Abstract: A non-contact method and system for analyzing tire conditions. The system includes an emitter source for emitting radiation signals towards a tire having a treaded surface between two sidewalls. A detector is provided to receive signals reflected by the tire in response to the emitted radiation signals. A data processing system, coupled to the emitter source and the detector, obtains geometrical information, such as height, of a plurality points on the tire based on the signals received from the detector. The data processing system determines a condition of the tire by comparing geometrical information for a designated portion of the plurality points with other portion points on the tire. A color-coded surface profile showing a height distribution of the tire is also generated to assist diagnosis of the tire.

Abstract: A method of determining a type of corrective weight for application to an edge of a rim of a wheel for correcting imbalance of the wheel, including measuring dimensions of an edge of a rim of a wheel to produce measured dimensions, comparing the measured dimensions to actual dimensions of different types of rim edges, determining a type of rim edge the wheel has based upon the comparison between the measured dimensions and the stored dimensions, and indicating a type of corrective weight appropriate for application to the edge of the rim of the wheel based upon the type of rim edge determined.