Abstract: The engine misfire detection apparatus of the invention successively determines whether a rotational fluctuation difference Nxd360 as a difference between a rotational fluctuation Nxd at a certain crank angle CA of an engine and a rotational fluctuation Nxd at a 360 degree-prior crank angle CA exceeds a predetermined reference value A1 (step S150) and whether a rotational fluctuation difference Nxd720 as a difference between the rotational fluctuation Nxd at the certain crank angle CA and a rotational fluctuation Nxd at a 720 degree-prior crank angle CA exceeds a predetermined reference value B1 (step S160).

Abstract: At the setting of a gearshift position to a D position or a P position (step S130) where damping control is performed with motors MG1 and MG2 to reduce the vibration of an engine 22, the procedure adopts threshold values A1, B1, and C1 for detection of an engine misfire (step S180). At the setting of the gearshift position to an N position where the damping control is not performed, the procedure adopts threshold values A2, B2, and C2, which are greater than the threshold values A1, B1, and C1, for detection of an engine misfire (step S210). The threshold values used for engine misfire detection are thus changed over according to the execution or non-execution of the damping control. This arrangement enables engine misfire detection by a simple series of processing.

Abstract: A delay time for delaying starting of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle is set to a predetermined time based on an engine coolant temperature and a state of an air conditioner switch. Starting of the engine is delayed for the predetermined time if it is determined that a vehicle can run using only a motor based on a required torque, a required power and an SOC of the battery. The predetermined time is determined based on a time necessary for completing preheating of an engine by a preheating device, preparations of sensors such as an air-furl ratio sensor, and warming-up of an exhaust gas purifying device. As a result, it is possible to efficiently perform start of the engine and operation immediately after the engine start, and to make control at the engine start time simple.

Abstract: There is provided a print ink system used for printing “a print IT shopping-linked printed matter” used in a commodity sales method in which a commodity can be ordered by converting a commodity information image in an imaged partition into an electric signal and transmitting it via a predetermined network, and by replying the order of the commodity, the order for the commodity is received and the commodity is sent, and furthermore, charging for the commodity cost is performed. The print ink system uses a combination of a print ink (a) for printing “a visible image of a commodity” (A) and a print ink (b) for printing “a commodity information code” (B).

Abstract: In response to simultaneous ON settings of a heater switch signal HSW and an eco switch signal ESW, an eco priority map is set to an intermittent operation permission map (step S350). The heater switch signal HSW is output from a heater switch that is operated to warm up a passenger compartment, while the eco switch signal ESW is output from an eco switch that is operated to give preference to improvement in fuel consumption of the vehicle over the heater function. The eco priority map is designed to allow intermittent operation of an engine in a lower range of cooling water temperature Tw of the engine than that in a heater-on state map set in response to OFF setting of the eco switch signal ESW and ON setting of the heater switch signal HSW.

Abstract: The engine misfire detection apparatus of the invention successively determines whether a rotational fluctuation difference Nxd360 as a difference between a rotational fluctuation Nxd at a certain crank angle CA of an engine and a rotational fluctuation Nxd at a 360 degree-prior crank angle CA exceeds a predetermined reference value A1 (step S150) and whether a rotational fluctuation difference Nxd720 as a difference between the rotational fluctuation Nxd at the certain crank angle CA and a rotational fluctuation Nxd at a 720 degree-prior crank angle CA exceeds a predetermined reference value B1 (step S160).

Abstract: On a first start of an engine after system activation, the start control technique of the invention gives a valve-closing instruction to close an exhaust flow changeover valve and thereby causes all the fuel exhaust introduced into an exhaust system to be discharged after transmission through an HC adsorbent (step S100). After confirmation of the closed position of the exhaust flow changeover valve (steps S110 and S120), the start control technique starts cranking the engine (step S130). Fuel injection control and ignition control are performed to start fuel injection from a fuel injection valve after elapse of a preset time period since the start of engine cranking and eventually start the engine (step S170). The fuel injection accordingly starts after substantial elimination of the fuel vapor accumulated in an air intake system due to oil-tight leakage of the fuel injection valve. This arrangement effectively prevents a variation in air-fuel ratio on or immediately after a start of the engine.

Abstract: An ECU executes a program including the steps of: when a switching valve is controlled to be closed, comparing exhaust gas's temperature, as detected, with a map value; if the exhaust gas's temperature is larger than the map value, determining that the switching valve normally operates; and if the exhaust gas's temperature is smaller than the map value, determining that the switching valve has abnormality.

Abstract: A signal processing device includes a memory which stores correction data in advance. The signal processing device modifies the correction data stored in the memory on the basis of an image sensing signal obtained by causing an image sensing unit to perform image sensing operation in a non-exposure state. The signal processing device corrects by using the modified correction data an image sensing signal obtained by causing the image sensing unit to perform image sensing operation in an exposure state.

Abstract: A signal processing device includes a memory which stores correction data in advance. The signal processing device modifies the correction data stored in the memory on the basis of an image sensing signal obtained by causing an image sensing unit to perform image sensing operation in a non-exposure state. The signal processing device corrects by using the modified correction data an image sensing signal obtained by causing the image sensing unit to perform image sensing operation in an exposure state.

Abstract: In response to simultaneous ON settings of a heater switch signal HSW and an eco switch signal ESW, an eco priority map is set to an intermittent operation permission map (step S350). The heater switch signal HSW is output from a heater switch that is operated to warm up a passenger compartment, while the eco switch signal ESW is output from an eco switch that is operated to give preference to improvement in fuel consumption of the vehicle over the heater function. The eco priority map is designed to allow intermittent operation of an engine in a lower range of cooling water temperature Tw of the engine than that in a heater-on state map set in response to OFF setting of the eco switch signal ESW and ON setting of the heater switch signal HSW.

Abstract: A hybrid ECU executes a program including the steps of calculating an SOC of a battery when turn-on of pre-air-conditioning is requested; prohibiting pre-air-conditioning when the SOC does not satisfy a condition that the SOC is greater than an SOC (Y %) necessary for warm-up and running; and notifying a driver of prohibition of pre-air-conditioning.

Abstract: The technique of the invention determines whether input data for driving and controlling a cooling fan have any abnormality (steps S100 and S110), sets an actual drive level F* of the cooling fan to a high level (Hi) in the event of detection of any abnormality (step S130), and controls a fan motor to drive the cooling fan at the set drive level F* (step S140). This arrangement effectively prevents a temperature rise to an abnormally high level in any of an engine and motors even in the event of any abnormality arising in the input data.

Abstract: A detection error of foreign substance due to the presence of a newly generated defective pixel can be considerably prevented. An image pickup apparatus includes a foreign substance detector detecting foreign substance adhering to an optical member arranged on a light axis for image capturing in accordance with an image signal obtained by the image pickup device, a defective pixel position detector detecting a position of a defective pixel in the image pickup device in accordance with an image signal obtained by the image pickup device, a storage unit storing position information detected by the defective pixel position detector, and a controller controlling processing so that the foreign substance detector detects the foreign substance after the defective pixel position detector detects the position of the defective pixel.

Abstract: A delay time for delaying starting of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle is set to a predetermined time based on an engine coolant temperature and a state of an air conditioner switch. Starting of the engine is delayed for the predetermined time if it is determined that a vehicle can run using only a motor based on a required torque, a required power and an SOC of the battery. The predetermined time is determined based on a time necessary for completing preheating of an engine by a preheating device, preparations of sensors such as an air-furl ratio sensor, and warming-up of an exhaust gas purifying device. As a result, it is possible to efficiently perform start of the engine and operation immediately after the engine start, and to make control at the engine start time simple.

Abstract: A delay time for delaying starting of an internal combustion engine in a hybrid vehicle is set to a predetermined time based on an engine coolant temperature and a state of an air conditioner switch. Starting of the engine is delayed for the predetermined time if it is determined that a vehicle can run using only a motor based on a required torque, a required power and an SOC of the battery. The predetermined time is determined based on a time necessary for completing preheating of an engine by a preheating device, preparations of sensors such as an air-furl ratio sensor, and warming-up of an exhaust gas purifying device. As a result, it is possible to efficiently perform start of the engine and operation immediately after the engine start, and to make control at the engine start time simple.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit which converts an optical image of an object into an electrical signal, and an optical member arranged on the object side of the image capturing unit. The image capturing apparatus also includes an alien substance removing unit configured to execute an alien substance removal operation to remove alien substances adhering to the surface of the optical member, an environmental condition detection unit configured to detect the environmental condition around the image capturing unit or around the optical member, and a control unit configured to control the alien substance removal operation on the basis of the detected environmental condition.

Abstract: The auto engine start control of the invention regulates a throttle valve to a restricted opening to reduce an air intake flow at an ordinary start of an engine (step S140). When the driver stamps on an accelerator pedal to raise an engine power demand Pe* to or above a preset threshold value Pref, the auto engine start control regulates the throttle valve to a standard opening to ensure the air intake flow corresponding to the engine power demand Pe* (step S150) and thereby cranks the engine. This arrangement desirably dampens potential vibration induced by ignition at the ordinary start of the engine, while ensuring prompt output of the required driving force from the engine under the condition of the higher engine power demand Pe*.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle of the invention, the control procedure corrects an idling intake air flow Qidl to enable an engine immediately after its start to generate an output power Pe that is substantially equivalent to an engine power demand Pe*. After the correction, the control procedure controls the engine to have an intake air flow Qe with reflection of an intake air flow correction value Qec and controls a motor MG1 to generate electric power by using the output power Pe of the engine and to charge a battery with the generated electric power within an input limit Win of the battery. The control of the invention ensures that the output power Pe of the engine does not exceed the engine power demand Pe* in restriction of the charge level of the battery. This arrangement effectively prevents the state of charge SOC of the battery, which is charged with the electric power generated by the motor MG1, from exceeding the input limit Win.

Abstract: In a hybrid vehicle of the invention, in the event of specification that an exhaust treatment catalyst is in a preset adequate state at step S112, combustion control of an engine starts after a decrease of an intake pipe pressure P to a preset reference negative pressure Pref and reduction of an intake air flow into a cylinder of the engine by engine motoring. In the event of specification that the exhaust treatment catalyst is not in the preset adequate state but in an inadequate state at step S112, on the other hand, the combustion control of the engine immediately starts, prior to the decrease of the intake pipe pressure P to the preset reference negative pressure Pref.