Abstract: Infrared marking devices and methods for marking an object, such as a door, inside a structure, such as a smoke-filled or burning structure. The infrared marking device comprises a ring-shaped, elasticized outer sleeve having a tubular sidewall and an amount of a self-heating material confined inside the tubular sidewall of the outer sleeve. The self-heating material emits infrared radiation when activated to initiate an exothermic chemical reaction. The infrared radiation is visible in a thermal imaging camera. The method comprises activating a self-heating material confined inside a marking device to initiate an exothermic reaction that emits infrared radiation and applying the marking device to an object inside the structure.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a position measurement adapter for attachment to a threaded stud, the adapter having an elongate rigid member with a first end and a second end. The elongate rigid member has a threaded aperture that extends along an axial direction from the first end to a distance that is spaced apart from the second end. In addition, the elongate rigid member has a hollow shaft that extends in the axial direction from the threaded aperture towards the second end. The hollow shaft is radially larger than the threaded aperture. A contrast target can be located on the second end. In some instances, the hollow shaft extends to the second end and the elongate member has a cylindrical shape.

Abstract: Reflective accessories for increasing the visibility of persons engaged in night-time (or other low-light) activities. Reflective accessories include a mechanism configured for attachment of the accessory to an object associated with the person engaging in a low-light activity by looping the accessory around at least a portion of the object and twisting the mechanism about itself to thereby secure the accessory to the object, and a flexible body supported by the mechanism and having an outer surface with a portion configured to reflect light to a degree that the portion is generally more visible than the object to which the accessory is attached when a light source is directed at the accessory and the object.

Abstract: A Safety reflector suitable as a road stud or hazard reflecting ornament able to utilize ambient light without solar panels batteries or diodes, in order to reflect light multi-dimensionally

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting an optical clock signal are provided. The method includes splitting a predetermined polarization component from an input optical signal, selecting frequency components for clock signal extraction from the predetermined polarization component and amplifying the selected frequency components, rotating the amplified frequency components by a predetermined angle and then reflecting them, amplifying the reflected frequency components and removing noise from the amplified frequency components using a Fabry-Perot filter, and obtaining a beat frequency component from the frequency components from which noise has been removed using the Fabry-Perot filter to extract a clock signal. Accordingly, influence of the pattern of the input optical signal is reduced and the apparatus and method are provided at low price.

Abstract: A reflector for lighting has shape holding property, flexibility and lightweight property. That is, a reflector for lighting includes: a reflective material made of a polymer membrane of which an average reflectance of 400 to 700 nm wavelength of at least one surface side is 85% or more and having a ridge-shaped uneven shape; and a reinforcing material having flexibility, and the reinforcing material connects the bottom parts of concave parts with each other from the back side of the one surface side of the reflective material to reinforce the uneven shape.

Abstract: A method of making a reflective polymer article comprising: (a) contacting a polymer material with a foaming agent; (b) foaming in the material under conditions sufficient to form reflective polymer article having gas cells and polymer gas interfaces between the cells; wherein the reflective polymer article has a metallic or reflective property.

Abstract: A reflector system for to allow a reflector to be positioned adjacent an edge of road while reducing the chance of being struck by a vehicle includes a spike being drivable into and extending upwardly from a support surface. The spike includes a tapered end for facilitating driving of the spike into the support surface. The spike has a slot therein extending through a pair of sides of the spike and positioned adjacent a top end of the spike. A reflector is couplable to the spike. The reflector is positioned in the slot of the spike when the reflector is coupled to the spike. The reflector reflects light from the headlights of the vehicle to alert a driver to an edge of a road adjacent the reflector.

Abstract: A semiconductor package circuit board has an indicator for specifying a location of a defective circuit board unit. The semiconductor package circuit board includes circuit board units arranged in an m-by-n matrix pattern. The indicator has marking areas arranged in an m-by-n matrix pattern so that the marking areas are marked in correspondence to locations of identified defective circuit board units of the circuit board units. An operator can readily put a defective mark on the indicator without any confusion. The operator or a sensor can readily recognize the defective mark. Since the indicator can be formed on the circuit board unit, the integration of the semiconductor package circuit board can be increased, and the productivity can be substantially improved. Furthermore, a pathway of the sensor can be reduced, and interferences that might occur if the sensor moves can be hindered.

Abstract: An elongated strip of release paper supports infrared reflective tape releasably attached to the backing paper. The infrared reflective tape is cut to form segments that can be dispensed like labels that can be held in place by an adhesive backing to enable the segment of reflective tape to be sewn in place on a garment. Infrared reflective segments can be dispensed from a roll on a spool using a manual label dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention affords a threaded attachment position adapter used for aiding in the accurate location measurement of items such as holes and studs within or on components, frames, tooling, etc. The adapter is comprised of an elongate rigid rod, an elongate rigid sleeve, which the rod slides into and is held, and a target arm with a contrast or reflective target set thereon that is fixedly attached to the sleeve. The rigid sleeve and target arm fixedly attached thereto can be held at or moved to a desired location as the rigid rod is screwed into a threaded hole or onto a threaded stud whose location is desired. The target arm is fixedly attached to the sleeve. The contrast or reflective targets can be easily and efficiently located at a fixed and known distance from an item to measured and thus aid in determining the items accurate location.

Abstract: A W-beam road barrier including a barrier having a W-shaped cross section defining two or more crests and one or more troughs between the crests, with a light reflecting element affixed to the trough or a rear surface of at least one of the crests.

Abstract: A reflective tag apparatus has a top layer having micro apertures therein and having a surface message therein and a second layer having a sub surface message thereon mounted over a reflective layer. The reflective layer may be retroreflective using an array of corner cubes and may be a structure that is diffractive or resonates iridescent colors and may contain coatings, dyes and pigments to provide light control.

Abstract: Reflective accessories for increasing the visibility of persons engaged in night-time (or other low-light) activities. Reflective accessories include a mechanism configured for attachment of the accessory to an object associated with the person engaging in a low-light activity by looping the accessory around at least a portion of the object and twisting the mechanism about itself to thereby secure the accessory to the object, and a flexible body supported by the mechanism and having an outer surface with a portion configured to reflect light to a degree that the portion is generally more visible than the object to which the accessory is attached when a light source is directed at the accessory and the object.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly of the present invention, includes a lamp module with light sources functioning as a turn signal indicator, a security light, and a blind spot indicator. The light module may include at least one LED device that is activated during different activation modes so as to operate in two or more of the following modes: a blind spot indication mode, a turn signal mode, and a security light mode. The LED device may emit light of different color during the different modes of operation. The security light may be oriented to illuminate the door handle and keyhole. The light module may be positioned behind the mirror element to project light through the mirror element.

Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly includes a housing and an LED lamp carried in the housing. A signal mirror includes a mirror and an LED lamp. The LED lamp includes a heat extraction member.

Abstract: A signaling assembly is described and which includes a semitransparent mirror formed of a glass substrate formed of neodymium oxide doped glass and which absorbs, at least in part, a predetermined band of yellow light, and which further defines a region through which visible light may pass; and an emitter of visible light is positioned adjacent to the semitransparent mirror and which, when energized, emits visible light which passes through the region of the semitransparent mirror which passes visible light to form a visibly discernible signal.

Abstract: A marker-tracking system includes an object, a marker illuminating device, a marker sensing device, and a computing device. The object includes a first retroreflective marker having a shape that is substantially defined by two spherical caps of different radii that are disposed substantially concentric in relation to one another. The marker illuminating device substantially illuminates the first retroreflective marker, the marker sensing device detects the illuminated first retroreflective marker and generates first data indicative of the location of the illuminated first retroreflective marker in space, and the computing device processes the first data generated by the marker sensing device to determine a position and/or orientation of the object in space.

Abstract: The present invention provides provide a light power adjusting method, an optical transmitter, and an optical receiver suitable for ensuring high data transmission quality by preventing the rapid increase in SBS which occurs when the light power exceeds a predetermined value. The incident light power with which the SBS-induced backward propagating light included in the reflected light returned from the optical transmission line rapidly increases, i.e., the light power threshold is calculated. By setting the power of the light incident on the optical transmission line at a value equal to or smaller than the thus calculated light power threshold, the rapid increase in the SBS-induced backward propagating light, which is a nonlinear phenomenon of the optical fiber, is prevented.

Abstract: In a process for the production of a plate, in particular a motor vehicle licence plate, in which at least a layer sequence forming an electroluminescence flat capacitor (4, 5, 6, 7) and a reflection film (10; 10?) are applied to a carrier (1), a reflection film (10; 10?) is selected whose reflection value is higher than the maximum value permitted by statute, and said reflection value is reduced by further production steps to such an extent that it is below the maximum value permitted by statute.

Abstract: An optical control element for controlling an optical phenomenon by relatively changing levels of dots with respect to a film surface that is irradiated with light, wherein the optical control element includes a thin film having a plurality of through holes, a dot array in which a plurality of dots are protruded, the dots being loosely fitted into the through holes of the thin film, respectively, and a drive portion which relatively displaces at least one of the thin film and the dot array.

Abstract: The plastic optical component includes a main body and a transparent moisture-proof coating provided on all surfaces of the main body, the moisture-proof coating satisfying the following relation (1): (D1/d)×(L/D2)<10 ??(1) where D1 (mm2/s) is a water diffusion coefficient of a first material of which the moisture-proof coating is made, d (mm) is a thickness of the first material, D2 (mm2/s) is the water diffusion coefficient of a second material of which the main body is made, and L (mm) is an average thickness across an optical surfaces of the second material.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method of producing a lighting or signalling device comprising a light source (16), a reflector (14) reflecting the light rays emitted by the light source (16) towards a lens (18) so as to form along an optical axis (A—A) alighting or signalling beam, the lens (18) comprising a peripheral flange (24) and being held by a support (20), the support (20) comprising an annular surface (26, 26?) limited at its external periphery by a cylindrical rim (28, 34). According to the present invention, the method comprises the step consisting of deforming the cylindrical rim (28, 34) in the direction of the annular surface (26, 26?) in order to envelop the peripheral flange (24) of the lens (18) and hold it in place without play and without requiring an additional component, this deformation of the cylindrical rim (28, 34) being performed by applying on this rim a force parallel to the optical axis (A—A) of the lighting or signalling device.

Abstract: A one-piece hollow retroreflector is formed in a cylindrical body of lead or another malleable material in a punch press operation. A punch having a cube corner configuration is used to form a reflecting chamber having three mutually orthogonal surfaces into the cylinder. The reflecting chamber can be formed using a rough punch, and then a finish punch. The finish punch would produce the reflective surfaces of the three walls of the chamber. The chamber walls can be coated with a protective coating to help prevent corrosion of the surfaces. After the reflecting chamber has been formed and finished, the body of the retroreflector can be machined to remove the displaced material and otherwise form the outer surfaces of the body to a desired shape.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new sheeting article that may suitably include: a carrier having a first major surface and a second major surface; and a plurality of discrete segments of a sheeting (e.g., a retroreflective sheeting), wherein the sheeting has a first major viewing surface and a second major opposing surface, and the first major viewing surface of the sheeting is preferably removably attached to the second major surface of the carrier. Preferably, the first major surface of the carrier comprises a release surface, the second major opposing surface of the sheeting comprises an adhesive, the article is provided in the form of a roll, and the adhesive surface of the sheeting is adjacent the release surface of an adjacent layer of the roll. In a presently preferred embodiment the present invention provides novel easy-to-use truck conspicuity sheeting.

Abstract: Retroreflecting elements adapted for use in one-to-M wavelength routing elements are provided. Each retroreflecting element is configured to retroreflect an optical ray that is orthogonal to a reference plane. A first reflective surface, such as may be provided by a mirror, is inclined with respect to the reference plane and is disposed to encounter the optical ray. The first reflective surface is also configured for rotation about an axis to multiple positions. A second reflective surface, such as may also be provided by a mirror, is inclined with respect to the first reflective surface. In at least one of the positions, the optical ray also encounters the second reflective surface.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting including a retroreflective base having a light-incident layer on its light-incident side and a fluorine-containing resin film having a total light transmittance of 80% or more which is provided on the light-incident layer by an adhesive layer, a printed layer made of discontinuous printed parts is provided between the film and the adhesive layer. The printed layer does not cause the film to separate.

Abstract: A retroreflective article includes a flat front surface, and a structured rear surface displaced from the flat front surface. The structured rear surface is provided with arrays of sets of three mutually perpendicular lateral triangular sides, and a plurality of trigonal linear prisms. The three lateral triangular sides have a common apex and uncommon linear base edges. The linear prisms are disposed along at least one of the linear base edges of the three lateral triangular sides.

Abstract: A light reflective film having a multi-layered structure including a light reflective membrane layer on a web. A plurality of transparent spherical glass beads are provided on the light reflective membrane layer. A transparent film layer is provided on the glass beads and is spaced away from the light reflective membrane layer by an air gap. A transparent coating encapsulates all of the component layers to form the light reflective film. The light reflective film is flexible and durable, and effectively reflects light when under water.

Abstract: A one-piece hollow retroreflector is formed in a cylindrical body of lead or another malleable material in a punch press operation. A punch having a cube corner configuration is used to form a reflecting chamber having three mutually orthogonal surfaces into the cylinder. The reflecting chamber can be formed using a rough punch, and then a finish punch. The finish punch would produce the reflective surfaces of the three walls of the chamber. The chamber walls can be coated with a protective coating to help prevent corrosion of the surfaces. After the reflecting chamber has been formed and finished, the body of the retroreflector can be machined to remove the displaced material and otherwise form the outer surfaces of the body to a desired shape.

Abstract: A flexible mounting assembly is provided for a retroreflector assembly. The mounting assembly has a base member comprising three radial arms situated at substantially 120° from each other. In a preferred embodiment, a connector is mounted to the end of each arm, with the connector connecting the arm of the base to a resilient support member. Each support member has a pair of co-planar receiving surfaces, for receipt thereon of a mounting block, which mounting block is adhered to the underside of the retroreflector. The co-planar receiving surfaces of each of the support members are separated by a notch in the structure of the support member. In other embodiments, the radial arms of the mounting member and the connectors can be uniformly formed members. Another embodiment could have the mounting blocks an integrally formed part of the support members; i.e., integrally extending out from the co-planar surfaces.

Abstract: A light reflective film having a multi-layered structure including a light reflective membrane layer on a web. A plurality of transparent spherical glass beads are provided on the light reflective membrane layer. A transparent film layer is provided on the glass beads and is spaced away from the light reflective membrane layer by an air gap. A transparent coating encapsulates all of the component layers to form the light reflective film. The light reflective film is flexible and durable, and effectively reflects light when under water.

Abstract: A composite fabric structure having unique visual and physical properties is described. The composite fabric includes a textile fabric layer having a visual surface and a rear surface. A layer of diffractive or retroreflective material is secured beneath the textile fabric layer, either directly or beneath a layer of substantially transparent material. The textile fabric layer is of an open or semi-transparent construction, so that light can pass through it to reach the layer of diffractive or retroreflective material and be reflected back through the layer of textile fabric, to provide a unique appearance to its visual surface. Because fabric constructions can be provided which are extremely conspicuous, they have particular utility in the formation of safety equipment and automobile components. Furthermore, the fabrics have high durability, improved hand, and in many embodiments can be stretched as well as molded.

Abstract: An optical reflector, in particular for construction or geodetic surveying, has a reflective body (1) and a receptacle housing (3) for holding the reflective body (1). The reflective body (1) including transparent material has a transmission surface (5) and at least one unmetallized reflection surface (2). The receptacle housing (3) and the reflective body (1) held therein form a cavity. This is sealed water-tight from the environment of the reflector, for protecting the reflection surface (2). A structure for exchanging gas (4) is provided in the receptacle housing (3). A further development of the invention envisages detachable mounting of a component (17) on the reflector.

Abstract: Many embodiments of the present invention are imbued with both sight-facilitative and touch-facilitative characteristics. The invention's unitary resinous matrix configuration encompasses, in the form of small discrete bodies, three genres (luminescent, reflective, retroreflective) of visually enhancing material along with tactilely enhancing material. The retroreflective and abrasive bodies partially project at a light-exposable surface of the resinous matrix material; the luminescent and reflective (diffuse and/or specular) bodies lie beneath the light-exposable surface. The luminescent, reflective and retroreflective bodies are complementarily and cumulatively effective; in particular, they versatilely afford increased visibility at practically all angular lines of sight as well as under practically all deficient illuminative conditions. The abrasive bodies afford vehicular skid prevention, surefootedness and the capability to manually and/or pedally “feel one's way” to safety.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminate and an article comprising a retroreflective layer having a retroreflective viewing surface and an opposing surface and a tear resistant film disposed on the retroreflective layer. The finished article is preferably flexible and suitable for use as roll-up signs, flags, banners and other retroreflective articles requiring similar flexibility including other traffic warning and personal safety items.

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: A mirror assembly includes a housing, an angularly adjustable power pack, wires for supplying power and mirror angle control, an electrochromic mirror subassembly including a heater, and a turn signal device. The components include individual connectors that plug into a multi-prong connector on the bundle of wires, or that piggyback into each other. Optionally, the heater incorporates an internal wire with end connectors for communicating power to opposite sides of the heater, and also includes layers of light-transmitting/diffusing material for diffusing light passing from the turn signal device through the diffusing material. A printed circuit board fits into a pocket in the panel-shaped carrier, and an integral retainer releasably secures the printed circuit board. The power pack is attached to the carrier via a ring of resilient fingers, and a continuous hoop flange prevents distortion of the carrier and in turn of the glass elements in the mirror subassembly.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method of manufacturing a hollow optical reflector of the type which comprises a rear body overmolded around the convex rear external face of a front insert, the concave front internal face of which is covered with a reflective layer, the method comprising:

Abstract: Retroreflecting elements adapted for use in one-to-M wavelength routing elements are provided. Each retroreflecting element is configured to retroreflect an optical ray that is orthogonal to a reference plane. A first reflective surface, such as may be provided by a mirror, is inclined with respect to the reference plane and is disposed to encounter the optical ray. The first reflective surface is also configured for rotation about an axis to multiple positions. A second reflective surface, such as may also be provided by a mirror, is inclined with respect to the first reflective surface. In at least one of the positions, the optical ray also encounters the second reflective surface.

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 melt level or the gap between a melt surface and a heat shield is measured accurately irrespective of how the melt surface is. A laser beam (2) from a range-finding unit (8) is reflected by a scanning mirror (24) and projected on a melt surface (3) through an entrance window (18) and a quartz prism (20) in a chamber (17) of a puller. After specular reflection, the beam forms a measurement spot (31) in the bottom of a heat shield (16) and scatters. Part of the scatter, after specular reflection at the melt surface (3) (secondary reflection), passes through the prism (20), the entrance window (18) and the scanning mirror (24) to the range-finding unit (8). The range-finding unit (8) carries out triangulation using the distance between a laser source and a photodetector therein, and the angle of incidence and the angle of the received laser beam.

Abstract: An optical reflector, in particular for construction or geodetic surveying, has a reflective body (1) and a receptacle housing (3) for holding the reflective body (1). The reflective body (1) comprising transparent material has a transmission surface (5) and at least one unmetallized reflection surface (2). The receptacle housing (3) and the reflective body (1) held therein form a cavity. This is sealed water-tight from the environment of the reflector, for protecting the reflection surface (2). A means for exchanging gas (4) is provided in the receptacle housing (3).

Abstract: The Signal Device for Positioning a Vehicle, according to the present invention relates to utilizing the peripheral vision of a driver of a vehicle in assessing the proper position of a vehicle relative to a confined parking space. The device is comprised of at least two surfaces, the first obscuring the second until the vehicle has attained the desired position within the parking space. Upon attaining this position, the second surface will come within the operator's field of vision thus notifying the operator to stop the vehicle. Alternately, the operator will stop the vehicle when the second surface obscures the first surface. Additionally, this invention includes a method for parking a vehicle in a confined parking space. Finally, this invention describes a method of distributing advertising and/or solicitation through mass mailing techniques, such advertising accompanying the signal device.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a structure having first and second opposite reflective sides and adapted to be removably attached to clothing. A method for signaling the presence of a user comprises providing a structure having first and second opposite reflective sides being adapted to removably attach to clothing, removably attaching the structure to clothes worn by the user and reflecting light from the structure.

Abstract: An optical sphere of nominal radius is positioned and supported within an assembly so that is can be activated with a predetermined motion with respect to an incoming converging spherical wavefront from an interferometer to calibrate the interferometer by determining the differences between the converging spherical wavefront and the reflected wavefront from portions of the area of the optical sphere as sampled thereover. The nominal optical sphere supported and sampled in this way mimics a “perfect” comparison sphere from which the systematic error of the interferometer wavefront may be determined. The optical sphere is preferably hollow and composed of Zerodur®. Internal magnets in conjunction with external induction coils provide motion control while the optical sphere is mounted on an air bearing for freedom of rotation and safety in transportation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a license plate, which has an upper side that is facing an observer in a mounted state, a lower side that faces away from an observer in a mounted state, and a luminous sheet (18), the luminous sheet (18) being provided with reflecting means (20), either directly, or using at least one further layer.

Abstract: A process for making molds for retroreflective sheeting and like articles includes making a substrate having a structured surface of geometric structures such as cube corner elements. The structured surface is in one embodiment partially replicated from a previous generation structured surface, and partially machined in the substrate. At least one of the faces of the structured surface is a compound face that has one machined portion and one non-machined portion, such as a replicated portion. The process can be used to manufacture substrates with desirable geometry cube corner elements, such as cube corner elements having a hexagonal outline in plan view, without requiring the use of pin bundling techniques or laminae. The process can also be used to manufacture articles having cube corner elements in which at least one face of the cube corner element has two constituent faces disposed on opposed sides of a transition line that is nonparallel to a nondihedral edge of such cube corner element.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting (1) comprises a reflective base (2), a transparent film layer (4) which is colored different from the color of reflected light of the reflective base (2) and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (3). The transparent film layer (4) is removably provided on the reflective base (2) via the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (3). Part (4′) of the transparent film layer (4) is to be cut out on use so that the transparent film layer (4) may form a desired image. The peel strength between the transparent film layer (4) and the reflective base (2) is 25 to 400 gf/25 mm. After the transparent film layer (4) is pressed to the reflective base (2) under a pressure of 5 kgf/cm2, the peel strength between the transparent film layer (4) and the reflective base (2) is 700 gf/25 mm or greater.

Abstract: There is described a signalling device having a plurality of electro-optic elements and a lens system which is operable to receive a plurality of incoming free-space light beams from respective different light sources and direct the received light beams to respective ones of the electro-optic elements. The layout and/or shape of the electro-optic elements in the signalling device is adapted in accordance with a predetermined distribution of light sources. In this way, the number of electro-optic elements can be reduced. In an alternative embodiment, there is provided a signalling device having an electro-optic device, a plurality of lens systems having respective different fields of view, and a plurality of reflecting surfaces. Each reflecting surface is associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of lens systems, and the associated reflecting surface and lens system pairs are arranged so that the electro-optic device is provided in common to the plurality of lens systems.