Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the techniques described herein, there is provided a vehicle comprising an engine, an automatic, robotic, or continuously variable transmission mechanically coupled to the engine, a four-wheel drive system, a vehicle control system coupled to the engine, the four-wheel drive system and the transmission, a braking system, a gas pedal for controlling the operation of the engine, a brake pedal for controlling the operation of the braking system, the gas pedal and the brake pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a right foot of the driver, the vehicle further comprising an additional pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a left foot of the driver and coupled to the vehicle control system, wherein the additional pedal is separate and distinct from the brake pedal and the gas pedal and wherein additional pedal controls the four-wheel drive system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method being performed in connection with a mobile computer system comprising a central processing unit, a touchscreen and a memory, the computer-implemented method comprising: detecting a gesture performed by a user across the touchscreen, where in the gesture comprises a plurality of unidirectional or circular motions performed by the user over substantially the same area; determining at least one characteristic of the detected gesture; and selecting a command for execution by the central processing unit of the mobile computer system based on the at least one determined characteristic of the detected gesture.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the techniques described herein, there is provided a vehicle comprising an engine, an automatic, robotic, or continuously variable transmission mechanically coupled to the engine, a four-wheel drive system, a vehicle control system coupled to the engine, the four-wheel drive system and the transmission, a breaking system, a gas pedal for controlling the operation of the engine, a break pedal for controlling the operation of the breaking system, the gas pedal and the break pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a right foot of the driver, the vehicle further comprising an additional pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a left foot of the driver and coupled to the vehicle control system, wherein the additional pedal is separate and distinct from the break pedal and the gas pedal and wherein additional pedal controls the four-wheel drive system of the vehicle.

Abstract: Described is a novel smartphone design with increased area of the front face occupied by the screen. The smartphone includes a smartphone body or housing, which houses all the smartphone components. A smartphone screen is disposed towards the front face of the smartphone body or housing. An internal smartphone speaker is located entirely or substantially behind the smartphone screen. Sound generated by the smartphone speaker is guided towards a linear sound opening on the front face of the smartphone using a sound channel or sound guide. The smartphone speaker opening in the front face of the smartphone is substantially thin (for example 1 mm) and extends substantially across the entire width of the smartphone immediately above the top edge of the smartphone screen. Using this smartphone design, the area of the smartphone's front face occupied by the screen may be maximized.

Abstract: An information indication system for a vehicle, a vessel, an aircraft as well as other equipment, the information indication system configured to indicate a value of a physical parameter to an operator of the vehicle, vessel or aircraft, the information indication system including a dial corresponding to a range of values of the physical parameter and a needle operable to move about the dial, wherein a current location of the needle on the dial indicates the value of a physical parameter within the range of values of the physical parameter, wherein the information indication system is configured to illuminate a portion of the dial in the immediate vicinity of the current location of the needle on the dial. In various embodiments, the information indication system may be a speedometer or a tachometer.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the techniques described herein, there is provided a vehicle comprising an engine, an automatic, robotic, or continuously variable transmission mechanically coupled to the engine, a four-wheel drive system, a vehicle control system coupled to the engine, the four-wheel drive system and the transmission, a braking system, a gas pedal for controlling the operation of the engine, a brake pedal for controlling the operation of the braking system, the gas pedal and the brake pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a right foot of the driver, the vehicle further comprising an additional pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a left foot of the driver and coupled to the vehicle control system, wherein the additional pedal is separate and distinct from the brake pedal and the gas pedal and wherein additional pedal controls the four-wheel drive system of the vehicle.

Abstract: Described is a novel smartphone design with increased area of the front face occupied by the screen. The smartphone includes a smartphone body or housing, which houses all the smartphone components. A smartphone screen is disposed towards the front face of the smartphone body or housing. An internal smartphone speaker is located entirely or substantially behind the smartphone screen. Sound generated by the smartphone speaker is guided towards a linear sound opening on the front face of the smartphone using a sound channel or sound guide. The smartphone speaker opening in the front face of the smartphone is substantially thin (for example 1 mm) and extends substantially across the entire width of the smartphone immediately above the top edge of the smartphone screen. Using this smartphone design, the area of the smartphone's front face occupied by the screen may be maximized.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the techniques described herein, there is provided a vehicle comprising an engine, an automatic, robotic, or continuously variable transmission mechanically coupled to the engine, a four-wheel drive system, a vehicle control system coupled to the engine, the four-wheel drive system and the transmission, a braking system, a gas pedal for controlling the operation of the engine, a brake pedal for controlling the operation of the braking system, the gas pedal and the brake pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a right foot of the driver, the vehicle further comprising an additional pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a left foot of the driver and coupled to the vehicle control system, wherein the additional pedal is separate and distinct from the brake pedal and the gas pedal and wherein additional pedal controls the four-wheel drive system of the vehicle.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the techniques described herein, there is provided a vehicle comprising an engine, an automatic, robotic, or continuously variable transmission mechanically coupled to the engine, a four-wheel drive system, a vehicle control system coupled to the engine, the four-wheel drive system and the transmission, a breaking system, a gas pedal for controlling the operation of the engine, a break pedal for controlling the operation of the breaking system, the gas pedal and the break pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a right foot of the driver, the vehicle further comprising an additional pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a left foot of the driver and coupled to the vehicle control system, wherein the additional pedal is separate and distinct from the break pedal and the gas pedal and wherein additional pedal controls the four-wheel drive system of the vehicle.

Abstract: An information indication system for a vehicle, a vessel, an aircraft as well as other equipment, the information indication system configured to indicate a value of a physical parameter to an operator of the vehicle, vessel or aircraft, the information indication system including a dial corresponding to a range of values of the physical parameter and a needle operable to move about the dial, wherein a current location of the needle on the dial indicates the value of a physical parameter within the range of values of the physical parameter, wherein the information indication system is configured to illuminate a portion of the dial in the immediate vicinity of the current location of the needle on the dial. In various embodiments, the information indication system may be a speedometer or a tachometer.

Abstract: A vehicle incorporating an engine, an automatic, robotic, or continuously variable transmission mechanically coupled to the engine, a vehicle control system coupled to the engine and the transmission, a braking system, a gas pedal for controlling the operation of the engine, a brake pedal for controlling the operation of the braking system, the gas pedal and the brake pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a right foot of the driver, the vehicle further comprising an additional pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a left foot of the driver and coupled to the vehicle control system. The additional pedal may be configured to control the gear shifting of the automatic, robotic, or continuously variable transmission of the vehicle. Upon an activation of the additional pedal, the automatic, robotic, or continuously variable transmission of the vehicle may be configured to downshift.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the techniques described herein, there is provided a vehicle comprising an engine, an automatic, robotic, or continuously variable transmission mechanically coupled to the engine, a four-wheel drive system, a vehicle control system coupled to the engine, the four-wheel drive system and the transmission, a breaking system, a gas pedal for controlling the operation of the engine, a break pedal for controlling the operation of the breaking system, the gas pedal and the break pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a right foot of the driver, the vehicle further comprising an additional pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a left foot of the driver and coupled to the vehicle control system, wherein the additional pedal is separate and distinct from the break pedal and the gas pedal and wherein additional pedal controls the four-wheel drive system of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle incorporating an engine, an automatic, robotic, or continuously variable transmission mechanically coupled to the engine, a vehicle control system coupled to the engine and the transmission, a breaking system, a gas pedal for controlling the operation of the engine, a break pedal for controlling the operation of the breaking system, the gas pedal and the break pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a right foot of the driver, the vehicle further comprising an additional pedal being disposed in the vehicle for control by a left foot of the driver and coupled to the vehicle control system. The additional pedal may be configured to control the gear shifting of the automatic, robotic, or continuously variable transmission of the vehicle. Upon an activation of the additional pedal, the automatic, robotic, or continuously variable transmission of the vehicle may be configured to downshift.