A system for configuring a monitored zone (38, 38') of a laser scanner, said system comprising (a) a sequence generation unit (10, 50, 60, 70) for generating time-variable distinguishable optical sequences which has a selection device (20, 22, 24) for selecting an optical sequence and a triggering device for triggering the generation of the selected optical sequence by the sequence generation unit (10, 50, 60, 70); and (b) a laser scanner for the spatially resolved monitoring of a monitored zone (38, 38'), wherein the laser scanner has the following: an optical reception device for detecting the optical sequence generated by the sequence generation unit (10, 50, 60, 70); a first memory device in which an association is stored between (i) the optical sequences selectable at the sequence generation unit, on the one hand, and (ii) shape elements which can serve for the characterization of the shape of a monitored zone (38, 38') to be configured, on the other hand; a second memory device for storing a shape of a monitored zone (38, 38'); and an evaluation device for determining the shape of a monitored zone (38, 38') from the detected optical sequences and from the shape elements, which are stored in the first memory device and are associated with these optical sequences, and for storing the shape thus determined of the monitored zone (38, 38') in the second memory device. (a) a sequence generation unit (10, 50, 60, 70) for generating time-variable distinguishable optical sequences which has a selection device (20, 22, 24) for selecting an optical sequence and a triggering device for triggering the generation of the selected optical sequence by the sequence generation unit (10, 50, 60, 70); and (b) a laser scanner for the spatially resolved monitoring of a monitored zone (38, 38'), wherein the laser scanner has the following: an optical reception device for detecting the optical sequence generated by the sequence generation unit (10, 50, 60, 70); a first memory device in which an association is stored between (i) the optical sequences selectable at the sequence generation unit, on the one hand, and (ii) shape elements which can serve for the characterization of the shape of a monitored zone (38, 38') to be configured, on the other hand; a second memory device for storing a shape of a monitored zone (38, 38'); and an evaluation device for determining the shape of a monitored zone (38, 38') from the detected optical sequences and from the shape elements, which are stored in the first memory device and are associated with these optical sequences, and for storing the shape thus determined of the monitored zone (38, 38') in the second memory device. an optical reception device for detecting the optical sequence generated by the sequence generation unit (10, 50, 60, 70); a first memory device in which an association is stored between (i) the optical sequences selectable at the sequence generation unit, on the one hand, and (ii) shape elements which can serve for the characterization of the shape of a monitored zone (38, 38') to be configured, on the other hand; a second memory device for storing a shape of a monitored zone (38, 38'); and an evaluation device for determining the shape of a monitored zone (38, 38') from the detected optical sequences and from the shape elements, which are stored in the first memory device and are associated with these optical sequences, and for storing the shape thus determined of the monitored zone (38, 38') in the second memory device.