Gear shift indication method and apparatus
First Claim
1. An apparatus for communicating an optimal gearshift time, the apparatus:
- comprising;
an input circuit configured to obtain a plurality RPM readings;
an acceleration estimation module configured to determine an RPM acceleration based upon the plurality of RPM readings;
a shift time estimation module configured to receive an estimated shift reaction time and determine an appropriate shift time based upon the RPM acceleration and the estimated shift reaction time; and
a shift indicator configured to communicate the appropriate shift time.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for communicating an optimal gear shift time is disclosed. The apparatus includes an input circuit that obtains a plurality RPM readings over a selected interval of time, a processing module that determines an RPM acceleration based upon the plurality of RPM readings, the processing module also determines an appropriate shift time based upon the RPM acceleration and estimated shift reaction time, and a shift indicator that communicates the appropriate shift time. In certain embodiments, the appropriate shift time includes shifting within a range of maximum engine power. In some embodiments, the shift indicator comprises a shift indicator light or an audible signal generator.
13 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for communicating an optimal gearshift time, the apparatus:
- comprising;
an input circuit configured to obtain a plurality RPM readings;
an acceleration estimation module configured to determine an RPM acceleration based upon the plurality of RPM readings;
a shift time estimation module configured to receive an estimated shift reaction time and determine an appropriate shift time based upon the RPM acceleration and the estimated shift reaction time; and
a shift indicator configured to communicate the appropriate shift time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- comprising;
-
10. A method for communicating an optimal gearshift time, the method comprising:
-
obtaining a plurality of RPM readings over a selected interval of time;
receiving an estimated shift reaction time;
determining an RPM acceleration based upon the plurality of RPM readings;
determining an appropriate shift time based upon the RPM acceleration and shift reaction time; and
communicating the appropriate shift time. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification