Method and system for remotely controlling laser light demarcations of ball positions and first downs in a football game

• US 9,433,849 B1
• Filed: 03/02/2016
• Issued: 09/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeb Brown
• Original Assignee: Jeb Brown
• Inventors: Brown, Jeb
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, R. A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Courson, Tania
• Application Number:
  US15/058,339
• Time in Patent Office: 188 Days
• Field of Search: 332/27, 332/28, 332/63, 332/64, 332/86, 332/89, 33D/IG.21
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/00 Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0053 for locating an object, e.g. a lost ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0605 Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0619 Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
• 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 2203/18 Measuring a physical parameter, e.g. speed, distance
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/00 Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 15/004 Reference lines, planes or sectors

Abstract

A remotely controllable first down demarcation laser projection system for sporting events such as football. The system comprises a first laser projection module and a second laser projection module within an elongated track positioned parallel to the athletic field. The projection modules are configured to project a beam across the athletic field at predetermined locations. The first laser projection module is configured to track the location of the football when the football is on the line of scrimmage while the second laser projection module is configured to track the location of a first down demarcation on the field.

Claims

1. A system for projecting a laser across an athletic football field, comprising:

a first laser projection module and a second laser projection module adapted to travel parallel to the athletic field within a beveled elongated track having a slot that extends the entire length of said track, said track being positioned parallel to and within one foot of one sideline on a football field;

wherein said first laser projection device and said second laser projection device are configured to travel within the slot and project a beam across the athletic field, and wherein the first laser projection module is configured to track the location of a football when the football is on a line of scrimmage during play of a football game, and wherein the second laser projection module is configured to track the location of a first down demarcation on the field, said first laser projection module associated with a first elongated member that extends the entire length of a side-line of a field from a first end zone to a second end zone, said elongated member associated with a first pulley positioned above ground and at said first end zone and a second pulley positioned above ground and at the second end zones, and wherein a remote control unit controls movement of the first pulley and the second pulley.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the second laser projection module is associated with a separate elongated member that is associated with the second pair of pulleys positioned at said first and second end zones.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first laser projection module and the second laser projection module are attached to a cable, wherein the cable is adapted to be used with the first and second pulley.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first laser projection module and the second laser projection module are adapted to mate with a track and wherein the first laser projection module and the second laser projection module are coupled together.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a third laser projection module that demarks the original line of scrimmage in a series of downs.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the third laser projection module is independent of both the first and second laser projection modules.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the first, second, and third laser projection modules are adapted to project a laser beam in the horizontal direction and wherein at least the third laser projection module is adapted to project a laser, a light, a hologram, or an image, in the vertical direction.

8. A system for projecting a laser across an athletic football field, comprising:

a first laser projection module and a second laser projection module adapted to travel parallel to the athletic field within a beveled elongated track having a slot that extends the entire length of said track, said track being positioned parallel to and within one foot of one sideline on a football field;

wherein said first laser projection device and said second laser projection device are configured to project a beam across the athletic field, and wherein the first laser projection module is configured to track the location of a football during first down when the football is on a line of scrimmage during play of a football game, and wherein the second laser projection module is configured to track the location of a first down demarcation on the field, said first laser projection module associated with a first elongated member that extends the entire length of a side-line of a field from a first end zone to a second end zone, said elongated member associated with a first pulley positioned above ground and at said first end zone and a second pulley positioned above ground and at the second end zones, and wherein a remote control unit controls movement of the first pulley and the second pulley; and

a third laser projection module adapted to travel parallel to the athletic field, wherein the third laser projection device is configured to project a beam across the athletic field and wherein the third laser projection device is configured to track the location of a football when the football is on a line of scrimmage prior to a play beginning.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the second laser projection module is associated with a separate elongated member that is associated with the second pair of pulleys positioned at said first and second end zones.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the first laser projection module and the second laser projection module are attached to a cable, wherein the cable is adapted to be used with the first and second pulley, and wherein the third laser projection module is independent from both the first and second laser projection modules.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the first laser projection module and the second laser projection module are adapted to mate with a track and wherein the first laser projection module and the second laser projection module are coupled together.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the first, second, and third laser projection modules are adapted to project a laser beam in the horizontal direction and wherein at least the third laser projection module is adapted to project a laser, a light, a hologram, or an image, in the vertical direction.

13. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a location sensor placeable at the position of the ball; and

wherein the location sensor communicates the position of the ball to the laser projection system and wherein at least one of the modules moves to a location on a sideline of the field parallel to the position of the ball.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the remote control instructs the location sensor to communicate the position of the ball to the laser projection system.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the location sensor is located in a shoe worn by a referee or the ball.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the remote control is handheld and is operated by a referee.

17. The system of claim 8, wherein the first module is positioned upfield of the second module by a distance of ten yards and wherein the first module projects a laser beam perpendicularly across the playing field at a distance of ten yards upfield of the location of the ball.