Abstract: A control method of a vehicle includes a step of running the vehicle in an EV running mode in accordance with an operation of a driver, a step of performing a warming-up running, when it is determined that warming up is required, and a step of prohibiting the EV running mode such that the warming up running can be performed.

Abstract: In an engine 5 including an in-cylinder injector, the valve timing of an intake valve is retarded by VVT (Variable Valve Timing) controlled by an engine ECU to decompress in a combustion chamber at engine startup. In accordance with a configuration in which the valve timing of intake valve is advanced in a stepped manner from an initial set value, fuel injection from in-cylinder injector is inhibited during the time when the advance is equal to or below a predetermined standard value, and fuel injection from in-cylinder injector is allowed when exceeding the predetermined standard value, whereby degradation in the exhaust emission level in accordance with start time decompression control can be suppressed.

Abstract: When a starter switch is switched from OFF to ON, a hybrid ECU determines that a driver intends to start driving a vehicle, reads a temperature of each of items (engine coolant, injectors, lubricating oil, and the like), and makes a determination on the necessity of preheating depending on whether each of the items has reached a corresponding one of suitable temperatures. If preheating is required, the hybrid ECU sets an engine start permission flag so as to prohibit the engine from being started, and instructs an engine ECU to preheat the item requiring preheating. On the other hand, if every one of the items has reached the suitable temperature range of its own, the hybrid ECU determines that preheating is not required, and sets the engine start permission flag so as to permit the starting of the engine.

Abstract: On the premise that a target torque of an engine is equal to 0, that observed catalyst temperature is in a specified temperature range causing deterioration of the catalyst, and that the engine runs idle without a fuel cut regardless of fulfillment of preset fuel cut conditions, the control procedure of the invention determines whether a predetermined engine stop condition is fulfilled (step S300). Upon fulfillment of the predetermined engine stop condition, the control procedure subsequently determines whether a high load is applied to an exhaust catalyst (step S320). The engine runs idle (step S310) when a high load is applied to the exhaust catalyst. The relatively low-temperature exhaust gas from the engine in the idling state forcibly cools down the exhaust catalyst. This prevents the exhaust catalyst from being kept at high temperature. When a low load is applied to the exhaust catalyst at step S320, on the other hand, the engine is stopped (step S330).

Abstract: The control technique of the invention sets smaller values to an engine stop reference value and an engine start reference value in the state of use of a regular fuel, compared with values in the ordinal state. When a calculated engine power demand Pe* is less than the engine stop reference value, the control stops the operation of the engine. When the calculated engine power demand Pe* exceeds the engine start reference value, on the other hand, the control starts the operation of the engine. This arrangement facilitates the start of the engine in the state of use of the regular fuel, compared with the start in the ordinary state. A corrective revolution speed ?N is added to a target revolution speed Ne* of the engine, in order to respond to a decrease in output power from the internal combustion engine.

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: The temperature of a component provided in or associated with an internal combustion engine is estimated with no regard to the automatic stop and the automatic start of the internal combustion engine, and at least one of the estimated temperature of the component and a parameter used to estimate the same temperature is initialized in response to the internal combustion engine being started non-automatically.

Abstract: The control technique of the invention sets smaller values to an engine stop reference value and an engine start reference value in the state of use of a regular fuel, compared with values in the ordinal state. When a calculated engine power demand Pe* is less than the engine stop reference value, the control stops the operation of the engine. When the calculated engine power demand Pe* exceeds the engine start reference value, on the other hand, the control starts the operation of the engine. This arrangement facilitates the start of the engine in the state of use of the regular fuel, compared with the start in the ordinary state. A corrective revolution speed ?N is added to a target revolution speed Ne* of the engine, in order to respond to a decrease in output power from the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A hybrid automobile runs by transmitting a power from an engine and a power from a motor-generator MG2, and can store a part of the power from the engine and an electric power generated by a motor-generator MG1. In this hybrid automobile, a power requirement Pr* of a drive shaft is set based on an accelerator opening, and a battery charge electric power Pbi is set based on SOC, and the sum of the power requirement Pr* and the battery charge electric power Pbi are set as an engine target power Pe*. When the engine target power Pe* is less than a predetermined minimum value Plow, the engine target power Pe* is changed to the minimum value Plow. Further, in accordance with this change, the battery charge electric power Pbi is also changed, and the engine and the motor-generators MG1, MG2 are operated.

Abstract: A hybrid automobile runs by transmitting a power from an engine and a power from a motor-generator MG2, and can store a part of the power from the engine and an electric power generated by a motor-generator MG1. In this hybrid automobile, a power requirement Pr* of a drive shaft is set based on an accelerator opening, and a battery charge electric power Pbi is set based on SOC, and the sum of the power requirement Pr* and the battery charge electric power Pbi are set as an engine target power Pe*. When the engine target power Pe* is less than a predetermined minimum value Plow, the engine target power Pe* is changed to the minimum value Plow. Further, in accordance with this change, the battery charge electric power Pbi is also changed, and the engine and the motor-generators MG1, MG2 are operated.

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: When a starter switch is switched from OFF to ON, a hybrid ECU determines that a driver intends to start driving a vehicle, reads a temperature of each of items (engine coolant, injectors, lubricating oil, and the like), and makes a determination on the necessity of preheating depending on whether each of the items has reached a corresponding one of suitable temperatures. If preheating is required, the hybrid ECU sets an engine start permission flag so as to prohibit the engine from being started, and instructs an engine ECU to preheat the item requiring preheating. On the other hand, if every one of the items has reached the suitable temperature range of its own, the hybrid ECU determines that preheating is not required, and sets the engine start permission flag so as to permit the starting of the engine.

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: An internal combustion engine control unit for hybrid vehicle makes an electric motor function as a main driving source for the vehicle under a predetermined condition and at the same time, controls a hybrid mechanism so as to warm up the internal combustion engine. If a requested engine output to the internal combustion engine exceeds a predetermined output or if an accelerator opening degree exceeds a predetermined opening degree, the same control unit changes the operating condition of the internal combustion engine from the warm-up operation condition to an operation condition fitting to the requested engine output.

Abstract: An active-type multipoint automatic focusing apparatus is arranged to vary the number of distance measuring points according to focal length, and to vary, according to the number of distance measuring points varied, the number of times of light projection to be made by a light projecting part for a distance measuring action at each of the distance measuring points.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine control unit for hybrid vehicle makes an electric motor function as a main driving source for the vehicle under a predetermined condition and at the same time, controls a hybrid mechanism so as to warm up the internal combustion engine. If a requested engine output to the internal combustion engine exceeds a predetermined output or if an accelerator opening degree exceeds a predetermined opening degree, the same control unit changes the operating condition of the internal combustion engine from the warm-up operation condition to an operation condition fitting to the requested engine output.