System and method for dynamically marking athletic fields using a hand held user interface

• US 20040111903A1
• Filed: 12/16/2002
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Alan Amron
• Original Assignee: Alan Amron
• Inventors: Amron, Alan
• Application Number:
  US10/320,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20040111903A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 33/289
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 19/065 Line markings, e.g. tapes; Methods therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2019/067 Machines for marking
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/12 Electrically powered or heated
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/14 Lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/22 Radio waves emitting or receiving, e.g. remote control, RFID
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/004 Reference lines, planes or sectors

Abstract

A system for dynamically marking, with a temporary visible line, an athletic field surface, wherein the field has a first end, a second end, a first lateral boundary and a second lateral boundary. The system includes a laser source capable of producing a beam of radiation, and a displaceable actuator operatively associated with the laser source and adapted to direct the laser beam onto the athletic field surface. A controller including an electronic processor is programmed to cause displacement of the actuator sufficient to cause a visible line, extending from the first lateral boundary to the second lateral boundary, to appear and move between opposite ends of the athletic field surface. A portable, handheld user interface, which includes a wireless communication link, allows a single supervisory official to establish at least unidirectional communication with the controller. The controller responds to transmissions received from the interface by causing the visible line to advance to any position, selected by the official, between the first end and the second end of the athletic field.

Claims

1. A system for dynamically marking an athletic field surface with a temporary, visible line, the field having a first end, a second end, a first lateral boundary and a second lateral boundary, the system comprising:

at least one laser source capable of producing a beam of radiation;

an actuator assembly operatively associated with the at least one laser source, said actuator assembly being dimensioned and arranged to direct the beam produced by the at least one laser source onto the athletic field surface;

a controller operative to control said actuator assembly so as to produce angular displacement of the beam produced by the at least one laser source, said laser source being operative to produce a beam which strikes the athletic field surface along a visible line extending from the first lateral boundary to the second lateral boundary of the athletic field surface; and

a portable, handheld user interface, said user interface including a wireless communication interface for establishing communication with said controller,

wherein said controller is responsive to transmissions received from the portable, handheld user interface to cause said visible line to advance to any selected position between the first end and the second end and to energize and de-energize the laser beam.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said laser source and said actuator assembly are configured for mounting directly above the athletic field.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein said actuator assembly includes a servomotor for angularly displacing said at least one laser source about a first horizontal axis.

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein said actuator assembly further includes a second servo motor for angularly displacing said at least one laser source about a vertical axis.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein said actuator assembly further includes a second servo motor for angularly displacing said at least one laser source about a second horizontal axis transverse to said first horizontal axis.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said laser source is adapted to generate a scanning beam for producing said visible line.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said portable, hand-held user interface includes a manual operator for energizing and de-energizing the laser source.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the hand held user interface includes a rotary operator, and wherein said controller includes a digital proportional control module responsive to movement of said rotary operator to produce slow, finely controlled movement of the visible line between the first end and the second end of the athletic field.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the hand held user interface includes a first manual operator and a second manual operator, and wherein said controller is responsive to actuation of said first manual operator to produce fast, coarsely controlled movement of the visible line between the first end and the second end of the athletic field.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the said portable user interface includes an RF transmitter for establishing communication with said controller.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said portable user interface includes a battery powered power supply.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein said portable user interface includes a display adapted to show a virtual position of the visible line prior to energization of the laser source.

13. A method of officiating a football game on a field surface having a first end, a second end, a first lateral boundary and a second lateral boundary, comprising:

providing a line demarcation system adapted to direct a light source at said field surface and to produce therewith a visible line extending between the first lateral boundary and the second lateral boundary;

using a hand-held, portable user interface, transmitting a command via a wireless link to the line demarcation system causing said visible line to move from a first transverse position on the field to a second transverse position on the field.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said transmitting step includes rotating a manual operator adapted to produce commands operative to initiate slow, finely controlled movement of the visible line.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein said transmitting step includes depressing a manual pushbutton adapted to produce commands operative to initial fast, coarsely controlled movement of the visible line.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein said first transverse position traverses a point of intersection with a designated spot on a football immediately after a first down play.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein said second transverse position is a distance of ten yards from the first transverse position.