System for operating one or more lasers to project a visible line onto a surface

Abstract

At least one temporary visible reference line is projected onto a target surface, as for example, an athletic field, by several laser sources. A first laser source emits optical energy—at a wavelength of between 380 nm and 750 nm—along at least a first selectable path upon the target surface so as to form a temporary line thereon. A second laser source disposed at a second elevated, stationary location relative to the target surface different from the first stationary location emits optical energy along at least a second selectable path upon the target surface so as to form a temporary line thereon. In some instances, each laser light source may be capable of traversing the entire width of the target surface, in which case each laser source covers a discrete region. In other cases, respective laser sources arranged on opposite laterals sides of the target surface can be included so that segments contiguous with those projected by a corresponding one of the first and second laser sources can be generated to form a temporary line that does traverse the entire width of the target surface.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.