Abstract: An image capturing method has: providing an image capturing area on a display screen of a user device; providing an indication area in the image capturing area; identifying each license plate in the indication area; calculating a license plate area of said each license plate in the indication area; calculating a center point difference from a center point of said each license plate in the indication area to a center point of the indication area; marking a license plate that has a license plate area larger than half of a largest license plate area and has a smallest center point difference; and capturing an image including the marked license plate in the image capturing area.

Abstract: Method and associated system for managing and/or authenticating an energy storage device. The method includes receiving a first portion of identification information stored in a data storage attached to the energy storage device (401); analyzing the first portion of the identification information at least partially based on a device identification of the device (403); updating a second portion of the identification information stored in the data storage attached to the energy storage device based on a result of analyzing the first portion of the identification information (405).

Abstract: An image capturing method has: providing an image capturing area on a display screen of a user device; providing an indication area in the image capturing area; marking a license plate after identifying the license plate based on at least one license plate feature in the image capturing area; determining whether the marked license plate is located in the indication area and presented in a predetermined ratio; and capturing an image including the license plate in the image capturing area after the marked license plate is located in the indication area and presented in a predetermined ratio.

Abstract: A distance determination method has: detecting a first received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of a first electronic device by a second electronic device; detecting a second RSSI of the second electronic device by the first electronic device; obtaining the first RSSI from the second electronic device by the first electronic device; and calculating a motion direction and a distance of the second electronic device relative to the first electronic device according to the first RSSI and the second RSSI by the first electronic device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power assisted electric bicycle, a transmission device and a control method. The power assisted electric bicycle includes a body, a wheel, a torque sensor, a motor and a controller. The torque sensor is configured to output a plurality of torque signals corresponding to a pedal force. The controller is configured to: receive the torque signals from the torque sensor; compute and determine a first period according to a speed of the power assisted electric bicycle at a first time point; obtain a first maximum value of the torque signals in the first period that ends at the first time point; and, set a first torque output of the motor according to the first maximum value corresponding to the torque signal.

Abstract: A power assisted electric bicycle includes a body, a motor, a torque sensor, and a controller. The motor is operated in an operating period. The torque sensor is configured to output a plurality of torque signals corresponding to a pedal force. The controller is coupled to the motor and the torque sensor. The controller is configured to: receive the torque signals from the torque sensor; determine a peak and a valley, which is adjacent to the peak, among the torque signals; compute and determine a pedaling period between the peak and the valley, which is adjacent to the peak, among the torque signals; and generate an error signal associated with the torque sensor if it is determined that the pedaling period and the operating period fail to meet a default ratio.

Abstract: An asset includes a short range transmitter that broadcasts a first signal that includes a unique identifier associated with the asset. Each asset is carried by one of number of mobile devices, and each asset is freely exchangeable between any of the number of mobile devices. Each of at least some of the mobile devices carries a receiver to receive the first signals within reception range of the receiver. Each of at least some of the mobile devices aggregates the received unique identifiers. Each of at least some of the mobile devices carries a transmitter that transmits a second signal that includes data representative of a geolocation of the respective mobile device and data indicative of the unique identifiers received by the respective mobile device to a back-end system. The back-end system uses the data included in the received second signals to track and locate assets within a geographic area.

Abstract: A battery charging apparatus includes a battery compartment having a receptacle that is configured to receive a battery pack. The battery charging apparatus includes a first heat exchange module and/or a second heat exchange module. The first heat exchange module includes a plenum surrounding the receptacle, where the plenum includes a chamber to receive a fluid. The plenum also includes a plurality of flow guides disposed in the chamber to define a variable flow passage for the fluid. The second heat exchange module includes a battery connector and a heat sink thermally coupled to the battery connector. The heat sink is arranged to dissipate thermal energy from the battery pack.

Abstract: A network of collection, charging and distribution machines collect, charge and distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). To charge, the machines employ electrical current from an external source, such as the electrical grid or an electrical service of an installation location. By default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from accepting a charge unless it receives authentication information from an authorized collection, charging and distribution machine, other authorized charging device, or other authorized device that transmits the authentication credentials. Also, by default, each portable electrical energy storage device is disabled from releasing energy unless it receives authentication information from an external device to which it will provide power, such as a vehicle or other authorization device.

Abstract: A torque-speed curve or data of load that is used as a standard to determine an external condition in which an electric vehicle is operating such as incline or no incline, head wind or no headwind, high temperature or low temperature. The system compares samples of actual torque-speed of load data to the standard. Based on the comparison, the system determines the external condition (going up a hill, traveling into a headwind, operating at high temperature) or an abnormal operation of the vehicle powertrain, for example, low tire pressure, elevated friction, wheels out of alignment. Based on the determination, the system takes an action to govern a maximum torque output of the motor to control temperature of the vehicle battery; to raise a wind deflector; to govern maximum speed of the vehicle to reduce danger resulting from low tire pressure, elevated powertrain friction or out of alignment wheels; or to initiate an indication of abnormal conditions.

Abstract: A network of collection, charging and/or distribution machines collect, charge and/or distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). In some embodiments, if the user selects to change their current portable electrical power storage device exchange plan to a two-portable electrical power storage device exchange plan while exchanging their current portable electrical power storage device, the user will return their current portable electrical power storage device and will receive two portable electrical power storage devices in exchange at the collection, charging and distribution machine. The user may also be required to pay additional fees and/or commit to additional obligations while at the collection, charging and distribution machine in order to change to the different portable electrical power storage device exchange plan.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to security mechanisms for electric motors and associated systems. For example, the present technology includes a powertrain assembly having (1) a motor having multiple sets of coils; (2) a drive circuitry electrically coupled to the multiple sets of coils; and (3) a security unit electrically coupled to the drive circuitry and the multiple sets of coils. The security unit is configured to short-circuit at least one set of the multiple sets of coils responsive to a signal from a controller. The signal indicates that the motor is, or has been, turned off.

Abstract: A battery charging station includes a power bus, a power supplying unit, a first voltage converting unit and a processor. The power supplying unit receives a first power to generate a second power accordingly and transmits the second power to the power bus as a supplying power of the power bus. The first voltage converting unit is coupled to the power bus and is connected to a first battery removably disposed in the battery station. The processor sets the first voltage converting unit to operate in a first mode or a second mode, the first voltage converting unit in the first mode receives the supplying power from the power bus so as to charge the first battery. The first voltage converting unit in the second mode receives the electrical power from the first battery and generates a second mode power towards the power bus.

Abstract: A power delivery system for an electric vehicle provides efficient power management for either continuous or intermittent high-performance operation, using a boost stage and an on-board charging circuit. A main battery, configured as a high-capacity power source, supplies power to the electric motor under normal load conditions. An auxiliary boost battery assists the main battery in supplying a high-level current at a higher discharge rate thereby causing the motor to operate in a high-performance drive mode. A charging circuit recharges the boost battery from the main battery during operation of the motor. The charging circuit also maintains a charge balance between the boost battery and the main battery when the two batteries have different chemistries. In one embodiment, participation of the boost battery in powering the electric motor can be controlled automatically according to sensed changes in the load. In another embodiment, power management can be based on timed intervals.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and associated systems for operating a battery exchange station. The present method includes (1) receiving a ratio associated with a plurality of vehicles served by the battery exchange station; and (2) based on the ratio, storing different sets of information in memories associated with the batteries respectively, in accordance with received ratio.

Abstract: A network of collection and distribution machines may collect, charge and/or distribute portable electrical energy storage devices (e.g., batteries, supercapacitors or ultracapacitors). Electric vehicles available for sharing, renting or otherwise available for temporary use may be located at such collection and distribution machines or other designated areas. Users may request temporary use of such electric vehicles via a user interface of the collection and distribution machine, the user's mobile device or that of the electric vehicle itself. During temporary use, the user may exchange depleted portable electrical energy storage devices of the vehicle being used for charged portable electrical energy storage devices at the collection and distribution machines and may be offered the opportunity to terminate the temporary use session or continue the temporary use session in conjunction with the portable electrical energy storage device exchange.