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.

1 - 60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . A device comprising: at least one face comprising a retroreflective surface and a plurality of regions, the plurality of regions comprising at least a region of a first type and a region of a second type; the region of the first type attenuating a first light having a first source and a wavelength outside a visible wavelength spectrum incident on the at least one face; and the region of the second type reflecting the first light incident on the at least one face to the first source; wherein the region of the first type reflects a second light having a second source and a wavelength within the visible wavelength spectrum incident on the at least one face to the second source; and wherein the first light incident on the at least one face is reflected to the first source as a first pattern, the first pattern comprising encoded information. 
     
     
         62 . The device of  claim 61 , comprising at least two regions of the first type or two regions of the second type. 
     
     
         63 . The device of  claim 62 , wherein the regions of the first type and the regions of the second type are coterminous and inverse forming an alternating arrangement. 
     
     
         64 . The device of  claim 61 , wherein the attenuation is at least 25%, 50%, 75%, or complete attenuation. 
     
     
         65 . The device of  claim 61 , wherein the first source is a LiDAR transmitter. 
     
     
         66 . The device of  claim 65 , wherein the first light has a wavelength between 893 nm and 913 nm or between 1540 nm and 1560 nm. 
     
     
         67 . The device of  claim 61 , wherein the region of the first type comprises an absorptive dye, a polarizing filter, an interference filter, a physical filter, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         68 . The device of  claim 61 , wherein the encoded information in the first pattern is spatially encoded. 
     
     
         69 . The device of  claim 68 , wherein the spatial encoding comprises two-dimensional encoding and wherein the two-dimensional encoding comprises a QR code, a pattern, an array, a shape, a number, a letter, a symbol, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         70 . The device of  claim 68 , wherein the spatial encoding comprises three-dimensional encoding and wherein the three-dimensional encoding comprises a pattern, an array, a shape, a number, a letter, a symbol, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         71 . The device of  claim 61 , wherein the encoded information is non-temporally encoded. 
     
     
         72 . The device of  claim 61 , further comprising a region of a third type attenuating a third light having a third source and a wavelength outside the visible spectrum and different than the wavelength of the first light incident on the at least one face; wherein the region of the second type further reflects the third light incident on the at least one face to the third source; wherein the region of the third type reflects the second light having a wavelength within the visible wavelength spectrum incident on the at least one face to the second source; and wherein the third light incident on the at least one face is reflected to the third source as a second pattern, the second pattern comprising encoded information. 
     
     
         73 . The device of  claim 61 , wherein the device is passive, non-mechanical, and non-electronic. 
     
     
         74 . The device of  claim 61 , wherein the device is a marker device, a reflector device, a warning device, a navigational device, a boundary indicator, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         75 . A reflective marker device comprising a face having a retroreflective surface, a first region and a second region; the first region attenuating a first light incident on the face, the first light being outside a visible wavelength spectrum; the second region retroreflecting the first light incident on the face; and the first region retroreflecting a visible light incident on the face, the visible light being within the visible wavelength spectrum; wherein the first light incident on the face is retroreflected as a first pattern comprising encoded information. 
     
     
         76 . The reflective marker device of  claim 75 , wherein the attenuation is at least 25%, 50%, 75%, or complete attenuation. 
     
     
         77 . The reflective marker device of  claim 75 , wherein the first light comprises one or more laser light beams. 
     
     
         78 . The reflective marker device of  claim 76 , wherein the first light has a wavelength between 893 nm and 913 nm or between 1540 nm and 1560 nm. 
     
     
         79 . The reflective marker device of  claim 75 , wherein the first region comprises an absorptive dye, a polarizing filter, an interference filter, a physical filter, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         80 . The reflective marker device of  claim 75 , wherein the encoded information in the first pattern is spatially encoded. 
     
     
         81 . The reflective marker device of  claim 80 , wherein the spatial encoding comprises two-dimensional encoding and wherein the two-dimensional encoding comprises a QR code, a pattern, an array, a shape, a number, a letter, a symbol, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         82 . The reflective marker device of  claim 80 , wherein the spatial encoding comprises three-dimensional encoding and wherein the three-dimensional encoding comprises a pattern, an array, a shape, a number, a letter, a symbol, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         83 . The reflective marker device of  claim 75 , wherein the encoded information is non-temporally encoded. 
     
     
         84 . The reflective marker device of  claim 75 , further comprising a third region attenuating a second light having a wavelength outside the visible spectrum and different that the wavelength of the first light incident on the face; wherein the second region further retroreflects the second light incident on the face; wherein the third region retroreflects the visible light incident on the face; and wherein the second light is retroreflected as a second pattern comprising encoded information. 
     
     
         85 . The reflective marker device of  claim 75 , wherein the device is passive, non-mechanical, and non-electronic. 
     
     
         86 . The reflective marker device of  claim 75 , wherein the device is a marker device, a reflector device, a warning device, a navigational device, a boundary indicator, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         87 . A vehicle comprising:
 a) an optical transmitter configured to transmit a first light having a wavelength outside a visible wavelength spectrum;   b) an optical receiver configured to receive reflected light of the wavelength of the first light, the reflected light being a reflection of the first light and comprising encoded information;   c) a computer comprising at least one processor configured to decode the encoded information; and   d) a navigational apparatus responsive to the encoded information.   
     
     
         88 . The vehicle of  claim 87 , wherein the optical transmitter and the optical receiver are positioned within an apparatus affixed to the vehicle. 
     
     
         89 . The vehicle of  claim 87 , wherein the optical transmitter and the optical receiver are reversibly affixed to the vehicle. 
     
     
         90 . The vehicle of  claim 87 , wherein the vehicle is autonomous. 
     
     
         91 . The vehicle of  claim 87 , wherein the vehicle is a passenger vehicle. 
     
     
         92 . The vehicle of  claim 87 , wherein the vehicle further comprises one or more sensors for
 navigating the vehicle based on the encoded information.   
     
     
         93 - 118 . (canceled)