Abstract: A method and system for vehicle control including detecting a change in a position of a transmission input interface to a neutral position indicating a transmission mode of the vehicle is shifted into a neutral gear. Responsive to receiving an input sequence at the transmission input interface, changing a neutral hold mode of the vehicle to active. The input sequence at the transmission input interface includes changing the position of the transmission input interface to a park position, holding the position of the transmission input interface at the park position for a predetermined length of time, and changing the position of the transmission input interface to the neutral position. Further, controlling the vehicle to maintain the neutral gear responsive to a change in a vehicle occupancy state while the neutral hold mode is active.

Abstract: A shifter mechanism for a transmission of a motor vehicle controlled by a transmission controller includes a central processing unit for transmitting a shifting request to the transmission controller, a dial shifter including a rotatable shifter knob and a rotation mechanism in communication with the rotatable shifter knob and about which the rotatable shifter knob rotates, and a sensor connected to the central processing unit for detecting rotation of the rotatable shifter knob.

Abstract: A shifter mechanism for a transmission of a motor vehicle controlled by a transmission controller includes a central processing unit for transmitting a shifting request to the transmission controller, a dial shifter including a rotatable shifter knob and a rotation mechanism in communication with the rotatable shifter knob and about which the rotatable shifter knob rotates, and a sensor connected to the central processing unit for detecting rotation of the rotatable shifter knob.

Abstract: A device and associated testing method for empirically determining the state-of-charge of an electrochemical energy device, comprising: applying electrical excitations to the energy device at a predetermined electrical excitation frequency ?e; applying mechanical excitations to the energy device at a predetermined mechanical excitation frequency ?m; measuring an electrically-induced phase difference ??e(?e) between voltage (V) and current (I) within the energy device from applying the electrical excitations; measuring a mechanically-induced phase difference ??e(?m) between voltage (V) and current (I) within the energy device from applying the mechanical excitations; and deducing the empirical real-time state-of-health of the energy device by comparing the electrically-induced phase difference ??e(?e) with the mechanically-induced phase difference ??e(?m); and using the deduced state of health to determine the state of charge.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a cover assembly for use with a vehicular plate member. The cover assembly includes a pad that is over-molded to a resilient member. The pad includes a primary contact member having an exterior surface with a relatively high coefficient of friction and disposed to be frictionally engagable with the vehicle operator's foot, the primary contact member being abradable through frictional engagement with the operator's foot. The pad can also include a connector member that is configured for attachment to the plate member. The cover assembly can also include a secondary contact member between the exterior surface of the primary contact member and the plate member. The secondary contact member is disposed completely below the primary contact member and thereby hidden from view prior to abrasion of the primary contact member, but disposed to frictionally engage the operator's foot subsequent to abrasion of the primary contact member.

Abstract: A device and associated testing method for empirically determining the state-of-charge of an electrochemical energy device, comprising: applying electrical excitations to the energy device at a predetermined electrical excitation frequency ?e; applying mechanical excitations to the energy device at a predetermined mechanical excitation frequency ?m; measuring an electrically-induced phase difference ??e(?e) between voltage (V) and current (I) within the energy device from applying the electrical excitations; measuring a mechanically-induced phase difference ??e(?m) between voltage (V) and current (I) within the energy device from applying the mechanical excitations; and deducing the empirical real-time state-of-health of the energy device by comparing the electrically-induced phase difference ??e(?e) with the mechanically-induced phase difference ??e(?m); and using the deduced state of health to determine the state of charge.

Abstract: A device and associated testing method for empirically determining the state-of-charge of an electrochemical energy device, comprising: applying electrical excitations to the energy device at a predetermined electrical excitation frequency ?e; applying mechanical excitations to the energy device at a predetermined mechanical excitation frequency ?m; measuring an electrically-induced phase difference ??e(?e) between voltage (V) and current (I) within the energy device from applying the electrical excitations; measuring a mechanically-induced phase difference ??e(?m) between voltage (V) and current (I) within the energy device from applying the mechanical excitations; and deducing the empirical real-time state-of-health of the energy device by comparing the electrically-induced phase difference ??e(?e) with the mechanically-induced phase difference ??e(?m); and using the deduced state of health to determine the state of charge.

Abstract: A device and associated testing method for empirically determining the state-of-charge of an electrochemical energy device, comprising: applying electrical excitations to the energy device at a predetermined electrical excitation frequency ?e; applying mechanical excitations to the energy device at a predetermined mechanical excitation frequency ?m; measuring an electrically-induced phase difference ??e(?e) between voltage (V) and current (I) within the energy device from applying the electrical excitations; measuring a mechanically-induced phase difference ??e(?m) between voltage (V) and current (I) within the energy device from applying the mechanical excitations; and deducing the empirical real-time state-of-health of the energy device by comparing the electrically-induced phase difference ??e(?e) with the mechanically-induced phase difference ??e(?m); and using the deduced state of health to determine the state of charge.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a cover assembly for use with a vehicular plate member. The cover assembly includes a pad that is over-molded to a resilient member. The pad includes a primary contact member having an exterior surface with a relatively high coefficient of friction and disposed to be frictionally engagable with the vehicle operator's foot, the primary contact member being abradable through frictional engagement with the operator's foot. The pad can also include a connector member that is configured for attachment to the plate member. The cover assembly can also include a secondary contact member between the exterior surface of the primary contact member and the plate member. The secondary contact member is disposed completely below the primary contact member and thereby hidden from view prior to abrasion of the primary contact member, but disposed to frictionally engage the operator's foot subsequent to abrasion of the primary contact member.

Abstract: A device and associated testing method for empirically determining the state-of-charge of an electrochemical energy device, comprising: applying electrical excitations to the energy device at a predetermined electrical excitation frequency ?e; applying mechanical excitations to the energy device at a predetermined mechanical excitation frequency ?m; measuring an electrically-induced phase difference ??e(?e) between voltage (V) and current (I) within the energy device from applying the electrical excitations; measuring a mechanically-induced phase difference ??e(?m) between voltage (V) and current (I) within the energy device from applying the mechanical excitations; and deducing the empirical real-time state-of-health of the energy device by comparing the electrically-induced phase difference ??e(?e) with the mechanically-induced phase difference ??e(?m); and using the deduced state of health to determine the state of charge.

Abstract: A device and associated testing method for testing state of health of an energy device, comprising: applying electrical excitations to the energy device at a predetermined electrical excitation frequency ?e; applying mechanical excitations to the energy device at a predetermined mechanical excitation frequency ?m; measuring an electrically-induced phase difference ??e (?e) between voltage (V) and current (I) within the energy device from applying the electrical excitations; measuring a mechanically-induced phase difference ??e (?m) between voltage (V) and current (I) within the energy device from applying the mechanical excitations; and deducing the state-of-health of the energy device by comparing the electrically-induced phase difference ??e (?e) with the mechanically-induced phase difference ??e (?m).

Abstract: A device and associated testing method for testing state of health of an energy device, comprising: applying electrical excitations to the energy device at a predetermined electrical excitation frequency ?e; applying mechanical excitations to the energy device at a predetermined mechanical excitation frequency ?m; measuring an electrically-induced phase difference ??e (?e) between voltage (V) and current (I) within the energy device from applying the electrical excitations; measuring a mechanically-induced phase difference ??e (?m) between voltage (V) and current (I) within the energy device from applying the mechanical excitations; and deducing the state-of-health of the energy device by comparing the electrically-induced phase difference ??e (?e) with the mechanically-induced phase difference ??e (?m).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and related device for improving energy performance and substantially preventing degradation of a chemical-to-electrical energy conversion process of an energy storage device (10), comprising the steps of: mechanically exciting chemical reaction products within the energy storage device (10) at energy levels proximate which covalent bonds with a matrix (51) of the energy storage device (10) would form absent excitation, thereby substantially maintaining ionic bonding between the chemical reaction products and the matrix (51) and substantially preventing the chemical reaction products from covalently bonding with the matrix (51); and introducing the mechanical excitations into the energy storage device (10) via an active material (31) mechanically-responsive to electromagnetic signals, in response to an electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and related device for improving energy performance and substantially preventing degradation of a chemical-to-electrical energy conversion process of an energy storage device (10), comprising the steps of: mechanically exciting chemical reaction products within the energy storage device (10) at energy levels proximate which covalent bonds with a matrix (51) of the energy storage device (10) would form absent excitation, thereby substantially maintaining ionic bonding between the chemical reaction products and the matrix (51) and substantially preventing the chemical reaction products from covalently bonding with the matrix (51); and introducing the mechanical excitations into the energy storage device (10) via an active material (31) mechanically-responsive to electromagnetic signals, in response to an electromagnetic signal.