Abstract: Docking bays for providing energy to vehicles having a rechargeable battery are disclosed. A given docking bay includes a pair of normally de-energized, unprotected, docking bay contacts for making electrical contact with cooperative vehicle contacts when the vehicle is driven into the docking bay. Typically the vehicle will be an electric vehicle, but is not necessarily an electric vehicle. The given docking bay also includes a contact energizer having an output operatively connected to the docking bay contacts and an input connectable to an external source of energy, for example a domestic AC power grid. The energizer is switchable in response to an energizer control signal from a first state where battery recharging energy is not provided to the docking bay contacts to a second state where battery recharging energy derived from the external source is provided to the docking bay contacts. A controller is operatively connected to the energizer.

Abstract: To control both acceleration and deceleration of vehicles having an electric drive with regenerative braking, there is disclosed a control actuator which is biased to a neutral position, and which is controllably moveable between opposed positive and negative control positions relative to the neutral position to produce a control signal ranging from a value corresponding to zero when in the neutral position to a positive or negative value dependent on the amount of movement from the neutral position. The actuator may comprise a rocking foot pedal which is rotationally biased to the neutral position and which is pivotable against the bias both clockwise and anticlockwise from the neutral position to a desired positive or negative power control position. In one system, the signal produced by the actuator is treated as a power control signal and is conditioned and used to control vehicle power (i.e. energy flow from the vehicle battery to the vehicle's electric drive).

Abstract: Docking bays for providing energy to vehicles having a rechargeable battery are disclosed. A given docking bay includes a pair of normally de-energized, unprotected, docking bay contacts for making electrical contact with cooperative vehicle contacts when the vehicle is driven into the docking bay. Typically the vehicle will be an electric vehicle, but is not necessarily an electric vehicle. The given docking bay also includes a contact energizer having an output operatively connected to the docking bay contacts and an input connectable to an external source of energy, for example a domestic AC power grid. The energizer is switchable in response to an energizer control signal from a first state where battery recharging energy is not provided to the docking bay contacts to a second state where battery recharching energy derived from the external source is provided to the docking bay contacts. A controller is operatively connected to the energizer.

Abstract: To control both acceleration and deceleration of vehicles having an electric drive with regenerative braking, there is disclosed a control actuator which is biased to a neutral position, and which is controllably moveable between opposed positive and negative control positions relative to the neutral position to produce a control signal ranging from a value corresponding to zero when in the neutral position to a positive or negative value dependent on the amount of movement from the neutral position. The actuator may comprise a rocking foot pedal which is rotationally biased to the neutral position and which is pivotable against the bias both clockwise and anticlockwise from the neutral position to a desired positive or negative power control position. In one system, the signal produced by the actuator is treated as a power control signal and is conditioned and used to control vehicle power (i.e. energy flow from the vehicle battery the vehicle's electric drive).

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering control provides two degrees of freedom with a one-handed operation that is simple and intuitive. The control is achieved with a joystick control movable from side to side (e.g. as in an aircraft) in combination with a yoke control which rotates on an axis (e.g. like the steering wheel of a car). The yoke control (giving one degree of freedom) is mounted to the joystick control, the latter of which adds a second degree of freedom. The steering of both the front and rear wheels of a variety of vehicles may be controlled, including vehicles where the operator rides with the vehicle and, as well, remote controlled vehicles where the operator is situated remote from the vehicle. The latter case contemplates remote controlled steering not only of full scale vehicles designed to move or haul some load but also model vehicles such as radio-controlled model cars and the like.

Abstract: A motor vehicle steering control provides two degrees of freedom with a one-handed operation that is simple and intuitive. The control is achieved with a joystick control movable from side to side (e.g. as in an aircraft) in combination with a yoke control which rotates on an axis (e.g. like the steering wheel of a car). The yoke control (giving one degree of freedom) is mounted to the joystick control, the latter of which adds a second degree of freedom. The steering of both the front and rear wheels of a variety of vehicles may be controlled, including vehicles where the operator rides with the vehicle and, as well, remote controlled vehicles where the operator is situated remote from the vehicle. The latter case contemplates remote controlled steering not only of full scale vehicles designed to move or haul some load but also model vehicles such as radio-controlled model cars and the like.

Abstract: Signal processing apparatus for use with an electrocardiograph monitoring activity of the human heart is disclosed. The apparatus receives input signals from electrodes attached to the body of a subject whose heart activity is being monitored. These electrodes include chest electrodes positioned at conventional positions V1, V2, V3, V4, V5 and V6 of the body and limb electrodes positioned at conventional positions RA, LA and LL of the body. Input signals are processed to synthesize one or more signals substantially corresponding to an unsynthesized signal or signals that would be produced by a further chest electrode or electrodes, if each were used on the body at a chest position or positions other than the conventional positions. The synthesized signal or signals is or are then provided as an output to the electrocardiograph. The apparatus may include provision which selectively permits synthesized or unsynthesized signals to be provided as an output to the electrocardiograph.