Retroreflectors providing information encoded in reflected non-visible laser while retaining visible light safety properties

Abstract

Described are retroreflective marker devices, which encode information that can be read by optical sensors, such as LiDAR devices, and that do not detract from human safety. Also described are kits for retrofitting existing markers.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a National Stage entry of PCT / US2018 / 054739, filed Oct. 5, 2018, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 862,408, filed Jan. 4, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,145,993, issued Dec. 4, 2018, which further claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 569,396, filed Oct. 6, 2017, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Raised pavement markers, convex vibration lines, Botts' dots, delineators, cat's eyes, road studs, or road turtles are commonly used as safety device in such commercial structures as roads, highways, buoys, docks, and runways. Raised reflective markers include materials and structures that enhance their visibility by reflecting headlights to alert a driver of locations, zones, lanes, and other route features.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0003]Current reflective markers have been developed to reflect visible light emitted from the h...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]Although the use of additional signs and sign demarcations could improve the ability of an autonomous vehicle to detect and navigate byways, such features may prove distracting and unsightly to human drivers, residents, and pedestrians. As such there is a current unmet need for a device which encodes information that can be read by the sensors of an autonomous car, into elements within the current infrastructure, that do not detract from the safety of human drivers. Further, as many current signs and marking elements currently exist throughout the infrastructures of the cities around the world, there additionally exists a current unmet need for devices, kits, and methods to retrofit current signs and demarcations to include additional data for autonomous vehicles.

Problems solved by technology

Although autonomous vehicles have been programmed to sense road markers and read street signs designed for human eyes, a significant amount of data processing and sensor overlap is required to detect and garner information from such sources during the day and night, and under varying forms of light and shade.

Although the use of additional signs and sign demarcations could improve the ability of an autonomous vehicle to detect and navigate byways, such features may prove distracting and unsightly to human drivers, residents, and pedestrians.

Further, as many current signs and marking elements currently exist throughout the infrastructures of the cities around the world, there additionally exists a current unmet need for devices, kits, and methods to retrofit current signs and demarcations to include additional data for autonomous vehicles.

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