HONDA INSIGHT WOWS U.S. PATENT EXAMINERS AUGUST 1, 2000 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- The Insight recently took center stage at the U.S. Department of Commerce's Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) during USPTO's TechFair 2000.

The July 20 event -- hosted by USPTO's Technology Center 2800, which issues patents for innovations in power generation and distribution, music, and electrical components and control circuits -- featured an Insight technical presentation and test-drives of the first U.S. gas-electric hybrid vehicle, on sale nationwide since December 1999.

"The patent examiners in our group work on state-of-the-art technology," said USPTO's Doug Dzierzynski, coordinator of the event. "The Insight presentation was a terrific educational opportunity for them to learn about Honda's industry-leading technology and to better understand Honda as a company."

The Insight contains more than 300 patent-pending innovations for engine and transmission design and structure -- more than 150 alone for its "Integrated Motor Assist" (IMA) system.

The IMA system is a 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder gasoline engine combined with an electric motor for improved efficiency. The electric motor is powered by a nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack, which is charged by the gasoline engine and by recapturing the vehicle's momentum during braking.

The two-seater coupe contains most advanced, affordable environmental technology in an automobile on the American road, with an MSRP below $20,000.

"Up until now, our patent examiners have been working on or have already issued patents for specific components of the Insight, but have only seen it piece by piece on paper," Dzierzynski added. "This was the first opportunity for many to see the vehicle as a finished product, connecting the innovations from concepts on paper to reality."

The only automotive-related technology selected for presentation at the conference, the Insight drew more than 150 patent examiners, including Robert Nappi and Rita Leykin, issuers of U.S. Patent #6,020,697 -- "Hybrid Vehicle."