LOCATING DEVICE FOR LOCATING AN OBJECT, AND A SYSTEM OF A LOCATING DEVICE AND AN OBJECT

1 .- 22 . (canceled)

23 . A locating device for locating an object, the locating device comprising:

a reception unit configurable to receive an emitted signal, the reception unit including:

a first directional receiver with a first main axis directed in a first direction,

a second directional receiver with a second main axis directed in a second direction, and

a third directional receiver with a third main axis directed in a third direction; and

a processing unit configured to process signals received by the first, second, and third directional receivers so as to obtain a location property of the object;

wherein the second and third directional receivers are positioned in such a way that their respective main axes lie transversely to the first direction; and

wherein opening angles of the second and third directional receivers at least partially overlap with an opening angle of the first directional receiver.

24 . The locating device according to claim 23 , wherein the second and the third main axes of the second and the third directional receivers respectively lie perpendicularly to the first main axis of the first directional receiver.

25 . The locating device according to claim 23 , wherein the second main axis of the second directional receiver lies in an opposite direction with respect to the third main axis of the third directional receiver.

26 . The locating device according to claim 23 , wherein the opening angle of at least one of the directional receivers is less than 120°.

27 . The locating device according to claim 23 , wherein each of the three directional receivers is connected to an intensity transducer, each intensity transducer being configured so as to ascertain the intensity of the signal received by the directional receiver connected thereto, and wherein the processing unit includes a location determining unit connected to the intensity transducers for determining the location property of the object on the basis of one or more intensities of the intensity transducers.

28 . The locating device according to claim 23 , wherein the locating device is selectively adjustable so as to selectively receive a signal.

29 . The locating device according to claim 23 , wherein the processing unit is connected to a readout device so as to show the location property of the object to a user.

30 . The locating device according to claim 23 , wherein the location property comprises the direction, and/or wherein the location property comprises the relative distance.

31 . The locating device according to claim 23 , wherein the locating device comprises a position-determining element for determining a position of the locating device.

32 . The locating device according to claim 31 , wherein the processing unit is connected to a readout device so as to show the position of the locating device to a user.

33 . A system of a locating device according to claim 23 , and of an object, wherein the locating device is transportable and can be carried by a user, and wherein the object is provided with an electric circuit comprising a transmitting element which can be connected to a power supply element so as to emit a signal, the locating device being configured so as to receive the signal emitted by the object.

34 . The system according to claim 33 , wherein the transmitting element is configured to emit an electromagnetic signal, preferably a signal in the 2.4 GHz waveband.

35 . The system according to claim 33 , wherein the electric circuit includes a modulation unit so as to process one or more items of data in the signal emitted by the transmitting element, and wherein the processing unit of the locating device is configured for deducing from a received signal one or more of the items of data processed in the signal.

36 . The system according to claim 35 , wherein the object includes a position-determining element connected to the modulation unit so as to determine a position of the object, the object being configured to emit data about the determined position of the object with the signal.

37 . The system according to claim 36 , wherein the data comprise an identification code unique to the object, and wherein the locating device is selectively adjustable for processing the signal comprising the unique identification code.

38 . The system according to claim 37 , wherein the system is configured to operate with spread spectrum communication.

39 . The system according to claim 33 , wherein the system further comprises at least a second object which is provided with an electric circuit including a transmitting element which can be connected to a power supply element so as to emit a second signal, the locating device being configured so as to receive the second signal emitted by the at least second object, and also so as to obtain a location property of the second object.

40 . The system according to claim 33 , wherein the electric circuit includes a switching element for activating or deactivating the circuit, which switching element comprises a motion sensor for detecting a movement of the golf ball, and wherein the switching element is configured to activate the circuit on detection of movement of the golf ball for causing the transmitting element to emit a signal, and to deactivate the circuit after a specific period of time after activation in order to spare the power supply element.

41 . The system according to claim 40 , wherein the motion sensor includes a force transducer and/or an impact detector so as to detect a strike on the golf ball.

42 . The system according to claim 41 , wherein the switching element is configured to activate the circuit when the force transducer and/or impact detector detect(s) a force or impact respectively that exceeds a preset minimum value.

43 . A golf accessory provided with a locating device according to one of claim 23 .

44 . A golf ball for use in a system according to one of claim 33 .