUNG H. BUI, and JON M. JURGOV AN,
Administrative Patent Judges.
KRIVAK, Administrative Patent Judge.
DECISION ON APPEAL
Appellant appeals under 35 U.S.C. § 134(a) from the Examiner's final
rejection of claims 10-13. Claims 14, 16-21, and 23-103 have been
withdrawn from consideration, and claims 1-9, 15, and 22 have been
cancelled. We have jurisdiction under 35 U.S.C. § 6(b).
We affirm.
1 Appellant identifies MAY PA TENTS LTD. as the real party in interest
(App. Br. 1).
Appeal2018-000717
Application 14/301,544
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Appellant's invention is directed to an apparatus and method for a
motion sensing device including a motion sensor for "motion sensing and an
annunciator responding to the sensed motion" (Title; Spec. 1 :4---6).
Independent claim 10, reproduced below, is exemplary of the subject
matter on appeal.
10. A device for signaling in response to a sensed
motion, the device having a single enclosure, and in the single
enclosure comprising:
an accelerometer attached to the single enclosure for
producing an output signal responsive to the device
acceleration;
a signaling component attached to the single enclosure
for signaling to a person;
a software and a processor for executing the software, the
processor coupled to the accelerometer and to the signaling
component for activating or controlling the signaling
component in response to the output signal;
a rechargeable battery connected to power the device;
and
a battery charger connected for induction-based
contactless charging of the rechargeable battery,
wherein the accelerometer comprises, consists of, uses,
or is based on, a piezoelectric, piezoresistive, capacitive, Micro-
mechanical Electrical Systems (MEMS), or electromechanical
accelerometer, and wherein the signaling component is a visible
light emitter for emitting a visible light indicating a first status
to the person.
REFERENCES and REJECTIONS
The Examiner rejected claims 10-13 under 35 U.S.C. § 103(a) based
upon the teachings of Willner (US 5,810,685; issued Sept. 22, 1998),
2
Appeal2018-000717
Application 14/301,544
Kuesters (US 6,113,504; issued Sept. 5, 2000), and Connelly (US 5,236,383;
issued Aug. 17, 1993).
The Examiner rejected claims 10-13 under file wrapper estoppel in
view of the Patent Board Decision of April 28, 2017.
ANALYSIS
Rejection of claims 10---13 under file wrapper estoppel
The Examiner rejected claims 10-13 under file wrapper estoppel in
view of our Decision of April 28, 2017 on Appeal 2017-003594 (which was
a previous appeal in this application). We do not agree with the Examiner.
As recognized by Appellant, "the arguments in this appeal [2018-000717]
are based on new and different grounds than those included in, and decided
upon, the former appeal [2017-003594]" (Reply Br. 2). We agree our
Decision of April 28, 201 7 does not create estoppel with respect to the
claims and issues in the present appeal.
Rejection of claims 10---13 under 35 U.S. C. § 103 (a)
With respect to independent claim 10, Appellant contends the
Examiner's combination of Willner, Kuesters, and Connelly does not teach
or suggest "a battery charger connected for induction-based contactless
charging of the rechargeable battery," as claimed (App. Br. 8; Reply Br. 3-
4). Particularly, Appellant argues Kuesters "does not enable any
'induction charging'," as it merely discloses a "[p]ower source 24 [that]
can also be rechargeable by induction or electromagnetic radiation" (App.
Br. 8 (citing Kuesters col. 4, 11. 25-27)). Appellant also asserts one of
ordinary skill in the art would not add an induction based "battery charger"
3
Appeal2018-000717
Application 14/301,544
( as recited in claim 10) or an "induction coil" ( as recited in claim 11) to
Willner' s soccer ball. Appellant contends such modification would change
Willner' s principle of operation and Willner "teaches away from any adding
of additional components and functionalities" (App. Br. 6-7; Reply Br. 3--4).
We do not agree.
We agree with and adopt the Examiner's findings as our own.
Particularly, we agree with the Examiner that a charger for induction-based
contactless charging is well known to one skilled in the art, as evidenced by
Kuesters (Ans. 8-9; Final Act. 3--4 (citing Kuesters col. 4, 11. 22--40, Fig.
3)). Particularly, Kuesters discloses a golf ball includes "a power source 24,
which can be a battery or a combination of batteries .... [ and] can also be
rechargeable by induction or electromagnetic radiation" (see Kuesters col. 4,
11. 24--27). We consider the skilled artisan, viewing this teaching of
Kuesters, would recognize that a power source rechargeable by induction or
electromagnetic radiation includes an electrical component that functions as
a battery charger enabling energy transfer through electromagnetic induction
in an electromagnetic field (i.e., contactless energy transfer) to recharge the
power source (Ans. 7-8; Final Act. 4). Specifically, column 1, lines 36-41
of Kuesters describes such an electrical component may be a golf ball's
"voltage source that is recharged through a wireless transmission" (see
Kuesters col. 1, 11. 36-41). 2 Thus, Kuesters teaches and suggests "a battery
2 Particularly, Kuesters' column 1, lines 36-41 refers to "Englmeier (U.S.
Pat. No. 5,423,549)," which teaches a "voltage source" (also referred to as
"energy store 4") located in a "golf ball 2" (see Englmeier col. 3, 1. 65, col.
4, 11. 30--41; Figs. 1, 3) (see reference attached to this Opinion). Englmeier' s
voltage source receives power through an induction coil L2, also called an
"energy receiver 7," located in the golf ball. The power is received from a
4
Appeal2018-000717
Application 14/301,544
charger connected for induction-based contactless charging of the
rechargeable battery" in a device, as claimed, was known in the art at the
time of Appellant's invention.
We do not agree with Appellant's argument the Examiner's
combination of Willner and Kuesters lacks articulated reasoning and is
deficient as it provides only "trivial," "subjective," "conclusory and vague"
benefits lacking a "specific reason, or motivation, that is tailored to the
specific facts" of the case (App. Br. 4--5; Reply Br. 2). The Examiner has
articulated sufficient reasoning for equipping Willner' s battery-powered
soccer ball, with a rechargeable battery charged by an induction-based
charger as taught by Kuesters, to "provide a more convenient way to renew
the power source" in Willner' s soccer ball (Final Act. 4 ). As the Examiner
explains, using rechargeable batteries "is more convenient as one does not
have to purchase additional batteries, nor dispose of the old ones" (Ans. 7-
8). Further, using an induction-based charger to recharge a battery in
Willner' s soccer ball would have been obvious to the skilled artisan as a
known technique to produce known results (Ans. 7-8). See KSR Int 'l Co. v.
Teleflex Inc., 550 U.S. 398,416 (2007) ("[A] combination of familiar
elements according to known methods is likely to be obvious when it does
no more than yield predictable results.").
Appellant's arguments regarding changing Willner's principle of
operation are also unpersuasive (see App. Br. 6-7; Reply Br. 3--4). That is,
Appellant contends, "[a]dding such components and functionalities
inherently renders the Willner device as less simple and less economic, and
transmitter (6) located outside the golf ball (see Englmeier col. 4, 11. 30--42;
Fig. 1).
5
Appeal2018-000717
Application 14/301,544
further less compact" (App. Br. 7). However, Appellant has provided
insufficient evidence supporting their argument. We agree with the
Examiner the operation of sensing acceleration by Willner's battery-
powered practice ball would not be changed by including a battery charger
or induction coil in the ball (Ans. 7-9).
We are also unpersuaded by Appellant's argument that Willner
teaches away from adding Kuesters' battery charger because it would "add
to the device weight, shape, and weight distribution" of Willner' s soccer ball
(App. Br. 7). A reference does not teach away if it merely expresses a
general preference for an alternative invention from amongst options
available to the ordinarily skilled artisan, and the reference does not discredit
or discourage investigation into the invention claimed. In re Fulton, 391
F.3d 1195, 1201 (Fed. Cir. 2004). Appellant provides insufficient evidence
that putting the battery charger of Kuesters' golf ball into Willner's soccer
ball teaches away from the combination.
Appellant's additional arguments directed to impermissible hindsight
and long felt need rely upon Appellant's argument that an "inductive
charger" for "contactless charging" is not in the cited art (App. Br. 4--5;
Reply Br. 2-3). As discussed supra, we are not persuaded by Appellant's
argument that Kuesters does not teach or suggest the battery charger of
claim 10.
Appellant further contends Willner and Kuesters are non-analogous to
one another and cannot logically be combined (App. Br. 5---6). The
Examiner relies on Willner' s battery-powered soccer ball having an
acceleration sensor for teaching the claimed configuration of a motion-
sensing device including an accelerometer and a battery (Final Act. 3). The
6
Appeal2018-000717
Application 14/301,544
Examiner relies on Kuesters for disclosing it was known to those skilled in
the art to equip a shock-sensing ball (e.g., Kuesters' golf ball sensing a
golfer's strike) with a rechargeable battery and an induction-based charger
(Ans. 8; Final Act. 4). Thus, Willner and Kuesters are analogous art in the
field of motion-sensing devices in balls used for sports (Ans. 8).
Thus, we agree with the Examiner's findings that Appellant has failed
to clearly distinguish the claimed invention over the prior art relied on by the
Examiner. We, therefore, sustain the Examiner's rejection of independent
claim 10, dependent claim 11, and dependent claims 12 and 13 for which no
separate arguments are provided (App. Br. 9).
DECISION
We affirm the Examiner's decision rejecting claims 10-13 under
35 U.S.C. § 103(a).
No time period for taking any subsequent action in connection with
this appeal may be extended under 37 C.F.R. § 1.136(a)(l )(iv).
AFFIRMED
7
Application/Control No. Applicant(s)/Patent Under Patent
Appeal No.
Notice of References Cited
14/301,544 2018-000717
Examiner Art Unit
2683 Page 1 of 1
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
*
Document Number Date
Country Code-Number-Kind Code MM-YYYY Name Classification
A US- 5,423,549 06-1995 Englmeier
B US-
C US-
D US-
E US-
F US-
G US-
H US-
I US-
J US-
K US-
L US-
M US-
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
*
Document Number Date
Country Code-Number-Kind Code MM-YYYY Country Name Classification
N
0
p
Q
R
s
T
NON-PATENT DOCUMENTS
* Include as applicable: Author, Title Date, Publisher, Edition or Volume, Pertinent Pages)
u
V
w
X
*A copy of this reference is not being furnished with this Office action. (See MPEP § 707.05(a).)
Dates in MM-YYYY format are publication dates. Classifications may be US or foreign.
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
PT0-892 (Rev. 01-2001) Notice of References Cited Part of Paper No.
United States Patent c19J
Englmeier
[54] APPARATUS WITH A SIGNAL RECEIVING
UNIT FOR LOCATING GOLF BALLS
[75] Inventor: Martin Englmeier, Lenting,
Germany
[73] Assignee: IPU Int. Patents Utilization Ltd.,
Channel Islands
[21] Appl. No.:
[22] PCT Filed:
[86] PCT No.:
§ 371 Date:
§ 102(e) Date:
[87] PCT Pub. No.:
920,443
Mar. 2, 1991
PCT/EP91/00395
Aug. 26, 1992
Aug. 26, 1992
W091/13655
PCT Pub. Date: Sep. 19, 1991
(30] Foreign Application Priority Data
Mar. 9, 1990 [DE] Germany ........................ 40 07 454.4
[51] Int. Cl.6 .............................................. A63B 43/00
[52] U.S. CI . .................................. 273/213; 273/58 G
[58] Field of Search ............. 273/213,. 62, 58 R, 58 G
(56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,782,730 1/1974 Horchler ............................. 273/213
4,660,039 4/1987 Barricks et al ...........•.......... 273/213
5,083,113 1/1992 Slawinski et al ..............•.. 273/58 G
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
2616335 12/1988 France ................................ 273/213
I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
US005423549A
[1 IJ Patent Number:
[45] Date of Patent:
5,423,549
Jun. 13, 1995
1172449 11/1969 United Kingdom .
8902768 4/1989 WIPO ...•.•.....•.....•...........•.•. 273/213
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Transistorized Golf Ball, "Radio Electronics", Jun. 1956
p. 79.
Primary Examiner-Jessica J. Harrison
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Evenson, McKeown,
Edwards & Lenahan
[57] ABSTRACT
The invention relates to a device with a signal receiving
unit for locating golf balls. Each golf ball is associated
with a transmitting unit and the signals emitted by each
transmitting unit are detected by the signal receiving
unit. The transmitting unit is associated with an energy
store as an operating voltage source. The device in-
cludes a charging circuit with an energy transmitter for
wireless transmission of the electrical energy to an en-
ergy receiver connected in front of the energy store.
Immediately after the charging phase of the energy
store, the transmitting unit starts sending transmission
signals and in so doing discharges the energy store. The
transmitted signals received by the signal receiving unit
are fed to an evaluation circuit which produces an out-
put signal for locating the golf ball. This output signal is
.then fed to a display unit. After a certain discharge time,
the transmitting unit stops transmitting the transmission
signals. The golf ball is located only during this limited
transmission time. Golf balls which have been mishit
can be located rapidly and simply using the device.
19 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
-----;---i=
-------
31
---------
U.S. Patent June 13, 1995 Sheet 1 of 3 5,423,549
FIG. 1
U.S. Patent June 13, 1995 Sheet 2 of 3 5,423,549
FIG.2
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U.S. Patent June 13, 1995 Sheet 3 of 3 . 5,423,549
FIG. 3
FIG. 4
5,423,549
1 2
since all lost balls are radioactive in a basically similar
manner. APPARATUS WITH A SIGNAL RECEIVING UNIT
FOR LOCATING GOLF BALLS
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE
INVENTION
Accordingly it is the object of the invention to pro-
vide an arrangement for finding specific individual golf
5 balls while precluding as far as possible sources of dis-
turbance caused by other golf balls.
The invention relates to a device for the location of
golf balls comprising a transmitter unit which is ar-
ranged in the golf ball which can be actuated by means 10
of a control unit and which transmits electromagnetic
locating signals and an associated electrical storage
capacitor which is likewise accommodated in the golf
ball and serves as the energy store, with the storage
capacitor being rechargeable for a temporally restricted 15
operating period by means of an energy receiver ar-
ranged in the golf ball and by means of an external
energy transmitter, and further comprising a portable or
mobile signal receiving unit which responds to the lo-
cating signal and also an associated evaluating circuit 20
for generating directionally dependent signals for the
localization of the golf ball. .
A corresponding device is known from WO-A 89/02
768. A lost golf ball can be found again in principle with
this device, however account is not taken of the fact 25
that the search for a golf ball can be made more difficult
by the location signals of other golf balls. Account must
namely be taken of the fact that golf balls lost by rela-
tively many players will simply be left lying on the
terrain even with the availability of a corresponding 30
search device for locating the lost ball. This will lead to
a relatively large number of balls always being present
in the terrain which transmit location signals with re-
ducing intensity corresponding to the remaining resid-
ual capacity of the energy store which supplies the 35
transmitter units of the balls, and this can cause consid-
erable disturbance when searching for a freshly lost
ball.
Similar problems occur with devices in accordance
40 with GB-A 11 72 449. In accordance with this docu-
ment the transmitter unit arranged in the ball can be
formed as a reflector for high frequency signals which
are generated in an external detector which then re-
ceives the signals reflected back by the ball-side reflec- 45
tor and evaluates them to locate the golf ball. The ball-
side transmitter unit is thus formed as a passive transmit-
ter which draws its operating energy from a high fre-
quency field. A similar system is also described in Ger-
man utility model 87 09 503. Here the ball-side reflec- 50
tors each consist of a two part foil antenna with a
V aractor diode connected between their inner ends,
with the Varactor diode bringing about a frequency
doubling of the reflected high frequency signal. All
such systems in which the golf ball contains a passive 55
transmitter have however, the disadvantage that a lost
golf ball which is left lying on the golf course, i.e. is
forgotten or not sought, will at once again become
active in transmission when a detector is set into opera-
tion. In this way the finding of a further lost golf ball 60
can be made impossible or very difficult.
In GB-A 11 72 449 it is indeed proposed to provide
golf balls with radioactive material the half life of which
far exceeds the normal life of a golf ball. Such golf balls
can admittedly be located in principle with detectors 65
which respond to radioactive radiation, however the
searching of a specific golf ball is made considerably
more difficult through further golf balls lying in terrain
This and other objects are satisfied in accordance
with the invention in an apparatus of the initially named
kind in that the energy store is provided as the operating
voltage source of a constant current source which
supplies the transmitter unit of the golf ball and also of
a control unit which actuates the transmitter unit, with
the energy store having a capacity which is dimen-
sioned for -a temporally restricted operating period of
the control unit and/ or of the transmitter unit.
In the system of the invention it is ensured through
the constant current source that the ball-side transmitter
unit generates locating signals with constant intensity
during the transmitter operation. At the same time the
transmitter operation is restricted timewise since the
transmitter unit can only operate as long as the residual
capacity of the energy store is sufficient to operate the
control unit or the constant current source. In this man-
ner it is possible to reliably prevent the transmitter unit
being able to transmit disturbing signals over a longer
period of time with reducing intensity in accordance
with the residual capacity of the energy store.
After the termination of the transmission operation of
the transmitter unit of a golf ball, renewed operation is
only then possible when the golf ball has been found
and recharged. In this way it can be reliably ensured
that the localization of another golf ball is not hindered
in undesirable manner ..
In accordance with a further preferred embodiment
of the invention the transmitter unit is controlled by a
control unit, connected to the energy store in such a
way that the transmitter unit generates periodic trans-
mission signals. In consequence of this such a device has
only a small current requirement so that the energy
store also only needs to be dimensioned for a small
current requirement.
This kind of a control unit is realized in a particularly
preferred embodiment of the invention in that it in-
cludes an astable flip-flop and a subsequent differentia-
tion stage, whereby a rectangular waveform signal gen-
erated by the astable flip-flop is supplied to the differen-
tiator stage and a transistor switch which is provided
for pulsed operation of the transmitter unit is controlled
by the output signal of the differentiator stage. In this
way a simple circuit needed for the pulsed operation is
obtained.
In order to simultaneously locate several golf balls,
provision is made in a particularly preferred embodi-
ment of the invention for the transmitter units to have a
certain number of transmission frequencies, with one of
these transmission frequencies being associated in each
case with groups of golf balls formed at the manufac-
turer in such a way that the transmitter units of the golf
balls belonging to a group each transmit at the same
frequency, and furthermore each golfball has a code for
the identification of the transmission frequency. For this
purpose the reception frequencies of the signal receiv-
ing units are adjustable to these transmission frequen-
cies.
Furthermore, for the simultaneous location of several
golf balls, a further advantageous embodiment of the
invention results in that the charging signals of the en-
ergy transmitter are coded and different transmission
3
5,423,549
4
frequencies of the transmitter unit can be set through
this coding, with the reception frequency of the signal
receiving unit being in each case tunable thereto. A
further development of this embodiment consists in that
a microprocessor is provided at the transmitter unit for 5
decoding the coded charging signals and for setting the
transmission frequency; and in that this microprocessor
controls a decoder, a programmable frequency divider
and a PLL (phase-locked loop) circuit.
For the rapid finding of a golfball the output signal of 10
the evaluation circuit represents, a signal which is de-
pendent on the field strength of the transmitted signal,
with the value of this field strength depending on the
orientation of an antenna associated with the signal
receiving unit and its distance from the golf ball to be 15
sought.
For the better determination of the directional char-
acteristic of the transmission signal, the signal receiving
unit can in particular be equipped in accordance with
another advantageous development of the invention 20
with a multiple antenna diversity system, wherein, in
accordance with a further development of this embodi-
ment, the display unit sets forth the direction in which
the golf ball to be sought is located independently of the
orientation of the antennas. 25
Furthermore, the display unit is so laid out in a favor-
able embodiment of the invention that it transmits opti-
cal and/or acoustical signals.
In a particularly advantageous further development
of the invention, the energy store is a capacitor.
Finally, in a particularly advantageous embodiment
30
of the invention the signal receiving unit, the charging
circuit and the charging device are arranged in a porta-
ble housing, with the golf ball containing the transmitter
unit with the energy receiver and the energy store and 35
optionally the control unit; and in that the charging
device is formed as a charging golf bag for the receiving
of the golf balls.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the
present invention will b~ome apparent from the fol- 40
lowing detailed description of the invention when con-
sidered in conjunction with the accompanying draw-
ings.
also this hand device (portable housing) 26 will first be
described further below. First of all the circuit arrange-
ment b should be explained. There a charging circuit 5
is shown in the upper part of the rectangle surrounding
the circuit arrangement b and comprises of an energy
transmitter 6, an oscillator 10 and a monostable flip-flop
12. The energy transmitter 6 is built up as an oscillating
circuit with an oscillating circuit coil Ll and an oscillat-
ing circuit capacitor Cl and is tuned to a specific charg-
ing frequency. The energy transmitter 6 is fed in accor-
dance with FIG. 1 by the oscillator 10. This oscillator
10 is connected via a transistor switch T2 with an oper-
ating voltage source U.B. which is in turn controlled by
2 monostable flip-flop 12 which in its turn receives a
controlled pulse via a switch 22. In this way this flip-
flop 12 drops into its stable state, whereby the transistor
switch T2 connects the oscillator 10 to the operating
voltage source U B with the consequence, that the en-
ergy transmitter 6 starts transmitting charging signals. If
the monostable flip-flop falls back into its stable starting
position, then the oscillator 10 is separated from the
operating voltage source UP B and is connected via a
further transistor switch T3, a signal receiving unit 1
and its subsequent components with the reference nu-
merals 8 and 20 to the operating voltage source U B·
These circuit components are shown in the lower part
of the rectangle which frames the circuit arrangement
b. Thus the signal receiving unit 1 starts to receive
immediately after the charging phase.
The energy irradiated by the energy transmitter 6 is
received by an energy receiver 7 of the circuit arrange-
ment a which is constructed as a resonant circuit with
an oscillating circuit coil L2 and with an oscillator cir-
cuit capacitor C2 as a parallel circuit. A further capaci-
tor is connected in parallel with the oscillating circuit
capacitor C2 via a rectifier diode D and serves as a
storage capacitor 4 for the storage of the received en-
ergy following rectification through the rectifier diode
D. This energy store 4 then serves as an operating volt-
age source for the subsequent components, in this case a
control unit 13 and a constant current source 24. During
the charging phase of the storage capacitor 4, the en-
ergy transmitter 6 and the energy receiver 7 are ar-
ranged spatially adjacent one another, which is indi-
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 45 cated by graphic proximity of these two parallel cir-
The invention will be explained in more detail in the cuits. In the practical arrangement this is explained
following with respect to several embodiments and further below with reference to FIG. 4. Through an
with reference to the drawings. There are shown: arrangement of these two oscillating circuits of this kind
FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram of an embodiment of reproducible charging conditions arise in advantageous
the apparatus of the invention, 50 manner.
FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of an embodiment of As soon as the energy store 4 is charged, the subse-
a circuit with a transmission frequency adjustment and quent components 13 and 24 and in particular the trans-
housed in a golf ball to be located, mitter unit 3 starts to work, i.e. transmitter signals are
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a golf ball with an radiated via the antenna 25 of the transmitter unit 3. The
electronic system in accordance with the device of the 55 transmitter unit 3 comprises of an oscillator 27 which
invention, and controls an oscillating circuit comprising a capacitor C3
FIG. 4 is a perspective illustration of an embodiment and a coil L3. The oscillator 27 is connected to the
of the device of the invention. constant current source 24 which supplies the oscillator
27 with a constant current despite a reducing operating
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
DRAWINGS
60 voltage. The oscillator 27 is furthermore connected via
a transistor switch Tl to the storage capacitor 4 in order
to generate a pulsed transmission signal for the purpose
of energy saving. Accordingly the switching transistor
FIG. 1 shows two block circuit diagrams which are
respectively framed by a continuous line and designated
with· the reference signs a and b respectively. The cir-
cuit arrangement a is accommodated in the golfball 2 to 65
be located in accordance with FIG. 3 while the circuit
arrangement b is built up in a portable housing 26 in
accordance with FIG. 4. The golf ball of FIG. 3 and
Tl is controlled by the clock pulses generated by the
control unit 13. This control unit 13 includes an astable
flip-flop 14 and a differentiating stage 15 connected
after the flip-flop 14. The output of this differentiating
stage 15 is connected to the transistor switch Tl. For
5
5,423,549
the energy supply this astable flip-flop 14 as well as the
differentiating stage 15 is connected to the energy store
4 while the signal input of the astable flip-flop 14 is
likewise connected to this storage capacitor 4. At the
output of the astable flip-flop stage 14 a rectangular 5
oscillation is available with a pulse space ratio of for
example 1:1 which is differentiated by the differentiat-
ing stage 15 to generate short pulses. The pulsed trans-
mission signals irradiated by the transmission antenna 25
are received by a receiving antenna 21 of the signal IO
receiving unit 1 of the circuit arrangement b.
A demodulator 20 and an evaluation unit 8 are con-
nected after this signal receiving unit 1 and these com-
ponents are supplied with an operating voltage U B· The
evaluation circuit 8 contains a sample and hold circuit 15
to which the demodulated signal of the demodulator 20
is fed. The signal generated by this evaluating unit 8 is
directly proportional to the value of the received field
strength. Since a rod antenna is used as the antenna 21 a
directionally dependent signal results which is supplied 20
to a measurement device 9 connected after the evalua-
tion unit 8. This measuring instrument which serves as a
location display is for example a moving coil instru-
ment. The circuit arrangement b is set in operation via
a switch 23. 25
FIG. 2 shows a circuit arrangement a with the possi-
bility of setting specific transmission frequencies in
order to hereby simultaneously detect different golf
balls. This is realized in that the charging signal of the
energy transmitter 6 represents a coded charging signal, 30
for example PCM-modulated (Pulse Code Modulated).
This charging signal received by the energy receiver 7
is tapped off in accordance with FIG. 2 at the oscillat-
ing circuit capacitor C2 and is supplied via a coupling
capacitor C4 to a decoder 17. A microprocessor 16 35
evaluates the decoded signals and. controls in tum a
programmable frequency divider 18 in accordance with
the coded frequency in the received charging signal.
. The programmable frequency divider 18 supplied by
the oscillator 29 controls a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) 40
circuit 19 which in tum controls the voltage controlled
oscillator 27 of the transmitter unit 1. The PLL circuit
19 is supplied with a reference frequency from an oscil-
lator quartz 28. For the generation of PCM modulated
charging signals through the charging circuit 5 the 45
latter receives corresponding circuit means which are
known to the person skilled in the art and which will
not therefore be further explained here. In the same
manner the signal receiving unit 1 of the circuit arrange-
ment b has adjustment possibilities for the reception of 50
the different frequencies.
In FIG. 3 a golfball 2 is now shown which contains
an electronic circuit 30 which corresponds to the circuit
arrangement a of FIG. 1 or of FIG. 2. This electronic
circuit 30 is split up in accordance with the reference 55
numerals 31, 32 and 33 into three different functional
areas. The area 31 contains the energy receiver, the area
32 serves for the energy storage and the area 33 contains
the transmitter unit with the associated components.
Furthermore, the transmitter antenna 35 which is exe- 60
cuted as a wire is also shown. This electronic circuit 30
is cast together with its antenna 25 into the innermost
layer of the golf ball 2, with this inner core additionally
being surrounded by several layers. A marking point 41
on the surface of the golf ball represents the location 65
where the energy receiver 7 is opposite to the circuit
arrangement a. The sense of this marking 41 will be
explained further below in connection with FIG. 4.
6
FIG. 4 now shows an embodiment of a searching
device for fmding a golfball 2 in accordance with FIG.
3. This searching device is formed as a rectangular
portable housing 26 and contains a circuit arrangement
b in accordance with FIG. 1. For the charging proce-
dure a golf ball of the kind shown in FIG. 1 is laid into
the charging bag into an opening 11 provided for this
purpose. In this respect it should be noted that the mark-
ing 41 on the golf ball points upwardly whereby it is
guaranteed that the energy receiver in the region 31 of
the golfball 2 is located in the immediate spatial proxim-
ity of the energy transmitter 6 located at the base of the
charging bag 11. The searching device is now set into
operation via an on/off key 36, whereby the charging
procedure takes place automatically and lasts for exam-
ple for 6 seconds. During the charging procedure a
charging display 40 arranged on an end face of the
housing 26 lights up. After the end of charging the
signal receiving unit automatically switches on and this
is likewise shown by the receiver display 40. If the
charging procedure has now been carried out in an
orderly manner then the measuring instrument 25
which now operates as a field strength instrument
shows at once the transmission of the signal by the ball.
Finally, the ball can be taken from the charging bag 11
and placed for the searching procedure on the terrain.
The signal transmission of the golf ball is effective for
approximately 15 minutes after charging has been com-
pleted, with a capacitor of 100-F having been selected
for the charging capacitor 4 of the circuit arrangement
a of FIG. 1 or of FIG. 2. The corresponding charging
frequency lies at approximately I MHz.
For the searching procedure the searching device
remains switched on after the charging up of the golf
ball. A telescope antenna 35 is drawn out fully and a
receiving switch 37 is set to "remote", i.e. to a highest
sensitivity stage. The display on the measuring instru-
ment 35 will now start to deflect. With a tuning knob 39
the deflection of the display can be set to the maximum
display value (optimum search). First of all the course
direction can be determined in which the golf ball is
located through rotation of the entire searching device
and of the searcher. By walking forward slowly in this
direction the deflection of the display will increase. If
the measurement range should be exceeded on ap-
proaching the ball then the sensitivity switch 37 can be
brought into a .. close" position. The needle of the mea-
suring instrument 35 can now move again on the scale
and the search for the golf ball can be continued. After
the search for the golf ball has been successful the
searching device is switched off via the switch 36. After
the renewed switching on of this switch 36 the charging
of the next golf ball can begin at once. The searching
device in accordance with FIG. 4 furthermore contains
a loud speaker sleeve 38 to which a headphone can be
connected which gives amplified short sound signals
when the searching device approaches the golf ball 2.
So that several players on a golf course can simulta-
neously seek their lost golf balls it is necessary for these
to transmit at different frequencies. For this purpose a
different transmission frequency is in each case associ-
ated with groups of golf balls formed at the works, so
that the transmitter units of the golf balls belonging to
one group all transmit at the same frequency. In order
to distinguish the individual groups the golf balls have
on their surface a code which simultaneously recites the
transmission frequency. The search device includes a
7
5,423,549
8
means with which the signal receiving unit can be set to 7. Device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
the corresponding frequency. control unit is coupled to the transmitter unit and the
Although the invention has been described and illus- storage capacitor such that the transmitter unit gener-
trated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that the ates pulsed transmission signals.
same is by way of illustration and example, and is not to 5 8. Device in accordance with claim 7, wherein the
be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope of control unit includes an astable flip-flop and a subse-
the present invention are to be limited only by the terms quent differentiating stage arranged such that a rectan-
of the appended claims. gular signal generated by the astable flip-flop is supplied
I claim: to the differentiating stage, and further includes a tran-
1. A device, comprising: 10 sistor switch coupled to the differentiating stage and
a golf ball; providing a pulsing of the transmitter unit wherein the
a transmitter unit disposed within the golf ball; · transistor switch is controlled by an output of the differ-
a constant current source disposed within the golf entiating stage.
ball and coupled to the transmitter unit; 9. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein a
a control unit disposed within the golf ball and cou- 15 plurality of transmission frequencies is provided for the
pied to the transmitter unit and which actuates the transmitter unit; in that a specific transmission fre-
transmitter unit to cause said transmitter unit to quency is associated with the transmitter unit disposed
transmit electromagnetic locating signals; within groups of golf balls formed at a specific manufac-
an electrical storage capacitor disposed within the turer, in each case in such a way that the transmission
golf ball, the storage capacitor being coupled to the 20 units of the golf balls belonging to one group each trans-
transmitter unit and serving as an energy store, mit on the same frequency; each golf ball having a code
wherein the storage capacitor is an operating volt- to identify the transmission frequency; and in that a
age source of the constant current source; receiving frequency of the signal receiving is set to
an energy receiver disposed within the golf ball, cou- 25 these transmission frequencies.
pied to the storage capacitor, that recharges the 10. Device in accordance with claim 9, wherein
storage capacitor for a temporally restricted oper- charging signals of the energy transmitter are coded;
ating period; and different transmission frequencies of the transmitter
a charging circuit that includes an external energy unit are set through this coding; and a reception fre-
transmitter having an oscillating circuit tuned to a 30 quency of the signal receiving unit is in each case tun-
charging frequency of approximately 1 MHz and is able to the transmission frequencies.
electrically coupleable to the energy receiver; 11. Device in accordance with the claim 10, further
an oscillator coupled to the oscillating circuit; comprising a microprocessor coupled to the transmitter
a mobile signal receiving unit responsive to the locat- unit, and that decodes the coded charging signal and
ing signals and providing output signals; and 35 sets the transmission frequency at the transmitter unit;
an evaluating circuit coupled to receive the output said microprocessor coupled to and controlling a de-
signals of the mobile signal receiving unit, the eval- coder, a programmable frequency divider and a phase-
uating circuit generating directionally dependent locked loop circuit.
signals for the localization of the golf ball; 12. Device in accordance with claim 1, further com-
wherein the energy receiver is a resonant circuit 40 prising an antenna coupled to the mobile signal receiv-
tuned to said charging frequency. ing unit, wherein the evaluating circuit generates an
2. Device in accordance with claim 1, further com- output signal that represents a signal dependent on field
prising a rectifier element coupled to the resonant cir- strength of a received locating signal; the value of this
cuit such that electrical energy picked up by the reso- field strength being dependent on orientation of the
nant circuit is rectified and supplied to the storage ca- 45 antenna and a distance of the antenna from the golf ball
pacitor. to be sought.
3. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the 13. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
electrical coupling between the energy transmitter and mobile signal receiving unit includes a multiple antenna
the energy receiver is an inductive. diversity system operable to determine the directional
4. Device in accordance with claim 1, further com- 50 characteristic of the locating signal.
prising a charging device for the golf ball for the charg- 14. Device in accordance with claim 13, further com-
ing of the storage capacitor, the charging device being prising a display unit coupled to the evaluating circuit,
coupled to the charging circuit, said charging device the display unit indicating the direction in which the
configured such that the energy receiver is located golf ball which is to be sought is located independently
during a charging procedure in direct spatial proximity 55 of the orientation of the antennas.
to the energy transmitter. 15. Device in accordance with claim 14, wherein the
5. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the display unit transmits at least one of optical and acousti-
signal receiving unit is immediately operable after the cal signals.
storage capacitor is charged. 16. Device in accordance with claim 1, further com-
6. Device in accordance with claim 5, further com- 60 prising a portable housing for housing the mobile signal
prising a monostable flip-flop coupled to the mobile receiving unit, the charging circuit and the charging
signal receiving unit and the energy transmitter to con- device; and wherein the charging device is formed to
trol the mobile signal receiving unit and the energy receive the golf ball as a charging golf ball holder.
transmitter; wherein the energy transmitter is active and 17. Device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
the mobile signal receiving unit is inactive only during 65 electrical coupling between the external energy trans-
an astable state of the monostable flip-flop and the mo- mitter and the energy receiver is a capacitive coupling.
bile signal receiving unit is ready to receive only during 18. A golf ball having an interior comprising:
a stable state of the monostable flip-flop. a transmitter unit in the golf ball interior;
9
5,423,549
a constant current source in the golf ball interior and
coupled to the transmitter unit;
a control unit in the golf ball interior and coupled to
the transmitter unit and which actuates the trans-
mitter unit to cause said transmitter unit to transmit s
electromagnetic locating signals;
an electrical storage capacitor in the golf ball interior,
the storage capacitor being coupled to the trans-
mitter unit and serving as an energy store, wherein
the storage capacitor is an operating voltage source 10
of the constant current source; and
10
energy store for the transmitter unit; an energy receiver
disposed within the golf ball; an external energy trans-
mitter wirelessly coupled with the energy receiver in
order to sufficiently charge the storage capacitor for a
limited period of operation of the transmitter unit; a
signal receiver unit which is responsive to the electro-
magnetic location signals; and an evaluation circuit
associated therewith for producing direction-independ-
ent signals for locating the golf ball, the external energy
transmitter comprising: an oscillator circuit operating at
a pre-specified frequency, wherein the energy receiver
is constructed as a resonator circuit matched to the
pre-specified frequency, said energy receiver being
an energy receiver in the golf ball interior and cou-
pled to the storage capacitor to recharge the stor-
age capacitor for a temporally restricted operating
period. 15 brought into direct proximity to the energy transmitter,
and wherein the transmitter unit starts emitting trans-
mitter signals directly after the charging of the energy
store and wherein the energy store discharges after a
19. A locating system comprising a golf ball and a
locating device, said locating device including a trans-
mitter unit disposed within the golf ball and which emits
electromagnetic location signals; a storage capacitor
disposed within the golf ball and which serves as an 20
pre-specified discharging time.
* * * * *
25
30
35
40
45
so
55
60
65