# US 2019/0318138 A1 · System for vehicle identification > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0318138 A1 - Document ID: US20190318138A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/235,162 - Filed: 2018-12-28 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-11 - Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company - Applicants: 3M Innovative Properties Company - Inventors: John L. Riccardi; Andrew D. Dubner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190318138A1 ## CPC - G06K 7/10722: {Photodetector array or CCD scanning} - G09F 13/16: Signs formed of or incorporating reflecting elements or surfaces, e.g. warning signs having triangular or other geometrical shape - G06K 7/1408: {the method being specifically adapted for the type of code} - G06K 19/06009: {with optically detectable marking (G06K19/063, G06K19/08 take precedence)} - H04N 23/20: for generating image signals from infrared radiation only - B60Q 1/0017: {Devices integrating an element dedicated to another function} - B60Y 2400/3015: Optical cameras - G06K: GRAPHICAL DATA READING (image or video recognition or understanding G06V); PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS - G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - B60Q: ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## Abstract The sensors on a vehicle can have difficulties identifying surrounding objects in the environment. Markers with predetermined properties that match with reading capabilities of the on-vehicle sensors would provide information about the surrounding environment. In particular, adjacent vehicles may have markers with predetermined properties that match with reading capabilities of the vehicle sensors. The sensors would obtain information about the surrounding vehicles on the road, which could be used to provide context for decision making of the advanced driver assistance system. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for identifying a first vehicle comprising: a set of optically active markers, each optically active marker on at least a portion of opposing outward surfaces of the first vehicle and each optically active marker comprises machine-readable information; a image capture device on a second vehicle that detects and produces an image of at least one of the optically active markers; a processor that processes the image to find the machine-readable information and associates the machine-readable information with information of the first vehicle. ### Claim 2 A first vehicle with identifying optically active markers comprising: a set of optically active markers, each optically active marker on at least a portion of opposing outward surfaces of the first vehicle; wherein each optically active marker comprises machine-readable information and is either visibly transparent or a color corresponding to the outward surface of the first vehicle to which it is attached. ### Claim 3 A set of identifying optically active markers comprising: a set of optically active markers, each optically active marker comprising adhesive for adhesive placement on at least a portion of opposing outward surfaces of the first vehicle; wherein each optically active marker comprises machine-readable information and is either visibly transparent or a color corresponding to the outward surface of the first vehicle to which it is attached. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the set of optically active markers comprises: a first optically active marker on a first outward facing surface of the first vehicle; a second optically active marker on a second outward facing surface of the first vehicle, opposite from the first outward facing surface of the first vehicle; a third optically active marker on a third outward facing surface of the first vehicle; a fourth optically active marker on a fourth outward facing surface of the first vehicle, opposite from the third outward facing surface of the first vehicle. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein at least one optically active marker is a number plate of the first vehicle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising an additional optically active marker on the first vehicle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the additional optically active marker is on any one of the outward facing surface of the first vehicle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein at least one optically active marker is retroreflective. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein at least one optically active marker is infrared absorbing, scattering, or reflecting and the image capture device is an infrared camera. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein at least one optically active marker comprises a retroreflective layer and at least a portion comprising an infrared selective layer. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein at least one optically active marker returns polarized light and the image capture device responds to polarized light. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the optically active markers are visibly transparent or a color corresponding to the outward surface of the vehicle to which it is attached. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, instructions indicate the location on the outward facing surface of the first vehicle for each optically active marker. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the information regarding the first vehicle include exterior color information, and wherein the optically active markers for attachment to outward facing surfaces of the first vehicle correspond in color to the exterior color information. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the machine-readable information comprises a code wherein the processor associates machine-readable information of the code with code information. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the processor accesses a database and associate machine-readable information of the code with code information. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein each optically active marker comprises the same machine-readable information. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein each optically active marker comprises different machine-readable information. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein information about the first vehicle comprises any one of vehicle type, vehicle color, vehicle owner, unique vehicle identification information, vehicle placement. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the machine-readable information causes the second vehicle to respond.