Abstract: A vehicle includes a plurality of systems. Each system performs a function of the automobile. In an example embodiment, a plurality of system controllers, one for each system, controls the operation of the system. Each system controller controls how its corresponding system performs its function. When all system controllers are functional, a system controller generates control signals for its corresponding system. When one system controller ceased to operate, another system controller may control the system that corresponds to the failed system controller. Distributing control of systems among the various system controllers increases reliability.

Abstract: Systems involving distributed control functions are described herein. Each member or device within the system has responsibility for controlling part of the system's behavior, and includes logic to determine what action, if any, will follow as a response to determining information or receiving information from other members or devices within the system. A change of status of one member of a system may provide a basis for action by another member of the system. Status may be the result of sensing a condition of the environment, sensing the condition of a component, receiving the output of a conventional sensor, and/or sensing the condition of a link between components. In some embodiments, action taken by a member of the system may include collecting data during law enforcement activities.

Abstract: A charging station for an electric vehicle includes a handle attached to a cable for carrying a current from the charging station to the battery of the electric vehicle to charge the battery. While the charging station is not charging an electric vehicle, the handle is positioned in a socket of the charging station. The charging station includes a locking mechanism for locking the handle in the socket while performing testing. The electric vehicle includes a receiver into which the handle is inserted for charging the battery of the electric vehicle. The handle includes structures that cooperate with a locking mechanism of the vehicle to lock the handle in the receiver while the battery the vehicle is charged. The cable and handle may be cooled by a liquid medium.

Abstract: A coupler for removeable coupling an object to a support. The coupler includes a cover, a ring, and a base. The cover couples to the support. The ring includes a first arm, a second arm, a third arm, a fourth arm, a first stop, and a second stop. Each arm of the ring is formed of a resilient material. The ring is positioned in a cavity of the cover. The base couples to the accessory. The base cooperates with the cover and the ring to couple to the cover and to rotate from a decoupled position to an intermediate position and further to a clocked position.

Abstract: A charging station for an electric vehicle includes a handle attached to a cable for carrying a current from the charging station to the battery of the electric vehicle to charge the battery. While the charging station is not charging an electric vehicle, the handle is positioned in a socket of the charging station. The charging station includes a locking mechanism for locking the handle in the socket while performing testing. The electric vehicle includes a receiver into which the handle is inserted for charging the battery of the electric vehicle. The handle includes structures that cooperate with a locking mechanism of the vehicle to lock the handle in the receiver while the battery the vehicle is charged. The cable and handle may be cooled by a liquid medium.

Abstract: Headlight and taillight assemblies may include cameras for providing video information. A barrier positioned between the cameras and the lamps of a headlight or taillight assembly reduces or eliminates light reflected from the lamps into the camera from an outer interface of the lens. The barriers enable the cameras to be positioned in close proximity to the lamps. Headlight and taillight assemblies may further include heaters to warm the lenses to melt ice or snow. Various methods may be used to install the headlight and taillight assemblies on the vehicle so the position of each headlight and taillight is known to a processing circuit.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for processing recorded data for storage is provided. An auditable device, such as a digital video camera, stores a set of recorded data. The auditable device also stores auditable event entries that represent auditable events detected by the auditable device. One type of auditable event is the receipt of information from a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system that indicates an event. The auditable device marks at least one subset of the set of recorded data based on the auditable event entries, and uploads the marked at least one subset of the set of recorded data to an evidence management system.

Abstract: A battery that includes collectors with tabs that are wide with respect to the area of the collector. The wide tabs present a low electrical and thermal resistance to improve the flow of current and/or heat to and from the collector thereby improving electrical and thermal performance of the battery. The battery further includes terminals with a channel that supports the flow of medium (e.g., liquid) to heat and/or cool the battery. The terminals may include fins or pins to increase the surface area of the terminal to improve thermal transfer to and from the battery and collectors of the battery. The batteries may be formed into a battery module that includes a system for monitoring and regulating the temperature of the batteries of the module.

Abstract: The assembly of battery cells, battery blocks and battery packs may benefit from a support structure for receiving and positioning battery cells, electronic switches and/or fuses that protect electrodes and/or battery cells or battery blocks from damage, a method for charging and discharging batteries that decreases the amount of energy needed from the power company and cooling system that directs the flow of a coolant to reduce damage from excessive heat.

Abstract: Systems for a vehicle include a sound system that detects and compensate for objects that block or muffle sound in the interior of the vehicle; light bars positioned under the headliner of the vehicle or on the front or back of the vehicle that can emulate headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn lights; external light fixtures that are symmetrical around a centerline and can be placed at any position on the front or back of the vehicle without structural change and a collision detection system.

Abstract: A user may specify via a user device an origin, a destination, a date of arrival and a time of arrival at a destination. A server may determine a route from the origin to the destination, the amount of time for travel from the origin to the destination and time for departure. The server may also determine whether the battery should be charged prior to departure and if it does, the server may control the charging process. Time for departure and charging may be reported to the user. Message may be sent to ask the user to connect the electric vehicle to the charger.

Abstract: A coupler for removeable coupling an object to a support. The coupler includes a cover, a ring, and a base. The cover couples to the support. The ring includes a first arm, a second arm, a third arm, a fourth arm, a first stop, and a second stop. Each arm of the ring is formed of a resilient material. The ring is positioned in a cavity of the cover. The base couples to the accessory. The base cooperates with the cover and the ring to couple to the cover and to rotate from a decoupled position to an intermediate position and further to a clocked position.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a controller controls the HVAC system, dampers, fans, and heater/coolers in seats to heat or cool the interior and the seats to a desired temperature. The controller may control the temperature and/or the flow of air through a plurality of ducts and the heater/coolers in the seats to heat or cool regions of the interior and the seats to a desired temperature.

Abstract: A recording system may use the information stored in a list to determine whether to receive and/or respond to messages transmitted by notice systems. The source of the information for the list includes a server and/or the recording system itself. A server that provides the list may use data provided by an agency to determine a relationship between a people, recording devices and notice systems. The associations between people, recording devices and notice devices may be used to determine what information is in the list. A recording device that forms the list may receive messages from any notice system, detect the session identifier, store the session identifiers from received messages, and receive and/or respond to messages in accordance with the list formed by the recording system.

Abstract: Systems involving distributed control functions are described herein. Each member or device within the system has responsibility for controlling part of the system's behavior, and includes logic to determine what action, if any, will follow as a response to determining information or receiving information from other members or devices within the system. A change of status of one member of a system may provide a basis for action by another member of the system. Status may be the result of sensing a condition of the environment, sensing the condition of a component, receiving the output of a conventional sensor, and/or sensing the condition of a link between components. In some embodiments, action taken by a member of the system may include collecting data during law enforcement activities.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for processing recorded data for storage is provided. An auditable device, such as a digital video camera, stores a set of recorded data. The auditable device also stores auditable event entries that represent auditable events detected by the auditable device. One type of auditable event is the receipt of information from a computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system that indicates an event. The auditable device marks at least one subset of the set of recorded data based on the auditable event entries, and uploads the marked at least one subset of the set of recorded data to an evidence management system.

Abstract: A battery that includes collectors with tabs that are wide with respect to the area of the collector. The wide tabs present a low electrical and thermal resistance to improve the flow of current and/or heat to and from the collector thereby improving electrical and thermal performance of the battery. The battery further includes terminals with a channel that supports the flow of medium (e.g., liquid) to heat and/or cool the battery. The terminals may include fins or pins to increase the surface area of the terminal to improve thermal transfer to and from the battery and collectors of the battery. The batteries may be formed into a battery module that includes a system for monitoring and regulating the temperature of the batteries of the module.

Abstract: An electric vehicle controls turning of the electric vehicle in accordance with the orientation of the wheels and skid steering to match the path and turning radius as indicated by the steering wheel. A processing circuit detects the position of the steering wheel and determines the direction of the turn and the resulting path and turning radius of the electric vehicle. The processing circuit either measures the orientation of the wheels or captures data regarding the turning radius of the electric vehicle. The processing circuit controls the traction motors of the electric vehicle so that the actual path and turning radius of the electric vehicle matches the path and turning radius indicated by the steering wheel. Further, the processing circuit may further control controls the traction motors to attempted to maintain the speed of the electric vehicle as indicated by the throttle.

Abstract: A coupler for removeable coupling an object to a support. The coupler includes a cover, a ring, and a base. The cover couples to the support. The ring includes a first arm, a second arm, a third arm, a fourth arm, a first stop, and a second stop. Each arm of the ring is formed of a resilient material. The ring is positioned in a cavity of the cover. The base couples to the accessory. The base cooperates with the cover and the ring to couple to the cover and to rotate from a decoupled position to an intermediate position and further to a clocked position.

Abstract: A recording system may use the information stored in a list to determine whether to receive and/or respond to messages transmitted by notice systems. The source of the information for the list includes a server and/or the recording system itself. A server that provides the list may use data provided by an agency to determine a relationship between a people, recording devices and notice systems. The associations between people, recording devices and notice devices may be used to determine what information is in the list. A recording device that forms the list may receive messages from any notice system, detect the session identifier, store the session identifiers from received messages, and receive and/or respond to messages in accordance with the list formed by the recording system.