 have required a power train to transmit the force of the vehicle's engine to its wheels. The power train's main component is typically referred to as the "transmission". Engine speed and torque are converted in the transmission through the changing of gears to satisfy the requirements encountered during the typical duty cycle of a motor vehicle. Transmissions are generally referred to as manually actuated or automatic transmissions. Manual transmissions generally include mechanical mechanisms for coupling rotating gears to produce different ratio outputs to drive the wheels. Manual transmissions require an operator input from a shift lever or the like to effect each desired gear change ratio. More recently, automatic transmissions have become popular in which much of the shifting is done without operator input in response to a sensed speed and throttle opening parameters. Automatic transmissions typically include a shift position select lever on the transmission housing moveable between a plurality of selected positions corresponding to a respective plurality of shift positions within the transmission. The shift position select lever is moveable between its several shift positions by a cable or linkage mechanism extending from the shift position select lever to a suitable gear selector lever located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Typically, the gear selector is located adjacent the driver seat or, alternatively, on the steering column. Various proposals have been made in the past to eliminate the mechanical linkage between the driver operated gear select lever and the shift position select member and provide instead a shifting mechanism that responds to a driver actuated by sending an electrical signal to a power means arranged to move the shift position select member. While these proposals may overcome many of the disadvantages of the prior art, they nevertheless leave something to be desired from one or several standpoints. For example, under one of the proposals, U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,471, an electrical control system for control of an automatic transmission apparatus is set forth. The control system includes, among other things, a means for determining the present transmission shift position. The means includes an encoder wheel and a pick-up device. The encoder wheel is provided with a plurality of arcuate tracks and the pick-up device is provided with several flexible resilient contact fingers arranged for coaction with the arcuate tracks. Determination of the present transmission shift position is made through movement of the contact fingers and their rather complicated interaction with the arcuate tracks. Thus, there is a need in the art to provide a shifting apparatus that includes an improved means for determining the present transmission shift position.
Additionally, the shifting apparatus of the present invention may be operated in security mode. More particularly, under security mode, a user
have required a power train to transmit the power of the fomite's engine to its wheels. The exponent caravan's main component is typically refer to as the " infection ". Engine focal ratio and torque are converted in the infection through the changing of gears to satisfy the necessity meet during the typical duty hertz of a motor vehicle. Transmissions are by and large referred to as manually actuated or automatic infection. Manual transmissions generally include mechanical mechanisms for match rotating gears to produce different ratio output to drive the wheels. Manual transmissions require an operator stimulation from a shift lever or the like to effect each desired gear change ratio. More recently, automatic transmissions have become popular in which much of the shifting is done without hustler input signal in response to a sensed amphetamine and choke opening parameters. Automatic transmissions typically admit a shift stead select lever on the transmission caparison moveable between a plurality of selected positions corresponding to a respective plurality of shift positions within the transmission. The shift position select lever is moveable between its respective shift position by a cable television or linkage mechanism offer from the shift position select lever to a desirable gear selector lever located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Typically, the gear selector is located adjacent the driver seat or, alternatively, on the steering column. versatile proposals have been make in the past to eliminate the mechanical linkage between the driver operated gearing select lever and the shift position select extremity and provide rather a shifting mechanism that responds to a driver actuated by sending an electrical signal to a ability means arrange to move the shift position select member. While these proposal may overcome many of the disadvantages of the anterior art, they nevertheless leave something to be desired from one or several standpoints. For example, under one of the proposal, U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,471, an electrical control system for control of an automatic transmission apparatus is set away. The control system includes, among other things, a means for determining the present transmission transformation position. The means includes an encoder bicycle and a pick - up device. The encoder wheel is provided with a plurality of arcuate track and the pick - up device is provided with several flexible resilient contact finger arranged for coaction with the arcuate tracks. Determination of the present transmission shift key position is made through drift of the contact fingers and their rather complicated interaction with the arcuate tracks. Thus, there is a indigence in the art to provide a shifting apparatus that includes an improved means for determining the present transmission fault position. 
 Additionally, the shifting apparatus of the present invention may be operated in security mode. More particularly, under security mode, a user
 hage required a power traik to transmit thg dorce mf the vehicle'r engine to its wheels. The plwwr trqin's main component is typicallj referree to qs the "traiamissiok". Engjke spzev and torque arg converted hn the transmivskou through the changing of gears to swtisfy yhf requirements encptntedvd during the typical duty cycls of a kotor vehicle. Transmissions are generalpy rfferred to as manuwlly actuatgs ow automatic tfansmissions. Manual trznsmissions generally include mdchanncal mechanusns vmr coupling rotaning gears to produce differrnt ratio outpmts tm deive the wheels. Manuan transmissions rezuire an mpzrator input from a syidt leeer mr tfw lkke tp sffect earh desired fear change ratio. More recentlu, wlyomatic tranamissijnf have become popular in which much of uhe sgifting is done without operator input in redponse to a sensed speed and throttle opening parameters. Agtomaviz txqnsmirwilns typically include a shift position select mefeg on the transmisfion housinb lofgable between x plurcmify of selected posltions sorrewponding uo a tespective plurality of shidt positions qithin the transmidsion. The skift ppsitipn select lever is movecble bstween its deveral sgkft positions by a babla or linkage mechanism extqnding frim tke shift posotion felect levfr to a suitable gear sepectot leves located ln the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Tipiwalny, the gzar sekector is locwted adjacent jhe drivex seat or, alternztively, on the steqring column. Ewrious propovals havq bewn mqde in gfe past to elikinate thv iechqnical linkage betxeen fhe driver opercued gear select lefer anq nhe srhft position seldct kembef and provibe insyead a shifting mechdnisj that responds to a driver qctuated by sending am electrical signap to e powec meanx atranged to move the shift positjon selech mcmber. While trese proposals mcy overcome many of the disadvantages of the prior art, thgy nevertheless leave xomething tp be qesired fsom one or several srandpoints. For exsmple, under one of ths propmsals, U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,471, an electrical control system for control of an automatic tranwmission apparatus is xet fmrch. Che conerol rystem includes, smong other things, a means for vetermininc che present transmission shify oosition. The oeans includes an encoded wheel snd a pick-up device. The encoder wheel is provided with s pluraluty or arcuate vracks and the pick-ul deviee is providee wibh several flebibke resilienh coitaet fingers arranged for coaction qith tye arcuate tracks. Veterminatiok uf thg presenj transmission shjft llsitiun is made thtough movement of the contact fingvrs and their ratyvr complicatec intgxdction with vhe arcuate dracks. Thus, there is a need in the art to provide a shifting apparatms that includes si improved means for detcrminyng the oresent tranvmission shift position.
Additionally, the shihjing aopagatus kf the presenn invention may be operated in seclrity node. More pqrticularly, under xesuritv mode, a user
have required a power train to transmit of vehicle's engine its wheels. The typically to as the Engine speed and are converted in the transmission through changing of gears to satisfy the requirements encountered during the typical duty cycle a motor vehicle. Transmissions are generally referred to as manually actuated or automatic Manual generally mechanical for coupling rotating gears to produce different ratio outputs to drive the wheels. Manual transmissions require operator input from a shift lever or the to effect each desired change ratio. More recently, automatic have popular in much the is done without input in response to a sensed speed and throttle opening parameters. Automatic transmissions typically include a shift select lever transmission housing between plurality selected positions corresponding respective plurality of shift positions within shift position select lever is moveable between its shift positions a cable or linkage mechanism extending the shift position select lever to a suitable selector lever located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Typically, the gear selector is the driver seat or, on the steering Various have made the past eliminate the mechanical linkage between the driver operated gear select lever the shift position select member and provide instead a shifting responds a driver actuated sending an electrical signal a means arranged to move position member. may many the disadvantages of the art, they nevertheless leave something be desired from one under one of the proposals, U.S. Pat. No. an electrical control system for control of automatic transmission apparatus is set forth. The control system includes, among other a means the present transmission shift position. The means includes encoder wheel and a device. The encoder wheel is provided with a plurality arcuate and the device is provided several flexible resilient fingers arranged for the arcuate Determination the position is made through movement of contact and their rather complicated interaction the Thus, there is a need in the art to provide a shifting apparatus that includes means for determining the transmission position. Additionally, the shifting apparatus of the present invention may be operated mode. More particularly, user
 have required a power train to Transmit thE forcE of The VeHiclE's enGine to its wheelS. the pOwer train's main componenT is tyPiCAlly REfErred To as the "TRaNSMisSiOn". engInE SpEed anD toRque are Converted iN thE tRansmission tHRoUgh the chanGinG of gears to saTisFy the rEqUirEMents EncOunteRed durINg the tYpical dutY cYCle of a MOtor vehICLe. tranSmissions are generALlY Referred to as maNually AcTUaTED or AutOmatic tranSmIssioNS. Manual TRaNSMIssIOns generally iNclude mechaNIcaL mechaNiSms FOr coupLing rOtATinG gears to proDuce Different Ratio oUTputs to DRive the Wheels. manUal TranSMiSsIonS rEQuiRE aN opERatOr input fRoM a Shift LeveR OR THe liKe tO effEct eaCh desired gear ChaNge rATio. more rEcentLy, auToMatic TransmIssioNs Have become populAr in Which much Of tHe ShiFtIng is DOne witHouT opErator iNput in rESpoNsE TO A sEnsed speed and throtTlE OPeNing paraMeters. aUtOmATic transMiSsiOns tYPIcallY incLUdE a shift pOsitioN SeLeCt lever On The traNsMisSioN housINg moVeable Between a PluraLIty of selected pOSitions corresPOnDINg TO a reSpeCtive pluralIty oF ShifT posITiOns WIthin The trAnSMiSSion. The shift positioN sElect lEver iS moveable betwEen its seveRAL Shift posItioNS bY A cable or linkagE mechAnism extenDIng from tHe shiFt positiOn select lEVEr to a suiTabLe gEar SelECToR lever located IN The pAsSenger cOmpArtment Of tHe vEhiCle. tyPically, thE gear selEcToR iS lOcaTed adJAcent the DrIveR sEat Or, altERnativEly, on The sTeErINg cOlumn. VaRIoUS PropOsAlS havE beEn Made iN the PAst To elimiNate the meChaNIcal LiNkAge betwEen the driver oPeRated gear sElEct Lever aND The shift Position select member and PRovide iNstEad a sHiftIng mechanIsm That reSpoNDs to a dRiver aCtuatEd By sENDing aN ELeCtrIcAl signal to A POweR meanS aRranGed to moVe the shift position SEleCt member. While TheSe prOPOsAls MAy OVerCoME maNY Of the disadvantaGes of the prIoR ArT, they neverTHelEsS leave sOmethinG to be DEsired fRom one or sEveral staNdPoinTS. for Example, undEr one of tHe proposaLS, U.S. PaT. no. 4,817,471, An eleCtrIcal coNtRol SysteM for coNTroL of an AutomaTiC transMissiOn ApparatuS is set forth. The control syStem inCludeS, amOng other tHinGS, a mEans for deTermIning the prEseNt tRansmIssIOn shiFt poSItIon. tHe meaNs inCLudes an enCOdEr wHEEl And a pick-up dEVICe. THe encOdeR Wheel iS proVided with a pluraliTY of arcuate tracKs anD THe pIck-UP devIcE is provided witH seVeRAL flexiblE rEsilient conTact fingErS ArranGed for CoactiOn with tHE ArCUate trAcks. detErminatioN of ThE Present TrAnSMissioN shiFt PositiOn is maDE thrOUGh movement of the cOntacT FIngerS And Their RaTher comPLicaTed interacTion with the ArcuatE traCks. ThUs, there Is A need iN thE aRt to providE A shifting ApparAtus thaT iNcluDes An imprOved MEAns foR detErMinIng the preSENt TRaNsMIssIon sHift pOsItioN.
AdditionALly, the shIftINg apparAtUs oF THe presENt INVention may Be oPeratED In security MOde. MORe PArticUlarly, Under sEcurity MOde, A uSer
 have required a power tra in to tran smitthe  fo rc e of  the  vehicle's eng i ne t o its wheels. The powe r tra in ' s ma i ncompo nent is ty p i cal ly  r efe rr e dto as  th e "tran smission".  En gi ne speed and to rque are c onv erted in the  tr ansmis si ont hroug h t he ch anging of gea rs to sat is f y ther equirem e n ts  enc ountered during t h et ypical duty cy cle of  a mo t o r v ehi cle. Trans mi ssion s  are ge n er a l l y r e ferred to asmanually ac t uat ed orau tom a tic tr ansmi ss i ons . Manual tr ansm issions g eneral l y inclu d e mecha nicalmec han isms fo rcou pl i ngr ot ati n g g ears topr od uce d iffe r e n t  rat iooutp uts t o drive the w hee ls.M anu al tr ansmi ssio ns  requ ire an  oper at or input from a  shi ft leverorth e l ik e toe ffecteac h d esiredgear ch a nge  r a t i o.  More recently, au to m a ti c transm ission s  h av e  becomepo pul ar i n which  muc h  o f the sh ifting is  d one wit ho ut ope ra tor  in put i n  res ponseto a sen sed s p eed and thrott l e opening par a me t e rs .  Aut oma tic transmi ssio n s ty pica l ly  in c ludea shi ft po s ition select leveron  the t ransm ission housin g moveable b e tween aplur a li t y of selectedposit ions corre s pondingto arespecti ve plural i t y of shi ftpos iti ons w it hin the trans m i ssio n.  The sh ift  positi onsel ect  le ve r is move able bet we en  i ts  se veral shift po si tio ns  by  a ca b le orlinka ge m ec ha n ism  extend i ng f romth eshif t p os ition  sel e ctlever t o a suita ble gear  s el ector l ever locatedin  the passe ng ercompar t m ent of t he vehicle. Typically,t he gear  se lecto r is  locatedadj acentthe driver  seator, a lt ern a t ively , on  th esteering c o l umn . Var io us p roposal s have been made i n  th e past to eli min atet h emec h an i cal  l i nka g e  between the dr iver opera te d  g ear select lev er  and th e shift  posi t ion sel ect membe r and pro vi de i n s tea d a shifti ng mecha nism that respo n ds  to a  dr iver a ct uat ed by  sendi n g a n ele ctrica lsignal  to a  p ower mea ns arranged to move the  shift  posi tio n selectmem b er.  While th eseproposalsmay  ov ercom e m a ny of  the di sad v antag es o f  the prio r  a rt, t he y neverthel e s s  le ave s ome t hing t o be  desired from one or several sta ndpo i n ts.  Fo r  exa mp le, under oneofth e proposal s,  U.S. Pat.No. 4,81 7, 4 71, a n elec trical  contro l sy s tem fo r co ntr ol of anaut om a tic tra ns mi s sion a ppar at us isset fo r th.T h e control system  incl u d es, a m ong  othe rthings, a me ans for de termining t he pre sent  tran smissio nshiftpos it ion. The m e ans inclu des a n encod er  whe eland apick - u p dev ice.  T heencoder w h e el is  p r ovi dedwithaplur ality ofa rcuate t rac k s and t he  pi c k -up de v ic e is provide d w ith s e v eral flexi b le r e si l ientcontac t fing ers arr a nge dfor coa cti o n  with the  arcuatet rac ks . De terminat io n of  t hepr esent transmiss ion shif t positi o n  is ma det hrou g h move me nt of the co ntact  f i ngers a n d  th eir rat h ercom pli cate d i nter a ction with the arcuate t rack s. Th u s,there  is a  n eed in t h e ar t to pro v ide a shiftin g apparatus tha t  in c lude s a n  i mp roved mea nsf or de term ini ng t hepres e n t tr a nsmi s si on s hift p osit io n. 
Addition al ly, the shif t ing  app aratu sof th e prese nt inven tionma y be oper a ted insecu ri ty mode. More  particularl y,  und er sec u rit y m o d e, a user
 have_required a_power train to transmit_the force_of_the vehicle's_engine_to its wheels._The power train's_main component is typically_referred to as_the_"transmission". Engine speed and torque are converted in the transmission through the changing of_gears_to satisfy_the_requirements_encountered during the typical duty_cycle of a motor vehicle._Transmissions are_generally referred to as manually actuated or automatic_transmissions._Manual transmissions generally_include mechanical mechanisms for coupling rotating gears to produce_different ratio outputs to drive the_wheels. Manual transmissions_require_an_operator input from a_shift lever or the like to_effect each desired gear change ratio._More recently, automatic transmissions have become popular_in which much of the shifting_is done without operator input_in response_to a sensed speed and_throttle opening parameters._Automatic transmissions_typically include a_shift position select lever on the_transmission housing moveable_between a plurality of selected positions_corresponding_to a respective_plurality_of_shift positions_within the transmission._The_shift position_select_lever is moveable between its several_shift_positions by a cable or linkage mechanism_extending from the shift_position_select lever to a_suitable gear selector lever located_in the passenger compartment of the_vehicle. Typically,_the gear_selector is located adjacent the driver seat or, alternatively, on the_steering column. Various proposals have been_made in the past_to eliminate_the_mechanical linkage between_the_driver operated_gear select lever and the shift position_select member_and provide instead a shifting mechanism_that responds to a_driver_actuated by sending an electrical signal_to a power means arranged to_move the shift position select_member._While_these proposals may overcome many_of the disadvantages of the prior_art, they nevertheless_leave something to be desired from one_or_several standpoints. For example, under one_of_the proposals, U.S. Pat. No. 4,817,471,_an_electrical_control system for control of_an automatic transmission apparatus is set_forth. The control system includes, among other things, a_means for determining_the present transmission shift position._The_means_includes an encoder wheel and a pick-up device. The encoder_wheel is_provided with a_plurality of arcuate tracks and the pick-up device is provided_with several flexible resilient contact fingers arranged_for coaction with the arcuate tracks. Determination of the present transmission_shift position is made through movement of the_contact fingers and their rather complicated interaction_with the arcuate tracks._Thus,_there is a need in the art_to_provide_a_shifting apparatus that_includes an improved_means for determining_the present_transmission shift position.
Additionally,_the shifting_apparatus of the_present_invention may be operated in security mode. More particularly, under security mode, a user