Appeal No. 2002-0882
Application 09/161,146
THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method and apparatus “for
shortening the time required for shifting gears in a semi-
automatic, electronically controlled motor vehicle transmission
by reduction of clutch engagement response time” (specification,
page 1). The appellants’ specification defines a semi-automatic
transmission as “a transmission in which the selection of a
particular gear by a driver electronically actuates a gear
shifting operation, and in which a clutch is selectively
disengaged during the shifting of gears by a driver-operated
clutch pedal” (page 1). Representative claims 1 and 14 read as
follows:
1. Method for shortening a duration required for shifting
gears in a semi-automatic transmission for motor vehicles
controlled by an electronic system with a microprocessor and
including a shifting command emitter for initiation of a gear
shifting operation carried out by synchronization equipment in
the transmission, the transmission further including a clutch, an
input shaft, an output shaft, and an acknowledgment device for
emitting an acknowledgment signal to a driver that re-engagement
of the clutch may be properly effected, the method comprising:
determining a beginning of synchronization of the
transmission during a shifting operation; and
emitting the acknowledgment signal at said beginning of
synchronization.
14. In a semi-automatic transmission of the type in which
operation is controlled by an electronic system with a
microprocessor, initiation of a gear operation being carried out
by synchronization equipment in the transmission actuated by
operation of a shifting command emitter, and in which a clutch is
disengaged during the gear switching operation, the transmission
2
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