Golf ball with rfid inlay in a molded impression

Abstract

A compressible core with an RFID tag is described. The compressible core includes an RFID integrated circuit, a carrier material, a molded compressible core, and a fill material. The RFID integrated circuit includes a memory that stores at least one unique identifier. The carrier material includes an RFID antenna electrically coupled to the RFID integrated circuit. The molded compressible core has a center and a spherical surface. Additionally, the molded compressible core includes a molded impression that receives the carrier material with the antenna and RFID integrated circuit. The fill material fills the molded impression occupied by the inlay.

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         16 . A method for embedding an RFID tag into a compressible core, the method comprising:
 placing a compressible compound in a mold, wherein the mold includes a projection configured to leave a molded impression;   heating the compressible compound in the mold;   removing the mold;   generating a molded compressible core having a center and a spherical surface, wherein the molded compressible core includes the molded impression left by the mold projection;   encapsulating an RFID integrated circuit in a flexible substrate; and   placing the encapsulated RFID integrated circuit in the molded impression, the encapsulated RFID integrated circuit includes an RFID antenna electrically coupled to an RFID integrated circuit that includes a memory configured to store at least one unique identifier.   
     
     
         17 . The method for embedding an RFID tag into a compressible core of  claim 16  further comprising encapsulating the molded compressible core with a molded shell. 
     
     
         18 . The method for embedding an RFID tag into a compressible core of  claim 16  wherein the molded impression left by the projection comprises a planar slot disposed in the center of the molded compressible core, the slot configured to receive a planar carrier material. 
     
     
         19 . The method for embedding an RFID tag into a compressible core of  claim 16  wherein the molded impression left by the projection comprises a curved slot disposed in the center of the molded compressible core, the slot configured to receive a curved carrier material. 
     
     
         20 . The method for embedding an RFID tag into a compressible core of  claim 16  wherein the molded impression left by the projection comprises a cylindrical slot disposed in the center of the molded compressible core, the slot configured to receive a curved carrier material. 
     
     
         21 . The method for embedding an RFID tag into a compressible core of  claim 16  wherein the flexible substrate encapsulating the RFID integrated circuit includes Teslin. 
     
     
         22 . The method for embedding an RFID tag into a compressible core of  claim 16  wherein the RFID antenna includes at least one conductive wire operating as the antenna. 
     
     
         23 . The method for embedding an RFID tag into a compressible core of  claim 16  wherein the RFID antenna is electrically coupled to the RFID integrated circuit with a non-conductive adhesive. 
     
     
         24 . A method for embedding an RFID tag into a compressible core, the method comprising:
 placing a compressible compound in a mold, wherein the mold includes a projection configured to leave a impression;   heating the compressible compound in the mold;   removing the mold;   generating a compressible core having a center and a spherical surface, wherein the compressible core includes the impression on the surface of the compressible core;   encapsulating an RFID integrated circuit in a flexible substrate;   placing the flexible substrate having the RFID integrated circuit on the impression, wherein the RFID integrated circuit includes,
 a plurality of RFID contact pads; 
 an RFID memory configured to store at least one unique identifier, and 
 an RFID antenna electrically coupled to the RFID integrated circuit,
 wherein the RFID antenna includes a plurality of stranded wires that are fixedly coupled to the RFID contacts pads; and 
 
   encapsulating the compressible core with a shell so that the shell interfaces with compressible core and the flexible substrate having the encapsulated RFID integrated circuit.   
     
     
         25 . The method for embedding an RFID tag into a compressible core of  claim 24  further comprising encapsulating the compressible core with a shell. 
     
     
         26 . The method for embedding an RFID tag into a compressible core of  claim 24  wherein the molded impression left by the projection comprises a planar slot disposed in the center of the molded compressible core, the slot configured to receive a planar carrier material. 
     
     
         27 . The method for embedding an RFID tag into a compressible core of  claim 24  wherein the molded impression left by the projection comprises a curved slot disposed in the center of the molded compressible core, the slot configured to receive a curved carrier material. 
     
     
         28 . The method for embedding an RFID tag into a compressible core of  claim 24  wherein the molded impression left by the projection comprises a cylindrical slot disposed in the center of the molded compressible core, the slot configured to receive a curved carrier material. 
     
     
         29 . The method for embedding an RFID tag into a compressible core of  claim 24  wherein the flexible substrate encapsulating the RFID integrated circuit includes Teslin. 
     
     
         30 . The method for embedding an RFID tag into a compressible core of  claim 24  wherein the RFID antenna includes at least one conductive wire operating as the antenna. 
     
     
         31 . The method for embedding an RFID tag into a compressible core of  claim 24  wherein the RFID antenna is electrically coupled to the RFID integrated circuit with a non-conductive adhesive.