Abstract: An apparatus (130) including an integrated circuit (200 200a) and at least one coupler (302a 302b) for electromagnetically coupling the integrated circuit (200 200a) to a conductor (323a 323b), which may be man-made or naturally occurring, such as in a human or non-human animal. The coupling is electromagnetic, i.e. indirect, and not a result of a mechanical attachment, but instead via an electromagnetic field (or only an electric or magnetic component). The conductor (323a 323b) may be suitable for conveying electronic or spintronic or optical signals, and the coupling is more specifically a coupling to the fields associated with such signals. The integrated circuit/chip (200 200a) can be electrical, optical, optoelectronic, or quantum, and can be of ordinary scale or nanoscale, and can make use of spintronic devices. A connector (100 100a) including such an apparatus (130) is also provided.

Abstract: A method by which a path-constrained vehicle (or series of such vehicles), constrained to travel along a rail or guideway of a magnetic levitation system or to follow a catenary, is equipped to provide electric power derived for off-vehicle use derived from solar collectors formed or provided on the surface of the vehicle. The solar electric power is provided to a coupling system distributed proximate to the rail or guideway or catenary and/or provided as part of same. The coupling system then provides the power for possible use by the public electric power grid or other off-vehicle use, and may compensate the vehicle (or train of vehicles) for the electric power.

Abstract: A secondary electric power source (19) for a motor vehicle having one or more electric motors (12) for driving respective wheels (10a) of the motor vehicle and having a main electric power source (14) for providing power to electric motors (12) driving the wheels (10a), and a selector (17) for selecting power from either the main electric power source (14) or the secondary electric power source (19) or both.

Abstract: A vehicle and docking facility, with the vehicle equipped to provide to a docking facility at a home or business structure, electric power derived from solar collectors formed on the surface of the vehicle, and the docking facility for receiving such power, or for providing electric energy to the vehicle, depending on a signal from the vehicle indicating whether the vehicle needs to buy electric energy from the docking facility, or can instead sell electric energy to the docking facility. Also provided is a system for providing to the public electric power grid electric power received from a plurality of vehicles, and for compensating the owners for the received electric power, or for charging the vehicles for electric power provided to the vehicles. Corresponding methods of operation are also provided.

Abstract: A connector including an integrated circuit, for connecting two conductors directly or indirectly. The integrated circuit derives power either from one of the connectors being connected by the connector or from one or more other conductors terminating in the connector, and not from a battery or photovoltaic cell or other such voltage source. A coupler connected to the integrated circuit is used in case of an indirect connection of the two conductors and/or of the one or both of the conductors to the integrated circuit, to avoid having to make a physical attachment.

Abstract: A motorized vehicle having a distributed motor system, i.e. having a plurality of electric drive motors (12) each coupled to a respective traction wheel (10a), all under the control of a controller (13). All or only some of the wheels may be traction wheels (10a), and each traction wheel (10a) may also have a steering motor (21a), and each may even also have a wheel positioning motor (27) for repositioning the wheel relative to the chassis (10c), e.g. during a turn. Each electric drive motor (12), steering motor (21a) and wheel positioning motor (27) may be integrated into a wheel manipulator element (31), with all wheel manipulator elements (31) operative according to signals received from the controller (13) and using power provided via the controller (13). Each wheel manipulator element (31) typically provides the controller (13) with signals indicating the motion of the respective wheel (10a).

Abstract: An apparatus (130) including an integrated circuit (200 200a) and at least one coupler (302a 302b) for electromagnetically coupling the integrated circuit (200 200a) to a conductor (323a 323b), which may be man-made or naturally occurring, such as in a human or non-human animal. The coupling is electromagnetic, i.e. indirect, and not a result of a mechanical attachment, but instead via an electromagnetic field (or only an electric or magnetic component). The conductor (323a 323b) may be suitable for conveying electronic or spintronic or optical signals, and the coupling is more specifically a coupling to the fields associated with such signals. The integrated circuit/chip (200 200a) can be electrical, optical, optoelectronic, or quantum, and can be of ordinary scale or nanoscale, and can make use of spintronic devices. A connector (100 100a) including such an apparatus (130) is also provided.

Abstract: A connector (100 100a) for connecting conductors (23 23a) of electrical or optical signals, the connector (100 100a) including as a component thereof an embedded integrated circuit (200 200a) for performing a function having to do with either signals being conveyed across the connector or having to do with the connection itself, with active components of the embedded integrated circuit drawing power either from the power propagating along the conductors (23 23a) through the connector (100 100a), via a battery (210) included in the connector (100 100a), or via supply voltage lines (230). The integrated circuit/chip (200 200a) can be electrical, optical, optoelectronic, or quantum.

Abstract: A holder (100) for holding typically a plurality of diodes (301 301′ 301″ 301′″) each able to serve as a source or receiver of visible or invisible radiation, the holder (100) including a plug (10) and socket (11), with the socket (11) bearing the diodes (301 301′ 301″ 301′″) and formed so as to have an elongated longitudinally extending cavity therein and so as to include a plurality of longitudinally spaced mutually insulated first contact elements (41) disposed within the cavity, and with the plug (10) slidably registering with the cavity between advanced and retracted positions and including a plurality of longitudinally spaced, mutually insulated second contact elements (20 21 83) disposed along its length and which are in engagement with the first contact elements (41) only when the plug (10) is in its advanced position and rotated relative to the socket (11).

Abstract: A holder (100) for holding typically a plurality of diodes (301 301′ 301″ 301′″) each able to serve as a source or receiver of visible or invisible radiation, the holder (100) including a plug (10) and socket (11), with the socket (11) bearing the diodes (301 301′ 301″ 301′″) and formed so as to have an elongated longitudinally extending cavity therein and so as to include a plurality of longitudinally spaced mutually insulated first contact elements (41) disposed within the cavity, and with the plug (10) slidably registering with the cavity between advanced and retracted positions and including a plurality of longitudinally spaced, mutually insulated second contact elements (20 21 83) disposed along its length and which are in engagement with the first contact elements (41) only when the plug (10) is in its advanced position and rotated relative to the socket (11).

Abstract: A connector (100 100a) for connecting conductors (23 23a) of electrical or optical signals, the connector (100 100a) including as a component thereof an embedded integrated circuit (200 200a) for performing a function having to do with either signals being conveyed across the connector or having to do with the connection itself, with active components of the embedded integrated circuit drawing power either from the power propagating along the conductors (23 23a) through the connector (100 100a), via a battery (210) included in the connector (100 100a), or via supply voltage lines (230). The integrated circuit/chip (200 200a) can be electrical, optical, optoelectronic, or quantum.

Abstract: A motorized vehicle having a distributed motor system, i.e. having a plurality of electric drive motors (12) each coupled to a respective traction wheel (10a), all under the control of a controller (13). All or only some of the wheels may be traction wheels (10a), and each traction wheel (10a) may also have a steering motor (21a), and each may even also have a wheel positioning motor (27) for repositioning the wheel relative to the chassis (10c), e.g. during a turn. Each electric drive motor (12), steering motor (21a) and wheel positioning motor (27) may be integrated into a wheel manipulator element (31), with all wheel manipulator elements (31) operative according to signals received from the controller (13) and using power provided via the controller (13). Each wheel manipulator element (31) typically provides the controller (13) with signals indicating the motion of the respective wheel (10a).

Abstract: An electro-optical connector consists of a plug and a socket, each bearing both a multi-conductor and at least one optical fiber. The socket has an elongated cavity and a plurality of longitudinally spaced first contact elements. The plug has mating longitudinally spaced contacts. The plug and socket both has at least one optical fiber coaxial with the plug and the cavity. The plug and socket can be engaged in a predetermined orientation only.