Abstract: An apparatus including a rechargeable battery pack installed in an electric vehicle, the rechargeable battery pack coupled to a power supply, the power supply operable to provide a charge voltage to perform charging operations on the battery pack, a heating element to heat a fluid to be circulated through the rechargeable battery pack, a comparator circuit to compare a battery voltage of the rechargeable battery pack to a line source voltage, the comparator circuit operable to compare the battery voltage to the line source voltage and to provide an output signal when the battery voltage is less than a line voltage offset value, and a control circuit coupled to receive the output signal of the comparator, and to couple the line source voltage to the power supply, an to bypass the heating element if the comparator is not providing the output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising battery pack installed in an electric vehicle, a power supply coupled to the rechargeable battery pack, the power supply operable to provide a charge voltage to perform charging operations on the rechargeable battery pack;, a heater to heat a fluid to be circulated through the rechargeable battery pack, the fluid thermally coupled to a plurality of battery cells within the rechargeable battery pack, a switching circuit, the switching circuit coupled to the heater and to the power supply, the switching circuit operable in a first mode to couple the source of electrical power to the heater without coupling the source of electrical power to the rechargeable battery pack, the switching circuit operable in a second mode to couple a source of electrical power external to the electric vehicle to the power supply to form a recharging circuit in order to perform charging operations on the rechargeable battery pack.

Abstract: An on-line video editing system includes interface software containing in preferably text file format protocol information and a mapping of the architectural functions of peripheral devices that a user can control via the editor. This software allows the present invention to readily control all functions of which a peripheral device is capable, and to issue commands in a synchronized, distributed manner in the proper protocol for the peripheral device. The system permits simultaneous control of up to 48 serial devices (all of which may be switchers) as well as 8 GPI controlled devices, and permits multiple users or multiple simultaneous edits. Further, the interface software enables a user to input (preferably in text file form) a desired edit effect, whereupon the system will make design decisions and construct the desired effect using such devices as are available to the system.

Abstract: An arrangement which displays an indication of the amplitude level of digital audio signals. The arrangement includes an acquisition means which receives digital audio signals and determines the peak amplitude value of the signals received between successive interrogations by a control means, and at least this value is indicated by a display means. If the currently indicated value exceeds the last determined value, then the indicated value is caused to decay at a predetermined rate.