Abstract: The present inventive foot-operable apparatus and method comprise a generally rectangular housing comprising at least one internally positioned accelerometer sensor component, and also including at least one pedal-type component oriented toward, and operable by, a user, and advantageously enable the operating user to produce one or more control signals, of one or more types, and within one or more ranges, in response to the user's predetermined interaction(s) therewith. The novel utilization by the present invention of at least one accelerometer sensor component provides it with numerous advantageous features (such as extensive flexibility, ease of adaptation/configuration, etc.), and a wide range of functionality, while facilitating its easier transport and operation, and greatly increasing the reliability thereof.

Abstract: The present inventive foot-operable apparatus and method comprise a generally rectangular housing comprising at least one internally positioned accelerometer sensor component, and also including at least one pedal-type component oriented toward, and operable by, a user, and advantageously enable the operating user to produce one or more control signals, of one or more types, and within one or more ranges, in response to the user's predetermined interaction(s) therewith. The novel utilization by the present invention of at least one accelerometer sensor component provides it with numerous advantageous features (such as extensive flexibility, ease of adaptation/configuration, etc.), and a wide range of functionality, while facilitating its easier transport and operation, and greatly increasing the reliability thereof.

Abstract: A method of forming at least one crack (11) in a concrete article such as a concrete slab (10) having at least one crack promoting groove (28) formed in the surface (25) thereof and/or at least one crack promoting insert (12) cast within the concrete slab (10) and substantially aligned with the groove (28) where used, the method comprising the steps of positioning a tool (24) having a force applying member (26) on or above the surface (25) of the concrete slab (10) such that the member (26) is positioned adjacent to or above a groove (28) and/or insert (12) and causing the tool (24) to apply through the member (26) a force to the concrete slab (10) to promote the formation of a crack or cracks (11) in the slab (10) along a groove (28) and/or insert (12). Apparatus for forming a crack in a concrete article is also disclosed.

Abstract: A complex waveform synthesizer comprises a plurality of digital oscillators producing unit waveforms at distinct frequencies and constituted by respective storage zones storing, as digital words, the momentary values of the waveforms. The required amplitudes of the waveforms are produced by a digital modulator supplied with trains of digital desired amplitude values from a digital interpolator receiving corresponding trains of desired digital values at a slower rate than those supplied by the interpolator. The modulator supplies the waveforms, with an amplitude definition greater than that of the desired values supplied to the interpolator, to a digital accumulator which combines the digital words it receives to produce a series of digital words defining a complex waveform which is the sum of the individual waveforms defined by the series of words emerging from the modulator.