Systems and methods for strobe-light-based navigation

A reflected strobe light navigation system for a vehicle, the system comprising:

• a vehicle navigation system;
• a reflection processing system coupled to the vehicle navigation system, wherein the reflection processing system is configured to output a navigation solution to the vehicle navigation system;
• a strobe light generator system configured to transmit a light pulse from the vehicle;
• and
• a reflected strobe image capturing system coupled to the reflection processing system, wherein the reflected strobe image capturing system is configured to capture images of reflected strobe light pulses received from a retro-reflector array, wherein the reflected strobe light pulses comprise reflections of the light pulse reflected by the retro-reflector array;
• wherein the reflection processing system evaluates one or more image frames each comprising a pattern of reflected light pulse images produced from the reflected strobe light pulses to calculate the navigation solution;
• wherein the reflection processing system calculates the navigation solution by evaluating offsets, a rotation, or a combination of offsets and rotation, in a position of the reflected light pulse images appearing in the one or more image frames.

A method for strobe light navigation for a vehicle, the method comprising:

• transmitting a light pulse from a vehicle with a strobe light generator system, wherein the strobe light generator system comprises a strobe flash modulator, wherein the strobe flash modulator modulates a digital signature onto the light pulse;
• capturing images of reflected strobe light pulses received from a retro-reflector array with a reflection processing system, wherein the reflected strobe light pulses comprise reflections of the light pulse reflected by the a retro-reflector array, wherein the digital signature is recognizable by the reflection processing system and wherein the reflection processing system is configured to processes images of the reflected strobe light pulses based on the reflected strobe light pulses having the digital signature;
• evaluating one or more image frames each comprising a pattern of reflected light pulse images produced from the reflected strobe light pulses to calculate a navigation solution;
• and
• outputting the navigation solution to a vehicle navigation system.