US 12,313,867 B1
Textured retro-reflective marker
Larry Chen, Fergus (CA); Derek Peter Zwambag, Guelph (CA); Shaulaine White, Troy (CA); Athanasios Tommy Balkos, Waterloo (CA); Kirsten Galea, Fergus (CA); and David Charles Willms, Waterloo (CA)
Assigned to Northern Digital Inc., Waterloo (CA)
Filed by Northern Digital Inc., Waterloo (CA)
Filed on May 10, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/660,909.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/465,827, filed on May 11, 2023.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G02B 5/12 (2006.01); G02B 1/11 (2015.01); G02B 5/13 (2006.01); G02B 5/132 (2006.01); G02B 5/136 (2006.01); G02B 26/08 (2006.01); G01S 17/66 (2006.01)
CPC G02B 5/136 (2013.01) [G02B 1/11 (2013.01); G02B 5/13 (2013.01); G02B 5/132 (2013.01); G02B 26/0833 (2013.01); G01S 17/66 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a retro-reflective marker, comprising:
a retro-reflective layer having a first retro-reflectance capability, the retro-reflective layer comprising:
a textured surface, a portion of the textured surface having a surface topology such that surface normal vectors of the portion of the textured surface extend from the portion of the textured surface in different directions, and
a plurality of retro-reflective micro elements distributed across the textured surface; and
a border defining a retro-reflective area of the retro-reflective layer, wherein a portion of the border provides a second retro-reflectance capability lower than the first retro-reflectance capability; and
a base comprising at least one feature configured to guide the retro-reflective layer when the retro-reflective layer is placed on a top surface of the base such that the retro-reflective area aligns with a pre-determined location of the base.