Autonomous vehicle dual traffic reflector detector with information transmittal

• US 10,156,636 B1
• Filed: 12/18/2017
• Issued: 12/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Easton Scientific, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Easton Scientific, Inc.
• Inventors: Minorics, Richard T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Hai
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tang, Son M
• Application Number:
  US15/732,701
• Time in Patent Office: 365 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1223 with sensors or transducers
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/0134 responsive to imminent contact with an obstacle , e.g. using radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/09 Taking automatic action to avoid collision, e.g. braking and steering
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/931 of land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/04 using optical or ultrasonic detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09 Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions railroad crossing signals B61L; reflectors E01F, G08B; indicating arrangements for variable information by selection or combination of individual elements G09F9/00

Abstract

An autonomous vehicle dual traffic reflector device for detecting a second vehicle by a first vehicle, includes an outer array, the outer array having a plurality of colored light receiving-light transmitting lens, the outer array positioned in an arcuate arrangement having at least one focal point and the outer array having at least two caution-colored lenses; and an inner array positioned inside the outer array and between the outer array and a focal point of the at least one focal point of side outer array, the inner array positioned to receive light passing into the device through at least one lens and reflecting the light out of the device through at least one different lens. Information and communication symbols are included on one or more lenses and may be reflected to a receiving vehicle to add site-specific information. A system to guide such vehicles is also included.

Claims

1. An autonomous vehicle dual traffic reflector detector guidance system, which comprises:

a) a plurality of autonomous vehicles including a first autonomous vehicle and a second autonomous vehicle, each of said plurality of autonomous vehicles having a forward projecting light that includes vectors of light beams directed away from a lane of travel and light receiving sensors that recognize caution-colored light, including angle and distance, and including computer adjustment to lane positioning;

b) a plurality of roadways having at least two lanes of travel, including a first lane for travel in a first direction and a second lane for travel in a second direction, said second direction being opposite said first direction, said roadways further including side areas outside of said first lane and said second lane;

c) a plurality of autonomous vehicle dual traffic reflector devices for detecting a said second autonomous vehicle by said first autonomous vehicle located along said side areas of said plurality of roadways wherein each of said devices include;

(i) an outer array, said outer array having a plurality of light receiving-light transmitting lens, said outer array positioned in an arcuate arrangement having at least one focal point and said outer array having at least two lenses selected from the group consisting of caution-colored lenses, colored lenses, clear lenses and combinations thereof;

(ii) an inner array of reflective mirrors positioned inside said outer array and between said outer array and a focal point of said at least one focal point of said outer array, said inner array positioned to receive light passing into said device through at least one lens and reflecting said light out of said device through at least one different lens, said different lens being at least one of said at least two lenses;

wherein at least one of said at least two lenses includes an offset colored symbol that will transmit information by light reflection therethrough;

whereas when said first autonomous vehicle and said second autonomous vehicle are traveling toward one another in opposite directions and a light beam from said first autonomous vehicle enters an autonomous vehicle dual traffic reflector device and reflects therein to be transmitted in a recognized light to said second vehicle, said second vehicle sensor relays angle and distance information to its computer to make necessary lane adjustments to avoid vehicle collision, and when a symbol is also transmitted, recognizes the symbol, interprets it and acts upon said information.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of autonomous vehicle include a computer that, at least in part, travels in conjunction with a satellite GPS guidance system in coordination with said autonomous vehicle dual traffic reflector detector system.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said plurality of autonomous vehicle dual traffic reflector devices are located in a predetermined pattern.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said offset symbol includes a symbol that is selected from the group consisting of a barcode, an aztec code, numerals, letters and a set symbol.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said arcuate arrangement is selected from the group consisting of sinusoidal, arc of fixed radius, arc of varying radius, circle and polygon.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein there are at least four lenses, each being in a different plane from the others.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein there are at least three reflectors in said inner array, each in a different plane from the others.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein there are four to twelve reflectors in said inner array, each in a different plane from the others.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said reflectors are flat reflectors.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein said reflectors are curved.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein said arcuate arrangement of said outer array is circular and said caution-colored lenses are colored selected from the color group consisting of red, orange, yellow and combinations thereof.

12. An autonomous vehicle dual traffic reflector device for detecting a second vehicle by a first vehicle, which comprises:

a) an outer array, said outer array having a plurality of light receiving-light transmitting lens, said outer array positioned in an arcuate arrangement having at least one focal point and said outer array having at least two lenses selected from the group consisting of caution-colored lenses, colored lenses, clear lenses and combinations thereof;

b) an inner array of reflective mirrors positioned inside said outer array and between said outer array and a focal point of said at least one focal point of said outer array, said inner array positioned to receive light passing into said device through at least one lens and reflecting said light out of said device through at least one different lens, said different lens being at least one of said at least two lenses, said inner array of reflective mirrors being selected from the group consisting of;

(i) a plurality of separate mirrors positioned in different planes relative to one another; and

(ii) at least one mirror having a top view compound shape;

wherein at least one of said at least two lenses includes an offset colored symbol that will transmit information by light reflection therethrough.

13. The reflector device of claim 12 wherein said offset symbol includes a symbol that is selected from the group consisting of a barcode, an aztec code, numbers, letters and a set symbol.

14. The reflector device of claim 12 wherein said arcuate arrangement is selected from the group consisting of sinusoidal, arc of fixed radius, arc of varying radius, circle and polygon.

15. The reflector device of claim 12 wherein there are at least four lenses, each being in a different plane from the others.

16. The reflector device of claim 12 wherein there are at least three reflectors in said inner array, each in a different plane from the others.

17. The reflector device of claim 12 wherein there are four to twelve reflectors in said inner array, each in a different plane from the others.

18. The reflector device of claim 12 wherein said reflectors are flat reflectors.

19. The reflector device of claim 12 wherein said reflectors are curved.

20. The reflector device of claim 12 wherein said arcuate arrangement of said outer array is circular and said lenses are colored selected from the color group consisting of red, orange, yellow and combinations thereof.