US 7,337,965 B2
Ball identifying device
John S. Thirkettle, Long Marston (United Kingdom); and David V. Jolliffe, Herts (United Kingdom)
Assigned to World Golf Systems Limited, Watford, Herts (United Kingdom)
Appl. No. 10/416,992
PCT Filed Nov. 19, 2001, PCT No. PCT/GB01/05097
§ 371(c)(1), (2), (4) Date Sep. 16, 2003,
PCT Pub. No. WO02/41240, PCT Pub. Date May 23, 2002.
Claims priority of application No. 0028102.2 (GB), filed on Nov. 17, 2000; and application No. 0112968.3 (GB), filed on May 29, 2001.
Prior Publication US 2004/0048686 A1, Mar. 11, 2004
Int. Cl. G06K 7/00 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 235—435  [235/385; 235/449; 473/131; 273/317.2] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device for recording the code of a coded spherical object as the object is moving comprising a sensing member and a path for conveying objects through or past the sensing member, wherein the means defining the path includes a helical track along which and through the center of which the objects are constrained to move, so that the axis of rotation of the object is altered so that the code of the object can be read.