# US 9,433,849 B1 · Method and system for remotely controlling laser light demarcations of ball positions and first downs in a football game > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,433,849 B1 - Document ID: US9433849B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/058,339 - Filed: 2016-03-02 - Granted: 2016-09-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-02 - Applicants: Jeb Brown - Inventors: Jeb Brown - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9433849B1 ## CPC - A63B 71/0619: {Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills} - A43B 3/34: with electrical or electronic arrangements - A63B 24/0021: {Tracking a path or terminating locations} - A63B 71/0605: {Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration} - A63C 19/065: {Line markings, e.g. tapes; Methods therefor} - G01C 15/004: {Reference lines, planes or sectors} - A43B 3/00: Footwear characterised by the shape or the use - A63B 2024/0053: {for locating an object, e.g. a lost ball} - A63B 2071/0694: {Visual indication, e.g. Indicia} - A63B 2225/74: with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights - A63B 2243/007: American football - A63C 2019/067: {Machines for marking} - A63C 2203/12: Electrically powered or heated - A63C 2203/14: Lighting means - A63C 2203/18: Measuring a physical parameter, e.g. speed, distance - G01C 15/00: Surveying instruments or accessories not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C13/00 - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR - A63C: SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE (water skis B63B32/00, B63B34/00) - G01C: MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY (measuring liquid level G01F; radio navigation, determining distance or velocity by use of propagation effects, e.g. Doppler effects, propagation time, of radio waves, analogous arrangements using other waves G01S) ## 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 ### Claim 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system according to claim 5, wherein the third laser projection module is independent of both the first and second laser projection modules. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) 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. ### Claim 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) 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. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) 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. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) 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. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) 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. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) 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. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The system of claim 13, wherein the location sensor is located in a shoe worn by a referee or the ball. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the remote control is handheld and is operated by a referee. ### Claim 17 (depends on 8) 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.