Golf ball identification apparatus and system
A golf ball identification apparatus and system for is disclosed herein. The golf ball identification apparatus includes a housing, a cover, a helical track within the housing, and an antenna. The antenna is positioned at a bottom of the housing and is configured to identify a golf ball that has a wireless identification device.
1 . A system for identifying a golf ball hit on a range having multiple targets, the system comprising:
a target collection member positioned on the range;
a ball detection member comprising a housing, a cover, and a helical track within the housing, wherein the cover comprises at least one hole for access to the helical track, wherein the housing and cover are composed of a metal material; and
an antenna positioned at a bottom of the housing and below the helical track;
wherein the antenna is configured to detect a golf ball comprising a wireless transmitter;
wherein the housing and cover composed of a metal material prevents the antenna from reading golf balls outside of the ball detection member.
2 . The system according to claim 1 wherein the helical track traverses 360 degrees around a central post within the housing.
3 . The system according to claim 1 wherein the housing is cylindrical in shape.
4 . The system according to claim 1 wherein the housing is square in shape.
5 . The system according to claim 1 wherein the housing is circular in shape.
6 . The system according to claim 1 wherein the wireless transmitter in the golf ball is an RFID passive antenna.
7 . The system according to claim 1 wherein the antenna is a RFID antenna.
8 . A golf ball identification apparatus comprising:
a housing composed of a metal material;
a cover composed of a metal material;
a helical track within the housing, wherein the cover comprises a plurality of holes for access to the helical track; and
an antenna positioned at a bottom of the housing and below the helical track;
wherein the antenna is configured to detect a golf ball comprising a wireless transmitter;
wherein the housing and cover composed of a metal material prevents the antenna from reading golf balls outside of the golf ball identification apparatus.
9 . The golf ball identification apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the helical track traverses 360 degrees around a central post within the housing.
10 . The golf ball identification apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the housing is cylindrical in shape.
11 . The golf ball identification apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the housing is square in shape.
12 . The golf ball identification apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the housing is circular in shape.
13 . The golf ball identification apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the wireless transmitter in the golf ball is an RFID passive antenna.
14 . The golf ball identification apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the antenna is a RFID antenna.