Playing court

Abstract

A system (10) for generating markings on a playing surface (30) comprises a playing surface (30) including a phosphorescent material; and a display device (12) for irradiating the surface (30) with an electromagnetic radiation to generate a first set of markings on the surface (30).

1 . A playing surface, the playing surface comprising a phosphorescent material. 
     
     
         2 . The playing surface of  claim 1 , wherein the material is capable of absorbing radiation at predetermined wavelength, and is capable of emitting visible light in a delayed manner following exposure to the radiation. 
     
     
         3 . The playing surface of any preceding claim, wherein the phosphorescent material is provided within the surface material. 
     
     
         4 . The playing surface of any preceding claim, wherein exposure of the surface to the radiation causes the surface to show markings that correspond to markings for use in an activity, game or sport. 
     
     
         5 . The playing surface of any preceding claim, wherein the playing surface comprises a plurality of phosphorescent materials. 
     
     
         6 . The playing surface of any preceding claim, wherein the playing surface comprises a first phosphorescent material capable of absorbing energy at a first exposure wavelength and of emitting light at a first emission wavelength following irradiation, and a second phosphorescent material capable of absorbing energy at a second exposure wavelength and of emitting light at a second emission wavelength following irradiation. 
     
     
         7 . The playing surface of  claim 6 , wherein the first exposure wavelength and the second exposure wavelength are different. 
     
     
         8 . The playing surface of  claim 6  or  claim 7 , wherein the first emission wavelength and the second emission wavelength are different. 
     
     
         9 . A system for generating markings on a playing surface, the system comprising:
 a playing surface comprising a phosphorescent material; and   a display device for irradiating the surface with an electromagnetic radiation to generate a first set of markings on the surface.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the display device is configured to generate, project and/or illuminate the electromagnetic radiation on the playing surface, according to a pattern corresponding to characteristics of a first activity, game or sport. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the display device is configured to expose, irradiate or illuminating areas of the surface where markings are intended to be visible during use, at a first exposure wavelength to generate the first set of markings. 
     
     
         12 . A method for generating markings on a playing surface, the method comprising:
 providing a playing surface comprising a phosphorescent material; and   irradiating the surface with electromagnetic radiation to generate a first set of markings on the surface.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , comprising exposing the surface to an electromagnetic radiation selected from ultraviolet (UV) light, infrared (IR) light, laser light, or visible light. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  or  claim 13 , comprising generating, projecting and/or illuminating an electronic radiation on the surface according to a pattern corresponding to characteristics of a first activity, game or sport. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , comprising exposing, irradiating or illuminating areas of the surface where markings are intended to be visible during use, at a first exposure wavelength to generate the first set of markings. 
     
     
         16 . The method of any of  claims 12  to  15 , comprising generating, projecting and/or illuminating an electronic radiation at a/the first exposure wavelength on the surface to render the first set of markings invisible. 
     
     
         17 . The method of any of claims  claims 12  to  16 , comprising exposing, irradiating or illuminating areas of the surface where markings are intended to be visible during use, at a second exposure wavelength, to generate a second set of markings according to and/or corresponding to characteristics of a second activity, game or sport.