BALL DISPENSER

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to ball dispensers operable to dispense balls, for example golf balls. Moreover, the present invention also relates to methods of dispensing balls, for example golf balls, from ball dispensers. Additionally, the present invention concerns software products stored on data carriers wherein the software products are executable on computing hardware for implementing aforementioned methods of dispensing balls.

Background of the invention

Contemporary object dispensers are well known, for example drinks bottle dispensing machines, ticket dispensing machines and cash dispensing machines. These machines have become increasingly popular because they function to dispense their objects in return for payment at a time and location which is convenient to users of the machines. An alternative to employing such object dispensing machines is to take sufficient quantity of a given type of object to support a given activity, for example taking a sufficient number of golf balls in a carrying container onto a golfing area, for example onto a golf course or onto a golfing range, to allow for an enjoyable day's golfing activities. However, golf players dislike carrying around with them large quantities of golf balls to add to their collection of golf equipment, for example set of mutually different golf clubs.

It is known to provide golf ball dispensers distributed around golfing areas, the golf ball dispensers being operable to dispense golf balls to golfers in return for some form of payment.

Known automated golf ball dispensers have not found general use in golfing areas for several reasons.

A first reason is that the dispensers constitute a capital investment which proprietors of golf facilities are only able to reasonably provide at a few spatial locations within a golfing area; cost is further escalated when mains electrical supply infrastructure has to be provided at numerous locations around a golfing area. Such limited provision of dispensers results in

golfers simply preferring to carry an increased quantity of golf balls with them when working through a golfing area.

A second reason is that aforementioned golf ball dispensers are aesthetically large and obtrusive items of equipment which potentially degrade an appearance of a golfing area onto which they are installed and thereby are susceptible to degrade golfer enjoyment and experience.

A third reason is that aforesaid golf ball dispensers conventionally are susceptible to storing considerable quantities of golf balls which render these golf ball dispensers potential targets of theft, for example when they include thousands of golf balls.

A technical problem therefore is to provide a ball dispenser, for example a golf ball dispenser, which is susceptible to being deployed more cost-effectively, to being less expensive to operate, and to being easier to service than known ball dispensers.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention is to provide improved ball dispensers, for example improved golf ball dispensers.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved methods of operating ball dispensers, for example improved methods of operating golf ball dispensers.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a ball dispenser as claimed in appended claim 1 : there is provided a ball dispenser including:

(a) a ball container for receiving one or more balls to be dispensed;

(b) a dispensing mechanism coupled to the ball container for dispensing therefrom one or more balls;

(c) a control unit coupled in communication with the dispensing mechanism for controlling the dispensing mechanism for dispensing the one or more balls to one or more users;

(d) one or more sources of electrical power for providing operating power to the dispenser;

characterized in that

the dispenser further comprises a coupling arrangement for releasably coupling the dispenser to a foundation.

The invention is of advantage in that the coupling arrangement enables the dispenser to be releasably decoupled from its foundations for enabling the dispenser to be redeployed at other locations, removed for restocking purposes, and/or releasably decoupled from its foundations for repair or storage purposes.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser, the foundation is anchored at a position within a region.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser, the foundation is removable and integrated with the dispenser.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser, the dispensing mechanism includes a blocking mechanism operatively controlled by the control unit for alternating the blocking mechanism between a blocked state and an unblocked state, the blocked state hindering dispensing of the one or more balls, and the unblocked state allowing dispensing of the one or more balls.

Optionally, the ball dispenser comprises a base for mechanically releasably attaching the dispenser onto a mechanical connector arrangement associated with an upper surface of the foundation.

More optionally, in the ball dispenser, the base includes a locking mechanism being operable between a locked mode and an unlocked mode, the mechanism enabling the dispenser to be disengaged from the foundation when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked mode, and hindering disengagement of the dispenser from the foundation when the locking mechanism is in the locked mode.

More optionally, in the ball dispenser, the locking mechanism is controlled by an electrically- energized actuator, the actuator being controlled by at least one of:

(a) the control unit; and

(b) a wireless device.

Optionally, the ball dispenser is a golf ball dispenser susceptible to being deployed on a golfing area comprising at least one of the foundation, and the one or more balls include one or more golf balls. The ball dispenser is thereby capable of conveniently dispensing golf balls

in the golfing area whilst being easier to restock and service than earlier known types of golf ball dispensers.

Optionally, the ball dispenser is carriable by a person of moderate physical build and strength when the ball dispenser is decoupled from the foundation.

Optionally, in respect of the ball dispenser, the foundation is firmly anchored at the position, thereby rendering the ball dispenser not carriable by a person when the ball dispenser is coupled with the foundation.

Optionally, the ball dispenser weights less than 20 kg when the ball dispenser does not contain any balls and is decoupled from the foundation. More optionally, the ball dispenser weights less than 10 kg when the ball dispenser does not contain any balls and is decoupled from the foundation. Yet more optionally, the ball dispenser weights less than 5 kg when the ball dispenser does not contain any balls and is decoupled from the foundation.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser, the one or more sources of electric power include at least one of: (a) a disposable battery for generating electrical power from a non-reversible chemical reaction;

(b) a solar cell for generating electrical power from incident sunshine;

(c) a wind turbine for generating electrical power from gusts of wind and/or a continuous flow of wind; (d) a mechanical generator operable to convert mechanical work executed by the one or more users to electric power;

(e) a fuel-cell power generator operable to support a fuel-oxidation process therein and to generate electric power directly from the fuel-oxidation process; and

(f) a rechargeable battery operable to supply electrical power therefrom and store electrical power therein by way of a reversible chemical reaction.

Implementing the ball dispenser to utilize a local source of power thereto circumvents a need to provide the ball dispenser with a mains electrical supply, thereby potentially simplifying deployment of the dispenser and also potentially saving in costs associated with providing mains electricity infrastructure.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser, the one or more sources of electric power are at least in part implemented in the foundation. Such an implementation of the one or more sources of power

enables a portion of the dispenser releasably couplable to the foundations to be lighter in weight, less expensive to manufacture and/or more compact. Reduced weight of the dispensers is beneficial when they are to be decoupled from their foundations for redeployment, restocking or repair, for example when being manually manipulated.

Optionally, the ball dispenser further comprises one or more sensors communicatively coupled with the control unit, the control unit being operable to perform at least one operation to the dispensing mechanism in response to information received from the one or more sensors.

More optionally, in the ball dispenser, each of the one or more sensors are selected from the set of: a pressure sensor, a touch sensor, an infrared detector, a visual range optical sensor, an ultraviolet detector, an RFID tag reader, a magnetic stripe card reader, a magnetic flux sensor, an electrostatic sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a microphone.

Optionally, the ball dispenser comprises a wireless arrangement communicatively coupled with the control unit, the control unit being operable to perform at least one operation to the dispensing mechanism in response to information received by the wireless arrangement. Such communication by wireless enables information regarding operation of the dispenser to be acquired in preparation for computing a more optimal manner of deploying and restocking the dispenser in the region.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser, the wireless arrangement is a short-range wireless communication module including at least one of: an NFC transceiver, a Bluetooth transceiver, a Wibree transceiver. Use of short-range communication is of benefit in enabling only those ball dispensers in proximity of the user to respond to interrogation from the user.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser, the wireless arrangement is a long-range wireless communication module including at least one of: a GSM transceiver, a W-CDMA transceiver, a WiMAX transceiver, an IEEE 802.11 transceiver.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser, the received information comprises at least one of:

(a) presence information, representing a presence of the one or more users in a proximity of the ball dispenser; (b) payment information, representing an account of the one or more users;

(c) ball release request information, representing a request to dispense one or more balls from the ball dispenser; and

(d) ball release command information, representing a command to dispense one or more balls from the ball dispenser.

Optionally, the ball dispenser is operable between: (a) a power-conserving hibernating state wherein only those components of the ball dispenser necessary for communicating with a service facility, for detecting a presence of the one or more users, and/or for receiving a request from the one or more users are activated; and

(b) a fully-operation awake mode wherein all components necessary for dispensing one or more requested balls from the ball dispenser are activated.

Employing hibernating and fully-operation states enables power within the ball dispenser to be used judiciously, thereby reducing a size and capacity of the one or more local sources of power of the dispenser; cost saving, weight saving and dispenser size savings are susceptible to being thereby achieved.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser, the dispensing mechanism is operable to be momentarily energized for dispensing the one or more balls, and otherwise not energized, thereby conserving electrical energy within the dispenser.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser, the dispensing mechanism is mechanically user-assisted, the one or more users being required to apply physical work (F) to the dispenser for causing dispensing of the one or more requested balls therefrom.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser, the dispensing mechanism is spatially disposed within the dispenser to be fed by gravity with one or more of the balls from the ball container for dispensing to the one or more users. In Figures 3, 5 and 7, a direction of gravitational force acting on each ball towards a centre of the Earth is denoted by an arrow; the arrow includes a symbol "g" for denoting a gravitational acceleration of substantially 9.8 m/s ² .

Optionally, in respect of the ball dispenser, the at least one operation comprises registering dispensing of the one or more balls in the control unit, the control unit being operable to report information derived from the registering to a service facility via at least one communication channel being selected from the set of: (a) a contact-based electric communication channel; (b) a short-range wireless communication channel; and

(c) a long-range wireless communication channel.

Optionally, in respect of the ball dispenser, the at least one operation comprises momentarily unblocking the dispensing mechanism, and re-blocking said dispensing mechanism after one or more balls have propagated through said mechanism.

Optionally, in respect of the ball dispenser, the at least one operation comprises controlling operation of the dispensing mechanism for dispensing the one or more balls therethrough.

Optionally, in respect of the ball dispenser, the at least one operation comprises: (a) verifying the authenticity of the payment information; and (b) controlling operation of the dispensing mechanism for dispensing the one or more balls therethrough when the payment information is authentic.

Optionally, in respect of the ball dispenser, the at least one operation comprises: (a) verifying the authenticity of the payment information; and (b) in an event that the payment information is authentic, debiting an amount of consideration from an account of the one or more users for the one or more balls to be dispensed and controlling operation of the dispensing mechanism for dispensing the one or more balls therethrough.

An expression "amount of consideration" is here optionally to be construed to mean debiting a bank account such that the consideration is financial consideration, for example 1 United States dollar.

Optionally, in respect of the ball apparatus, the account is stored in any one of: (a) a wireless device of the one or more users; (b) a service facility; and (c) a ball dispenser.

According to second aspect of the invention, there is provided a region, namely a terrain, as clamed in appended claim 32: there is provided a region comprising one or more foundations spatially distributed therein, the one or more foundations being provided with one or more coupling arrangements for releasably receiving one or more ball dispensers thereat.

Optionally, the region has an area larger than 1000 m ² .

Optionally, the region comprises one or more golfing areas.

Optionally, in the region, the one or more foundations are spatially distributed at intervals in the order of substantially 100 metres, or within a distance of substantially 50 metres from one or more ball loss areas of the region.

Optionally, in the region, the one or more ball dispensers are operable to dispense one or more balls therefrom in response to one or more requests from one or more users.

Optionally, in the region, the one or more ball dispensers are susceptible to being repositioned amongst the one or more foundations for enabling a service facility to enhance dispensing of one or more balls to one or more users in the region.

More optionally, in the region, the ball dispensers are communicatively coupled with the service facility.

Contemporary known ball dispensers are often including in regions wherein ball-sports are executed; a problem associated with such dispensers is that they are often mutually deployed spatially too far apart which renders them inconvenient to service and restock.

An object of the invention is to provide improved ball dispenser systems including one or more ball dispensers.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a ball dispenser system as claimed in appended claim 39: there is provided a ball dispenser system including one or more ball dispensers operable to dispense one or more balls therefrom in response to one or more requests from one or more users, the one or more ball dispensers being spatially distributed in operation within a region, the one or more ball dispensers being coupled in communication with a service facility,

characterized in that

the service facility is operable to receive information indicative of operation of the one or more ball dispensers, and to compute and subsequently implement based on the received information restocking of the one or more ball dispensers with balls, and/or to compute and subsequently implement based on the received information a spatial distribution of the one or more dispensers within the region for enhancing delivery of the one or more balls to the one or more users.

The invention is of benefit in that collating information regarding operation of the one or more ball dispensers enables servicing and/or deployment of the one or more dispensers to be more easily improved.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser system, the restocking is implemented in an at least partially optimized manner.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser system, the spatial distribution is at least partially optimized for enhancing delivery of the one or more balls.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser system, the one or more ball dispensers include one or more golf ball dispensers, the one or more balls include one or more golf balls, and the region comprises one or more golfing areas. The dispenser system is thereby susceptible to being adapted for use in golfing areas wherein golf balls are often lost when playing and where it is desirable to have replacement golf balls available in a convenient and prompt manner.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser system, the region includes one or more foundations spatially distributed therein, the one or more foundations being provided with one or more coupling arrangements for releasably receiving the one or more ball dispensers thereat, the one or more ball dispensers being susceptible to being repositioned amongst the one or more foundations for enabling the service facility to enhance dispensing of the one or more balls to the one or more users.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser system, each of the one or more ball dispensers includes a control unit therein, the control unit being operable to execute at least one of:

(a) determining a presence of the one or more users in a proximity thereof; and

(b) communicating by wireless with at least one of the service facility and/or the user. The control unit is thereby capable, without the user having to make efforts to prompt the ball dispenser, of preparing the dispenser associated with the control unit for dispensing one or more balls to the user, sending an invitation message to the user, and/or registering detection of the user at the service facility, for example for checking whether or not the user is authorised to have one or more balls dispensed thereto.

More optionally, in the ball dispenser system, the determining presence is based on at least one of:

(i) receiving presence information from the one or more user; (ii) receiving presence information from the service facility; and

(iii) detecting a presence of the one or more users via a sensor communicatively connected with one or more control units included in the one or more dispensers.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser system, communication between the one or more dispensers and the user is provided via short-range wireless communication. Short-range communication, implemented with for example the wireless communication modules of the kinds listed above, is of benefit in that dispensers are then only responsive to users in proximity thereto.

Optionally, additionally or alternatively, in the ball dispenser system, communication between the control unit and the service facility is provided via long-range wireless communication. Such long-distance communication enables the service facility to be located at a considerable distance, for example many kilometres, from the one or more dispensers. The service facility is thereby capable of servicing dispensers spread over a region having an area of many square kilometres. More optionally, in the ball dispenser system, communication between the one or more ball dispensers, the one or more users and the service facility is implemented at least in part pursuant to an ETSI communication standard ES 202 504.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser system, each of the one or more ball dispensers includes a control unit for controlling dispensing of one or more of the balls from the dispenser via a dispensing mechanism in response to a request from the one or more users, the control unit being coupled in communication with the dispensing mechanism for controlling operation of the mechanism for dispensing balls therethrough.

Optionally, the ball dispenser system is implemented for enabling one or more users to purchase one or more tokens for use as consideration when requesting dispensing of one or more balls from the one or more ball dispensers, the one or more tokens being identified by wireless communication between the one or more users and the one or more ball dispensers so that the one or more tokens are cancelled in operation in response to one or more requested balls being dispensed to the one or more users. Use of tokens is of benefit in that it avoids a need to physically handle money when dispensing one or more balls to users. Storing the tokens at the service facility is of advantage in that theft of the user's wireless device does not give access to balls from the one or more dispensers. Conversely, storing the tokens on the user's wireless device, for example on a SIM card of the wireless device, is highly convenient.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser system, a request from the one or more users for dispensing of one or more balls from the one or more ball dispensers triggers one or more transactions, the one or more transactions being identifiable by:

(i) wireless communication between the one or more users and the one or more ball dispensers;

(ii) via wireless communication between the one or more ball dispensers and the service facility; and/or (iii) via wireless communication between the one or more users and the service facility.

Optionally, in the ball dispenser system, the one or more transactions include information identifying the one or more ball dispensers for enabling the one or more users to selectively define which of the one or more dispensers are to dispense one or more balls therefrom.

More optionally, in the ball dispenser system, the selective definition is performed via long range wireless communication. Wireless devices are in widespread use, such that employing such wireless devices for instructing the dispenser to dispense on or more balls is highly convenient. More optionally, the ball dispenser is operable to communicate via its control unit by wireless pursuant to an ETSI standard ES 202 504. Such wireless communication enables the dispenser to be deployed at a considerable distance from the service facility, whilst enabling the service facility to monitor operation of the dispenser, for example for restocking the dispenser.

More optionally, in the ball dispenser system, the one or more transactions include one or more of: (i) pre-payment before dispensing one or more balls;

(ii) immediate payment in return for dispensing one or more balls; and

(iii) post-payment after dispensing one or more balls.

Choice of use of one or more of options (i) to (iii) depends upon circumstance of the region in which the system is implemented. More optionally, in the ball dispenser system, the one or more tokens are recorded at one or more of: wireless devices of the one or more users, at the service facility.

When a system comprising several ball dispensers spatially distributed around a region is provided, efficient operation of the system is dependent upon appropriate methods employed to operate the system. Some contemporary methods of operating ball dispensers in ball- game regions are not optimal.

An object of the invention is to provide more optimal methods of operation ball dispenser systems.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating a ball dispenser system as claimed in appended claim 56: there is provided a method of operating a ball dispenser system including one or more ball dispensers spatially distributed in operation within a region, the one or more ball dispensers being operatively coupled in communication with a service facility, the one or more ball dispensers being operable to dispense one or more balls therefrom in response to one or more requests from one or more users,

characterized in that

the method includes steps of: (a) receiving via wireless communication a request from the one or more users for dispensing one or more balls thereto, the request being received at the one or more ball dispensers and/or the service facility; (b) debiting an amount of consideration from an account of the user for the one or more balls to be dispensed; and (c) authorising the one or more ball dispensers to dispense the one or more requested balls therefrom corresponding to the debited amount of consideration.

The method is of advantage in that use of wireless communication for dispensing one or more balls, for example golf balls, renders the ball dispenser system easier for users to employ when playing ball games, for example golf.

Optionally, when implementing the method, the service facility includes at least one of:

(d) a command centre for communicating with at least one of: the one or more users, a user portal of the service facility, the one or more dispensers; (e) a transaction centre for implementing debiting of consideration from one or more accounts of the one or more users in response to instructions received from at least one of: the command centre, the user portal of the service facility; and (f) the user portal for handling allocation and use of tokens issued corresponding to consideration reserved and/or debited against the one or more accounts of the one or more users.

Optionally, when implementing the method, step (a) includes a step of determining a presence of the one or more users based on at least one of: (i) receiving user presence information directly from the one or more users; (ii) receiving user presence information from the service facility; and (iii) detecting a presence of the one or more users via a sensor communicatively connected with one or more control units of the one or more dispensers.

Optionally, when implementing the method, the one or more balls correspond to golf balls, and the ball dispenser system is a golf ball dispenser system.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of optimizing operation of a ball dispenser system, the system including one or more ball dispensers spatially distributed in operation within a region, the one or more ball dispensers being coupled in communication with a service facility, the one or more ball dispensers being operable to dispense one or more balls therefrom in response to receiving one or more requests from one or more users,

characterized in that

the method includes steps of:

(a) receiving information from the one or more ball dispensers at the service facility indicative of operation of the one or more ball dispensers;

(b) computing from the received information an at least partially optimized manner of maintaining the one or more ball dispensers stocked with balls, and/or computing from the received information an at least partially optimized spatial distribution of the one or more dispensers within the region for enhancing a delivery of the one or more balls to the one or more users; and

(c) implementing the at least partially optimized manner of maintaining the one or more ball dispensers and/or implementing the at least partially optimized spatial distribution of the one or more ball dispensers in the region.

The invention is of advantage in that servicing of the one or more dispensers is capable of being improved, and locations of deployment of the one or more dispensers is capable of being more beneficially selected for more convenient dispensing of balls to users.

When many ball dispensers are deployed in a ball-game region, for example a golfing area, it is time-consuming restocking many ball dispensing machines distributed around the region.

Moreover, in adverse weather conditions, it is unpleasant for members of servicing staff to working out-doors to restock the dispensers.

It is an object of the invention to provide a method of more conveniently and efficiently servicing ball dispensers spatially distributed in operation throughout a region.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of restocking one or more ball dispensers, the one or more ball dispensers being releasably coupled to one or more foundations spatially distributed within the region in operation, the method including steps of:

(a) collecting by releasing the one or more ball dispensers from their corresponding one or more foundations;

(b) transporting the one or more dispensers to one or more service locations;

(c) restocking the one or more dispensers with balls at the one or more service locations; (d) transporting the one or more dispensers from the one or more service locations and deploying the one or more dispensers on one or more respective foundations.

The invention is of advantage in that the one or more dispensers are susceptible to being collected in from a ball-games region, then restocked with balls in more convenient surroundings, for example indoors, and then rapidly redeployed on one or more foundations in the ball-games region.

Optimization of restocking enables the restocking to be achieved more rapidly and in a more suitable manner, thereby ensuring the balls are dispensed to users with increased quality of service. Thus, in the ball dispenser system, the spatial distribution is at least partially optimized for enhancing delivery of the one or more balls to users.

Optionally, when implementing the method, the one of more ball dispensers are redeployed in step (d) to one or more foundations which are spatially different to the one or more foundations in step (a). Such different redeployment is susceptible to being implemented in response to ball dispensing information collated from a ball-gaming region and/or in response to implementing special events, for example golf tournaments, within the ball- gaming region.

Optionally, when implementing step (d) of the method, the one or more foundations whereat the one or more dispensers are redeployed are selected in response to a previous record to balls dispensed from the one or more ball dispensers.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided a software product stored or conveyed on a data carrier, the product being executable on computing hardware for implementing a method pursuant to the fourth, fifth or sixth aspect of the invention.

Features of the invention are susceptible to being combined in any combination without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Description of the diagrams

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a ball dispenser system, the system comprising a configuration of one or more ball dispensers pursuant to the present invention, wherein the one or more ball dispensers are spatially distributed in a region and operable to dispense one or more balls thereat to users;

Figure 2 is an example implementation of a part of a dispensing mechanism for use in the one or more ball dispensers in the system of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a ball dispenser pursuant to the present invention, for example implemented as a golf ball dispenser for use in golfing areas;

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a control unit of the ball dispenser of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a ball dispenser pursuant to the present invention; •

Figure 6 is a pivotal member forming an operative component of a dispensing mechanism of the ball dispenser of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a dispensing mechanism operable to dispense balls, for example golf balls, the dispensing mechanism incorporating the pivotal member of Figure 6; and

Figures 8, 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams of first, second and third communication protocols respectively for use in operating the system of Figure 1.

Description of embodiments of the invention

The present invention will be first described in general terms. Thereafter, example embodiments of the invention will be elucidated.

In Figure 1 , there is illustrated in schematic view a ball dispenser system indicated generally by 10. The system 10 includes one or more ball dispensers 20 distributed throughout a spatial region denoted by 30. The spatial region 30 beneficially has an area larger than 1000 m ² . Moreover, each dispenser 20 includes therein a ball container 50 from which one or more balls 40 are selectively dispensed in operation to one or more users 60 in return for a form of payment or similar consideration. The one or more users 60 are then able to access and consume the one or more balls 40 dispensed thereto in user-activities denoted by 70 within the spatial region 30. Optionally, the one or more ball dispensers 20 are each coupled in communication by a long-range communication link, for example implemented using wireless employing mobile telephone technology or cell-net technology, to a service facility 100. The service facility 100 is responsible for managing and servicing the system 10 including its one or more ball dispensers 20. Servicing includes, for example, restocking the one or more ball dispensers 20 from time-to-time with one or more balls 40.

The one or more ball dispensers 20 are conveniently positioned in vicinity of the user- activities 70 in order to encourage the one or more users 60 to employ the one or more dispensers 20 in preference to simply carrying with them a sufficient quantity of the balls 40. In order to further encourage the one or more users 60 to employ the one or more dispensers 20, each dispenser 20 is optionally equipped with an indicator device 110 thereon for indicating to the one or more users 60 at a distance, for example in range of 50 metres to 300 metres therefrom, whether or not the dispenser 20 is capable of dispensing one or more of the balls 40. For example, the indicator device 110 is optionally implemented as at least one of: (a) an acoustic sounder such as a bleeping sounder;

(b) a flashing light or illuminated display; and

(c) a sign passively illuminated by ambient sunlight and operable to change color and/or position and/or orientation in response to a functional status of its dispenser 20.

For example, as illustrated in Figure 3, the indicator device 110 is optionally implemented as a rotationally-mounted drum 112 including:

(a) a first region 114a bearing a first colour and/or graphical symbol indicative that the dispenser 20 is stocked with balls 40; and

(b) a second region 114b bearing a second colour and/or graphical symbol indicative that the dispenser 20 is devoid of balls 40 therein.

The drum 112 is operable to be rotated between first and second orientations to present the first and second regions 114a, 114b respectively to a substantially optically-transparent window 118 which is clearly visible from a distance of tens of metres from the dispenser 20. Use of the window 118 ensures that the indicator device 110 is protected from precipitation such as rain, and from being affected by wind. Moreover, use of the rotationally-mounted drum 112 is of benefit in that power is only used when rotating the drum 112 between its first and second positions, and not for maintaining the drum 112 at any given rotational orientation. Furthermore, protecting the drum 112 by way of the window 118 renders the dispenser 20 less susceptible to being damaged by vandalism in comparison to alternative implementations of the indicator device 110 employing externally moving parts.

Alternatively, the indicator device 110 is susceptible to being implemented as a flag mounted at a distal end of an elongate member; the elongate member is mounted at its proximate end and is coupled to an actuator thereat. In operation, the member is capable of being actuated to an upright position when the dispenser 20 is able to dispense the balls 40 and in a horizontally- or downwardly-orientated position when the dispenser 20 is devoid of balls 40 in its ball container 50. Other types of movement of the elongate member in response to a stock of balls 40 within a corresponding dispenser 20 is also feasible pursuant to the present invention.

Optional incorporation of the indicator device 110 into such a dispenser 20 is of benefit in that a user 60 is able to determine at a glance at a vicinity of the dispenser 20 whether or not a dispenser 20 is able to dispense balls 40 thereat; the user 60 is thereby spared an effort of walking to a given dispenser 20 unless the dispenser 20 is able to reward the user 60 for his/her effort by dispensing one or more of the balls 40 thereto. Such indicative convenience provided by the indicator 110 renders users 60 more inclined to use the dispensers 20 when the users 60 are active within the spatial region 30.

The indicator device 110 is alternatively or additionally implemented using a short-range wireless device for communicating by wireless locally to the one or more users 60. For example, the dispenser 20 is operable to communicate using Bluetooth or similar short- distance wireless communication technology to one or more wireless devices 200 of the one or more users 60; the one or more wireless devices 200 beneficially include one or more of:

(a) mobile telephones or cell-phones;

(b) radio frequency identification (RFID) transceivers;

(c) near field communication (NFC) transceivers; (d) personal data assistants (PDAs) equipped with wireless interfaces;

(e) any other types of electronic logic devices capable of supporting wireless communication.

The dispenser 20 is thereby capable of communicating with the one or more users 60 to indicate thereto whether or not the dispenser 20 is able to supply one or more of the balls 40; such indication beneficially occurs as a result of the dispenser 20 detecting a presence of a wireless device, for example a mobile telephone or cell-phone, of a user 60 in proximity to the dispenser 20.

The one or more dispensers 20 are optionally operable to function from power supplied from a mains electrical supply via one or more connectors of the one or more dispensers 20. However, in order to reduce infrastructure costs, the one or more ball dispensers 20 optionally additionally or alternatively include their own source of operating power to circumvent a requirement of coupling the one or more dispensers 20 to a mains electrical supply. Provision of such a mains electrical supply represents a major expense in a situation of an outdoor golfing area. For example, each ball dispenser 20 optionally includes a local source of power, optionally together with an energy storage device such as a rechargeable battery and/or a super-capacitor. The local source of power denoted by 120 optionally includes one or more of: (a) a solar cell for receiving ambient sunshine 125 and for generating electric energy therefrom;

(b) a non-rechargeable electrical battery, for example a disposable lithium battery, which is optionally replaced when restocking the dispenser 20;

(c) a fuel cell operable to oxidize fuel for generating electricity, for example a fuel cell including a fluorinated-polymer proton exchange membrane (PEM) provided with an oxidation-promoting catalyst at its electrode surfaces; the dispenser 20 is optionally refilled with fuel when also being restocked with balls 40;

(d) a wind turbine mounted at an upper region of the dispenser 20 for generating electrical energy from incident gusts of wind and/or steady wind flow within the region 30;

(e) a mechanical electro-magnetic or piezo-electric generator operable to generate electrical power for operating the dispenser 20 in response to the user 60 performing mechanical work, for example the user 60 turning a generator handle of the dispenser 20 one or more times in a manner akin to a wind-up radio or antique mechanical gramophone, for example in a similar manner to a wind-up radio as described in a US patent no. US 5, 917, 310 (Bayliss).

Other types of local source of power are feasible to employ for the dispenser 20 and are within the scope of the present invention; for example, potential energy of the balls 40 dropping from a height of the object container 50 to be dispensed to the user 60 can be recovered and employed to power the dispenser 20. Such an implementation favours the ball container 50 being located at a significant height above ground, for example at 2 metres height, which is also a convenient height for an optional miniature wind turbine mounted upon the dispenser to function well to generate electrical power locally to the dispenser 20 for powering the dispenser 20. Rendering the dispenser 20 substantially as a slender tube operable to be mounted in a vertical orientation provides an aesthetically more acceptable appearance in the spatial region 30, and also simplifies construction of the dispenser 20 based upon readily available tubular components.

In order that restocking of the one or more dispensers 20 distributed within the spatial region 30 be implemented in a most efficient manner in the system 10, each dispenser 20 includes a control unit 130 therein. The control unit 130 is optionally implemented using one or more computing devices operable to execute one or more software products. Alternatively, or additionally, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) are employed for implementing the control unit 130. The control unit 130 is optionally coupled in communication with the indicator device 110 to control operation of the indicator device 110 when implemented in a manner needing control from the control unit 130. Moreover, the control unit 130 is coupled in communication with a mechanism denoted by 140 for controlling release of one or more of the balls 40 from the object container 50 to an outlet port of the associated dispenser 20. Moreover, the control unit 130 is optionally coupled in communication with one or more sensors 150 operable to sense whether or not the object container 50 is empty and/or a number of balls 40 dispensed from the dispenser 20. Optionally, the one or more sensors 150 are integrated together with the mechanism 140.

Referring to Figure 2, the mechanism 140 is susceptible to being implemented so that a mechanical force F required to access one or more of the balls 40 is provided by the user 60, for example by the user 60 pulling a mechanical lever 160 to extract a ball 40, wherein the control unit 130 is operable merely to control a smaller actuator device indicated generally by 170 implemented to block or allow user-actuation of the lever 160 of the mechanism 140 as illustrated. The smaller actuator device 170 is preferable resiliently biased by a spring 180 into its blocking position so that electrical power is only consumed at a brief instance when the mechanical lever 160 is to be pulled by the user 60 to extract one of the balls 40. An electrical power requirement for the control unit 130 is in such a manner considerably reduced by requiring the user 60 to provide motive force; such a reduction of electrical power requirement is especially pertinent when the dispenser 20 is not coupled to a mains electrical supply but derives its power locally, for example using a solar cell and/or disposable battery. By such an approach, it is potentially feasible to reduce an average power consumption within the dispenser 20 to a fraction of a Watt, or even towards a few milliWatts. Such an implementation of the mechanism 140 is also susceptible to reduce a cost of manufacturing the dispenser 20 because a need and cost of employing powerful electrical actuators is thereby avoided. Optionally, the dispenser 20 is operable to function in two states, namely: (a) a first fully energized state wherein all electronic components of the dispenser 20 are energized, and (b) a second hibernating state wherein only those electronic components of the dispenser 20 essential for detecting presence of a user 60 in proximity of the dispenser 20 and for receiving, and optionally also transmitting, aforementioned long- range communication are energized, and wherein other electronic sections such as actuators, indicator lamps and acoustic piezo-electric sounders are de-energized. On detecting the user 60 coming into a presence of the dispenser 20, for example by short- range wireless communication and/or the user 60 pressing a "wake-up" button of the dispenser 60, the dispenser 20 then in response configures itself from its second hibernating state to its aforesaid first fully energized state.

In an example embodiment of the present invention, the one or more balls 40 correspond to one or more golf balls, the one or more ball dispensers 20 correspond to one or more golf ball dispensers, the spatial region 30 corresponds to a golfing area, for example a golf driving range or a golf course, throughout which the one or more dispensers 20 are spatially distributed, and the one or more users 60 correspond to one or more golfers. Moreover, in the example embodiment as illustrated in Figure 1 , the user activities 70 each involve a golfer using a golf club to impart momentum to a golf ball to cause the golf ball to move generally in a direction of a target hole.

The indicator device 110 is of benefit in a golf situation in which the one or more dispensers 20 are distributed at numerous locations within a golfing area, for example at intervals in the order of substantially 100 metres, alternatively, within a distance of substantially 50 metres from one or more ball loss areas, such as forests and ponds, adjacent to the golfing area. A golfer then has a choice of several golf ball dispensers in easy walking distance therefrom and is able to, effectively at a glance, identify from the indicator devices 110 which near-by dispensers 20 are functional to potentially supply golf balls to the golfer. The golfer is thereby spared needless walking to dispensers 20 whose entire stock of golf balls have already been dispensed and have not yet been replenished, namely restocked, and is thereby more inclined by habit to generally employ the dispensers 20 in preference to simply carrying a large stock of golf balls with him/her. In its simplest implementation, the indicator device 110 is, for example, an optical window included in the object container 50 for users 60 to identify, at a glance, a stock level of the balls 40 within the balls container 50 of the associated dispenser 20. In a more complex implementation, the indicator device 110 is an aforementioned flag mounted on a rotationally-actuated and/or linearly-actuated elongate member. An advantage of employing the aforesaid rotationally-actuated and/or linearly elongate member is preference to a flashing light and/or piezo-electric sounder is that the member does not require energy once rotated and/or translated and mechanically locked in any one of its indicative positions; such energy economy is important when the dispenser 20 is operating from its local source of power, for example from a solar cell and/or a disposable battery.

However, the present invention is not limited to golf installations and potentially has diverse other applications. For example, the one or more object dispensers 20 are susceptible to being implemented to dispense food, drinks, medicines, emergency supplies, and so forth in substantially ball-shaped packages. These other diverse applications will be elucidated in greater detail later.

Referring back again to Figure 1 , the one or more dispensers 20 are coupled in long-range radio communication as denoted by 145, for example via a mobile telephone network or cell- net link, to the service facility 100 which, in certain practical implementations of the system 10, may be located many kilometres away from the one or more dispensers 20. For example, the service facility 100 is optionally responsible for servicing several golf areas distributed over a state or county for providing economies of scale. The service facility 100 is operable to monitor a status of each of the dispensers 20 in the region 30, for example whether or not the dispensers 20 are empty of balls 40, and optionally how many balls 40 have been

dispensed from the dispensers 20 since they were last restocked with balls 40. For example, each dispenser 20 is beneficially operable via its control unit 130 to register dispensing of one or more balls 40 from the dispenser 20 so that the service facility 100 is capable of automatically, in real time, updating its record of ball 40 stock levels in the dispenser 20. Thus, the service facility 100 is beneficially operable to collate statistical information from the one or more dispensers 20.

The control unit 130 of the dispenser 20 is optionally provided with an aforesaid short-range wireless communication module, for example implemented using Bluetooth, Wibree, ISO 14443, ISO 15693, ISO 18092, ISO 21481 or one or more other suitable short-range communication standards. The user 60 is thereby able to use his/her wireless device 200 equipped also with a corresponding compatible short-range transceiver to communicate by wireless to the control unit 130 and thereby command the dispenser 20 to dispense one or more of the balls 40, for example in return for payment. By such short-range wireless communication, the dispenser 20 is alternatively or additionally able to detect presence of the user 60 in its proximity, for example for waking the dispenser 20 from its second hibernating state to its first fully operable state. Optionally, the dispenser 20 is able to employ additional or alternative sensors to detect a presence of one or more users 60, for example one or more of: a pressure sensor, a touch sensor, an infrared detector, a visual range optical sensor, an ultraviolet detector, an RFID tag reader, a magnetic stripe card reader, a magnetic flux sensor, an electrostatic sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a microphone; the one or more additional or alternative sensors are coupled to the control unit 130 and are beneficially operable to detect user presence in a proximity of a portion of the dispenser 20 whereat one of more balls 40 are dispensed.

Dispensing of one or more balls 40 from the one or more dispensers 20 may be performed in return for some form of consideration. The consideration is optionally provided in advance, namely pre-paid, before dispensing one or more corresponding balls 40 to a given user 60. Alternatively, the consideration is optionally provided later, namely post-paid, after dispensing one or more corresponding balls 40 to the given user 60. Yet alternatively, the consideration can be provided substantially temporally simultaneously with dispensing the one or more corresponding balls 40 to the given user 60. Optionally, the consideration can be represented by one or more tokens. The one or more tokens are optionally conveyed as electronic data; for example, the electronic data representative of the one or more tokens is stored in at least one of:

(a) on a SIM-card memory of a wireless device, for example mobile telephone, of the given user 60;

(b) at a remote facility, for example at the service facility 100; and

(c) at the one or more dispensers 20.

When tokens are employed, the tokens are susceptible to being deleted directly in the wireless device on instruction from the given dispenser 20 on dispensing one or more corresponding balls 40 from the given dispenser 20. Alternatively, when tokens are employed, the tokens are stored at the service facility 100 against an identity of the given user 60; on the given user 60 being dispensed one or more balls 40 from the given dispenser 20, the tokens recorded against the given user 60 and stored at the service facility 100 are deleted in response to a message being sent to the service facility 100 from the given dispenser 20; optionally, deletion of the tokens occurs in response to a communication sent from the wireless device of the user 60. Such protocols for handling consideration corresponding to one or more balls 40 being dispensed will be described in greater detail later.

In one example embodiment of the present invention, the user 60 is able to load electronic tokens into his/her wireless device 200, for example into a SIM-card thereof, corresponding to access rights, for example obtained in return for previous, immediate and/or future payment against a bank account of the user 60, to have one or more of the balls 40 dispensed from a given dispenser 20 when the user 60 is in proximity to the dispenser 20. Optionally, the one or more dispensers 20 include also an additional payment receipt arrangement comprising one or more of: a magnetic debit card reader, a keyboard for user- entry of a debiting PIN code against which a bank account of the user 60 can be debited, a coin- and/or bill- receiving mechanism, a biometric analysis sensor arrangement such as a facial feature analyser or finger-print analyser operable to uniquely identify biometric characteristics of the user 60 and configured to enable selective debiting thereby against the user 60.

However, as elucidated in the foregoing, the given dispenser 20 is susceptible to operating without a need for tokens to be involved, namely dispensing of the one or more balls 40 in direct response to corresponding pre-debiting, immediate debiting or future debiting to the given user 60.

Operation of the system 10 will now be described with reference to Figure 1. The user 60 views a nearest dispenser 20 thereto and visually, aurally and/or electronically, for example via its indicator device 110, checks to determine whether or not the nearest convenient dispenser 20 to the user 60 is capable of dispensing the user-desired balls 40.

In an event that the nearest dispenser 20 is not capable of dispensing the user-desired balls 40 to the user 60, for example on account of dispenser 20 malfunctioning or there being a lack of a stock of balls 40 therein, the user 60 simply walks further on to try another of the dispensers 20 included in the region 30. In this respect, it is desirable that the region 30 is furnished with numerous dispensers 20 judiciously spread therearound, in preference to the region 30 being furnished with only a few dispenser 20 having large stocks of balls 40 and spaced considerable distances apart pursuant to contemporary practice.

In an event that the nearest dispenser 20 is capable of dispensing the user-desired balls 40 to the user 60, the user 60 moves to be in proximity of the dispenser 20, namely comes into a presence of its control unit 130, and enters a request communicated beneficially via short- range wireless communication, for example via Bluetooth, from the wireless device 200, to the control unit 130 for the user-desired balls 40 to be dispensed; alternatively, or additionally, the user 60 moves a control or lever of the dispenser 20 to indicate a desire to be dispensed one or more balls 40. Thus, the wireless device 200 beneficially communicates the request via short-range wireless communication to the transceiver of the control unit 130.

Optionally, the control unit 130 on receiving the request from its transceiver then performs following steps:

(a) sends an instruction back to the wireless device 200 of the user 60, and/or to the service facility 100 to delete consideration, for example a number of tokens, corresponding to the balls 40 to be dispensed to the user 60;

(b) operates the mechanism 140 to dispense the balls 40, optionally with or without motive force F being provided by the user 60 depending upon mechanical implementation of the dispenser 20; and

(c) communicates a message to the service facility 100 that balls 40 have been dispensed from the dispenser 20 and/or a status indication whether or not the dispenser 20 is devoid of remaining balls 40 within its ball container 50, namely needs restocking with balls 40.

Step (c) is optional and can be substituted by the service facility 100 periodically systematically communicating with the one or more dispensers 20 within the region 30 to enquire regarding their stocking status, namely a quantity of balls 40 stored therein; such periodical communication between the service facility 100 and its one or more dispensers 20 can be implemented either temporally synchronously or asynchronously to activities of the user 60 in respect of the one or more dispensers 20.

When the tokens stored in the wireless device 200 and/or at the service facility 100 against an identification of the user 60 are all deleted, namely consideration associated therewith is all exhausted, the user 60 is no longer permitted to access the one or more balls 40 in the dispensers 20.

Optionally, operation of the system 10 involves the tokens being recorded at the service facility 100 and deletion of the tokens in response to one or more balls 40 being dispensed to the user 60 being performed at the service facility 100 in response to the identity of the user 60 and an indication of the number of balls 40 dispensed to the user 60 being communicated from the dispenser 20 providing such dispensing by aforementioned long-range wireless communication back to the service facility 100.

Optionally, the tokens can be time and/or quantity limited. For example, the user 60 is able to be dispensed an unlimited quota of balls 40 as the user 60 desires during a defined period of time in the region 30; for example, the user 60 can optionally be provided with an effectively unrestricted quota of golf balls for a defined day on a golfing area. Alternatively, the user 60 can be restricted to a given total quota of golf balls that are permitted by the system 10 to be dispensed to the user 60 in respect of the tokens; for example, the user 60 is restricted to a quota of a hundred golf balls being dispensed to the user 60 for the tokens, irrespective of length of time period. Yet alternatively, the tokens can be both temporally- and quantity- limited; for example, the user 60 is limited to being dispensed a quota of fifty golf balls for a defined week during which the user 60 is authorized to use a golfing area.

It will be appreciated that the system 10 is susceptible to being implemented with its one or more dispensers 20 being mutually similar. Alternatively, the one or more dispensers 20 are mutually different; for example, certain of the dispensers 20 spatially distributed around the region 30 are operable to dispense golf balls whereas other of the dispensers 20 therearound are operable to dispense bottles of drink and edible snacks for user- consumption whilst the user 60 progresses around a golfing area corresponding to the spatial region 30.

In the foregoing, operation of the present invention from an overall system perspective has been elucidated. However, it will be appreciated that sub-component parts of the system 10 can be implemented in a variety of different manners whilst falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the mechanism 140 of the dispenser 20 can be implemented in alternative manners; the mechanism 140 as

depicted in Figure 2 is merely one example. Implementation of individual dispensers 20 will now be described by way of example.

Referring to Figure 3, an implementation of the aforesaid ball dispenser 20 comprises a foundation 300 which is firmly anchored at a position within the region 30. For example, the foundation 300 is a cast concrete block having a footprint size of 1 metre x 1 metre arid a height of 0.5 metres, the concrete block having integral steel rods for anchoring the block into the Earth. Optionally, the block can be painted rural green and/or brown to blend in sympathetically with a colour of grass of a golfing area and/or to camouflage the block. The foundation 300 has an upper surface 310 including a mechanical connector arrangement 325 for releasably receiving a portion of, for example, a base 320 of the dispenser 20 for mechanically releasably holding the dispenser 20 to the foundation 300. The mechanical connector arrangement 325 is susceptible to being implemented in several different manners, for example: (a) by use of one or more spring-load clipping members which mutually engage when the base 320 is offered to the foundation 300; and/or

(b) a rotary-couplable bayonet arrangement provided with a spring-actuated locking pin, wherein the locking pin is operatively withdrawn in operation using an electrically- energized actuator to enable the dispenser 20 to be disengaged from its foundation 300, for example by way of short-range wireless control from a suitable wireless device.

One or more sides of the block are optionally also susceptible to being used to implement such a mechanical connector arrangement 325. Alternatively, or additionally, conventional contemporary approaches to securing the base 320 to the foundation 300 can be used, for example one or more chains and padlocks; optionally, the padlocks are wireless-controlled padlocks.

In order to avoid a need to excavate holes in the spatial region 30 for accommodating the aforementioned cast concrete block, the block is alternatively implemented as a concrete or stone slab optionally having a thickness in a range of 3 cm to 20 cm, and a surface area in a range of 0.5 m ² to 2 m ² anchored by metal wires or plastics material rope to ground anchors. Optionally, the ground anchors are implemented in a manner generally akin to an anchor described in a published patent no. GB 190515858 (David Thomas); the anchor includes pivoting wedge-shaped flukes for binding firmly into soil. Alternatively, an anchor described in a United States patent no. US 5934836 (Rupiper and Ludwig) is optionally used to anchor the concrete or stone slab. Use of such anchors enables the foundation 300 to be initially

installed more cheaply and more rapidly whilst being difficult to dislodge in an event of subsequent theft.

Optionally, the dispenser 20 is integral with its foundation 300 and designed to be handled as a single entity.

Optionally, the foundation 300 includes one or more cavities formed therein for housing functional components, for example a local source of power. Optionally, the local source of power includes one or more rechargeable batteries 340, one or more solar cells 345 for recharging the one or more rechargeable batteries 340 from incident sunlight 125, and a power coupling arrangement for coupling electrical power from the one or more rechargeable batteries 340 in the foundation 300 to the dispenser 20 mounted in operation onto the foundation 300. Optionally, the dispenser 20 has its aforesaid source of power 120 disposed in the foundation 300 from which the dispenser 20 is detachable. The power coupling arrangement is then optionally a part of the mechanical connector arrangement 325, for example electrical conductive contacts; optionally, the conductive contacts are implemented in a form of spring-biased electrical contact shoes. Optionally, the power coupling arrangement is implemented in a manner of magnetic inductive coupling, for example by using first and second coupling coils 350, 355 respectively operatively in mutually proximity wherein the first coil 350, is included in the foundation 300 and the second coil 355 is included in the base 320. The first coil 350 is coupled via a power driver unit 360 to the battery 340 to operatively receive power therefrom. Rectification of electrical power is applied to power coupled to the second coupling coil 355 to provide operating power for energizing the dispenser 20.

The foundation 300 optionally includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) or near field communication (NFC) module therein which is operable to communicate its identification code by wireless to the control unit 130 of the dispenser 20. The control unit 130 is thereby optionally operable to automatically detect an identity of the foundation 300 to which it has been releasably mounted. The dispenser 20 is then beneficially operable to communicate its identity and also that of the foundation 300 to which it is mounted to the service facility 100. When the service facility 100 has already a record of spatial locations and identities of one or more foundations 300 in the spatial region 30 stored thereat, the service facility 100 is thereby capable of automatically determining whereat the dispensers 20 are deployed in the region 30, for example for purposes of planning a route for refilling the dispensers 20 is situ and/or for collecting the dispensers 20 from the region 30 for refilling and/or servicing.

Alternatively, the foundation 300 includes a radio communication device and is operable to communicate by short-range communication, for example pursuant to ISO standard 14443, 15693, 18092, 21481 or one or more other suitable short-range communication standards, with the control unit 130 of the dispenser 20 for obtaining its identification code. The radio communication device in the foundation 300 is operable to communicate its identification code together with that of the dispenser 20 coupled thereto to the service facility 100. When the service facility 100 already has a record of where the foundation 300 is spatially located within the region 30, the service facility 100 is thereby also able to obtain information regarding the identity of the dispenser 20 coupled to the foundation 300, for example for servicing and/or restocking purposes.

In Figure 3, the aforesaid ball container 50 is implemented as a hollow tubular member having one or more walls 330 which are optionally substantially transparent over at least part of their wall area so that a quantity of balls 40, for example golf balls, included within the container 50 can be user-viewed from a distance of several metres from the dispenser 20. The aforesaid mechanism 140 is beneficially included at a lower region of the container 50, above the upper surface 310 of the foundation 300 so that the balls 40, for example golf balls, are operable to migrate when the dispenser 20 is in operation towards a lower portion of the container 50 in response to a gravitational force acting thereupon. By using the gravitational force to feed the balls 40 during dispensing thereof, a need for the dispenser 20 to expend electrical energy to lift the balls 40 is avoided, thereby reducing electrical power requirements for operating the dispenser 20; such efficient use of power is of benefit when the dispenser 20 is operated from local solar cells providing power thereto. At the lower portion of the container 50 adjacent to the mechanism 140 is included an outlet opening 335 from which the user 60 is able to retrieve one or more dispensed balls 40, for example one or more golf balls, dispensed from the dispenser 20.

In Figure 3, above an upper portion of the ball container 50, there is included the control unit 130 adjacent to its local source of power 120. Optionally, the control unit 130 is alternatively located adjacent to the mechanism 140. Yet alternatively, the control unit 130 is distributed between the upper and lower portions of the ball container 50. When the local source of power 120 is a solar cell, it is beneficially included at the upper portion of the ball container 50 as illustrated because the source of power 120 is thereby better exposed to sunshine 125 and also protected from balls, for example golf balls, being inadvertently dropped by users 60 thereupon and causing damage thereto in operation. Moreover, when the control unit 130 includes one or more wireless transceivers for communicating with the service facility 100 and locally with the wireless device 200 of the user 60, the control unit 130 is beneficially

mounted at the upper portion of the ball container 50 for ensuring less obstructed receipt of wireless radiation thereat and transmission of wireless radiation therefrom.

An implementation of the control unit 130 will now be described in more detail with reference to Figure 4. The control unit 130 comprises a rechargeable battery and/or super capacitor 400 coupled to the local power source 120, for example a solar cell; in operation, the local power source 120 recharges the battery and/or super-capacitor 400. Moreover, the battery and/or super-capacitor 400 is operable to provide electric power for the dispenser 20 in an event that a mains electrical supply is not readily or economically available. The rechargeable battery 400 is beneficially implemented to use at least one of: rechargeable lead-electrode acid-gel cells, rechargeable lead-electrode alkali cells, nickel metal hydride (NiMH) cells, rechargeable lithium ion polymer cells, rechargeable nickel-cadmium cells, rechargeable nickel-ferrous cells and similar. When a super-capacitor 400 is employed, it is beneficially implemented using advanced nano-filament structures for enhancing its charge- storage properties. The local power source 120 beneficially includes provision for optionally coupling the dispenser 20 to a mains electrical supply when available in the region 30. Optionally, the local source of power 120 is included in the foundation 300 and the dispenser 20 is releasably mounted to the foundation 300 in operation as described earlier.

The control unit 130 further comprises a computer processor 410 with its associated data memory 420; beneficially, the data memory 420 is electrically reprogrammable and is able to retain its data and its one or more software products stored therein in an event that the battery and/or super-capacitor 400 becomes fully discharged, for example when the dispenser 20 is subject to long periods of non-use such as storage during winter months when the region 30 is not frequented by users 60.

Additionally, the control unit 130 includes a short-range wireless transceiver 440 for communicating with short-range wireless devices 200 of the user 60, for receiving instructions therefrom and for detecting their presence in a proximity of the control unit 130.

The control unit 130 includes a presence detection arrangement 430 to supplement the aforesaid short-range wireless transceiver 440 for detecting a presence of the user 60 in a proximity of the control unit 130 and hence in a proximity of its dispenser 20. In contradistinction to contemporary known golf ball dispensers, authorisation for the user 60 to obtain one or more of the balls 40 is capable of being executed by wireless communication pursuant to the present invention. Such fully electronic procurement of one or more golf balls is, for example, appreciated by the users 60 because of associated convenience; the users

60 will contemporarily often already be equipped with wireless devices, for example mobile telephones or cell phones, with which the users 60 are thoroughly familiar.

The presence detection arrangement 430 optionally includes one or more sensors distributed in the dispenser 20 to detect unauthorized tampering therewith, for example for detecting an intruder attempting to obtain unauthorised access to the ball container 50. When such unauthorized tampering occurs, the computer processor 410 receives a signal from the presence detection arrangement 430 and then sends a warning message to the service facility 100, for example for subsequently summoning police attendance at the dispenser 20. Optionally, the presence detection arrangement 430 is at least partially included in the foundation 300 and operable to communicate with the computer processor 410.

It is highly desirable that the dispensers 20 for use in the region 30 are inexpensive to manufacture, deploy and service so that many dispensers 20 can be provided in the region 30 with a result that users 60 are not required to walk or travel long distances to reach their nearest dispenser 20. A further advantage of rendering the dispensers 20 less expensive to manufacture is that they can be smaller and have a smaller stock of the balls 40 therein; such an implementation renders the dispensers 20 less interesting as targets of theft or vandalism because an intruder is rewarded less for his efforts when only a limited stock of balls 40 is thereby available. In contradistinction, a contemporary golf ball dispenser is often capable of storing therein in a range of 1000 to 10000 golf balls which represents an interesting prospect for theft.

Implementing the dispensers 20 to be relatively small compact apparatus, apart from rendering them individually less interesting targets for theft or vandalism, also has an advantage that they are individually less aesthetically obtrusive in the region 30, for example when deployed at convenient locations along a perimeter edge of tracks of a golfing area.

Beneficially, the dispenser 20 is implemented so that it is devoid of external movable leavers and similar projections to render the dispenser 20 more robust, more aesthetically attractive and more compact.

The control unit 130 includes a mobile telephone or cell-phone transceiver 450 so that the control unit 130 is able to communicate with the service facility 100 when in use. Such communication is desirable for one or more purposes including: (a) verifying with the service facility 100 that the user 60 whose presence has been detected by the control unit 130 is authorised to receive one or more balls 40

dispensed from the dispenser 20 and has been allocated one or more tokens corresponding to a right to receive the one or more balls 40; (b) providing a spatial coordinate position of the dispenser 20 within the region 30 for restocking purposes; (c) providing an indication of a state of stock of balls 40 within the ball container 50 of the dispenser 20;

(d) providing a functional status of the dispenser 20, for example whether or not its battery and/or super-capacitor 400 are exhausted; and

(e) providing an indication of a number of balls 40 which have been dispensed to the user 60 in response to instructions from the user 60.

The control unit 130 optionally includes a GPS receiver 460 or equivalent position detection apparatus, for example compliant with the corresponding future European Galileo satellite position system, so that the dispenser 20 and/or the service facility 100 is able to determine in operation whereat the dispenser 20 is located in the region 30, namely identify position coordinates of the dispenser 20. Additionally, or alternatively, the dispenser 20 is operable to employ GPRS is conjunction with a mobile telephone network or cell-net for enabling the service facility 100 to identify a spatial location of the dispenser 20 within the region 30. The computer processor 410 is beneficially operable to communicate its position coordinates to the service facility 100 so that the service facility 100 is informed of the location of the dispenser 20 for restocking purposes and/or for deployment purposes. Alternatively, or additionally, if the dispenser is communicatively connected with a mobile telephone network or cell-net, which in turn is capable of triangulating or in other ways determining the location of the dispenser 20, the service facility 100 is optionally operable to identify the position coordinates of the dispenser 20 by receiving the coordinates from the operator of the mobile telephone network or cell-net, for example by utilizing a communication protocol pursuant to one or more recognized communication standards for communicating with application developer services of mobile operators, for example the ETSI standard ES 202 504, namely Open Service Access (OSA), Parlay X web services.

When the foundation 300 is provided with its own wireless device, the dispenser 20 is optionally capable of communicating with its foundation 300 and with the service facility 100. Personnel of the service facility 100 or any other agent sent on behalf of the service facility 100 are capable in response to receiving wireless communications from the dispenser 20 to collect the dispenser 20 and bring it to the service facility 100 if required; the dispenser 20 is thereby optionally operable to inform the service facility 100 regarding a location of the dispenser 20 in the spatial region 30 and also a location of the foundation 300 to which

dispenser 20 is detachably mounted. The service facility 100 is thereby capable of automatically collating data regarding locations of specific foundations 300 within the spatial region 30. Such location and identity information is useful for the service facility 100 to efficiently maintain and service the dispensers 20 included in the region 30.

Optionally, an aforementioned mechanical connector arrangement 325 on the upper surface 310 of the foundation 300, alternatively or additionally on an underside of the base 320, is actuated under control from the control unit 130, so that personnel sent from the service facility 100 to service the dispenser 20 are able to employ a short-range wireless device, for example compliant with ISO 18092, ISO 21481 or one or more other suitable short-range communication standards, for selectively releasing the dispenser 20 promptly from its foundation 300. Such an implementation potentially reduces a risk of unauthorised theft of the dispenser 20 whilst enabling authorized personnel from the service facility 100 to rapidly remount the dispenser 20 for repositioning the dispenser 20 on another similar foundation 300 or returning the dispenser 20 to the service facility 100 for repair, restocking with balls or storage.

Referring next to Figure 5, an alternative implementation of the dispenser 20 is shown. The ball container 50 of the dispenser 20 in Figure 5 is a hollow elongate tubular structure including its control unit 130 at a lower portion thereof and an access hole 500 at an upper portion thereof for receiving balls 40, for example golf balls. Towards the lower portion of the container 50, there is included an inclined surface denoted by 510 which is operable to order the balls 40 into a vertical series as illustrated near the control unit 130.

The aforementioned mechanism 140 is implemented by way of an electromagnetic solenoid actuator denoted by 170 in Figure 5 cooperating with a helical spring 180. A moveable ferromagnetic member 520 of the actuator 170 is coupled to a first free end of the helical spring 180. A second end of the helical spring 180, remote from the first end thereof, is anchored to a firm stationary component of the dispenser 20. The spring 180 is operable to pull the member 520 in a downward position as indicated by an arrow 530 when the actuator 170 is not energized. Conversely, the moveable member 520 of the actuator 170 is pulled in an upward direction also denoted by the arrow 520 when the actuator 170 is momentarily energized in operation via the control unit 130 for ball dispensing purposes. A junction of the member 520 to the aforementioned first end of the spring 180 is arranged to exhibit a degree of lateral freedom of motion. Moreover, the junction whereat the moveable member 520 and the first end of the spring 180 are mutually coupled together is pivotally coupled to a free end of a pivotally mounted release member denoted by 540. The release member 540 is itself

pivotally mounted about a pivot denoted by 550. The pivot 550 is spatially laterally coincident with a central vertical axis defining the aforementioned vertical series of the balls 40 as illustrated in Figure 5. When the control unit 130 momentarily energizes the actuator 170, the release member 540 correspondingly pivotally rotates between lower solid and upper dotted positions as illustrated.

Referring next to Figure 6, the release member 540 is shown in more detail. The member 540 is beneficially a plastics material molded component, for example fabricated from nylon, glass-filled nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, glass-filled polytetrafluoroethane (PTFE). By molding, a cost of the release member 540 in mass production is susceptible to being reduced. The member 540 includes two side flanges denoted by 560; the flanges 560 are mutually spaced apart at their mutually facing surfaces by a distance which is greater than a maximum diameter of the balls 40 to be vended. The two flanges 560 include substantially at their first ends pivot holes denoted by 550 for enabling the release member 540 to pivot in operation about an axis A-A. Moreover, the two flanges 560 are joined to a lateral flange provided with an inwardly-facing curved surface denoted by 570 directed in operation towards the balls 40 near the control unit 130. Furthermore, the release member 540 has an end flange denoted by 580 attached at its first end to substantially a central portion of the lateral flange. A second end of the end flange 580 remote from the lateral flange is provided with a hole 590 for pivotally coupling the release member 540 about an axis B-B to the aforementioned junction of the member 520 and the first end of the helical spring 180.

Operation of the release member 540 will now be described with reference to Figure 7. In a lower pivotal position denoted by 540a, the spring 180 applies a downwardly-directed pulling force denoted by an arrow 530a wherein the release member 540 is moved to the position 540a wherein its inwardly-facing curved surface 570 obstructs downwards movement of a third ball 40c; first and second balls 40a and 40b respectively rest by gravitational force on the obstructed third ball 40c. Conversely, when the actuator 170 is energized, an upwardly- directed force denoted 530b, which is sufficient to overcome the spring 180, causes the release member 540 to pivot to a position 540b wherein an edge of the inwardly-facing curved surface 570 obstructs downward movement of the second ball 40b but clears the third ball 40c, thereby allowing the third ball 40c to progress as a freed ball denoted by 4Od to the user 60.

As elucidated in the foregoing, the mechanism 140 is susceptible to be implemented in numerous different ways and the present invention is not limited any one particular implementation of the mechanism 140. Figures 2, 6 and 7 are merely examples. As

elucidated in the foregoing, the implementation of the mechanism 140 in Figure 2 is of advantage in that minimal electrical power is required to operate the actuator 170 on account of the user 60 providing motive force to dispense balls 40. Similar, the mechanism 140 as implemented in Figures 6 and 7 can be engineered so that relative modest amounts of power, for example a few Watts for a few seconds with pauses of often minutes therebetween, is consumed in operation when dispensing balls 40; this corresponds to an average power consumption in the actuator of milliwatts which can be reasonably replenished using solar cells and miniature wind turbines mounted to or within the dispenser 20.

Methods of servicing the one or more dispensers 20 within the region 30 will now be described.

Periodically, the service facility 100 is operable to send a servicing vehicle transporting stocks of the balls 40 for selectively restocking the one or more dispensers 20. From a record dynamically updated at the service facility 100, including information regarding a spatial distribution of the one or more dispensers 20 within the spatial region 30, for example from aforementioned GPS and/or GPRS, a computer arrangement at the service facility 100 is operable to compute a most time-effective route for the vehicle when restocking the one or more dispensers 20. Such computation involves determining a total number N of dispensers

20 spatially distributed in the region 30 which need restocking with balls 40. Each dispenser

20 has a spatial coordinate (x,, y,) where / = 1 , 2, ... N. A mapping function G(/) uniquely maps coordinates (x,, y,) onto corresponding coordinates [X ₁ , y) where j = 1 , 2, ... M where

M = N. The computation proceeds to repetitively evaluate Equation 1 (Eq. 1):

wherein a term K is a weighting parameter describing a quality of terrain for the vehicle to drive between a coordinate (x ₇ , y) and a subsequent coordinate (x _J+1 , y _J+1 ) along its route to restock the one or more dispensers 20. The term K is beneficially derived from a route database or map database; in a situation of a golfing area, the term K describes, for example, locations of sandbanks in the golfing area where the vehicle is unable to drive and is required to make a detour, thereby effectively increasing a distance from one dispenser 20 to another dispenser 20 in vicinity of the sandbank. Moreover, when the dispensers 20 are mobile, namely redeployable from one foundation 300 to another within the region 30, their spatial coordinates (x,, y,) are susceptible to temporally changing as they are redeployed, for

example during a major golfing tournament to meet temporally dynamically varying patterns of demand for golf balls. Optionally, as elucidated in the foregoing, the one or more dispensers 20 are equipped with GPS satellite-link location-determining apparatus therein and/or GPRS cell-net location determining apparatus therein (not shown in Figure 1) and are operable to dynamically communicate their coordinates (x,-, yj) to the service facility 100; such location notification is beneficial because it enables theft of one or more of the dispensers 20 from the region 30 to be detected at the service facility 100 and action then to be promptly taken to reinstall or replace stolen dispensers 20. Moreover, on account of such GPS and/or GPRS location detection, the system 10 is dynamically capable of adapting to the one or more dispensers 20 being periodically redistributed within the region 30.

Referring to Equation 1 (Eq. 1) in the foregoing, the computer arrangement equates Equation 1 (Eq. 1) for a variety of different versions of the mapping function G(/), akin to trying different routes between the one or more dispensers 20 in need of being restocked with balls 40, taking a quality of terrain within the region 30 into account by way of the term K, until the total effective distance D is minimized, thereby identifying an optimally distance- effective route for the vehicle to adopt for restocking the one or more dispensers 20 with balls 40. By such optimization, a cost of restocking the one or more dispensers 20 is susceptible to being reduced substantially so that the operator of the system 10 is most efficiently able to maintain the one or more dispensers 20. Such enhanced efficiency of servicing enables more dispensers 20 to be deployed within the region 30 for a given investment and operating expenditure, thereby increasing convenience for the one or more users 60 performing the activities 70 within the region 30 and hence enhancing their enjoyment.

The computer arrangement at the service facility 100 is beneficially operable to perform other types of analysis to optimize operation of the system 10.

The computer arrangement at the service facility 100 is operable to execute one or more software products which generate a statistical model of the region 30. In the model, the region 30 is subdivided into L sub-regions of respective area A wherein / = 1, 2, ... L. From information conveyed by aforementioned long-range communication from the one or more dispensers 20 deployed within the region 30 back to the service centre 100, the statistical model is operable to establish a record of a temporal frequency Y _/ of dispensing of balls 40 for each of the sub-regions /. P _/ is a parameter describing the number of dispensers 20 spatially included within each sub-region /. The rate Ri that individual dispensers 20 dispense balls 40 within their sub-regions / is computed from Equation 2 (Eq. 2):

R ₁ = -^- Eq. 2

P A

wherein the rate R, has units: balls 40 per second per dispenser 20 per square metre area of the region 30.

When the computer arrangement detects that the rate Ri exceeds a threshold value Th, the computer arrangement can cause the service facility 100 to perform one of more of:

(i) deploying more ball dispensers 20 in those sub-regions whose rates R exceed the threshold value Th;

(ii) moving ball dispensers 20 from sub-regions whose rate R are considerably under the threshold value Th to those sub-regions whose rate R exceeds the threshold value Th, or are approaching the threshold value Th;

(iii) arranging to more frequently restock ball dispensers 20 in those sub-regions with high rates R so that the ball dispensers 20 there do not run empty of stock of balls 40, thereby avoiding annoyance to the one or more users 60 of finding ball dispensers 20 in the region 30 devoid of stock of balls 40;

(iv) informing the one or more users 60 by way of text messages, graphical maps and similar sent to wireless devices 200 of the one or more users 60 where ball dispensers 20 in the region 30 are empty so as to avoid user-disappointment; and

(v) informing the one or more users 60 by way of text messages, graphical maps and similar sent to wireless devices 200 of the one or more users 60 where ball dispensers 20 in the region 30 still include dispensable stocks of balls 40 therein so as to ensure user-satisfaction.

Options (i) to (iii) can be combined with aforesaid route optimization pursuant to Equation 1. As a further optional feature of the system 10, the computer arrangement of the service facility 100 can include a database including a record of previous seasonal variations in deployment of the ball dispensers 20 within the region 30 in response to the rate R, and predict from such previous seasonal variations future strategies for deploying the ball dispensers 20 on their various foundations 300 distributed around the region 30. Beneficially, there are provided more foundations 300 distributed around the region 30 than a total number of ball dispensers 20 for accommodating such deployment flexibility. For example, when the region 30 is a golfing area, certain portions of the golfing area are especially popular during months of June and July each year because grass of the certain portions is dry and there are fewer mosquitoes to irritate the one or more users 60; in consequence, the

service facility 100 has determined from previous records that an unusually large number of the balls 40 have been dispensed during the months of June and July on the certain portions such that it is prudent to deploy a higher spatial concentration of the ball dispensers 20 in the certain portions rather than other portions which are rather infrequently visited by users 60. Such deployment of the dispensers 20 is especially pertinent when there are a limited total number of dispenser units 20 which are available for deploying within the region 30 and unnecessary servicing visits to refill the ball dispensers 20 is relatively expensive in respect of personnel time costs. It is thereby possible for the computer arrangement of the service facility 100 to substantially optimize operation of the one or more ball dispensers 20 included in the region 30. Such optimization has hitherto not been known for golf ball dispenser systems for example.

Summarizing the foregoing, ball dispensers, for example golf ball dispensers on golfing areas, have hitherto had limited application on account of being unsuitably designed, being impractical on account of installation problems and inadequately serviced to meet expectations of golfers. The present invention addresses this technical problem by appreciating that a holistic approach is required both in implementing the dispensers 20 and also in a manner in which the dispensers 20 are employed from a higher-level system perspective.

A contemporary reality is that golfing area owners often delegate functions necessary for maintaining their golfing area in operation to sub-contractors who assume particular responsibilities, for example cutting grass of golfing areas, designed and implementing new golfing areas, catering food and drink to golfers and so forth. Provision of golf-ball dispensing apparatus throughout a golfing area and servicing the dispensing apparatus is merely potentially another delegated function to a sub-contractor. In the respect, the aforesaid service facility 100 optionally corresponds to such a sub-contractor. The sub-contractor can optionally serve needs of many golfing area owners, including responsibility for insuring the ball dispensers 20 from theft, and performing technical repairs of the ball dispensers 20 in an event that they malfunction and/or are in need of repair. Optionally, the ball dispensers 20 are leased or hired to owners of golfing areas.

Servicing the ball dispensers 20 included within the spatial region 30 is susceptible to being implemented using several alternative methods.

In a first method of servicing the ball dispensers 20, following steps are performed: (a) stocking a person or vehicle with a load of balls 40; and

(b) driving the vehicle or moving the person within the spatial region 30, the vehicle or person pausing at one or more ball dispensers 20 and at least partially replenishing their stock of balls 40 in their respective one or more ball containers 50. Filling the one or more ball dispensers 20 is optionally performed manually. Alternatively, the vehicle is equipped with automatic equipment for filling the one or more ball dispensers 20.

In a second method of servicing the ball dispensers 20, following steps are performed:

(a) providing a vehicle for travelling within the spatial region 30;

(b) driving the vehicle within the spatial region 30, pausing at one of more of the ball dispensers 20;

(c) whilst pausing at each of the one or more dispensers 20, detaching the ball dispenser 20 from its foundation 300 and depositing the dispenser 20 in the vehicle;

(d) driving the vehicle to a ball filling location and at least partially restocking the one or more ball dispensers 20 with balls 40 thereat; and (e) collecting the one or more ball dispensers 20 from the ball filling location and loading them onto the vehicle, and then thereafter driving the vehicle within the spatial region

30, redeploying the one or more ball dispensers 20 restocked with balls 40 on one or more respective foundations 300.

Optionally, the ball filling location is coupled in communication with the service facility 100, or is a part of the service facility 100.

Optionally, a different vehicle is employed in step (e) to that employed in steps (a) and (b) of the second method. Moreover, the number of dispensers 20 collected in steps (a) and (b) is optionally different to the number of dispensers 20 redeployed in step (e). The second method is of benefit in that the one of more ball dispensers 20 between steps (c) and (e) can be in storage, for example over-winter storage, and/or can be repaired, upgraded or serviced whilst in storage. In the second method, including the local source of power 120 within the foundation 20 is of benefit in that the ball dispenser 20 is susceptible to being implemented as a low weight unit, for example less than 10 kg in weight, which renders it easy of persons of moderate physical build and strength to handle the ball dispensers 20 when loading them onto or into the vehicle in step (c). Additionally, in the second method, it is feasible to redeploy the one or more ball dispensers 20 on different one or more foundations 300 in step

(e) relative to those foundations 300 from which the one or more ball dispensers 20 are collected in step (b).

In a third method of servicing the ball dispensers 20, following steps are performed: (a) providing a vehicle for travelling within the spatial region 30;

(b) loading the vehicle with one or more at least partially restocked ball dispensers 20;

(c ) driving the vehicle within the spatial region 30, pausing at one of more foundations 300 within the spatial region 30;

(c) whilst pausing at each of the one or more foundations 300, at least one of deploying an at least partially restocked ball dispenser 20 at the foundation 300 thereat, and detaching an already installed ball dispenser 20 from the foundation 300 and then depositing the ball dispenser 20 in or onto the vehicle;

(d) driving the vehicle to a ball filling location and at least partially restocking the one or more ball dispensers 20 with balls 40 thereat, the at least partially restocked ball dispensers 20 being subsequently deployable within the region 30.

Optionally, the ball filling location is coupled in communication with the service facility 100, or is a part of the service facility 100. The third method is of benefit in that fewer journeys by the vehicle are required, although more ball dispensers are potentially required in comparison to the first and second methods for providing a given level of ball dispensing service.

In the foregoing, communication between a wireless device 200 of the user 60 and the ball dispenser 20 were described in a general manner. Wireless communication within the system 10 is beneficially executed pursuant to one or more recognized communication standards. Wireless communication within the system 10 and/or externally to outside the system 10 is optionally executed pursuant to the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) standard, as specified by the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA). For example, wireless communication between the wireless device 200 of the user 60 and the service facility 100 are optionally implemented pursuant to the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) standard, as specified by the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA).

Short-range communication within the system 10 is also optionally implemented. For example, short-range wireless communication between the wireless device 200 of the user 60 and the ball dispenser 20 is optionally implemented using RFID transceivers pursuant to ISO standard 14443 or 15693, or using NFC transceivers pursuant to ISO standard 18092 or 21481 , alternatively using some other suitable short-range communication transceivers. Optionally, in a further example, wireless communication between the wireless device 200 of the user 60 and the ball dispenser 20, is implemented pursuant to the aforementioned Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) standard.

Use of such recognized standards ensures that the system 10 is capable of operating with different types of wireless devices of the one or more users 60 supplied by a variety of vendors. For example, when the dispenser 20 is operable to dispense one or more balls 40

to a given user 60, it is desirable that the given user 60 is able to employ his/her previously purchased wireless device 200 suitably configured to interface to the system 10 rather than having to employ a wireless device especially designed for use with the system 10. Moreover, it is also desirable that direct debiting of a financial account of the user 60 is promptly executed on one or more balls 40 being dispensed to the given user 60.

Steps of a first protocol for communication within the system 10 is illustrated in Figure 8. In Figure 8, there is represented a mobile telephone or similar wireless device denoted by 200, the control unit 130 of the dispenser 20, and the service facility 100 comprising a command centre 1000 and a transaction centre 1010. The command centre 1000 and the transaction centre 1010 are optionally located spatially apart; alternatively, they are located spatially together. The command centre 1000 and the transaction centre 1010 are in mutual communication by wireless or other form of communication link as appropriate. Moreover, the transaction centre 1010 is optionally implemented via a billing service provided by a mobile operator, or optionally an account debiting service provided by a financial institution such as a commercial bank. If the transaction centre 1010 is a billing service provided by a mobile operator, its communication with the command centre 1000 could for example be pursuant to the ETSI standard ES 202 504, namely Open Service Access (OSA), Parlay X web services. A direction of temporal sequence of events is indicated by an arrow 1020, namely from top-to-bottom in Figure 8. The wireless device 200 is beneficially provided with a graphics display on which various texts and symbols are presented in operation to the user 60.

In a first step of the first protocol, the wireless device 200 broadcasts its presence by sending out a wireless transmission 1030 therefrom, for example a short-range wireless transmission.

The wireless transmission can be periodically transmitted, or it can be transmitted in response to the user 60 initiating the transmission, for example by pressing a button on the wireless device 200. After one or more such transmissions 1030, for example three transmissions as illustrated in Figure 8, the control unit 130 of the dispenser 20 succeeds in receiving one or more of the wireless transmissions 1030 from the wireless device 200 causing, as denoted by 1035, the dispenser 20 to wake from its hibernating state to its active state.

In a second step of the first protocol, the control unit 130 transmits an invitation message 1040 to the wireless device 200 informing that the control unit 130 has acknowledged presence of the wireless device 200; the message 1040 includes an invitation for the user 60 to purchase one or more of the balls 40 from the ball dispenser 20, for example a "buy ball"

invitation. The invitation message 1040 contains an identity of the ball dispenser 20. Optionally, the invitation message 1040 contains the number of balls remaining in the dispenser 20. Optionally, the invitation message 1040 contains information on how the wireless device 200 can reach the command centre 1000, for example information comprising an Internet Protocol (IP) address or a phone number. Optionally, the invitation message 1040 is a short messaging service (SMS) announcement.

In a third step of the first protocol, in an event that the user 60 decides to purchase one or more of the balls 40, the user 60 sends from the wireless device 200 a release ball request message 1050 which is communicated via long-distance wireless communication to the command centre 1000. The release ball request message 1050 includes information identifying the user 60 and the identity of the ball dispenser 20. Optionally, the release ball request message 1050 also includes an indication of the quantity of balls 40 to be dispensed to the user 60. Optionally, the release ball request message 1050 is a short messaging service (SMS) announcement. More optionally, the release ball request message 1050 is a short messaging service (SMS) announcement comprising content that is at least partially identical to the content of the invitation message 1040.

In a fourth step of the first protocol, the command centre 1000 receives the release ball request message 1050 which causes, as denoted by 1055, the command centre 1000 to calculate the amount to be debited from an account of the user 60. Optionally, the indication in the third step of how many balls 40 are to be dispensed to the user 60 can be included in this calculation. The command centre 1000 then sends a charge amount request message

1060 to the transaction centre 1010. The charge amount request message 1060 includes information identifying the user 60 and the calculated amount to be debited.

In a fifth step of the first protocol, the transaction centre 1010 receives the charge amount request message 1060 and then proceeds to debit the account of the user 60 for the amount included in the message. If the transaction centre 1010 succeeds in debiting the account of the user 60, the transaction centre 1010 sends a charge response message 1070 back to the command centre 1000.

In a sixth step of the first protocol, the command centre 1000 receives the charge response message 1070 and then proceeds to send a release ball message 1080 to the control unit 130 of the identified ball dispenser 20, for example via a long-distance wireless communication. The release ball message 1080 constitutes an instruction to the dispenser 20 to release one or more balls 40. Optionally, if the quantity of balls 40 was included in the

message 1050 sent by the user 60 from the wireless device 200 in the third step, the release ball message 1080 may also include the same quantity. In an event that the user 60 has an insufficient amount of consideration, for example funds, in his/her account recorded with the transaction centre 1010, the command centre 1000 is optionally operable when sending the release ball message 1080 to specify release of a sub-set of the requested balls 40 for which sufficient funds are available.

In a seventh step of the first protocol, the control unit 130 in the dispenser 20 receives the release ball message 1080 and then proceeds to actuate the mechanism 140 accordingly denoted by 1090, after which the dispenser 20 reassumes its hibernating state as denoted by 1095.

The aforesaid first protocol principally requires a direct dialogue between the wireless device 200 and the command centre 1000 in collaboration with the transaction centre 1010; moreover, the wireless device 200 invokes the first protocol by sending a wireless communication therefrom. As aforesaid, the first protocol is beneficially implemented pursuant to ETSI, ISO, and OMA standards.

In the aforesaid protocol, the ball dispenser 20 identifies itself in the second step by including its identity in the message 1040. It should be understood though that alternative ways of identifying the ball dispenser 20 are possible, without having to include the identity of the ball dispenser 20 in the message 1040. For example, if the service facility 100 stores a record of spatial locations and identities of one or more ball dispensers 20 in the spatial region 30, the ball dispenser 20 may be identified by determining a spatial location of the wireless device 200 and looking up the record containing the spatial location in order to derive the identity of the ball dispenser 20 located in proximity of the spatial location.

A second protocol for communication is connection with the system 10 is illustrated in Figure 9 wherein a flow of steps is represented from top-to-bottom as denoted by an arrow 2000.

In a first step of the second protocol, the control unit 130 periodically transmits wireless messages 2010. The messages 2010 each contain an identity of the ball dispenser 20. When the wireless device 200 is within a short-range communication range of the control unit 130, the wireless device 200 is operable to prompt the user 60 to draw attention to the dispenser 20 in which the control unit 130 is located. An associated prompt 2020 is optionally provided on a graphical display of the wireless device 200 and/or an acoustic announcement is made. The user 60 is provided with an option 2030 to buy one or more of the balls 40.

In a second step of the second protocol, in an event that the user 60 elects to buy one or more of the balls 40, the wireless device 200 transmits a release ball request message 2040. The request message 2040 is optionally transmitted by long-distance wireless communication, for example via a cell-net. The release ball request message 2040 includes information identifying the user 60 and the identity of the ball dispenser 20.

In a third step of the second protocol, the command centre 1000 receives the ball request message 2040 and then proceeds to transmit a charge amount request message 2050 to the transaction centre 1010 including information identifying the user 60.

In a fourth step of the second protocol, the transaction centre 1010 debits an account of the user 60 and then transmits back a response message 2060 indicative of debiting having been executed at the transaction centre 1010.

In a fifth step of the second protocol, the command centre 1000 receives the response message 2060 and then proceeds to send a release ball request message 2070 for receipt at the control unit 130. The control unit 130 receives the release ball request message 2070 and then operates its associated mechanism 140 to release as denoted by 2080 the requested one or more balls 40 to the user 60.

The second protocol is operable to initially prompt the wireless device 200 in contradistinction to the aforesaid first protocol wherein the wireless device 200 is operable to prompt the control unit 130.

A third protocol concerned with using tokens within the system 10 is illustrated in Figure 10. Steps of the third protocol are implemented from top-to-bottom in Figure 10 as denoted by an arrow 3000. The third protocol also makes use of a user portal 3010 operable to issue tokens. The user portal 3010 is coupled in communication with the transaction centre 1010 by wireless communication, although other forms of communication are also susceptible to being employed, for example via the Internet.

In a first step of the third protocol, th'e user 60 is desirous to purchase one or more tokens against which one or more balls 40 are purchasable. The wireless device 200 includes software code, for example Java client code, which is executable to generate in invitation on the wireless device 200 to buy tokens. The user 60 invokes the software code to input a request 3020 to buy tokens. On receipt of the input from the user 60, the wireless device 200

transmits a buy token request message 3030 to the user portal 3010, for example via longdistance wireless communication via a cell-net.

In a second step of the third protocol, the user portal 3010 transmits a token form message 3040 back to the wireless device 200. On receipt of the token form message 3040 at the wireless device 200, the user 60 then specifies via the wireless device 200 a quantity of the tokens required by the user 60 and then instructs the wireless device 200 to transmit a buy token message 3050 to the user portal 3010 specifying a quantity of tokens to be issued together with information identifying the user 60.

In a third step of the third protocol, the user portal 3010 on receipt of the buy token message 3050 transmits a reserve amount request message 3060 to the transaction centre 1010 so that requested number of tokens are reserved at the transaction centre 1010 against an account of the user 60. Thereafter, the transaction centre 1010 transmits a reserve amount response message 3070 back to the user portal 3010 confirming that a financial consideration corresponding to the requested tokens has been reserved. Communication between the transaction centre 1010 and the user portal 3010 is susceptible to being implemented by wireless, but is optionally implemented via other types of communication network, for example via the Internet. Optionally, communication between the transaction centre 1010 and the user portal 3010 is pursuant to the ETSI standard ES 202 504, namely Open Service Access (OSA), Parlay X web services. Next, the user portal transmits a confirmation message 3080 back to the wireless device 200 so that the user 60 is informed via his/her wireless device 200 that a requested number of tokens have been issued. After the tokens have been issued, a period of time potentially elapses before the user 60 proceeds to buy one or more balls 40 against the tokens.

In a fourth step of the third protocol, the user 60 is in proximity to a given dispenser 20 and then causes the dispenser 20 to switch from its hibernating state to its active state as denoted by 3090; such a switch from hibernating state to active state is susceptible to being invoked by the user 60 pressing a "wake up" button on the dispenser 20 and/or sending a short-range wireless communication from the wireless device 200 to the dispenser 20. In response to switching from a hibernating state, the dispenser 20 transmits a prompting message denoted by 4000 back to the wireless device 200; the prompting message 4000 is operable, for example, to cause a prompting image or menu to be presented to the user 60 on a graphical display of the wireless device 200.

In a fifth step of the third protocol, the user 60 is optionally desirous to determine how many tokens he/she has been allocated. In response to the prompting message 4000, the wireless device 200 transmits, either automatically or as a result of an instruction from the user 60, a token amount query message 4010 to the user portal 3010 to enquire regarding a number of tokens allocated. On receipt of the amount query message 4010, the user portal 3010 is operable to transmit an amount response message 4020, to the wireless device 200 bearing information concerning the number of allocated tokens.

In a sixth step of the third protocol, the user 60 optionally decides to purchase one or more balls 40 in return for the tokens allocated to the user 60 as denoted by 4030. The user 60 presses appropriate keys on the wireless device 200 which the wireless device 200 interprets and generates a corresponding buy ball message 4040 which is transmitted to the user portal 3010. The buy ball message 4040 includes information identifying the user 60 and the identity of the ball dispenser 20. On receipt of the buy ball message 4040, the user portal 3010 sends a charge reservation request message 4050 to the transaction centre 1010 for the account of the user 60 to be actually debited. On debiting the account of the user 60, the transaction centre 1010 sends a charge reservation response message 4060 back to the user portal 3010 to cause the user portal to cancel a number of the tokens corresponding to the amount debited from the account of the user 60.

In a seventh step of the third protocol, the user portal 3010 transmits a release ball message 4070 to the command centre 1000 bearing information confirming that dispensing of one or more balls 40 to the user 60 is to be executed by the dispenser 20. On receipt of the release ball message 4070, the command centre 1000 send a release ball message 4080 to the control unit 130. In response to receiving the release ball message 4080, the control unit 130 controls its associated mechanism 140 to release the one or more balls 40 requested by the user 60 as denoted by 4090. Optionally, after dispensing the one or more requested balls 40 to the user 60, the control unit 130 configures the dispenser 20 to enter its hibernating state as denoted by 5000.

The system 10 is beneficially also optionally operable to implement a fourth protocol in associated with the third protocol. This fourth protocol is concerned with refunding to the user 60 a financial consideration corresponding to unused tokens. Moreover, the fourth protocol is beneficially implemented via an Internet web-browser.

In a first step of the fourth protocol, the user 60 via the wireless device 200 and/or via a web- browser sends a release reservation request message to the user portal 3010 to cancel one

or more of the tokens allocated to the user 60. The user portal 3010 then interacts with the transaction centre 1010 to cancel an amount in the account of the user 60 reserved against the tokens to be redeemed. After receiving confirmation from the transaction centre 1010, the user portal 3010 then sends a confirmation message back to the wireless device 200 of the user 60 that the tokens have been cancelled and the account of the user 60 is appropriately compensated.

Embodiments of the invention described in the foregoing are susceptible to being modified without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the aforesaid mechanism 140 is capable of being implemented in numerous different manners, such Figures 5, 6 and 7 represent only one specific example.

The system 10 adapted for use in dispensing golf balls is described above. However, the system 10 is susceptible to being deployed in a diverse number of situations.

For example, the system 10 can be adapted for distributing advanced forms of energy carrier. For example, in view of contemporary climate change, interest is being shown in using hydrogen gas as an energy carrier instead of burning fossil fuel for transportation purposes. Contemporary concentrations of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere at ground height are circa 380 p. p.m. and are increasing at a rate of 3 to 4 p.p.m./year. The International Panel Climate Change (IPCC) has estimated that the Earth's climate will suffer positive feedback with gross climate change when atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide reach circa 500 p.p.m., namely circa 30 years in future. Such positive feedback results from melting of methane-containing gas hydrates and also decay of carbonaceous tundra in Siberia as permafrost melts due to contemporary climate change effects. Some climate change models have predicted in such a scenario of positive feedback that a 10 ⁰ C rise in Earth's surface temperature is feasible within a period of 100 years which would substantially exterminate human population.

It has been urgently proposed in order to mitigate such climate change that spheres fabricated from porous nano-materials, the spheres being of similar size to golf balls, are efficient and safe potential carriers of hydrogen gas by way of nano-scale surface absorption of hydrogen gas therein. Hydrogen gas is susceptible to being generated from water by electrolytic processes using electricity generated from nuclear power stations and sustainable energy sources such as wind turbines, hydroelectric dams and ocean wave- energy generators. The system 10 described in the foregoing is susceptible to being adapted to assist in the distribution of such hydrogen-loaded golf-ball-sized spheres to motorists

along highways and motorways, the motorists having electric vehicles including fuel cells operable to generate electricity by oxidizing hydrogen adsorbed from such hydrogen-loaded spheres to produce water vapour as a waste product. The spheres are susceptible to being returned, recycled and then redistributed to motorists in an environmentally sustainable manner using the system 10. Were such spherical energy carriers to become commonplace in future, the system 10 has potentially wide potential utilization throughout the World. In view of recent of United Nations very urgent initiatives on mitigating climate change, the present invention employed in such a capacity is potentially capable of bringing enormous benefit in association with energy distribution and associated payment mechanisms.

In example embodiments of the invention described in the foregoing, "vicinity" is to be optionally construed to mean less than 100 metres distance away, more preferable less than 50 metres away, and most preferably less than 20 metres away. Furthermore, "proximity" is to be optionally construed to mean less than 10 metres distance away, more preferable less than 2 metres away, and most preferably less than 1 metre away, in relation to embodiments of the present invention described above.

Modifications to embodiments of the invention described in the foregoing are susceptible to being implemented without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the one or more ball dispensers 20 are susceptible to being used for implementing the system 10. Beneficially, each ball dispenser 20 is also susceptible to being operated individually in an isolated manner as a "stand alone" apparatus wherein restocking is performed on an individual basis and is not then coordinated from the service facility 100. In such a "stand alone" manner of operation, each ball dispenser 20 dispenses one or more of its balls 40 in direct local return for payment, for example from coins, bills, credit card, electronic credit card payment, electronic payment from a mobile telephone in short-range wireless communication provided with appropriate purchasing tokens. Such a "stand alone" manner of operation is, for example, beneficial when the service facility 100 momentarily is not available or not operational.

Computer software products executed on computing hardware included in the service facility 100 and in the ball dispensers 20 is susceptible to being updated for modifying functionality of the system 10. The software products are conveyable to the computing hardware on a data carrier, for example at least one of: a wireless signal, an optical signal, an electrical signal, a solid-state data memory, a magnetic data carrier, an optical data carrier.

Optionally, the ball dispenser 20 described in the foregoing is carriable by a person of moderate physical build and strength when said ball dispenser 20 is decoupled from said foundation 300. A person of moderate physical build and strength is defined as being a person having a strength susceptible to enabling the person to carry a weight of 30 kg for only a few metres before becoming fatigued and having to rest. Beneficially, the foundation 300 is firmly anchored to a position within the region 30, thereby rendering a ball dispenser 20 mounted to the foundation 300 not carriable by a person of moderate strength.

Beneficially, the ball dispenser 20 weights less than 20 kg when the ball dispenser 20 does not contain any balls 40 and is decoupled from its foundation 300. Such a weight is practical when the dispenser 20 is to be manually lifted from a vehicle for deployment, or loaded onto a vehicle for restocking purposes. Optionally, the ball dispenser 20 weights less than 10 kg when the ball dispenser 20 does not contain any balls and is decoupled from its foundation 300. Yet more optionally, the ball dispenser 20 weights less than 5 kg when the ball dispenser 20 does not contain any balls 40 and is decoupled from its foundation 300.

Beneficially, in the spatial region 30, the one or more aforesaid foundations 300 are spatially distributed at intervals in the order of substantially 100 metres, for example in a range of 50 to 150 metres, or within a distance of substantially 50 metres, for example in a range of 25 to 75 metres, from one or more ball loss areas of the spatial region 30.

Expressions such as "has", "is", "include", "comprise", "consist of, "incorporates" are to be construed to include additional components or items which are not specifically defined; namely, such terms are to be construed in a non-exclusive manner. Moreover, reference to the singular is also to be construed to also include the plural. Furthermore, numerals and other symbols included within parentheses in the accompanying claims are not to be construed to influence interpreted claim scope but merely assist in understanding the present invention when studying the claims.