Abstract: A motor vehicle is disclosed. The motor vehicle includes a light detection and ranging (lidar) sensor and an outer surface of the motor vehicle. The outer surface includes at least one retroreflector element for the lidar sensor arranged on the outer surface of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: The instant disclosure provides an optical wheel including a rotary light-transmittable substrate, an optical microstructure layer and an optical coating layer. The rotary light-transmittable substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and rotates around a central axis. The optical microstructure is disposed on the first surface or the second surface. The optical coating layer is disposed on the optical microstructure. At least a laser incident light beam is projected onto the first surface or the second surface of the rotary light-transmittable substrate for forming a laser emission light beam emitted from the second surface.

Abstract: An optical target for temporary application in non-determined placement on a surface of an object such as a vehicle wheel assembly within the field of view of an imaging sensor of a machine vision vehicle service system. The optical target consists of a flexible body which is relatively thin and generally flat, capable of conforming to the contours of a surface onto which it is secured in releasable manner by a means of adhesion. A set of visible optical elements are disposed on a front face of the target body for observation and imaging by the imaging sensors.

Abstract: An illumination system periodically directs a short burst of bright light onto rotating indicia which makes the indicia appear to be stationary. The exact location of the indicia on the sidewall of the vehicle tire is determined by an emitter and sensor during each revolution of the tire, and a short burst of bright light is then directed onto the indicia which makes the indicia appear to be stationary and therefore discernable. Repeating design features of a vehicle wheel may also be sensed with an accompanying short burst of bright light which makes the wheel appear to be stationary.

Abstract: An improved wheel is provided wherein decorative items such as gem stones are embedded in either the wheel surface, a special mounting section attached to the wheel surface, or to a spoke strap that wraps around each spoke and positions embedded gem stones on the outside surface of the spoke. The improvement and related devices are symmetrically attached for positional correspondence of the decorative items among the spokes. Spokes or spoke-like features of wheel covers are similarly improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reflector, including at least one flexible reflective element wrapped around a bicycle member, a backing in contact with an first end of the at least one flexible reflective element along a portion of a periphery of the backing, thereby defining a pocket, and a second end of the at least one flexible reflective element placed in between the backing and the at least one flexible reflective element by cooperation of the a second end being held in place by the pocket.

Abstract: The tires fabricated from either natural rubber or synthetic rubber are embedded with discrete reflectors of light. The reflectors may be spherical, concave, flat, a regularly shaped, or any other known form of reflector. Those reflectors which are embedded on at least one sidewall surface enable a vehicle having such tires to be seen on unlighted highways based upon the light from an approaching vehicle being reflected off the discrete reflectors back to the eyes of the human driving the approaching vehicle. The process for making such tires involves the mixing of the discrete reflectors with the rubber, followed by vulcanization and then the molding of the rubber tires.

Abstract: A wheel rim includes a transparent adhesive layer provided on the surface of the wheel rim, a light-reflective particle layer which is substantially free of any superimposed or overlapping particles and which is formed by spreading solely and uniformly dry light-reflective particles on the transparent adhesive layer and contacting directly the particles with the transparent adhesive layer, the particles having dimensions larger than the thickness of the transparent adhesive layer so that some of the dry light-reflective particles which do not contact the transparent adhesive layer can be allowed to fall off the transparent adhesive layer by gravity, and a transparent protective layer provided on the light-reflective particle layer.

Abstract: An optical switching system is disclosed which can achieve high speed optical switching with a simple configuration. Light from a light irradiation section is irradiated into an optical transmission line made of a material having a nonlinear optical effect and disposed on the upstream side with respect to an optical switch provided for performing switching of a transmission line to cause the nonlinear optical effect to occur. Thereupon, light is emitted externally from the optical transmission line by the nonlinear optical effect between the light irradiated by the light irradiation section and light propagating in the optical transmission line. The light emitted is received by a light reception section to acquire intensity information of the light propagating in the optical transmission line. The intensity information is used as driving signal for driving the optical switch.

Abstract: A decorative safety attachment for tire rims including a circular plate dimensioned for positioning over the tire rim. The circular plate has a diameter consistent with a diameter of the tire rim. The circular plate has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a peripheral edge. The outer surface is coated with a reflective surface. The outer surface has a plurality of concentric annular grooves formed therein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a marker for indicating wheel rotation for a truck. The marker fits onto the wheel and turns with the wheel. The marker has a reflective end to allow vision during less visible occasions. The marker is mounted on the wheel stud and when the wheel stud is fastened the wheel marker is pressed between the rim and the wheel nut. The marker's reflective end rests on the outer portion of the rim.

Abstract: A self-attachable wheel spoke reflector is provided. The self-attachable wheel spoke reflector includes removable from sheet of reflectors. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is that the material be thermoplastic and most preferably vinyl. Another embodiment is that the self-attachable wheel spoke reflector be adhesive-backed.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting visual images or image producing devices onto the valve stems of inflatable tires, and more specifically, a valve stem mounted reflector having a lens, a reflective element and a forcible removable system of mounting.

Abstract: A passive reflective safety device for vehicles formed as a wheel cover, a fixed applique to the outside of the vehicle body, a fixed geometric shape attached to a rotational part of the vehicle or as a rotating wind driven vane attached to the vehicle. Each of the devices functions as a passive beacon to alert persons in other vehicles of the presence of the users vehicle. Each device is fabricated of rigid sheet material with a reflective layer applied to a visible side of the device. If transparent sheet material is used, the reflective layer may be applied to the inboard side of the device. The wind vane device may contain a governor to limit the rotational speed. A wind deflector may be installed in front of the vane device to encourage rotation in one direction.

Abstract: An apparatus in association with a bicycle tire and the like which may be retractably secured to the tire, whereupon an elongate strip formed with spaced cut-outs permit securement of the elongate strip to an exterior side wall of the tire, wherein the strip is formed of a multi-layered, multi-colored strip organization to effect reflection of the tire in use within an associated bicycle. Triangular reflective segments may be adhesively and retractably mounted into the cut-outs in securement of the organization to the associated tire.