All The Claims

1. A method of encoding a URL in sound, wherein the characters of the URL are mapped to sound features in a sound output, the nature of the sound features and of the mapping between characters and sound features being such that at least certain character combinations that occur frequently in URLs produce sound sequences of a musical character.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the characters of the URL are mapped to produce sound codewords each of which is used to produce, in a sound output, a sound feature corresponding to that codeword.
3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the sound features comprise fixed-frequency tones or tone combinations.
4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the sound features comprise occurrence of maximum sound output power in predetermined frequency bands.
5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the sound features comprise changes in output frequency;
6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the sound features comprise different modulation frequencies of one or more tones.
7. A method according to claim 2, wherein characters of the URL are taken in groups of a first number of characters to form a second number of sound codewords, said second number being different from said first number.
8. A method according to claim 7, wherein three characters each represented by eight bits are used to form four six-bit sound codewords.
9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the generic top-level domain names encode to sound sequences of a musical character.
10. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one URL encodes in its entirety to a sound sequence of a musical character.
11. A method of decoding a sound sequence into a URL, wherein sound features of the sound sequence are mapped to characters of the URL, the nature of the sound features and of the mapping between sound features and characters being such that sound sequences of a musical character represent at least certain character combinations that occur frequently in URLs.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein each sound feature is mapped to a corresponding sound codeword, the sound codewords being used to produce the characters of the URL.
13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the sound features comprise fixed-frequency tones or tone combinations.
14. A method according to claim 11, wherein the sound features comprise occurrence of maximum sound output power in predetermined frequency bands.
15. A method according to claim 11, wherein the sound features comprise changes in output frequency;
16. A method according to claim 11, wherein the sound features comprise different modulation frequencies of one or more tones.
17. A method according to claim 12, wherein sound codewords derived from the sound features are taken in groups of a second number of codewords to form a first number of characters of the URL, said second number being different from said first number.
18. A method according to claim 17, wherein four six-bit sound codewords are used to form three characters each represented by eight bits.
19. A method according to claim 11, wherein said at least certain character combinations comprises the generic top-level domain names.
20. A method according to claim 11, wherein said at least certain character combinations includes at least one URL in its entirety.
21. Apparatus for encoding a URL in sound, the apparatus comprising a translator for mapping characters of the URL to sound features in a sound output, the nature of the sound features and of the mapping between characters and sound features being such that at least certain character combinations that occur frequently in URLs produce sound sequences of a musical character.
22. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the translator comprises conversion means for mapping the characters of the URL to sound codewords, and means for using each codeword to produce, in a sound output, a sound feature corresponding to that codeword.
23. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the sound features comprise fixed-frequency tones or tone combinations.
24. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the sound features comprise occurrence of maximum sound output power in predetermined frequency bands.
25. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the sound features comprise changes in output frequency;
26. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the sound features comprise different modulation frequencies of one or more tones.
27. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the conversion means is operative to take characters of the URL in groups of a first number of characters to form a second number of sound codewords, said second number being different from said first number.
28. Apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the conversion means is operative to take characters, each represented by eight bits, in groups of three to form, from each group, four six-bit sound codewords.
29. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the translator is arranged to encode generic top-level domain names to sound sequences of a musical character.
30. Apparatus according to claims 21, wherein the translator is arranged to encode at least one URL in its entirety to a sound sequence of a musical character.
31. Apparatus for decoding a sound sequence into a URL, the apparatus comprising a translator for mapping sound features of the sound sequence to characters of the URL, the nature of the sound features and of the mapping between sound features and characters being such that sound sequences of a musical character represent at least certain character combinations that occur frequently in URLs.
32. Apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the translator comprises means for mapping each sound feature to a corresponding sound codeword, and conversion means for using the sound codewords to produce the characters of the URL.
33. Apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the sound features comprise fixed-frequency tones or tone combinations.
34. Apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the sound features comprise occurrence of maximum sound output power in predetermined frequency bands.
35. Apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the sound features comprise changes in output frequency;
36. Apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the sound features comprise different modulation frequencies of one or more tones.
37. Apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the conversion means is operative to take sound codewords in groups of a second number of codewords to form a first number of characters of the URL, said second number being different from said first number.
38. Apparatus according to claim 32, wherein the conversion means is operative to take six-bit sound codewords in groups of four to form, from each group, three characters each represented by eight bits.
39. Apparatus according to claim 31, wherein the said at least certain character combinations comprises the generic top-level domain names.
40. Apparatus according to claim 31, wherein said at least certain character combinations includes at least one URL in its entirety.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A modular battery management system for controlling and monitoring a plurality of battery cells in a battery connected to a load, the system comprising:
a central controlling microcontroller; and
a plurality of cell balancing means and a plurality of slave sensing means, each of the cell balancing means and each of the slave sensing means being in communication with the central controlling microcontroller and operatively connected to an associated battery cell in the plurality of battery cells:
wherein the cell balancing means and the slave sensing means connected to each associated battery cell are operable (a) to monitor the charging state of the associated battery cell, (b) when a maximum charging state is reached in the associated battery cell, to establish a shunt across the associated battery cell, thereby allowing a continued charging of the remaining battery cells in the plurality of battery cells, (c) when the shunt is established, to communicate to the central controlling microcontroller a message representing that the maximum charging state has been reached, and (d) during discharging of the battery, to inform the central controlling microcontroller if a minimum charging state has been reached so as to cause the central controlling microcontroller to disconnect the battery from the load in order to prevent excessive discharging of the battery cells;
wherein each of said slave sensing means comprises a slave microcontroller, and the shunt across the associated battery cell is established upon a signal from the slave microcontroller to the respective cell balancing means when the slave sensing means has measured a maximum voltage across the associated battery cell; and
wherein the slave microcontrollers are further operatively connected to the central controlling microcontroller via a common data bus, whereby a continuous charging of the remaining battery cells is controlled by the central controlling microcontroller.
2. A modular battery management system according to claim 1, wherein the common data bus is separated from the central controlling microcontroller by an isolation stage and a coupling stage.
3. A modular battery management system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of temperature sensors operable to monitor the temperature of the battery cells, each of the temperature sensors being operatively connected to a respective slave microcontroller, which slave microcontroller is configured for reducing the charging current in the associated battery cell in response to the temperature measurement of said cell.
4. A modular battery management system according to claim 1, furthermore comprising a temperature sensor operable to monitor the temperature of the central controlling microcontroller, thereby allowing the central controlling microcontroller to shut down the charging or discharging in case an excessive temperature is reached.
5. A modular battery management system according to claim 1, further comprising means for shutting down the chargingdischarging of the battery cells controlled by the central controlling microcontroller in the case of overload or short circuit of the battery.
6. A modular battery management system according to claim 1, further comprising current monitoring means, including a shunt resistor in series with the plurality of battery cells, for monitoring current through the plurality of battery cells.
7. A modular battery management system according to claim 1, further comprising a fuse for protection in case of overload or short circuit of the battery.
8. A modular battery management system according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply unit operable to supply power to the control unit.
9. A modular battery management system according to claim 1, further comprising a fuel gauge operable to monitor the charge capacity of the battery.
10. A method for controlling and monitoring a plurality of individual battery cells in a battery connected to a load, each of the individual battery cells having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, the method comprising:
(a) during charging of the battery cells:
(i) measuring the voltage across each individual cell by slave sensing means; and
(ii) shunting the individual cell when the voltage monitored by the slave sensing means reaches a maximum voltage, the shunting being performed by shorting the positive and negative terminals of the individual cell through a resistor and a switching transistor, thereby bypassing the individual cell to allow continued charging of the remaining battery cells in the plurality of individual battery cells when the voltage across the individual cell has reached the maximum voltage;

(b) during discharging of the battery cells:
(i) measuring the voltage across each individual cell by the slave sensing means until the measured voltage reaches a minimum voltage in one or more individual cells, at which time all the cells in the battery are removed from the load to prevent the one or more cells in which the measured voltage has reached the minimum voltage from being damaged due to continued discharging;

(c) wherein the shunting of the individual cells during charging is controlled by a slave microcontroller placed in the respective individual slave sensing means, wherein the continued charging of the remaining cells in the battery is controlled by a central controlling microcontroller, which is operatively connected to each slave microcontroller via a common data bus, and wherein the removal of all the cells in the battery from the load during discharging is performed by the central controlling microcontroller.
11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising:
(d) measuring the temperature of one or more individual cells; and
(e) reducing charging current to any of the individual cells for which a temperature exceeding a predetermined maximum temperature is measured.
12. A method according to claim 10, where the charging and the discharging of the individual cells is interrupted in case of overload or short circuit of the battery.

1. A door check apparatus for an automobile comprising:
a) a unitary check body containing a pair of compliant leaves and a guidance arrangement, adapted to be rigidly mounted to a vehicle door;
b) a check arm containing cam surfaces and detent features, pivotally connected to a vehicle body structure and configured to slideably interface with the guidance arrangement of the unitary check body;

wherein the unitary check body is manufactured from a resilient material so that the compliant leaves are capable of storing and releasing energy in response to the movement of the cam surfaces and detent features of the check arm relative to the guidance arrangement.
2. The door check apparatus of claim 1, wherein rotary motion of the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body structure is checked with predetermined forces at positions determined by the relationship between the detent features of the check arm relative to the guidance arrangement of the unitary check body.
3. The door check apparatus of claim 1, wherein the unitary check body resilient material is a high strength steel.
4. The door check apparatus of claim 1, wherein the unitary check body resilient material is a high strength composite material.
5. The door check apparatus of claim 1, wherein the check arm is formed from a moldable plastic material.
6. The door check apparatus of claim 5, wherein the check arm contains a reinforcement co-molded within the plastic material.
7. The door check apparatus of claim 6, wherein the check arm reinforcement is manufactured from steel, aluminum, reinforced plastic or a similar structural material.
8. The door check apparatus of claim 1, wherein the check arm is formed from a metallic material by casting, forging or similar means.
9. The door check apparatus of claim 1, wherein the unitary check body is rigidly mounted to the vehicle door via bolting, welding, bonding, riveting or similar fastening means.
10. The door check apparatus of claim 1, wherein the check arm is pivotally connected to the vehicle body structure via a mounting bracket and pivot rivet arrangement.
11. The door check apparatus of claim 10, wherein the mounting bracket is rigidly mounted to the vehicle body structure via bolting, welding, bonding, riveting or similar fastening means.
12. The door check apparatus of claim 1, wherein the check arm is adapted to accept a paint clip device.
13. The door check apparatus of claim 12, wherein the paint clip device is configured with additional detent features and cam surfaces.
14. The door check apparatus of claim 13, wherein the paint clip device is configured to be easily removable from the check arm after a painting and assembly process.
15. A door check apparatus for an automobile comprising:
a) a unitary check body containing a pair of compliant leaves and a guidance arrangement, adapted to be rigidly mounted to a vehicle door;
b) said unitary check body being manufactured from a resilient material so that the compliant leaves are capable of storing and releasing energy;
c) a check arm containing cam surfaces and detent features, pivotally connected to a vehicle body structure and configured to slideably interface with the guidance arrangement of the unitary check body;

such that rotary motion of the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body structure is checked with predetermined forces generated from the energy stored and released by the compliant leaves of the unitary check body, at positions determined by the relationship between the detent features of the check arm relative to the guidance arrangement of the unitary check body.
16. The door check apparatus of claim 15, wherein the unitary check body resilient material is a high strength steel.
17. The door check apparatus of claim 15, wherein the unitary check body resilient material is a high strength composite material.
18. The door check apparatus of claim 15, wherein the check arm is formed from a moldable plastic material.
19. The door check apparatus of claim 18, wherein the check arm contains a reinforcement co-molded within the plastic material.
20. The door check apparatus of claim 19, wherein the check arm reinforcement is manufactured from steel, aluminum, reinforced plastic or a similar structural material.
21. The door check apparatus of claim 15, wherein the check arm is formed from a metallic material by casting, forging or similar means.
22. The door check apparatus of claim 15, wherein the unitary check body is rigidly mounted to the vehicle door via bolting, welding, bonding, riveting or similar fastening means.
23. The door check apparatus of claim 15, wherein the check arm is pivotally connected to the vehicle body structure via a mounting bracket and pivot rivet arrangement.
24. The door check apparatus of claim 23, wherein the mounting bracket is rigidly mounted to the vehicle body structure via bolting, welding, bonding, riveting or similar fastening means.
25. The door check apparatus of claim 15, wherein the check arm contains a bump stop feature that is configured to contact the unitary check body at the full open swing limit of the vehicle door so as to prevent further rotation.
26. The door check apparatus of claim 25, wherein the bump stop feature is adapted to contact the unitary check body at its mounting surface so that the stop loads associated with preventing further rotation are transferred directly to the vehicle door structure.
27. The door check apparatus of claim 26, wherein the bump stop feature incorporates an energy absorbing material configured to prevent the vehicle door from bouncing closed when it reaches the full open swing limit.
28. The door check apparatus of claim 15, wherein the check arm is adapted to accept a paint clip device configured to provide additional check positions as required during a painting and assembly process.
29. The door check apparatus of claim 28, wherein the paint clip device is configured with additional detent features and cam surfaces.
30. The door check apparatus of claim 29, wherein the paint clip device is configured to be easily removable from the check arm after the painting and assembly process.
31. A door check apparatus for an automobile comprising:
a) a unitary check body containing a pair of compliant leaves and a guidance arrangement, adapted to be rigidly mounted to a vehicle door via bolting, welding, bonding, riveting or similar fastening means;
b) said unitary check body being manufactured from a high strength steel so that the compliant leaves are capable of storing and releasing energy;
c) a check arm containing cam surfaces and detent features, pivotally connected to a vehicle body structure via a mounting bracket and pivot rivet arrangement and configured to slideably interface with the guidance arrangement of the unitary check body;
d) said check arm being formed from a moldable plastic material and containing a reinforcement co-molded within the plastic material;
e) said mounting bracket being rigidly mounted to the vehicle body via bolting, welding, bonding, riveting or similar fastening means;

such that rotary motion of the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body structure is checked with predetermined forces generated from the energy stored and released by the compliant leaves of the unitary check body, at positions determined by the relationship between the detent features of the check arm relative to the guidance arrangement of the unitary check body.
32. The door check apparatus of claim 31, wherein the check arm contains a bump stop feature that is configured to contact the unitary check body at the full open swing limit of the vehicle door so as to prevent further rotation.
33. The door check apparatus of claim 32, wherein the bump stop feature is adapted to contact the unitary check body at its mounting surface so that the forces associated with preventing further rotation are transferred directly to the vehicle door structure.
34. The door check apparatus of claim 33, wherein the bump stop feature incorporates an energy absorbing material configured to prevent the vehicle door from bouncing closed when it reaches the full open swing limit.
35. The door check apparatus of claim 34, wherein the energy absorbing material is co-molded with the plastic material of the check arm.
36. The door check apparatus of claim 31, wherein the check arm is adapted to accept a paint clip device configured to provide additional check positions as required during a painting and assembly process.
37. The door check apparatus of claim 36, wherein the paint clip device is configured with additional detent features and cam surfaces.
38. The door check apparatus of claim 37, wherein the paint clip device is configured to be easily removable from the check arm after the painting and assembly process.
39. A door check apparatus for an automobile comprising:
a) a unitary check body containing a pair of compliant leaves and a guidance arrangement, adapted to be rigidly mounted to a vehicle door via bolting, welding, bonding, riveting or similar fastening means;
b) said unitary check body being manufactured from a high strength steel so that the compliant leaves are capable of storing and releasing energy;
c) a check arm containing a bump stop, cam surfaces and detent features, pivotally connected to a vehicle body structure via a mounting bracket and pivot rivet arrangement and configured to slideably interface with the guidance arrangement of the unitary check body;
d) said check arm being formed from a moldable plastic material and containing a reinforcement co-molded within the plastic material;
e) said bump stop feature incorporating an energy absorbing material co-molded with the plastic material of the check arm;
f) said mounting bracket being rigidly mounted to the vehicle body via bolting, welding, bonding, riveting or similar fastening means;

such that rotary motion of the vehicle door relative to the vehicle body structure is checked with predetermined forces generated from the energy stored and released by the compliant leaves of the unitary check body, at positions determined by the relationship between the detent features of the check arm relative to the guidance arrangement, and the vehicle door is prevented from further rotation at its full open swing limit by the bump stop feature contacting the unitary check body at its mounting surface so that stop loads associated with preventing further rotation are transferred directly to the vehicle door structure, and the vehicle door is prevented from bouncing closed by the energy absorbing material.
40. The door check apparatus of claim 39, wherein the check arm is adapted to accept a paint clip device configured to provide additional check positions as required during a painting and assembly process.
41. The door check apparatus of claim 40, wherein the paint clip device is configured with additional detent features and cam surfaces.
42. The door check apparatus of claim 41, wherein the paint clip device is configured to be easily removable from the check arm after the painting and assembly process.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1-18. (canceled)
19. A sensor comprising:
a substrate;
a plurality of interconnected sense elements arranged in a first direction on a surface of the substrate;
a first plurality of interconnected drive elements arranged on a surface of the substrate in the first direction, each respective one of the first plurality of interconnected drive elements being located adjacent to and between respective ones of the plurality of sense elements to form first sets of sense and drive elements alternating in the first direction; and
a second plurality of interconnected drive elements arranged on a surface of the substrate in a second direction, each respective one of the second plurality of interconnected drive elements being located between respective ones of the plurality of sense elements to form first sets of sense and drive elements alternating in the second direction.
20. The sensor of claim 19, wherein the sense elements, the first plurality of drive elements, and the second plurality of drive elements are provided on the first surface of the substrate.
21. The sensor of claim 19, wherein the first plurality of drive elements and the second plurality of drive elements are provided on different surfaces of the substrate.
22. The sensor of claim 19, wherein the sense elements are substantially circular in shape.
23. The sensor of claim 19, wherein the first plurality of drive elements are substantially hexagonal in shape.
24. The sensor of claim 19, wherein each of the plurality of drive elements has at least one edge contoured to be complimentary to at least one of the sense elements.
25. The sensor of claim 19 further comprising a controller, comprising at least one drive unit configured to apply drive signals to the first and second pluralities of drive elements and at least one sense unit, configured to sense signals representing a degree of coupling of the drive signals applied to the first and second plurality of drive elements to the sense electrodes.
26. The sensor of claim 25, wherein the controller further comprises a processing unit configured to calculate a position of an object in one direction from an analysis of the sense signals obtained by applying drive signals to different ones of the first plurality of drive elements and calculate a position of the object in another direction from an analysis of the sense signals obtained by applying drive signals to different ones of the second plurality of drive elements.
27. The sensor of claim 19, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially orthogonal.
28. The sensor of claim 27, wherein the first sets of sense and drive elements form columns of alternating sense and drive elements and the second sets of sense of drive elements form rows of alternating sense and drive elements.
29. The sensor of claim 19, wherein the drive elements are formed of a substantially transparent conductive material.
30. The sensor of claim 19, wherein the first plurality of drive elements, the second plurality of drive elements, and the plurality of sense elements are arranged such that the elements do not overlap.
31. An electronic device, comprising:
a housing;
a touch-sensitive sensor disposed within the housing, the touch-sensitive sensor comprising:
a substrate;
a plurality of interconnected sense elements arranged in a first direction on a surface of the substrate;
a first plurality of interconnected drive elements arranged on a surface of the substrate in the first direction, each respective one of the first plurality of interconnected drive elements being located adjacent to and between respective ones of the plurality of sense elements to form first sets of sense and drive elements alternating in the first direction; and
a second plurality of interconnected drive elements arranged on a surface of the substrate in a second direction, each respective one of the second plurality of interconnected drive elements being located between respective ones of the plurality of sense elements to form first sets of sense and drive elements alternating in the second direction; and

a controller in communication with the touch-sensitive sensor comprising a drive unit and sense unit, the drive unit configured to apply drive signals to the first and second pluralities of drive elements and a sense unit configured to sense signals representing a degree of coupling of the drive signals applied to the first and second plurality of drive elements to the sense electrodes.
32. The electronic device of claim 31, wherein the first plurality of drive elements and the second plurality of drive elements are provided on different surfaces of the substrate.
33. The electronic device of claim 31, wherein the sense elements are substantially circular in shape.
34. The electronic device of claim 31, wherein the first plurality of drive elements are substantially hexagonal in shape.
35. The electronic device of claim 31, wherein the controller further comprises a processing unit configured to calculate a position of an object in one direction from an analysis of the sense signals obtained by applying drive signals to different ones of the first plurality of drive elements and calculate a position of the object in another direction from an analysis of the sense signals obtained by applying drive signals to different ones of the second plurality of drive elements.
36. The electronic device of claim 31, wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially orthogonal.
37. The electronic device of claim 31, wherein the drive elements are formed of a substantially transparent conductive material.
38. The electronic device of claim 31, wherein the first plurality of drive elements, the second plurality of drive elements, and the plurality of sense elements are arranged such that the elements do not overlap.