Abstract: The present disclosure includes in one instance an optical article comprising a data rich plurality of retroreflective elements that are configured in a spatially defined arrangement, where the plurality of retroreflective elements comprise retroreflective elements having at least two different retroreflective properties, and where data rich means information that is readily machine interpretable. The present disclosure also includes a system comprising the previously mentioned optical article, an optical system, and an inference engine for interpreting and classifying the plurality of retroreflective elements wherein the optical system feeds data to the inference engine.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for a personal protective equipment (PPE) management system (PPEMS) that uses images of optical patterns embodied on articles of personal protective equipment (PPEs) to identify safety conditions that correspond to usage of the PPEs. In one example, an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) includes a first optical pattern embodied on a surface of the article of PPE; a second optical pattern embodied on the surface of the article of PPE, wherein a spatial relation between the first optical pattern and the second optical pattern is indicative of an operational status of the article of PPE.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes in one instance an optical article comprising a data rich plurality of retroreflective meats that are configured in a spatially defined arrangement, where the plurality of retroreflective elements comprise retroreflective elements having at least two different retroreflective properties, and where data rich means information that is readily machine interpretable. The present disclosure also includes a system comprising the previously mentioned optical article, an optical system, and an inference engine for interpreting and classifying the plurality of retroreflective elements wherein the optical system feeds data to the inference engine.

Abstract: Optical articles including a spatially defined arrangement of a plurality of data rich retroreflective elements, wherein the plurality of retroreflective elements comprise retroreflective elements having at least two different retroreflective properties and at least two different optical contrasts with respect to a background substrate when observed within an ultraviolet spectrum, a visible spectrum, a near-infrared spectrum, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for a personal protective equipment (PPE) management system (PPEMS) that uses images of optical patterns embodied on articles of personal protective equipment (PPEs) to identify safety conditions that correspond to usage of the PPEs. In one example, an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) includes a first optical pattern embodied on a surface of the article of PPE; a second optical pattern embodied on the surface of the article of PPE, wherein a spatial relation between the first optical pattern and the second optical pattern is indicative of an operational status of the article of PPE.

Abstract: Optical articles including a spatially defined arrangement of a plurality of data rich retroreflective elements, wherein the plurality of retroreflective elements comprise retroreflective elements having at least two different retroreflective properties and at least two different optical contrasts with respect to a background substrate when observed within an ultraviolet spectrum, a visible spectrum, a near-infrared spectrum, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for a personal protective equipment (PPE) management system (PPEMS) that uses images of optical patterns embodied on articles of personal protective equipment (PPEs) to identify safety conditions that correspond to usage of the PPEs. In one example, an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) includes a first optical pattern embodied on a surface of the article of PPE; a second optical pattern embodied on the surface of the article of PPE, wherein a spatial relation between the first optical pattern and the second optical pattern is indicative of an operational status of the article of PPE.

Abstract: Optical articles including a spatially defined arrangement of a plurality of data rich retroreflective elements, wherein the plurality of retroreflective elements comprise retroreflective elements having at least two different retroreflective properties and at least two different optical contrasts with respect to a background substrate when observed within an ultraviolet spectrum, a visible spectrum, a near-infrared spectrum, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate having a physical surface, a multi-dimensional machine-readable code embodied on the physical surface, wherein the multi-dimensional machine-readable optical code includes a static data (SD) optical element set and a dynamic lookup data (DLD) optical element set. Each of the SD and the DLD sets are embodied on the physical surface. The DLD optical element set encodes a look-up value that references dynamically changeable data, wherein the SD optical element set encodes static data that does not reference other data. The DLD optical element set is not decodable at the distance greater than the threshold distance.

Abstract: A hearing-protective earplug (1) with a resilient polymeric foam body (10) and with a grippable stem (110) that includes a forward portion (111) with an annular sleeve (112) that at least partially defines an open-ended, front-facing cavity (114) within which a rearward portion (21) of the resilient polymeric foam body resides.

Abstract: In some examples, an optically active article includes a retroreflective substrate; and at least one security element disposed at the retroreflective substrate; an article message disposed at the retroreflective substrate, and wherein the at least one security element comprises validation information that is detectable outside a visible light spectrum, and wherein a combination of the article message and the validation information of the at least one security element indicates whether the optically active article is counterfeit.

Abstract: Example systems disclosed herein include a pathway-article assisted vehicle (PAAV) that utilizes an autonomous navigation system for navigating temporary zones on vehicle pathways. The PAAV includes at least image capture device and a computing device. The image capture device generates an image that includes an indication of a temporary zone on a vehicle pathway, such as a pathway article proximate to the vehicle pathway that indicates the temporary zone. The computing device processes the image to obtain the indication of the temporary zone from the image, such as a code on the pathway article, and modifies, based on the indication of the temporary zone, a mode of autonomous operation of the PAAV while operating within the temporary zone on the vehicle pathway.

Abstract: The disclosed light directing article has an optical element and a conformal retarder with predefined thickness that contours with the optical element. In one aspect, the light directing article is a retroreflective article, which further comprises a phase reversing optical reflector.

Abstract: In general, techniques are described for a personal protective equipment (PPE) management system (PPEMS) that uses images of optical patterns embodied on articles of personal protective equipment (PPEs) to identify safety conditions that correspond to usage of the PPEs. In one example, an article of personal protective equipment (PPE) includes a first optical pattern embodied on a surface of the article of PPE; a second optical pattern embodied on the surface of the article of PPE, wherein a spatial relation between the first optical pattern and the second optical pattern is indicative of an operational status of the article of PPE.

Abstract: An article includes a substrate with a physical surface, and a hierarchy of parent and child optical element sets embodied on the physical surface, such that a first encoded value represented by the parent optical element set is based at least in part on the visual appearance of a particular optical element in the child optical element set, and a second, different encoded value represented by the particular parent optical element is based at least in part on the visual appearance, and the second encoded value not being decodable from a distance greater than a threshold distance, the first encoded value being decodable from the distance greater than the threshold distance.

Abstract: A hearing-protective earplug (1) with a resilient polymeric foam body (10) and with a grippable stem (110) that includes a forward portion (111) with an annular sleeve (112) that at least partially defines an open-ended, front-facing cavity (114) within which a rearward portion (21) of the resilient polymeric foam body resides.

Abstract: Disclosed is an identification system to improve safety on roads and allow for the driver or for the vehicle itself, if it is autonomous or semi-autonomous, to have readable and useful information about road signs, roadways, and adjacent roadway information. The disclosed identification system comprises a marker with marker communication information that can be read by a vehicle information system to provide information to the vehicle. Information that the marker communication information may convey would allow the vehicle information system to detect or recognize, or both detect and recognize critical road sign, roadway information, and adjacent roadway information. Then, the vehicle information system could respond to the information received from the marker communication information.

Abstract: In some examples, an article includes a substrate that having a physical surface; a multi-dimensional machine-readable code embodied on the physical surface, wherein the multi-dimensional machine-readable optical code comprises a static data (SD) optical element set and a dynamic lookup data (DLD) optical element set, each set embodied on the physical surface, wherein the DLD optical element set encodes a look-up value that references dynamically changeable data, wherein the SD optical element set encodes static data that does not reference other data, wherein the DLD optical element set is not decodable at the distance greater than the threshold distance.

Abstract: In some examples, an article includes a substrate, the substrate including a physical surface; a hierarchy of parent and child optical element sets embodied on the physical surface, wherein a first encoded value represented by the parent optical element set is based at least in part on a visual appearance of a particular optical element in the child optical element set, and a second encoded value represented by the particular optical element is based at least in part on the visual appearance, the first and second encoded values being different, and the second encoded value not being decodable from a distance greater than a threshold distance, the first encoded value being decodable from the distance greater than the threshold distance.

Abstract: Optical articles including a spatially defined arrangement of a plurality of data rich retroreflective elements, wherein the plurality of retroreflective elements comprise retroreflective elements having at least two different retroreflective properties and at least two different optical contrasts with respect to a background substrate when observed within an ultraviolet spectrum, a visible spectrum, a near-infrared spectrum, or a combination thereof.